A preface to my blog: Why is skincare important? Why is skincare not the most important thing?

Posted by Alona On 4:37 PM 0 comments
(ha ha, do you get it? A preface? Ha, I crack myself up...)

One of the reasons why I get to try out a myriad of skincare and makeup products is because of my mother. My mother is... a unique individual, to say the least. She very easily gets convinced by salespeople that product x is a miracle product and that it will solve every single skincare problem and make her look photoshopped and flawless. (Then she never uses them...but that's another story). Obviously, no product is capable of doing all that. Especially over the counter products. If skin care products were truly able to completely get rid of signs of aging and acne, then they'd be strictly controlled and prescribed only by doctors. Skincare products can only produce superficial results. They will never make your wrinkled skin perfectly smooth, they will never get rid of your genetically inherited dark circles, and they will never treat the internal problem causing your acne.

We so easily forget that skincare is a supplement to your real skin care regime: your diet. What you put inside your body makes a huge difference in your skin, as well as how your body is functioning. We also forget that the skin is an organ. If you are having problem skin, it's the first sign that there is something wrong on the inside, whether it be your diet or a hormonal imbalance. It's important to not only take care of your skin aesthetically, but medicinally as well.

But, that doesn't mean skincare is not important. Skincare is absolutely vital in prevention. Skincare does effectively prevent superficial signs of aging, dark circles, discolouration, and pimples. It is an absolute vital part of our daily routine and is just as important as brushing your teeth. Whether you are male or female, young or old, it is important to learn the basics of skincare and apply it to yourself. You don't have to be as obsessed as I am, but it's important for every single person to know how to treat their skin with good care. If I can force my super stubborn busy macho dad to wear La Roche-Posay sunscreen, then I'm sure you can force yourself to incorporate some sort of skincare routine into your daily life!

So, with that lecture out of the way, I invite you to explore the world of skincare, carefully and cautiously but with an eager eye. Learn your skin type and what you are sensitive to because you absorb into your bloodstream anything you put on your skin. Be careful but be adventurous. You never know when or where you'll find your next great skincare innovation, whether it be a well-known favourite from a department store, or an old family skincare secret you find out from a stranger.

Go forth and prosper! (Why am I such a nerd...)

Love,
Alona
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My Holy Grail Toner: Chanel Precision Lotion Douceur

Posted by Alona On 8:23 PM 1 comments

As usual, I bought this product on a whim when I spotted it in the duty free shop at the airport. I swear, I don't find good beauty products, they find me. (That sentence structure is called 'chiasmus' by the way. I just had my English exam so obviously AFTER the exam is when I remember all the terms I needed to know for the exam...). Anyways, I have very dry skin and it seemed for a while that no matter how good all my moisturizers were, I still couldn't get rid of that tight flaky skin! I thought that the problem might lie with the pH balance of my skin so I started my search for something to help get rid of the dryness (which is most prominent after I cleanse my face). So, needing something after my cleanser but before my moisturizer, I figured a toner was a good way to go (and also, a no-brainer).

Truthfully, I didn't have much hope for this product. To be honest? I fell for the gorgeous packaging. The quintessential Chanel double C-Cs, the minimalist design, and the gorgeous light pink bottle make it so appealing and I just thought...it would look so nice on top of my chest of drawers.

Little did I know that this toner packs a miracle! Literally within seconds of using it for the first time, my skin appeared brighter, all of the dry flaky skin went away and my skin felt so smooth.

Now, this is my holy grail toner. I absolutely have to use it after cleansing or else it just doesn't feel right! This is also a great product to wear on its own without moisturizer and it leaves your skin feeling just as satiated but without the greasy film that many moisturizers leave. I don't recommend skipping moisturizer all the time, since moisturizer has certain active ingredients necessary for your skin but if you're in a hurry and don't have time to wait for your moisturizer to sink in, this toner would be a great 2-in-1 product. It really helps makeup glide on perfectly.

Here's the description straight from Chanel's website:
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A fresh, light toner for normal-to-combination skin with the de-polluting power of Tulip Tree Extract and the emollient properties of Mallow Extract. Gently purifies while respecting skin's eco-balance, with velvety-smooth, radiant effects.

TULIP TREE EXTRACT, selected for its anti-pollution effect. The Tulip Tree has been planted in cities worldwide in an effort to help de-pollute the air. The tree’s shiny green leaves are covered with a protective wax that traps pollutants, which are then washed away when it rains. CHANEL PRÉCISION Cleansers and Toners utilize Tulip Tree Extract to remove impurities caused by pollution and protect the integrity of skin’s natural defense barriers. This helps to prevent free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging.

BIOGLUCANE boosts the cleansing action of Tulip Tree Extract and helps balance the skin without stripping its natural barrier, heightening the depolluting power of each formula in the collection.

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Chanel says that this product works optimally on Normal-to-Combination skin but I have dry skin and find that it works absolutely perfect on my skin and does exactly what a toner should do for dry skin.

Chanel has another version of this toner but for dry/sensitive skin (in a blue bottle, called Lotion Confort) as well as a version for combination-to-oily skin (in a green bottle, called Lotion Pureté). The variations of this toner all include different ingredients specifically formulated to treat the skin tone they're formulated for. For example, the Lotion Pureté specifically has mattifying properties that are important for oily skin (Meadowsweet Extract; used for sebum control). Also, the Lotion Confort has Arum Lily Extract, which they say hydrates the skin. (In case your wondering, the toner I use, the Lotion Douceur has Mallow extract, which is supposed to soften and smooth the skin and works to rid your skin of pollutants you absorb during the day).

Chanel claims that this toner gets rid of pollutants in your skin but I'm not quick to support this. Firstly, I think "pollutants" are a PR-fancy word synonymous with dirt. Your cleanser should take care of that and your toner shouldn't have to de-pollute anything. If you have residue dirt left on your cleansing pad when you tone, it just means that your cleanser is doing a bad job. Your toner has the responsibility of helping your skin stay balanced (not too oily, not too dry) and
brightening up your complexion. That's what Chanel's Lotion Douceur is perfect at.


Love,
Alona x
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Family Skincare Secret!

Posted by Alona On 12:46 PM 0 comments

Back in the 90s, my mum used to work in a travel agency. Due to the nature of her work, she was constantly on the phone and because phones in the 90s were that clunky horrible mess, she started to get breakouts right on the area where the phone touched her face. No matter how many times she wiped the phone, she'd still always end up with horrible pimples! Then, one day, a coworker suggested she try this paste that promised to instantly dry up pimples. My mom went out and bought this product. As soon as she got home, she put it on. The next day, her entire breakout had cleared up!! This miraculous product is Payot's Pate Grise Purifante.

Remember how in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", the dad used windex for everything? Well, that's how my mom is with the Pate Grise. When I was little and got a cut or scrape, she'd put Pate Grise on it. When I'd get bit by mosquitos, she'd put Pate Grise on it. When I'd get a rash, she'd put Pate Grise on it. I grew up around this product and saw it heal my cuts and scrapes, and when I reached puberty, I saw Pate Grise heal my pimples.

Pate Grise works by drying out the oils in your skin (and drying out the pimple) underneath your visible layer of skin. It is best applied before a pimple fully emerges (so apply it when you can see a pimple rising underneath your visible layer of skin). According to my mum, Pate Grise contains ingredients that help get rid of inflammation, so that's why it's useable on all parts of your skin (cuts, scrapes, rashes etc.).

Unfortunately, Pate Grise has stopped being stocked in duty free shops all over the world. You are most likely to find it at spas and skin care salons, especially in France and Spain. I wish this product was more readily available. The good side though, is that it lasts a very long time so if you can find this product, you don't have to worry about stocking up since 1 package can last you up to a year!

From the Payot website:

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Due to their anti-seborrheic nature, schist extracts activate the maturing process of blemishes whilst neutralizing bacteria. Talcum absorbs impurities.

A mythical formula created by Dr Nadia Payot, Pâte Grise has been the benchmark for flawless skin for 3 generations!

_____________________________________________________________________

As I grew older, and started getting pimples myself, I used Pate Grise on my pimples (especially on those who haven't erupted yet) overnight and I always woke up with improved skin. I really recommend this product for those who don't suffer from severe acne, but still have a few spots on their skin. This is great for all skin types and works best when applied to pimples that haven't fully "come out" yet.

Payot's Pate Grise is probably my most treasured skincare item and I hope it will be around for my entire lifetime! My mother and I don't know what we'd do without it!

Love,

Alona

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Some of my current favourite pictures :)

Posted by Alona On 10:43 PM 0 comments

Leandra Medine






Magdalena Frackowiak



I don't own any of these :)

Love,
Alona x
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10 Essential Makeup Products

Posted by Alona On 7:15 PM 0 comments


I am a firm believer in investing in skincare rather than makeup. So, because of my minimalist approach, I tend to buy and use only the essential makeup products. So, without further ado, here are my essentials that I always wear and keep in my makeup bag!

10. L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes
Mascara
I absolutely love mascara (and am not ashamed to admit that I love to cake it on until it clumps)! It brings attention to your eyes while defining them and making you look more awake. Who doesn't love that? Every girl should own a good mascara that leaves her lashes looking more voluminous, longer, and curvier. I don't think it's necessary to spend a lot on a good mascara as there are excellent mascaras available in the drugstore, such as my personal favourite, the L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara.

Runner up: L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black
Designer Alternative: Christian Dior Diorshow Iconic

9. MAC Eyeshadow in "Charcoal Brown"
I absolutely adore this eyeshadow. I use it in the crease for a bit of definition of my eye, as well as for filling in my eyebrows. Unfortunately, I inherited (from my mom's side of the family) very light eyebrows so I really need to fill them in for them to match my skin tone and hair colour. It used to be a lot more visible when I was younger because I had a much darker, more olive skin tone which got paler as I grew older. Thankfully now it's not as noticeable or else I'd be rocking the avant-garde trend of no eyebrows all the time!
Just to show you I'm not joking, here's me at age 11...with the lightest eyebrows.
Ohhhhh yeah. My awkward stage lasted about 8 years.

8. Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow Palette in "710 Not Just Nudes"
I absolutely love this palette. When I'm travelling, this is the only eyeshadow palette I ever take...actually, this is the only eyeshadow palette I own!!! It is the perfect formulation for the eyes as it does not crease, nor does it fade (even after a good 14 hour day!). My personal favourite out of the palette is the champagne colour (second from the left), which I love to dab right in the middle of the eyelids to brighten up my eyes. It has great shine which just helps make your face glow. The colours in the palette are perfect for a day look, as well as for creating a smoky brown look for the night. It contains both matte and shimmery shades so it's perfect to travel with since you can choose if you want a more natural look (the matte shadows) or a more pronounced look (the shimmery shades). Overall, this palette is fantastic for anyone who loves a good neutral eye with a bit of shimmer and definition!
The picture does not do these eyeshadows justice! Be sure to check them out for yourself at your local drugstore!

7. Revlon Age Defying Moisturizing Concealer with SPF 25 in the Medium Shade
This is hands down my holy grail concealer!!!! It rarely creases, looks so natural, and protects your eyes from UV rays with its SPF 25. It is also hygienic to use due to the design of the packaging (it looks like a needle). I've been looking for ages for a really good concealer and have tried pretty much every concealer from Sephora. I spontaneously bought this on a late night run to the drugstore and instantly fell in love with it! But beware...it has just been discontinued. I'm so heartbroken by this! Now, I'll have to be on the search for another concealer. If you can still get your hands on this, then run to the stores!! For now, I'll be depending on eBay to get my fix...
6. Biotherm Blush! in #60
I bought this on a whim (this seems to be how I usually find out about great products!) at a sample sale and have been obsessed with it since then. It has very finely milled glitter in it so it gives the perfect glow while still remaining natural looking. For my skin tone, colour #60 is a perfect combination of a blush and a bronzer. I put this over my cheekbone and cheek area to define my cheekbones while still giving me a nice refreshing glow and adding some well-needed colour to my cheeks. It is very buildable but I prefer to keep it natural looking so I only swipe it onto my cheeks once or twice.
5. eos Lip Balm
All right...I admit it. I was drawn in by the packaging of this lip balm. It reminded me of the toy sphere that comes in a Kinder Surprise Egg which I used to devour (and still do) when I was a child. Imagine my surprise when this quirky packaged lip balm actually delivered! Instantly, my lips felt moisturized and much softer. With chronic use, my lips have overall become softer and less prone to becoming chapped in the cold cold cooooooold wintertime. I love the stares I get when I pull this out in public and it's always a conversation starter, but most of all I love how great this product is! This may be the first product where the packaging actually matches up to the quality!
4. MAC Matte Lipstick in 'Ruby Woo'
This is the absolute perfect red for my skin tone. I originally started out with MAC's 'Russian Red' but it is too vampy for me and sucks the life out of my face, no pun intended. Meanwhile, 'Ruby Woo' brightens up my face and draws attention to the lips all while enhancing my skin tone and making my teeth look whiter! I absolutely adore a red lip and love to wear one as often as I can. It is the epitome of class and elegance, while still looking sultry and feminine. 'Ruby Woo' is my go to red colour when I need to look my best!
3. Stila Lip & Cheek Stain in Pomegranate Crush
As I'm sure you can tell by now (minus the bold red lip), I love natural looking makeup. This stain is perfect for making your lips look berry beautiful (see what I did there?? see? see!!!!?) and giving your lips a nice flush of colour. It also livens up your dull skin by bringing a bit of colour onto your face. Since it's a stain, it's perfect for those days when you will be doing a bit of eating, kissing, beatboxing, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation etc. ...or when you just want to look like you have no makeup on but still have a beautiful tint to your lips!
2. Dior DiorSkin Nude Natural Glow Creme-Gel Makeup SPF 20 Powder in Light Beige 020
Although it's a bit of a splurge, I find it's absolutely worth it! I don't normally wear foundation day-to-day so this is a great alternative for evening out the skin tone and providing nice albeit very light coverage. I prefer a powder to a tinted moisturizer since I find, at least for me, the powder helps my concealer and blush stay on longer and also, it looks much more natural. I also came across this accidentally when I was gifted a Dior travel kit palette and this powder came in it.

1. Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in 050 Berry Smoothie
Everyone and their mother has heard of Revlon's revolutionary lip butters and I feel like I must add my two cents into the mix! These lip balm/lipstick hybrids feel comfortable on the lips, stay put, and moisturize all while looking absolutely beautiful! I love the Berry Smoothie shade as it works perfectly for my skin tone and is a nice colour to wear during the daytime. Lip butters are also a perfect introductory product for those just starting to get into lipstick. They're light, not super pigmented, and come in very flattering colours.


So there you go! Those are my 10 essential makeup products that I always have in my bag!

Love,
Alona
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