The way your face likes it. DIY

Your skin may be dry, oily, sensitive, and normal at the same time!  So, to combat the problems you can apply different products to different areas of your face.

For example, you may have blackheads and large pores on your nose, chin, and forehead; but have dry and sensitive cheeks.  Your forehead may have some fine lines from stress that you want to get rid of.

The best way to take care of this is to use a deep cleansing mask, hydrating mask, and anti-aging mask! You can buy disposable cloth or paper masks at your local beauty store.  They come in different forms, a fun one to use is the compressed facial mask tablets.  They come in little pellets and expand when you add moisture to it.

Apply your choice of different liquid or clay masks onto your face targeting your needs.  Apply the wet paper mask onto your face and wait 15-20 minutes.  After the mask is done, remove the mask, rinse, and apply toner, serum (if needed), and moisturizer.

Tip:  I like to spray the paper mask with a moisturizing gentle toner so it won’t steal the product off your face.  You may think your skin is beautiful and moisturized after the mask but the steps after rinsing the mask off is also very important!  If you don’t all your efforts will be undone.

This fun and efficient way to do masks is great when you’re just watching TV or reading a magazine before bed.  Enjoy~

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_Ex Review

If you don’t know already I’m in a Laneige phase.  Also, I’m a mask lover.  Last night I tried the Laneige Water Sleeping Pack.  This mask can be worn to sleep and washed off the next morning.  Normally, I tell people to let their skin breath through the night but this product actually helps with that.

I don’t have all Laneige brand items to follow the instructions on the packaging so I just did my own thing.  After bathing and removing makeup, I washed my face, toned, and applied a silky serum.  The serum was absorbed into my skin almost instantly.  After this, I start massaging my face gently as instructed.  The exercise they suggested on the packaging is not very pretty, lol…but it works to release tension in your face.  Finally, taking an appropriate amount of the mask, I apply a thin layer to my face leaving approximately one centimeter space around my eyes and mouth.  They suggested you smell the mask, because it smells heavenly.  The correct way to smell the mask is to cover your face using your palms without touching your face, breathing onto your hand.  Your breath will warm and circulate the aroma back to you.

If you’re in a hurry to go to bed…don’t do this because you need to give it at least 5-10 minutes to dry or else it will rub everywhere.  Even when dried it is still a tad sticky and may rub onto your pillowcase.  By placing a towel on your pillow you can prevent any transfer.  I have 2 sets of pillow cases and I replace them every week, and I suggest everyone do that especially if you have acne prone skin.  You transfer oils from your hair, scalp, and face during the night so if you don’t wash the cases often you will be more likely to breakout.

The mask felt very soothing and relaxing.  In the morning, I washed my face and did notice that even without moisturizer, my skin is soft and supple.  The mask not only helped my skin absorb the serum, it provided my skin with a lot of moisture without being heavy.

Like the other Laneige products I’ve tested, this contains similar ingredients such as fruit extracts from lemon, grape, kiwi, apricot, banana, and tomato.  Laneige masks always makes me hungry…YUM!  With all these natural vitamins, your skin will appear brighter and happier!  It also contains Trehalose, this antioxidates and keeps your skin hydrated.  Remember to apply sunblock or BB because your skin is brightened and will darken easily with sun exposure.

Sweet dreams…XoXo!   Thanks for reading and please comment!

Strawberry Yogurt Peeling Gel

I know this is not new but after trying the Strawberry Yogurt Pack, I couldn’t wait to try the Strawberry Yogurt Peeling Gel so I can share my findings with you.  Following my usual routine for preparing for a mask, I washed my face but I didn’t apply toner, I applied a nickel-sized amount on the tips of my fingers.  Slowly and gently massaging the gel on my face, I noticed how yummy the smell was and as I closed my eyes, I felt like I was smothering strawberry yogurt on my face.  Of course, I was tempted to eat it but it says to avoid eyes and mouth!  Seriously though, I don’t suggest ANYONE eat this teehee^^.  The package said to massage for one minute but I think I did it for a little longer, closer to two, as I massage slower to prevent any irritation and pay more attention to how I massage.

Immediately after I start to massage my face, the gel started forming into little bits which kind of looks like your skin cells but it’s mainly the product’s chemical reaction of the cellulose organic compound to gently remove dead skin cells.  If you look closely, you will notice the red sprinkles among the pink yogurt gel.  The sprinkles contain healthy fruit extracts such as banana, tomato, strawberry, grape, and lemon.  If you look at the ingredients on the back, it actually has real yogurt, mmm.. I love yogurt!  The vitamin C helps brighten and the yogurt moisturizes your skin.

After rinsing off the dried gel my face felt soft, moist, and radiant.  This product is definitely worth your money because I’ve tried similar products like Envie De Neuf’s Gentle Exfoliating Gel.  Envie De Neuf’s gel is also very gentle and works great but the price tag is higher.  Also, Envie De Neuf’s gel isn’t as yummy as this one, haha!

I suggest this to all skin types but if you have sensitive skin, remember to massage gently.  Exfoliating is a great way to maintain healthy skin but remember to only exfoliate once or at most twice a week.

Masks are relaxing and Good for your skin.

After a long day of washing dishes, doing laundry, watching TV, blogging, and playing Facebook games, what really cheers me up is a nice trip down to the spa.  I can’t afford to go to the local spas every week so I do it myself in my apartment.  I live in downtown Vancouver, and the buildings here have some pretty amazing pools, saunas, hot-tubs, and gyms.  Every week, I go at least once or twice to let my nerves melt away.  It’s always healthy to go for a 30 min swim or jog on the treadmill, but sometimes you’re just too tired or lazy to do much, so I hop into the sauna and bake for 10 minutes, take a cold shower, then another 10 minutes back in the sauna.  I find that after this I’ve detoxed my body and let some of that bloated water-weight and toxins from all that drinking the night before leave my body.  To top this off, drink lots of water and relax with a mask or two!

I look outside my window most days feeling lucky to enjoy the beautiful scenery and urban lifestyle.  Summer is definitely here, you can literally smell it in the air here in Vancouver.  Like anyone else I enjoy the hotter weather and the evening breezes of summer on the westcoast, however, it’s what you can’t see that can be slowly damaging your skin.  The sun has piercing UV rays and the wind carries pollution, which is why I need to protect it and treat it well so I can enjoy the little things and still have beautiful skin.

I find that when I take my dogs to the dog park my skin usually gets dry yet it has a thin layer of dirt and stickiness to it, that would be because of the sun is drying out your skin while the pollution builds dirt.  If you live in a really humid area then you’re probably going to have that feeling all the time.  But in Vancouver, where the air is relatively dry, it’s not a good feeling.  I keep my skin safe with moisturizers, sunscreen and BB cream, but this can only do so much for your skin.  This is where masks become our skin’s best friend.

There are many types of masks and different types are suitable for different ages of people and skin.  I have normal to oily skin so Ilove to use the deep cleaning mask twice a week to get rid of all the excess sebum and dirt that gets lodged into my pores.  Currently I’m using Biotherm’s Bipur Pore Reducer one minute un-clogging mask.  This mask is very strong so I don’t suggest anyone using this more than two times a week.  If you’re always in a hurry this deep cleansing mask does the job in only one minute.  Un-clogging is important if you have oily skin and can help your skin absorb other products better.  Another way to prep your skin for hydrating, detoxing, or whitening masks is a hot bath.  The steam will open your pores and breathe happily as they gobble up all the nutrients you’re going to pamper them with.

When your skin is feeling parched try adding a moisturizing your skin with a mask twice a week.  Moisturizing masks are an essential to my skin care routine.  With different ones to choose from, it’s always fun to try new products.  This one is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Intensive Hydrating Mask.  I use this after I cleanse, tone, and use a deep cleansing mask.  This hydrating mask is light and cool.  There’s no heaviness whatsoever.  I put this on and use it for 15 minutes while I read a magazine, watch some TV shows, or take a beauty nap.  When the 15 minute mark is up, I take the mask off and massage gently, drawing little circles while making sure not to tug on the skin around the eye area.  Although, some disposable masks say that rinsing off after using is not necessary, I prefer rinsing as my skin tends to breakout.

Whitening is another thing that I use on a regular basis since I tan really easily and it can help lighten sunspots.  There are lots of products out there that offer this but I have used this Neutrogena Deep Whitening mask.  It is not too strong but can dry your skin if you don’t moisturize after like any other whitening mask.  This is another 15 minute mask and remember to always rinse after and follow with your regular routine which includes toning and moisturizing.  Mature and dry skin types should include serums to help replenish their skin as it is higher in nutrients and easier to absorb.  Acne Prone skin types should stay away from anything that is too hydrating, so choose products that say oil-free.  Remember not to leave the mask on too long after the suggested time as it can leave your skin dry and irritated.

To counter all the unavoidable pollution in the air and partying last night, I always have an anti-0xidizing mask handy.  This is effective and fun to use since it has ear hooks on the side that latch on and while you mask it gives you a feeling of skin tightening.  It’s like you’re getting a face massage lifting your skin upwards defying gravity.  I got this at Sasa, it’s called the Rice bran Anti-Oxidizing Mask.  It’s fresh scent calms my nerves while I take a hot bath.  The timing is always perfect as it’s recommended to use this mask for only 10-15 minutes.

This last mask is something I only use once every 2 to 3 weeks because it is a little on the heavy side but is so effective.  It leaves my skin feeling so soft and supple.  It lightens pigmentation, controls oil production, and returns the skin’s elasticity.  Don’t let the name scare you away because that’s how I felt at first.  Placenta…um….ew??  This is what you’re probably thinking right now but it really works wonders.  I recommend this to anyone who is closer to 30 and older since it is a little on the stronger side.  Another thing that is great about this mask is that it has a lot of extra serum included for you to massage it into your neck for extra coverage.  For people who have dull and unhappy skin, try this and you will feel as if you came back from the spa.  I suggest a light routine to follow with this mask.

It’s always a good idea to follow your masks with a quick rinse with lukewarm water.  After you pat dry follow with your toner, serum(if you have any), and moisturizer.  It doesn’t matter the time of day, if you’re going out, make sure you put on BB cream or sunscreen to protect your beautiful skin!