Wednesday, October 31, 2012

my SKINCARE routine

I recently had a request to share my current skincare routine.

I can honestly say that my skincare routine is something that never changes.  ever.

I cannot remember how long I've been using these products.  it seems like forever.

First, let me begin by telling you a little about my skin.
I have combo/oily skin.  It seems to be getting a tad better as I age.  But still, oily in the t-zone.
My skin was more prone to breakouts as a teenager.  AND during pregnancy.  I had TERRIBLE acne while I was pregnant with BOTH of my children.  And my skin is still trying to recover from Jett.  It's been 8 months.  And it's getting there.
It went completely back to normal after Jase, so I am confident in a few more months the scarring will be much less visible.
My skin is BY NO MEANS flawless.  It's not terribly discolored, but I do suffer from extremely dark circles.  Haven't found anything to make those disappear... yet.
Also, as I mentioned, I have some scarring and discoloration on one cheek from baby Jett. :(

Other than those issues, I'm pretty happy with my skin.
For the most part, it's smooth and pretty clear.

So here's how I take care of it.....
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here's my disclaimer: I completely understand that some of these products will not work for everyone.  Heck, you might think I'm crazy for using them.  But they work for ME.  They've worked for years and, frankly, I'm afraid to change.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it. :)
I do realize, though, that I will eventually need to start using more "age-defying" products.
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First up....

The MOST IMPORTANT THING about skincare is:  cleansing.
I cannot stress enough how crucial it is to wash your face morning & night.  NO going to bed with your makeup on.  If you are one of those people, and you feel your skin is dull and prone to breakouts, just try it.  Wash your makeup off EVERY NIGHT before you climb into bed.  You'll be pleasantly surprised.  I can promise you that.

For this, I use:
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
Cream Cleanser

This is the original version.  Now, they have several different ones - pink grapefruit, redness reducing, etc.  But I prefer this one.

It works well to remove makeup, oil and dirt from your face and pores.  It rinses easily and leaves your face feeling exceptionally clean.  It also has salicylic acid to help treat and prevent acne.

Next, you MUST moisturize.
One mistake people make is this:  they assume that since their skin is oily, they don't need to moisturize.  Negative.  Completely false.
The more you deprive your skin of moisture, the more oil it will produce to compensate.
Makes sense, huh?

I have used this moisturizer for years.  It's crazy, I know.  But it works for me.
Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion

I use this lotion under my makeup, as well as at night before bed.
It packs in the moisture without making my skin extra oily.
It contains oatmeal to soothe skin and lock in moisture.
It's hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and won't clog pores.
It's formulated for sensitive and delicate skin.... my face in a nutshell.


That is the extent of my skin care.  For real.

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Now, there are a few products that coincide with my routine.

I've been using makeup remover wipes since the summertime.  They are so easy and work great.  I've been using them as part of my nighttime routine.  I've tried several, but my favorite so far are these from Target:
They are cheap and very saturated.  I've also tried the Clean & Clear ones.  I liked them a lot.  But I think I like these best! 
(They also come in other versions.)

I use 2 different masks on occasion... when my skin is in need of extra care.
These are the 2 I LOVE and swear by:

 Apricot Scrub
Walgreen's brand

I love this scrub.  It is a dupe of the St. Ives Apricot Scrub.
It works great at exfoliating (which should be a regular part of your skincare routine).
I also use this if I'm having trouble with little whiteheads.  

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

This mask goes on creamy and dries.  Leave it on for about 10 minutes and your face will feel nice and refreshed.  It works great for blackheads, pimples and removing excess oil.
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So there you go..... my skincare routine.  Nothing hard to find or expensive.
And again, I can't promise this will work for you, but it works for me.

I just wanted to share it with you.  And you might try some of these products and find they work for you, too!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

October Favorites

I don't have too many exciting things to tell you about this month.... 
but the ones I'm mentioning are at the top of my list!

My family and I just got back from a weekend trip with his family to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  It was so much fun!  The weather was PERFECT.  Long sleeves during the day and jackets at night.
I have been wanting a pair of riding boots for a REALLY LONG time.  And I finally found a pair.  I wore them a LOT during our trip.  They are so comfy!

They are made by Arizona and I purchased them at JCPenney for around $50.00.



I only have a few makeup items this month that I've been using religiously.
None of them will come as a surprise to you.
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Merle Norman Soft Touch Eye Pencil
Blackout

I have been doing softer eyeshadow with bold liner.  smudging at the edges.
This liner is AWESOME.  I like it even better than the UD 24/7 liners.
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A few weeks ago, I mentioned a foundation that has changed my life.
I'm going to introduce it now.  A much more "in depth" review will be coming.

This is a brand-spanking new product from Merle Norman.
Perfecting Makeup


I received a sample of this a few weeks ago when I was in the store visiting.
The color I was given is Creamy Beige.  It's much too dark for me now.
But I will DEFINITELY be purchasing this in Ivory ASAP.
love love love this foundation.
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 For eyeshadow, I've been loving these...
L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadows

Continuous Cocoa & Iced Latte


These shadows are VERY creamy.  They are almost in a "loose" form.  Very different.  
but VERY pigmented.  Can't wait to try more.
And if you can find them in your stores, they have some new limited edition colors that look fabulous.
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And my final favorite.... my favorite of favorites.

I am OBSESSED with this scent from BBW.
I'm not sure why.  It's just another "vanilla" scent.  But it's different than all the other "vanillas" I've tried in the past from BBW.


I recently went back and used some coupons to buy 2 more body washes (don't wanna run out anytime soon), body cream, and body lotion.

Yep.  I love it.


So that's all for this month.  Hope you enjoyed. :)


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

current "wishes" note

The "NOTES" app on my iPhone comes in handy for so many things: groceries, monster trucks, sermon points, and WISHES!!

Here's some things on my current wishlist.  I've been adding things to it for quite a while now.
Hoping I get some of these for Christmas!
I've been good this year, so hopefully Santa will reward me!!

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There are several perfumes on my list.... and I've never smelled any of these.  So I need to try them out before I make my final decision.

Jo Malone
Nectarine Blossom and Honey


Marc Jacobs
Dot


Prada
Candy


Urban Decay
Naked 2 


 Sigma
F80 Flat Top Kabuki


 e.l.f. 
small stipple brush


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I also have a "home" version of this wishlist.... it includes things like:

a steam mop - mine bit the dust and I'll need a new one for all our hardwood floors in the new house.
a small vacuum - the boys' rooms will be carpet and that's it.  no more carpet.  so I'll need a small vacuum to run over their rooms.
standing picture collage - I've always wanted one of these.  
standing jewelry armoire - for my cute little dressing area
KitchenAide mixer - I have a mixer, but it's not a KitchenAide.  And KitchenAide mixers rock.
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Maybe I'll get to mark some of these things off my list soon!!!