Tail me the difference: Makeup Remover Wipes

Prior to my discovery of makeup remover wipes which to me was the definition of magic, I would saturate a cotton ball with olive oil and - wax on, wax off.  Makeup wipes are convenient to keep by your bed side for those evenings when removing your makeup feels like a chore. I love traveling with makeup remover wipes since it can just be thrown in your purse, carry on, or main luggage compartments with no spills.

Well, what is a girl to do when she’s up packing for a trip with a departure time less that 12 hours away (it’s already midnight), and the discovery is made that only one makeup remover wipe is left? Well, things around me began going in slow motion immediately. I despise moments when I feel overly organized only to discover moments later I’m not as cool as I had once thought.

As my creative mind began processing, I sought out alternatives because my everyday face cleanser would be working overtime trying to remove makeup from my face solo.

My hunt for alternatives led me to a pack of Target brand baby wipes that I had just purchased to store in my car for random emergencies and spot cleaning.  My face was still buried under makeup from the day so I took a wipe out and gave it a go. Well my good people, I can say that my final verdict was favorable in this case. I found that the wipe was the perfect solution for my diva-like episode. I did have to use 2 wipes (yikes!) to get my entire face clean to my liking. *Note – the amount of wipes you use will depend on your makeup coverage (light, medium, full) and coverage type (smudge proof, waterproof, etc.).  

As always, I follow up with my normal face routine to get any debris left over that my wipe didn’t pick up. Abra-ca-dabra – my makeup is removed, pores unclogged, and fresh faced. I'm sure any brand of wipes will do the job!

Where to buy: Anywhere (here, here or here)
Cost: around $5 bucks for a 40-88 pack
Tip: Try the sensitive baby wipes for delicate skin  

xo's - AFab

The body acne villian attacks & Neutrogena saves the day

I said good-bye to daily facial acne flare ups years ago. Now and then I will get a few visitors on my forehead (tons of congestion according to my spa professional) and huge pimples (blimps) on my cheeks. I surrender - I'm the culprite for the cheek outbreaks because of my uncontrollable tenancy of resting my face on my oily, un-sanitized hands (when I'm stressed I'm sure). Aside from that, I do have a bad habit of picking in my face for no apparent reason at all.  I simply treat my breakouts with my normal facial routine with a few add-ons (mask, oil wash, dark spot corrector, etc.).

As a teenager I recall my purple butterfly calendar hanging from the back of my room door that counted down the weeks until summertime. More specifically, when I could ditch my layered clothing for tanks, shorts, and all of the above. One year, my countdown didn't excite me anymore because the previous year I had experienced a sever breakout on the top portions of my outer arm. The area was exposed when wearing sleeveless tops and even some short sleeved shirts. This summer was a miserable one because it consisted of quarter sleeve shirts OR arm exposing tops paired with a light jacket. I felt stuffy. My awareness of products that would give my confidence back did not exist.. After time, I got my summer joy back with no body acne in sight. But, like volcanoes, things go dormant for a period of time and when you least expect *boom* - the explosion catches you un-warned.

Even in my adult years, I'll get less severe breakouts on my arms and my upper back, all visible areas when wearing pieces from my wardrobe. Luckily as the older generation adults say in my life say, "with age comes wisdom." 

On the hunt for an expensive skin care product (the higher the price the quicker the results is the 'foolness' I once believed) I found Neutrogena's Body Clear Body Wash ($6.49). Only if a product like was my knight in shining armor years sooner. Then again, puberty and mother nature were determined to claim it's territory by any means necessary. 

Here's how I use the Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash in conjunction with my shower rituals:

1. Saturate body in stream of water
2. Cleanse with product(s) of choice
3. Rinse all residue. This is an important step because product buildup clogs pores and puts you in the red zone for breakouts.
4. Apply Neutrogena to problem areas with exfoliating glove (I find that the glove allows for more intense penetration of the product)
5. Rinse all residue.
6. Dry body 90% so that a little dampness is still felt (I love leaving a little moisture on my skin because it can get pretty dry)
7. Apply moisturizer of choice. Tip: I apply a facial moisturizer to the problem areas that I just cleansed with the Neutrogena. I only do this if I'm in the company of a breakout. 

Even when my breakout clears up, I try to incorporate the Neutrogena body wash into my shower routine as much as possible.

I want to breakup with breakouts forever!  What are your favorite products to use when the volcano explodes?

xo's - AFab

Pressing Pause [||] on the blog

Once again I'm in the air *up up* and away from home on business travel. I find comfort, solace, and inspiration when writing from home, or an environment comparable. Traveling for work keeps me pretty busy during the day and [gasp] late into the evenings. While I'm away, I will be "Pressing Pause" on the blog until I return to my constant flow in 2. long. can't end soon enough. weeks. 

I will be active on my Facebook and Instagram page; links on the sidebar. Be sure to follow along and let me know if you do so that I can pay you a visit wherever your voice is heard (blog world, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, etc.).

Be right back!

xo's - AFab

Sick of your nail polish? Have a DOSE of this...

How adorable are these nail polishes that mimic medicine capsules? Yes, my week old manicure, chips and all ya'll is in need of a cure. When life gets hectic, my nails and toes often get neglected until I find the time to either make a quick run to the spa or attempt to treat my self, home-spa style.

There's no question that these DOSE nail polishes make me smile and makes me want to pop each capsule - no pun intended.  The polishes are packaged with 3 nail polish capsules that allow you variation to go all out and use each polish on alternating nails or change it up the next day.

I would love to give these polishes a whirl, have you? 

Dose Nail Lacquer, $20 for a set of three
Available exclusively at Lucky Scent

xo's- AFab

Wait one second! Watch that tone of yours.

During my visit to Dallas (which I talked about here), I knew LUSH Cosmetics had to be a part of my travel experience.  Aside from the Gorilla Solid Perfume which many of you mistook for lipstick, I also picked up a new skin toner.  Yes, I do use an array of skincare products, toners included, depending on how my skin is acting and what happens to make it in my hand first.

My relationship with the LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner (spray) is one that many will wish upon - because it's so great.  It appears that many happy customers share the same bubbly emotion because this is LUSH's most popular antibiotic toner. I sought after this product knowing that no persuasion was needed by the sale associate, but I gladly engaged him. He (Scott) did confirm my speculation which was that this toner could also be used as a setting spray for your face makeup. Yes, this is unofficially (maybe unintentionally) a 2-in-1 product!

I use this product after I cleanse my face in the morning as well as once I'm done applying all of my face makeup:
*spritz* up
*spritz* down
*spritz* left
*spritz* right
  done

With each mist my face feels so chilled and refreshed. I purchased the smallest size for more convenience when traveling or throwing it into my makeup bag. 

Product Details:
Price $9.95 and $21.95
3.3 and 8.4 fl ounces
Available at LUSH retailers worldwide and online

xo's -AFab