top 6 skincare masks

HELLOOOOOOOO youtube world!

y'all, this is SUCH A FEAT!!! over sunday brunch, my foodie friend @wanderlustanita and i were discussing the youtube world, and what i wanted my first video to be like... she told me, "better done than perfect!" at this point... SO TRUE. i tried my best on this one and for some self taught editing... not bad janna doan (yes, i talk to myself in third person occasionally). i have many things to work on ("UHMMM." yes, i know, i say it a lot, it's very annoying, i'm trying to quit that!) and ideas already brewing in my mind that i can't wait to execute down the line. i am really excited to introduce this new facet of jannadoan.com; think of it as me coming to life from still images?! maybe you should be scared. haha, either way i hope that you will follow me on this (rocky) journey. 

this is long overdue and i am proud of this video because it was NOT EASY. diving into the unknown, teaching myself videography, and Adobe premiere editing/formatting (thank goodness for google and youtube tutorials), still images, music, formats etc...! can you believe this is only the beginning?! i’m just scratching the surface. i will say, it is pretty awkward sitting in a room by yourself talking to a camera. just sayin'. i hope to one day look back and see how far i’ve come. it’s all about starting somewhere and making progress, am i right?!

skincare masks are my BFF. they should be yours too! i’m an avid person when it comes to masks. i do them on the REGULAR, the same day each week, guaranteed. also it’s a great way for you to treat/pamper yourself after a long day or even if you have a girls night in! if you find yourself always forgetting to do them, put it on your calendar, set reminders, MAKE TIME until it becomes a habit! remember, good skin doesn’t happen overnight. it takes years of consistency and finding a routine that works for you. so start now with some masks! in all my photos and now video, i do NOT wear ANY FOUNDATION (ain’t nobody got time for that). not bragging (because trust me my skin is nowhere near perfect), but merely stating that this is a huge testament in what consistency, taking care and investing in your skin will do for YOU (and maybe a good ring light too, lol). 

view my FIRST YOUTUBE video after the jump! xx

signing off and celebrating this thing i call and look forward to most in life #thelittlevictory.

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product mentions // 

1 | Skinceuticals clarifying clay masque -- $52 for 2.4 oz
2 | Target Up & Up aspirin -- $3.79 for 500 tablets = CHEAP!!
3 | Skinceuticals B5 hydrating masque -- $54 for 2.5 oz
4 c/o | TATCHA violet-c radiance mask -- $68 for 1.7 oz   
5 | SK-II facial treatment mask -- $17 each or six for $95 or ten for $135
6 c/o | TATCHA luminous deep hydration lifting mask -- $95 for four masks
c/o | TATCHA dewy skin mask (mentioned but have not tried it yet) -- $12 each or four for $45

wearables // 

earrings | BaubleBar dancer drop earrings

#cantstopwontstop,
JD

special thanks to @pearlsnapphotography for the knowledge transfer on settings/how to film videos on my camera because that would've taken another four months (shooting photos is so different!). and @wanderlustania (check out her youtube channel) who helped guide me on the music and youtube aesthetics!

current lemmings -- august beauty

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01 | Tom Ford skin illuminating powder duo in moonlight (face focus collection, August 2015) -- one of the latest releases from Tom Ford beauty. this is a limited edition duo of highlighters used to, "capture the most flattering types of natural light on the skin" in a gel/powder formula (similar to Hourglass ambient powders). i haven't seen it in person, but the images are so pretty to look at! this is LE (limited edition), so if you are eyeing it, i do recommend that you purchase one now as most LE TF beauty products sell out reallyyy fast! great reviews and swatches on @temptalia, @TheBeautyLookbook, and @TheSundayGirl.
02 | Clarisonic alpha fit cleansing system for men -- not that this is something i'm lemming for myself... but i was SOOO happy when i saw this release a few weeks ago!!! (this is a great indication on how much i love skincare... when i get excited over skin products for men...) this is long overdue, but props to Clarisonic in making a brush for men. i like how the handle (or lack of) is designed for a man's use. in my opinion, men will be more inclined to use it and clean their face the right way! PS: it's never to early to start christmas shopping. just sayin'!
03 | Giorgio Armani luminous silk compact -- GA makes some amazing foundation, so i've heard. the luminous silk is one of their top sellers in fluid form, but this is the most recent release in powder form! 
04 | CHANEL stylo yeux waterproof long lasting eyeliner in pomme de pin (fall 2015 collection) -- finally!!! a black/brown eyeliner by CHANEL. PS: CHANEL beauty fall 2015 is stunning. 
05 | CHANEL les 4 ombres multi-effect quadra eyeshadow in 254 tisse d'automne (fall 2015 collection) -- this palette screams FALL with hues of green, peach, and brown. what a beautiful combo. my BFF purchased this, it is so pretty on her. i find myself drifting towards their counter lately just to look at it! if only i had time for eyeshadow. 
06 | deborah lippman nail color in it's raining men -- i have yet to try this brand! i've seen this color worn and it's so classy, the perfect fire engine red. 
07 | SK-II mid-day essence pitera spray -- misting has become... a thing lately. i can't rave enough about pitera, but wouldn't this would be a great pick me up? also travel size friendly at 1.7 oz. #mistyoself. 
08 | Hourglass ambient lighting powder in dim light (travel size) -- i have a thing... okay, maybe a slight obsession with anything travel size... and honestly, i know i am not the only one. (don't get me started on the travel size isle at Target.) this miniature is the cutest thing ever! not to mention, Hourglass powders are one of the best around. 

AM skincare routine

start the morning off with a fresh, beautiful face. 

i didn't realize how many products i use in the morning until i gathered the items for this product photo. LOL. nonetheless, this all takes less than FIVE minutes. i'd say that's a pretty good investment to make for your skin every morning. the steps are: exfoliate, tone, moisturize, and protect. pretty simple! so let's get to it!

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01 | exfoliate

CURE natural aqua gel -- this was introduced to me by mama bear, who by the way, has the MOST FABULOUS skin. i've also seen the beautiful @BubzBeauty mention it one of her videos as well.  you use this on a dry face, rub into your skin and the gel removes all the dead skin cells and starts flaking off your face. it's actually weird. but i can't live without this. not to mention, it's a very gentle exfoliator.

02 | cleanse

dermalogica special cleansing gel -- for a long time i was using foam cleaners and realized it was drying out my skin big time. so i switched to a gel cleanser. this has been my favorite by far, gentle, non-drying, and fragrance-fee. 

03 | tone

SK-II facial treatment clear lotion and SK-II facial treatment essence -- can't rave about this duo anymore. CATE BLANCHETT. do i need to say more?!?! my review here. 

04 | moisturize

Caudalie S.O.S. vinosource S.O.S. thirst quenching serum -- this is a light serum, smells divine, and my HG (holy grail) moisturizer. i've used it for so many years. it's good to use alone in the summer, but on days where i need the extra boost, i will top it off with the TATCHA moisture rich silk cream which is a has almost a whipped like consistency. (pictured is a travel size which comes in the TATCHA ritual discovery kit which is a great deal to try a few of their amazing products). it is important to note: moisturize YOUR NECK! this step is often missed or forgotten. your neck is the first thing that will usually start wrinkling. don't let it happen to you. 

Skinceuticals AOX+ eye gel -- eye treatments are pricey but when you think about it, you use the tiniest amount of this product. it should last you pretty close to a year. i love using this eye gel in the morning as it is really light and brightens the under eyes. it claims to help with puffiness, under eye bags,  combat fatigue, and fight the signs of aging. honestly, i can't say i've seen huge results but it's important to note that there is no miracle eye treatment. results on this type of product cannot be seen until years down the line, it's all about prevention and consistency. 

05 | protect

MDSolarSciences mineral creme broad spectrum SPF 50 UVA-UVB sunscreen -- it is hard for me to find a product that is a primer, has SPF, and is matte. (i mean is that too much to ask for?!) finally we met and it's been great ever since. i can't stress wearing SPF.  it is SOOOOOO important. i never tan. (the main reason why i am so.. as my sister says, "alabaster"). the sun is really damaging and it will age you exponentially. and you may not see it now, but you will down the line, and EARLY. so protect yourself! people think that you don't need to apply sunscreen if you're just driving to and from work. but that time in the sun really adds up. TATCHA just came out with a sunscreen that i can't wait to try soon that meets all my requirements, TATCHA silken pore perfecting sunscreen broad spectrum SPF 35!  

in summary,

  • let a product absorb into your skin before putting the next on
  • moisturize your neck down to your clavicles 
  • use an eye treatment
  • wear SPF
  • be consistent

the time for a good skincare routine is NOW,
JD

facial masks in rotation

good skin takes time and dedication. (well... everything does).

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01 | Skinceuticals clarifying clay masque

there is irony in applying dirt to pull dirt out of your skin! this is one of my favorite masks because you can actually feel it working on skin... which will feel like a baby's butt (this is highly coveted!) afterwards. guaranteed. the ingredients in this earthy-smelling mask helps calm skin, lift impurities, exfoliate dead skin cells, and remove excess oils. 

  • directions: apply a thin layer for 10-15 minutes. like mud, it will begin to harden and crack on your face. rinse with warm water. 
  • usage: 1x every two weeks. i also use this as a spot treatment for my nose in between. 
  • cost: $51 USD for 60ml. (one jar will last me almost 6+ months.)

02 | Aspirin mask

if there is only one mask to pick from, this is it. i learned about this mask ages ago from the very famous make-up/skincare guru @MichellePhan. here is her original Youtube clip. this is the CHEAPEST and most effective mask in terms of preventing breakouts. aspirin contains salicylic acid which is always the main ingredient in treating acne. it also helps clean your pores, exfoliate your skin, and reduce redness. all you need is uncoated aspirin, basically aspirin that is not sugar coated like Advil. (the bottle in the picture above can be purchased at Target. i realize it says "coated" but it is good to go).

  • directions: use 3-4 tablets, dissolve with a few drops of water, add a drop of honey for adhesive-ness, mix together and spread on face for 15 minutes. rinse with warm water. as you are rinsing this off, take the opportunity to exfoliate with the grainy-ness of the aspirin. 
  • usage: 1x a week. (this mask is amazing, but do not overuse it!)
  • notes: i also use this as a spot treatment (day and night) when i notice a pimple trying to make an appearance... it's my way of saying 'GOTCHA!' #sorrynotsorry
  • cost: $4.99 USD for 500 tablets = 125 masks. that is $0.04 per mask.... can't get cheaper than that. 

03 | Caudalie moisturizing mask 

Caudalie has a great range of skincare items. i think i've already mentioned my holy grail Caudalie vinosource S.O.S thirst quenching serum. they recently launched a range of masks. since my skin is combo and a little on the dry side, i picked up the hydrating mask. it is cream-based but not too thick. as all their products, the scent is light and pleasant. "A mask that restores moisture levels to relieve tightness, reduce redness and increase softness for a hydrated, dewy glow."

04 | SK-II facial treatment mask

i've talked about my SK-II regimen here. the SK-II facial treatment mask is the most expensive mask i treat myself to. it is cloth-based that is drenched in the magical SK-II ingredient; pitera. this mask is so popular that make up artists use this on brides as part of their routine, and it is often used as a post-airplane pick me up. 

  • directions: place cloth mask on face, lay down for 20 minutes. take mask off (feel free to put it back in the package and re-use it again the next day). DO NOT rinse off. 
  • usage: once on a blue moon! (due to price tag).
  • notes: use every DROPLET left in this package on your beautiful face! in the summer, i will refrigerate this packet before using it.
  • cost: $17 USD for one mask, $95 for six masks, $135 for ten masks. purchase it tax-free from bloomingdales.com.

rock the face mask,
JD

my SK-II regimen

SK-II believes that a woman's destiny isn't locked by her DNA. it's something she creates for herself.

i am obsessed with japanese/korean skincare. if you notice, japanese and koreans have the MOST BEAUTIFUL skin. it's glowing, radiant, FLAWLESS, and highly sought after. therefore, anytime a line comes out from any of these countries, i am curious about it, i do my research, and i read countless reviews. in my opinion, the SK-II brand was one of the biggest beauty breakthroughs the past couple of years. i waited quite some time before trying it, only because of the price tag. however, i have come to learn that great skincare is not cheap (for the most part), so nowadays i'm willing to shell out the extra bejamins. (and maybe age has something to do with it too!). 

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SK-II uses the ingredient Pitera which is a clear liquid rich in vitamins, amino acids, minerals and organic acids. this quadruple threat "works together to allow the skin’s natural surface rejuvenation process to function at its prime." it was discovered ages ago when scientists observed the soft and youthful hands of aged sake brewers. this was the birth of Pitera. 

i have been using the SK-II regimen for well over a year now. i can gladly say it will always be apart of my routine. it is HG status (HG = holy grail). i've noticed that my skin has become more clear, radiant, softer, and smoother. i have received many compliments on my skin since and that is just affirmation of how well it works. the regimen consists of the two products listed below and are to be used in conjunction with each other. i use these twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. once a day is really good enough. details and instructions listed are below:

1. SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion -- this is the "toner." when you hear toner you think of alcohol, but there are plenty of toners these days that are alcohol-free. this alcohol-free "toner" is to be used on clean skin with a cotton ball on the face and neck. this will prep your skin for the magical stuff next. 

2. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence -- this is their signature product. aka: miracle water, magical stuff.  this contains over 90% Pitera. it is absorbed best when used after the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion. use this sparingly! only 2-3 drops and apply this by patting it onto your face and neck. neck! don't forget the neck! 

another product that gets rave reviews is the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask. this is a great pick-me-up after traveling. for example, when you travel, your skin is exposed to different environments in terms of water, air quality, and the dreadful dry-air on the plane. basically, your skin is pretty dehydrated and thirsty when you get back. it needs some love, and this mask will do just that. i've only used it once when i got back from vacation in cabo. it helped so much! 

again, as a reminder to texans, purchase this regimen off Bloomingdales.com tax-fee. my recommendation is if you have not tried this before, get the starter kit which contains all three items in this post. i sometimes buy the starter kit because the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion comes in a travel size friendly version. 

SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion -- $70 for 5 oz. 
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence -- $105 for 2.5 oz., $165 for 5 oz., $205 for 7.3 oz., $290 for 11.2 oz.
SK-II Facial Treatment Mask -- $17 for one mask, $95 for six masks, $135 for ten masks.
SK-II Starter Kit -- $105 USD; 1.35 oz. Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, 2.5 oz. Facial Treatment Essence, and 1 Facial Treatment Mask. 

change your skin destiny,
JD