As the days count down to the big three-oh (as of me writing this, precisely 3 months and 19 days), I have becoming increasingly concerned with what my mother’s generation would probably call “wrinkle cream.” I get microdermabrasion facials and I try just about everything that is going to cleanse, tone, moisturize, clarify, even skin tone and well, basically…

Make me look younger.

Now, don’t be fooled by my intro. On average, I look about 26. In fact, no one guesses any higher than 27, ever – and that is usually because they saw the photos of my niece and nephew, 5 years and 6 months respectively, on my desk and assumed they were little mini Jennifer Longs. (But I digress; I love the little people in my life.)

The moral of the story MIGHT BE that I started paying attention to the effects that sun and other environmental elements have on my skin at a relatively young age. So the first time I dipped a finger into something you might call “wrinkle cream” I was barely more than 24.

Needless to say, I was excited when Beyond Beauty Basics had the opportunity to try ZO Skin Health’s Anti-Aging products from Dr. Zein Obagi of Beverly Hills! (Woo hoo!)

My first impression of the products, based on packing and such, was just WOW. But would is pass the smell test? You sensitive skin girls may understand where I am coming from. I watch out for lotions, creams, cleansers, toners, etc., with strong fragrances because they usually mean Breakout City for me. But what little scent this product has was pleasant and I decided first to do a patch test.

After passing the patch test, I was ready to go!

Exfoliating Cleanser

I am probably what you’d call an exfoliating junkie. I’ve got everything for wrinkles, blackheads, acne (I cannot even remember the last time I even had acne!), dry skin, and the list goes on. What I have learned from all of my trials with exfoliation products is this: there is a gentle balance. You don’t want an exfoliation product that doesn’t exfoliate and you don’t want one that leaves your skin red and raw (my teen years saw a lot of these).

The exfoliator is pretty gentle, not too gentle per say, but sensitive skin girls like me appreciate it. Just scrubby enough to make your face feel nice and clean but not so scrubby that you look like you’ve had a chemical peel.

Growth Factor Serum

I am a marketer’s dream. I love anything called serum because it sounds so clinical and effective. However, some of my forays into skin care have left me wary. I want to repair the damage from the sun and environmental stressors, but um… how do I say this delicately? Oh yeah, I’M DELICATE! I don’t want to break out in the trial and error process.

I loved this as soon as I cracked open the jar. Decidedly colorless and scentless, it smoothed onto my skin like nothing else. It even left my fingertips feeling soft and beautiful. Just a tiny little bit goes a long way.

Dr. Obagi, my forehead thanks you. Those fine lines disappeared. It looks like I can skip the Botox I was going to treat myself with for my thirtieth and buy myself those Louboutins I’ve had my eye on.

Radical Night Repair

Radical repair sounds like just what I needed. Hey, I’ve been driving a convertible for ten years and I like Caribbean vacations. I don’t want to look my age and I certainly don’t want to look older. I need something that works with my lifestyle to keep me looking young. Besides, I like younger guys, too (tee hee).

Before trying, I checked Dr. Obagi’s site. It says this product addresses those deep lines, wrinkles, dark spots (sun spots, you sun-worshippers!), loss of radiance, texture and firmness. So basically, all of my problems!

This product contains a high concentration of Retinol – boasting 10 times the industry average, but in a time-release formula. It also contains Vitamins and anti-oxidants known to benefit the skin like Vitamin C and E and Coenzyme Q-10. It also contains Crithmum Maritimum, a Marine Extract that “reduces free radicals and improves cellular function while controlling sebum to restore overall skin health;” and Bisabolol, a calming botanical that reduces inflammation.

The verdict?

Those age spots (doesn’t “freckles” sound about a billion times cuter?) are disappearing. My complexion has taken on a more even tone, and is free of blemishes. The only thing to note is that my skin seems slightly paler than it has at the end of summers past, but I credit that not only to evening out my skin tone, but to the next product: the sunscreen!

Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 (UVA/UVB Protection)

Sunscreen is my new best friend. I seriously only started using it a few years ago after I went for my first professional facial and saw all those cute “freckles” were actually age spots. Ugh.

It is so hard to pick a sunscreen for your face. It needs to work while NOT causing breakouts, drying out your skin, OR leaving a gross oily residue. Plus with sensitive skin, I am overly cautious. One day with the wrong product and I could end up looking like a hormonal teenage boy. I love Dr. Obagi’s because it goes on nice and smooth and it is slightly tinted. It’s a perfect makeup primer for all over your face. The best is, it actually works. It not only helps my makeup set perfectly but I also wore it everyday without makeup for eight days in sunny, tropical, Caribbean Turks and Caicos.

No extra “freckles,” no peeling, no dry spots.

Now that’s a vacation!

photo: Amanda Picone

Popularity: 2%

Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes provides intense resurfacing, safe and gentle enough for the delicate eye area, with the proven results to fight stubborn crow’s feet.

If you are looking for an eye cream, those words sound like music to the ears, right? Well, you can believe them. I have seen the results for myself!

I gave a friend of mine the Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes because she had expressed that all of her lack of sleep and daily stress was beginning to show. Now, just to let you know, she is in her late thirties and is a stay-at-home-wife and mom of four children with ages ranging from 3-8. I personally always think she looks great, but we all know our own faces and when things aren’t looking so good, we go looking for help. I had just received this product at the Total Beauty Summit, and I offered to give it to her along with the Intensive Wrinkle Reducer face cream.

This was back in may, and I am happy to report, the fine lines around her eyes have softened tremendously, and her eyes look refreshed. She is so happy with the results and loves the fact that very little goes a long way.

Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes is made with Dr. Murad’s latest beauty innovation, Durian Cell Reform.  This is a proprietary blend of durian and glycolic acid. Durian is an Asian super fruit and has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine. It is now featured exclusively in Murad’s Age Reform Intensives. Find out more about the entire Age Reform Intensives line at murad.com.

xo
Monique - beauty girl musings

Popularity: 1%

We are always on the lookout for the latest in skincare for both men and women, and we have found another favorite. Let me introduce you all to PCA SKIN. PCA SKIN is a medical grade skincare line that has incorporated the latest in medical and scientific research to bring you incredible products that nourish, hydrate, rejuvenate and deliver optimal results to your skin.What I love most about this line is after experiencing these highly innovative products, my skin was soft, subtle, and radiant. I am always that girl that has a problem with pretty much anything that touches the skin on my face. I turn red, get irritated, usually a little bit of a breakout, but not with PCA SKIN.

The company is committed to creating highly effective formulations that bridge aesthetics with science to deliver a healthy and more radiant skin. The entire line is free of color additives, synthetic fragrances, harsh alcohols, and completely non-comedogenic.
The entire line is extremely luxurious and effective, however, I always have a favorite and I am in love with the pHaze 25 ExLinea Peptide Smoothing Serum. This serum is formulated to relax the muscles that cause contraction in the skin which really means less expression lines. I know we are all on the quest to stay young and have firm skin. This serum is so incredible that I saw a difference in one application. Argireline is a peptide ingredient that relaxes the facial muscles and reduces the depth of the existing lines. The best part is, you feel an immediate tightening when you apply this serum.

Check out PCASKIN.com for a look into this incredible skin care line. You will love the before and after pics, I was amazed at the results!

Popularity: 2%

It’s Memorial Day weekend and that means tons of fun, fabulous beachwear, and BBQ for everyone! The most important thing to take with you on this gorgeous holiday weekend is your sunscreen. You don’t want to get caught outside soaking up too much sun and end up inside with a sunburn not having any fun! We have found the easiest and travel friendly sun protection to take with you to all of your Memorial Day get-aways.

Sephora has truly become a destination for all of your beauty needs and they have done it again with their exclusive Sun Safety Kit. It has all the essentials you need to keep your skin healthy, protected and gives it a sun-kissed glow. The sun is the number one cause of wrinkles, and it doesn’t matter what age you are, prevention is the key to staying young. The Sephora Sun Safety Kit contains 11 sun protection products as well as a UV indicator card all in a waterproof pouch.

You have an opportunity to try different brands as well as bronzer and 100% of the profits benefit the Skin Cancer Foundation. This Sephora exclusive is limited edition and is only $25 ($87 value)!

My absolute favorite way to protect your skin is the Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Powder SPF 30 can be tossed in your bag and re-applied all day for extra protection. It is a retractable brush with push button application. You can brush on over your makeup up for added protection or wear alone. Remember, you need to re-apply sunscreen every few hours; this is with all sun protection products. You will fall in love with this just as much as I have!

Another favorite is the Dr. Gross Sun Protection SPF 30 Sunscreen Packettes. These are amazing! They are disposable wipes of SPF protection that you can keep with you at all times. Keep a few handy in your beach bag; you never know when you will need a quick wipe of SPF protection.

Ok ladies and gents, you are now ready to officially kick start the weekend! Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend and remember, always bring your sun protection and enjoy this gorgeous beginning to summer!

Popularity: 3%