Dermaplaning 101 || How To Dermaplane At Home

May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 Meg1 Comment

What is dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is a manual exfoliation technique that removes dead skin cells and “peach fuzz”. It is not the same as “shaving your face”. This treatment is often offered in medical spas but can be done in the comfort of your own home with the right tools and aftercare products. All you need is a dermaplaning facial tool and hydrating skin care products for post-treatment use.

Benefits of Dermaplaning:

Removes skin cells + “peach fuzz”
Reduces appearance of fine lines
Improves appearance of acne scarring
Improves appearance of hyperpigmentation
Promotes collagen production
Smoother makeup application
Triggers skin cell regeneration
Assists in prevention of breakouts
Allows skin care products to absorb deeper into the skin
Good for all skin types
Removes dull skin
Immediate results
Low risk procedure
Quick procedure

Risks + Side Effects:

There are little-to-no risks with in-spa dermaplaning treatments. However, dermaplaning at home poses potential for greater risks – I recommend researching tutorials like this one to ensure your risks are minimized.

You may have mild redness for a couple days post-treatment and some experience small whiteheads in the days following treatment. This is totally normal.

Who Should Dermaplane?

Dermaplaning is good for all skin types! However, you should avoid dermaplaning if you have any current inflammatory skin conditions such as inflammatory acne//cystic acne, sunburns, eczema, psoriasis, or roseacea.

How Often Should I Dermaplane?

It is recommended to dermaplane once every 4-6 weeks. If you’re doing an at-home treatment, I recommend doing it at night. I have done both in-spa and at-home treatments. It is much more convenient do to it at home so I dermaplane once each month at night time.

How To Dermaplane At Home:

Always start by cleansing your face and removing all makeup; then, pat skin dry and use a toner or micellar water.
Put on a light moisturizer or facial oil. This step isn’t required but I like to have some moisture on my face.
Hold skin taut with one hand and dermaplane in the direction of hair growth. Angle downwards at a 45-degree angle using short, light strokes. Be gentle and take your time!
Wipe off your face; then, repeat previous steps angling the dermaplaning tool in the opposite direction for maximum exfoliation. This step isn’t required but I like to do it to ensure all dead skin cells are gone!
Afterwards, cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser and use hydrating facial products such as aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and moisturizer.

Post-Procedure Tips:

Avoid using drying or exfoliating products for a few days after treatment. If you’re going to be out in the sun, use SPF. Avoid picking or scratching your face. Use a gentle cleanser and other gentle skin care products – you can never go wrong with CeraVe. Lastly, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!!!

dermaplaning skincare picks — All products are linked here: ***Amazon storefront*** // ***LikeToKnow.it***

Looking for more information? Check out these articles:

aftercare

harper’s bazaar

healthline

Whether in spa or at home, have you had a dermaplaning treatment before? What are your thoughts? Share below!

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Self-Tanning 101 || Tips to Achieve the Perfect Glow

May 13, 2023May 17, 2023 MegLeave a comment

A few years ago, I was trying to find the best self-tanner for my skin. I had been to the dermatologist and had to have a couple of areas biopsied. Skin cancer runs in my family and after years of never using sun screen and going to the tanning bed once a day, I decided it was time to cool it with the fake-baking and careless sun-bathing. Well, I’m naturally very pale so I tried every self-tanning brand under the sun and was not satisfied with the color. I had so much trouble finding one that would actually give me the deep tan I was looking for. Then, I realized my application process could be a big contributor as to why I was unhappy with my self-tan. I did some research and found the following tips to be the most helpful:

BEFORE TANNING:

shave + exfoliate // use a scrub 24 hours prior to application: shaving and exfoliating immediately before application can leave you with those little “dots” all over your skin as a result of your pores and hair follicles not having enough time to close back up. remove all dead skin, hair, and old self-tanner from your last application 24 hours before re-application. if you haven’t shaved in a few days and you need to tan now, go ahead and apply but wait at least 24 hours after application to shave.
apply self-tanner to squeaky clean skin: your skin needs to be as clean as possible so the tanner adheres to your skin instead of build up of dirt, oil, dead skin cells, etc. this will keep your tan looking even in the days after application.
use moisturizer on dry areas such as elbows, knees, ankles: self-tanner sticks to these areas because they are naturally dry. use self-tanner sparingly on these areas. I like to use a small, fluffy makeup brush to minimize the risk of applying too much product leaving you with excessively dark ankles, knees, and elbows.
never use bare hands: just don’t do it. your hands will absorb a lot of product, leaving them looking orange. not to mention, the chances of your self-tanner application being streaky are almost guaranteed. use an application mitt each time (and wash the mitt after each use).
take your time: to avoid missing any areas, go slow moving from your feet up to your neck // face. you want to apply by moving your mitt in small circles. this will ensure even application and reduce likelihood of missing a spot. I also invested in a back applicator mitt from coco & eve to avoid missing any areas on my back.
ensure tan is totally dry before putting on clothes: I wait at least 10 minutes after application; then, I use a hair dryer on the cool setting all over my body to make sure the tanner is dry before putting on my clothes. I usually put on an old, giant tee shirt and loose-fitting shorts afterwards to avoid staining any of my favorite clothing.

AFTER TANNING:

rinsing: if you want a really deep tan, wait 8+ hours to rinse. I usually wait as long as I possibly can to get that richer, deeper tan I love.
hydrate your skin: moisturize your skin daily in order to prolong your tan and keep it looking even as it begins to fade.

OTHER TIPS:

un-tinted is a no go: I don’t recommend un-tinted formulas, as you can’t see where you have applied which can result in an uneven application.
facial tanner: I prefer using facial tanning oil instead of self-tanning mousse. I add 3-4 drops in with my moisturizer. it’s best to re-apply facial tanning oil every 2-3 days.
skin care products to avoid: avoid retinol, AHAs, BHAs, and facial oils when using self-tanner. these products increase the rate of skin-cell turnover resulting in an uneven tan.
skin care products to use: use hyaluronic acid, SPF, and vitamin c serums to keep your skin hydrated. this will prevent an uneven tan as self-tanner begins to fade.

I’ve listed my top picks below with links. My personal favorites are b.tan and Coco & Eve! ☺︎

What is your favorite self-tanner? If you have any special tips or tricks, feel free to leave a comment below!

Beautycounter || My Favorite Skin Care Products

August 7, 2022May 17, 2023 MegLeave a comment

We have 4 skin care collections including Countercontrol, Countermatch, Counterstart, and Countertime. In addition, we have our Counter+ line and our newest line, the All Bright Collection.

Our Countercontrol line is best for oily, blemish-prone skin. Countermatch is best suited for those with combination skin. Counterstart is the perfect line for those transitioning to clean beauty products for the first time or for those with sensitive skin. Countertime is best for dry, aging skin. Our Counter+ line and All Bright line include several products to add to your daily routine.

Check out my current skincare routine below!

MORNING SKIN CARE ROUTINE:

Countermatch Refresh Foaming Cleanser
Countermatch Hydra-Gel Radiance Toner
All Bright C Serum
Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion
Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream
Countersun Daily Sheer Defense for Face
Countercontrol SOS Acne Spot Treatment – as needed

Countermatch Refresh Foaming Cleanser — *Morning Line Up*

Countermatch Hydra-Gel Radiance Toner — *Morning Line Up*

NIGHT TIME SKIN CARE ROUTINE:

Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm OR Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil
Countermatch Hydra-Gel Radiance Toner OR All Bright Triple Acid AHA Toner (every other night)
Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum
Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream
Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream
All Bright Brightening Facial Oil (every other night)
Countercontrol SOS Acne Spot Treatment – as needed

Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm — *Night Time Line Up*

Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil — *Night Time Line Up*

And there you have it! This is my complete routine but I do switch things up from time to time because I love trying new products. Stay tuned to see what I try next!

Check out all my favorites by clicking here!

Interested in trying? Leave a comment below!

Monat || My Favorite Skincare Products

July 21, 2022May 16, 2023 MegLeave a comment

I have tried all of Monat’s skincare products and have a few favorites I use regularly! My top picks are listed here!

4 products I use frequently:

Makeup Vanishing Balm – my absolute FAVORITE makeup remover! It’s very gentle + removes even the toughest eye makeup without stripping the skin of its moisture!
Berry Refined Scrub – this scrub is gentle and hydrating – I use it once or twice per week!
Hydration Booster Serum – such a great serum for those needing hydration! It hydrates without clogging pores!
Skin Revitalizing Essence – I’m not currently using this product but I love it! When using this product, I put it on immediately after cleansing!

The Makeup Vanishing Balm is a must have product for me! It is the best makeup remover I have ever used! If you’re wanting to try any of the skincare products, definitely get this one!!!

I have included a link to Monat’s website here!

If you’re interested in trying any Monat products or have questions, feel free to comment below!

Beautycounter || My Favorite Makeup Products

July 21, 2022May 16, 2023 MegLeave a comment

There are a few Beautycounter makeup products I use daily and several that I use frequently depending on what I’m doing that day or what look I’m going for. I’ve listed all my favorites, including links, here!

Products I use daily:

The Better Blender
Cheeky Clean Cream Blush – my favorite shades are Cider + Chai!
Lid Glow Cream Eye Shadow – my favorite shades are Gleam + Sepia!
Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick – my favorite shades are Pearl + Petal!

Products I use weekly:

Glow First Priming Serum – I use this on work days prior to applying foundation!
Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer – I frequently use this as my moisturizer before putting on foundation or I just wear it as my foundation + sunscreen when heading out to the pool!
Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation – This is the foundation I reach for most on work days! It doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing foundation + doesn’t clog my pores!
Skin Twin Creamy Concealer – This concealer is just as wonderful as the foundation! I always use them together!
Brilliant Brow Gel – Another favorite for work days! I use shade invisible + it keeps my brows in place all day!
Beyond Gloss – Love this gloss! The applicator allows you to apply with precision + it gives just enough color! My favorite shades are Clove + Delilah!

To make things simple, I included a sharable preview cart with all of my makeup favorites here!

If you’re interested in trying Beautycounter products or have any questions, feel free to comment below!

Mani Debates || Apres Gel-X Vs. Acrylic

June 27, 2022May 16, 2023 MegLeave a comment

I tried Apres Gel-X Nail Extensions – here are my thoughts!

I’ve always been a lover of acrylic nails. I got my first set in the 7th grade and was immediately obsessed. I continued to get them for special occasions (and sometimes just for fun) throughout high school and college. However, I quit getting them due to upkeep not fitting into my schedule and health concerns that come with using acrylic nails. Check out articles regarding the health concerns here and here.

For the past three years, I simply painted my own nails. During that time, I considered buying press-on nails from various brands I saw on Instagram ads. I chose not to because I was concerned about damaging my nails. So…I continued painting them. It became somewhat annoying because the polish would chip within two days and not to mention, I have a bad habit of picking the polish off once they begin to chip. Not ideal.

A month ago, I finally decided to make an appointment at this adorable nail salon. When choosing my services from their online booking system, I noticed the Apres Gel-X option. I had limited knowledge about them but I thought I’d give them a try.

After having my first set for a month, I can honestly say I will NEVER get acrylics again. As I’ve learned more and more about cleaner and safer beauty care & products, I feel totally comfortable using these gel nail extensions. I won’t be keeping them on all the time, as there is some upkeep and become expensive to maintain overtime. I’ve also learned it is best to allow your natural nails time to breathe in between sets to maintain natural nail health. But every now and again, I will definitely be treating myself!

Some Education

What is Apres Gel-X?

Apres Gel-X is a soft gel nail extension system (think salon quality press-ons) which are attached to the entire natural nail bed using Extend Gel Polish, a non-toxic, vegan nail base adhesive, and using a blue UV light to cure. To remove, the nails are soaked in acetone and require little to no drilling to complete removal. To make it even better, they last up to 4 weeks minimizing your time in the nail salon.

Are Apres Gel-X Nail Extensions better than Acrylics?

In my opinion, YES!!! As mentioned, Apres Gel-X is placed on the entire nail bed, making them far less likely to break and tear your natural nail. Gel is more flexible as well, allowing your nail to move normally. Acrylics are placed on the tip of the nail increasing risk of breaking or damaging your natural nail. Acrylics are harder and don’t allow the nail to move naturally, meaning they are more likely to break and rip your natural nail. Apres Gel-X can be removed by soaking in acetone, just like gel nail polish. They require little to no drilling, preserving integrity of your natural nail. Acrylics require hard drilling which thins the nail bed drastically leaving you with thin, brittle nails. In addition, Apres Gel-X does not have the potential health risks associated with acrylics. Additionally, gel doesn’t have the strong, chemical smell acrylics have. Apres Gel-X for the win!!!

Check out the links below for more info:

allure

beautyharbour

byrdie

pop sugar

refinery 29

the zoe report

Share your thoughts + favorite manicure tips, whether at home or in salon, below!

Antiperspirants Vs. Deodorants

June 20, 2022May 16, 2023 MegLeave a comment

What’s the difference between an antiperspirant & deodorant?

A deodorant masks odor, whereas an antiperspirant reduces how much you sweat.

Both work equally well. However, the ingredients used are significantly different.

Deodorants are often alcohol based and when applied, turn the skin acidic, which makes it less attractive to bacteria.

Antiperspirants, on the other hand, usually include aluminum-based ingredients that block your sweat pores.

Beautycounter Antiperspirants vs Deodorants

As you may know, the research on aluminum in beauty products has mixed reviews. There is potential that it could have negative health effects, as your skin absorbs around 70% of what you put on it. In addition, there is a concern if your skin absorbs the aluminum, it can affect the estrogen receptors of breast cells potentially causing or increasing the risk of breast cancer. While research doesn’t necessarily support this theory (see links 1 & 2 below) , there are other issues with aluminum in deodorant such as skin irritation → see 3rd link for more information.

Interested in trying an aluminum free deodorant? Try our CLEAN DEO!!!

🔗🔗🔗 LINKS:

https://www.healthline.com/health/deodorant-vs-antiperspirant

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-to-know-about-aluminum-in-deodorant

https://www.byrdie.com/why-is-aluminum-in-deodorant-bad-4844790

https://www.beautycounter.com/megkerns

My Clean Beauty Journey

June 19, 2021May 16, 2023 MegLeave a comment

With Beautycounter + Monat

Hi friends!

I wanted to share something I’m really excited about with you all! If you frequent this blog, you know that over the last year or so, I’ve really been focusing on mental health and wellness from the inside out. During this journey, I started paying attention to the products and ingredients I was using for hair, skin, bath + body, and makeup. I learned a lot about how our health is affected by the personal care products that we use daily. I discovered a vegan, anti-aging hair care brand called Monat and a clean beauty brand called Beautycounter. After trying the products from both companies, I noticed an almost immediate change in my hair and skin, so I decided to partner with the brands as an advocate and educator!

To give you the backstory, I began by looking at the ingredients on my hair products. I was using great, salon-purchased products but continued to have issues with an oily scalp. In addition, I have naturally fine, thin hair and was using tape-in extensions to give me volume and thickness. They require re-application every 6-8 weeks. At first, I didn’t mind because the extensions got the job done. But after awhile, the maintenance grew frustrating. A good friend of mine had been using Monat products, as she was suffering from hair loss due to stress. She introduced me to Monat in October 2020. I decided to join as a market partner so that I could try a ton of different products and see what worked best for me. Initially, I had no intention of sharing about the products to those outside of my close circle; however, I have become OBSESSED!!! Not just with hair care, but also the wellness products.

After using Monat products exclusively for 6 months, I can attest how amazing they truly are. I can now go 2 full days without an oily scalp; whereas before, I could only go about 12 hours before my scalp became excessively oily. Not to mention, my skin has improved tremendously. I have suffered from breakouts and discoloration from sun exposure and skin-picking. Now, I only have the occasional hormonal breakout and my dark spots are improving day by day. And as an additional bonus, I fell in love with the wellness products. I’ve tried many different wellness supplements in the past but never actually enjoyed the way they tasted. Many even made my stomach ache. These wellness products actually taste incredible and don’t give me stomach pains.

Fast forward a few months, I began working in-office full time again (post-COVID) in March 2021. I am still required to wear a mask while with clients and I began noticing a case of “maskne” in areas I have never had breakouts before – specifically along my jawline. Since I have to wear a mask, I decided to look at the ingredients in my makeup and see if that could be a contributing factor as well. Coincidently enough, the very next week, one of my client’s parents asked me if I had ever heard about Beautycounter – which was the makeup brand I had been looking into for the last week. I told her I had just been looking into trying Beautycounter. She gave me several full-sized products to try for a week. I used the products, including the acne line, Countercontrol, as my skincare routine. The results were almost instantaneous. When she followed up with me, she asked me if I wanted to join as a consultant. Since I love the products and am super into all of the clean beauty things, I said yes!

It has been 8 months since I began using Monat exclusively and 2 months since I began using Beautycounter exclusively. I am truly amazed at my results so I wanted to share my story here for those who may be interested in trying products by either brand.

Check out the products below!

My blog’s main focus has been primarily on mental health, but I will begin including beauty product related posts as well. If you stumble along this post and have any questions about either company or any of their products, I’m more than happy to answer! If you’re interested in trying Monat or Beautycounter, I’d love to help you find the right products for your concerns. I can send samples or set you up with full-sized products.

As a side note, I have also decided to broaden my horizons and include other topics outside of beauty & mental health. Stay tuned!

Main + Meg

Lifestyle + Personal Blog || sharing my heart, passions, + journey of life

Tag: Beauty