Clean makeup brushes = clearer skin??

Acne.  What a dirty word.  At my age I still deal with this ugly monster.  I am always looking for ways to get to my goal of clearer skin.

So far I have made 2 changes that have worked pretty well for me, but I still get some hormonal breakouts. (The huge cystic ones)  And sometimes I will still get smaller breakouts in my T-zone but they are less severe and not as often.

The two changes I made were to switch from a harsher "acne cleanser" to a way more mild one that my doctor recommended.  The cleanser I use is Cetaphil .  It's very clean feeling, smells pleasant and makes my skin feel great.  No more stretched skin feeling when I am done.

The second change I made was to use a more natural and gentle moisturizer.  I use this every night after cleansing and again in the morning before makeup application.  It's made by Burt's Bees and is the Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream.

What is also great about these changes, other than the clearer skin, is that they are CHEAP!  And that is a word that works for me.  The cleanser is around $6 at Wal Mart and I get the moisturizer for $15 at my local Target.  And they both last a long time.

So today, I decided to take my skin care one step further.  I got on Pinterest ,which you all know I love, and decided to look for ideas on cleaning my makeup brushes.  And lo and behold I found a great pin! Found here . In the reader comments on this link I found that one user cleans her brushes with white vinegar and hot water...that's it!  Well friends, I have both of those things readily available to me so I decided to give it a shot.

The formula suggested was a Tablespoon of vinegar to 1Cup of hot water.  I kinda winged this part.  Just mixed til it felt right.  (My grandmother cooked this way) Then I took turns soaking each brush for about 15 mins.  Took awhile, but they have never been cleaned (oops)

After they soaked (I changed the water/vinegar after each) I ran them under hot water and blotted on a rag.  Then combed them.  They came out great, softer and they don't even stink of vinegar. Bonus!

Just look at this nasty water!  All of that was going on my face day in and day out.  Makes me kind of sick.

So we shall see if this process, which should be repeated ever 2-4 weeks, helps with my skin.  I'll let you know!  And if you try it and see great results be sure and share!

Braces...good times

So, it's no secret that I am not a teenager.  GASP!  In fact I am a 37 year old mother of 2.  This is important because I never thought that at this age I would be getting braces.  I had braces when I was in middle school and part of high school.  Not a huge deal at that time because I look at braces in ones teens as a rite of passage.  Look at any group of pre-teens or teens and someone in that group will have braces, guaranteed.  But in my peer group, well that is WAY less likely.

So this whole thing started in August.  It was a typical night at the Moore house and we decided to run out for some quick dinner.  Instead of spending money on dessert at the restaurant I had the brilliant idea of just stopping at the local grocery store and getting something sweet.  We would be able to get more for the money and it would last longer than one sitting.  So we headed there and the boys chose a huge thing of cookies from the bakery.  It was like $5.00 for 50 chocolate chip cookies.  How could we go wrong???  So we get home, I take out one cookie and ask my hubby if he's like to split it with me.  So I broke said cookie in half, handed him the larger half and took the smaller for myself.  Took one bite and CRACK.  That's right people....there was something in that half of the cookie that didn't belong and it cracked my left front tooth, vertically.  Needless to say, I FREAKED!!!!  I was in full on panic mode, hysterical, running through the house like a moron and cussing.  Not one of my finer moments.  I was sure that from now on I would be hideous.  That I would end up with fake teeth and my life was pretty much over.  So after and emergency call to my dentist (who is wonderful BTW) I was told it was fine to wait until the morning.

Next day, went in and he was able to bond the crack.  Said that it was vertical, but far enough to the left that it shouldn't spread or go into the root.  I was in pain people.  PAIN!  So much so that he did refer me to an Endodontist  (who is also great).  She agreed with him that it was bonded well, but she did also find another vertical crack in the center of the tooth, but it's not surface so she said she saw no reason for any root canals at this time OR to get fake teeth.  Her recommendation though, as was my dentist's, was that I get braces.  This is because the tooth is now weakened and any further hitting or damage could cause major issues.

I saw the Orthodontist, and he also agreed.  After I wore my braces all those years ago, I wasn't great about wearing my retainer.  As a result, my bottom teeth re-crowded.  They sometimes will hit my upper teeth when talking or eating and so now that the upper tooth has been damaged...the goal is to correct this.  Sigh.  And all because I wanted a freaking cookie!!!

So, 2 weeks ago this Friday I got my upper braces.  We went with metal because the porcelain ones are harder to remove and might damage the cracked tooth.  So, I am once again a "brace face".  My older son thinks it's funny because it wasn't too long ago that he got his off.  My younger one just looked at them and said to me, "Mom.  You are still the most beautiful Mom in the world and I love you."  (he's sucking up for something I am sure, but I'll take it)

I will say that most people tell me that they make me look younger.  I'm not sure if that is true or they are just being polite, but I'll take that one too.  I should be getting my bottom set in December I believe.  Wasn't on my Christmas list but ah well.  And in 18 months to 2 years I will have a great smile and hopefully it will help to preserve my damaged tooth.

(I cannot tell you where I got the cookie, as we are still dealing with them and their insurance.  And they are stalling.  Nice)