My Skin Saviors

I have really gotten into taking care of my skin and just getting it in tip top shape lately. In my efforts I have started exploring the world of serums and I think I am in love. But what made me fall even more in love with them is adding an astringent to my daily routine as well. I swear that since adding a toner to my daily routine it has improved my skin dramatically. I bruise and scar like a peach so getting rid of my monthly blemishes caused by hormones is a challenge. I started out using the La Niege Serum and liked it and then felt like it plateaued after a few weeks. I never quite got the same results as when I started. 

I then decided to start using The Sea Breeze Sensitive Skin Astringent because I remember I really liked stealing it from my mom's stash when I was a teenager but never bought it for myself. I have used the regular formula and remember liking this one better because even though I do not have sensitive skin I do like how strong yet gentle this formula was compared to the other. Plus it's a really pretty blue color. Sue me. 

As soon As I started using this with the rest of my routine it made such a big difference it wasn't even funny. The dark scar on my forehead that has not budged for over 6 months started to fade and fast and to top it off my pores looked smaller. I also loved that my skin started to break out even less and not as severe as before. It just really takes off all the left over dirt and grime leftover even after washing my face. Yes, there was still dirt and buildup on my face after washing it and using a face scrub. What am I doing wrong?!! Do I really have that much dirt on my face? Am I cursed to never have really clean skin? All very good questions with no real answer. It usually takes about 5 cotton pads for both face and neck to get clean but is worth the extra time and effort. Without that layer of grime the serums had a clear highway to permeate the skin and work its magic. 

Since my discovery I have been even more into trying new serums, all of which I have yet to review here but those are posts for another time. For now I sing the praises of the miracles toner has brought me. It seriously is my new favorite re-discovery and has made strides in making my skin look pretty for once. But is there something else out there I am missing out on? It feels like there can be something more I can do to help my skin say blemish free, be rid of dark acne scars and prevent early signs of aging. As my skin evolves I will have to adapt to meet it's needs but for now, I can say I am happy with my routine. 

So how about a post on my routine? That's for another day....

XOX

Veritypretty

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette in Light

I have been coveting this concealer palette from Sonia Kashuk  for almost a year now and have been putting it off thinking that it was maybe a little pricey for a drugstore item. But then recently something in me changed. I just realized that I have been using the same concealer for ages and thought it might be a good time for a change. I have never really used a cream based concealer and usually stick to something a bit more liquid like the L'Oreal Lumienne eye brightener. As for actual concealers that cover dark spots, They do not exist in my makeup repertoire. I just always seem to go for something that will just act as an eye brightener. 

I decided that maybe this one was the one to convert me as the gals from Eleventhgorgeous liked it and I had seen some other good reviews on Makeup Alley and various other blogs. This comes with three different colors for various concealing needs and one powder to set them. I got the light color option even though I am a light to medium skin tone color with neutral undertones. I have no MAC color reference but I do know fo' sho that I am a perfect match of the N20 in Bare Minerals loose powder if that's might help you out some. I don't think my skin is as oily as it used to be but I do have some very fine lines under my eyes but nothing too drastic and when it gets hot I feel my eyes get a bit oily from sweat. 

I wore this under the tinted moisturizer from Sonia Kashuk and thought that it may have been a little too slippery to wear over this concealer. The color in the top right color in the quad seemed to be almost a perfect match for me to cover up any little spots I had. I think my favorite way to use the color is to brush it over my light brow growth for when I don't have time to get them done and then use a little loose powder foundation to set it. It really helped decrease the look of brow overgrowth and made me look polished. As for the lighter colors, I felt they really settled into my fine lines underneath my eyes. I really don't know what happened. I am almost too afraid to keep trying until I get it right. Or I have a theory that thick cream concealers are just not for my undereyes. 

Overall I like that I did find a color match for my skin in concealer form which for me has been my life's mission but for under eye concealer I don't think I will be reaching for this very often. I think I will try it again during winter when I get a drier winter skin. Would I repurchase? Maybe, it just depends on if I can find another concealer that matches me and has the same consistency. But to drop $10 on a quad to only be able to use 1 color doesn't seem very worth it to me. I think this quad is definitely better suited towards someone that isn't a normal/oily skin combo. If I do develop feeling towards this I will give you an update. 

XOX

Veritypretty

Softymo, a review of the moisturizing formula

I believe the best thing about living here in LA "adjacent" area (the SGV to be precise) is the variety of ethnic backgrounds meshing and melting together to create the awesome variety that I have access to on a daily basis.

So on a recent trip to little Tokyo in DTLA I happened to stop in on a beauty store filled with tons of face soaps, lotions and potions from Japan. A little overwhelmed with the brand variety I settled on getting a face wash by the brand Softymo.

This is a description I found for the product

"Softymo Mineral Wash is a drugstore Japanese cleansing foam that gently cleanses skin using 12 natural minerals for healthy skin aimed at women in their 20s.

It contains a blend of 12 minerals and moisturizing ingredients to removes impurities from the pores while absorbing excess sebum without damaging skin’s natural barrier. 3 types are available to suit all skin types and needs:

-Regular type, for normal or combination skin, has a mild moisturizing formula that leaves skin feeling smooth and refreshed. Natural Floral Scent

-Moisturize Rich, for dry skin, has a creamy foam that is blended with moisturizing oils to gently cleanse and moisturize skin. Relaxing Floral Scent

-Scrub In, for oily or congested skin, features an oil-free formulation with micro-fine scrubbing particles deep clean skin and pores. Refreshing Floral Scent"


I purchased the moisture rich even though I don't have problems with dry skin but I have a problem with face washes drying out my combo skin. I've been using the brand since late April and I think I've developed an opinion on the product.

I would not describe the scent as floral at all but as a fresh grapefruit scent. It's a nice scent that brightens me up in the morning. The texture is very creamy and a little bit goes a long way. I've noticed since its so creamy I have to use a little more water for a good lather. Rinsing it off reveals soft moisturized and clean skin that looks brighter and healthy.

I love how it doesn't leave that "squeak" on my skin which isn't a sign of cleanliness but a sign of how my skin will react later. When I get the squeaky clean feeling it just means my skin has just been dried out and my t zone is gonna freak the heck out, get super oily and I'm going to get stubborn forehead pimples. Those buggers can last for a week or more.

So my verdict is, I like this product and will definitely repurchase. At 6.99 plus tax this is a great buy because I don't have to use a ton of product to get a good lather. Plus the store is right across the way from the best shabu shabu in little Tokyo and less than a minute walk from Pinkberry. An all around win for me! ;)

The first ever Generation Beauty by Ipsy event at LA Live

Is everybody as excited as I am for this event?!! I sure hope so because I'll probably be the only one super friggin' excited yet plastered with a combo of a bitch face/"impress me or else" face aka my poker face.

As some of you may know, Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription service that delivers 4-5 items a month in an adorable reusable bag. The cofounder beauty vlogger Michelle Phan is hosting the event from May 31st - June 2nd and I am proud to say I have purchased my ticket.

I'm in it first most for the promised goodie bag. Then also for the seminars and meet and greets! I'm not as much of a Michelle Phan fan as much as I used to be ever since I discovered the girls of eleventhgorgeous. Maybe because I like their more affordable makeup selections, reviews, THE HAULS and their ever apparent sisterly love for one another. BUT, who wouldn't like to meet and take a picture with the Phan-ster? I'm not turning it down!

The promise of getting 2 items from each sponsor in the goodie bag is incentive enough for me. I mean, I'm a total Bare Minerals and smash box groupie and ever since I stole a spritz or two from my moms can of Big Sexy Hair I've been a fan. I think I'm fan girling more for the brands that will be there than the people (shhh...that'll be our secret).

Plus since I live here in the LA area it's not even something I have to plan for ahead of time. I mean, I know my way around in a car bus and train/light rail. I know where to avoid parking to pay minimum or just buy a day pass for the metro ($5). Did you know that the metro service here in LA is the most affordable in the nation? Or Le boyfriend has offered to drop off and pick me up Saturday/Sunday.

The only Con I've ever done is the emoticon. This is my very first con so I really don't know what to expect. Should my expectations be low or high? Should I dress up like Princess Leia? Should I bring things to be signed? Will they even sign my cheap makeup palates? All very importaint questions that have yet to be answered.

Tickets are 160 smackaroos with that stupid fee all ticket agencies charge but with code GENBEAUTYBAG you get it for $80. I didn't see the event post when the code will expire so I asked and they told me on their fb page it ends 5/30. So i assume this is the last and only promo code before the event and they won't get any cheaper. Here's the link if you want to check it out!

http://www.genbeauty.com/

Recent E.L.F hauls

Yes, you read correct. I have multiple hauls from E.L.F cosmetics and I've accumulated said items via Target and their website. They recently had a buy $20 worth of items and get a mystery bag worth $20 for FREE (my favorite word in the English language) so I got suckered in and ordered away. Then I made a second order the next day. Yes, I'm crazy. No judging though, $20 is a lot of products for this affordable brand and I did have to pay shipping but they don't charge tax so if you get a code for free shipping then you're made in the shade my friend!

So I've got plenty of items to sort through and test then review which will keep me busy for the next few week(s) maybe. Plus I got a few face/hair items from Target as well to review. Needless to say, I got a lot of crap and I need to use it or loose it!

For now I'm just giving you the lowdown on what to expect. So expect tons of elf reviews and maybe some makeup looks with their products if I can get over my shyness and aversion to taking pictures. They will be broken up with reviews on a recent gem I found in the at home microdermabrasion department and face lotions/toners and other gems from the makeup aisle. Expect a large package review from my latest crazy ulta haul where I bought a bunch of NYX products and I just got my ipsy glam bag yesterday so I'll be testing and reviewing to my hearts content. 

So check back in later (tonight? Tomorrow night?) and see what goodies I post about first!