Get up, get dressed, embrace the random and live in purpose.

For the past three weeks, I've been battling a really icky and horrible sinus infection. As a result, I just felt like I've been put behind in my relationships, school work, and physical upkeep. I spent the past week, preparing for tests and papers and I literally felt uneasy. I became very overwhelmed by cracking open a school book or researching for my papers. I realized that I wasn't leaning into my purpose and not giving myself grace. 

My friend recently reminded me that we do have to take our crafts seriously in order to fully operate in them. Whether that entails studying for a test, training for a marathon, or working a carnival as outreach, we have to take fully embrace the purpose. Yesterday I was reminded that I can give myself grace as I embrace my purpose.

I woke up and immediately threw on an outfit because I didn't know if I would be meeting my mentor at a cafe that morning or if I would be relocating to study. My mentor held Bible study here at my place and I kept this outfit on. At the end of the study, she told me she liked my outfit and we randomly had a mini photoshoot outside of my living community. I wore the outfit because it made me feel good.  In the randomness of the "shoot" - I was reminded to seize opportunities and embrace the here and now. 

Outfit:

Levi's Jean Jacket

Top from Marshall's 

Skirt from Old Navy 

Heels from J.Crew

Earrings and Necklace from Target 

I'm totally embracing the randomness and the here and now. 

Remember, no matter what season you are in, you still have purpose <3

xoxo,

Tonyette

This face wash is AMAAAAZING.

So....It's been a while and I am super sorry. My life has consisted of being very busy and very sick (colds and allergies). I've also been making some huge decisions and taking in my time with my family, community, church family, friends, and students before my next steps in life. I've noticed that time waits for no one and I have to appreciate all moments. Okay....enough with the deep stuff lol. Grateful for the beautiful, God-fearing, and lovely Alana and her awesome posts. 

I came by to do a quick review of something I discovered over the past few weeks. I've been looking for a new face wash and I went back and forth between an all natural product like Burt's Bees or going with the powerhouse brands like Neutrogena or Cetaphil.

I have very sensitive, very oily, and acne-prone skin. I've definitely battled with acne - all my life and it's been challenging to find products that help. Nothing has really impressed me in the face wash realm. nothing. But one thing I've noticed is that my face feels so much better and look cleaner when my oil is at bay. Products have been able to control it for a while but not for long periods of time. Once my face produces oil - my face freaks out. 

No face product I've tried has helped me keep the oil at bay until....

Garnier Clean Plus Shine Control Cleansing Gel

I picked this up on a whim. I honestly was like "okay...let me pick another product that might not work..." LOL. Honestly - super jaded. smh. It promised to "remove excess oil and mattify skin". I had never used a product with charcoal in it - but I was willing to give a try. 

After one try - I definitely noticed my face didn't break out in oil after 10 minutes. When I used it the morning before I went to school - my oil was definitely under control for at least 4 hours. When the oil appeared on my face - it was definitely a lot less visible and made my face appear a lot less shiny. I appreciate that it has helped with oil production.

A few things I like:

- A little goes a long way

- Oil is at bay...yeeees

- Cheeaaap - price is around 6 dollars. I've seen it at Walmart for around 5. 

A few things I don't like:

- The smell is gross

- The product is very hard to apply because it is gel. Definitely slips off my hands very fast when I squeeze the bottle -  A pump applicator would definitely be a lot more efficient

I've been using this a few weeks and it has been helpful. Like I said before - my skin looks cleaner and feels better when my oil is at bay.  But it can be very drying so I am using it at least once a day - not twice. I also use a moisturizer in the morning or a little olive oil at night if my face is super dry.  I also like to use products with some acne fighting ingredient such a Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide. This gel doesn't but the Garnier Clean Plus line has a Blackhead Eliminating Scrub with Salicylic Acid and the scrub is for oily skin . This product also has charcoal as it main ingredient. I want to pick this up soon and try it! 

Check out both products on Target - the site has the entire collection grouped together. Garnier Plus has products for all skin types and needs!

I really hope this post is helpful to anyone who may struggle with oily skin. It is the struggle sometimes. 

Comment below

<3,

Tonyette