No Excuses

It’s sort of a running joke with my family and the select few (really it’s just one but why not be a bit coy?) who are (err…” is” since we are talking in singular tense) privy to being with me during the night time hours and witness to how long it takes me to get ready for bed. Now let me clarify before your imagination runs wild and you think that getting ready for “bed” involves a Victoria Secret commercial reenactment. No instead this beauty ritual, which takes longer than getting ready in the morning, is about properly washing the day’s gunk off of my face, toning and applying the necessary specialized products- ie. serums, spot treatments and night creams/lotions. Now to some this list may seem short but each step needs to be thoughtfully executed with proper absorption time to allow for adequate penetration. Layering multiple products requires a 30 second to 1 minute “break” between each application otherwise everything becomes a mumble, jumble (as my sis in her toddler years would say). But here’s the reality, there are some nights that you are too exhausted, too tired and too bleary eyed to even fathom washing your face and doing all these steps.

Well before you hit the sack at the very least wash your face! There’s nothing that spells breakouts, loss of radiance and scary morning after than sleeping with your makeup on and thanks to the advent of towelettes this last ditch event can quickly be accomplished in mere seconds. These genius pre-soaked wipes gently remove makeup (including waterproof eye makeup), dirt and oil in one seamless swipe. Skin is refreshed and rebalanced. Better yet this water-free cleansing system, actually nourishes the skin (not like a moisturizer but better than your traditional cream/gel cleanser). Most towelettes are formulated with a hydrating ingredient like glycerin but leave skin fresh and residue-free (no oils to be found in these wipes). My top 3 favorites are Garnier Nutri-Pure Detoxifying Wet Towelettes (with antioxidants and skin soothing ingredients), Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes (packaged in a convenient air-tight box to avoid drying) and Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes (a UK favorite now available stateside).

Usage tip: Another non-negotiable time you should be washing your face? Directly after a workout! But if you’re in a rush or just need the added convenience, use these towelettes to cleanse your face of pore-clogging sweat and oils. It’s almost too easy!

The result: Freshly cleansed skin despite the fatigue or in my case no more “can you hurry up so I don’t fall asleep?”

Moisture Perfect

Ok so I just need to get something off my chest...the rainy/snowy weather in nyc is responsible for soaking my shopping bag causing it to rip at the bottomonly to have my brand new shearling hat and one pair of my favorite suede ballet slippers fall without me noticing. Granted it was my own stupidity to carry a bag made out of paper but nevertheless I'm quite mad/disappointed/sad. I almost wish I had lost both shoes so whoever found them could at least have a complete pair of stunning ballet flats (what can I say I know in comparison to many I'm blessed I have a roof over my head and food in my stomach so why not look at the silver lining?). Well that was therapeutic, thanks for listening. Now let's move on to something more beauty relevant...moisture! Ahhh, just saying those words rings supple, soft, plump, healthy looking skin. Especially in the colder months our skin is stripped of essential hydration thanks to the moisture zapping bitter winds and parching indoor heating. Do you know what dehydrated skin looks like? Think sallow, sung in like a dried prune and lifeless. Moisture is like an energy source, it plumps and revives skin cells so that you glow with health.

Often I find that cleansers can be quite stripping of skin's natural emollients. What can I say we are cleaning happy society and unlike the Europeans who appreciate a milder lather, we savor big, frothy bubbles thinking it's better. Unfortunately that's not always the case, especially in such inclimate weather conditions. Instead opt for a milder, more discerning cleanser like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. A dermatologist favorite, this delicate cleanser treats your skin with care (think Woolite vs Tide) so that makeup, oil and residue is removed while keeping skin's natural emollients intact. It's better to leave your skin's natural oils than to strip them only to try to restore skin's moisture balance minutes later through a cream. Your skin has it's own cycle and regimen that works so respect it. Skin is left flawlessly clean yet soft and hydrated!

Usage tip: If you find that this cleanser is too mild to use at night when you need something more heavy duty to wipe the day's pollution and grim away, use this cleanser in the morning. (Yes you should be washing your skin in the morning to help remove any leftover night product while cleansing away any pore clogging gunk your skin may have naturally disguarded and pushed to the outer layer. See how smart your skin is it has it's own natural cleaning system!).

The result: Glowing, healthy skin all compliments of your skin's natural mechanism (and a great cleanser).