Estee Lauder Perfectionist!

I have to admit, I have a thing for Estee Lauder serums. They wear very well, leave your skin soft and smooth, and best of all, they layer beautifully under any brand of makeup.

Estee Lauder's recently launched a new serum, and this one is for the older set. Called Perfectionist the pretty purple glass bottle contains a thick serum that's full of peptides, antioxidants, and ingredients that help moisturize the skin too!



Perfectionist instantly makes your skin look smooth and polished and it's something that you'll want to incorporate into your skincare routine toute suite!

Intelligence

by Rachel Longo-Tosoian


I first heard about Arbonne International while I was volunteering my time at the Royal Botanical Gardens in the Special Events department. You’re probably thinking that’s a strange place to hear about a skin care line, but let me explain.

Back in January of this year, RBG put on a Healthy Living/Green Living Show, showcasing a variety of vendors and health care providers dedicated to living and promoting a healthy (and greener) lifestyle. Among some of those vendors was Arbonne. At the table, the representatives had dozens of products from the majority of their skin care, hair, baby and even vitamin lines for sale and to test out.

Also part of the weekend show was a fashion show, and two Arbonne makeup artists made everyone participating look absolutely gorgeous. Even though I wasn’t part of the show, one of the artists asked if I wanted my makeup done, so who I was to turn down a free mini-makeover.

After my beauty session, I was given a free sample of the Arbonne Intelligence line that included five pieces; daily cleanser, exfoliating mask, daily balancer, daily eye cream and the daily moisturizer (to be used in that order as well).


The free sample was only supposed to last me a week, but I managed to stretch it out for two because I absolutely loved how it made my skin feel.

After using the Intelligence line, my face has never felt so smooth, soft, clean or fresh. Following every face wash, I could not stop feeling how soft my cheeks were; it was the best feeling. I even noticed that my skin was brighter.

The best part about Arbonne is that they do not test their products on animals, they use recyclable packaging, use no animal products or by-products in their formulas and they are a certified vegan company.

The only downside to this line is that it can be pricy for the average student, so save up your pennies because Arbonne is definitely worth every last one.

For more information about the Intelligence line, and all of the products Arbonne offers (and believe me, there are a lot), go to www.arbonne.com to select your country and language.

Fresh for the Summer

Now that it's properly summer, it's time to switch over to formulations that are light and fresh instead of being creamy, and in this regard Marcelle's Hydra-C Complex Facial Exfoliating Gel fits the bill.

Like its name says, the exfoliator is a gel with little scrubby bits in it. It's great for using every day and keeps dull skin at bay.

Seriously Radiant Skin

Here's something that's an amazing present for your mum, your aunt who's visiting from another country, your boss or co-worker who's done something sweet for you, anyone really, just buy this and keep it on hand in case you need to give someone a present on short notice.

What am I going on about? Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream!
This stuff is amazing. It's rich and thick and frankly works so well that it should cost more than what you will pay for it at the drugstore. It's got a high amount of hyaluronic and amino-peptides in it which makes it amazingly powerful at hydrating your skin and making it look its best.

I must admit that while I used this myself, I ended up loving it so much that I gave it to some aunts and friends who complained that they needed something to help plump up their skin and make them look better. Not only have I received glowing reviews about the products from my friends, but I can see how amazing their skin looks afterwards, and that in itself is all I need.

Anyway, this cream is great, get it at the drugstore, you'll like it.

L'Oreal Sublime Glow for Face

If you're looking at self-tan lotions and wondering whether you should buy a separate one for your face, just take a look at the ingredient listing on one for your body versus one for your face. The body one will have a more intensive moisturizer such as petroleum or mineral oil in it whereas the one for face will not. What this means is that using a self-tanner that's specifically for your body may make your skin too oily and even give you breakouts if you're sensitive.

I really like L'Oreal Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer in the tube above, which is specifically meant for your face. It's light but moisturizing and it does give you a nice amount of colour. If you really want to maintain your tan, you can use it daily since the colour on your face washes off more quickly than that on the rest of your body. It's a nice formula that's perfect for everyday, and it doesn't smell particularly strong either!

Cleansing Towelettes

Here is a foot care product that may seem a little unconventional to you - cleansing wipes that you probably have around to use on your face.

I use Neutrogena Cleansing Towelettes when I'm too tired to wash my face at night, but these also have another great use.You can use them at the end of your day to clean your feet. It's easier to do than turning on the tap and soaping your feet in the tub, and you'll be able to get into bed with clean feet. They are a must for the summer months, since wearing sandals all day can really make your feet dirty.

They wipes also take of makeup nicely and you can even get rid of mascara with minimal and gentle scrubbing.

Sunscreen for Your Face

I have been receiving many emails from readers asking me to recommend a sunscreen for their visage. Some of you may be wondering why you even need a different sunscreen for your face, and the answer is that sunscreens that are formulated especially for the face are often less greasy, stay on better, and tend not to wash our your complexion. They will probably also work better with any makeup you choose to wear on top.

At Skinovation, I picked up a sunscreen by Elta MD Skincare. I had never heard of the brand but they make suncare products just for your face.

I have to say that I really love the texture and feel of this sunscreen. It's oil-free and sets to a matte finish. If you're looking for something that's specifically for your face and you have oily or combination skin, you should try this sunscreen.

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster

Oh my goodness, even more than other Dermalogica products, I love the Skin Hydrating Booster. It is by far my fav Dermalogica product.

This is basically a serum and the great thing about it is that it actually moisturizes but it's totally weightless! You can layer it with other products you're using, and I use it before I put sunscreen on and it's perfect because you can moisturize without putting too much stuff on your face.

If you happen into a place selling Dermalogica, definitely check out the Skin Hydrating Booster.

Microdermabrasion

Lets talk about a cosmetic procedure that’s quite common and can be done by people of almost all ages: microdermabrasion.

The old kind of microdermabrasion was done using aluminum crystals that were put on the skin and pushed around to slough off the dead skin. The crystals were then vacuumed off (and sometimes recycled to be used again).

You’ve probably heard of aluminum crystals before. Cosmetic companies began to use them in over-the-counter sloughing creams that were often used with a hand-held scrubbing device. Remember Susan Lucci? She used to shill for one on television. The problem with these over the counter creams was that the aluminum crystals are so small that they’re liable to clog pores. Since there’s no sucking that’s taking place, as in a professional’s office, this was something that many people using the drugstore “microdermabrasion” kits saw.

Microdermabrasion has changed now, namely in that there's Diamond Microdermabrasion that is cleaner, and super efficient.

Now, there’s a ring-shaped head that’s attached to a machine that sucks up dead skins. The head has crushed up diamonds on it and they’re smoothed over the skin to take off dead skin which is instantly sucked up by the machine. Doing your entire face can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes and there’s virtually no redness or discomfort during or after the treatment. Your skin is instantly clearer and brighter.

Because you’ve taken off the top layer, any skin cream that you use afterwards will be more effective.

If you live in the Toronto area, I highly recommend Skinovation.

Cosmetic Procedures and Surgery

Lets talk cosmetic procedures. It seems that science has expanded beyond the realms of just over the counter creams, and everyone has a plumping gloss in their purse or makeup bag, even those like me who don’t need even need them.

The age at which regular people are using wrinkle creams is getting younger and younger which of course means that by the time most people actually have wrinkles, they’ve realized that most creams don’t really work.

Gone are the days that simple Botox could “do the trick”. We want to look better and we don’t want it to be obvious that we’re using something.

Case in point: the Aloette lady. Does anyone know who I’m talking about? She used to be on The Shopping Channel selling Aloette product, and my, did she ever look young for her age. When she couldn’t move her eyebrows and her face was permanently frozen in a smile, it was clear that she was using botox, and the next year she had long bangs covering up the wax-like immovable part of her visage.

If the Aloette lady had to go beyond the use of her own products, then how could they possibly be good enough for paying consumers?

In any case, the more I speak to people in the industry, the more I realize that there’s no skin condition that anyone really has to live with these days. Everything from freckles to sunspots are “curable” provided you have the cash in hand to pay for multiple procedures.

That’s right, I said multiple, and if I was shopping around for skin care professionals, I’d be wary of anyone who promised that one treatment could cure everything. The reason is that many treatments mean that you can start out with a low concentration of active ingredients and build up your resistance. This lessens your chance of having adverse reactions to the procedure.

Have you ever had anything done or ever wanted to? Leave a comment.

Pass on this Freebie

Because it’s my birthday tomorrow, last week I got an email from Caryl Baker Visage telling me that since I’ve got a membership there, I’m entitled to one of their “Power Facials” absolutely for free.

I will be passing on this.

I partook in this last year (or was it the year before that?) and I can tell you with certainty that it was the worst facial that I’ve ever had and I would never pay the $40 that it regularly costs.

Let me reminisce about why it really wasn’t up to par and not what a facial should be.

Lets start with the setting. If you been to a Visage location, you know that they are very public. They’re completely open and everyone walking by can see what’s going on. Oh yes, did I mention that they’re in malls? That means that there’s no peace and quiet while you’re getting a facial and you’re listening to whatever’s going on all around you.

The other problem? The products. They’re average at best, and to tell you the truth they need to be updated. I would prefer drugstore brands to them.

For a “power facial” there’s really nothing powerful about what happens while you’re in the facialist’s chair. The aestheticians aren’t trained to do extractions, there’s no powerful exfoliating, and you basically just get a cleanse, a mask, and then moisturizing.

They say that you shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, but this is definitely one freebie that’s better passed up.

Hydra Bright Moisturizer

I am loving this moisturizer. Not only does it smell fresh, but the creamy gel feels fresh too.

I’ve been going through a time where I had patches of dry skin and though I found other creams that worked this was the only one that really sank into my skin and made a difference by doing that.

It sinks in so that you can put your makeup or powder on, and makes your skin completely hydrated. It’s available at Estee Lauder counters everywhere.

Get Rid of Blackheads

Someone in the comments asked me how to deal with the blackheads that plague their extremely oily skin. This commenter says that she's tried everything and nothing has worked.

Let me lay it down for you: no product can miraculously get rid of your blackheads. No cream, no toner, no lotion, no potion.

Furthermore: any solution is a temporary one at best. Your pores will keep clogging up and you will have to keep unclogging them, that is just the nature of the beast.

There are solutions though, and the best one that I have found is to have a manual extraction during your facial. One by Dermalogica is excellent, try it once and you will be sold.

You should also exfoliate regularly. The Neutrogena Wave does a pretty good job of vibrating impurities out of your skin. There is nothing like it and it will keep your skin clear after your facial.

Finally, there's the Biore Pore Strips - they're a quick fix and can ruin your skin so use them sparingly.

Those are the only ways to get rid of blackheads, and I have found them to work. I know this is one of those problems that many of you have dealt with, so if you have something to add, leave a comment!

I Heart Dermalogica

It's got to be said - I'm a huge fan of Dermalogica. They have a very straight-forward approach to skin care and can not only help you with any skin problems that you might be having, but can also help your skin look its best at all times. There's treatment paired with products that you use at home to maintain your Dermalogica glow.

I've had a Dermalogica facial and it was a great experience. I went through their face mapping procedure and you know what? It is right on the money. The skin care expert doing the face mapping, took one look at my reddened cheeks and asked me if I have a problem with congestion, and I did! She also saw that I had dry but oily skin and then went on to suggest products for my condition.

The facial that I went on to receive was second to none. It was so relaxing that I pretty much dozed off for part of it, and when I was done, I had clearer skin than I had seen in a long time.

I really cannot say enough good things about my Dermalogica experience. If you want to find a centre near you, Dermalogica has a handy locating system on their home page. I encourage you to find one near you and experience Dermalogica for yourself. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse

Dermalogica recommends that you begin your skin care routine with their Pre-Cleanse. It's a rosemary-scented oil that you massage into your skin. It emulsifies the impurities on your skin and when you add water to it, the oil washes off. The product is similar to La Mer's The Cleansing Fluid.

The Pre-Cleanse really does work and makes your skin super-clean without drying it at all. Dermalogica recommends that you follow up with another Dermalogica cleanser, and I did find that when I followed their routine, I had very clean skin without it being dry at all. Even oily skins can use this product, and they'll find that it cleans your skin without completely stripping it of moisture.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

Follow up using Dermalogica's Pre-Cleanse with Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel. What's so special about it? It foams with soap, cleans without drying. In the mornings, I use this cleanser without the pre-cleanse and love it. It's refreshing and works!

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

I conclude my Dermalogica reviews today with the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant.

It's a rice-based powder that you mix with water to form a paste which is then rubbed all over the face. It's a truly gentle exfoliater that's great for everyday use.
Please use this exactly as the instructions say to. Not following the instructions could result in a scrub that is entirely too harsh for anyone.

If you find yourself allergic to some scrubs or routinely find them to be too greasy, then definitely check this scrub out. It's gentle but it works and used over time will leave your skin much smoother and clearer.

Needless to say, I've found all Dermalogica products to be truly excellent. They do what they claim to, and never over-dry or over-moisturize your skin. They often include plant-based ingredients and always smell amazing. Find a Dermalogica retailer near you, experience a face-mapping session, and pick up their recommendations the next time you have a chance.

Reader Question - Allergies

I received this reader question a while ago, and though I've already replied directly to the reader who asked it, I'm blogging it now because I think that it might be helpful for some readers experiencing the same problem.

The reader wrote:

I have a rather perplexing question:
I have bad acne along my chin (mostly cystic) and I have very sensitive skin to boot. I am allergic to silicones AND glycerin (this is really bad because it's in everything), and my question is: are there any facial moisturizers that are silicone and glycerin-free? I have been looking high and low, and I am having a hard time trying to find any.
Any recs would be wonderful!!!!!

And here is my answer:

I've taken some time to get to your question because I've been looking hard at skin cream formulas! And I have some bad news.... almost all of them contain either some kind of glycerin or some kind of silicone. So: that leaves you with two options. I found this Lush moisturizer called Skin Drink that doesn't have any glycerin in it and the moisturizers from The Body Care Deli doesn't either.

Since you can't use glycerin or silicones, that leaves you with moisturizing your skin with either petroleum jelly or mineral oil. If you're nervous that these two ingredients could cause acne, you could try olive oil or an almond oil instead. (True story: my mother uses olive oil to moisturizer her skin and it works well.)

Experiment with those and let me know how it goes. I hope I've helped!

Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector

Clinique has a new product out this month and it's called Even Better Skin Tone Corrector. Let me tell you, the texture, feel, and look of tis product is almost exactly like another product that I love a lot. It's Estee Lauder Idealist.

Funny story related to the Idealist product, actually. I was at a department store and browsing when I noticed a woman trying to buy enough to be entitled to the GWP (Gift with Purchase) that was going on. The sales lady tried to persuade her to get an Idealist. She considered but then said: "I have this product. I use gobs of it but I'm not sure that it really does anything."

And you know what? I have to agree with her. I used gobs of the Idealist and I use gobs of the Clinique Even Better product but I'm not sure that either of them do what they claim.

Nevertheless, I love Clinique Even Better and use it every morning. It soaks into my skin so easily, it keeps my face matte all day long, and it provides me just the hydration that I need. I know that when this finishes, I will miss it sorely and I may even buy another, but it doesn't correct my skin tone. It makes my skin look poreless and flawless though, and that's enough for me.

The New Cold Cream

If you're old school then it's likely that you're already familiar with the ways of using cold cream as a face cleanser at the end of the night. Women would put this cream on and then wipe it off with a tissue, taking their makeup with it. It was called "cold" because it had a touch of alcohol in it which dried as you put it on and accounts for that cooling effect.

Not many people use cold creams anymore, but the idea of a creamy moisturizing cleanser is useful, and Olay has just the thing.

If you have very dry skin, try their new Total Effects Nourising Cream Cleanser. It's essentially a modernized cold-cream formula. It's not as thick and very very emollient so it rubs on very very easily. It also has ingredients in it that help it rinse away cleanly without leaving a residue and only moisturized skin.

I'd recommend this for those of you who have extremely dry skin. Among some of the primary ingredients are Petrolatum and Mineral Oil which means that when it comes to moisturizing, this packs quite a punch. That, of course, is a good thing given the time of year, but be aware of it. This is on drugstore counters everywhere now.