Guide to 120% Perfect Skin Care
A request initially made by 58468_0 , here's to presenting my self-sufficient guide to 120% perfect skin care. If there's one thing I can't stand more than damaged hair, it's a pimply, flaky face. This flatters no one. At all. & while no one's technically "perfect," it's with the help of various products, 3-hour shower sessions & an extremely patient roommate/significant other that make us ever so closer to achieving gorg-skin Nirvana. Over the course of many years of (expensive) trial and error, I've finally found a dreamy combination of items that give me that dewey, fresh faced glow that Mother Nature conveniently forgot to gift me. I've actually found that using a good combo of non-medicated products have kept the acne away almost completely.
** Please note, I've intently skipped the couple of Japanese/Asian products I use occasionally in order to present a more realistic & purchasable list of items. (They weren't completely necessary.) In addition, I have combination dry and oily skin: many of the items here can be used on various skin types or can be purchased in a formula specifically for your problem type.
Items are presented clockwise from left, top.
Clean & Clear "morning burst detoxifying facial scrub" / $6.49
Whether you shower every morning or every evening, a good exfoliating shower cream or gel is a must. I've tried dozens of facial scrubs including a D.I.Y. recipe that turned out relatively well but left me with terrible dry patches due to my combination issues. While Clean & Clear usually offers solid products, many of their medicated creams just cause even worse flaking. This gentle scrub seriously rocks my cradle with a subtle, sweet scent and refreshing oxygen-infused formula. It works best, in my opinion, with twice a day use; once in the morning and evening. Bonus- they offer an entire line of these puppies for different skin types.
Johnson & Johnson "baby oil gel" / ~$2.95
I've been preaching the praise of this silky, gorg smelling gel for a couple years now. I absolutely cannot get enough of this stuff: simply apply after toweling off while still damp & allow yourself to air-dry for five minutes or so. Viola: incredibly smooth, hydrated skin that lasts for hours even in the worst dry climates and weather conditions. While I only spot-use a small amount of my face during the winter, I use the gel all year-round especially in the summer on my legs and heels to keep them from getting dry patches. (Unfortunately my legs dry out easily.) Important- because this is straight-up oil, the amount you use is key to keeping everything from becoming greasy. It absolutely works best on dampened skin as it locks and retains the moister in and dries right along with it. Unless you suffer from dry patches, go easy on the amount as a little bit goes a very long way.
TRUE BLUE SPA "glow and steady" / $15.00
Trust me when I say I don't look good pale. I also don't look good dying of cancer. Thus many, many various products later, I absolutely swear by glow and steady. While I adore Clinique's line of instant tanners, they can be a little cumbersome with the danger of staining or streaky patches if not applied carefully. (I also don't understand why everyone goes nuts for Jergen's formula.. it flaked right off my skin.) With an intoxicating, creamy scent that makes the boys go wild, in just a couple mornings of daily use, I'm blessed with a glowing, gorgeous tan of the tropics that managed to fool even the most critical of coworkers at the office last spring. No Oompa Loompa orange here, folks: just your natural skin tone enhanced with a dose of SPF 15 to boot.
Clean & Clear "Soft Night Moisturizer" / $7.95
Another wonderful drugstore product, this scent free facial cream has kept me skin oil-free, soft and smooth every night for the past several years. Fortified with white tea and fruit acids, I apply it every evening before bed and directly after exfoliating. Completely fuss free and affordable, it works just as well if not better as many of the department store brands I've tried.
Hawaiian Tropic "After Sun Creme Lotion" / $9.95
I cannot even begin to show enough mad love to this deliciously sinful moisturizer. It's extremely rare & difficult for me to fall head over heels over a brand new product since, technically, I haven't used it enough to tell how well it works. Seriously, folks, this happy 'lil spray bottle rocks my world. A combination of cocoa, shea and mango butters, this fabulous beauty find works wonders on any body part that needs a little extra Mclovin.' I use it in place of my usual hand lotion throughout the day at work for silky feeling digits and a quick pick-me-up from the addicting Mango fragrance. This product works amazingly well and makes me amazingly giddy.
St. Ives "Protective Cleanser" / $24.99
On days when I need a little boost of UV protection, I use this lovely facial wash in the shower immediately after exfoliating. An easy to remember addition to the savy chick's daily regimen, this is a wonderful extra level of protection for those who are fair skinned or live in climates prone to high sun exposure. For the rest of us gals, it's perfect for those incidental moments of sun exposure without leaving an ounce of greasy residue. Gentle enough for all skin types, I love how smooth this leaves my skin. Note- retail price is around $25 but I've easily found this item for $10 and less.
Clinique "turnaround concentrate" / $39.50
The holy grail of affordable skin serums, I've been using this little lovely for over a year now with absolutely beautiful results. Fragrance free, it speeds the renewal of dead skin cells through an amazingly smooth combination of exfoliants. Rub a dime-sized dab between two fingers, apply to all trouble spots of the face (minus the eye area) & prepare to be awestruck as it melts into your skin leaving an almost unbelievably silky finish. I use this daily after showering but before applying make-up or lotion.
benefit "that gal brightening face primer" / $28.00
Clinique "dramatically different moisturizing lotion" / $24.00
101% ♥. This pearl coloured, non-greasy primer can be worn alone or under make-up. Personally, the effect is less stellar when covered with foundation and so forth, thus I make a perfectly pink, fresh faced cocktail of my own by combining a pea sized amount of the primer with the moisturizer of my choice, in this case, Clinique's. I then apply to all parts of my face for maximum loveliness: the results are a Red Carpet worthy, naturally energizing glow. Had a rough night partying? Skip the pore clogging make-up and go with a slab of this for an instantly awakening look. Looking to look and feel lux but have minimum time in the morning before work? Apply graciously followed by a single, neutral coloured eye shadow, coat of mascara and lip colour of choice for a light speed dose of ooh-la la. Clinique makes an entire line of these moisturizers for different skin types (the one pictured is for dry/dry combination). Note- while the lotion may seem pricey, the Clinique counter at your local Macy's or Nordy's are almost always giving away 1-oz samples at any given time.
Hair, hair hair. As the queen of high maintenance hair, I may do something similar for hair products next week.
** Please note, I've intently skipped the couple of Japanese/Asian products I use occasionally in order to present a more realistic & purchasable list of items. (They weren't completely necessary.) In addition, I have combination dry and oily skin: many of the items here can be used on various skin types or can be purchased in a formula specifically for your problem type.
Items are presented clockwise from left, top.
Clean & Clear "morning burst detoxifying facial scrub" / $6.49
Whether you shower every morning or every evening, a good exfoliating shower cream or gel is a must. I've tried dozens of facial scrubs including a D.I.Y. recipe that turned out relatively well but left me with terrible dry patches due to my combination issues. While Clean & Clear usually offers solid products, many of their medicated creams just cause even worse flaking. This gentle scrub seriously rocks my cradle with a subtle, sweet scent and refreshing oxygen-infused formula. It works best, in my opinion, with twice a day use; once in the morning and evening. Bonus- they offer an entire line of these puppies for different skin types.
Johnson & Johnson "baby oil gel" / ~$2.95
I've been preaching the praise of this silky, gorg smelling gel for a couple years now. I absolutely cannot get enough of this stuff: simply apply after toweling off while still damp & allow yourself to air-dry for five minutes or so. Viola: incredibly smooth, hydrated skin that lasts for hours even in the worst dry climates and weather conditions. While I only spot-use a small amount of my face during the winter, I use the gel all year-round especially in the summer on my legs and heels to keep them from getting dry patches. (Unfortunately my legs dry out easily.) Important- because this is straight-up oil, the amount you use is key to keeping everything from becoming greasy. It absolutely works best on dampened skin as it locks and retains the moister in and dries right along with it. Unless you suffer from dry patches, go easy on the amount as a little bit goes a very long way.
TRUE BLUE SPA "glow and steady" / $15.00
Trust me when I say I don't look good pale. I also don't look good dying of cancer. Thus many, many various products later, I absolutely swear by glow and steady. While I adore Clinique's line of instant tanners, they can be a little cumbersome with the danger of staining or streaky patches if not applied carefully. (I also don't understand why everyone goes nuts for Jergen's formula.. it flaked right off my skin.) With an intoxicating, creamy scent that makes the boys go wild, in just a couple mornings of daily use, I'm blessed with a glowing, gorgeous tan of the tropics that managed to fool even the most critical of coworkers at the office last spring. No Oompa Loompa orange here, folks: just your natural skin tone enhanced with a dose of SPF 15 to boot.
Clean & Clear "Soft Night Moisturizer" / $7.95
Another wonderful drugstore product, this scent free facial cream has kept me skin oil-free, soft and smooth every night for the past several years. Fortified with white tea and fruit acids, I apply it every evening before bed and directly after exfoliating. Completely fuss free and affordable, it works just as well if not better as many of the department store brands I've tried.
Hawaiian Tropic "After Sun Creme Lotion" / $9.95
I cannot even begin to show enough mad love to this deliciously sinful moisturizer. It's extremely rare & difficult for me to fall head over heels over a brand new product since, technically, I haven't used it enough to tell how well it works. Seriously, folks, this happy 'lil spray bottle rocks my world. A combination of cocoa, shea and mango butters, this fabulous beauty find works wonders on any body part that needs a little extra Mclovin.' I use it in place of my usual hand lotion throughout the day at work for silky feeling digits and a quick pick-me-up from the addicting Mango fragrance. This product works amazingly well and makes me amazingly giddy.
St. Ives "Protective Cleanser" / $24.99
On days when I need a little boost of UV protection, I use this lovely facial wash in the shower immediately after exfoliating. An easy to remember addition to the savy chick's daily regimen, this is a wonderful extra level of protection for those who are fair skinned or live in climates prone to high sun exposure. For the rest of us gals, it's perfect for those incidental moments of sun exposure without leaving an ounce of greasy residue. Gentle enough for all skin types, I love how smooth this leaves my skin. Note- retail price is around $25 but I've easily found this item for $10 and less.
Clinique "turnaround concentrate" / $39.50
The holy grail of affordable skin serums, I've been using this little lovely for over a year now with absolutely beautiful results. Fragrance free, it speeds the renewal of dead skin cells through an amazingly smooth combination of exfoliants. Rub a dime-sized dab between two fingers, apply to all trouble spots of the face (minus the eye area) & prepare to be awestruck as it melts into your skin leaving an almost unbelievably silky finish. I use this daily after showering but before applying make-up or lotion.
benefit "that gal brightening face primer" / $28.00
Clinique "dramatically different moisturizing lotion" / $24.00
101% ♥. This pearl coloured, non-greasy primer can be worn alone or under make-up. Personally, the effect is less stellar when covered with foundation and so forth, thus I make a perfectly pink, fresh faced cocktail of my own by combining a pea sized amount of the primer with the moisturizer of my choice, in this case, Clinique's. I then apply to all parts of my face for maximum loveliness: the results are a Red Carpet worthy, naturally energizing glow. Had a rough night partying? Skip the pore clogging make-up and go with a slab of this for an instantly awakening look. Looking to look and feel lux but have minimum time in the morning before work? Apply graciously followed by a single, neutral coloured eye shadow, coat of mascara and lip colour of choice for a light speed dose of ooh-la la. Clinique makes an entire line of these moisturizers for different skin types (the one pictured is for dry/dry combination). Note- while the lotion may seem pricey, the Clinique counter at your local Macy's or Nordy's are almost always giving away 1-oz samples at any given time.
Hair, hair hair. As the queen of high maintenance hair, I may do something similar for hair products next week.