There are 4 basic steps for a skin care routine that you should use daily. These are Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize, and Protect.

Cleanse

The first part of a skin care routine is to cleanse. It is important to have clean skin before using a toner, moisturizer, and sun protection. Make sure to use a gentle cleanser that doesn’t include any detergents. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel target is a soap-free, foaming gel designed to thoroughly remove impurities without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance.

Tone

Next in a skin care rountine is to tone. Toning prepares your skin for the next step to moisturize. It also removes any left over residue from the cleansing step. An alcohol-free toner is usually a good choice. Obagi Toner hydrates and tones the skin while restoring its normal pH balance.

Moisturize

Third in a skin care routine is to moisturize. Make sure to use a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type. And even if you have oily skin it is important to moisturize. SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture hydrates, nourishes, and helps reduce the appearance of pore size.

Protect

The final step in a skin care routine is to protect with a product that has an SPF of at least 15. An additional product may not be needed if you use a moisturizer or foundation that offers sun protection. Jane Iredale Amazing Base Loose Powder has an SPF of 20. Other mineral makeups offer this protection as well.

If you follow this 4 step skin care routine you will be on your way to better skin. However, sometimes you may need to supplement this daily skin care routine with specialized products based on your needs. Such products may include peptides or vitamin C.

I’ll post more about supplemental skin care products in future posts.

When I came home yesterday, I was surprised to see a Sephora box waiting for me. I wasn’t supposed to get my order until today.

Inside was the Sephora Piiink My Diiiamond Gloss 04 - Light Pink and Delux Beauty Nail Polish Tempter I ordered.

The gloss comes in this really cute round container that is faceted on the top. It smells likes raspberries. Yum!

The nail polish is a bit too dark for me, or at least for my hand. I don’t like my polish that dark on my hand. But it will look great on my toes. I like to have a little bling on those. Right now I have on a bright pink metalic polish. This one goes on next.

I didn’t spend much on the order. I just wanted to try out Sephora first before I went hog wild. And let me tell you, I could go crazy ordering stuff!

And I still got three samples which I can’t wait to try plus a cute, little black bag with a red cord draw string. I might just have to place another order just to get another one!

Reviews to follow!

I just checked out the sales at Beauty Riche and they’ve got GloMinerals GloLiquid Base, Hormeta Feminissime High Redefinition Cream, and Neova Toning Creme.

I’m not sure how long the sale is on. But the prices on these look great!

I just love Bath and Body Works Shower Gels. I especially like the Warm Vanilla Sugar. So I’m on the Bath and Body Works newsletter. The one I just got is advertising Free Shipping with a $50 purchase. Just enter the code: FREESHIP50

They are also having a sale on a bunch of stuff including: a pedicure set that includes sleep socks (too cool!), an Aromatherapy kit in Lavender Vanilla that includes a cute little bag, and a bubble bath set that includes a terry sponge.

I’m also looking at the Kimono robe. Now that it is getting warmer I need a lighter weight and shorter robe then the one I’ve been using for winter.

Gee I love sales!

Teri over at Pretty by Nature posted about the 75% sale that Sephora is having the other day. So I went over there to check it our. They have a ton of great things on sale. Some of the really great buys at $1 each were already sold out. I really wanted a french manicure set they had but it was gone.

Anyway, I did buy several things including:
Sephora Piiink My Diiiamond Gloss 04 - Light Pink
Delux Beauty Nail Polish Tempter

And I’m getting the following free samples:
LOLA Refine Shine Anti-Shine Gel - 0.068 oz
Tarte Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Lotion - 0.13 oz
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - 0.05 oz

I just love the fact that you get 3 free samples with every order and that you get to pick which ones you want. I wonder if you get better samples if you spend more money?

Plus the little gift bag they are supposed to come with looks really cute!

Look for reviews next week!

Clinique is having an online bonus this weekend. Not only do you great this great set of skin care and makeup products, the shipping is free for purchases over $35:
Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick in Berry Freeze
High Impact Masacra in Black
Turnaround Conncetrated Visible Skin Renewer
Take The Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes, and Lips

Make sure that you entere the coupon code: 07Treat

I was really interested in finding out if Obagi worked as well as I had heard. I have heard amazing stories about this product, but I didn’t know anyone who had used it.

So I went out looking for obagi before and after photos. And there are some amazing pictures out there.

The Obagi site has pictures. But of course, they are going to show really impressive pictures.

But I really wanted to see obagi before and after on someone who didn’t have an agenda. And there are several sites that have documented this for all to see.

This woman has an online journal with photos of herself throughout 48 days of using Obagi NuDerm. The before and after pictures are incrediable.

Another woman on the same site has obagi before and after pictures that are impressive too.

And this one has pictures of a whole year of using Obagi.

You can buy Obagi here.

Do you have obagi before and after stories or pictures? Leave a comment.