Fresh Faced

When it comes to facial cleansers, will any product do?  In my opinion, no.  The appropriate cleanser for your skin type will set the stage for the products to follow post cleansing. While cleansers aren't designed to be traditional exfoliants, they will lightly exfoliate your skin and allow for better product absorption.   

My morning routine is cleanser, eye cream, hydrating mist, serum, moisturizer, SPF and makeup.  

My evening routine is cleanser, eye cream, hydrating mist, serum, moisturizer, spot treatment if necessary. 

What I look for in a cleanser is its ability to remove makeup, dirt, oil, impurities, basically the whole day.  I do a double cleanse morning and night, and I don't want to be prompted to remove excess makeup with a toner, facial wipes or any other makeup removing medium.  I prefer a gel cleanser as I feel it washes away impurities more effectively and leaves my skin lightly exfoliated, softer, smoother and refreshed after each cleanse. I like for it to smell good, and have active ingredients in it that normalize oil production, treat breakouts and help prevent further ones from occurring.   

I absolutely love and recommend the products below to anyone with a skin type like mine which is oily/acne prone. My skin varies in its degree to which it produces oil, breaks out, is normal, more sensitive, etc. according to the season, hormones, and as I age, just like anyone else.  So taking those factors into consideration, these products are on rotation in my washroom and I use them accordingly.  

 Alba Botanica Acne Dote Deep Pore Wash - I adore Alba Botanica products in general and was so happy when they produced this acne fighting line.  It does so in a non-irritating fashion, but just gentle enough to combat mild breakouts. The 2% Salicylic Acid (BHA) acne treatment, is an anti-inflammatory agent that breaks up dead skin, oil, dirt, and pollution that clogs pores and causes blackheads and other acne lesions. It removes makeup with just one thorough cleanse, I use about the size of a nickel, apply to wet skin and lather it up in a circular motion for 1 minute, rinse and repeat.  I repeat just because I like to, not necessarily need to. The scent is a clean, botanical almost medicinal one, which I just love!!! (Don't use Salicylic Acid if pregnant, nursing, wannabe or have an allergy to it or Aspirin.)

Alba Botanica Pineapple Enzyme cleanser - This is the first product I ever tried from Alba and instantly fell in love!  It contains bromelain, which is a digestive enzyme primarily found in pineapples that, you guessed it, dissolves lifeless skin cells.  One pump removes makeup effectively, fights breakouts, normalizes oil production, and it has a light tropical scent. You will feel a slight tingle as the bromelain does what it does best.   This is actually great for all skin types.  

Image Skin Care Clear Cell Salicylic Gel Cleanser - I absolutely love this cleanser!!!  I first used this back in 2004 after buying it from the Image counter at IECSC in Las Vegas.  I bought this cleanser and the Clear Cell Medicated Acne Lotion, and couldn't wait to go back to my hotel room and jump in the shower to use them.  I applied about a nickel-sized amount to my hand, lathered it up and applied it to my face, I thought my face was on fire, but I stuck it out.  I was so impressed with the way it removed every last trace of makeup and left my skin so smooth.  Never did I think a cleanser could do that, and because of this cleanser, I hold every cleanser that I try to that standard.  I loved the clinical/spearmint/clean scent.  Outside the shower, I then used the Medicated Acne Lotion, OOOMMMGGG, HOT, HOT, HOT, but I stuck it out and fanned my skin, stood in front of the AC for a minute.  I figured it was so intense due to my skin never having experienced the products before.  And I am was so ecstatic that I did, the following morning I woke up to find my acne about 60% better!!!  I have been hooked on this duo since then and now only use them as maintenance, (1-2 X per week and only at night since that is when skin goes into repair mode).  The cleanser has 2% Salicylic Acid and the lotion has 5% Benzoyl Peroxide, BPO, in it, tough stuff!  I also use the entire Image line on my clients in the treatment room and they love the results!!  (Don't use if pregnant, nursing, wannabe, or allergic) pH balanced, no toner needed.

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash - I believe the year was 2002 when I first used this cleanser.  What drew me in initially was the soft scent of spearmint and the frothy texture as I sampled it at the sink under the bright lights in the Origins store.  Btw, don't you just love sampling bath products right there in the store?  Between all the scrubs, soaps, cleansers, butters and souffles, it's like a mini spa experience!  I just love entering the earthy Origins shops, the birchwood cabinets and ginger and peppermint/spearmint that fills the air!  With all that said, this is what I would only classify as a fluff cleanser as I personally don't care for the way it cleans or leaves my skin feeling, best I can describe the texture is grippy, ick.  However, it's almost like an aromatherapy experience because of the lavender and spearmint in it, and I love the frothy and fluffy consistency.  I apply a dime-sized amount and only use this when my skin is normal with no breakout in sight.  I just can't part ways with it and I am happy with what it does, however minimal.  

Image Skin Care Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser - A luxurious and gentle gel cleanser for all skin types.  I love this cleanser for its soft mango scent, ability to remove makeup, and organic ingredients.  Very soothing and calming, I can't say enough great things about it! I do a double cleanse using a nickel-sized amount several times a week or on days when my skin is on track and I want to keep it balanced.  pH balanced so no need for a toner.  

For people with aging, sensitive, or dry skin, your goal of clean and prepped skin should be the same, but products and potency will vary greatly.  There are other formulas that will better suit your skin whether it's lotion, cream or gel cleanser.  

Thanks for reading, next installment will be serums!  For now, stay sudsy! ;)

J'Adore Chanel Coco Noir!

During one of my periodic twirls around the fragrance counter of my local petite Macys, I remembered a while back sniffing Coco Noir and raising an eyebrow thinking, am I loving this?  I sprayed one of the perfume cards and it instantly confirmed my previous impression.  That this gorgeous bottle needs to occupy prime real estate on my already crowded vanity!

It's gently heavy, sexy and seductive, my favorite characteristics of a more mature fragrance.  I haven't explored nearly enough of perfume's darkly aromatic side, though I am eager to.  I am always careful of picking a new fragrance, not so much to make sure it's "season appropriate", because I don't think that way, but because I will associate it with the period of time in my life in which I wore it. 

I have a feeling I will love reminiscing about this one in the future, and I think it will be repurchased for my collection repeatedly.

So, how did Chanel make a customer out of me again?  With a winning combination of...

Top notes - grapefruit, bergamot

Heart notes - rose, jasmine, Indonesian patchouli, narcissus

Base notes - sandalwood, Brazilian tonka bean, white musk, bourbon vanilla, frankincense, purple fruit

When I wear a strong fragrance, I want to feel enveloped by it all day, so I wish this scent had a stronger sillage.  It is so transparent, it seems to wear off completely after about 30 minutes.  If it only had the potency and impact of Chanel 5....

I still love it, and the classic glass bottle that will no doubt travel from my handbag to my vanity and back again.  It will need replacing in no time!

My mom went with Coco Mademoiselle, again.  A perfect warm October afternoon of shopping indeed!

P.S. I always keep the cards I spray perfume on at the counters and place them in my wallet, makeup bag, car, drawers.  

Color Focus: Blush

If my closet could talk it would exclaim that blush has become the new black!  One of the best colors ever created, reflecting an innocent, pure, calming and soothing characteristic all at once.  While it does tend to vary in shades, best I can describe blush is a combination of pale pink, lavender, and mauve or pale pink with a hint of peach. They are all blush tones and instantly eye-catching to me!

I like to balance the ultra feminine hue with solid blacks and bold red lips.  Or I lighten things up with solid whites and blush-toned lips.  Pearls, silver, gold and rose gold jewelry are my go-to accessories.  Below are some of my favorites! (I remove the scratchy labels from my tops!)

Of course I can't have just one blush top.  I must have to have blush tops in every style, with ruffles, flowers, bows, lace, also dresses, skirts too! (Skirts are not pictured.)  

Obsessed with this dress!!!!

MAC Russian Red is my absolute favorite red lipstick.  A matte finish, long-lasting, amazing blue-red that matches perfectly against a powdery and romantic blush.    

Thank you for reading, blushing beauties!

For the Love of Vanity

With so many girls, ladies, and women taking pride in beautifying their dressing tables or vanities currently, thought this was the perfect time to compile a collection of a few of the most elaborately styled beauty corners!

But first, an anecdote! I created my first vanity when I was about 8 years old out of my retired baby doll's bed!  It was about two feet long, one foot wide, and I stood it up on its side length-wise.  I only had about a square foot of room to play with but I artfully arranged a tiny mirror, lip gloss, and other cute little trinkets on it.  The bottom held neatly folded mini towels.  Oh, I just loved coming into my room and admiring it!  I only wish I had a photo. 

The vanity or dressing table is such a magical and personal space!  It holds the power to make one feel confident, ready to face the world.  It's a place where we can luxuriate for hours creating the perfect look or rummage frantically for the basics while running late.  

The foundation is a desk, or actual vanity, preferably with ample storage and an over-sized mirror. From there, the possibilities are endless.  Decorate with a vase of flowers, scented candle(s), framed photos, love letters, jewelry box or jewelry dishes, beautifully packaged face creams, luxurious body lotions, perfume, makeup brushes standing at attention in decorative cups filled with pearls or beads, acrylic cosmetic towers, etc.  I love starting my day with a clean space and seeing the messy aftermath only a few minutes later! ;)  My favorite part is that my vanity is ever changing and evolving just like me and my current mood,  I design and redesign to my heart's content!

Loving this color palette and floral design on the vanity.  So feminine and pretty!

The beautiful Ava Gardner appears to be enjoying a milkshake (?) among her pretty crystal dishes and pots of beautifying potions!

If people think that photo staging isn't an old past time, look no further than the elegantly posed Carole Lombard who's positioned for the perfect shot at her glowing vanity! 5k likes on Insta, no? ;)

This photo of Jean Harlow embodies the epitome of Old Hollywood Glamour!  Simply decadent!

Ava Gardner once again.  Loving all the bottles displayed.

I am not entirely sure who this belongs to, but it's gorgeous!

Breakfast at Tiffany's!!  The table itself is nothing much to look at, in fact it's almost as if they quickly assembled some plywood prior to filming.  However, the assortment of perfume bottles, jewelry and cosmetics makes me wish I could zoom in 500x from different angles!

How pretty and romantic!

The amazing and beautiful cast of Will & Grace!  I love and miss this show!!

Beautiful Bridget Bardot looks like she is posing for a Valentine's Day ad!  

Quintessential beauty room! Not sure who this is....Lana Turner?

Jayne Mansfield's pink wall to wall fuzzy bathroom! The sink is very streamlined and elegant.  

Nicole Kidman, such a beauty and I love the mirrored vanity!

Audrey Hepburn's vanity displays a very organized and bright monochromatic appeal.

Marilyn Monroe raising a glass amidst a messy, yet pretty, vanity.

Marlene Dietrich in a satin robe standing next to a beautiful mirrored vanity with an assortment of bottles, perfumes, and powders to satisfy any glamour girl. 

Who can forget the makeover scene from Working Girl?  Love the soft pink flowers, Lancome perfume and beauty products, Clarins face oil, and Van Cleef & Arpels fragrance, the soft glow from the lamp and pale gray finish of the vanity!

Sophia Loren accessorizing with a sparkly necklace.

Rita Hayworth admiring her beauty.

And the winner is!!??  The stunning Georgina Chapman of Marchesa!  My very favorite of them all!  The mirrors, glass accessories, color palette and flowers.  So elegant, chic and classy, complete with a big, beautiful window framed by luxurious curtains!

Thank you for reading to the end beauties, I know this was an extended post!

Au revoir!

Previously Loved Gems

When I was a little girl my mom would always take me to thrift stores and I dreaded it!  That overwhelming stuffy smell that filled the air and the idea that I would be using other people's housewares and wearing previously worn clothing was enough to send me running!!!  

That all changed when I was a freshman in high school, I instantly realized that gems were waiting to be discovered and I could find what I couldn't in regular clothing stores.  I suddenly started to beg my mom to go thrifting, she would just laugh and shake her head in disbelief. :) We had about 4 or 5 favorite stores in our area that we loved to explore meticulously.

At the time my style was predominantly black, for no particular reason other than what I liked was available in black mostly.  Being that it was the 90s, I scoured the racks for jackets with Chinese collars, long cardigans, dresses that were very lacy, spaghetti strap, and A-line.  Oh wow, I am smiling just thinking back to those days, I would definitely wear that style all over again.  I remember cultivating my own unique style with the diverse pieces I was finding, not just trying to be trendy.  By the way, love that the 90s are being revisited as of late!

Over the years my love for thrift stores has become greater and I get super excited to visit all my faves once a month or so...I have also taken a liking to other departments aside from clothing, especially the knick knacks and glassware!  Also, I do make sure that the items I buy are in good condition or at least fixable.  

So here's what I picked up over the last month from several stores combined...

Love this oversized black sweater that has silver tinsel-like thread running through it!  It was in perfect condition, I washed it inside out on a gentle cycle and let it air dry. Perfect for Fall & Winter with leggings and boots!!! I feel like I could have gotten this from someone's closet in the 80s! :)

Such a pretty vintage looking knitted sweater dress.  Love all the detail, structure and slight bell sleeves!  Again with leggings and boots or heels and bare legs for indoors.

The mesh overlay on this skirt really reminds me of the 90s! The dots are little clusters of glitter, perfect for me as I love sparkly things! I washed it inside out on a gentle cycle and let it air dry.

I love chiffon, sequins, beading and sparkle, and this dressy top has it all!  It glistens so much more beautifully in person. I love tops like this on their own or under cardigans, blazers or even my work uniform (Esthetician lab coat).  I also washed this inside out on a gentle cycle and let it air dry.  It's a true black in person, the color appears a little washed out on camera.

This is a pretty night gown or house dress that was in perfect condition, still had original store price tags on it.  Love the pink and black flowers and pretty lacy design across the back and the front.  I washed it on a gentle cycle and let it air dry.

I am so in love with this pleated, ruffled, shiny, button-down, glamorous top!  Even though it's like 5 times too big for me and I swim in it, I love the bell sleeves that extend beyond my hands, it makes me feel cozy.  And the ruffles are so pretty.  I kind feel like poet or clown in it, in the best way possible, of course! haha...

This hot pink tank next Summer with white capris or cargo pants!

I already own a few variations of this color/style top, but I couldn't resist it, perfect condition and I love pleats!  Perfect with pearls and/or chain necklaces.

My mom actually brought this romper bedecked with sequins to my attention, which elicited a gasp from me!  I inserted a clothes hanger inside of it for the photo as it kept collapsing and folding.  I will be removing the built-in shorts to wear it as a dressy top!  I also washed it inside out on a gentle cycle and let it air dry. Lost a few sparklies, but who can tell?

This is so chic!  I love the collar and mini rosette trio on the neckline, so fancy!  It's a satin smooth material and beautiful print!

The perfect shade of coral, so vibrant and lively.  I actually have a pretty extensive collection of coral tops and this one is my very favorite!  This one, too, will be paired with white pants in the Spring & Summer.

 

Dreamy pink flowy top reminds me of a lush peony!  Can't wait to wear it.  It's a little sheer, so a light cami will be worn underneath.  

I love milk glass and I picked up the glass on the left from an antique store and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th were all bundled together with tape at a thrift store.  I cleaned them up with dish soap and baking soda, so they are vibrant and beautiful! Great addition to my growing collection.

My first piece of blue milk glass is this pale blue mini dish.  I love the translucent aspect of it, and it holds my jewelry perfectly!

Is this not the most perfect pink/lavender shade?  That is what I thought of this beautiful vase when I added it to my cart!  Reminds me of a lot of my nail polishes ;)

And last but definitely not least is this mini pink depression glass teacup from an antique store!  It was part of a set of 4, but I only wanted one.  It's just so precious!

Who else loves thrifted treasures?  I am so happy that those who are ready to part ways with some of their belongings make it possible for others to enjoy them! :)