Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with Urban Decay and MAC. Over a year ago I was initiated into the “Urban Decay Primer Potion Addicts” club. I will never use another primer on my lids, ever. EVER.

Although….the little genie shaped bottle sucks when it comes to actually getting the product out. So I came upon this video on YouTube this morning detailing how to cut open your UDPP bottle and stare in absolute amazement when you see how much product you’re missing out on!

Here is the video, and I also decided to post pictures of my own adventure, because I know some people either can’t or do not want to watch YouTube (personally, YT annoys me to hell and back).

YouTube Video – How to get the most of your UDPP

Things you will need:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Sharp knife (BE CAREFUL!!!! The bottle is somewhat slippery because of the design)
Cutting Board
Jar/Lipgloss pen/small plastic container with a lid
something to scrape out the potion (I used first the little applicator that comes with it, then a small bamboo stir-stick

There are no pictures of me actually cutting the bottle, because it’d be hard to hold a camera while doing that! But, it was surprisingly easy if you have a sharp knife. Make sure to cut around the biggest diameter first, to get the most product, and then cut again near the bottom (you’d be surprised how much product lurks in the very bottom corners of that bottle!)

Picture after I emptied out the biggest part. You can see in the background exactly HOW MUCH product I got out of there. And mind you, I did this today and I thought I was *running out* of it.

This is right after I cut near the bottom. Look how much is stashed down there!

Emptying out the bottom. Look at all that!

Final result. I used the Everyday Minerals puff jar as a container, but I took the puff part off (it pulls off for cleaning and such).

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Now, I have read in the video comments that some people have had issues with the product drying up, so make sure to screw the lid on your sample jar (which you can get from Sephora if you just ask them, they will happily give you empty sample jars) tightly! Or, as some suggested, use a lipgloss pen. I simply used an empty Everyday Minerals jar I had lying around, but I plan to relocate the PP again after my Sephora trip today.

Welcome, welcome!

I thought I’d start out this blog by posting my current skincare routine, and some background info.

I’m 20 years old, so I’m right in between those “omg why won’t these zits leave my face alooooone!?” and “okay, wait, was that wrinkle there yesterday???” phases. My skin, currently, is super dry. The reason being that it’s winter here in Wisconsin and the air is, of course, dry. During the rest of the year I have combination-dry skin. For those of you that don’t know, combination skin basically means that your skin is oily in the T-Zone but “normal” on your cheeks and chin. I added “-dry” because my face is unusually dry on my cheeks, however I am a textbook combination-skin otherwise.

Another important note is that I live in Wisconsin, like I mentioned. In the summer it is VERY humid (compared to places like San Jose, California, where I lived for some time), and in the winter it is quite dry. Where you live/what the climate is is very important when considering your skin type and your skincare regimen. If you live in Phoenix, and your skin is a little on the ‘oily’ side, it’s not recommended that you use products for “very oily skin” because this will work WITH the dry air in Arizona and totally dry out your skin even more than you want it to! Something labeled for “acne-prone” or “somewhat oily” skin would be right up your alley, however, because it will work with you and not dry you out!

I will soon post an entry further explaining skintypes, and how to find out yours and get the best products for you!

Here is my current (read: winter) skincare regimen:

Morning

Cetaphil Gentle Face Cleanser -(It’s the CVS brand right now, I’m so broke!) For normal to oily skin. I use this because the other formula for “all skin types” makes my face a little greasier than I want it to (even in the winter!), so I save that for nighttime).

Kinerase Cream -The price is outrageous, yes, but the bottle will last you a LONG time. I put this on after washing my face, but before my spf-moisturizer. It helps even out my skintone and battle blemishes. Apply a small (dime size or less) amount of it every morning and night, and in 3 months, I GUARANTEE you will need less foundation.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture w/SPF 15 -Neutrogena is one of my all-time favorite drugstore brands. My dermatologist loves that I use it (so it’s true when they say derm-recommended!), because it is so gentle to my skin. It’s oil-free which you may think would be counter-active if I have dry skin, but oil-free formulas are best year-round, regardless of climate. SPF is also recommended all-year-round, because even you can’t SEE the sun, doesn’t mean it’s not damaging your skin!

Evening

Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover -(not pictured) a makeup remover of some sort should always be your first step during your nighttime skincare routine. I chose this one because it works better than some high-end brands I’ve tried (MAC, Benefit). Urban Decay also makes an excellent oil-free makeup remover.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser -For all skin types. This stuff is amazing, and I love the price! I use this version at nighttime to because it has moisturizers (it’s an emollient) to help my skin recoup while I sleep.

Kinerase Cream -see “Morning”

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer for Combination Skin -perfect for nighttime, this moisturizer gives me the moisture my cheeks CRAVE at night, while making sure I don’t wake up with my nose feeling like an oil-slick!

Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Moisturizing Cream -currently I am using the CVS brand, but that’s because I’m very broke. I use this under my eyes instead of over my whole face for two reasons. 1). It’s a very thick moisturizer that actually makes my *cheeks* too oily and 2). it works a heck of a lot better as an eye cream than most actual eye creams I have tried! For those dealing with wrinkles or other signs of aging, or just need a superhero moisturizer, the Regenerist line from Olay is excellent.

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Overall, my regimen is pretty basic. Nothing really expensive, no bells and whistles. I really try not to use too many products, because your skin doesn’t need al that! It doesn’t like to have tons of product on it all the time. Your skin loves you. If you treat it nice, it will show you

However, weekly (sometimes less frequently if my skin seems to be doing alright), I do need to exfoliate or zap a zit! For those days, this is what I use: (I don’t have a picture of these, but the Persa-Gel did make an appearance in the “nighttime” photo)

Clean & Clear Persa-Gel -I know, I know, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide seems like overkill. But for some reason, when I get a zit, salicyclic acid does SQUAT, no matter what I do! C&C’s formula makes my zit less red and noticable almost instantly, and by the next day, it is merely a memory! I do pair it sometimes with hydrocortizone cream to banish the redness and swelling of the blemish.

Boots No. 7 Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion Exfoliator -I love, love, LOVE this stuff. And it’s available at Target! It’s not too harsh on my VERY sensitive skin (I have sensitive skin and mild rosacea (see my next entry for more about rosacea and products to help it!), but it certainly gets the job done. I’ve tried other micro-dermabrasion products, but my poor skin couldn’t take them! I was recommended this by a makeup artist friend of mine, and I’ll never look back!

There you go, guys! Next up: entries dealing with rosacea and skin types!

-Ashley

Hi! Welcome to my (still under construction) blog! I’ll be testing out a gazillion products, giving reviews, and posting makeup tutorials!