Getting Fit: No Carb? No problem!

Retrieved from: Google.com

I will admit it. I love greasy, junk food and I exercise sporadically. This is just no good! I'm 25, and I'm starting feel certain aches and pains in my body. Insert ear piercing scream here. It's time to make changes. I have said this a billion and one times, but this time I have you all as my accountability buddies. What is it that spurred me to this challenge? I'm currently taking Behavioral Medicine, and we usually have a case study in which we have to design a treatment plan. Well, we got a case study on obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. It was a slap-in-the-face-get-your-shit-together wake up call! The sad thing about it was that while we were discussing treatment plan, I was totally craving a BigMac from McDonald's. Ha ha!

Today, a couple of girls and I were discussing diet and exercise. They pretty much challenged me to a week of no carbs for a week. This will be especially difficult for me as carbs make up probably 75% of my diet. But, I have a plan. Because behavioral management such as reinforcement has been proven to increase behavior, I will be implementing one for myself:

1. Make a baseline. For the week of 05/31/15, Sunday, I will be keeping track of my carbohydrate intake. I'll record the following: day/date, time, setting, food/type intake, water intake, and exercise. I will be focusing more on setting and food/type intake for the week.
2. Set a realistic goal for the day. This will depend on how many times I eat carbs on a daily basis. For instance, my goal can be just 1 meal with carbs for the day or 1 type of carbs for the day.
3. Create a schedule. Make a schedule of when and where to eat. That way, the behavior will only occur at a certain place and time. This will help make the behavior into a routine, as well.
4. Find a reinforcement and a buddy. My reinforcement or "reward" for meeting my goal for the day is a makeup item in the "online" shopping cart. Since we all know I'm broke, I'll purchase the makeup from LA Girl (I've been eyeing that concealer for a while now!). I'll ask my man-friend to help me be accountable for my actions. For my negative reinforcement, I will remove use of social media (who can survive?!)

It's  not an exhaustive behavioral plan, but for now, it will do. Note that I will be replacing carbs with protein. You are welcome to join me for this challenge. Let's keep each other motivated!

P.S. This is definitely starting the next day, because I ate Burger King for lunch. Oops, my bad!

Best,

Aly

Makeup: May Favorites 2015

Ah, it's been so long since I posted here! As you all know, I am a graduate student and I was insane enough to take a May Mini Semester on Behavioral Medicine. I have a set schedule for the next week, and I have time to write a quick post (or maybe I'm procrastinating?)

Without further ado, here are my May 2015 favorites:

1. Nyx Cosmetics Matte Finishing Spray: I loved the L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Setting Spray, and it's damn expensive for a drugstore product! Let's be real here, I am a student and I'm borderline broke. I go through the L'Oreal setting spray like nobody's business and $14-$16 a bottle isn't cheap if you do the math! Instead, I opted for the Nyx Matte Finishing Spray this month. To me it's the same product, but in different bottles. The only down side to the Nyx setting spray is the spray itself. Sometimes, it sprays sporadically! But, there's a quick fix to that! Buy a no-name spray bottle in the traveling section of Target and transfer the Nyx setting spray in there. Problem solved. 
2. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Translucent: Do I even need to say anything about this? This powder does the job of keeping me matte. Believe me you, this is coming from someone who lives in Texas! I usually apply this as a setting powder for my foundation or tinted moisturizer. Downside? I haven't found any!
3. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer in Medium: WOW. My fingers got tired typing that! I used to use this concealer a lot after MakeupByTiffany raved about it on YouTube forever ago. I re-purchased it this month and remembered why I loved it--it blended so easily and covered so nicely! I use this for my under eyes as it covers my dark circles (I don't have dark, DARK circles, but I do have some), blends easily, and is not drying for the under eyes. 
4. Nyx Cosmetics Tinted Brow Mascara in Brunette: TIME. SAVER. This brow mascara fills in the areas of my brows that need a little TLC, and all I have to do is swipe 'em on my brows. This is great when you're in a rush! Also, no crunchy brows :)
5. Dickinson's Witch Hazel: Life changer! This has helped with my acne, the overall tone of my skin, and my oiliness! It smells like absolute poo, but I've been using this for months. It has really helped improve my skin! Quick tip: the Dickinson brand is a couple dollars more expensive than the Target brand, Up and Up. However, they are essentially the same! If you're really tight with the budget, make sure you check the generic brand and its ingredients first.

Hope you all enjoyed this quick favorites. What were your favorites for this month? If you have any comments/questions/suggestions, don't forget to leave them below.

Best,

Aly

Review: Worth it? Studio 35 Alpha Hydroxy Cream

Retrieved from: Walgreens.com

It's been a few days since I last posted! I've decided not to do my April 2015 Gripes because there was only one thing I didn't like in the month of April (Maybelline FaceStudie Master Conceal in Medium). I'm not going to waste your time by bashing it because this post is about the Studio 35 Alpha Hydroxy Cream! This post is basically a review and will cover:

1. Description
2. Claims
3. Application
4. First Application
5. Effectiveness

Without further ado, let's get to it!

1. Description: The Studio 35 Alpha Hydroxy Cream is a skin treatment and chemical exfoliator. Don't be alarmed by the word "chemical." It doesn't mean it's going to melt your face off. The Studio 35 uses 7.8% AHA that helps to gently slough off the dead skin you have on your face. What is AHA? Well, click here to view Wikipedia's take on AHAs. The Studio 35 comes in a tub with a black lid. To be honest, it doesn't look like much and I was hesitant about purchasing it because it looked so...unreliably plain. Nevertheless, I was desperate because I had the worst break out ever last year, and it left disgusting acne scars. Inside the tub, the cream itself is thick, white, and it smells like Elmer's glue. Yes, you read it correctly. Elmer's. Glue. Once you're desensitized, however, the smell is not as bothersome. 
2. Claims: According to Walgreen's website, the Studio 35 helps your skin by restoring its freshness, healthiness, and youthful appearance. It also states that it assists skin tone and texture.
3. Application: To apply, I use a cotton swab and scoop pea size to a dime size amount (and there's no reason why, it really is just random). You can use a spatula if you want. Then, with clean hands, apply to areas of your face/neck. Avoid putting it around your under eyes as that area is more sensitive than other areas of your face. This is super important especially if this is the first time you are using AHAs. I usually apply the cream by rubbing and patting. 
4. First Application: On my first application, IT BURNED LIKE A MOTHER! Holy crap! Well, that's an exaggeration. It stung on certain areas of my face (cheeks and around the nose), and it quickly abated. I also applied some to my neck, which didn't sting as much. It absorbed fairly quickly, and I used my Cetaphil moisturizer afterwards. There was no further reaction from it.
5. Effectiveness: I've been using this stuff for months now. I first used it every other 3 days until my skin was used to it. I decreased it to once a week when my skin started to peel (especially since I started using this during the winter). Once my skin got used to it, after two weeks, I returned to using it every 3 days. Then increased to every 2 days, and currently I am using it every other day. My skin has definitely improved! The majority of my scars have greatly faded. I have some scars that are starting to fade, and these are the deeper scars. Additionally, my skin texture is now SMOOTH! I do use this even when I have a few breakouts, and it stings! Note that I use this with my other skin care products. 

In all, I love this thing. It has improved my acne, acne scars, skin tone, and skin texture. I love it because this product lasts for so long! I'm not even halfway through the tub! Moreover, it's anti-aging! I'm 25, and anything to prevent wrinkles is a plus! Before I end this review, I want you to remember one important thing when using this: USE SPF 30 AND UP. It's better for your new skin after the cream has done its job!

If you have any questions, feel free to leave it in the comment below. I'll gladly answer your questions/concerns.

Best,

Aly

Upcoming Post: 

Review: L'Oreal Pro Matte Foundation

Makeup: April Favorites 2015

Here's a quick run down of my April favorites including a short review for each item. Enjoy, lovely guest!

1. BareMinerals Complexion Rescue in Ginger: It's getting hotter here in Texas, and I do NOT want to pile on the makeup! This little gem is light and moisturizing with minimum coverage. I usually apply this with a flat top kabuki brush after moisturizing with a mixture of the Aveeno Active Naturals Smart Essentials moisturizer and the Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro Foundation Primer Liquid. This actually works for my skin type, which is oily/combo! This is perfect for everyday! (Also, I'm an NC35 in MAC)
2. MAC Prolong Wear in NC35: My love for this is indescribable! This is perfect for everything! It's a great concealer for blemishes and under the eyes! I'm not a fan of highlighting the eyes on an everyday basis, so I often opt for a more natural look. Anyway, this stuff is GREAT because it's also a multi-purpose item! Here's a tip! Use this with a daily moisturizer with spf and your favorite primer. Tada! You got yourself your own customizable tinted moisturizer (especially if you don't want to buy the product above this!)
3. Maybelline FitMe Matte + Poreless Powder in 220: Another great product for humid, spring/summer days! This powder truly camouflages my big pores (and I mean BIG), and it matches my skin tone!  I use this to either set my full-face makeup, or by itself (plus a concealer!)
4. L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Setting Spray: Thank goodness that the drugstore came out with this! This setting spray really keeps everything locked in to last through an +8hr day! My only gripe about this is the price! You're halfway through to pay for an Urban Decay setting spray!
5. Nyx Cosmetics Slide on Eye Pencil in Jet Black: Boring, I know. BUT! This is amaze-balls! Why? It actually stays on the waterline! It doesn't budge, and it's the darkest black eye-liner pencil I have seen! GIVE IT A TRY!

That's it for now, folks! I hope you enjoyed my first post! :) Please keep an eye out on the following posts, which are coming soon:

• April Gripes 2015
• Worth it? Studio 35 Alpha Hydroxy Face Cream
• Review: Maybelline FitMe Matte + Poreless Foundation
• Review: L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation
• The Benefits of Vitamin C
• The Benefits of Being in the Present Moment (Mindfulness)