Byoo-tuh-fuhl: Currently on my face

Hello lovelies!

Today's post is a quick snippet into what my summertime beauty regimen has consisted of. As I'm sure my readers know by now, I tend to suffer with an extremely oily t-zone area on my face - and this is particularly annoying in the warmer months! I mean, there's gorgeous goddess does summertime glow then there's the non-practical greaseball. For all you combination-oily skin ladies, I know you understand the struggle of looking overly shiny! The key to getting a gorgeous, dewy glow? Keep the shine in check.

I've been wearing Chanel's Vita Lumiere Aqua on my skin, this skin base is great because it not only contains SPF 15 (one less stage in my beauty routine) but it's also a water based foundation, which believe-it-or-not is what oily skin is lacking! Dermatologists are always raving about dehydrated skin, and although consuming water is the best option for combating that, but by putting a water based product onto your skin, you can retain moisture beneath cells. A good mattifying powder is also crucial. So I've been reaching for Mac's Mineralize Skin Finish - a light dusting of this accross the forehead and nose does a great job. Remember: only powder the areas where you get particularly oily and this is usually the center of the face.

What about radiancy? Although dry skin gals tend to get away with highlighting better than those with oilier skin, strategic highlighting is still an option! I like to gently dab Mac's Lustre drops onto the high points of my face - the tops of my cheekbones, cupid’s bow and a tiny bit on the bridge of my nose. Remember: avoid areas that are overly textured such as skin blemishes or pimples, or have larger pores as highlighting only emphasizes this!

On my lips, I've been rocking the infamous Velvet Teddy pout. If there's one lipstick that made it big at the start of 2015 it was Mac's matte lip in Velvet Teddy - all thanks to someone's (overly) pouty pout, Kylie Jenner. Paired with Mac's 'Whirl' liner, this creates the illusion of plumper lips, and due to my medium-warm skintone this lipstick appears more as a taupy-nude on me.

What have been some of your summer time skin treats?

Saina
xo

Turmeric Face Mask : DIY

As a lifelong sufferer of eczema, and hypersensitive skin, my face has been left with stubborn scars from rashes and irritations as a child, but also as a result of cystic acne in my first year of uni (let's call it a fusion of the 'student diet' and 'student anxiety').

I've tried many face oils, serums and moisturizers to keep breakouts at bay but to also reduce the appearance of scarring; though nothing seems to have done the trick! But then I finally gave into my mum's recommendations - "turmeric mask, turmeric mask, turmeric mask" (she said each and every time I made a trip back home on the weekend). In today's commercial beauty world, we are repeatedly exposed to face masks and peels of all sorts of clays, ingredients and chemicals but this all natural, easy to make remedy has been a part of Middle Eastern homes for centuries and works every time.

This homemade turmeric mask seems to have made a significant difference in revitalizing the appearance of my skin, and has in time reduced the discoloration of both eczema and acne scarring. My mum also swears by this mask for the softening of fine lines and wrinkles!

Required Ingredients:
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons of raw, organic honey
1 teaspoon of milk or yoghurt (optional)
1 teaspoon of avocado (optional)

Preparation: 
I ensure my face is cleansed entirely with no traces of makeup or impurities left behind - as recommended a few posts back I love the Body Shop oil cleanser and use a soft bristled face brush to lightly exfoliate my skin.
Once your skin is clean and fresh, place a headband (honey in your hair is gross, trust me), apply the smooth paste on your face. Allow the mask to harden on your skin for arond 15-20 minutes and then you can rinse it off with warm water.

Tips:
Soak two cucumber slices in rose water, and place on your eyes - enjoy your zen moment!
Once mask has been rinsed off with warm water, give your face a splash of cold water and gently dry (avoid harshly rubbing towel all over face)

Saina
xo

DIY: Refreshing Face Mist

I'm sure we've all come across the highly raved about face mists, that not only freshen up your skin but help soothe any skin irritations during the day. I know I love a good face mist, and I always have one on my bedside table and another in my makeup bag. However, after a few trips to a variety of beauty halls, I found myself disheartened by the price tag that comes with these simplistic products. After inspecting a few ingredient lists, I found that this may be something I could create myself at home with only 2-3 items.
What I have discovered that works best for my skin is a combination of Rose water, Witch Hazel and well, water! And I'm sure there are many other combinations that would equally refresh your skin such as Aloe Vera, or Lavender.

How I make the Rose water & Witch Hazel Face Mist:

• Fill a spritz bottle with 1/4 of distilled water
• Add 2/4 of Rose water 
• Finally, add 1/4 of Witch Hazel

The best part of using these natural ingredients is that you can adjust the amounts depending on your personal preference. Sometimes I use 3/4 of Rose water and the rest water - anything that suits you! It also doesn't require much money or effort, I find that a trip to a health food store gave me all of the ingredients for under £5. I like to use these throughout the day if my makeup needs a little refreshing, a small spritz can liven up your skin again. I also find the rose scent to be extremely soothing, and applying the face mist can help calm and cool myself.

What are your thoughts on the DIY face mists?

Saina
xo