Beauty Ritual: Face

When I was in high school and college, I was often complimented for my "porcelain doll" complexion. I rarely got breakouts (usually just during that "time of the month") and my only complaint was that it took me forever to tan -- first I had to burn, and then I would only get that perfect golden goddess glow after the lobster red shell peeled off.

Then I hit 30 and all of a sudden I had acne. Me, the so-called "porcelain doll," with acne?! Well, I was fit to be tied. My old standby, Noxzema, wasn't helping, and I was desperate to find a way to clear my skin.

Three years later, I have finally found the perfect cocktail of products for my face. Some of them are tried and true items, while others are recent finds. I recommend them all very highly.

Beauty Rituals: Face by AnnieCristina on Polyvore.com

1. Philosophy Purity Made Simple 8 oz

I've become a huge fan of Philosophy's products, particularly this face wash. It's gentle enough not to irritate my skin, but strong enough to get rid of dirt and makeup. (Why do I suddenly feel as if I've stepped into a deodorant commercial?)

2. Pangea Organics Nigerian Ginger, Sweet Lavender & Thyme Facial Cream
This is the best moisturizer I've tried for my face. It provides just enough moisture for my combination skin and allows my makeup to glide on seamlessly. 

3. Pangea Organics Italian Red mandarin with Rose Lipcare 0.25 oz
ChapStick should be afraid of this lip moisturizer. Very afraid. 

4. Philosophy Hope In A Tube Eye & Lip Cream 0.5 oz 
Another great product from Philosophy -- I mostly use it around my eyes to ward off wrinkles and puffiness. Because a little preventive care is necessary for us gals, especially if you're in your 30s like me (sob). 

5. Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage
Speaking of puffiness, this product is the best cure for puffy eyes. Whether your eyes are puffy due to lack of sleep, allergies, or a random sobfest after watcing that Hallmarks commercial again, this will get you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed again. (Okay, maybe not so much bushy-tailed. Because that would be weird.) 

6. SAMPAR Prodigal Pen
When "that time of the month" hits and I'm sporting a zit (or five), this helps zap them. I swear since I started using this product, my zits are starting to heal faster. I've even used it on the boyf (much to his bemusement). 

7. Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System 
I kept reading rave reviews of this product, both in magazines and on websites like Sephora. I decided to bite the bullet in January, thinking I could always return it if it didn't work for me (Sephora has a ridiculously awesome return-policy). It's now been two months since I started using my Mia on a daily basis and my skin has improved drastically. I am getting fewer and fewer breakouts and my skin feels tighter, healthier. I use this every night in the shower with the Purity face wash. I recommend getting the Mia Cleansing System because it's a.) cheaper and b.) more portable than the original Clarisonic, which makes it especially great for trips.

What products do you use on your face? Let me know in the comments!

of face wash & porcelain dolls

I've always taken my skin for granted. I'm fair-skinned. Wait, scratch that -- I'm nearly albino, with dark hair, eyes, and brows, so my skin really stands out. People have told me I look like "a porcelain doll," which makes me blush (which is not a good thing when you're Winona-Ryder-pale). Thankfully, I've never had any issues with my skin, other than the occasional blush-fit.

Till now.

Out of nowhere, I've broken out all over my my left cheek and on my chin. The boyf thinks it's because I have a tendency to rest my hand on my left cheek and that germs are contaminating my face, but I'm a madwoman with the hand sanitizer, so I refuse to believe that's what is causing it. I think it's a combination of sleep deprivation and/or stress.

It is a sad thing, Reader, to go from being called "a porcelain doll" to having skin that now looks like this:

Hello, moon. Please tell my face to stop imitating you. Kthxbai

I'm exaggerating only slightly! Le sigh. So I bought a few face cleansers to try and combat this problem. Clean & Clear = Nothing doing. Neutrogena = Made my skin dry and scaly, but didn't make the zits disappear. St. Ives = Made it worse!!!!

This story does have a happy ending, though. My mom got tired of me buying all this "junk" that wasn't doing anything to help the situation, so one day she told me, "Why don't you just use Noxzema?" And memories of high school suddenly came rushing back to me. I used that face wash religiously all through high school, when my skin was at its clearest. In fact, that's when I got the most compliments for my complexion. The big blue bottle was such a mainstay in my past that I can't believe I ever stopped using it. I don't even remember why...

Well, I bought it a little less than a week ago and have been using it since, and already I'm seeing a massive difference. I love that the bottle looks virtually the same today as it did all those years back, when I was just a girl in my teens trying to take care of her skin. Noxzema, you rock my socks. I'll never stray from you again. Promise.

Cue: chorus of angels