January Favorites

Here's the stuff I've been attached to this month!

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream
I've been using this on my great skin days and when I go out. It has a light coverage of a foundation, but it gives me the dewy glow I've been looking for. I have dry skin, so it works well for me and lasts long. I wouldn't recommend this if you have oily skin, since it does stay kind of dewy-looking. You may look a bit too oily. I'll have to find a replacement once the summer comes around.

Benefit "They're Real" Mascara
I posted this on instagram a few weeks ago for all the mascara obsessed. This stuff is crack. I only wear it when I'm going out because it really makes my eyelashes so dramatic that it's not appropriate for the workplace.

Mac "Taupe" Matte Lipstick
You saw this already in Coloring My Smoochers, but I had to add it here again. I wear this everyday...as you can tell. I'm running low.

EOS Lip Balm
Move over Burt's Bees! This stuff is super moisturizing. I don't have to reapply as often as I do with other lip balms...but I do anyway out of habit. My lips are so soft!

Burt's Bees Hand Salve
I keep this on me at all times. I absolute hate dry hands! And it smells like Christmas, which is just delightful.

Instant Gratificiation: Face Mask Review

I have been paying a lot more attention to the condition my skin is in. I finally got my face cleared up {dark spots and all} so now I only have to focus on keeping it smooth and moisturized. This winter has been particularly harsh on this one stubborn dry spot right in the middle of my forehead.

So, I thought I'd try a face mask for some extra umph. My first instinct is always Lush when it comes to solving skin problems. Their shaving cream {plus the new 5-blade Venus razor} gave me the smoothest shave ever and their soaps are absolutely delicious. So I searched through their options and found Oatifix.

This yummy face mask is made with oatmeal, bananas, vanilla, almonds, and illipe butter. I had never heard of that last one, but after some deep research {read: googling} I found out it's pretty much the Southeast Asian version of Cocoa Butter. We know our brown skin loves cocoa butter!

Check out their video on how it's made!

Process: I applied it last night before bed. My face smelled like a delicious and healthy breakfast for about 10 minutes while I let it sink in. Then, I rinsed. I sealed in the moisture with almond oil, which is the only oil I'm comfortable using on my acne prone skin. It's very light and doesn't clog my pores at all.

Results: The following day {today} my skin looks and feels amazing. I actually started to put on foundation, and then changed my mind. My forehead spot only needed a little almond oil instead of several layers of a thicker shea butter based cream. I'm all for instant gratification, and it doesn't get better than overnight results! I do wonder what would happen if I open up my pores a bit first with a warm towel, so I'll try that next time. I'm going to keep using this twice a week so it can continue to do wonderful things to my face. I'm hoping my dry spots will be a non-factor in a few weeks.