Acne, blotchy-ness, redness, & dry spots Part III

And so, this little series comes to an end. For the third part of these skin concerns I want to focus a little more on makeup and not skin care. Today I am going to talk about two products that are helpful for me when I have these skin concerns (or even when I do not): mineral foundation (specifically loose powder but there are other forms) and bronzer. I want to preface this with the statement that I know not all of these products will work for everyone nor will these routines. I am trying to get sort of a broad-base perspective. If you would like some specific suggestions, please feel free to ask me or check out some of the apps I talked about in my last post, do research on other websites, etc. 

Here are some mineral foundations that I like:

1) Physicians Formula Mineral Wear: I am always impressed with Physicians Formula products. I like this one because it is inexpensive and does not make my skin look weird or get oily. I think mineral powder lets you have great, buildable coverage and it is good for any skin type. Not all kinds work for all skin types, though. I have combination skin and this works really well for me. I have sensitive skin and this is hypoallergenic, which is a huge plus for me as well. You can buy this at pretty much any drug store and Walmart. They also have some with SPF, but I have not seen it in stores. I also have not looked that hard so I am sure it is there since it is online. There are 9 colors.

2) bareMinerals Foundation: This mineral foundation has its ups and downs for me. I do not like how 'heavy' the coverage is on me. I looks pretty but it makes me feel like a, dare I say it, cake face. That is definitely not suiting for me. I like the matte version much better because when I use the regular version my skin is oily by the end of the day. One thing I really like about this though is that it has broad spectrum SPF 15 in it. It is still ideal to use a moisturizer with SPF in it as well, and do touch-ups as needed. It is a little expensive but a little goes a long way. I will say that I like a lot of their products in general, as well. bareMinerals is sold online, in stores, and in salons. It is pretty accessible and there are 20 colors. 

3) Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation: This is what I am using at moment, in Ivory 2. I love the coverage with this one. Not too much, not too little. It is not a matte powder but it definitely controls my oil (like Physicians Formula does, but maybe a tiny bit better). They do not make a foundation with SPF but they do have a foundation primer (SPF 15) and tinted moisturizer (SPF 20) with sunscreen.  Price-wise it is in between the bareMinerals and the Physicians Formula. This has 12 colors. 

Okay so there are a TON more mineral foundations but there are some to get you started. Now on to the bronzers...

1) Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips: See? I told you I love this brand. This is what I am using right now. It is great because it has a gradient of colors so you can go darker or lighter, depending on your skin tone and what you're going for. You can also use this as an eyeshadow, which I love. It works well as eyeshadow and it is great for traveling if you are not trying to take too many products with you. They have a lot of different kinds of bronzers and even different colors in this specific style. I use the Waikiki Strip/Peachy Glow Bronzer right now.

2) Too Faced Endless Summer 16+ Hour Bronzer: I have actually not tried this one but it gets awesome reviews everywhere. I have looked at a lot of 'best bronzer' articles and it is named in almost every one, as well. There is only one color in this, so it will not fit every skin tone I am sure. That is one thing to remember with bronzers: it is important to go with one that compliments the shade and tone of your skin. A bonus to this product is that it is long-lasting and cruelty-free. It says that it has buildable coverage, which is something that is really important for me. Simple and natural. 

Let me know what you use or if you would like a suggestion for you skin tone. Or any other thoughts, comments, or suggestions. This wraps up this three-part skin series! What should I cover next?

Ciao, bellas!

☮gretchen elizabeth

Please note, I am not paid to do these reviews nor am I doing this for the benefit of any company. It is just my own personal opinions, experiences, likes and dislikes!

A whole new me

Okay, so not really a whole new me. But different since I haven't posted on this since before my 21st birthday and I am almost 6 months past my 22nd. I'm trying to decide why I still have a blog. I haven't posted on it since February of 2011. So let's see... people who are reading this already know me most likely.
As you know, I am going to graduate school at GU here in Spokane for Community Counseling. I actually start TUESDAY! I am equally excited and nervous because I know it will be challenging, emotional, and a lot of work. But I also know it is going to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life!

So since May I have: graduated, went to Ireland/Northern Ireland, went camping, watched the dogs swim and play in the river a lot, went to an IMAX movie (batman!), moved across the country with two uhauls/dogs/vehicles, started a new job, did orientation for grad school, had our three year anniversary, ate too much food, joined a gym, got a new computer, got my jeep fixed, got my eyebrows reshaped, took my dogs to get 'posh paws' at Petco, ate some of the best fruit I've ever had, did some salsa dancing, partied at a gay club, went shopping, bought curtains and a sweet rug, moved Drew back to KS =( [just for the semester, tho], surprised my family by coming home for a couple days, drove back across the US, zip lined over a mountain canyon, rode an alpine coaster down a mountain, went to an off leash dog park and got dragged two feet by my dogs resulting in 'road rash' [interesting story], watched pretty much every episode of Nip/Tuck, flew back to WA from KS, put Tyson on a diet, walked across the bridge over Spokane Falls, hiked around a national (or maybe state) park, got up at 5-5:20 am almost every single day =O... annnnd plenty more.

So yes, I have had a great summer. I am ready to start grad school! I don't know anyone here (besides D & R and Erin and her little boys) and I have no friends so hopefully I will make friends in school. Not that I will have time to have a social life outside of school and school functions, anyway... haha.
And maybe I will resurrect this blog. Or maybe I will post on it once a year.

Who knows.

☮gretchen elizabeth

All I'm tryin' to say is you should know me like that

So I'm not really doing this as much as I would have hoped but I've been vuuurrry busy as of late. Today was a pretty easy-going day. I had an interview (that lasted forever... over 1 1/2 hours!), in psych. stats we just took research surveys for extra credit since Dr. Naylor is in Denver with the other psych professors, ANNND then I got to go to work for my call in way early, which is nice because I'd much rather work earlier than later. Right now I'm just killing a little bit of time, waiting on Drew pretty much. HE IS WORKING IN THE FREAKING GARAGE WITH ALEX AGAIN!! I capitalized it to express my discontent, haha. We don't get to spend a ton of time together because we are both pretty busy, especially me, and he told me we'd hang out tonight and look what he's doing... bahh.
Anyway, on a happier note I am running for Psychology Club President! (MAKE SURE YOU GO TO MARTIN ALLEN IN THE MAIN OFFICE AND VOTE FOR ME MONDAY AND TUESDAY! Every vote counts and I need as many as possible, I know I have contenders!) I'm pretty excited about it. I haven't been involved with things as much as I'd like to and I'd really like to get super-involved with psychology club. I also want to join UAB and do more work with Up 'Til Dawn. Speaking of UTD I got some pretty address labels in the mail from St. Jude's recently, hehe... which is awesome because I really needed some!
I'm fairly excited to be done with this semester. Most of my teachers decided to give more papers, projects, and homework. Yayyy. =/ Actually, I take that back. ALL of my teachers are torturing my poor soul. I will only have a couple weeks of a break since I'm taking two summer classes and either one or two geoscience field trips. It will keep me pretty busy along with work, that is for sure! And in the fall I am taking quite an array of classes but I will discuss those at a later time. Well, I might be having some good news to share (about more than one thing, too!) here pretty soon... let's keep our fingers crossed. I think this is a good note to end on. You will be hearing from me soon. =)

☮gretchen elizabeth