As I get older, I realize that I can no longer get away with the beauty regimen of my youth. Or should I say, the lack of beauty regimen. Remember those days? I got away with rarely washing my face, removing my makeup after a night of dancing and drinking more coffee than water. I was able to wake up in the morning looking refreshed, even though I had only slept three hours. These days, the result of the same kind of night would have me wake up with yellow, puffy eyes, and the appearance of a leopard on tranquilizers.
I’m only 32, but I can see the signs of wear and tear on my face. One of my “resolutions” for 2007 has been to take better care of my skin - all of my skin. So far I’ve rarely missed a day washing my face or using day cream. In just a few short months I’ve noticed a significant difference. My face feels firmer and the yellow eyes I’m prone too (rather than dark circles) have been greatly reduced.
One of my favourite parts of celebrity magazines, whether it be People or Glamour is the section where stars proclaim their “must have” beauty products. I love to read what works for them, but I notice that a common theme among them is money. As in, their tried and true items require a lot of it.
I thought it would be fun to share some of my tried and true beauty secrets with all of you; just as though you had asked me on the runway to a movie premiere or during a lunch interview at The Ivy. Then, you could do the same in the comments.
“Chantal you look fabulous and radiant! Tell us, what are your beauty secrets and must haves?”
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1. Kill two birds with one stone and you’re less likely to forget; Wash your face in the shower using a rich cream cleanser if you have dry skin like me. I use the Mary Kay Time Wise skin cleanser. It has these fantastic little scrubbers to lightly exfoliate and it leaves my skin really soft.
2. Vaseline. I know it seems so easy. I use it on my lips constantly. I keep a little tube in my purse, in my vehicle and next to my bed. I apply it several times a day and realize that my lips not only feel smoother, they look fuller and healthier. I find lipstick, when I do apply, stays on longer and looks more vibrant.
3. Neutrogena Radiance Boost Eye Cream. Brilliant! I also have this in a little stick that can go in my purse!
4. Taking #3 just a but further, I always seem to have yellowish/black circles under my eyes. Clean & Clear Under Eye Brightener is a godsend!
5. A lightweight daily skin cream with an SPF of at least 15. I’m fair skinned and have freckles in some areas. I burn easily and I’ve seen the effects of sun exposure in older female members of my family. Dove Essential Nutrients gets my nod for this one.
6. This one is new and so far, gets my nod for boosting two of my big problem areas. I scare people with how pale my skin gets over the winter, and I need a bit of a firming appearance in some areas; Nivea Sunkissed Body Firming Lotion. Whoever thought of this - give her a raise!
As for actual cosmetics, I don’t have many tried and true favourites. I still use that same pink and black tube of Cover Girl mascara, the same kick-butt M.A.C bronzer and L’Oreal Lip Gloss. Though I find that the better care I take of my skin in general, the better the products I buy work. Imagine that!
I’m dying to know what works for you!
Here is a little Friday pick-me-up, because everyone loves a giveaway! Please leave me a comment that gives me:
1. Your basics
2. Your essentials
3. Your splurges
4. While you’re at it, give us here at GNMParents some feedback. What would you like to see more of on the site? We like to hear what we’re doing well, and we love to hear how we can do it better.
Each commenter will have their name placed in a draw for two of my new favourite products from Dove. Their Campaign For Real Beauty is inspiring and genius, in my opinion, and their new line of Energy Glow products make me feel fit and sassy. The winner of the drawing will receive a product giveaway that includes the SPF 15 Energy Glow Facial Moisturizer and the yummy scented Body Wash!
Hurry! Leave a comment, now!
[tags]parenting, beauty product give away, skin care, fitness, regimen, basics, makeup[/tags]
Photo graciously provided by _KoAn_, under a Creative Commons license
10 responses so far ↓
Greatexpectations // Apr 27, 2007 at 10:36 am
Thanks for the tips!! I would say mine is drinking lots of water … it has always helped me have great skin. But, also, St. Ives Apricot Scrub is a must-have, IMO. I also use Great Lash mascara … I also use dandruff shampoo on dry skin in the shower. — even on my feet!
Megin Hatch // Apr 27, 2007 at 11:00 am
Dandruff shampoo? I have never heard of that! Does it help with the itchy part? the dry part? both? (Don’t forget the GNMParents part of the giveaway!)
Chantal, I have totally thought that I need to adopt a skin care/beauty regiment… and I’m a bit older than you
I haven’t worn makeup in years, but I keep threatening to start. The black bags under my eyes are big enough to pack in for a week’s vacation!
I do splurge on a pedicure at the beginning of sandal season… I am due now!
Although I’m not participating for the nifty prize, I will share that I would love to see audio and even video posts on GNMParents (I am working on an idea), as well as some posts on: single parenting, cooking, parenting on a budget, and activities to do with the family!
Great idea for a giveaway, thanks Chantal.
Stu Mark // Apr 27, 2007 at 11:03 am
We (my wife, Leslie, and I) have fallen in love with Wexler products. For those who aren’t familiar, Patricia Wexler is a dermatologist who has created a line of fantastic, astonishing skin products. My faves are the Universal Anti-Aging Moisturizer PM and the MMPi•20 Skin Regenerating Serum. I found them at Bath and Body Works, but if you don’t have one near you, the products are available online. Check http://www.patriciawexlermd.com/ for more details.
Great post! Thanks for the tips, I’ll share them with Leslie.
thordora // Apr 27, 2007 at 1:05 pm
ummm.nothing and nothing.
The most make up I wear is mascara if I feel the urge (I don’t dig all the crap in makeup, or the packaging, OR the price in many cases)
ALTHOUGH, I am weirdly obsessed with those biore strips to rend asunder the crap in my pores.
What I do love is an of the Ombra bath products. There is one that literally smells like spring. I also used to love this salt scrub I found, but they discontinued that.
Otherwise, soap and water for this girl.
What I want to know is why my cheeks are ALWAYS red, like I’ve been drinking and/or in the wind for days…I can’t figure it out.
Eden // Apr 27, 2007 at 4:18 pm
1. Your basics: Cetaphil cleanser, Elizabeth Arden Skin Illuminating Cream (which is discontinued), Clinique Moisture Online, Clean & Clear persa gel. drinking lots of water
2. Your essentials: Prescriptives cream cover-up (it’s magic), any variety of lipgloss, John Frieda luminous color glaze in radiant red (it’s amazing)
3. Your splurges: Chanel #5, a good haircut
4. Feedback: Hrm. I haven’t been reading that long. Thordora (*point to previous*) drew me over & I like the site. I like how there aren’t a dozen posts a day. It makes it easier to keep up with the site and it allows better posts. What I like is the depth and thought put into each entry, unlike any other parenting community blogs I’ve ever seen. I also like the tone of the posts. I especially like these beauty entries. It acknowledges that I have an interest in this, which I do
Greatexpectations // Apr 28, 2007 at 3:49 am
Oh, duh … I think I got sidetracked thanks to my twins. Forgot about the comment about GNM parents. I love this site, and think out of all the parenting sites it is THE BEST. I guess it’s because I believe strongly in just about all of the content on parenting, itself.
Feedback: How about some stuff about twins or multiples and dealing with their toddler behavior? : )
I like your ideas, Megan, about cooking and parenting on a budget. Budget-friendly trips — day or vacation — would be cool, too. And, I’m not talking a rich person’s budget, either.
As for the dandruff shampoo — it works on both itch and dryness. I haven’t had any nasty feet — like when you need a pedicure — since I started using that in the shower. It works great ony dry spots on arms or legs. It helps the itch of excema (??) but not the dryness.
Finn // Apr 28, 2007 at 6:08 am
1. Cetaphil cleanser, The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion, Retin A
2. Smashbox Photofinish Primer, Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Foundation
3. Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion & Peel, Origin’s White Tea Skin Protectant (amazing used together)
4. I love getting ideas from other parents, but I do wish there was more about parenting children with physical disabilities and handling the stress and burnout that it can cause.
Barb // Apr 28, 2007 at 9:49 am
Basics: I wash my face with honey. I use homemade soap - all natural - for my body. I am researching recipes for moisturizing my face, as I’m starting to see the effects of living as well.
In fact, I’m picking up a book from the library today about the benefits of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.
It’s baking soda and apple cider vinegar for my “shampoo” and “conditioner” - I never could find a product that worked on my dry scalp/psoriasis.
Essentials? Water, though as a nursing mom in dry Colorado, I don’t know that I can ever get enough.
I very rarely wear any makeup and if I do, it’s just eyeliner.
Splurges: A good haircut, getting my legs waxed. I may splurge on some mineral makeup, but as I wear powder about once a year, I’m not sure that I need to.
Please don’t put me in the running for the giveaway - I’d just have to give away the stuff as well.
I’d also love to see video here - short things. I have an idea for one myself, if I can figure out how to get it from our camera (not digital) to the computer.
Lesha // Apr 29, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Thank you for the giveaway!
My everyday essentials are drinking plenty of water, taking vitamins, slabbing sunscreen on my face (even in the winter time), etc. As for little splurges, I swear by Carol’s Daughter products. I love the Lisa’s Hair Elixir!
a mother of two // Apr 30, 2007 at 12:07 pm
My favs are the OLAY REGENERIST line. Ever since I read the Consumer Reports tested them and found them to be best wrinkle cream!
With all the commercials and ads, I needed someone’s “honest opinion” and Consumer Reports is the closest!
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