EXFOLIATING COFFEE & ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FACE MASK DIY

Since I am already a huge fan of activated charcoal and all its detoxifying benefits, I thought I’d share one of my favorite ways to use it with you, in a face mask! Both my boyfriend (that’s right, this charcoal face mask works for men too) and I use this mask to get all the guck off our faces that build up both in our pores and on the surface of our skin throughout the week. The addition of coffee and coconut to this charcoal face mask DIY also adds a smell to the mix that awakens the sense and leaves your skin hydrated. Sounds pretty good, right?! If you are curious as to how to make this charcoal face mask DIY at home too, keep reading!

COFFEE AND ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FACE MASK BENEFITS

This all-natural face mask exfoliates, hydrates, and purifies your skin leaving it soft, smooth, and fresh. Activated Charcoal pulls impurities and toxins out of the skin while coffee grinds exfoliate dead skin cells away and coconut oil moisturizes. I recommend leaving this activated charcoal face mask DIY on for about 10-15 minutes before exfoliating and washing it off gently with warm water. For glowing skin, follow with vitamin C serums and your favorite moisturizer! ♥

* Please Note - Some links in this post may be affiliate links *

SHOPPING LIST:

Small Containers - I used 4 oz Glass Jam Jars  
2.5 oz Organic Coffee Grinds (fine) - per jars you want to end up with so (2.5 x # of jars = how much you will need)
1.5 oz Coconut Oil***- per jars you want to end up with
Activated Charcoal - I got capsuled ones and removed the charcoal from the capsules, 1-2 for each 4oz jar
 

*** If you have a problem getting the coconut oil out of the container like I did I recommend using a technique called "sous-vide".  Please note that the container has to be made of glass to do this. To do this, placing the glass jar of coconut oil in a bath of water and heat the water up slowly in order to melt the coconut oil. Use a cloth when removing the glass jar from the bath as it will be hot. Pictures included below!

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DIRECTIONS:

Wash and dry your jars fully

Place the coffee grinds in the food processor (you may have to do this in parts!) , add in your coconut oil and activated charcoal. Blend until well mixed well together.

If you did this in parts transfer food processor contents to a large bowl and repeat coffee, coconut oil, and charcoal mixture until everything is done. Mix large bowl contents together one last time with a whisk. The mask should look black and have a thick grainy consistency!

Scoop out and fill jars! 

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I hope you had as much fun making this easy charcoal face mask DIY as I did! Please let me know your comments below or if you have any special requests!!!!! I would love to hear from you ♥ ♥ ♥

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SPARITUAL - VEGAN NAIL POLISH REVIEW

I recently was introduced to this line of vegan nail polish called SpaRitual and absolutely loved it. Now, I have heard many things about vegan nail polish including that they lose their luster, don’t last, and chip easily, but I did not have any of those problems with this brand. Not only is it good quality, but it is free from 5 of the most harmful chemicals found in nail polish including DBP, toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde resin. SpaRitual makes many vegan products, not just nail polish, and I look forward to experimenting more with this brand in the future. If you are pregnant or looking to live a more vegan and chemical-free lifestyle I highly recommend you also check out this brand. If that doesn’t sound like you, well I am sure you can still appreciate a good manicure and this rad color.

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To see all the SpaRitual colors available click HERE

Usually, they run about $12 a bottle - I got two, Spellbound (pictured above) and Loving in Pink which almost looks like pink chrome.

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I hope you enjoyed this vegan nail polish review of SpaRitual nail polish. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below!

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VITAMIN C - THE BRILLIANT BENEFITS AND WHY YOU NEED IT IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE!!

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Ever since I turned 30, I have become way more interested in and motivated to take better care of my skin. Past mistakes of falling asleep with all my makeup on or not putting SPF on when I am going outside are behind me and I now understand the importance of investing in nutrient-rich products that preserve my youthful appearance. One such nutrient-rich product (besides blue light product for those who work in front of a computer and SPF for those who work outside) that I highly recommend you add to your current routine are serums with Vitamin C.

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful anti-aging ingredients on the market today and has so many amazing benefits including being a potent antioxidant. Unfortunately, digesting it doesn’t guarantee the benefits will go straight to where you need them, but using a topical form of Vitamin C can. Further, it’s a product that is very safe to use no matter your skin type, and only in the rarest situations does it cause minor irritation.

Additional Benefits of Vitamin C Serums

• It is a nutrient-packed antioxidant!

• It is safe to use in conjunction with other active ingredients like Retinol, alpha Hydroxy acids, SPF etc.

• It allows your skin to retain moisture.

• It helps fade skin pigmentation and smooth out skin texture which helps your skin appear brighter and healthier.

• It reduces inflammation and minimizes redness for a more even skin tone.

• It can help fade hyperpigmentation like those sunspots you got when you were in your twenties and never wore sunscreen or Melasma.

• It can help reduce the appearance of under-eye circles and hydrate the area.

• It can reduce the appearance of fine lines and promote collagen production which helps retain your skin’s elasticity longer and keep things looking firm and tight.

• It helps to smooth and replace damaged skin cells caused by the sun, by accelerating cell turnover.

• It helps protect the skin against free radicals and environmental pollution.

When picking your Vitamin C products it is important to know that not all Vitamin C agents are created equal and some oxidize quicker than others, rendering them less potent. When choosing Vitamin C serums make sure to look for products that contain Ascorbic Acid like ‘L-ascorbic acid’ which is one of the most stable derivatives of Vitamin C. Further, make sure to store all your products out of sunlight in a cool, dry place to ensure that they don’t spoil.

When it comes to using Vitamin C products, remember that consistency is key and that they typically can be used twice a day. If you are unsure of where they fit into your current skincare routine, typically the steps in skincare go as followed: Cleanse, Toner, Vitamin C Serums, Moisturizer, SPF.

Lastly, to help you get started I have compiled a shortlist of Vitamin C products below that you can use daily to benefit your skin.

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VITAMIN C SERUMS TO CONSIDER

At the top of every beauty editors list, The C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum By Drunk Elephant is one of the most popular Vitamin C serums on the market today. Packed full of antioxidants, nutrients, and fruit enzymes to visibly firm, brighten, and improve signs of photo-aging, this potent vitamin C day serum doesn’t come cheap! WIth 15% L-Ascorbic Acid not only is this product strong but it also has Pumpkin Ferment and Pomegranate Extract in it that works together with the Vitamin C to dissolve dead surface skin cells and minimize the appearance of pores. Further, this Drunk Elephant vitamin C serum also contains Chronocyclin, a peptide that mimics the antioxidant benefits of vitamin D for more youthful-looking skin. One thing to note about this product though is that a gradual introduction of this product into your skincare routine is advised and after the first use, it is recommended to store this product in your fridge to help maintain its potent antioxidant activity and effectiveness.

Price - $105 CAD

L'Oreal’s Revitalift Triple Power LZR 10% Pure Vitamin C Concentrate is a high end drugstore accessible product that contains 10% Pure Vitamin C, is formulated without water and is protectively sealed in an air-tight tube. This product can be applied every morning and evening to revive the radiance of your skin in just one week.

Price - $30.99 CAD

Last but not least, Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum is a powerful lightweight serum that supports youthful luminosity while delivering antioxidant defense against environmental stressors and free radicals. Not only does this serum contain vitamin C but it also contains collagen to smooth the look of the skin. Good for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin, this product leaves all skin types soft, smooth, and glowing.

Price - $60 CAD

One of my all-time-favorite brands, Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 12.5% Vitamin C skincare serum reduces the look of fine lines with a formulated light weight cream. It also helps to improve the skins texture by reducing the appearance of pores and correcting uneven skin tones. Additionally, it is free of parabens, and phthalates, can be used twice a day and contains pure vitamin also known as L-Ascorbic Acid which improves the appearance of skin aging and protects from skin damaging free-radicals.

Price - $109 CAD

For those who are price conscious, The Ordinary Vitamin C Serum Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% could be the perfect product for you. Priced at $5.80 CAD this water and silicone-free formulation suspends a whopping 23% pure l-ascorbic acid stably and is formulated without parabens, sulfates or phthalates. It is also vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without oil, alcohol, silicone, nuts, gluten, and fragrance, and works for all skin types. Not only that but The Ordinary Vitamin C Serum is equivalent to a single grande latte at Starbucks!

Price - $5.80 CAD!!!!

Glow Recipe’s Pineapple Vitamin C Serum is a potent, lightweight Vitamin C and AHA serum concentrated with smoothing pineapple juice and hyaluronic acid to brighten and even out your skin tone. Good for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin, Glow Recipe’s Pineapple C Bright serum’s liquid formulation bright, smooth, and hydrated as well as provides calming effects thanks to its inclusion of Chamomile. A few important things to note, this product is vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, and is a clean product formulated without sulfates (SLS and SLES), parabens, phthalates, and more

Price - $68.00 CAD

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If you have any questions or comments about the benefits of vitamin C or have a vitamin C serum you want to recommend to me to try, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below!

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IS BLUE LIGHT FROM YOUR PHONE/COMPUTER DAMAGING YOUR SKIN? YES! HERE'S WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT!

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Since I relying heavily on both my computer and phone for work as well as for entertainment (Thanks COVID!), I am spending so much time in front of a screen these days! I was shocked to learn after a recent visit to my dermatologist, that the dark spots (hyperpigmentation) I recently noticed that had appeared on my face (especially around my eye area) were due to the blue light that emits from my computer and phone screen! I knew it was a culprit for eye strain, cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye diseases, but was completely unaware of the damage it was causing to my skin!

WHAT IS BLUE LIGHT AND WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF BLUE LIGHT?

In a nutshell, blue light is a high-energy, short-wavelength light that emits from the sun, indoor lights, and our screens. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue but now, since most of us spend over 50% of our day in front of a screen, the damage it is causing to our skin has become even more apparent!

Currently, there is evidence showing that blue light contributes to the development of brown spots and skin hyperpigmentation around the mouth, eyes, and face such as melasma. Currently, research is being done to see if it could also be the possible cause of premature photoaging and the breakdown of collagen known to cause wrinkles and impact skin laxity. Further, Dr. Shari Marchbein, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine says, "There's also evidence that as blue light penetrates the skin, reactive oxygen species are generated, which leads to DNA damage, thereby causing inflammation and the breakdown of healthy collagen and elastin, as well as hyperpigmentation."

WHAT INGREDIENTS PROTECT AGAINST BLUE LIGHT?

Both my dermatologist and Marchbein recommend finding a product that you can use daily that contains iron oxide and antioxidants in the ingredient list. Both of these ingredients help create a protective barrier from blue light rays that emit from our phones and computers as we continue to work from home. In addition, my dermatologist also always tells me to wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 even in the winter or on cloudy days as skin damage from the sun’s rays is still an issue even if the weather gives you a different impression.

In addition to adding products to protect your skin from blue light, lowering the brightness level on your screens to 50 percent or switching on the darker "Night Shift" setting (as long as you don’t dim it so much that you're straining your eyes) are two additional suggestions to helping prevent skin damage from blue light along with going hands-free as much as possible and ironically social distancing from your devices. LOL!!

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To help you combat this new skincare issue, I have compiled a shortlist of products below that contain the recommended ingredients you need to combat blue light that you can use daily to protect your skin.

If you have any questions or comments about blue light skincare products or the effects of blue light on the skin, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below!

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SKINCARE PRODUCTS FOR BLUE LIGHT

Since its launch, Vivier Skincare’s ‘Sheer SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Moisturizing Lotion with Antioxidants’ has been part of my daily skincare line up. Its ChromaTint™ technology gives my skin an instant natural looking glow while also providing protection from damaging blue light rays emitting from the sun and computer. Further, it also features a light weight formula with anti aging benefits thanks to the added antioxidants!

Great for all skin types, Vivier’ Skincare’s Sheer SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Lotion can be used daily on the face, neck and chest area.

On days that I don’t feel like wearing makeup I always reach for my Vivier Sheer SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Lotion. I find that it smooths out any imperfections I may be experiencing while also evening out my uneven skin tone. The fact that it give me a nice glow, protects me from damaging blue rays, and moisturizers my skin while also providing anti aging benefits, is just an extra bonus!  

Price - $48.00

One of the first tinted moisturizers I ever owned was the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. It has a lightweight, oil free formula great for combination and oily skin, and it acts almost like a lightweight foundation. Although this product doesn’t have SPF it does give a boost of moisture to your skin and helps with oil control on acne prone or sensitive skin. It also comes in a range of light skin tones.

Price - $59 CAD

The NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is a lightweight tinted moisturizer great for people with normal, dry and combination skin. Like a translucent veil, this tinted moisturizer offers blue light protection while also evening your skin tone. Infused with naturally derived ingredients, NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer helps keep thirsty skin hydrated. Oil-free and luxurious, it obscures the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores, and other imperfections. It is also paraben, sulfate, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dye, petrochemical and GMO free, and comes in a range of light to medium skin tones.

Price - $58 CAD

A new product to pop up on my radar, bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Defense Radiant Protective Vail is bareMinerals answer to the effects of blue light. I was recently sent a sample of this product to try and found it to be to my satisfaction. I noticed some reviews online that mentioned it had a ‘funny smell’ but personally I thought it to both smelled and look just like an unscented sunscreen. With that being said bareMinerals is a clean beauty company that doesn’t add artificial fragrances to their products and considering it has a 30 SPF in it, I found no reason to be put off by its smell. One thing I would note about this product is that when applied, the cream does leave a sheer white layer which makes me believe it would be better suited for fair to light skin tones. Additionally, I do think this would make a great product for men who are concerned about blue light but do not want to wear a tinted product.

Price - $39.00

One of my all-time-favorites, the Origins GinZing™ SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer is a light weight, oil free tinted moisturizer that is good for all skin types. Not only will it help you fight off the negative effects of blue light but it also hydrates, helps cover up uneven skin tone and brightens and smooths out your skin texture. Additionally, it comes with great SPF protection, is great for guys that don’t want to look like they are wearing makeup and is made with the high quality ingredients. Origins GinZing™ SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer is a clean skincare product which means it’s also free of any parabens, sulfates, petrolatum, paraffin or formaldehyde. In all honesty, mine doesn’t leave my desk!

Price - $52 CAD

A ‘Best of Beauty’ Award Winner, bareMinerals COMPLEXION RESCUE™ Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF 30 come in a large range of shades from light to dark skin tones. Great for both dry and combination skin, it offered a medium foundation coverage and a natural radiant finish - almost like it combines the benefits of a BB cream with a CC cream. bareMinerals Complexion Rescue™ is a dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, oil-free, silicone-free, and fragrance-free product that is also free from parabens, sulfates and phthalates. It offers 30 SPF protection, is formulated with mineral electrolytes and has heart-leaf globe daisy antioxidants, all of which protect you skin from environmental stressors and pollution.

Price - $40 CAD

tarte Maracuja Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer is a vegan, lightweight tinted moisturizer that delivers a beautiful sheer coverage that hydrate, soothe and brighten your skin’s appearance. Infused with Maracuja Oil super fruits, Hyluronic acid, and Turmeric root extract this product provides coverage and hydration for up to 12 hours. Further, it is also cruelty-free and gluten-free as well as parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, mineral oil, and triclosan free. I am also happy to share that out of all the above products recommended, this one comes in the largest range of skin tone shades from light to dark!

Price - $38.00

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HOW TO ACHIEVE A STACKED EARRING LOOK WITHOUT ADDITIONAL PIERCING #GIFTED

USE CODE ‘ISTHATSOH10’ FOR 10% OFF YOUR PURCHASE

Having always been a fan of a ‘stacked earring’ look, I had considered prior to the COVID shutdown, to get additional piercings to achieve the look. Obviously since business were instructed to close I was unable to go ahead with my plan but about a month ago, I actually found a jewelry brand called The Hexad that offers versatile earring designs you can mix and match to essentially create a stacked earring look without having to get additional piercings! Cool right!

Long story short, I reached out to them and they sent me a few of their designs to play with. I had so much fun switching them up and creating looks but in all honesty, the three looks I am showing you below are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of combinations I can create.

They have a few other earrings and cuffs I have my eye on and but for now i’m really happy with how many different looks I can create with what I have and even my mom has asked me to get her some so I thought I’d create a blog post so you too can take advantage of my discount code too!

I am curious to know which is your favorite combination? 1,2, or 3? Leave your answer in the comments below!

THE HEXAD IS CURRENTLY OFFERING FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING TO
US AND CANADA ON ORDERS OVER $100 USD

LOOK # 1

Moonshine Ear Cuffs in Gold
Cult Ear Cuff in Gold
Double Bar Pavé Stud in Gold

LOOK # 2

Moonshine Ear Cuffs in Gold
Cult Ear Cuff in Gold
Retractable Hoops in Size Medium and Large

LOOK # 3

Moonshine Ear Cuffs in Gold
Cult Ear Cuff in Gold
Four Claw Earring

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