avoiding acne scarring

hello lovely readers! i hope everything is ok with you ♥

here's a few tips and pointers on how you can avoid acne scarring...

but first things first - i must mention that i scarred from my acne, whether i picked, squeezed or left a blemish. it didn't seem to matter what i tried, i was left with these small red and purple marks where my acne had been. so, i don't actually think you can avoid acne scars... but you can make sure they aren't any worse or permanent than just a small red dot that disappears in a few months (and mine are now all disappeared 4 months later - yahoo!)

1. eat a great diet full of anti-inflammatory foods

follow an elimination diet, or simply try cutting out suspicious food groups to determine whether one particular food is causing the inflammation to occur. then load up on leafy greens, berries and fresh ginger to help reduce the redness.

2. exercise every day in a moderate and gentle way to keep your body in balance

frequent moderate exercise is awesome for you! and the more you can do outside the better. choose activities that are really fun and sociable, rather than things you feel you ought to do.

3. get out in the sun and fresh air

clear out your system by being in the sunshine and breathing lots of good air. it'll do you wonders - we were made to be outside.

4. avoid exfoliation, touching and picking your spots, massage and strong topical treatments whilst your acne is inflamed

leaving your skin alone to do it's job is the best thing you can do for acne, and to reduce your chances of permanent acne scars. infrequent hygienic squeezing is ok if you know how to do it, but this can also force the pus to lodge itself even further into your tissue and cause damage.

5. use products for sensitive skin in a gentle way and avoid 'acne' products unless they have been prescribed by a doctor

acne products can increase pigmentation due to their strength, as well as causing all sorts of other problems... avoid expensive mistakes and opt for a handful of products designed for sensitive skin instead.

here's a more in depth review:

i hope this information is helpful to you! keep an eye out, or subscribe to alissaevelyn to learn about how you can treat your acne scars ♥

ps. for regular updates, news and details about upcoming videos or giveaways, check out my new facebook page and like it

the 15 minute principle

there are some things in the beauty world which hit you with their simplicity - the 15 minute principle is one of these. i mentioned it in my latest acne series, part 3: how i got rid of my acne.

basically all you have to do is wait 15 minutes between cleansing/toning, treating and moisturizing. 

the logic behind this is that it gives your face time to heal over and adjust before applying another product. that way your skin is less likely to get aggravated and inflamed, especially if you have open wounds, and you are more likely to put the product on in a more relaxed way. it's perfect for people with acne, or breakouts.

some people might find this a little tricky to fit into their morning routine - some people take 5 minutes usually to get up and out the door, so this might not be for you. but for other like me who take about an hour to get ready, this is no big deal... it just means setting the timer for 15 once you've cleansed+toned, then another 15 minutes after you treat, and then you can dab on some moisturizer.

now i've got rid of my acne :) all i do is cleanse/tone and then wait 15 minutes before applying my moisturiser. it seems a little bizarre to wait, but my skin is so good, that it's got to be worth doing, right?! plus it's FREE :)

my acne story: an introduction

so here's my introductory video to this acne mini series - in it i show you my acne scarring, detail my journey with acne, and talk about the types of acne that are common - possibly TMI for many people, but i think it's helpful  know the ins and outs...

mild hormonal acne on my chin and jawline plagued me for months. i kept thinking it was getting better, and it would improve over a week or so...and then it would just breakout again. which is why you read such enthusiasm in previous posts detailing a new discovery that i think is going to be the answer!

anyway, stay posted, and subscribe to my youtube channel, alissaevelyn, for more in this series...

ps. by the way, in case you are wondering, i don't have before and after acne photos because i didn't want to have a picture of it anywhere!

writing, writing, writing

hi all! just thought i'd send you a little update on what i'm doing and where i'm at!

i've recently been writing my first book - how exciting is that? it will be a comprehensive book of natural beauty tips, everything from 'should you use vaseline?' to 'what's the best form of natural hair removal?' to talking about how i maintain my skin and live a healthy lifestyle. i've been putting lots of hours into research and so it's pretty stocked with information and some unusual (but practical) ideas!

i'm really looking forward to publishing it soon and being able to give you blog readers a sneak preview as well as the opportunity to win a copy!

this week i also hope to upload a video about my acne story - which i hope will help any of you out there that suffer from acne or regular breakouts. if you have any questions that you'd like answered, please don't hesitate to ask (either in the comments section, or anonymously on Formspring, or message me on Youtube) - i want it to be a really helpful resource for people...

and if you haven't already seen my new healthy food and diabetes channel, do check it out and subscribe!

everyday natural makeup routine

so, my latest yt video is all about my everyday makeup routine. it's really natural looking, as well as using natural cosmetics too!

it's not a complicated look, but is perfect for something you might apply everyday, to go to work or school, rather than to a formal occasion or out clubbing.

the products i use have changed since last time i made a makeup tutorial video (which was ages ago!) - but i'm careful not to purchase too many products, and am only buying new makeup when i run out of a tube or a pot. it's much more eco friendly, and means that the makeup doesn't go off and so it won't have to be thrown away! way too many people have too much makeup, sticking to a few good products is much more cost effective and sensible! buying makeup can be quite addictive...

anyway, i hope there are some new products here for you to try out, and i hope you enjoy watching...

how to create a simple natural everyday makeup look in 10 steps:

1. start with a good base - apply a great moisturiser with spf15+, and vaseline on my lips and eyebrows (to tame them!) then let it sink into your skin for 15 minutes before continuing.

2. apply concealer - jane iredale's disappear in light on blemishes or hyperpigmentation, then lily lolo foundation under eyes and in circular motions on top of other areas that need more cover up.

3. apply the first layer of mascara - Une casual volume in C03 to the upper and lower lashes.

4. apply a gentle line on the lower lashes (in the waterline if you want to make your eyes appear smaller, under the lashes if you want them to appear bigger) with body shop eye definer in taupe.

5. then apply another coat of mascara to elongate a volumise those lashes!

6. brush foundation all over your face in circular motions for a more even looking base, or for a more formal occasion.

7. apply jane iredale eye highlighter pencil on eyebrow bone and cheekbones to accentuate the shape of your face.

8. apply lily lolo blush in cupcake on cheeks for a natural looking glow - it's amazing as it also looks a little like bronzer when you apply it...

9. apply bobbi brown gel eyeliner in sepia ink to upper lids and flick with the ultra fine eyeliner brush, for a more interesting and fashionable look.

10. finish off with a gentle application of bare minerals mineral veil, if you remember, as this will set your makeup look for the day and give you an extra glow!

faces of beauty

hi everyone! just a quick post to let you know i am featured on faces of beauty this week ♥

the whole concept behind faces of beauty is wonderful, and i couldn't wait to be a part of it! everyone featured on the site must take a photo of themselves wearing no (or minimal) makeup and write a paragraph about what makes them beautiful. 

each ladies' paragraph is really inspiring and raises faith in the modern woman. they preach that beauty is not all about how you look on the outside, it's about what's on the inside - and as each women shares her story you become more and more aware of their own transitions and journeys. and more often than not these women have struggled with their own self image in the past, and through their own effort and support of others they have learnt to love the way the are.

i think it's a super positive thing, and so if you'd leave a comment on the post that would be much appreciated by the wonderful woman who runs it - Heather (who is going through a very tough time at the moment, so all and any support is a great thing) - who is such a star for encouraging women through FoB. 

if you ever feel down about your self, or suffer from low self esteem, head on over to Faces of Beauty to remind yourself how wonderful it is to be alive and how fantastic you really are.

simple twisted updo hairstyle: how to

hey everyone!

more often than not, here in the UK, it rains. and on those wet and windy days it's important for us ladies to have a hairstyle that doesn't mind being blown around or getting a little damp - a hairstyle that doesn't mind a little frizz or wave appearing, or being a little out of place.

my hair is naturally wavy, frizzy and curly - a total mess in wet and windy weather. so, instead of going for my usual bun or ponytail or hat 'do', i decided it was time to try out some braided looks, as they are far more elegant and pretty.

♥ so, this is what i eventually came up with: