Dre Does a Facial Self Tanning Routine

I am just like every other girl who wants to be bronzed and glowing in the summer time. However, as a licensed esthetician I know the consequences that can come from sun exposure and they are simply not worth the risk. For this reason, I am RELIGIOUS with my SPF 45 or higher on my face and neck region. While I do wear it on the rest of my body when I'm in the sun, I am the strictest with my face because that is where the aging and fine lines are going to show the soonest and the most. Due to the SPF 45 that is constantly applied, my face is always paler than the rest of my body.  I have developed a facial self tanning routine that I love to combat this issue and it couldn't be easier. 

The two tanning products that I have been using are both from Tarte cosmetics. I swear they do not pay me to talk about all of their products. If you've noticed how much I mention them, it's because they are truly one of my favorite brands. I am talking about the Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self Tanning Facial Towelettes and the Maracuja Bronzing Serum. I use the facial towelettes once a week and when not using a facial towelette I use the bronzing serum.

As you can probably imagine, I start my facial self tanning routine with cleansing. I remove all of my makeup and then cleanse my skin. I recommend exfoliating your skin next so that the self tanner develops evenly and doesn't cling to any dry patches. I prefer to use a chemical exfoliant rather than a mechanical exfoliant. Next, I tone my skin. After toning if it's a night that I am not self tanning, I will apply all of my serums or treatments for that particular night and my eye cream. Next, I use the Maracuja Bronzing Serum by applying a few drops evenly all over my face and neck. I will admit this doesn't smell good at all, but most self tanning products don't and the smell fades pretty quickly. This is a gradual bronzing serum that I like to use to extend the wear of my tans. It's not something that you will notice overnight, but I do really like the glow it gives my skin. Lastly, I apply my moisturizer, which right now is still the Maracuja Oil, also by Tarte. 

If it is a self tanning night (by this I mean that I'm using a facial towelette), I do the same routine, except I skip the treatments and serums because I find that everything looks better when I self tan right after I cleanse. The Brazilliance Facial Self Tanning Towelettes are seriously as easy as opening up a little packet, unfolding it, and wiping your face and neck evenly. You don't have to be perfect with this at all. I am not a pro self tanner and I have never had anything but great results! Then I just let it absorb and I'm done (No moisturizer or oils on this night)! I go to bed and wake up with a tanner face and neck that matches the rest of my body! I haven't noticed any residue on my pillowcases at night which is one thing I was concerned about. 

The Maracuja Bronzing Serum is still available on Sephora and Tarte's websites but I'm not sure if it is a permanent product. It is $47 and is 1.7 fl oz. I would say that if you use a few drops on your face and neck every night, it should last you at least 6 months. 

The Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self Tanning Facial Towelettes are $21 for 10 towelettes which I think is a pretty good deal, since that would last you 2.5 months if you use one a week. 

Make sure you come back Friday because I will be sharing how I've been enhancing the fake tan with makeup! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a Shaving Routine for Sensitive Legs

I probably should have shared this in the beginning of the summer but since we shave our legs all year round this is something I'm always dealing with and you may be too!

I have extremely sensitive legs. It's something I've experienced ever since I started shaving in middle school. If I try to use any kind of shave gel, soap, or lotion during or after I shave, I get terrible a razor burn that's probably on the verge of a mini allergic reaction. Bumps and burning that sometimes make me think I'd rather just not have shaved at all! As an esthetician, I tried going the waxing route which for a while was amazing. No razor burn, my legs stayed smooth for longer and the hair was coming back looking much finer because you're seeing the tip of the hair versus the blunt middle of the hair shaft that a razor cuts at. However, the hair started coming back so fine that I was getting a huge amount of ingrown hairs on my shins due to the hair not being strong enough to break through the surface. So I was back to having bumps on my legs that no amount of exfoliation could prevent. So after 6 months of trying it I picked my razor back up and shaved my legs. 

I'm happy to report though that I think I've got it down to a science now. The right products and what exactly causes the problems. I figured I can't be the only person with this annoying smooth leg issue, so I'm here, ready to report what I've found gives me silky smooth legs! 

 

The Exfoliation: Since I cannot use a shaving cream or lotion, I have figured out a way to moisturize and smooth my legs without using one. I take a good moisturizing exfoliator (the one I show above is a shea butter sugar scrub from Tree Hut) and give my legs a good rub. I find that this moisturizes them enough to give me a good shave after but doesn't irritate anything because most of the product gets washed off before I shave. The sugar helps get rid of dead skin cells which will help with over all smoothness.

The Razor:  I have used all sorts of razors. Expensive ones with 500 blades, ones with the moisturizer all around the edges, and I find that the ones that are the best for my sensitive legs are the good old cheap BIC Silky Touch Disposable ones you see in the picture above. Normally they're in at least a 10 pack for $3 or $4 and they are good for a few shaves. Since they are so cheap, I don't mind only using each one a few times, which I think is also a secret to getting a close shave; I'm always using newer blades. No shave cream, just water.

The After-care: Now this is where I typically see the most irritation. My legs hate all lotions after I get out of the shower, so what I'll typically do is skip the lotion for a few hours. I find that the shea butter exoliator gives me enough hydration to last this time until my legs heal a little from the shaving. Then I'll add my favorite body butter later on which is usually either the Satsuma or Coconut Body Butter from The Body Shop.

So there you have it. This is my perfected shaving routine to give me smooth legs when dealing with high sensitivity! Let me know if you have any tricks and if you try this out!

Have a beautiful week,

Dre

Dre Does a Pool/Beach Routine

With the 4th of July this week, I know a lot of us will be spending time outside either by the pool or on a beach! I know a lot of bloggers and YouTubers do what's in my pool bag videos, but since I've never really seen much about Pre and Post sun activities, here I am with my version of this popular topic! I've included what I like to do before I enter the sun, what I like to have with me for during, and then what I follow up with immediately after getting out of the sun.

PRE
Before I go out into the sun I ALWAYS make sure to do my skincare routine. I do my normal routine except there is one thing I change up because of the sun. I have oily skin so I like to make sure that I use a moisturizer that's a bit heavier than I would typically use on a day to day basis. The sun can dry you out so I like to combat this by using a moisturizer that's not only hydrating but also moisturizing. (In case you didn't know, hydrating means it helps restore the water balance of your skin and moisturizing means it helps restore the oil balance in your skin; two VERY different things that you need to know about before buying products). I like to make sure that I also moisturize my body with a great body butter before heading out to make sure that I stay hydrated. While everyone's skin type is different, I find that I am less likely to burn if my skin stays moisturized, so I do my best to stay on top of it. After moisturizing is when I add my SPF. I like to do it at home, before I put my bikini on so I know I've gotten every spot even if my bikini moves around! I also like to make sure my hair is moisturized beforehand so I like to add a leave in conditioner to my ends that are typically dryer than my roots. Lastly, I always add an SPF that is different than the SPF for my body because it's different skin and generally more sensitive to products. I really like applying my La Bella Donna Loose Minerals because they not only reduce redness and even out my skin tone, but one of only four ingredients is a mineral sunscreen, so I know I'm protected!

DURING
While I'm at the pool/beach I keep your typical beach bag items; towel, headphones, water bottle, SPF, physical copy of a book haha (I'm too accident prone to try my luck with my iPad near water), sunglasses, and more. However, there are some key things I like to make sure I always have. First, a lip balm with SPF to make sure my lips don't get too dried out or sunburned. Then, I always make sure to have a mini can of facial spray with me. Essentially it's just water in a fine mist (sometimes with extra minerals and antioxidants) which sounds super unnecessary and fancy, but I like to make sure my face stays nice and moist and doesn't burn. This is honestly one of the easiest ways for me to make sure I'm doing it. It's really easy to lose track of hydration in the sun so I really like making sure I have my facial spray. I always make sure I have some sort of snack with me as well. I like to have almonds or cashews a lot of the time because they won't melt and provide protein which is important. Hungry and dehydrated is a bad combo for when you're in the sun. One key item I never leave the house without, especially in the summer is a yummy and refreshing smelling body splash! With the heat and humidity of summer, the last thing you want is to be smelling kind of funky and not have access to a quick shower (the same goes for deodorant but we're probably all normal adults here and have that covered I think). Lastly, I always make sure I have a notebook and pen with me because I never know when inspiration will hit for my blog or anything else in life. I typically think of things at the most random times, so I like to have something I can jot notes down on with me at all times.

AFTER
I like to make sure that I wash my face as soon as I can after being in the sun to get any chlorine or other impurities off of the surface. If I can't make it to a sink right away, I like to keep a good small pack of cleansing towelettes in my purse to just refresh my skin and help remove anything that's lingering. If you visit the travel section of your grocery store or Target, you can generally find packs of 5 to 10 towelettes to keep in your purse for this reason! I also make sure to use a moisturizing body butter all over my body and that same good hydrating and moisturizing facial moisturizer on my face. If I've spent a significant amount of time in the sun, I try to stay away from any form of heat styling on my hair for a few days to give it a chance to rehydrate. A good deep conditioning mask is always a must for me as well after I've spent time outdoors. Look for a post in the next few weeks on my favorite masks!

So that is my pool/beach routine! If you have any recommendations of must haves of your own, please feel free to share them for everyone else to enjoy! Remember, being outside and soaking up some rays is always a good time, but we have to make sure we are protected and taking care of ourselves (End the esthetician's PSA...haha)!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a Nighttime Skincare Routine

I'm back with my nighttime skincare routine. I know it looks like a lot, but I don't use all of these products every night as you'll see shortly. Once again let me reiterate that this is just a guide for the types of products and steps that could be useful in a routine for you. This is what I personally like and as an almost licensed esthetician... (less than a month till I take boards!!) this is what works for me! If you missed my morning skincare routine or want to know what my skin type is, click here. 

Step 1: Cleansing is one of the most important things you can do for your skin. If you're going to do the bare minimum, please at least do this. I use the Aveda Enbrightenment Brightening Cleanser. Refer back to my morning skincare routine for more on it.

Step 2: Exfoliating is key for managing many different skin types. I do this step just at night because I find it's often enough for my skin. I use the Aveda Liquid Exfoliant because it is a chemical exfoliant which basically means it dissolves and breaks down the dead skin cells instead of your traditional mechanical exfoliant that scrubs and sloughs them off. Chemical exfoliants are great for areas of acne because there is no scrubbing involved so they are gentler on sensitive areas. I feel like adding this product in has helped my skin tremendously. For my post on why exfoliating is important click here. 

Step 3: Once again toning is in my routine because it's important to balance the pH of your skin. For more on this refer back to my morning skincare routine.

Step 4: Treatment! This is the main focus of my nighttime routine. I have three products listed but I don't use them all every night. This is where I really try to listen to what my skin needs and use products accordingly. First off I have my Aveda Enbrightenment Brightening Correcting Serum. If I'm working on fading any hyperpigmentation or discoloration (which I usually am...haha) I press the smallest amount of this serum into those areas of unevenness. Next, is the tarte Pure Maracuja Oil. I've been trying out a sample of this from Sephora for awhile and I'm loving it. Just 3 drops all over my skin and it feels so much softer when I wake up in the morning. It's supposed to help with fine lines and evening out skin tone, so I'll keep you updated on that. So far my skin seems to be loving it. Lastly, if I notice my Ezcema flaring up on my cheeks, I'll use a little bit of my Aveda Beautifying Composition oil on it. It's amazing at dealing with Ezcema and I just skip the moisturizing in that area since it's enough of a moisturizer. 

Step 5: Lastly, just like any skincare routine, we have moisturizing. I use the tiniest amount of the Enbrightenment Brighting Correcting Creme even though I have oily skin because I'm just going to sleep and especially with this winter weather, I feel like it gives my skin the hydration it needs. As it starts to warm up and my skin returns to its more oily state, I'll probably switch back to the Embrightenment Brightening Correcting Lotion I mentioned in my morning routine. 

Prevention is key is skincare. These may seem like a lot of products but as an esthetician with skin cancer in her family history, I want to take care of the only skin I'm going to get. The skin is the largest organ in the body and it can tell you a lot about your health so it shouldn't be skipped when living a healthy lifestyle. As usual, if you have any questions please let me know. A lot of you have been reaching out to me recently with questions and I love helping answer them! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre