I am always trying new cosmetic products.  I get an adrenalin rush when some new makeup or skincare product is perfectly yummy and useful.  Well, I had a couple experiments this week with some “different” products that left me rather lack luster.  As a matter of fact they were downright weird.

First was a cleanser that I thought was so nifty when I saw the label.  St. Ives Elements Protective Cleanser.  So what was all the excitement on my end about?  Well, the product claimed to cleanse and add an SPF of 10 at the same time.  Well, I’m all about double-duty products, so I bought it — it’s budget beauty afterall– and it was just too weird for me.  In theory, it’s a great idea; kill two birds with one stone.  But in real life, it was kind of creepy.  You know when you cleanse your skin you want it to feel clean?  That doesn’t happen with this cleanser, my skin felt like it had some residue on it.   And it makes sense when you consider that it is depositing and SPF on the surface of the skin.   I guess i’m of that “squeaky clean”era.  I want my skin to look and feel like I just did a thorough cleansing.  So I will stick to my SPF in my other products — tinted moisturizer, foundation and moisturizer.

(Ok, I went to find a picture of the St. Ives Elements Protective Cleanser online, and it wasn’t there.  Maybe there was a consensus about this product!) 

 St. Ives Elements Protective Cleanser gets one solitary bling. 

I’m not a big fan of those “As seen on TV” products.  I gave into the hype and bought those green bags, the ones that are supposed to keep your fruit fresher longer?  That was a waste of money.  They didn’t work at all.  I swore that was my last “As seen on TV” purchase and it was.  (Even though one of my BFF’s swears by the Ped Egg)  But I was cleaning up my behind my daughter and saw that she had purchased the Smooth Away.  So, without permission, I started smoothing.  It was weird allright.  But to my surprise  the little smoothing pads actually worked and they didn’t hurt.  I noticed a small pad that was designated for “sensitive areas” or for facial hair.  So I tried that on my peri-menapausal whiskers, and it worked again.  It was all good.  I think Smooth Away even exfoliated  a tad bit.  Love exfoliation!

BUT, the next day when I got up, I had a bug ole pimple on my chin.  Don’t know if it was the Smooth Away, or if it was my hormones.  Also, I think that for longer lasting smoothness (huh?), a razor or waxing is a better option.  I deducted that the product just breaks the hair off at the surface, so you notice re-growth faster than you would with a 3-4 blade razor or with waxing.  I do think that for facial hair, it’s pretty nice.  What self-respecting diva wants to be in the bathroom mirror shaving with her partner?

Smooth Away gets 3 Blings 

Blinging Beauty Blogger!

I commonly get mistaken for being at least a decade younger than I am.  I’m 52, but don’t look it.  I’m sure that I need to thank my parents for the DNA, because they both look(ed) younger than their years.   Those that know I am in the beauty business ask what I use, advice, tips and I’m more than willing to spill the beans.  I can’t shut-up about cosmetics and beauty stuff.  With regard to my skin care routine, it’s pretty simple.  I do the basics — cleanse, moisturize, use SPF,  diligently use eye cream and I diligently EXFOLIATE.  I’m an exfoliating junkie.  A day without scrubbing is like a day without sunshine for me.

So what is exfoliation?  It is the chemical or mechanical removal of dead or non-functioning skin cells. This process also aids in improving circulation through stimulating blood flow. Chemical exfoliants include Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s), Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA’s) and Retinol.  Mechanical exfoliants are ones that have crushed or powdered nuts or seeds, jojoba seeds, or polyethelene (man-made) beads, to name a few.

As we age, our natural desquamation (skin shedding) cycle slows down.  When skin cells shed, it signals lower cell to start making new ones.  That’s why it is so important to exfoliate as we age.  Have you ever seen someone with dry, flaky skin?  Well, all the mosturizer in the world won’t help until they get rid of that dry stuff.  So exfoliation is key.

I use both manual and chemical exfoliants.  Here are my favorites.  My top 5 exfoliators:

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

1.  Exfoliating Cleanser   Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 6.75 oz $35

Exfoliates dull, dry, uneven texture.  Leaves skin smooth and hydrated.  Smoothes texture while cleansing impurities with a trio of gentle exfoliating acids. Salicylic, Lactic and Glycolic Acids provide clarity, brightness and improve cell-turnover by dissolving dead skin cell buildup. Jojoba beads further polish and smooth skin

Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Pads

2. Chemical Exfoliant   Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads   60 Pads $45
What it is:
A daily hydroxy acid and peptide facial peel. 

Convenient and easy to use, these peel pads are formulated with alpha, beta, and gamma hydroxy acids (which act as exfoliators) and amino acids (the building blocks of peptides). The result: tighter pores, clear skin and disappearance of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone. Leaves skin soft, smooth, firm and revitalized.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub with Salicylic Acid

3.  Budget Exfoliant St. Ives Apricot Scrub for Oily or Acne Prone Skin 6 oz $3.99

Blemish and Blackhead Control

Oily/Acne Prone

Oil Free

2% Salicylic Acid

Gently exfoliates to remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells that can clog pores.

Brown Sugar Fig Salt Scrub

4.  Body Exfoliant  Jones and Rose Brown Sugar Fig Salt Scrub $28

Skin nourishing olive, soy, and almonds oils combine to deliver silky, smooth moisture to soften and nourish rough spots. moisturizes while mineral rich sea salts gently smooths and softens rough spots. No need to use lotion afterwards.

Laura Geller Lip Strip

5.  Lip Exfoliant  Laura Geller Lip Strip Cooling Sugar Scrub 1 oz $16

 Lip Strip gently buffs dry lips to renewed smoothness. Historically, sugar is one of the safest natural exfoliants and humectants, and because the skin of the lips is so delicate, pure organic sugar from Brazil was chosen to use as the base of this scrub. In addition, peppermint and spearmint oils were added for a beautiful, refreshing sensation.

 Try these exfoliators and you too can be a smooth operator!