One Girl's Quest for Perfect Skin & Great Style

Moisturizer Hunt: The Picks

2009-01-29T17:40:00.004-05:00

After much deliberation, I've selected three moisturizers I want to try. I confess that I was a bit worried about how to sample moisturizers, since I wanted to get enough to be able to use each one for several days in order to make an informed decision . After all, I've used products that on their first use seemed great, but after using them more regular turned out not be so great. Fortunately as I was wondering around the Columbus Circle Sephora I discovered stacks of small bags and spatulas on one of the make up stations - perfect for scooping moisturizer into the bags and taking home to try. Which is, of course, is exactly what I did.

The criteria? I tried to find moisturizers that were reasonably good all in one products, and were around $40.

In no particular order:

1) Clinique's Superdefense Daily Moisturizer SPF 25. ($42.50 for 1.7 oz)

2) Philosophy Hope in a Bottle.

3) Peter Thomas Roth's Glycolic Acid Moisturizer. ($45 for 2 oz)

After I use each one, I'll do a short post about the pros and cons, and hopefully within a week or two I'll have a new moisturizer! So keep checking back for updates. . .

Moisturizer Hunt and Good-bye to an old friend

2009-01-07T17:25:00.006-05:00

It is with sadness that I am giving up Mary Kay's Oil Free Hydrating Gel. It was the first moisturizer I ever found that was moisturizing without making my skin sticky and greasy. It melted into my skin, leaving it silky smooth and is a lovely lavander color. I have no qualms about recommending it to others - it is gentle and effective - but my skin has changed and it is now too heavy for me in the summer and not heavy enough in the winter.

So, I am officially starting a hunt for a new moisturizer. I am of the school that it seems silly to spend a lot of money on face washes. Duh. They are designed to be washed OFF your skin, so why spend tons of money on them? (Not that this stops me, on occasion, from doing so). But moisturizers. . .designed to be used twice a day; they actually sit on your skin. Sink into your pores. In my opinion, they are where your product dollars should be spent.

Moisturizers are tricky though - too light and your skin feels dry and thirsty. Too heavy, and it seems oily and/or greasy. The right moisturizer is a fine line between rich and airy. And then there are the sheer number of options when you set out to buy said moisturizer - do you want to prevent acne or fine lines? Minimize pores? Have an SPF in it? Tinted or regular? Anti-aging? Exfoliating? With anti-oxidants? Vitamin C? Erase age spots? Should it contain green tea? White tea? It's all enough to make a girl's head spin. Plus, when it comes to moisturizer, I want it all - or most of it all. I think you should really wear a separate SPF. I only sporadically wish for tint. But the rest of it - the anti-aging, anti-acne, anti-blackehad, pore minimizing, brightening, exfoliating, moisture? Sign me up for all of it. I've decided to sample three and then choose a new one. I'll keep you posted. (Feel free to tell me your top requirements of a moisturizer!)

No Pain, No Gain? A Cautionary Tale. . .

2008-11-30T16:43:00.003-05:00

Word to the wise:
Do not use these together.

Remember my post about Kate Sommerville's Exfolikate? How I had repeatedly read that it was a miracle worker that resulted in some temporarily burning flushed skin that ultimately became glowing, radiant, etc? And how I used it and used it and used it and nothing really happened? And how I wanted the pain because, uh, I wanted the gain? Well on Sunday night, I decided that it would be a good time to use it since I find Sunday nights tedious and monotonous due to my existential dread of facing the upcoming week, and this time my face started to tingle. After 30 seconds, I HAD to wash it off because my cheeks were burning. Half an hour later I looked and the mirror and wondered why on earth I was so flushed. And then I realized: I'm not flushed - the Exfolikate WORKED. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was as I anticipated waking up up glowing and radiant the following morning.

Well. On Monday morning I stumbled into the bathroom and through bleary eyes saw that my cheeks and forehead were still flushed - and oddly shiny. My face felt strangely smooth , and later while applying my moisturizer it tingled uncomfortably. As the day progressed, my skin felt tight and uncomfortable and became flaky. Forget glowing and radiant - more like chapped and burned, as though I'd spent the day skiing without sunscreen. I realized the next day that I had, rather stupidly, washed my face with DDF glycolic exfoliating wash* prior to applying the Exfolikate, and that applying green gritty goop with a reputation for burning to a face that has just been washed with a soap containing glycolic acid = STUPID. After about a week of super gentle treatment, and of red, chapped skin, my skin is back to normal. In fact, it's pretty radiant. But a word to the wise: do not mix two potentially lethal products, no matter how little they seem to do for you. If only I'd paid more attention in chemistry this may not have happened!

*This to is a product that I spent far too much money on and have been on the fence about the results. It's gentle and relatively effective but until this experience I didn't actually believe there really was acid in the product because it seemed so incredibly benign.

** I recommend using super gentle products to fix a mistake like this - cetaphil and that yellow clinique lotion were probably my best friends.

Travesty. Seriously. A. Travesty.

2008-11-20T17:13:00.001-05:00

As it turns out, I owe the Sephora at 77th and Broadway half an apology.* Apparently the reason why they haven't been stocking Shu Uemura's miraculous fiber extension mascara is because no one is stocking it. BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. I realized this only after trying to purchase it online, going to two Sephoras, and then going to multiple department store make up counters looking for it. Apparently, Shu is not a regular reader of this blog and doesn't realize that this is a product I Can't Live Without. A mascara that I would fight for on a deserted island. Sad for him. But sadder for me, because it means that I'm back on the hunt for a new mascara. I've been using a tube of Christian Dior Diorshow, which countless beauty editors swear by, as do several friends of mine, but it smudge, smudge, smudges all over my eyes after about two hours of wear. Any recommendations for a new mascara?

*They only get half of an apology because they have possibly the worst Sephora customer service ever. It's either non-existant bordering on rude or they follow you around telling you to make sure that you hold securely on to your purse because of pick-pocketing until you leave without buying anything. Bizarre, but true.

Is a Wedge Shoe the Answer to All My Problems?

2008-11-12T14:33:00.006-05:00

Despite a recent post on black flats, I am still struggling in the shoe arena. (I still haven't bought a new pair of flats, and remember those fabulous red Steve Madden shoes? Although my friend Janet purchased them, I haven't).

My dilemma is multi-fold. I am short, so crave additional height. But the nature of urban living make high heels a hazardous gamble unless one has an endless budget to be spent on cabs. I prefer to spend my money on shoes, not cabs. In addition, a majority of my pants are hemmed a bit long, so I need the height so as not to ruin said pants. I determined that the best shoe that would give me some height but allow me to navigate the city would be a wedge shoe. I remember when wedges came back a few years ago, I couldn't get on the bandwagon. I thought they made short girls look shorter, and could add 10 lbs to your frame, and were kind of ugly. And now, they seem to be on the low tide of the trend. The options are limited, and often don't come in my size. . .but I'd like a pair that is classic but a bit edgy, a neutral color, and not too high. Like this (but are they too boring?) or this (I think I may like these the best, but they are a bit spendy for me these days)or this. (Too practical/utilitarian?).I've also been kind of crazving a wedge bootie or oxford type of shoe, and at one point this fall was totally obsessed with these, over the objections of a friend of mine. Yet I am unable to commit . . . are they cute or just frumpy? Thoughts, comments, suggestions, please!!!

No Pain, No Gain.

2008-11-06T14:28:00.001-05:00

True confession: I secretly (or not so secretly, as of now) believe that for a product to truly work, there should be some sort of side effect - usually, an unpleasant one. When dermatologists have prescribed me various medications and creams and cautioned me that a side a effect may be redness and peeling skin, I'm tempted to buy popcorn and sit in front of my mirror for hours on end in anticipation. When the side of a box cautions that redness and flakiness may occur as I result, I cross my fingers. Sadistic, I know.

The problem is, I seem to have the toughest skin in all of America. Creams that send others into hiding for the first few weeks of application barely register on my skin. Redness, peeling, flakiness? I wish. For a couple of years, I've been wanting to try Exfolikate, a miracle product by skin aesthetician to the stars Kate Sommerville. According to various reviews, the green gritty goop should be applied sparingly over your face, and then rinsed off within 20 seconds because it will begin to burn. (You can see why I would want to use it, right?) Your face may turn bright red afterward, but allegedly you wake up glowing. Due to the intensive nature of the product, they recommend using only at night.

When I came across a spa in New York that was offering Exfolikate at a discount, I decided to try it. Following the directions, I applied it to clean, damp skin. And then I waited, with anticipation. 10 seconds. 20 seconds. 30 seconds. A minute passed, and then two. Nothing. Not even a bit of tingle. After five minutes, I washed the green goop off. My face was a normal color. It was softer, to be sure. But I wanted burning! I continued to use it about once a week, and I have had no major breakouts during that time. It's also helped (or I think it's helped, but maybe it's something else) with my clogged pores. Worth the expense? I remain unconvinced.

Lives Up to the Hype, But So Does This. . .

2008-10-30T15:11:00.005-04:00

This or That?

Recently, I blogged about the infamous
Nars Orgasm blush. I had tried their all in one stick "The Multiple"(more of a cream blush version) and fallen in love, but gone with the powder blush due to price. I spent a recent rainy Saturday afternoon in Sephora and have determined that for me, at least, the cream version makes a HUGE difference. I once again was all glowy goddessy.

Here's the catch: I also discovered ANOTHER blush that I like almost as well. While in Sephora, my friend S., in the grand tradition of 11 year olds at slumber parties, allowed me to make her over. My original* obsession with cream blush goes back to Stila Convertible Colors. I have used the Petunia color for years now. (They seriously last forever). The convertible colors come in small brightly colored compacts and are designed to be used on both lips and cheeks. (But mostly cheeks). Do not be taken aback by the color of the compact or even of the blush itself. The colors go on light and sheer, and blend gorgeously. A few swipes of petunia instantly brightens my face.

So, for S., I immediately went for a Stila convertible color as one of the things to use on her. I initially determined that Poppy would be a good color for her (I recommended it to my roommate with success. Tina Fey also uses it, though as far as I know it's not because of my recommendation) but it wasn't a great color on her. I then tried the scarily named and intimidatingly bright Fuchsia (pictured) on her, and it was FABULOUS. So fabulous I tried it on myself, and spent the rest of the day walking around with Orgasm on one side and Fuchsia on the other cheek. They look totally dissimilar in their respective packaging, but very similar on my face. The only difference is that the Orgasm has some shimmer and the Fuchsia doesn't. So once again, I'm torn between which to choose and can't afford both. I'm leaning toward the Orgasm for now since I need the shimmer in winter, and going with the Fuschia come spring.

*When I was a child my mother was the only person I know who used cream blush, despite it's extreme scarcity in the 1980s. Mea culpa, Mother dear. You were right.

Even if you're not having your photo taken, this is a great product

2008-10-28T14:53:00.003-04:00

There are certain products that have a lot cache. You read about them for years in multiple magazines, hear about them from red carpet make up artists, etc. (Or at least I do. Maybe the general public does not). One of these products is Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. The primer is supposed to provide a smooth surface for foundation and concealer, helping to create a flawless finish. It also mattifies skin by absorbing oil, prevents shine, and conceals perspiration. This in turn is ideal for photo shoots and red carpets because it leads to perfect looking skin in photos and on camera. (The primer comes in a regular version, a light version for oily skins, and a version with SPF 15).

I am not someone who spends an inordinate amount of time in front of a camera (friends can attest to the fact that I am a lazy photographer and would have no photos of myself it it weren't for others), nor do I use foundation, but I'd heard so much about it that I wanted to try it for myself. I got a sample of it when I bought another product by Smashbox last year, and despite my feelings that "primer" is yet another thing invented by beauty companies solely to turn revenues, not because it is actually needed, I was excited to try it.

I can verify that it does indeed prevent shine, and provide an smooth service for make up other than foundation - concealer, eye shadow, blush, etc. Even in the humidity of a Washington, DC summer, there was not a bit of shine or an ounce of sweat on my brow when I used this product. (A dab goes a long way). Nonetheless, like so many things, it shifted to the bottom of my make up bag, and I hadn't used it in a while until one recent morning I decided to use a bit in lieu of moisturizer. I then walked across Central Park to a meeting that I was wretchedly unprepared for. The meeting went better than expected, but the most surprising thing? I was repeatedly complimented on my glowing skin. I'm rotating it back into regular use.

Lives Up to the Hype. I Think. Maybe. Not?

2008-10-20T16:10:00.002-04:00

THIS VERSUS THIS

So, for years now I've been reading about Nars Orgasm blush. According to a variety of sources it is wildly flattering on every skin tone and transforms the pastiest of complex-
ions into glowing roseleaf. However, the description of a "peachy-pink" blush with gold shimmer has always been a bit off putting to me. I have a cool complexion, and despite a teenage infatuation with Cornsilk (anybody remember that brand?) blush in two shades of peach, it's just not that flattering with my blue eyes and blond hair. Recently I was in Sephora striking out as I tried to restock some essentials - Shu Uemura mascara and Laura Mercier concealer. I was annoyed that this Sephora didn't have what I needed and annoyed that the sales people were not helpful, and especially annoyed that I was going out that night and wouldn't have the make up I'd wanted. (Word to the wise - the Sephora at 76th and Broadway has a limited selection and unhelpful staff).

At this point, I was standing next to the Nars display, and I noticed a tube of blush. I'm a HUGE fan of cream blush. I think it goes on better and blends more naturally than powdered blush. Naturally I picked it up, and was surprised to discover that it was the much vaunted Orgasm blush in cream form. I swiped some on my cheeks and I instantly looked more cheerful, more awake. Glowier, happier. My dark circles and annoyance receded in the face of the peachy pink golden shimmer on my cheekbones. Suddenly my tired self was radiant. The drawback? The cream form is significantly more expensive than the powdered form. Despite my misgivings - powdered just doesn't blend the same way - it seems to get caught in my moisturizer - I went with the cheaper alternative, and I just haven't been thrilled. It's too peachy. And goes on too heavily. I kind of look like I'm wearing bronzer. I can't decide if the lighting in the store just fooled me or if it's an honest difference between the powdered and cream blush. Of course, my game plan is obvious: go back to Sephora, put on the cream blush, wear it for a day and determine if this is an exchange or a return situation.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not: Can Marc Jacobs Daisy End My Serial Perfume Monogamy?

2008-10-17T17:55:00.000-04:00

For me, the only thing more maddening than searching for a mascara is searching for a perfume. You can really only try on four scents - max - before succumbing to a headache and watering eyes.

As documented in a recent blog post, for some time now, I have been at loose ends for a signature fragrance. I've spent some time pondering my serial fragrance choices, and I've realized that I tend to buy one scent and stick with it for an extended period of time. In fact, it's only been in the past year that I haven't had a fragrance that I wore daily. I'm sure that's meaningful on an unconscious level, but that's not the point of this blog. During that year, there is a perfume that I have tried on repeatedly: Marc Jacobs Daisy. It debuted last year to much buzz, as do all things Marc Jacobs. Having jumped on the new "it" fragrance bandwagon before, I intended to eschew Daisy, but was intrigued by plain old Marc Jacobs perfume's simple packaging: a solid rectangular bottle graced only by a narrow black bow. So Audrey. I initially liked the way it smelled, but the second time I tried it, the perfumed devolved into a powdery talcum like fragrance and I remembered that I don't really care for the way gardenias smell. No go. But Daisy beckoned on the same shelf, so I spritzed some on the other wrist. It was sweet but faded into something softer as the day progressed. (According to the company, it contains notes of strawberry, violet, gardenia, grapefruit, and jasmine). Every time I visited Sephora I sprayed some on, and every time I liked it a little more. But something held me back from buying it. (Maybe grad school bills?). Still, I kept trying it.

I recently had a birthday, and my friend S. thoughtfully included a small bottle of Marc Jacobs Daisy in my gift. She knows me well enough to realize that I need to be able to wear something daily in order to determine if it's a contender for a signature fragrance. Then I opened a package from my parents, and found a HUGE bottle of Daisy. Are the fragrance gods sending me a message that I've discovered my signature scent? Only time will tell. I'll keep you posted.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree

2008-10-15T19:54:00.008-04:00

If I had to try and explain the origins of my love of products, it would probably start with my grandmother. When I was a little girl, I loved to sit in her bathroom and watch her as she “put on her face.” No make up was involved – the most I ever saw her wear was lipstick, but she ritually cleansed, toned and moisturized. It paid off. She looked years younger than she was. My grandmother was also a collector of perfumes. Her vanity shelves were graced with beautiful bottles of a variety of fragrances – L’aire du Temps, Chanel No. 5, Opium, White Linen, White Diamonds, and in later years Glow, Pleasures, Kenneth Cole Black and many others. She had a perfume for every occasion, for every mood. My mother (her daughter), on the other hand, has worn Oscar by Oscar de La Renta, and only Oscar, for as long as I can remember. In this regard at least, I’ve always thought I took after my mother – that I was someone with a signature fragrance, a distinct perfume that would become synonymous with me. The problem is, after some 15 years of wearing perfume, I’m still looking for that signature fragrance. I’ve realized that when it comes to perfume, I’m actually a serial monogamist. I fall madly in love with a fragrance and remain firmly committed for an extended period, until suddenly. . .I'm not.

Past relationships include: Malibu Mist, some drug store dreck I
wore at age 12. When I was 13 I somehow got my hands on a bottle of Elizabeth Arden Red Door. At 14 I switched to something that was very rose scented – also a drug store find, but I recall really loving it in the face of the Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers craze, despite the fact that I can no longer remember its name. I had a brief infatuation with a Jessica McClintock scent, and then when I was 16, it was on to Pleasures - a birthday present from my grandmother. I stuck with Pleasures for several years, and then in college I became enraptured with Ralph Lauren Romance, the fragrance du jour, which I wore for several years. In my mid-twenties I decided it was too common and fell in love with Sarah Jessica Parker's debut perfume: Lovely. And lovely it was. Everyone who smelled it on me ran out and bought it, and I once again jumped ship because my perfume was too common. That time, I ran to Fresh Pink Jasmine, which is not found on many wrists. A bottle has lasted me three years, because at the end of the day it's just not me. Last summer I spent several hours at a Nordstrom perfume calendar while a very handsome European salesman spritzed my wrists with various fragrances in the white flower category - apparently this is where my tastes run - and left with a bottle of J'adore by Christian Dior. But yet again, it still wasn't me and so I continue to look while alternately wearing the J'adore, Pink Jasmine and Pleasures. I've had brief flirtations with FlowerByKenzo and Narcisso Rodriquez but am unable to commit. I know that my signature fragrance is out there. . .I just have to find it. And if I hang out by enough perfume counters, I’m sure I will.

I have no idea what magnolias smell like, but I love this hand cream!

2008-10-10T16:29:00.004-04:00

Let's be honest, a good hand cream is hard to come by. There are plenty that are thick and moisturizing, but you also can't do anything for 30 minutes after using them because your hands are slick and greasy. Then there are the light weight lotions that sink it but don't actually moisturize; lotions that while perfectly fine for your arms and legs don't seem to do a lot for your cuticles; and lotions that are great moisturizers but so heavily scented you need to open a window after using them. That's why I love the Magnolia Hand Lotion from Savannah Bee Company. It's light-weight, absorbs almost instantly and has a very innocuous light scent. Allegedly, the scent of magnolias. It's great in both summer and winter. As a bonus, Savannah Bee Company doesn't test on animals, use artificial colors or synthetic frangrances, and 37% of the packaging comes from recycled materials. A little goes a long way, so though a tube runs $13* it should last you a good long while. And your hands will be smooth and soft all year long.

*Once upon a time Bath and Body Works carried this product, and I used to routinely buy in on sale for a fraction of the price. A quick perusal of their website shows that they no longer carry it online, but you never know if a BBW near you might carry it. . .

Products I Can't Live Without: Take Two

2008-10-02T18:07:00.000-04:00

As promised, here is the second product I would want with me on
a deserted island: Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel. As with mascara, I had tried many acne products before I tried the Mary Kay. I wanted to believe that there was miraculous acne product that would reduce my breakouts and diminish blemishes, but hadn't found the cure all. I found products that certainly helped, but inevitably I stopped using them or switched because they just weren't doing it for me.

Well, I've been using the Mary Kay for at least four years now, and it might be five. I use it religiously every morning and every night, regardless of if I'm breaking out. (I learned this tip from a friend of mine with beautiful porcelain skin who swore by Clearasil. Clearasil didn't do anything for me, but her advice to apply the acne cream of your choice in your breakout prone areas morning and night, regardless of break outs was pure gold). Since starting to use it, I haven't switched once and I've had better skin (break out wise) than I did when I used far more expensive products or prescription products. The active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide. At $7 a tube, it's a bargain, and truly a product I cannot live without. You may want to start out with a once a day application to make sure it doesn't dry out your skin, but in general I've found it to be pretty mild. And for spot treatment, it cannot be beat. And I will say it again: Mary Kay has a guaranteed return policy. Go pink today!

Products I Can't Live Without: Take One

2008-10-01T17:10:00.006-04:00

A fun game that I like to play is the "If you were stranded on a deserted island. . ." game. Most people play it by asking what person they would want to be stranded with. I play it with products – as in “If you were stranded on a deserted island and could have only two products what would they be?” (Sunscreen does not count, and please do not ask me why you would need products on a deserted island. Clearly you do not get the point.) Without a doubt, one of the two products I would want with me a on a desert island is Shu Eumura Fiber Xtension Mascara .

Although every year my hair gets a shade darker, I am a natural blonde. My eyebrows and eyelashes remain the most obvious evidence of this. Without mascara, I look like a chemo patient wearing a wig. It is the only make up that I actually wear daily. Sadly, every mascara I’ve ever tried has migrated underneath my eyes within a few hours of application, even the waterproof. Having tried virtually every brand (Clinique, Maybelline, Max Factor, Cover Girl, Lancome, Estee Lauder, Mary Kay, Smashbox, Christian Dior, Almay, and Neutrogena) last fall I became determined to find a mascara that did not settle underneath my eyes, but still made my eyelashes look fabulous.

I established a very scientific method for this. Every time I went to Sephora, I used a different mascara on each eye.* I then paid attention to what happened over the course of the day. After several rounds of this, I had two finalists: the Shu Eumura and Fresh Supernova mascara. But after wearing the Shu Eumura on my left eye and the Fresh on my right eye all day - and sleeping in them **- a clear winner emerged. The Shu Eumura lasted an entire day AND night without smudging. It didn't look great in the morning, but there was no smudging. I've been using it ever since, and can only regret that I didn't think to go to the brand of "the perfect eye" before. It’s truly phenomenal, and worth every penny.

Tomorrow, tune in for my other can’t live without it product.

*I went to a Sephora where all the mascaras have the wands cut out. I then used a clean wand for each eye. Not foolproof, I know, but I haven't developed any eye illnesses as a result.
**Do not do this at home. It's bad to sleep in your eye make up.

Parade of Black Flats

2008-09-27T09:30:00.015-04:00

Since moving to New York, I have trashed two pairs of flats; discovered that another pair I owned is completely uncomfortable (and ugly); realized the reason I never wear another pair (wretchedly uncomfortable, blisters); and acquired a special occasion pair. The thing I don't currently have? A black pair suitable for wearing with dresses and jeans alike that will allow me to sprint down subway stairs to make trains. While running an errand on the east side of town, I happened to walk by a Steve Madden store. I literally walked by. I had a definite Steve Madden moment in college- lots of round toed platforms and chunky heels - but it's been years since I've found something there that's worked for me. Too overtly trendy. . .too young. Too collegiate. I don't know why, but the Madden just wasn't working for me.

But after walking by the store I actually walked a few steps backward because the windows were full of. . .cute flats. I went in the store and was literally overwhelmed by the possibilities. It got me wondering about what kind of shoe style-image I want to have this fall. The choices are endless. Do I want to be classic? What kind of classic do I want to be? Classic ballet flat? Classic pointy? Classic pointy embellished? Or do I want to be a funky hipster boho girl? Carry the summer's gladiator trend* into fall? Try to emulate Chanel** with these quilted cap-toe flats? Yes, I know they aren't black flats per se, but they are both adorable and neutral. I'm just not sure. . .

* Am I the only one who thinks these shoes tend to broadcast a more Christopher Robin type vibe than Russell Crowe?
**Although it seems to me that faux Chanel is the very antithesis of Chanel . . .

Dark Circles Take Two: One Great Concealer

2008-09-23T01:49:00.000-04:00

After I posted my recent blog about Mary Kay’s amazing under eye serum that has, if not eradicated my dark circles, then certainly reduced them, the feeling that I had left something out continued to nag me. In the middle of the night, I woke up and suddenly remembered my conversation with my frenemy about my dark cirlces in greater detail.

After I explained to her, in a slightly snippy manner, that I’d tried all kinds of remedies for dark circles, she knit her brows together and suggested that I perhaps try some concealer then. As if I’d never thought of that. At that point, I became annoyed, and rather tartly told her that because of the sensitive nature of under eye skin, concealer often cakes on and is obvious - hence concealing nothing. (It was a bit of a hint to her, I admit it). And, yes, I informed her, I had tried many concealers. No wonder we don’t have brunch any more.

Anyway, this reminded me of something else. About two months ago, I lost my somewhat expensive, and oh so fabulous Laura Mercier concealer, and still have not replaced it. If said frenemy is reading this, I suggest she look into the Laura Mercier concealer, which is the only concealer I have found that doesn’t look cakey under the eyes. I also think it has helped me with my ongoing battled against mascara flakiness. But anyway, it hit me that I still haven’t replaced the concealer. BECAUSE MY DARK CIRCLES ARE. . .NOT SO DARK. Further proof that the Mary Kay eye serum is in fact, working.

But, the Laura Mercier concealer is seriously great. It’s creamy, glides on, and provides amazing coverage, while still managing to be fairly lightweight - but it's also easy to layer it up. I recommend applying it with a brush - I happen to like a big foundation brush best for under the eyes. And – here’s a fun tip taught to me by a make up artist from a rival company – if you lightly apply it to your eye lid before applying eye liner or eye shadow, said eye liner/eye shadow will stay put longer, and will not smudge. This is especially useful for those girls who, like me, have greasy eye lids. Works better than any eye primer I’ve tried. My eye liner stays put when I use it - even in the oppressive mugginess of a New York City summer. I may go buy some now, just for that purpose.

Sense, Stilettos and Sensibility

2008-09-19T02:09:00.009-04:00

There is a certain kind of girl who can pull off this shoe. She is tall and thin, and probably has an accent and Gucci sunglasses. She definitely always takes cabs.

I am not this girl. I adore shoes, and I adore heels. My friends can vouch for my penchant for utterly impractical, but absurdly adorable shoes with gravity defying heels. Oddly enough, since moving to New York, I’ve embraced the flat shoe. Actually this isn’t odd, because this is a city that requires a lot of walking, and believe you me, it is impossible to navigate the New York City subway, or run for buses, or hike the four flights to my walk up, in peep-toe- gladiator-stiletto-booties. Also, last fall, I developed a foot problem commonly seen in people who run a lot. Like 25 miles a week a lot. Or wear a lot of high heels. Guess which category I fell into. No, really. Guess.

Anyway, between transitioning to New York, and my foot problem, and the continued trend that I think was a gift from heaven (the return of cute flat shoes), I just don’t wear that many heels these days. I miss it. So I want to wear some cute fall heels, but I’ve realized that my high pointy stilettos are a thing of the past save on rare occasions when I am strolling a few blocks, or cabbing it. I think fashion might be moving on from that look anyway. Fortunately, the shoe-gods continue to smile on me with round toes and thick heels as we go into Autumn, even as they smile on that tall, thin, Guccied out girl who is cabbing around the city in her strappy, gladiator, peep-toe, stiletto booties. . .but I digress.

I’m thinking that these would be a fun addition to my fall wardrobe. I love the rich red color, the heel is chunky without being stodgy, and I adore the ruffle down the front, as well as the retro 1940s vibe. I envision them with dark jeans and a long grey cardigan, or a perfect black dress, or especially with a sleek motorcylcle inspired jacket with a bright scarf for contrast. Best of all, they are even cuter in person. While not exactly perfect for traversing the subway, or strolling in Central park, I think they are doable. And won't give me nearly as much trouble on the cobble stoned streets of the village as those gladiator booties. . .but I'm not sure if they are grown up enough. What do you all think? Too much?

Miracle Product?

2008-09-15T22:53:00.005-04:00

Several years ago, I was innocently having brunch with a well mean-
ing (I think) friend, when she asked me if there wasn't something I
could do about the dark circles under my eyes.

I was a bit taken aback by how disturbed she was by my dark circles, but unfortunately, dark circles just seem to run in my family. In fact, they are mainly caused by heredity. I'd used various eye creams that claimed to eradicate dark circles, but without much success.

My friend left town for several months, and the next time I saw her, she again sighed over those dark circles. This time, I explained to her that I'd tried creams - multiple creams, expensive creams - and that they didn't work. She sighed again, and moved on to some other topic and I resolved not to have any more lunches with this particular frenemy.

Then, last year, Mary Kay - yes pink-lady, Texas founded Mary Kay- came out with an eye serum, the official name of which is: “TimeWise Targeted Action Eye Revitalizer”. It comes in a small slick bottle, and it has a roller ball application, so the serum glides on. It promises to reduce not only dark circles but also eye puffiness. Naturally I was skeptical.

But my sister, who in the interest of full disclosure is a bone fide Mary Kay lady, persuaded me to try it. Being a bone fide product junkie, I needed little persuasion, and rotated the “targeted action eye revitalizer” into my morning routine. It went on cool and if nothing else, I liked the way my eyes felt after I put it on – refreshed, possibly a bit tighter. And after a few months, I even thought my dark circles were looking. . .not so dark.

Still, I shrugged it off, thinking that perhaps it was because since moving to New York, I’ve slept more than I did in the preceding three years. (Although as the first hyperlink confirms, that has nothing to do with dark circles per se, though a lack of sleep can increase the pallor of skin which exacerbates the appearance of dark circles). But then I realized that since I’ved moved here, no one ever tells me I look tired anymore. Even when I am tired. This gave me pause. A trip home in August confirmed it. My mother verified that my dark circles were, if not entirely a thing of the past, not terribly noticeable.

Use it. Love it. If you don’t love it – Mary Kay has a guaranteed return policy. Seriously. One tiny jar has lasted me for about 8 months, with a once a day application. And there's not any pink on the bottle. For some reason, this reassures me.

Back to Basics: Or So I Thought

2008-09-11T00:21:00.000-04:00

Thomas Wolfe said you can't go home again. Apparently, you also can't go back to products again.

I discovered St Ive’s Apricot Scrub as a freshman in high school, when every girl I knew (including me) had to have a tub of it in her shower. And I do mean a tub: it was apricot colored, and you had to reach in to scoop it out, leaving the outside a gritty mess. I’d forgotten all about Apricot Scrub until a sleek white tube of it appeared in our shower shortly after our summer subletter moved in.

I’ve tried many, many face scrubs since my initial encounter with St. Ives (which I’m not even sure I used on my face, come to think of it), and none have really stuck. After eying our subletter’s for a few days, I tried a dab. It left my skin. . . softer. The new packaging sucked me in, and the scent was the same subtle, fresh scent I remembered. A week later, I tried another dab. Softer still. Stealing a bit every few days became a habit. It wasn’t my imagination – I had fewer clogged pores. But alas, after a long August vacation, I returned to find that our subletter had left and taken her St. Ives with her. I was so disappointed I resolved that I was going to recommit to this classic product. Or maybe it's just because every September I have a yearning to buy school supplies and new shoes, and this year my back to school urges were manifested in the form of going retro with my face scrub. (Tip: to really maximize the exfoliating effect, use it when your face is really wet. It's the last thing I use in the shower).

A few days after I made this resolution, I was wandering through the East Village Kmart (don’t ask) and my eyes searched out a row of sleek white tubes. Paydirt! I snatched one up, and I felt my smile of delight at finding my old friend scrunch into an expression of puzzlement. The label read “St. Ives Apricot Scub: Renew and Firm". Huh? I crouched down and discovered that there were now 4 kinds of St. Ives Apricot Scrub: Aging (Renew & Refirm), Sensitive, Blemish Control, and Blemish & Blackhead Control.

So much for back to basics. My head spun as I frantically tried to remember what our subletter's tube had said - but I just remembered that it said "St. Ives Apricot Scrub." I don't want blemishes or blackheads. But I also don't want fine lines - and I like anything that says alpha-hydroxies. And though it's never been confirmed, I have a firmly held belief that I have sensitive skin. What to do? After a solid twenty minutes of deliberation, I walked out with a headache and a tube of the Blemish & Blackhead control. We'll see how it goes.

Here's the thing. . .

2008-09-10T01:17:00.000-04:00

The thing of it is this: I've been on a quest for perfect, flawless skin since I was thirteen and my father - yes my father - walked into my bedroom after a trip from the drug store with a tube of Oxy10, a bottle of some type of toner or astringent and something called a buff puff, which was supposed to restore my face to it's former baby softness. The fact of the matter was that I had acne - nothing severe mind you, just normal run of the mill teenage acne, exacerbated by certain times of the month and the half of can of Rave hairspray required to sculpt my bangs each morning - and he was giving me some tools to help.

I remember my fascination with the cool, tingly feeling that the toner (no idea what brand it was) gave my oily face, and the slightly scratchy texture of the oval, pink "buff puff" which was really sort of like a very gentle brillo pad for the face. I was hooked. That bottle of toner lasted maybe a month. It was the start of a life long obsession with skin care products, and an ongoing battle with my face. There have been highs and lows in the war for perfect skin: I've eradicated pimples only to be hit with blackheads, banished oiliness and then gone through periods of excessive dryness. Occasional periods of glowing skin have been followed by the realization that my eyes are puffy and I have terrible dark circles. It's a catch-22 that Joseph Heller never imagined - how to fight blemishes while simultaneously staving off fine lines. Over the course of my journey, I've tried practically every brand on the drugstore aisle, and a fair amount of the ones at Nordstrom. The first time I went to Sephora it was like coming home. I've been devoted to single lines, and used cocktails mixed from various lines. In short, I've tried a lot of products, and feel the need to share my knowledge with the world.