3 Surprising Reasons Why Your Skin Is Breaking Out

Hello, lovelies!

We all know the importance of maintaining a skincare routine, but what happens when your skin still breaks out despite the care you give it? For all of you who suffer from acne and blemishes, I empathize with you because I continue to experience regular breakouts! Before you toss your beloved skincare products, check in with yourself! The causes of your breakouts may not be what you imagined. Here are four surprising reasons why your skin continues to breakout:

You don’t change your pillowcase regularly

Just like your cell phone, your pillowcase can contain bacteria that causes breakouts. Even if you wash your face every night before bed, the natural oils from your hair and skin can accumulate on your pillowcase. Once they build up over time, they lead to breakouts. Pillowcases should be changed or washed weekly to keep them clean.

You skip moisturizing 

It took me a long time to realize that moisturizer is actually good for my acne-prone skin. It is easy to assume that too much oil causes breakouts, but this actually is not true. Excessively cleansing the skin removes natural oils, causing rebound dryness that can further irritate acne. Applying moisturizer reintroduces natural oil back into the skin and balances it.

You never clean your makeup brushes

When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? It is important to clean all your beauty tools at least once a week to prevent makeup, oil, and bacteria from causing breakouts. If you don’t have a fancy makeup brush cleaner, a small amount of water and soap will do the trick!

4 Easy Ways to Save Money At Starbucks

Hello, lovelies!

Coffee is one of my favourite things. I drink it daily and it gives me the perfect energy boost. I am a frequent Starbucks customer, and enjoy trying new drinks and food items. Starbucks can carry a heavy price tag, so today I’m sharing my favourite tips to save money on your daily cup!

Join the MyStarbucksRewards Program 

This program involves earning Stars for every purchase. With each Tier of the program, you earn can earn free food and drinks after every 12 purchases. If you buy coffee daily, you’ll earn a free food/drink every two weeks! The program also has special promotions and Double Star Days to help you earn rewards quicker.

Create your own latte for the price of an espresso 

Order 2-3 shots of espresso hot or over ice. Add your own milk afterwards to create your own latte for less.

Bring your own cup 

I often bring my travel mug to Starbucks when I have a long study session ahead. Starbucks gives you a 10-cent discount when you bring your own reusable cup.

Brew your Starbucks coffee or tea at home 

I recently discovered the variety of Starbucks K-Cups that exist for my Keurig. I buy a 12-pack of K-Cups for $11.99. My at-home coffee is still Starbucks brand, but it only costs about $1 per cup.

 Do you visit Starbucks? What is your favourite tip to save money on your daily coffee?

3 Quick, Easy Ways to Grow Your Blog With Twitter

Hello, lovelies!

I frequently use Twitter to share links to my blog posts, but recently began to grow my blog with the platform. I shared my content but did not engage with my followers or fellow bloggers. Implementing a few simple strategies has not only grown my following but also increased my engagement on my blog.

Engage with your followers 

If you’re using Twitter to promote your blog posts, it is important to engage with your followers (and potential readers). It only takes 5-10 minutes to scroll through your feed and like, retweet, or comment on your followers Tweets. This not only increases your engagement, but it also increases the visibility of your account and blog.

Create a call-to-action

I recently posted a call-to-action and asked my followers to link their blogs in one of my Tweets. This was beneficial for two reasons – (1) I was able to explore new blogs and content; and (2) Connecting with other bloggers grew both my Twitter account and my blog’s follower count.

Add hashtags to your Tweets 

Adding hashtags to your tweet, or tagging a brand, will introduce your content to new readers who may not have found your blog otherwise. Exploring hashtags on Twitter also increases your visibility to brands you may want to work with.

Add images to your Tweets 

Tweets with images receive twice the amount of engagement than those without. Your tweet will stand out more than text-only tweets, especially if it the size is Twitter-friendly.

3 Tips You Need to Know to Properly Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Hello, lovelies!

Are you guilty of neglecting to clean your makeup brushes regularly? Keeping your brushes clean is a great way to prevent product build-up and maintain clearer skin. Here are three tips you should know when cleaning your brushes!

Disinfect them

Spritzing an anti-bacterial spray onto your brushes will eliminate bacteria and it will dry quickly. This is a simple method if you are pressed for time! Simply spray your brushes and let them dry.

Clean them regularly

I like to use a daily brush cleanser after every use, and deep-clean each brush once a week. This is especially important if your brushes are exposed to air for long periods of time. I gently clean my brushes daily with a daily cleaning spray, and deep clean them weekly with a gentle soap.

Reintroduce softness into your brushes

Sometimes brushes can become hard and flat after cleaning. Introduce a dab of conditioner into the bristles of the brush to keep them soft and smooth.

3 Things You Should Never Do To Your Skin

Hello, lovelies!

Your skin is with you for life. If there’s one thing you should do, it is to treat your skin with care and respect. We know there are certain ways to care for the skin, but most of the time, we just bypass them regardless. Here are three things you should never do if you want your skin to love you back.

Over-exfoliating 

Exfoliating 1-2 times per week is great – it refreshes your skin and removes any dead skin cells that may be causing breakouts or dullness in the skin. Over-exfoliating can cause scratching on the skin’s surface which leaves it prone to environmental toxins and breakouts.

Not protecting your skin

Sunscreen is a vital skincare product. You probably know that you’re supposed to wear sunscreen daily, but have you ever considered why? The sun is responsible for how your skin ages, and wearing sunblock daily not only prevents aging, but it also protects against dark spots.

Using the same products for a long time 

You may have found the best moisturizer or cleanser ever, but your skin will eventually change and adapt to any active ingredients in the product. Over time, this causes the product to become less effective. It’s important to know your skin type and how it reacts to different products. If your beloved cleanser or moisturizer is no longer working, it’s time to reevaluate the products you use.

3 Natural Ways to Remove Makeup At the End of the Day

Hello, lovelies!

If you want to wake up with clear skin, removing makeup the night before is essential. I use a variety of methods and products to remove my makeup. When I do not have a makeup remover on hand I substitute natural methods for my beloved remover. Here are 3 methods I rotate between:

1. Use coconut oil 

Coconut oil has a range of benefits for your hair, skin, and nails. Combining coconut oil with a soft facial cloth is a quick way to remove stubborn makeup. Apply a small amount of coconut oil to your fingertips and gently rub your face to melt makeup.

2. Combine honey and baking soda 

This simple combination acts as both a makeup remover and a cleanser. Start by adding a small amount of baking soda to raw honey. Add a few drops of essential oil and whip the mixture until it forms a paste. Apply with a facecloth, and you have a gentle, effective makeup remover!

3. Use chapstick

This method may surprise you. Chapstick is an effective eye makeup remover. Swipe a small amount of chapstick onto your eyelid or underneath and gently rub it in with a cotton ball to remove makeup residue.

What is your favourite way to remove makeup?

3 Tips to Help You Maintain Healthy Hair

Hello, lovelies!

Maintaining healthy, shiny hair can seem like the ultimate challenge. I often find myself wondering: How well am I cleansing? Are my heated styling tools too harsh? Here are tips I use weekly to keep my tresses healthy and strong.

Don’t over-wash your hair 

Unless your hair is very oily, it is best to wash it every other day. Washing hair daily causes dryness and breakage. Over-washing hair strips strands of their natural oils. If you want hair to feel squeaky-clean every day, try using a dry shampoo in-between each wash.

Take care when brushing 

Using a wide-tooth comb when brushing wet hair will prevent breakage. Your hairbrush should contain softer bristles to keep strands soft and even. It is a good idea to brush through hair every morning and night to remove dirt, dust, and dryness.

Condition, condition, condition 

Condition hair regularly to maintain softness. I condition daily. A moisturizing conditioner strengthens hair and prevents dryness. If your hair feels limp or oily from conditioning, reduce your conditioning regime and only apply conditioner to the ends of hair.