Midterm Survival Makeover

What used to be one week of hell has now been extended into three or four. During these arduous weeks it’s sometimes hard to properly take care of oneself. Sleep dwindles and caring about your appearance becomes a thing of luxury. I can’t guarantee you A’s on your exams but I can offer some tips on how to stay fresh and beautiful despite the stress of midterms.

 

Unfortunately, one of the negative effects of stress is the toll it can take on your skin. That’s why it is important to clean and moisturize consistently to keep skin clean and less vulnerable to blemishes. Make sure to pick a facial cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type i.e. oily, dry, or normal. In my opinion, when it comes to your skin, the more all-natural or organic the product, the better. According to the Livestrong website, it is best to avoid cleansers with alcohol in them because they are harsh on skin and can lead to dryness. Also try to stay away from cleansers that have perfumes or dies in them. One of my favorites is Dessert Essence’s Thoroughly Clean Face Wash which is made with Eco-Harvest® Tea Tree Oil. Whole Foods Market or other natural food stores offer great selections of organic and all-natural products like this but regular supermarkets sometimes have natural sections as well.

 

After cleansing it’s good to follow up with a moisturizer. One of my favorites is Avalon Organics’ Lavender Luminosity TM Daily Moisturizer because it’s hypo-allergenic and smells great.

 

In the event that a nasty blemish pops up, use a concealer that won’t clog pores. If it’s not extremely noticeable you can even use a powder to cover it up which can be preferable to a concealer that may sometimes feel heavy on skin. However, both Josie Maran and Tarte offer natural, paraben-free, and artificial fragrance-free concealers. Josie Maran’s Argan Blend Concealer is great because it is made with Argan Oil which helps hydrate skin and combat inflammation. The concealer has two shades to cover blemishes as well as provide an even skin tone. Tarte’s Smooth Operator™ Amazonian Clay Waterproof Concealer is another great option because it is made with Vitamins A and E to soothe skin and Amazonian clay to hide flaws and improve skin’s texture.

 

And when it’s all over, reward yourself for all your hard work! After your week or longer of stress, unwind with a bubble bath using EO® Vanilla and Coconut with Tangerine Bubble Bath (or one of their numerous other amazing scents). This product is great because it has organic botanicals to rejuvenate skin as well as numerous other ingredients that will cleanse and hydrate skin. Another must try is Aura Cacia’s Patchouli/Sweet Orange Nourishing Body Polish. Not only is this product organic and fair trade, it’s a great exfoliant that has shea butter and Vitamin E to revitalize skin. And the best part: you’ll get much needed relaxation time.

 

Bubble bath: http://bit.ly/14HTxt8