08.16.2012
Baby’s First Chemical Peel

I’m not gonna lie, I was definitely a little scared when I agreed to try out a SkinCeuticals chemical peel at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc.  In my head, whenever I think of someone getting a chemical peel, I think of Samantha from Sex and the City and the aftermath of her peel (see HERE for a photo)…oh my god, I can’t even.

However, I was pleasantly surprised and delighted with the results!  I tried out the MicroPeel which is a 30 minute treatment that helps reduce the primary signs of photoaging — fine lines and wrinkles, dullness and visible skin imperfections.  The steps?  They were simple and best of all, didn’t hurt at all.

Step 1: Dermaplanning – manual exfoliation to physically remove dead epidermal skin cells

Step 2: Alpha Hydroxy Acid – chemical exfoliation to clear clogged pores with the applicaton of a SkinCeuticals AHA solution.

Step 3: Cryogenic Therapy – My favorite part.  They applied frozen carbon dioxide “slush” to further remove obstructive debris, blackheads and sun-damaged skin cells.  This treatment is anti-inflammatory, tightens skin and reduces the prominence of pores.

The verdict?  My skin was incredibly smooth and people told me that I looked like I was glowing for days after.

03.06.2012
Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

My biggest skin complaint is by far and away the fact that I have hyperpigmenation (e.g. acne “scars,” which are really not scars but in fact, post-acne red marks).  It makes it really hard to just run out of the house with out at least throwing on some tinted moisturizer and honestly, it drives me crazy.  I was sent a bottle of the new Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution and so far I’ve been really impressed with the results.

According to Kiehl’s, 55% of women clinically demonstrated a significant reduction in dark spot intensity in as little as two weeks AND, in eight weeks, a whopping 87% of women demonstrated more uniform skin tone to deliver breakthrough clarity- sounds good to me.  The secret ingredient?  Activated C, a photo-stable ingredient that is 100% active on contact.  The complex slows down the production and transfer of melanin and is proven to have an anti-cluster affect on existing spots and imperfections, breaking them apart before they form.

06.14.2011
Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash

The last few weeks have been a little stressful and I’ve been starting to see the effects on my skin.  After about three weeks of chin break outs, and a few cheek blemishes as well, I decided it was time to switch up my cleanser and try something new.  I went through my “beauty closet” and discovered that I had stored away Kate Somerville’s Gentle Daily Wash for future use and I immediately took it out for a test run.  The results?  Amazing.  I don’t know why it’s just so hard to find a good cleanser?  Kate’s Gentle Daily Wash is sulfate-free and is especially great for sensitive skin (like mine), since it contains soothing lavender.  My skin cleared up in (I’m not even kidding you) two days.

01.21.2011
Reader Question: How do I get rid of embarassing blackheads?

Question: I need your beauty help! So embarassing, I have so many blackheads- more than I’ve ever had!  Nobody can see them, obvi, unless they are close up and personal but I feel gross.  What do I do?  Do I need a facial???  I’ve never had one!- “S”

Hi “S”!

I feel your pain.  I get tiny little blackheads on my nose that only I can see but it drives me nuts!  The best (and easiest) thing to do is to yes, get a facial.  The facialist will use a special tool to clear out the blackhead bacteria and while it is a little uncomfortable (especially around the nose area), it’s totally worth it.  Once you’re “cleaned out” you should use a blackhead specific product that also helps to minimize pore size.  Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner Blackhead and Oil Remover is, in one word, a-mazing.  It’s formulated with alpha and beta hydroxy acids that help loosen blackheads while absorbing excess oils from your pores, preventing new blackheads from forming.

As far as facials, you don’t need to go anywhere fancy just for a good extraction.  I’d suggest checking out SpaFinder.com and finding a semi-decent spa that has good reviews.

Good luck, girl- let me know how it goes. =)

xo,

Jamie

 

 

 

04.29.2010
A return to my skincare regimen: Biologique Recherche

So, I’m sad to admit that over the past two months I’ve strayed away from my go-to skincare regimen that cleared up my adult acne and gave me clear skin…and now, I think I might be having an adult acne relapse!  Lesson learned- stick to what works!  You may have read my rave review on NadineJolie.com of one of the best skincare lines I’ve ever used, Biologique Recherche.  I tried out a new bar product, and while it works very well for some people and definitely did help with my rosacea, it didn’t help my breakouts at all and actually made the broken out area very dry and irritated.  Yesterday I decided to call it quits with the bar and went back to my own little miracle (in three bottles), and my skin is ALREADY better and getting back to normal.  Stick to what you know works, kids…and also give Biologique Recherche a whirl.

04.29.2010
A return to my skincare regimen: Biologique Recherche

So, I’m sad to admit that over the past two months I’ve strayed away from my go-to skincare regimen that cleared up my adult acne and gave me clear skin…and now, I think I might be having an adult acne relapse!  Lesson learned- stick to what works!  You may have read my rave review on NadineJolie.com of one of the best skincare lines I’ve ever used, Biologique Recherche.  I tried out a new bar product, and while it works very well for some people and definitely did help with my rosacea, it didn’t help my breakouts at all and actually made the broken out area very dry and irritated.  Yesterday I decided to call it quits with the bar and went back to my own little miracle (in three bottles), and my skin is ALREADY better and getting back to normal.  Stick to what you know works, kids…and also give Biologique Recherche a whirl.

10.28.2009
Reader Question: What’s a great (and cheap) face wash for acne-prone skin?

So I’ve been getting a lot of questions about skincare lately.  My reader, “C”, says:

Hi Jamie,

I loooove your blog!  You always feature amazing products!  Lately I’ve been breaking out a lot but I’m completely broke.  What’s a good face wash for my skin if I break out a lot?

Personally, I’m a believer that a classic is a classic for a reason.  Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Acne Wash is a long time favorite of beauty editors, bloggers and consumers alike.  The packaging isn’t pretty or flashy but this stuff really does the trick with it’s pimple-fighting ingredients like 2% salicylic acid.  Even though most acne fighting products are made to destroy oil and will usually dry out the skin, my normally dry skin stayed moisturized and zit-free while using this.  However, the trick to fighting acne is finding a good skincare regimen and STICKING to it.  So C, if you decide you like the Oil-Free Acne Wash, make sure you use it consistently to see results!  Good luck and let me know how it goes. =)

Xo,

Jamie

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