I test out a lot of products, and rarely am I completely blown away by a brand.  And even more rarely am I completely blown away by each product I test.  Well, I’ve met my match: Suki Skin Care.  You all know how picky I am when it comes to skin care, but after using this brand for the past two weeks I am convinced that I need it in my life.

Suki aims to personalize their line for you, and you can take a quiz to find out which of their products best suits your skin’s needs.  They use 100% pure organic formulas, for example they use white willow bark for its salicylic acid in their Concentrated Balancing Toner, which I’ve been testing.  Salicylic acid is great for treating oily, acne prone skin as well as rosacea and eczema.  I’ve been using prescriptions with salicylic acid that didn’t work as well as this does.  My skin has been pretty clear for the most part, but I’ve been breaking out recently just from being out in the heat and sweating all day at work.  Well thanks to Suki, my skin returned to normal in the two weeks I’ve been using it.

And that’s not it.  I also tested out their Delicate Hydrating Oil and Exfoliating Foaming Body Cleanser, which together have turned my body into a silky smooth machine.  I mean, my legs feel like a baby’s bottom, no joke.  My only real qualm with this brand is the prices because it’s pretty expensive, but you’re getting organic products that you don’t have to refrigerate and the bottles are huge.  These three products will definitely last me a long time, so I think the price will balance out.  I figure if I can spend $30 at the bar, I certainly can purchase something for my skin.

I would also like to pre-apologize for my excessive use of the word awesome.  Also, this is an in-depth review so it’s lengthy.

Oh and since you all keep asking, I’ll be adding what I have on to every post!

On my face: Smashbox Photofinish Primer (Green), Maybelline FIT powder 230, Laura Geller Blush-N-Brighten in Apricot Berry, cateye with NYX Super Fat Eye Marker, DiorShow Mascara

On my nails: Essie Pop Art Pink with OPI Gift of Gold on each ring finger

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow us on YouTube and check out my other videos right here! And for more beauty related tips, check out my website and follow me on Twitter!

You CAN recover from this!

Last week, I gave you all some tips on how to prevent sunburn and recommendations for sunscreen. While I’m sure every one of you went out and bought sunscreen to wear every day and not just for SBXI, I bet there’s a few who didn’t.  Or there are those stragglers who are wearing SPF 5 thinking it will work.  And that’s okay.  Except now you’re all “Why didn’t I listen to Caitlin?! Now I’m sunburnt and having a horrible time!”

Don’t worry, this video is all about treating sunburn!  I rarely burn, but I’ve had a few cases of awful sunburn where I had to stay inside and lay on the floor because my down comforter felt like a bed of nails against my skin.  I’ve blistered and picked and even had sun poisoning.  So trust me, I feel your pain.

If you look like a lobster or want to know what to do just in case, then watch below for some great tips on treating your burn!  And next time, wear your SPF!!

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow us on YouTube and check out my other videos right here! And for more beauty related tips, check out my website and follow me on Twitter!

Olay sent me their Pore Minimizing Cleanser & Scrub’s 2-in-1 Foaming Formula, the Daily Facials Deep Cleansing Dual-Textured Cloths, and the Shine Control Lathering Cleanser.  All of the products are gentle enough to use every day, although you can use their Lathering Cleanser as more of a mask every few days.  I even ran out of the cleansing cloths because I used them so often!

I really enjoyed this stuff (almost as I enjoyed seeing my face in my favorite magazine!), so watch this vid to find out why!

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow us on YouTube and check out my other videos right here! And For more beauty related tips, check out my website!

A lot of people have issues with their skin, which is totally normal. I have problems all the time! The key is finding what works for you and you alone! While I make recommendations to you all the time, it’s always based on my personal experience. Just because a product works for me doesn’t mean it will work the same way for you, which is why I encourage trial and error. It’s important to create a skin care regiment that works with your skin and not against it. Don’t force some fancy kit on your face just because it worked for someone else!

That being said, in this video I’m going through some very basic tips and suggestions for caring for your skin. I’m talking everything from cleansers to sunscreen, why you need ‘em and how to use ‘em. (And I shouldn’t have to tell you how important sunscreen is, ladies!) If you have any questions, leave ‘em in the comments!

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow us on YouTube and check out my other videos right here!

If you live at the beach and are not suffering from any winter issues, then I hope you know how jealous I am of you. But you’re jealous of my winter hat because it’s so freakin’ cute, so I guess we’re even.  And just because you’ll be really tan when I get back from winter break doesn’t mean I won’t be, too. That’s what Jergen’s Gradual Tanning Lotion is for, duh.

If you are having winter issues, then I hope I’m some help to you! And if you have other problems that aren’t mentioned, ask away in the comments, and I’ll try my best to help you out!

Don’t forget to check out my other videos right here!

But there are some companies out there with wonder products that truly, truly work!

The Body Deli is one of them.

They sent me two of their top selling products to test out and let me tell you: I am in love!  Their products contain only organic, raw, and fresh ingredients.  No crazy chemicals or acids whatsoever!  The biggest qualm I have is the price, but overall I think it’s totally worth it if you’re looking for a good quality line with all the natural stuff your skin needs and loves.

[Disclaimer: I received this product to review and received no payment for a "good" review. This review is 100% my personal opinion based on my experience with the product.]

As always, if you’ve got something you want me to cover, post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to check out my other videos right here!

Zits.

Yes, thanks to the mixture of all that costume (or sexy) makeup, smoke, sweat, and no-time-to-wash-your-face-before-you-get-it-on sexy time, your skin takes a serious beating. So just because it’s a holiday doesn’t mean you should skip out on your skincare routine. In fact, you should be even more committed to it! Otherwise, you’ll just end up covering those imperfections up with more makeup, which only makes the cycle start over again.

So, ladies, before you head out for your final night of Halloween festivities, I’ve got some tips on how to care for your skin after a big night!

As always, if you’ve got something you want me to cover, post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to check out my other videos right here!

I live for the summer.  In the spring, I count down the days until my last final and I miss it terribly during the fall.  I love the way the sun‘s rays touch my skin, I love reading novels lazily on the beach, my morning outdoor runs, and enjoying picnics and BBQs.  I love the skin-exposing, brightly colored fashions I get to wear.  I want nothing more than to be carefree during my favorite season, but unhappily I cannot be. There are two frightening words that come to mind whenever I’m wanting to bask in the sun and they are a constant reminder to apply sunscreen and limit my beloved time in the sun: skin cancer.

With that in mind it certainly is important to apply sunscreen, avoid tanning beds, and limit hours in the sunlight. But obvious these steps are not all that we can do to protect oneself from the sun’s damaging rays. It turns out that the foods we eat can have a protective effect!

The deal is this (and I am going to get a bit scientific here, so bare with me):  Cancer can only flourish in the body when cells that undergo free radical damage and the subsequent DNA damage (which happens when we spend too much time in the sun!) are unable to be repaired by the cell’s DNA monitoring and repair tools. Natural, plant based foods are rich in antioxidants and other cool, skin protecting chemicals, substances that are needed for these repair mechanisms to function most optimally.  Vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts and seeds and other “bright colored” foods are loaded with these protective substances. If one’s diet is low in vegetables and fruits, the body will not be supplied with enough nutrients for its cells to defend itself from oxidative damaged caused by UV radiation.  Studies have pointed to green vegetables especially, as skin cancer (and most cancers for that matter) fighting foods.

The concept of consuming a high-nutrient, plant based diet has been supported in an enlightening study conducted in Australia. Researches analyzed the diet, skin color, and sunlight exposure of 1,360 adults, aged 25-75, who participated in a community-based skin cancer study from 1992-2002. Two main eating patterns were identified: a meat and fat pattern and a vegetable and fruit pattern. Interestingly, the meat and fat pattern diet was positively associated with development of skin cancer, and even more strongly associated in participants with a skin cancer history. Increased consumption of the vegetable and fruit dietary pattern reduced skin cancer occurrence by 54%, with the protective effect mostly attributed to the consumption of green, leafy vegetables. In conclusion, the researchers deemed that a dietary pattern characterized by high meat and fat intakes increases skin cancer odds, while a dietary pattern characterized by higher consumption of green vegetables decreases it.

If you are thinking, “I don’t eat many fruits and veggies, or man oh man, I totally fit into the “meat and fat” group,” don’t sweat it.  Summer is the perfect time to try including more fruits and veggies in your diet. Cook a vegetable shish kabob or corn on the cob on the grill at your next BBQ, try a tossed salad for lunch or pack some fresh berries or watermelon with you on a picnic or at the beach.  Being away from icky dining hall foods and stressful school assignments that leave you with little time to prepare your own meals leaves you with more freedom to explore other eating options.

Added bonus? Eating more bright colored foods will help you stay slim and look great in a bikini!

I have been looking high and low for a facial scrub that doesn’t feel like i just rubbed sandpaper all over my face. And I finally found it.

This is another Mario Badescu product (what can I say? Mario knows what he’s doing!) that works, smells great, and is affordable! Now we can all get the perfect skin without feeling like we’re scratching off our faces in the process.

When you’re trying to get in and out of the shower as quickly as you can to head on to bigger and better things, (a.k.a the beach), it can be easy to bypass seemingly unimportant tasks.  You probably wash your face, your body and your hair, but do you take the time for proper exfoliation?  I’m guilty of this myself, especially in the summertime when my skin doesn’t seem so dry and flakey.  But that all changed yesterday.

While walking in Trader Joe’s, I found myself in the beauty aisle (because it’s right by the wine) and fell in love with a sea salt exfoliating grapefruit scrub. It smelled delicious, so I threw it in my basket (along with TJ’s cookies, some cereal and the best dark chocolate covered pretzels on this planet). When I got home I ate a few pretzels, tore off my clothes and took my new salt scrub to the shower. And what a lovely shower it was. It took only one go with my new salt scrub to remember why exfoliating is so important.

The Sparknotes version:

1. Exfoliating makes your skin softer, which is especially great in the summer because your skin – especially those tootsies in the flip flops – is exposed and  braving the elements.

2.  Softer skin leads to better shaving, less nicks, cuts, and ingrown hairs.

3. When you clear away dead skin your great beach tan (or bottled glow) will last longer.

Now that we are all reminded why it’s worth the extra minute a couple times a week, here are some products you should try out.

Like I said, I’m in love with my new Trader Joe’s Purify Grapefruit Chamomile Sea Salt Scrub.  It was $6 for a really big jar and smells delicious! The citrus scent will totally wake you up in the morning. The only bummer is you have to get it in the store, and I know not all of us are lucky enough to live near a TJ’s (sad-face).

Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator:  I’ve also used this product, and while it doesn’t smell as yummy, it will leave your skin looking clean and feeling soft.

Bath and Body Works: There’s The Rub: This is a nice cooling sea salt scrub, but it may be a little rough.  If you like it rough (you dawg), it’s a great product to use twice a week.

Or, if you’re feeling crafty and/or cheap, making your own sea salt scrub is really easy.

Don’t underestimate the power of soft skin this summer. Take the extra 5 minutes to pamper yourself and you’ll see (and feel!) immediate results!