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[Review] Skincare review - Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay & Step by step Tutorial

Tuesday, 11 February 2014

em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger

Today i'm going to be talking to you about Aztec Secret, Indian Healing Clay.
This product is billed as the 'World's most powerful facial'. 
I picked this up after reading about it over on r/skincareaddiction and I was sold instantaneously.

I quit smoking at the beginning of December 2013 and i'm determined to spend 2014 getting my act into gear. Improving my make up, hair, skin and lifestyle. Aztec secret was one of my first purchases of 2014.

Here are the details



  • Product: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
  • Price: £9.49

The Product


'Feel your face pulsate
Facials, acne, bodywraps, clay baths, foot soaks, chilled clay for knee packs and insect bites. Enjoy the benefits of clay in your own home. Beautify & Refresh.'


em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger

The clay comes in a powder form, and you seriously get a lot for your money. I bought a 1lb jar for £9.49 on amazon, have used it 4 times myself as well as 3 times on other people and i've barely made a dent in the jar! The powder itself is very very fine and doesn't have a particular smell. It feels like a cornflour consistency. I've read online and it also states on the packaging to mix it with Raw Unprocessed Apple Cider Vinegar. As i understand, you mix the clay with the vinegar to balance the pH and make it suitable for use on your skin.

I've bought RAW Apple Cider Vinegar (£5.09, Amazon) to use with it. Now if you're looking into doing this at home, make sure you get the right ACV. Double check to make sure you have raw unprocessed.



Everything I'm using

So Let's get started and get this stuff working, here's the list of everything you'll need.







  • Aztec Secret
  • Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Non metal bowl
  • Non metal measuring spoon
  • Non metal utensil for stirring
  • Brush 
I bought the green plastic set & brush from amazon here -ttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Plastic-Homemade-Facing-Brush/dp/B007ML9SLM/ref=pd_sim_beauty_3



Step by Step Guide



Measure out a tablespoon of clay












Place into your non metal bowl.










Measure out a spoonful of Apple Cider Vinegar











Add the Apple cider Vinegar to the clay. It will start to froth and sizzle.









Stir them together using a non metal spatula or spoon to make a paste!











You're aiming for cake batter consistency, so add a little extra clay or vinegar as required. This batch took around 1.5 vinegar to make a nice consistency (pictured) that is suitable for brushing. 








Scrub any make up or skin products off your face. You're going to need a completely product free face for this. No moisturiser, no primer, nuthin!














Brush the clay/vinegar mix onto your face. Be careful not to go too close to your eyes or lips as it may sting and cause watering around the eyes due to the vinegar. Aim for around 1/4 or 1/2 an inch thick.

















When complete, you should look like a swamp monster!





The first time I ever used this was the first time using a face mask since my boyfriend and I moved in together. I made him wear it as well, so he couldn't laugh at my face. Fair play to him, he was a great sport, and even brushed it onto my face himself. (I think he enjoyed it!

Now you need to let this sit on your face. How long, depends on your skin type. The packaging states that for sensitive skin you should let it dry for 5-10mins before washing it off and for normal skin 15-20 minutes. After using this product a couple of times, I feel like I know how my skin works with it and I leave it on for 25 minutes.

When this product is on your face, you will feel it harden, tighten and pulsate!! Now believe me, when i say this product hardens & tightens, it really does. It gets to the stage where you can't move your lips! It's such an odd sensation and not one I can say i've ever felt before. Try your best not to talk, move your face or laugh when it's on as it will crack. (I swear my boyfriend does his best to make me laugh when this stuff is on my face!)


25 minutes later, my face looks like this!






Now it's time to wash that clay off! 


I have to say, i find it the easiest to wash it off in the shower for 2 reasons.
  •  1 It stops you scrubbing at it with a washcloth for endless minutes.
  • 2. As it's clay, it can clog your water pipes, so it's best to flush it out with lots of water, making the shower the perfect place to do this. 
My usual routine for washing this off is I make sure to get my face under the shower head and rub gently, it will just fall away. After it has all washed off, i then use my normal face wash - Olay Gentle Face Scrub to make sure it's all off my face.


The Final Step!


Finally, pat your face dry and moisturise. I've used my current go to moisturiser - Nivea Cream.


Now my skin has gone pretty red. This is completely normal, so don't panic or freak out if it happens to you! I worry that I haven't made my mix correctly if my skin doesn't go red. As i understand it goes red as it's bringing all the blood to the surface of your face. Redness does go down in around 30-60 minutes.. so maybe it's best to save this for a pyjama night in and not when you have a hot date 10 minutes later...

My Final Thoughts

I love this product. Love it. I notice a difference almost straight away after using it. All the pesky sebaceous filaments on my nose seem to vanish and if there are any black/white heads on my skin they often come to a head and extract straight away. I really do rate this product and i'm going to carry on using it. I've noticed my skin has become clearer by using it once a week and i'm not going to be stopping any time soon. So if you're looking for a new face mask or fancy pampering yourself at home, have a look into Aztec Secret because I think it's worth every penny.








3 Lipsticks, 3 Attitudes, 3 Looks


em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger


I've been doing a lot of thinking recently about how make up makes me feel. I find when i have a good make up day I feel on top of the world. When I have a bad make up day, I feel like crap and it's the start of  bad day. 
I'm not the most confident of girls, and some of the looks i post i wouldn't have the confidence to wear out of the house. I'm a worrier, and I care more than i should about other people's opinions, even though I'm old enough to know better. 

 I wanted to create 3 different looks, using 3 different lipsticks as inspiration to 3 different attitudes. I 'd really love to hear your thoughts on this set of images.


Sophisticated


em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger

To me, sophisticated looks are classy, simple and sleek. I went based this look on the purple passion lipstick from the L.A. Colours line i'd previously reviewed, paired with a slicked black wing and rosy pink cheeks. I wanted to give this lipstick a second chance, and y'know i'm glad i did.

em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger


Naivety


em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger

Pink, Pink everywhere! I tried guys, I really tried to give this lipstick another shot, but it just doesn't work on me. My least favourite of the looks, I've called this one Naivety as it is just that to me.


Vamp



Oh my gosh this look made me feel like a freaking rockstar! I don't think i've worn make up like this since i was a teenager. It's funny how much different it makes you feel when you rock a dark lip and eyes together. I feel full of teenage angst all over again.

em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger


Product list -

Face:
Foundation: Mac Studio Fix Fluid NC15
Concealer: Illamasqua Concealer 115
Powder: B. Pressed Powder Light/Medium
Blusher: Bourjois Frosted Rose

Brows:
Sleek eyebrow kit - light
Nina ricci duo eyeshadow - brown.

Eyes:
Naked Basics
Mua trio pink sorbet
Maybeline 24 hour tattoo pink gold
b. cosmetics gel liner
Mua waterproof liquid liner black
bourjois paris volume clubing ultra black

Lips
VAMP: Collection 2000 Scorned
NAIVITY: L.A Colours Pink Parfait
SOPHISTICATED: L.A Colours Purple Passion

Thanks for checking this post out and i'll be back with more looks soon!












[Haul] My Weekend Haul!! 8/02/14

Sunday, 9 February 2014

em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger


So, this weekend I was supposed to be dress shopping for a wedding next week, luckily i managed to pick up a dress... but i also picked up all of this! 

Grand total for this haul - £53.00 ($87.00)


I was so super freaking excited to find e.l.f products in a shop in London because you can't buy it in the shops in the UK. 

So girls, check out your local TK Maxx because they may have some hidden away on a shelf!

These are all the e.l.f  palettes i managed to pick up. The big 32 piece palette was £4.99 and the three smaller palettes were £2.99 each. An absolute bargain of a find.
The neutral and natural palettes are very similar in shades, but i'm not too worried, you can never have too many... right?

The Products





E.l.f 32 piece palette - warm shadows.
£4.99

I managed to pick this palette up from TK Maxx. It has lots of pinky shades which drew me to it as i'm getting into pink shades at the moment. I'm really excited to play with this and see what looks I can create.








e.l.f natural eyeshadow palette 
£2.99

I'm on an eyeshadow binge currently and i really liked how these colours are suitable for everyday wear, but with a little hint of shimmer!  i'm looking forward to trying them out!







em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger


e.l.f neutral eyeshadow palette
£2.99

This palette is very similar to the natural palette above, but these are warmer toned. They've got a nice pinky vibe to them and I'll probably incorporate these into my everyday look.










e.l.f Smokey eyeshadow palette £2.99

I love the purple shade in this palette. I'm seriously hoping it swatches that colour. I'm excited about this one. shimmery purple smokey eyes!








em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
 £16.00

I've been meaning to pick this up for a while, and after picking up all the elf products, it was kind of a no brainer to grab this as well.  I swear every make up FOTD i see uses this, and I wanted to see what it did for myself. I had a play around with it at the Urban Decay concession stand in Debenhams, on Oxford street and swatched some of the Naked Basics shadows over it. Naked basics is my go to palette for work, and i feel like i know those colours so well. I couldn't believe how much this lifted those shadows and they're pretty pigmented alone.






e.l.f Natural mineral blemish powder & brush £2.99

I haven't a clue what to expect from this to be honest. I never tend to wear mineral products as i'm not sure they do much for me. But, for £2.99 it's a bargain, and i'm willing to put it to the test.








e.l.f Translucent mineral finishing powder & brush £2.99

Again, not a clue what to expect from this, i need a new loose powder, especially one for finishing so i'm really hoping it's good!








em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger

Real Techniques Blusher Brush
£7.49

I love amazon prime. I love how quickly it is to get things delivered. Ordered on thursday late afternoon, it arrived friday morning!
 I needed a new blusher brush as mine is a bit old and battered and i'm really into the RT brushes. They're such good quality for the money. This is the 3rd Real Techniques brush i've purchased.








NYX Blusher - Taupe
£6.00


I did it, i finally found NYX in the wild! I made sure I headed to Next in Westfields to check out the NYX display, it was in a very sorry, sad sad state; The staff at Next obviosly don't realise how cherrised some NYX products are! 

I managed to find a Taupe, and i'm super excited to try this product out for contouring.













em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger

LA Colours Lipsticks - 99p each!

L-R 
Pink-a-boo, Pink Parfait, Purple Passion

I don't really wear much lipstick, and I really want to get into more colours than my go to nude! so I picked these up at Westfields for the bargain price of 99p each!


So that's it for this haul, I'm really happy with what i've picked up, as I bought quite a lot of products for £50. I'll be reviewing each item individually over the week, so check back soon for updates, reviews and of course, swatches.








[ Tutorial] PREVIEW! My Step by step, Pale Girl Contouring 2.0 Smokey Eye Edition! (Margot Robbie Inspired)

Thursday, 6 February 2014






Check back soon for my full tutorial & step by step guide to recreating it.

Get a sneak peak over at http://www.reddit.com/r/MakeupAddiction/


em Ford, meddy ford, blogger, model, my pale skin, mypaleskinblog, glamour model, pale skin, my pale skin, youtube, blogger