This post is actually a combo 3-in-1 review featuring 3 products:
• Saje Sensitive Elixir Calming Skin Serum – $19.95 CAD for 30ml
• Paula’s Choice Resist C15 Super Booster – $48 USD for 20ml
• Josie Maran Pure Argan Milk – $70 CAD for 30ml (mine is a 5ml sample that I received as part of a 500pt perk from Sephora – my little sample is worth $11.67!)
But, it’s mainly about the Saje Serum since I listed it in my recent favourites post.
It comes as no surprise that I’ve got a bunch of empties again this month.
Fine, I’ll admit it, I’m literally eating this stuff. I just want lots and lots of empties each month! I especially enjoyed the gulping down that Mizon snail serum – YUMMY. 😆
And in a blink of an eye, February is gone!
Here’s what I used up this month.
I posted my list of beauty discoveries in 2014 when I started this blog so I thought I’d continue the tradition this year. I consider something a “discovery” if it’s new to me, not necessarily something that was launched that year. Since I was on a No-Buy all year, I was either using up items in my stash or opening up unopened products that I had hoarded. I decided on the Top 15 since I saw it on Classic Maggie’s blog (I suppose next year I’ll need to list 16 items?) I’ll differentiate the Rediscoveries with (R) and New discoveries with (N) on my list.
Where available, I’ve linked to blog posts where I’ve either reviewed or mentioned the products. In no particular order:
Since it’s officially summer, this week’s focus will be on “radiant skin” and I’ll be covering topics relating to achieving clear and glowy skin. First, we’ll look at chemical exfoliants.
Don’t let the word “chemical” scare you, this is just to distinguish between the physical / manual type (scrubs, cloths, loofahs) and the ones that solely use non-abrasive ingredients to exfoliate the skin.
The 2 key categories of chemical exfoliants are BHA (beta hydroxy acid) and AHA (alpha hydroxy acid). A trick I use to help myself remember which is for what purpose is: BHA = blemishes, and AHA = anti-aging. Typically, BHA works better for oily skin types whereas AHA benefit drier skin.
Happy Summer Solstice! Aka the longest day of the year, aka official first day of summer. And I want to remind everyone to wear their sunscreen today, and every day! 🙂
If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you’ll know what I’m an advocate of sunscreen. No other anti-aging skincare is as effective as sunscreen.
There are 2 general categories of sunscreens: 1) chemical and 2) physical (or sometimes referred to as mineral). I personally prefer physical sunscreen (combinations of titanium dioxide [TiO2] and zinc oxide [ZnO]), for a number of reasons:
• much more photostable than chemical sunscreens
• less likely to cause skin reactions
• combined, TiO2 and ZnO covers the entire spectrum of UVB and UVA rays (and you want to protect well against both: UVB causes sunburns but UVA causes aging)
So it was suggested that I put my skincare routine up for scrutiny since I was so ruthless in my grading of my friends’ skincare routines. No problem, I’ve not nothing to hide!
Skin type: combination (slightly oily t-zone, normal cheeks), with hormonal breakout on chin. I also have skin sensitivity and tend to break out in hives randomly (allergies, cold/hot weather). My skin also doesn’t tolerate too much manual manipulation (ie scrubs) I’m a delicate flower, what can I say? Continue reading
I was scolding one of my friends via email last week after she confessed that she has recently been sleeping in her makeup. I know, right? Horrific.
Then the discussion turned into said friend (Let’s call her A) asking for me to provide her with a skincare regimen. I turned the table around and asked my friends to provide me with their current skincare routines so that I can critique and also provide recommendations based on their skin type. Without further ado, here are my friends’ current routines and my recommendations.*
Let’s preface this post by saying that I’m not an expert on skincare – my opinions are just my anecdotal, personal experience. I also don’t battle with too many skin concerns in terms of deep wrinkles or loss of firmness – I would say that I’m in more of a preventative and maintenance mode.
My current primary concerns are:
• Fine lines: laugh lines, forehead, and under eye area
• Sun spots, aka my freckles – I get comments on them [from mostly Asian sales associates] but I’ve had my freckles since I was young, so I’m not sure if they really are a sign of aging?
• Sallow / dull appearance
I mainly use targeted anti-aging products at night before bed, for a few of reasons: typically these products are richer and I’d rather not have greasy skin during the day. Also, when sleeping, the skin goes through a renewal process which lends itself to better absorb and utilize the anti-aging skincare ingredients. Lastly, some anti-aging ingredients, such as retinods, cause sun sensitivity so I would rather avoid that if possible. During the day time my primary focus is sun protection.
stash matters 