Skin Theories

While I'm no skin guru, I realized that there are some personal and rather unscientific skin theories related to The Neverending Skin Story II that I'd like to share. It is possible that some of these only work for me at this particular moment in my life (given low-stress levels for the first time ever, the warm weather, etc.) but I thought they were worth mentioning:

1) Cleansing is overrated. Seriously. Unless you wear makeup everyday (or heavier products like foundation that should be washed off at night), cleaning your skin like it is a rug isn't going to help matters. A little natural oils never hurt anybody, and I wouldn't stress too much about making sure your skin is uber-clean. I simply don't think it's meant to be completely dirt and impurity-free - nothing could be more unnatural if you think about it. I've found that rinsing my face just with water at the end of the day (I remove any eye makeup separately and my face powder has usually disappeared by the end of the day) seems to work. Obviously, I'm not advocating abandoning basic hygiene - but that usually doesn't require a cleansing routine that lasts more than oh, about 2 minutes, and certainly not everyday. I also think that it works to do a couple of simple things minimally during the week - like exfoliating once or twice, or just running a mild toner over the face and neck a couple of times, using the "Oil Cleansing Method" once or twice, or applying a face mask. In the long run, those steps seem to pay off more for me than rigorous, daily cleansing.

2) Sweating is good. I know we're all desperately trying to minimize the sweat with powders, oil-free products, and blotting mechanisms during the warm weather. But let me tell you, my skin practically shines during the summer after all the sweating naturally rids it of impurities. I have noticed this every summer since I was oh, about 10 years old. Winter skin isn't just dull because it gets dry. In my case, it seems to be because my pores don't have the chance to do a little self-cleaning through sweat (and I have very tiny pores, so they get clogged easily - cleansers don't really help with this). Sounds gross, I'm sure, but I swear by sweat. Sometimes I exercise just to work up a sweat and improve my skin - same idea as a sauna or a steam.

3) Heavier moisturizers are better than lighter, oil-free ones. Again, unless your skin is freakishly oily, I think it's better to stick with heavier moisturizers than lighter ones, particularly as we age and also because most people have combination skin that changes through the seasons. I'm only 27, but I have definitely noticed a change in my skin - mostly, it is a lot drier than at any other point in time. I used to think that oil-free moisturizers were the way to go, but well, they never really moisturized. It felt like I was slathering light goo all over my face - felt nice, but that's about all. I have convinced myself that a little grease and oil (sorry, no better words for those two) are better for anti-aging in the long-run. Although my mom is blessed with superhuman beauty genes, she has also maintained a skincare routine that includes a cold cream for extra-dry skin. The heaviest I've used so far is Nivea Soft (winter and summer!), but it's a great alternative to the traditional cold creams.

4) A spot treatment for blemishes is better than cleansers/toners/moisturizers/etc. that contain blemish-fighting ingredients. This is because those ingredients tend to strip the rest of your skin - a targeted effort is much better. Again, if you have more problem-skin over a larger area of the face (as I definitely have had in the past), this may not apply as well to you. Even then, I'm not sure anyone needs a targeted treatment, a targeted moisturizer, and a targeted whatever else. I know many acne systems are based on this seemingly holistic approach, but I suspect that these regimens are difficult to maintain in the long-run and harsh on the skin. I have found one great spot treatment that works for me (The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Blemish Stick) and have one prescription cream (which doesn't work nearly as well as the Body Shop stick and leaves my skin feeling gross - basically, I never use it).

This might seem to negate our love for and use of product, product, product! But I don't think they necessarily keep anyone from experimenting and indulging their beauty and skincare cravings. Just a reminder that moderation is important and that realistic expectations might be the key to satisfaction - not unlike most things in life.

Things I Bought That I Continue To Love

Since it is the start of the New Year and every blogger on the internet has given some sort of summary of their favorites or Top 10s of something or another, I thought I'd kick off my return with a similar run-down of all the things I consistently use and would repurchase. They are not necessarily things to gush about (for that, you can check out Mindy Kaling's blog), but what else could consistent use and restocking of a product be but love? Every girl knows that products have to fight hard to make it to such a list - we are all, after all, extremely fickle about such things, and if we used the same products consistently, there would be no beauty blogging or beauty industry. But there are some things that don't need to be changed or updated or replaced.

I came up with a similar list in 2008, which was more makeup-heavy and not as well thought-out. Hopefully this one will need less revision in the future.

The List

1. The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Blemish Stick - I keep one in my work bag and one at home. It dries up any baby pimples before you know it, and without drying out the surrounding skin or leaving a crusty film. I recently got 4 during The Body Shop's annual holiday clearance sale for $5.00 each (they are usually $9.00 - a bit steep in my opinion, but worth every penny). While I still endorse this as a non-sale purchase, it's even sweeter to stock up on it when it's almost 50% off. A few dabs on trouble spots throughout the day, and it's taken care of.

2. Burt's Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream - I don't know how or why I still have this, but I do know that I use it a few times a week. It doesn't dry out my skin or make it too oily (even in the summertime). It's got to be magic or something since I've had it for over a year and it should have run out by now. All I know is that while I don't use it daily, if there is one cream cleanser that I would repurchase for myself, this would be it.

3. Maybelline Expert Eyes Moisturizing Mascara Remover for Waterproof Eye Makeup - I felt like giving this a shout-out because people are always talking about how hard it is to take off eye makeup. Really? Is it that hard? All you need is this (or a few drops of jojoba oil - any oil should do) and a little bit of elbow grease. I don't wear heavy makeup at all, but when I do wear more than usual, this does the job. I will never understand why anyone needs an eye makeup remover that costs more than a few bucks. Just seems like a waste to me. I've had this teeny bottle forever and alternate it with jojoba oil.

4. Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in 0L - Now is not the time to get into my search for the perfect black/brown eyeliner, but when no brown will do, this is the only black I use. In fact, I've never had any other black eyeliner pencil. Through high school and college, all I kept was black liquid eyeliner. So considering that, its somewhat of a miracle that I even have this, and that it again has lasted me well over a year. Granted, I don't use it every day. But it is just creamy and just hard enough to avoid too much sharpening, which makes it last a long while. Definitely something to be repurchased in the future, although I'm sure there are several good drugstore alternatives. I'm eyeing the 1L Star Black shade, which is an off-black with a slight sheen. And we all know how great anything "off-" is. I can't say that this never smudges, or that it is really as waterproof as it is marketed to be, but it is definitely more up my alley than black kohl and gel formulas. How do I live with a $17.00 eyeliner pencil, you ask? The answer is - I have no idea. I can't recall when I bought this (must have been on Sephora credit), or why I was interested in it. All I know is that once I got it, I kept it, and kept using it, and it still exists in my makeup bag.

5. Blistex Medex Medicated Lip Balm - I have very, very chapped lips. They are nearly always chapped, and after they smooth out, they chap up again very quickly. I used to be a Vaseline girl, but I've decided it is just time for that little tub to go (except for under my eyes occasionally!). This little blue pot needs to be sold in a tub of its own. It has a similar consistency to Vaseline, just a tad bit thinner. It also has a very pretty sheen that looks great over lipstick. One pot lasts forever, so of course, I had to have two. No need for fancy balms from Kiehl's or Neutrogena or what have you.

6. Dior DiorShow Mascara in Black - I know you are supposed to replace your mascara every 3 months (although I suspect this might be somewhat of a money-making gimmick), but I just can't let this go, both because I love it and also because it is expensive and I don't have the heart to replace it. We all know I am cheap at heart and worship the drugstore, so it is still a bit difficult for me to justify having a $24.00 mascara. But if I'm going to have one, well then I'm going to keep it until it starts to kill me!!! I don't think this is an over-hyped product at all, but then, how well a product works varies from person to person, and this happens to work really well for me. I was never into mascara. Never, ever. Had one tube of L'Oreal Voluminious which was just fine. Then I tried this and wondered why I had never worn mascara before.

7. Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother - Love this stuff. I don't have the best relationship with hair products, and for the most part, can live without them. I got this on a whim after a haircut at an Aveda salon. At $24.00, it was an unusually expensive purchase for me, but it was worth it. I've had it for almost a year and use it nearly every time I blow out my hair. It is creamy but light, and keeps my hair smooth without weighing it down. Would repurchase if it was okay to splurge in the future, but another 2 products that do an okay job and are far less expensive - Garnier Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioning Cream and Pantene Humidity Protection Leave-In Cream.

8. Atina Hair Shine - I'm not sure I really need to mention this product, because it is not the greatest thing in the world. But, I've had it for almost 2 years, it does its job, and is a great value. This is basically a John Frieda Frizz-Ease type of serum - only you get a huge bottle (0.15 lbs) for about $8.00 and it has a nice, herbal-y fragrance. I use it after I dry my hair to smooth it out a bit and give it some shine. Nothing complicated here, and would repurchase - at Rani salons only, of course. Yeah, don't ask why I was at this Indian salon on Long Island 2 years ago and how my friend talked me into getting this. But I'm glad I did. You know something works for you when you're willing to take out the broken pump dispenser and slather it over your hands. Really - using a broken bottle of hair goo? That must be some kind of love. And if love for value is all that it is, well, I can live with that.

Tea-Off: Blemish Control

Both myself and Sania have expressed much love for The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Blemish Stick (read about Sania's love here and mine here). After my 2nd rebuy, though, I was a bit tired - there isn't a whole lot of product for $9 and I wanted to try a similar alternative. I thought it might be best to experiment with pure tea tree oil (which you get a lot of it in a very small bottle at about the same price).

You have to be careful with tea tree oil since it is so concentrated and can dry out the skin easily. This is what I experienced when I used it to zap a zit that was taking it's sweet time to mature and die. I squeezed about a drop or two of JASON Cosmetics Tea Tree Oil (The Body Shop sells its own version as well) onto a cotton swab and dabbed it lightly over the zit 1-2 times a day. The oil definitely did dry up the zit, but also the surrounding skin - additionally, the skin on top of the zit looked scaly and parched. The Body Shop Blemish Stick not only dries, it actually speeds up the overall healing time without major dry-out. The zit I have right now is superficially dried up but seems to still be festering beneath the skin, and has somehow begun to scar even though I barely did anything (I scar very easily lately).

I definitely recommend The Body Shop Blemish Stick over pure tea tree oil - the extra ingredients in it seem to contribute to the healing process in a way pure tea tree oil does not. The blemish stick is also a little easier to use, although definitely not as hygienic. Will keep you posted if I find any comparable zit-zappers!

Fall/Winter Makeup Update

Wow, is it almost December already? Scary thought. I can't believe my evolution is - still evolving. The time is flying so fast, I really do forget how many days go by without detailing my current makeup trials and tribulations.

Given that I was still somewhat of a newbie when I first started blogging about them and the current fall/winter season, I thought it was time to update you on what has become near and dear to me.

On a daily basis, I've been using my L'Oreal liquid eyeliner in Defined by Plum, Cover Girl TruShine Lipcolor in Chocolate Shine, and the love of my life, Almay's Amazing Eye Liner in Black Brown. Blush enters in somewhat of a variety show, but big stars have been NYX Blush in Pecan and L'Oreal's TruBlend Blush in Subtle Sable.

Other products I continue to use regularly and which serve me well (both makeup and skincare):

Clinique Almost Powder (SPF 15) in Deep
Clinique Line-Smoothing Concealer in Deep Honey
NYX Eye Shadow Trio - Guru
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Blemish Stick (a real life-saver)
Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream
Phisoderm Gel Clarifying Moisturizer
Nivea Lip Care
MAC Lipstick in Polished Up combined w/ Milani Lip Gloss in Taboo

The cooler weather and much clearer skin (thank you, Tretinoin) have been helping things along quite a bit, and I'm grateful. Fall/winter are definitely favorable makeup evolution seasons - too bad I started this over the summer. You live, you learn.

Daily Beauty Gripe - Brow Behavior

Some people have facial ticks, some, beauty ticks. You know, that weird little mishap that seems to occur repeatedly, daily, that you can never really fix? Some have complicated solutions, others, none. My personal daily beauty gripe is The Brow Droop - my sister and T will know exactly what I'm talking about.

I have pretty thin but just full and shapely enough brows. They are easy to maintain except for The Droop. See, my eye brow hairs are on the longish-side, especially in the middle (like most probably). At some unpredictable points throughout the day, some will fall out of place and tip unattractively into the middle of my arch.

I never really noticed this until the sis and T, being the older sisters that they are, would delicately smooth it back into place. Frankly, it doesn't bother me all that much - I have worse problems during the day and cannot check my face all day long. But it occurred to me that I could use a swipe of clear mascara/brow gel or something along the lines of Vaseline to fix things.

Almay used to make a great clear mascara but I think it's been discontinued, so I tried one from Maybelline that essentially did nada. I'm going to have to succumb and use The Body Shop's brow gel which is what the sis uses. I also came across this one from Anastasia and was surprised at the rave review. Too pricey for my purposes, but good to know nonetheless.

A weekly trim might be in order here. Perhaps this is why I crave being at home most of the time instead of going out. When else would I have the time to think so hard about brows and such?

Things I've Been Reaching For Lately

This is a quasi follow-up to my previous list of products I've been consistently using (check it out here).

Since then, I've become mentally exhausted by many a thing for no good reason, and so I've been reaching for the bare basics in the mornings, if anything at all (those marked by an asterisk are products I don't necessary use - only if I'm in the mood). These include, in some combination or another:

*1) NYX Blush in Pecan or Rimmel Blush in Berry
2) L'Oreal FeatherLash Mascara in Black
*3) MAC Bronze eye shadow or NYX trio palette in Guru
4) The Body Shop Cranberry Shimmer Lip Balm
*5) Jordana Easy Liner in Eggplant

And that's about all - for no more than $15 might I add. I've nixed the face powder since my skin has cleared up a bit.

For some reason, I feel more comfortable with this list than my last one. My makeup bag is definitely lighter, and I never feel the least bit done or not like myself. Although the other day, after touching up with some Pecan, my friend noticed and said "nice makeup!"

I'm not sure how I feel about this - the point is sort of not to look done, and yet, of course it will be noticeable when I'm wearing something since I normally don't. At the same time, there's no point in wearing so little that is completely indiscernible and you don't look any better!

I'm toying with the idea of adding an additional product - or replacing about 4 of the above with it. You will hear about it very soon...

Balm Diggitys

Rolling out my list of my current, low-key lip faves. One of the reasons I love all things lips particularly lipstick, and always have at least 2-3 lip products on hand is because my lips turn into prunes every other hour. These products have fixed that every time.

I think Kiehl's and Smith's Rosebud Salve are a bit overrated - most of these have similar effects and are either cheaper or better quality. I use a couple of them almost everyday:

1) Carmex (Original Tube) - Yes, I know. I'm sure some people hate this. I don't know why, but it works great for me. It's sort of a stronger Vaseline, which is what I used to apply at night. I've switched over to this (haven't gotten around to buying Vaseline in a while) and wake up with smoother lips.

2) Blistex Lip Medex (blue pot) - This is very similar to Carmex, but has a thinner consistency, minty feel, and a pretty shimmer (Carmex looks more glossy) for which I like to layer this over lipsticks. This is definitely more moisturizing than Carmex, but because it comes in a pot, I tend to use it less. Hands down the best balm ever.

3) Nivea Glossy Lip Care & Lip Care (new) - Just discovered the Glossy one in Pink Star in Walgreen's and love it. I got the regular one from San earlier, but now it's officially available in the States so I'll probably use it more in the future as well. Not as good as the Glossy in my opinion but good enough.

4) Pop Beauty Mini Ribbon Lip Gloss - What can I say. The jojoba oil does wonders for my lips and I slather this on during work a few times a day. Also great for layering over lipsticks.

5) L'Oreal HiP Jelly Balm (reviewed by both myself and San) - This is the best understated gloss/balm out there right now, especially for the price. I have this in Luscious and even though it is pigmented, I use it occasionally as just a balm also.

6) Clinique Bare Brilliance Lipstick (Chocolate Ice) - Like I said earlier, almost down to a nub. Really more of a balmy lipstick than anything else. Too bad this doesn't come in other colors I like. There is some slippage involved for sure - definitely doesn't absorb into the skin as well as all of the above.

7) The Body Shop Cranberry Shimmer Lip Balm - I got this on sale for $1.00 so that might have to do something with how much I love it (clearance price might also indicate that it's been discontinued...). The color is similar to Chocolate Ice with more berry tones. This is the rare balm that successfully has some shimmer in it without going overboard, and without turning into a gloss.