Currently My Go-To Beauty Items

Currently My Go-To Beauty Items by caliloverslife 

PMD Personal Microderm: I recently received this as a gift and I am IN LOVE!! Use it once a week and my face is glowing! 

DDF Exfoliating Gel & DDF Moisturizer: For the longest time I wanted to try the DDF line. I found some products at Tj Maxx at a great discounted price and I had to have. I have been hooked ever since!! Every time I bop in to Tj Maxx I see if they have any, and when they do I stock up! Sometimes I have to order online at full price (or find the best price available) but I really like it so I'll pay.

Fresh lip treatment & Fresh coral: By far this is my favorite lip treatment I have come across. When I'm in a rush or just don't feel like messing around with stains, lipstick or gloss I grab this and go. They have many different shades to choose from. Currently my fav is coral and rose.

Chanel: Soleil Tan de CHANEL. I have had this product for awhile and just currently started to use it again. I mix it with my MURAD tinted primer and it gives my skin that subtle sunkissed effect. Not making it very sparkly like some highlighter bronzers can do. I put on a little setting powder and out the door I go. It's perfect for days like today when its gloomy and raining.

Urban Decay matte eye shadow: I find myself going to this pallet more often then any other shadows or pallets I have. And let me tell you I have ALOT!! As I get older (almost 30 -- tear just fell) I have gone away from shimmery shadows. I feel they can accent fine lines and well, they kind of remind me of teenage girls. --- But thats just me --- It is the perfect set of neutrals all in one cute little package. 

Tarte brown eyeliner: I mostly always use liquid liner. But I love this one because I find it perfect for the upper inner lash line. It stays all day, super creamy and goes on like butter! For days when I do not feel like making a whole face I line my inner lash line (upper) apply some mascara and done! Natural beauty at its finest and it makes your eyes pop and look like you have thicker lashes. 

Maybelline Mega Plush: Yes my ALL TIME FAVORITE mascara is Maybelline. I have used tons of higher end ones like, YSL, DIOR, Lancome, Chanel and I can't even remember the rest at the moment. Yes I did like some of them but for the price I was never in love. My drug store one always won! I like this plush one because it dons not dry out my lashes like some and its easy to get off! Nor does it flake off! 

Mason Pearson brush: OMG I can't believe I paid this much for a brush!! How much better could it be?? The first time I found out about this brand was at the salon I went to back in San Diego. Its all they used. About 2 years I broke down and bought one. I cant explain it but its amazing. I clean mine once a week and "dry brush" it about every day and I can assure myself I will have this same one years and years from now!! 

Last but not least I have been obsessing over neutral browns and grays nail polish. Not sure why I guess its just the mood I'm in lately. 

I hope you come back again and check out whats going on at CaliLoversLife!! 

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xo,

CLL

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DIY Sunday Mask

Lately I have been into DIY skincare trying the all natural 'make-your-own' remedies. My skin has been breaking out in some nasty blemishes recently. When I was in my teens I never had a huge acne problem so I thought I was in luck! But, now in my late 20's (crying!!) things have changed. My skin is oily in the T-zone. When I say oily if I am not careful with what I use my face becomes a slip-n-slide by mid-morning. YUCK! My eyes, around my lips, and neck can get very dry! When that happens it seems like no kind of moisturizer works. High or low price except this amazing Chanel sample I received. But lets be real I can not afford the $340 price tag! I did however find this two weeks ago and fell in love. Much better on the bank account at $23. (More about it in a future post.) Anyways lets get back to this mask.   

For the past month or two I have been having 'Mask Sunday'. At first I was doing a plain Aztec clay mix but the past few sundays I have been adding some activated charcoal. So far I have not had any problems with extra breakouts or bad reactions. I am not exactly sure how I feel about the results. Nothing magical like we all hope happens. :-( My skin does however feel soft and clean when I wash it off. I think the trick is to use the right products after to help prevent gunk and dirt from getting back in. And also to help close the pores. You have to be very diligent with skincare as well or it just reverts back. This mask can be very drying so defiantly need to moisturize well after.

Lets get started! 

Use a glass or silicone small bowl. First open a capsule of activated charcoal. I used this one. Be careful, this can be VERY messy.  

If doing only a single mask use 1/2 tsp. (two masks at once use 1 tsp.)

Add 1/2 tsp Aztec clay.

Add equal amounts of Bragg apple cider vinegar. Either 1/2 or 1 tsp depending on the about of clay used.

Once the cider hits the clay it will start to bubble and react. 

Mix together with something plastic or wood. I like to use chopsticks. 

This batch came out a little thick so I just added a bit more cider. Mix until you have a nice consistency. Not to thick, not to watery. (Normally my charcoal is in a jar and I just pour some out. But I am visiting my family so I packed the capsules for easy travel.) 

Apply to face with either fingers or brush. I used a old foundation brush. You can also find mask brushes for cheep. Warning: It will be very messy if you use your fingers! 

You will feel your face pulsate and become tight. If it is to much then wash off early. Leave on until dry. About 15 min +/- depending how thick it is.

Rinse off and done! (Your skin may be a little red after but that is normal with this clay and will go away with in 30 min. Mine goes away after I moisturizer.)

I use the following products after my mask.

1st sweep on a Neutrogena treatment pad. 

Next, apply Glow by Dr. Brandt revitalizing retinol eye cream. (Just starting using this in the past two weeks and like.)

3rd I apply DDF Glycolic 10% Exfoliating Oil Control Gel (LOVE this!!)

Lastly moisturize with grape seed oil. I have been using this at night for the past few weeks. I have been on the hunt for a good night moisturizer but have not found one I want to spend the money on and take the risk. I was using Clinique Moisture Surge Intense. I liked it but I guess not enough to buy it again. I want something with anti-againg properties. I have tried so so so many I am kind of just numb on having hopes of finding one. So if you have something you like PLEASE let me know! ;-)

Hope you enjoyed this and maybe try it. 

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XO

CLL

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