My Skin Care Routine

Hi Friends!

My name is Alia and I’m a facial products junkie. I love the bottles, the smells, the
creams, the shopping. I’ve tried so many and I’m trying to keep up on new products
coming out on the market. We can start a forum. Come out of the closet!

Some of you have asked how I care for my skin. I’m not an expert but I’ll share a few
things from my own experience.

Some women have high maintenance skin. Some have lovely, lower maintenance skin
inherited through perfect genes. Whatever your skin type, I feel anyone can have a
beautiful face. But unless taken care of it can so sadly be ruined.

I think the most elusive part of this addiction is finding “THE” product. Like gambling.
“Just one more and I’ll hit the jackpot.” I have used too many things bought at stores
like Target. I call them “over the counter facial products”. I have found they simply end
up being disappointing. Have any of you had the same experience of buying cheap
facial promises, end up having an entire bathroom closet full of them (and they don’t
even come in very pretty bottles or jars) and being very unhappy? And totally annoyed?

Take for instance one of the cheapest products named after a saint (St. Ives). It’s a
moisturizer so whipped up with any number of airy fillers it feels like whip cream. (No, I
didn’t taste it, but I could hardly tell the difference.) However, I suspect there are some
hidden treasures that I’m not aware of out there. I would love some comments.

So we move on to department stores, specialty shops and niche boutiques or let’s just
say more expensive facial care products. Don’t believe for a minute if it’s expensive it’s
the best on the market. However, you will have better luck with them and more fun. Plus
you can get samples to try before you buy. And, as most of you know, if you do buy
a product you can take it back if you are not satisfied.

Boscia is my skin care line of the moment. I love the warming cleanser with its
charcoal ingredient that pulls out impurities. It works great for very oily skin.  The
hydrating gel is perfect.  It is not greasy nor even creamy and makes my face
feel soft and moisturized.

Clinique’s clarifying lotion brightens my skin so much in the morning, I don’t always
need my powder foundation.

I am convinced everyone should use eye cream.  Benefit’s eye cream is amazing but
remember to sample this first.  Depending on your age or skin another product
may work better.  I wasn’t using eye cream until three  months ago but I’m a believer now.
I wish I had started when I was 18!  But, it’s never too late!!!

If you absolutely cannot find anything that works for you, finding a licensed esthetician
might be your solution. Don’t get frustrated and resort to soap and cheap fluffy
moisturizers. Estheticians can evaluate your skin type and tailor a regime that personally
suits you.

As for me…I like to visit the shiny counters, see the rows of nicely lined bottles and jars.
Get my samples fix and hang out with the perfume.

Is that the mall or Sephora calling me? Got to go.