Organic Skincare

Hello beauties,

Recently I made a switch in my skincare routine and I felt I should share because honestly, I couldn't be happier! 

My skin looks and feels awesome. 

And(!)

I don't feel like I'm pumping a bunch of chemicals into my system. After all, your skin is the largest organ and does indeed soak up everything you put on it (and in it :))! 

I've been very lucky when it comes to skin- I've never had any major issues-- just dryness and the occasional pimple. Of course now, as I enter my 30's I'm noticing how much less my skin bounces back! And how lines and spots are starting to show... 

I was not great about sun protection as a teenager. I didn't really implement SPF in my daily routine until my mid twenties. So I have plenty of sun damage coming my way I'm sure! 

As a makeup artist, I don't wear much makeup. Obviously, I love makeup-- as an art form, self expression, and of course to make myself feel a little more special. 

While makeup is incredibly powerful, I find skincare to be much more powerful. Being proud and accepting of who you are and all your characteristics as an individual is much more interesting and beautiful (to me at least!). 

I hope to contribute to the revolutionary thought that we shouldn't be ashamed of anything short of "perfect" because let's be honest-- that's a small percentage of people. 

And please know that people with money can afford regular facials, lasers, procedures, etc. So while you look at celebrities that "haven't had plastic surgery" know that they are doing PLENTY of other things that don't count as surgery (aka Laser treatments, etc). 

While I'm not an esthetician, I've taken it upon myself to learn as much as I can about proper skincare, and I think I've settled in a good place. 

I'll have to do a post on my skincare journey from the beginning to current day (so you can learn from my mistakes!), but in the meantime, here is what I've indulged in...

Tammy Fender Organic Skincare

I stumbled upon this while googling random organic skincare lines. This popped up as one of the best, so naturally I clicked the link...

All the products are derived from organic plants/flowers. The packaging is beautiful! brown glass containers that you can recycle later (or repurpose)!

I decided to start with one of their treatment kits for a couple reasons...
1. Committing to buying a full size product without ever trying it was a bit of a gamble especially considering the price tag attached...
2. It was a great money saving way to try the whole system to find what I liked and disliked, or what worked for me and what might not.

I ordered the Anti-Aging Treatment Kit.
$165

*photo c/o tammyfender.com

The kit includes: 
Cleansing Milk
Bulgarian Rose Water
Quintessential Serum
Intensive Repair Balm
Epi-Peel
Bulgarian Lavender Body Oil

It struck my interest because I'm always looking at preventative products for aging! The more I can do now to have great skin later is worth it in my mind :)

Also, it was the lowest priced kit at $165, and was advertised to benefit dry, dehydrated, hormonally imbalanced, sun damaged and mature skin.

I am definitely more dry/dehydrated, sun damaged and hormonally imbalanced :)

I immediately started using the kit as a whole and it is lovely.

The cleansing milk is a hydrating, lightweight cleanser.
Once a week I use the Epi-Peel, which is their exfoliant. It smells amazing and is gentle enough on my skin. It really awakens your senses and brightens the skin! I've always been one to make my own exfoliants (see here), but this is pretty great!
I follow that with the Rose Water (which I've been obsessed with for years! I use Rose Water on my clients all the time :)).
If it's daytime, I'll go straight for the Intensive Repair Balm, which my skin LOVES. It's a super hydrating moisturizer, but it's still very lightweight.
Nighttime post rose water, I'll use the Quintessential Serum. It has a lovely smell and while it's mostly oils, it absorbs fairly quickly. It's a nice extra boost for the evening.

Lastly, the kit includes a Bulgarian Lavender Body Oil... holy moly. This stuff is beautiful! Post shower, I put on while my skin is still wet. Your skin is immediately soft, hydrated and the lavender scent is calming and light.

Overall, my skin is happy with this set up!
I have implemented my own things on the side... I will always do different masks! I also have started adding in a retinol a couple times a week and an SPF for the daytime.

I will absolutely stick with this line- my skin looks refreshed, and feels really good.
While the kit products are smaller sized, a little goes a long way, so hopefully I can stagger the orders so I'm not spending a ton at once!

As mentioned before, I'm willing to invest in good skincare to have great skin. Now I'm just on the hunt for the perfect Organic SPF for my face....

Proper Skin Prep

I always tell my clients, Good makeup starts with Good skincare.

Seen in one of my first blog posts HERE. 

It's true! 

If you neglect your skin or don't properly prep the skin, applying makeup can be extremely difficult and sometimes almost impossible!

Before I put any makeup on my client's face, I make sure their skin is prepped.

Why is this important? 

It assures a smoother makeup application, long lasting makeup, and an all over better looking application.

So while you're taking care of your body and skin, be sure to follow these tips on how to prep your skin for makeup :) 

Here's how I prepare the skin for all my clients, listing some favorite products along the way.

Step One: Moisturize

I think I've written that word 600 X's on this blog! It is so important to make sure the skin is properly hydrated before applying makeup. I actually make sure to moisturize the face until it feels dewy/moist.

  YES! 

No matter if you're oily, or dry, I make sure the client's skin feels moist to the touch.

Here are a couple moisturizers I favor: 

For oily skin clients: 

Mario Badescu Oil Free moisturizer

Retails at $20

(You can purchase it HERE)

I enjoy using this Mario Badescu Oil Free moisturizer. This line is incredibly affordable and has products for EVERY need! You can even fill out a skin survey HERE to try some new products. Plus, they give away samples with every purchase :)

For Dry Skin client's (or combination with dry patches):

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre

Retails at $16-$28

(You can purchase it HERE)

I love this Embryolisse moisturizer. It is incredibly hydrating and a little bit goes a long way.

*Additional tip:

 I usually do the eye makeup first-- so after I hydrate the skin, I'll do the eye makeup, and then re-access the skin-- so I'll gently feel the skin and if there is still some dryness (if the skin is really dry in some areas, it can absorb into the skin quickly), I'll re-apply some moisturizer where needed and then finish the face prep. *

Step Two: Lip Balm

Your lips need love too! Be sure to apply a hydrating balm onto the lips so that when you go to apply a lipstick/gloss, it is a smooth application. If you have chapped lips, be sure to take a little sugar and a warm washcloth and gently rub off the dead skin. Then follow with balm/chapstick.

One of my favorite balms is the Rosebud Salve.

Retails at around $6

*You can get it in it's original cute tin, or they now make tubes!*

(You can purchase it HERE)

This has been around forever and is a favorite amongst artists and makeup mavens :) Not to mention, it is multifunctional! It can be used for your dry feet and elbows :)

Step Three: Eye Primer

I will almost always use an eye primer. Its purpose is to even out the tone on your lid, create a solid base for the eye shadow for even color, and to prevent product from creasing.

It is GREAT.

A little goes a long way, so take a tiny dab and apply a thin layer evenly on your lid with your finger, a brush or a sponge.

Here are a couple favorites that work remarkably well!

Urban Decay Shadow Primer Potion

Retails at $20

*also comes in a variety of shades! I love the understated shimmer I get with SIN!*

(You can purchase it HERE)

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Retails at $18

(You can purchase it HERE)

Step Four: Primer

I apply a primer after I've done the first 3 steps and have done the eye makeup. If the face is no longer dewy and moist, after the eye makeup is finished, I'll apply some more moisturizer where needed and then apply the primer.

A primer is used to create an even base for makeup. It is generally silicone based, which helps makeup adhere and prevent it from moving around too much. It also helps the products to wear all day long! I like using primers (especially for a full face makeup application) because it kind of creates a barrier between your skin and the makeup.

You can apply this with your fingers, a sponge, or a brush.

Some primers I love: 

Smashbox photo Finish primer.

Retails from $17-$49

(You can purchase it HERE)

This is a great universal primer for any skin type. Smashbox has a collection of different types for different purposes-- all of which are great! For example, they have some for color correction (redness, blue undertones), hydrating, and even one with an SPF!

Laura gellar makeup spackle:

Retails at $27

(You can purchase it HERE)

I feel like this primer is very hydrating- It works on all skin types, but if someone is extremely dry-or if I'm doing makeup on more mature skin, I'll use this.

Extra Step: If you want, I also highly suggest using a light eye cream. There is little/no oil production underneath your eyes, so applying a product that is gentle, moisturizing and firming around the eyes, is great!

If you experience excessive dryness around the eyes, I highly suggest this step! It will make any makeup around your eyes (foundation/concealer) look better and prevent it from sinking into fine lines.

Here are two good ones:

Burt's Bee's is a STEAL!

Retailing at $18

(You can purchase it HERE)

Dermacyte is a major SPLURGE!

Retailing at $95!

(You can purchase it HERE)

So remember! Before you apply a full face of makeup on a dry face-- think back to this post and AT LEAST apply a good moisturizer :)

Check out my TV appearance with WCIU's "You & Me This Morning"-- talking about the golden globes, and some makeup tips every woman should know-- INCLUDING skin prep! xo

I Love My Job: Jen Brown, Make-Up Artist

XOXO JEN