The Balm Stainiac in Beauty Queen

Stop....You're Making Me Blush:)

theBalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen

I'll be honest, cheek tints/stains have always scared the heck out of me.  They look so unnatural in those plastic nail polish-lookin bottles.  Even the ones that come in solid form remind me of hardened jello lol.  I never understood how people can apply them without looking streaky OR as if they just finished a triathlon (tomato face!).

 I've got oily sensitive skin so I tend to stay away from cream/liquid blushes because I find them to be too sticky on my cheeks or they just fade away.  When you have acne you don't feel like touching your cheeks or aggravating the skin anymore than you already have to.

TheBalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen

That being said, I am so glad that I finally (wo)maned up and tried TheBalm Stainiac because this stuff rocks.  It comes in a tube with a doe-foot applicator which makes application super easy and mess free.  No need to worry about it spilling in your purse.  In the tube it looks like jam, strawberry jam :) mmmm..yummy.  The consistency is a soft gel tint and it spreads very easily on the cheek if you use a light hand.  I love it because it doesn't irritate my skin, its not sticky and it gives the most beautiful and natural flushed look.  It does work well as a lip stain too but be careful because its kind of drying. 

Swatch: Stainiac in Beauty Queen

Its great to use alone or you can layer it with another powder blush on top if you want a stronger look.  I keep it in my purse for when I need a bit of color and I love how the packaging is so dainty and convenient.  

Price: $17
Size: 0.3 fl oz
Available at: Sephora, Beauty.com



*Disclaimor: I purchased this item myself:)

Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46

ALERT: Holy Grail Skincare Item!

• Provides true broad specturm UVA/UVB protection.  Works also on photo-damaged skin.
• For sensitive skin types prone to acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation.  Helps keep skin clear!
• Contains SPF 46 with 9% transparent micronized zinc oxide (No ghostface!!)
• Oil free, non-comedogenic, paraban-free, sensitivity-free and fragrance-free
• Formulated with high-purity Niacinamide (vitamin B3) to help reduce appearance of blemishes, discoloration and photo-damaged skin.
• Extremely lightweight and absorbs quickly
• Retail Price: $29.00

This product is one of the best things to happen to my skin.  I've suffered from severe cystic acne since highschool and I am now in my twenties still having to battle with breakouts.  I've tried peels, microdermabrasion, blue-light therapy, red-light therapy, all-natural remedies, expensive doctor prescribed medication, and YES...Proactiv (God knows I have the extra cleanser bottles lying around my house to prove it!).  Its essential for individuals with active acne or acne scars to wear proper SPF.  If you do not, you run the risk of discoloration and premature aging.  QUICK NOTE: Girls make sure you wear SPF and keep those scars/pimples covered from the sun!!! They'll heal quicker!!! 

My scars take foooorever to heal.  I've had friends who go to bed with a huge mountain on there face and wakeup with no marks whatsoever.  Its just genetics, some people are blessed with faster cell turnover than others. Yes, sometimes I get envious but what can ya do?...you gotta work with what ya got!  As I mentioned earlier, I've used various skincare lines, some expensive some cheap (ex: drugstore to obagi).  This is the first sunscreen that does not aggravate my skin (no red tomato face) or make me look shiny.  It's light weight and absorbs super fast. Oily-skinned girls out there know how important it is for our sunscreen to absorb fast, especially if your gonna do the makeup routine after (primer, foundation etc.)

Oh, and get this...it has transparent zinc oxide. No ghost face!!  I have major yellow undertones and I don't feel it changes the color of my foundation at all or produces flashback in photos. Hallejullah...sing it with me girls and well-groomed guys:)  My breakouts have reduced dramatically since using this sunscreen.  I purposely made this my first product post because I wanted to share with you guys one of my most regularly used & loved items.  I know acne is a biyaaatch and how hard it is to deal with so I'm gonna try to keep putting up helpful tips and info for you guys.

Available at: amazon.com, DermStore.com
Retail Price: $29

**DISCLAIMER: I purchased this product on my own.  These are my personal views based on my own experience and I am not affiliated or sponsered by eltaMD or amazon.com.