So there comes a time in life when you realize...things just arent working out. You give and don't get anything in return. You continue to put your time and energy into something, and realize it is going no where. It fights back for no reason when you just want to love it.
Sadly...this is where I am right now. With my face! My freakin' face. I wish my face could like get an apartment on the other side of town and figure out if it wants to stay in this relationship with me or not instead of just acting out all the gotdamn time.
For like the past two weeks, it has just been insane. Maybe that is why I have not been blogging. My nights are spent researching remedies and right now, anything short of a face transfusion is not going to make me happy.
Yeah, yeah, yeah...I get the whole natural hair face break out war. You allow your hair to grow naturally with no chemicals. You put natural oils in your hair, your hair gets longer and as a big F' you, your face becomes jealous of the relationship you now have with your hair and reacts like a big freakin' teenager.
I just pray, pray, pray, it will recover and one of the 17 things I have tried in the past month will work. Because if I have to walk around with the scars of what this face did to me, only because I grew some freakin' rock star awesome hair, I just don't know if I can continue the relationship.
I'm not even going to go through with ya'll all the stuff I've tried. But if you have any suggestions on something to try, please comment. Comment now, you better. Don't go keeping no secrets when you see me crying our for help. Save my face!
I did get in with one of the best determatologist in DC, however, the appointment is 2 months out almost. And I fear, by that time, I will be straight paper bag status. UGH! I'm frustrated.
Wish me luck...that my mini-remedies will work until I get in with Dr. Magic Face. Pray for my face, that it learns to love me again.
Showing posts with label Skin Care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skin Care. Show all posts
Friday, March 11, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Facial
So this week I had one of the most amazing facials.
The facial...was about 90 minutes and included a massage and was extremely beneficial for my mind and body. It included extreme exfoliating, cleaning, massaging and a lesson on natural skin care...my fav. As you know I'm on a mission for find natural awesome inexpensive ways to care for my skin and hair.
So the awesome advice...same as I hear with natural black hair, be easy. We don't need all the chemicals, scrubs, astringents. We have to be tender with our skin. I was instructed to wash my face with honey only! And if I need an exfoliant to use honey with a little fine sea salt mixed in. As a toner, she swears by the ACV, so I'm trying that with a cotton ball and cut with water. As a moisturizer I have Tamanu oil. This is a "miracle" all natural oil that has so many anti-bacterial and healing properties. I will do a full review on this oil and this regiment in a couple of weeks. Hopefully it won't go from sugar to ish like the OCM did.
For now, I'm enjoying my fresh face, my makeup lays awesome when I wear it and I feel great. I believe I will be adding facials to my monthly splurge:-)
The facial...was about 90 minutes and included a massage and was extremely beneficial for my mind and body. It included extreme exfoliating, cleaning, massaging and a lesson on natural skin care...my fav. As you know I'm on a mission for find natural awesome inexpensive ways to care for my skin and hair.
So the awesome advice...same as I hear with natural black hair, be easy. We don't need all the chemicals, scrubs, astringents. We have to be tender with our skin. I was instructed to wash my face with honey only! And if I need an exfoliant to use honey with a little fine sea salt mixed in. As a toner, she swears by the ACV, so I'm trying that with a cotton ball and cut with water. As a moisturizer I have Tamanu oil. This is a "miracle" all natural oil that has so many anti-bacterial and healing properties. I will do a full review on this oil and this regiment in a couple of weeks. Hopefully it won't go from sugar to ish like the OCM did.
For now, I'm enjoying my fresh face, my makeup lays awesome when I wear it and I feel great. I believe I will be adding facials to my monthly splurge:-)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
My Remedies: OCM Issues
So, one of my besties saw my distress on the blog and sent me some awesome tips. She is also a natural girl and likes cooking up her own recipes, like me for skin and hair. I think she is way better at it than me because she has been at it for longer, so I CAN'T WAIT until she starts her blog so I can get some daily tips!!!
Some tips that I am trying now to help my breakouts, fakeouts whatever are as follows:
1. Taking makeup off with OCM (Castor Oil, etc mix)
2. Washing face following OCM with Hollywood Black Soap
3. Adding honey/cinnamon to face following the Black Soap to replenish moisture and help with breakouts
4. Adding a little more ACV to Green Tea to tone
5. Moisturize with coconut oil at night and coconut lotion in am
I've never used coconut on my skin. It seems so sweet, it seems so sinful to use on my skin, but I'm going to give it a whirl. I don't have any coconut lotion right now, but I may just try to use the aloe alone or coconut oil alone. I really like the moisturizer mix I use and it keeps my makeup on fabulously through the day. I don't want to loose the awesome moisture and smoothness I have in my face now, I just want to loose the super painful huge breakouts I'm having.
My plan this year is to try new things, for at least a month, before I give it up, so a week more of the OCM and we'll see how I'm feeling.
Some tips that I am trying now to help my breakouts, fakeouts whatever are as follows:
1. Taking makeup off with OCM (Castor Oil, etc mix)
2. Washing face following OCM with Hollywood Black Soap
3. Adding honey/cinnamon to face following the Black Soap to replenish moisture and help with breakouts
4. Adding a little more ACV to Green Tea to tone
5. Moisturize with coconut oil at night and coconut lotion in am
I've never used coconut on my skin. It seems so sweet, it seems so sinful to use on my skin, but I'm going to give it a whirl. I don't have any coconut lotion right now, but I may just try to use the aloe alone or coconut oil alone. I really like the moisturizer mix I use and it keeps my makeup on fabulously through the day. I don't want to loose the awesome moisture and smoothness I have in my face now, I just want to loose the super painful huge breakouts I'm having.
My plan this year is to try new things, for at least a month, before I give it up, so a week more of the OCM and we'll see how I'm feeling.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
OCM Breakout
So, this is like week 3 of the OCM and I'm starting to experience some breakouts. I'm not sure if they are related to the OCM, the cold weather, or...my period about to start in like a week (I know that may be TMI). I'm so confused, and irratated.
Why oh why couldn't I be blessed with the sweet smooth skin like oooohhhh, every other woman I know! I have this combination, oily, dry, random a&& skin! Random, random skin. Skin that can't take any one treatment for more than 2 weeks without needing a change.
Hey, maybe my skin is a reflection of me...I do like a lot of change. My hair, my job, outfits...hmmmm...my skin may be letting me know its time for a change in other areas of my life. Who knows.
For now, I plan to change up my OCM. I'm going to only do it once a day at night. In the am I will refresh with water, tone and moisturize. I have changed the toner from so much apple cider vinegar to mostly green tea and only a cap full of ACV. My moisturizer has stayed the same because I love the feeling. I also changed the oils I'm using. Today, I added mostly grapeseed, about 10% Jojoba, 25% Castor Oil, and a couple of drops of Tea Tree oil. Well see by the end of the week whats really good with that mix.
Why oh why couldn't I be blessed with the sweet smooth skin like oooohhhh, every other woman I know! I have this combination, oily, dry, random a&& skin! Random, random skin. Skin that can't take any one treatment for more than 2 weeks without needing a change.
Hey, maybe my skin is a reflection of me...I do like a lot of change. My hair, my job, outfits...hmmmm...my skin may be letting me know its time for a change in other areas of my life. Who knows.
For now, I plan to change up my OCM. I'm going to only do it once a day at night. In the am I will refresh with water, tone and moisturize. I have changed the toner from so much apple cider vinegar to mostly green tea and only a cap full of ACV. My moisturizer has stayed the same because I love the feeling. I also changed the oils I'm using. Today, I added mostly grapeseed, about 10% Jojoba, 25% Castor Oil, and a couple of drops of Tea Tree oil. Well see by the end of the week whats really good with that mix.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
My face so far...
I have struggled with face issues for like...ever! I have... I don't know what kind of skin, I'd just say irrational! I get lots of breakouts and have a super dry nose and chin and oily checks and forehead. Crazy!
I have used EVERYTHING under the sun for this. Neutrogena, Biore, Oil of Olay, Dove, and prescriptions from my doctor (at like $100 a pop!).
One of my favorite bloggers discusses and alternative to commercial cleansers and I decided to give it a try. The MoptopMaven showed me the light with the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). If you click on her name, it will take you to the post where this method is discussed. Her skin is beautiful!!!
The OCM basically teaches the user to use oil only to clean your face. It may sound crazy but after almost 2 weeks, I can say, it has totally changed my skin more than any of the other crap I've used before. I want this moment for life!
I love finding out new things, stuff we have been sleeping on and this is really it for me! Using this method has reduced my winter dryness and started to heal blemishes that have been on my face for years. Lady K told me "Mommy, your face is pretty" and I didn't even have on makeup! This was also followed by "Mommy can I have a donut?" but I am taking all the compliments I can get!
So, what is my regimen for my face utilizing the moptops' suggestions:
1. Clean - I mix a small container with about 5 tablespoons of castor oil (pure or organic is best) and 5 tablespoons of grapeseed oil. I put about a dime to quarter size of the mixture in my hands, and distribute on my face. I apply it like I am exfoliating, in a circular motion. I rub the mixture into my face and neck for about 2 minutes. Once complete I heat a washcloth (use 1 washcloth each day or more if you are removing makeup). I get the water as hot as I can stand it, wring out, and apply the hot steamy cloth to my face. I leave the washcloth on until it cools off. This is the part I totally love. It is like a mini facial. I repeat this for about 2-3 times (or more if I have time because it feels awesome). I then use the washcloth to wipe away the oil. Be sure to totally wipe the oil away (don't forget the chin and neck). Last step, rinse face with a splash of cool water to close those pores you opened up with the steam.
*I recommend you research which oils work best for you and the effects. There are lots of articles if you google oil cleansing method. Olive oil is mentioned most, however, this oil drys my skin and hair, so I use grapeseed. But you will find through trial and error what works best for you.
2. Tone - So I am not a fan of extra steps, but toner is really important to keeping your face tight. I can say since using this for the past 2 weeks, my face is doing great. I use a natural remedy again for this. A lot of bloggers use green tea, but I didn't have this so I just used regular Lipton's tea. This is black tea, which can be good too and has the same antioxidants that green tea is known for. I steeped 3 tea bags, cooled the tea, and then added to a small container with about 5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. And that's the toner! My DH hates the smell of the vinegar and for the past 2 weeks talks about it EVERY TIME I put it on. But he compliments my awesome face, so its a trade off!
3. Moisturize - I am recovering from lots of acne scars. A lot of people who use the OCM pick one of the oils and use it as a moisturizer. I would use whichever is the secondary oil you use with the castor oil in the OCM. I use grapeseed as my moisturizer. This can be used alone, however, I use it with about 60% pure aloe vera gel and 40% grapeseed oil. The aloe vera gel has a lot of awesome benefits which I will discuss one day, but it feels great and really cooling to your face. This has been THE ONLY thing that keeps my nose from peeling during the day.
4. Spot treatments - Most of use always have those blemishes that come up during that time of the month. I used to used a super expensive gel from the dermatologist, but now...of course...natural. The one concoction I love right now is 2 tablespoons of honey to one teaspoon of cinnamon. Yes, its super sweet, gooey and I have licked it off my fingers after mixing and applying lol. You apply this mixture to each blemish, rub in and keep on for about 15 minutes. The above recipe is enough for about 2 weeks (depending on your blemishes). I'm telling you, the next day the blemish is gone or severely reduced. Some people keep it on all night, but I haven't figured out how to make it stick so it won't rub off all night.
I've only started these treatments in the last couple of weeks so I will post some pix of my face sans makeup now and more in a couple of months. My last videos posted were make up free (unfortunately lol), but I will get some closeups to document my changes. I will also take some pix of the containers, oils and mixtures, etc because these have been beneficial to me in trying to figure out what the ___ people are talking about.
Wish me luck!
I have used EVERYTHING under the sun for this. Neutrogena, Biore, Oil of Olay, Dove, and prescriptions from my doctor (at like $100 a pop!).
One of my favorite bloggers discusses and alternative to commercial cleansers and I decided to give it a try. The MoptopMaven showed me the light with the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). If you click on her name, it will take you to the post where this method is discussed. Her skin is beautiful!!!
The OCM basically teaches the user to use oil only to clean your face. It may sound crazy but after almost 2 weeks, I can say, it has totally changed my skin more than any of the other crap I've used before. I want this moment for life!
I love finding out new things, stuff we have been sleeping on and this is really it for me! Using this method has reduced my winter dryness and started to heal blemishes that have been on my face for years. Lady K told me "Mommy, your face is pretty" and I didn't even have on makeup! This was also followed by "Mommy can I have a donut?" but I am taking all the compliments I can get!
So, what is my regimen for my face utilizing the moptops' suggestions:
1. Clean - I mix a small container with about 5 tablespoons of castor oil (pure or organic is best) and 5 tablespoons of grapeseed oil. I put about a dime to quarter size of the mixture in my hands, and distribute on my face. I apply it like I am exfoliating, in a circular motion. I rub the mixture into my face and neck for about 2 minutes. Once complete I heat a washcloth (use 1 washcloth each day or more if you are removing makeup). I get the water as hot as I can stand it, wring out, and apply the hot steamy cloth to my face. I leave the washcloth on until it cools off. This is the part I totally love. It is like a mini facial. I repeat this for about 2-3 times (or more if I have time because it feels awesome). I then use the washcloth to wipe away the oil. Be sure to totally wipe the oil away (don't forget the chin and neck). Last step, rinse face with a splash of cool water to close those pores you opened up with the steam.
*I recommend you research which oils work best for you and the effects. There are lots of articles if you google oil cleansing method. Olive oil is mentioned most, however, this oil drys my skin and hair, so I use grapeseed. But you will find through trial and error what works best for you.
2. Tone - So I am not a fan of extra steps, but toner is really important to keeping your face tight. I can say since using this for the past 2 weeks, my face is doing great. I use a natural remedy again for this. A lot of bloggers use green tea, but I didn't have this so I just used regular Lipton's tea. This is black tea, which can be good too and has the same antioxidants that green tea is known for. I steeped 3 tea bags, cooled the tea, and then added to a small container with about 5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. And that's the toner! My DH hates the smell of the vinegar and for the past 2 weeks talks about it EVERY TIME I put it on. But he compliments my awesome face, so its a trade off!
3. Moisturize - I am recovering from lots of acne scars. A lot of people who use the OCM pick one of the oils and use it as a moisturizer. I would use whichever is the secondary oil you use with the castor oil in the OCM. I use grapeseed as my moisturizer. This can be used alone, however, I use it with about 60% pure aloe vera gel and 40% grapeseed oil. The aloe vera gel has a lot of awesome benefits which I will discuss one day, but it feels great and really cooling to your face. This has been THE ONLY thing that keeps my nose from peeling during the day.
4. Spot treatments - Most of use always have those blemishes that come up during that time of the month. I used to used a super expensive gel from the dermatologist, but now...of course...natural. The one concoction I love right now is 2 tablespoons of honey to one teaspoon of cinnamon. Yes, its super sweet, gooey and I have licked it off my fingers after mixing and applying lol. You apply this mixture to each blemish, rub in and keep on for about 15 minutes. The above recipe is enough for about 2 weeks (depending on your blemishes). I'm telling you, the next day the blemish is gone or severely reduced. Some people keep it on all night, but I haven't figured out how to make it stick so it won't rub off all night.
I've only started these treatments in the last couple of weeks so I will post some pix of my face sans makeup now and more in a couple of months. My last videos posted were make up free (unfortunately lol), but I will get some closeups to document my changes. I will also take some pix of the containers, oils and mixtures, etc because these have been beneficial to me in trying to figure out what the ___ people are talking about.
Wish me luck!
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