"So fresh and so clean, clean!"

Years ago, Mr. Lauder was being interviewed about a new product launch and was asked about projected sales numbers. Now, I don't remember verbatim what he said but his reply was something to the effect of "It's not the initial launch numbers I look at. It's the numbers after the launch. Are customers returning to re-purchase? Are they telling their friends about the product? Those are the numbers that really matter." I think of that quote often when I'm trying new products..."Would I purchase this again?"

 

This cleanser is already on my 'to buy' list for when Clinique's gifting event comes back around.

:-)

What I love...

 

*The price. $15 and I've been using this pump since early April and I think there's another good 4-6 weeks left in the bottle.
*The packaging. A pump bottle lets me control the amount of cleanser I dispense and with a turn of the pump, I can lock the dispenser so it's great for travel. (If I'm checking in a bag otherwise into a travel bottle it goes!) And there's just something so clean about the way the bottle looks in the shower with water droplets on it; it just screams "Use me! Use me!" (I'm such a sucker for packaging!)
*The results.  This cleanser isn't going to prevent wrinkles or delay the signs of aging but I let my topical lotions and potions take care of that.  This cleanser does exactly what it's supposed to and what it's supposed to do is clean your skin and it does this really well. It's gentle enough for night and day use and it gets rid of makeup.
*The formulation. Comes in 3 formulations so there's a cleanser for everyone! I have oily/combination skin so "mild" seems to be just right for my skin type.

 

I'm interested to see if I feel the same way about this cleanser during the winter so I'll post another review as the temperatures start to drop. 

And let me tell you, I cannot WAIT for the temperatures to start dropping! 

Turns out, milk DOES NOT do a body good...

At least it doesn't do my body good.

After a LOT of potions and lotions and PILLS, it turns out that my cystic acne wasn't being caused by the wrong products or stress.  Milk was the culprit!

I had read little bits here and there about the cystic acne-dairy connection but it wasn't until I read it on ReneeRouleau.com that I decided going milk-free was something worth trying. So on March 3rd I declared myself "milk free" and I almost immediately saw a difference - the redness and swelling started to disappear almost as quickly as it had appeared.  It's been over 5 months and the acne isn't totally gone, but I also didn't go "dairy free" - just milk free.  For a lot of sufferers it can be the quantity of milk and dairy that is consumed so a lot of the challenge now is finding that balance where I  can still enjoy cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, and keep my skin happy.   

In the mean time though, I am resolved to re-commit myself to this blog.  Dealing with the acne had become such an issue for me that trying new products and telling and teaching people about them wasn't enjoyable anymore.  The anxiousness and embarrassment had become too much and my confidence in what I had to say and share was being thwarted by something I so badly wanted to overcome but didn't know how.  But there's light at the end of the tunnel now and it feels so good to be back writing and teaching and sharing.

My goal is to have 3-4 posts a week so if you're reading this, please come back for another visit!  I've got a great list of products that I can't wait to share with you!

A NEW FACE

So the skin has gotten a little bad as of late. Actually, it's been a good year of just icky-gross-don't-get-too-close-or-you-may-scream kind of bad. Don't know what's causing it, but looking at pictures from a couple of years ago has made me even more depressed about it because it's been so long since I've had clear, even toned skin. Just look at the picture! Taken in a plane on my way to South Africa 2 years ago.

In the midst of my whining this past weekend, Lobster offered up a solution/challenge: that I go 2 weeks of using ONLY Dove's beauty bar and oil-free moisturizer as needed. He's always saying that in between the toners and serums and moisturizers and scrubs and peels, my skin doesn't have time to breathe and recalibrate and heal itself. Now he's not a doctor but he did have a point. There's always something on my visage.

So last night was night #1. I used the dove bar to wash as instructed and promised. I did use a little eye cream (can't give it all up cold turkey!). Skin felt fine this morning. I missed my potions and went very light on the make up - Kiehl's tinted moisturizer and some powder, very light blush and mascara.

I'll keep you updated.