6 Ways To Treat Sensitive, Irritated Skin…As Well As Redness

With the cold winter air, dry, irritated skin is sure to happen. And if you are like me where I also have a bit of redness on my face, it can make having BEAUTYful skin, a task! That is why I was excited to partner up with Paula’s Choice Skincare, to try out their Calm line.

They promote this line as a must have for sensitive skin. Now before I get into the product(s), I’d like to address a false assumption, for people who have sensitive skin, as I think it is important to bust this myth!  The myth…“Because I have sensitive skin, I should stay away from anti-aging skincare products.”  But beauties this is not always the case!

I am a big proponent on skincare, even with my sensitive skin!  The key is using the products that have the right ingredients.  First and foremost, you want to stay away from products that contain fragrances; even the natural ones can be irritating and worse yet, like in my case, allergy prone.

Secondly, you want to be using is a skincare line that has ingredients that can rebuild the skin's barrier function as well as an anti-inflammatory.   

So if you want to see how you can soothe your sensitive, irritated skin, continue reading! 

As I mentioned above, I was given some products from Paula’s Choice Calm Line.  This line comes in two formulas. One for dry skin and the other for oily skin. And yes, they are fragrance-free and have a gentle blend of ingredients that help to reduce inflammatory factors within the skin’s surface that trigger signs of sensitivity!

So What Did I Get?

The kit came with six products, which I use in the morning and evening.  And as with all skincare products, layering them in the correct order is essential, and I will share this with you below.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of  Paula's Choice Skincare. The opinions are mine.

How To Layer Your Products:

Step 1: Calm Redness Relief Cleanser

Cleansing your face is the first step in your skincare regimen.  Seems a bit obvious to me, but for those of you who may have just used water because you were afraid of what a product could do, to your sensitive skin, STOP!  Using a facial cleanser is important as it helps to prep your face so to speak, for the other skincare products that follow.

So how to use this bad boy?  Get your face wet and then apply a small amount to your face in a circular GENTLE motion, rinse when finished.

Step 2: Calm Redness Relief Toner

A toner is going to help to remove any leftover makeup you may have missed with the cleanser.  This is one step I would skip as toners always seemed to trigger a burning sensation in my face. But not this one! As unlike some other toners I’ve tried, the Calm Toner is an alcohol-free formula, which helps to reduce inflammation that triggers sensitivity and redness. Toners also, contribute to softening and calming your skin.

How to Use: Apply with a cotton ball all over your face and DO NOT RINSE!

Step 3: Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Exfoliant

Yes, you read that right I said exfoliant. And no worries it is not irritating at ALL! Aside from it helping to remove that old skin, it also has some anti-bacterial properties, which I SO LOVE!

Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum

Step 4: Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum

Your serums are your treatments. If you recall, in the beginning, I mentioned having a product that helps to rebuild your skin's barrier is key, and this serum does just that.  This anti-aging serum is very light weight and can be worn under your makeup, now how awesome is that?!

A few drops of this goes a long way, and it is safe to use near those tired looking eyes!

Step 5: Calm Redness Relief Mineral Moisturizer with SPF 30

The last step in the morning is to apply a moisturizer with an SPF.  Yes, even in the winter time we need an SPF. Don’t let the fact that it is cold outside confuse you into thinking you don’t need one.  In addition to the SPF, hydration is also essential in aiding to repair and strengthen your skin, so it looks and acts less irritated and younger! And who doesn’t want younger looking skin?

For the evening, follow the same steps with the exception of your moisturizer.  You want to use the Calm Redness Relief Moisturize instead of the one with SPF.



My Experience

I am in love with this line.  My favorite is the Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Exfoliant; this is going to be a staple in my skincare arsenal.  First the anti-bacterial properties have helped with some outbreaks that I get. And for the anti-aging lover in me, I loved that this gently assists in removing the built up layers on the outside of the skin, revealing that new skin below.

In case you don’t know, dull skin is what contributes to false wrinkles, and makeup can sit in these lines.  Using a product like “CALM” can smooth out the texture of skin, allowing for a better makeup application!  You can see the new skin reveal from my photo above, it is still a bit red, but the skin has a nice glow that I like. Now I'm ready to apply my makeup!

So beauties you see the missing piece to reducing redness and irritation is… A SKINCARE REGIMEN. As overtime, you skin will become less sensitive, irritated and red.  Enabling you to feel eventually better about your skin's appearance and more importantly, yourself!

Wanna try this or maybe another Paula's Choice Product? Well now you can while saving 20% OFF! 

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Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of  Paula's Choice Skincare. The opinions are mine.

5 Ways To Repair Damaged Skin And Reduce Facial Redness- A Paula’s Choice Review

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of  Paula's Choice Skincare. The opinions are mine.

If you follow my blog regularly, you know how adamant I am about skincare.  Although, I do have my favorites, trying and testing out other products opens an opportunity for me to step up my skincare regimen!  This is why I was so excited to be able to Partner up with Paula’s Choice and PRIMP (Pretty In My Pocket) an awesome beauty app. for who I am one of their expert beauty bloggers.

The journey started with a personal consultation with a skincare specialist from Paula’s Choice.  Way to go Paula’s Choice, that really gave me a great first impression, as they understand that not everyone's skin and more important skincare needs, are not all the same. Their product line includes something for everyone, acne, rosacea, aging, pores. They treat it all.  

While, I don’t have a lot of blemishes, I do have some redness in my cheeks due to sun damage from my younger sun goddess years, so my consultant recommended a skin care regimen to help with the redness, as well as some anti-aging products. 

The Importance Of Layering Your Skincare Products

Before I get into the products they sent me,  I think it is essential for you to be aware that in order for you to get the best results from your skincare products, you need to understand the significance of layering them.  This means applying them in the correct order.

The information that I will be sharing with you will be in the order in which you need to apply them.  So please keep this order in mind, when using your own skincare products.

So What Did I Get?

As you can see from the picture, they sent me a lot of products, needless to say, I was excited!  The products included items from the HydraLight and Resist line.

Hydralight Advanced Kit

This Hydralight kit included everything that I needed to calm the redness I have on my face as well as helping to reduce signs of aging.  And for those who have oily skin, which I do not, it helps to reduce that oily shine.  (Keep in mind I am listing these in the order in which they need to be used).

PRODUCTS: 

 

Hydralight One Step FaceCleanser

Skin type: Normal to Oily/Combination Skin

Cleansing your face is the first step in your skincare regimen.  Seems a bit obvious to me, but for those of you who may have just used water or any ole soap in the past, DON’T!  The reason being is a facial cleanser is designed to prep your face so to speak, for the other skincare products that follow. 

So how to use this bad boy?  Get your face wet and then apply a small about to your face in circular motion, rinse when finished.

 

Hydralight Healthy SkinRefreshing Toner  

Skin type: Normal to Oily/Combination Skin

This is the second product you apply to your face as toners help to hydrate, replenish, restore and repair the skin's surface when used right after cleansing.

How To Use: You can apply with a cotton ball or pad.  Do not rinse off.

Benefits: This antioxidant-rich formula helps to improve the skins function and reduces cellular damage and inflammation.

Bonuses: This toner is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free, and helps to remove any left over makeup you may have missed with the cleanser. 

Skin Perfecting 1% BHALotion Exfoliant

Skin type: All Skin Types

An exfoliant is one of my favorite skincare products especially if you have any sun damage. Why? Because an exfoliant will remove the built up layers on the outside of the skin, it ends up revealing that younger looking skin beneath.  Removing these dead skin cells can also improve any dull, uneven skin, you may have, as well as minimizing the appearance of fine lines.

I also liked that this BHA exfoliant has some anti-bacterial properties that helped when I started to get a blemish.  For the anti-aging lover in me, it is supposed to increase my collagen production, obviously it is too earlier to see these types of results yet, but I‘m excited to find out.

Bonuses: The unique formula is a LEAVE ON exfoliant that works instantly to remove dead skin cells, now how cool is that?

Important: This BHA lotion (beta hydroxy acid), the same thing found in aspirin, so if you are allergic to aspirin, you won’t be able to use this product.

Resist 1% Retinol Booster

Skin type: All Skin Types

Treatment is the next step in your skin care routine and in my case it is an anti-aging product.   In the kit I received I was given two products from their resist line, which are to be combined with your moisturizer. While I know there is no magic potion that will erase my wrinkles, a retinol can sure aid in diminishing them!

By combing this retinol concentrate product into my moisturizer, I was able to customize the strength, creating my own Retinol cream!  LOVE THIS IDEA!

Retinols are another fav. of mine because they are great at stimulating collagen production & repairing past skin damage!

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised that this product did not irritate my skin, as some retinol's strength can give you that burning sensation.  This one didn’t which is a plus for those that have sensitive skin or redness, like me. THUMBS UP!

Here are some other pointers that I got from Paula’s Choice website on the 

Resist 1% Retinol Booster

 (Their website has a full encyclopedia of advice for every type of skin care concern. Paula Begoun, the founder of Paula's Choice, is all about truth in beauty, skin care, ingredients and proven research.)

The dispenser that this product comes in allows you to measure out by the drop! Just press lightly on the top until one drop dispenses and tailor your moisturizer or serum to your desired strength.

•     One Drop: A mild anytime anti-aging boost (AM and/or PM).
•     Two Drops: The perfect moderate-strength PM treatment.
•     Three Drops: Prescription-strength power for extra stubborn concerns.     

Hydralight Shine-Free DailyMineral Complex SPF 30

Skin type: Normal to Oily/Combination Skin

The last step is a moisturizer & an SPF.  While,  I did use this moisturizer in combination with the retinol, I would like to let you know a bit about the product. 

If you don’t do anything to your skin, at least apply an SPF moisturizer.  Protecting your skin from the sun is SO IMPORTANT! Hydration is also essential, aiding to repair and strengthen your skin, so it looks and acts younger! And who doesn’t want younger looking skin?

So there you have it beauties, 5 Ways To Repair Damage Skin And Reduce Facial Redness with the help of Paula's Choice.  Make sure to keep checking back to see my followup on this skincare line, as I've only been using this for a few weeks.

And yes I know this was a long one, but for those of you who stuck around all the way to the end of this post, 
I do have a goodie for you! See offer below.
Click Here to get your 20% Off

Expires: Dec 31, 2015

PLUS...Keep in mind Paula’s Choice is committed to customer advocacy, education and helping people find the best products for their skin. In fact, everyone can receive a FREE personal skincare consultation by calling this number: 1-800-831-4088! 

Until next time!  

 

How To Hide Face Discoloration

By Coloring Me Pretty...

A Color Correcting Primer Guide to a Flawless Face

Do you have some skin discoloration? Had a late night, and look tired? Need to cover a blemish, like yesterday? Well, today I’m going to share with you some of my beauty must dos, which is to use a color correcting primer. 

These corrective primers are a gift from the makeup gods.  Using them in your makeup routine allows you to create a perfect canvass to apply your foundation and other makeup, while hiding those imperfections.


So what exactly is a color correcting primer? 

• They are formulated to wear under your foundation. 
• You should use them on those areas that need a little extra help.
• They diffuse light to help minimize flaws.
• Evens out any skin discoloration, so makeup glides on evenly.  
• Helps increase foundation longevity.

 
Additionally, these correctors come in many different textures including, powders, creams, and liquids; that can be worn by all women.  There is also a variety of colors to choose from, depending on what you need to perfect. Below, I will “cover” the different colors and what their functions are! 


Mint Green:  This color is great on acne and rosacea, and helps tone down the appearance of red or ruddy skin. I love Shiseido the makeup stick foundation control color.

Yellow: This color is best for camouflaging bluish (blue & purple) undertones, like the dark circles under the eye.  

Pink: This color helps balance out sallow or yellow skin. It also is great at hiding signs of fatigue.

What else you need to know:

1. While there are a few other colors out there, the three I have listed above help adjust, blend, brighten and balance your skin.  Thus, covering a wide range of complexion concerns.
2.  It is important to use small amounts at first to see what works and exactly how much you need to get the desired look.  
3. Your goal is to blend.  You don't want any prominent areas that have a different skin tone because of these.
4. Always, start with a clear primer first, as this will help to reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines, while preventing false wrinkles, that can be caused if you apply any makeup to a naked face.  These clear primers create the perfect base for foundation application. 

  So there you have it, your secret weapon to making those imperfection magically disappear!