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Skincare

Micro Rolling for Anti-Aging

I am an adventurous person when it comes to skincare, haircare, pretty much anything related to beauty.  Trying new products gives me a special thrill.  So when the micro rolling trend started popping up on a bunch of my friends’ profiles who were selling Rodan & Fields, I was curious.

And seriously, talk about something that’s taking the skincare world by storm; I feel like I woke up one morning and 80 percent of my Facebook friends were peddling the R+F products.  Spread faster than Kool-Aid at a cult.  And the results these women were posting were amazing.  Nothing short of miraculous was happening to their subjects’ skins, and I wanted in.

So I started doing my own research.

Since I wasn’t feeling particularly in need of completely changing up my skincare regimen, I began looking at some of the specific products.  The micro roller caught my eye.  Micro rolling for anti-aging has been used by aestheticians in offices for a while.  But it wasn’t until relatively recently that these handy products became available to the general public.

Now, I should pop in a disclaimer here.  The effects of micro rolling or micro needling or dermarolling or whatever you want to call it are heavily debated by dermatologists.  Many say that the needles that are sold for public consumption are not effective, and that the only way to see real results is by having it professionally done.  Others say that it’s dangerous to do at home, and to stick with having a professional do it.

Never one to shy away from a skincare tactic because it’s dangerous, I decided to go ahead and try.  As I’ve said in previous posts, though, my skin is pretty tough.  When I was in high school I sometimes used rubbing alcohol as astringent.  So those with fair skin, be forewarned.

There are many different sizes of micro roller for anti-aging that are available to purchase.  This website does a really great job with charting the uses, safety precautions etc.  But I’ll outline them below as well.

Micro Rolling for Anti Aging Pin

Sizes of Micro Roller

0.2 to 0.5 mm rollers are the smallest available for home use.  These are used to thicken the top layer of the skin, stimulating collagen.  They help with large pores, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and shallow scars.  Said to be mildly to moderately painful, with no to minimal bleeding.  These rollers can be used daily, but can cause redness, dryness and irritation.  With 0.5 mm rollers, care should be used not to overdo use.

0.75 to 1.0 mm rollers are the mid-level players.  They work in the same way that the smaller rollers do, with the added benefit of helping with deep acne scarring and stretch marks.  Said to be slightly to moderately painful, with possible slight to moderate bleeding.  These rollers are good for all skin conditions.  They should be used anywhere from four to seven times per week, and should be monitored closely.

1.5 to 3.0 mm rollers are the real heavy hitters.  These micro rollers are not for use on the face.  They can be used for severe scarring

or stretch marks, and are generally used only in dermatologists/aestheticians offices or for use on the body.  Said to be very painful, with bleeding occurring.  Six to eight weeks is the optimal recovery period for these rollers.

Personally, I went with the 1.0 mm micro roller.

As I said, I have pretty thick skin (purely externally) and I didn’t think the 0.25 mm and 0.5 mm would do much for me.  My suspicion was correct.

There is a specific technique to micro rolling.  The roller should be used horizontally, vertically, and diagonally over the whole face (avoiding the eye area) for a maximum of two minutes.  I usually go around my whole face horizontally, then vertically, then diagonally.  Generally, I roll back and forth a couple times in about one inch sections all over my face.  There are YouTube videos on technique if you need instruction.  I did.  I watched a YouTube tutorial.

Now, I’m not going to lie.  It hurts a little.  Not a lot, but it doesn’t feel like a nice massage in the way some other skin treatments do.  It pretty much feels like you’re running little needles over your face.  But the results are worth it.

The idea with micro rolling for anti-aging is to use the roller, then apply your serum or treatment so as to achieve better absorption.  For my regimen, I used the roller, then my trusty ice, then applied serum or moisturizer.

The results are pretty insane.  I swear I can see a different in my skin’s texture after one use.  Suffering from a little residual acne scarring from my teen/younger adult years, I’ve tried everything from microdermabrasion to lasers.  But this roller works.  My skin is slowly progressing towards no-makeup status, which for me would be heaven.

As far as I understand, there are no scientific results to back this up.

However, my results have been fantastic.  I will continue using the micro roller a couple times a week for the foreseeable future.  It’s a quick, easy, inexpensive step to throw into any beauty routine.

I would suggest doing research to decide which roller is right for you.  Overstock has this nifty little four-in-one kit with different sizes, which might be good for experimentation.  I found mine on Amazon, which has about a million of them.

Random Thoughts
Micro Rolling for Anti Aging - Beauty Chaos - Moonie
Moonie
Micro Rolling for Anti Aging - Beauty Chaos - Kiki
Kiki

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for my life this week, the foster kitties, Kiki and Moonshine, have had an application and a visit with a potential new family!  So we might be down two kitties in the near future.  Also, the pool is finally ready, so I’ve been spending some quality time floating around in there — usually after work and before I write.  Since I’ve been fighting off this cold, I’ve also been doing water aerobics, which I used to think was just for seniors but I’m finding quite enjoyable.

Questions?  Comments? Concerns? Compliments?  Comment or message me here! And if you like my writing, please subscribe!  I’d be eternally grateful and maybe even invite you over for a swim.
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DHC Olive Virgin Oil Swabs

As with many of the products to which I have been introduced, DHC Olive Virgin Oil Swabs is another from my mama.  She is a font of wisdom when it comes to new products.  This was no exception.  Funnily enough, the DHC Olive Virgin Oil Swabs have become one of my favorite stocking stuffers at Christmastime, second only to my engagement ring.  And maybe candy.

First Impressions

I think of DHC as kind of a sleeper brand.  As I said, my mother introduced me to it.  She started using their eye makeup remover (an amazing product), and also uses their Deep Cleansing Oil. The oil is a product I might consider trying once my Kardashian experiment is over. Since I can’t read the packaging, I went to the DHC website to check out their spiel.

DHC Olive Virgin Oil SwabsThough I’ve been using the DHC Olive Virgin Oil Swabs for a while, I didn’t realize that olive oil is the entire foundation for the DHC brand.  Being half Italian, this makes me super happy, as I basically think of olive oil as being magic and the cure for all ills.  Kind of like what Windex was to the dad in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”  I also remember my grandmother talking about holding a bowl with water and olive oil over your head or something to ward off the evil eye?    Maybe.  She’s almost 100 and knows all kinds of kooky Sicilian rituals.

DHC’s history is interesting, as they began as an educational translation company in Japan in 1972.  They launched their beauty division in 1980 with three products, and olive oil became the foundation for their gentle skin products.

Experience

Well, these lil’ things are handy!  They are individually wrapped, and made to “fix eyeliner and mascara mistakes, and condition cuticles and hard to reach areas.”  I’m not sure what those hard to reach areas would be, and I’m not sure I need to contemplate that too hard.  Never having used the swabs on my cuticles, I can’t speak to their effectiveness there, but I will be trying that out in the future.

However, if you’re anything like me, there is no moment in life when my hand is steady enough to not get mascara all over my eyelids.  I also tend to poke myself in the eye occasionally (read: often) when I put on mascara.  Also, I tend to sneeze right after applying mascara so it gets all over my undereye area.  I think the general consensus here is, I’m a mess.

The great thing about the DHC Olive Virgin Oil swabs is that when you use them to correct these mistakes, they do not take off the rest of your makeup.  When removing the excess mascara from, say, my undereyes, my concealer remains completely intact.  All I have to do is dab my finger across where the swabbing took place and my concealer looks as though nothing has happened.

DHC Olive Virgin Oil Swabs Pin - Beauty Chaos

Cost and Where to Buy

DHC’s Olive Virgin Oil Swabs can be found on the DHC website for $7.50.  Each package comes with 50 double sided, individually wrapped 100% cotton swabs.  The only ingredient listed is olive oil.  You can also find them on Amazon, $15.00 for a pack of 2, or a Subscribe & Save price of $14.25.

Summing Up

Out of 10, I give DHC Olive Virgin Oil swabs a solid 10.  The price is right, the ingredients are natural, and they work exactly as they’re supposed to.  So go get yourself a pack!  Or ask your mom to get you one ;).

Have you tried DHC products?  Want me to try another one?  Leave me a comment or message me here!

Cherioll Suck Out Blackheads Face Mask

So I’m very, very excited.  Despite still grappling with this hideous cold, while I was in the shower this afternoon my Amazon package came! And that means delivery of my first-ever charcoal mask.  I can’t remember where I heard about the Cherioll Suck Out Blackheads Face Mask (loving the name, BTW), but if it’s on my Amazon Wish List, I probably read about it in a magazine.

I have been just jonesing to try one of these.  Especially one where the packaging makes little sense in English.  This mask says, “Penetration ability and stubborn blackheads pores absorb dirt, astringent improve dull rough skin.”  Yep.  Amazing.

As you can imagine, I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this package since I ordered it on Thursday.  Seriously, what did I do before Amazon Prime?  Now I’m so spoiled, when I order stuff from anywhere else it feels like it takes forever.  Plus, my copy of “American Gods” is in the package and I need to get a jump on it because I’m hosting book club in a couple weeks.

That’s right.  Crazy cat lady and book club?  How much sexier does it get?!

First Impressions

Cherioll Suck Out Blackheads Face Mask - Beauty Chaos

Other than the labeling is amazing, my first impression is that this stuff is black.  Like, staring into space black.  When I open the tube it immediately starts oozing out of the package, so I frantically start scooping it onto my face.  It smells kind of like the peel off face masks I remember from my teen years…I think they were orange flavored or something.  Not entirely unpleasant, but it does feel like I’m slathering latex on my face and need a pair of leather pants and possibly a whip to complete my ensemble.

As I write this, I am sitting waiting for the mask to dry.  The package says to wait 15 to 20 minutes, peel off, then rinse with water.  I will follow with my 30 seconds of icing and light moisturizer.

Experience

Peeling the Cherioll Suck Out Blackhead Mask is a little bit gross, but a little bit satisfying.  For the most part, it comes off in a sheet.  Although at some moments it feels like it’s taking my skin with it.  I rinse my skin and assess.  Unfortunately, the mask seems to have done nothing except tighten my pores slightly.  Any blackheads that I hoped to get rid of are still regrettably intact.

Cherioll Suck Out Blackheads Face Mask Pin

Cost and Where to Buy

If you’d like to try the Cherioll Suck Out Blackhead Mask for yourself, Amazon has it for $13.98.  I haven’t been able to find it anywhere else.

Summing Up

Unfortunately, I didn’t really like this product.  I’d give it a 4 out of 10.  Not only did it not do what it promised, I now have black stuff all over my towels.  I hope it comes off with a wash.  I don’t think the peel-off mask did anything to necessarily harm my skin, but I probably won’t be breaking it out and slathering it on again.  If you decide to try it, I suggest cleaning up with a towel that you won’t miss, just in case the black stuff doesn’t come out in the wash.

And now, your blog-ly dose of cuteness.

Cherioll Suck Out Blackheads Face Mask - Beauty Chaos

Got a comment? Question? Suggestion? Shakespearean insult? Comment below or message me here!

Khloe Kardashian’s Nighttime Skincare Routine

So for my next trick, I’ve decided to try out Khloe Kardashian’s nighttime skincare routine.  I thought of this while I was vacuuming, which seems to be when I write a lot of stuff (in my head).  That and the shower.

I’m cheating a bit on this one, though, because I’ll have to write it over a span of a week in order to fully experience the skincare regime.  In the interim, I hope to review some other stuff, so if you have any ideas message me here!

But in the meantime, how are things?  Well, mom, thanks for asking.  Since my house is now bursting with cats, I spend a lot of time vacuuming.  I’d say if I spend 50% of my life sleeping, about 49.9% of the time I’m vacuuming.  My husband says he’s the only thing that’s keeping me from being a crazy cat lady (even though he’s the one who brought home the latest snuggle bug).  I say the joke’s on him, because pretty soon there will be dogs and chickens and bunnies and if he weren’t here there would probably be a cow, so ha.  People would probably think I’m building an ark.  Crazy cat lady is the least of my worries.

Khloe Kardashian’s Nighttime Skincare Routine

Now I, like a lot of the population, have grown a bit tired of the whole Kardashian clan.  However, if I had to pick one, it would be Khloe.  She’s always been my favorite.  Maybe because she’s a bit of an underdog.  Or because compared to her sisters, she’s super tall, and I know that feeling.  Who knows?  But Khloe is my Kardashian spirit animal.

On a side note, being inspired while vacuuming is kind of a pain, especially when I’ve done said vacuuming after my workout and am super sweaty.  But anyways. Vitamin E - Khloe Kardashian Nighttime Beauty Routine

According to Khloe, the first thing she does is wash her face three times with Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser.  Then she mixes her La Mer face cream with a couple drops of vitamin E oil and slathers it on.  She then puts vitamin E oil on her lashes, before crawling into bed to, apparently, edit episodes of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.”  I think this claim is suspect, but whatever.

Facial Shampoo - Khloe Kardashian's Nighttime Beauty RoutineSo I’m going to modify this routine slightly.  First of all, I have a face wash that I rely on, Clinical Formula’s Facial Shampoo, so I will be using that.  Secondly, I’m slightly older than Khloe and have been blessed with adult acne, so I will continue using my Retin-A and benzoyl peroxide every other night.  Third, I need money for food and stuff, so I won’t be using La Mer moisturizer, even though I’m sure it’s made of the tears of a thousand virgins and is what keeps stars looking so young.  I will substitute Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture and put it on 15 minutes after either the benzo or Retin-A.

Also, I ice my face every time I wash it.  My aesthetician insists on it and I swear, it’s slowing down the aging process.

So down the Kardashian rabbit hole I go.  I’m skeptical of this routine, rather the vitamin E oil step, only because I’m certain my skin will break out from rubbing oil on it.   But I’m willing to try if I can glow like my favorite K.

Day 1

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture - Khloe Kardashian Nighttime Beauty RoutineSo last night, I washed my face three times (even though I wasn’t wearing nearly a third of the makeup Khloe wears), rubbed my ice cube on my face, and got ready for the moisturizer.  I put two drops of vitamin E oil in my Neutrogena oil-free moisturizer (yes, I see the irony) and slathered it on my face.  It felt great, but I was sure I could feel my pores clogging.

Next I put a few drops of the vitamin E oil onto a Q-tip and rubbed that carefully along my lash line, so as not to blind myself.  I conducted an experiment a couple years ago where I made my own lash treatment from a Pinterest post consisting of castor oil, vitamin E oil, and something else that I can’t remember.  The instructions were to apply it with a spoolie mascara brush nightly.  Every night, I suffered through blurry vision and oil in my eyes, with very little payoff.  Not the best, Pinterest.

This morning, I was sure I would wake up with pores erupting like Mount St. Helens.  To my delight and surprise, my face was soft, smooth, and not broken out.  At least, not any more than usual.  My eyelashes looked the same.

Day 2

Last night I washed three times, used ice, benzoyl peroxide, and moisturizer with vitamin E.  Today I woke up and my skin looked pretty good.  Not super glowy, but not dull and looking like it was aching for moisture either.  About midway through the day, however, I did get a blemish starting on my cheek, and i noticed my pores looked a little clogged.  I put on mascara today, and it did glide on really smoothly.  Though I can’t tell if that’s a result of the vitamin E oil or if I’m just tricking myself into believing that it is.

Day 3

Amazingly, my skin still seems to be reacting well to this regimen.  Last night I scrubbed three times, iced, then used the moisturizer with vitamin E.  I also put the oil on my lash line.  My skin was super soft and smooth this morning, with no signs of any impending eruptions.

Khloe Kardashian's Nighttime Skincare Routine Pin - Beauty Chaos

Day 4

Well, today I look like crap no matter what because I overindulged in the wine a bit yesterday.  Last night I used Retin-A before the moisturizer with vitamin E, scrubbing three times and icing pre-treatment.  My skin looks okay today.  It’s a bit dull from dehydration, I think, but no breakouts.

Day 5

Last night, I only washed my face twice since I didn’t put makeup on yesterday (and I’m going through face soap like crazy).  I iced, then used the Neutrogena moisturizer with two drops of vitamin E oil.  Once again, I put  the oil on my lash line.  My skin looks pretty glowy this morning, I have to say.  No breakouts to speak of.  Maybe there is something to this…

Day 6

After attending a movie screening for the film, Band Aid, that I worked on last summer, I came home and washed my face three times.  I was wearing what I would consider to be a ton of makeup, although in Kardashian world it was probably what they wear to the gym. Next, I used my Neutrogena moisturizer and vitamin E.  I probably should have put benzoyl peroxide on beforehand, but it was late and I didn’t feel like waiting 15 minutes before going to bed.  Today, I feel like my skin looks a little clogged, but again, no breakouts.  Oh, and last night James Van Der Beek literally ran into me so now I have magic Dawson dust on me.  The screening was surreal.

Day 7

Last night I washed my face twice (another no makeup day), iced, and applied benzoyl peroxide.  Then I waited around 20 minutes and finished with my Neutrogena moisturizer with two drops of vitamin E oil.  This morning, my skin is still looking pretty good.

The Verdict

I am pretty happy with the way this routine turned out.  My skin didn’t break out, and did seem more moisturized than usual.  That is something I have struggled with ever since I had a laser treatment two years ago, which did nothing but dull my skin.  I will probably stick with the vitamin E oil in my moisturizer, but may limit my washing to two times.  I’m running out of face wash, y’all.

Want me to try someone else’s beauty routine?  Leave me a comment or message me here!