moody skincare must haves

On July 25, 2018July 25, 2018 By moodymadelineIn beauty., lifestyle., reviews., skincareLeave a comment

I think my new name should be MIA Maddie because I always introduce a new post with the fact that I never post often enough.

Let’s just face it, I’m very inconsistent (but I’m working on it, I promise). Instead of boring you with life updates- I decided to dive right into what I put on my face because I know you’ve all been dying to know.

Just like every other girl I feel like I’m constantly changing it up and experimenting with beauty products, but for the most part and for a number of months, I’ve been pretty dang loyal to these skincare products.

Of course everyone has different, unique skin yada yada yada and I’m not going to bore you with the history of my skin (if you’re interested, just read the majority of my past posts).

However, I did just graduate from esthetics school (I am yet to be certified by the state, but hold your horses, I will get around to it ASAP) so these products, in my educated opinion have really helped my skin.

And if you’re new here, I have oily/combination acne prone skin (so in other words… the worst type;)). But if you’re in the same boat, don’t be discouraged, skin is just skin and ALWAYS gets better. Unless you continue to do nothing that will better it and only complain about it, then it probably will not improve- just a word of advice.

1. Facial cleanser: Eminence organic skincare clear skin probiotic cleanser

In my honest opinion, cleanser is not the most important part of the skincare routine because, think about it, you rub it on your skin for what? 30 seconds? And then you wash it off and doesn’t really penetrate deeper than the first layer of epidermis. So yeah, I like this one, but is it my all time holy grail cleanser? Nope, I haven’t found that yet.

The pro to this product is that it’s all natural and organic- which, to me equals happy healthy skin!

2. Toner/hydrator: Rosewater & Glycerin

Now this one is a winner. Soothing, hydrating and best of all- pH balancing. As you may already know, our skin is made up of an acid mantle and the barrier of our skin can sometimes be stripped due to the products we use, therefore causing the pH to become unbalanced. So after using a stripping product like a cleanser, it’s good to use a toner which levels out the skin once out of the shower. This one also smells nice and feels extremely refreshing. 10/10 would recommend!!

3. Min Erbs face oils/serums

Believe it or not, I don’t use conventional moisturizer or lotion anymore. All I use are these nifty face oils before bed, do a little massaging, and BAM, I have glowing skin in the morning. On most nights I use the sea buckthorn and prickly pear oil, because I researched the ingredient list and found it to be the best one for acne prone skin with reishi mushroom, prickly pear and vitamin e to name a few. Love love love it.

A couple times a week I will use the rose and chamomile glow serum when I’m feeling fancy. This one smells amazing and I truly believe it does what it says… makes you glow baby. And who doesn’t want that?

Best part? Min Erbs is a locally sourced and owned small business here in Southern Oregon that uses 100% natural ingredients in each of their products (mainly designed for mama and baby). I can’t rave about them more and encourage everyone to get their hands on their face oils.

Check out their website here

4. Tea tree oil

Want to know the best all natural spot treatment on the market? That’s right, yes tree oil. Just dab it on and voila, it helps dry and lessen those pesky breakouts. I use this after I apply my face oil (may not be the correct order, but that’s just how I like it).

Well, that’s all friends. I hope this was somewhat helpful or interesting- or maybe you even learned something. Eh… at least I had fun rambling. Until next time, stay sassy. xoxo

How to Get Long, Healthy Hair

On May 17, 2017May 17, 2017 By moodymadelineIn beauty., lifestyle., reviews.2 Comments

Ever scroll through Instagram and find yourself awestruck by pictures of girls on beaches with luxuriously long locks blowing in the wind?

Because, same.

A few years ago, I chopped my hair just beneath my chin… and let me tell you, that was a big mistake. I think just about every girl has been where I was: wanting a change, but then after a few months pass, wishing more than anything that you could go back and keep your long hair. Since then, I have been growing out my hair, and only getting the standard 1/2 inch trim about every three months. It took a while for me to see real results of growth, but now I am happier with my hair than ever before. It’s long (almost to my butt), healthy, shiny and thick.

Today I’m going to share my tips and tricks with all of you about how I grew out my hair to be healthy and long, and how I maintain it.

Shampoo and Conditioner:

To be honest, I don’t have a specific holy-grail shampoo and conditioner combination that I could recommend. I have tried way too many to count, but some of my favorites are the Hask Argan oil, Matrix Sleek look, and Mane and Tail moisturizing duo. I have heard that switching up the products in your hair is important for new growth, therefore, I don’t stick with just one shampoo and one conditioner for more than a couple of months. I don’t think your choice of shampoo and conditioner matter a whole ton, but I always opt for ultra moisturizing and mostly natural ones.

Processed with VSCO with p5 preset

Coconut Oil Hair Mask:

For the past few months I have been doing weekly coconut oil hair masks, and I feel like I’ve already seen significant results. Once a week, before I jump in the shower, I melt a generous amount of coconut oil between my hands and massage it into my hair, root to tip. It’s completely up to you the amount you use, but I like to saturate my locks in oil to the point that my hair looks wet. Then I flip my hair upside down and massage it into my scalp for a few minutes, kind of like giving myself a head massage. I leave the hair treatment on anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, but it’s all about your preference.

Lately, instead of using my hands to massage the oil in, I have been using this cool little hair tool from Vanity Planet. It fits in the palm of your hand, and has large plastic bristles that vibrate on the scalp to give your head a massage that helps with blood flow and hair growth. Not to mention, it’s the cutest mint green color. It feels so good and makes for a relaxing experience. It is perfect to use with any hair mask, or even just in the shower when you are shampooing your hair. (Yes, it is waterproof).

Gelatin Collagen:

Okay, I know, I know…. I have talked about this product way too much recently, but it’s only because I genuinely swear by it. The Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen has honestly made my hair thicker than ever (even though I already have ridiculously thick hair), shiner than ever and longer than ever. No joke. I take an average of three tablespoons a day, just diluted in either juice or a smoothie, and I’m telling you, it does wonders for the skin and hair. I’m obsessed. But don’t take my word for it, just go get some yourself and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

I know it’s nothing ground-breaking, but those are my hair tips and tricks for long, healthy locks. Also, I don’t brush my hair on a regular basis, which cuts down on breakage. And, I only wash my hair every other day to every two days, which is said to help with hair growth since you aren’t constantly stripping it of it’s natural oils. How do I keep my hair from not looking greasy you ask? Lots of dry shampoo.

Check out the Vanity Planet’s hair collection and use code: BBHair25 at checkout for 25% off all VP hair products

Check out Vanity Planet’s face collection

Thank you for reading. xoxo.

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Read my previous blog post: How I Cleared my Skin // Products I Use

How I Cleared my Skin // Products I Use

On May 13, 2017May 13, 2017 By moodymadelineIn beauty., lifestyle., reviews.Leave a comment

Want to read my two previous posts in my “How I Cleared my Skin” series (before and after pictures included)? –>

How I Cleared my Skin (pictures included) // My Diet

How I Cleared my Skin // Facial Treatments

Although I don’t believe products play the largest role in clearing up acne, I do think that they are an important element in the healing process. Most of all, I think that the wrong products for your skin type can reek havoc on the skin. So today I’m discussing my favorite facial products for both morning and nighttime. For reference, I have oil/combination skin.

PCA BPO 5% Cleanser-

I use this cleanser when I take my showers at night to take off any makeup I wore that day, and to give my skin a good, clean base. It contains 5% benzoyl peroxide which is a great ingredient to fight breakouts. I have been consistently using this facial wash for about five months, and have seen wonderful results because of it.

2. Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub

3-4 times per week, after cleansing, I use this exfoliator to give my skin a deep clean. It has activated charcoal in it, which I feel helps detoxify my pores and extract dirt and residue from the day. I have tried many different face “scrubs”, and can hands-down say that this natural one is my absolute favorite. It’s gentle enough, but still does it’s job, and when my skin feels like it needs an extra boost, I just leave it on for about five minutes as a face mask while my conditioner is sitting in my hair.

3. Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer

After washing my face, I never skip moisturizing. When I first purchased this product, I was very uncertain about how my skin would react to it since it is only an over-the-counter lotion, but I have been very pleasantly surprised with my results. This Aveeno moisturizer has activated soy, which sounds weird, but I believe it’s done wonders for my skin. It is made for acne-prone skin and I use it morning and night and it has never left my skin feeling dehydrated.

4. PCA Acne Cream

After moisturizer, I use PCA’s spot treatment that has salicylic acid in it. I have used this product religiously for the last six months, and it has yielded great results. It does an amazing job at stopping pimples when you first notice them and killing the bacteria on the skin. It is my favorite spot treatment I’ve tried so far.

5. MinErbs Charcoal Face Cleanser

I use this face cleanser every morning. It is made locally in the Rogue Valley with the best natural ingredients. It is gentle, yet leaves the skin feeling squeeky clean and refreshed. I couldn’t recommend this product enough, and I’m all about supporting local small businesses. It’s perfect for my morning routine when I don’t want something too harsh.

As always, I hope this post was helpful for you. Don’t forget, I know what it feels like to struggle with acne and the horrible feelings it brings. You are not alone, and it does get better with time and dedication, I promise. I am happy to answer any personal questions or go into further depth of my story and tips I have for fighting acne. Please comment below or send me a message on my social media platforms.

Love you all, and thank you for reading. xoxo

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Read my previous post: How I Cleared my Skin // Facial Treatments

Buy my favorite product for healthy skin and hair: Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate Beef, Kosher, 16 oz.

How I Cleared my Skin // Facial Treatments

On May 10, 2017May 10, 2017 By moodymadelineIn beauty., lifestyle.3 Comments

Read my previous post to see before and after pictures, and to find out how cleaning up my diet improved my skin –> How I Cleared my Skin (pictures included) // My Diet

As many of you already know, I am a firm believer in curing my skin from the inside out, as naturally as possible. After a number of months of eating a clean diet, I felt as if I needed to do something else in order to speed up the healing process of my skin. That’s when I began researching microdermabrasion and other medical-grade facial “treatments”.

The first few microdermabrasion treatments I received were done at a local spa where they used the crystal technique. If you’re unfamiliar with microdermabrasion, it is a non-chemical, non-invasive procedure that uses a spray of microcrystals to remove the outermost layer of dry, dead skin cells and reveal younger, healthier-looking skin. Crystal microderm literally sprays teeny tiny crystals on the surface of the skin while an attached vacuum sucks up dead skin cells and used crystals with every pass. After having that done several times over the course of about six months, I did not see any major results, except for the fact that my bank account was hurting. Just an FYI, spas are not cheap.

Then in the fall of 2016, I was introduced to an independent nurse practitioner who performs medical-grade facial treatments, peels and botox out of her single-room office. And let me tell you, she was a true God send. She loves helping kids who struggle with acne and her prices are amazing because she truly just wants to help people feel confident in their own skin. What more could I ask for?

I have received around six treatments in total from her over the last six months, so about once every month on average. I have never seen better results than the improvements I’ve seen in my skin during this time.

She first starts with diamond microdermabrasion, which differs form crystal in the sense that nothing is physically being sprayed onto your skin, but rather the wand has a diamond tip and an attached suction which makes direct contact with the skin. After trying out both types of microdermabrasion, I can say that I prefer diamond because it feels less abrasive on my skin. After that, she extracts if it’s necessary, and then goes in with a salicylic acid microneedling treatment that kills acne at the root. I am not going to lie, these treatments aren’t for the weak…. but you know what they say: beauty is pain. And without fail, I walk out of her office looking like a bright red tomato. But let me tell you, it’s so worth it. I see results the very next day, my face looks brighter and rejuvenated.

After consistently receiving intense facial treatments, I am ecstatic with the improvements my skin has made. My acne is no longer active, my skin tone and texture have significantly improved, and my minimal scarring/dark spots have noticeably reduced.

I was hesitant at first to get medical-grade facial treatments, but now after a good amount of sessions, I can say that I’m a firm believer in healing the skin from both the inside (what you eat) and the outside. If you’re contemplating medical grade acne treatments, such as microdermabrasion or microneedling, I would strongly recommend trying one out, because I have found great results. I’m sure many people have had varied experiences with treatments such as the ones I get on a regular basis, but from my personal experience, I have no complaints. I would recommend finding someone who performs the treatments who you trust and feel comfortable with.

If you have any further questions regarding my experience with facial treatments, feel free to leave them below and I’ll be sure to get back to you. I am here to help anyone in need of skin rescue!

Stay tuned for my next post in the series of how I cleared my acne: the skincare products that I use. xoxo

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Read my previous post: How I Cleared my Skin (pictures included) // My Diet

How I Cleared my Skin (pictures included) // My Diet

On May 8, 2017May 8, 2017 By moodymadelineIn beauty., how to, lifestyle.4 Comments

I’ve been hesitant to make this post for a number of months now…

Why?

Because my skin, especially during it’s bad stages, is something that is extremely personal to me.

But, if you’re anything like me when my skin was at it’s worst, you are desperate for any advice or miracle products, just anything that will improve your skin. So, my hopes are that by sharing my experience in clearing my acne, my story might be helpful for at least one person struggling with the same thing.

I really think that only people who have acne can relate to what it feels like to have troubled skin. I struggled with acne for nearly five years, and I can honestly say that it has been one of the hardest challenges I’ve faced in my life. Having one or two pimples isn’t that bad, but experiencing acne is somehow entirely different. It effects a person on a deep, self-conscious level like nothing else. No matter what you do- cover it up with makeup, wash your face constantly, invest in expensive products- it seems impossible to get rid of. For me, five years seemed like an eternity, and one point I couldn’t even imagine having “clear skin” because it seemed so far out of reach. So, if you have acne, or even just periods of troubled skin, please read my experience, because I was able to achieve clear skin (for the most part) through a lot of trial and error.

During the winter of 2015 I decided that I was completely fed up with looking in the mirror and disliking my skin to point of immense insecurity, so I made some drastic changes. Now, about one and a half years later, I can testify that three main things radically improved my skin. Today I will be talking about the affects of diet on my skin, and over the course of this week I will go in-depth into facial treatments that have improved my skin and my product recommendations.

My diet

On January 1st of 2016 I made the drastic decision to eliminate all gluten, dairy, refined sugar and fried foods from my diet. I also got a blood test which showed that I am allergic to eggs and most nuts, which I then cut out of my diet as well. At first I was very strict to the point where I wouldn’t even eat honey or real maple syrup. After about four months of eating a clean diet I began reaping the benefits. I noticed major improvements in my skin tone and texture, and I also slimmed down without even having that intention. I cannot stress enough the importance that diet plays in our health, especially the health of our skin, which is the largest organ of the body.

About six months ago, I began taking Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen. Collagen offers so many benefits for the hair, skin, nails, gut and overall health. I swear by the powdered collagen that I use because I truly feel like it has improved my skin’s elasticity, texture and tone dramatically. Not to mention, I notice my hair to be much healthier, thicker, and shinier when I take it on a regular basis. I cannot recommend the Great Lakes gelatin collagen enough, and I would encourage everyone to buy some for themselves. It literally makes your skin glow.

Yes, eliminating staple foods from your diet may seem daunting and impossible, but after eating the way I do for over a year now, I can say that it is so extremely rewarding. My recommendation would be to start with at least one food group you’d like to cut out, see how it makes you feel, and then proceed from there. After reading countless articles on how food effects acne, I would highly recommend eliminating all forms of dairy from your diet, for at least two weeks, and see if your skin improves at all. If you do decide to make a change in your diet in hopes to clear up your troubled skin, just know that it does not happen overnight, and like any other medicine, it takes time to see the results.

Since starting my diet, I have now altered it in a sustainable way that is not quite as strict as I used to be, just because my skin is nowhere as bad as it was. I consider myself to live out a healthy lifestyle, which means listening to my body and not depriving myself of foods that my body craves. However, I still follow the no gluten, dairy and refined sugar for the most part.

I’ve also found so many other pros to eating my specialized diet. I used to have the biggest sweet tooth, and now that I don’t let myself indulge in processed, sugary treats, I don’t crave them as much. I never feel bloated after my meals, and best of all, I never feel guilty after eating something “bad”. The best advice I can give to someone who wants to make the change is to always have healthy alternatives and snacks on hand for when those cravings do hit. I will be doing a post on my favorite health food snacks very soon so stay tuned for that.

Diet played a large role in the clearing of my skin, but throughout the same time period I was consistently getting facial treatments and using special products on my face. I will be delving deeper into those topics in my upcoming posts.

Pictures:

December, 2015

January 7, 2016

January 14, 2016

February 1, 2016

February 8, 2016

February 18, 2016

March 12, 2016

Current without makeup (May, 2017)

Thanks for reading, please let me know if this post was at all helpful for you. If you have any tips or advice regarding skin or acne, feel free to leave them below, I am always interested in reading what others’ have to say.

Stick around for my follow up posts on skincare products and facial treatments. xoxo

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Read my previous blog post: Life’s a Rollercoaster

Fresh Face // My Skincare Staples

On March 21, 2017April 14, 2017 By moodymadelineIn beauty., lifestyle., reviews.Leave a comment

I don’t want to jinx anything… but my skin is the best it’s been since the time I was twelve years old. I can’t help but sing my praises, because, as many of you know if you’ve followed me on my journey, I have struggled with acne-prone skin for nearly five years. That’s a heck of a long time to be stressed out about breakouts.

Within the last couple months, I have noticed significant improvements in my skin. For the first time in years I feel confident enough to wear a bear face, save for a few spots of concealer. I never even used to walk out of my house without foundation on.

My skin texture has become 20x smoother and I have even noticed a reduction in dark marks and scaring. I am a happy girl, and today I decided to share a few of my skincare staples with all of you. On a side note, I would never promote products that I don’t 100% support and approve of. I am here to help even just one of you improve the state of your skin, so I only recommend my holy grail products.

1. Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub

For months I struggled to find the perfect exfoliator that wasn’t too harsh or drying on my skin, but was still able to give my pores a deep clean. After some trial and error, I found the best one I’ve ever tried. The Derma E exfoliator with activated charcoal leaves my skin feeling refreshed, clean and smooth. It has tiny exfoliating beads which gently scrub away the makeup residue and build up from the day. Many times, whether I’m taking a shower or bath, I leave the exfoliator on for about 5 minutes which acts as a mask as well. I couldn’t recommend this product more.

2. Derma E Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask

Want to try out a face mask that works? Derma E’s mask with activated charcoal draws out impurities and cleans out pores for a deep cleanse. I treat myself to this mask about two times per week, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. My skin is always left feeling smooth, radiant and my pores are noticeably smaller. Charcoal face masks are a must have for me, but this one is the best one I’ve tried yet.

3. Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer

Maybe it’s a coincidence, but around the exact time I noticed my skin was clearing up, I had just begun using the Aveeno clear complexion moisturizer in both the morning and at night. It is made with a natural active soy complex and promotes even skin tone and texture, specially made for acne-prone skin. I purchased it on a whim, but have been obsessed with this product for nearly three months now and I’m currently on my second bottle. I think my skin reacts very well to the soy complex, and I honestly think it is a huge factor in the improvements in my skin. I am not the type to trust over-the-counter products for my face, but this Aveeno moisturizer has been a true life savor. I don’t think I’ll ever stop using it. I would say it’s worth a try for anyone looking to banish breakouts. It has never left my skin oily, but has also never left my skin without enough moisture- just the perfect balance.

I have been seriously contemplating doing a post all about how I cleared my acne, tricks, tips and what I did. It is a very personal subject for me, but if it helps anyone I would be willing to tell my full story. If you are interested in a more in-depth post about how I got rid of my acne (with before and after pictures) please leave me a comment down below. I want to write what you all want to read, and would appreciate any feedback you have for me.

Browse Derma E’s website here

Read my previous blog post: Champagne and Zebrawood // Jord Watches

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And as always, thanks for reading. xoxo, Madeline

Beloved Winter // My Favorites + My Video

On January 13, 2017January 13, 2017 By moodymadelineIn beauty., fashion., lifestyle.Leave a comment

Wow. What a winter…. a cold winter.

Honestly, in the sixteen and three quarter years that I have been livin’ my life on Earth, I haven’t experienced a winter in Oregon quite like the one we had this year. Fall came early, and with it, buckets of rainfall.

After autumn, came a surprisingly wintery winter. And by that, I mean more rain, some freezing nights, many dark days, and finally… loads of snow. Well, loads of snow for us Southern Oregonians who live in the valley where snow sometimes isn’t seen for a couple years.

I’m not going to be cliche and say that I love the snow and winter is my favorite season and cold weather clothes are 10x better than warm weather clothes …. because in my heart I know that summertime is my favorite time.

So yes, the snow is nice for a couple days, but the moment it begins compromising my driving and that of others’ and when the sun doesn’t peek out from the clouds even once in a whole week, that’s when I am quickly over it and my body literally craves actual warm sunshine. Anybody else?

I am ready for days filled with golden sunrays that warm up my soul.

But….. as a devotion to winter, I decided to compile my holy grail (tangible and non-tangible) things that helped get me through this harsh season.

1. Hask Chia Seed Shampoo & Conditioner

Hask hair care products have literally saved my hair this winter… they keep it abundantly moisturized and silky smooth. I am in love with this natural, no additives line and would highly recommend all of their products because they are so nourishing to the hair!

2. Minerbs Activated Charcoal and Rose Face Cleanser

I use this at night to remove my eye makeup before using my specialized acne facial cleanser (which I do not put around my eyes!). It is nice and gentle, but still works wonders in deep cleaning the skin. It’s also 100% natural and made here in my home town by a wonderful woman I know. The Minerbs brand carries mostly mother and child products for mamas to be or who currently have babies, like gentle moisturizers and powders that are all natural. I love to support small businesses, and I think you’d love this one! You can find them online here.

3.Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate

I have already talked quite a lot about this great collagen protein powder… if you want to hear my full scoop on it read my smoothie recipe.

4. Nature’s Path Gluten Free Naturally Sweetened Corn Flakes

This needs no explanation… except that it’s my favorite guilty pleasure- gluten free, refined sugar free yumminess.

5. Frontier Bites

I recently picked up this flavor, blueberry almond, and a pineapple flavor… and man do I love these little snacks. Perfect for on-the-go (especially at work), healthy and so addicting.

5. Wrapped Hoop Earrings

I have had these treasured earrings for around 4 years now probably, a gift from a friend. I still wear them quite often, and whenever I do, I get loads of compliments on them. Everyone always asks me if I made them myself, and I always answer with, “no, but I should have”. So maybe I will sometime in the future, because they seem easy enough to DIY and I wouldn’t mind having a second pair.

6. The Balm, Meet Matt(e) Trimony

This lovely little single shadow has done me good throughout this last fall and winter. It’s the perfect deep burgundy shade for the colder months, and looks best when blended with my favorite soft brown shade in my crease. It’s been a go-to look of mine for months now.

7. My 2017 Video

On a random note, I made this creative recap and New Years intentions for 2017 on my YouTube channel. I worked super hard on the filming and editing and would appreciate any feedback I can get. I’m an amateur, but hey, 2017’s all about doing something new and pursuing what you love, right?

Thanks for coming along on my very random winter favorite with me. Xoxo

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My Foundation Routine

On December 19, 2016December 31, 2016 By moodymadelineIn beauty., reviews.Leave a comment

Lately I have been loving my foundation routine. I think I’ve finally found the perfect products for my skin that leave it looking very close to flawless and I’m so happy with the look of it.

Not to mention, my skin has been amazing lately, except for the few dry patches due to extremely cold temperatures here in Oregon.

Step 1

I prime my face before anything else with the Studio Gear Prime Objective skin protecting face primer. This product really helps to even my skin texture and smooth any uneven places because of it’s silicone base. It has an easy-to-use no mess pump which I really like and it doesn’t have a fragrance. I have oily skin and I think it does a great job of keeping my makeup in place all day, even through sweat and extended wear. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great base for their foundation.

Want 10% off your Studio Gear order? Use code BB at checkout.

Step 2

I have recently started using Jane Iredale’s liquid minerals foundation in the shade latte. The color is a perfect match for my skin-tone, and I love that this product doesn’t clog my pores, and actually aids in the healing of my acne-prone skin. However, one thing I don’t like about this product is that I have to use so much of it in order to achieve the full-coverage that I like. The consistency is almost watery/thin so it takes about 3 to 4 pumps until I get my desired coverage. Unfortunate, but I still use it everyday and love the natural look it gives, and I would recommend this foundation to anyone looking for a great natural one.

Step 3

After applying foundation, I go over it with my Jane Iredale PurePressed base mineral foundation in the color amber. When I purchased this, I thought I was getting the same color as my foundation, latte, but it turns out its a shade lighter (I think). I don’t really seem to have any issues with them being different colors. I absolutely love this product. You can either use it on it’s own or as a setting powder over foundation- which is what I do. I think the coverage this gives to the skin is flawless, but still natural at the same time. If it’s a day when I don’t want to wear a ton of makeup, I will opt for just this powder and it still evens my skin tone noticeably. My only complaint is that will the cold, dry weather we get here in Oregon, powder foundation tends to accentuate my dry areas.

Here is a good view of how the products look on my skin. As I said, I think the primer does a nice job of evening my skin texture and smoothing any unevenness. The foundation gives me a beautiful full-coverage look, and then the powder sets everything in place, while giving me even more coverage. I love this foundation routine and think I’ll be sticking with it for a long time.

Thanks for reading… I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my makeup routine. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below and I will get back to you.

xoxo

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Read my previous blog post: Crepes // Gluten Free, Vegan, Refined Sugar Free

SOUL Review// Rain International

On November 26, 2016November 26, 2016 By moodymadelineIn beauty., health, lifestyle., reviews.Leave a comment

As many of you already know, I am an avid health nut, which means I’m constantly on the lookout for new, healthy foods or supplements that benefit my body. Over the past couple of weeks I had been trying out SOUL by Rain International. Remember my FUSED coffee review and recipe? SOUL is created and marketed by the same company, so you already know it will be amazing.

Basically, SOUL comes in convenient, individual packets that are perfect for a busy body like myself who seems to be constantly on-the-go.

SOUL is the first seed based nutrition of it’s kind. Each packet of the gel-type liquid is filled with a synergistic blend of the black cumin, black raspberry, and chardonnay grape seed. All of Rain’s products are non-GMO and don’t contain any harmful additives. They use a high-tech “cold-press process to carefully preserve each seed’s life-giving nutrients.”

Instead of drinking those horrible energy drinks that contain who knows what, SOUL has created an innovative product that helps fuel the body, naturally.

Benefits of SOUL

Anti-inflammatory Properties: Through a cellular study, SOUL proved to reduce inflammation in the human body by 33%.

Anti-aging Properties: Through a cellular study, SOUL showed a 62% increase in stimulation of cell life for anti-aging properties. And who wouldn’t want to look younger?Through multiple studies, SOUL has proven to boost antioxidants in the body.

Now that you know all of the benefits of SOUL, I will tell you my experience with the product.

I made a point to take one packet per day in the morning for a solid two weeks in order to track my results. I really enjoy the taste of SOUL; it’s quite concentrated because it packs such a punch in only 2 fluid ounces, and tastes very fruity from the raspberry and grape seeds.

After nearly a week of religiously taking it, I realized that my energy was boosted quite a lot. For some reason, especially when the weather begins to get really cold, I feel as if I’m struck with tiredness and all I want to do is curl up in my bed and sleep. So, with the cold upon us here in Oregon, I was beginning to feel this way, but after taking SOUL I didn’t have the same urge to sleep my day away. I also noticed that SOUL put my in a better mood throughout the day, and that starting my day off with a packet really kept working to brighten my mood throughout the whole day.

My skin is honestly the best it has ever been during my teenage years (and I am 16). I attribute the clearness and smooth tone and texture of my skin to SOUL and also to another supplement I’ve been taking. I think, without both of them together, my skin wouldn’t have seen anywhere near the amount of progress as it has while taking both supplements. With SOUL, your taking a whole concentrated 2 ounces of pure wellness and nutrients, so you can only imagine the effect that is will have on your body and skin.

Overall, I’m very impressed by SOUL’s philosophy, effectiveness and thought behind each product. So far, I have absolutely loved their FUSED coffee (which I drink almost everyday) and SOUL. I am now currently trying out another product from Rain International, called CORE, which is similar to SOUL. I will be doing an in-depth review on that once I complete my two week cycle, so stay tuned if you’d like to read what I have to say about it.

Want to purchase SOUL?

If you’re interested in purchasing or reading up further on SOUL, there are a few options I would recommend.

Through this link you can visit their website, browse their products and read all of their reviews and stories behind the products. You will have the choice to either buy a product one time with a flat rate, or you can “subscribe” and save money on their products. If you subscribe, you will be sent any products that you choose each month, for example, a month’s supply of SOUL, with the exception of putting it on pause or skipping certain months.

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Read my previous blog post: November in a Nutshell

Fall Favorites

On November 15, 2016November 20, 2016 By moodymadelineIn beauty., lifestyle., reviews.Leave a comment

I’ll be honest, when Fall first began I wasn’t too thrilled about saying goodbye to summer.

But now, the trees are pretty, there’s fog in the mountains and the sunsets are too die for. So me and fall are friends now. Except for the extremely short days, that I’m not too siked about.

Here I compiled just a few of my current Fall Favorites, or things that I have either used or worn religiously throughout September, October and half of November.

Hask Superfruit Shampoo and Conditioner

I have been using this hair care duo for a couple weeks now, and I am truly impressed. Made with Amazonian cupuaçu butter and acai berry and free of sulfates, parabens and artificial colors, this shampoo and conditioner provides hair with more than enough nutrients. They advertise that it has a “brilliant shine complex”, and at first I was slightly skeptical if I would really be able to notice any change in my hair from using it.

Wow was I wrong. My hair is shinier than ever; I’ve even received more than one compliment on how shiny my hair looks (which never usually happens). I have quite thick hair that begs for moisture, especially during this time of year. The Hask superfruit shampoo and conditioner work perfectly to hydrate and nourish my hair, leaving it silky smooth and super shiny. I am in love.

SOUL by Rain International

Remember my FUSED coffee post from a few weeks back?

Well, now I’ve been using an entirely new product from the same company, Rain International, called SOUL. SOUL is a nutrient-filled gel composed of black cumin, black raspberry, and chardonnay grape seed that is packaged in convenient individual serving sized pouches. Not only does it taste amazing, but it is like natural fuel for our bodies. Because of it’s non-GMO, organic ingredients, it is a versatile product for any age and has been proven to increase energy, help joint stiffness, and overall act as an aid for one’s health. I am currently taking it everyday in order to nourish my skin and help combat any breakouts that occur.

My skin has been, and currently is, the best I’ve seen it in a very long time. I attribute it to both SOUL and Skin Accumax, which I am going to talk about more in a moment. I’ve only been taking this product for nearly two weeks, and I already have seen improvements. I would recommend this to anyone looking to feel better, or cure any health issue.
Jojoba Oil

I have used this oil for quite some time now, and I cannot say enough good things about it. I replaced my normal moisturizer with jojoba oil, and my skin reacted really well to the new product. After cleansing and toning my face, I gently pat about 6-7 drops onto my skin and leave it to absorb. I never find my face to be oily, but it keeps it perfectly balanced. What I started to realize after using this product for a month or so, was how healthy and long my eyelashes were. It took me a bit to connect that every night and morning I applied jojoba oil to my face, and coincidentally, my lashes also. So, if you’re looking for a great natural lash grower and strengthener, I would highly recommend this oil.

Pacifica Nail Polish

I am in love with these beautiful nail polish colors from Pacifica Beauty. They look amazing and they are vegan, cruelty-free, and free of 7 sulfates and parabens. This trio, or any of their trios for that matter, would be perfect to give as a stocking stuffer or small gift. Beautifully packaged, mindfully crafted, and created for a bold woman. I love it.