So Fresh And So Clean

Being a former beauty editor, I obsess over skin. Not just my own but others that seemed to have perfected the art of making it look, well, perfect.

I also fully admit to being a Paltrow junkie, so do forgive me if you are not.

But I don’t think anyone can argue that in this shot of GP at a Coldplay show over the weekend, her skin looks much like that of a fresh-faced young twenty-something.

Obvi, we realize that she’s got all the money in the world, and a beauty contract to boot. But I have recently discovered my own little product combo that definitely knocks at least a few numbers off my 33 years in the form of MAC’s Prep + Prime Line Filler and Skin products. They were tested out by the MAC artists during the last round of shows and garnered super high marks.

And I now literally can’t walk out of the house without putting them on.

Try ‘em out and I swear you’ll notice an instant difference and your natural skin tone shines through, freckles and all.

Anyone else have any favorite tricks/products to share?

posted by guest

May 19, 2009 5:48PM

One of my favorite products is Clarins' "Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch": http://us.clarins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/beauty-products_complexion__C050105002_10051_10204_-1_24177__
I suspect it goes on a lot like the MAC primer you speak of. This treatment is SO smooth and silky! I put it on the fine lines around my eyes, then I carefully dust powder over it with a brush (not a powder puff). It took some experimenting (how much to apply, and how to be careful with powder), but I'm getting it down now. Really a cool treatment.
And speaking of powder, I finally picked up Make Up Forever's "HD Microfinish Powder" last month, and I can NOT leave the house without it on:
http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P210400&categoryId=C13402
It's shockingly matte-ifying, and lasts all darn day. Apparently it contains silica, but if you ask me, it's magic fairy dust.

May 19, 2009 6:13PM

Checkout supermodel Veronica Webb at the ABT event last night! Shes in her early 40's and skin is like buttah! Lancome Genifique is her secret weapon!
TRUST!!!

May 19, 2009 6:31PM

Facials every three months at Salon de Shyou. She's a genius.

May 19, 2009 7:24PM

Kinerase C8 peptide, I swear by it!

May 19, 2009 8:31PM

Daily sunblock plus a low dosage (0.025%) Retin A at night. Retin A is a prescription acne cream, but has the same ingredients as the only FDA approved wrinkle cream). I also just use Cetaphil moisturizer and cleanser. Works for me! Thanks for the tip about MAC though :) I'll probably need it in a few years!

May 19, 2009 9:18PM

md skincare daily glycolic peel pads... amazing.

May 19, 2009 10:09PM

Darphin and Burts bees for me !

posted by my fall collection

May 20, 2009 12:57AM

everyday, i use the highest rated sunblock on the environmental working group (ewg.org)'s website that ranks sunscreens by effectiveness and toxicity to the skin. most sunblocks mostly block uvb, which gives you sunburns. but it's uva that gives you wrinkles... and instead of just believing product lables that vaguely promise "broad spectrum protection," i feel much better cross-checking with a non-profit org like ewg. the product i use is also vegan.

a good quality paper towel to dry my face every night acts as a gentle exfoliant (though, my facialist laughs at me for this but anyone who's ever worked on my face remarks on how clean it is).

for moisturizer, i use Complex 15, which my doctor recommended to my family years ago. it contains phospholipids, which i remember from high school bio class as the molecules that make up the cell membrane which attract and hold water molecules on the end of the phospholipid that faces outwards from the cell membrane.

i never buy anything with active ingredients that come in a tub, because once it's opened and exposed to the air --a lot of the good stuff disappears.

i also read the Beauty Brains blog --i love the idea that women who are upbeat and open-minded about skincare can also be SMART.

May 20, 2009 3:28AM

This post would be written by a beauty editor because it is simple, self-referencing and lame. Your product placement isn't even veiled in a smart article and your writing is not interesting - it is all about you, darling. Try harder next time.

May 20, 2009 3:49AM

melanoma!

posted by darcykins

May 20, 2009 10:07AM

guest 9 sounds very bitter. It isn't a product placement so much as an open opportunity for everyone to give there beauty secrets.
you'll give yourself wrinkles if you worry too much, and stress will give you pimples. I think being relaxed and comfortable and happy is the best way to keep your skin looking good.
and guest 8: you didn't mention the name of this amazing product, but thanks for the website.

posted by Nacho

May 20, 2009 11:09AM

Guest 9 makes me sad....sad for her.
I never understood why if you don't like an article, you can't just carry on with your life. Does posting a nasty quip really accomplish anything? It's not like the article was a scathing rip on someone, or anything that could possibly be perceived as harmful.
Get over yourself, rude.

May 20, 2009 1:18PM

i do the same as guest 5- oil free sunblock every day and .025 retin a at night. whether you have the occasional blemish or just want smooth, fresh-looking skin retin a is the best thing (according to my derm). i also take omega3 supplements every day and try to drink a lot of water.

May 20, 2009 2:48PM

Certified Organic ROSEWATER from Whole Foods!!
It is my miracle product. I use it after cleansing and it instantly rebalances your skin's natural ph levels. You can spray it all over your face and let it airdry, or you can use as a toner with cotton swab. I even spray it under my armpits, seriously.

posted by astralgirl02

May 21, 2009 6:21PM

Agreed with #6... MD Skincare line is fabulous, but the highlight products are the Daily Peel pads, the hydrating moisturizer, and the eye cream. I'm a Black girl with uneven skintone, and the pads kind of demolished my slight acne problem AND finally evened my skin out and gives me a awesome glow... highly recommended.

May 22, 2009 12:04AM

If you want to avoid undue aging on your skin try this:

Don't smoke. Don't drink. Don't tan.

Especially the last one, because nothing fucks your skin like UV.

It's not fucking rocket science!