My Summer Skincare Routine | June 2016 ♥

Hi y'all!

So, I've struggled with my skin since I was about 19. In my teens I had perfect skin. I rarely had a breakout, and if I did, it was so mild that it was barely noticeable. Around the year I turned 19, my face practically exploded with breakouts. I was SO scared. I had no idea what was happening to me or my body. Because of the fact that I had baby skin almost all throughout my teens, it felt like I was getting punished in my early adult years (this may sound dramatic, but it's the way that I felt). Not only did I have skin that I did not recognize, I had a skincare routine that just wasn't cutting it anymore.

I have tried HUNDREDS of products. Yes, hundreds. Anything from Proactiv, to Clarisonic, to La Roche Posay, to Sisley and beyond. While I did like some of their products, it just wasn't working for me.

The biggest breakthrough in my skin was when I went on birth control. I was terrified of it because I know some of the risks it may bring and I am quite the hypochondriac. I was sick of trying different antibiotics in attempt to rid of skin of these horrible bumps. Over the course of several months, my doctor had prescribed me Clindamycin, Minocycline, Doxycycline, Spironolactone; none of these worked. If anything the side effects to them were way worse than the positive outcome that they were supposed to bring. He repeatedly told me that he believed the source of my breakouts were due to an imbalance in hormones and he wanted me to try birth control. When I finally felt like I was about to give up I said hey, screw it, why not one more.

It wasn't exactly smooth sailing once I began taking the birth control. I started with Aviane and was on it for about 2 years. It absolutely helped me clear the bumps and small whiteheads. While taking that I was trying to clear up the snow scarring that I was left with. I was fortunate enough to just have red hyper pigmentation rather than texture issues.

So, from here I essentially had to create a skincare routine that was for acne preventative, anti-aging, and dark spot correcting all at once. I will be the first one to tell you it was NO joke. I'm not the kinda girl that tries something for a couple days and then stops, I will use that entire bottle and maybe been then some. It wasn't like I just used something for a few weeks and then scrapped it, I actually gave so many products a chance and a real chance. I've finally felt like I have a routine down that hits all these points.

I'll start with my Retin-a. I use Retin-a Micro Gel (Tretinoin Gel). I use this bad boy 2x a week MAX. This stuff is no joke. I got it prescribed by my dermatologist and let me say, it is amazing. It's a form of Vitamin A that helps to reduce acne and scarring by creating new skin cell turnover. When using this you need a pea-sized amount AT BEST. I only use this 2x per week because it makes me extremely dry. While my skin has gotten use to it over the past year, the days after using it my skin still can be dehydrated and dry.

Face Wash: 
I've been using Limelight by Alcone Dream Clean which has Aloe + Soapberry in it. It is for Normal/Dry skin which is absolutely my skin type. This face wash is very light weight and amazing for my sensitive skin, I use this every night and morning.

Toner:
Khiel's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free toner is my favorite. It's gentle enough for my dry skin but still helps regulate my facial PH balance. Simple, easy and to the point. I use this directly after washing my face with a cotton round.

Serum:
I use a mix of two. Limelight by Alcone has a Calm Balm serum which has Aloe + Kendi Oil in it. This balm works in conjunction with the face wash. I began using both together and have noticed a tremendous difference. I love the texture of this right on my skin after I've just washed my face. After using this, because of the fact that I am so dry, I follow it up with MAC's Moisture Infusion serum. This is another lightweight serum that helps my skin from dehydration.


Moisturizer:
Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins has been my go to. I feel like this is one of the only moisturizers that my skin actually drinks up and makes me look glowing in the morning. It's filled with tons of minerals with Vitamins C and E, Chestnut Extract, and Wheat Germ! It's also paraben, sulfate, and phthalates free which is a huge plus for me.
MAC  Studio Moisture Fix SPF 15. I use this as my daytime moisturizer after my serums.

Oils:
Josie Maran Argan Oil is my absolute favorite oil I've ever tried. It hydrates me more then any oil ever. Short and sweet this is an incredible product. When I use this I use it right after washing my face and right before my serums.
Organic Vitamin E oil I use on occasion. It's mean to lighten dark spots as well so I try to use it at least 2x a week.

So I thought I'd give you guys the run down in a list form just for convenience.

Nightly routine (the days I use Retin-A) :
Wash face with Limelight by Alcone Dream Clean
Retin-A Micro Gel
MAC Moisture Infusion
Limelight by Alcone Calm Balm
Origins Night-A-Mins Moisturizer

**The days I don't use the Retin-A my nightly routine is exactly the same without the use of Retin-A.

Morning Routine:
Wash face with Limelight by Alcone Dream Clean
Limelight by Alcone Calm Balm
MAC Moisture Infusion
MAC Studio Moisture Fix SPF 15

xx,
Sean ♥

MAC SOFT SERVE EYE SHADOWS

YOU GUYZZZZZ.

These shadows are AMAZING. No joke. They just came out this morning in all MAC stores and I knew I had to swatch + review for y'all. So essentially, they're a creamy eyeshadow with a sponge-like texture. They have shimmer AND glitter in them that hit the light at just the right angle. Dey is so kewt. I love almost every color (almost). Some of them truly didn't swatch well, but looked much better once on the lid. Here are allllllll the shades in the collection:

CAN YOU EVEN HANDLE THIS??? 

So a new brush launched with these that's supposed to be used with them! The 248 brush is made with synthetic fibres and is ideal for applying these shadows as well as any cream shadow! It resembles their 242 brush except the hairs aren't quite as long. I have only used this brush with these shadows, it seems to work pretty awesomely; although I have not tried the 242 with them yet. 

Eyebrow pencils also launched with this collection but swatching them on my skin was nearly impossible. I tired for you guys, I really really did! They are pastel brow pencils, how freaking cute?! I love the idea of this, I just haven't found one that I truly love with my hair color yet. Even though these swatch quite poorly on the skin, they grab well to brow hairs. Here are the brow pencils:

photo courtesy of maccosmetics.com

I also took a flash/non flash comparison with the same color line up as the previous image. It's not the best quality because it was night time when I got to swatch these bad boys so unfortunately it is in artificial lighting. Top is without flash + bottom is with!

I love you all.

xoxo,

Seanmarie

WHY I HAVE BEEN M.I.A. . .BUT I'M BACK!

HI LOVELY BABES/GUYS/EARTHLINGS.

I have been so M.I.A and I am SO SO sorry! I know some of you have been worried about me (totally not, but actually maybe). My stuuuuuupid computer has been broken for the past three months. I also had two different trips planned, one in March and one in May. I've been a very busy/broke little bee lately. The good news is, I have some fun life things to share with you guys!

SO, I went to Washington, D.C. for the first time and it was amazing! I can't believe I've never been there in all my 23 years of being an American, especially living only three hours away. It was truly an fulfilling experience being surrounded with such rich history. I went with my mom, nana, and my sister Kelsey (pics will be below, hehe). Honestly, it surprised me how beautiful the city was. I had an image in my mind of what the city would look like but it really was so much cuter than I anticipated. We stayed downtown close to all the historical goodies like the Smithsonian and the White House. 

Funny story, we went to see the White House and we're taking pics and ish. To be honest, I was underwhelmed at first, then we soon realized that we had been in the backyard of the White House the whole time. . .idiots LOL. I was so pissed, I was like "wow this really looks different in pictures." Every one there probably thought we were out of country tourists because we had literally no idea that we were in the back. Once we began exploring downtown and some of the restaurants it changed my perspective immensely. For being such a large city it feels very homey which I loved!

I was in all my history nerd glory going to see where Abraham Lincoln was shot, we saw a mini two man play and we all cried, yes, cried. Abe was the bomb! How could you not be sad?!

Here I am looking totes miserable in front of the Washington Monument. This crazy lady was talking on the phone in the background of my shot EVERY TIME my sister tried to take the picture. I was so angry!!!! Like woman, I'm trying to take a cute pic for the gram here, my gosh, don't you know!? LOL I'm dramatic.

Last but certainly not least, I obviously also had to throw in this bomb dessert I ordered at the CUTEST outside café called The Occidental Grill. It was peanut butter and jelly with chocolate ganache, could. you. die? Not to mention it had a piece of peanut brittle on top, I was clearly in chubby little kid heaven.

That is all, I heart you all nuggets. Until next time,

xx Seanmarie