How to Avoid New Blemishes from Picking/Squeezing

I know it's nasty!  But sometimes some of us have a tendency to pick at or squeeze blemishes and blackheads in hopes that they go away.  It's a terrbile habit (more like a stress induced habit for me) and should NEVER occur if you wish to keep your skin clear and undamaged.  As a result of picking, new blemishes tend to pop up and old ones tend to get worse. 

But anyway, when I decide to do this, here is what I do to avoid worsening my skin's condition:

*I don't recommend that anyone do this if their skin is really sensitive (mine is semi-sensitive) or if it just sounds like a bad idea to you.

1.  After I've taken the plunge, I gently wash my face with a cleanser like Purpose.

2. After gentle cleansing to clear away dirt, I take a face brush (I use the Face Secrets one from Sally Beauty) and scrub in a circular motion all over my face (avoid delicate eye tissues).  I push a little harder on the brush than I normally would for daily use.  Use a cleanser of your choice.  I either use the same gentle cleanser or sometimes use the Equate version of Proactiv found at Walmart cleanser.

3.  Then I pat my skin dry with a clean towel.

4.  Next I take the Equate version of Proactiv's third step lotion with benzoyl peroxide and rub it all over my face (not in globs, be reasonable, there shouldn't be excess product on your face).  Spot treating doesn't seem to stop the spread of blemishes to the rest of the face.

5. Avoid touching your face from then on, go to sleep!  Let the product work.

*If you have Proactiv, go ahead and use that because the ingredients are pretty much the same.  I've used Proactiv in the past and the Equate system smells, feels, and works just the same.

Again, I'm no expert, this is just what I found works for me after having this bad habit for years.  Almost seems like a miracle that I wake up looking like I've hardly done a damn thing to my face.  And I don't know why magazines tell you to hold ice to a inflamed blemish, because I still do this hoping it helps, but it really doesn't make a difference at all and ends up leaving my skin red in spots where I held the ice (yes, it was wrapped in a towel and not directly applied ice to skin).  My skin also feels more sensitive after icing.  But if it works for you, great.

And my dawgie.  Can't get enough of her.

FOTD: Sexy Neutral? and ecoTools Bronzer Brush Review

Haha I don't know what to call this look, but I did it before work yesterday and I love it.  I felt pretty all day and my makeup only started to fade if even after 8 hours.  Sorry my pictures are taken with my phone so they aren't the highest of quality but you can still see what I used.


Eye Primer: LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer
Eyeshadow: LORAC Box Office Hit palette 
Eyeliner (Top): wet n wild Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliner in Dark Brown
Eyeliner (Waterline): Cover Girl Liquiline Blast in Green Glow
Mascara: Maybelline Colossal Mascara in Black
Foundation: Revlon Colorstay for Normal/Dry Skin in Sand Beige
Powder: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium
Concealer: Physician's Formula Conceal Rx in Natural Light
Blush/Bronzer: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Custom Glow Blush & Bronzer in Posie Glow
Highlighter: Jane. Shimmering Blush in Wisteria
Lip: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Peach Petal

 

Tid bit: Jane's shimmering blush was used only on the highest part of my cheekbone and along the slope of my nose.

Tid bit: To line my bottom lash line I used the navy shade from the LORAC palette.
And although the Green Glow eyeliner is very light and not as dramatic as I paid/hoped for it to be, it's a very pretty accent to the whole eye look.

Love this brush! The ecoTools Bronzer Brush is very dense and applies MAC MSF like a dream.  It also doesn't leave a lot of extra dust or whatever you want to call it when swipe the brush across the powder.  The handle is thicker and makes holding the brush during application much easier.  I just don't like the bamboo look of the ecoTools line.

EXTRAS OF MY LIFE:

My old puppy:

Detroit Electronic Music Festival

Eek, I got to meet Skrillex!

Dress/Shirt that I made all freehand :) First time too. I did watch a tutorial for sewing on the sleeves though.  I forgot her name, but it was really helpful.  It looks skanky in this picture because of the lighting, but it's not.  I would also wear it with tights. 

Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale Haul

So a couple a weeks ago, I did visit Victoria's Secret during their Semi-Annual Sale and picked up a few things.  I usually get excited about the perfumes that are slashed in price rather than the bras which are still expensive for me.  I wish they would clearance the bras down more than they do.

Lovin' the leopard print one :)



So on top is VS's Vixen shimmer puff.  I love the scent of this and the shimmer is so pretty.  I like to put it on my chest/collarbone area when going out. 

From the left is a creamy Vanilla & Sandalwood scented body wash which smells amazing and makes my skin super soft. 

Next is their Beauty Rush mascara in Indiglow which I have not opened yet.  I have tried the violet Beauty Rush mascara (I forget it's name) and I love it.  I have read bad reviews on it, but it looks good on me.  I'll put up a picture with it's effects at a later time. 

Next it's Room 504 lotion and cream.  The lotion smells just like the spray and lasts a little while.  I detect a hint of it on my arm 5 hours later.  The cream is the same just a little thicker and more moisturizing. 

Next is the a Velvet Amber Blackberry spray.  I love Velvet Amber Blackberry and am sad that they are discontinuing it :( 

Lastly is VERY SEXY DARE perfume.  I returned it just because I have the big spray and it smells too masculine for me.

Almost forgot to add my hoodie which is so comfy and I'm always dying to catch anything black from the PINK line on sale :)