How to Properly Wash Your Face

Washing your face properly is a basic step in skin care, and one of the most important steps.  If you are using a cleanser that is not also a makeup remover, you will need to use a makeup remover before cleansing.

When?  You need to be washing your face both morning and night.  At night you are washing away all the makeup, dirt, oil, etc that your face has picked up through out the day.  At night while you are sleeping your skin is busy rejuvenating and it can’t do it’s job properly without being clean.  One thing I heard years ago is this- “For every night you go to bed without washing your face you age an extra day”.  That may not seem like a lot. But if you are making a habit out of not washing your face, that extra day of aging will add up quick! In the morning it is also just as important to wash your face.  Like I said, your skin is rejuvenating while you sleep. In the morning there will be excess oil, impurities, dead skin, etc, sitting on your skin that you need to be washed away.  Plus, at night you should be using an eye cream and possibly some kind of night cream, sleep mask, beauty oil or glycolic treatment. All of those things need to be washed off in the morning.

Water?  The water temperature should not be to hot or to cold.  Both extreme temperatures will irritate your skin, causing redness and/or dryness.  A perfect luke warm temperature is what you want.  The luke warm water will soften the pores and make it easier for trapped dirt and makeup to come out.

How?  Get your hands, face and neck wet.  Do not neglect the neck.  Your neck shows age just as much as your face does.  Put some cleanser in your hands, or clarisonic, and massage in upward circle motions over the face and neck for at least 30 seconds, 1-2 minutes is best.  Focusing on the t-zone area, also making sure to get around the hair line, jaw and chin.  Give your face a thorough rinse, don’t leave any cleanser residue.  Gently dab your face dry (don’t drag or rub) with a clean towel.

There are 2 types of skin care products that I think you should spend the money on and absolutely find the right one for your skin: Cleanser and Moisturizer.  These 2 products are used more often that anything else.  They are your building blocks for a great skin care routine. If these 2 things aren’t right, your skin won’t be right.  There is one cleanser that has been my #1 favorite for so long and I absolutely love: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser.  Big surprise right? This cleanser is “for all skin types”, so anyone can give it a try. Maybe my favorite will be your favorite :)

washing face

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is HERE! Let’s Shop!!

“I don’t play sports, the only sport I play is shopping. But there’s a lot of walking involved in that… running sometimes if there’s a sale.”  -Jessica Simpson

Nordstrom has opened their doors to the biggest sale event of the year!!!  It’s Christmas in July for any fashionista!

A little info about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale:

  • Largest Annual Sale Event of the Year of any Luxury Department Store
  • This is New Pre-Fall/Fall 2014 Products, not spring/summer on sale
  • July 18th-August 3rd, prices go back up to regular price on August 4th

I spent several hours at the store during early access trying everything on and countless hours shopping online to bring you the best pieces of the sale.  I have to give a special shout out to these Donald Pliner boots – ah-mazing!!  (they don’t look like much in the stock photo, but in person… awesome fall staple!)  Leave me a comment and tell me what you are buying :)
Here are my top picks for fall from every department!

Women’s Shoes

Women’s Clothing

Handbags & Accessories

Sleepwear, Lounge, Active & Intimates

Beauty Exclusives

Men’s

Kids

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1 Black Dress, 2 Ways…

Black Dress, Denim

Black Dress, Denim

Black Dress, Denim

Black Dress, Denim

House of Harlow Earrings

Loeffler Randall Handbag

Black Dress, Denim

Dress: Nordstrom (only $48) | Jacket: Nordstrom (old) similar here, here (only $58), here | Shoes: Old, similar here, here, obsessed | Bag: Loeffler Randall (Nordstrom Anniversary Sale) | Earrings: House of Harlow (old), similar House of Harlow (Nordstrom Anniversary Sale) | Sunglass: Tory Burch, Tory Burch on sale (Nordstrom Anniversary Sale) | Lip: Whitening Lightning Butter Cream, use code ‘rachel’ for 25% off.

Black Dress & Leather

Dress: Nordstrom (only $48) | Jacket: BCBG (old) sooo similar here, here (on sale), here | Shoes: Lamb (sold out) similar here, here, here, obsessing over these | Bag: Nordstrom (old) similar here, here, here, obsessed | Bangles: Nordstrom | Necklace: Nordstrom (old) similar here, here, here | Earrings: Nordstrom | Sunglasses: Tory Burch | Lip: Whitening Lightning Summer Sun, use code ‘rachel’ for 25% off.

Last week I did a post on the 2nd outfit, click here to view all the photos.  When I purchased this dress my first thought was to dress it up.  But I wanted to live in this dress so bad I found a way to wear it while out running around and doing my errands.  Some of the items from my casual outfit are from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  The sale starts tomorrow, if you are a card holder you can begin shopping now during early access.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2014A little info about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale:

  • Largest Annual Sale Event of the Year of any Luxury Department Store
  • This is New Pre-Fall/Fall 2014 Products, not spring/summer on sale
  • July 18th-August 3rd, prices go back up to regular price on August 4th

I spent several hours at the store during early access trying everything on and countless hours shopping online to bring you the best pieces of the sale.  I will be posting tomorrow with all of my faves from every department. This is the fashion event of the year!

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Skin Care Product Overload!! What To Use & When?

It’s easy to walk into Sephora or a Department Store and get overwhelmed by all the choices of skin care products!  Not only are there so many different kinds of products, but they are all for different purposes.  I’m going to break it down and make it as simple as possible for you.

Makeup Remover-
What is it? Whether it is wipes or a liquid, this is made to remove all the makeup off your face and eyes.
When to use? This is the first step, before you cleanse your skin. Use only when you are wearing makeup.

Cleanser-
What is it? Use to wash the face and neck to get off dirt, oil, makeup and clean the skin.
When to use? Both morning and night. Some cleansers are also makeup removers and safe to use on the eye area, like Fresh Soy Face Cleanser and Purity Made Simple. In this case, you don’t need to use a makeup remover first.  If you are using a cleanser that is unsafe for the eye area or isn’t also a makeup remover, you will need to use a makeup remover first before cleansing.

Clarisonic-
What is it? Gently deep cleans the skin, removing impurities, dirt, makeup and oil.  Cleans 6 times better than just using your hands.
When to use? Use with cleanser morning and/or night.

Toner-
What is it? Delivers to your skin the specific help your skin needs.  There are toners for oil control, minimizing pores, extra deep cleansing, hydrating, etc.
When to use? Apply to cleansed skin, morning and/or night.

Serum-
What is it? A serum will sit on your skin all day and work hard to bring you the results you are looking for.  Serums are made to deliver help to your specific skin concerns. There are many different kinds of serums. There are serums to help with wrinkles, dryness, oiliness, brightening, etc.
When to use? Use in the morning to cleansed skin, before moisturizer.

Moisturizer-
What is it? Applying moisturizer to your skin will bring moisture to the skin, or help to regulate excess moisture; whichever your skin needs. For oily/acne skin you will apply an oil-free moisturizer to help regulate oil and leave an overall smooth finish. For normal, dry, combination skin you will be looking for adding moisture back into your skin.
When to use? Both morning and night. Apply either to cleansed skin, or on top of a serum or toner.

Beauty Oil-
What is it? This is a moisturizer in oil form. Because it’s an oil it’s able to deliver things to your skin in a different way. A beauty oil will give more of a dewy look. I recommend this for dry, normal or combination skin.
When to use? Can be used both morning and night as your daily moisturizer. I like to use it at night for extra moisture. In the winter I will apply my moisturizer then beauty oil on top, before bed, to give my skin all the moisture it needs.

Eye Cream-
What is it? Brings moisture to the eye area, reduces wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles and more.  For what eye cream to use click here, how to apply click here.
When to use? At night only, to cleansed skin before your moisturizer.

Night Cream & Sleep Mask-
What is it? A power packed product that works on improving your skin while you sleep. Whether your skin needs extra moisture, brightening, smoothness, clearer complexion, etc, this will bring it to you in your sleep.
When to use? Use at night, to cleansed skin. Don’t layer a moisturizer or beauty oil with it, use a night cream or sleep mask all by itself to get the full benefits.

Mask-
What is it? A mask is designed to bring your skin any help or improvement or balance that your skin needs. So many different kinds of masks! It’s easy to find one that will help you with your specific skin needs. There are masks for clarifying, oil control, moisturizing, detoxifying, smoothness, radiance, calming and more.
When to use? Use as much as 1 time a week, as little as 1 time a month. Apply to clean skin, let sit for 10 minutes then rinse off. Be sure to read any specific directions of your mask. Follow with your morning or night time routine.

Exfoliator-
What is it? Exfoliating gets the dead skin off the surface, revealing more radiant skin. To read more in depth about exfoliation click here.
When to use? Exoliate 2-3 times a week, after you have cleansed the skin, before you moisturize.  You can exfoliate, then use a mask for a mini facial at home.

Peel Pads & Peels-
What is it? This is more of a clinical level product, most of them have glycolic acid as an ingredient. Peels are made for resurfacing the skin, diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, acne scars; revealing brighter, more youthful looking skin.  Because this type of product is resurfacing, there is no need to exfoliate if you are using this on a consistent basis.  Over exfoliating will only irritate your skin.  I will use peel pads 1 time a week and exfoliate 1 time a week, and that works well for me.
When to use? Use at night to cleansed skin, follow with night time routine of eye cream and moisturizer. Glycolic makes the skin sun sensitive. Be sure to wash your face in the morning to get the product off your face. If using in the morning always use a sunscreen after.

Acne Spot Treat-
What is it? A product that spot treats any break outs or acne.
When to use? Morning and/or night on clean skin, before you moisturize.

You do not need to use all of these products.  And you certainly don’t want to use them all at once.  One night I will use a sleep mask, the next night I will use a beauty oil, and the night after that I will use peel pads.  You can switch it up as often as you want to.  Here is what a morning and night time routine looks like:

Morning

  • Cleanse, with Clarisonic
  • Acne Spot Treat (if needed)
  • Toner and/or Serum -If using together, use toner first then serum. (optional, only if there are skin concerns)
  • Moisturize

Night Time

  • Makeup Remover (if cleanser isn’t a makeup remover)
  • Cleanse, with Clarisonic
  • Exfoliate or Peel Pads (2-3 times a week)
  • Mask (1-4 times a month)
  • Toner (optional)
  • Eye Cream
  • Acne Spot Treat (if needed)
  • Moisturize or Beauty Oil or Night Cream/Sleep Mask

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Whitening Lightning Lip Gloss Colors & Review

 Whitening Lightning Lip Gloss Colors

Whitening Lightning Lip Gloss Colors

Nude, Butter Cream, Sugar Mama, Figi, Raspberry Sherbet, Coral Craze, Rose Hill, Summer Sun (left to right)

Whitening Lightning lip glosses are truly one of the best lip glosses I have ever used!  The color is so pigmented, the texture is so creamy (never sticky!), and it lasts for hours.  Their packaging is genius!  There is a mirror on the side of the lip gloss (make sure to take the clear plastic cover off the mirror before use) and a light inside the wand.  No more dark restaurants trying to reapply lip gloss after dinner and guessing where it goes.

Whitening Lightning Lip Gloss

You can purchase the glosses separately or in bundles.  Purchasing a bundle is a better value: $24 individually, the bundle of 5 is $13.80 each and you get to pick your 5 colors.  Use code ‘rachel’ for 25% off your entire purchase (including bundles), plus any purchase of $75 or more gets free shipping.  They also offer a lip gloss duo, it includes Butter Cream + your choice of either Rose Hill, Sugar Mama or Nude.

My go to colors are Butter Cream & Rose Hill (both created by my sister Jaclyn Hill), Sugar Mama, Raspberry Sherbet, and Coral Craze.  These colors can be worn day or night, with almost any look or outfit.  Fiji and Summer Sun are more bold and look great with a specific look.  I’m obsessed with mixing Rose Hill + Sugar Mama.  It’s a match made in heaven!  If you can only get one, the must have is Butter Cream!

Shop all colors and bundles at Whitening Lightning and use code ‘rachel’ for 25% off!

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