Skincare: My Skin Type [DRY]

my naked skin...no makeup in sight!

The fashion and beauty industry push many things onto the impressionable minds of society (and by impressionable I'm not just talking about the young men and women...we are ALL impressionable at any age of life).

The one thing that they've actually gotten right, but unfortunately not all of us have...is skin types.

Knowing what your skin type is can mean the difference between a perfect glow and a horrific reaction.  Harsh words, but true.  Am I wrong in assuming that at one point in time everyone has had a reaction to something they've put on their skin?  Or that you had amazing skin, changed the moisturizer you use, and all of a sudden something isn't quite right?

The hardest part for most people is determining what kind of skin you actually have...and to add insult to injury it may be more than one type...and ON TOP OF THAT you skin pretty much changes every 7 years or so...so what you're doing right now may not always work for you.

I've always had normal to dry skin.  I may not have always known it, but the signs were all there.  Wash/rinse my face with only water? Tight.  Go swimming then take a shower? Itchy and tight.  Winter? FLAKIEEEEEEEES!  Dry skin is the bane of my existence because if I don't keep it properly hydrated, it looks like shoe leather.  No joke.  AND it hurts.

For me, this means that I know I need a moisturizer that is fairly thick and creamy, with added hydration.  Bonus if it is time release (Lancome Aqua Vital), contains hyaluronic acid (holds 1,000x it's weight in water), and if it actually repairs the moisture barrier of my skin (hello Murad Hydro Dynamic Moisturizer or Clinique Moisture Surge Intense)

Keeping your skin properly hydrated (and yes oilier skins this means you too! you need oil free moisturizers - your skin needs water and that's what a moisturizer gives you!!) and treating it now, when you're younger helps in the long run (again, I'm speaking from the life perspective of someone who is 27...but had I known when I was a teenager, I would have started long ago).  

Knowing if you've got normal skin, dry skin, oily skin, acneic skin, aging skin, combination skin (the list can go on really...) is very important because it's going to determine what type of skincare is going to best bring your skin back to it's optimum pH level.  Unfortunately I cannot tell you via the internet what your skin type is...but some careful research on your part or better yet, a dermatologist, can be insanely helpful!

With that said...I can always talk about products, tips, and tricks that help with dry skin, and I do know a fair amount about different ingredients and products for different skin types so if anyone has any burning questions please let me know in the comments!  I always try to respond within a week :)  I'm also asking 2 of my closest friends (Em Wyllie and my younger sister Adrian) to write about their experiences with oilier skin - they both have it but they're quite different.  Keep your eyes peeled for that post coming soon!

In case there are any other dry skinned beauties out there, here's what I use in my routine as of today:

My Current Routine [3/27/12]

Facewash:  Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Serum: Lancome High Resolution Collaser-5x

Day Cream: Ole Henriksen Comfort Me OR Bobbi Brown Hydrating Cream

Night Cream: Lancome High Resolution Night 3x

Eye Cream: Lancome Primordiale Eye Skin Recharge

*of note:  I do not believe that skincare is gender specific...there are specific products and lines that are targeted towards men, but both men and women can use all skincare (for example: Jack Black Beard Lube? best leg shaving gel EVER) - again, it's dependent on your skin and how it reacts...Also, I do not believe that you have to use the same skincare brand for each part of your routine.  currently i am using my Lancome skincare up before I move on to anything else...there are some brands out there that when used together work more effectively, however, this decision is up to each individual and what they feel their skin needs.*








*Also of note: I receive a lot of product through my job.  I know I say this all the time but it can't be repeated enough -- it is up to me and me alone to feature what I feel are good products that I can stand behind 100%.  I always take the utmost care as I write my posts to give you, the reader, the best information I can about my experiences.  If I love the product, I say so.  If I hate the product, I say so.  It's equal opportunity on my blog in all aspects. No company has any influence on what I say or what gets featured on this blog.*

Thoughts: Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum

don't you feel accomplished when you see a completely empty bottle of skincare?

When you think of grapes, skincare is probably not the first thing to come to mind.  A tasty snack from the produce department (made better when frozen...don't believe me? try it in the dead of summer, you won't regret it!)...or perhaps a fabulous bottle of wine.  But a skincare routine???

Allow me some backstory.

French-based brand Caudalie (created by Mathilde & Bertrand Thomas) was conceived and born between the years of 1993 and 1995 out of the discovery of the anti-aging benefits of grape seed polyphenols.  Before I keep going with that I'm sure you're staring cross eyed at the computer silently going "....o_0..." in your head.  Let's get nerdy.

Grape seed polyphenols are Caudalie's patented, potent, and powerful anti-aging antioxidants.  They give you 100% protection against free radicals, help protect your collagen and elastin, and improve the microcirculation in your skin (giving it the ever popular radiant glow!).

Caudalie went on to open their own spa in 1999, and have since taken on 2 more patents: Resveratrol and Viniferine.  For the purposes of this blogpost we're going to be focusing on the latter, however you can find more information on Caudalie's website!

Viniferine is an molecule extracted from the grapevine sap which aides in the fight against dark spots and uneven skintone.  It reduces the existing dark spots by targeting the cause of the over-production of melanin (tyrosinase if you're interested), it helps to prevent the formation of new dark spots, and evens and brightens the skin's complexion.  It's also 62 times more effective than Vitamin C...

The Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum is a liquid serum containing Viniferine that is applied twice daily under your moisturizer.  It is dispensed via dropper (a full dropper is too much product for myself, I only used half each time), emulsified in your fingertips or palms, and pressed into the skin on your face/neck/decollete.  I find I use less product when I'm pressing it into the skin rather than smearing it all over...just for my two cents on that subject :)

I absolutely loved the texture of this serum!  It's liquidy, but not so thin that it will run everywhere once you get it into your hands.  It has a pleasant smell which is not overwhelming (I like my products to smell nice but not "fragranced" if that makes any sense)  I used mine over the course of about 5 or 6 months and I feel that I saw a more even tone to my complexion.  As I am still fairly young, I don't have any dark spots or severe discoloration that I'm treating...but I can absolutely speak to the radiance and evenness that this has left me.

As far as who can use it, I have very dry skin, and I have friends with oilier skin who have also used it and none of us have had any issues.  It always bears repeating that everyone's skin is different so patch test if you have any hesitations!

The price is pretty par when compared to other high end serums.  I personally would pay up to $80 for a decent serum that works for many reasons (of which I will go into and link here when I write my serum post!)

Have you tried any Caudalie products before?  What are you thoughts?




What: Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum
Where: Caudalie-usa.com, Sephora.com, Sephora Stores, wherever Caudalie is sold!
How Much:  $79.00 USD


















*the product contained in this review was provided by my job.  this has no influence on my opinions of the product as vigorous testing has taken place by myself and no one else*

Nail of the Moment: China Glaze Mahogany Magic/Essie Shine of the Times

Today I got a super special package in the mail!  My BFF, the Will to my Grace - Em Wyllie (find him on his youtube or his blog) had very kindly sent me the entire China Glaze Capitol Colors collection, the China Glaze Magnetix Collection, a magnet, and his gently used Sony camcorder (so my own youtube videos can increase in quality!)  

So I figured I'd play around with one of the nail polishes - and I call these posts Nail of the Moment because frankly, I get bored with nail polish quickly so I tend to wear at least 2 or 3 manicures a week (depending on how manky my nails get from working 2 retail jobs...) 

Of all the gorgeous colors in the Capitol Colors collection, I of course had to choose the one color that has pretty universally been picked on (I mean, it is kind of boring...and it does kind of look like baby poop...let's be honest)...so I decided to kick it up a notch!

Head past the jump to see my NotM using China Glaze Mahogany Magic and Essie's Shine of the Times!

Lash Out! - Sephora Collection Mink Eyelashes

False lashes can add the perfect touch of dramatic flair or just add some oomph to your natural lash line.

Today, I give you my ultimate favorite pair of dramatic falsies!  Sephora Collection Mink Eyelashes!

What do you think?  Will you give them a try?  What are your favorite false lashes?

What: Sephora Collection Mink Eyelashes

How Much: $8.00 USD

Where:  Sephora Stores, Sephora.com

YouTube Series: ABC's Once Upon A Time: Emma Swan Look #1 [Jennifer Morrison]

Emma Swan is definitely one of my favorite characters on the series and mostly it's because of the mystery surrounding her.  We (the audience) know that she can come and go from Storybrooke, we also know she's Snow White's daughter...but *who is she?* is still on the tips of everyone's tongues!

Head past the jump for another inspiration picture and the link to the video!

YouTube Series: ABC's Once Upon A Time: Blind Witch [Emma Caulfield]

Ok I know that this particular look is supposed to be based off the Blind Witch and honestly, it is...but just stay with me here for a minute while I pose a question.

Did anyone else compare the scene with the kids at the house to the Pale Man scene in Pan's Labyrinth?  Because I sure as hell did.  Sneaking around, being quiet as a mouse, and for all that is good in the world, DO NOT EAT THE FOOD because the witch is sleeping and if you do eat it she'll wake up and eat YOU! (and with copious amounts of food laying around and they haven't eaten all day...it's the exact same storyline)...and for the record, Pan's Labyrinth is one of my favorite movies!

Head past the jump for the actual screencaps I used for inspiration as well as the embedded video tutorial :)

LASH GROWTH! Tarte MultiplEYE Natural Lash Enhancer [end of week #1]

**Important Update 3/27/12:  Due to my extremely hectic schedule I have missed almost a full week of application, therefore I am switching up what I am looking for in this product.  I am going to focus more on the lash health and thickness moreso than the lengthening...as I don't really feel I need more length to begin with (haha)**

Here are the photos for the end of week #1!

Blogpost for The Beginning - Click Here

YouTube Series: ABC's Once Upon A Time: Evil Queen Look #1 [Lana Parrilla]

The Evil Queen is someone you both feel sympathy for (once you know her back story...or at least what we've been given so far) and yet...you hate her just as much! 

Lana Parrilla...you do her justice.

Head past the jump for the screenshots and the video!