Update Skincare Routine (STORY!)

If you've been following me for a while, you may remember last year I wrote a post about my morning and night skincare routine. 

My skin has changed quite a bit since I wrote that post. For the past 8 months or so, I've been working on keeping my fungal and cystic acne at bay. 

*STORY TIME*

Beginning around May or June last year, I noticed areas on my cheeks and forehead had tiny bumps which didn't seem to go away. They didn't hurt, were at times itchy, and almost always dry. All my efforts failed in trying to rid my skin of this strange, stubborn texture. I tried DIY face masks, store bought face masks, acne washes and exfoliators. Nothing seemed to work. As a result, I thought that my skin was becoming bumpier and more textured because I was getting older (I was 25 at the time, currently 26 writing this post). I began to accept the "fact" that my skin was bumpy and there was nothing I could do about it. If I didn't have good skin as a middle-schooler, throughout high school and college, why would I ever have good skin? Every time I looked at my face in the bathroom, my bedroom mirror, store mirrors – the list goes on, I felt quite upset and frustrated. I honestly thought there was no chance in having smooth skin. 

Obviously, I got really fed up with seeing how bumpy my skin looked. So, I did some research. With the help of the internet, specifically Simple Skincare Science and Reddit, I discovered that I had fungal acne. Great! The annoying thing about fungal acne is that it's very difficult to get rid of if you don't know what it is. Traditional acne treatments (specifically the ones you don't rinse off) can actually worsen the condition. That, and you can't really prevent it entirely. A video that I found really helpful when learning about fungal acne was this one by Dr. Dray. 

WHAT I DO NOW

The biggest thing I'm doing for my fungal acne is using Head & Shoulders Classic Anti-Dandruff Shampoo as a face mask. Anti-dandruff shampoos contain an active ingredient called Pyrithione Zinc. This is highly effective in treating yeast-invaded hair follicles, which is what causes fungal acne.

I apply the shampoo to damp skin on the affected areas, mainly my cheeks and sometimes my forehead. I leave it on my face for about 5 minutes before rinsing it off with cool water. I used this method twice a day (morning and night) for about a month or two until my fungal acne had cleared up. I recently had another fungal acne spell and have been doing this method once a day. For a while I used aloe gel on my face. 

Facial oils are out of the question for me, unfortunately. Yeast loves oil! This is a bummer because there are so many intriguing facial oils on the market. The shampoo treatment can leave my skin feeling tight and dry, so it's really important that I keep my skin moisturized. 

So, there's that little story on my fungal acne and how I take care of it. My skin texture has improved so much! It's still something I need to keep an eye on, though. Anyway, keep reading for the rest of my stupid simple skincare regime. 

MORNING

- MOISTURIZE: CERAVE MOISTURIZING CREAM 

I'm pretty oily around my nose in the morning, so I rinse my face with lukewarm water. While my face is still damp, I moisturize my face and neck with the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. It's safe for fungal acne and a little goes a long way!

- MASSAGE: HERBIVORE JADE FACIAL ROLLER

Between this step and the first one, I put on the kettle for my morning tea. While I wait for the water to boil, I work my moisturizer into my skin a couple minutes with my Jade roller. I recently wrote a review of it. 

EVENING

- CLEANSE: CERAVE FOAMING FACIAL CLEANSER 

Before bed, I use a cleanser to get rid of all my makeup. I like this one by CeraVe (no, this is not sponsored) because like the moisturizer, it's fragrance-free. I think it also does a good job of removing stubborn makeup, like mascara. I haven't tried this on waterproof mascara, so I don't know how well it would work for that. 

- MOISTURIZE: CERAVE MOISTURIZING CREAM  

Same thing as in the morning, I apply a little of this to my face and neck and work it in with my jade roller. So simple! 

1-2 TIMES A WEEK

- EXFOLIATE: NEUTROGENA ACNE PROOFING DAILY FACIAL SCRUB

I know this scrub is gentle enough to be used daily as the name suggests, but I don't recommend exfoliating your face every day. I use this twice, maybe three times a week. It doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. If I'm suffering from cystic acne, I try to be extra gentle on those areas. 

As you can see, I use less products in my skincare than I had been using even a year ago! I've been reading ingredient labels a lot more since learning about how finicky fungal acne is. 

What are your favorite skincare products at the moment? I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

Tiya 

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DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored post. I bought the reviewed product with my own money. As I am also not a dermatologist, this post is not meant to be used for medical advice. If you are struggling with your skin, please pay a visit to your dermatologist. 

REVIEW | RocksBox Jewelry Subscription

Hi everyone! Today, I'll be sharing my first experience with RocksBox. I found out about this service from my friend (also a blogger! check her out), and decided to try it out. :) 

WHAT IT IS

RocksBox is a subscription service where you are mailed designer jewelry chosen by either you (you have a "Wishlist" for this) or a stylist. You can keep them as long you want, provided you are still paying for membership. The jewelry you receive can be swapped out or bought at any time.

MEMBERSHIP FEE + CREDIT SYSTEM

RocksBox has a $21 per month membership fee, which is added as credit to your account. The $21 credit can be used towards buying jewelry you receive. This however excludes jewelry on clearance and new items. Your credit must be used within the month you receive it, or it expires. 

HOW IT WORKS

Upon signing up for membership, you will be prompted to create a Style Profile. This takes form as a short quiz, which asks questions regarding your jewelry preferences. You can update this at any time; it's actually encouraged so stylists can have a better idea of what you like. 

After completing your Style Profile, you will be asked to add 30 items to your "Wishlist". If you wishlist 30 items within 24 hours of signing up, you get $5 credit for free. This amount is added to your $21 credit. Once you've added at least 30 items to your wishlist, you can pick 10 of those items and add them to your "Top Requested" list. This will help stylists know which styles you really want and what your tastes are. Your top requested list can also be modified any time. 

With a completed wishlist and top requested list, a stylist will start putting your box together! Before sending it out, you'll be notified of the three items your stylist has curated for you. If you don't like an item (or any of them), you can swap them out for something else. When that's done, your box will be on your way to you.

You can keep the jewelry sent to you for as long as you want. If you need a break, you can choose to put your membership on hold for either 3 or 6 months. If you do this, you will have to send any jewelry you have no purchased back to RocksBox. You can also cancel your membership at any time.

WHAT I GOT IN MY BOX

I wasn't sure if I'd wear the pieces my stylist put in my box, so I swapped them out for a couple other things. There was a necklace I wanted to try out but wasn't available, so my stylist put another one from my wishlist in for me. I don't wear jewelry often, so I was pretty excited to try something new!

From left to right in the picture below: Rudiment Twin Peaks Huggies, Kate Spade Bright Ideas Drop Earrings, and Ava Rose Raleigh Necklace.

FINAL VERDICT

What really sold me about this subscription is that I'll always know which items I'll get in my box. If I end up not liking something, I can swap or return it. I've hesitated to use subscription services because sometimes you don't always get what you like. I truly loved everything I got in my first box. It arrived within two days of being shipped out, which is always a plus. 

My favorite item was the pair of Rudiment earrings. They're elegant but have a touch of glam because of the gemstones. I wore these out to a casual dinner with my husband the other night and they worked well with a nice sweater, a pair of jeans and some loafers. 

The Kate Spade earrings are gorgeous – just what I've been looking for, for a long time. They are a little bigger than I thought they'd be, but that's okay. I love jewelry that I can pair with an understated outfit and for special occasions

The Ava Rose necklace is pretty; good for everyday wear. I love the lighter shade of gold that the chain is, and the peachy stone is different from what I usually go for. I do think that this style is very common, though. Considering the price, I could find a necklace like this elsewhere for less money. 

I'm already excited for my next box! If you're interested, you can try out your first box for free here. 

Until next time,

Tiya

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DISCLAIMER: This post is not sponsored and does not contain affiliate links. I pay for my RockBox subscription with my own money. All opinions are my own. 

REVIEW | Herbivore Jade Roller

Hi everyone! Today I'll be reviewing Herbivore's Jade Facial Roller. It's a beautiful tool, but is it just a gimmick? I wasn't sold on the idea of using one at first, but after doing some research and Reddit-lurking, I finally caved and bought myself one. This is what I think of mine so far. 

WHAT IT IS

The Jade Roller is a skincare tool that retails for $30 at Sephora. According to the product page on Herbivore's website, the origins of this beauty tool originate in China. It's made of Aventurine Jade (source) and gold metal. A number of brands sell facial rollers of varying materials; most commonly rose quartz and amethyst. As it's quite lightweight and small, the Jade Roller is travel friendly.

WHAT IT CLAIMS TO DO

- Tighten and smooth skin

- Help the absorption of product

- Support the lymphatic system

- De-puff skin and reduce fine lines, dark circles and undereye bags

WHAT WORKED?

1. It's undoubtedly relaxing – it feels really good because of how cooling it is on the skin. It's a happy medium because it isn't freezing, just refreshing.

2. It does help with de-puffing, especially in the morning when my face is slightly puffier than usual. Or when I'm retaining a little extra water.

3. I have noticed a reduction of fine lines. This is probably due to the fact that it helps moisturizer/facial oil to be better absorbed into the skin. Since you're using a stone to work product into your skin, you can be assured your fingers aren't absorbing a lot of the product.  

4. Overall, my skin feels and appears smoother. I don't think this is solely from the use of the jade roller (I'll get to that later), but it seems to be helping my skin look and feel more plump, hydrated, and softer. 

WHAT DIDN'T WORK?

1. I didn't notice an improvement in my dark circles. I've read that some people find success in reducing their dark circles after they started using a facial roller. I think mine are largely genetic and therefore here to stay. I'll just be over here drinking (hopefully) enough water and applying concealer. 

THE FINAL VERDICT

I've been using my Jade Roller for a few weeks, every morning and every night (eh, I might have missed a night or two). I'm pleased to say that I'm enjoying my time using this little guy. If you've been curious about getting one, I'd say it's worth the shot. Also, routinely massaging your face is good for your skin anyway. :P

The most important thing to remember is that the Jade Roller is a TOOl. It isn't magic! It's meant to work alongside a good skincare routine, plenty of water, sleep, and protecting your skin from the sun. If you buy a facial roller thinking it's the only thing you'll need for great skin, you'll be disappointed. A facial roller is best for someone who is diligent and serious about their skincare regime, however simple or meticulous it is.

If you're more lax with your skincare. but want instant results when you do do something for your skin, this won't be a product worth buying (thankfully, face masks exist). Unless of course you're working towards a good routine! 

Thanks for reading! I hope this was a helpful review if you are at all curious about this in vogue little tool. Do you own a facial roller? Do you love it or is it meh? Let me know. :)

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DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored post. I bought the reviewed product with my own money. As I am also not a dermatologist, this post is not meant to be used for medical advice. If you are struggling with your skin, please pay a visit to your dermatologist. 

Drugstore + High-End Makeup Haul | February 2019

Hi everyone! I hope everyone's Christmas/New Year/Everything-in-between has been swell (I know we're heading into March).It's been a minute since I've shared anything on here, so we're just going to get straight into things today. I'll be sharing some drugstore and high-end makeup purchases I've made throughout the month of February that I've been playing with. 

1.  PAT McGRATH LABS | LUST: MINI MATTETRANCE LIPSTICK TRIO (SKIN SHOW) ($25.00)

 

I've had my sights set on this little lip trio for a few months. It was always sold out on Sephora's website and in their store (at least the one I live closest to, which is a bit of a hike). A nude, matte lipstick is an everyday essential in my makeup routine; when I saw this was finally in stock, I picked it up. I've also never tried anything by Pat McGrath, so I grabbing a trio of these minis for $25 is a great way to try out the brand.
2.  TARTE | TARTELETTE IN BLOOM 2 PALETTE ($39.00)

This palette has been out for a while, but I don't anything by Tarte other than my eyelash curler which came with their Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. My thought behind purchasing this was to have a small, neutral palette I could take from day to night if I wanted to. It also pulls slightly cooler (yes, cooler) than shadows I generally use –this is me trying to branch out haha. 

3.  FLOWER BEAUTY | LIGHT ILLUSION LIQUID FOUNDATION ($13.99)

Pretty soon, I plan to write a background story post on why I bought this foundation. The Flower Beauty Light Illusion Liquid Foundation is one I've had in the back of my mind for some time. I'll be playing mixologist when I use these, as I picked up the shades M4 Tawny and M5 Caramel. This is a supposed to be a radiant finish, which is another out-of-the-box purchase for me, considering I gravitate towards matte finish foundations.

I hope everyone's having a fantastic Thursday! I want to get better at posting more often. This almost five month hiatus was a big oof. 

Current Hair Care Routine

Today I'll be sharing my hair current hair care routine. It's pretty uncomplicated, seeing as I don't do much with my hair on a regular basis. Let's get into it:

ABOUT MY HAIR

I have moderately dense, black (or just very deep brown) hair that is quite sensitive to styling and dye. If you're at all familiar with hair types, I believe mine falls under the 1C category; it's mostly straight with a little wave to it, and holds curl relatively well without the use of hairspray. 

I was probably 12 or 13 when I started dyeing my hair, which included bleaching to lift the color out of it. I'll be 26 next month and I haven't dyed my hair in just over three years. Part of it was because I didn't feel like spending money that could be used elsewhere, the other reason was trying to have healthy hair again. I've also come to appreciate my dark hair, which for the longest time I thought was dull and flat. I keep heat styling to a minimum and always use a heat protectant when I do so. 

SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

About a year ago, I switched to sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner just to see if there would be any improvement in my hair. So far, I've been experimenting with the OGX line of hair care, as they're all sulfate-free. Right now I'm using their Anti-Breakage Keratin Oil shampoo and their Nourishing Coconut Milk conditioner. I've also enjoyed using their Detoxifying Pomegranate & Ginger shampoo and the Bamboo Fiberfull shampoo and conditioner. I try to switch up the shampoos I use to keep my hair confused so the products are still effective. 

I try not to wash my hair more than twice a week. Once a week I add sea salt to my shampoo (equal parts) as an scalp exfoliant. I frequently use dry shampoo, so the salt really helps to clarify and lift all the extra gunk off of your scalp. I also find that my hair is noticeably more voluminous after doing this once a week. Salt is rough, so if you do this, just be careful and massage your scalp gently! 

ANTI-BREAKAGE SERUM

I'm about to talk about another OGX product, and no, this post is not sponsored! I'm just sharing what I do with my hair, and a lot of the products I like are from this brand. Since my hair is so prone to being brittle at the ends, I apply a dime-sized amount of OGX's Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum to the ends of my hair when its damp. I've been using this for a couple months and I still have a lot left. It's heavily scented, so if you don't like coconut, you could always opt for a different serum for your ends. 

Post-shower, I let my hair air-dry. I'm someone who showers at night, but I try not to sleep with damp hair – I used to do this all the time; now I'm not sure if the tousled waves and worth the breakage. Being gentle to my hair in the past few years has to be one of the best things I've done for it. I also love using homemade hair masks, and should probably do them more often. Maybe that should be a post for a later date. :)

Moody Color + Textures | Autumnal Decor Inspiration

Truth be told, I was never a huge decor person until maybe a year or two ago. My dorm room as a college freshman had a dry erase calendar and a gigantic beaded lime lizard above my bed – fin. It was a combination of not caring, and the known fact that I was only in this dorm for a short period of time. Decorating my room just seemed like an inconvenience – I was happy with the bare walls of a room that truly wasn't mine at all. 

Seven years into the future, I've come to appreciate the purpose of creating beauty in a living space – it's a reminder of order. A beautiful room, or even just a beautiful corner of a room, is so soothing. 

Like so many, I love fall. I've never officially decorated for this season before, so it's a first. I'm honestly not a fan of the orange and brown hues we see so much at this time of year, so I decided to pick up from shades which I love while still maintaining an autumnal color story. 

We're only just getting into fall, so what I have at the moment are items for my dining table. I played around with plums, red-orange, dusty mauve and gold. I love how they look against the wood of the table. I think they colors are true to fall despite not being traditional colors. In a way, this palette was inspired by what we tend to see in vampy fall makeup. 

The cats seem to really like the pears, so I had to temporarily remove them from the table. :( Are you guys decorating for fall yet? 

The Procrastinating Beauty Blogger Tag

I've always enjoyed reading tagged posts because I like learning about people. Since I myself have never done a beauty tag post on here, I thought this one from EmilyNoel83's blog (all the way back in 2013!) looked fun. :) I tag anyone with a beauty blog who wants to do this!

 

1. NAME A BEAUTY REGIME THAT YOU RARELY DO
I don't really style my hair much. I use dry shampoo, but no mousse, gels, pomades, etc. My hair is super sensitive to heat; I always notice split ends when I curl my hair, even though I always use heat protector on it. My knowledge of styling hair is extremely limited, too – I can curl it, straighten it, put it in a braid or a ponytail, and that's pretty much it. That being said, I do care about the overall health of my hair. I try to use homemade hair masks (when I feel up to it, haha), I avoid using shampoos and conditioners with sulfates, and I only use heat styling for special occasions. 

2. IS WASHING YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES SOMETHING THAT YOU DO REGULARLY?
Yes and no – I wash my foundation brush pretty much every day, but I'm pretty lazy with my eyeshadow brushes and usually wipe them off with a tissue. :| 

3. HOW LONG WILL YOU LAST WITH CHIPPED NAIL POLISH? 
This is kind of a funny question because when I was in junior high, I liked the look of chipped nail polish. If I'm wearing a nude/neutral color, I think I can get away with having them chip for a few days (I just try to convince myself no one's looking at my nails!). If I have on a bolder shade, I usually end up taking everything off. 

4. HOW LONG WILL YOU PUT OFF BUYING/REPLACING A BEAUTY PRODUCT, EVEN IF YOU NEED IT?
It honestly depends on the product. My base makeup, such as foundation, primer and setting powder, are items which absolutely need to be replaced before I run out. Another thing would be brow powder or gel. Stuff like mascara I can typically go a few weeks without buying. It isn't until a formula has become unbearably dry and flaky on my lashes that I replace it – a new tube of mascara is always a wonderful thing. :)

5. WHAT IS YOUR WORST BEAUTY HABIT?
Picking at split ends and not drinking enough water. 

6. NAME SOMETING NON-BEAUTY RELATED THAT YOU PUT OFF DOING ALL THE TIME
The dishes. I really like to deep clean, vacuum, etc. but I hate doing the dishes, so my husband does them most of the time. 

7. WHEN GOING OUT, DO YOU LEAVE GETTING READY TILL THE LAST MINUTE?
No! I hate feeling rushed. I always try to plan my getting ready time accordingly. If needed, I could probably do my makeup in about 20 minutes, but I'd prefer not to. 

8. CAN YOU COMMIT TO SPENDING BANS?
I'm not an impulse buyer at all. I can usually stop myself from buying stuff on a whim if it's going to put a dent in my bank account. When I see something I want to buy that I don't need right away, I go home and think about it. If I can't take my mind off of said item, I plan for a good time (financially) to get it. 

9. HOW ORGANIZED IS YOUR MAKEUP AND NAIL POLISH COLLECTIONS?
Pretty organized! I have a specific place for everything. I try to put stuff back where they belong when I'm finished using them. I don't own a ton of nail polish, but what I do own is organized by color (I organize my closet like this as well). 

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OUTFIT DETAILS
Sweater | H&M 
Scarf | H&M
Watch | FOSSIL