Girl's Time: A thousand products later... (acne, makeup & skin care)

Beauty products... Ah!!!

Oh you know how it is! You found something that you're absolutely loving. Maybe it's the scent, the texture, or the color, but it might be the very thing that's breaking out your skin . Maybe you found the right product for your skin, but it's way over budget.
We all struggle with this, the struggle is real!!! Skin care is expensive, but it's totally worth it and it'll show!!

I'm in my mid 20's and I think it's probably taken me like 3 years to figure out what works for my skin, and what doesn't (1000 products later...) Yeah! I've tried multiple brands over the years, and I have seen how my face reacts to them. I'd say the average time to know if something works, or doesn't is about 1-2 months. Not to mention your diet (diary, chocolate, spicy foods), your hygiene, and environmental factors might affect your skin too, so it is not always the product's fault.
I personally look for products that are oil free, and have vitamin E. Also anything that says hypoallergenic, and doesn't clog pores.




We all want to rock a no-makeup day every now and then, but it requires a lot of work.
First of all, you need to stop picking!!! Now, there are a few exceptions. For me, I don't like impurities and gross-looking stuff on my face, so I tend to pluck everything out.  I try to exfoliate my skin regularly, so that all that bad stuff surfaces and it's ready to be squeezed out. Gross huh? Well, what's worse is if you leave it in there, and keep putting makeup on. You can still see it!

Here are some products that I've tried for a while, again, these have worked for me, and it doesn't mean that they'll work for you too. If anything, the tips that I've shared might help a few of you, and not necessarily the products.



Face care: 

• Proactive's Skin purifying mask w/ 6% sulfur - This stuff is amazing for stubborn blemishes.
• Aveeno dark spot treatment - This thing smells soooo good, it helps with dark spots caused by acne.
• Fresh Aloe Vera leaf: I scoop out the gel & apply it on my face for 20 min. Your skin feels super soft & clean afterwards. You can get it at places such as Natural Grocers. 
• Yes to cucumbers face wipes: I use these every night as a makeup remover and cleanser. Skin feels refreshed in the morning! 

Makeup:
Neutrogena Oil Free Blemish clearing foundation  - Best foundation ever!!! The only foundation that I've forgotten to remove before bed, and doesn't break my skin.



Other Tips

1. Change your pillowcase regularly, it gets dirty with your hair, and it can cause breakouts.
2. Clean your phone regularly with a disinfectant wipe.
3. Do not touch your face!!!
4. Drink plenty of water, and eat fruit.
5. Remove all traces of makeup before you go to bed.
6. Wash your hats if you wear them on a regular basis
7. Watch out for some hair products, some dry shampoos make my forehead break out!
8. Wash makeup brushes at least once a week!!!