Beautacious...

i have shit insurance, a shit doctor, a shit derm, etc. i have just about every topical, though- OTC and prescription. i was getting some nasty bacne for a minute, but that's going away now, but now my face is looking to' up. i'm thinking it's hormonal, as i just started a birth control pill again, loestrin 24 fe, 3 days ago (coincidentally, to clear up my back). i've taken aviane/aleese before and it helped my skin, but i seemed to gain weight on it, so i'm stuck.

anyone have any experience with these aforementioned BCs? anyone swear by a BC that keeps you clear and doesn't make you gain crazy weight? should i try ortho? i can't afford yaz.

i do take vitex/chasteberry, an herb used to regulate hormones which i dunno if it's helping.

also, the doc gave me some antibiotics for my skin (doxycycline) and i threw up this morning after i took 'em. i'll try again tomorrow with food, even though it's supposed to be taken on any empty stomach, and even though I HATE TAKING ANTIBIOTICS AS I AM PRETTY MUCH A NATURAL MEDICINE GIRL AND KNOW HOW BAD THEY ARE FOR YOU IN THE LONG RUN.

one more thing, my skin is pretty dry lately (i've stopped tanning since december, i moisturize like a fiend, take omegas, drink at least 8 BOTTLES of water daily, and i use a humidifer), but it's still dry. and no, it's not eczema. i got rid of that by doing cleanses.

any input (birth control shout outs, supplement suggestions, etc) would be appreciated soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much.

For anyone with general health/beauty problems, I subscribe to the whole "your colon and the rest of your organs need to be clean" hype. I even bought the Dual Action Cleanse for 40 or 50 bucks at CVS (the one that has a stupid infomercial on tv every single night at like 3am). That was one of the many cleansing methods I tried, but I always go back to this two-part cleanse made by Nature's Secret:

http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Secr…

I usually buy it at Whole Foods for 27 bucks, but evidenced by that link, I guess you can get it online for even cheaper. Anyway, those two bottles not only keep me "regular" (sorry!), which contributes to better skin, less bloat, more hotness, etc., but they're just good for your health in general. I have more energy when I take them consistently, and I feel like I absorb vitamins and minerals better 'cus I'm all cleaned out and stuff (again, sorry!). I swear, when I took this cleanse consistently for 3 months, my skin was glowing and I'd lost a few lbs- all due to being "regular", and having some pristine organs!

Obviously, like any other supplements, you should talk to your doc first. I'm an herb enthusiast, so I did see a Naturopath as well as a regular doc, and these have had no bad effects on me. One bottle containts herbs that help clean your colon out regularly without the risky/yucky side effects of laxatives, and the other bottle contains herbs that keep your liver and other organs clean and functioning.

2. Next, although the cleanse helps, I took it for granted, and took a two month break from it out of laziness, and being head over heels in love/drama. And now I'm breaking out all over my back and chest. I've tried nearly EVERY topical (which helped minimally). But I also started my cleanse again, and am taking a sh/tload of supplements (all my multis, zinc, b5, some hebrs for hormone regulation since the pill doesn't like me), and although It's improving, i'm still breaking out because when you clean yourself out from the inside, it takes a month to show on the outside sometimes. On top of that, My skin is uber dry from winter and or/stress, so I'm using zinc oxide, desitin baby rash stuff, calendula ointment, and a humidifer. Oh, and fish oil, flaxseed oil, and lots of h20 too. Any other suggestions to speed up the process, dry skinned girls with bacne?

3. FINALLY, for sale. Unopened BRAND NEW Retin- A Micro .04%. I've been using this for years (for acne- although, it's good for wrinkles and general skin health and really HAS helped scarring on my face tremendously), but recently wanted to give my skin a break since it's so dry from the winter, and I have an abundance of Retin- A stashed already. So if anyone is interested in buying it for $25 (this includes s&h costs), let me know! I'm pretty sure this stuff usually runs around $45-$50. This, without a doubt, helped my acne, but even more (since I help to prevent acne with cleanses) made my scarring so much better.

THANKS gals and boys.

email: somenicevibes@aol.com

Lately after touching up a set a pictures that I took in October I realized my skin is aging hard and fast (probably due to alcohol abuse) and I decided to make some changes from my usual wash with water only and moisturize, make-up and never washing it off at night routine.

Let it be known that my beauty routine is now as follows:

1. Exfoliate with a facial scrub
2. Tone with witch hazel
3. Rub in StriVectin-SD thoroughly (This is new! I just bought this nearly $200 wrinkle cream last week!) I let this settle in
4. Apply vitamin E oil under eyes, lips, forehead, and smile lines first then rub in all over. Let sink in.
5. Apply moisturizer in the form of jergens natural glow firming formula and let sink in.
6. I apply a very heavy off brand facial moisturizer that is supposedly brightening with the help of pearl extract under my eyes liberally. Like you can still see it and I let is sink in all the way.

This stuff has horse fat in it. I have no idea where it came from because I found it at my grandma’s house but it tends to work. After I am out of it I plan on buying an actual under eye cream for really horrible circles. Suggestions on what to buy?

7. Apply Revlon Age Defying foundation primer and let dry.
8. Apply Olay Definity Color Recapture. This is a spf 15 anti aging moisturizer with a very sheer and illuminating coverage. I add a bit more under my eyes and let sink in and “dry”.
9. Cover under eye circles with this stuff:
http://www.physiciansformula.com/e…
This is supposed to lessen the circles under your eyes over time and I swore I noticed a slight difference at first but not really at this point.
10. If I am doing photos or an event I use Bare Minerals foundation if not I simply put my blush and eye stuff on and dust with a light powder. I have been using the new bare minerals feather light mineral veil but I am not exactly the most happy with it.

My questions are as follows:

1. Is it BAD to exfoliate daily? I like to because I think it keeps dead cells from building up and weathering fine lines into my face and keeps my face fresh and clean so it absorbs my moisturizers, creams and serums better.

2. I have been using the feather light mineral veil but it’s so SHINY. I bought it because I read that illuminating products diffuse light and make your face look less aged but this is so shiny that to me it looks like it highlights any sinking or lines in my face. I think it would be better used as a highlighter in specific areas after powdering all over.

What is a good loose powder that isn’t really heavy and too chalky or matte but also that’s not TOO shiny or illuminating. Something that has a natural skin like finish? I would prefer drugstore brands so I can get it sooner than later but more expensive recommendations are welcome as well.

3. I recently bought StriVectin which was originally developed as a stretch mark cream. Do you think this would work on scars? Do you have any other suggestions on what to use on scars that really works? Price is not an issue with this as I would try anything to get rid of these cutting marks I have.

4. Is Strive tin a long term wrinkle cure or is It something that only works while it’s on so I would need to buy it pretty much forever? I will say this shit is AMAZING and I have only used it maybe 5 times and I have noticed a HUGE difference already.

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions in advance!

My main areas of concern are my smile lines, the deep crazy circles under my eyes and looking less made up and more just natural, youthful and together. If I were trying to look like say an 18 to 20 year old, what would I do to accomplish that?

What products tighten and give you more elasticity in your facial skin?
What colors and such look more youthful on your face?
Do you think a tanned look or natural skin look makes a girl look younger? I use fake tanner so don’t worry about warning me about the aging effects from tanning

Feel free too suggest any products, creams, ideas or whatever you might have.

I put them on and they say they are supposed to last for up to a month yet the first time I washed them they came off. Is there a method or specific kind of wash I am supposed to use for my face so they won't come off?

What is the best make-up to coverup for bruises, mosquito bites, cutting scars, and stuff like that for the body? I have dermablend now but I have never gotten the colors to match my skin then when I powder over it to set it it changes the color completely. I would like to find something preferably cheap as I am poor.

Also if you have any experience with film, photography or stage lights... I need it to not change a weird color under high lighting or black lighting.

I have two beauty questions.

One is, what are some of your favorite makeup items that are water proof and smudge proof? I mean like you can put this shit on and run a marathon or swim 10 laps and your face will still be perfectly painted...

I am interested in:
foundations
eyeliner (liquid or pencil)
eyebrow pencil (I draw mine in completely and damnit I want them to stay on after an entire night of debauchery!
lipstick
whatever else may come to mind...

My second question is for those of you that know hair extensions:
How long can I expect these type of extensions to last:
http://www.doctoredlocks.com/store…

This will be my first time with this sort of extension and I want to kind of be able to gauge how long it will be before I can do them again... Also if you have ever done these... about how long did they take from start to finish?

NOTE! I am crossposting this in both makeup and hair communities so if you are in a hair community and know some makeup shit don't hesitate to share the mighty knowledge.

So over the last few days I stripped the color out of my hair twice with Jheri Rrdding Color Fix then I bleached it. I started with Blue and Purple hair and now it's this crappy light lavender color. I gave myself a hot oil treatment to help loosen up the color since oil is supposed to fade hair color... And still not much has washed out. It's definitely a light purple but i want it blonde pronto.

Should I use a blonde permanent color on top? Do you think it will help fade it at all? And if I do should I use one that has a gold base to combat the purple? I had an ashy color I wanted to use but I am afraid it will just make this purple situation even worse.

Any experiences with this?

* Please don't comment telling me how much I am damaging my hair. Trust me I know my hair and have screwed it over more than this and lived to tell the tale, it's fine. I am asking for pure color advice here.

add me to your myspace if you care to :)
www.myspace.com/clubmix1996

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Ok I know this is a weird question considering the fact that I have had a HELLA amount of weaves in my day (as a matter of fact I am putting in some hair as we speak errr type), but I was just watching this silly show called Charm School on VH1 and I saw that one of the “students” was talking about a lace weave? Like from what I understand it looks like the weave is sewn on a net thing so you can sew the hair all the way up on the head instead of just sewing it underneath like to you when you connect the hair to braids.

How does that work?
How long can you wear it?
Could I make this lace/net thing myself?

Also if anyone has any links about this kind of hair extension, please hook me up!