Beauty and the Best: Face Front!

Hello all -

For this edition of Beauty and the Best, I wanted to focus on all the lotions, potions, and creams out there for the face.

As I mentioned before, the key to any good make up look is great skin.  You have to have a flawless canvas on which to apply your colors and here are a few products that will help you get there.

bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper by Bare Escentuals - $21.00

This little bottle = amazeballs.  Totally worth the $$$.  Started using this lightweight miracle lotion about two years back and since incorporating it into my daily skincare routine, my skin as been clearer and healthier looking. This multi-vitamin lotion with glycolic and salicylic acid is a godsend for those with oiler skin like mine and it doesn't feel heavy.  A little goes along way - just three squirts twice a day.  I even managed to convince my mom to starting using it!

Oil of Olay Complete All Day UV Moisture Cream

I wear lotion with SPF every day - even in the cold, dark New England winter.  Even though I have dark hair, I have fair skin with alot of adorable freckles so I want to keep my skin as protected as possible.  I like this one since it is moisturizing without feeling like you are spackling it on your face.

bareVitamins Prime Time Products - $21.00

This product is a must for anyone who wants their "face" to last.  This satin-finish formula goes on smooth and leaves the skin primed for makeup application.  It makes makeup stay on longer since it controls oil, which causes your look to fade.  Apply a little to your eyelids to help shadows stay on longer.  Great to use over moisturizer but under make-up for events like weddings or proms, any events where you don't want to spend all night running to the bathroom to re-apply.

What's your favorite go-to product for your face?  What's your skin type and what products to you like the best?

Beauty and the Best: What's the SKINny?

I don't think that anyone would never describe me as a "high maintenance" girl.  I'm not always perfectly coiffed nor do I drape myself in designer duds.  But there is a part of me that is a little diva when it comes to beauty products.

I love 'em.  I love browsing the newest products at Sephora and Ulta and even the beauty section of my local CVS. I like trying out different makeup, mascaras, lotions, etc to see which products work best for me.

So since I have this shiny new blog, what better way to share my love of all things beauty than with a new feature, which I like to call Beauty and the Best.  

Every so often, I'll introduce you to my beauty must-haves and review new products that I think are worth a try.  Please feel free to comment and share your favorites.  You never know...maybe I'll feature it on this blog!

Beauty and the Best: Skin Care

Great beauty starts with great skin.  We've all struggled with acne (yours truly, included) so finding the right products that don't irritate, clog your pores, or strip your skin is tres important.  After all, to be a makeup arteest, one needs a flawless canvas.

First rule is NEVER go to bed with makeup on.  I simply can't do it.  No matter how tired I am, I'll always drag myself to the sink to wash off the days makeup and grime before hitting the pillow.  Out of all the products I've used, these two are by far my favorites...

B.Best Systems Facial Cleansers

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub

B.Best Systems Facial Cleansers- $22.00

When I was living in Los Angeles few years back, I used to go to this little day spa off of Ventura Blvd. called Best Face & Body.  The owner, Bonnie, created her own line of high quality products which they used on all their clients.  My favorites were the Creme de la Creme and the AHA/BHA Exfoliant Cleanser.

Creme de la Creme has a wonderful citrus scent and is great for all skin types, but especially for drier skin because the aloe, algae extract and vitamin E add moisture.  The AHA/BHA is great for acne prone skin and its mix of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids  gently removes dead skin cells.  The itty bity jojoba beads polish the skin without it feeling stripped like bark off a tree.

Every time I'm in the area visiting my parents, I always makes sure to stock up, but you don't have to hop on a cross-country flight to get them. B.Best Systems products are available online!

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub - $7.99

Sometimes I need a scrub with a little more uumph and that is when I turn to this drugstore gem.  This scrub has a bit more "grit" to it so it does wonders when my skin is feeling especially clogged or grimy.  I like to use this one in the shower after the hot water has had a chance to open up my pores. I leave it on my skin for a few minutes while I condition my hair to let it do its magic.  It also has green tea and cucumber which are known to be natural soothing agents for stressed out skin.  It also has salicylic acid, which is a god-send for acne prone skin.

Personally, I use both of these in my routine, but those new to using products with acids in them might want to just start off using just one of these to see how your skin reacts.

So, what face wash do you swear by?  What do you use to keep your skin looking clear?