Sephora, the Land of Happiness!

When I was a kid growing up in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD, we had this amazing store called the Cosmetic Center.  They sold everything--drugstore brands, higher end products, etc. and their stores were well designed and fun to go to.  I moved away from MD when I graduated from High School (and I haven't been back since), so I have no clue if the Cosmetic Center is still around.  I do know that Sephora is my grown-up beauty playground, and I always love wandering around checking out new and not-so new products.

I needed some retail therapy this weekend, so I headed to Sephora and came out with some kick-ass finds (more on that in coming posts).  Right now, I'm focusing more on my skin and trying out new products.  Here are a handful of skin care products from Sephora that will help improve your skin as summer bakes along.  Check out these three products worth taking a closer look at:

Sephora Collection Sugar Body Scrub ($18): During the summer it is common for dead skin cells to build up. To prevent the resulting dry, flaky skin, exfoliate daily with a nourishing body scrub like the this budget-friendly scrub. This brown sugar-based body scrub offers miraculous results, leaving skin ultra-smooth and silky-soft. Formulated with Vitamin E, Grapeseed and Apricot Kernel Oil, this rich, emollient blend nourishes skin while also regenerating and revitalizing skin’s texture.

bosica Pore Purifying Black Strips ($15): High temperatures and humidity encourage dirt and oil build-up, resulting in blackheads and large pores, especially around the nasal area. Make sure to consistently prevent pores from clogging by using an adhesive strips. This full-contact delivery system instantly applies charcoal powder to rid skin of impurities and leave pores ultra clean.

Dr. Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads ($18-$32): Now that skin is purified, it is easy to achieve a glowing complexion. Opt for a self-tanner that provides a radiant, sun-kissed glow year-round, without exposure to the sun's harmful UVA/UVB rays. Formulated with Vitamin D, Alpha-and beta hydroxy acids, this treatment exfoliates skin while offering a streak-free glow. The perfect way to maintain a healthy complexion.

Beauty Product of the Week: Nourish Everyday Hand Lotion

What is it?  eos (Evolution of Smooth) Nourish Everyday Hand Lotion is "designed to fit into your purse, your pocket, or on your desk.  eos hand lotion looks as good as it feels on your skin.  Infused with moisturizing shea butter, oat extract, and a generous helping of antioxidants and vitamins C and E, eos will leave your skin feeling soft, supple, and radiantly healthy long after you apply it."  Available for less than $5 at drugstores in the original version and a cucumber scent as well.


What do you think?  I bought this product because I liked the look of the bottle.  It's flat and fits perfectly into the palm of my hand...plus it's easy to locate in my pile of beauty products.  I've tried (and liked) eos lip balm, so I gave their new hand cream a whirl. 

I was not disappointed.  The price is right, the scent is right (it's light and pleasant), and it absorbs quickly into my skin.  Don't you hate when you put lotion on and then feel like you have greasy hands?  Like you're going to leave an oil slick with every touch?  Yeah, that annoys me too.  But eos hand lotion doesn't do that.  It does make my skin feel soft and moisturized, but without that frustrating oily feel.

The final verdict?  This product is not super sexy or exciting.  But at less than $5, the cute little bottle of hand cream does a pretty decent job.  I use this every night before bed, and my hands thank me for it!

Raspberries Aren't Just for Eating

Summer means long sunny days, hanging out on a warm, sandy beach, and eating bowls of ripe, sweet berries. Is there anything more yummy than diving into a bowl of cool, juicy red raspberries?  They're the best!  But berries aren't just for eating.  Raspberries inspire all sorts of beauty products...here are a few to try.

FOR THE LIPS
Korres Raspberry Antioxidant Lipgloss, $22.  This cooling, water-based formula contains the natural raspberry and pomegranate extracts to protect against free-radical damage and smooth lip lines for softer, more youthful-looking lips. It glides on with the creamy texture of a lip gloss and has the long-lasting, vibrant finish of a lipstick.

FOR THE SHOWER
Philosophy Raspberry Sorbet, $16. Are there any scents of bath/shower gel that Philosophy doesn't have?  Some of their offerings are great...others miss the boat.  I really like this one, their Raspberry Sorbet.  This lusciously-scented shampoo, bath, and shower gel is packed with moisturizing agents that smooth and condition the skin and hair, while gentle cleansing agents eliminate excess oils and impurities.

FOR YOUR SKIN
Arcona Basic Five Travel Kit for Problem Skin, $87.  Raspberries taste good and are good for you. The products in the Basic Five work synergistically and are scientifically designed to fulfill a distinct transformational function. Using the Basic Five as part of an advanced daily promises even fresher, more glowing skin and a more contoured, youthful appearance.

Beauty Product of the Week: Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer

What is it? Stila's Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 is "A lightweight, tinted moisturizer infused with a hint of shimmer and a protective SPF 15.  This multipurpose beautifier does triple duty: It acts as your moisturizer, sunscreen, and luminizer to provide sheer coverage that makes skin appear flawless, and its super hydrating ingredients and protective SPF 15 will keep your skin protected."  Available at Sephora and department stores (and occasionally on HauteLook, where I scored this and a bunch of other Stila products for less than $10) for $32.

What did you think?  I typically like products that try to multitask.  I just don't think this is the best muiltitasker on the market.  This product is very, very lightweight...which I like and hate.  I like that it goes on quickly and absorbs easily.  I just don't think it provides much in the way of color or coverage.  I was hoping that it would proved enough cover so that I could stick foundation during the day.  I was sadly mistaken.  I find that I still need to brush on my foundation in order to cover some of my splotches.  Then again, this is the winter, and my skin is less than lovely this time of year.

The final verdict? The moisturizer is not greasy, it's not unpleasant, and I think it does add the slightest bit of illumination to my skin.  That said, I would not re-purchase this item at the $32 price tag.  But what do I know?!

Winter Woes: Dry Skin

Now that the holidays are over, we're headed into the bleaker period of Winter.  The days are shorter, nights darker.  The air outside is cold and biting, and inside too dry and static-y thanks to forced hot air.  It's a time when skin is dry, dry, dry.  Lips crack, cheeks turn red as they get whipped with icy winter winds, and let's not even get started on the condition of our feet and hands.  Winter's a tough time for our skin. 

If you're like me, right about now, your skin is thirsty and flaky.  So...what's a girl to do to beat the Winter woe of dry skin?  Here are a few tips to get your skin hydrated and glowing, so you can look and feel soft and beautiful under all those layers of clothes.

1. Start in the shower.  It pains me to say this, but those super long, hot showers I take every morning are not doing my skin any favors.  The ultra-hot water might feel great, but it's only speeding up the process of stripping away the oils from my skin.  Exposure to extremes (hot or cold) only aggravate things.  If I were smarter, I'd turn the heat down a bit to save myself from itchy, flaky dry skin.  But since I am a glutton (and because waking up is hard enough), I say damn it all!  I'm taking my hot, hot shower and opt instead for other skin saving measures.
2. Buff away the dead stuff.  While you're taking your tepid shower (and while I'm in the midst of a steamy spray), it's a good time to not only wash your skin, but to get rid of dead skin cells.  I use creamy, liquid-y soaps, not the bar stuff.  Try body washes from Dove (or others) that contain fair amounts of moisturizers and use a body buffer (those poofy things) to slough off skin cells.  Be gentle...there's no need to rub your skin raw.
3. Exfoliate when needed.  Every few days (once or twice a week, depending on your skin), you might want to try exfoliate your entire body. Exfoliating your entire body can help prevent body acne in many places below your neck, such as the chest, back and arms. It also might help you avoid ingrown hairs by preventing dead skin cells from plugging up follicles where you've shaved or waxed. And it can help even out skin tone and keep your skin hydrated and soft. Try using an exfoliating body scrub or bar, or opt for a salt-based scrub.  Like I said before, be gentle, though.  You don't want to trade flaky, dry skin for bloody, irritated skin!
4. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.  Now that you've started easing off the hot water, using gentle exfoliating methods, etc. your skin needs to drink up some moisture.  Take some time to try out different body lotions.  You may like gels, oils, or creams.  The key is to find what you like and to use it regularly.  I prefer cocoa butter based creams for my skin, and I use it every day.  This helps provide nutrients and moisture to your skin which will keep it soft and touchable.
5. Consider adding healthy fats to your diet.  I know, I know...it's the start of a new year and you're probably wanting to cut out fats from your diet.  Don't.  Essential fatty acids, like Omega-3s found in fish, are so good for your skin.  If you're really considering changing your diet, embrace a Mediterranean diet that incorporates healthy fats.  They're good for your skin...and they taste good.

There are my tips.  Now I ask you: what's your trick for keeping skin flake-free in the Winter?  Also: what's your biggest Winter beauty woe?

Two to Start the Week

It's Monday again.  That means we're inching closer and closer to Christmas.  Yikes.  How many shopping days do we have left?  It's too depressing to think about!

To start off the week, here are two quick, cute gift ideas to consider.  These would make good stocking or secret Santa gifts.

Tweezerman Brow Beauty Bubble, $20
Last week I mentioned that eyebrows are so important to your overall beauty look.  Neat and shaped brows help frame the face and make your look more polished.  My favorite tweezers are from Tweezerman.  They're effective and easy to use...plus they have great designs to help gussy-up your beauty toolbox.  The Brow Beauty Bubble is an awesome holiday gift idea. It includes a magnified compact 10X mirror and an adorable candy cane glittered red and white striped mini Slant Tweezer. Housed in a bubble case and small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, this must-have is ideal for on-the-go grooming.

SteamCream Tins, $18 each
These little tins just rock!  You can pick from a bunch of fun designs and give a friend (or yourself) an eye catching tin filled with an all purpose, slightly lavender scented moisturizer. High quality, natural, traceable and ethically-sourced raw ingredients are bound by a steam-infused manufacturing process to create a hydrating, easily absorbed and luxurious vegan cream for face, body and hands.  This is the perfect little gift for co-workers since the tins are small and ideal for the office.

Both the Brow Beauty Bubble and the SteamCream tins prove that good things come in small packages!

Get to Know: Lierac

This year I've tried out several products from Lierac.  Lierac is a company from France that makes tons of skin care products.  Their stuff is available at CVS, and there's bound to be something for you to help your specific skin type or condition.  Their products are not cheap, but they are effective and well worth checking out.

Here are three of my favorites--I've been trying out samples of these products and they've been a welcomed addition to my skincare routine:

• Microabrasion Exfoliating Smoothing Cream, $38: this product buffs away all the old, dead skin cells that make skin look blah.  It is only used once or twice a week, but man does it do a good job!  It makes my skin feel so much smoother and look more radiant.  It's like a wake-up call for tired out skin. 
• Coherence Nuit Age-Defense Firming Night Cream, $64: this product is designed for more mature skin, but now that I'm in my mid-30s, I figure it's time I get serious about battling the signs of aging.  (An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right?)  This product helps to lift and firm up the face.  Applied nightly, it helps to repair the skin and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making skin more supple and moisturized.
• Diopticreme Intense Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream, $34: Also designed for more mature skin, this product is a wrinkle fighter.  It helps to improve firmness and elasticity around the eye area, making sure the entire area is perfectly moisturized.  I like that it goes over the entire eye area, not just the undereye region that most products target.  This one seems like it will really tackle crow's feet (which I don't really have yet and hope not to get!).

Lierac products are very high quality and it's awesome that you can get them easily from CVS.  I've also tried out their Bust Lift product earlier in the year and liked it.  I appreciate that Lierac has products for body, face, sun protection, and men.  They really do seem to have something for everyone!

Get to Know: Kiss My Face

I've long thought of Kiss My Face as being a crunchy, hippie personal care company.  After all, it was founded by two vegetarians who were on a mission to find healthy body care products.  Kiss My Face is committed to using natural, organic ingredients to create their cruelty-free products.  Because I've dismissed Kiss My Face as a sort of hippie-dippy company, I never really tried their products.

Silly me!  Kiss My Face has some really good products...and their eco-friendly, cruelty free stance is a huge plus.  Be on the lookout for their new line of skin care products in the start of the new year (available in January at Whole Foods).  Their Potent and Pure Organic Face Care line is worth a look.  It includes:

• Clean for a Day, $15: a creamy face cleaner that is soap-free and non-drying.  
• Startup, $15: an exfoliating cleanser that contains natural fruit alpha hydroxy acids for gentle exfoliation.
• Brightening Day Creme, $23: a cream that includes SPF to help protect from the sun's damaging rays.
• Night Creme, $23: a cream that provides extra moisturizing power along with detoxificaiton.
• Underage, $21: a "mega-moist" blend of organic botanicals and vitamins that will smooth lines and nourish skin.

Kiss My Face is a great brand to get to know if you're concerned about organic ingredients, animal testing, etc.  Their new skin care line will leave your face looking good and your conscious clean!  Check it out at Whole Foods in January.

Beauty Product of the Week: Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E

What is it? Palmer's Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E is made of, "pure cocoa butter enriched with Vitamin E, in a soothing fragrance free base. Heals and softens rough, dry skin. Smooths stretch marks. Tones skin. An excellent all-over-the body moisturizer and after tanning butter." Available at drugstores and big box stores for about $6 for 8.5 ounces.

What did you think? My skin is not yet dry and flaky, and I'd prefer to keep it that way! I received a bottle of this lotion to try out, and I think I'm hooked. The lotion isn't overly thick, but it does leave my skin feeling very, very moisturized. My skin seems to just drink it up! I like using this every morning, right after my shower...and after I shave (it really makes my legs feel soft!).

The lotion has a slightly chocolaty scent that tends to fade away after a few hours. The scent is yummy but it doesn't overpower or compete with my perfume.

I've tried expensive body creams, and this one is just as good as the spendier ones.  It can supposedly help reduce the appearance of scars and stretchmarks, but I haven't tried it out for this purpose.  For moisturizing skin, this can't be beat!

The final verdict? Why spend a fortune when you can get such a decent product for less than $10? Using this product makes my skin soft and smelling like yummy cocoa. It's the perfect product to help winterize skin at the perfect price!

Things I'm Loving Right Now

As a beauty blogger, I try out a ton of beauty and skin care products.  As a result, my favorite beauty products seem to change constantly.  Here are my three favorite products at the moment:

Revlon Matte Lipstick: this product's been around for awhile, but I've just recently started wearing this in "In The Red."  It provides an intense amount of color and lasts for AGES on my lips.  Since it's a matte lipstick, it does make my lips feel a bit dry, but it's not overly heavy, it's easy to apply, and I love the color.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: this eyeliner just slides on.  I have it in both black (Zero) and brown (Whiskey) and it's easy to use and blend.  It also provides a great deal of concentrated color, so a little goes a long way.  As a bonus, it makes my eyes look awesome!

Almond Oil Daily Hand and Nail Cream by The Body Shop: this goes on light, leaving my hands feeling soft but not greasy.  And that's really important! I'm not wild about the scent, but it's not too distracting.  I use this at night to keep my hands feeling soft all day long.  It also helps keep nails from splitting--thank god!

So...what products are you loving at the moment?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Winterize Your Skin!

Now that Halloween is officially over, it's time to think about what's just around the corner: the holiday season and cold, winter weather.  With winter comes dry skin and frizzy hair...fun, right?  Well, November is "National Healthy Skin Month" and it's a good time to start up a winter skin regiment. 

Here are some tips for getting your skin looking good as we head into the dark days of winter:

• Maintain year-round sun protection.  Just because you're not planning on hitting the beach doesn't mean that you should be skimping on the SPF.  The sun is out every day, all year long, and those UV-rays promote pre-mature aging at best, skin cancer at worst.  Find a product you like and apply it to all exposed skin every single day...no matter what!
• Moisturize more.  With the heat on, our inside air is very dry.  Going outside in the cold air and winter wind can lead to chapping.  Skin is starved for moisture, so be sure to moisturize in the morning, after your shower when your pores are open.
• Avoid super hot showers and baths.  This is impossible for me!  But hot showers do result in overly dry skin.  If you can turn the hot water back a bit, do it!  Your skin will be thankful.
• Exfoliate!  Using an exfoliating product regularly will slough off nasty dead skin cells.
• Add some fats to your diet.  Increasing omega-3s (found in fish like salmon) and flaxseed will help combat dryness from the inside out.
• Don't forget your hands, feet, and lips.  For hands and feet that are stubbornly dry, try applying moisturizer then a pair of gloves or socks before bed.  Lips should be exfoliated regularly...and try to find a lip balm that contains SPF.  You can get skin cancer on your lips, after all.

Those are my tips...if you have anything to add, be sure to leave a comment!

Tiffany's Flawless & Natural Foundation Routine

Where makeup is concerned, getting your foundation "right" is possibly the most important thing to master. I find the most difficult task (other than finding your correct shade which is a totally different story...) is finding a good combination of products that gives great coverage, yet looks natural. These are the products that do exactly that for me. Check out the video below to see how I apply these products step by step (and see me without ANY makeup...EEK).

Products used:
Origins Brighter by Nature Serum
Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet+ liquid foundation in #40
MAC Studio Finish concealer in NC20
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light Medium & Medium Dark
YSL Touche Eclat in #1 Luminous Radiance (light pink shade)
Benefit Powderflage

My Skincare Routine for Clear Skin

I figured it was time to do a lil' update video for my skincare routine. I know that finding the perfect skincare routine that works for you can be sometimes tricky and I'm always interested to see what different people use to get great results. This is just what works for me! Hope you all enjoy!

Beauty Product of the Week: Glycolic Peel Kit

What is it?  Skin Effects by Dr. Jeffery Dover's Glycolic Peel Kit, "Instantly reveals younger looking skin with each use; stimulates long-term skin renewal.  Your skin will immediately feel smoother and have a healthy glow. Over time, you will see fine lines, wrinkles and pores diminish. The first step stimulates exfoliation and renewal of your skin. The Glycolic Pads are ideally complemented by the Soothing Pads used in the second step of this regimen. I believe in creating skin care products that deliver the results you want - healthy, younger-looking, more beautiful skin. This product delivers both instant and long-term results. Immediately, skin appears more radiant and feels smoother. Over time, the exfoliation action will diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while making pores less apparent. Improves overall texture of skin; skin will feel softer and smoother; decreases appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; visibly diminishes pores. Skin effects does not test on animals."  Available at CVS for $24.99.


What did you think?  The Glycolic Peel Kit contains 30 glycolic pads and 30 soothing pads.  These pads look a lot like Oxy pad and are a piece of cake to apply.  I like that you just wipe them over your skin, rather than having to layer on a mask or slather on some sort of goopy cream.  This kit is efficient and easy when it comes to application. 

Here are the good points:

• The product is a snap to use
• It has a pleasant scent
• It leaves skin feeling more even
• It left me with a natural glow

Now here are my concerns:

• Like other glycolic peels, you have to be careful with sun exposure when using this product.  I use a moisturizer and foundation with SPF and I'm rarely out in the sun, but this could be a problem for some people.
• I worry about how people with sensitive skin would do with this product.  I felt my skin tighten up and sting a bit when I used the wipes--I think that others might end up with some redness and discomfort, but this is only my opinion.
• The containers for the glycolic pads and the soothing pads are basically identical.  To avoid any mis-application, I think they should redesign the containers and make them different colors so no one gets confused.

The final verdict? This product made my skin glow underneath my foundation.  It also felt smoother--more even.  I haven't used it long enough to get the long-term effects promised (diminished lines/wrinkles, smaller pores).  I say: for the ease of use and results, give it a try.  However, if you have sensitive skin or are out in the sun a lot, proceed with caution!

Beauty Product of the Week: Activated Thermal Mud

What is it? Caviahue's Thermal Mud will help "diminish the signs of aging now! Caviahue Thermal Mud is one of the most unique skin care products and deep cleansing facial masks in the world. One of its main ingredients is the thermal waters that flow from the inside of a volcano and are charged with the right minerals and oxygenated properties that purify the skin, leaving it smoother, softer and beautiful. You will feel a natural lifting of your facial and neck skin when you use the thermal mud regularly and as instructed.

• Helps diminish the signs of aging
• Deeply cleans and purifies
• Unclogs pores and allows your skin to breathe
• Provides the balanced blend of minerals from Caviahue thermal water and Caviahue volcanic clay
• Leaves the skin smoother, softer and absolutely beautiful"

Available online for $74.90

What did you think? I haven't used a mud mask in ages, and spending almost $80 for a skin care product is a steep investment. This mud mask is so nice! It's very dark--almost gray/black--and has a surprisingly un-muddy, pleasant scent. It's easy to apply and you don't have to use tons to get a good layer of the stuff on your skin.

The mud mask comes with a sponge to help remove the product after a 15 minute wait. The sponge helps provide some exfoliation, and it left my face feeling very soft and very clean.

The final verdict? This mask is a treat to use! I know it's spendy, but you get a lot of product, so it will be sure to last. I've made this product part of my weekly skin care routine, and just love how refreshed it makes my skin feel.

Sorry for the small image!

Lumene Rocks! (Contest)

The good folks from Lumene are giving away over $100 worth of Lumene products to one of my lucky readers! Be sure to read all the details and leave a comment--you're going to want to win this one!

THE GOODS
Lumene is giving away a basket of their Excellent Future products (Lumene Excellent Future Deep Repairing Cream, Lumene Excellent Future Deep Repairing Serum, Lumene Excellent Future Deep Repairing Eye Cream and Lumene Excellent Future Deep Repairing Night Cream). I tried out these products at the end of 2009 and loved them (as I've enjoyed almost every Lumene product that's come my way!).

Here's more about the Excellent Future line: Innovative and powerful Lumene products utilize modern stem cell technology. Beneath the skin's surface lies invisible damage caused by genetic aging and external factors. These ultramodern products help to prevent and delay damage from surfacing. They also help to prevent the formation of wrinkles and to smooth the appearance of wrinkles that has already formed.

Lumene's Excellent Future products repair and protect skin, especially for us who are over the age of 30. Skin contains cells that play a key role in preserving its youthful appearance, stem cells. At the age of 30, skin's ability to repair itself has weakened because the stem cell functions have slowed down. By protecting these vital cells the skin's ability to repair itself is promoted. Excellent Future Cream contains innovative ApplexcellT™ which Apple Extract protects skin's stem-cells and Arctic White Peat that provides the cells with optimal environment.

HOW TO ENTER
It's easy! If you want to receive this basket of Lumene Excellent Future products, just leave a comment (make sure I have a way of contacting you)! I'll announce the winner next Wednesday, June 23rd. (NOTE: this contest is open to readers in the US only--sorry!)

Good luck!

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

It's Mid-May and I'm just now getting to this. Geesh--where is this month going?

Anyway, if you've read my blog for awhile, you know that I am serious about skin cancer. Being fair skinned, skin cancer is a huge risk factor for me. Because of my fear of skin cancer, I am diligent when it comes to sun protection. And I like to take some time on my blog to remind you all to be sun safe.

I know I've said it a million times, but the best way to keep yourself cancer free is to limit your exposure to the sun. You should get in the habit NOW to wear sunscreen every single day--no matter what season it is, no matter what the weather is...apply sunscreen daily, at least 30 minutes before sun exposure. Another important thing to do: avoid excess sun exposure. Yes, we all need Vitamin D, but you really shouldn't be spending hours soaking in the sun or, even worse, lying in a tanning booth. Eek!

Here are some more important things I need to remind you about when it comes to skin cancer:

• If you love the way your skin looks when you tan, consider this: UV expose leads to premature aging--wrinkles, brown spots, etc. If skin cancer won't scare you off a tanning bed, maybe looking 50 when you're 30 will. Seriously--don't you want to fight the signs of aging?
• When it comes to skin cancer, early detection is a lifesaver....and detection begins at home! Just like you should be doing a month breast self-exam, it's good to also check your skin for strange moles or markings that could spell trouble. Click here for more info on self exams.
• When applying sunblock (because you ARE using a daily sunblock, right?!) don't forget your neck, your ears, your chest, and your hands. Those annoying "liver spots" on your hands? They have nothing to do with your liver and everything to do with sun damage. It's easy to forget these areas, and they need just as much protection as your face.
• If you have any bald men in your life, remind them to apply sunblock to the top of their head. How often do you see bald men with sunburned scalps in the summer? Quite frequently--a sad fact since more men are diagnosed with (and die from) melanoma than women.
• If you still want a "healthy glow" but you don't want to increase your UV exposure, you can go with a fake tan. The goal is to apply the product correctly to avoid looking orange or streaky. Click here for tips on a decent Fake Bake.
  

Quality Skincare Finds at the Drugstore!

Over the past few months, I've been on a mission to find some quality, affordable skincare products at the drugstore. I've found a few products that I especially love and that have delivered great results. Check out the video below for more info on these products and my recommendations on how to use them to get the best results!

Products mentioned in the video:
Loreal Go 360 Clean Cream Cleanser
St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub
Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Resurfacing 3-Way Cleanser
Clean and Clear Advantage 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser
Clean and Clear Finishes Pore Perfecting Oil Free Moisturizer
Jergens Natural Glow Face Moisturizer Spf 20
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer Tinted Moisturizer
Neutrogena Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment

More About Rosacea

As I mentioned in today's earlier post, April is rosacea awareness month. And in an effort to help spread the word about this disorder, I thought I'd include some handy-dandy info, courtesy of The National Rosacea Society.

What is rosacea?
It is a common disorder that affects facial skin. Over 16 millions of Americans have rosacea, and though it's hard to ignore, it's easy to dismiss. Rosacea makes facial skin look red, almost acne-prone, and has adverse effects on sufferers' self-esteem.

What causes rosacea and is there a cure?
The cause is unknown and there are no cures, though there are many ways to deal with rosacea.

What does rosacea look like?
Any one of the following warning signs is a signal to see a dermatologist or other knowledgeable physician for diagnosis and appropriate treatment before the signs and symptoms become increasingly severe:

• Redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead.
• Small visible blood vessels on the face.
• Bumps or pimples on the face.
• Watery or irritated eyes.

How is rosacea treated?
If you have rosacea, your doctor can help you determine what's right for you. Some options include oral antibiotics, topical therapies, and even laser treatment. Patients with rosacea are encouraged to use gentle, non-abrasive facial cleansers, and to avoid things like loofahs and sponges. People with rosacea should also use SPF to avoid additional sun damage.

For more information about rosacea, please visit this site.

April is Rosacea Awareness Month

It seems like there is a month for everything, and April has been designated as roseaca awareness month. I've never had to deal with rosacea, shocking since I am fair skinned and prone to pinkness. Here's some info about rosacea:

As of 2010 the National Rosacea Society (NRS) estimates that 16 million Americans experience symptoms of rosacea. A study conducted by Dr. Alexa Boer Kimball, director of the clinical unit for research trials in skin at Harvard Medical School, concluded that 9.6 percent of U.S. women, regardless of ethnic background, showed signs of rosacea and that in Caucasian women alone, the prevalence rate of rosacea was 16 percent.

Since patients with rosacea often have skin that is sensitive and easily irritated, causing redness, inflammation, and stinging, adjunctive care is an imperative component of rosacea management. Patients should look for products that maintain the skin barrier while avoiding irritating ingredients.

And, of course, there are tons of products on the market designed to help with rosacea. If you have this condition, I would strongly urge you to talk to your dermatologist about what you should and shouldn't be using on your skin.

Having said that, here are some products from Eau Thermale Avène, a company renowned for a long history in soothing sensitive skins worldwide. They have a complete at-home regimen in adjunction to any in-office care for soothing and calming rosacea-prone skin.

Avene Thermal Spring Water, AVENE Antirougeurs Anti-Redness Dermo-Cleansing Milky Fluid: With ingredients to decongest and improve microcirculation, Antirougeurs Anti-Redness Dermo-Cleansing Milky Fluid is the ideal addition to a rosacea-managing skin care regimen. Available in this month, this mild no-rinse milk cleanser, specially formulated for redness-prone skin, gently removes make-up while preserving optimum skin comfort. The creamy texture is formulated with optimal Redness Relief Soothing Cr tolerance to soothe and calm flushed skin caused by irritation or highly reactive skin. Partnered with Thermal Spring Water, the only sterile thermal water proven to soothe inflammation, itching and redness, and Redness Relief Soothing Cream SPF 25, the clinically proven lotion developed to neutralize and minimize existing and reoccurring redness while protecting against sun damage, patients now have access to a complete skin care system developed for rosacea.

Thermal Spring Water retails for $11.50 (for 150 ml), Antirougeurs Anti-Redness Dermo-Cleansing Milky Fluid retails for $28 and Redness Relief Soothing Cream retails for $32. Visit www.aveneusa.com for availability.

If you're a rosacea suffer, what do you do to keep your skin looking and feeling good? Leave me a comment and let me know!