freeman face masks

As my interest in skincare grows, so does the number of skincare products I have.  I normally focus on the basics like a cleanser, moisturizer, toner, etc.  A little bit ago I was on the hunt for an inexpensive but effective face mask.  I walked into Ulta with that goal in mind and walked out with 3 new face masks, all for under $10.  

All of these masks are from Freeman's Feeling Beautiful line.  My first choice was the Peel-Off Cucumber Mask.  I went for this one first because come on, peel off masks just look so cool and fun.  The consistency of this mask is a really sticky gel.  You apply to your face, let it dry, and peel it off.  Of the three masks, this one does take the longest to dry.  It says it's perfect for normal to combination skin.  It peels the impurities out while moisturizing your skin with the cucumber extract and aloe.  Definitely a mask you may want to check out.

I also picked up the Avocado & Oatmeal Clay Mask which looks like your classic green clay mask.  It's meant to rid your skin of the dirt and oils deep down in your pores with the avocado and oatmeal adding moisture to keep your skin soft and smooth.  Also good for normal to combination skin.  I really do love this mask because every time I use it my skin just feels so smooth and soft and clean as well.  I find that I use this mask the most out of the three.

The last mask is the Dead Sea Minerals Anti-Stress Mask.  This mask was featured on the Today Show and also received an award from totalbeauty.com in 2012.  When I went to check out, the cashier said that I picked her favorite masks, especially the Dead Sea Minerals mask.  She says she loves it because she gets stress acne and this helped clear it up a lot for her.  The anti-stress aspect of the mask comes into play with the lavender and bergamot aroma-therapeutic scents.  The dead sea minerals provide lots of nutrient rich moisture and clean out the pores.  I find that if I leave this mask on too long, it can tend to be a bit harsh, so make sure that once it dries you rinse it right off.  I have to say I do think this helps as far as blemishes go.  My skin feels incredibly clean and fresh after using this.  If you tend to have a lot of stress, I would recommend this mask for you.

In order: Dead Sea Minerals, Cucumber Peel, Avocado & Oatmeal.

Each of these masks retails at $3.99.  I picked mine up at Ulta and they had a Buy 1 Get 1 Free promotion going on, which I think they always have (at least they do every time I'm there).  The fourth one was another cucumber peel mask that my mom wanted to try.  So all in all, you can get 4 different face masks for around $8.  Not a bad deal if you ask me.  They also have a very large selection- I have my eye on the Chocolate & Strawberry Clay Mask as well as the Pineapple Enzyme Mask.  They have a mask for every facial need.  I think these masks are great because they are so inexpensive and you get a lot for your money.  I love using these once a week, sometimes two, as a special treat for my skin.  Bonne chance ma cherie!

Be Positive. Be Happy. & Smile.
     Kate

no. 7 night cream

Fairly recently I purchased a night cream.  Prior, I had never used a night cream- I didn't think they were that necessary.  Apparently though, you don't want to use a moisturizer at night that has SPF since it can clog your pores (any moisturizer I ever buy always has SPF so this was an issue).  I decided to look for a night cream that was moisturizing enough, but not too heavy.  This is what I found.

 This is the No 7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream for Normal/Oily skin.  It is actually an English brand and is a branch from the brand Boots I think (Boots is a UK drugstore).  I found it at Ulta for a little under $14.  I've used it now for a couple of weeks and I've come to the consensus that I really like it.  It is a night cream so it's more moisturizing than a daily moisturizer.  With that said, it is not heavy at all.

A little goes a long way with this stuff too.  It sinks right into the skin so smoothly and doesn't leave me feeling oily at all.  Even when I wake up the next morning, I don't feel greasy.  As far as scent goes, it's not very strong and it's rather fresh and clean.  What's great about this line is that they also have versions for dry skin or just oily skin or normal.  They have a great range and lots of variety along with lots of other products.  I will definitely be trying more from this brand.

Be Positive. Be Happy. & Smile.

     Kate

everyday makeup tutorial

I thought it would be interesting to create a tutorial through photos and voila! Here is my every day makeup, not including my foundation routine (I didn't want this to get too long). Hope this is helpful!

Step 1:  Apply eyeshadow primer/base on lid and a little on the lower lash line as well.  I use this kind.

Step 2:  Apply a light shimmery cream colored shadow on lid, staying below the crease, in a patting motion. (Just so you know I am using the Urban Decay Naked palette for all of my eyeshadows - photos for colors are at the bottom)

Step 3:  Blend a light/medium brown shade in the crease lightly.  Blend slightly above the crease staying slightly below the brow bone.

Step 4:  Apply a slightly darker brown shade in the outer "v" of your lid.  Blend in with a bit of the crease color, staying away from the inner corner of your eye.  Blend down towards your lash line as well to help achieve the "v" shape.  Keep blending to keep it soft and more natural.

Step 5: Using a small smudge brush, apply that same darker brown color on your lower lash line.

Step 6:  Fill in your brows as you usually do.  I use this pencil in Panama and just fill in where my brows already are- I'm not a huge fan of the drawn on look, considering I already have quite full brows.

Step 7:  One of my personal favorites: mascara!  Curl lashes and apply your favorite mascara.  Here I'm using L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions.






Step 8:  Then I like to just apply the same brown pencil I used for my brows to my tightline and waterline (the little bit of skin under your lashes and the blank bit of skin slightly above your lower lashes).

Step 9:  Last but certainly not least, throw on your favorite lip color and you're good to go.  For an everyday shade, I like to use this light, matte pink from Rimmel in 101.

Hope you found this interesting/helpful!  Bonne chance!

In case any of you were curious as to what I used, here they are:

Be Positive. Be Happy. & Smile.
     Kate