Snow White's Winter Beauty Secrets Volume 2

I love winter because I love winter clothes, but I hate winter because my skin hates it. Today, I want to share  how I protect my skin from the cold. I will be sharing two secrets, both using my favorite skin care items.

1) First, is mixing your liquid foundation or BB cream. I personally mix my BB cream with Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream. I use the Ultra Facial Cream as my last step of skin care regime, but I mix a little amount of Ultra Facial Cream with my BB Cream as my makeup base. I would say the ratio should be 6:4. Six should be your BB cream (or liquid foundation) and 4 should be the Ultra Facial Cream or a moisturizer of your choice. (I recommend Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream or Biotherm's Aquasource).  I personally mix two items on top of my hand with a small spatula and then apply it to my face. (The picture makes it seem like you mix it as you apply it on your face :(



2) My second secret is mist! I have tried various mists but most are dehydrating more than hydrating. Therefore, I like to use Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner as my winter mist. Since I don't really use this toner in the winter, I love it as my mist. I use as my last step of skin care, whenever I feel like I need it, and after I finish my make up! You can purchase a small travel size mist bottle like the picture above for less than a dollar. I bought mine for 97 cents at Walmart. I carry it in my purse!


-XOXO Snow White

Snow White's Winter Beauty Secret Volume 1: Squalene

As some of you guys know, I have been using Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner and Cream to eliminate redness and itchiness on my cheeks. I am also in love with their #1 lipbalm <3. As I was applying their skin care one day, I noticed one thing in common. All the products I have purchased from Kiehl's, including the lip balm contain "squalene." (Don't get me wrong, not all of their products contain squalene, just the ones I have purchased). Then a light bulb came on! I remember taking squalene as a dietary supplement when I was younger. I remember the pills looking just like the picture I posted above. I quickly researched what it is and it is basically oil from shark's liver. It contains a lot of vitamin E and beta carotene. It is famous for creating glowing skin. No wonder Kiehl's been magical for me! It is also known that not only applying squalene oil but also taking squalene as dietary supplement can help ease dry skin. I am planning on purchasing this soon. Perhaps, I'm going to add it to my Christmas Wish List!



- XOXO Snow White

Snow White's Secret for Hydrated Skin: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream Review

As I have ranted before, I am suffering from a dry/flaky skin. It got to a point, where I started to have redness on my cheeks that sort of looked like atopic skin. In addition, it itches when I enter dry areas (which is everywhere with heaters and wind=everywhere). It got to a point where my mom yelled at me for using cheap skin care products and she blamed it on me. Not that I don't have faith in drug store skin products, I just knew that it was time for me to turn to high end product for a fast recovery. As always, I did a lot of research. I was debating on purchasing Biotherm's Aqua.. something I can't remember and Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream. I came to a conclusion that Biotherm is more suitable for summer and Kiehl's is more suitable for winter. Plus, you can only purchase Biotherm online, whereas I can drive 3miles and go to the Kiehl's corner in Saks Fifth Avenue. I originally intended to obtain some samples of the product today with my mom and ended up buying a gift set that contained the Ultra Facial Cream, thanks to my mom <3 Let me tell you, when I tried this at the store, I was amazed. This cream is SO LIGHT and it feels like putting water on your face that stays there forever. As I was walking to my car to the enter Saks, my skin was so itchy from the wind. However, when I left the building to get into my car, my skin was not itchy AT ALL. I have to give it a week at least to see whether my skin will recover or not, but so far, the itchiness is gone forever. A young later at the Kiehl's counter gave me plenty of samples to try as well! I am afraid I am going to go back there and buy the toner and cleaning cream from the same line.. I will have to ask for Christmas!!!

PS: While I was there, I tried their lip balm, because my lips are soooooo chappy and GROSS in the winter. You can literally peel skin off my lips everyday. I am definitely going to go back this week to purchase this lip balm. I regret not getting it today!!! It is pretty thick, so if you don't like thick chapticks or lip balms do not get it unless you try it. This has become my number one lip product as of today <3 Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 is literally #1.


-XOXO Snow White

Natural Whitening Potato Peel Mask: Snow White's Secret to Porcelain Skin

I love eating potatoes. I eat them almost everyday, but did you know that potato skins or thin slices of potato can be used as facial whitening masks? It was a couple of years ago when I went to a beach for a week and I was completely baked under the sun... I mean,... RED. My mom cut thin slices of potatoes and put it all over my body. Potatoes not only have the power to reduce redness from sun exposure but it also has the power to whiten skin. I saw the immediate result with my burns. The redness did not go away with one facial but I could definitely see the immediate result, the difference between the spots I had potato on my skin and the spot you I did not have them on (red VS pink). Same thing with the face, now that I don't have any sun burns because it's winter, I am using potato to whiten my face. It is so much cheaper than purchasing whitening creams or serums AND I feel like it is more natural. It is also so moisturizing! Perfect for winter! I usually cut thin slices of a small potato, wash my face, and just place the slices on my face. Wait until it seems like the slices have lost moisture (you can tell by touching the outer layer) and rinse with water! Quick and Easy! I love the cooling sensation on my face. It is also good for those of you guys with acne because it reduces heat under your skin, thus reducing redness and prevent future breakouts. Please go try this!


- XOXO Snow White

How to Naturally Remove Blackheads: EGG YOLK MASK

I am pretty sure Snow White had perfect porcelain skin, and she probably didn't have any blackheads or enlarged pores either. Blackheads and enlarged pores bother me more than anything. I am always trying new products to get rid of them! Well.. now that the weather is getting ready for fall and winter, I have dry spots on my face. While I was on the phone with my mom, she suggested me to do a mask with egg yolk. I tried it as soon as I got off the phone with her. I mean, everyone should have eggs in the refrigerator. And it's simple. You can either just use egg yolk (which is what I did the first time), egg yolk and half of a banana (banana is suppose to help you lock moisture) and/or you can add teaspoon of honey. My skin was pretty dry even after the mask, but I noticed something else. SOME OF MY BLACKHEADS ARE GONE AND MY PORES ARE VISIBLY SMALLER!!! I read it online that you should do this 1-2 times a week. And this is my second week, so I will probably do it tomorrow. BUT I'M TELLING YOU. THIS WORKS. NICE AND SIMPLE! GO TRY IT NOW AND THANK ME LATER! YOU WILL SEE THE RESULT INSTANTLY. NO JOKE.

(I have heard that baking soda works wonders... but I never tried it because I always felt like it's not good for your skin.. but HEY! Egg yolk is safe for sure.)


-XOXO Snow White

Taste of a sweet apple: Nina by Nina Ricci

Most people think of a poison apple when they think of Snow White. However, this apple is not. This pure sweet and warm fragrance is one of my favorites. Nina by Nina Ricci is perfect for a casual day, picnic, shopping or whatever.. This is the magical fragrance that makes you feel young again!

-XOXO Snow White

Dickinson's Witch Hazel VS. Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner

  

I started using Dickinson's Witch hazel after suffering from acne. I don't have severe acne but my face isn't all that perfect.  I found out on Youtube (from many beauty gurus) that Witch hazel toner is great for reducing redness and for acne treatment. It is 100% natural but it contains alcohol (14%). Most acne targeted skincare products contain alcohol so I didn't care much at the time. By the way, the smell isn't that great and I don't even know how to explain the smell but it's bearable  My mom and I loved it after our first use during the summer because it seemed like it treated our blemishes right away. Next morning, redness on my cheeks appeared less. My mom ended up purchasing her own bottle soon after and I also bought their new cleanser and foam wash. I loved all of their products for a while. That is.. until I used it for a month. My skin felt rough and super dry. I mean,.. REALLY rough. I was still in love with the idea of witch hazel so I found a similar product without alcohol and that is Thyers Rose Petal Witch Hazel. First of all, the smell is amazing. It smells like natural rose water. The result was pretty much the same without the use of alcohol and I personally felt like it also lightened my dark spots caused from acne and sun exposure. I used Thyers all summer long until when the weather got colder. My skin still felt super dry so I figured I need to use something else in the winter. I definitely stopped using all of Dickinson's witch hazel products. I still have a new bottle of their toner left, but you can actually use the toner in many different ways, so even if you don't like the product, you can still keep it next to your first aid kit. The second picture above is the picture of their old bottle that used to be located next to rubbing alcohol at local drug stores. They now have a new designed bottle that is yellow. All of their products are in yellow now. In conclusion, I would definitely choose Thyers Rose Petal With Hazel  over Dickinson's. I bought mine online for about 6 dollars but price will vary depending on where you buy. If you want to but it in store, I think they have it at Whole Foods Market around 12 dollars. They also come in many different scents! However, I would recommend using something else in the winter. Use something that is more moisturizing to protect your skin!


-XOXO Snow White

The Secret to Snow White's Shiny Black Hair: Dove Hair Therapy Nourishing Oil

Dove Hair Therapy Nourishing Oil Care; anti-frizz serum is my # 1 go to hair product. I apply it when my hair is damp at night (after shower) and/or in the morning before I leave my house. This product SMELLS AMAZING and makes my hair EXTREAMLY SOFT. Seriously the best hair product I have ever used. & it DOES NOT leave your hair oily/greasy what so ever. ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE.

-XOXO Snow White

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque VS. Freeman's Facial Clay Mask Mint & Lemon

I first found out about the Freeman's Facial Clay Mask Mint & Lemon on youtube. I heard many great things about how it leaves your skin so soft, reduces your pore sizes immediately and such... I was so thrilled to try it!! However, when I tried the sample size, I quickly knew that I would never purchase the full size. This item will BURN YOUR EYES!!! I don't know if it's because I have sensitive eyes but when I first applied to my cheek, my tears started running down my cheeks and I could not open my eyes. It was as if I had been chopping a basket full of onions.... Yes, the direction says, avoid applying around eyes and I did NOT even go near my eyes!!! Not only that, it appeared to have made my pore sizes LARGER. I was very disappointed. 

I quickly searched for an alternative and I found another product on youtube. I was skeptical of this product because of the price. I purchased the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque at Walmart for less than $3 dollars. I mean, the Freeman's Facial Clay Masks are cheap too, but after my experience with Mint and Lemon mask,... I was thinking about sticking to my DHC Mask. I purchased the Mint Julep Masque anyways. It's cheap, why not...  I tried it as soon as I got home and oh my... I soon fell in LOVE with this product. I actually applied it to half of my face to see if it would actually make my pores appear smaller and I could see the difference! I regretted only applying to the right half of my face but I was so glad find a product that really does what it says it does! I also leaves my skin feel moist and soft afterwards. It doesn't provide magical noticeable difference in appearance, but I think it's more of "my face is now cleaner" sensation I get from the scent. I'm not sure if I would re-purchase this item but if I had to choose from the two, I would choose Queen Helene. I think it's good as a spot treatment mask. 

- XOXO Snow White

Beauty starts within: Hyaluronic Acid

Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of all?People say true beauty starts within, don't they?Inner beauty is just as important as outer beauty. Hmm.. about outer beauty,..Is there something we can do to help our skin glow from the inside?Hyaluronic Acid is known to help our skin hydrated. We do all know that our body is made up of majority with water. Well, Hyaluronic Acid is known to help our body retain water 1000 times better!!!