November 15, 2008

Well, finally, a product that we both use! I also love the Origins Modern Friction! It is the only scrub that I have in my stockpile of skin care products.

Origins Modern Friction

I need to be more disciplined and use this at least once a week!  Yes, twice a week would be better, but once a week is better than not at all.  Back in the day when I was a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, (many moons ago), I was better about  using a mask weekly.  Next time I'm at an Origins counter, I think I'll pick up the Clear Improvement.  I've never used it, but I'm sure my pores could use some unclogging!

I think this brings our week-long exchange of favorite skin care products to an end. We did mention earlier that we love to talk about eye creams and moisturizers, right?  Does anyone have a favorite skin care product that they would like to share with us?  Just leave us a comment!

We really would like to know if you enjoyed the week-long discussion on one topic.  We would love to hear from you!

(Just FYI, our blog isn't one of those that makes you go through a long process just to leave a comment. I've had that happen to me when trying to comment on some blogs and it can be frustrating.)

~LilSis

November 14, 2008

Ok, LilSis, let me wrap up my contribution to the Sister Showdown skin care extravaganza week!  I mentioned that keeping my skin clean clean clean is the key to my skin care regimen, so effective exfoliating products are super important.  Without a doubt, the queen of this category for me is Origins Modern Friction.

Origins Modern Friction

Oh my gravy, do I love this product!  Use this 2 or 3 times a week, and just see for yourself how smooth your skin feels.  The amazing thing is that it works so beautifully at removing what needs to be removed, but it's incredibly gentle and doesn't feel rough or scratchy in the least.  Origins calls it “Nature's gentle dermabrasion” and that is no exaggeration, in my opinion.  It's made with rice starch, lemon oil, and aloe, and it smells like peppermint and bergamot.  If you're skeptical about my glowing praise, do yourself a favor and go into an Origins store and see if they'll demo the product for you.  I betcha they will, and then you'll be sold!  For $37 you get 4 ounces, and it actually lasts longer than you might think.

Let's stay in Origins for my favorite mask Clear Improvement.

Origins Clear Improvement Mask

Ok, so it's not a gorgeously photogenic product.  This isn't a Barbie pink or mint green mask, nope, this is a serious mask that will launch a serious attack on the junk in your pores!  It's a clay mask with active charcoal, and it sweeps out your pores like nobody's business!  Apply this deep dark mask, let it dry, and remove it to reveal your glowing purified skin.  It's $21 for a 3.4 ounce tube.

That's it for me, LilSis!  Are there any scrubby little secrets in your skincare routine that you want to divulge?

~BigSis

November 13, 2008

Thanks, BigSis! I wonder if I should ask my dermi about that Tazorac?  Do you have to stay completely out of  the sun if you are using that product?  If so, that would leave me out.  Remember when everyone went crazy over “The Stretch Mark Cream turned Anti-Wrinkle Phenomenon”,  StriVectin?  Of course, I had to try it.  I remember going to my dermatologist during that time and I got quite the lecture for using that product and exposing my face to the sun. I stopped using it immediately.

• Right now, I'm using Origins Night-A-Mins before bedtime. We are having very dry weather here and my skin feels really dry. This is a pretty rich night time cream, but I love it.  It smells really nice, goes on really well and doesn't make me break out. It's $33.50 for the jar, but I've had mine so long that they've actually redesigned the jar since I bought it last.  I tried the Night-A-Mins eye cream, but it was way too thick and heavy for my eyes.  (We've had the discussion about the puffy eye syndrome.)

Origins Night-A-Mins

• When my skin is feeling dry, like it is now, I use the Chanel Hydramax + Active Serum first thing in the morning.

Chanel Hydromax + Active Serum

I really love this product! I first tried it after receiving a sample from the Chanel counter.  I was leaving on a trip soon and the saleswoman told me how much she liked to use it before a flight. It really does feel like it helps to keep your skin hydrated. I fell in love with it instantly! Last time I ran out, it took me several months to replace it and I really missed it! The bottle retails for $75.00 for one ounce. Again, it's worth every penny to me.

• After several years of using this product as my every day moisturizer,  I'm still very happy with  Chanel Rectifiance Intense Retexturizing Line Correcting Fluid.

Chanel Rectifiance Intense

This moisturizer also has a SPF of 15, whereas a lot of moisturizers don't contain any sun protection. I usually buy it at Macy's for $96.00 for 1.7 ounces. For some reason this particular product isn't available on the Chanel website.  I found it on sale for $78.72 on scentmonkey.com.

• This isn't a moisturizer, but it's the last step in my daily skin care regimen, so I thought I would end with this product. I've used Prescriptives Traceless for several years now and have never felt the need to even try anything new.

Prescriptives Traceless

Prescriptives Traceless has a smooth, undetectable finish, yet covers just enough for me. I've never liked a heavy foundation. It also has a SPF of 8 for just a little added sun protection. This is so natural looking, most people don't even realize that you have on a foundation. It retails for $32.50 for one ounce.

Whew! That sums up my daily moisturizing routine, with the exception of an occasional hydrating mask. BigSis, you want to share your favorite masks and/or scrubs?

~LilSis

November 11, 2008

Well, BigSis, I have to admit that I'm not completely satisfied with my eye regimen either.  I have some “tried and true” favorites, but lately it seems like I need a little more.  Maybe we're just in denial that we aren't in our 30s anymore!

Here's the “scoop” on the products I'm using now:

• I have the same problem with nighttime eye cream.  If it's too heavy, the morning puffiness is noticeably worse.  So, right now, before bed, I'm using Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum.

Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum

It is lightweight and moisturizing at the same time. I can't say that I wake up without any puffiness, but I think it would be worse if I weren't using this product.  I haven't found anything more moisturizing that isn't too heavy. This .5 oz. bottle is $43.50, but it lasts for months.

First thing in the morning, I use one of two products depending on the amount of puffiness under my eyes.

• BigSis turned me on to the Replenix Intensive Eye Lightening Serum and I use it most mornings right when I get up. I also order this through skincarerx for $54.95. You literally only use a dot under each eye. I've probably had my bottle for over six months now.

Replenix Intensive Eye Lightening Serum

• If I'm more puffy than normal, I'll use the Origins No Puffery Cooling Mask for Puffy Eyes that I keep in the refrigerator.  This feels so refreshing underneath tired eyes when it's kept cold. I think it does the trick. This 1 oz. tube is only $21.00 and lasts for months.

Origins No Puffery

I really like both of these products, but I don't use either one of them underneath my concealer.  I leave these on for a few hours, then wipe off in the shower. (I'm up very early!)

• Before my concealer, I dab on a little of this Chanel Rectifiance Intense Eye. I really love this product! It's rich and creamy and my concealer goes on very smooth on top of it. I really think that is has helped prevent some deeper lines around the “crows feet” area of my eyes.

Chanel Rectifiance Intense Eye

I realize that the Chanel Rectifiance Intense Eye is not the cheapest product available. This jar is $72.00 and it, again, lasts for months. For me, it is worth every penny.

Yes, I do use three different products on my eyes every day.  I admit that it might be a “teeny, tiny” obsessive but I consider it preventive medicine. It's cheaper than a plastic surgeon!

That's my daily routine for tired, puffy eyes! BigSis, should we continue this skin care conversation and talk about moisturizers?

If anyone has a fantastic product recommendation for puffy eyes, we would LOVE for you to comment on this post or send us an email!

~LilSis

November 9, 2008

Great product recommendations, BigSis!  I've never tried any of those, but I just might have to give the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser a try. I have drier skin and I always need to make sure that it is hydrated or I look really “tired”.

I also never go to bed without cleansing my face, but I guess you could say that I have lower maintenance skin. It's not out of laziness that I don't take more time to cleanse my face, it's more a matter of convenience. I never have liked using washcloths to remove eye makeup because I hate that the mascara stains the cloths. A few years ago, I got tired of buying the cotton rounds and separate eye makeup remover.

• I discovered that the Olay Regenerist Micro-Exfoliating Wet Cleansing Cloths worked quite well on removing mascara and do the job as a facial cleanser as well.

Olay Micro-Exfoliating Wet Cleansing Cloths

If you purchase them at Target or Wally Mart, they are around $7.99.  I just found this deal at drugstore.com. They are $8.79 at drugstore.com, but if you buy one Olay Regenerist item, you get the second item for 50% off.  I'm not recommending that this product is for everyone because obviously it is not a deep cleansing product. It's quick and easy and gets the job done when I'm in a hurry.

• When I do actually take a little more time to cleanse, I really love Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash. This cleanser does a great job on combination skin.  My skin feels nice and clean after using this product but never feels dry and tight. At $18.50 a tube, it is still a good value.

Origins Checks and Balances

• I also love Origins Never a Dull Moment. Origins calls this product a skin-brightening face cleanser.  It contains extract of crushed papaya and not only smells amazing, but really does the job of sloughing off dead skin. It almost feels like a scrub, but isn't drying. It also costs $18.50 a tube.

Origins Never a Dull Moment

Of course, with both these Origins products, I have to remove my eye makeup separately, so I don't end up using them as often as I should.  If I get my makeup off, moisturizer and eye cream on every night, then I'm pretty happy.

Now, when it comes to hydrating products and eye creams, I'm a a lot more rigid and use a combination of those products every morning and every night!  I've got drier skin than BigSis, so I might be a little more obsessive about these products. I would talk about those now, but they deserve an entire post of their own. BigSis, you want to share some of your favorite eye creams?

~LilSis