Tag: Skin Care

Kate Somerville® ‘Quench’ Hydrating Serum

Okay, fine. I’m now in my thirties and have made that transition from Oily to Combo/Normal to the dreaded DRY skin. I know… there are upsides and downsides too all types of skin. For me, the upside to dry skin is getting to use Kate Somerville’s ‘Quench’ Hydrating Serum. For you regular readers, you already know I am huge fan of this skincare line. And I continue to discover little gems in her collection.

Over the last couple of years, I have become even more aware of the effect skin condition can have on the way makeup looks (and photographs). One of the major factors for foundation or tinted moisturizer is a well hydrated face. Quench has a hydrating complex that seals in water, resulting in a dewy, luminous complexion.

The texture is a silky serum, but it will not cause shininess. The effect is more satin. There also is a vitamin A product in here: RetiStar™. For those of you who worry about irritation from vitamin A products, let me assure you – this is the most mild vitamin A product I have ever tried. It is great way to introduce the product into your regimen.

Love the way my face feels after using this and a little Kate Somerville® Goat Milk Cream. Swoon!

Kate Somerville® ‘Clinic-to-Go™’ Resurfacing Peel Pads

If you are ready to stop messing around and really have your way with your skin, try this. These Resurfacing Peel Pads are a professional-strength peel achieved through 16 individual pads.

My skin can be dry and sensitive, so a couple months ago I turned to these as an alternative to a regular, in-office peel. The worker-bee ingredient is lactic acid (along with myrtle extract and sage leaf extract). It is applied through these really handy pads that slide over your fingers. To apply, buff your face with these slightly exfoliating pads. There can be a little tingle but nothing that stings or irritates.

Kate (we are on a first name basis) instructs you to use twice a week for 4 weeks. But even after the first three or four uses, I found my dark spots were fading and my pores looked smaller. I was only slightly red after use. But was back to normal in an hour. Plus, this wasn’t an issue since I did this in the evenings.

A lot of my benefits have disappeared with being in the sun this summer. But I know exactly what to turn to in the Fall to improve the appearance of my skin without a trip to my doctor’s for a peel.

MAC Cleanse Off Oil

This was an adventure for me – I am new to MAC skin care and really have never embraced the oil on the face approach. But at The Makeup Show this year, the MAC counter was aflutter for requests and raving reviews were being thrown around. So a snatched some oil up for myself.

For $10, you a 1oz bottle (which has lasted me forever!) of industry-strength oil-based makeup remover. Unlike the regular Almay pads, the oil isn’t greasy or difficult to handle. If anything, it is like kindness to the skin.

The oil is a blend including olive, evening primrose and jojoba seed – there is ZERO mineral-oil (which I like to hear). I use this on a tissue, but it would also work on a cotton pad. But I am working on adopting the artists’ approach: massage onto the skin to loosen and remove any (including waterproof mascara).

One of the reasons it doesn’t become greasy is that it emulsifies into a lotion-type liquid with water. So, you are actually left with soft and conditioned skin. Don’t worry if you are oily – this is good for all skin types. But I especially like it for my “dry in the winter” sensitive skin.

Cle de Peau Beaute Refreshing Cleansing Foam

There are few products that I have loved over the span of years. This is one of em. Decided it was time to share my precious cleanser with you all. My dear friend and former makeup artist, Meg, introduced me to this ultra-lux, worth every penny, creamy, foaming goodness.

This contains a substantial foaming capability, but not so much that you can’t use it with a Clarisonic – I certainly use them together. There are some “gentle granules” in the foam, but I don’t even notice them. Not sure if they are super sparse or dissolve. And I never see them clinging around the Clarisonic after a wash. The cleanser leaves an ultra-clean feel, polished, but not tight. I adore the coverage the generous foam generates, while not having to worry I will be dried-out. I can get plenty of cleansing action from a dime sized amount of the cleanser.

Bonus: it contains something they call an “Illuminating Complex” that maintains moisture. While I still use a dose of my favorite Chantecaille Flower Harmonizing Cream after, the cleanser itself gives some moisture and radiance. If you want to spoil yourself (and your face), you won’t regret this charmer.

Laura Mercier Face Polish

I am generally hesitant to use anything with beads to exfoliate my face, but Laura Mercier has come up with a VERY gentle cleanser/exfoliator that leaves smooth, even skin. This is one of mom’s favorites and she always finds the gems. Face Polish is a creamy scrub that you can also use as a cleanser (I use mine a couple times a week). It also removes dead skin cells with microbeads while emollients soften skin. The smell is very clean and pleasant, and the cleanser is also enough for me to remove my makeup. I don’t feel dry or agitated afterwards. This is an especially nice treat when I get off a long airplane trip. Who knew Laura Mercier was more than just a pretty face, but also had kick-butt skin care too?

Erno Laszlo TranspHuse Night Serum

I have always been intrigued with the romance and tradition of Erno Laszlo and the iconic cleansing bar. I was so happy to find the Erno Laszlo TranspHuse Night Serum in my most recent Birchbox. After just a taste, I had to try it on an ongoing basis. Although hyperpigmentation and occasional acne is a bigger concern for me, it can’t hurt to fight some wrinkles too. The formula is designed to plump fine lines and prevent further wrinkles using Glycosaminoglycan to promote collagen production. While it is a creamier serum, it wasn’t hydrating (at least enough for me) so I used it with my beloved Chantecaille Flower Harmonizing Cream. Wow – what an impressive and, rather immediate, result. The mornings after use, my skin was smooth, supple and even more even. This is a serious splurge, but I can see the rewards of its active ingredients. It makes me want to try that iconic cleansing bar soon.