Favorite Beauty Products

I am an amateur when it comes to applying beauty products and knowing exactly what works with my skin and color. However, I LOVE talking beauty products with friends, I watch tons of YouTube videos to get the application right and see what others have to say about products that did and didn’t work for them (my channel is still in the works). While I’m still constantly learning about new products, techniques, and myself, I have managed to scramble up some of my favorites. These are the products that make me look twice in the mirror at myself because they’re the best I’ve tried to far.

Beauty profile recap: I’m half Japanese, half Mexican. I have normal to dry skin. Dry skin being directed at my forehead area and chin. I did start to remove the darker hair on my face for better makeup application and so that skincare products can better adhere and soak in my skin. I have hereditary dark circles under my eyes that cannot necessarily be remedied by products, only covered up.

Beauty Fave #1: MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle 

I bought this maybe 2 years ago and I still have it! This product  lasts such a long time, I kid you not. I wear this product on a daily basis because it’s not super strong, at least when applied with a brush. It gives me just the right amount of lit from within glow. It doesn’t look chalky or white on my darker skin since it’s a champagne color. If you want to build the intensity, you can apply it directly to your face with your fingers or fix plus on a brush. I have never tried strobing, but I imagine it could work with that too.

Beauty Fave #2: Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder

Yes, everyone and their mother mentions this product. Why? Because it’s freaking amazing, that’s why. One of the few gems that doesn’t look white on camera even though it has talc in it. It never looks cakey, even when I try to “bake” with it nor does it feel heavy on the face. It’s so finely milled that it gives you an airbrushed effect on the skin. Their website claims that it contains “unique light-reflecting ingredient that creates a ‘soft-focus’ appearance for fine lines and imperfections”. Honestly, I feel like it does just that. I don’t think I have a major fine line  problem on my face, but I do have a crease right under one of my eyes, and it doesn’t make it look so apparent, which I love!

Beauty Fave #3: Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara

Maybelline always has long ass names for their products. Luckily, that’s the only thing I’m not fond of about this product. Other than that, this product is one of my favorite mascaras I’ve tried. I’ve never been into high end mascaras and I’ve tried a ton of other drugstore mascaras, but this is one that I loved since the day I bought it. The bristles on the brush are rubber and thin. This means it grasps my lashes well and prevents major clumps from happening. Other mascaras I’ve tried end up smudging or transferring under my eyes after a long day, which is a pain. I don’t use this in the waterproof formula, yet it stays put all day. It evenly coats my lashes and makes them dark, long, and volumized.

Beauty Fave #4: MAC Strobe Cream

My best friends, Nicole and Jennifer, introduced this product to me. The Strobe Cream from MAC is morning dew in a bottle. I love how this looks underneath my foundation. My skin tends to look dull throughout the day, but adding this little gem into my routine amps up my game. It’s supposed to be a moisturizer that has tiny iridescent particles that gives you a lit from within glow. I used to be all about a matte face but realized that it just doesn’t work for my dull skin. Adding a little dew to my face makes me look more fresh faced and awake!

Beauty Fave #4: MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Soft Ochre

Nicole introduced this one to me too! She loves MAC, obviously, but all of her suggestions haven’t been wrong. It’s probably the reason why MAC has been around for so long! This stuff beats the eye shadow primers I’ve tried. Everyone raves about the Urban Decay eye shadow primers, but I didn’t like them. This stuff is under the eye shadow category in MAC which is why I never thought of trying it. The formula is smooth, not cakey, however, it does have great coverage on my lids. It cancels out any discoloration on my lids so that my eyes shadow pops. This product with your eye shadow on top mixed with MAC Fix Plus definitely intensifies any colored eye shadow. I never used to wear eye shadow all that much, but since I got the paint pot in Soft Ochre, I haven’t been a day without some on!

Beauty Fave #5: Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Face Mask 

Jennifer got me this for my birthday and I’ve been obsessed ever since. She always hears me complain about my damn dry forehead that itches like crazy during the day but especially at night. This product is supposed to be an overnight mask that you are only required to wear 3 times a week. I slather this on my face, with most attention to my forehead, every night before I go to sleep. It seriously helps prevent me from going Kujo on my  face. I’ve seen a very positive reaction in my skin using this product mixed with drinking more water every day. The ingredients are amazing too what with Japanese seaweed, apricot kernels, and avocado oil.

Makeup is a form of art to some, but for me  it’s really just a way to feel like my best self. Women and men should never feel they have to set beauty standards for themselves based on what other people say, but we also shouldn’t shame them for doing what makes them feel happy and comfortable. My makeup regime makes me feel complete and ready for my day. I feel confident and glad I can experiment with different looks if I want to.

These are my top picks right now and I love them for their unique qualities. My skin is high maintenance, but these products work for me. Thank you friends for sharing similar interests and recommending a majority of these products.

xoxo

GRWM: Shay Mitchell Inspired

I’ve been taking an AMAZING dance class here is SF. It’s called Hip Hop Heels and taught by my amazing instructor, Marqui. I think of it as my Beyonce 101 class. Every season all of the different dance classes put on workshops and have a performance. Our performance is Dec. 5 & 6 so we decided to take group photos to promote it. We got to bring out our “inner sexy” if you will.

If you know me, you know I love to dance and have been doing it since I was little. This class is different than what I’m used to, but instills a confidence in me that I’ve never known before. Plus, I’ve met incredible women in the class.

I did a Get Ready with Me video to show you the look I did for the promotional pictures. Check it out below and let me know what you think!

 

xoxo

Derma Roller Diary: Day 1

If you read my skin profile or watched my Everyday Makeup Routine video, you’ll know that my worst skin problem is something you can’t see, dry skin. In specific, a really dry, irritated forehead that I constantly itch no matter how much moisturizer I use!
It’s been an issue for almost a year now and I have no idea how it began or what to do. I don’t have the funds at the moment to see a Dermatologist..so for now, I am figuring it out and trying to fix my problem as best as I can.

If you haven’t heard of it already, the Derma Roller is this craze that has been going on for some time now. It’s a roller with a handle and on the roller part of it are little tiny needles. What it claims to do is help with dry skin, acne and acne scars, wrinkles, and plump your lips. How does all of that happen? Well they claim that when you roll over your skin with the little needles, small wounds occur. Not large enough to hurt you, but just large enough for your skin to naturally react and produce collagen to build it back up and heal itself. Collagen is typically injected into the skin with a needle to eliminate wrinkles and plump your lips up, so this is like the same things, only you’re at home and it’s your own body’s collagen.

All of it sounds well and good, but I am still a non believer until I try it myself. Being as desperate as I am, I thought, “what do I have to lose?”

Some common questions I had before starting this was as follows:

Does it hurt? Would I keep doing it?

I’m pretty good when it comes to enduring pain. Cuts and scrapes don’t bother me. Getting a tattoo was bothersome, but nothing I couldn’t handle. However, when I get a shot from the doctor’s office, I get queezy and skiddish. Using the Derma Roller was pretty painful and bothersome. I didn’t hate it enough to never do it again. I believe sometimes beauty is pain and you never got anywhere good without a little hard work and endurance. So yes, I would endure that little pain again.

How often do you do this?

I’ve read that you’re supposed to do this at night when you don’t plan on wearing any makeup and at least 4-5 times a week so see results. And you’re supposed to continuously do this regimen so it actually works.

How do you clean the Derma Roller?

Yes, so important!! You’re sticking little needles into your body, you need it to be as sterile and clean as possible!! I’ve read that you need to clean it each time before and after with soap and water, then spray with high percentage alcohol and then rinse with warm water. Before storing it away, you need to let it air dry so there’s no moisture trapped that can cause bacteria.

Does it damage your skin?

After the first time doing this, I only noticed that my face was red afterward. NO major damage or pain after the fact.

Does it really work?

This is what I intend to find out.

I intend to update you on any results I see, or don’t see. My biggest test will be to find out if my forehead doesn’t feel so dry and I stop itching it every single day. Once that happens, I will for sure know this thing works!

Check out the video diary below as well. I really want this to work and if it does, I want everyone to know about it. Follow along and maybe you’ll find out if this could be the solution to a skin problem you may have.

xoxo

Enhancing Your Natural Self

I love dabbling in other people’s makeup kits and bags. I can’t help but become giddy when I see something I haven’t tried before or something I wouldn’t typically wear on myself. I have no idea where all the excitement comes from and when it began. All I know is makeup really is a form of art on your face, you can become a different person for a moment and have the satisfaction of knowing you can go back to normal with the swipe of a makeup wipe.

However, on a day to day basis, I think looking like my natural self suffices. When I’m at my job, I want others to know that I am doing the job, I am getting things done, I will consistently try to be awesome everyday, not someone else or someone with identity issues. In order to be presentable and not look like a mess, I do think that I need to enhance some of the “problem areas” I think I may have. I only really do this so I don’t look tired or sick (as some people have told me when I go bare face..I didn’t disagree).

Take a look at the link below for my everyday makeup routine. It’s simple, everything stays put on my face and I feel naturally myself, and naturally beautiful.

xoxo

Beauty Profile: Brianne Heredia

I am by no means a makeup artist. I’m actually very mediocre when doing my own makeup. I usually stick to the same foundation, winged liner routine that I’ve grown accustomed to. However, my love of beauty, skin, nails, and hair products is a close second to my love for fashion.

My missions for the Beauty segment on my blog is to give others who may have the same skin conditions or even a similar skin color as me, a chance to discuss together what works and what doesn’t. Let’s get to my skin profile.

Brianne Mariko Heredia; age 23

Ethnicity: Mexican, Japanese

Skin Color: Deep, bronze tan in the summer, yellow undertones peak through a pasty tan in winter.

Problems: Sweats easily. Very dry forehead, normal skin on my cheeks and chin, oily on my nose (combination). Currently trying to find a solutions for my irritated forehead without going to a Dermatologist…yet. Dark undereye circles.

Assets: Thick eyebrows. Thick, wavy hair. Typically smooth skin.

Now, I by no means believe in plastic surgery or wearing a full face of makeup all the time. I’ve always thought that women and men should be able to change what they want to change, but never doubt their natural beauty. We’re all different in shape, size, skin, facial features, etc. Makeup is fun to play with and get creative with, just like fashion, but we shouldn’t use it as a mask to cover up our true selves.

Follow along as I go through some tips that I learn along the way and figure out how to stay healthy and radiant.

xoxo