featured artist: william walker.

childhood is without prejudice. an outstanding mural by william walker. located on 56th and lake park, chicago. click here for a detailed view.

here’s to a fresher face in the winter

ever find your skin dry, flaky, and dull in the winter? or just in general? i actually have very oily skin, but cold, dry winters somehow reverse my skin’s texture. if not handled early on, this dryness can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, crows feet… ugh. on the bright side, i’ve found some great tips that will benefit any skin type! here are some quick tips from my product trials over the past year:
1. biore skin boosting night serum
this is technically an “anti-aging” serum that is meant to help restore skin’s vitality. truth is, it doesn’t matter if you’re middle aged or in your teens. this super gentle, lightweight, and soothing product will save your skin. i received a free sample somehow, and decided to give it a try. little did i know this would be the product that clear the majority of my blemishes and roughness, while leaving me with glowing, healthy skin.
drugstore.com/$9.99

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2. crane adorable humidifier
invest in a humidifier– especially if you live in the freezing cold and must rely on radiators (i.e., dry heat!). you’ll find yourself not getting sick, and your skin and hair will look and feel better in dry weather. i bought one of these, ahem, adorable humidifiers from crane, because they remain cool while in use and the amount of humidity can be adjusted to your liking. and if you couldn’t tell from the name, they’re adorable! mine is a pink piggy.
drugstore.com/$34.99

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3. gnc multivitamins and biotin
i’m vegetarian, and a couple months ago, i tried out gnc’s ultra mega multivitamin. (in the gold box– it’s the only vegetarian multivitamin that they offer!) after a few weeks, i was surprised to find my skin dramatically clearer. gnc biotin supplements are also great for this. of course, a healthy diet is paramount to a healthy body. drink plenty of water, eat well, and try to remain emotionally and physically healthy. supplements are a plan ‘b.’
gnc/$17.99 – $30.99 for ultra mega multivitamin
gnc/$7.99 – $11.49 for biotin 600.

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3. thayers alcohol-free witch hazel toner
a witch hazel product without rubbing alcohol in it?  amazing! thayers formulas are extremely gentle, moisturizing, and beneficial to the skin. they are slightly thicker than your average toner, because of the added aloe vera and glycerin. nonetheless, the witch hazel does precisely what it’s supposed to: tone, reduce pore size, and clear residue that your facial soap didn’t get. these all-nature alcohol-free formulas come in four varieties: rose petal, cucumber, lavendar, and original (i.e. unscented). they are all fragrance-free and 100% amazing.
drugstore.com/$7.99
these toners can also be found in health food stores, gnc stores, and local vitamin shops.

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4. olay regenerist microdermabrasion & peel system
last, but not least, this was a recent addition to skin regimen. i actually followed michelle phan’s instructions of scrubbing it with an electric powered toothbrush. i have yet to use the serum (bottle on the right), but i’m really happy with the crystals. i’ve used the product only three times so far, and my skin is refreshed and bright. using an electric toothbrush really helps renew and rejuvenate your skin, i highly recommend it for more visible results. opt for the cheapest thing you can find. i got the spinbrush swirl for $4.
drugstore.com/$22.94
you can find this product in nearly any drugstore, grocery store, target, and any other retailer.

not sure how to pronounce it, but…

i love love love dr. bronner’s magic shikakai soap. i was in dire need of a wash and condition yesterday, so i grabbed this product at the store and scrubbed away at my scalp. it didn’t lather up very well, and is much gentler than dr. bronner’s liquid castile soap. overall, it’s a completely different soap. the shikakai soap is closer to an all-natural body wash that actually cleans your hair and skin thoroughly without the drying effects of other natural cleansers. the castile soap, conversely, is an all-purpose, all-natural soap that is guaranteed to thoroughly cleanse you, your dishes, your bathroom sink, your toilet… and pretty much anything else.

oh, and let’s not forget that the shikakai soap is a thin, brown liquid. i know this has turned a lot of people off, but what do you expect from a fair trade product that contains unconventional ingredients from all over the world?

i purchased the lemongrass lime scent, which smells a lot better when the soap is lathered in the shower. (when i first opened the bottle to take a whif, i wasn’t happy.) it’s a very subtle yet refreshing lemon fragrance that will make your bathroom smell like a citrus-flavored heaven. other scents include dr. bronner’s signature peppermint, lavendar, naked (i.e. unscented), and tea tree.

in short, dr. bronner’s new beauty-oriented product gets an A+! try it out for yourself, 12 oz. bottles are going for $8.99 at whole foods, drugstore.com, and many other retailers.