10.24.2012
My Current Skincare Regimen

I try not to play product favorites but I have to admit, my skin has been in pretttty good shape lately.  And this means: only minor breakouts, no dry patches, not a ton of redness and hyperpigmentation…so I, naturally, had to share what I’ve been religiously using.  I’ve already blogged about most of these products but hey, here’s a roundup, in one place, so you can see everything that I’m currently using and loving:

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free SPF 42: SPF, SPF, SPF.  Wear it every day, all day.  I’m a big Shiseido SPF girl because their sunblock formulas tend to be on the lighter side and don’t make you feel greasy and gross.

Darphin Aromatic Cleansing Balm with Rosewood: I told Darphin’s PR rep that I had dry, sensitive skin and she reassured me that I would LOVE this cleansing balm.  In fact, I believe she may have used the phrase “heaven on your face,” and yes, she was correct.  If you don’t like skincare that has fragrance, this might not be for you but I love how luxurious this cleanser feels and it doesn’t dry out my skin.

Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment: I’ve had my fair share of Kate Somerville treatments so any time they say they’ve captured a portion of one of their amazing (and costly) treatments in a bottle, I’m sold.  I’m into the cool burst of moisture and I like that I feel very high-tech when spraying it on my face (3 lines on each cheek and one on the forehead).  YES, ma’am.

Freeze 24/7 Ice Cream Double Scoop Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer: Aside from the fact that this product has “ice cream” in its name, it really is a fantastic anti-aging moisturizer…and, believe me, I’m picky about my moisturizers.

Kiehl’s Rosa Arctica Eye Cream: I’m clearly a big Rosa Arctica advocate but the eye cream is also pretty fantastic.  They say moisture is pretty much the most important thing to prevent wrinkles and fine lines and this eye cream has it.

Kate Somerville Neck Tissue Repair Cream with Peptide K8: I’ve blogged before on my fear of my impending turkey neck and, because of this, I’ve been AVID about using neck products.  It’s a little too early to say that I’ve seen “improvements” (since I’m only 29) but I have good faith that this product will work because it’s Kate-endorsed.

04.17.2012
Chinplants: my thoughts

Truth be told, my neck has always been a one of those body parts that I loathe.  I blame my Nana because really, she started this shit.  She had the “turkey neck” and so did my Aunts (my dad’s older sisters- he’s the youngest of 5) and now, my 65 year old father even has it, what I also refer to as, “the curse.”  It’s one of those weird Wasp problems, I know, (and I’m so not a Wasp) but I notice it in EVERY PHOTOGRAPH of myself.  We all have these insecurities so don’t judge, k?  I’ve basically just learned how to LOOK DOWN in photos (see photo above)…

I am 100% honest when I admit that living in Los Angeles has absolutely given me a body compex that I never had while growing up in New York…and, while it’s upsetting, it’s hard to stop.  I have a very close family member that struggles with a severe eating disorder and listening to her/trying to understand her while growing up was one of the most painful things I’ve ever had to experience.  Someone who hasn’t been close to someone with an eating disorder can’t even fathom what it’s like; as an FYI, it’s NOT about the weight…it’s about the control and, as a bonafide control freak, I can attest to the fact that letting go ain’t easy.  While I’ve never technically had an eating disorder, being “body obsessed” has taken a toll on me that I’ve been trying to deal with and thankfully, I’ve manage to remind myself on the daily that I will never look like a runway model OR a size 2 celebrity but I CAN be healthy and fit.  With that said, of course, I still have my insecurities – my stomach, my knees (weird, I know) and my chin.  After I saw this story on Allure.com, I was honestly surprised to read that there’s a 71% increase in “chinplants” since last year.  And guys, I’ve always wanted a real chin, so no judgement…I’m just surprised that the motive behind the surgery increase is the fact that “people subconsciously associate a stronger chin with more authority, self-confidence and trustworthiness,” accoring to the Allure.com story.  My take on plastic surgery is: if it will make you feel better, go for it…but it’s NOT a band-aid (I can speak from experience).

While I  admit that I will probably end up getting a nip and neck tuck (hi, I’m vain), for now, I’m just using over-the-counter preventative measures: Kate Somerville Neck Tissue Repair with K8.  I’ve been using this for awhile, which proves absolutely nothing at age 29, BUT I believe in everything that IS Kate Somerville so when I’m 55 and don’t see the signs of “the curse,” I will send Kate a very personal thank you note (before calling the chief of surgery at St. Vincent’s).

photo: me looking DOWN.

08.08.2011
Kate Somerville Neck Tissue Repair Cream

You know how there’s one common family trait that you notice every single time you see your family? Mine would be turkey neck.  My Dad now has it, his sisters have it, my grandmother had it…and I used to think it was inevitable for me.  But you know what?  I know for a fact that none of them tried to be preventative about it…which is where Kate Somerville Neck Tissue Repair Cream with Peptide K8 comes in.

The new anti-aging cream includes peptides that help soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while proprietary ingredients work together to increase elasticity and improve skin tone.  I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in firmness which, for me, will be the biggest tell of turkey neck!