10 BEST Makeup Removing Tips

Removing makeup is the most important part of your night time routine, i mean leaving makeup on can make your skin dry, dull, irritated and most of all it causes Acne and other problems like unevenness..

I've decided to create my top 10 tips at removing makeup...follow these and your skin will thank you!

1. Vaseline:
   You may think that I'll be recommending Vaseline, but from personal experience and research I will tell you that Vaseline is one of the worst things you can do for your skin. Vaseline clogs pores, causes styes and trap Bacteria..so keep Vaseline for Lips only!
   
   
   
    
2. Olive/Coconut/Almond/jojoba Oil:
   This is the best and cheapest way to remove makeup..All you have to do is slather on oil on your face and leave it on for a 30-seconds to a few minutes while you rub your face in circular motion (gently)..Think about it..The problem Oily people have is that their skins oil breaks down the makeup, so youre doing exactly that. Wash it off with a cleanser! (oily skin is okay to use this too)
   
   
3. Makeup/baby Wipes:
   I don't trust makeup/baby wipes alone to remove all my makeup, I feel like I don't have the peace of mind, but combined with my oil, I know my skin is good.
   
   
   
4. BlowDry:
   I know it sounds absolutely insane..but blowdrying your face after oiling (don't burn yourself) helps oil seep into your skin, and break down all the makeup and speeds up the process as well. Yup Blowdry is the BEST invention for me EVER! (Look out for a post on How I Use blowdryer for various things)
   
    
   
5. Cold Creams
   Cold Creams work like Oil does, but it takes a lot of cream to slather and remove the makeup..I think its an okay thing, but I wouldn't be comfortable with adding too many chemicals or buying tons of cream when i have oil.
   
   
   
   
6. Avoid store bought removers:
   this stuff is so irritating on my skin, and my skin is extremely strong (knock on wood)...i mean it just doesn't work for me. Besides they don't even work as well, so instead of adding extra chemicals save that money.
   
   
7. cleanser is not enough:
   if you think youre face is getting a thorough clean with just cleanser, think again..So please add a cold cream, oil or cleansing gel.
   
   
    
   
8. Detoxifying/Pore Cleansing Mask:
   I cannot tell you how much doing this once a week on a cleansed face helps my skin, it literally cleans out my pores. Just doing it once a week helps my skin clean out and look its best.
   
   
   
   
9. Witch Hazel and Retinol
   Use Witch Hazel once every few days on a cleansed face...I feel like using watch hazel has helped my skin since It started going downhill once i started wearing my MAC studio Sculpt everyday (Long shifts at work) So try to use it instead of your toner..(I use it every few days). I also use a non-prescription retinol cream to help my skin, I only use it at night (DO NOT WEAR IT DURING THE DAY WITHOUT SUNSCREEN)..
   
   
   
10. Wear less makeup:
    nothings unsexier than a Cake Face..so avoid all that and go for a tinted moisturizer and use a concealer for trouble spots. If you HAVE to wear a foundation with more coverage, try Maybelline Fit me or Nars Sheer glow, these foundations give you that polished look without the heaviness.

Co-Wash Plan

With all the healthy hair posts that I've done, I've come to a realization that it takes a lot more than a healthy hair routine for you to get sexy naturally healthy hair.

I've been a die hard blow dryer lately, and its made me realize the error of my ways.

Recently, I noticed how disgusting and unclean my hair looked, it was sticky and unmanageable, and although I did neglect my own advice and healthy hair routine and treatments, I think it's safe to say my diet and stress is playing a huge role in it as well. I've been wanting to Co-Wash for quite sometime, I always read about it and people boasted about their sexy silky strands, and even youtubers with gorgeous hair.

Till now I thought Co-Wash is for Black girls, that had kinky dry hair, but I was corrected.


After careful research and analyzing my own personal hair needs, I think I'm ready to began my hair journey.

Step 1:
No matter what you do, you're diet and lifestyle plays a huge role in what you look like, so skip the burgers and opt for a delicious healthy shawarma and plain water.Take your vitamins

Step 2:
Analyze your hair, if you're hair is normal, you might not need to go hard like us Dry-ladies. My hair is super dry, and I've been giving myself anxiety because I think I have bubble hair and I know i  have crinkle damage. With all those sexy curls I rocked all of 2012, it's safe to say I'm going to Hair Hell.

Step 3
This is the main step....The Plan..alter this according to your hair.

Pre-Poo (Dry, damaged, colored hair)

Hey guys,

I've been looking for a great way to restore tons of moisture back into my hair, as i recently dyed it from lighter brown to blue black. I could feel my hair drying up more and more thanks to the winter weather and my neglect of at home all natural hair treatments!

I decided to research a little and found that what I've been doing for years, is actually a great way to moisturize and prevent Damage. It's called Pre-Poo ! ! !

It's huge in the black people community, as their hair is very easily damaged and super dry. So the sistas did me a favor, I've already been using oils on my hair since I was a kid, and it has worked so well!


Let me share my tips and tricks on your best Pre-Poo yet.

What is Pre-Poo?
Pre-Poo is basically applying your favorite type of all natural oil ; coconut, olive, avocado, jojoba etc to your scalp and hair. You wait anywhere from 30-60 mins and then hop in the shower and go about your shampoo and conditioner routine.

Heat and Pre-Poo?
Many women use hair steamers or heat during their Pre-Poos, i personally just apply my oil and use a hair dryer periodically to let my hair really soak in the oil.

Conditioner?
You don't need to apply conditioners when you pre-Poo, but if you want the added satisfaction, go ahead and add some.

Mayo?
Go all natural and skip the conditioner..Opt for Mayo instead for a lustrous shine
 
Detangle?
use a wide tooth comb to detangle your hair




 Tips:

• Use a natural oil for better results
• skip the argaan oil bandwagon and opt for coconut oil or olive oil
• use blow dryer, because its much safer than a hair steamer and hat dryer
• Put on a plastic shower cap or bag after every blow dry
• only blow dry each section for about 3-4 seconds on high heat
• Apply conditioner after an hour of only oil
• Use a shampoo thats moisturizing as well
• Apply a few drops of olive oil after for optimal results
• Skip the blow dry and go for air dry or low heat setting...Checkout my Healthy Blow Dry Tips
• Do this Everytime you shower, and don't neglect your all natural deep conditioning hair mask
  
  CLICK FOR OIL MASK
  CLICK FOR EXTRA STRENGTH  - INCLUDES More Tips
  

Truth about Moroccan Oil/Macadamia Oil *Must Read*

I've been on a fix my hair kick, with all the bleaching and dying I think it needs a whole new makeover. I have tons of split ends, and my hairs just super frizzy, and with all the raves and cheers these products get, I must say its something as women we lean towards.  *SKIP TO MOMENT OF TRUTH below for the TRUTH

"Expensive" and "Tiny Bottles" are two words came to mind when I saw these products at my local Trade Secrets store, I really wanted to buy the Oil, so I ended up buying the gift set by M academia Oil, which included a comb, sample of the macadamia deep repair mask, and full sized Shampoo and Healing Oil, this was all for about $40-50.  Great deal in my opinion when it comes to these brands.
 


I had picture day, so I hopped into the shower. I first removed all the previous gunk from my hair, with a watered down apple cider vinegar, then applied the shampoo, its actually not bad..but I wouldn't purchase it again. I get great results from Herbal Essences Yellow or Blue.
After Shampoo-ing my hair, I ripped open the Deep Repair Mask like a hungry piranha, and immediately noticed my hair felt a little dry after the shampoo. No problem, mask to the rescue!!!

I left the mask in my hair and got out of the shower, and periodically blow dried the mask for 30 minutes. I wanted to get the Salon results, so this is a great way to get it.

Results: My hair was downright AMAZING, smelled nice and was just so smooth and silky, I couldn't stop touching it.

The next day my hair was just as Stunning, As I styled my hair with a straightner, I could feel the extra silkiness come through, and it was glistening.

I raved about this product to my bestfriend for days, and on my mission to research more about the product, I found out some grimm detail. 


 I was initially so happy as my frizzy hair instantly transformed into the soft and shiny mane of my dreams. But I'm picky about what I put in my hair to keep it as healthy as possible, plus i hate relying on products to make my hair nice, I want to make it nice by giving it natural good food, not chemicals. I use products with chemicals as a treat, not an everyday thing.

Moment of Truth 

I looked up the Macadamia Oil and Moroccan oil ingredients to see how "healing" it really was,  And I was so disappointed when I discovered that the first three (!) ingredients in the list are all silicones! (Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone) No wonder my hair is shiny - I've put almost pure silicone in it!
 
 Cyclopentasiloxane I learned is not bio degradable or water soluble so to get it out of your hair you need a strong tenside (soap) - that will also dry out your hair. I also found long term silicone use can lead to your hair becoming brittle and may lead to breakage. I remember my hair stylist saying that the hair stays shiny also after you've washed it, thus testamenting to it actually doing good for your hair.

So it's mainly because because I haven't gotten rid of all of the silicone in this 'treatment' after washing. According to styleicons.com.au major brands like Moroccanoil only have 1 - 2% argan oil in their products. The rest is mostly silicone (ca 75%), artificial color, fragrances and preservatives. Basically you will suffocate your hair to death..hence the breakage
 

There's NOTHING   Natural or healing about any of these products, and these are SALON products, hence should be used once in a blue moon on special occasion like Weddings or Birthdays. I know people that religiously have been using this product, and when I told them about what this really is, they have taken it upon themselves to do research  and have refrained from using it as much as I can.


Solution:

 Stop trying to find a Quick Fix, they only work temporarily.. Put more emphasis on diet, stress and exercise, then paying money to look great. You can only use so many chemicals to look good.

The only thing that worked for me is actually Regular old Olive/Coconut/Almond Oil, its cheaper and all natural, I use it ALL over my body and my hair, and its been getting better and growing longer. I apply oil to my hair with egg for a treatment, and oil as a leave in conditioner and styling product *not too much ofcourse*. ;)

Healthier way to Blow Dry

A lot of women invest a lot of time, money and effort in getting the sexiest tresses, that look hot off the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Styling hair takes a lot more than just heat tools, it requires a healthy diet, minimum use of chemicals and heat tools, and so much more.

Here are some ways you can Blow dry your wet hair, without damaging your hair.

1- Comb through hair before and after shower, to prevent extreme tangles
2- use a wide tooth comb on wet hair
3- Apply your favorite type of ALL natural oil on the ends (My pick: Almond ) you only need about a dime size.
*If you want to use Argaan Oil, I recommend the ALL natural kind, not Macademia or Moroccan Oil, because they are all pretty much silicone, with a bit of the oil. Silicone are not great for your hair.
4- Apply aloe gel on the roots and ends.
5- Wrap a towel in your hair
















6- When your hair is about 50-60% dry, section your hair into 4. *two at the top two on the bottom* and mist heat protector on each section before securing it.
7- Blow dry your roots on cool setting, switching between hot (only for 2-4 seconds)
8- Scratch your forehead with the nozzle (on cool setting)
9- After drying the roots, put the nozzle away from your hair, and blow dry on hot setting, switch between cold while running your fingers through your hair.
10- Repeat for the other 3 sections.