Recent Skincare Tool Favorites & Dupes

In the last few months, I have discovered two amazing skincare tools that are pretty affordable! I bought a Clarisonic way back in the day when they were super popular on Youtube. While I did enjoy using it I hated spending the money on the brush heads. I always kept them probably way longer than I should have. Over the holidays I had gone to Ulta thinking I was going to buy a new brush head. Come to find out the company is now out of business and you can't buy the brush heads anymore. I stumbled upon this Flawless one which looked a lot like the Foreo but way cheaper. I have been using this since Christmas time and really don't have anything bad to say about it. The charge lasts a really long time, it has multiple settings/speeds, it is small enough to travel with, and it has a handle. Plus it is all silicon so you don't have to worry about the brush head getting dirty like the Clarisonic. I think I have charged it once since I got it months ago. While I don't use it every day on my skin it is gentle enough you definitely could. 

The second tool I discovered more recently within the last month. It is this skin scraper that uses vibration to extract the gunk from your pores. I first saw the expensive Dermapore version on a few Instagram stories. Though I was definitely not wanting to spend $100 on a skincare tool that is only used about once a week. I ended up finding this dupe on Amazon that has tons of reviews. It seems to work great and it can be recharged. I have been using it around my nose because I hate how big my pores are. For how often you use it I think the Amazon version works just as well. Let me know if you have tried either of these before and what you think! 

GUGUG Skin Spatula // Flawless Facial Cleaner // Dermapore Pore Extractor // Foreo Luna 

How I Curl My Hair Using A Straightener

A few weeks ago I shared my hair care routine and I have been meaning to share how I curl my hair using a straightener. So I finally got around to filming the video this past weekend. I have used everything from a traditional curling iron to a curling wand. I find this way of using my straightener is super quick and easy. I don't have to worry about getting a crease from the clamp or burning my hand with a wand. This BaByliss Pro straightener heats on the outside which makes it perfect for curling. I have had this straighter for years and I swear by it. It's seriously THE BEST! I hope I did a good job explaining how I curl it. Once you try it a few times I find it easy to get the hang of.

Haircare Must Haves

In the last few weeks, I have shared a few skincare posts (here // here) so I thought I would share my must-have haircare products I can't live without. I pretty much have been using all these hair products for years now and swear by them. My hair is very thick, frizzy, and wavy so I need lots of products to help it out! I also filmed a corresponding video in case you want more in-depth information about any of the products. I will say that pretty much all of these items are "salon brands" but I think they are totally worth the money. I also try to get deals from Ulta as much as I can. For the shampoo and condition, I always make sure to stock up when Ulta is running their jumbo sale which is normally twice a year. I try to go about 3-4 days in between washes so I wash it at night before bed. When it comes to styling I typically will straight it and every so often curl it with the straighter (going to share a tutorial on this soon). If I happen to not wash my hair at night I will either scrunch it and let it air dry or use the Revlon volumizing hair dryer which gives the BEST at-home blowout (review here). 

How I Cleared Up My Hormonal Acne & My Dermatologist Experience

Happy Wednesday y'all I just finished watching Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu and man is that show good! Yesterday I posted my daily skincare routine which I do on a daily basis. With that said I think it is important I share my experience with clearing up my skin and my dermatologist experience. I can confidently say that my skin would not be what it is today if it wasn't for a prescription. I hesitated for a while about going to a dermatologist but looking back on it no skincare product from the drugstore or a beauty store was going to completely get rid of it without getting a perception. 

So back in high school, I had some pretty stubborn acne mainly on my forehead which I did go to a dermatologist for a while. They had me take an antibiotic (not sure which one) and use Aczone gel as  a spot treatment which you need a perception for. These things helped but I felt like it never worked completely. Then once I went on birth control things started to improve quite a bit so I stopped going to a dermatologist. 

High school acne on my forehead

My Skincare Routine (Sensitive & Acne Prone // Natural & Luxury)

The Sephora Beauty Insider sale is happening this week which is one of two times a year that Sephora has a coupon that can be used on products. I don't have anything I am planning on really getting but now is a great time to stock up on products. Today I am sharing my daily skincare routine and the products I use daily. Within the last four months, I have been using a perception Tretinoin cream for bad hormonal acne I had on my chin. Since I went to the dermatologist and started using this cream along with an oral medication my skin has been the best it has ever been. Tomorrow I am going to share more on that but today I wanted to share with you the products I use daily. I also filmed a video below which I talk about my full routine and each product! 

Products I Use:  Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser // SuperGoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 // Trader Joes Face Wipes // La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser // Clarisonic Mia 2 // Kiehl's Ultra Face Toner // Sephora  Collection Nourishing Moisturizer // Treatinoin 0.05% Cream (prescription needed) // La Roche-Posay Dual Action Acne Treatment // Sephora Collection Brightening Eye Cream // Mario Badescu Cucumber Facial Spray // Tarte Maracuja Oil // Caudalie Vinoperfect Anti Dark Spot Serum // Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Mask // Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask // Peter Thomas Roth   24K Gold Mask // Peter Thomas Roth Hungarian Thermal Water Mask // Jade Roller // Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask 
Other Products Mentioned:  First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser // First Aid Beauty Moisturizer // Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer // Ice Roller 

First Impressions & Review: Revlon One Step Volumizer Hair Dryer

I purchased this hair dryer at Ulta after I kept hearing it talked about on social media and YouTube. After LoneStar Southern posted a video about it I decided to give it a try for myself. I always want to get the look of a fresh blow-dry but it never turns out so this product interested me. I filmed this right after I bought it and I have now had it for about a month and I still really love it. I even got my mom to try it! I go in depth about the pros/cons in the video below but all in all I think this product is worth the hype! I would love to know your thoughts on this product if you have used it. 

Revlon Hair Dryer

Cozy Pajamas & Night Time Relaxation

 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Her Campus Media. As always all opinions are my own. Thank your for supporting the brands that make Miss Melanie May possible!

Sorry I have been MIA over here the past few days but things have just been so crazy getting ready for school and packing. Every since we got back from Florida my to-do list just keeps growing. 

I am really excited about today's post because I am sharing my favorite pajamas I recently got for my birthday from Lake Pajamas. Having nice pajamas is one of those things that is not needed but once you have them you don't know what you did with out them. As school starts up and everyone starts to get busy with "life duties" it is important to remember to take a little bit of time for yourself and relax at the end of the night. With the help of the Her Campus InfluenceHer Essential Kit for the fall I have some exciting new ways to wind down before bed. I always use my essential oil diffuser and try to read a little before hitting the pillow but sometimes I end up being to tired to read. If I have extra time I enjoy taking an Epsom salt bath. I also try to get into the habit of moisturizing before bed especially as the fall months start to arrive and the weather cools off. The Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter is an amazing rich body moisturizer for all over. I can tell you it is not greasy at all. I know this because I put A LOT of coats on while trying to take these pictures ;) It has such a nice clean, fresh spa smell that is just so nice. Finally I have been loving this Hcxo 100% silk sleeping mask. I use to wear sleeping masks as a kid quite often. I had a few ones from Claire's back in the day. This one from Hcxo feels so luxurious that it makes me want to fall asleep. Silk is suppose to be better on your face and hair. This face mask is the perfect new edition to helping me relax and unwind before bed! I would love to know in the comments what your favorite ways are to relax before bed. 

Keep reading for giveaway information... 

My Everyday Makeup Routine

It's been a while since I posted about my makeup routine and my products I use have changed a lot. I use more high-end products more because I think sometimes it's worth it to spend a little more money on products. I started really using Tarte within the past year and I love all of their products. They are pretty much all natural and cruelty free. I go for a very natural makeup look and Tarte helps me achieve that look! I decided to film a video for this post so you can see how I apply everything. I pretty much wear some form of this routine everyday give or take a few products. If I am getting more dressed up I might add a few more steps but this is pretty much what I do everyday! Hope you enjoy this video ;) 

PS: Check out my original makeup routine here  

Trader Joe's Moisturizer / Tarte Primer / Tarte BB Cream

What I Have Bought Recently

I have been doing a little bit of shopping and picked up a few things over the past few weeks so I thought it would be fun to share my purchases with you. I have been running out of a lot of my skin care products recently so I have needed to replace a few items! I would love to know what fun items you have purchased recently. 

One: I recently shared these sneakers in a Friday Favorites post a few weeks ago and shortly after posting that post I went ahead and bought these sneakers! I just think they are so cute and I am excited to wear them with a casual outfit. 

Updated Hair Care Routine

Hey guys it has been a long time since I last posted (but I warned you)! I had two test this week and a paper due so I have been busy. Then on top of that I am possibly going to be joining a sorority so I have been busy with recruitment every night as well! I will definitely be keeping you updated on that front but for now lets just get to today's post! 

Last summer I shared my hair care routine with you guys but I have pretty much changed every thing around so I thought I would share with you an updated hair care routine! My hair has never felt so healthy and sleek before so I am in love with the products I am using. I have found that the best bet is to use a few high end products as compared to a bunch of cheap products. 

Everyday Makeup & My Ramble

Today I am sharing with you more of my beauty routine! I posted my night time skin care a while ago and said I was going to do more beauty posts but to be honest beauty posts are not my fav though I do love sharing with you guys what I use! 

Night Time Skin Care & Tips

I am finally getting around to sharing with you my nightly skin care routine and tips! However I am warning you this is going to be a long one. 

So before I can talk about my skin care routine you first should know a little about my skin. I would say my skin is combination / oily. My T zone gets very oily however my cheeks are more dry. I also have really sensitive skin as well. As for breakouts my acne is pretty hormonal and flairs up during my "time of the mouth". Ok now that you know my skin type lets get into the products I use... 

My hair care routine

Today I am going to share with you my daily hair care routine and talk all about hair. I finally feel like I have a hair care routine I love and it's largely in part to a product I discovered a few months ago!! We will get into that later but first you should know what my hair is like. It's SUPER frizzy and curly. It also gets pretty dry and damaged because I do straighten it often. I really hate doing my hair and I want it to be quick hence way I decided to cut it short.

Shampoo and Condition: 

I really am not picky with what I use to wash my hair. I am always changing it up and trying different ones. However I thought I would show you what I am currently using because I am liking it and it smells amazing.

Herbal Essence shine collection

Deep Conditioner: 
I have used this Aussie stuff for almost a year now and I really like it. I only use it once and while but I do use it more in the winter. I have tried coconut oil but it made my hair SO greasy. It literally felt wet it was so greasy (#nasty). I could probably try it again and use WAY less but I really like my Aussie conditioner. 

Aussie three minute miracle

Leave in Treatment: 

This is the stuff that has completely changed my hair. Last time I got my hair done they used this it's a 10 on my hair so I decided to give it a go and I fell in LOVE. I thought I loved Sebastian potion 9 until I tried this stuff. It smells amazing, leaves my hair feeling so soft and not frizzy. I literally can just put this stuff in and let my hair dry and it makes the perfect curl jell do. It literally has so many benefits (definitely 10). The only down side to this stuff is that it's a bit expensive however it works so good and I spend a small amount on the rest of my hair that I think this stuff is SO worth it. If you are think of trying it, just do it ;-) They also have other products under this line I have not tried yet! 

It's a 10 leave in product 

Hair oil: 

This Argan oil I bought at Marshall's for $10 dollars and it's pure Argan oil (such a steel). I love Argan oil for split ends and dry hair. I put this on the ends of my hair and it feels so great even on your hands! 

Argan magic hair oil

Hair Straightener: 

This hair straightener I bought because my hair dresser used this straightener on my hair. It is literally amazing and I do not think I will ever find anything better. It is so light and thin. But the best part is that it leaves your hair so smooth & soft with out getting frizzy. It's a bit pricey but if you buy it online you can get some good deals on it. 

BaByliss Nano Titanium ultra thin straightener 

Heat Protectant: 

To be honest I really do not use heat protectant that much now that I use It's a 10. However when I do I use this heat protectant to keep it from frizzing and saving my hair from damage. I am not to picky on my heat protectant but this is what I am currently using. 

Organix heat protectant

Hair Spray:

I discovered this hair spray after buying a travel size of it for a trip last year. I fell in love with this stuff because it dose not leave your hair sticky or stiff. It also does a good job of locking in the frizz. 

John Frieda hair spray 

I hope you enjoyed this post that was a bit different then my usual outfits. Let my know if you have any question or suggestions for products for me to try. What is your favorite hair products?  

I got a haircut

On Sunday I was feeling kind of blah about myself. As I was scrolling threw Pinterest I came across a hairstyle board. Like that it hit me and I thought "hey that is what I need a new hairstyle". I began scrolling threw tons of Pictures and decided I wanted a longer angled bob (The pinterest board I created) .  I always seem to cut my hair shorter in the summer for two reasons. One I just can't stand it because it gets so frizzy and two I just get sick of it. This winter around the time I started my blog I decided to grow my hair out long however I guess I am just not cut out for having long hair. I never get to nervous about my haircut because I trust my hairdresser and I usually always like it. Anyway enough talking here it is.... 

Before:

Sorry about the bad picture qualify 

 After: 

I love the way it turned out but it's going to take a bit to get use to it. A few times today I ran my hands threw my hair and got freaked out because it feels so short but I love it :)

Summer Rundown #43- August 5th

* Got a hair cut 

* Worked on tons of blog stuff before we leave for vacation 

PS: Stayed tuned for a hair care routine next week