Love List: June 2011

Every month I'd like to post a Love List, otherwise known as "Products/Merch I Think You Should Know About." These won't be groundbreaking products, but it may get you to pull the proverbial trigger on something you weren't sure about.

1. Clarisonic

I'm sure most of you own - at the very least know about -- the Clarisonic. In the fall I bought a knock-off, the Pretika. Bad idea. It didn't do anything to my face, but make it feel like I faceplanted a jute rug. I had test-driven a friend's Clarisonic Mia before, so I knew I would most likely love it. And I do. I want to cradle it and sing it lullabies. I want to take it out to eat and braid its hair. I've been using it twice a day, and in just two weeks it's decreased my pores, given me a more even skin tone, and is slowly minimizing the tiny white bumps on my forehead. I'm just mad I didn't get this sooner.

2. Proactiv

While we're on the topic of skin, I need to declare my utter gratitude for this acne system. I started using it around November, and it's done something no other topical has done for me -- totally cleared up my skin! I had horrific breakouts, especially on my cheeks which has caused years of scarring. Now? Maybe a tiny whitehead on my jaw once a month. I'm only using the last step right now nightly, but I seem to be doing well with just that little jolt of benzoyl peroxide to keep me clear.

3. Walmart Smocked Trapeze Dress
Yeah, I know -- a dress from Walmart? I ordered the turqouise last month and fell in love. The neckline is high enough and the hemline is low enough, and the smocked waist is wide enough to be comfortable and create a nice hourglass shape. I liked it so much I ordered it in black too!

4. Greek Yogurt

I was slow to move in on this food trend. I heard raves AND rants about this dairy product. But because I'm trying to get back on the healthy (err... healthier) bandwagon, I gave it a shot. Much to my surprise, it wasn't bad. In fact, it has the thicker consistency of yogurt I favor! So far, I like the Dannon brand more than the Chobani, but I'll be sampling other brands and flavors. Greek yogurt eaters - what's your favorite?

5. Nars Orgasm Blush

I've always been a blush fan. I love the color and vitality it brings to a face. For years I've read about the amazing universal love of Nars Orgasm. And the reviews are not unfounded. It's a great pigment and has just enough shimmer to not be teenybopper. But the best part? It stays on all day -- even with no primer applied! There is definitely something to be said for good quality makeup. The price tag was difficult to swallow for this  girl. But now I can't see every going back to drugstore blush! 

In My Makeup Bag Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of "In My Makeup Bag"! I tend to keep a lot of products in my makeup bag, but these are my everyday standards. 

Smashbox Photofinish Primer - can't sing its praises enough. Even though it's pricier than I usually spend on makeup goodies, this stuff is amazing - makes my makeup go on so smoothly and gives incredible longevity to what I put on top of it. I don't use this every day because I want it to last me a long time; instead I supplement with Monistat Chafing Gel. 

Clinique Advanced Concealer - my holy grail concealer. In my last post I mentioned how awful my skin is - lots of redness and acne scarring from years past.  A little tube of this stuff lasts me an insanely long time and does a fabulous job at covering my blemishes. 

Revlon Colorstay Foundation Oily/Combination - thank God this foundation is only about $10 a bottle. Its thick formula stays put (to the point it's hard to remove it at night) and is easy to color match to any skin type. 

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Custom Glow Blush/Bronzer Duo - I bought this because I didn't want to spend the $$ on the Nars Orgasm/Laguna duo. I read this was a decent dup to the Nars, and I'd agree. 

Clinique Nude Eyeshadow Palette - I have two different versions of this with slightly different neutrals, and it's perfect for everyday application and easy to layer for a smokier nighttime look. Plus I'd rather buy this than the "it" palette - Urban Decay Naked. 

Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eyeliner - another holy grail product I can't live without. It's only about $5 at most drugstores. I used to have horrible problems with eyeliner smearing and smudging only hours after applying, and this eyeliner really holds up all day. 

Diorshow Mascara - most Diorshow fans already know why this is a great mascara. In the past I've burned through a ridiculous amount of drugstore mascaras and pretty much stopped when I became introduced to Diorshow. I currently have the Iconic in my bag, and I'm not as impressed with it as much as the original formula. 

In My Makeup Bag Part I

I have never claimed to be a beauty expert nor a beauty blogger, but for some reason I have skincare and makeup on the brain today. So here goes - the contents of my makeup bag ... this part actually will be my skincare bag. 

My late twenties have not been kind to my skin, so I'm STILL searching for that perfect mix of skincare products that will eliminate my adult acne completely. Since leaving behind my Clinique Acne Solutions and jumping on the Proactiv wagon, I've noticed a definite upswing and so many fewer breakouts. I've also cut down the Pretika use to once a week. The Clinique Moisture Surge (or any of my other Clinique moisturizer samples) helps combat the dryness from the Proactiv. 

With 30 lurking around the corner, it may be time to start researching anti-aging and anti-wrinkles creams. ::sigh:: How did I jump straight from acne meds to anti-aging creams? Shouldn't there be an awesome glowing clear skin phase somewhere in there? 

Follow-up: Skincare

Two words: Product rave. I'm four days in to my Clinique Acne Solutions starter kit regimen, and I am in love. It IS pretty drying, so I recommend an extra moisturizer tacked on to the three steps. But otherwise, my skin is happy and oil and acne free. I really couldn't ask for more. If this keeps up for a few more weeks, I will be Clinique's bitch for life. Between this and their Advanced Concealer -- ahh!  Just tack department store beauty products on to the ever-growing list of merchandise I will drain my bank account for and not think twice about. Where was this stuff ten years ago? :/

Who gets this excited over skincare?

Thanks to some online recs (thanks, F&B and Melissa!), I'm going to try out a new skincare regimen -- Clinique's Acne Solutions line.

For years I've battled (what is this, a war?) wretched breakouts, bumps, and scarring from ten years ago.  Just seems pretty ridiculous that a woman creeping up on 30 is having to worry about this like a hormonal 15-year-old.  In the past year I've tried a crapload of products, and just when I think I've nailed down the best line for my skin, it backfires. I blamed most of it on wedding stress, but I don't have that anymore, so what gives?  I'll be sure to update the blog on the Clinique outcome.