Peter Thomas Roth: Second Obsession Worthy Product

I have been through approximately 2.5 years of trying to figure out what the H*&L is wrong with my skin...clearly this hasn't been a frustrating journey.  My skin totally changed as I got into my late 20's, and I started breaking out like crazy on my cheeks (my CHEEKS!).  As I started to treat my skin like a full blown case of acne (it wasn't), I now understand that I only irritated my skin further, thus causing more breakouts, and on and on it went.  Vicious cycle, indeed.  I had a chemical peel, which basically felt like my face was being pressed against the sun.  Not that such a procedure isn't a good idea - for me, I'm not so sure it was the right route at that time.  Anyway.  The one positive is that I've learned a lot along the way, and I have finally figured out that yes, I do have a "congested" complexion that requires some level of treatment - and I've finally figured out that perfect level of treatment with the aid of PTR's gentle (key word) complexion correction pads.

Holy moly, these pads are miracle workers.  They only have .5% salicylic acid, in comparison to the more heavy duty 2% in a lot of acne-fighting products.  Super easy on the skin, they deliver just the amount of treatment my skin needs to remain clear.  And because they're so gentle, you can use them once or twice daily.  I noticed improvement immediately, and my skin has really remained clear since I started using these.  An added bonus?  They smell peachy, and not like medicine.    I wash my face, swipe one of these over my skin, use my new fave serum (in an upcoming post, I know you're excited), and I'm good to go. 

Get clearer skin here. 

XOXO...............................................Tiff.

Say Yes To This Oil

I've heard a lot lately about how great cleansing oils are at completely removing makeup and nourishing skin. While it may seem counter-intuitive, oil is actually quite ideal for removing makeup; see, like dissolves like (oil will dissolve the oil based makeup). For more info on this topic, click here for a post on The Beauty Brains.

Science aside, I decided to give this Makeup Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil a whirl (doesn't it just sound delightful?). Not only does it smell so refreshingly minty, it really does the trick on removing every last bit of dirt and makeup from my face - and leaves it nice and soft. It doesn't leave any residue, and certainly doesn't seem to make my skin any oilier. Oh, and it kinda makes me look forward to washing my face before bed...anything that does that HAS to be a miracle product.

Check it out here.

XOXO..........................................................................Tiff.

Eye Do.

I have to tell you how much I adore this little eye anti-puffer by Garnier. This product uses a little metal roller ball to deliver eye gel that promises to de-puff and brighten your eye area. The metal roller is cooling, which feels amazing (especially in the AM, when I enjoy anything that will wake me up a little), and the massage-like action works to break up any fluid that has collected under your eyes during sleep. In addition, it contains caffeine and vitamin B-5 to assist in de-puffing and brightening.

Need another reason to use a roller for your eyes? The skin around our eyes is so delicate, and constant tugging or pulling can aid in creating fine lines. The roller is a gentle way to deliver the product. If you use cream with your fingers, gently pat the cream around your eyes.

Check it out here.

XOXO.......................................Tiff.

Current Skincare Obsession Alert

If you've been following my blog (and I know you hang on my every last word), you know that I've been on this ridiculous quest to find the most effective skin care - not to mention figure out what the heck is going on with my skin in the first place.

Apparently, I have been continuing to treat my skin for issues that don't really concern me. With a little help, I was directed to skin care that would address skin texture and even out my skin tone - previously, I assumed that the little bumps on my cheeks were due to acne and that the rough texture on my forehead was just dry skin. And this is why I'm no dermatologist. :)

Through all of this, I was led to Caudalie - and thank goodness. I can't tell you how much I absolutely adore this line. It is pricey, yes, but a little goes a looooooong way with this stuff. I am currently using the Gentle Cleanser (which I have been removing with cotton pads instead of rinsing with water - leaves my skin so unbelievably soft), Vinoperfect Radiance Serum (which helps even skin tone and lighten hyper-pigmentation), and Vinosource Anti-Wrinkle Nourishing Cream (for normal-dry, anti-aging).

The products contain grapevine polyphenols (super duper antioxidants) - and many other skin-nourishing goodies. Did I mention they all smell amazing as well?? And maybe even more importantly - I may have been told multiple times over the past weekend that my skin was "glowy." Tiffany:1, skin issues:0.

Get more info here.

XOXO.....................................................Tiff.

Say Hello to my Little Friend.

Yes, I know that this is nothing new...the Clarisonic skin brush has been around for a good while now. BUT, it is brand new to yours truly...after literal years of coveting this gadget, I finally treated myself last week. Boy am I glad I did.

Immediately after my initial use, I noticed how ridiculously soft my skin felt and how evenly toned it appeared. A few short days later, my skin is officially transformed. While some may experience blemishes at first (this is so deep-cleaning, much like getting a facial, that it will bring those deep blemishes to the surface), it will clear up very quickly and reveal the amazing skin you know you have.

I'm going to share with you the skin care line I'm currently obsessing over in my next post, but believe me, this is a MUST HAVE addition to your skin care regimen. I don't take expensive purchases lightly - but you won't ever be sad about this splurge, I guarantee it.

Check it out here.

Have a Clarisonic already? What's your take?

XOXO...............................................Tiff.

Best.Cleanser.Ever.

Purity Made Simple by Philosophy is hands down the most effective facial cleanser I've ever used. Given to me by one of my newest favorite people (thank you, L.L.), I have used it religiously ever since. This cleanser removes every single trace of makeup and dirt in 60 seconds...and makes me doubly happy because I only need to follow it with moisturizer. My skincare routine is more effective and less time-consuming? Color me happy. This may be the first product I'm prepared to make a commitment to.

Check it out here.


XOXO.......................................Tiff.

A Fabulous Micro-derm Product

One of my personal goals in life is to have awesome skin.  Listen, as superficial as it may be, not only do I feel better knowing that I'm taking good care of myself, but my self-esteem might get a little boost from it too.  I think as I'm getting older (30 in August, that's right), taking good care of myself is more and more important - nobody wants to end up looking like leather-face, right?  One piece I've recently added to my regime is this unbelievable exfoliator by Origins.  Modern Friction is super gentle, which I completely appreciate now that I understand how harsh other exfoliators can be on your face.  And I admit, I've been known to say things like, "If I could take sandpaper to my face, I would." But we know that's not good for the skin, now don't we?  This magical pudding makes my skin GLOW, as well as making it super duper soft and smooth.  I'm on the every other day usage track (which is definitely the most I would recommend using it) - but you can use it every three days, whatever your little heart and skin desires.  Here is the description from the Origins website.  Oh, and did I mention this stuff is all natural - HURRAH!  Your skin will thank you, you won't be able to stop checking yourself out, and other people will be jealous.  You, 1 - aging, 0.  Check it out here.  

Sand-blasting skin with coarse, chemical crystals? How painfully passé. Here’s age-smoothing exfoliation without irritation. Skin-refining Rice Starch, cushioned in cream, shows real affinity for rapidly removing sluggish cells, uneven patches and signs of skin damage and discolorations. Lemon Oil kick starts the process of illumination. Another age-sweeping action: skin-menacing molecules are mopped up. All while Aloe keeps skin calm and comfy. There’s no ouch, extra steps or other complications. No redness or flaking follows. The before-and-afters are amazing. Signs of fine lines and size of pores appear to shrink in size. Skin looks perfectly polished, smooth and luminous. And the perk-me-up aromas of Bergamot and Pepperminthelp you look on the bright side. 

XOXO...................Tiff.  

Refresh yourself

It's Friday...chances are you had a hectic week and are now ready to relax and refresh. Here is a relaxing mask to help you do just that.

Cucumber-Parsley Mask

1 Tablespoon full-fat unflavored yogurt
1 Tablespoon chopped cucumber
1 Tablespoon fresh parsley

Place cucumber and parsley in a blender and puree until smooth. Add yogurt and mix well. Apply mixture to face, leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cool water.


Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....XOXO, Tiff.

Calisthenics for your face

Another really fun part of aging (sarcasm noted?) is that our skin loses elasticity, hence the need for facelifts and the reason we see too many women walking around who look surprised all the time. Since I'm pretty sure the surprised look is not what we're going for, here's a tightening mask for you that will keep your eyes in the same place. :)

Peach Mask

1 ripe peach
1 egg white
1 teaspoon full-fat unflavored yogurt

Peel and pit the peach. Blend together with the egg white and yogurt until smooth. Apply to face and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Bringing sexy back......................XOXO, Tiff.

Is that you hiding under a layer of dead skin?

Sounds gross, right? Here's an exfoliating mask to fix that and let the real you shine through. It contains lemon juice and tomato, which offer the benefits of vitamins A and C, and lycopene. Here's the recipe:

Tomato-Lemon Mask

1 over-ripe tomato
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon instant oatmeal

Place ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Apply to face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Just say no to dull skin.......................XOXO, Tiff.

Rated M for Mature

Okay, okay.....any age can use this mask. However, this mask is very moisturizing and is specifically for dry skin - as we age, our skin typically gets drier (hence those fun little lines we start to see). This is why moisturizer is SO important - when skin is well hydrated, those lines should look less apparent. This mask is super nourishing, and sounds really easy to make as well...here you go:

Avocado Face Mask

1/2 avocado (ripe)
1/4 cup honey (make sure it is runny - microwave it for a few seconds if it has hardened)

Mash the avocado to a creamy texture, then stir in honey. Apply to skin, leave on for about 10 minutes. Rinse face with a cool washcloth.

Bye bye dry skin!......................XOXO, Tiff.

DIY Beauty Week!

If you can't tell that I'm engulfed in girliness every second of my life, this might help you close that discussion board. I love, love, lovelove, LOVE face masks - I don't know anything that is more relaxing than putting on a nice mask and soaking in a full-of-bubbles tub for 20 minutes. Sometimes I even kick my little foot out of the bubbles just like in the movies, but it never seems as cool. MOVING ON..... :) If you've ever shopped for face masks, you know they can be expensive and super over-whelming...because, let's face it, there is a mask in existence for every single facial issue, ever. I have run across many face mask recipes in my lifetime and have to admit that I've never tried them - but I'm turning a new leaf and this week, I'll be posting a new recipe every day. If you decide to try any of these, I would absolutely love feedback!

(drumroll, please....)

Our first recipe certainly sounds delicious, so please don't eat it. For today, we have the Chocolate Face Mask. This mask is a great dose of powerful anti-oxidants (from the cocoa) and moisturizer (from the honey and oatmeal). Honey will also deep-clean your skin and open up clogged pores. This should soften your skin and make you glow (and should be okay for sensitive skin)!

Here's the recipe:

1/3 cup of cocoa

1/4 cup of honey

2 Tablespoons heavy cream or sour cream

3 teaspoons plain instant oatmeal

Mix all ingredients together until you have a uniform consistency. Gently massage onto your face, and leave on for about 20 minutes (plenty of time for that bath). Rinse with lukewarm water.

XOXO, Tiff.

Skincare 101

I found an article from Real Simple that educates about common skincare product ingredients.  Have you ever read multiple labels, only to be confused about what it is exactly that you're slathering all over your face?  Here is the low-down on what they are and why you might want them or not want them in your regimen.  

1.  Vitamin C (a.k.a. ascorbic acid, l-ascorbic acid, ascorbate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate,                                     ascorbyl palmitate)

Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant (meaning that it combats the free-radicals our skin encounters daily) that is good for aging and sun-damaged skin.  Watch for this ingredient if your skin is sensitive.

2.  Salicylic Acid (a.k.a. beta-hydroxy acid)

Look for this ingredient if you have normal-oily skin and want to treat acne.  Do not use products containing salicylic acid if you have sensitive skin, dry skin, or have an allergy to aspirin (FYI - I just read in a magazine that a quick at-home remedy for combating a pimple is to crush an aspirin and make a paste with water - leave mixture on pimple for 10 minutes and rinse off).  Aspirin and salicylic acid come from the same family.  

3.  Ferulic Acid (a.k.a. 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid)

Use products with this ingredient if you have normal-dry skin and are interested in fighting sun damage and aging.  According to Real Simple, this ingredient is usually used in conjunction with Vitamins E and C as a stabilizer.

4.  Retinol (a.k.a. retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate)

This ingredient is good for normal-oily skin and treats acne, aging, and sun-damage.  Avoid   this one if you have sensitive skin.  

5.  Idebenone (a.k.a. ubiquinone, coenzyme Q-10)

This one is good for all skin types and is a powerful antioxidant that treats sun damage, 

irritation, and aging.  As an antioxidant, it possesses anti-inflammatory properties that strengthen the skin.    

6.  Hyaluronic Acid (a.k.a. sodium hyaluronate)

Look for this ingredient if you want to treat aging; it's good for all skin types - especially 

dry skin.  

7.  Green Tea (a.k.a. EGCG [epigallocatechin gallate])

This is another antioxidant good for all skin types.  It treats sun damage, irritation, and aging.  An interesting factoid on the Real Simple page states that "...studies have shown that a product containing at least 5% green tea extract may help prevent skin cancer."  

8.   Niacinamide (a.k.a. nicotinamide)

Especially good for dry skin, this ingredient treats sun damage, irritation, and aging (I'm noticing a theme here - ha).  A full description regarding what exactly this ingredient does can be found on the website, but it translates to this: that it gives your skin a "healthy, youthful glow."  Yes, please.

9.  Alpha Lipoic Acid (a.k.a. lipoic acid)

This is a powerful exfoliator used to treat sun damage and aging.  All skin types can use this, but avoid it if you have very sensitive skin.  

This completes our first lesson; now you are armed with more knowledge to go out and embark on the wonderful world of skincare.  At the very least, you will know what those ingredients are doing in your products.  Check out the full article here; it goes into more depth regarding why these ingredients work and provide some examples of products containing the ingredients.      

Happy skin-caring......Tiff.

Facial Issues - What's Yours?

So as I've gotten a little older, my skin has changed. Not in a "I look in the mirror and see a lot of wrinkles" kind of way, but a "well I guess my skin is kind of dry and hey, I'm breaking out on my cheeks now" sort of way. Last year, I spent a small fortune on facial care products trying to battle this new "acne" on my cheeks...the cystic kind that is painful, red, and below the skin. And then, when it has "gone away," it leaves a lovely mark where it once was. Since I thought I was fighting acne, I literally tried every ingredient known to clear it...benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, etc. To my dismay, this seemed to make the issue worse. Finally I waved my little white flag and to a trip to the dermatologist, where he insisted that I was stressed out due to wedding planning and proceeded to recommend (surprise, surprise) benzoyl peroxide treatment and retinol. And...not finished...a chemical peel. I had such high hopes, but the chemical peel felt similar to pressing my face against...I don't know, maybe the sun? And then my skin proceeded to peel off for another 2 weeks. ATTRACTIVE!! Moral of the story - this stuff didn't work and FINALLY, I have figured out that my skin is stressed out by all the crap I've been doing to it. So..to the point...out of all the stuff I've tried, these have been the most effective.

1. Cetaphil - an old classic that I have been using for a few months now. It is super gentle, dissolves makeup well, doesn't dry out my skin, and makes it really soft. I love that I've tried some stupidly expensive brands and this is what I've settled on...
http://www.cetaphil.com/Products/cleansers.aspx - I use the gentle skin cleanser.

2. The All Calm line by Good Skin @ Kohl's - again, surprising find at an affordable price. I like the toner, which insures that you have removed all traces of dirt and makeup but is also calming and refreshing. I also use the moisture cream - which I have to say is heavenly. I feel like I can literally feel it sinking into my skin - I usually let it sink in before I put anything else on my face for a few minutes. I have definitely noticed less redness after using these products.
http://www.goodskindermcare.com/templates/products/skintype_landing.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY6771

3. At night, I have been using Olay Definity Night Restorative Sleep Cream (how good does just the name sound??). This product contains ingredients that help even skin tone, while also fighting multiple signs of aging. Retinol helps keep skin clear. A night cream is wonderful because it takes advantage of the restorative nature of sleep, therefore encouraging an increased cell turnover rate. What this means for us is that we wake up with skin that looks luminous and refreshed...yes please!!
http://www.olay.com/boutique/definity/products/de1008

4. The last product I'll recommend is not skin care related, but really has helped decrease the redness in my skin. Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer is pretty much the most amazing thing to happen to my makeup routine. This stuff feels like a heavenly souffle - it glides on your face and neutralizes the redness in your skin - and provides a great base for foundation or powder, whatever you wear. Everything blends so easily on your skin when you start with this product. If redness isn't your issue, they have a clear primer which is very popular, and also a couple other colors to help neutralize or brighten your skin tone.
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P78811&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=3990

If anyone has any questions, please let me know and I'll do my best to answer. I've tried A LOT of products and while I realize our skin types are all different, there's a good chance I can give advice at some capacity. Remember, I'm a product freak. :)

Happy Tuesday!

XOXO, Tiff.