Month: October 2014

  • Steam Facial

    Everyone enjoys a steamy hot shower, but did you know that steam can be used to detox and cleanse? Steam rooms have been around for centuries, and the ancient Greeks knew the benefits of detox sweating in a steam room. Steam facials and facials in general can get pretty expensive. That’s why I’ve actually never had a professional facial, so be mindful that I don’t have any experience to compare this to.

    Some people like to use the old “tried and true” method of heating up filtered water until its steaming, filling a large bowl with the steaming water, and then putting a towel over your head to collect the steam over your face. But I find that method to be not only primitive but also really really hot. Because a towel is made from thick material, and when the steam collects under it I tend to over heat very quickly. I can never get a good facial because I can’t stay under the towel for a long enough period of time.

    I prefer to use a Conair Facial Sauna System to steam my face. It has an open top area where the steam can escape so you don’t get too hot. I also like to use it when I have a severe sinus infection and I need to unclog my sinuses. It comes with a facial brush, but don’t get excited, it is an extremely underpowered device that does very little to clean your face.

    Simple Instructions for Face Steaming:

    1. Make sure that your Facial Sauna (or bowl) is clean and filled with filtered water. Impurities from your device may cause unwanted bacteria to collect on your face during your facial.
    2. This next step may seem obvious, but it’s important. Clean your face of all makeup and wash your face. Really make sure your face is free of all dirt and debris. Steam opens up your pores and if you do not clean your face beforehand the dirt can get seep deeper into your pores and create bigger problems.
    3. Now, steam your face for 5-7 minutes. Make sure the steam is comfortable and not too hot on your face, you don’t want to burn yourself! Don’t over do it because you are going to steam your face again.
    4. Next, use a gentle exfoliator to really clean deep into your pores. I recommend Kate Somerville’s Gentle Exfoliating Treatment. You can use a gentle massaging motion, but that is not highly recommended for highly acne-prone skin. But remember, over exfoliation is extremely damaging to your skin! If you are scared of over exfoliating, then you might want to consider using a mud mask during this step. Don’t forget to use a mud mask that removes dirt and oil and detoxifies your face. I recommend Boscia’s Luminizing Black Mask.
    5. After exfoliating, steam your face again for 3-5 minutes to make sure all the dirt has come out of your pores.
    6. Then, wash your face with lukewarm or ideal cool water. This temperature change from hot to cold will seal your pores and prevent dirt from reentering after your facial.
    7. Finally, make sure to use an oil free moisturizer on your face. The purpose of an exfoliator is to remove dirt and dead skin from your face. When you do that, you leave your skin stripped of essential oils and you must use a moisturizer after every exfoliation.
  • Festival Makeup

    First off, I have to say that I am extremely apologetic for my long hiatus in blogging. I have been working on this huge project for my job called Photoville, which is a photo festival in Brooklyn that turns shipping containers into photography galleries. But this post is not about Photoville (even though its an awesome even and you should go next year!), this post is about the products I used during Photoville to keep myself looking fresh and feeling clean. These are the products I would recommend for anyone attending an outdoor festival or possibly traveling during the summer.

    Photoville is an outdoor event with some pretty warm days, and then include running around like crazy therefore I ended up sweating a little bit. It’s inevitable, just accept it and deal with it and move on. I like to use body wipes during the day to wipe sweat off and keep my clothes from smelling. I prefer to use Ban Cooling Cloths because they have a nice cooling sensation that is relieving during very hot weather and they have a nice scent. However, they don’t come in nice travel-sized individual packets so I sometimes use Crystal Body Deodorant Towelettes, Solos.

    I know everyone tries not to wear making up those really hot and sweaty events, like a music festival. But come on girls, we all do a little bit! When it’s hot out, I like to use Murad Skin Clearing Concealer. It helps keep my skin clear if I do end up sweating with makeup on. I also try to use lighter makeup, like Becca Blotting Powder Perfecter. It’s a lite, oil free, blotting powder that has shear coverage that you can reapply throughout the day if needed.

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