Saturday, 19 July 2008

• Loreal Paris and Clearasil for Men
  
  A few years ago, I picked up a moisturizer from the Loreal Paris line: Transformance Skin Perfecting Solution w. Vitamin C
  

  
  

  
  I didn't expect to like it so much to write a post on it, but I did. As I got down to the last few pumps, I threw the bottle and its remains into "the stash" and forgot about it until the beginning of this month. Elizabeth Arden wasn't working for my very tired, very beaten-up, dark circles ridden, sleep-deprived summer skin and I was desperate so I rummaged over my stash of old products (so that is why I keep it) for a quick, hopefully miracle, fix. I was almost ecstatic when my fingers hit the plastic pump and I secured my fingers around the body of the glass bottle to keep it from running away. Two days later I was still using what remained of the solution, getting it out with the help of Q tips- applying it and rubbing it on my face with the same Q tip so as not to waste any solution during the transition from the Q tip to my fingertips to my face.
  
  I had to surrender and buy a new moisturizer at the end of that week...
  Hoping to find a replacement that can do similar wonders I forgone the other labels and went straight to the Loreal at the Duane Reade near my office. Remembering a conversation that I had with Biggie a few months ago I decided to start my anti aging regime then and there, as oppose to 25, when it may be too late.
  
  The Age Perfect Double Action De-crinkling and Illuminating Treatment w. Elastin and Pure VitaminC
  
  

  With age the metabolism of the epidermis slows down and the hormonal changes modify the structure of the skin. Little by little, skin sags, becomes dehydrated and dull, age spots appear. [Product Name], Loreal's unique dual-action¹ (see footnote) treatment helps instantly brighten and even skin tone, fight wrinkles and support skin.
  

  
  
  

  
  

  I love how it brightens my skin and adds color to my face!
  
  But most exciting of all, and Rave 2[of 3], is the mask: Loreal Paris Dermo Expertise Advanced RevitaLift Mask.
  

  One box contains 4  individual packaged cloth masks that are infused with 7 times your daily dosage of anti-wrinkle moisturizer, you apply almost the equivalent of a half-jar of facial care. It is marketed as the first intense lift treatment mask from Loreal and promises to smooth and firm in 10 minutes, with encapsulated Pro-Retinol A and Par-Elastyl. The mask's extended contact with the skin allows for optimal absorption and intensive action.
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  I'm on my second box because I gave a few masks to my mother and instead of using it once per week (as directed on the box) I decided to try something new and use it every night [to help me relax and fall asleep as well as] to induce a more heighten response from my skin². It has been 4 masks already and I have seen a visible difference, so wonderful that I consciously chose to forgo makeup this past Friday, fully aware that I had to go to a meeting at the branch office that afternoon!
  
  

  
  

  
  And last but not least, this past Monday I went to the Dentist. Later that night, a very drugged Moi picked up Moi's brother's Clearasil for Men Energizing Acne Scrub instead of hers and [here is the miracle] found that it worked just as well as her old favorite face scrub: St. Ives Medicated Apricot Scrub. I've used it since that fateful night and have never turned back!
  
  

  
  

  
  
  Footnote:
  1: Dual Action - The double pump combines two complementary formulas in just one application" Elastim, a collagen plumping cream that works to tighten skin and reduces wrinkles and Pure Vitamin C in a gel that helps illuminate and enhance skin tone.
  2: Regimen - I've developed my own ritual for using the face mask and after reading what is on the back of the Transformance Skin Perfecting Bottle I believe in my own ritual even more. Here is what it reads:
  

  How/When to use
  Smooth gently onto face and neck area until thoroughly absorbed. Use AM and PM, alone or before application of your favorite moisturizer. Create your own personal regimen according to your skincare needs.
  

  
  Isn't that pure genius or what? Ok, I'm exaggerating a little bit here, but it is totally true! No two people have the same skin so why should we all follow the same distinct procedure. Of course, many people may respond to the instructions on the box since the whole point of testing the product is to see what is the best way that works for the majority. But not everyone fits into that category. So for the innovative few, or the few who are balls enough to step out of the circle [who also know their own skin] why not listen to yourself?
  
  Here is what I'm doing: I'm going to use a mask for 7 days straight and then follow the directions on the box and use it once a week for upkeep. If I feel like the week is extra bad or extra long (midterms/finals/projects/whatever) I'll increase my "dosage" according.
  
  With that said, please don't try to create your own regimen for drugs (ie:antibiotics - you have to take it for the full 10 days otherwise it doesn't work!).
  
  
  
  
  
  

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