Glam and Uncensored

1. Cleanse your skin on a regular basis. Removing oil and dirt, which can clog your pores, will keep your skin luminous. Ideally, wash your face in the morning and evening with a small drop of cleanser applied in circular motions. One example of a cleanser which can be used on a daily basis is La Roche-Posay Tolerane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser which may be obtained at ULTA for $14.99/13.50 oz.

2. Exfoliate Your Skin – One way to brighten your skin is via exfoliation. It is the process of removing the outer layer of dead skin, that makes the skin’s surface smoother and cleaner, and it also reflects light. You should use a physical exfoliant, such as a facial scrub, two to three times a week or maybe a chemical exfoliation, like a peel for dry/sensitive skin, once a week. One top physical exfoliant is Dermalogical Daily Microfoliant. This gentle exfoliant works wonders on all skin types. The scrub contains ingredients that work together to balance pigmentation and dead skin cells and impurities. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant may be obtained via Wal-Mart for $38.95/2.6 oz.

3. Vitamin C Serum – A few drops of Vitamin C serum every morning will help lighten brown spots, target free-radical damage, and even your skin-tone. In addition, Vitamin C serum will reduce the appearance of under eye circles and hydrate your skin. To use, take 3 to 5 drops on your fingertips and rub across your face. Start with using the serum every other day to everyday. One of the better Vitamin C serums is Revolution Skincare 12.5% Vitamin C Super serum and is available at Ulta for $14.00 for 1.0oz.

4. Moisturize – If your skin lacks hydration, it will make your complexion appear dull and accentuate any and all wrinkles. The best type of products to hydrate your skin are face lotions and creams. Why? Creams and lotions are emulsions that carry hydrating ingredients that deliver those ingredients into your skin’s top layer, allowing it to hold moisture. One of the better moisturizers on the market is Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. This cream increases the skin’s hydration by 50% over a 24 hour period. You can purchase this Olay for $22.84 for 1.7oz at Wal-Mart.

These are just a few ways to help your skin look radiant. And the hydration from the products will help slow down the appearance of aging. So make an investment into your skin and enjoy that glowing output.

We all have heard that in order to make your makeup last longer you should spray your face with setting spray. But with all the choices, how do you determine the best setting spray for yourself? Well after playing with makeup for many years, I have been able to determine the good from the bad. And below I have listed the setting sprays which have kept my makeup on for the longest.

1. CINEMA SECRETS SUPER SEALER – This setting spray is super awesome for someone with oily skin or one living in a humid climate. The setting spray gives a lightweight, matte finish for both over and under your makeup. Also, the brand is great for long-wear tattoo coverage and preventing any transfer of makeup to your clothes. The Cinema Secrets Super Sealer costs $24.00 for 3.4 ounces at Sephora.

2. BEN NYE SEAL SETTING SPRAY – I know there are some of you who have not heard of this product or the producer, Ben Nye. First, the setting spray is waterproof and smudge-proof. It locks in your color for hours on end, even through perspiration. The spray is best used before putting on mascara and may be used on a daily basis. Ben Nye Final Seal Setting Spray costs $14.00 for 2 ounces at camerareadycosmetics.com

3. MEHRON BARRIER SPRAY – This setting spray is a clear, liquid spray which sets makeup in addition to latex and adhesives. The setting spray is also great for those with sensitive skin. And after a little digging, I discovered that many professional makeup-artists like to use this spray under the makeup they use as it helps to impede sweat, making the product for models under hot lights and for those in TV and stage work. The Mehron Barrier Spray costs $12.99 for 2 ounces at www.amazon.com.

4. SKINDINAVIA FINISHING SPRAY – Now I am sure many of you are more familiar with the name (more so than those listed above). This award-winning setting spray will hold your makeup in place for 16 hours and prevents shine. It will also keep the colors of your makeup much more vibrant, help your concealer not crease, and has been proven to reduce the need for touch-ups or blotting. You can purchase the Skindinavia Finishing Spray for $22.00 for 4 ounces at www.amazon.com.

These are by far the setting sprays I’m loving now. All setting sprays keep your makeup on for long hours, make it more vibrant, and are good for those with sensitive skin. Plus, all of the setting sprays cost less than $40.00. So, choose one today and keep that makeup on for hours.

As we head into Winter, not only do we suffer cold temperatures, but any fight dry skin. We therefore, find ourselves researching which lotions best combat dry skin provide the most value for our money. Well, search no more!! I have researched the facial lotion which combat dryness and provide the most bang for your buck. The results are below:

1. Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream – This moisturizing cream has been clinically proven to provide immediate and long lasting relief from very, very dry skin. Your skin automatically feels hydrated and smooth. You may purchase Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for $17.99 at Target for 16oz.
2. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream – This cream was developed by a dermatologist, and it combines all-day protection with skin-strengthening ingredients in order to soothe the driest of skin. In the end, this moisturizer creates more resilient, nourished and youthful-looking skin. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream sells for $28.00 for 1.7oz at Sephora.
3. Drunk Elephant LaLa Retro Whipped Cream – This is formulated with ceramides, which provides a replenishing barrier by reinforcing your skin’s acid mantel and defends against the effects of everyday stressors. Lala Retro Whipped Cream is rich and creamy without being heavy or greasy. The Drunk Elephant LaLa Retro Whipped Cream retails for $60.00 1.69oz at Sephora.
4. Weleda Skin Food Ultra-Rich Cream – Many, many makeup artists praise this as a top notch moisturizer. The moisturizer contains a blend of natural oils, therefore, it tends to go on a bit greasy. It is great for winter. But on the flip side, the product adds a natural glow to your skin. The Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream sells for $9.00 for 2.5oz. It may be purchased online at www.dermstore.com.
5. Olay Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream – Olay Regenerist face cream will hydrate your skin all day and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Its Amino-Peptide Complex delivers moisturizing ingredients 10 layers deep into the skin’s surface. The moisturizer sells for $11.99, and may be acquired at Target.

As you can see, you do not need to spend a fortune to moisturize your skin, and fight dryness. Moisturizing your skin helps it stay looking young, and battles wrinkles and fine lines. Just remember to wash your face before moisturizing it, and do this on a daily basis.

We’ve got to give a shout out to all of the affordable drugstore brands which are cruelty-free! These are the companies that do not test their products or ingredients on animals. Thankfully, there are more cruelty-free drugstore brands than ever before. Below please find a list of cruelty-free drugstore makeup.

• Covergirl Lash Blast – As of 2018, Covergirl has committed to being cruelty-free. Their Instagram post states “Covergirl does not test on animals, and now Leaping Bunny certified by @crueltyfreeintl. Being Leaping Bunny certified means that Covergirl products are cruelty-, free on EVERY product sold. Lash Blast Mascara is smudge-free, sweatproof and finally clump-proof. The volumizing mascara can max out your lashes for up to 10x the volume. Covergirl Lash Blast mascara is sold at Target for $4.99,
• Mirenesse Mascara – The Mirenesse mascara is cruelty-free, PETA certified and 96% vegan. Hailing from Australia, the Mirenesse mascara is not completely vegan as some of their products use beeswax. Mirenesse Secret Weapon 24 Hour Super Long Mascara is clump-free and extremely long-lasting. It is easy to apply and builds volume. The brush’s full outer edge will help you exaggerate the natural flick of the lashes on your outer edge. Mirenesse Secret Weapon 24 Hour Super Long mascara is sold at Nordstrom Rack for $29.97.
• TARTE BIG EGO MASCARA – This mascara follows the curves of your lash line to help build volume from root to tip. The double-fiber bristle brush gives maximum pigment, to help coat every single lash. The Tarte Big Ego Mascara is brand certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny as cruelty-free. Tarte Big Ego Mascara retails for $23.00 and can be purchased at Macy’s.
• LASHTOPIA MASCARA MINERAL BASED MASCARA – Lashtopia is a mineral based mascara produced by bareMinerals. It provides almost 10 times the lash volume while lifting and separating for fanned-out fullness. It will nourish and moisturize your lashes with its 600 soft and staggered bristles enabling you to coat all of your lashes. Lashtopia is considered a vegan mineral mascara, and is never tested on animals. Lashtopia Mega-Volume Mineral base mascara is produced by bareMinerals and retails for $19.00. It may be purchased at www.bareminerals.com.
• TOO FACED DAMN GIRL MASCARA – This 24-hour mascara is an ultra intensity mascara made up of a unique blend of whipped melting waxes which give an immediate load of ultra volume without that heavy feeling. The Too Faced Damn Girl mascara’s formula is cruelty-free, just like all other Too Faced products. It may be purchased for $25.00 at Ulta Beauty.

These are a list of just some of the mascaras which are cruelty-free and affordable. Please share the cruelty-free mascaras you recommend.