skin

Review: Sibu Beauty

Balancing Facial Cleanser
Hydrating Serum
Replenishing Night Cream
Cleanse & Detox facial soap
by Sibu Beauty

A couple weeks ago we discussed ways to achieve more radiant skin. Today I get to share with you a brand that helps you to get just that…and more. Sibu Beauty is a brand with a short list of amazing items, including vitamins, that feature the Sea Buckthorn berries from the Tibetan Himalayas. The fruit, they said, “resists the harsh weather conditions and high altitudes. The sea buckthorn berry fortifies itself against the elements by producing an array of powerful nutrients. With over 190 bioactive compounds, sea buckthorn is an unsurpassed source of Omegas 3, 6, and 9. And it’s a rich source of the elusive essential fatty acid, Omega-7, an essential fatty acid vital to collagen production and healthy skin, hair and nails.”

Deeply intrigued I decided to give the potent berry a go. I have been using the products for a little over 4 weeks now and I love them. The cleanser was refreshing and had very small beads in it for a very light exfoliating–killing two birds with one stone. I used that more so at night and the facial bar soap in the morning. The hydrating serum was non-greasy and extremely light. Any skin type could benefit from it’s hydrating effect and it’s protection from environmental stresses. The night cream was slightly thicker than what I would normally use, but if you have mature or dry skin you would love it. I just chose to go a lot lighter with the application. With any new routine I did experience a small breakout (yeah just one!) the first week. I decided to add my toner back into the regime and didn’t have a problem after. My skin seems to love a three step process.

All in all these products were great to try and I’m so glad to have had the opportunity and would like to thank Debi for her help.  To learn more about the Buckthorn berry and Sibu Beauty you can go to their site HERE.  Next I’ll be trying their Revitalize & Renew supplement that is rich in all those omega fatty acids and also a free radical scavenger. I believe that taking care of your skin from the inside can be just as important as the out.

xoxo Heather

Polish to Better Skin

Sigma just released their own Cleansing & Polishing Tool this month.  It costs a fraction of the price than other similar tools on the market that do the same thing.  I love that this one you can use the same cleanser that you currently use and it’s TRAVEL ready!  It comes with three brushes, I’m going to use the firm and medium brush heads for my elbows and knees prior to using my self-tanner.

Sigma Cleansing & Polishing Tool:  $39.00

xoxo Heather

Get Radiant Skin

As temperatures begin to climb so does my yearning for a lighter makeup routine.  I switch from my daily foundation to just a light powder one.  Preparing and prepping my skin is key for such a light look.  Here are my top four tips on how I make it work.

1.  Exfoliate.  Coming out of winter months skin can give off the appearance of being tired and worn.  A simple trick is to exfoliate lightly once or twice a week.  *Be Careful!*  Look for scrubs that are made for the face and have super fine granules and do NOT rub to aggressively.  Not all scrubs are made for the face and using one to strong may leave skin damaged, irritated, and red.  I personally do a light exfoliating once a week concentrating on mainly my forehead, nose, and chin.

2.  Hydrate.  Keeping adequate moisture in my skin will ensure a nice even complexion and more youthful appearance.  Moisturize every morning AND night.  At night I make sure to apply a hydrating serum before my cream.  The moisturizer helps your skin to lock in and absorb the serum more efficiently.

3.  Protect.  We all know the harmful damage the sun can do to your skin.  I look for a daytime moisturizer and lightweight powder foundation with a built in SPF.  This way I ensure my skin is being protected.  I personally don’t care for cream or liquid foundations in the summer, with the added heat it just feels to heavy.  Mature or more dry skin may not like my powder routine though, you may want to check out a tinted moisturizer instead.

4.  Routine.  Make one and stick to it!  I make a skincare ritual for 4 weeks or more before I decide that it needs any altering.  This may seem challenging when you see a small break out at first but really you have to give your skin some time to adjust, especially if you are using new products that your skin is just not accustom to.  Using three different moisturizers within two weeks will not help your complexion, if anything it could actually aggravate it because it’s just to much change in such a short time period for your skin.  It never has time to adjust.  *Obviously if you notice your skin’s having an allergic reaction discontinue use of that product.*  I once was trying an eyelash growth liquid and right on my lash line I noticed my skin was getting more red every time I used it.  As per the instructions, it said it can be common and to switch from twice a day to once a day.  After 2-3 weeks it never got better and I threw the product out.  Listen to your skin.

I’m officially two weeks in on my summer skin routine and my skin adapted extremely well this year to the change.  I started one week ago a new skincare company that I’m reviewing for you and so far it’s really great, can’t wait to show you!  If you have any special changes you make to your skincare routine in the summer I would love to hear them.  It could help my ritual or maybe another girls.

xoxo Heather

Five on Friday: Earthy Wonders

Happy Earth Day Divas!!! In honor of today I put together five awesome products that contain NO parabens, NO sulfates, NO synthetic dyes or fragrances, and NO petrochemicals.  Any of them could double as a gift for an earth conscience mom of course and all cost under $40.  Enjoy and I hope you have a GREEN filled weekend!!!

1. Tarte Natural Matte Lip Tint: Lively

2. Pacifica: Hawaiian Ruby Guava Take me There Set

3. Tarte: Amazonian Clay Discovery Set

4. Korres: Monoi Oil Bronzing Powder

5.  Phyto: PhytoSpecific Extreme Shine Spray

xoxo Heather

Winter Skin Care

With the decline of temperatures in the winter months you may see a decline in that healthy glow you once had.  Supple skin has now been replaced with dull, dry, rough, and sometimes even flaky skin.  Most of the time we focus sooooo much on layering to keep warm many of our beauty routines go right out the window.  Now is the time to reinvent a winter routine to combat the dry skin and prevent it from now on.

Your face is the biggest victim because it is exposed the most.  Your first reaction may be to slather on creams at the first sight of dry skin.  It’s very important that before you go there you gently remove that dead skin first.  In the shower twice a week lightly exfoliate with a gentle facial scrub.  After, apply your hydrating cream.  Bonus:  fill your bathroom sink with warm water and lean over it when you apply your moisturizer, the steam will help moisten and nourish your skin.

Low humidity outside + Dry indoor air = Dry skin.  Immediately after showering apply a moisturizing lotion then wrap up in that fluffy rob of yours to help it soak in, by the time you’re done getting ready  it should have fully absorbed.  Unlike your face you should go a little easier when it comes to exfoliating with the body.  It takes an average of 28-40 days for new skin cells to  turn over rather then the 21 days for your face.  Bonus:  for an extra spa-like touch you can leave your jar or bottle of lotion on your radiator in the bathroom (if you have one) to heat it up so it’s not so cold when you go to apply it.

xoxo Heather

P.s.  A lot of times we lose motivation to work out and eat properly in the winter.  This also will have a negative effect later on your skin and could be the main culprit in your dry skin problem.