Clarisonic Review and other stuff too

So after years of holding out i finally bought my first Clarisonic. The Mia 2 from Sephora. It's been on my wishlist for a while but it wasn't until I went off birth control (for health insurance reasons) that I needed a little extra umph in my face routine. BTW I was taking Orthotricyclen before and it did wonders for my skin as well as the population. Anywho...this bad boy, even though I've only used it for about a week, has done wonders.

 Clarisonic Mia 2

So far I've been using the basic brush head and the cleanser that came with the set. Each night I thoroughly wash my face in the shower using Olay Makeup Wipes to take off my makeup (Makeup Forever 177). When I get out of the shower I power this baby up and use it. The first time I used it after washing my face thoroughly I was surprised and kind of disgusted at how much makeup and dirt was still on my face. The brush of the Clarisonic was dirty. No wonder I'd been having issues with my skin...I was thinking my skin was clean after washing it but no there was still tons of makeup and dirt I missed that this Clarisonic got out in just 1 minute of what me washing my face for 5 minutes didn't do! I'm sold! It also opened my pores so that my topical acne treatments really got into my face. The few pimples I've had have cleared up much faster. This set came with a charger, travel case and the cleanser and brush and body for $150 and it was well worth every cent.

Origins Charcoal Mask | Ambe Vitamin Veil | Wild Rose 24 Hours Moisturizing and Brightening Cream | Kate Somerville EradiKate | DDF Benzoyl Peroxide Gel

 I try to change up my face routine depending on the weather and also what's going on with my skin. Right now I just have one cystic pimple on my chin (ick) and a black head on my forehead and for some reason my neck has been breaking out but I think that's an allergic reaction to a new perfume. Anywho these are my go to's at the moment. 

 Origins Charcoal Mask: A great mask to use weekly. Its really good at shrinking enlarged pores but can also pull all the impurities out so be prepared for a small break out after.

Ambe Vitamin Veil: I order this stuff from California ever since I got it in a gift bag at fashion week last year. It's great for lightening and brightening your complexion and protecting your skin against the environment. I use it every day and have seen a noticeable difference in my skin.

Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturizing and Brightening Crème: I use this one to two times weekly to fade discoloration (blemishes) and even out my skin tone. Do not go outside wearing this your skin will freak out. Stay inside. Don't use in combination with other brightening crèmes because you will get blotches of lightening and darkened skin. Make sure to put it on all over your face and not just the dark spots. (I had an unfortunate incident so I know from experience lol).

Kate Somerville EradiKate: This is a great spot treatment for stubborn pimples that need to die. It works exceptionally well on white heads. But it will dry the hell out of your skin too so don't use it too often and moisturize your skin well after washing it off. I usually leave it on overnight and wash off in the morning.

DDF Benzoyl Peroxide Gel: This has worked the best for me in terms of controlling my acne overall. I usually put this on my acne after using the Clarisonic and leave it on overnight. It really works on any kind of pimple. It is also quite drying as well so I wash it off and moisturize in the morning with Ambe Vitamin Veil and Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion.

Cupcake Hair Shots | Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment

I got put on to this Cupcake Hair Shots perfume last fashion week by a friend. Its perfect for freshening your hair especially in winter when wearing hats and beanies all week can leave your hair less than fresh. It smells soooooooo good. Everytime I sprayed it I got compliments. Someone even said wow you smell like cake! The Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment also smells divine and my scalp loves it.

 

I've done a similar post to this one on products HERE for you to check out!

 

xx

Monroe

 



flower crown

if you follow me on instagram (@monroesteele) you may have seen me in the process of making my very first flower crown. after seeing them on one of my favorite bloggers Nicole of Gary Pepper Vintage i've wanted to rock one! so i went to my local Michaels and got all the necessary materials to make one. it was also an incentive to make one being that i am participating in the Nokia Lumia and Leivankash Jewelry fashion challenge. the challenge is to use the Nokia Lumia 900 to create a mood board based on one of the Leivankash Jewelry collections. My favorite of the collections is Flora! thus i got the inspiration to make this flower crown and to do sort of a beauty shoot. its my first of this nature and it was super fun!

Dress: Vintage from Vintage Thrift | Lipstain: Stila Fiery

Makeup: Smashbox BB Cream "Dark" | Eye Liner: Sephora Cream Liner 

Mascara: Covergirl Lash Blast in Very Black 

Eye Shadow: Maybelline EyeStudio

 

i love the way the crown turned out...even though i underestimated how many flowers i would need lol. i plan to try to make one using real flowers soon! i've been tinkering with shadows and contrast on these photos. it almost makes me look like im an angel...lol.
have you ever made a flower crown?

 

xx

Monroe

 

SHOP FASHION STEELE NYC

THRIFT eBook | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | TUMBLR | BLOGLOVIN | LOOKBOOK

follow me on instagram: @monroesteele

Awesome photography by: Tiona D

 



i SPEND on SKIN: my battle with acne & hyperpigmentation

when it comes to clothing i do love a great fashion STEELE and try to limit my investment pieces (expensive stuff) to a minimum but i like, every other woman on the planet, will SPEND on SKIN.

my blog is mostly about Fashion but i get tons of emails about my skin routine. lets not kid ourselves i have FAR from PERFECT skin. it is still something i struggle with on a daily basis. but i have compiled products over the years that have really helped with my adult acne, blemishes and hyperprigmentation and just the overall quality of my skin.

i did a post about this last year HERE that you can check out.

 

ACNE CONTROL

to control my acne i use a combination of DDF and Murad treatments that utilize Benzoyl and Sulfur instead of Salicylic Acid. I've come to realize that Salicylic Acid acne treatments just make my face worse. Thus my change to Benzoyl and sulfur based products. These products dry the hell out of a pimple. But it will also dry the skin around it thus moisturizing afterward is key. After Cleansing my skin and my pores are open I place a dab of either DDF Benzoyl Perozide Gel or Murad Acne Spot Treatment right on a pimple and i go to sleep. I wash it off in the morning. I've tried this on cystic, nodule like as well as small white heads and its worked for all to decrease the size of the pimple and redness. I also use Women's One a Day with Healthy Skin Support daily and take Ortho Tri Cyclen.

 

ACNE MASKS/PORE and BLEMISH CONTROL

i use a combination of masks as well to keep my blemishes and acne under control. DDF Sulfur masks has really been a life saver. When I have a problem area (a group of pimples in one place) i will put a small amount of the mask on that area and leave for 15 minutes and then wash it off. If I do this 3-4 days in a row it significantly helps to dry up those pimples and return that break out area to almost normal. I've also have large pores on my cheeks and to help minimize those as well as brighten my overall complexion I use Boscia Luminizing Black Mask. Check out photos of me using the mask HERE.

 

CLEANSING/EXFOLIATING

to remove my makeup i use OLAY Cleansing Clothes. I love that they have no smell and no added perfumes that can irritate my already very sensitive skin. After cleaning my skin I usually exfoliate with either Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Scrub (very gentle on skin) or
Arcona Cranberry Gommage (which has won the Allure Editors Choice several times). The Arcona is by far the best for exfoliating, it is fresh and really gets my pores open and ready for the Acne Treatments. I usually use Aveeno is the morning and Arcona at night before my acne treatments.

 

Hyperpigmentation Control

as a woman of color i struggle with the dark marks a pimple can leave behind. it can really scar sometimes and then i try to mask it with concealer which usually works but when the make up comes off its still there. so to battle those dark marks I use a combination of two products: Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum and Korres Wild Rose 24-hour moisturizing & brightening cream. They both work like a charm. *Note do NOT use these two products at the same time, it will brighten then hell out of a spot. Also dont put it on just the hyperpigmented area, cover the entire face! (i once only put the treatment where the dark marks were and it also lightened the skin around it...thus put over the entire face and let the marks gradually decrease). I only use the Murad 2-3x a week, i put on a thin film on my face and go to sleep (these are nights when i use no acne treatments). The Korres I usually use 1-2x a week during the day when I cleanse my face and just put some of this on while around the house.

 

MOISTURIZING/SPF

if you are using any acne medications or hyperpigmentation treatments it is essential for those reasons alone to use SPF. if not to prevent sun damage! even those with darker skin need to use SPF. I love Aveeno because my skin is very sensitive and sometimes dry from acne treatments. Aveeno Positively Radiant daily moisturizer lotion is fragrance free, evens tone and has SPF 30 (UVA/UVB). Its light and non greasy and can be used under makeup.

 

SECRET WEAPON SERUM

 

AMBE Vitamin Veil Revitalizing Antioxidant Serum

i discovered this serum in a gift bag back in February during fashion week and have been addicted ever since. this serum has really helped to change my skin from dull and rough to smooth and plump and vibrant. the AMBE line was developed by a plastic surgeon in California. It is the best toner/serum ive ever used and ive used them all. within a week i noticed a difference in the way my skin looked and felt. too bad it isn't sold in stores...its that exclusive. I usually use it 1-2x daily. In the a.m. after i wash off my acne treatment, before i moisturize or after I exfoliate at night and i dont plan on using any acne or hyperpigmentation treatment. GET IT HERE. its also great during those cold winter months!

 

Let your face rest. Some nights its better to just let your face breath without all the acne or hyperpigmentation treatments. it gives your face time to heal. this is the best time to use a serum such as AMBE Vitamin Veil to help nourish the skin.

Note these are products that have worked for me and may not work for you. Please consult your primary care physician before beginning any oral medications.
check out my previous post about my skincare regime here and my workout routine here.
SHOP THIS POST

what i want to know is...what are your skincare secret weapons?

 xx
Monroe

SHOP FASHION STEELE NYC

THRIFT eBook | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | TUMBLR | BLOGLOVIN | LOOKBOOK

follow me on instagram: @monroesteele