I remember the very first time that the concept of “skincare” occurred to me. It was in May of 1994, and my boyfriend Jason (or rather his mother) put together a birthday present for me comprised of the first three beauty products I ever owned.
A Black Honey Almost Lipstick (a color that I still wear to this day)…
A Dramatically Different Moisturizer…
And a face bar.
Are you looking at those photos up there and having a MASSIVE nostalgia flashback-thing? Me too. I’m practically singing Cranberries songs right this very minute.
I totally want to get back on board the Dramatically Different Moisturizer and facial bar boat, half because they were gentle on my super-hormonal pre-teen skin in a way that I suspect would be quite wonderful on my super-hormonal post-partum skin, too…and half (ok, mostly) because I love the whole retro-nostalgia vibe they have going on.
While we’re on the topic, let’s look at some more skincare products that have proven themselves unforgettable over the years.
La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream. Have you ever tried this stuff? I was given a small jar of it by my college boyfriend, who was aware of just how much I am the kind of person who totally cannot resist a good silly-expensive cult skincare product (and for whatever reason loved me anyway) – and it was wonderful and I used it down to the very last little bazillion-dollar molecule. And then I bought another jar all by my lonesome because it made me feel like Princess Jasmine, reclining on a tiger rug awash in the gentle breeze of some palm fronds. Or something.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. I’ve had a tube of this stuff sitting in my vanity drawer for a good ten years now (not the same tube, mind you): it’s just phenomenal. It smoothes your skin, deposits just the right amount of color to make your face look all perfecty-perfect, and has SPF, so you can feel nice and virtuous while you’re wearing it. I’ve bought it as a gift for tons of people since I discovered it, and absolutely everyone loves it.
Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer. This is the best concealer in the world. Not even exaggerating. It’s so expensive that it makes me want to cry (my own experiences with it came courtesy of a half-used tube given to me by a makeup artist, which I portioned out to myself in teeny-tiny little amounts as if it were made of ambrosia and emeralds), but I am telling you: if you are spotty, you will not be (or at least you will not appear to be) once this stuff is on your face. It’s just incredible, and has the best texture ever, and gives complete coverage without being drying at all (great for the undereye area, too).
Eve Lom Cleanser. Another cult product that’s worth the hype, with a crazy-intricate application process that seems excessive, but that turns out to make cleaning your face weirdly…fun. (Check out my review here.)
Rodial Bee Venom Super Serum. I know: it sounds weird. Like, gimmicky-weird. But it is also amazing-weird. I completely do not understand the science behind it (cyclopeptides and biomarine collagens and bla bla bla); all I know is that I had this tiny trial-size sample and put the stuff on my face and the results were so dramatic and wonderful that I instantly got all hoarder-y about it and wanted my teeny sample to last forever and ever.
Murad Renewing Cleansing Oil. I’ve written over and over and over about my obsession with face oils (I’ve been using one nightly for months now, and it has completely transformed my skin), and so I thought it might be interesting to try incorporating another oil – a cleansing oil, in this case – into my skincare routine…and ooooooh. If you are alligator-ish, this is an excellent cleanser for you (and can also be used to remove your eye makeup, which is a nice bonus).
Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream. Back to Clinique, because this stuff is so wonderful. Over the years that I’ve been blogging I’ve tested out a lot of eye creams, and this is one that I keep returning to over and over: it feels incredible going on, and instantly firms and brightens and does all the things you want done to your eye area. Instantly!
Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask. I am the opposite of oily, as you probably know by now. But from time to time (in the summer, say, or during an especially dramatic hormonal moment) I do venture off of the Dry As The Desert spectrum and start breaking out…and when those moments come along, this is what I use. Instant zit-eliminator (and for a quick fix, pat a little onto a spot and leave it on overnight; the spot should be well on its way by sunrise).
StriVectinLABS Weekly Glycolic Peel. I have a full review on this brand-new product coming up next week, but in the meantime what you need to know is that a weekly glycolic peel will do absolutely phenomenal things for your face, and this one (which has the highest percentage of alpha-hydroxy acids available without a prescription) will do especially phenomenal things. And it tingles. Whee.
Clinique All About Eyes Serum. I’ve been using this rollerball off and on for years, and it’s just lovely – especially if you keep it in the refrigerator or in a drafty spot by the window.
Any nostalgia-ish (or brand-new) skincare favorites of your own? Tell me tell me!
