face

You’ve Got Klout: Eclos skin care challenge

- Mel

Eclos™ is high-tech anti-aging skin care created from nature. Apple Stem Cells, extracted from a rare Swiss Apple, are clinically proven to rejuvenate skin and delay the signs of aging. Everyday use promises a youthful, more vibrant appearance.

eclos apple skin care

100% of 20 participants in a clinical study on Apple Stem Cells experienced a decrease in wrinkle depth after 28 days. That’s a strong claim. And thanks to Klout perks, I received a package for a two-week challenge containing FULL SIZES of Skin Prep Cleanser, Daily HydraPrimer and Moisture Therapy Regeneration Cream (for AM & PM).

The cleanser is AMAZING: non-abrasive and makes my face feel really soft and clean — AND takes off even my waterproof eye makeup without scrubbing. No toner needed either!
Formulated with:
• Apple Stem Cells to help reduce appearance of wrinkles + improve skin texture.
• Ginkgo Biloba, Turmeric + Green Tea to help guard against free radical damage.
• Chamomile to help revitalize and hydrate skin.
• Cucumber to soothe skin stress.

The primer will remain in my skin care routine: tinted, with SPF — and it REALLY keeps the shine away for most of the day, especially when I’m not wearing any other makeup.
Formulated with:
• Apple Stem Cells to help reduce appearance of wrinkles + improve skin texture.
• Soy to hydrate and firm.
• Iron Oxides provide a light tint; Broad Spectrum SPF provides UV defense.
• Antioxidant Vitamin E helps scavenge free radicals.

The cream was a little too heavy for AM use (oily face within an hour of doing my makeup), but I loved slathering it on before bedtime.
Formulated with:
• Apple Stem Cells to help reduce appearance of wrinkles + improve skin texture.
• Palmitoyl Glycene, which acts as a skin nutrient, helps minimize signs of aging.
• Shea Butter & Olive Oil to nourish + moisturize. • Antioxidant Vitamin E to help scavenge free radicals.

eclos banner

I didn’t notice any more breakouts than I typically have (stupid hormones), but not any real changes in the structure/imperfections of my skin either. I did love the “glow” I got from using the cleanser regularly, and I also like the cleanser didn’t make my face feel tight. I’m definitely interested in including their serum into my daily routine.

I was especially impressed by their price points. I’ve been bouncing around several different cleansers and lotions and night creams for the better part of my 30s and there’s always something I don’t like. But something that does the job of preventing future aging and sun damage AND is budget friendly, this 30-something can get behind. Check out a “before” picture from this #barenaked story at Point Park News article (taken right about when I started the challenge).

Like Eclos on Facebook and purchase their products at Freeman Beauty.

Disclosure: I received product samples from Eclos, on behalf of the Klout Perks program. All opinions herein are my own.

Every 30-something needs: a skin care routine

- Mel

Cleansing and moisturizing, twice per day, is IMPERATIVE for women our age. But this is only part of what’s required as part of a healthy skin care routine for 30-somethings. As my esthetician likes to repeat: plan NOW for the face you want in 10 years. Her skin looks fantastic, by the way; I’m envious. I wasn’t too good to my skin (or my body) in my 20s and pay for those mistakes in my 30s: smoking, heavy drinking, tanning. Ugh.
The Trifecta of Early Aging.

But I was also guilty of not getting a lot of sleep — and sleeping in my makeup when I finally did find my bed — and not using any sort of anti-aging product, especially eye cream (whomp!).


{ Exuviance Evening Restorative Complex / Murad Renewing Eye Cream / Clarisonic PLUS / Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleansing Pads / Vichy Eye Makeup Remover }

At the very basic level, a daily skin care routine for 30-somethings should include:

  • make-up remover — better for your eye area than the rubbing that comes with cleansing.
  • cleansing — be sure to get it all off! Might I recommend a Clarisonic?
  • treatments/troubleshooters — anti-aging, acne, spot removal, rosacea, eczema & other sensitive skin issues
  • moisturizer — day lotions are different than night lotions!
  • eye cream — this is different than your lotion.
  • water — and by water, I mean, you should be drinking it. A lot.
  • sunscreen — no exceptions; my dermatologist says that SPF in lotions and makeup is NOT enough. Sunscreen should its own separate layer before moisturizing.

Sounds much more intense than “basic,” right? But trust me, once you get into a regular habit of doing these steps, it won’t seem so taxing.

Side note: Some women also like to tone, but I only typically do this step for a little “mid-afternoon skin pick-me-up” on those days when I don’t wear make-up.

Additional regular treatments for your face should also include:

  • professional facials — I opt for seasonal.
  • exfoliation — gently! At least once a week; more, if you have hormonal congestion on your chin and cheeks.
  • peels or masks — I’m highly recommend: the Rejuvenating Treatment Masque from Exuviance.

End note: ALWAYS remember to wash your makeup brushes weekly!
I recommend these two products from Sephora: a daily disinfectant spray and weekly purifying shampoo.

What’s your skin care routine? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

MAKEUP BINGE: LORAC, BareEscentuals and more!

- Mel

I’m on a total makeup binge right now. Mostly because I seemed to run out of ALL MY PRODUCTS at the same time (OK, perhaps just a few of the essentials). I have a few items left to replace, but before I spend more money online, I’m waiting to see the contents of a “winning” Sephora gift pack from a silent auction a couple weeks ago (it seems that the night of the charity event, I wasn’t the top bidder… but that somehow changed. Perhaps the winning bidder never came forward or declined? No matter. I’LL TAKE IT!).

Regardless (or because of) ALL THAT, I’m trying to be better about my makeup. I still need to invest in a brush cleaner because I am the worst of that. And it probably has something to do with my face being Breakout City. Plus, my face is just not looking the same anymore with makeup (as I’m sure many of you 30-somethings can empathize). 

While I still need to purchase a tinted moisturizer, I picked up a new bottle of my “winter” foundation: Breakthrough Performance Foundation from LORAC. That purchase came with a special gift from Sephora: the Flawless Foundation Gift Pack. Um, do you SEE how many samples of awesome are in that bag? I have gone to sample heaven. Bonus: there was a step-by-step card on the series of steps for a flawless face. Unsurprisingly, I’ve been doing some steps in the wrong order, so this card now has a permanent placement above my dressing room vanity (on my inspiration board).

Also, in the move, I realized how old some of my eye shadows were.

I thought the colors in the bareMinerals eyeshadow kit were part of my everyday comprehensive colors and included a few “fun” shades for contouring. The price at first freaked me out (and then once again when I received the item, forgetting I put it in my cart). But, I’m glad I made such a splurge-worthy purchase. And I’ve always liked the formula of bM eyeshadow (plus bareEscentuals’ Well Rested is my favorite eye product ever — and I’m actually kind of freaking out right now that I can’t find it on their website).

But check out how cute that compact is!

Cheers to makeup, indeed!

On a search for a new tinted moisturizer…

- Mel

I’ve alternated between using Cover Girl and Smashbox Sheer Focus tinted moisturizers… and to be honest, I like both, but I’m not in love with either.

Smashbox changes color on me after barely an hour, making me look far too pink — but the coverage is good (I just have to use a powder over it to balance the color). I’ve used Cover Girl for years, but I’m beginning to think that their “non-comedogenic” claim is BS because no matter what product/cleanser I use on my face, my skin remains in terrible condition (read: blackheads and whiteheads EVERYWHERE). But again, that sucks because I like the coverage AND it stays put during workouts. Which is a whole other trait of awesomeness. 

So, I’m in the market to sample a few products again (sadly, haven’t received anything of this sort to try in my monthly Birchbox). I’ve been recommended Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown and Makeup Forever (although that last one, I have only seen a foundation). But all of these leave me with big question marks attached to their large price tag…

Note: I have sensitive (eczema) skin, with severe oiliness (which I’ve curbed with using Kiehl’s oil-free lotion FINALLY!). I’m fair-skinned, with a yellow-almost-greenish undertone. Also, I have considerable sun damage on my face — no wrinkles yet, thankfully — but age/brown spots, so need something to cover those a bit (I realize that to cover completely, I need a concealer or heavier make-up, but refuse to do this daily).

Suggestions?

UPDATE: Found — and fell in beautiful coverage love — with LORAC’s tinted moisturizer.

Birchbox: worth its weight in AHAVA (my fave!)

- Mel

October’s Birchbox is worth its weight in AHAVA. I can’t even… I’m so excited to see another product from them in my box. Their creams are AMAZING.

What’s inside:

AHAVA Mineral Foot Cream — I think I’ve already said what I need to say (YAY!)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel — I still never got around to using that brand’s mascara from a previous box; excited, nonetheless. 
Number 4 Hair Reconstructing Masque – this is something I really need, as bleaching my hair has taken its toll
Sunday Riley Modern Skincare lipid serum – I’ll have to do more research on this product and what it does (aside from being a favorite of celebs and models)

And this month’s “extra” was Minteas. When I read the packaging, I got the sense that these were some sort of “weight loss” mints. Am I right about that? Again, I’ve never heard of them, but I do like tea.