Life Hack: Get Rid of Mosquito Bites FAST

One of the things I dread most about summer, other than the intense heat and humidity, are the mosquitoes. I cannot express my loathing of those blood sucking vermin enough. Days after they violate you and take your blood, you are left with an obnoxious itchy bump that just won’t stop pestering you! Anti-itch creams like Hydrocortisone only provide temporary relief from the bug bite; it does not shorten its life span.

Luckily enough, I’ve stumbled across a product that solves the problem of itchy bug bites fast. And I mean FAST. That product, my friends, is benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is most commonly used as a topical treatment for acne. 

Photo Credit 

I have oily, acne-prone skin, so a lot of my skin care products are geared towards treating and keeping my skin clear of blemishes. I noticed that if I had a mosquito bite on my face, after applying my skin care at night, the bite would pretty much be gone the next day. Then I had a thought, ‘What if it’s the benzoyl peroxide? If it can dry up pimples what’s it going to do to a mosquito bite?”

I was thrilled to find out that when I applied a product with a high concentration of benzyl Peroxide like the Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 Acne Treatment  to a mosquito bite on my leg, arm, etc. the bite would completely stop bothering me within 30 minutes. Apply a liberal amount as soon as possible, try not to scratch and leave it be. You should notice that within 20 to 30 minutes the bug bites just isn’t bothering you anymore. Within a few hours, you’ll notice that the size of the bite has gone down significantly. It may still itch a tiny bit afterwards for a day or so, but nothing that makes you want to claw your skin off. You can also apply more the next day as needed.

Even if the mosquitoes attack you with a vengeance this summer, you no longer have to suffer for days after scratching at your self like a lunatic. The mosquitoes don’t win this time. Take that blood suckers.

- Alana 

Skin Care 101: Setting the Record Straight About Your PORES

I started getting passionate about skin care about three years ago when I started dealing with non-stop breakouts in my early twenties, during my last year of college. I was determined to find skin care products that would whip my skin back into shape. Searching for new products led to me start researching and learning about skin in general. All of this research also shed some light on quite a few myths that are floating around in the beauty industry.

There are so many myths out there about pores and it blows my mind. There are reputable skin care companies that are stating myths on their products as a marketing ploy to sell more products. They are banking on the concept that the average consumer doesn’t know any better. We also live in the age of YouTube. A lot of self proclaimed “beauty gurus” are also stating these myths. These YouTubers are not proclaiming the gospel! It’s important to do your research! Please, don’t be an average consumer and stop buying into the myths. Then, you’ll have a more realistic expectation on what to expect from your skin care products.

Oh, the rant is just getting started. So please, grab a cup of coffee or tea and get comfy. It’s time to set the record straight about the pores on your face.

Photo Credit

1.     Myth #1: You’re pores open and close.

a.    No! Just no! You pores DO NOT and CANNOT open and close. Period. They are not doors, thus they cannot swing open and closed. Your pores do not have muscular walls that allow for them to contract. You’re pores just are.

b.    Also, hot water/steaming your face does not open your pores and cold water does not snap them shut. Please see above. Steaming your face may help to loosen up dirt in the pore, allowing it to be removed, thus causing the pore to appear smaller. Caution: be careful if you decide to steam your face. If the water is too hot, you can actually damage your capillaries. Not good.

2.     Myth #2: You can shrink your pores.

a.    Again, they do not contract. You pore size is your pore size and is largely determined by genetics and your skin type. Those with more oily skins tend to have larger pores.

b.    There are products that can minimize the appearance of pores, but if you see anything on a skin care product that guarantees to minimize the appearance of your pores, don’t get your hopes up. It may. It may not. I can’t stress this enough, your pores are your pores. Embrace them. Stop obsessing over them. Let them be.

3.     Myth #3: You can get rid of you pores.

a.    You cannot get rid of your pores. Trust me, you don’t want to get rid of your pores. Your pores contain hair follicles and your pores also produce sebum. This sebum travels up the hair follicle and makes its way to the surface of your skin and naturally moisturizes and protects the surface of your skin. Without sebum having a way to make it to the surface (A.K.A: not having pores) your skin would become dry and begin to crack. Ow.

·      If you have large pores/oily skin:

b.    Cleanse your face twice daily (you should be doing this anyway regardless of that skin type you have, but I digress…for now). Clean pores are happy pores. When your pores become clogged with excess sebum and dirt, it can result in the appearance of larger pores (and cause breakouts).

c.     Incorporate Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) into your skin care routine. AHAs, like glycolic acid help to exfoliate the surface of the skin and helping to prevent your pores from becoming clogged with dead skin cells. If you are prone to acne and have oily skin, BHAs are your best friend. Salicylic acid is a BHA and has the ability to not only exfoliate the surface of the skin but penetrate the pore (AHAs cannot penetrate the pore) and exfoliate the pore from within, thus keeping them clear and happy. Remember, we want happy pores!

·      Please. Stop obsessing over your pores. I assure you, they most likely aren’t as bad as you think they are. They have nothing to do with you being a quality person. Sure, smaller pores are deemed by society as being more aesthetically appealing, but the average person could care less. If a person comes up to you and starts critiquing your pores, they are standing way too close and they are way too judgmental. Not someone worth your time.

4.     Products to consider:

a.     A good AHA/BHA cleanser

                                              i.     Try thebalm White Tea Rose Face Cleanser for Normal to Combination Skin.This is a gentle, barely foaming gel cleanser that contains glycolic acid and fruit acids. This cleanser does a great job at keeping the surface of the skin exfoliated, helping to prevent dead skin cells from making their way into your pores in the first place.

b.     A clay mask

                                              i.     Try thebalm Spearmint Aloe Face Mask I like thebalm skin care, can you tell?). This does a good job of drawing things out of the pore without over drying. My skin always looks visibly clearer and calmer the next day. Another nice clay mask as a fraction of the price is the Freeman’s Dead Sea Minerals Facial Anti-Stress Mask. Lovely smell, cool bright blue color and just gets the job done without making your wallet weep.

c.     A good toner

                                              i.     Look for a toner containing glycolic or salicylic acid and try to avoid one containing alcohol. Alcohol can be quite irritating and drying to the skin, causing your skin to produce more oil. I’m still on the hunt for a good toner containing salicylic acid sans alcohol, but for a glycolic acid option, the Mario Badescu Gylcolic Toner is nice. It does tingle a little, but nothing painful. It can be a bit strong, so you may not want to use this one both morning and night if your skin is more on the sensitive side.

d.     A good serum

                                              i.     The Watts Beauty Acne/Wrinkle Serum contains kojic acid, glycolic acid AND salicylic acid. It does not contain silicones if that is something that concerns you. It’s lightweight, gentle on the skin and packed full of beautiful ingredients. It helps to keep pores clear, which can mean clearer skin, while helping to lighten hyperpigmentation. A win-win in my book!

e.     Start looking into anti-aging products

                                              i.     As we age, we begin to lose collagen in our skin, causing the skin to loose its elasticity. This can cause pores to appear larger as the skin begins to droop. Incorporating anti-aging products into your routine can help to slow the process of aging. Start with the basics: make sure your drinking enough water, eat well, don’t be afraid to sweat a little, GET ENOUGH SLEEP and apply SPF. Also, find a good product containing retinol. Retinol is PROVEN to aid in anti-aging. A good product to start with is the Watts Beauty 2.5% Retinol Gel Serum. 

f.      Find a nice primer

                                              i.     To superficially tone down the appearance of your pores, try a make up primer that is designed to  “hide “ your pores and even out the texture of your skin. These primers are generally packed full of silicones, which cause some people to be wary; they cause some people to break out and others are fine. I personally don’t have a problem with them. Silicones help to “fill” in pores, giving the appearance of poreless skin, which also makes makeup apply more flawlessly. Benefit’s Porefessional is a cult classic.

I do feel as if I need this disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist, nor am I an esthetician. The above is information I’ve gathered throughout out the past few years. If you have specific skin care concerns please consult a professional.

I hope this post was helpful. I have quite a few posts planned all about skin care: cleansing, toners, acne, hyperpigmentation, facial oils, etc. If there is anything you would specifically like to read on this blog regarding skin, please let me know and I’ll be happy to do a post on it!

- Alana 

Sometimes you have to tell the mind to shut up

"Sometimes you have to tell the mind to shut up...."

As I discussed something with Alana on last Saturday, I realized I crafted a scenario that did not even exist. One little thought ricocheted into a huge blob of "what if's" and my mind was on overload.

I have to admit,  this is something that I have always battled. As a young girl, I was placed in a new school environment after we moved to another neighborhood. The schoolwork was very challenging and I begin to suffer from pounding tension headaches, which eventually turned into migraines. In high school, I was constantly on the edge because I wondered whether my school performance was perfect and if I would get into a school. In college, those what if's continued and I wondered whether I would make friends, find a future husband, perform well in my classes....it went on and on. The mind chatter was so constant and I suffered from depression for months.

Isn't it crazy how we know what we are supposed to do, but we don't follow through with them? I knew that I had to crash the chatter, but that little thought poked all me for days. Why do we constantly allow the "what if's" to control and interrupt our present states? 99.9 % of the time these thoughts will never come to fruition.  Negative thoughts lead to stress, anxiety, or depression. They paralyze us and can keep us from moving towards our destinies and purposes.  Let's face it, they serve no purpose for you...no purpose for me. 

I have found several ways to shut up the negative thoughts. Yes, they love to peek back up from there tragic seats, but I have had to learn how to use these techniques to make sure they stay down.

1.) Breath deeply - breathing has been a way to center me and slow my heart rate down if I get upset or anxious

2.) Yoga and meditation - There is something about this two beautiful practices that continue to bless me. I took a meditation class my first year of college and we would literally sit or lay down for 45 minutes and practice throwing out the negative or superfluous thoughts.  In this course, I learned that my mind went through A LOT of thoughts in a minute. I learned to just throw away a thought after I initially pondered it. By the end of this course, my mind was so quiet you all! I literally can picture myself picking the thought out of my mind and throwing it out. This practice is called mindfulness and I recommend visiting this site to learn more about practicing it.  Yoga has also helped me breath and appreciate myself. Practicing yoga not only quiets the mind, it manifests the strength of the body and how each part works together to do a pose. Yoga has allowed me to see the beauty of my body and appreciate life. I really recommend taking one! If you can't get to a class, I recommend downloading an amazing app called Yoga Studio . This app is definitely less than 4 dollars and it has 65 ready made classes and you can also craft your classes to fit your needs. I use this at least once a week!

3.) Write, Write, Write! - I find that writing helps calm my mind from excessive thinking. I carry around my planner and I write down everything I need to do for the day. It has been very bare these days due to summer break, but during those busy weeks and months, my planners holds my thoughts about things I should complete. In addition, I journal to get my thoughts, doubts, hopes, and fears on paper. I usually buy my journals for less than five dollars at Marshalls or Ross.

4.) Set realistic goals - I find that it is so helpful to set realistic goals. When we set very stretching goals, we feel horrible if we fail. I recommend starting small and adding on :)

5.) Get out and get active - Run, walk, bike, or go to your gym! Being active is a great way to get your body in shape and release endorphins to make you feel great. I find that my mind is so quiet after being active

6.) ***Just Added*** Also- realize there are different seasons and times for everyone. Each of our lives are individual and unique. We have different paths and it may look completely different from your friend's or your sibling's and that is okay 


7.) Above all these methods, my faith in God has given me so much perspective when I find myself thinking negatively.  I realized that everything has purpose and that I don't have to fear anything because Christ conquered it all. He conquered my anxiousness, stress, and negative thoughts. I am able to live free because of his beautiful sacrifice <3

When I was going through a very hard time last February, I read Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick. This book addresses the power Christians have to crash the paralyzing lies of the enemy.  Steven states “Because the voice you believe will determine the future you experience.”

Wow! What we believe holds so much weight! If you want to hear him speak more on this topic - visit Here :)


I really hope this is helpful! I truly believe you and I can crush these negative thoughts and flourish <3

I have to rush off to celebrate the 4th with my family. Take care and feel free to comment!

<3,

Tonyette

Book Reviews: Cold Mountain, A Clash of Kings and Miracles

What I’m going to start doing is reviewing books in groups of three. This way, I can do concise reviews and knock out a few books at a time and give you all a wider variety of books in one sitting. Here is the first installment and these three books are the ones I knocked off my reading list from January to March.

Cold Mountain by, Charles Frazier. War. Journeys. Mystical. Brutal. Sensual. I put off reading Cold Mountain for a long time. I remember watching the movie in high school and re-watching it in college when I took a Civil War history class. Perhaps I refused to pick up the book because I kept hearing Nicole Kidman’s voice crying “INMAN! INMAN!” and it made me think of class papers and strange interpretations of the Civil War. Nicole Kidman is quite the convincing Southern Belle, might I add. The Civil War is one of my favorite periods in history to study and I’m always intrigued by how it is interpreted in fiction. If you are seeking a Civil War novel that is believable, I’m afraid you may want to look elsewhere. This is a novel about a Confederate soldier, Inman, and his journey home to Ada (aka Nicole Kidman) and how Ada endured through the war on the home front. There is something mystical, ethereal even about Cold Mountain. There were several times while I was reading it when I couldn’t determine if particular events in the story were just dreamy, distorted figments of the characters’ imaginations or “real.” Frazier elegantly blends descriptions of the landscape with the eccentric characters that weave in and out of the novel in a way that makes the reader feel as if they’re reading a dream. I was actually reminded greatly of The Odyssey by, Homer.  This is a story about a man’s journey home from war. Even if the topic doesn’t interest you, I definitely recommend reading it just for Frazier’s beautiful writing style. His prose is very simply put, lovely.

A Game of Thrones: A Clash of Kings by, George R. R. Martin. Intense. Complex. Graphic. Fast-Paced. Fantasy. A Game of Thrones are somewhat intimidating books to attempt to review. There is just so much going on; so many characters, plots and agendas, and there is always the risk of a spoiler alert. How to say just enough without saying too much? A Clash of Kings is the second installment in the Game of Thrones series and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. I always feel A Game of Thrones needs a disclaimer: these are graphic in every sense of the word. The content and language is mature. This is not Harry Potter fantasy. A coworker asked me if it was something their 14-year-old daughter would enjoy. Let me put it this way; if you don’t let your children watch rated R movies yet, you most likely wouldn’t like them reading rated R books – Reader Discretion is Advised. Also, if you are a reader who does not like to read graphic content in general, these books may not be for you. Disclaimer aside, let’s touch very briefly on A Clash of Kings. In a nutshell, the second installment of A Game of Thrones is centered on four individuals who claim to be King. There stems so many sub plots that there isn’t enough time it the day to do them justice. George R. R. Martin expertly marries the main plot with the sub plots in a way that does not overwhelm the reader. The reader knows that everything will weave back together in some shape or form. Keep in mind, all is not resolved, this is a series so by the end of A Clash of Kings, the reader may frantically go to Amazon to purchase the third book and select over night shipping. George R. R. Martin also does not let the reader always have their way. Try not to fall in love with too many of the characters. Rest assured, death is inevitable. I do like it when an author isn’t afraid of killing characters off. That’s how life is; you don’t always get what you want. And there is something dark lurking in the background of the plot: something dark, chilling, eerie and horrifying. And remember, winter is coming.

Miracles by, C.S. Lewis. Philosophical. Theology. Persuasive.  Challenging. Intellect. The only other work of C.S Lewis I have read has been The Screwtape Letters (a great read, I highly recommend). I really enjoyed The Screwtape Letters and was eager to read something else by Lewis. Let me just get to it. I initially really liked Miracles when I first started reading it. However, the more I read it, the more I struggled to get through it. After a while it was like trudging through a foot of snow. You’re excited at first and then the cold starts to find its way through the seams of your clothing and through your boots and you get tired of struggling through the dense wet snow. You think to yourself, “I don’t have time for this. Why is this taking so much effort?”  In Miracles, Lewis is arguing that in Christianity, God uses miracles as a way to show His involvement and presence in our everyday lives. Lewis uses logic and rationality to support his argument as an attempt to appeal to cynics and rationalists. I like Lewis’s ideas; I just think he took too long to get there. I’m a very patient reader. I don’t mind dense material and I will stick with it. I just couldn’t stick with Miracles. I got bored, lost my interest and you know what I did? Something I almost never do. I didn’t finish the book. I had about 100 pages left and I threw my hands up and said, “Nope!” Lewis went around in so many circles and used too many convoluted sentence structures and terminology that I got lost in the mix. I majored in Sociology, so I’ve read my far share of overly complicated literature and I’m used to it. But Miracles, I had no time for after a while. I think the thesis and argument of this book are great and really fascinating. It just needs to be simplified so the reader doesn’t get bogged down. Lewis would spend pages and pages detailing a point and then would drop one sentence that would sum it all up and I would literally say, “Really!? See!? That’s all you needed to say in the first place!” The exasperation was real people! Unfortunately, this is a pass for me, though I still want to read other works by C.S. Lewis. 

let the journey find you.

When This is Thine asked me to do a collab blog/Instagram post on this awesome image  - I thought it was quite fitting for where I am at my life. I've always heard Proverbs 3:5-6 stated so many times and I always thought I knew what they meant until the past two years. 

 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6; KJV

I swear I thought I understood this until I told God that I wanted him to truly take the reins in my life. When God took over and my hand was taken out of A LOT of aspects of my life - family, relationships, career, etc. - I  wanted to understand and control SO MUCH. There has been plenty of tears I've cried because I wanted to understand, but couldn't. I wanted to know every step and have a predictable lifestyle. I wanted to wake up every morning and not be afraid of being alone or challenged in a new way or taking a leap and applying to graduate schools instead of take a job. I've grown a lot and I know what it means to trust and not lean on my understanding. Since then God has given me a vision for my life that I honestly couldn't even fathom three years ago. My journey found me <3.

God honestly knows the pieces of our lives and every purpose He has created for us. Whew. Our Father is taking care of all of this and in order for us to flourish - we must trust Him and believe He knows. I am reminded of a BEAUTIFUL song by Lauren Daigle entitled "Trust in You"

"You are my strength and comfort

You are my steady hand

You are my firm foundation

The rock on which I stand

Your ways are always higher

Your plans are always good

There's not a place that I'll go you've not already stood"

Let's embrace those tough times and realize that in the discomfort God can do miracles . Let's BOAST in God and not complain. Let's activate faith and know that He has already moved. Let's have unshakeable faith <3 Let's embrace uncertainty and see beauty in the journey. Allow God to show you the journey 

He shows off <3

March 2015 Favorites

I’m going to spare you all from the typical “I can’t believe another month has passed! Where does the time go?” All I know is, even though I actually like cold weather (these born in Massachusetts bones find it refreshing) I’m looking forward to Spring, minus the tiny specks of yellow dust that have been irritating my nasal passageways. However, I will take a few sneezes for this 70-degree weather that is forecasted for this coming week.

 I don’t have many favorites this month, but the items that I do have to share with you all are really noteworthy products.

Feel free to click the image for a larger view

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water. When I ran out of Bioderma, I wanted to find another cleansing water that was significantly cheaper. I didn’t even know Simple had a micellar water until I stumbled upon it in Target. This is a great product. It’s gentle on the skin and really does a great job removing my makeup and prepping it to be cleansed with my other cleansers. At a $5.99 price point, I don’t think I’ll go back to Bioderma. I even like the smell of it; it has a mild, earthy scent.

thebalm Geranium Toner. I’m always on the hunt to find another great toner. The Geranium Toner by thebalm is alcohol free, so it does not feel like it’s burning on the skin. It also contains glycolic acid, which further helps to cleanse pores and even the texture and tone of the skin. It’s also gentle and doesn’t make my skin feel tight and dry. If you’re in the market for a good toner, this is one you may want to check out.

Kiehl’s Rosa Artica Eye Balm. When I first started using this product, I wasn’t sure if I liked it. I’m more accustomed to creamy eye products and this one definitely has a unique texture. When they say balm, they mean balm. When you wipe your finger in the jar, you barely lift up any of the product, save a few white “chunks”, but whether you see it or not, it’s there. It almost has an oily consistency. I only use this at night because it is rather rich and emollient, so much so that I don’t need to use an eye cream during the day. The more I use this, the softer the skin around my eyes becomes. It’s moisturizing and soothing and I look forward to using it every night, even if it is unconventional.

Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer. I briefly touched on this product in my most recent post and I’m only going to mention it briefly here because I’m going to have an entire post on tinted moisturizers. I wore this base the most out of all my tinted moisturizers and foundations this month. It’s got good coverage for a tinted moisturizer, feels light on the skin and has a beautiful dewy finish. It is also incredibly long lasting on the skin for it being a tinted moisturizer.

butter London Cheeky Highlighter Tint. I also mentioned this product in my last post. With the weather warming up, I’ve been craving a warmer glow to my skin and this is the product that I’ve been using to help me achieve that glow. I mix this in with whatever foundation or tinted moisturizer I’m using and it just makes the skin look radiant and healthy.  A little goes a long way, use too much and you’ll end up looking metallic and not in a good way.

NYC Smooth Mineral Loose Finishing Powder. Since I’ve been wearing more luminous, dewy bases recently I was seeking a setting powder that wouldn’t make me look completely matte. That, and my other translucent powder from thebalm was looking a bit heavy on my skin. I was going through my makeup stash and found this. My mom actually gave this to me ages ago and I forgot I had it. I’m not sure if NYC even makes this anymore. This is a very lightweight translucent powder that sets my makeup without looking heavy or making my skin look totally matte. NYC is such a budget friendly brand with some standout products and this is one of them.

NARS Striptease Lip Gloss. I don’t think there is anything particularly special about the formula of NARS lip glosses, but Striptease is such a nice shade. It’s a warm, peachy nude with subtle shimmer that does not look frosty on the lips. It’s not a very opaque shade, which makes it more wearable. I have quite a few nude lip products, but nothing quite like this color. It pairs well over lipsticks and can warm up a nude lipstick that is too cool toned and make it more wearable.

MAC Blankety Lip Stick and MAC Stone Lip Liner. I was at the MAC store in Chicago eyeballing Blankety. I’ve actually been eyeing Blankety since 2013, but always talked myself out of it because I thought it would be too cool and grey for my skin tone. However, once I swatched this on the back of my hand, I was like “Shut the front door! Slap someone! Throw a tantrum!” This shade is just so beautiful. It’s a nude with pink undertones and dare I say, a touch of taupe. The formula is standard for an Amplified lipstick: creamy, smooth and pigmented. The lovely Sales Associate at MAC suggested I pair it with MAC Stone Lip Liner. I tried not to give her a strange look because when I saw Stone the only thing I could think of was that brown, harsh lined lip of the 90’s. Stone is a cool toned, taupe-brown shade. However, applied with a very light hand just to define the shape of the lips underneath Blankety, it is really stunning. It almost creates a subtle gradient effect. This will be a lip combo that I will sport all year long.

Those are my favorites for the month of March. Have you tried any of these products? What were your favorites for March?

- Alana

Diamonds // Johnnyswim

Just stopping by for a tiny post on one of my favorite songs EVER:) 

Alana and I LOVE  the beautiful duo Johnnyswim ! Amanda and Abner Ramirez are soooo amazing! I discovered their music while watching the movie "Unconditional" which became my favorite movie. As a result,  Johnnyswim became my favorite band <3  I sent Alana some of their music and she became hooked as well haha. They are incredibly talented and passionate and sooo genuine. Diamonds is an uplifting song with a great message. I watched one of their many interviews for this song andwhen asked about the meaning of the song Amanda stated "no pressure, no diamonds". This song is truly a pick-me-up on a dragging Monday morning lol. Like many of their songs, it represents  real emotion and life situations. It reminds me that in the midst of hard decisions or tough feelings, we will rise above.  Do yourself a favor and listen :) 

" We're the fire from the sun, we're the light when the day is done. We are the brave , the chosen ones. We're the diamonds, diamonds, rising up out the dust" <3

xoxo, 

Tonyette