Monday, February 1, 2010

Let's face it

We're taking a break from invitation-mania for a bit. We have a few designs that we're trying to choose between and hopefully I'll have the final design chosen by this week!! But for now...

Girlfriends, let's talk face. Miss Rainbow is doing a series of posts on Weddingbee right now about skin care and make up (her latest is on contouring). Head on over there for some FAB tutorials.

I want to talk about the products that I'm currently using (with great success!) to help me stay grease and blemish-free, especially in these months leading up to the wedding. It's taken me a lot of trial and error, but I finally feel like I've found items that really work for me.

Let me preface this by saying I have pretty normal skin. It's not super dry, it's not super oily (although my T-zone does get oily at times) and I only experience occasional breakouts (a pimple here and there). I cannot say what these products will do for other skin types, but since I've started using them religiously, I haven't had any major break outs.

Body Wash: Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash

I am literally OB.SESSED. with this stuff. It has completely changed my skin. If I run out of it and can't get to the store for a few days to pick up more and use any old body wash I might have, I can almost immediately tell a difference. I have a tendency to get a bit...bumpy on my chest, back, and the back of my arms. This clears it all up! I really can't say enough good things. It's a little pricey, and I go through a bottle fairly quickly, but for me it's totally worth the investment.

Cleanser: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Cleanser

 

It doesn't get super foamy, but it does the trick. It also doesn't dry out my skin, thankfully.

Exfoliator: St. Ives Naturally Clear Blemish and Blackhead Control Apricot Scrub


I LOVE this. I don't just use it on my face, but also my chest and the back of my arms. This product is an absolute staple in my shower. I don't use it every time I shower, but probably ever other day-ish.

Make up remover: Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes 
 

Do not walk, RUN to your nearest CVS/Rite Aid/Wherever and buy these. I'll wait. Back? Great. These will change your life. I'm not kidding. Don't feel like washing your face after a long night out? No worries, just swipe this over your face and you're good to go. Honestly, I should buy stock in this product because I love it so much. I've tried so many other "cleansing towelettes" and none of them compare. These are the only ones that do not irritate my eyes. I've vigorously rubbed them on my eyes and they are just so gentle. But they remove make up like a dream. Josh even put them in my stocking for Christmas one year. That's when I knew he was The One. Please, go buy them.

Moisturizer: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion, SPF 15

Before I get to this product, I should explain that I have pretty sensitive eyes when it comes to putting stuff on or around them. I don't use this on my eyes because it gets in them and burns. I also have some dry skin on one of my eyes (it's very strange) so I use a really creamy, super moisturizing lotion for my eyes. Basically whatever I have on hand that I would put on the rest of my body. Ok, now that we have that out of the way, I can tell you that I have a love/hate relationship with this moisturizer. I love it because it does the trick and keeps my skin clear, but sometimes it freakin' burns! I'm pretty sure that means it's working, so I don't worry about it too much.

That's it! It seems like a lot, but it's so worth it. Vanity runs in my blood, you see, so it's important for me to look my very best. Also, notice that everything I use can be found at the grocery store or drug store. You don't need fancy-shmancy department store stuff. Actually, I may just be saying that because I can't afford fancy-shmancy.

What are your favorite skin care products? Share them in the comments!

5 comments:

  1. I love the Dove moisturizing lotion with SPF 15. I need to look into when to start using anti-aging products..I've heard if you start using them early it helps later on.

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  2. I love the St. Ive's scrub...it's a must-have! I have the same problem with my eyes. The skin right around them is so sensitive and burns when I use some products. I will have to try the make-up remover wipes!

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  3. I just used the St. Ives apricot scrub 10 minutes ago! I LOVE it! I'll have to try out the other stuff you mentioned. I just dropped 60 bones on Mary Kay stuff, and I feel like maybe those Neutrogena products could be a cheaper alternative. I've also been looking for a not-so-pricey anti-wrinkle cream. We're supposed to start in our 20s so we don't look completely haggard by our 40s and 50s. So I'll def give that anti-wrinkle anti-blemish cream a shot.
    Thanks for the helpful tips!

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  4. I love all the Neutrogena and St Ives products...they're fabulous! A few years ago I had my personal aesthetician start me on a new line of skin care that I am now addicted to. I almost *never* (knock on wood) get breaktouts anymore...not even during that time of the month. It is called Osmosis and it's a simple 3 step system I use once a day in the morning: Cleanser in the shower, and then I combine the moisturizuer (Shelter) and the acne clearer (Clarify) together and apply before my makeup. Love it!

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  5. Ahhh I love the Neutrogena body clear body scrub...works wonders and I never have bumps on my skin because of it!

    Also...love the Neutrogena facial moisturizer...in the summer! I like that it is nice and light, but now that I've been in VA I have needed a bit thicker moisturizer because of the winter months (I get very dry skin). I bought Oil of Olay facial moisturizer for sensitive skin and it is really nice and thick, and definitely doesn't cause breakouts on me!

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