New Beauty Regime
January 20, 2011 | Filed under Body
When I was in Sydney, I had that facial that I paid cut price rates for. In the words of the beauty therapist, I have terrible skin, and I don’t take care of it the way I should! You know, I’ve always thought that I was good looking, despite some acne scarring and blemishes. There’s some self-consciousness about these blemishes, but overall, it doesn’t exactly interfere with my quality of life. After hearing her talk and criticise though, my self-esteem’s taken a bit of a hit! Amongst the suggestions she made:
- Cleanse more regularly, instead of just using makeup removal wipes
- Switch to a oil-free moisturiser
- Use Vitamin C cream at night to improve skin elasticity
- Use more natural makeup options rather than heavy liquid foundation
- Have regular chemical peel sessions at the salon to smooth out my skin
- Consider skin needling (collagen induction therapy) to tighten my skin
I understand the reasoning some of her points – hence I’m now using an oil-free moisturiser, I’m using a gel cleanser twice a day on top of my once-a-day apricot scrub and makeup removal wipes, and I’ve made the switch to using mineral makeup (I LOVE the Nude By Nature range, it gives me a much more natural look than I’ve ever had before. I’ve blown nearly $100 on Nude by Nature products and have chucked out all my old heavier liquid makeup.)
But regular chemical peels, microdermabrasion, skin needling, etc.? That just seems like too much. Not only are these procedures prohibitively expensive, priced anywhere between $150 – $300 a hit, but I really don’t like the idea of regularly peeling off my skin. Once or twice a year, maybe. But every month? Every few weeks the way she was recommending? This may be illogical, but all I can imagine when I think of that is myself walking around with a raw face that has no skin on it whatsoever…like a skinned rabbit!
11 Responses to New Beauty Regime
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This may just be my skeptic “the cosmetic industry is a money-sucker” side talking but I suspect a teensy bit of it was to encourage frequent returns for the $$. Plus I agree with you on the peeling thing, regular chemical treatment of your skin can’t be that good for it.
I always figured a wash, scrub, and moisturize was the best way to keep your skin looking good (plus drinking lots of water/eating fruit).
TWD on January 20, 2011 #
Uhhh, ick? I’m glad you’re being skeptical of the beauty treatments she’s recommending. Washing, moisturizing, and using mineral makeup is good for you, but the idea of a chemical peel, etc. really creeps me out. It sounds so wrong, y’know? And how does that really help, aside from peeling away your skin? That can’t really be right. I read once that good skin care should help your skin help itself, and that’s a philosophy that makes sense to me.
Granted, I probably shouldn’t talk; I still have pretty bad acne and have had it for years and years. It helps to NOT go to beauty professionals who tell you all the things wrong with your skin. ;)
Stephanie on January 20, 2011 #
Less is more in terms of most body care regimes, I think. No way on earth would I let someone go crazy at my skin every couple weeks. There’s just no need and I have way better things to spend my time/money on.
gem on January 20, 2011 #
Yeah sometimes beauty therapists go overboard. I mean, instead of peeling your skin off maybe just exfoliate? Thats like cleaning and peeling your skin but a lot healthier for it afterall.
I think you’re attractive Amanda ;) I’d do you any day!
April on January 20, 2011 #
apricot scrubs (at least the kind I’m thinking of by St. Ives) aren’t really good for your skin…the exfoliants in them are too rough.
estheticians want you to buy their products. they tell everyone they have bad skin.
Jennifer on January 20, 2011 #
Bit of soap and water – all of the rest is superfluous crap invented by an industry that wants to undermine your self esteem and profit from your vanity.
Jem on January 20, 2011 #
And by ‘your’ I was taking as in the buyers of beauty products, not you specifically :p
Jem on January 20, 2011 #
I bet you she’s just trying to sell you on expensive procedures to make more money. Makeup places do that too from what I hear (“Oh, eye cream? You should also consider this other cream, this moisturizer, and this concealer!”). And seriously, all those models and actors with perfect skin are just photoshopped anyway.
Becky on January 21, 2011 #
I use wipes when I have makeup on, and otherwise I just use clean water. I’ve had zit issues too but my skin improves heaps when I’m on a healthy diet & exercise regularly. When I go to department stands the ladies have commented about how good my skin is. I rarely cleanse etc. I think doing too much can often cause opposite results.
Rilla on January 21, 2011 #
Love the new theme!
I used to have terrible acne in my teens, so frankly, anything better than that is fine with me. I went for a facial last month, I’d started breaking out over my forehead – slight bumps compared to the huge cysts used to get, but the facialist was all “You have lots of pimples. You should come for facials more often” – sigh.
My routine basically consists of washing at night, rinsing with water in the morning, and moisturising after each. I don’t wear foundation anymore, usually – I’d rather have red cheeks than dry them out even more.
eemusings on January 22, 2011 #
Ohh gees I had a similar experience with these ‘coupon-deal’ facials, the beauty therapist told me I had sun damage on my forehead and dry skin which was freaking me out a bit. But at the end of the day, they can only offer these cheap deals if they can sell you more products or treatments. (The deal also came with a $50 voucher for a next visit, but now I’m probably not going to use it so she can’t sell me any more stuff!)
You’re way too young to have those skin needling stuff (sounds scary!) although I must say I love microdermabrasions. But only before special occasions etc. Every month is a bit overkill, maybe every 3 months if you want to spend that kind of money!
kat on January 24, 2011 #