My skin is super dry. It especially doesn't like the winter. I drink water and I try to stay away from drying agents, but I have to just keep trying different combos until I get what I want. And it looks like that day has come.
The fine folks at QVC have provided me with part of my skin care regimen.
I was sent the bareMinerals 30 day 3-piece starter kit and asked to give it a whirl. I was also sent the Kate Somerville Quench Hydrating Face Serum.
So for the past 3 weeks, I've been using the below combination and my skin has been feeling fabulous. I even went for a facial and my esthetician noted how hydrated my skin was. She often recommends products, but I really need something that wont cost me $4-gatrillion. So here is my routine and my thoughts.
First I wash with the Bare Minerals Purifying Facial Cleanser.
The instructions say that you should wet your face and then apply the cleanser. Personally, I wet my hands and add the product to my hands. A long time ago, my esthetician taught me that you tend to use less product this way. So even if your cleansers don't tell you to wet your hands and/or face, do it anyway. It'll stretch the life of your product because you wont have to use as much of it. With this product you only need to use a little at a time. Don't empty the whole tube in one washing. After I wash my face, it doesn't feel tight so that's always a good sign. It feels clean.
Next I use Philosophys Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash
This was very reasonably priced and I only have to use a little. It isn't harsh and you can use it every day, which I do. Again, I wet my hands before applying. I pay special attention to my chin area since my skin seems to get extra dry around my chin and forehead. One thing that I really like about this exfoliator vs others is that I dont have to spend 20 minutes washing it off. Some exfoliators take FOREVER to wash off because of the little granules. It's like they never go away. I don't want to feel the granules when I'm putting on moisturizer. I don't have that problem with this one. I've been a cheerleader for Philosophy for a long time and this did not disappoint.
Next up is the Quench Hydrating Face Serum by Kate Somerville
Ok. This deserves a pause. I mean really. This stuff is fabulous. At first I was like ok, is it supposed to replace the moisturizer or what and how is one pump enough. People, I am in love. Now there is one tiny flaw. The packaging says to apply one pump daily. I personally didn't think that I had a big face. I don't know, maybe I do, but I apply one and a half. I found that 2 was too much. Silly, I know, but I had to find just the right amount. The Serum is designed for all skin types, normal to dry. Once you put it on, it's like your skin soaks it up and you aren't looking like the 6 year old at the bus stop with vaseline on your face. You don't get that super shiny result. It's great!
Now I have to say that the bareMinerals set came with a eye firming cream.
I have to admit, I only used it a few times. Not because it was bad or anything, but I didn't personally see a need for it. The eye firming cream reduces puffiness and restores firmness. Although, I should probably start working on that proactively, I haven't really bothered with it.
So there you have it folks. I mix and match until I get it right.
As a side note, I had a conversation with Brown Sugar this weekend and I told her about how great these products work and how good my skin was doing. I said oh, I have this product by this lady named Kate Somer-something, because I hadn't heard of her before now, and Ms. Sugar says "KATE SOMERVILLE. You don't know who Kate Somerville is? She is like a skin care expert." So apparently I was behind the 8-ball on that one. I have to admit, I wasnt surprised that bareMinerals was good and Philosophy was a shoe in, but I was glad to have found a new product that my skin could love as well.
I have to state again that the bareMinerals and Kate Somerville products were provided by QVC, but if it was crap, I'd definitely let you guys know.
Have a great Friday blushing ladies
Have you discovered any new skin care items?
