Sure, there are a lot of things that need replacing - but this week, I'm going to be focusing on makeup and skin care products. I used to be completely clueless when it came to replacing pthese kinds of things, and often freaked out when I realised the problems of keeping certain products for longer than I should be. So I've saved you the trouble of non-stop googling for 2 house and have compiled everything into a list. :) Read on.
Makeup
Mascara (3 months) My sister and I used to think the "3 month mascara rule" was just a strategy that drugstore makeup brands used to sell more mascara, in less time. It turns out we were completely wrong! Since eyelashes are covered in a safe amount of bacteria (this is normal and completely fine), this bacteria is transferred to your mascara brush whenever you use it. After about 3 months of this multiplying bacteria sitting in your mascara, you can take a guess at just what you're applying to your eyelashes. It's just best to play it safe and buy a new mascara every 3 months.
Foundation (About a year) Since foundation isn't exactly a breeding ground for bacteria (you' squeeze the product out, rather than using it like a mascara/lipgloss tube), it can last for a while longer than some other products. This can also depend on how often you actually wear foundation - that is, if you use a small amount when you first purchase it, then don't use any for a few months - you should be fine (I really hope this is easy to understand).
Concealer (About 6 months) This is the same deal as mascara, only your skin is less likely to be holding the same amount of bacteria as your eyelashes.
Lip balm (9-12 months) It's usually easier to use one (and only one!) lip balm at a time. Once you begin to use it, the whole bacteria-spreading thing starts to happen. Just stick to one lip balm and you'll probably find that you'll finish the tube by the time you're due to throw it out.
Brushes (whenever) Depending on the initial quality of your makeup brushes, you won't need to replace them until you really need to (the bristles start falling out or become stiff, etc.). Instead, focus on taking care of your brushes by washing them 1-3 times a month.
Eyeliner (3 months) This is basically the same deal as mascara. This 3-month rule applies for any kind of eyeliner, whether it be pencil, liquid, gel or felt tip - if you've had it for longer than 3 months, get rid of it!
Hair
Brushes (depends) Once your hair brushes begin to dramatically lose their quality (you'll know when this happens), it's time to replace them. To avoid racking up some serious bills, invest in good quality brushes to begin with.
Anything else (whenever) When it comes to just about any other beauty product - toner, shampoo, etc... Replace it when you finish it. Also, please don't begin to use new products while your old ones are still half full - it's how girls archived the "goo hoarder" stereotype ;).
xx
Next Week: Making a decision (the right way)
Wednesday 22 January 2014
Wednesday 15 January 2014
Alphabet Creams Decoded
Sure, we've all heard of BB Cream... But do you know what it actually does? And did you know that not only CC Cream is on the market, but now even DD Cream is a new and growing makeup trend? This growing list of alphabet creams can get a little confusing, but don't worry - I've decoded it all for you. Read on.
BB Cream
Beauty Balm
The oldest and most widely recognised of the alphabet creams also happens to be, in my opinion, the most overrated. Sure, BB Cream is great when you'd like a little coverage while still achieving a barely there makeup look (perfect for school!). But when it comes to advertising purposes, certain makeup brands *cough* Garnier *cough* are guilty of promoting BB Cream as a product that will perfect your complexion with the use of one single product. We all know this isn't true, as the models in these advertisements have likely been spending hours in the makeup chair to achieve this idea of "flawless" skin. The truth about BB Cream? It can be used as a primer, as it evens out your skin tone (but not as dramatically as CC Cream will). My mum and sister occasionally use their BB Cream as a light foundation, especially in summer when they want to look more natural. In addition, Maybelline has a BB Cream with added salicylic acid, meaning it will help fight acne during the day, while still maintaining coverage.
CC Cream
Colour Correcting
In my opinion, this is the perfect alternative to primer. It evens out your skin tone before you apply any makeup (this is especially helpful for redness or dullness), causing less foundation needing to be used. CC Cream is lighter than BB Cream and targets problem areas rather than giving a light overall coverage. CC Cream is also better for your skin than BB Cream, with the majority of CC Creams being packed with vitamins C and E, in addition to added SPF. L'Oreal has three different CC Creams available, and from what I know, they're pretty amazing.
DD Cream
Daily Detox
Now, I don't know how long this has been out, since the first time I heard about it was a few days ago. Since DD Cream is the newest "alphabet cream" to be introduced to the market, it can be a little confusing to understand what it actually does. The simplest way of describing this is that it's a daily cleanser for your skin.
Dynamic Do-all
Uh, oh... there are two types of DD Creams! This one combines the "powers" of both BB and CC Cream, giving you one powerful face product! In addition, the majority of DD Creams have anti-ageing benefits, and will supposedly improve your skin with prolonged use. Seriously, give this a try!
Although I doubt there will be an EE (Excellent Editorial??) or FF (Fancy Facial??) Cream, I suggest you try at least one of these alphabet creams in the next month or so. Who knows? Maybe you'll find your new beauty best friend :) Till next time xx
Next Week: When to replace...
BB Cream
Beauty Balm
The oldest and most widely recognised of the alphabet creams also happens to be, in my opinion, the most overrated. Sure, BB Cream is great when you'd like a little coverage while still achieving a barely there makeup look (perfect for school!). But when it comes to advertising purposes, certain makeup brands *cough* Garnier *cough* are guilty of promoting BB Cream as a product that will perfect your complexion with the use of one single product. We all know this isn't true, as the models in these advertisements have likely been spending hours in the makeup chair to achieve this idea of "flawless" skin. The truth about BB Cream? It can be used as a primer, as it evens out your skin tone (but not as dramatically as CC Cream will). My mum and sister occasionally use their BB Cream as a light foundation, especially in summer when they want to look more natural. In addition, Maybelline has a BB Cream with added salicylic acid, meaning it will help fight acne during the day, while still maintaining coverage.
CC Cream
Colour Correcting
In my opinion, this is the perfect alternative to primer. It evens out your skin tone before you apply any makeup (this is especially helpful for redness or dullness), causing less foundation needing to be used. CC Cream is lighter than BB Cream and targets problem areas rather than giving a light overall coverage. CC Cream is also better for your skin than BB Cream, with the majority of CC Creams being packed with vitamins C and E, in addition to added SPF. L'Oreal has three different CC Creams available, and from what I know, they're pretty amazing.
 |
| Anti-dullness Anti-redness Anti-fatigue |
Daily Detox
Now, I don't know how long this has been out, since the first time I heard about it was a few days ago. Since DD Cream is the newest "alphabet cream" to be introduced to the market, it can be a little confusing to understand what it actually does. The simplest way of describing this is that it's a daily cleanser for your skin.
Dynamic Do-all
Uh, oh... there are two types of DD Creams! This one combines the "powers" of both BB and CC Cream, giving you one powerful face product! In addition, the majority of DD Creams have anti-ageing benefits, and will supposedly improve your skin with prolonged use. Seriously, give this a try!
 |
| Dynamic Do-all |
 |
| Daily Detox |
Although I doubt there will be an EE (Excellent Editorial??) or FF (Fancy Facial??) Cream, I suggest you try at least one of these alphabet creams in the next month or so. Who knows? Maybe you'll find your new beauty best friend :) Till next time xx
Next Week: When to replace...
Thursday 9 January 2014
New year, new you!?
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Yeah, it's pretty crazy that 2013 has already been and gone, especially with all the drama that has happened in just one year (Miley Cyrus' crazy performances, Kimye's, ahem, very public confessions of love for each other, and of course, Cory Monteith :'( ). But anyway, you've all probably been thinking and reflecting on how the past year has gone for you. Hopefully, it's been great! But if you feel like there's something you may have to change, such as stopping a bad habit or spending more time and effort in your schoolwork or sport. These things are perfectly fine to make your New Years resolutions list; however, there are unnecessary wishes you may be adding that are likely to end in excessive worrying if/when they don't come true. Some things such as...
I will get a boyfriend.
No, no, no! You can easily ruin love by wanting it too badly, especially if you force yourself to put up with bad behaviour from other people. Love will come at the right time, trust me! For now, focus on loving yourself and maintaining good relationships with friends and family.
"Never allow loneliness to drive you into the arms of someone you know you don't belong with."
- Unknown
I'll get straight A's at school
This could only be a reasonable resolution if you were previously sitting on a B+ in a few subjects, and getting straight A's in the others. In most cases, this resolution will only cause you unnecessary anxiety and stress over assignments you can only do your best in (I'm not saying you will never get straight A's, though - try your bet and that's seriously all that matters). Instead, promise yourself that you'll put an extra effort (and procrastinating less - yeah, we all do it) into your schoolwork this year - who knows, your grades may end up skyrocketing before you know it!
I'll stay best friends with ____.
Ba-bow! Once again, you can't force something like friendship. Sure, you can definitely make an effort to maintain a friendship with someone (but don't force the pressure of being their best best friend), but who knows? If you're weighing yourself down by a friend who's clearly moved on from your group of friends (keep in mind that this may also be temporary), you could also be stopping yourself from making new friends of your own.
Instead, say things like...
I'll try to be more positive
I'll learn to cook/clean/master another important skill
I'll put more effort into sport
Etc, etc...
Really, it's what you think you can accomplish in the time frame of one year, in addition to school, work and any other commitments you have. And definitely don't try to reinvent your personality ("New year, new me!!"). Just stay true to yourself, be kind to others, and accept the fact that either way, 2014 will be amazing xx
Next Week: Alphabet Creams Decoded
Yeah, it's pretty crazy that 2013 has already been and gone, especially with all the drama that has happened in just one year (Miley Cyrus' crazy performances, Kimye's, ahem, very public confessions of love for each other, and of course, Cory Monteith :'( ). But anyway, you've all probably been thinking and reflecting on how the past year has gone for you. Hopefully, it's been great! But if you feel like there's something you may have to change, such as stopping a bad habit or spending more time and effort in your schoolwork or sport. These things are perfectly fine to make your New Years resolutions list; however, there are unnecessary wishes you may be adding that are likely to end in excessive worrying if/when they don't come true. Some things such as...
I will get a boyfriend.
No, no, no! You can easily ruin love by wanting it too badly, especially if you force yourself to put up with bad behaviour from other people. Love will come at the right time, trust me! For now, focus on loving yourself and maintaining good relationships with friends and family.
"Never allow loneliness to drive you into the arms of someone you know you don't belong with."
- Unknown
I'll get straight A's at school
This could only be a reasonable resolution if you were previously sitting on a B+ in a few subjects, and getting straight A's in the others. In most cases, this resolution will only cause you unnecessary anxiety and stress over assignments you can only do your best in (I'm not saying you will never get straight A's, though - try your bet and that's seriously all that matters). Instead, promise yourself that you'll put an extra effort (and procrastinating less - yeah, we all do it) into your schoolwork this year - who knows, your grades may end up skyrocketing before you know it!
I'll stay best friends with ____.
Ba-bow! Once again, you can't force something like friendship. Sure, you can definitely make an effort to maintain a friendship with someone (but don't force the pressure of being their best best friend), but who knows? If you're weighing yourself down by a friend who's clearly moved on from your group of friends (keep in mind that this may also be temporary), you could also be stopping yourself from making new friends of your own.
Instead, say things like...
I'll try to be more positive
I'll learn to cook/clean/master another important skill
I'll put more effort into sport
Etc, etc...
Really, it's what you think you can accomplish in the time frame of one year, in addition to school, work and any other commitments you have. And definitely don't try to reinvent your personality ("New year, new me!!"). Just stay true to yourself, be kind to others, and accept the fact that either way, 2014 will be amazing xx
Next Week: Alphabet Creams Decoded
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