Drugstore Faves

As much as I love a good Sephora haul, I always find myself going back to (and recommending) some drugstore makeup and skin care finds that work great and rival their pricier counterparts.  When taking clients shopping for makeup and skin care, we almost always start somewhere like Ulta or Target for some of these products before venturing into a department store.  Here are some of my favorite products, found at any local drugstore, that work amazingly well and create a look that dupes many pricier department store products.

Skin Care:

 

POND'S Deep Cleanser & Make-up Remover with Cucumber Extract, 10.1 oz

This cooling cleansing cream by Pond's has a higher water-to-oil ratio than its "classic" cold cream counterpart, meaning it rinses off clean without the need to tissue off.  Using the same idea as oil cleansers, this cold cream dissolves all makeup - even long-wearing/waterproof formulas - for a clean complexion that isn't left dried out.  I've been using this on and off for years, and always find myself reaching for it when nothing else is working.

Phisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash, 6 fl oz

I only wash my face with a foaming cleanser in the shower, with my Clarisonic (which there definitely is not a drugstore dupe for!).  This pH balanced face wash by Phisoderm is super gentle, and is formulated without sulfates or dyes, so it won't irritate even sensitive skins.  With the added benefit of salicylic and lactic acids, this cleanser helps keep pores clean and acne at bay, all without stripping the skin of natural oils or throwing off pH balance.  What else could you want in a cleanser?

 

Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel with Organic Aloe Vera Formula Toner, Rose Petal, 12 fl oz

I LOVE this toner.  I'm kind of a toner addict, having tried at least a hundred others from all kinds of brands, and I always come back to this one.  It contains so much goodness: vitamin e, witch hazel, aloe, glycerine, and rose water - and doesn't contain alcohol!  This toner always leaves skin soft, toned and never dry or stripped.  While many people don't consider toners a necessary step, I deem this a staple in my routine for removing anything my cleanser may have missed, and for adding an extra little dose of moisture to the skin.  Also, I may be addicted to the heavenly rose scent.

read on for my makeup faves!

My Skin Brightening Regimen

My skin always goes through a period of dull flakiness every spring - kind of like it's shedding its winter coat.  This year, I've found the perfect regimen to get my skin bright and glowing without the flakes!  Introducing my go-to skin brighteners:

These products seriously haven't left my bathroom counter in over a month - a big feat for a product junkie like me!

Thanksgiving Inspired Skin Care - Pumpkin Edition

This season, take your skin care cues from your dinner table!  These products feature the Thanksgiving staple, pumpkin, to ensure your skin looks its best this season.

Pumpkin
Pumpkin is an excellent source of Vitamins C and A to protect, heal and stimulate collagen production, and Zinc Oxide, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory and aids in skin repair.  Pumpkin is also packed with enzymes that naturally dissolve dull, dead skin for a glowing complexion.

MyChelle Dermaceuticals Creamy Pumpkin Cleanser

This creamy cleanser contains pumpkin and honey enzymes, to gently exfoliate and hydrate while cleansing.  It completely dissolves dirt, oil and makeup, leaving skin soft and smooth.  Perfect for all skin types!

Glo Pumpkin Enzyme Scrub 2oz

This scrub combines gentle jojoba beads with pumpkin and fruit enzymes for both physical and chemical exfoliation.  It also contains powerful anti-inflammatories to ensure your skin never gets irritated.  Use 2 to 3 times a week for a glowing complexion!

Sanitas Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

This mask from my beloved Sanitas line combines pumpkin enzymes with hydrating hyaluronic acid and squalane to gently exfoliate while hydrating.  Right after using this mask, you'll see smooth, soft skin with a decrease in fine lines and discoloration.  

DIY: Pumpkin Mask

Or... you can create your very own mask at home!  Combine the following ingredients, apply to face and rinse off after 10 minutes.

3 tsp. pumpkin puree

1/2 tsp. honey

1/4 tsp. whipping cream

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate® Body Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

This intense exfoliator will ensure your body is just a smooth as your now-glowing face!  With natural pumpkin, papaya, and lactic enzymes to exfoliate, plus caffeine to tone and smooth any dimples, this scrub has everything you need to keep body skin smooth and hydrated this winter.

I just love the scent of pumpkin products!  They are so soothing and comforting.  What are your favorite holiday scents or products?

Anti-aging treatment? There's an App for that

As we've all heard from the iphone commercials, there's an app for just about anything. And soon, you'll even be able to get an anti-aging treatment from your phone!

United Holdings Group will be launching a set of ten anti-aging applications for the iphone in January 2010. The apps promise to treat wrinkles, acne, skin elasticity, hair growth, and even joint pain for a mere $2.99. According to the company, the apps work by using wavelengths of light and sound to stimulate a healing response in the cells, causing them to produce collagen and elastin.

It sounds like the idea is based on LED photorejuvenation therapy, offered by dermatologists and companies like Tanda and Osmotics Cosmeceuticals. While LED therapy is proven to stimulate collagen and elastin (with red and amber light therapy) and kill acne-causing bacteria (blue light therapy), I'm not sure how well an iphone app will be able to replicate those results, but for $2.99, I'll find out for myself!

Will you be trying the anti-aging app?