Month: August 2019

This DIY Oil Will Give You The Richest Tan

Published on by Crystal Lee1 Comment

While we realize the saying “life is better with a tan”, may be a little OTT, it does make you feel like an absolute goddess. While some beauties can literally spend 20 minutes in the sun and be transformed into a bronzed bombshell, there are some of us who need a little assistance from a trusty tanning oil. We know summer is almost over but for the ones who got that sunshine in their pocket, we decided it was time to check out the best tanning formulas on the market and DIY. And we’re SO impressed with the results!

Our DIY tanning oil gives you the deepest tan without having to spend days in the sun and leaving your piggy-bank empty. Plus it got loads of amazing ingredients that nourish and hydrate your skin at the same time. We’re kinda annoyed we didn’t think of it sooner!

Why you need to DIY your own tanning oil

Yes…. black people and people of color do tan too. So, with that being said, recently me and my beauties were thinking about how we could save money on tanning oils. With research and experimenting, we realized how easy it would be to recreate our fave branded tanning oil at-home, as they’re mostly just a combination of oils. Plus, buying the original oils is often a lot cheaper in the long run, as we tend to go through our branded tanning oil in under a month. Nothing can beat that Floridian sun, haha.

Our DIY tanning oil is also seriously beneficial for your skin; it’s bursting with antioxidants and of course, it’s uber-moisturizing, so while you’re attracting the rays, you’re also rejuvenating your skin. Plus, the healthier and more hydrated the skin, the deeper the tan will be and the longer it will last. Here’s what you need:

Ingredients 

3 tablespoons of vitamin E Oil or carrot seed oil
½ cup of Jojoba oil
½ cup of Grapeseed oil
½ cup of Coconut oil
Optional: A bronzed shimmer eyeshadow or highlighter

Mix the oil together in a bowl (try to use cold pressed organic oils), then using a funnel dispense the mixture into a spray bottle. If you want to amp up your glow, you can also break a bronze highlighter into the mixture. Shake well before use and apply onto your skin, once you’ve applied sunscreen.

But NEVER forget SPF…

We cannot stress enough how important SPF is whenever you’re in the sun. If your skin is left unprotected, you can damage your skin and increase the risk of premature aging, dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and increase your risk of getting skin cancer. So before you apply your DIY oil, you need to apply a lot of SPF, and then apply even more. We recommend at least a factor 30 to be reapplied every 2 hours as a minimum, as we tend to apply it much more sparingly than is done during lab testing so an SPF 30 will offer you only SPF 15 in most cases.” If you have fair skin, make sure you apply factor 50 – and yes, you can still tan through SPF (we know because we use factor 50 every weekend)!

Now, go and enjoy every second of that beautiful sun!

Let us know if you guys try this DIY tanning oil in the comments below.

THE TRUTH ABOUT KYLIE SKIN!

Published on by Crystal Lee2 Comments

So as soon as Kylie mentioned she was moving into skincare, the beauty world held its breath in anticipation and penciled the release date in their calendars – we needn’t remind you that Kylie cosmetics typically sell out in 24 hours! Like I said in my Kylie Skin Review, since its’ launch, many people including beauty gurus have been praising the line as well as critiquing it.

The main concerns from the public are about the two ingredients used in her product line – squalane and hydroxyacetophenone. The issues seem to be around the sourcing of these ingredients, which I don’t find to be a problem (read on). Instead, my only issue is the use of vitamin C and sodium benzoate in the Kylie Skin cleanser.

Kylie Skin — Squalane and Hydroxyacetophenone Controversy

After reviewing multiple critiques about the issue, I want to take defense for Kylie Skin about these two ingredients. The official website and Kylie herself stated that all Kylie Skin products are vegan and cruelty-free. However, according to the widespread critiques, in Kylie Skin products’ ingredient list, squalane, which is found in both the Kylie Skin Vanilla Milk Toner and Kylie Skin Walnut Face Scrub, is derived from sharks; Hydroxyacetophenone, used in Foaming face wash and Vanilla Milk Toner, is derived from beavers. If this were true, that would make the ingredients the products decidedly un-“cruelty-free” since these are taken from animals.

However, it’s important to know that there are alternative ways to obtain these ingredients, and such alternatives can make Kylie’s products compatible with being vegan and cruelty-free. For instance, chemists used to derive solely squalane from shark liver oils, but they’ve now found ways to derive squalane from olives and sugarcane.

I actually just wrote a comprehensive blog post that explains the difference between these two types of squalane, and we found that both sugarcane-derived squalane and olive-derived squalane are high-quality and actually more economical to source than shark livers, especially sugarcane in the latter regard. In fact, most skincare products nowadays have already stopped using the shark-derived squalane, instead using plant-derived squalane. Think about it this way, if you can get the same quality of squalane from olives or sugarcane, why do you want to take it from sharks that are very costly and may make your brand nefarious to ever-increasing numbers of people who want cruelty-free ingredients? Besides, as Kylie clarified later, her squalane is from olives.

Another controversial ingredient was hydroxyacetophenone, which is used in the Kylie Skin Foaming Face Wash and Kylie Skin Vanilla Milk Toner. There are three types of hydroxyacetophenone: 2-Hydroxyacetophenone, 3-Hydroxyacetophenone, and 4-Hydroxyacetophenone. Of these, only the 3-Hydroxyacetophenone is from mature beavers and it can’t even be used as an ingredient in personal care products. According to Chemicalbook.com, 3-Hydroxyacetophenone is a hazardous chemical compound which may cause skin irritation, eye irritation, and respiratory irritation. It’s even recommended for lab researchers to wear protective clothing and wash hands thoroughly after handling this material due to its harm to skin. And unlike many ingredients that are warned about in only very high concentrations, small amounts of 3-hydroxyacetophenone can be a problem. As you can see, it’s quite obvious that this is not the type of Hydroxyacetophenone used in the Kylie Skin ingredients.

However, 4-Hydroxyacetophenone is the one that was used in Kylie Skin products — a completely different compound. 4-Hydroxyacetophenone is an ingredient that can be commonly used in pharmaceutical drugs, and it’s found in needles and mycorrhizal roots of Norway spruces, which makes it compatible with being vegan. It works with preservatives to boost its efficacy and prevent skincare products from corrosions.

My Actual Concern: Kylie Skin Foaming Face Wash

Rather than these two ingredients, I have more concerns about the formula used in Foaming Face Wash. The official websites describes this cleanser as “infused with ultra-nourishing kiwi seed oil, packed with Vitamin C and E to help maintain moisture and improve elasticity.”

However, in the ingredient list I’ve found a debating combination: Vitamin C and sodium benzoate. These two ingredients are known to create benzene together in the presence of light and air. Kylie Skin foaming face wash’ transparent package is apparently not enough to protect the contents from light, and may leave the product vulnerable to outside light, so I wouldn’t want to use it. Further, it’s a known fact that skin care products contain Vitamin C should be stored in opaque and airless containers. Kylie Skin did a great job on airless packaging as none of its product is stored in jars, but the transparent packages of face wash again can make the beneficial ingredients inside like vitamin C lose its potency due to the exposure to light.

Last but not least, walnut scrub is one product that receives a lot of critiques about its main ingredient: walnut shell powder. It’s scientifically shown to be impossible to make walnut shell particles smooth, and therefore may cause microscopic scrapes on skin during the usage. It does sound frightening, but it works pretty much the same way as all physical exfoliators do. Typically, physical exfoliators are more harsh, and more difficult to handle since some of them may bring irritation and sensitivities to skin. That’s why the majority of dermatologists recommend using chemical exfoliators instead, since chemical exfoliators are proven to work more effective and more gentle on skin. My recommendation for using the walnut face scrub is to use carefully and gently, use it less often than you did with other exfoliators, most importantly, pay attention to how your skin react and adjust your way of using it based on your skin conditions.

Bottom Line

I like the Kylie Skin line overall, and do find it to be cruelty-free, despite the controversy you might read online elsewhere. But I would avoid the Kylie Skin Foaming Face Wash, if for no other reason than its combination of vitamin C and sodium benzoate, which I do not like.

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Disclaimer:

The purpose of this blog is for skin care and beauty-related reviews and tips only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. Information posted should not be construed as personal medical advice. Posts are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure disease.

SHOP KYLIESKIN COLLECTION!

Does Kylie Skin Live Up To The Hype? Our HONEST Thoughts

Published on by Crystal Lee4 Comments

Making the move from color cosmetics to skincare is no easy task – it’s a completely different ball game!

During the month of May, 21-year-old Kylie Jenner, the well-known youngest billionaire expanded her beauty empire by launching yet another brand under her name — Kylie Skin. She dropped seven skin care products, and all of them sold out within 10 minutes. There have been many praises as well as critiques, so my friends and I thought why not try the collection out for ourselves.

Our First Impression

When we saw the initial range of products, we were really impressed as it contains most of our fave skincare essentials (except SPF!). All of the products are also cruelty-free, vegan, paraben-free, and sulfate-free, which is a nice added bonus. The packaging is simple and cute, and of course, totally on-brand. Overall, it felt a little luxe, especially for the price point.

Step 1: Foaming Face Wash, $24

This is possibly our favorite product in the range. It honestly feels like velvet on your skin and it doesn’t leave it feeling dry or tight as it’s packed with hydrating ingredients like glycerin. It also boasts kiwi seed oil, a rich source of vitamin C and E, which are powerful antioxidants that help brighten your skin and protect it from damaging free radicals. It’s a very gentle cleanser, so although it should work well for most skin types, we recommend this as a second cleansing step if you’re removing makeup and SPF (or use this twice), to ensure all traces of dirt are gone.

Step 2: Walnut Scrub, $22

Ahh yes, the super controversial walnut scrub! Before this product was even released, the industry went crazy over the use of walnuts, which many skincare brands avoid due to the increased risk of over-exfoliation. Walnut shells cannot be ground to be completely smooth, they have a jagged edge and therefore could risk scratching and over-exfoliating your skin – hence, all the drama!

In the name of beauty, of course, we tried it! The result? Well, we didn’t break out, and our face definitely didn’t feel terrible! We used this scrub as gently as we could, and while some of us were left a little pink, some of us simply loved the smooth result. Ultimately, if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, we wouldn’t recommend using this. If you do want to give it a go, be as gentle as possible and don’t use it more often than twice a week. Our personal preference when it comes to exfoliators is chemical exfoliators.

Step 3: Vanilla Milk Toner, $22

We instantly loved the idea of a hydrating milk toner. The formula is packed with hydrating ingredients like squalane, glycerin, jojoba seed oil, avocado oil, and apricot kernel oil to name a few. Interestingly, the milk toner was one of the few products that had a noticeable scent, and it really did smell good. This was definitely one of our fave products; we loaded up a cotton pad and it applied really well and felt luxurious on the skin. However, this isn’t the type of toner that will make a dramatic difference to your skin, although it is very hydrating and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. The formula is also very rich, so we wouldn’t recommend it for acne-prone skin as it could be too heavy.

Step 4: Vitamin C Serum, $28

Vitamin C is one ingredient that every skin expert loves and it’s one of the most powerful antioxidants on the shelves. Vitamin C helps brighten your complexion, and even out skin tone. Not only does the serum contain this key ingredient, but it also features camellia leaf extract and safflower oil to hydrate and replenish the skin.

We really like the texture of this serum; it glides onto the skin and sinks in quickly. We used one pump of this every morning (vitamin C can help boost the efficacy of SPF) to help protect our skin during the day, and although after just a couple of weeks we didn’t notice a huge difference, our skin was looking a little less dull. However, the packaging does recommend using it morning and night, so you may see better results with increased use. We also wish the 20ml bottle contained a little more serum (the standard is 30ml) as with twice-daily use this will finish more rapidly.

Step 5: Eye Cream, $20

The eye cream received rave reviews online and when we saw the ingredient list we were excited. Boasting vitamin E, C, caffeine, green tea extract, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and pomegranate extract; it’s a beauty junkie dream list. The formula is very thick and creamy, as is typical of some eye creams, however, it could be a bit too heavy for some skin types, and would probably suit mature or dry skin best. As the formula is very thick, it didn’t sink into our skin easily, and there was a slight stinging sensation when we first applied it, although this wasn’t long-lasting. It’s not our fave eye cream, but it’s very hydrating.

Step 6: Face Moisturizer, $24

The moisturizer is super hydrating and nourishing and contains shea butter, sodium hyaluronate (aka hyaluronic acid), and glycerin (a humectant that draws moisture into the skin). It also packs antioxidants in the form of banana leaf, oat bran, and orange peel extract. The formula is also fragrance-free, so we did notice a slight pharmaceutical scent.

After trying the moisturizer consistently for a week, our skin was undoubtedly softer. The formula is quite rich, so if you have dry to normal skin this is perfect. Alternatively, it would be a great moisturizer for the winter months as it’s super hydrating. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, we’d suggest giving it a miss as it contains so many rich ingredients.

Makeup Removing Wipes, $10

As far as makeup wipes go, these do the job! We used two to thoroughly remove our cake face (we wish they were slightly ‘wetter’) and then we followed with a cleanser (not the best routine for the environment!). The wipes are packed with hydrating ingredients like aloe, chamomile, and cucumber so they don’t leave your skin feeling dry. With that said, they’re not the softest face wipes we’ve ever used, and if you have sensitive skin they may tingle a little. Overall, if you can’t quit makeup wipes, we do feel there are better, more affordable drugstore options available.

Our Final Verdict

The Kylie Skin range has your basic skin routine covered (although don’t forget SPF!), and we like that this range makes skincare feel easy. The website also has a helpful guide of when to use the products. Our favorite products are the vanilla milk toner and moisturizer; they’re simple and packed with hydrating ingredients (although they might not work for all skin types).

This is definitely a hydrating skincare routine so it’s a good all-rounder, but it won’t address any tricky skin concerns and it’s probably better suited to teens and 20s and normal to combo skin types. We’re looking forward to seeing what Kylie adds to the line, and hoping to see a face SPF, a pimple treatment, and a face mask that will get us ready for the ‘gram!

Shop KylieSkin Collection!

Would you guys try this range? Let us know in the comments.