Hello Skin Care

I have never been one to be obsessed with aging, fine lines, wrinkles, etc.....until now! I have to admit that looking at my gene pool I have always felt blessed and reassured that I would age beautifully and gracefully! I am not sure what has happened to that thought process, but since turning 30 three years ago I have become slightly more obsessed with the aging process.

Throughout college, my roommate had our cabinets stocked full of anti aging regimens, pore minimizers, moisturizers, toners, exfoliators, etc. But I snuffed her encouragement to begin a skin care routine and continued to pretty much sleep in my make up constantly and only washing it off to reapply it for another night out. I just could never buy into the "preventative" approach and was always in the mindset of dealing with the wrinkles and "stuff" when they finally appeared YEARS down the road! HA! Who was I kidding!!

Growing up I never had any real skin issues. I had occasional breakouts and a short period in which I had some rosacea, but I never had to deal with major acne or other skin issues that would create a complex. Therefore, I never practiced routine skin care regimens or a concern for preventing future issues.

ENTER AGE THIRTY!! 

While I didn't stare in the mirror and inspect every little line and wrinkle, I had a few moments where I passed by a mirror in the store or looked at a picture and thought "Wow, I am really starting to age!" I didn't rush out and buy a bunch of products; however, I did start to consider using some anti-aging regimens, but the sheer cost of skin care seems ridiculous to me. When the cost of "running a household" is my main priority, it is hard to find the "extra" money to invest in skins care products.

At the beginning of this year two major events happened in my life. I turned 33 and I became a stay at home wife/mother. Something about that combination sent me straight to the store to purchase skin care products! So on January 15, 2013 I found myself at Ulta cosmetics and beauty supply to find the products I needed.

Thanks to my friend Katie, at Everyday Southernista, I learned of this great microdelivery peel by Philosophy called Resurface. With the red, dryness of my skin, I thought this would be a good place to start as it provides an exfoliation of dead skin cells and the rejuvenation dull, sun-damaged complexions. SOLD. Add this to my shopping basket!

I was also in the market for a good anti-aging moisturizer. Luckily, I had just seen the truth in aging segment on the Today Show: Hoda and Kathie Lee where they featured the Good Housekeeping's new book, 7 Years Younger, and recommendations for anti-aging potions and lotions to make you look seven years younger. The product that stood out to me in this segment was Elizabeth Arden's Lift and Firm Day Cream.

At the time of my visit to Ulta, Elizabeth Arden's Day Cream was not in stock, but lucky for me Philosophy was gifting the Miracle Worker Trial Set ($49 value) with purchase of additional Philosophy products. So with the purchase of Resurface and Purity face wash, I got the free sample pack. During this trip I also purchased the L'Oreal Revitalift eye cream and the beginning of my skin care regimen was born.



That evening, my routine started with the Resurface of my skin, followed by the application of the eye cream, the miracle worker retinoid pads, concentrate, and moisturizer.

I have repeated this routine for 21 days now and I have to say, it has become a habit...or more like an addiction!

I have seen gradual results over the last 21 days with the most dramatic being in the tone and texture. I feel like my skin is tighter, smoother, more moisturized and it feels SO good to the touch!


 



These results I have seen over the past few weeks has sent me running to my "junk" drawer (as I previously saw it) to recover any skin care products that I may have gotten as a "bonus buy" or "free gift" with purchase. To my surprise, I have A LOT! This now has become my treasure drawer and all of these products will be used as part of this new skin care obsession!

Young or old, if you don't already have some type of skin care routine, I HIGHLY recommend it! Even if you go a cheaper route and use products from the drug store....do something to help your skin. It will pay off in the long run!