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Alina Avery

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My Best Skin Ever

January 25, 2016 by Alina Avery Leave a Comment

I’ve made a few lifestyle changes over the past couple of weeks and I’ve had unexpected results.

I made the decision at the end of December to get in shape. I set some goals and figured out a way to achieve them the old fashioned way: exercise and nutrition.

What I didn’t expect was that it would have a profound effect on my skin. Seriously, my face has never been so even or clear and I think it’s a direct result of my healthier lifestyle. Here’s a little look at what I’ve been doing.

 

  1. Exercise. I’m not a dermatologist or a trainer or anything like that, but I try to hit the gym five times a week and sweat. I think the combination of sweating clearing out my pores (that may or may not be a real thing or just something I made up) and the strong desire to wash my face after has really helped clear up any breakouts. Because I get so gross, I do a more conscious, focused job of washing my face.
  2. Water. I drink so much more water. I was hovering around 1 liter a day previously, but now I’m talking like 3+ liters a day. I have a 500ml bkr that I keep at my desk and fill up regularly and a 250ml bkr that I keep in my bag for on the go. The smaller size is lighter and more portable and, let’s just be honest, adorable.
  3. Skincare. Like I mentioned before, I pay more attention to washing my face now and follow that up with a really consistent skin care routine. Honestly, I think sticking to a routine is more important than the products you use, but here are the things I’ve been loving lately.

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In the morning, post-workout, I’ll cleanse with my Clarisonic Aria, which I think is now discontinued and replaced with the Mia3. I prefer to use this once a day and in the morning when I’m not wearing any makeup. It bugs me when the brush head gets all foundation-y and I feel like using it on a face full of makeup just moves things around instead of really cleaning, so I use it in the AM. I generally just reach for whatever cleanser is closest to use with it, my beloved Kiehl’s UFC or some other sample I have floating around. I’ll finish up with an application of the Sunday Riley Start Over Active Eye Gel Cream because it’s cooling and firming for delicate undereye skin, and the ruby crystal retinol hydracreme from dr. brandt (make sure you use a sunscreen with this and any other retinol product)! Then I fill up my bkr and I’m good to go!

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At night, I’ll remove my makeup with a wipe. I know these aren’t supposed to be used daily or in place of cleanser, but lately I’ve found that cleansing more than once a day leaves my skin stripped, so I prefer to just use a wipe before bed. These are from Honest Beauty, but I’m not particular and generally just use what I happen to have on hand. I’ll follow that with the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair which has a cult following for a reason. I feel like it really works for me to even texture and tone and it sinks into skin nicely. I’ll also apply the fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream which is refreshing and cooling and a gorgeous thick texture. I find applying this eye cream is more relaxing and the Sunday Riley one is more energizing, which is how I choose which one to use for mornings and which one to apply in the evening.

I’m also eating more greens and veggies which probably means I’m getting more vitamins and minerals and everything, which can’t be hurting my skin! I’m really pleased with my skin care routine and the results I’m seeing currently, which is great motivation to stick with it!

How do you care for your skin? Does exercise help your complexion stay clear?

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Posted in: Beauty, Cleanser, Eye cream, Skincare, Treatment Tagged: bkr, clarisonic, eye cream, retinol, skin care, water

Sephora Play! Unboxing – September 2015

September 26, 2015 by Alina Avery 1 Comment

As you’d expect from a beauty sample hoarder and Sephora fangirl, I signed up for the Play! box as soon as it was available.

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Let’s take a look at what’s inside:

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My overall impression: This is a bigger box than you’d expect from Birchbox or Ipsy, with deluxe samples, good variety of color, skin, and hair care, and well-known brands. It’s also a great value for $10. So the first impact is a good one, but looking closer….

Ok so here’s a big Sephora secret: Kendo Brands. Have you heard of this? From their website:

KENDO IS AN INNOVATIVE BRAND INCUBATOR. Launched in 2008, KENDO began as a division of the SEPHORA merchandising department to create products and brands that SEPHORA knew their clients wanted, but which didn’t yet exist in the market.

So basically, Kendo was created to add more brands and products to Sephora’s catalog that Sephora had control over but weren’t Sephora Collection. It includes Bite Beauty, Elizabeth and James, Ole Henrikson, Marc Jacobs Beauty, FormulaX, and Kat Von D. All of these brands, like Sephora itself, are owned by LVMH. Meaning that Sephora, or it’s owners and controllers, have direct access to their manufacturing pipelines and control over what’s produced. And they also make a better margin off of the sale of full-size products since they manufacture them in-house and aren’t paying a wholesale price. Of the 6 products in this box, 4 of them are from Sephora owned brands. (The other two, Glam Glow and Bumble and bumble, are owned by Estée Lauder Companies.) Let’s be clear, there are products from Kendo Brands that I DO really like and purchase and use, I just think that in the effort of full disclosure, it should be known that they are basically Sephora subsidiaries.

It makes sense that Sephora would include products in their box where they’d be able to ensure the proper supply of samples, but it’s kind of disheartening to know that 2/3 of the products in the Sephora box are essentially Sephora products. That said though, the products were created specifically to fill a gap in the market (even if it is so that Sephora could sell more), so they’re typically unique and interesting.

Ok so on to the products:

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Elizabeth and James Nirvana White. It’s okay. A lot of people complain about getting fragrance samples in Birchboxes (source: used to work at Birchbox, also uses the internet) but I actually like it when it’s an interesting, new, unique scent that I wouldn’t pick up on my own. This one is none of those. It’s kind of basic and boring and I feel like Sephora promotes it a lot, but I don’t know anyone who actually wears it. Meh.

Marc Jacobs Highliner in Blacquer. Snore. If you have shopped at Sephora for any length of time, you probably already have this exact sample three or four times over in various shades. I know I have black and brown and I think also blue. People who bought this box probably already have tried this, already know if they like it or not, and if so, have already purchased the full size.

Sephora Rouge Infusion in Peony. Ok this one I’m actually kind of excited about. The color looks like a great neutral pink that would suit a lot of skin tones, and I hear a lot of good things about Sephora Collection lip products but never actually try them because they aren’t that good of a value and I always manage to find something more exciting to buy. I’ll let you know how I feel about this when I try it.

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Face Cream. I feel like there are more interesting products from this line I’d want to try, but since they’re sending the same box to everyone (I assume) and everyone has such different skin, they had to pick something that would work universally. The same goes for:

GlamGlow Supercleanse. GlamGlow is REALLY well known for their pricey but effective mud masks. This is not one of those. It seems like an interesting cleanser, but it has fragrance and alcohol in it so it could be irritating for some people. I also prefer cleansers that will remove makeup and it doesn’t look like this mud-to-foam formula will take care of that very well. It also looks messy.

And finally, Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer. Another meh. There are a lot of really fantastic Bumble and bumble products but this one doesn’t really impress me. I just don’t think that a hair primer is a necessary step and don’t really see the benefit here. Again, it’s got to work generically for any type of hair, so there’s a constraint on what they can include, but I’m not super jazzed about it.

The whole unboxing experience is pretty good, though. The Play! book has full pages dedicated to each product with augmented reality cues, meaning you can scan the image of the product with your phone using the Sephora app and get direct links to shop and read reviews (if you, a seasoned Sephora shopper, didn’t know all about these – super boring and over-marketed – products already). It takes just slightly longer than typing in the name of the product but it’s a cool idea. The box also comes with a Play! card which lets you get 50 bonus points with an in-store visit. (50 bonus points can be redeemed for 1/2 a deluxe sample at Sephora…)

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So all in all, I’m kind of disappointed. Hopefully, the next box will have more variety, more exciting products, maybe they’ll let me tailor it to my preferences. I guess we’ll see!

Did you sign up for the Sephora Play! box? What did you think?

Also do you want to know more about beauty brands, how they are all related and who owns what? I could do a pretty interesting post on how the entire beauty industry is really just a handful of players.

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Posted in: Beauty, Cleanser, Fragrance, Hair, Lips, Makeup, Skincare Tagged: play!, sephora, unboxing

September Birchbox 2015

September 11, 2015 by Alina Avery Leave a Comment

I used to work at Birchbox. Which was really cool but also it kind of ruined the experience of getting a Birchbox. I knew way ahead of time what the product assortment was for the month and even what was going to be in my box. The delight was still there, but the surprise was lacking.

Since I left back in May it’s been a lot more exciting to get a monthly box. If you don’t know, Birchbox is a beauty ecommerce website that also has a subscription sample service where you can get 5 deluxe samples sent to you in a pretty box every month. You can review those samples for points and redeem those points towards full size products. I recently did a fairly large order with my points, so a Birchbox haul coming soon!

Want to see what was in this month’s box?

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The box theme is “Better Together” and celebrates Birchbox’s 5 year anniversary and of course the subscribers that made that possible. This isn’t my favorite of the themed boxes from this year, but I do love that all of the boxes have been designed instead of the old kraft brown (are those collectors editions now?)

On to the samples!

 

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POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow – Sugar Plum. Full size $26.

I’m happy about this. The shades aren’t too outrageous and I’ve actually gotten a POP eyeshadow trio in my Birchbox before but it was shattered when it arrived, so I’m looking forward to actually getting to try out the formulas. The full size has 36 shades, so it’s a great value.

amika Bombsell Blowout Spray. Full size $24.

I’m all about the round brush blowout right now. I’m finally getting into teaching myself how to do it and the results aren’t half bad! Looking forward to trying out this spray. I’ve received the amika Dry Shampoo in a previous box and love the way it smells and it works amazingly well, so high hopes for this!

dr. brandt pores no more cleaner. Full size $35.

Meh. I’ve tried this cleanser before, but not through Birchbox. I find it a bit too harsh for my skin. It’s a good size and value though so I can’t say I’m unhappy.

100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream. Full size $25.

Caffeine is supposed to have some benefits for your skin. I’m not sure how effective it is when applied topically, though. I’m interested in this being natural and the sample is a good size too.

Harvey Prince Eau So Divine. Full size $26-55.

As far as fragrance samples go, this one is a larger size and has a spray nozzle so that’s a plus. The scent is very feminine and a bit summery, so not sure how much I’ll wear it now that the weather is cooling down. I don’t think I’d shell out for the full size but the sample is nice!

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What do you think of my box?

 

 

 

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Posted in: Beauty, Cleanser, Eye cream, Eyeshadow, Fragrance, Hair, Makeup, Skincare Tagged: Birchbox, cleanser, makeup, perfume

Over Indulgence Recovery Routine

April 29, 2015 by Alina Avery

Since I’m leaving NYC and my current job, my coworkers and I went out last night for drinks to celebrate and say goodbye.

And when I say drinks I mean…

Vodka sodas,

and picklebacks,

and fireball shots.

Let’s just say my skin (and the rest of me) was not quite its vibrant glowing self this morning.

Luckily, I’ve developed a routine to get myself back to radiant (or at least fake it!)

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Starting with hair, the Lush Roots treatment is a great way to perk yourself back up. It’s slightly minty and tingly, which feels great on your scalp in the morning. I always feel more put together when my hair looks great, and this pretty much guarantees soft, full, smooth, voluminous locks. I apply it first thing when I get out of bed, and then take some time to relax and wake up while it works before getting in the shower to shampoo it out. It’s a great way to ease back into human-hood.

I always give my face a good cleanse since chances are I either skipped it entirely the night before (guilty) or just used a makeup removing wipe. Obviously, I reach for the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser. It’s super gentle, so it’s great for when my skin is in a more delicate state, but still really effective at removing dirt, oil, makeup, etc. It doesn’t strip skin either so it’s a win all around. I’ve sang the praises of this cleanser so much that I actually don’t know what more I can say.

Next, a good exfoliating is in order. I love using the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peels and since I’ve just stocked up it was the first thing I reached for. It really helps to soothe and smooth skin and unclog and refine pores. I’ll apply step 1, brush my teeth, and then step 2. It’s a great alternative to a harsh or messy scrub when you’re still in a bit of a daze.

A plumping serum is your best friend when you’ve had one too many the night before. Your skin (and, let’s be real, your whole body) is dehydrated, meaning every fine line is exaggerated. I’ve been loving the Kiehl’s Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate that I picked up in my recent haul. Its serum to liquid texture makes it perfect for layering without feeling heavy and it plumps and hydrates my skin right back up.

The last thing I’ll do to make sure no one can tell I’m functioning on three hours of sleep (at least by looking at me) is to mix a healthy amount of illuminator into my foundation. I already customize my base daily, so this isn’t too far a venture from the norm, but Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector is my go-to on days like today.

There are also things I’ll be sure to skip:

Elaborate eyeshadow. You definitely don’t want to accidentally draw attention to any darkness under your eyes from a lack of sleep, and when you’re going for wide eyed and radiant, a fresh clean eye look is best. Maybe a slick of liner if you’re feeling bold, but I’ll usually just swipe on a satin-y matte light shade, like MAC Brule or Urban Decay ABC Gum, to conceal any veins or darkness in my eyelids.

Heavy powder. Your skin is going to be a bit more dry than usual, and a powder can accentuate that. Definitely set any concealer you’ve applied, but go a bit lighter than you normally would. You want to look dewy and fresh, not flat.

Matte lips. Again, dehydration means dry skin means extra dry lips. Anything matte can make this super obvious and even create flakes and crusts (um, gross). I’d also avoid anything too glossy which can go so far in the opposite direction to draw more attention to any problems. So stick to a moisturizing tinted balm like the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments or By Terry Tinted Baume de Rose that will give you a hint of color and a huge dose of moisture.

What do you do the morning after to get yourself back into tip top condition?

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Posted in: Beauty, Cleanser, Hair, Makeup, Skincare, Treatment Tagged: beauty, hair, hair treatment, illuminator, peel, recovery, skincare

Spring 2015 Haul (Pt. 1 – Birchbox Friends and Family Sale)

April 24, 2015 by Alina Avery 1 Comment

I have been shopping lately. Between the Sephora VIB Sale, the dwindling days left I’ll be eligible for my Birchbox employee discount, and just general excitement for the spring season, I’ve picked up quite a few bits and pieces here and there. I decided it’s better to break it up a bit instead of having one monster post.

Which is extra bad because soon I’ll have to pack up everything I own, so I’ve also been trying to use up my current stash as much as possible (aka apply self tanner daily). Keep an eye out for an empties post to round out the next few hauls.

Today was the Friends and Family Charity Sale at Birchbox HQ. Meaning that all of the products that were returned or damaged or discontinued or generally unsalable are available for employees and those they know to purchase at heavily discounted prices.

The product sales at work are tricky for a few reasons:

1) Hygiene

You don’t want something that anyone has put their fingers in, mouth on, etc. I tend to grab skin care and hair products that dispense cleanly to avoid any potential contamination or disease spreading.

2) Damages

Some products are returned because the packaging is broken, or the product itself is defective. Each item has to be inspected to make sure it still sprays properly and isn’t leaking or messy.

3) Discounts

Some products will be a better deal than others. For the Birchbox sale, price points are $1, $2, $5, and $10. While a $1 product sounds like a great idea, it’s usually the $10 stuff that’s going to be the best deals. Each of the products I bought were $10, but retail for $40 and up, meaning I got them for at least 75% off!

4) Digging!

There are literally boxes and boxes of product. It helps to know what you’re looking for and recognize products you’ve purchased or used before. I’m pretty good at sussing out things that I like, but it can be trying if you’re not patient, especially as little things tend to sink to the bottom.

 

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During today’s sale, I grabbed:

1) Dr. Brandt Glow Travel Kit ($65)

I’ve purchased this exact set before. It’s two retinol products, one for night and one for day. They smell a bit funky but they work really well to refine skin texture, even tone, smooth and soothe.

2) Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($42)

A STAPLE product. Seriously, I have recommended this for anyone that has hair. It adds texture, shine, doesn’t weigh anything, smells amazing, but is pricey and the bottle always seems to run out quickly.

3) By Terry Baume De Rose ($60)

I’ve had the pot version before, which I like, but is risky to pick up during the sale. I inspected it for fingerprints and it appeared untouched, which is good enough for me. It’s a rose scented colorless balm for lips, cuticles, and other dry areas. The packaging is compact but luxe, and this one will replace the one I keep on my bedside table, and that one will head into my purse for on-the-go.

4) Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel ($85)

I’m actually kind of upset about this because I just shelled out the cash to buy it full size, but I’m excited to find it anyway! This is an ideal product sale pick because each application is individually wrapped (so sanitary) and at $10 it’s an incredible deal. You use the first wipe, wait 2 minutes, and apply the second one. My skin always feels so soft and clean afterwards. It’s great for mornings when your skin feels congested or dull.

5) Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser ($45)

I’ve also used this before, but haven’t repurchased it as the Kiehl’s cleanser is way more cost effective and works well enough for me, but this cleanser is great for minimizing pores and balancing skin. It does give you ceramic or porcelain looking skin, but I have heard people complain about the scent. I don’t mind the fragrance personally, and a cleanser is on your skin for such a short amount of time that it doesn’t bother me at all.

I think I did pretty well at the sale! It can be tricky to dig out the best products, but definitely worth it. It’s for sure one of the things I’ll miss the most about working at Birchbox.

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