fresh effects

I have been using this skin care line for a couple months now.
When it comes to skin care, I don't think you can really know your skin's response to a skin care change for a couple months.
Unless you have an allergic reaction, of course.
The only things I haven't tried are the BB creams (which is next on my list) and the brush (which i probably won't use because I don't love the way brushes feel on my skin).
The release I read states that it is design for those in between the teen/acne lines and the mature/aging lines... Which is exactly where I'm at.
I very much so feel that this middle point is severely neglected in the skin care industry.
The line is essentially 2 steps, cleanse and moisturize.
I like all 3 cleansers: the makeup removing wipes do the job without irritating my eyes or skin, the scrub I use once or twice a week to gently exfoliate (I feel like using a combination of chemical and mechanical exfoliation over the course of a week gives the most effective results for my skin), and the shine control cleanser works better than just about anything that I've tried.
The moisturizer claims to leave a satin finish, and I think if I had skin on the more normal or combo range that would be true. It's probably not rich enough for someone with dry skin.
But I am straight up oily, so I mix it with a shine control salicylic acid treatment, and I'm good to go.
I am very interested in trying the BB cream, many BB/CC creams work great as a primer for mineral makeup and mineral makeup is summer oily skin friendly.
I think this line is worth a try if you are in that in between teen and mature skin, because it's easy to add a product that targeted for one or the other or both based on your skin's needs.

march 2013 birchbox

I love what birchbox is about. getting stuff to try and learn what works for you with minimal risk. for $10 a month you get generous samples in a reusable box. (i have some great ideas for repurposing the box to show you) this is what came this month:   Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream, here                                    Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream, here                                    Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo, here Juicy Couture Couture La La 3.4oz, here                                    Madewell for Birchbox Nail Emery Board, here                            I will be doing reviews on what I think are the star products from this bunch.

winter skin tips

winter skin tips by tiia-lin featuring tarte blush

winter is in full swing here in utah, and my normally oil-slicked skin in noticing.
here are list of 5 quick tips if you're skin needs are little winter rehab.

scrub:: exfoliation is key year round, but winter it's needed to reveal health skin that can better absorb what you put on top.
moisturize:: even oily skin can use a richer moisturizer come winter (if not on the face, then the body definitely) if your are of the normal to oily set and nervous about a heavy moisturizer, try adding a serum or BB cream to your routine.
luminize:: if you have particularly dry skin, a luminizer mixed with your moisturizer or foundation can add the dewiness. bonus, many luminizers now have some moisturizing properties.
hydrate:: drink water! you moisturize from the inside out as well as outside in. this will also help flush your system of the heavy meals, alcohol, and traveling we just came out of.
moderate:: not maybe people consider this, but hot showers and baths (while glorious) dry the skin out. take your shower are at a lower temp, or if you can bear that, cool it down for your final rinse.