Tips on Getting Over a Break Up

It's funny how someone who was just a stranger at one point, can mean so much to you now. What's sad is that someone who meant so much to you, is now nothing but a stranger. For better or for worse, it's amazing how much can change in certain amount of time for anyone. For me...  I think it's for the better. Break ups suck. People change their minds. We all hit bumps in the road. Most people go through it on some point, so i thought I'd share some tips on what has been helpful for me.

You're allowed to be sad or angry or any other emotion in between
Someone who was once a part of your life, isn't anymore. Go ahead, have a pity party. Cry for a week. Eat chocolate and watch sappy movies. Vent your feelings and frustrations with those close to you. Heck, go have a bon fire and burn all their things. Do whatever you have to do. Its best to get emotions out in some way, and i guarantee that just by doing that, you'll start feeling better.

Give it time
Change doesn't come easy for all of us, but life does go on.You've probably heard it a million times before, but time does heal wounds. Really. It may take a great deal of time, and some days may seem better than others, but it gets better.  Don't get down on yourself if you randomly start thinking about past memories or good times, that's a normal part of getting over someone and it's going to happen. As time goes on though, it'll happen less.

Give yourself distance
How does anyone expect to truly get over someone if you don't spend some distance away from each other? Okay,  I know there are people who claim to be friends with their exes and that's all hunky dory for them, but for most people that's something that's not possible. Well, at least not anytime soon. Trust me when I say it's for the best to avoid all social media. Delete them as a friend, block them. Block their number if they don't leave you alone. At first, I did not do this, and I think it made things worse. There would be times we would not talk and I'd start feeling better, then he would text me and I'd be down again. Let me say it's been over a week since I've blocked him, and I feel so much more at peace. It's better to not be tempted to look at their page and see what they're doing. Or drunk text them one night when you're not yourself. You're moving on. You. Do. Not. Need. To. Know. What. They. Are. Doing.  At some point in the distant future when you're finally over it, I mean really over it, you can decide to unblock them or whatever. When it's fresh, you're doing yourself a favor.

Focus on yourself  
Now is a good time to start focusing on what you love or maybe starting a new hobby or project. If you like exercising, start taking walks more. Focus on being with friends. Focus on new projects. Remember how you said you were going to clean out that closet? Well do it! Remember you said you wanted to take that painting class? Well take it! Distractions can be wonderful things, especially when we are enjoying them. Focus on whatever is going to make you happy. Try out different thing until you find the right thing.

Remember that you deserve better
Whether it's you breaking up with someone or someone breaking up with you, just remember you deserve better. You deserve someone who loves you just as much as you love them. That doesn't always happen the first time around, or maybe even the second or third. I believe things happen for a reason. Somethings fall apart so better things came come together. You'll figure out that reason sooner or later.
 

Michael Todd Soniclear Cleansing System Review

For a while I have been dying to get a facial cleansing brush system of some sort. I constantly saw rave reviews online and demonstrations on youtube of how much these brushes transformed skin. Finally after a lot of debating and research, I decided on what i would get. The Soniclear. If you don't know what the Soniclear is, it's a facial and body cleansing brush by Michael Todd. It's similar to the Clarisonic, which is a more well known facial brush.

What drove me to get the Soniclear and not the Clarisonic was a few things. This website here helped me a lot. It has a comparison chart against the Clarisonic. One of the best things I liked about Soniclear was it's antimicrobial product protection. This meant brush heads would last longer and technically by cleaner. Saving money while protecting from bacteria, what could be better? The battery lasts longer between charges and it's cheaper in the long run with more features included. It also comes with a body brush too.

The only big negative that I can think of is that it does not come with different brush heads for different types of skin like the Clarisonic does, but the brush it does come with did not feel harsh to me.

So when I got my Soniclear in the mail, you could say i was pretty excited to try it. I ended up using my own cleanser, but Michael Todd sells cleansers also on his website. I have yet to try the samples they sent with the brush, so I will have to review that once I try them.The brush has 3 different facial speeds, and it beeps when it's time to change to a new part on your face.

So I used it for 4 days and loved how it made my skin feel so clean. Around that  4th day, I noticed my skin had started to break out so badly. Ever since I've taken Accutane, I have never broken out the way my skin reacted. Now there also were some contributing factors that I think lead to this. I also happened to try my new lush sea salt scrub out too. I think the combination of too much scrubbing on my skin was way too much. I also don't think I had the brush on the appropriate speed for skin that's sensitive. I don't think I realized how sensitive my skin even was, because I saw people use facial brushes as an everyday routine without this issue.

After this occurrence, I obviously never wanted to try that facial brush again. About a month later I decided to try the brush again, but this time only using it once a week to see how my skin reacted. I didn't have any large break outs like before. So I realized what i did wrong. So my suggestion is if you try the brush, slowly introduce my brush into a routine or do not use it as often, especially with any other facial scrubbing products.  It maybe be too harsh of a product for those with very sensitive skin, and maybe not the best product to get, but it does make your face feel very nice. My cleanser lathered up well with it, and I really felt like it got any traces of dirt or make up off my skin.

Would I still recommend this product based off what I experienced the first time I used it? Definitely. Just take into consideration what type of skin you have, and try the product out slowly. Make sure you read the instructions it comes with, and have it on the proper speed. A lot of people have had very positive results with this, and I think it's worth a try if you've been eyeing it for some time.

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick Review

Let me just say I have been dying to try these! I have seen them countless of times when I walk into Sephora or Ulta. When I finally swatched their colors, i just fell in love. I decided to buy the Too Faced Melt Your Heart Out Set which I got here. It includes a 0.40 oz Full size Melted in Peony and a 0.16 oz Deluxe Melted Metallic in Dream House. Getting one full size is 21.00, while this set includes a full and a good size sample for only 25.00. If the color wasn't a color that was universally flattering, I'd probably gone with just a regular full size.

The color Melted in Peony is described as a dusty rose color. It's a light-medium pink shade with a satin finish. As shown in the above photo, it has an angled tip applicator. I thought I wouldn't like an applicator like that, but I felt it was easy to apply. You squeeze the tube and apply. The pigmentation is vivid and opaque.  It's creamy and applies evenly.

I have dry lips and I would say this is not moisturizing on the lips Although, it's not drying either and I felt it was still comfortable to wear. If you do have an issue with it being drying, i find applying a lip balm is a good way to compensate. As I wore it through the day the color lasted, but wasn't as strong as when i first applied it.

Overall, I like this product and I would recommend it to others. I think it's a great product for the summer, and Too Faced has a great selection of colors!

5 Helpful Skincare Tips

We all have things we regret trying on our skin or bad habits that are hard to break. It's going to happen. Somethings we have to learn the hard way. Here are some helpful tips that I have personally learned from my own experience when it comes to skin.

Tip 1: A big one that I'm still in the process of learning is do not, i repeat do not,  pick at your skin under any circumstance. I know it can be so hard for some people. I mean, for something so simple you would think it wouldn't be... It truly is though. Especially for those who have had the habit for a long time. It's true what they say, picking at scabs or acne marks really just prolongs the process. When you pop a pimple, especially one that is not ready, you are only digging bacteria deeper into your skin. It's going to leave the area inflamed and after the inflammation goes away, you'll be left with a nice red mark on your face that will take even longer to go away. Or worse, you'll be left with a scar.  It's just not worth it. Unless the pimple is at a head (white tip on it) just leave it be, it'll be much easier to cover up as well. Nobody wants that! Do yourself and your skin a favor and just leave it.

Tip 2: Along with not popping pimples, leaving your hands off your face in general is another good habit to develop. Usually when i break out, it's around my chin and jaw area. I realize i rest my hand on my face a lot, without really realizing I'm doing it. Just think your hands touch everything. They're loaded with bacteria. It's best to keep them off your face.

Tip 3: When trying out a new product, if possible, test it out on an area of your skin before using it all over your face or introduce it to your skin slowy. I know trying out products can be a  hit or miss, but testing it can save your from having a bad reaction or breaking out from a product. For example, i just got the soniclear (similar to the clarisonic) and because I used it all over everyday, my skin broke out so horribly. I only wish i slowly tested the product out on my skin instead of thinking it would be great for my skin to experience that much exfoliation.What might work for someone else, might not work for you.

Tip 4: Develop a good skin regimen. Sometimes it's fun to try out new products, but once you have something that seems to be working for you, stick with it.

Tip 5: Drink more water. It's super important to stay hydrated, and drinking the recommended amount can rid the body and skin of toxins. Not everyone will agree water will improve your skin, but it certainly can't hurt.

Philosophy Purely New Beginnings Purity Cleansing Collection Trio Review

As soon as I saw this in stores, i knew i HAD to have it. It's a $55.00 dollar set with a value of $85.00. Can you beat that price for all three of these!? Plus they are all pretty good sizes as well. Anyway, I ended up not having to worry because it was a gift to me for my birthday last week.

Plus, the sizes are definitely decent. The set contains:
- 16 oz Purity Made simple One-Step Facial Cleanser
- 5.8 oz Purity Made Simple Mineral Oil-Free Cleansing Oil
- 4 oz Purity Made Simple Mask.

The Purity Made Simple Mineral Oil-Free Cleansing Oil was pretty good at taking off your make up. I tried it when i was using Benefits They're Real mascara and a black liner, which is always the most difficult to get off. I put it on my hands and rubbed it around my eye area and face (dry skin) for a good 30 seconds, then rinsed. For using products that were difficult to get off, it worked pretty well. I had some residue still around my eyes left, but not bad. You'd probably have to use more to get a better result. I am thinking if you put it on a cotton pad and rubbed it into the lashes, it might work better instead of just using your hands. Also make sure you do it for the full 30 to 60 seconds they recommend.

I've tried samples of the purity one-step facial cleanser, and i absolutely loved how it felt on my skin. When you rinse it off, it left your skin feeling clean without that tight dry feeling I have gotten from other cleansers. It does do a good job of taking off my makeup as well, but i did have to go back with some make up remover pads to completely remove my mascara.

The Purity Made Simple Mask is great.  I'm used to clay-based masks, so this was something different for me. You rub it on your face until it turns white, wait 60 seconds, then rinse off. I'm not entirely sure what it's suppose to do for your skin in that 60 seconds but it says it, "Transforms lackluster skin into a radiant, healthy-looking complexion. It’s fortified with mineral-rich, deep-cleansing sea salts to help naturally purify and detoxify, and marine extracts and vitamin E to smooth. Skin is left glowing, supple, and hydrated." I didn't feel any difference when i had it on, but when i took it off my skin felt soft and a clean feeling. It didn't feel over-drying either.

My experience with Accutane

Back in high school, I had moderate acne. I felt like everything i was using was not helping to improve my skin. I remember trying a lot of different facial products with no luck. It was such an awful feeling. I ended up going to the dermatologist who first put me on antibiotics to help, but that didn't last or work out very well. Eventually after trying a few different things, he decided that i should try Accutane.

Now if you don't know what Accutane is, it's a form of vitamin A. It reduces the amount of oil released by oil glands in your skin, and helps your skin renew itself more quickly. He explained to me how if a woman on accutane became pregnant, the baby could have severe birth defects from it. That is why you have to be a part of the iPLEDGE program when you're taking it. You have be registered in the program and sign documents stating that you understand the dangers of this medication and that you agree to use some sort of birth control as required by the program. You also have to answer these simple questions to get your prescription refilled every month while on it. When i went to the dermatologist once a month, i had to have a pregnancy test.  I also had to have blood drawn every other month to check my lipid levels i believe.

You can have multiple side effects when on it, but the ones I experienced was mostly skin dryness. You're basically dry all over. My lips felt so chapped all the time. That was definitely the most awful part about it. I also had an occasional bloody nose at night time due to the dryness as well. That could be prevented by putting a little Vaseline around the nose for some added moisture. The dryness did have an upside for me though because i didn't have to worry about oily hair anymore! I could skip washing it for days. That was a nice change from the daily

Some more serious side effects that can be experienced from the drug that i fortunately didn't have are depressed mood, sudden numbness or weakness, hearing problems, seizures, flu-like symptoms, blurred vision, and joint stiffness. If you do experience any of those, you should call your doctor right away.  

Sounds like a long process huh? Well it was, but I have to say to me, it was worth doing and going through all of that. My skin did clear up after 5 months and i have never felt happier in my own skin. After a year or so, i started breaking out more. I ended up going back on Accutane a second round before high school completed. Not everyone needs this, of course. I think how high of a dose you're on can affect how long you stay clear. I felt like this time the side effects for me were mainly just dealing with being extremely dry.

It's been almost 5 years now.  After my second round was complete, i have only experienced occasional break outs to this day. If i do break out, it's mainly around my chin area or T-zone. I still think it's important to follow a regular skin regimen to maintain healthy skin.

Was it worth going through all of this all over twice? To me, it was. It was truly a miracle drug. I could hardly believe i was looking at the same person, even if i had to go back on a second round. The occasional break outs i get now are NOTHING to like what i was experiencing in high school. So i would highly recommend to anyone with even moderate acne who aren't getting results through anything else to go to the dermatologist. It's really the best thing you can do for yourself. Ask questions and see if Accutane is a good fit for you!

Everyday Face Routine for Acne-prone Skin

First I start by cleansing my face. I use my CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser everyday. My skin tends to by more on the oily side, so the foaming cleanser is perfect for my skin. A few times a week, I follow that with my Alba Boanica AcneDote Deep Pore Wash focused on my t-zone. I wasn't the biggest fan of this at first, but I find that the active ingredient, salicylic acid, helps with blackheads better.

I follow this with my acne.org treatment (benzoyl peroxide 2.5%). I've been using this stuff for a few years now to control breakouts, and i really do absolutely love it. I find that if i'm breaking out at all, this stuff is perfect at taking care of it.

 Since I'm using that treatment on my skin, it tends to get dried out, so i always follow with a good moisturizer.  I've been using my CeraVe moisturizing lotion, and I haven't had any issues with breaking out from it.

If you're looking for a good cleanser or moisturizer, I'd recommend the brands CeraVe or Cetaphil. Those both worked very well for me.