Control your shine with these minty Boscia sheets!

Tell me you use blotting papers.  Seriously, they're the greatest thing since sliced bread for me!  I have very oily skin and I have to blot constantly.

I usually like the blue, slicky sheets from Neutrogena or Walgreens; however, I decided to grab some of these Boscia ones since they're oh-so-cheap at $5 for 100 sheets.  (I already gave you a preview of these in my "What's in my purse?" video!)

These really do smell like peppermint!  That combined with the adorable packaging make these a must in my purse.

Now, I feel like the Neutrogena ones I use soak up a TON of oil.  Like, almost my entire face full.  Unfortunately, these are for lighter jobs.  If you only have a bit of oily these would work nicely.  I tend to use these for quick touch-ups when my face hasn't completely dissolved into an oil slick.

You can see that they're quite a nice size.  These are also good for blotting your hairline should oil appear there.

All in all, I really like these and I'll be buying more!  I think they're a great addition to my purse and I love the minty scent.

XOXO

-Kaitlin

Email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com

Tweet me at OrangeLipstickK

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All items were purchased by Orange Lipstick for personal use and review purposes.

Easy eye makeup removal from Neutrogena

Attention!  We interrupt your regularly schedule blog-reading to bring you breaking news:  Makeup isn't always glamorous!

Well, it isn't really breaking news because probably most of y'all know that already by now!

Yes, just like the classic, "What goes up, must come down," idea, makeup follows the "What goes on, must come off," rule!

That's where makeup removers come in.  Most of the time washing my face is sufficient to get off my makeup.  However, I often have eyeliners and mascaras sticking around even after I want them gone.

So I recently invested in a bottle of Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover.  I purchased this dual-phase product with some hesitancy.  You see, most eye makeup removers burn my eyes are create an odd film on them that makes me momentarily blind.  Not cute.

Like I said, this product is dual-phase meaning that the components split while sitting, as you can see in the picture.  Just make sure you shake up the bottle well before using!

Ok, so here's a test to show you how really great this product is.  In the above picture (from L-R) I have two eyeliners, one mascara, one liquid eyeliner, and one cream shadow.

This is with one swipe of the cotton ball right across the middle!  Wow!

This is after running over the area a couple of times with a clean cotton ball.  If you click to enlarge the picture, you can see that there's really nothing left except the faint line of the black, liquid liner.

The product is amazing!  It promises to remove even water-proof makeup and I find that it works extremely well for that.  I can get away with using only one cotton ball for both eyes (if it's a large size cotton ball) or two of the tiny cotton balls I have.  No scrubbing involved!  The remover takes off product easily and quickly.

The best part is that this doesn't burn my eyes at all!  Plus, even though it is oil-free, I still feel like the area is very moisturized afterward without feeling greasy.  Of course, if you use too much you might find that your vision is a little fuzzy but a couple of blinks will take care of that.

You need a bottle of this stuff - I find myself reaching for it every single night before bed.

I got mine from CVS with a Neutrogena coupon that I had but you can find it HERE for $6.39.  (That's the marked price at CVS, too.)

XOXO

-Kaitlin

Email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com

Tweet me at OrangeLipstickK

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A visit with the dermatologist

L'shana tovah and happy Rosh Hashanah, everyone!

Also, a big, huge, super happy birthday to my dad!  My parents are my two biggest fans!

I want to quickly touch on some important points that came up at my appointment with my dermatologist today.  I went in for a mole that's on my arm and was showing warning signs.  It's easy to remember these five warning signs simply by remembering ABCDE:  Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Elevation.  For more information, click HERE.

Anyway, my derm scheduled an appointment for me to come in and have the mole removed, just in case.  They'll test it, of course; however, I'm hoping it's nothing.

My point is this:  SUNSCREEN.  Seriously.

I am the most militant person I know about wearing sunscreen.  I would encourage everyone to take skin care seriously.  Not only for the vanity of good looks (less wrinkles, younger-looking skin), but also for your health.  Melanoma is no joke.

Secondly, my doctor prescribed an alcohol-based topical product to help combat acne.  I don't have much but this will be good at preventing the occasional flare up.  I told him that I had heard alcohol was bad for collagen production and could cause wrinkles.  He laughed and said this:

"Only three things cause wrinkles.  One - smoking cigarettes, which I hope you don't do any of.  Two - unprotected sun exposure, which I hope you don't do any of.  Three - time, which I hope you have a lot of!"

Lol.  I agree!  Of course, I have also heard that tugging and pulling at your skin can cause wrinkles, but that's pretty common sense.

Anyway, this is a serious post to remind you to go to your dermatologist if you feel you have any questions or concerns about your skin.  And please, please wear sunscreen!  Remember, I'm not a doctor but please talk to your doctor about your skin!

XOXO

-Kaitlin

Email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com

Tweet me at OrangeLipstickK

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Is whitening for your skin? It is for mine!

You see all kinds of buzzwords on cosmetics in America:  anti-aging, minimizes pores, controls shine, firming.  One word you never really see?  Whitening.  However, that word is HUGE in the world of Asian cosmetics.  

Why?  Well, I think the prevailing idea is that whiter skin is somehow deemed more desirable.  Rubbish!  All skin tones are beautiful and I mean that with complete sincerity.

But where there's a demand, there are sure to be products to fill it.  Enter Skinfood Omija Whitening Cream.  This cute little pot holds 50 grams.  I think the detailing is lovely.  It's hard to see in these pictures but the pot has a gradient from rose pink to cream.  Very cute!

"Why would you want to whiten your skin, Paleface?!" is what you're probably thinking.  Well...this baby brightens more than it whitens.  My face literally GLOWS.  I put it on at night as my moisturizer and wake up with glowy, lit-from-within skin.    
  

Of course, this benefits from continued use; however, I think I do see some changes in some of my darker marks.  Seriously, I can't find a flaw with this product.  Want moisturized skin that makes your face look brighter, younger, and fresher?  WHO DOESN'T?!

I don't usually get this passionate but I'm going to say that you NEED this product.  You have to have it.  Don't let the word "whitening" scare you.  I promise that you'll get glowing skin! 

(Also, I have oily skin but this great cream hasn't broken me out at all.  Score!) 

You can purchase on Amazon.com HERE for $22 (+$4.49 shipping).  I got mine from a haul Amy brought back for me, so I'm not sure exactly how much mine cost.

XOXO

-K

P.S.

I've gotten compliments on my skin from a stranger and my auntie since I started using this product.  Of course, Auntie has to say those things! :-P  

Email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com

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All items were purchased by Orange Lipstick for personal use and review purposes.

I'm no expert but...

I come from a Communication background and have journalism experience so I know that it’s really important to identify your sources.  However, there are some beauty things that I know; things I’ve learned throughout the years.  I can’t quote you exactly how I know these things – but I do.  Let me share my wisdom. ;-)

• NEVER EVER sleep with makeup on.  I can’t even begin to tell you how bad this is for your skin.  Google “sleeping in makeup” and you’ll find plenty of insight into why this is bad.  Basically, makeup blocks your pores and while that’s okay for a little while, it’s really bad for overnight.  Your skin needs time to breathe and release sebum from your pores.  Also, leaving eye makeup on overnight can cause infections – ick!  I know what you’re thinking, “But, K, sometimes I’m just too tired to wash my face at night!”  Well, I’m here to tell you that there’s no excuse!  Keep a pack of makeup remover wipes on your bedside table so that you can remove your makeup quickly.  Know what else works well?  Baby wipes!  You must, must, must remove your makeup before bed.

I use the Equate Facial Cleansing Towelettes ($5.97)

Photo taken from Walmart's website

• On that same note:  You MUST wear SPF every. single. day.  Excuses for not doing this range from “Well, I need some sun” to “I’m never outside!” to “I don’t like the way it smells.”  Don’t make excuses for leaving off SPF.  You’ll thank me 20 years from now when your skin looks more youthful and has less age spots and wrinkles.  Oh, and SPF in your foundation is NOT enough.  You need about the size of a shelled almond worth of sunscreen to adequately cover your face.  Don’t skimp on the SPF, either.  You need at least SPF 15, if not SPF 25.  I recommend Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 ($9.99).

Photo taken from Walmart's website

• In reference to number 2, the only time you SHOULDN’T wear SPF is when you have a big event where you’re going to be photographed a lot.  Proms, weddings, photoshoots, formal occasions, etc. are all events where you might want to skip SPF, as it can sometimes give a white-ish cast to the face.  

• If you’re doing a dramatic eye, skip the dramatic lip.  Makeup (like life) is about balance.  You know the old rule that if you’re wearing exposed legs you should keep your arms covered?  Same thing here.  If you’re doing a ridiculously smoky black eye, you might want to skip the vampy lipstick.  Too much makeup and you look clownish.

Photo taken from Target's website

• You know that St. Ives Apricot Scrub that you have sitting in your shower?  The one that you dutifully wash your face with?  STOP.  Stop doing that.  Take the advice of someone who decimated the pores on her nose with St. Ives.  The tiny apricot seed pieces that exfoliate are jagged and irregular, meaning that they can actually TEAR your pores.  EWW!  Despite the claims of many, many products, you cannot shrink your pores.  (Unless you go to a dermatologist and have a chemical injection.  I’m talking about at-home stuff here.)  So once you tear your pores and stretch them out, you’re kind of stuck.  I used to have large pores on my nose and I thought I was really going to clear them out with St. Ives.  Lo and behold, I actually made them bigger and more noticeable.  St. Ives is great for your skin, but STOP using it on your face.  Instead, pick an exfolliator with spherical beads.  Round beads don’t snag your pores and stretch them out.  I recommend Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub ($7.45 for 5 oz).

Photo taken from Amazon.com

• Don’t bite your nails.  Not only is it a nasty habit, it puts germs in your mouth.  Ick!  And, it’s bad for the nails.  Just stop, okay?!  One way to prevent this is to keep your digits polished.   Much harder to bite when they’re covered with pretty polish!  You can also buy ill-tasting products to put on them to help you stop.  One such product is Mavala Stop ($11).

Photo taken from Amazon.com

• Don’t over-twease your brows.  I’ve done it…it’s bad.  Enough said.  

Photos taken from Tweezerman's website

• Popping pimples is bad – really bad.  It can cause lots of scarring and make pimples worse.  Nothing worse than a big infected place on your face.  As tempting as it is, try to leave them alone.  

• If you can do it, please line your waterline.  When I was first learning about makeup, my mom taught me how to line my waterline and then line along my lashes.  Thank goodness!  I thought everyone knew how to do this and was shocked when they didn’t.  It’s called tight-lining and it makes your eyes look more defined and your lashes look fuller.  Tight-lining also can involve going between each individual lash to make the eyes really pop.  I only do that on special occasions when I have enough time; however, I find that lining the waterline and the lashline is normally enough.

• I can tell you where a learned this tip.  I told a salesman at Sephora that I was having trouble shading my crease – why didn’t it look right?!  He told me that closing your eye completely and trying to fill in the crease is not the right tactic.  Instead, close your eye about halfway.  This will be a more natural crease than if you close them all the way.  Buff in tiny circles with a blending brush and voila! 

Sephora Collection Pro Crease Brush #10

Photo taken from Sephora's website

• Don’t leave home without something on your lips.  (That’s my mother’s advice!  And she’s right – everyone looks a little better with some color on their lips!)

• Find your best feature and highlight it.  High cheekbones?  Make sure you hit those babies with some bronzer to make them stand out!  Beautiful eye color?  Keep your eye makeup as your central focus.  If you don’t know what your best feature is, ask someone close to you like a parent or best friend.  They’ll tell you the truth!  For me, I’ve always liked my teeth, so I think it’s fun to wear interesting lip colors.  It draws people’s attention to my teeth and that’s where I like it!

• If you don’t have oil-blotting papers with you, grab a paper napkin.  The cheaper the better!  Starbucks has some excellent napkins for blotting.  (Dang, how do I know that?!)  Click here to see Makeup Alley's review! 4.8/5!!!

• Oily skin needs moisture, too.  In fact, sometimes our faces produce oil in response to the fact that we aren’t getting enough moisture!  Our face rushes to make up for our dried-out skin by producing oil.  Make sure you moisturize each night!  I recommend Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream ($6.71).  

Photo taken from Amazon.com

• Here are two lipstick tips for you.  First, you can make your lip color really pop by applying your foundation over your lips.  Then apply your lipstick and make sure to blot with a tissue.  Just put the tissue between your lips and close down, pursing your lips.  That’s an old, old tip but still worth sharing!

Like I’ve said before – I’m no expert.  However, these are beauty tips that I think you’ll find useful!  

Do you have any tips that you’ve learned along the way?  What ones have I forgotten?  I’m sure a bunch will come to me as soon as I publish this!

XOXO

-K

Email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com

Tweet me at OrangeLipstickK

Find me on Facebook at Orange Lipstick Blog

A skincare miracle for under $5!

One of my Holy Grail beauty items is probably residing in your bathroom cabinet RIGHT NOW.  In fact, your mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, and best friend probably all have it in their bathroom cabinets, too.  

This item can be bought in any drugstore, grocery store, and maybe some gas stations.  It’s cheap, too:  I got mine for less than $5.

To call this item a miracle might be overstating it…but not by much.  It has positively revolutionized my skin.

By now you’re probably standing in front of your flung-open bathroom cabinets wondering what I’m talking about.  Here’s my secret…don’t tell anyone…

Milk of magnesia.  

(Photo taken from the Walgreens website)

That’s right, my HG skin-care miracle is used to relieve constipation.  Or in my case, excessive oiliness.  I first saw milk of magnesia blogged about by a guest writer named Sam on Makeup and Beauty Blog (HERE) and later on Pink Sith (HERE).  Figuring I had nothing to lose, I picked up a bottle of the generic stuff at my local Walgreens.  

Now, you have to understand that I have really oily skin.  Like, really oily.  I finish my makeup by 6:45 am each morning and my face looks like an oil slick by 8 am.  No amount of primers, powders, or mattifying foundations did anything.  You know those little blotting papers?  Yeah, I could fill up two to three of those a day…sometimes four.  It was gross.

(Photo taken from the Walgreens website)

That’s where milk of magnesia comes in.  I can’t even begin to explain to you the science behind how this works.  Like I said, it’s just a miracle.  In the morning, I use a small triangular sponge or a couple cotton balls to gently daub this on to my face.  You want to make sure you get a nice, thin layer over your entire face.  If you apply too heavily, you’ll get an eerie white cast to your face:  not cute.  Start with a small amount of the product and build.  I focus especially on my T-zone.  I tried to take before and after pictures; however, my camera just wasn't accurately showing just how much this product helped.

You’ll notice that your face is immediately made matte.  I’ll say that it takes about two weeks for this product to really reach full effectiveness; however, you’ll see results immediately!  The first day I did this, I didn’t need a blotting sheet until lunch time and even then I didn’t use the whole sheet.

After continued usage, you’ll find that your face is dramatically less oily.  Now I use one blotting sheet per day, right after work.  I find that this has even helped improve my skin quality:  On days that I don’t apply makeup, my face still doesn’t get oily as fast as it used to.

All in all, this is spectacular for us shiny-faced gals.  I don’t recommend it for normal to dry skin, as it could be irritating and drying.  As with any cosmetic, always do a patch test first to make sure this won’t irritate your skin.

Seriously, pick some up.  Or, better yet, just borrow a little bit from someone you know before committing to a whole bottle.  Either way, make it happen!  You won’t regret it!  

XOXO

-K

P.S.

Feel free to email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com or tweet me at OrangeLipstickK

All items were purchased by Orange Lipstick for personal use and review purposes.