Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Guest Blogger: Nancy Lester & Adult Acne

Combination Dry and Adult Acne Prone Skin


Hi, my name's Nancy and I've written this guest blog for Taylor's site as I thought I had something interesting to contribute. I'm a freelancewriter and researcher by trade andspecialise in beauty and healthcare work



For many teenagers across the globe, acne is the bane of their social and emotional wellbeing. Whether it’s dealing with school day breakouts or that huge, unmistakable pimple that manifests itself just before an important date or outing; acne is in some ways a necessary evil we must overcome to travel the path to adulthood.

However, for some the curse of acne can continue well into adulthood, and it’s at this point we ask ourselves “Why am I one of the unlucky ones?”

As acne is caused by a hormonal influx during teenage years, it is much the same in relation to adult acne. There are many hormonally related health concerns that can result in acne in your adult years, and statistics show that over 25% of men and over 50% of women suffer from acne past their adolescence. 
If acne seems unfair and inconvenient in your youth, these feelings can increase doubly if you’re an adult acne sufferer. Acne-prone skin is a double-edged sword, especially on the face during adulthood. Most acne related products are produced using harsh chemicals that are included to help dry out the acne breakouts. Although this may work in the short term, and moreover, on teenage skin, as we get older it is vital that we retain the natural moisture of our skin.

Dry Skin Confusion
The chemicals in teen acne products can dry out adult skin if used over a long period of time, which will ultimately be to the detriment of your complexion. Dry skin on the face is the main factor that will eventually lead to wrinkles, fine lines and ironically, can cause further skin distress in the form of conditions such as acne-like Rosacea.

Another downside of suffering dry skin on the face is that you will find make-up sits uncomfortably upon the skin, and often if you’re of pale complexion, you will find your natural coloring becomes reddened. This sort of complexion is even harder to cover, and the dry skin may make the foundation you’re using appear darker on the face than expected.

This is why concentrating on products that both help to keep skin supple and alleviate your acne are of the utmost importance. Dry, acne prone skin is indeed very sensitive, and perhaps if you’ve tried every remedy on the market specifically for acne it’s time to look to more natural and alternative answer to remedy your skin problems.

After years of searching in vain for an antidote to the conversely dry yet acne prone complexion I suffer, I have found two wonderful products that have had a positive effect on my facial skin, and I would like to share them with you.

Alternative “Anthroposophic” Products
Weleda is a beauty product manufacturer, that bases all of its products and production techniques on “Anthroposophic” principles. Those whom take part in Anthroposophy apparently “aim to attain the precision and clarity attained by the natural sciences in their investigations of the physical world.”
Although this sounds a little hippy-ish, what it ultimately means for we the consumer, is that they create beauty products that contain mostly natural ingredients, sought-out for their historical and clinically proven effects on the human body.


I’ve found their products to have a beneficial impact on my adult acne skin, greatly improving my incredibly dry and pimple-prone complexion.

Gentle Cleaning Milk
Firstly, I always found removing make-up and cleansing my face would generally occur in extremely uncomfortable and dry skin. Having tried literally 100s of different cleansing products, aimed at everything from clinically dry skin, to acne-breakouts, it was only once I started using Weleda’s “Gentle Cleaning Milk” did I see any sort of change in my complexion.



Weleda’s products all come in curvy, beautiful, deep-blue glass bottles, which can make your dressing table look somewhat like an ancient Apothecary lab! Weleda’s Gentle Cleaning Milk is a creamy semi-thick consistency, and smells absolutely lovely, and not in the slightest chemical-like. It contains quite surprisingly, a number of different oils – which as you may be thinking, doesn’t sound like the best idea on acne skin.

However, if you’re like me and suffer a super-dry yet acne-prone complexion, you will find that these oils actually help to cure sensitive skin without providing too much grease.
Secondly, as with my great search for a cleanser that didn’t strip my skin of its vital natural moisture, I endured such a search for a moisturizer that actually felt like it was helping to keep my skin supple in the long term. I had tried everything from cold creams to expensive premium beauty remedies, yet none of the products ever gave me a feeling of moisturized skin, even if I left them on over-night.
Almond Oil

However, Weleda’s “Almond Soothing Facial Oil” for sensitive skin really has made a huge difference to my complexion. I suffered terrible Rosacea and dry acne on my cheeks, which presented itself as red, bumpy blotches on either side, and made me look terribly ill when I wasn’t wearing make-up.
This Almond oil is as natural as you can get, as it contains only Sweet Almond Oil and Plum Oil, and has the subtlest fragrance imaginable.



Having used both the Gentle Cleansing Milk and Almond Oil for around 3 months, my complexion no longer suffers from dry, bumpy patches that would, much to my annoyance, evade foundation. Instead the redness has disappeared, and I am left with a clearer, calmer complexion. Also of note is that my facial acne has not increased, despite the use of an oil upon my skin.




Having spent years trying to figure-out how to cope with my dually greasy/dry complexion, and focusing my attention on acne related products, I realized that what my skin really needed was pure moisture and care; products that would nurture my overall complexion, and I truly believe I have finally found a skin-care routine that I will take with me in to the future.


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Katie Irving writes full time for a living and specialises in beauty and health topics. After several years spent on her feet working in retail, she now revels in the glory of sitting back on her leather sectional sofa and typing away on her laptop. 


Hey guys, just a quick message from Taylor!  I hope you all enjoyed this guest blog post!  I sure did, it was nice to have an insight on a topic I have no experience with especially one so well written.  Since this isn't my post, I'll include 2 prizes in the next post.  Forgive me for my quick break!  Thank y'all and especially Nancy for this amazing post! XOXO

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Beauty Wishlist: February 6, 2012

Hey y'all,

So, I haven't done this in awhile so I thought it would be a good idea to continue with these for 2012.  I love lusting over products that I probably can't get.  Anyway, here is my February wishlist for 2012!  Hope you enjoy it!



This is the newest palette on the block.  Although I probably won't get this, it's still nice to dream.  It's a overall cooler colour range than the original NAKED palette.  I don't see this as necesasary but it would be a nice addition to my collection. 



I am dying to get a new handbag and this is one that I really want.  It's by Rebecca Minkoff, and I love the bright colour, I think it's perfect for spring and adds a pop of colour to an LBD or even a plain outfit. The silver hardware is gorgeous!  I WANTS! It does have a price tag and it's $195.  It's not that bad for a designer handbag, but I don't know where to but Rebecca Minkoff where I live so I'll have to go down to the States.  Oh, M.A.C stands for Morning After Clutch, I just thought that was cute!




This is the other bag I've been debating about getting.  My mom and me nicknames this the "Bird Bag" because of the bird.  I adore this bag, it's super cute.  I love the black mixed with the gold hardware because I usually gravitate towards the silver hardware.  This is more expensive with a price tag of $248.  Well madre, Marc Jacobs isn't cheap!  When we go to the States and see the Rebecca Minkoff then I'll know for sure.  Who knows, maybe I'll get both over a period of time!



I saw this while browsing the Sephora website the other day.  I love this, it comes with 6 eyeshadows and 2 blushes.  I feel like this would be a great travelling palette and would come in so handy.  It's a $125 value but it is being sold for $60.  It's gotten relatively good reviews so if I get the opportunity to go the Sephora and buy it I just might if I'm being impulsive.



I recently got a $20 gift certificate for Sigma for being shortlisted on the Handmade Reviews Beauty Blogger Awards.  There is also a coupon code LOVE10 which gives you 10% off your order.  I want the aqua because all my brushes are black and my room is Tiffany blue so I thought it would look really cute!  This is $109.



I usually don't include clothes but why not?  I've been wanting this for months, I have no idea where I can buy this in Canada so if anyone knows, please comment and let me know.  Or even in the States because I'm not really sure.  This are quite expensive at $125 CDN but they just look so comfortable and just beautiful.  I want one really badly...

I'm going to end my wishlist there, so I hope y'all enjoyed this and don't forget to enter my giveaway!  Let me know what's on your wishlist for this month or year, and I hope you have an amazing day!  XOXO!

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P.S. The third out of TEN giveaway prize!


Monday, February 13, 2012

Outfit of the Night: February 11, 2012 (Feat. Hair, Make-Up & Nails)

Hey y'all,

So today is my aunt's 60th Birthday party!  We're going to Baton Rouge for dinner and then we're going back to her house for a few hours to have some fun.  I thought I would share with you my outfit of the night!


OUTFIT











What I'm Wearing:
Dress: Costa Blanca - Freshine
Cardigan: Abercrombie & Fitch

ACCESSORIES




What I'm Wearing:
Necklace: Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti
Nail Polish: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Color in Pacific Blue
Heels: BCBGeneration

HAIR & MAKE UP



What I'm Wearing:
Foundation: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua
Concealer: Bobbi Brown Correcter
Eyeshadows: MAC Era. Bobbi Brown Burnt Sugar, 
Too Faced Ever After, MAC Not Just Nude
Eyeliner: MAC Blacktrack Fluidline & 
MAKE UP FORVER Aqua Eyes
Lipstick: L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Heavenly Berry
Lip Gloss: NARS Lipgloss in Dolce Vita

How I Did My Hair:
1. I started with clean hair
2. Take a 1 1/2 inch curling iron and start taking random 2 inch sections
3. Wrap the hair away from your face about half way down the hair

So, that is it for my OOTN, I hope y'all enjoyed and let me know if you like these posts and would like more of them!  Especially now because I have a tonne of Sweet 16s to go to!  HAVE A GREAT DAY!  Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

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P.S. Here's the second prize 


Saturday, February 11, 2012

Haul: Superbowl Sunday - February 5, 2012

Hey y'all,

So, let me just start by saying GO PATRIOTS!  Anyway, today I went shopping and I got some stuff.  I will also announce my first prize for my Bloggiversary giveaway.  I've added a picture on my sidebar, just click on it and it will lead you to the entry post with the rules & everything you need to know.  So, I shall start my first haul of the new year!  Let me just add that some of these things are just essentials and really random but I thought I would share anyway... DON'T JUDGE.


The first thing is this dress.  I am IN LOVE.  It is just so gorgeous, (Pardon the bad hair day by the way).  I bought this at Costa Blanca, I really don't own anything from that store but my mom wanted to show me a dress then I found this baby.  I'll be wearing it this weekend for my aunt's 60th birthday.  They had it a striking blue colour but they didn't have my size in it so I went with the pink.  The brand is called Freshine and it was $40.


I went to Shoppers, as there was 20x the points on beauty products and as I was at the cash, I spotted the Travalo, which is just a perfume spray.  I was looking for this everywhere and I was super excited when I found this.  I'll be bringing this to school (even though it's supposed to be scent-free... shhh) and filling it up with Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck.  I believe it was about $12.


And the random stuff begins. So... I needed razors and these ones were on sale.  I usually buy the Twilight ones, which are pink & purple, but the Bella ones were on sale.  I don't really know the difference to be honest.  So... yeah Bic Soleil Bella Disposable Razors.  I prefer disposable razors, I find them easier to deal with.  I bought this for $5.99.


Deodorant.  I am a normal human being, I perspire like everyone else but I don't like it so I use deodorant.  I got a mini one of these Dove Ultimate Go Fresh antiperspirants in whatever scent this is, while I was in downtown Toronto this Summer.  Dove was in Dundas Square giving out free minis of these and I loved the scent so I decided to purchase a full size one, for my home since my other one finished.  Just a little note about me:  I have deodorant everywhere: I have one in my locker, one in my dance bag, one in my washroom and one in my room.  It was on sale fro $2.99


So, yea, this is my favourite toothpaste.  Crest 3D White in Radiant Mint.  It was on sale so I decided to buy some while it was cheap.  True bargain shopper over here.  Yea, this whole line of dental products is amazing.  I want to try their white strips but I love the toothbrush and toothpaste.  I tried the mouthwash and hated however.  Each box/tube was $2.99.


Yea, we're into beauty products.  Shoppers was having a sale on Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color polishes.  I got just a plain grey because believe it or not, I don't own a plain grey and I just thought it would be a really simple yet modern colour to own.  This is number 460- Wet Cement.  These were on sale for $3.


If you watch Sarahbelle93x on YouTube, you know she loves this colour.  I was looking through the nail polishes and saw it was on sale.  I was a bit hesitant because bright colours like this don't usually look good on me.  Despite my concern, I picked it up.  I got home and painted my nails this colour and I love it.  I didn't expect to, but it's such a pretty colour, it's hard not to love.  By the way, it's 420 - Pacific Blue.


Competition season is so close.  I was looking through my lipsticks and I realized my red lipstick for dance (Red Earth's RD239) was completely broken.  Like it was smashed and the bullet was disconnected I tried to reattach the bullet by freezing it but it didn't work, so I had to purchase another red lipstick.  I went to Shoppers' Beauty Boutique & the make up artist recommended the Rouge Dior Haute Couleur Voluptuous Care in 743 Zianna Red.  It's a Russian Red lipstick but it is on the cooler side so it will make your teeth look whiter.  This was $36.


Along with the lipstick, I also needed a lip liner as mine is MIA.  So, I just went with the matching lip liner to the lipstick.  I bought the Dior Contour Lipliner Pencil With Brush and Sharpener in 863 Holiday Red.  I was informed this is also waterproof so that's amazing especially for a dancer.

So, that is all I bought on Superbowl Sunday.  I do have to go because I'm typing this as I'm watching the game, and its 3rd & 5 with New England winning 17 - 15 New York.  Once again, GO PATRIOTS!  Just a side note:  my team is the Baltimore Ravens but I love Tom Brady, I think he's an amazing quarterback, although Eli Manning is really good too.  LOL, little football talk there.  Anyway have a great Superbowl Sunday and the commercials, game and half-time show.

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P.S:  Here is the first giveaway prize!


Bodycology's Bosy Mist in "Sweet Petal"; I'm a huge fan of Bodycology so I;m trying to include them in a lot of giveaways since I know they are not a huge brand... YET!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

1 YEAR BLOGGIVERSARY! (CLOSED)

Hey y'all,

So... guess what today is!  It's been 1 year since I've posted my first blog post.  On this day last year I published 2 posts.  My first ever blog post was a review on the MAKE UP FOR EVER make up remover, click HERE to read that.  About 20 minutes later, I posted my second ever post which was a review & swatches of Shiseido lipsticks, if you want to read that click HERE.

Here's a picture I found of me on my Birthday!

My blog has grown so much over the last year and it's all thanks to my readers & followers.  Thank you for making my first year blogging so great.  I honestly cannot express the amount of gratitude I have towards y'all.  I feel like I've accomplished so much & hopefully this continues for a lot more years.

In honour of my blog's first birthday, I will be hosting a giveaway.  The prizes are going to be revealed one by one in the next up and coming blog posts under a PS section.  To enter the giveaway just comment as many times as you would like down below.

The rules of the giveaway are the same as always:
1) You must be following my blog via GFC
2) Enter by commenting as many times as you would like
3) Leave you e-mail & country in the comment
4) Giveaway is international as long as your country allows shipping from Canada
5) Giveaway ends a month from now, March 18, 2012 at 11:59 EST

For extra entries:
1) Tweet about the giveaway (make sure to mention me @xoTaaaylor) +1
2) Put your giveaway in your sidebar of your blog +1
3) Write a blog post about my giveaway +1

So, once again thank you so much.  I've achieved so much the most remarkable one was being shortlisted as a Handmade Beauty Blogger.  I couldn't have gotten this far without y'all.  I appreciate & value each one of you.  MWAH!  XOXOXOXOXOX!  LOVE YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!

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Friday, February 3, 2012

Holiday Outfits Part Two

Hey y'all,

So here is the first real post of the new year.  I'm sorry it took a whole month but I hope you understand the stress of January for a high school student & competition dancer.  I hope you can forgive me for taking so long to do this.  Anyway, here we go with the second part of my Holiday Outfits.  I hope y'all like this post and once exams are over, I'll be back to posting regularly.

FRIEND'S CHRISTMAS PARTY OUTFIT









For one of my bestie's Christmas/ Birthday party, (she doesn't read my blog or know about it but, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY JU!), I wore a flowy red shirt with a gold exposed zipper.  I paired it with a body con black, high-waisted skirt.  I also paired it with my sequin Madden Girl by Steve Maddens.

What I'm Wearing:
Shirt: Material Girl
Skirt: Talula
Pumps: Madden Girl by Steve Madden

DINNER WITH THE GIRLS OUTFIT






When I went out to dinner with my best friends over the break, I kept it simple but cute.  I wore a blue tank top under a black lace top.  I wore some dark wash ripped skinny jeans and some open toed red shoes.  Keep it simple & classy!

What I'm Wearing:
Tank Top: Abercrombie & Fitch
Top: Garage
Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch
Heels: Le Chateau

HOLIDAY DINNER HALL PARTY







My dad's business had a Holiday Dinner Party at a Hall and it was quite a formal event so this is what I wore.  I went with a LBD but if you can tell, it has a sparkly pattern.  I paired it with some brown faux lizard skin heels.  I also kept my hair simple and just put it in a sleek straight ponytail.

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: American Eagle
Heels: BCBG Generation

Once again, I'm so sorry for delaying this post but from now on, I will be posting regularly.  I have a huge list of posts to do for the new year.  So I look forward to blogging more and I hope you enjoyed reading this post.  I love y'all so much!  Plus, my one-year bloggiverasary is coming up soon & I'm so excited!  XOXO!

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