Hello Foot Fetish

If you’re anything like me -- & I pray you aren’t-- you will have many flaws and imperfections.

YAY! Unhealthy and unachievable beauty standards!!

One of my many “areas for improvement” is my feet. I am an extremely flatfooted individual that walks way too hard on the outsides of her feet. As a result I suffer from dry cracked heels and calluses. Now I am a believer of pedicures and that being said I have tried their callus removers and the “razor” they provide at most nail salons. The mentioned techniques work for the time being but just as quickly as my polish begins to clip the results fade as well.

I wanted a more “permanent” solution and remembered seeing a brief moment in time on social media and youtube where people were using something on their feel that would make them peel like crazy. I decided to do some research and I found BABY FOOT.

On their website the product is described as:

                 

        Baby Foot is an innovative foot care product that will make your feet as smooth and soft as a baby's foot. The unique formula of 17 types of natural extracts allow your feet to exfoliate naturally leaving them highly moisturized.

  

Let me make this simpler to understand. 2 words—sounds like…. HEAVEN SENT!

I ordered 2 from Amazon in the lavender scent and tracked that order like it was my prey. Prior to ordering I looked at some of the pictures and reviews  and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Overall the reviews on Amazon seemed to be positive, some people did complain about irritation but I was too determined to use it to care about some redness, burning and possible scarring.

The night I got the product I immediately used it. The package comes with two plastic booties that contain the “unique formula”, you cut the top piece off slide your foot in and use the tape provided to secure it around your ankles/ in place. On the website and on the directions they suggest placing socks over top- which I completely agree with. The socks keep the booties closer to your skin, provide heat to help the process and allow you to walk around your house without dying.  

You keep the booties on for an 1hour, remove and rinse your feet. The fun begins about 5-7 days after. The results I had the first time were crazy! Every picture I had seen online was true and accurate, the only issue is if you plan on wearing shoes that will show any bit of your foot it will look scary to people.

After about a week and a half of peeling my feet were glorious!!!!!!!! I am not exaggerating at all the results were truly amazing and they lasted for about 5months – my feet would still get rough but it was much easier to deal with and much softer of a callus than before.

This process if not for the faint at heart, as someone who was always picking scabs and now watches pimple pooping videos on the daily, the extreme peeling was like Nat Geo live to me, basically I ENJOYED EVERY MOMENT OF IT!

I didn’t think to document my foot journey the first time but I am not going through the result process for my second batch and wanted to share/ compare the results.

 All photos are REAL & ARE MINE, these were taken during my recent 2nd batch of Baby foot. 

The peeling of your feet can go from a few days to 2 weeks based on how much skin needs to be removed to reveal your new "baby feet". I do feel that the first time I used the product my results were better. The first time I was more patient and allowed the peeling to occur on it's own, this time around I couldn't help but pull at it, also I soaked my feet prior to using the product the first time around.

Below you will find the BEFORE:

 

AFTER:  

 This time around I wish it had worked a little better around my big toe but overall, I am very satisfied and happy with my results.



If you are at all interested in trying this product and I highly suggest everyone do so, you can use the Amazon widget on the upper right hand side of this page to purchase your own BABY FOOT.

If you have any producrs that you would like to be reviewed or tested let me know & thank you for joining me on this Beautyful Journey.

Powered by: Creative Idea Man. Disclaimer: affiliate links used. 

Winter Skincare

I don’t know about you but my skin is not a fan.

 Personally  I deal with “sensitive” dry skin, I’m sure you’re sitting there like what does that mean?!

Spoiler Alert: The above photo is a recent selfie I took

Regardless of your skin type you just may find some products worthy of your face—so if you’re in the mood to read &/or spend money, keep reading.

Here’s a little backstory about my skincare journey. About 2/3 years ago I started birth control and my face and neck did not agree with it at all! A dermatologist told me it wasn’t an allergic reaction but it very much was. I had small whitehead like hives all over my face, neck and my left arm. I was told to use hydrocortisone to help the problem. The hydrocortisone did help but it didn’t solve the problem completely. I discovered First Aid Beauty during this time, as an avid Sephora fanatic I had fallen victim to the zig zag of temptation leading to the register, as a result I picked up a small bottle of First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream to use as a hand lotion. I didn’t like it at all it made my hands feel sticky and dry One day after working out (that was probably the last day I ever worked out) and showering I realized I hadn’t brought the hydrocortisone or any face lotion with me. My face was dying from dryness! I could hear the small cries for help coming from my orifices, I gave in and used the Ultra Repair Cream. Within hours I swear I could tell that the redness, dryness and the hives had calmed down drastically.  I was officially hooked, immediately went out and bought the wash that complimented it and haven’t looked back since.

Fast forward to the past year, I decided to switch birth controls and once again my face didn’t like it, I had to add some new products to my regimen to calm down the reaction this time however these new products are also helping to remove the lasting effects from using too much hydrocortisone, some acne scarring and overall look and feel of my skin.

After that rant if you are still interested in finding out what I use keep reading, all titles are clickable & will take you directly to each product.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wash:

• -          Preserves natural oils
• -          Helps calm and soothe upset skin
• -          Removes makeup

I have been using this wash for a couple of years now and it by far my favorite cleanser. After removing a majority of my makeup with wipes I use this along with my cleansing brush to remove the rest and clean my face. My face always and I mean ALWAYS feel great afterwards.

 First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream:

• -          Visible improvement of distressed skin
• -          Helps with psoriasis, atopic & seborrheic dermatitis, irritant & allergic eczema, and keratosis pilaris
• -          Acts as a natural barrier to daily elements

This goes way beyond being a HOLY GRAIL! This product is literally everything, it can be used from head to toe and is simply amazing, it helped my allergic reaction as well as simply keeping my dry skin hydrated. My mom has also fallen for it and has now passed the torch to my grandmother.
If you want these same results but want something that will penetrate a bit more I  suggest also trying the Ultra Repair Concentrate- the main  difference is that the concentrate is thicker and has more of an oil feel.  I use the cream after I cleanse and tone, the concentrate gets used on days where I feel my skin really needs a bit of extra love.

First Aid Beauty is a brand that I love, I will be honest I haven’t tried everything but what I have tried hasn’t disappointed. ALL of their products are Dermatologist approved, allergy tests and fragrance free, no parabens. They are not cruelty free which is a bummer but so far I love the products and really can’t live without them.

During my recent allergic reaction I discovered tea tree oil. I had used the oil before but this time I used pure tea tree oil and products and it has made the difference. Desert Essence was the brand recommended to me when my original bottle from Trader Joe’s had run out. The brand makes just about everything tea tree oil you can dream of. My dry skin also affects my scalp so I do use their shampoo and conditioner, 2 words: AMAZING RESULTS.

Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil & Blemish Stick:

Warning: many sites suggest you don’t put tea tree oil directly on the face however undiluted and smacked all over my face had given me the best results. Tea tree oil has a strong smell and can burn, you have been warned.

Tea Tree Oil:

• -          Antiseptic
• -          Relieves redness
• -          Can be used from head to toe & all around the house

Just google the benefits and uses of tea tree oil and you will be convinced it is needed in some part of your life.

Blemish Stick:

• This product is still fairly new to me but is working wonders! It contains more than just tea tree oil and can burn bit. 
• -          Reduces blemish causing oils
• -          Improves and maintains skin’s clarity

Within a very short time span I can see it clearing up the dark spots and scarring I had from the use of the hydrocortisone. I love it! I will say it doesn’t seem to be as effective as a drying lotion for spots but that could be because the product is all natural it takes time to work as opposed to a lab made product that gives you instant results.

As of right now the only down side to the Desert Essence products is the size, they run on the small side but other than that, buy ALL OF IT! I alternate between the oil and the stick depending on what my skin needs that night but this step comes after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing.

Thayer's Witch-Hazel:

During my second bout of allergic reaction I decided to incorporate more “pure and natural” products into my regimen, hence the tea tree oil. I read up on witch hazel and decided to give it a try as my toner. I was originally using the Clinique toner meant for dry skin—which I still stand behind but have placed to the back of my cabinet.  On a simple level witch hazel soothes and cleanses which is what all toners are supposed to do but witch hazel is just witch hazel. If you purchase the right one – alcohol free! The ingredients should read witch hazel and maybe water- THAT’S IT! That is the difference between using it and using a fancy smancy toner. The naturalness of it does the job nature intended it to do. And let’s be real Mother Nature does no wrong.

If you’ve made it this far you’re either a great friend or a really lonely person, no worries though it’s almost over,

Mac Volcanic Ash Exfoliator:

STOP! I know what you’re thinking! If my skin is dry why should I exfoliate? Shouldn’t I just “hydrate”? The answer N-O.

You should definitely exfoliate- not every day all day but you should have a dependable exfoliator.

• -          Smoothes skin
• -          Hydrates
• -          Controls oil

I consider this exfoliator a little bit on the heavy duty side, so I only use it when I feel like  my skin is really rough aka once or twice a week.  For a more every other day basis I would suggest the Korres Wild Rose Exfoliating Cleanser.

Something I found via YouTube is products that “exfoliate” without being an exfoliator.  These next two products are basically magic witchcraft made by Harry Potter.

Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Peeling Gel:

• -          Removes impurities
• -          Exfoliates
• -          Help clean clogged pores

ORG Mineral Body Peel:

• -          Eliminates dry and ravaged skin
• -          Evens tone
• 
  

How do you use this magic? After you dry your skin place the gel or spray the mineral body peel and rub, within moments you will feel “balls” of the product. The best way to explain the feeling is when you would put glue on your hand and rub it before it dries that rolled up glue is what the product will feel like. Once you have done that all over your skin you can rinse and that’s it. Magic over.

Some people say these two products don’t really work and all you feel is the product rolling around but I can attest that my skin definitely feels smoother after using.

Lastly, masks, any time I feel like my skin needs an extra boost, I use a mask. I tend to stick to “hydrating, moisturizing, brightening “masks. I am not picky with brands most of them work just fine. I will say currently I am enjoying:


 Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Mask

• hydrates
• combats the visible signs of aging
• tones

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask

• calms dry skin
• cooling
• refreshing  & moisturizing 

Lush Fresh Oatfix Mask

• naturally calms and soothes skin
• gently exfoliates dry skin
• moisturizes

Grace & Stella Anti-Wrinkle Energizing Collagen Face Mask

• adds collagen
• restores youthful appearance 
• hydrates

Ps: The grace & stella is fun to wear because it's not your typical sheet mask & you can demand to be called goldfinger!

As of right now my skin is trying to have a breakthrough, it is on the up & up. These products haven't resolved everything but they have helped in tremendous ways, I hope they can help you too & I am always up for being the guinea pig so throw suggestions my way.

 Might as well make some dinero while spending it, one word: EBATES. I'm sure you have heard of them and if you're a skeptic let me tell you

Here's something to making signing up for ebates easier: SignUp!

Thanks for joining me on this Beautyful Journey. 

powered by Creative Idea Man.  Disclaimer: affiliate links used.

YOU GRADUATED.... NOW WHAT?!

We're reminded on a daily basis that the future is either A. Upon us or B. Now! Either way we are expected to make the very most of it. But let's all agree that's extremely difficult when you spent the last 4 well 5 in my case years of your life working towards this future with the idea that as soon as you placed that tassel on the other side of that hot ass square on your hat you were going to have a job. Money. Fame , and fortune. I' d include love but I want to keep this realistic.


However you soon find out all you're getting is a lovely notice In the mail from your loan officer reminding you that the payment clock has begun ticking away.  Some fortunate souls get a "good" job right out of college in the field they want but most and by most I mean the majority of your posse will have to work regular jobs until your fairy godmothers comes back from vacation, sprinkles magic dust & gets you your dream job.

In the meantime little bunny foo foo I'm hear to ease the transition into reality.  I'm going to assume you're a lovely attractive (yeah looks matter even in a blogpost) 20something. I'm also going to, assume you have acquired some sort of skill over the years outside of double fisting, keg stands, functioning on 2 hours of sleep during a final, and acting normal while on someone else's prescribed medication.  Soooo the question remains how am I going to help you? Honestly I can't "help" you but I can get you thinking. Oh yay! More thinking --school is never over

I'm sure you've heard it either at your own gradation or seen it in the graduation scene from a movie where the speech is about "now is your time to explore" and blah blah blah but unfortunately you're sitting there thinking "it would be great to explore but I have loans to pay, I can't live with my parents again, I need a job!" But maybe just maybe these starry eyed speech giving hopefuls were on to something.

All this time you thought majoring in business was "smart" and "safe" because hello! You can go really far if you get a MBA but you know in your heart of hearts your dream is to have..... Idk a food truck! Well explore that!! ( honestly I just want to go to a food truck so this exploration is basis) with your BA in business you have some skill set that can help with that dream so reach for it.

Maybe you majored in philosophy or English with big hopes of attending law school and by big hopes I mean daddy's dream of having a lawyer in the family. But you really want to own your own yoga studio... Explore that!!!

Dear godele (yes a play on Adele because let's be real when you listen to her set fire to the rain your liberal ass feels god) explore that & invite me so I can  learn to do one of those cool handstands that slightly look like something from a porno.
Examples:


Have dreams of being a successful makeup artist explore that! Take classes, watch videos, do your own videos--- do something!!!! Don't let that dream only live when you close your eyes at night. Don't let something that just feels right slip away because it doesn't bring in 6 figures right away.

"Always aim for the moon, even if you miss you'll land among the stars" maybe all this is nonsense and wishful thinking, maybe my rosé colored glasses need to be cleaned and hell maybe I'm just writing this in hopes of motivating myself but at the end of the day we all know one thing to be true and to make sense--- you'll never know unless you try.

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take"- Michael Jordan


Just reach because you only get one chance to make the most of this Beautyful Journey.

My First: MAC Cosmestics

The other day I finally gave in to the hype! I stopped telling myself "aint nobody got time for that" and dragged my mother (yay for mommy and me time)  to get color matched and purchase some Mac Cosmetics . I had been holding out on for a while now- thinking, hoping, and praying that my drugstore and Sephora brands would be enough. However, many YouTube guru videos later I realized I should just make the investment and see what the hype was about.

 The Experience:
              We went to the Mac Cosmetics counter at Macy's Herald Square - why not go to a lovely Mac store? Well first off I'm not the brightest bulb so I figured taking a grueling fight my way through the masses trip to 34th st would be a good idea-- as a New Yorker you think I would know better! On this particular day MAC corporate office was visiting plus Macy's is undergoing a major re-do. Aka Mac is currently squeezed into a small section in the middle of the first floor. According to the lovely MUA that helped me hopefully in the next 6-8 months they should be in their new area (fingers crossed). Before I could get down and nasty with the makeup i decided to scope out the MUAs who had the best winged liner? who was rocking the new nicki minaj viva glam 2 lipstick? who had the blackest black on? you know all questions you ask yourself when everyone working there is decked out in all black everything.  My heart screamed approach the male with the most "don't you dare think you look better than me" with a dash of streetwalker realness face but I was silenced when the lovely fresh faced Chanel spoke to me. She instantly began asking us all the important questions to move the process along. We wanted to be color matched for foundation, get some applying tips and maybe a few more Mac essentials. 
My trip was inspired by youtuber Nicole Guerriero's most recent get ready with me video. I  wrote down the products used & made my way to Mac. Even though I had the list I decided to listen to Chanel's advice and try some of her recommendations before whipping out my trusty YouTube list. Her channel: http://m.youtube.com/user/nguerriero19

 First I tried the :

The Face and Body Foundation in C5
 because I didn't want a full coverage foundation ( I just don't feel I need it/ I'm terrified of looking cakey) this product appeared to be perfect, however the Dewey look it provides looked more "oily" to me. But on my mom it was amazing! It looked like she had nothing on and evened out her skin.

Second was:

Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 in NC42
(picture and link) One word! WINNING! It provides light/medium- full coverage. How could it fall under all three categories? Well it's completely build able. To me and the other MUAs that were there you could tell that this one evened out my skin and matched my neck perfectly. It covered up any "flaws" but still allowed me to look natural. I have vitiligo and I've reached e point in m life where even though I would like to hide some of the discoloration I also want some of it to be visible since it is part of who I am, I am not ashamed of it it's my small way of promoting awareness.
The BONUS! this was the foundation that was on my list -- thank you Nicole Gu
erriero!!
My next supposed must have from the enchanted list was the Prolong Concealer

In the video it was used to highlight/ conceal the eye area  which must means I chose a color a shade lighter than my foundation. if you want the concealer to conceal stick to one that matches your color. I picked this up in. After some more q&a my mom & I walked out two broke but happy MAC customers with our very own "don't you dare think you look better than me" faces on serving up some of that streetwalker in the morning realness

My purchases:
  Foundation
Concealer
Brush to apply
Mac fix +

Mom's purchases:
Foundation
  Brush to apply
Moisturizer

Tips for a successful trip:
- come prepared:
- come with questions to ask
- come in knowing what you want
- come in knowing a little something about your skin
- make a list: - his is part of knowing what you want but I think it's helpful to know what you're looking it helps speed up the process & could stop you from buying products you don't need or at least don't need right now
- be willing to try new things: -you may go in wanting this but you may find out something else may work better, look better, and just overall be a better investment for you
Lastly come in with confidence & a smile you' d be surprised how much better anything will look with these two things.

This is the first of many posts. Join me on this Beautyful Journey