#Shelfie

I cant tell you how much money I have saved since I discovered Kate Somerville products thanks to one of my favorite bloggers, Sabrina at The Beauty Look Book. In the past I'd try a new wash/toner/lotion, find it to be mediocre, or decent at best, and a few weeks later, I would move it over to my husband's side of the bathroom shelf to finish, as I had lost interest.

I am 35, oily mixed with dry patches, mixed with occasional acne. (As you read this, I'm driving to New York (for the 4th time this month!) for a work meeting, so add to that I have huge under-eye bags.) The joy of finding the right products, ugh. But, I'm pretty sure I can now say I've found my holy grail. The best wash I have ever used to date is the Eradikate wash, which by some magic, dries up acne but does not dry out my skin. I follow with the clarifying toner at night, and then an Origins night cream that I don't think I can live without. The prices are reasonable for quality skin care (the wash is $38 and lasts forever, while the night cream is $44 with similar jar longevity since you only need a small amount). On two separate occasions recently, people I don't know have complimented my skin. The first time I chalked it up to my Tarte foundation, but the second time was after the gym and I was of course sans-makeup. So I think this new lineup is working magic for me.

How to: Facial Cleansing

Whether you're blessed with great skin, or you have to really work at achieving a relatively average complexion (like me), you likely have a skin care routine down pat. I am constantly looking for new products, methods and tools to try. I read a recent post by Brooklyn Blonde on the cons of using foaming cleaners, and after some research when I couldn't sleep last week, I have to say that I'm on board with this claim.

I have stored all forms of foam in the back of my cabinet (where eventually my husband will use them when his current wash runs out), and am thrilled to have received my new wash and toner. The new lineup has been keeping me clean yet soft, with no pesky white flakes or huge breakouts. The tools and techniques have also made a difference for me.

Night

• Take off makeup with Clinique take the day off balm applied to dry skin, and remove with a warm, wet washcloth, which I have to say is a huge game changer in how the makeup comes off (I'm going to try this balm when my Clinique runs out)
• Cleanse with First Aid Beauty cleanser and Clinique sonic cleansing brush
• Tone with Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 (a french product available only from a spa in PA that ships to NY for $10 that I discovered by reading Brooklyn Blonde and has been worth every penny) OR these pads from First Aid Beauty, about 3 times a week
• Finish with Clinique serum and oil free gel, and one of 3 eye creams I have on hand, but am not really in love with either so suggestions welcome!

Morning

• Cleanse with First Aid Beauty cleanser (I only use the sonic brush at night)
• Tone with Biologique Recherche Lotion P50
• Finish with Clinique serum and oil free gel, and eye cream that again, I'd love to replace with a good recommendation

What are some new products or techniques that have changed your routine?

Skin Care Part II

I am the perfect consumer- a new commercial, a great new label, I'm in. I love to try new products, but more than half of the time, I end up tired of them before they are finished. Luckily my husband has easy skin and he is happy to have all my hand me down cleaners and what not so nothing goes to waste. Despite the plethora of new, shiny skin care products with claims ranging form erasing wrinkles and age spots, to plumping crows feet and taking years off your face, I always go back to my first love: Clinique. In middle school, it was the very first make up my mother ever let me try (some rosy blush in 7th grade, followed by some concealer when those pesky 13 year old pimples first appeared). And since then I have always loved their full range of products.

Currently, I swear by the cleanser (I use both the mild formula and the new Sonic Soap, designed to pair with the face brush), the toner (I use number 3), and then have layered in the serum and the oil-free moisturizing gel. For those times when teenage blemishes appear, I still keep a bottle of Proactiv exfoliator and treatment lotion on hand, as nothing works better for acne. I still enjoy the Kiehls Calendula cleanser, so I have held on to that to mix up the washing routine once a week or so. I also love All About Eyes, a cult favorite and in my cabinet since age 18. I may need to add something a tad stronger for the eye area sometime soon as my 33rd birthday approaches in May, any recommendations?