Receive free box of Latisse with toy donation

We've all heard of toys drives collecting new toys for kiddos, but one Chicago-area dermatologist is adding a fun and unique twist to hers.

On Tuesday, December 6th, Dr. Amy Taub of the Advanced Dermatology and Skinfo Specialty Skincare Boutique is giving a free full-sized box of Latisse to anyone who donates a new toy! (valued at $25) It's called "Lashes Make Wishes Come True." Isn't that fun? Latisse is the only prescription treatment approved for promoting eyelash growth.

The new toys will go to children at Children's Memorial Hospital in the division of dermatology. The kiddos are going through treatments such as laser therapy, surgery or skin biopsies in the clinic.

The toy drive will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at SkinFo Specialty Skincare Boutique located at 275 Parkway Drive Suite 521 Lincolnshire, Ill. (847) 459-2800. One box per client.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!

Huge Savings at Kiehl's!

One of my favorite skin care companies is having a huge sale right now! For orders over $65, you get $20 off your order and free shipping. $20! Holla. (Just enter "Holiday" in the promo code section when checking out). If you've been thinking about buying Kiehl's, there's never been a better time.

Some of my Kiehl's favs:

* The Line Reducing Skin Brightening Concentrate (hands down my favorite eye cream)

* The Powerful Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate (face serum/cream)

* Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer (for those morning bags!)

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!

Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind concealer--a must!

Oh my goodness, so sorry for the lack of posts lately! Grad school is keeping me busier than I thought.

One thing I've noticed about my face lately is the dark circles I always seem to have under my eyes. I haven't worn concealer for several years, because I hate the way it settles into my lines and makes me look older, especially by the end of the day. Well, I've found a solution!

I recently bought Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind concealer, and I really love it. I'll admit it, I was swayed by their ads and the gorgeous Christy Turlington who never seems to age. Their website says it helps with fine lines, dark circles and puffiness. You twist the cap and the concealer soaks through the sponge tip, and you apply it under your eyes. It covers very nicely and doesn't seem to settle into my lines. It's also a nice cover-up for acne or acne scars. I bought the creamy ivory color. It also has an SPF 18 in it which is another plus.

I apply this first, and then apply a powder foundation such as MAC's Studio Fix or Bare Minerals on top.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!

Helping Crow's Feet with a Pill?

Wow, I apologize for such a gap in posts! I've just started grad school and I'm working two jobs, so needless to say, life is busy.

The good news is that for my program at Northwestern, I'm a Health and Sciences Reporter for Medill News Service with a focus on aging. So that means I get to cover stories on beauty treatments, score!

Check out my first article. There's a really cool study being done by the makers of Nature Made supplements, showing that a certain supplement may help with crow's feet.

Check it out here!

Good luck and keep looking beautiful.

Get the right shades!

Sure, your fun $5 sunglasses might be super cute, but are they making you squint?

An important part of anti-aging is protecting your eyes. If you aren't, you are more likely to get wrinkles. (Ugh.)

Put your sunglasses to the test…when you step outside do you squint with them on? You might notice little lines pop up between your brows. Those only get worse with time.

For the past few years, I’ve only been wearing polarized sunglasses like Maui Jim’s or Ray-Ban’s. They're awesome! A girlfriend of mine teased me about being a fisherman, until she tried them on and say “Oh, wow.” It’s true, once you put them on, you’ll never be able to go back to other sunglasses. That’s because they reduce glare, brighten colors and just make everything look better. (For people with light eyes, they are especially helpful for our sensitive baby blues.)

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!

A powerful combo

I've got a great skincare routine going on right now that I just have to tell you about. There are three products I've been using religiously for about two weeks, and I can really notice the difference. My skin is brighter and healthier looking, and my fine lines are disappearing.

I've sung their praises before, but I can't say enough good things about Kiehls. One of my favorite products is their Line-Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate. It has Pure Vitamin C 10.5% which is great for wrinkles, but easier on your skin than retinol. I use this under my eyes nearly every night.

Because Kiehls rocks, they send you samples with every purchase, so I tried out their Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate, and I LOVE it. This also has Vitamin C and is great for firming skin and reducing wrinkles. I use this at night after the eye cream. It's light enough that you may need another moisturizer if you don't live in a humid climate like Chicago.

Then in the mornings I use their Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler under my eyes and on my forehead to help fill in lines under my make-up. I then use a moisturizer on top with an SPF of 30+.

The combo of these three is truly remarkable!

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!

Expert help for under eye circles and more

As promised, here's the link to the second part of my interview with Scott-Vincent Borba, the man behind the very popular Borba Skin Care line. He's got some great tips, including a suggestion for dark under eye circles. Yay!

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!

Celeb Skin Care Expert Answers Burning Beauty Questions

Celeb skin care expert Scott-Vincent Borba, the man behind the very popular Borba Skin Care line, was kind enough to answer my questions about how to get beautiful skin. (Isn't he cute too?) His answer on cleansing may surprise you.

Check out the article here!

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!





Don't forget to cleanse after the gym

During my monthly facial this week, the esthetician spent tons of time doing extractions (getting all the gunk out of my pores), and trust me, it was painful. I was tearing up, but I didn't ask her to stop because I wanted clean skin.

She then asked me if I workout a lot, and I said "yes". She said she could tell I did, and that I didn't wash my face afterwards, hence why I needed so many extractions. (Dang! I was hoping she'd say, "I could tell because your bum is rock hard.") I realized after I workout, I usually do other things before I shower, like laundry, working on my computer or cleaning house. Come to find out, this is not good for my skin.

According to Well and Good NYC, "You don't want a cocktail of dirt, oil, and bodily fluids clinging to your skin, affecting its pH, and clogging your pores." They say if you don't have a sink, no problem. There are plenty of facial wipes on the market now, like Arcona's Triad Pads. You know I'm totally buying these! They sound like a refreshing way to cleanse your skin on the go.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!




The Skinny on Botox

In life, there are two kinds of women. Women who get Botox and brag about its fabulousness, and those who get Botox, but lie and say they don't. Haha.

August 2007

A lot of you have asked me about Botox, and here's the deal: it rocks. Yes it's expensive and it hurts to get done, but it's truly the best thing for smoothing out lines and wrinkles. Another great advantage is that it helps your skin in the future. He's a blurb from Dr. Oz's website...

"The longer patients use it, the better they look, as the body actually "heals in" wrinkles when they are not continually recreated."

I've definitely noticed this on my face. I haven't used Botox in about 6 months, but my crow's feet are much less defined these days thanks to this and the other treatments and products I use.

The most common place to get Botox is between the eyebrows where a lot of people have those deep lines from years of furrowing their brows. (Like Carrie on Sex and the City for the first 3 seasons--noticably gone in later seasons.) You can also get it done in your forehead, crow's feet or around the mouth.

July 2010

Botox is about $12-$15 a unit (that's in Chicago, probably less in other places) and according to Dr. Oz, you usually need 13-30 units for the vertical lines on the forehead, 10-20 for the horizontal ones, 8-20 for crow's feet and 5-10 for around the mouth. I just found out Refine Medical Spa in Chicago is offering $10 a unit for one day only, Tuesday, July 26th. Call (312) 867-0600. Score!

Before you get it done, ask the doctor to numb the area and they usually have those little stress balls you can squeeze in your hands. Also, remember to breath so you don't pass out!

Keep in mind, everyone and their brother is offering Botox these days. There's a deal in Chicago today to get it done cheaper at a dentist's office. Don't do that. Only go to a plastic surgeon or dermatologist with a good education and reputation. You can find a doctor in your area here. Don't get fooled with good deals, because your safety is the first priority!

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!

Green Peels-Worth the Cost

One of the best skin treatments I did pre-wedding is a Green Peel. This is an all-natural peel versus the more common chemical ones that can have harsh ingredients.

Courtesy: Dr. Schrammek

The Green Peel is made up natural plant ingredients, and when rubbed into your skin, causes it to flake and peel off in about 4-5 days. The result is beautiful skin and a perfect non-surgical option. This peel is especially great for acne-prone people because this helps clear up zits and minimizes pores. It also helps get rid of scars, aged and sun-damaged skin.

When you first get the peel done, your skin will look great. It looks like you've spent a day at the beach, and you'll look a little sunburned. For the next several days, your skin will flake off, and about 5 days after you get the peel, you'll go back into your esthetician to get a facial that helps remove any remaining peeling skin. Once you get the facial, your skin will look brighter, healthier and younger looking. I got two peels done before the wedding. (I would usually schedule this for a Thursday so the worst peeling happened over the weekend and I could hide out.)

Along with the facial 5 days later (which is included in the cost) you get some very cool products including a blemish balm that helps cover any acne or problem spots, you get a cooling lotion and also a rockin' toner. It's the most refreshing toner I've ever used and makes my skin feel great!

Green peels (like anything else) aren't cheap, usually a couple hundred dollars, but the results from mine lasted about a year.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!




Update to Skin Effects Line

After I blogged about the awesomeness of the Skin Effects line at CVS, particularly the Deep Wrinkle Eraser Pen, that thing is no where to be found. Sorry to all of you who went to CVS, but the product appears sold out in stores and online. I'm so sad! I'm sure it sold out because it totally rocks.

Luckily, I did find a few on Ebay last night, so I just ordered one. I've never ordered skin care products from Ebay, but I'm desperate! I'll let you know how it goes. It's supposed to be brand new and still in the box, so keep your fingers crossed. 

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!

Have you tried Bare Minerals foundation?

When I worked in television news, a viewer who saw me without make-up on told me, "Don't worry honey, I'm not a natural beauty either." I laughed and really wasn't all that mad because she's kind of right. With pale skin, freckles and occasional acne, I need make-up in the worst way.

Because I had to wear loads of foundation during my career, I've tried just about every brand. Most made me shiny, too done up looking or settled into my wrinkles, making me look older than I am. But recently I tried a new kind, Bare Minerals from the company Bare Escentuals, and I'm in love.

This foundation is amazing. It's a 3-part system where you first apply the basic foundation, then a bronzer and you finish with a product called mineral veil, which is a finishing powder. First of all, the coverage is phenomenal. You'll be amazed by how well this product covers scars, discoloration and acne. Secondly, it looks super natural, and the bronzer is so great! When I put it on, I suddenly look like I just spent a week in Jamaica. (But don't have to worry about skin damage or maxed out credit cards.)

Another bonus: the brushes they give you in this kit are the best I've ever owned (sorry MAC.) I use them for my blush and touch-up powder throughout the day. They are so soft!

As you can guess, I highly recommend Bare Minerals. You can get a start-up kit from Sephora for $60. I went with the "Fair" collection, but "Light" probably would have worked too. If you're not sure what shade to get, you can visit a Sephora or Ulta store near you to try out the colors in person.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful! 

Skin Effects Line is Skin-errific!

One of my favorite products I use daily to help fill in wrinkles is the "Skin Effects Instant Deep Wrinkle Eraser" pen.

This little pen is great...you pump out a little product and rub it gently under your eyes. It's a thick cream that fills in your crow's feet and instantly makes them look smoother and less defined. (You could also use this on your forehead or frown lines.) It's not a permanent fix, but it's great so that your make-up doesn't settle into your lines, making them looking deeper than they are.

This line of products was developed by a Harvard-educated dermatologist, and I've loved everything I've tried so far. He has great glycolic cream cleansers and facial primers.

The Skin Effects line is only available at CVS locations, but you can also order them online. Sadly, it looks like this pen is out of stock right now, but keep an eye out (pun intended) for when it's back. You love this product, and one pen lasts for about a year.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!

If You Haven't Tried Kiehls Yet, You Must!

Courtesy: eco-asia.com

I think I'm in love. Okay, that might be a bit dramatic, but I've found a great new product line I just have to tell you about! It's a skincare line called Kiehls, and I actually found them on this website! They often advertise here (where it says "Hyaluronic Acid Skin Cream")--I clicked on that and found their newest product, a Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler that not only helps wrinkles, but also has these little fillers that plump up to 30x their size. The results? 94% of women saw crow's feet diminished. Score! I just ordered it, so I'll give you the scoop once it arrives.

Brad Pitt even uses Kiehls!
Courtesy: Eonline

                One of their other products, the Line Reducing Eye Brightening Concentrate, totally rocks. I ordered it about two weeks ago, and I've already noticed an improvement in my dark circles, and when I put it on, it's like my wrinkles disappear. It has 10.5% pure vitamin C, which is one of the best for anti-aging. It also has Haloxyl, which Kiehls says brightens the eye area, helping to reduce those dark circles every woman over 30 dreads.

One of the bonuses with Kiehls, is that when you place an order you get 3 free samples so you can try out other products. They also have free shipping for orders over $50. (Look, even Brad Pitt uses this line!)

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!




My Favorite Hairsprays

When I worked as a morning reporter, my hair had to withstand some pretty harsh weather conditions--100% humidity and hurricanes in Southwest Florida, wind and wildfires in Colorado and tornadoes and rain in Indiana. Phew.

Because of that, I learned which hairsprays work well and which ones can't hold up for 5 hours of live TV.

By far the strongest hairspray I ever used is Aussie's Instant Freeze Aerosol Hairspray. This stuff is like glue. (You'll have to wash your hair everyday if you use this.) I'm guessing most of you don't need that kind of hold, so I have two other recommendations. First is Sebastian's Shaper aerosol hairspray. This stuff holds really well and has a pretty good scent too. I definitely use this on days when Chicago's humidity is at top levels.

I also discovered another hairspray this weekend. I bought a trial size of Chi's Enviro 54 Firm Hold Hair Spray. (I use other Chi products and love them, but had never tried the hairspray until recently.) This stuff held my locks through an outdoor wedding in Hilton Head, SC and continued holding my curls through the night. The bonus? Chi products smell amazing!

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!




How Should You Apply Skincare Products?

As my medicine cabinet is looking more and more like a CVS or Walgreens store shelf, I'm running into this dilemma...which order should I be applying these products?

You've probably wondered the same thing, so I did a little research on the topic. I found most experts agree you want to apply the thinnest-consistency creams first and then follow with the thicker ones--that's because lightweight products can't penetrate the heavier ones. Dr. Jessica Wu, a nationally recognized dermatologist, jokes that putting products on in the wrong order is like wearing underwear over your pants. Well said.

Experts say this is the application order you should follow after cleansing your face. (For my sensitive skin, I don't cleanse again in the morning, I just use a mild toner.)

1. Medicated or prescription strength creams. Many women (myself included) use topical acne medications, so apply those first.
2. Serums or antioxidants. Anything that is packed with power, like retinoids, should be applied second (or first if you aren't using an acne cream.) Now keep in mind retinol can increase your sensitivity to the sun, so it's best applied at night.
3. Eye creams. Sometimes I apply this after my face cream, it just depends on which one I'm using and its consistency. If they are thinner or contain retinol, I always apply those before face creams.
4. Face creams. Women don't always need these in addition to a serum, especially in the summer, so use your best judgement on how dry or oily your skin is.
5. Finally, apply sunscreen. Try to find an SPF 50 for maximum benefit, and if you're acne prone, use an oil-free product like a lightweight gel.

Courtesy: Sephora

Then I apply a make-up primer. (Smashbox's Photo Finish primer rocks!) Primers are great because they help fill in lines and even out skin tone. Sephora has primers for every skin care need, so check it out.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!




At Home Peels-Great!

Courtesy: Philosophy.com

My girlfriend Amber, who has a great beauty blog, Hello Gorgeous, got me onto Philosophy products for the face. She highly recommends the at-home Microdelivery Peel, so I took her advice and bought it. What I discovered is she's absolutely right, it's awesome!

It's a 2-part kit with a vitamin C resurfacing crystal cream you rub onto your face, and then a lactic/salicylic acid activation gel you rub over the crystal cream. I also have the exfoliating wash that I start with. I first clean my face with the wash and then use the kit. You can feel it heat up and really work.

This treatment is great, it leaves my skin feeling smooth and clean, and I love knowing I just got rid of dead skin. I do this treatment 1-2 times a week. (Always gauge how your face feels. If it's a little sensitive or dry, lay off the treatments for a bit.)

Right now Philosophy is offering 15% all their skin care products. Just enter promo code "glowing skin" now through May 20th. (Shipping is free on orders over $50.)

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!




FotoFacial Follow-Up: New Laser Better Than Ever

2 treatments. Courtesy Laura Brougher, R.N.

After I posted my blog about FotoFacial laser treatments, the doctor who treated me, Dr. Bonnie Vulich at Refine Medical Spa in Chicago, called me and said, "Jeannie, great news! We have a new FotoFacial laser that's better than ever before." So you know I had to try it...

2 treatments. Courtesy Brian V. Heil, M.D.

This new laser is called a Sciton and is more powerful than previous lasers, often just requiring 1-2 treatments versus 3-5 needed with previous ones. As I mentioned before, FotoFacial is great for getting rid of redness, rosacea, age spots, broken capillaries, acne scars, melasma and fine lines. Because it's a laser that uses intense light, it gets down to deeper parts of the skin, improving the overall texture. It helps stimulate collagen, and makes you look more youthful. Look at some of these results!

Once you get a FotoFacial done, you'll notice darker spots on your face (and chest if you have that area done too.) This is because the areas where you have the most sun damage will first get darker, and then eventually fall off, leaving behind beautiful skin. So don't do this procedure before a big event, and expect about two weeks until the darker spots are gone. (Although I'm able to cover mine with make-up.)

FotoFacial is pricey, around $375 for the face, but Refine Medical Spa is offering clients 40%off! Click here to find out how you can cash in.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!!




Don't Forget the Protection

Wow, what a beautiful day in Chicago! It hit 90 degrees in some areas, breaking a new record. After one of the gloomiest and rainiest April's in years, I greeted today with open arms.

Courtesy: Elle.com

With summer temperatures increasing and the sun shining longer, don't forget to wear sunscreen! And no, the sunscreen in your foundation is not enough. (Trust me, I've asked.) The fastest way to look older than you are is not wearing sunscreen, so just do it!

If you're like me, one of the things holding you back is the greasiness or bad smell associated with a lot of sunscreens. Luckily, they've come a long way baby. I just bought Neutrogena's Age Shield Face + Repair in 55 SPF. It's not only a sunscreen, it also helps with anti-aging. Winning! Plus it's lightweight and doesn't have a scent.

There are a lot of great sunscreens out there, just make sure they have the words "Oil-Free." Otherwise you might end up with some unwanted zits. Also, make sure you rub some on the top of your hands. A dermatologist gave me that tip to avoid age spots as we get older.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!



My New Gig!

Along with this new blog, I'm also writing for The Examiner, a news website that draws about 8 million readers a month. I'm now the "Chicago Beauty Products Examiner". Fitting, right?

Check out my latest article on Scott-Vincent Borba, the developer of the Borba skin-care line and a celeb aesthetician who's treated stars like Mila Kunis, Nancy O'Dell and Twilight's Ashley Greene. He's coming to Chicago this weekend, and I'll get to meet him and ask questions!

Read the article here. If you have any questions for Borba, let me know.

Not All Spas Are Created Equal

I thought any facial was a good facial. That is until today.

I bought a Groupon for a skin-tightening mask at Verto Salon on Division Street and the Kennedy Expressway. When I got there and laid down on the table, I noticed the esthetician didn't wash her hands. Gross. She started putting products on my face really quickly and roughly. (This drives me nuts when 20-somethings do this, because they don't seem to know how delicate the under eye area is in our 30's and beyond.) While my mask was setting, she gave me a quick hand and neck massage, but it hurt! I thought she was going to break my wrists-sheesh. Then she peeled off the mask, put on a couple of gooey products, and announced that we were finished. Wow, 25 minutes for what's normally a $99 treatment? I would have balked had I not wanted to just get out of there. When I looked in the mirror, my face was so greasy I had to wipe it off on the sheet so no one wondered why it looked like I a 400-pound man sweating at Disney World.

I left a $3 tip...that's the smallest one I've ever left at a salon.

Lesson learned: always read reviews before you check out a new salon.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!




FotoFacial-A Great Laser Treatment

A couple of years ago, I was told I looked older than my age because of the sun damage on my face. Yes, it was a shockingly rude comment, but one of those that changed my life. I immediately stopped tanning, started wearing sunscreen and began taking care of my face with treatments and products.

One of the biggest issues I dealt with was brown pigmentation, mainly on my cheeks and forehead. I also was developing very deep crow's feet, so I decided to visit a medical spa. I chose Refine Medical Spa in Chicago. Dr. Vulich was great and recommended a few treatments, one of which was FotoFacial RF. (When I look back at old pics, I'm shocked by how bad my wrinkles were! Also, excuse the headphones, I was at Graceland.)

Before: Sept 2009

After: July 2010

FotoFacial is a laser treatment that helps with brown spots, broken capillaries, acne, wrinkles and just general ruddiness in the face. I did a series of three treatments. A gooey numbing gel is spread on your face, and then the doctor runs the laser over your skin. The laser flashes, almost like it's taking a picture. It really doesn't hurt at all and only takes about 30 minutes each session. 5 treatments may be needed, but you can determine that in a consultation. The treatments aren't cheap either--usually $200-$300 a piece. (I did this last year before my wedding--I figured I could justify spending that.)

After each session, I noticed improvements in my skin, and now the brown spots are gone and my lines are much smaller than they once were. Here's a good description of FotoFacial from a medical spa in Texas. It's perfect for so many of us with sun-damaged skin.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!




The awesomeness of RoC

One of my favorite over-the-counter beauty brands is RoC, a full skin care line developed in France. The company uses Retinol in their products (they were actually the first) which is a must for anti-aging. Retinol is a purified form of vitamin A which helps stimulate skin renewal, therefore reducing the appearance of wrinkles. When we're younger, not only do we not have to pay bills/rent/mortgage, we also have skin that is smooth and wrinkle-free. That's because our cells are constantly renewing themselves, but just like our driving, that slows down as we age. Luckily retinol helps.

I currently use three RoC products including the skin renewing serum, the retinol correxion eye cream and a new fun product, the daily resurfacing disks.

The skin renewing serum is great for dimishing wrinkles, helping even out skin tone and loss of firmness (think jawline and neck.) I use this about 3 times a week at night, after I've washed my face and before I use my moisturizer. It's oil-free and lightweight, so you won't break out.

The retinol correxion eye cream evens out crow's feet and helps with dark circles and puffiness. I've just been using this at night, but I'm going to start using it in the morning too. If you're new to retinol (I've been using it for about a year), start off slowly because it might irritate your skin. At first my skin turned red and was a little sensitive, but now I don't have any problems.

My latest buy are the daily resurfacing disks and I love them! They are little disks full of soap, so you wet them and lather your face. There's a textured side for exfoliation which I use on my chin and nose, and a smooth side which I use for more delicate areas like under the eyes. The product smells great and helps diminish fine lines while washing your face.

You can find RoC products at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and Ulta. (Pictures courtesy http://www.rocskincare.com/.)

Good luck ladies and keep looking beautiful!

The Benefits of Glycolic Peels

Source:antiagingtreatments.blogspot.com

Chicago ladies--today's Groupon in a must. For $55 (a $100 value) you can get a Glycolic Peel or Microdermabrasion at Logica Spa in River North. Glycolic peels are the lightest peels you can do, so this is a great start for someone who has never tried them. According to Logica Spa's website....


"Known as a "lunchtime procedure" due to their short duration and rapid recovery time, glycolic peels can be used to remove superficial wrinkles and dry patches of skin, as well as treat sun damage and acne scars. There is no downtime with the gylcolic peel. Some dryness, flakiness and redness should be expected, as the top layer of skin falls away to reveal the smoother, healthier skin beneath."


I've had a few gycolic peels, and I love them! (I know they sound scary, but they aren't--and this is coming from a girl who's passed out getting a flu shot.) The last time I went to get a facial, the very nice esthetician told me she recommended a glycolic peel instead (no extra charge) because my skin was so dry and dead from the winter winds, so a facial wouldn't penetrate. She recommended the gycolic peel and the results were great. (Just keep in mind you won't want to work out later that day.)

Microdermabrasions are also great and are very similar to peels. They will also exfoliate, getting rid of dead skin and with it fine lines, mild scarring, uneven skin tones, dull skin and skin damage.

Good luck and keep looking beautiful!

Keep It Clean!

After a long winter, your skin likely looks a little dull. One of the most important parts of any skincare routine is deeply cleansing your face. Especially in big cities like Chicago, it's important to clean out all the dirt and grime before you hit the sheets.

What many estheticians now recommend is the Clarisonic cleansing brush. (I currently have the Mia design.) As one esthetician told me, you can buy all the expensive creams you want, but if you're just applying them on dead skin, they can't penetrate. That's where Clarisonic comes in. The company boasts that in just 60 seconds, the brush removes 6 times more makeup and 2 times more dirt and oil than cleansing with just your hands. (Often times my brush has the makeup or dirt on it to prove it!) Your skin will feel cleaner and healthier than ever before. If you have sensitive skin like mine, you'll probably need a sensitive or delicate brush. 

The brushes are pricey, usually around $150, but keep in mind companies like the Skin Store, often have deals for 20% off and free shipping. And as I tell people, can you really put a price on your skin?

If you want to try a cheaper version, several friends have bought Oil of Olay's Pro X Cleansing Brush and they rave about it. Those run around $29.99.

Let me know your favorite way to cleanse!