Eye Cream and When to Start

There’s a misconception that eye cream should be used after the age of 30. That’s usually the age when fine lines start to appear and by that stage it’s already too late. Most of the damage to our eyes - such as sun exposure, late nights of hard partying and studying happens in our early twenties. Well I’m here to tell you that, good habits start young and the beauty of getting in early on the act is prevention.  Don’t let your youth fool you and start using an eye cream as early as possible.  Even if you think your eye area is still firm, an eye cream will keep the surrounding skin hydrated and supple, that way when start developing wrinkles they won’t look nearly as deep.  

The skin around your eye area is super thin and needs to be treated as gently as possible.  There’s a technique to it, and I provided a diagram on wear to apply the cream (please excuse my etch-a-sketch drawing). First, apply a small pea sized amount on the tip of your ring finger.  Your ring finger is the weakest of the bunch and won’t pull on the delicate skin.  Then, gently dot the cream along your bone lines. Start from your inner corner outwards until it is completely absorbed. Repeat this step on your lids. On the outer corners of your eyes, use circular motions. By doing so, you are smoothing out the fine lines and wrinkles. Remember, not to apply too much pressure so that you don’t break any capillaries.

I’m prone to dark circles and puffiness around my eyes, so to keep my eyes in tip top shape I use Exuviance Bionic Eye Cream by Neostrata Company ($55). The cream is light weight and is formulated with Vitamin K and Lactobionic Acid.  

Bite Beauty: Whipped Cherry Lip Scrub

I love Sephora and a couple of months ago I came across a lip line called Bite Beauty. I'm absolutely in love with this brand. What makes this brand so great is that all of their products contain a super-antioxidant called resveratol which is found in red wines, grapes, berries, and even dark chocolate. While I love all the shades of the glosses and lipsticks, I really love the whipped cherry lip scrub. It rubs on gently, exfoliates my lips, and the smell is so good you almost want to eat it. What's even better is that it's an all natural product, so you don't have to worry about swallowing any harsh chemicals.  It is a little expensive, $18 to be exact, but a little bit goes a long way and you won't be disappointed.

Acne Blues: Esthetician vs. Dermatologist

So you've come to a crossroad where you made the decision to seek out a professional.  You can no longer stare at your acne ridden face. Having pimples really blows and no matter how much make-up you put on, you still feel self-conscious. Whoever told me that acne would end after puberty was blowing smoke up my skirt! Acne is a menacing problem and everyone seems to have a solution and a product to fix it. The problem is there’s a plethora of professionals out there, so who do you turn to for advice? Do you seek out the help of an esthetician or get professional advice from a dermatologist?

Estheticians should be considered as a first line of defense. They are very knowledgeable about skin products and can help you establish a good skincare regimen. Estheticians can also perform deep cleansing facials, pore extractions, exfoliation treatments, and waxing.  Visiting your esthetician every 4-6 weeks may be what your skin needs to rid yourself from occasional breakouts.

If you find yourself defeated and over-the-counter medications aren’t working, you should see a dermatologist. The issues you are having with your skin could be hormonal or you may have a skin condition that requires prescription medication. While dermatologists can be both helpful and informative, the visits can be expensive and if you’re lucky, your insurance may pay for it. If this is an option for you, invest in your skin and find the root of the problem.  The pay-off may be well worth it, and your visit to the dermatologist can save you from purchasing useless products.

There’s no right or wrong way to tackle acne and the decision is yours to make. You should choose an approach that is comfortable to you. We’re our own self critics, so do what you need to do to free yourself from the acne blues.