We Party Hard

Introducing my wax victims. OKAY, okay, SO they're my friends who enjoy a good wax. Meet Tim (my husband), Shannon, Matt and Shaun. This weekend we got together and I flipped on the wax pot and got down to business! For Shannon, Matt and Shaun it was full of some firsts. Waxing is one of my favorite treatments to do soooo on to the good part, pictures!

Pictured above in order (left to right) would beee Tim, Shaun, Shannon and Matt sporting the ever sexy look only a nose wax can give you. I would have loved to get before and afters for each of them BUT I really, truly didn't want to gross anyone out. For Shannon, Matt and Shaun it was a first for a underarm wax as well as their noses. We started off with their pits and before they knew it everyone had silky smooth (and sexy) underarms! I used hard wax for both types of areas because of how gentle it is on sensitive skin and those underarms, they'll get you every time with their sensitivity levels! Also, it's great for working with that crazy hair growth EVERYONE experiences in that particular pit region. You know, that growth where you have a patch of hair that grows one way, another a different way and that one where it grows every way imaginable! That means less strips used and usually less discomfort! Shortly after we got that hard wax adhering to their nose hairs. About 5-8 minutes later not a single nose hair was left! Life was good.

FYI: Guys, you'll want to try an underarm wax. With no hair present deodorant lasts much longer due to the simple fact that you don't have to cake it over one's hair to get that skin contact! Talk about a win!

Here's a few more pics featuring a little underarm wax action and for Miss Shannon, a brow wax to spruce things up just a hair. I'm positive that these beauts are sure to perk up your day! I hope you had a much fun as we did catching up with our "Wax Party!" 

                               

PS. The white stuff in the pics? That would be a little powder I use to absorb any excess moisture on the skin so that the wax can adhere to hair as best as possible! It also creates a small barrier between one's skin and the wax making it not near as painful or irritated. Just a little future reference to make sure your wax tech. applies powder on you before they dive right in to ease discomfort and redness. Trust me, you'll thank me later!

October Glam Bag

I can't believe it is already OCTOBER. Where does the time go? Once again, I found myself ripping open my brand spankin' new October Glam Bag FILLED with beauty goodies! When I say goodies, I mean they are GOODies which I was pleasantly surprised with what I had received. I just couldn't wait to share with you! Do you remember that little post I did back in September about a beauty program that doesn't break the bank? In case you missed out, here is a little re-cap!

ispy is a company that offers a mini cosmetic bag filled with five full or trial sized  items for a small fee of $10.00 a month! Their cosmetic bags are called "Glam Bags" and are tailored to your specific beauty preferences! First, you fill out  a little information about your beauty interests and ispy's personal stylists get your bag in tip top shape to send you. Each month your Glam Bag is filled with different products and brands giving you the chance to try a wide spectrum of goods! I also mentioned in my September post that you can skip months or cancel your subscription! But how can you skip when you pay a flat rate of $10.00 and shipping is free and here's the kicker, the product-filled bags are ALWAYS worth more than the ten bucks you throw at it. So amazing.

After falling in love with my first Glam Bag I was stoked, to say the least, to rip open my new hot pink package. This months Glam Bag contained a full sized Bella Terra Shimmer in Emotion. It is an 8 in 1 product that works as a creamy OR matte eye shadow, eye liner, lip color, nail polish color, mascara, body glitter and hair color.  Talk about a win. I was pleasantly surprised that it only cost a whopping $14.99 and could function as 8 other products. It's also a good all mineral product making it healthy for wear on skin!   Second product I whipped out was a full sized Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush that goes for $2.49. It is made with 100% natural pony hair bristles and they are silky smooth. It's safe to say it's a great basic for anyone's makeup bag. Personally I do like a natural haired brush over a synthetic brush when it comes to applying powdered products solely based on better application. With this product being so inexpensive I'm curious how well it holds up. Only time will tell and I'll be sure to keep you updated. Up next I pulled out a trial sized  Nourish Organic Deeply Nourishing Coconut & Argan Body Lotion. Talk about a mouth full. I'll be honest, I'm not the biggest fan just on the sole fact that it smells uber funky, almost like a medical/dental office-y smell. It's pretty light weight and I could name a few brands that are similar in price and size that I'd rather use. Also, I received a full sized Zoya nail polish in Neve valued at $8.00 and it is GORG. I plan on whipping it on for next week's Mani Monday and giving it a full blown review. So keep on the look out for next week's Mani Monday! Last but not least is a Big Sexy Hair trial size hairspray. I left it out of the photo just because I am no hair care professional. Maybe in another life I'll give cosmetology school a whirl but it's not in the current plan! However, if you're curious, I do like the hairspray! All five items made up this month's glam bag and I'm in product heaven. Next month can't come soon enough!

Thank you ispy for offering awesome brands and goodies for an awesome price! If you're interested in treating yourself to a bag of pretty check out ispy. You'll be glad you did!

PS. With every Glam Bag you get a set of awesome Promo Codes from brands featured that month. That way if you fall in love with a product and gotta have more of it, you can for a friendlier price.

P.S.S. If anyone in the Idaho Falls area wants the makeup bag (pictured above) you can have it! First person to get a hold of me gets it! My stock pile of makeup bags is a little out of control and I'd be happy to give it to someone that'll enjoy it.

DRY SKIN DO'S

Like the previous post, here's another question just waiting to be answered!

"It is getting cold and my skin is feeling much drier and itchy. What is the best product to use for an all over body moisturizer?"

There are a few steps in order to achieve the best hydration for your skin. First, you need to make sure you're exfoliating off any dead/dry skin off to get it out of the way. This ensures full product absorption where applied. No need to waste product on already dead skin cells that are just hangin' on! You can either use an exfoliant glove that was discussed in Lose the Loofah or a sugar scrub. Sugar scrubs are nice because many contain oils making them a perfect match to hydrate and exfoliate dry skin. Secondly, apply some sort of hydrating lotion. Ingredients to look for in a good body moisturizer is:

• Hyaluronic Acid: Aids in sealing/binding moisture to your skin.
• Ceramides: Fatty materials that are naturally found in your skin that helps to support and maintain healthy, hydrated skin.
• Vitamin E: Aids in hydrating and healing the skin.
• Sweet Almond Oil: Rich in Vitamin E to aid in hydration. Also helps to calm and soothe the skin.
• Coconut Oil: It shares a similar molecular structure to your skin making it a perfect fit for deep product penetration resulting in hydrated skin.
• Glycerin: A popular water binding ingredient that helps to make sure moisture "sticks" to the skin. 
• Propylene Glycol: An extremely popular humectant similar to glycerin. 
• Butylene Glycol: Extremely similar to Propylene Glycol just better suited for sensitive skin types. 
• Sorbitol: Helps to attract moisture to the skin.
• Cholesterol: A ceramide that is a fatty material that is naturally found in your skin's "glue" which helps to keep our skin hydrated and cushioned. 
• Dimethicone: A lightweight silicone that helps protect the skin from loosing moisture. Helps in keeping the skin balanced for a long period of time. 

With so many ingredients available on the market today I feel that these are the more popular out of the bunch. My favorite two products that contain most of these listed ingredients are the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. Both are extremely thick substances that help to deeply moisturize the skin and act as a seal to keep in any moisture that may try to escape. They last all day long and are perfect for any skin type. Both products are able to keep winter's dry spell at bay! You can find both products at your local retailer and be sure to like both brands on Facebook for special offers and coupons! Also, check out both websites for other amazing coupons!

NOTE TO SELF: Try to avoid soap containing body washes due to soap's drying effect it has on the skin. Also, avoid any artificial fragrances or colors as they may irritate dry skin more.

Under Eye 101

Alright ladies and gents, you asked and I answered! There were only a few questions asked last week so I thought I'd get around to answering them all in two separate blog posts! With that said, "What would you say is the best way to get rid of dark circles? Products, routines, etc?" Well my friend, I love to talk about how to treat and hide those pesky pesks we all hate with all of our being! There is the ever popular saying that goes a little like this; you'll have dark circles under your eyes if you don't get plenty of sleep. Yes and no. For some this problem does contribute to having dark bags but in other cases there are other reasons such as:

• Allergies
• Hereditary Factors
• Lifestyle Factors (Smoking, stress, etc.)
• Excessive eye irritation
• Sun Exposure
• Thinning skin (Commonly due to aging)
• Facial Features/Structure
• Eczema
• Sickness (Usually brought on by sinus congestion)

While I agree that living a healthy lifestyle helps the skin tremendously in all aspects I know of a few tips that can help treat this condition as well as conceal it. Here's a quick list of what you can do to help alleviate any darkness:

1. As silly as it sounds, change your sleep position. It's best to sleep on your back to keep pressure off of your face and especially the thin skin around your eyes.
2. Look for caffeinated eye products. Caffeine helps to get circulation going which helps to move around any fluid that may be sitting behind your skin. In some cases, blood pools behind the skin giving that dark appearance and with the help of caffeine it could help flush away your troubles. 
3. Break bad habits like going to bed without washing makeup off which can irritate your skin. Another habit could be excessive alcohol consumption which causes dehydration, etc.
4. If your darkness is due to hyper pigmentation, retinol based products are for you! Retinol helps to chemically exfoliate the skin by helping to sluff off dark pigmentation which allows your skin to regenerate new, brighter and fresher skin. Also, retinol is great for managing the appearance of fine lines and crows feet! You could also search for products containing Lactic Acid which helps to exfoliate and brighten the skin.
5. In some other cases darkness can be caused by irritated and puffy skin which then shadows your under eye area creating that dark appearance. NOTE TO SELF: Avoid harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances and colors around the eyes. Instead, look for calming products that contain:

• Chamomille (I know what your thinking and yes, steeped chamomille tea bags can help!) 
• Red and brown algae
• Oat Extract
• Vitamin E
• Cucumber 

         My personal favorite product that helps to calm the under eye area is the Ultrasmoothing Eye Serum              by Dermalogica. It's a light-weight gel that is applied. I'ts perfect for layering due to it's gel-like                      substance meaning you can give your little eye treatment a boost with another cream based product              over top! It's like a double whammy! 

Ready for another list? No? Okay, fine. Instead I'll share how to cover and hide darkness from a previous post, Bye Bye Under Eye. Literally, this trick is a lifesaver and all you have to know is what colors conceal what. You're going to want to look for an eye concealer that contains PINK or PEACH tones to cancel out purple, blue, black or gray colored skin. A pink toned concealer is also great for any apparent bruising skin may suffer from. Some of my all time favorite concealers come from Jane Iredale such as her Active Light no. 4. It's pink, light-weight and pairs perfect with dark under eyes. Oh, it also helps to soothe and calm the eye! Talk about a win-win! Needing more coverage? Go for Jane's Circle/Delete #2. It's meant to hydrate the eye area giving it a little more weight and coverage! I also enjoy having the second color (beige) in Circle/Delete #2 for all over concealing when needed.

Pictured below is a wonderous BEFORE and AFTER when it comes to concealing my own dark circles. Please note that I have zero makeup on except for the AFTER picture where I am wearing Circle/Delete #2 because I really wanted you to see the power and effect one product can have on the skin. Also note that both photos are completely untouched. Enjoy!

And that my dears is how you can treat and disguise those dark under eyes! Did I miss anything in particular? Feel free to shout out questions or comments! I'd love to make sure all of your skin related questions are taken care of.

Mani Monday

Earlier today I was rummaging through my collection of nail polishes and just couldn't make up my mind. That was up until I thought of a scrumptious recipe for whipped cranberry butter that I recently found! That was it! Cranberry. Done and done. But it didn't stop there. I was feelin' some glitz and glam so I whipped out a pretty shade of gold too.

Today's colors are Casino Royale (cranberry) and Honey Ryder (gold) by OPI. Are you feeling the James Bond vibe here?

Once again, OPI nail polish was used and it's all for a good reason. This polish stays on like a dream and the colors OPI comes out with are resistible! Just look at Casino Royale! Is anyone else thinking that it would be beautiful for a fall pedicure? Yeah, I thought so too. Oh,  and Honey Ryder, you make my heart sing. It's a Liquid Sand polish and I thought it would be perfect to mix up a little texture difference to give my mani a better visual. With fall layers slowly rolling out into everyone's wardrobe chalk full of suedes, chunky knits, leather and flannels I found it hard not to mix up textures a little bit! And there you have it my loves, a sassy autumn mani.

PS. Check out this cranberry butter recipe I found! It looks too good to be true and will hopefully be made this weekend!

DIY Eye Makeup Remover

Hey everyone! Today I thought I'd share an awesome post a cute girl recently put out there for the world to benefit from! It's a super easy peasy DIY that is  inexpensive and has to deal with skin care! 

But first, meet Molly. She is a uber creative girl over at the Keep Calm and Create blog where she finds ways to make things happen with a steal of a deal and who doesn't like deals?! Also, she shares her thrift finds, home ideas, budgeting and organizing tips. Molly is seriously so so sweet and she is the girl you need to go to for social media advice, where on her blog, she keeps all of her readers up to speed on the latest and greatest in social media! Oh, and she may have given me some amazing pointers for the first time blogger that I am.

Anyways, back to business! I couldn't keep this good of a post to myself. I feel it is so important to remove any makeup before bedtime so skin has the chance to freely exchange with oxygen to maintain healthy happy skin. Molly's recipe is an extremely basic concoction of skin-safe ingredients making it perfect for those with sensitive eyes or skin. Trying this option it helps promote skin health and it saves you some dough on makeup remover so hop on over to Keep Calm and Create to find out how to make a non-irritating eye makeup remover and the official price breakdown! And make sure you like Keep Calm and Create on Facebook for more of Molly's addicting shares!

Q&A

Ahem, I have an announcement I'd like to make.

I, Jordan Mackenzie Heinze, will be answering one of YOUR questions every week! All you have to do is blurt your skin questions at me via Facebook, Instagram or Email and I will choose at least one answer out of the bunch! Each question will be answered in a blog post and also announced via Facebook and possibly Instagram! So please, if you have ANY sort of skin related question, fire away!

I look forward to helping you guys one answered question at a time.

XOXO,

J

Mani Monday

SO, I hate to make excuses but I really I haven't shown much love to my blog in a long while due to the most terrible love HATE relationship my laptop has had these past few weeks. Just so you all know, the relationship was filled with more hate than love. It has been very unfortunate if you were to imagine, BUT lo and behold I am here and currently my internet is up and running! It makes my Monday extra happy and of course so does a fresh paint job.

And today's lucky color is (drum roll please) Live and Let Die by OPI.

Now that fall is clearly in the air I can't help but apply autumn loving hues. This particular shade is a dark dark green with a slight shimmer. Far away it appears black or similar to an extremely dark shade of navy blue. It's so ridiculously pretty on and matches everything in my fall wardrobe. Talk about swoon. And because it's from OPI we all know it's a keeper. All OPI polishes I've applied do not chip easily and this particular shade only required one coat to fully cover my nails. OPI you've done it again. You've made a slice of pretty and it's oh so perfect.

Happy Monday everyone! 

Sun Kissed Giveaway (CLOSED)

Your tan doesn't have to fade with summer! We all know how pumped I am for fall but on those days that I have a little leg showing I hate my glow in the dark skin showing. As of late, I've documented my use of Jane Iredale's Tantasia to keep my summer glow. It is probably my FAV self tanner that I've tried this summer out of the five self tanners I took for a little test drive. Tantasia was the one that really got my motor going. It made my heart sing to have a healthy product that gave me a natural looking glow over a short period of three days. Due to the bronze colored formula it instantly gives leg color. No need to wait for a period of time to see the job get done although the tan continues to build over a 24 hour period. Having the bronze color also makes application a breeze. No guess work for me! And no awkward and embarrassing white patches of skin missed! What's left is sun kissed skin. 

First I gave my legs a full two weeks without using any sort of self tanner so you could truly see how pale I am. It's rather embarrassing but hey, I like you guys and I really wanted to share this find with you! I followed up with three half leg applications and kept my arms extremely vampire-like pale so you can see the difference easy peasy.

See? Normally I only do two applications and I'm happy but the third really makes a difference! It's also one of the few self tanners that I'll apply to my face because the last thing I want is to have my face to look like an orange. I expect this tan to last me right around three to four full days before needing another application. That's all there is to being beautifully bronzed without stepping in to an unhealthy tanning salon or sitting out in the sun!

OH, and I may have given away a little info via Facebook this weekend about a giveaway coming up and yes, it's a full size bottle of TANTASIA from Jane! I'm so excited to share this all with you! It's perfect for any skin types and so very hydrating for your skin! Good luck!

ENTRY RULES:

There will be a picture of Tantasia on Esthetically Pleasing's FB page. 

You'll want to LIKE it.

Then COMMENT on it.

And SHARE it with all of your lovelies! 

As well as LIKE Esthetically Pleasing on FB!

Make sure you are sharing the ORIGINAL photo on Esthetically Pleasing's FB page, NOT a picture from your friend's feed! Only original likes, comments and shares from the FB page will be entered!

The giveaway period starts TODAY, 9-24-2013, to SATURDAY, 9-28-2013. 

THIS BABY COULD BE YOURS!

It's in the BAG.

I've been on the lookout for a beauty program that sends you goodies for a decent price per month because we all know that I'm addicted to products. I've FINALLY found one that doesn't break the bank.

ispy is a company that offers a miniature cosmetic bag filled with five full or trial sized items for just $10.00 a month. These gems are better known as "Glam Bags". All you have to do is fill out a little information about what interests you most in the beauty world and they have personal stylists that help put your Glam Bag together each month. They offer some amazing (not to mention, high quality) brands. NOTE TO SELF: You can skip months or cancel your subscription if you're not impressed but trust me, your socks are going to be knocked off. Each bag comes with free shipping and they are always worth more than the $10 value you're paying for. It's the bomb. 

Recently, I got my very first Glam Bag. I'm very pleased to inform all of you that I'm very much in love and can't wait for next months treats. It showed up on my doorstep in reflective hot pink packaging and before I knew it I was ripping in to it to see the secretive September items. I received a full size Cailyn tinted lip balm in Big Apple. It is chalk FULL of pigment and is a sexy matte red worth $19.00. I have a good feeling that it'll last me a very very long time. I also received a full size Victoria Jackson taupe eyebrow pencil worth $14.95. It's perfect with my coloring and goes on silky smooth. It's a winner. Also received was a trial size of It's So BIG by Elizabeth Mott. It's an alright mascara. The fumes bother my eyes a little bit but it sure makes my lashes super long with zero clump-age. Another full size product was the Star Looks khol eye pencil worth $12. I'm definitely a liquid eye liner girl but I know I'll be wearing this product on my lazier days. You know, those days where your hair is in a giant top knot, your baggiest sweats are on and you wear as little as makeup as possible. Last but not least, is a full size NYX eyeshadow in Morocco valued at $4.50. Unfortunately, it does crease on my lids and I know it's because they use Talc in their eye products. Oh well, I can't really complain getting one dud out of the group!

It's like Christmas once a month and who doesn't like Christmas? That's right, no one dislikes Christmas. So what are you waiting for? Go treat yourself to a little slice of awesome today HERE! 

Mani Monday

Like most Mondays today was CRAZY. I felt like I was running around everywhere with my head chopped off and wasn't sure if I was going to get around to posting a Mani Monday! Then I remembered that I had some OPI Pure Lacquer Nail Apps lying around somewhere. After hunting them down in my mess of a nightstand I quickly applied them. They are a three-in-one consisting of a base coat, color coat and top coat. Thanks to the three in one they made this Mani Monday blog post possible. Check out those bad boys! The best part? I have fancy looking nails that require little time to do and it's another Mani Monday success!

I've used these OPI Pure Lacquer Nail Apps in the past and I LOVE them. They last for forever and are so very easy to do. Application only takes about five minutes and all you need lying around is a nail file. You remove the nail lacquer from the strip, rub on to your nails and file off any access lacquer. It's as easy as pie. These strips are perfect for special occasions or just because, and come in many different colors and patterns! Go check 'em out!

Nose Wax

All I really want to say right now is that my husband is amazing. End of story.

Okay, so maybe not the end of it based on the sole fact that you've probably had a glimpse of an interesting photo of Tim via Facebook or Instagram. What can I say? He's pretty attractive with those nose plugs and I couldn't resist sharing a photo and a little information about a nose wax.

People are always a little surprised that this treatment is available. Most individuals stick to nose trimming and/or tweezing and hey, if that floats your boat that's fine! I find that a nose wax is worth the 10-15 minute procedure to have clean nostrils for an entire month. Also, some noses can last up to six weeks depending on your personal hair growth cycles. The procedure goes a little something like this: hard wax is inserted into the opening of one's nostril where it hardens/adheres (over a short period of time) to a collection of hairs, and when the timing is right, is then pulled straight out. Any pain? Nope, it doesn't hurt like you think it would! Tweezing one hair at a time is painful and usually filled with tears but when the entire bunch of hairs is safely removed it's fairly comfortable. One pull and no tears, just sexy nostrils. 

Oh, and guys, I double dog dare you to try it. Your lady friends will thank you.

P.S. Don't try this at home guys. Serious. If you're not trained properly there's a good chance an injury could occur. Please seek out a professionals assistance for their experience and knowledge.

Bye Bye Under Eye

As small as this tip may be, I love sharing it!

For those who are constantly searching for the latest and greatest in concealer search no more! I will give you the ultimate cheat sheet of what concealer colors really hide!

• PINK- Perfect for covering purple, blue and black. It's a gem for getting those dark circles under the eyes vanished! Also, a pink toned concealer is great for any apparent bruising skin may suffer from.
• YELLOW- Best for covering red or pink tones found in the skin. Yellow is G-R-E-A-T for acne sufferers AND for rosacea. Remember, yellow mellows the appearance of acne and/or rosacea. You see what I did there? "Yellow mellows." I (THINK) that I'm a pretty good poet.
• LILAC- Great for people who dislike their sallow looking skin. It may be better saying yellowed looking skin.
• GREEN- We've all seen it before while we're perusing the cosmetic isles at Target but what the heck do you use green for? It is also used to cover redness much like yellow does. However, green is an unnatural and unflattering skin shade so many stick with yellow hues.
• BEIGE- Nude colors are great for all over cover-ups. It's your basic concealer that anyone could use. Looking to lighten those under eyes to make them pop? Choose a shade that's two to three shades lighter than your skin tone. If you're super pale like me, I like to use a shimmery white or ivory powder over my foundation to do the trick since most concealers are my actual skin tone.

Now that you have a cheat sheet, GO USE IT.

Is it REALLY Worth it?

Let's face it, we all have our moments of weakness when we purchase a product that claims to be a magic genie in a bottle to address all of our skin issues. We then get home and of course, we use it. But was it really that magical compared to that last jar of awesome? Here's a little tip that breaks down how fast you go through an entire bottle and whether the price was worth the longevity of the product. I feel like knowing these two simple facts REALLY help me make more aware choices when deciding if a product is going to be a repeat purchase. The best part is that it's easy to do! 

All you have to do is write the date of your first use on the bottom of the container. Make sure you use permanent marker so any water can't smudge the official start date. I am a whiz when it comes to remembering what each item cost so I never write the price. I am the Rain Man of all purchase totals. If you're not as weird as me, feel free to add the price you purchased the product at along side of the start date. When you are completely finished with the product you can see how long it lasts, attain a price breakdown on what the cost per day/use, etc. and VIOLA! You're done! This little trick makes me feel guilt free when I go back to purchase another magic bottle that I feel and KNOW is worth every penny.

Mani Monday

Looks like Mani Monday is here to stay! A few Mondays ago, I received some AMAZING feedback regarding whether or not to keep Mani Monday's going and obviously it's a keeper! This week's color is an OPI Liquid Sand shade and it's to die for. 

Everyone meet, It's All San Andreas's Fault by OPI.

She sure is a beaut. Like the first (and only) Mani Monday post, it dries to a sandy texture and doesn't require a top coat, saving you a little time. This particular OPI Liquid Sand is one hundred percent matte. I particularly like that it's a neutral that can be thrown with anything in my closet without looking too out of place. I think I forgot to mention that it's a match made in heaven for those upcoming fall months that I'm so excited for! 

For those who missed out on the last Mani Monday post my overall thoughts on an OPI Liquid Sand polish is that it's worth hoarding based on the three simple facts. It doesn't wear and tear easily, it's a time-saver and it sure is fun having a little bit of texture on your fingers. Houston, we have a winner.

Giveaway (Now Closed)

Esthetically Pleasing is officially at 100 Facebook likes and counting! I thought I'd treat all of my amazing supporters with something special! Mountain West Dermatology (my AMAZING place of employment) has graciously donated products for a GIVEAWAY! The giveaway includes a full Clean Start skin kit created by Dermalogica and a full size lip gloss from the line! Dermalogica is one of the biggest leading skin care companies in the world. They work hard to bring everyone the latest and greatest in skin innovations and products. They have high end products where they focus on getting the job done, not just creating a temporary fix. Check out their full story HERE.

The Clean Start kit gives you a no fuss routine that helps you manage the natural ups and downs your skin may experience when clearing present blemishes and keeping your future skin acne free. Originally created for teens and young adults, it'll help to keep skin clean and clear with those raging hormone changes everyone faces. It includes:

• Wash Off- A foaming wash that uses 0.5% Salicylic Acid to kill bacteria, rid skin of dead cell build-up and ward off excess oil.
• All Over Clear- A hydrating toner that also uses 0.5% Salicylic Acid to treat the skin. This product can also be used to treat body acne.
• Ready, Set, Scrub!- A scrub/masque duo that uses purifying clays to soak up unnecessary oil while Silica granules whisk away dead skin cells! 
• Welcome Matte SPF15- A moisturizing oil fighting sunscreen containing four types of sunscreen to keep your skin happy and healthy. No one wants skin cancer when they're in their forties!  
• Bedtime for Breakouts- A spot treatment best used at night that contains 2% Salicylic Acid to stick it to those bigger breakouts.  

And there you have it! Every listed product above is a travel sized product allowing you to use this line for a month to help treat your skin. The full sized lip gloss, Smart Mouth Lip Shine, helps give anyone soft luscious lips with the use of cocoa seed butter, vitamin E and shea butter. It also gives incredible shine without feeling sticky or tacky making it the perfect go to gloss! It is the PERFECT kit for back to school to get your skin in tip top shape! 

How do you enter? All you need to do is make sure you're following Esthetically Pleasing on Facebook and Pinterest. After you've done those two steps share this post via Facebook! Viola! You will be officially entered. This contest will run 08/28/2013 to 09/01/2013 where one lucky winner will be chosen at random! The winner will be announced on 09/02/2013. 

On your mark! Get set! GO!

P.S. GOOD LUCK!

Better Late than Never

These past few weeks have been CRAZY busy. They've been chalk full of birthdays, weddings, end of summer BBQ's, Utah runs and I'll admit, I feel like a slacker. But hey, it's better late then never to get to postin'!

Today I really wanted to focus on another tip that I love sharing with it still being summer and all. After covering a quick how-to on cleaning makeup brushes I'd thought I'd stick with another important cleanliness how-to. It's super easy and quick to do! Did I mention that it's inexpensive too?

So, who here has dealt with a breakout on the bridge of your nose? Well, I have and when I have a friend or two pop up it's a constant reminder of what I need to whip out and clean! My sunglasses OR my granny readers. I always find that there are remnants of makeup, oil and bacteria collecting on the nose pads which can attribute to those not-so-fun breakouts. So, what to clean them with? Rubbing Alcohol. Give your nose pads a quick scrub down with rubbing alcohol and you're bacteria free! Make sure not to apply rubbing alcohol to your lenses!

Another quick tip is to store your glasses in a sanitary case. I used to chuck my glasses in my chaotic purse where anyone could find a slew of food (gross, I know), makeup, pens, sticky notes, my collection of rewards cards, camera, magazines, chunks of change, numerous packs of almost empty gum, water bottle, countless wrappers, daily vitamins and my iPhone. You name it, it's in my bag. I carry my whole life around in one convenient bag but I always forget to store my glasses in a clean place with. BUT there's good news! I'm currently obsessing over my recent purchase from Madewell. I'm all about chambray and polka dots so this glasses case was too good to be true. It makes my heart happy as well as my glasses.

I thought I'd take the opportunity to snap a photograph of my desk that is rarely clean AND put together with my very staged but very clean sunnies and chambray case.

Now, we all know that breakouts can be caused by other things such as hormones, stress and environmental factors but I do find that keeping products used around or on the skin clean extremely beneficial. So go grab your glasses and clean 'em up!

Mani Monday

Hi, my name is Jordan and I have an addiction. I'm addicted to nail polish. This week's color that I'll be sporting is...

Alcatraz... Rocks by OPI.

Boy, it is ROCKING my world right now. It's a Liquid Sand polish created by OPI. OPI's Liquid Sand polishes dry to a textured matte finish with a hint of a sandy texture. The best part about this polish is that it doesn't require a top coat. It saves you a little of time but still gives you all the glam a manicure should give! I find that the polish doesn't chip very easily which for me, (I don't know about you) I'm so very pleased with. The last thing I want is to be constantly touching up my mani throughout the week. The color is a darker shade but I think it's perfect for the upcoming fall months which I am PUMPED for. Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice (with extra caramel), knee-high boots, knit over-sized sweaters, haunted houses, mittens, pumpkins and snuggling with my man are a few of my top seasonal loves. Due to my over excitement, I can't stop buying fall colored EVERYTHING and I may or may have not purchased another OPI Liquid Sand shade in another fall-ish color which you'll have to check back for! It's definitely a keeper!

Overall, I plan on hoarding more Liquid Sand polishes and using this beaut of a color! Price-wise I don't think it's too spendy. It's fun to try something different with texture that is extremely easy to use and actually works! Your nails will thank you.

I think I've decided to post a new polish color every Monday and dub it "Mani Monday". Please, share your thoughts because I would L-O-V-E to hear from you guys! If you are not as addicted to nail polish as I am, please, object now! Every Mani Monday will also include a product review. I've had my fair share of cruddy run-ins with nail polish and I don't wish it on my worst enemies!

Too Good to be True

I recently discovered an awesome find that goes a little something like this..

Cream Botox. It's proper name is, RT001.

Sounds too good to be true doesn't it? A company that goes by the name of Revance has created such a thing that may kick traditional Botox to the curb! Sometimes traditional Botox can cause swelling or bruising with the administration the solution all because of that darn needle. When using a cream formula it eliminates any form of irritation unless you're allergic to Botox. It also eliminates the need for needles which, for some, is a sigh of relief. It supposedly will decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles up to 60% after one office visit. There will be the need for an office visit for proper application because no one wants a lopsided face! Information regarding how long results last on average was yet to be released! As soon as they are available I'll keep you up to speed!

Natural and Organic Awareness

In the skin care industry the question, "Is this product Organic?" continues to gain popularity around the globe. When most individuals use the word organic they mean natural. In the aesthetics industry it seems the two words are interchangeable making things a little confusing for everyone. To make things more complicated, the industry doesn't provide a true definition of either of the two, meaning there's a gray area. Just so all of you know, I dislike gray areas very much! The FDA is to blame and they have yet to provide an official clear statement on the matter, giving companies the freedom to use the terms NATURAL and ORGANIC however they please. It's unfortunate when we pick up a product claiming to be natural that we generally trust the company even though their claims may not be 100% true in terms of what we believe is natural. Generally, most of the population believes that natural or organic products do not contain irritating ingredients. Companies continue to use unhealthy ingredients in conjunction with natural or organic ingredients creating the illusion of an all natural product. The FDA's stance has been brushed under the rug for far too long and it's safe to say that this issue is unknown to many. I guess what we are all looking for is "clean" products that are healthy to use on our body's largest organ.

Most know that certain unhealthy ingredients used in today's skin care products can plague the skin with sensitivity, irritation and sometimes an allergic reaction. Well, I say BOO to that! Here, I would like to provide a cheat sheet on what unhealthy ingredients to avoid that companies like to sneak in their products!

What to avoid:

• Parabens
• Fragrances
• Sulfates
• Preservatives
• Dyes
• Talc
• Dimethicone
• Formaldehyde
• Nylon
• Corn Starch
• Artificial Color
• Proplene Glycol  

Brush Care

One important step in skin care, that is forgotten by many, is the cleanliness of your makeup brushes. Dirty makeup brushes can contain bacteria and product build up. Bacteria build up can lead to skin irritation and breakouts leaving your skin compromised. It's important to clean your brushes at least once a month to ensure healthy skin and proper makeup application. Here are six simple steps to get you like-new brushes:

1. Wet your brush bristles under warm water. Not scalding hot, not freezing cold. Warm's the way to go! 
2. Pour a penny size drop of Baby Shampoo on the palm of your hand and begin to lather your brush. Please wash with your bristles pointing down to ensure water doesn't sit in the base of your brush to ensure the life span of your brush.
3. Rinse under warm water until the water runs clear and there is no makeup or shampoo residue left. You may need to repeat Step 2 to achieve cleanliness.
4. Gently squeeze any excess water out of the brush and reshape it to how it looks dry. You may blot the brush on a clean towel for a quicker dry.
5. Lay your brush down FLAT and let air-dry. By doing so, it also keeps the water from sitting the brush base.
6. You're ready to use them once they're fully dry! I give them at least 12 hours of drying time!

You now have sanitary makeup brushes ready to use! Also, you may have seen that pin from Pinterest floating around telling you to use Dish Soap. Please don't. It's such a bad idea. Dish soap already drys out your hands to no end so why use it on a makeup brush? When Dish Soap is used on brushes it drys out the delicate hairs and causes breakage. Breakage will cause a shortened life span as well as improper makeup application. I use Baby Shampoo because it is gentle even on the most delicate of skin. It doesn't dry brush bristles or irritate the skin and is inexpensive. It's as simple as that!

Alima Pure Review

I am a HUGE advocate for healthy makeup. Like, HUGE. As I continue to post you will learn that Jane Iredale and Colorescience are my FAV makeup brands. Both companies are all about skin health and with the ingredients they use, it shows. The only catch is that you're paying for the value. Sure they last much longer than your drugstore or department store foundations and actually treat the skin while you wear these two brands, benefiting the skin's overall health, but sometimes it's hard to open your wallet and hand over a large amount of dough. SO, I've been on a mission to find healthy but money aware makeup.

So far, I've found Alima Pure. I ordered five foundations to find my perfect match, a lip balm and three blushes! Here's my verdict.

First up, their Satin Matte Foundation. Here's the listed ingredients:

• titanium oxide
• zinc oxide
• high grade mica
• iron oxides

That's it. All whopping four ingredients are noncomedogenic, meaning that they don't clog pores. One BIG thing to look for in foundations, blushes, bronzers and eyeshadows is Talc. Talc is a huge no-no in the aesthetic realm. The reason being, Talc is extremely drying and irritating to the skin and who wants that on their skin? Many women hate wearing powder foundation without knowing the reason WHY. It's all due to the use of Talc. What happens when a woman applies a powder foundation containing Talc is over the next 2-4 hours after application, Talc slowly absorbs moisture and oil in your skin where it then settles into the skin. Talc amplifies the look of fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and scarring. Obviously no lovely lady wants to worsen the appearance of their skin, so many avoid Talc filled foundations. Why is Talc even used in the first place? Because Talc is a very inexpensive filler and cosmetic companies are all about making money. All it does is fills a pallet or bottle of foundation giving the buyer the illusion that they're getting a great deal. 

Okay, now that I'm done ranting over how terrible Talc is, let's get back to the main course! Did I mention that Almia Pure has this particular foundation in 61 shades? There's a shade for everyone! My favorite match out of all five foundation colors that I got was Neutral 3. The only downside to this product is that it is not a full coverage makeup. I find the coverage to be a touch more than a tinted moisturizer. Currently, I have a lovely breakout and I'll be honest, it was difficult to achieve that desired coverage that I like. Other than that, it goes on light and it stays on all day long with no need for a mid-day touch-up. For those who like a very natural look that enhances the skin you have this foundation is definitely worth a try! Sample sizes cost $1.50 USD and full size foundations cost $25.00 USD. Not too shabby!

Up next, is their Luminous Shimmer Blush in Rosa! Here's the listed ingredients:

• Mica
• Titanium Oxide
• Iron Oxides

Viola! Once again, a very easy and breathable product! Sample sizes are also $1.50 USD and full size blushes cost $20.00 USD. I liked that the shimmer wasn't extremely noticeable. The last thing I want is to look like a little girl playing with makeup with some shimmer and shine overload. It's safe to say that the Luminous Shimmer Blush looks natural but highlights the cheek bones for that super smooth finish.

I also tried their Satin Matte Blush where the listed ingredients are the same as their Luminous Shimmer Blush! I tried both Desert Rose and Bisque. Both colors are extremely pigmented and are easy to apply, just matte! Costs are also the same as their Luminous Shimmer Blush.

I also received a Nourishing Lip Balm in Cranberry. Holy moly, I'm impressed. With that being said, it is packed with lip nourishing goodies. I won't bore you with their entire ingredient list but some major lovelies of this all natural product are Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Cocoa Butter, Avocado Butter and Vitamin E. All of those ingredients will give you soft kissable lips. It also contains antioxidants for the ultimate pout protection! I made the mistake thinking that I would need a few layers of this balm to give me great color and ended up with gobs of color! One quick layer does the trick and I am in love with Cranberry. It's that perfect deep red color that would compliment any skin tone. On the up side, this product only costs $7.00 USD and is worth every penny!

Also, Alima Pure's entire makeup line is:

• Paraben Free
• No Gluten
• No Chemicals
• No Nanoparticles
• No dyes
• No Irritants

Overall, I was pretty impressed! It's a very basic line with very basic, but healthy ingredients. Pricewise, you are paying for what you get with less coverage and zero added skin care ingredients. Alima Pure is similar in price with your local department and drugstores but they leave out unhealthy ingredients. No artificial anything, no skin irritations, no Talc and no fuss! Just pure color with pure ingredients! For those on a budget, I recommend this line with the simple fact that it much healthier than your department and drugstore makeup lines and is ultimately worth making the switch!

Today I used the Satin Matte Foundation in Neutral 3, the Satin Matte Blush in Desert Rose and the Nourishing Lip Balm in Cranberry. Here's the complete look of all three products with a little of my own mascara and eyeliner to top of the look! It's a look I'll be repeating and perfect for the upcoming fall months.

P.S. Here's a little food for thought! Did you know that if a cosmetic company to were to claim a foundation to be a "mineral foundation" the FDA only requires it to contain a six (measly) percent of actual minerals? Now sit on that for a while before you pick up a bottle of foundation that claims it's a "mineral foundation" next time you're out and about! 

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) is an acne fighting ingredient where benzoic acid and oxygen find their way in to an infected pore (a zit if you will) to help ward off bacteria. BP works so effectively due to the fact that bacteria cannot thrive when pure oxygen is present therefore clearing up acne-prone skin. BP also tends to be non-irritating for most users making it comfortable to use on  most skin types. Also, it's a pregnancy safe ingredient helping future moms control those big hormonal flare ups associated with pregnancy.

I've had many clients that love using BP to help control their breakouts, and a handful of them have worried that their skin becomes used to this ingredient over time. I'm happy to report that BP will still get the job done! After some time I've discovered that some individuals abuse this ingredient with improper use and once they've been sent home with proper instructions it makes a world of difference. Here are a few things to get the most bang out of BP.

• Do not heap layer after layer on. The more the merrier does not apply in this case. Overuse of a BP spot treatment can lead to unnecessary drying and possible skin irritation. One layer is enough. I promise. 
• Do not rely on this product as be-all and end-all to your acne. Yes BP can help clear up many cases of acne but that doesn't mean you may respond the same way. There may be need to incorporate other ingredients or products in to your acne regimen, some ingredients being salicylic acid, green tea extract, tea tree oil, AHA acids or retinols to achieve desired results.   
• Only use a BP based face wash when you need it. If you're clear or pretty darn clear compared to your norm just stick to spot treatments. Once again, overuse can lead to that pesky dryness or irritation. 

Overall, I think it’s a far better idea to use it ‘strategically’.

I am very happy to recommend one of my favorite products for those struggling with acne. One product goes by the name of the Skin Exfoliant Wash created by Glymed Plus. The Skin Exfoliant Wash contains 2.5% BP with exfoliating granules to quickly and effectively administer BP where needed. A great spot treatment, also from Glymed Plus, is the lovely Skin Medication No. 5. It contains 5% BP AND tea tree oil to help get your skin clean and clear. But remember with a spot treatment, one thin layer will get the job done! Glymed Plus also offers their Skin Medication in a 10% BP product for more stubborn acne. Normally, I suggest users to start out with a lower percentage to see what their exact outcome will be before moving on to a more aggressive product. 

I have worked with Glymed Plus in school and I continue to work with it and I remain extremely satisfied with it based on company values, high grade ingredients and client results. I've seen these particular products work magic for many individuals battling breakouts. Trust me when I throw out the word magic, they really are magical.

***I always encourage for new users to try products by creating a test patch (a penny sized spread of product possibly on the jaw line or neck) before using all over to avoid allergic reactions or severe irritation, just to stay on the safe side!

A,B,C's

So you all know how the alphabet song goes but what the heck is up with all of these BB, CC, and DD creams lately? I don't know who coined these double letter nicknames but they sure have stuck around and are increasingly gaining popularity.

First off let's start with some basics. There is such a thing as an AA cream and it simply stands for Anti-Aging. Just about every single skin care brand has one but most don't use the AA on their products because it's not near as popular as the fancy shmancy names they come up with like, Natura Bisse Diamond Extreme. Is anyone else wondering what the heck Diamond Extreme means? Yeah, me too. But it sounds fancy!

Obviously BB is to follow next. This cream is the most popular one out of our double letter friends and the BB in BB cream stands for Beauty Balm OR Blemish Balm. It gained it's popularity in Asia where it was praised for it's amazing multi-function use. BB creams tend to give full coverage while offering skin care in the forms of anti-aging ingredients and SPF. Some also contain a primer function to give skin that buttery smooth finish. With one multitasking product and one application step it gets the job done quick!

Next up, CC cream! CC stands for Color Corrector. It's similar to a BB cream but has less coverage, much like a tinted moisturizer. CC creams normally include SPF and skin brighteners to color correct unwanted pigmentation.

Any guesses what DD cream stands for? Daily Defense. It's not a makeup but a thick cream that hydrates dryer areas on the body. Think elbows, heels, knees and sometimes hands. Some also contain SPF.

Last, up is EE cream. I recently learned that this is a very real thing. It's generally found to describe eye products that contain SNAIL extract. Um, gross. But here's what it stands for, Escargot Eyes.

AA, BB, CC, DD, EE! Now you know all of your skin care creams! Next time won't you sing with me? Or better yet, share your favorite double letter product via Facebook or Instagram! @estheticallypleasing1

Red Light! Blue Light!

After reading the post title it sounds like a cheesy Dr. Suess title but these types of LED lights actually help treat skin conditions!

The Science behind LEDs (light emitting diodes) is to use harmless phototonic energy, that becomes absorbed by the skin. It is then converted into chemical energy by creating beneficial changes on a cellular level thus leaving the skin happy and healthy. Now there are a few different types of LED lights available and each has a specific target to treat. The two most popular LED lights are blue and red light.

Blue light is used to treat acne prone skin. It effectively penetrates the top layers of the skin by killing present bacteria. It does this without drying or irritating the skin like some acne fighting ingredients can do. Oh, and it's pain free! You could say it's pretty much amazing. Also, some professionals incorporate blue light in treatments whether they are used in conjunction with chemicals peels or acne procedures.

Red light stimulates collagen on a cellular level to grow new cells up to 200% faster than your skin normally generates them.  Collagen is our "cement" foundation for our skin. Over time it collapses and cracks due to normal wear and tear (sun exposure, facial expressions, etc.) and results in fine lines and wrinkles. By using red light on the skin, it regenerates skin cells giving the user a boost of collagen production resulting in "cement" filled wrinkles. It makes for a great way to firm and smooth the skin without using painful fillers or going under the knife. Red light is also used during professional treatments to stimulate healing after an aggressive exfoliation treatment or to top off an anti-aging facial to iron out any fine lines or wrinkles.

All LEDs feel very similar when applied to the skin. Some are made to sit on a section of skin for a specific amount of time while others are best used with constant movement and contact with the skin. They generally give off a little warmth and sometimes little vibrations are sent out through the hand piece to soothe the skin. A LED light user can never over use phototonic energy however it is best administered equally on the skin to ensure best results. No one wants just one wrinkled side of the face! Some are for professional use only, but there are hand held LED devices that are at home safe. My favorite at home safe one is the ANSR: Beam that features both Red and Blue LED light.

ANSR: Beam in the flesh!

The creation of LED lights are phenomenal. They can be used on any skin type, any time of the day without any sort of irritation while it improves skin health. Talk about a major win win for anyone's skin!   

Masque 101

Alright all of you party poopers, listen up! For those who only wear face masks on Halloween, you're doing it wrong. 

Face masques (also spelled as masks) are made up of ingredients such as oils, vitamins and herbs that are combined with hydrating bases, clays and different types of seaweed that help treat the skin. Depending on what type of masque used they can help do the following:

• tighten and tone the skin
• clear up acne prone skin
• draw out impurities found in pores
• hydrate
• smooth out fine lines and wrinkles
• nourish
• calm, soothe and heal compromised skin
• rejuvenate the skin
• brighten skin complexion 

You can typically find masques premixed and ready to use in the form of tubes but others need to be mixed with water to be usable. There are two types of masques. One type of masques is a setting masque. These are very tightening and are designed to dry out impurities. These setting masques are great for treating oily and acneic skin. The second kind is non-setting. They appear moist and are generally used to nourish and hydrate the skin which are perfect for treating sensitive, dry or aging skin. Face masques are simply used to treat various skin conditions and are another step designed to maintain skin health and heighten results!

Now don't get me started on homemade face masques. I'm all about the homemade goods but in this case I'm not the biggest fan. Most homemade masque recipes call for popular ingredients such as honey, fresh lemon juice, milk, almond milk, oatmeal, different types of fruits and veggies as well as fresh eggs. All of these ingredients are considered healthy but are unpredictable with the results they will give one's skin. Think of combining all of your ingredients to create a masque but each strawberry is different, some more ripe then others. The acid content may vary from strawberry to strawberry.  Think about how they are washed. Do they still contain harmful pesticides on their surface? Unpredictability of each ingredient is the reason why homemade masques are not near as potent or effective as professionally made masques. Professional products tend to offer higher results and are lab tested. 

My personal favorite masque to date is Glymed Plus's Ultra-Hydrating Enzyme Masque. It's my little slice of heaven. It is great for ANY skin type and can be used at any time. It's a non-setting masque that feeds your skin with hydrating botanicals while exfoliating it with enzymes. Enzymes are little guys that munch away at dead skin cells revealing brighter, smoother skin. Bromelain (derived from pineapple) and Papain (derived from papaya) are two popular enzymes found in this product. My little secret I share with just about everyone is that this masque can also be applied to chapped lips to help hydrate and smooth rough lips. It can be used just as a lip treatment, face treatment or both! Another little secret is when wearing this masque it's best removed with heat or steam. Heat and steam help to reactivate enzymes so they can have one last chance to remove dead skin cells. Personally, I wear this in the shower usually with constant heat and steam exposure and it works like a dream. When used twice a week it leaves skin smooth, hydrated and radiant! It's a must have for everyone's beauty regimen. 

Oh, and you may or may not look like Hulk while sporting this product. Here's my Halloween get up for this year! Enjoy!