Monday, May 20, 2013

The Kristen Awards! Skin care!

THE KRISTEN AWARDS
SKIN CARE

My whole life of makeup actually started with- esthetics or skin care.  Caring for the skin is the #1 best thing that you can do everyday.  You only have one face.  No amount of makeup can help you if your skin is a mess.  Blemishes, hyper pigmentation, sun spots, dryness, oiliness- all issues that we can all deal with from time to time.  So many things can affect your skin- the most prevalent being lack of skin care, hormones, aging and weather.  I will warn you- I will save a buck with makeup and brushes but I honestly don't scrimp on my skincare.  The reason is that skin care STAYS on your face.  Its absorbed into your skin which is your largest organ.  Here are some things that I LOVE.  

Eye Makeup Remover

This one is simple- and there is only one because I refuse to go anywhere else- Neutrogena Oil Free Makeup Remover.  This stuff is AMAZING.  I use it with an exfoliating cotton rounds to remove water proof shadows, gel liners and waterproof mascara like its butter!!  Its the best and its totally cheap!  Don't spend a lot of cash on eye makeup remover- your literally throwing it away.

Face Wash

#3- Simple Refreshing Face Wash-  This stuff is great for sensitive skin.  Its super easy to find and its gentle.  There isn't a smell or any dyes that can irritate the skin. The only down side is that it foams- so it can be drying.  (I try to avoid sulfates in all my face products)  I put it in here because some people just cant live without foam- so I gave you a great choice!  Make sure to rinse super well after this.  

#2- Cetaphil- This stuff is my good ole fall back.  I will try a cleanser but somehow I always come back to it.  It doesn't foam.  Its super gentle.  It rinses clean.  Its awesome for any skin types since there are so many formulas.  I can't say enough good things about it.  

#3- Michael Todd True Organics Charcoal Detox Cleanser-  I never really thought that I would EVER spend money on face wash.  Its just face wash- right?  This product proved me wrong.  This stuff freaked me out at first because its black!  (duh- charcoal)  This stuff cleans deep down, doesn't foam, removes any makeup, has helped with breakouts and white heads and best of all- calmed my skin down.  This stuff is AMAZING.  

Toner

I'm not a great advocate of toner- I feel like if you wash well- you don't need anything with alcohol in it to strip your skin.  Well I have stumbled across these new style toners that are more just to regulate the PH on your skin (so no alcohol) and to add back a bit of moisture.  The best part?  They are in a spray!!  The only thing is that both are on the pricier side and totally skip-able if needs be.  

#2- Embryolisse Eau de Beaute Rosamèlis- This stuff is so refreshing and really pampering.  Its French- so you have to order it online.  You can find it on discount from Hautelook.com when they are on sale. 

#1-JURLIQUE Rosewater Balancing Mist- Another fantastic spray toner.  The only thing that is better than the Embryolisse?  The smell!  OMG- rose yumminess!

Serums

I never gave thoughts to serums when I was in my twenties.  Now that I am firmly planted in my 30s, I am looking to them.  They are always going to be on the pricier side.  You are paying for the science behind it.  They are the best way to get your skin to absorb the vitamins or acids or lipids that your skin starts to lack as you begin to age.  Again- neither are on the cheap side but worth their weight in GOLD.

#2- SkinCeuticals Blemish+ Age Defense- this really changed the texture of my skin.  At one time after having Lyza I had super congested skin.  This stuff cleared it up, softened it and re-texturized.  Selected salons carry it- http://www.skinceuticals.com/_us/_en/members/locate_professional.aspx Will help you find a  place to go try it out!

#1- Michael Todd True Organics Hyaluronic Acid + C Serum- At half the price of the SkinCeuticals, this stuff ROCKS.  It's awesome whether you are are preventing aging, reversing skin damage, dealing with breakouts- this stuff is amazing.  


Eye Cream

I cant live without eye cream.  The eye area is the thinnest skin on your body.  You HAVE to keep it moisturized!  It helps decreasing puffiness, filling in fine lines, it can help with dark circles- if nothing else goes on my face after cleansing- I HAVE to have eye cream.

#3- Olay Eye Cream- the easiest to find and cheapest version.  Its awesome if you only need moisture and no alpha hydroxy acids or firming agents.  This is great for your 20s and even early 30s if you can get away with it.  

#2- Michael Todd True Organics Intensive Organic Eye Cream- this one is a game changer- I didn't expect it to be as amazing as it is.  It comes with a weird applicator that I don't use- I just squirt one pump onto my finger and dab it on.  I LOVE this stuff- I have two on hand at all times.

#3- Avon Anew Ultimate 7S- This stuff is my old faithful.  It has a two part system- a balm/serum you put on first and then a super hydrating cream you put on second.  I only use this at night as its SUPER emollient.  This stuff rocks so much!

Moisturizer

It doesn't matter how old or young you are- you really should be using a moisturizer.  If you are younger- a light version with sunscreen is a great choice.  The older you get, the more emollient and hydrating you should be going.  Alpha Hydroxy Acids should be part of your routine too if you are starting to notice a little less life in your skin or its seeming to be dehydrated.  

#4- Cetaphil Daily Moisture is an awesome pick for everyday use.  It has SPF, is a lighter weight formula and is non irritating which is awesome.

#3- Olay Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid- This has been a go too that my grandmother wore everyday and had me use.  Its the good ole guy that is awesome for daily wear and I know a lot of people hate the smell- I LOVE it- it reminds me of my Grandma Faye and snuggling in her movable bed with her.

#2- Olay Total Effects for Mature Skin- if you need a good night cream that is emollient and nourishing  this is your stuff.  Just because it says Mature- doesn't mean you have to be 70 to use it!  

#1- All things Embryolisse- they have the most amazing moisturizers you have ever seen.  they have an amazing Oil Control Formula, A 24 hour Cream Concentrate Formula and a super hydrating Filaderme formula for dry, dry skin.  These are a French product but if you can hunt these down on Hautelook.com or any other website- you will not be disappointed.  I own all three formulas because my skin needs change throughout the year- so I thought it best to be prepared.  

Masks and Treatments

Masks and Treatments are not a daily thing but are totally good to help exfoliate  de-gunk your skin and rejuvenate. 

#3- Serious Skin Detailer Tri-Phase Facial Peel- This is an awesome and gentle chemical peel that is used to unclog pores and help turn over the surface of ones skin.  I recommend this one every 10-14 days and follow the directions carefully.  Whenever you are messing around with chemicals its important to make sure you know how long to leave on.  

#2- Philosophy Microdelivery Peel- the active ingredient is Vitamin C which is amazing for skin.  This one is amazing for clearing up congested skin and helping with sun damage.

#1- Michael Todd True Organics Charcoal Detox or Pumpkin Masks- These things are AMAZING.  The Charcoal Detox helps with drawing out impurities and clearing out the pores.  The pumpkin one has an amazing enzyme that really turns over the top layer of skin.  Your skin really looks amazing after these masks!


Tools

This is a totally optional category but there are two things that I feel strongly that I need to give a shout out to!  They really have changed the way my skin looks and feels!

#2- The Michael Todd True Organics Eye-O-Sonic- this naughty looking vibrating device looks like it would be the biggest gimmick.  You put your eye cream on and then use this device to rub it in to absorb.  I decided to try the eye cream without for a week and then the eye cream with for a week.  By day three of using it- I noticed a HUGE difference in the fine lines around my eyes and the fact that my concealer wasn't creasing as much!  That's HUGE in my book.  After a month of using it- I can honestly say it works- it does help the eye cream sink in deeper and do its job better!

#1- Duh, of coarse its the Clarisonic!  LOL- Are your eyes/ears bleeding from hearing me write/type so much about this bad boy?  I know, I know.  Its not a cheap product coming in at $150 but I have had mine for nearly 5 years now and I don't know how I ever functioned without it.  I use the sensitive brush heads and I only use it at night time.  It is a gentle exfoliation that you do daily that helps your skin clear up, cells turn over more quickly and your products sink in deeper.  I cant rave about this enough- I LOVE it!


And there you have it- The Kristen Awards for Skin care!  What have you found that your skin cant live without?  

2 comments:

  1. Great Post !
    The post helped me to choose a very good moisturizer as i have a dry skin during summers my skin suffer skin rashes and wrinkles .

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    Thanks
    Alison Clarke


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  2. It’s really an amazing and informative article regarding skin care. I appreciate your post because you have mentioned some important tips to protect skin from the harsh effects. Thank you for sharing this well described article.
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