I got carded buying a bottle of wine last week and the sales clerk acted shocked to learn my age. (I’m going to be 35 this year!) Of course I ate it up! I’ve always looked younger than my age because I’m short and petite, but I’m hoping that part of the reason I’m hanging on to a youthful appearance these days is my new skincare regimen.
A few months back I decided it was time to get serious about my anti-aging skincare routine. So I did some major research and developed a plan of action. My goal with my new regimen is to ensure that my skin keeps a youthful appearance. But just as important, I want to make sure whatever products I use make my skin look good right now. Oftentimes, anti-aging products promise that your skin will look great in ten years, but leave it looking awful in the here and now! Over the next few posts, I’ll be sharing my new anti-aging skincare routine with you, and because I realize one size doesn’t fit all, I’ll also share a host of other fantastic products I uncovered in my research. So tune in!
For starters I’d like to chat about the two products that have made the biggest difference in the way my skin looks right now. They are Kerstin Florian’s Hyaluronic Serum and Serum C Infusion. As y’all know, I am a major fan of Kerstin Florian; every product I have tried so far from this company has been outstanding. So when I was mapping out my skincare strategy I naturally checked out KF to see what products they had to offer my cause. In addition, I consulted my favorite beauty experts who said that any anti-aging strategy should include “hyaluronic acid” and a vitamin C component.
Hyaluronic acid is a substance found in connective tissue of the body that cushions and lubricates. These days it’s being touted as the fountain of youth. And vitamin C is an important anti-oxidant that is supposed to protect skin from future damage as well as soften current wrinkles. Lucky for me KF had two products that fit the bill. Their Hyaluronic Serum promises to “bind and attract water to the skin to maintain softness and suppleness.” It’s also is meant to soothe reddened, irritated and sensitive skin. For it’s part, the Serum C Infusion is meant to “reduce the appearance of photo damage, even out skin tone and encourage a firm, youthful elastic quality to the skin.”
So far, both of these products have exceeded my expectations! I apply them every morning, first the Hyaluronic Serum then the Serum C. I had never used a skin “serum” before and I must tell you I will take a serum any day over a lotion or moisturizer. Both absorb instantly into the skin—unlike moisturizers and lotions. Plus, they’re weightless and non-greasy. The best part of using these products is they immediately give me an amazing, soft glow. So my skin looks great right after each application. Also, I use a retinol product (that’s another post) and these products calm down the redness caused by the retinol product. In addition, my skin is smoother, softer and clearer than it’s ever been.
Plus, the products have put an end to my dry skin issues. After I moved to LA I was bummed at how dry my skin became. I’m from super-humid New Orleans and was used to my skin looking like I had just walked out of a sauna. Now my skin is back to looking dewy! After using the products for a couple of months I can already get a sense of the long-term effects I’m in store for. My skin looks tighter and smoother. I recommend both of these serums to anyone looking to improve their skin’s appearance right now and later. Next post, we’ll talk retinols…
xoxo,
BB
There aren’t enough positive words in the English language to do justice to how in love I am with the Kerstin Florian product line: www.kerstinflorianusa.com. Y’all already know how passionate I am about Kerstin Florian’s Moor Mud Masque. I think it’s the absolute perfect gift-it’s only $34 and with regular use it takes five to ten years off anyone’s face plus it makes skin feel and appear absolutely radiant! Not to mention it’s fun-you get to smear mud all over your face! To my delight I have found that each and every product I have tried in the Kerstin Florian line (I’m hoping to try them all!) is BEYOND AMAZING! I will never live without them. (I’m working on an entire blog about this line of products.) Here is a list of what I think would be awesome gifts for someone you love: Rejuvenating Starter Kit: $119; Clarifying Starter Kit: $106; Teen Starter Kit $60; Rejuvenating Masque: $80.50 and last, but not least because I am seriously smitten with this stuff: Aromatherapy Neroli Water $34. I spray this stuff all over myself after showering-it tingles and gives my skin this amazing soft glow. It’s a spa in a bottle, no lie. It’s so light that I even spray it on my face, which is super-sensitive and it instantly makes me look refreshed. Hint hint to anyone shopping for me-I love love love veering Kerstin Florian!!! One more thing, the spa products for men, according to my boyfriend who is all guy, “are outstanding!” He really loves the Raspberry Post Shave Extract.
Most of the folks I know want to start meditating-after all, it’s all the rage these days, but they just don’t know where to begin. I think this collection of meditative items from www.gaiam.com makes a great meditation for beginners gift.
Silk and Velvet Meditation Cushion: only $18 [and comes in a variety of zen-like colors.]
Meditate CD: $13
Beeswax Pillar Candle $8
It’s hard to buy a gift for your Mom-in-Law. The pressure is on because you crave her love and acceptance. You’ve asked her son for help and all you get is a “My Mom will love whatever we give her, she’s just happy to spend time with ‘us.’” (Translation: “Us” = “Me, her wonderful son.”) Just get her whatever.” I for one, adore my Mom-in-Law, and want to make sure any gift I give her shows her just how much she means to me. I look forward to visiting my other half’s family because I can’t wait to hang out with her, but many daughters-in-law struggle for their MIL’s acceptance and love. With this gift, you’ll for sure score major points. It’s the Hobo International Gwyneth oversized tote; Hobo Bags. Yes, I’ve already blogged about it, but I really wanted to bring it up again as the perfect gift for your MIL-you can’t go wrong with the basic black.
I lived in New York City for four wonderful, glorious years, and am a much much much better person for it. For all the girls who live in the city now, have done a stint in the city or just have a special place in their hearts for the coolest, most awesome city on the planet, this is the perfect gift. It’s a line of nail polish made by Carolyn New York-each polish is named after something New Yorky; the colors are fantastic and the names are genius: My favorites: Mulberry Street, Mugged on the Sixth Train, Hell’s Kitchen, Brooklyn, Spanish Harlem, Eastside Brownstone, Snowing in the Park, and Taking in a Show. At only about $7 a bottle, a handful will make the perfect gift! The company’s Web site is going through a massive reconstruction, but you can order by calling 1-866-5-CAROLYN (2276596); it’s so worth the time it takes to make the call-just check out the adorable packaging!
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