In The Glow

The Acne Practice: Will Practice Make Perfect?

If you struggle with acne, like I do, you understand why I am always in search of the "next big thing" that is going to help me gain the upperhand in the struggle to have clear skin.  Recently, I started watching YouTube videos that showed what can only be described as somewhat of a miracle product from The Acne Practice.  Initially, these products were only available through the doctor's office that promotes the success of its patients via the videos on YouTube.  However, there is now a home version that is availabe online for a fraction of the in-office treatment.  Now, when I say fraction, I mean that you save upwards of $700 by trying the products at home.  That's not to say the products are cheap, by any means.  A starter kit will run you at least $250.  But, if you are a true product junkie, like I am, and if you really have a hard time keeping your face clear, then you would shell out five times that amount for a product that works.  I know I would, which is why, last week, I forked over the nearly $280 it cost to get the Moderate Starter Kit from The Acne Practice Boot Camp line of products.  And when I received my package, today (shipping was AWESOMELY FAST), I was like a kid on Christmas morning!

The program is essentially a 3-step kit.  Since I have tried them all--Murad, Proactive, drug store brands, etc--this was no shocker.  However, unlike most of the kits I'm used to, none of these products are leave-on.  That's different.  The general concept is the same as most other kits, as well--benzoyl peroxide-based washes/creams/gels, but the formulation is a bit different that I have seen, of late, witht he products being applied for only up to 1 to 2 mintues before rinsing off.  I also like the incorporation of zinc into the products since, a long time ago when I stayed relatively clear, it was due to a zinc oral supplement my esthetician at the time recommended I use.  Of cousre, the products also are not irritating--I washed tonight and applied the regimen and, unlike my initial use of Proactive, I didn't get all stingy or irritated and there was no tight, itchy feeling once it was all said and done.

I have committed to the regimen and even took a before video to provide my feedback to the company.  All-in-all, I'm pretty optimistic about these products.  And it feels good to have some hope. 

I will keep you posted with a weekly update from now unitl the next 3 months, which is how long "Boot Camp" lasts. 

Milk & Honey: No Oasis in the Desert

Right now, I am in the desert--literally (Iraq).  And my hair and skin has paid the price for it, let me tell you.  And because there is no place for me to pamper myself, I've had to alter my beauty routine, to include allowing my hair to revert to a natural, curlly/wavy state.  So for the past couple of weeks, I have been trying a new line of products that are specifically formulated for both, natural/curly hair and for women of color.  Enter Carol's Dauther. 

I wanted to make sure that the products were worth the money so I discontinued the use of all other hair products (except shampoo and conditioner, of course) while I have been using them.  What I like most about the products is that my severly malnourised hair seems to be a lot more moisturized.  Also, the products contain no petroleum, mineral oil, or artificial colors.  And the smell--divinely citrucy, without being too overwhelming or sweet.  Another thing that I was really excited about is the fact that the company delivers to APO addresses. 

But that said, I haven't really noticed much difference in the condition of my hair.  Let me put this in perspective for you, though.  Many of you are probably familiar with a product called Pink Oil Moisturizer.  I'm not a big fan of that kind of product.  Well, the Hair Milk is very similar but withnone of the artificial colors, petroleum or mineral oil, etc.  That's cool and all, but I can live without it.  And the Mimosa Hair Honey, which smells wonderful, is little more than a petroleum-free vaseline-type product.  It is somewhat effective on my frizzies, but nothing like the effectiveness of a pomade or gel, which is what I expected from the description.  In fact, because my firzzies weren't cured and my ends keep splitting, after almost three weeks, I reverted back to store-bought brands--Organic Olive Oil's wrap/set mouse and Soft-Sheen Carson's new Megahertz Gel>Wax. 

Next, I'll try the Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter.  Maybe it will help my dry, brittle hair and split ends.  If not, I will revert to old faithful--Cholesterol's Hair Conditioner. 

For me, Carol's Daughter's Hair Milk and Mimosa Hair Honey are no oasis in the desert.  Sorry. :*o(

I Wear the Mask

When things around me are at their worst and I'm stressed, you can see it all over my face.  Literally.  I break out like a 15 year-old.  And let's face it, in an age where we do everything to hide the truth--our age, for instance--I have tried everything to hide my what my face reveals I'm feelings.  To that end, I wear the mask--the Rodan and Field's Proactiv Refining Mask, that is. 

I've had skin issues since I was a teenager and, over the years, I've done accutane (which worked extremely well, for me, but about two years later, my body and hormones were changing as I approached 30 and--BLAM!  My face got angry. Grrrr!), OTCs, Retin-A Micro (works well, too, but you need a prescription and I recommend taking a break which my face couldn't go that long without an eruption), even used Proactiv with succuess while in college.  But I somehow got away from using it.  BIG MISTAKE and I'm trying to correct the damage that it caused, now.

Now I'm back on the only thing that has worked consistently for me to grind my breakouts to a halt and help repair my skin--Proactiv.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a beauty product junkie and I will always give other products a whirl.  I just figure out a way to safely weave them into my "regular" beauty routine and I make sure I'm not off Proactiv for long enough to cause my system to get off cycle. And I from here on out, no matter what path my quest for product takes me down, I vow that I shall wear the mask!

HINT:  Proactive is a mild exfoliant.  I need something more aggressive over the long haul.  So, I will do a Skin Culture Peel about once every four months (and I may scale that back, once I have the results I'm working for).  When I do the peel, I don't use the Proactive wash but I will use the Reparing Solution every couple of nights.  I think it sinks into the pores better at night and when I'm peeling.   And in between Skin Culture Peels, I use a light exfoliant, like Skin Biology's LacSal Serum. 

Big Curls Don't Dry

It may not be true that big girls don't cry, but it IS true that, with Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment, big curls don't dry,  get brittle, or weak.  In fact, this sweet-smelling, paste (really palm nut oil which is a solid form paste that melts with the body's temperature) does exactly what it promises, it delivers soft, nourished, shiny hair that is stronger every day. 

The product is a little pricey, at about $55 for a 5 oz jar, but it's one of my little splurges (although I likely have more than most).  In order to find a discount, I often search on Amazon or Shopping.com.  And, believe it or not, you can sometimes find special offers on the QVC home shopping channel, since they are a distributor of Ojon products and offer many specials that are only avaiable through QVC.   

If you are a big girl with dry hair that's leaving you in tears, you should try the Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment for yourself. 

Best Butter for the Buck

When it comes to body lotions, none are more appealing to me than those with the sacred, natural oils of cocoa butter or shea butter.  And you can just believe, I've tried almost every one I've seen.  Most are very disappointing--the natural oils are drowned in a watery-consistency that leaves my skin still thirsty.  Others, still, are sold in beauty stores that have a high retail mark-up which, quite frankly, means I can choose to eat and be merry (but dry), or fork over my lunch money so as to quench my skin's thirst.  And even these expensive versions, the ones that promise that they are vitamin-packed and norishing, are often not potent enough to get me through the day without the feeling that I need to reapply.  The one exception to this generally disappointing ritual?  Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion is light, fresh, and emoilient.  It is one of my favorite scents in this world.  (I love it so much, in fact, that I am even working on a body oil that you can combine right into your bottle of lotion and wear as the only scent you'll need to apply.)  This is definitely, in my opinion, the best cocoa butter and body butter/moisturizering lotion for your buck, at between $4-$8. Worth every red cent!  Availalbe at your local Wal-Mart or you can order it from www.DrugStore.com.  The smell is divine and your skin will LOVE it!

Out With the Old (Skin)

As any good aesthetician will tell you, in order to get that glow, you've got to EXFOLIATE, EXFOLIATE, EXFOLIATE.  There's no getting around it.  If you're not blessed with that "great skin" that constantly renews and refreshes itself, then you've got to find products that will help you out.  If your skin doesn't get the proper amount of exfoliation, then you could wind up looking tired and haggered beyond your years.  And if you have "problem" skin like I have, failure to find something that really works for you and stick with it could lead to discoloration, blotchiness, and clogged pores. 

My secret weapon is a peel that I found about while searching for something to help me with the sudden on-set of breakouts and dark spots I was experiencing.  Because I had some experiece with chemical peels (the at-home kind and the ones you get in a doctor's/esthetician's office), I was aware of the potential drawbacks--tight, itchy skin; flaking for days; and the potential to create additional hyperpigmentation--but I was also aware of the rewards--beautiful, glowing skin, free of superficial imperfections.  So, when I found Skin Culture Peel, I was all in! 

Skin Culture Peels are a brand of phenol peels available in four degrees, from light to intense:  1,000 (light) through 4,000 (intense).  You can order them through the Skin Culture Peel website, and within a few days, they arrive in your mailbox.  But don't take their at-home convience for weakness--these peels are not for the faint of heart and do require commitment, since they are applied over a course of several days to a week, towards the end of which time, peeling is MAJOR!  But trust me, it's worth it! 

Because I am trying to correct at least 2 years of neglect and abuse to my face--I was going through a phase where I wouldn't commit to any beauty routine and I had several months of hyperpigmentation due to my raging hormones--I started with the   4,000.  One word--AMAZING.  Better than any peel I've ever received in a doctor's office, and I've done TCA, microderm, you name it!  Since my first one, almost a year ago, I've done two Peel 3000s (well, 1 and 1/2--now I am at a point where I can do spotwork and maintenance). 

The peels are a little pricey, but if you use a jar sparing, it will last a while, especially if you don't need a major overhaul, like I did.  (Even though the directions say use the whole little jar, I ususally got 2-3 applications from one jar.  Also, they offer a whole skin care line, but I opted out of the lotions and cleansers and just incorporated the peel into a gentle cleansing routine of generic, "cheap" products. ;0)  But that's just my method--find what works for you.)

GUARANTEED TO GET YOU GLOWING!

HINT:  In my opinion, the peel is too strong to be combined with any "serious" skincare.  I would go Cetaphil cleanser, a light moisturizer, and a sunscreen until at least a week after one of these peels.

How'd It Glow?

How many of us have gotten a pretty package, only to look inside and be disappointed?  In my opinion, this happens all too often, especially when it comes to beauty products.  You can see the display in the cosmetics store, complete with a list of "active ingredients" that make the product sound like a superhero coming to save you--peptides, amino acids, AHAs, even "diamond" dust.  And don't even get me started on the packaging--an assortment of pastels; bright, vivid reds; invigorating blues, just to name a few.  Some things can have such a pretty wrapper that you almost hate to crack it open.  But the real test is not what's on the outside of the bottle, but what's on the inside of the bottle. 

This page is dedicated to those who want to know the real scoop on beauty creams, gels, and lotions.  And you'll get it, straight from those of us who dare to brave the aisles of endless product, all in the name of getting that "glow."  That way, the rest of us don't have to be disappointed when we open our boxes. 

This is our gift to you!

Love the Skin You're In ;o)

How come we're willing to risk it all when it comes to getting the love we've always wanted, yet we're hesitant about trying a new beauty product when it hits the market? When it comes to affairs of the heart, we will call family, friends, and sometimes seek the counsel of strangers, all so we can avoid the pitfalls that others may have succumb to. And most women (or men) are willing to kiss a lot of frogs to find their Prince (or Princess). So, why not apply that same philosophy to finding the beauty routine that helps you get the skin you've always wanted?

The most common answer to this question is that you could have a negative experience with a beauty product, i.e., red spots, that may take a week or so to go away and, most people don't want to deal with the "embarrassment" of being seen in public during the recovery time. While I am fully sympathetic to the idea of avoiding the public eye when your skin is not at its best (trust me, I've been there, done there, and got the tshirt), is the pain and embarrassment of a love affair gone bad any less? In my opinion, no way. In fact, for me, a break up more permanent and always more painful than any momentary irritation I've experienced experimenting with beauty products. My philosophy is: Love the Skin You're In!

In The Glow is dedicated to two types of people: Those who are willing to risk it all and try new things and those who aren't. If you're always in search of your all-time favorite product that is going to make your skin glow and totally delete anything that resembles a pore, like I am, you can find product recommendations and links to where you can purchase a product, here. And for the more timid, you get the benefit of learning from my successes and, dare I say it, my mistakes. Also, you get to hear what others have to say about products.

So come back often, share your stories, and remember--It's all in the name of love!