Vapour Organic Beauty Will Have Your Skin Red Carpet Ready

The recipient of Allure's Best of Beauty 2013 Award, Vapour Atmosphere Luminous Foundation sets a new standard for foundation. Vapour Organic Beauty will have you skin looking red carpet ready within minutes! My first day wearing a combination of Vapour Stratus Instant Skin Perfector, Atmosphere Luminous Foundation and Illusionist Perfecting Concealer, my skin had a dewy appearance and I received not one, but three compliments from complete strangers about how luminous my skin looked. I could only attribute it to Vapour's 100% natural ingredients.

Vapour's Stratus Instant Skin Perfector is a translucent primer, which erases pores, primes the skin for foundation and concealer, moisturizes, contains antioxidants and essential fatty acids. All products were warmed on my hand and applied to my face with my fingers, for a better application. Each products is extremely easy to apply, smells of Frankincense upon application, has a creamy consistency and blends seamlessly with my skin. This is saying a lot, as finding shades for my yellow undertone can be difficult. The Atmosphere Luminous Foundation leaves a radiant natural finish that is not artificial. Due to it's creamy consistency, it is perfect for dry, mature skin and during cooler months. Oily skin gals will love that it doesn't feel heavy or sink into pores, a look no one wants. My skin felt like it could breathe. I would love to see a fragrance free option for those with allergies.

I found it best to apply the foundation, then spot treat last with the concealer. I will be trying their blush and a lighter shade of concealer next to highlight. Women of Color will love the variety of shades available, I feel like they really nailed it with the shades available! Thank you Vapour!

Left to Right: Skin Perfector (903), Foundation (135), Concealer (035)

Top: Concealer (035) & Bottom: Foundation (135)

My face is darker then my wrist =)

Products provided by Vapour. This review is my honest opinion.

Elta MD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer & UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40

A leader in protecting and maintaining healthy skin, Elta MD has been a favorite over the years. This line makes sure to include ingredients that will give your skin long term benefits and prevent skin cancer by use of physical sunblock. I have tried numerous products over the years post peel or in colder weather, but Elta MD has been reliable in hydrating my skin without fragrance and irritants. This season, I tried the two new products and loved them both! My skin has taken a dramatic turn from greasy to complete dehydration and these products have helped my skin repair itself. If your skins is over exfoliated, over processed these products were made to heal and protect vulnerable skin like yours.

Elta MD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer $30 1.7 oz
Hydration has become an important step in my skincare regime to maintain some balance and this takes the cake. The formulation is not to heavy or light, making it an option for someone with extremely oily skin or parched skin. I used it following a peel and didn't have any burning or redness. My skin felt comforted by the many hydrating and healing ingredients including, niacinamide (Vitamin B3 evens skin tone), Thioctic acid, Vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid. Ceramides strengthen the skins moisture barrier, allowing it absorb other hydrating ingredients in this moisturizer. It glides onto skin, doesn't ball up, and feels like silk on the skin. Other brands contain these skin ingredients to heal and protect the skin, but this product delivers it without irritants. This multifunctional moisturizer will help your skin rebound from dehydration, traveling, peels, and sun exposure.

Elta MD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 (Tinted) $25 1.7 oz.
This tinted spf contains 9% transparent Zinc Oxide  and 7.5% Octinoxate, offering skin a solid shield against the suns damaging rays. The light bronze tint was a little too light for me. Vitamin E fights free radical damage, hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines. There was no residue, oily feeling, or tight feeling (which is quite common in spf.) My dehydrated skin liked this formulation. It is recommended for normal, combination and post procedure skin. I am pretty picky about spf and this sunscreen can be used around the eyes without any stinging sensation and is a great option for those wanting to quickly even out their skin tone.


Products provided by Elta MD.

Glossier Phase 1 Set

Thanks to Instagram, I came across Glossier numerous time on my favorite fashion bloggers accounts. This skincare set offers instant hydration for dehydrated winter skin and gives skin enough tint and natural sheen to make your skin look runway ready. The four piece set includes the following...

1. Soothing Face Mist Rosewater Spray: I first noticed this spray was very fragrant; it smells of roses. I found it very useful after cleansing to relieve ant tightness from cleansing, throughout the day to hydrate my skin, and to set my makeup. Glycerin and aloe aid in hydrating and soothing skin.
2. Priming Moisturizer: I couldn't stop laying this creme on. Hyaluronic acid hydrates, while tea and honey extracts soothed any redness I had. Vitamin A, C, and E prevent cell damage, so think of this moisturizer as a major multitasker. It works as an excellent primer for foundation allowing it to last throughout the day and didn't crease. I found myself using it on my hands as well, which made them extra soft. Perfect for the delicate eye area and it's shea butter did not break me out. Two layers of this in the winter and my stressed skin felt instant relief. Skin is supposed to feel this good!
3. Balm Dotcom: Winter is harsh, this balm has been a lifesaver! I've used it on my lips, around my nose, lips, cuticles and elbows. It was very useful for my holiday in Oregon. Loaded with Omega 6 & Omega 9 fatty acids, it provided lasting hydration and antioxidant protection.
4. Perfecting Skin Tint: This tinted moisturizer offers a very sheer wash of color + some much needed hydration. Simple dab onto skin with fingers for wash of color. I loved the dewy finish, as my skin needs all the hydration and sheen it can get. My face looks natural and healthy while using this skincare set. I tried the shade, "Dark" and it matched perfect; actually perfect is an understatement, other company's should take note on color matching. This stuff is amazing!

I also tried the liquid foil liner which were excellent for the holiday season. The gold and silver liners are full of pigment, smudge proof and easy to use. No makeup artist skills needed to apply this liner! Removal was easy, my normal makeup remover and cloth was not needed, it came out with warm water. I experienced no redness around the eyes or tugging to remove this liner, which I loved.

Because this set offers such great hydration, it's also great when traveling, so pack it in your carry on!

Products are not tested on animals, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and paraben free.

Products provided by Glossier. This review is my honest opinion based on a 3 week trial of products.

How to Choose a Cleanser for your Skin Type/Condition

Stay away form drugstore cleansers (with the exception of Cerave), my experience with them they are way to drying, strip the skin of vital moisture, contain irritating dyes, fragrance, too much alcohol- (too much of all the above) -especially Neutragena.  Neutragena is the devil.  Article coming soon..

1) Normal: A balanced complexion, not to oily or dry, but just right!  Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, Murad Renewing Cream Cleanser, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, CeraVe Foaming Cleanser or Murad Refreshing Cleanser.

2) Dry: Lack of oil, tight, dry, flaky skin all over face, maybe sensitive (not to be confused with dehydrated-lack of water from skin treatments, not enough moisture, or general hydration).  Try a cream cleanser.  Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.

3) Combination: Oily in some areas (t-zone forehead, nose, chin) Dry in others (predominately cheek area).  Try Murad Energizing Pomegranate Cleanser or Renewing Cream Cleanser.

4) Oily: Larger pores, oily all over face, feels greasy, looks shiny.  Try a gel cleanser.  Neostrata Anti-bacterial Facial Cleanser, Murad Clarifying Cleanser or Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser (for adult skin oily & acne prone),  Andalou Naturals Citrus Kombucha Gel or CeraVe Foaming Cleanser.

Skin Conditions

1) Acne prone: Typically oily but some are dry.   Dry acne prone skin is harder to treat.  Look for salicylic acid, triclosan, sulfur, vitamin A (retinol), hydrogen peroxide (not the bottle to clean cuts), Tea tree oil (no it doesn't clog pores.  Antibacterial), BPO (benozyl peroxide.  Neostrata Anti-bacterial Facial Cleanser, Murad Clarifying Cleanser, Murad Time Release Cleaner (for adult acne), CeraVe Foaming Cleanser (only for very oily skin), CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for (normal, combo, dry skin), Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser (3x week rotate cleanser with regular cleanser, for most skin types except extreme sensitive cases.)

2) Sensitive (considered a skin type & skin condition) : Easily irritated skin, blushes easily, may have rosacea or psoriasis.  Murad Soothing Gel Cleanser or CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.

3) Sensitized: Skin has become sensitive from treatments (retinols, glycol, ect) or overly harsh products with fragrance, dyes, irritating ingredients.  NOT normally sensitive.  Try same as Sensitive.  

4) Rosacea: Chronic skin condition you turn red, may swell, skin sores that look like acne, blushes easily, spider like blood vessels.  Same products as Sensitive/Sensitized.

5) Dehydrated (Lacking water) :Tight, over processed, parched skin.  Feels like your skin needs a drink of water & is not normally dry.  Avoid gel cleansers until skin is balanced again.   Try Murad Renewing Cleanser, which protects skins natural moisture barrier.  Instant relief. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is also a good option.

6) Aging Skin: Loss of elasticity & firmness, hyper pigmentation (dark spots, age spots, sun spots, melasma).  Murad Renewing Cream Cleanser or Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser.  

How to choose a Cleanser

 Cleansing is the first step in your skin regime.  The benefits of skin cleansing include:

• Removes makeup, dirt, debris, oil and bacteria from skin.
• May contain emollients that soften skin.
• May contain ingredients to treat various skin conditions.
• Offers a clean slate for other products to penetrate skin better.

The first step to choosing a cleanser is know your skin type. Cleanser formulations include: gel, cream, lotion, and oil.

Gel Cleanser is a foaming cleanser that dissolves oil.  Perfect for oily and acne prone skin, but do not overuse it can dry skin out causing irritation.  If oily skin becomes dry, it can stimulate oil glands, causing them to overcompensate for loss of oil.  Medicated cleansers are also available for acne prone skin.

Cream Cleanser contains mainly oil and is great for mature and very dry skin.  Cream dissolves makeup & dirt and should be removed with a washcloth, tissue or sponge.  Follow up with a toner to remove any residue. 

Lotion Cleanser is a water based cleanser for normal and combination skin.  For dry skin, choose a "milky" cleanser containing emollients or oil to soft skin.  Skin will feel comfortable and does will not strip skin of its pH balance. 

Oil Cleansing is very popular now.  It is used to remove makeup and attracting oil from the skin.  Oil attracts oil.  Follow with another cleanser to remove oil residue and thoroughly cleanse skin.

Beauty Obsession of the Day: Water Lilies

I love Water Lilies!  I am in love with the way they float in the water, so beautiful.  Water lilies are a symbol of beauty, tranquility and purity.

What Exactly is Dehydrated Skin?

Dehydrated skin is not dry skin.  Dehydrated is a skin condition lacking water, whereas dry skin is a skin type lacking oil.  Any skin type can become dehydrated, even oily skin.  My oily skin is currently a bit dehydrated , because of acne treatment gel.  I decrease use to once a day or every other day depending on how dehydrated my skin becomes.  I also drink a TON of water and no soda.  Oily skin must be hydrated and moisturized, whether dehydrated or not.  Skin can also become dehydrated from sweating, not drinking water, dry weather, not moisturizing, skin treatments, alkaline based products, and medications.

Dehydrated skin looks flaky and can feel tight and dry.  It will also absorb products extremely fast, so layering on moisture throughout the day is a good idea.  If you wear a makeup base, your skin will absorb the base, your skin will feel tight and your face may look like it will "crack".  Adding that extra moisture is very important to prevent this and keep skin hydrated.  If you are acne prone, dehydrated skin can actually worsen your condition, so drink plenty of water and don't forget a light moisturizer like CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion. This lotion contains ceramides, which helps moisturize, soften skin and retain water.  Cetaphil Moisturizer is also a favorite of mine.