What I use...

As promised, here is my post on what I use skincare and make-up wise. I have to let you all in on a little secret that has totally changed the way I view both. My wonderful friend, Jamie at                        http://www.familysavvy.com/ recommended I check out Paula Begoun's www.beautypedia.com and her book, "Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me". This book totally transformed the way I think about purchasing skin care products. She opened my eyes to the  outrageous claims that cosmetic companies make regarding their products thus saving me and my DH a ton of money.

It is true that I have taken very good care of my skin for a long time now. I feel like I am reaping the rewards of that right now. But this is no time to stop in my quest for youthful skin. After reading Paula's book and searching her site for the best products, here is my simple and current routine (always subject to change):

Nighttime Regimen:
1. Cleanse - Olay Foaming Face Wash for sensitive skin. This removes everything and is so gentle and non-irritating. Paula believes there is no reason to have a medicated cleanser because it is being washed off and is only used to remove make-up. This cleanser was also a Paula's pick on her website. The best part of this cleanser is the $4 price tag and it lasts for months! I'm not even going to tell you how much I have spent on pricey cleansers in the past. I believe I have finally been delivered. :)
2. Tone - Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Replenishing Toner (only used at night to make sure that I removed all my make up).
3. AHA - Paula's Choice Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Once a week at night I use, Paula's Choice Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% Alpha Hydroxy Acid instead and sleep with it on instead of washing it off.
4. Moisturize- Paula's Choice Barrier Repair Moisturizer, which also doubles as an eye creme. Paula says that eye cremes are the biggest waste of money and that whatever you use on your face should be used on your eyes provided that it is non-irritating of course. Once I run out of this, I'm planning to switch to something a little heavier for the winter. This is a nice light weight moisturizer for the summer though.


Morning Regimen:
1. Wash my face with water only.
2. Use my tinted moisturizer all over my face including my eyelids and under the eyes for the SPF protection in that area.
3. Continue with 5 minute face

Make-Up Products:
Foundation: Aveda Inner Light tinted moisturizer SPF15 (02/beechwood). This is a Paula's pick (received her highest rating) because of their shades, it is non-irritating and the SPF is great in it. According to Paula it isn't the number but what actually comprises the SPF that matters.

Concealer: MAC Studio Finish Concealer SPF 35 (NC15). I like this because it lasts a long time, small container and has a great SPF.

Powder: Aveda Dual Foundation Powder which I apply only in the Tzone. However, I purchased the powder without having read Paula's review of it and that wasn't so wise and I may return the powder. While I love the way it looks and feels it is very irritating and I have been breaking out right in my T zone which is the only place I apply it and that lines up with Paula's review.

Blush: Aveda Petal Essence Face Accents (Plum Touch). I absolutely love this blush. I love the way it goes on and the way it looks. I highly recommend it.

Eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 (Rockstar) - I've been using this eyeliner for a while and I love the color but I do feel that it smudges and doesn't stay put on me. It may be because I have very oily eyelids that cause it to budge however Paula's review said the same thing so I'm not the only one. But I'm going to use up all the plum/purple eyeliners I have right now before purchasing something new (trying not to be wasteful and use what I already have - better for the environment and the pocketbook).

Eye Shadow:  Lorac Starry-Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio (Star Struck Ebloui).    I don't wear eye shadow every day but only on occasion and at night. I just bought this because the girl at Sephora recommended it to me and so far I love it.

Mascara: NYC Sky Rise Lengthening Mascara (Extreme black). I don't know why but I just love cheap mascara. It's pretty much the only product that I refuse to buy in a department store or some place like Sephora. But at $2 a pop, I would rather have the money saved to buy an expensive lip gloss.

Eye brow color: MAC Matte Eye shadow (Omega) is just a matte eyeshadow that I use to fill in my brows. It literally lasts me like years. I just threw away my old one and I had at least 5 years (sorry if that grosses you out).

Lip gloss: Aveda Lip Glaze (Cucumber Melon)

I really appreciate Paula's reviews on products. But with anything you have to try it out for yourself to be sure. She doesn't give Aveda's lip gloss a super great review but I like the lip gloss and the color on me, so I'm fine with that. By using some of her products and some drug store products, I was able to shave a bundle off my skincare budget. I also ask for gift cards to places like Aveda, Sephora... at  Christmas or Birthday time and that allows me to make any extra splurges on items that I wouldn't normally make.

Do you have any products that you absolutely love? I would love to hear your recommendations below...