My oily skin routine

I think i have talked briefly about skin types in a early blog, I'm going go a little to bit deeper in to how i take care of my oily skin and what has been keeping my oil production way down.

First things first I start my day off by washing, toning, and moisturizing my skin. For a face wash I'm loving Neutrogena oil free ance wash in pink grapefruit, not oly does it cut down on excess oil with out overly drying my skin, but it smells great (price-about 7 bucks). Next for a toner I use Neutrogena Oil Eliminating Astringent, work great although it can be dry, which can be a problem for oily skin (once our skin feel too dry, it make even more oil, yuck) so it is important to use a good oil free moisturizer, I'm currently pHisoderm daily moisturizer with SPF 15. Sometimes i also apply or mix the The Body Shop green tree oil mattifying gel with this, now my skin is ready for make up application.

To start my make-up off i apply a primer, either my monistat chaffing gel or MAC Matte cream, and let set for at least two minutes, so it can get into my pores. Just but doing this alone my make-up stays longer. I am using MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW 45, i personally like liquid foundation for my oily skin i find after a awhile powder foundation oxidize on the skin and look greasy. I set my foundation with MAC blot powder, it also great for sucking up and oilies during the day.

At night I use a baby wipe to remove move my make-up, then use the same cleasner and toner, followed by Clean & Clear's Night oil-free moisturizer. I love this!!! My skin free totally different it look so refreshed!!!! In additon to my night routine i use Queen Helene Mint Julep mask several night a week for a deep cleasing. I also use St Ives apricot scrub and Biore pore strip in conjuction with the Mint Julep mask weekly for an at home facial. The Mint mask is good for drying up any pimples that my pop up.

Honestly, my skin is look its best right now( minus the hyperpigamentation) and I own it all to my strict facial routine. If you have extremely oily skin this product are worth a try.

Coastal scents Palette: Updated

I maybe jumping on the bandwagon a little late but i have been hearing nothing but great things about coastal scents palette i have order two for myself for Christmas (the neutral palette and the 26 eye and blush palette) for 22 dollars a pop you can't beat it!!!! When i get them i will post an update as well as any looks i come up with using only the palettes.

www.coastalscents.com for more info


Update: OK i got my palettes on Tuesday, the shipping was quite fast i live in NJ and these were shipped from FL, it took about 3 days!!!! I was very please with the packaging these palettes are very sleek and slender perfect for traveling.I only tried the neutral palette, sorry didn't take any pics!!!! But i love the way it came out, i would highly suggest both of this palette for working women who need a little more of a conservative look for work. I do have one word of advice, please use a good base with these shadows ( L'oreal cream shadows work great as well as and MAC paints you may have) or the could appear a little chalky. Other than that I really like these palette a great budget buy ladies!!!!!!

here are some pics of the palletes:


this is the 26 shadow and blush combo





the neutral

I'm slowly becoming a MAC Addict (a rave of Loverush and Raizin)

OK, last week after months of searching for a drug store brand that will give me the color "payoff" I was looking for I decided to go to MAC. I went to my local stand and picked two WOC faves Loverush & Raizin. I took them home and tried them out, and WOOOOW! This is what i have been searching for, a beautiful natural "flush" to my cheeks. Now these blushes, are 18 dollars a piece and come in a variety of colors and finishes. They are are a little pricey, definately a "splurge" item. but totally worth it. I've made a wish list of about 7 or 8 blushes (including one for hightlighting and one for contour) that i will be sloly adding to my collection. No doubt about I'm slowly becoming a MAC addict!!!!! I will keep you updated

How to do a facial at home

With the holidays coming I know you divas want you skin to look as radiant as possible for all those holiday pics, heres some easy to follow steps for your own facial at home:


Step 1:
Wash your face using your normal daily cleanser

Step 2
Using a scrub gently exfoliate and buff your skin, do this for 1 to 5 minutes

Step 3
Press a warm wash cloth on your face for a few minutes, then gently pat dry

Step 4
Use a store brought mask ( gel or cream mask for dry skin mud or clay mask for oily skin) let set on you skin for 10-20 mintues, rinse clean

Step 5 (optional)

If you have a lot of white or black heads use one of those Biore strips to get rid of them

Step 6
rinse face pat dry and use a nice gentle moisturize (please avoid using anything with acids or retinols in such as anit-aging products right after the facial)


and your done this is a really fun thing to do with your friends!!!! Your could also included these instructions along with every things need for the facial for really nice inexpensive gift for the holidays!!!

Rave: triple threat!!!!!!!!!

My first Rave: My Triple Threat: MAC Studio Fix Fluid, Select Cover, & Blot Powder





Now most of my focus of Diva on a Dime is cheap solutions to beauty & fashion. However sometimes you just have to treat yourself or sometimes there is just no replacing a product. A diva knows how to mix to low & luxe, knowing her limits and living within her means. I said all that this: some products are worth the money some are not. IMO, my triple threat is worth the money.



Studio Fix Fluid is the only foundation that I have re-purchased. It's the liquid version of MAC's Studi Fix Powder, it works best with oily skin ( such as mines) beacause it's oil-free, has a buildable natural matte finish, and comes in various skin colors and tones. SFF ($26) is anywhere 10 to 18 dollars more than most drugstore brands, that does seem like a lot!!! However if you are buying two foundation from the drugstore or buying online and paying shipping and handling it migth be worth it to take a trip to you local MAC stand/store and have an MUA match you.

Now even though SFF coverage is buildable you might need a concealer. I have hperpigamention and need the extra coverage!!!! Thats where Select Cover (15.50) comes in. This is the best concealer IMO and I've brought 40 concealers as well as drug store concealers. It last all day and can be worn alone or over/under foundation. It is truly worth the money!!!!

Last but not least is the Blot Powder($21). If you have oily skin blot powder will be your best friend. Seriously it soak up very drop of oil slick. I love it!!!! It comes in loose or pressed ( note: Loose is now/ will be a Pro item and only available online).

Now the "Triple Threat" looks good on it own, but apply SFF with a brush (esp a stippling brush, more on that later) and oh my goodness flawless!!!! Also using a primer help control oil and allows a smooth finish. And getting the foundation pump ($4) will save you alot of product which in turn will allow you yo use less and save more money.

These three product will run you about $61.50 before taxes at your local MAC stand/store that is alot but these are great products that do last a while!!!!! However you can even mix and match with these if you have DS products that alreay work for you!!!!

Prouducts I love

I am the first to admit that I am a little high maintaince!!!! I don't walk out of my house unless I'm looking exactly how I want to look. Hair on point clothes right and make up flawless. How ever that doesn't mean I'm speneding tons of money every month to look great most of the things i love can be found at your local Target, Wal-mart, or BSS (beauty supply store).



I love love love Neutrogena Oil-frre Acne wash and Oil eliminating astringent!!! My skin is cray oily and these two products kept it in check and the break outs away. I also love my St Ives Apicot scrub, its a staple. Ambi has an good sunscreen with spf 30. And my all time old school fave is Queen Helene Mint mask its is the ish!!!!! It can be use as an all over mask or a spot treatment. Its cheap and can be found anywhere from Wal-mart to drug stores to the BSS.

As far as make-up go Covergirl queen collecction is good, one of the only drug store brands for us!!! But I ain't gonna lie to you ladies I use MAC studio fix fluid which is 26 dollars, i know that a lot on the pricey side but it works I swear by it!!!! Along with the MAC Select cover (15.50) and the Blot powder (20, I think) my face is flawless. I spend money on my foundation but everything eles is drug store brands ( that how i justify it lol) . L'Oreal HIP and Milani are the bomb!!!! There eyeshadow are comparable to MAC in my opinion. NYX also has great eye shadows as well as lipglosses. Maybelline and Covergirl are it when it comes to mascaras (CG Lash blast the best out there and MB Great Lash is an old-school fav). But my best make up find is Monistat Chaffing gel!!!! I know you guys are like what?????? But it is the bomb primer!!!! If you are using Smash box this is just as good ( has the same major ingredients).

Last but not least are the hair products. I love Sally's beauty supply, the carry generics of Nexxus, Paul Mitchell, and such for less then a thrid of the cost for more then twice the product. They even have a flat iron which is comparable to CHI for 60 bucks. I also love Elast QP, their Anit-breakage serum is comparable to Nexxus Emegrence. You can find Elasta Qp most at the BSS and select products at Sally's. Oh and let's not forget the Patene Relaxed and Natural line, I got 2 conditioner & a shampoo for 12 dollars at Target , they are always on sale!!!

And those are the products I use on a daily basis! Every product i mentioned ( esp the SFF & Saly flat iron) are under 25 bucks! Most are under 15! So find what works for you! And save where ya can!

Skin 101: what's yout type

Okay Ladies now that we got the hair looking fly its now time for the face/skin. The key to taking care of your on skin is prevention and consistency. By taking care of you skin properly now (i.e washing, using the correct type products, sunscreen) you will save a ton of money!! Prevenation is better the cure. Before I can suggest any products for you we will need to adress your skin type so we can properly address your skin needs.





Skin mostly fall under oily, dry, combination, sensitive & normal. A lot of people have a mixture of skin type or type may adjust throughout the year, so I suggest you asses your skin twice a year ( in winter and summer)





Here's the breakdown:





Oily: skin appear "oily" even after washing, has frequent breakouts, foundation wears off after a few hours, large pores



Oily skin should look for products with the words: Foaming, gel ,oil free, mattifying, water-based or oil controlling.



Dry: feels tight, flakey, itchy after washing, rough patches rarely breaks out, "dull" complexion



Dry skin should look for products with the words like moisturizing, cream, non alcohol, refresher.



combination: oily in t-zone (forehead, nose & chin) but dry on cheeks



Combination skin should look for words like skin-balancing.



Sensitive: easily, irritate, red blotchy, allergic reactions to products, sunburn easily



Sensitive skin should look for words like fragrance free hypoallergenic



Normal: few break outs can use almost anything on the skin with no irritation, even tone



Normal should look for any thing that works for them,LOL.



Now that the basic characteristics out the way there's some things that every skin type can do to improve there skin. Number one is the easy and cheap thing to do, drink plenty of, if you think water is too bland there's those 5 calorie flavor packets now so no excuses!!!!! Number two baby your skin, never sleep in make and remember to cleanse ( removes impurities) tone ( restores pH) and moisturizer ( to lock in moisture even if you are oily) every day twice a day. Add a weekly regime like a facial or at home peel to deep cleanse your skin and remove top dead layers of skin. And last but not least wear sunscreen everyday!!!!!!!! Even us sistas can get skin cancer!!!! Ambi has a nice one that has 30spf and can double as your moisturizer. If you follw these simple tips I'm sure you can whip your skin in to shape in no time!!!!!!