I was in San Fran last week with my husband and it was so fun! They have soooo many more beauty stores than we have in Minneapolis. I went into 2 Sephora's which were 2-3 times the size of the Sephora's we have in MN. So many more product lines. I went into a Fresh store, and a Kiehls store which we don't have in MN. I really loved the Kiehls store and got into trying on the rollerball essential oils. I liked the musk with the vanilla layered on top. One thing I was surprised by was the Bare Escentuals boutique was the same size as the 2 we have at malls here. I thought since Bare Escentuals is produced out of San Francisco they would really do it up big in SF.

So yesterday I decided I've had it.  I've had great skin for the last year until about 2 months ago.  I've done multiple salcylic acid peel facials in the last couple of months but it just keeps getting worse.  SO back to basics and what I know works.  Lots of benzoyl peroxide (Proactiv Repairing Lotion) followed by SPF in the am and moisturizer in the pm.  I followed this last night this morning and now this evening and already my skin is healing and no new breakouts!  I just need to stick with what works.  I placed an order at www.acne.org for products and I highly recommend checking out this website if you have acne.  It's good simple advice for clearing up your skin and it definitely worked for me.

I was sucked into watching Serious Skin Care on HSN...I get entranced by Jennifer Flavin especially when she talks about her zits.  It makes me feel better about my own zits.  I've never bought a product from SSC but I intend to research their acne line.

I use this as an around the eye product but I think you can also use it on or around the lips. This has a different texture...sort of a creamy gel. It is one of the few products that do not cause me to breakout in my temple area or below my eyes and also doesn't cause milia which are a pain in the butt to get rid of. I apply this after spf in the am and it's not shiny or sticky...just sinks right in.

In the latest edition of Allure it lists "pearly nude lip gloss" as in for fall. I love lipgloss and I'm not opposed to cheap brands although my fav is definitely MAC lipglass. One of the fall colors listed is Wet n Wild Lip Shine in Reckless which I'll be purchasing on my next trip to Target.

I was so excited to read this book since I had read a review claiming it was like taking a trip through Sephora.  I wouldn't exactly agree with that review.  There were quite a few references to different products and one of the main characters was a beauty editor but that was about it.  I have to admit this was probably my own fault to expect this book to read like the latest copy of Allure.  It was a cute chick lit story but nothing mind blowing.

I use this product to spot treat and I've found if you catch the breakout early it really helps.  I do wish it had a higher concentration of salicylic acid...2.0% would be nice, this contains 1.0%.  A definite pro to this product is it does not cause peeling or flaking after using.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), potassium azelaoyl diglycinate, propylene glycol, butylene glycol and 10-hydroxydecanoic acid and sebacic acid and 1.10-decanediol, ethoxydiglycol, phenoxyethanol, sodium hyaluronate, allantoin, hydroxyethylcellulose, carbomer.

I really like this cleanser.  I've been using it for about a year now and I've had no problems.  It contains 2.0% salicylic acid to fight breakouts and it has a slight exfoliating action when using it.  It does not contain sodium lauryl sulfates which do make me break out and it's hard to find a cleanser without SLS's.  The best part is that after I use it my skin doesn't feel dry and tight which is what usually happens after using a cleanser for acne.  It removes all my makeup but I do not use it on my eyes.  If you have a problems with acne this is a great cleanser.

Paraben free

 

Ingredients: Aqua (water), Sodium Cocoyl Isothianoate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Potassium Azelaoyl Diglycinate, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyethylene, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Fragrance, Triethanolamine.

I just bought this magazine for the first time and I really enjoyed it.  This issue has Heidi Klum on the cover looking perfect as always.  I bought it because I can't pass up a beauty mag but also because it had an article on skin perfecting peels.  I was relieved to read I am in fact having the correct peel done on my face.  I really enjoy the product ads since they were different than the usuals you normally see in a beauty mag.  I really loved the article about celebrities without makeup...that's always entertaining.  There was a great makeover story about plastic surgery and an article on aestheticians beauty secrets I devoured.  I was a little bored by the hair section but that's normal for me since I don't spend hours flatironing my hair.  The last 1/4 of the mag was pretty much ads for doctors...mostly plastic surgeons so that was boring.  I don't know if I'll buy again, it's the most expensive magazine I've ever purchased but it does cover 2 seasons.  I'm sure the next time I see it on the rack I won't be able to resist.

I've been getting the AHA facial at Spalon Montage every 4-6 weeks for over a year now.  It's actually a salicylic acid peel that really helps clear out my pores therefore preventing breakouts and controls the oiliness.  I've seen lots of aestheticians over the last year but my all time favorite is Natasha at the Chanhassen salon.  She's down to earth and easy to talk to.  She's helped me clear up my skin after a horrible breakout and make a good plan for the future.  At her recommendation I'm going to stop booking the AHA facial every 4-6 weeks and start booking the Acne treatment every 2-3 weeks which is the same salicylic peel and masks just no massage but it's quite a bit cheaper.  I won't mind losing out on the massage since that's not why I go for a facial but I'm sure lots of people would miss the massage.  I definitely recommend Natasha for a great facial!