Face, Skin and Décolleté

I am no beauty queen, nor am I makeup obsessed.  Make-up isn’t something I live for, nor die for. I can leave the house without makeup, though I hardly ever leave without eyebrows or mascara. However, I do know a little something about the trials and tribulations of skin. I was on two rounds of Accutane as a teenager; you know, the heavy stuff. As a result my adult skin is bountiful with large pores, but I probably only get 5 pimples a year max (unless I’m pregnant).  I have slept in makeup most of my life. A few years ago I was with my father and brother. We all have different variations of the same nose. I remember looking at the pores on his nose. I never thought anything of the giant craters, and I am sure he never did either, but it hit me, that was my future nose, and that is no nose for a woman. So after many different experiments with many different skin care products, expensive and cheap, I arrived at the most amazing products in the world, Dr. Hauschka. I definitely want to emphasizes that skin care is leaps and bounds more important than makeup. The goal of skin care is not to have to wear so much makeup, and those that wear tons of makeup generally do not have good skin care. In addition to looking for the best products, I also wanted ethical products, but like with everything, I straddle that grid too.

I should probably include some hysterical joke about the title and what your décolleté is (believe it or not we all have one), but I am struggling for wit right now. My first site of the term was in the Dr. Hauschka brochure with directions to include my décolleté in my beauty procedure. Quite concerned that I might not have a décolleté I googled it. Apparently it is the upper part of a woman's torso. I think in the terms of skin care it means the area between your neck and your breasts, what a simpleton such as myself might call, your chest.

The Brands

AlimaPure sends great, little samples with  all orders

Ethical, Humane, Mostly Vegan:

•             Dr.Hauschka
•             Stila
•             Tarte
•             AlimaPure (supporting small business bonus)
•             PeaceKeppers (they specialize in "cause-metics")

The other side of the grid:

•             Dior
•             Anastasia

The Process

(“process” sounds like it takes a long time, it doesn’t)

Night:

I brush my teeth with homemade toothpaste at night. In the morning I think I need the stronger rat poison stuff. (Homemade: baking soda, coconut oil and peppermint oil)

Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Milk- wash my face with this and warm water (all of these products are meant to be patted into the skin and not rubbed, use Dr. Hauschka’s press and roll method)

Charlie Banana Wipes- I use these wipes and LOVE them for my face. They are really baby bum wipes (though these have never seen a baby’s bottom). They are so soft and two sided. I use the soft side at night and the rougher side in the morning to apply my toner since it isn’t absorbent). I splash my face with cold water after to close the pores.

Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream Light- I like this at night, it is thicker than what I use in the day. You really don’t need as much as is pictured. It smells great and sometimes I find myself petting myself because it is so soft. Dr. Hauschka argues against night creams; however, my skin is always itchy and dry at night, so I use it.

Raw Honey- Occasionally, maybe every week and a half, I put raw honey on my skin before moisturizing. You rub it in and leave it on for a little while, 10-20 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.

Hands- I often use a lot of my face products on my hands when I remember. I personally believe the clearest signs of aging are on people’s necks and hands (even after plastic surgery). Why not treat them like you treat your face?

Morning:

Dr. Hauschka Cleansing  Milk- I wash my face in the shower in the morning; the steam will really pop open your pores.

Dr. Hauschka Facial Toner- Using the rougher side of the cloth wipe I use the toner on my skin and down my neck. Toner is also nice after you work out to wipe off the sweat.

Dr. Hauschka Normalizing Day Oil- I apply about 5 drops all over my face, even my nose! I know it sounds counterproductive to put oil on your face; however, the over production of oil is usually due to dryness. Also, oily skin doesn’t wrinkle as early on as dry skin (the only benefit of oily skin). I find that this stuff causes my face to be less oily throughout the day; in fact, I never have a shiny nose. I am sure most people would be concerned about breaking out from this. I break out from coconut oil on my face, but not this oil.

Kiss my Face- I use this as my all over body lotion when I come out of the shower

Mama Bee Belly Butter- I use this while pregnant on my belly, backside and chest, any area where stretch marks are possible….sometimes even my thighs.

The only downfall to this skin care morning routine is that it doesn’t include sunscreen. Although I am not a crazy supporter of the 100 spf sunscreen nation, I do like a little protection on my face. However, this is something that can be added when needed.

Morning Makeup:

Bare minimum for me means eyebrows and eyelashes. I think I was supposed to be albino. Although my skin is light, I am not insanely fair and my hair is dark. However, my eyebrows, eyelashes and the hair on my body is blond. The only benefit is I can get away with waxing my eyebrows three times a year. I look weird without eyebrow shadow and mascara so those are the two things I usually wear no matter what.

This is my arsenal of make-up I use every day that I go out in public. It takes me about 5 minutes to put my “face” on. My makeup is very light. Obviously, what I do varies depending on the day and season. I don’t wear blush year round, and I don’t wear lipstick every day.

Peace Keeper Eco-Sensual Lipbalm- This is a lip moisturizer; I actually usually put it on right after I use my toner.

Eyes:

Stila Smudge Crayon Eye Primer- I put this all over my eyelids to hold the shadow and liner on throughout the day. I have chronic dry eye and use eye drops throughout the day, this prevents me from looking like a raccoon.

Dr. Hauschka Liner- I put this on top and bottom lids and smudge it a little. As I said, this stuff stays on very well for someone who is always putting eye drops in.

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo- I prefer powder to an eyebrow pencil; it looks way more natural.

Doir Eyeshadow- I have always used this stuff, and I like it a lot. It stays in place, and it isn’t too bold.

Alima Pure Eyeshadow (luminous shimmer)- This is my new favorite, I have their shimmery line, and it isn’t ridiculous for every day use. It stays on well throughout the day.

Mascara:      

Stila- This has a nice thick brush and stays on nicely.

                       

Dr. Hauschka- Sometimes I use this on top of Stilla because it  separates lashes very well. I bought this first, but the alcohol  (I assume that’s what it is) in it made my eyes tear up when I applied it, so now I just use it sparingly. It is a great product though; I think I just have sensitive eyes.

Face:

Alima Pure Concealer- I only use this if I have a pimple

Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation- I love this foundation, and especially love the brush they make as it is extra soft and according to their website, good for sensitive skin. It covers nicely, but lightly and minimizes the look of pores without clogging them like Bareminerals.

Tarte Bronzer- I lightly apply this just about every day as a nice little color pop and healthy glow.
 

Tarte Natural Cheek Stain- This is not only a great creamy blush, but also can be used as lip-gloss!

Peace Keeper Lipstick- This lipstick is nice and doesn’t make my lips look all dry and peely. I maybe use it 2 times a week.

Obviously it is important to do your own research with different products. Both Dr. Hauschka and Alima pure have sample sizes that you can order and try out (Dr. Hauschka it’s a travel pack). Tarte and Stila are available at Sephora if you want to try it and have the option of returning it if you don't like it. See what you like best.