Facing the Future...

Ok, ok...bad pun! :) I have been getting a lot of compliments on my skin/makeup lately which is very unusual so I thought I would share what I have been doing differently.  Now, I have super-sensitive skin so modifying my care routine was something that I was very resistant to doing for a long time.  I've had extremly bad reactions to the "product-of-the-moment" before and as a result, stuck with just two products: Cetaphil Cleanser and Neutrogena Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin.

Then on a trip to see my dear friend in Texas, I tagged along when she went to Neiman's to refill her products.  I can tell you honestly, those makeup counters at places like Neiman's, Macy's and the like have ALWAYS intimidated me.  #1) The stuff is expensive.  #2) The ladies behind the counter either are impossibly gorgeous or look like the casting call for Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?  #3) How do you figure out what to use?

Going from drugstore products and prices to department store is not easy.  Ask my kids - I'm tight with my money and I'm a stickler for value.  Lucky for me, my Texas Twin took me under her wing.  When you have a friend whose opinion you can trust, it makes a huge difference. Plus she knows how to WORK the ladies behind the counter!!  I walked away with a box full of samples and one key product: Dior Capture Totale (gulp, $125!).  This held all the possibility of being a very expensive mistake...

For three months I religiously used the Capture Totale cream, at morning and night in place of the Neutrogena.  I was very happy that I did not experience any breakouts or reactions with the switch.  When I returned to Texas for my next visit, my friend made a comment about my skin.  I hadn't changed anything except my moisturizer.  When we returned the department store to replenish my supply I was given samples of One Essential Super Serum and Capture Totale Eye Crème as part of a kit.  I kept hearing about sticking with the same skin-care line so the products can work together.  I always poo-poo'd that as a false selling point, but I'm a total convert now.  I added the toner to my routine and my skin has never looked or felt better.

Wait - I almost forgot a key component: my new Clarisonic Mia that I purchased from Sephora.  My Texas Twin had extolled its virtues on my visit, and since she hadn't steered me wrong so far, I was willing to give it a shot (plus I had a 20% off coupon and the assurance of a good return policy!!).  Oh. My. God.  What a difference this has made to my skin!! I'm still using my trusty ol' Cetaphil cleanser, but the Mia is exfoliating and making that cleanser work so much better!! When I rinse off with water, my skin is silky smooth. Often, I can now just do some eye makeup and skip the foundation (see pic right.  Ok, that is with a Hawaiian tan, but I'm actually eager for it to fade now!)

Bottom line... yes, it's a splurge, but I've gotten past the guilt of making myself feel/look better.  I'm pushing 40 and I've only got so much to work with :)  I spent *years* denying myself simple pleasures because I felt I had to put everyone and everything else first or I was at the best vain - at the worst a bad person.  I'm not the only woman that does that.  In fact, those of us that do are probably in the majority.  I'm not saying we should go blow a bunch of money on something unneeded, but I hope we don't forget to treat ourselves now and then.  We ARE worth it.