Glycolic Masks- 3 Things to avoid

Ahhhh glycolic acid. One of my favorite things to treat my skin with. If you guys have been following along, you'll know I have discussed glycolic pads (here) and how effective they are for all skin types. 

I love glycolic acid in products BC-

1. It retexturizes the skin

2. Rejuvenates the skin through cell turn over, forcing it to shed dead cells and produce new ones

3. Helps rid the skin of hyperpigmentation spots from acne or sun. 

Wellll, I loved this stuff so much, I went a little wild on it and learned a few lessons. Hopefully, my mistakes will help you to avoid some painful and embarrassing looking mistakes.

So here is what not to do:

1. Don't apply glycolic masks for any longer than the specified time! That may seem obvious but it's not. You may think you need a little extra treatment, as did I ONCE.  Soooo you leave it on for 45 minutes to realllllly treat your skin rather than the 10 minutes it suggests... Don't do that. Read the instructions and stick to them.

2. DO. NOT EXFOLIATE with any harsh brush or device prior to use! Im referring to something like a PMD (personal microdermabrasion handheld device) or even a Clarisonic if you have sensitive skin at all. I made this mistake (which now seems silly and obvious) and exfoliated prior to using the mask. When I put the mask on, my skin started to sting and it burnedddd and I thought, HA! It's working! No, it was burning my skin! When I took off the mask, my skin was a little pink and felt a bit like it had wind burn. The next morning I woke up with this dark brown/purplish scab down my face in a line, where I had dragged my exfoliator. It took two weeks to heal and left a scar for a while (adding to my collection of hyperpigmentation and hormonal acne spots that take forever to fade on my face!)

3.Rinse off fully with lukewarm water and rehydrate the skin with a very moisturizing serum or cream. I suggest doing this at night so you don't have to bother with the sun and SPF blah blah because that's one added step.( I don't like unnecessary steps.) I love to use a super moisturizing cream like Eminence Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer or their Firm Skin Acai Moisturizer. Both of these creams are super moisturizing, organic, and calming to my skin with natural age defying products in them. Seriously in love with them.

If you use glycolic masks, which I SERIOUSLY advise from all of the research I've done, just make sure you follow instructions and don't try to combine too many products before or after. I am a skincare junkie these days and sometimes get a little too excited and ambitious when it comes to application. More is not always better when it comes to your skin.

I hope you guys can learn from my mistakes and get the benefits of Glycolic without the aftermath I faced from using too many amazing but non cohesive products and devices together. 

See you guys soon. xo,

Kim

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Dermaplane At Home Tell All

Okay ladies so I know for some of you, this sounds crazy and weird. Shaving your face? At home? Without a medical grade blade and a licensed aesthetician?

YES.

Allow me to back up for a sec. So I got dermaplane for the first time on my skin about 5 years ago and was amazed at how smooth and glowy your skin instantly looks. For those of you who don't know, dermaplaning is essentially when you get your face shaved with a medical grade blade, performed by an aesthetician. It is done at the beginning of facials to get rid of dull, dead, and dry skin as well as peach fuzz to allow the your skin to really absorb the products and to make you look smooth and fresh!

It's AMAZING. I love the way makeup goes on and how dewy and smooth I look for weeks. 

Sooooo then do I need to pay $125 for a facial everyyyytime my peach fuzz grows back?

NO. YOU DONT.

I was introduced to an eyebrow shaper that has the same effect and costs a few dollars! Now after having done this for 4 years, I can tell you it is the perfect option to keep you fresh and smooth while you wait to save up for another facial. My hair doesn't grow back darker or thicker as some fear. It is no different from what an aesthetician does although they get a closer shave to get more dull skin off, but it generally does the same thing.

I'll demonstrate how to do this yourself and what NOT to do and things to make sure of before you start. Okay, Now for the video.

I hope this clears things up a little bit and maybe makes it a little less scary to try. It might be worthwhile to get a facial first to understand the benefits of it so that when it starts to grow in again, you have a foundation on how its meant to feel etc. from a professional doing it.  Comment below with questions or concerns!

xo, Kim

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