Travel Bag Essentials

I have made it a habit to carry with me minis because there is always that one time I need one of them, a couple or more. The cool thing about carrying a small travel bag in your purse is that no matter what the plans are that day, if they change, you'll have everything you need with you (say you decide to spend the night at a friend's house, or maybe the weather isn't cooperating with your skin and hair). Obviously this bag is customized to my own needs. The purpose of this post is to give you ideas of what to carry with you, not a specific guide of what you need.

Skin: I keep a sample of Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil because it is strong stuff. It will get rid of any waterproof makeup I'm wearing. I also like to keep a small cleanser, in this case Origins Checks and Balances, because I like to double-cleanse. Moisturizing is key to me, both the eye area and the face/neck, so I always make sure I always have a few samples of those in there (Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream, Origins GinZing and High-Potency Night-A-Mins shown in picture). And of course, Caudalie Beauty Elixir is a must in my hand-bag as this instantly refreshes with it's minty scent.

Hair: I love that Dry Bar offers a travel-size of their Detox Dry Shampoo. How clever. This dry shampoo will instantly add volume, freshness while getting rid of oil. Oribe Cote D'Azur is basically perfume for your hair, but a must if you're going on a date or if you've been in a bar or around friends who smoke, gross.

Teeth: Very important. I have the habit of flossing after every meal. I personally cannot stand the feeling of food between my teeth. A toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash always come in handy, especially if you're spending the night outside of home or if your meal at the restaurant has too much garlic.

Miscellaneous: I've worn contacts since the age of nine, yes, nine! I always carry eye drops with me as it is very important to lubricate the eyes throughout the day. And a Q-tip. I always have a Q-tip with me. This is such a handy tool to touch up eye-makeup throughout the day. Say your mascara smudged a bit, or you have, you know, things going on in the inner corner -- don't stick your finger, use a Q-tip.

Empties #1 (Video)

Hi everyone!

I decided to make my empties into a video this time. Enjoy!

How To Get Glowing Skin Without Makeup

I've always been drawn to glowing skin, and I've come across a wide range of products that claim to brighten, but not all have been successful. 

Now that I have found a regimen that works for me, I want to share it with you. These are products I have been using for over four months, so I can say with confidence that they work. I have noticed major improvement in my skin - it is more even, it is smoother and it is brighter. 

If you're interested, keep reading. 

How I keep my Combination Skin at bay / Cómo controlo mi piel mixta

Combination skin can be a real pain. Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and normal/dry cheeks. I've sometimes found some dry/flaky patches on some areas on my skin, especially after washing my face with a cleanser for acne-prone skin. 

What works for me may not work for you, so bear that in mind. It's tricky to find the perfect equation for everyones' face. 

La piel mixta puede ser compleja y difícil de mantener equilibrada (aquella con frente/nariz/barbilla grasa, pómulos normales/secos). Suelo notar piel reseca en algunas áreas cuando me lavo el rostro con un limpiador para la piel con tendencia al acné, pero no me queda de otra porque me salen esos granitos de vez en cuando!

Lo que funciona para mi,  puede que no funcionar para ti. Es complicado conseguir la ecuación perfecta para el rostro de cada quien. 

I can immediately think of three rules to follow to keep your skin mattified, yet radiant looking. You don't want to absorb all of your natural oils. That will actually increase the production of sebum because your skin will try to compensate. 

Puedo inmediatamente pensar en tres reglas para mantener el rostro matificado, pero que a la vez se vea radiante. No busques absorber toda la grasa del rostro, ya que por naturaleza, sólo estarás incrementando la producción del sebo. 

1. Cleanse: wash your face with a gentle cleanser for combination or oily skin. On the picture above, I included a toner, because I will be talking about specific products that have been working for me. This is the Avene Purifying and Mattifying Toner from their Cleanance range. I apply this with a cotton pad  on my T-zone once a day, usually in the morning. It contains alcohol which can be be drying and is not recommended for sensitive skin. What I like about this particular toner though, is the fact that it contains oil-absorbing powders at the very bottom (you have to shake the bottle so both solutions mix). I find that using this prior to my moisturizer significantly reduces the amount of shine throughout the day.

1. Limpieza: limpia tu rostro con un producto para piel mixta o grasa. En la foto incluí un tónico de Avene de la linea Cleanance. Aplico esto en mis areas grasas con una mota/algodón, usualmente por la mañana antes de continuar con mi hidratante. Contiene alcohol, lo cual puede resecar la piel y no es recomendable si tienes sensibilidad. Lo que particularmente me gusta de este tónico es el hecho que tiene polvos absorbentes (por lo cual tienes que batir el producto antes de utilizarlo). He notado que usando este producto una vez al día reduce significativamente la grasa durante el dia. 

2. Moisturize: I know there is a lot out there in the market nowadays, and it can be tempting to try new things, but limit yourself to products designed specifically for combination/oily skin. My absolute favorite moisturizer (and I've tried A LOT) is the La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat Lotion. It is sebo-regulating and it also reduces the size of the pores. It really does both. Another plus? It works amazingly as a primer. 

If you don't moisturize your face because you're afraid that by putting anything on your face, it will just make it oily, your skin will automatically produce MORE oil. So, moisturize!

2. Hidrata: se que hay un montón de productos en el mercado y que la tentación puede invadir, pero trata de limitarte a utilizar productos específicamente para pieles mixtas/grasas. Mi hidratante favorito (y he utilizado MUCHOS) es la Effaclar Mat de La Roche Posay. No sólo regula el sebo, sino que tambien reduce el tamano de los poros. Para agregarle unos puntos extras, sirve también como un primer, y funciona excelente como tal.  

Si no hidratas tu piel por miedo a que si le echas algo, tu piel se pondrá mas grasa, sólo estarás haciendo que tu piel produzca MAS grasa. Se que es irónico. Así que hidrata!

3. Use a clay mask once or twice a week: Detox your face. Clay masks are great to deeply cleanse the skin and take all that junk out (spots, blackheads, whiteheads, oil, dirt). My two favorite are the Origins Clear Improvement mask and the Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask. Both differ - the Origins mask hardens, the Clarins one doesn't. But both are great. 

Make it a pampering day if you want to make it more exciting and to have something to look forward to in your skin regime. Your skin will thank you. 

3. Utiliza una mascarila de arcilla una o dos veces por semana: son geniales para limpiar la piel a profundidad (granitos, puntos negros, puntos blancos, grasa, sucio). Mis dos favoritas son la Clear Improvement de Origins y la Pure And Radiant Mask de Clarins. Las dos son distintas: la de Origins se endurece luego de unos minutos, la de Clarins no se seca. 

Puedes convertirlo en parte de tu rutina para que sea un poco mas emocionante. Tu piel te lo agradecerá. 

What are your favorite products to combat oiliness and spots?

Cuales son tus productos favoritos para mantener un aspecto matificante y reducir el acné?