Beauty

[Shanus]

@september   If nothing else, I go through makeup and skincare every 6 months just wipe out the bottom of the drawer. Lol. I'm always shocked by things I purchased, didn't like and pushed to the back. 

Yes, excess packaging does not help the environment, but using and keeping many products gets confusing and unnecessary, right?

I pare down wherever possible....many huge shadow palettes got trashed or donated if lightly worn. I'm nbow a fan of 5-6 pan shadows in a palette and have several that I rotate. Lip glosses and lipsticks the same. 

Love drugstore mascara because I don't feel as guilty tossing it in 3 months as I would a $25 mascara.

[Shanus]

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@teganslaw wrote:

@monicakm  How long have you been using tretinoin and how often do you apply it? I've read that it can take at least 3-6 months to see results, depending on what you expect. If you don't have acne, fine lines, wrinkles or dark spots, results might be miniscule. It seems that you need to keep at it for longer. 

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@teganslaw  @monicakm  When I started using Retin A at 30-35, my derm told me it may be a year before I noticed brightness and fading of darker areas from pregnancy. I did go through the redness, peeling, irritation and increased the percentage as she recommended. 

By the time I was 40, I was using the 1.0 %. Lines, wrinkles, darkness were minimal. I use it 4 times a week in winter when my skin is too dry and increase it to 5-6 nights a week in warmer months when my skin becomes more normal with the heat and humidity. I use SPF and Vit. C which under the sunscreen helps it do its work better.

These 3 products are the "foundation" of good skincare and proven by derms to work.

[Shanus]

@monicakm   If I may suggest, keep the Retin A away from the nose (nostrils), corners of mouth and under the eyes. Picking or pulling loose flakes can cause scarring. Hands of Monica...let the product do the work. The flakes, etc. will reveal smoothe, clear and brigher skin. It does take 6 months to a year.

[fairydogmother]

I don't buy much makeup any more. And I sure don't chase skin care youth dreams. Wash face with goat milk soap, exfoliate, moisturize. I don't use expensive products. 
Four or five makeup items on days when I choose to wear makeup-

concealer, eyebrow pencil, mascara, blush or a light bronzer (never both);  usually a light lip color. I do spend a little more on the makeup products because of how certain brands perform. 
it feels good to have lightened up my routines. 

Last weekend I had to wear stage makeup for a singing competition my group participated in. Aaack! Couldn't wait to peel those false lashes off and wash my face. 

[justashopper]

I am not too bad.  LOL. 

With the skin care, I have too much.  I get into trouble when things are super sized.  Even if I like and use the product, I end up having too much.   

With make up I am a little better... I don't wear a ton and I am pretty loyal to what I use.    So I don't keep trying new formulations. But again, freebies, samples and or gifts tend to pile up.  I will buy a kit because I like one thing.

So I would say, I purge about 30%.  

My core products seem to be--

Tatcha Essence

josie Maran Argon Milk

Laura Geller Balance and Brighten Foundation

Laura Geller Pink Grapefruit blush

Tatcha Kissu lip mask

Dior Lip Glow Lip Balm

Nassif MD Detox Pads

Hourglass Primer SPF