Model Talk - 5 Tips To A Whiter Smile.

Has anyone ever heard of a "model white smile"? I'm not really sure just how white your teeth have to be in order to me "model white" but I do know that models have to try and keep their teeth as white as is humanly possible. It's amazing how something as simple as whiter looking teeth can completely change your appearance for the better and really brighten up your face.

Today I thought I'd share some of my tips and tricks for keeping your smile bright. Keep in mind that these tips aren't the only things you can do - there are plenty of other natural remedies as well. These are just my personal tips and what I do every night.

1. Brush your teeth! I know this goes without saying but it's really important. Whether you have an electric or manual toothbrush, this is the most important tip!

 

I personally like to use the Oral-B Sonic Complete toothbrush - I got this for free from the orthodontist when I got my braces. For toothpaste, I'm a big fan of the Sensodyne Whitening - it doesn't do a heck of a lot of whitening but it's really good for when my teeth are sensitive, which I'll talk about later in this post.

2. Floss! Flossing is super important because it gets out any food particles in between your teeth that your toothbrush may have missed. I honestly don't find it necessary to floss twice a day - once every day or every two days is sufficient. I like to use the Oral-B Glide 3D White floss because it claims to whiten. (Not sure if it really works - but it's good floss!)

3. Brush with baking soda. This is something that isn't necessary at all and it tastes absolutely horrible. However, it is really amazing for keeping your teeth nice and white and it also helps to really scrub your teeth clean so they feel super smooth and dentist-clean afterwards. I really recommend brushing with baking soda - it's a really nice natural whitening agent. I just put toothpaste on my brush and then dip it into this container to coat everything in baking soda.

4. Follow up with mouthwash. If you're brushing with baking soda I find it imperative to rinse out your mouth after to get the taste out. I like the Crest 3D White mouthwash because it claims to have the same ingredients as whitestrips and it's very minty. I only use a little bit partially because you don't need a lot - but mostly because I'm running low and can't be bothered to go out and buy another one.

5. Whitestrips! These are amazing for quickly whitening your teeth. These are just a strip that stick to your teeth and form to coat the surface. I have the 2 Hour Express ones, which come in a pack of four that you leave on your teeth for two hours, for a visibly whiter smile.

Honestly, I think these are overpriced. At $70 (in Canada) for a box of four strips, that's a little steep. Also, I think when I used the first one there could have been a lot more difference in how white my teeth were - though I did see a bit of a change. You can only use one of these once every three months, so that's why I would recommend trying some of the products I showed above. However, you can also purchase Whitestrips that are gentle enough to be worn for 30 minutes every day. I find that these make my teeth painfully sensitive, however. Sensitivity-wise on these strips, I found it was pretty bad the day I did the strips but I did notice that my teeth were completely fine the day after, which could be attributed to the toothpaste I use. All in all, if you have the money to purchase these, I'd recommend giving them a try. If not, there are plenty of other ways to whiten your teeth.

So that's it - 5 easy tips to a whiter smile. If you're reading, what is your number one tip for your teeth? I'd love to see what other people do!

Flawless Skin.

So, I don't have it. Flawless skin. I get zits. :'( But I work towards finding lightweight products that still have good coverage - and I think I found some that work for me.

If I were to do a foundation routine, I would start off with my moisturizer and then skip the primer. Next I'd apply a foundation or tinted moisturizer - Maybelline Mineral Power Healthy Perfection Liquid Foundation in the shade 1, Light.

 

This foundation is positively amazing. The shade I have matches my skin tone perfectly, and when applied with a damp sponge it looks natural but still flawless. You only require a small, pea-sized amount to cover your entire face, and one coat will definitely tone down any blemishes or redness. When I applied two coats to my face I was astounded at how amazing my skin looked, but I don't want to waste this product so I typically only apply a single coat. Priced at about $8, this is a total steal. I would definitely recommend checking out this foundation.

Next I would apply a concealer underneath my eyes and on any visible blemishes. I use the Maybelline FIT me! Concealer in the shade 15, Fair.

This concealer surprised me when I first used it. Upon first glance it seems like a typical concealer, one that you can get from the drug store at a cheap price and that kind of covers up your blemishes but can look cakey or sheer. However, upon further inspection it comes out of the tube by way of a doe-foot applicator and applies with a very thin consistency. When rubbed in, it thickens up and covers blemishes amazingly. I am surprisingly in love with this concealer now, and it isn't very expensive (I don't know the exact price, however). This concealer is what has made me want to try the entire line of FIT me! products.

Lastly, I set everything with a mattifying pressed powder. I'm thinking if I do end up trying the rest of the FIT me! line, I will end up getting the powder (shown above). However, I'm currently working on my Sexy Mama Anti-Shine Translucent Powder by the Balm. 

I'm a big fan of this powder and hit pan on it long ago. If you are someone who gets a lot of shine on their face, this is an amazing option. It reduces shine and it sets any concealers, foundations, or otherwise. I love it because it doesn't make one look cakey or powdery, but still helps to make me feel like my foundation is set and stuck on my face. It's my most expensive product at around $20 but it's definitely worth it.

So that's my foundation routine in a nutshell... If you're reading this, what's your favorite foundation?

All of these products are available at Shoppers Drug Mart. The Balm products are also available at Sephora.