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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

How I’m Changing My Beauty Routine for Fall

October 21, 2015 by Alina Avery Leave a Comment

As the weather gets colder and suntans fade, you’re going to want to make some changes to your routine. Here are a few updates I’m making:

 

The other day, it was pretty clear that it’s no longer acceptable to go outside with wet hair. You could catch a cold (or freeze and damage your tresses)! So I’m pulling out the blowdryer more often, and shampooing as infrequently as possible to make those blowouts last. You hair will adjust to more sparse washing schedule over time, but until then you may find it gets greasy along the roots or dry among the ends. To combat this (and prolong my blowout) I make sure to use a heat protectant spray, a hair serum or oil, and plenty of dry shampoo. Since blow drying applies heat to the hair, I’ll also cut back on other hot tool styling so as not to fry my poor strands too much.

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I still want glowing skin in the summer, but my skin tone is a growing paler every day and a more matte finish is starting to appeal to me more and more. I’ve been mixing about 5-6 drops of the Armani Maestro Fusion Foundation in shade 5 and 2 drops of the Bare Minerals Bare Skin Serum Foundation in Bare Latte. I put both on the back of my hand, blend them together and apply in sections with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. These formulas are both so lightweight and together I can make the perfect shade with a natural satin finish. I’ll finish up with the Armani Maestro Eraser concealer under the eyes, using the same brush.

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Colder weather can dry out skin, so I’m reaching for heavier eye and lip and skin creams, and being careful with my cleansers so as not to strip or dry out skin. I use the original Bioderma formula to remove all traces of makeup while keeping my skins moisture balance intact. Another product I’ve been relying on night and day is the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. I love this for lips, cuticles, anywhere you’ve got dry skin really. Also the Nuxe Multi Use Dry Oil has been a lifesaver for arms and legs. My go-to cold skin eye cream is the Kiehl’s Rosa Arctica Eye. The thick formula is super moisturizing.

Screen Shot 2015-10-21 at 12.55.11 PM

 

 

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Posted in: Beauty, Body, Concealer, Eye cream, Foundation, Hair, Lotion & Cream, Makeup, Skincare Tagged: beauty, fall, routine

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
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