CeraVe Lotion PM: Welcome To My Evening Beauty Routine!

About 2 weeks ago I was lamenting over the need for a new skincare routine (see post here: Wanted: A New Skincare Routine!!).  My favorite skincare products were discontinued and I was feeling slightly bewildered and slightly indignant.  What was I to do?   Why would anyone discontinue products that weren't just good, but great??  (I would like to point out the suggested replacement products for each and every discontinued product was costlier...and in La Prairie's case, significantly costlier.)

The 1st product that I needed to tackle was my evening moisturizer.  While shopping on-line on Walgreens.com, I came across the brand CeraVe.  I've heard of it but never actually tried it.  After reading rave reviews of this brand on Walgreens.com, Drugstore.com and Amazon.com, I decided to give it a try.  I opted for CeraVe's Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM.  It's only $12.99 and after my 30% off discount code for Walgreens.com, it was $9.09!!

I've been using CeraVe Lotion PM for a few nights now and...I love it!!  It's a scentless, light-but-rich, lotion that easily absorbs into the skin.  Dare I suggest that my skin is even smoother and clearer than before??  My only concern is that it won't be moisturizing enough for winter.  There's a CeraVe Cream but not a CeraVe Cream PM.  CeraVe tweeted me that CeraVe Lotion PM is a year-round moisturizer.  We shall see...I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I appreciate that CeraVe Lotion PM comes in a light, plastic pump-bottle.  It will be easy to pack for traveling and it won't weigh down my suitcase.

My fallback summer evening moisturizer was Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer.  Looks like I won't be needing it now!  (But if CeraVe Lotion PM is moisturizing enough for winter, I'll be using Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream.)

Bonus:  As of this posting, CeraVe Lotion PM is on sale at Walgreens.com for $10.99 (that's a 15% discount).  Get an additional 20% off with code "SALE20" (expires 08/14/10); this code works on all beauty and personal care items.  That means CeraVe Lotion PM is only $8.79!!  Plus, get free shipping when your entire purchase is $25+!  Just be forewarned, the shipping at Walgreens.com is slow...very slow.  Hmm...maybe I should stock up?

Kiehl's: Recycle And Be Rewarded!!

For those of you who are Kiehl's fans AND live near a stand-alone Kiehl's store, are you participating in Kiehl's "Recycle and Be Rewarded" program?  If so, good for you!  If not, it's never too late to start.  Just ask for a "Recyle and Be Rewarded" Program card the next time you're in the store.

Here's how the program works (it benefits both our environment and you!):

• Bring in your empty Kiehl's bottles and jars (including lip gloss and lip balm tubes, but excluding sample sizes) for recycling;
• Give them your program card;
• Get the following rewards:
• First 3 empties = Lip Balm #1
• Next 2 empties = 2.5 oz Travel Collection Product
• Last 5 empties = Full-Sized Product (up to $25 value)

The Kiehl's rep that was helping me at the counter very thoughtfully informed me that the free Lip Balm #1 that I was receiving for bringing in my first 3 empties could be counted as an "empty" when I was done with it.  I knew there was a reason why I've loved Kiehl's for so many years!! They have such great customer service!!

ShopGoldyn.com: 3-Day Sample Sale!

ShopGoldyn.com is having a 3-Day Sample Sale (08/09/10 - 08/11/10)!!  I found two great grey tanks for you to snag and wear before the summer ends:

• Helmut Lang Drape Cowl Neck Tank ($204) in grey: Only S is available.

• See by Chloe Layered Ruffle Button Tank ($78) in heather grey: As of this posting, available in 2, 4, 6.  Wait...did I just post another ruffled item?  What is going on today??

[Images Courtesy of Goldyn]

PurdyGirl: Got Me A Purdy Dress and Purdy Bracelet!

One thing that I always look forward to during the summer (call me "cheesy") is street fairs.  I love the fresh lemonade, made-to-order crepes, and cheap trinkets found at every street fair.  This past saturday, Sunshine and I happily came across a street fair on Laguardia Place.  

And what's on 540 Laguardia Place?  Purdy Girl!  

I couldn't ignore the 20% off posters plastered in Purdy Girl's window.  For once, Sunshine was in total agreement that I needed to buy a dress.  Once again, I had dressed inappropriately.  It was cool-ish during the morning, so I had thrown on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.  Little did I know that it was going to be crazy hot later on in the day.  

We had stopped by Urban Outfitters looking for a quick-change dress.  Much to my frustration, I couldn't find anything worth purchasing there.  I was hopeful that I would find something not-expensive-but-fun at Purdy Girl.  And I did!

I purchased the following strapless, ruffle dress in olive green for $60.80 (after the 20% discount).  The belt was included!!  Yes, I know...I usually don't do strapless or ruffles, but the combination on this dress was perfect!  Because the ruffles are big and flattering, it's not girly and rather slimming.  And it's SECURE (I know you know what you I'm talking about).  I did a "jumping" test and the dress passed with flying colors!

I was slightly worried about the armpit area pudge.  But once I had a strapless bra on, the pudge miraculously disappeared.  I'm not sure how that works, but I'm not complaining.  I'm just going with it.  

But a word of advice on belts with a slip buckle.  If you eat (and drink) too much and then inhale deeply, the belt may...unslip from the buckle, despite fitting perfectly earlier.  I provide this advice from personal experience.  (Sunshine and Foodette witnessed this rather mortifying experience and couldn't stop laughing.  The belt just popped open after a huge Korean BBQ meal in K-town.)

To match this purdy dress, Sunshine (big spender that he is...wink, wink) purchased this purdy bracelet for me:

It was on sale for only $10!  And it matches the dress perfectly!!  

Note:  Don't forget to pick up a Preferred Purdy Girl card while you're there.  You get 30% off a non-sale item once a month.

Benzaclin, I Love You!

Per one of my previous post (see post here: Regressing...Feeling The Teen Angst), I had run out of BenzaClin and was forced to use up&up's Maximum Strength Acne Medication (Benzoyl Peroxide Gel) for three weeks.  What did I learn from this regression to using what was basically Clearsil?  There was a reason why I went to the dermatologist in the first place.

For the first week, my face remained mostly acne free.  But by the second week, I had little bumps (i.e., clogged pores) that would come and go.  I wasn't too alarmed because maybe it was just that time of month? But by the third week, some of those little bumps weren't so little and removed to "go".

Thankfully, the appointment with my dermatologist occurred during that third week.  I was given a new prescription of Benzaclin, and after one week of use, my face is clear again!  One prescription, the right prescription, from your dermatologist is truly priceless.  On the happiness scale, a clear face is up there with thinner thighs and a smaller butt.  And dare I admit it?  It's way better than a new pair of Louboutin pumps or a new Chanel bag.

Bonus:  There is now a generic version of Benzaclin.  I'm currently using the generic version.  It's much cheaper and it works just as well as the brand name version.