I passed 38 a couple of months ago, and I always assumed that as I started creeping towards 40 that I’d start to see rough changes in my skin. Wrinkles, crows feet, discoloration. A few years ago, I posted on what I’d been doing for face and body care , but lately, things took a drastic shift when I noticed I was so dry that my forehead looked almost scaly.
I turned to Janna Flowers at Clique Boutique, asking for help. She directed me to try the Pure Radiance Facial at her salon, and urged me to start trying her products. It look a few months for me to integrate each one, but now, even at 38, my skin looks better than ever.
Below, I’m going to outline every product I use, how, and how often.
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm: A cult favorite for sure, and for a reason. It melts away every smidge of makeup- even things that are generally a pain to remove, like my waterproof mascara or red lipstick. I use a blueberry-sized amount all over my face, concentrating on my eyes, add a little water, massage some more, then wipe off with a warm, damp cloth.
Clique Cream Cleanser: I’d been using La Mer’s foaming cleanser, and really think it was the foaming part that was drying me out so much. I use a single pump of this now immediately after the Take the Day Off Balm, and one again first thing in the morning, wiping off with a damp washcloth or just rinsing if I’m in the shower.
Clique Re-Energize Toner: I spritz this on twice a day- after each cream cleanser. It sets the tone for what else I’m about to apply. I always tuck my lips in- It seems perfect on my skin, but drys them a bit.
Clique Detox: A vitamin C and E serum that smells sooooo heavenly, like citrus. Brightens my skin like crazy. I apply one pump in the morning, after my toner.
Clique Illuminate Eye Cream: Helps with darkness and puffiness around the eyes. Almost acts as a primer under makeup. I use the tiniest amount (not even half a pump) after morning and night serums. I’ll be honest- I don’t see a huge improvement here yet (possibly because I have terrible undereye circles), but it does help my concealer go on a lot smoother!
Clique Restore Serum: I was sold on the fact that it said it helped with “dehydrated” and “sluggish” skin. I knew I was drying out, but my radiance had disappeared, too, and I looked powdery. I think this is one of the most important products in my line up. I use a pump and a half at night, after toner, on nights I don’t use a Retinol.
Clique Smooth: Speaking of Retinol, this is the one I’ve been using, and I LOVE it. I’ve had a rough go with Retinols in the past. Once, I tried one that left every corner of skin it touched bright as a beet in the sunlight, and it felt like my face had a pulse. This one is super gentle, and I’ve worked myself up to two nights a week, which seems to be just fine for now. There’s a very tangible difference in my skin the next morning. It’s firmer, clear, almost like I have on a filter.
Clique Regernerate: My moisturizer. It’s a thick, emollient formula, but it soaks in pretty quickly. I use it after morning and night serums, pressing it in.
Clique Renew Exfoliant: I use this exfoliator about once every week. It’s the smoothest exfoliant I’ve ever ever seen- there’s almost not a “grain” or texture to it, more like there’s a super fine sugar.
Solar Defense Tinted Sunscreen: Every day. Wear sunscreen on your face every day. And on the rest of your body. I love this one for the SPF 30, as well as the tint- it goes on white, but adjusts to a very faint glow, but not glittery at all.
Foreo Luna: I was a Clairsonic girl for at least a decade. I liked the manual exfoliation it provided, but when the company ended, I needed to find something else, and landed on the Luna, which I like better. The silicone doesn’t need monthly replacing and doesn’t gather bacteria. I use in the shower to scrub in the cream cleanser on nights that I don’t use the Renew.
Chapstick: The OG black tube. I buy it by the case. I use it every morning, before bed, 17 times during the day, and over my favorite lip liner for a sheer lip color. I quite literally keep them everywhere- one in my wallet, two in my purse, one in my desk, one in my car, my makeup bag, my nightstand, my hubs’ car…
Dove Body Wash: My mother used Dove for everything- hand soap, body wash, and always only used the beauty bar on her face. It’s been around for 70 years, paved the way with it’s Self-Esteem Campaign, and is cruelty free. I may on occasion mix Byredo’s Blanche body wash or Hermes D’Orange Verte into my routine, but 85% of the time, it’s Dove.
Necessaire Body Wash: The other 15% or so of the time, if I feel like I need to deep cleanse my body, I start with this. The gel cleanser rinses clean and doesn’t dry at all. I’m a fan of the unscented, but the Eucalyptus smells heavenly. I’m itching to try their body serum this winter.
Flexitol Heel Balm: Super sexy, I know, but I’m one of those women with heels that will crack open deeply. It’s painful. While pedicures help for a short while, it’s been this and a gel heel sleeve every night that’s made my feet finally start to look normal.
Strivectin (prescription): Also super sexy… I get peri-oral dermatitis around my nostrils (and have nightmare flashbacks of my dad urging me to wear Neosporin on my face through high school…) that looks like a red ring around the bottom of my nose/upper lip. I finally started seeing a dermatologist regularly for check-ups (and you should, too!), and she prescribed this. It’s a long process to get everything to go away, but when it did, I started applying once a week or so at night (NOT with the Retinol) to keep it from coming back.
Dysport: I know… It’s almost cheating to say “Look how great my skin is!” and then say that oh, by the way, I also get Dysport in my forehead and on the outside of my eyes. But, friends, I’m pushing 40, and preventative maintenance is ok. I see Dr. Maguire at Physician’s Center for Beauty once every 9 months or so- it seems to stay in my system quite a while.
Pure Radiance Facials: If you’re local and have the opportunity to go see the gals at Clique, please do me a favor and go see Charley at the Holiday Manor location. Her facials are soooo good. I fall asleep almost every time. I go once a quarter.
** this post is not sponsored in any way. all thoughts and opinions are my own **
** photo by Morgan Bagby Photography **
