Can A Facial Ruin Your Face?

The purpose of a basic facial is simple, its a multi-step skin treatment that involves cleansing, exfoliation, extraction and a mask. That my friends, is a basic facial and thats what I thought I was going to receive from a licensed Esthetician.

I had some breakouts on my cheek and I wanted a good extraction to help get rid of the impurities. This "facialist" was recommended to me as she is known to get every single blackhead and pimple out of your face. Unfortunately, what I received was some scaring and even more breakouts than I had in the first place. The sad thing is this all could have been avoided if I just went to my regular Esthetician who has extracted me many times, always leaving my skin better than she found it. The "she will squeeze the hell out of your face" sounded so appealing though... 

 Can a facial ruin your face? Absolutely it can. The main cause is trusting your face onto inexperienced hands but even licensed Estheticians can ruin your skin. In Esthetics school I learned that being "licensed' means that you paid thousands of dollars to get a certificate and you passed a test. However, in Esthetics school I came across so many of these woman that in all honesty did not deserve to graduate and be able to head out in the world with a license to ruin peoples face. I loved everyone in my class, but the truth is the truth and the truth and some of them should have chosen a different career (which some of them realized and did shortly after graduation) 

I want you to be clear that having a license does not make anyone an expert. What makes an Esthetician an expert is years of practice but most important is understanding moderation. Knowing what is ok to extract and when its best to leave alone is a true testament of a skilled Esthetician and always making sure that the skin is left better than it was when you found it. 

Another way your skin can get ruined by facials is by over treating it with harsh chemicals and peels. Beware of these Estheticians as well, you want to make sure that the two of you are crystal clear on what your goals are and a smart and safe way of achieving them. Facials can be very expensive, and I understand that you want to get the most out of your money, but trust me thats not the best approach to have when it comes to a facial. 

Last but not least DO NOT let anyone without a license touch your face... I know you are probably thinking "Steffany didn't you just say the whole licensed thing didn't matter?" Well it does, because that license will protect you. It is whats going to tell you that at the very least this person learned some basic sanitation. Having that knowledge will hopefully keep you from leaving there with an infection. 

My Dermatologist and I were speaking the other day and he was telling me how he had a patient come to him for a "pimple" that never healed after a facial. It wasn't a pimple at all, it was basal cell cancer. He also told me about patients with chemical burns that now have to spend thousands of dollars in laser treatment to correct the damage. 

My advise to all of you is simple, do your research and get multiple opinions. If you are dealing with breakouts on a regular basis start by addressing your health and or see a dermatologist. They are not exempt from making mistakes when treating you but the odds are less. Don't let the price of something be what convinces you to do a treatment, find a great Esthetician that will care for your skin and help you achieve your skin goals safely. 

To Be Continued...

Valentines Day 2018 Date Night Inspired Makeup Look Using Only One Eyeshadow Palette!

 Happy February my beautiful people, I am so happy to finally have a video up for you guys. If you follow me on Instagram (you should be) then you saw that I lost almost 4 hours worth of makeup tutorials! Completely erased and as you can imagine I was very upset, but the surprising thing is I was only upset for a few minutes. After that I was just back to business, I tried to recoup as much as I could save and here is this super fun makeup tutorial. 

So there is this "challenge" its been around for at least a year now, where the challenge is to create a makeup look using all the colors of one palette. The real challenge of course is to come up with a wearable look, and my friends I think I accomplished that! Would you agree? 

The Huda Beauty Rose Gold Edition comes with 18 colors, the palettes has mattes, chrome, pressed pearls, and metal eyeshadows. I was very impressed at how most of the eyeshadows blended do nicely together. The pressed pearls and chrome were more tricky to blend but that is to be expected with the formula. 

The staying power was very impressive, the above picture was taken 4 hours after I had recorded the look and everything was still very much set. For people with hooded eyes, this is very rare that the colors don't start to blend in with one another and crease. 

Check out the video below and let me know what other looks I should create for you? 

Products Used:

Huda Beauty Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette

Ardell Lashes Demi Wispies 

Benefit Brow Pencil In Shade 5

Jouer Slim Eyeliner In Matte Charcoal

MUFE HD Foundation In Shade N153 Golden Honey

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder Medium 

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek To Chic The Climax Blush

IBY Beauty Highlight & Contour 

Huda Beauty 3D Highlighter Palette

Nars Concealer in Biscuit

Lancome Grandiose Extreme 

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Lip liner in Ex- Girlfriend

30 Minute Full Body Workout Using Dumbbells For Faster Results!

We all know that everything in life worth achieving takes time, but usually we don't always want to wait! We want to see that booty perk up, the abs to show a six pack, and shed 20 pounds in one week. Unfortunately, there is no such thing one can do to get results fast, even plastic surgery takes months to look "good" and well it also has a lot of risks and scars :(. 

Ok well now that I just depressed myself there a little bit, the reality of the situation is the time it takes to transform your body is precious. You'll always remember and appreciate the work you put in because it will make you a better person, and a beast at achieving what you want. 

Here are five of the exercises that help me see results faster when  done correctly and consistently: 

Dumbbell Squats With Shoulder Press

Burrrrnnnn thats what happens every single time I use dumbbells when I squat. Even the lightest weight feels so much more intense, and I can really feel the area I am trying to activate. What I believe makes this move so good is that you can tell after a few workouts that you can add more weights or add repetitions. Which means... you are killing it! 

Try It

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with whatever pound weights you feel challenged but not too extreme. Squat down as if sitting on a chair. Keep your weight on your heels. Always squeeze your bum on the way up, and bring the weights straight up. 

3 Sets Of 15 Reps. Increase Weight As You Get Stronger. 

Tricep Dips With Dumbbells

This might be the hardest one for me to do without screaming out a few curse words. The burn is insane, but remember the burn is your friend... all its telling you is that your body is reacting. The burn by the way is lactic acid your body produces to let you know your muscles are being challenged which is exactly what we are trying to do! 

Try It 

Start with feet flat on the floor, hands behind hips fingers pointing forward, knees slightly bent. Gripping from the dumbells lift hips off the floor, slowly bend elbows as fas as possible and then squeeze your triceps to straighten arms lifting your body up. 

This move can be done in different variations, depending on your fitness level, and available equipment. 

3 Sets of 10 reps.

Seated Russian Twist 

This is probably one of my favorite ab exercises, if done correctly you feel the burn within seconds. Adding the weight makes this move so much more challenging but oh so worth it. 


Try It 

Only one dumbbell is needed for this move, sit on the ground with your knees bent and legs in front of you. Lean back as far as you can without rounding your spine, it is really important that your back is straight. Start twisting to either side, twist slowly bringing the weight to that side. Inhale when you are back to the center and then rotate to the other side, that equals one repetition. 

3 Sets Of 15 Reps.

Rotating Plank With Dumbbells

As if planks were not hard enough to do without shaking and begging for the seconds to fly by, adding a twist and weights makes this a real killer... A fat killer ;) Ok so why should you add the twist to this move you ask. The twist is key at targeting those really hard to get rid of love handles. Enough said! 

Try It

Start with a regular plank position but with dumbbells in each hand, feet a little wider than hip distance. Lift your right hand towards the ceiling twisting through your torso. Go slow with controlled moves, mind your posture. Bring your right hand to original position and lift the left hand. 

3 Sets Of 10-15 Reps. 

Sumo Squat With Shoulder Press 

This workout is one of my favorites, it works out every muscle in your body and even helps improve your posture. When I'm feeling a little extra I even add a calf raise to make sure those are getting nice and toned! 

Try It 

Grab your dumbbells at arms length in front of you, with your feet wider than shoulders. Slowly start to lower your body, bending at the knees, the dumbbell should almost touch the floor. Stand up to the starting position and when knees are locked press the weights directly overhead. 

3 Sets Of 10 reps. 

Watch the video here to see all the moves in action. Also, make sure to do some cool down/stretch work (not included in the video.) 

Repair Your Dry Hands With One Of These Amazing Products!

The winter months wreak havoc on my my hands they get so dry, rough and start to get darker in the knuckles. I have tried everything in the market to see what helps and I'm often left unsatisfied. I wanted to share with you all the 5 products that I use to heal and repair my dry hands. 

•  The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector is the first hand cream I bought and wanna know the first thing I did? share with everyone!! I had all my family and friends buying it, the not so secret ingredient that makes this hand cream so healing and hydrating is Hemp seed oil. Its really the best at hydrating and repairing my hands!

Price: $10 Currently on sale for $6

Sold Here: The Body Shop

• Mary Kay Satin Hands Trio was probably my second purchase after The Body Shop, its a classic. The Mary Kay lady did a demo using this and somehow lured me in to hosting a Mary Kay party and joining her pyramid scheme..... Well that didn't end well, but I still to this day love it and use it. The 3-step routine works so good on cracked dry hands. 

Price: $36

Sold Here: Support Your Local Mary Kay Beauty Consultant! :)

• Karuna Age Defying + Hand Mask is such a treat! I love using it after a warm bath and let my hands soak in all the benefits of the mask. The mask targets more than just dryness, it also helps brighten age spots, and other signs of aging. 

Price: $9.50 

Sold Here: Sephora

• The multi-tasker of the group Aquaphor, its really a great product to always have in your home or bag. 

Price: Starts $4.49

Sold Here: Target

• So there I was, 9 months pregnant walking around Home Depot choosing tiles. When I come across O'Keeffe's Working Hand Cream. I was hesitant to try it but I'm glad I did, it works like magic! 

Price: $6.49

Sold Here: Amazon 

DIY Of The Week: Have Minty Fresh Breath Always With These Three Home Remedies!

  Lets start this post off but stating the following, there is very few things more tortures than speaking to someone that has bad breath. Its also one of the most uncomfortable feelings when you suspect your own breath is not as fresh as it can be so here is three reasons people can have halitosis (aka stinky breath). 

1. Poor Hygiene is probably the most common and the most obvious. If you don't brush your teeth, floss and rinse properly at least twice a day then this might be the cause of your not so fresh breath. Its also important to not forget to regularly clean your tongue. If you are doing all this and still don't feel like your breath is as fresh as it can be, invest in a mouth wash that contains Zinc like Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh! mouth wash sold HERE. 

Supplementing with oral zinc and eating zinc-rich foods like spinach, oysters, pumpkin seeds, and wheat for instance, might be an even better approach, as it can address the problem from the inside. 

"Zinc deficiency is associated with poor healing, immunity and inflammation. Halitosis from oral disease can benefit from zinc supplementation".-via The book Drug-Free Guide To Digestive Health By: Heather Caruso .

2. Another main cause of bad breath is not drinking enough water throughout the day. Our mouth is filled with Bacteria that feed off the food particles left behind after we eat. Rinsing your mouth out with water after every meal or snack can help prevent them from eating, which avoids the releasing odor-causing byproducts that end up stinking up breath. There now you have another very important reason to start drinking more water. 

"Believe it or not Dehydration is one of the most common causes of bad breath" - via @foodmattersfilm. 

3. Gut health is also a main cause of bad breath and one very effective way to keep your gut clean is by consuming probiotics. Probiotics are good live bacteria and yeast that are good for your digestive system and overall health. I take HUM Gut Instinct available HERE  if you want to purchase ever Code:121384 to save $10 off your order of $29 or more. 

Extra Tip: Herbal Teas also help flush your system of heavy metals, bad yeast and many other toxins in our body. Teas like stinging nettle tea, fennel, sage, peppermint or lemon are all great options. 

Please Note: These are not sponsored links or a sponsored post, all opinions are my own from research and if not my own word the author is given credit. 

December 2017 BoxyCharm Box Review And One Palette Two Looks Featuring PUR PRO X Etienne Ortega Eyeshadow Palette!

I love versatile palettes, as fun as bright colored eyeshadows can look they really aren't that versatile so you end up spending money for maybe a handful of looks. The Etienne Ortega palette is a really gorgeous, with 18 shades that can be used to create your most casual to glam looks. A great range of matte, and shimmer shades. The palette costs $42 which is a great value for the size pan and the amount of colors you get. 

I also used my entire December 2017 Boycharm box, I love Boxycharm and they never disappoint with the products they send. The box cost $21/ a month and every month is guaranteed to have over $100 in products and they only send full size products. 

For the tutorial I went from a day time look to a night time, by just adding more drama to the Monochromatic day time look. I had a ton of fun recording again so stay tuned for more tutorials and product reviews!

For This Monochromatic Makeup Look I used all the products that came in my Boxycharm with the exception of the base lipstick.

Products Used:

December 2017 Boxycharm 

PUR Pro X Etienne Ortega Eyeshadows

Chanel Rouge Allure Lip In #62 Libre

For this night time Glam look I used all the same products as with the day time look with the exception of the lips. 

Products Used:

December 2017 Boxycharm 

PUR Pro X Etienne Ortega Eyeshadows

ColorPop Arriba Lipstick

Ardell Lashes 105

Tarte Tarteist Mascara $23

Pretty Vulgar My Lips Are Sealed $24

Beaute Basics Bronze Essentials $39.95

Realher Blush Kit $32

DIY Of The Week: Grow Longer Healthier Hair Fast With This Overnight Oil Treatment!

I shared this quick and easy DIY to grow longer and healthier hair while you sleep. These are all proven ingredients to helps boost your hair growth, add shine, and maintain a healthy hydrated scalp. I recommend you do this atleast every other weeks for longer and thicker hair. 

In an empty container (preferably like this one HERE) I like to mix a one month worth of use. I also recommend using a shower terry lined cap like this one HERE. Let me know if you try this DIY!

Please Note: Due to the peppermint Oil this recipe is not recommended for use in the face, or anywhere near eyes. As always do patch tests if fear of allergies, or sensitive skin. 

For The Smoothest Skin: fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish Review!

   Smooth skin is life and a good scrub will give you just that. A good scrub needs the best combination of exfoliation and hydration. A scrub with no hydrating ingredients can over exfoliate which irritate the skin, one with too much oils, soaps, or other add ons can be too hydrating but not aid in the skin turnover we want from a scrub. 

What I love the most about this scrub is how soft my skin feels, and not a super oily and tacky feeling that some leave behind. A baby smooth softness that very few scrubs give. The best part is that the feeling lasts for days. Moisturizing after is really not necessary at all! 

The best way to describe the scent is "Sweet citrus" with a hint of peppermint, its smooth and not overpowering. I got a good 4 uses out of the 7oz size container and like to use it once a week, as the last step in my shower. I love it and recommend it to anyone wanting smother, healthier, and more vibrant skin.  

Heres The Description On Fresh.com: 

Brown Sugar Body Polish is the original, natural sugar exfoliant and the unrivaled treatment for supremely soft skin after just one use.

THE PROOF*

Proven to have a significant moisturizing effect for 24 hours

100% felt it left skin exfoliated, softened, supple, and healthy-looking while protecting against dryness

97% reported a hydrating, nourishing, and smoothing effect

94% said it softened skin after just one use and removed dry patches so skin is velvety and silky to the touch

Product: fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish 

Where To Buy: www.fresh.com

Price: $39 

Life Update: Four Girls, A Breast Lift And Lots Of Goals!

As some of you may know I have been giving this blogging thing a go for a LONG time now, way before it was even so popular. Its something that I genuinely love to do and every time I let life get in the way and stop doing it, I cant stop thinking about it. I wanted to start making these life update, this way I not only keep my self accountable for the goals I set for myself but to also keep it 100 with all of you. According to my Facebook history it was a little over six years ago that I first uploaded a video to youtube, six years is a long time. 

During those six years I stayed active for maybe half the time, I would start blogging consistently make a little progress then stop. Well my friends that is why today November 20017 I am not any where near as successful in the blogging word as my peers that started blogging around the same time  as me. There are days that this makes me feel a little frustrate with myself, but these past six years, while I have not been consistent with my blog I have been consistently growing as a wife and mom. 

I am now the mother of four beautiful girls, we moved in to a dream home last year and I am now more clear and focused on what I want to gain from "influencing". 

The one thing that people fail to realize is that blogging takes A LOT of work, I find my days struggling to make time in the day to get some post up. There is so much details that go into it now, everything is so saturated and there is where someone starting can get discouraged.

I always get asked the same questions, how do I start a blog, how can I be successful. My answer is always the same: do what I haven't done, be CONSISTENT!! I cant stress that enough, its unbelievable the amount of engagement I get when I'm consistent. The second most important, be genuine I refuse to post or share anything that I wouldn't recommend to my family or use myself. Last, make sure its something you truly love and enjoy or it will not work out. My last advise for anyone wanting to start a blog? make a schedule, plan out your week every Sunday, this is where I struggle because I have five lives that depend on me and can change the course of my day on any given moment. That being said if you have it written down on a calendar it will most likely get done. 

I will end this part of my life update with this quote that its as real as the Six and a half years that has passed since I uploaded my first video: " Don't think about what can happen in a month. Don't think about what can happen in a year. Just focus on the 24 hours in front of you and do what you can to get closer to where you want to be. 

Mama Got A Boob Job 

Breastfeeding my girls was always the plan, it was something that I can never imagine not doing. I bonded with them in a way that no one else in the world can. That beautiful experience however left your girl with her Double D boobs looking like a hot mess! I knew I needed a lift and a reduction even after Gabi (13) but there was no way I could ever live with the idea I wouldn't be able to breastfeed any of my kids so I patiently waited to be completely done having babies. 

The truth is I always felt guilty for wanting to get a breast lift, my family however were all so supportive that after Camila my angel baby, I went and did something for me. The thought of going under the knife was the most stressful thought I ever dealt with. I could not shake the possibility that I could die. I cried so much and honestly thought of not going thru with the surgery many times. 

I will not get to into the whole logistics of it but I am happy to say even after some complications I am happy I did it. I was hoping for a smaller cup but because of all the excess skin I had, the implant had to be of a larger size. Today almost 3 months post-surgery I am almost back to normal. I think when all the inflammation is gone I will be a true C cup which will be great. 

So thats my life update, I look forward to 2018 being the best year of my life! 

I Got To Try Dermablend New Flawless Creator Foundation Drops And These Are My Thoughts!

I get so excited to try new makeup, will I love it?, will I hate it?, will this product become a holy grail? These are all questions going thru my head right before the product touches my skin. I know, I know it just makeup but well makeup is a very important thing in my life. I got to try Dermablends new foundation and I'm just going to cut thru the chase and tell you I LOVE IT! I was so relieved, yes relieved when I applied this foundation looked in the mirror and saw perfection. I could end this review right here and leave it at that but I'll tell you more details about why its AMAZING.....

Heres some important details about Dermablends Flawless Creator Foundation Drops: 

• Contains 33% concentrated pigments for weightless, customizable coverage anyone can wear.
• Uniquely silky texture is blendable, buildable and customizable.
• Multi-use: water-free and oil-free foundation formula for seamless blendability when used alone or mixed with skincare.
• Flawless Creator is formulated without parabens and is a vegan formula: no animal-derived ingredients or by-products.

I loved it because of all that and it simply made my skin look perfect, even my grandmother commented how great my skin looked. The wearability is like no other foundation I own, the first day I used it I wore it for 16 hours, yes you read that correctly 16!!! I looked at the mirror right before I jumped in the shower and to my surprise my face was still on, even my highlight was still barely but showing. Thats a big deal for us makeup lovers, especially for me, a mother of four two of them under two that are constantly touching my face, I'm kissing them all day, I sweat a lot, I have combination skin that starts to get oilier by mid day. These are all factors that play against the longevity and quality of my makeup, but on this day it was not even an issue. 

As I demonstrated on this video I mixed it with my favorite sunscreen, my idea behind this was to make it more of a bb cream, and then I applied it solo on the areas I wanted to contour/bronze. Since then I have used it almost every way possible. However as my summer tan sadly is fading this shade is a little darker then my complexion so mixing it for a lighter coverage will definitely be my go to. 

I also tried their translucent powder and a buffing brush, they both work to perfection. 

FTC: Sponsored by Dermablend Professional. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my viewers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission guidelines concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.

How To Prep Your Skin Before A Big Event!

I don't know about you but I get so anxious about the condition of my skin before an event, the makeup artist in me knows that for a flawless makeup application one must have a perfect canvas. Thanks to the years of beauty product hoarding and well being completely obsessed with makeup I found the perfect routine for me. 

EXFOLIATION is key people, if you ignore everything else in this post don't ignore this part. Exfoliating your skin will not only remove dull, dead skin, it will give you an immediate glow and allow every single product you apply after to go on smoothly and with minimum effort. Great skin will make any makeup you use work to its best potential I promise you. 

Below is my current go to for an instant face glow and makeup ready skin, everytime I do this my makeup looks absolutely stunning and wears all night. 

Glowstar Foaming Peeling Perfection Puff

Description from their website: 

​

STARSKIN® Glowstar™ Foaming Soft Peeling Perfection Puff is a unique patented peeling and exfoliating puff that removes pore-clogging dead skin cells that cause dull skin. A blend of natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids, carrot and broccoli extract create a rich lather that effectively and safely slough away dead skin, to help visibly reduce wrinkles and brighten skin tone. This easy, at-home treatment can be used twice a week after cleansing, to help boost the efficacy of the organic and innovative skincare routine that follows. Skin glows as if lit from within. The secret to flawlessly radiant celebrity skin, now revealed.

​

KEY BENEFITS

- Removes clogged pores and dead skin cells, reusable up to 3 times

- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and reveals radiant skin

- Easy to use, at home peeling treatment with professional results 

My Review: 

This peeling puff is the bomb you guys, I have purchased this like three times and its so worth it. My skin is left exfoliated, looking brighter, clearer, smother and its so simple to use. 

I love using eye masks, I have puffy under eye bags that are a pain in my butt. I fin that when I use under eye masks they do improve and the concealer wears more smooth and I need less product. One brand I recently used and really liked was Wish Formula panda eye essence. My eyes definitely looked fighter and less swollen after 30 minutes of wearing this mask. 

Lips need love too, I purchased this pack of lip masks from Homegoods for $2.99!!

Finally after exfoliating your skin, you need to hydrate it and give it some nutrients! I love applying sheet masks after I exfoliate so that my skin can absorb all the goodness. 

This one from Peach And Lilly is really nice, I love how my skin feels after I use it and I don't have to rinse it off because it wears great under makeup. 

Products:

Starskin Foaming Peeling Puff

Panda Eye Essence Eye Mask

Peach And Lilly Reset Button

Shea Butter Lip Mask 

The Makeup Eraser Review!

I finally decide to try the Makeup Eraser and I'm SOLD! My hesitation was obvious, I thought it was another "trendy" product that popular bloggers where talking about that would eventually end up being another too good to be true product. Well I was walking in sephora completely uninspired and unmotivated to buy makeup, yes one of those very uncommon days..... I decided to pick this and another product. If you follow me on Snapchat you know I have been on a no makeup month and so this sat on my vanity for a few weeks. 

Today I took the dust off my makeup brushes and decided to look put together, and I finally got my chance to try this makeup eraser towel. I had a full face of makeup and after wiping my face a few times with the towel wet my makeup was completely off. I was impressed but not completely sold, it still had to pass the toner test. I could not believe it guys The cotton pad was completely clean!!! I swear even after washing my face with face wash a few times I never had pass the toner test. 

If you don't already make sure you follow me on Snapchat (steffschoice) so you can see makeup hauls, reviews, makkeup tutorials and so much more!

Purchased: Sephora

Price: $20