My Latest Obesessions

Every once in awhile I come across new products that just blow me away...for one reason or another. And I just have to share, because I know everyone else in the world MUST be an obesessed product junkie like me...well at least it makes me feel better to think so! LOL My latest potions are as follows:

1) Covergirl Outlast Double LipShine- I am always on the hunt for lip color that lasts and lasts....in my favorite things post, I mentioned Stila Lip Rouge...and while that product is still wonderful for a stain/base color, this product is an actual lip gloss. I don't know why I even bought it...I think the ad intrigued me for some reason, although I rarely buy anything from Covergirl....could be that it was on sale as a BOGO at Walgreens...anyway, I am officially blown away. Why? Because this stuff stays on literally all day. And believe it or not, it passes the meal test. A lipgloss that stays on through the consumption of an entire meal? Unheard of! And its only $10. Good things come in small packages..

2) Frederic Fekkai Glossing Sheer Shine Mist To Go- I have baby-fine blonde hair, so most products out there tend to weigh down my hair and make it droopy. But at the same time, I need products to take out the frizzies and add shine. Its a fine line to balance on. I had recently bought a different shine mist and thought it was doing its job pretty well. But I recently went to Vegas (that's a whole other post!) which gave me the perfect excuse to "need" more products, so I saw this at Sephora and decided to give it a whirl. I am so glad I did! It's perfect. I spray it on after my hair has been blown dry, before I use my styling/curling brush. It adds incredible shine, smooths my hair, and it smells clean and wonderful to boot. So you can style through it, but it's light and flexible. And it comes in this tiny little travel size! It's not easy to find hair styling products in a travel size! Yes, I am ecstatic. I'll be throwing my other one away.

3) Anastasia All About Brows Kit- I had been using Lorac's Brow Wax since my wedding in 2001. But lately I started looking for a new one, because it seemed not be working as well as it once had. Too sticky, color was not right. This very helpful girl at Sephora showed me this kit, and I liked it. At first I didn't want it because I thought it contained some stuff I don't need- all I wanted was the powdered brow color, but this kit comes with lots more stuff. It has tweezers in it- and I already have 2 pairs. But she assured me that these tweezers are exceptional- and she would be right! They have a great, easy grip, and are slanted and very sharp, but not too sharp (that can be a problem in that excessive sharpness can end up breaking off the hair instead of pulling it out at the root- you don't want that). Then it also has a brow gel in it- something I never used to use, but I realized that sometimes it is nice to brush this on and know that your little eyebrow hairs won't be pointing south for long time. It also has a highlighting stick for under your brows- this really brightens up the area and accentuates your eyes. One of the best things in the kit is the applicator- a slanted, firm brush on one end (my other one is too soft), and a nice eyebrow/eyelash brush on the other end. To top it all off, it also has 4 different eyebrow stencils in it- I never thought I would need one, but I used it and the shape came out perfect, so I'll be using it again! Oh, and it's all packaged in a pretty pink zippered sack. Nice!

4) Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream If you read my pet peeves post, you'd know that dry hands are one of my worst peeves. Can't stand the way it feels. So I always have some hand cream handy in my bag. Chief complaints regarding hand creams are 1) too greasy 2) not moisturizing enough, and worst of all 3) smells like your grandma. Now, I have nothing against Grandma's, but I don't want to smell like one. This Bliss hand cream commits none of those felonies. And it comes in a full size as well as a travel size. Stock up!

Now, if someone could just invent a rockin' pair of bass-thumping, sound-deafening headphones for my i-pod that will not only fit in my small ears, but is also waterproof and immune to my buckets of head sweat, I'd be raving about those too....

Odds & Ends

Well, its that time of year again. The end of it. And the start of a new one. Seems like a great time to pledge to make the next year even better, isn't it? I suppose that's why people make New Year's resolutions, right?
Enough of the obvious. So many people make resolutions, but never stick to them. Probably because they hadn't even thought of them until a week or so before Dec 31, and then made them only because they think they should, because everyone does it. That is why so many resolutions end up in the dust, I think.
This year feels different to me for some reason. 2007- I love the sound of it. 7 is my favorite number. It being an odd number makes it somehow more definite- you can't split it in two evenly. I think it feels different because some of the things I am resolving to do have already begun for me, and I am just pledging to continue them. And others, I have been thinking about for some time already. So making my list is merely a manifestation of things already set in stone. But writing them down does make them feel more concrete and real to me, which will further solidify my intentions. And there definitely is more of a sense of commitment when you shout it out to the world....so here it goes:

1. I will continue my path to a healthy and fit body. How? By continuing my current plan of exercise 4-6 days per week, making healthy eating choices more often than not, and eating only when hungry. What I will do differently now though, is that I will push my body to improve in new ways by shaking up my routine, exercising more intensely, and getting back to those FIRM videos- they really do work. Our new treadmill will make these goals easier- no more trekking to the gym.

2. I will get my songs recorded. The piano lessons are over- now I know the basics, and it's time to put that knowledge to use. How? By spending lots of time in the music room, playing around with garage band, setting up that new professional condenser microphone (thanks, Dan!), and letting my imagination run wild. The second part of this one is that I would also love for Bill and I to collaborate together. I think we will be amazing together musically. He will help me make my ideas a reality through his technical ability, and I will complement his ideas with my creativity. He's already started creating on his own, and I am awed by his artistic talent. The first thing on our list is some background music for my spa website, www.poeticwaxing.net.

3. I will focus on my business this year. Now that Poetic Waxing, Ltd. is an official corporation (thanks, Jim!), it's time to get serious. This year I will choose a skin care line, get all the necessary equipment I am missing, and get to work on marketing. I will be organizing mailings, promotions and putting the finishing touches on my website and services menu. How exciting!

4. OK- now for the not so fun, mundane stuff. These are things I will do anyway, but I need to make them a part of my list: -clean out and organize the mud room, linen closet, my closet, various boxes and shelves in the bedroom, and photographs.

That's all folks, at least for now. Well, okay, one more thing. May the year 2007, and every year to come, be a year of growth. Because if we're not growing and learning, then we're not truly living.

A Few Words to the Visor Lady

It's been little while since I've wanted to wax poetic about anything. But today I looked in my rear view mirror and got such a look from hell, I had to post. What happened was, I was in the car with my sister, going to meet my parents for lunch. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warmer than usual for this time of year in Chicago. I was stopped at a red light, and I was in a pretty good mood, admiring the sunlight and clean, clear road conditions. I guess the light must have turned green without me noticing right away, because all of a sudden I hear the car horn blaring behind me. I then glanced in my rear view mirror, and saw this woman, probably in her late 40's, glaring at me with an intense hatred in her eyes, a white visor on her head and her mouth wide open. Of course I couldn't hear her voice, but by looking at her lips I could tell it something along the lines of "COME ON!!! MOVE ALREADY!!" I couldn't hear the sound, but I knew she was screaming. I was taken aback, especially since I had started to move forward already and I couldn't have delayed her precious morning by more than a second or two. Where does all this rage come from, I wonder? I mean, I can sort of understand her being upset if I had cut her off in a dangerous way or slammed on my brakes for no reason. But taking an extra second to accelerate at a green light? Is that really so terrible?
Luckily, I am not the type of person who takes these things to heart. I shook my head, shook off her bad energy, and got right back to enjoying the day. But I do hope she was able to do the same. Merry Christmas, Visor Lady. I do wish you peace.

These are a few of my favorites things.....

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad

We all remember the "Sound of Music".....this song holds a special place in my heart as I recently went to my grade school Centennial Celebration....and as I walked into my old first grade classroom, I remembered my teacher, Mrs. Barr, sitting at the piano, all of us little kiddies sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of her, singing our hearts out. We sang this song quite a bit, along with Edelweiss:

Edelweiss, Edelweiss,
Every morning you greet me,
Small and White, Clean and bright
You look happy to meet me..
Blossoms of snow may you bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss Edelweiss
Bless my home land forever

I had another inspiration for this post, too.....thanks, Mrs. Goodneedle!...I'm starting with the topic of skincare and make-up, since it happens to be my favorite thing to wax poetic about!

My Fave Skin Care & Make-up Things:

1. Remede Super C Serum...for when you're willing to pay for glowing, radiant skin...it really works. I'm serious, just give it a week. Available at Sephora.
2. Aveda All-Sensitive Cleanser....cleanser is supposed to remove dirt and make-up, nothing else. Its not supposed to exfoliate, extract, or leave your skin red and irritated. And this one does none of those other things, it just cleanses. Beautifully.
3. Stila Lip Rouge....Its a lip stain that glides on with a little felt-tip marker, so you have control over where you put it. But the best thing is that this stuff stays on.... through a kiss and a meal.
4. Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil......the only face powder I will ever, ever use. 'Nuff said.
5. Halo shampoo and conditioner......it works perfect on my hair, which is fine and blonde. Doesn't weigh it down at all, leaves great shine.
6. Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action Eye-Make-up Remover.....takes it all off. Even waterproof. Nothing is more effective.
7. Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream......don't let the name fool you...this is not a cleanser, it's an exfoliator. Make sure you take off your make-up first with a cleanser like Aveda's All-Sensitive Cleanser, and then use this for gentle, every-other-day removal of dead skin. Leaves your skin super-soft.
8. EO Organic Lavender Hand Sanitizer.....I had yet to join the hand sanitizer-users of the world, until I found this one. I cannot stand how Purell smells or the way it dries out your skin. This EO hand sanitizer is wonderful...no harsh chemicals, no drying action, and it smells incredible.
9. Diamancel's #11 Tough Buffer Foot File....the only one you'll ever need. It's coated with industrial grade diamond dust, so it won't wear out. Use it on dry feet, and you'll be walking on silky smooth heels.
10. Bio-Ionic iDry Travel Ionic Conditioning Hair Dryer....okay, I know you'd probably never dream of spending $100 on a hair dryer...but if you were to try it, I swear you wouldn't bat an eye at the price! This thing is genius- it not only dries your hair in record time (make that half the time you'd normally spend), it smoothes out your hair at the same time, making it shinier and more manageable. I know this sounds like a commericial, but I guess it is! It's also incredibly light, so your arm won't get tired as you use it. My hair is no longer frizzy... thanks to this.

New Lyrics

You’ll Love It There
(don’t have music finished for it yet…but think along the lines of “Do It For Me Now” by Angels & Airwaves….that’s the vibe of it)

Dice it up
Slash it down
Rip it up
Burn it down

Take it off
Leave it bare
Don’t dress it up
Don’t even dare

Just leave it…leave it there
Flyin’ free
That’s how we’re meant to be

Get to the core
The essence of it all
Yup that’s right
You didn’t even know it was there

Its pure
Its good
Don’t even try
To make it better, make it better, make it better, make it better

Just leave it…leave it there
Flyin’ Free
That’s how we’re meant to be

Dance it off
Laugh it up
Let it flow
To the ends of your hair

Reach down deep
Deeper than ever before
Never come back up
You’ll love it there, love it there, love it there, love it there

Your deep blue sea
Is crying out to be
Flyin’ Free



Can’t

You speak, I can’t respond
The words get stuck down in my throat
The tears start, but never come
You wait patiently, but in your own hell
You wait, and wait

I wish I could, I wish I could,
But I can’t
I can’t
I can’t

The fear builds up, because I just can’t
The walls come up, and won’t come down
I’m in my bubble, you in yours
I need a needle now
Someone give me a needle

You want it so, you need it now
Could it be, but tell me how
Hesitation, contemplation
Is death to us now

Forgive me please
This isn’t how it should be
I wish I could make you understand
But life doesn’t work like that

It’s not that I won’t
It’s that I don’t know how
I just can’t

I wish I could, I wish I could
But I just can’t
I can’t
I can’t

Things That Have Surprised Me Recently

by Paul Oakenfold

There's nothing like a little surprise here and there in life, to make things interesting. I've had a couple of surprises lately, thought I'd go ahead and share them.
1. Now, to be clear, I am NOT a Dr. Phil fan in any way, shape, or form. However, I recently picked up this magazine, and I noticed an article written by his wife, Robin McGraw. I normally wouldn't read an article like this by someone like her, to be honest, but I was, uhmm, how shall I say this and still preserve my dignity? well, lets just say I needed something to occupy my mind for several minutes. (sorry!) It was an excerpt from her book, "Inside My Heart", and it really surprised me in that she actually had some decent and interesting things to say. It was actually sort of funny too, in the examples she used. Basically, the point of the book can be summed up in the following paragraph. Now, at first glance it may sound like a bunch of Dr Phil B.S., but the way she wrote it, it seemed genuine and insightful.
"There will always be people who tell you who you should be and what you should do, but no one can tell you how to live your life because there is no one quite like you. Look inside yourself with open eyes and see who's really in there- not your mother or your father, not your husband or your children, but you. Go deep, really deep, until you find the essential person inside, the person God created. [actually she said woman, but I am taking the liberty to change it to person. this is good wisdom for all.] See yourself, embrace yourself, and honor yourself by insisting on your right to choose the life you are meant to live." Amen, sister!

2. My next surprise was that I surprised myself. I had my first "quiz" in piano class on Wednesday, and I was pretty nervous about it, as it was the first time I really had to play for someone other than myself. I practiced a decent amount of time, and knew the very elementary book music somewhat well. When I got to class, I was caught off guard because my teacher decided to give us all 2 entirely new pieces of music we had never seen before, to be played with both hands at the same time (gasp!something we hadn't done yet, at all) and asked us to pick one, practice it for 5 minutes, and then she'd go around the room to hear us play it. Ok, instant panic. But, I was actually able to read the music and play it! I couldn't really believe it. I guess sometimes we don't know what we're capable of until we just do it.

3. My sister is responsible for this one. She called me on Thursday, and after I picked up the phone and said hello, she just said, "I love you, Paula!". No reason for it, nothing prompting her to say it. It felt really good to hear it. I told her I loved her too, and then we proceeded to have our usual conversations about whatever. What a nice surprise.

4. Came down to the kitchen this morning, looked out my window, and found that our metal birdfeeder had been attacked, presumably by some starving squirrels. Some type of determined animal found a way to pop out the bottom of the feeder, extract the large block of waxy birdseed, and haul it away. Well, I don't mind as long as someone who really needs it got it.

5. I surprised myself in yet another way. I actually went to order my business cards. I have decided to open a spa out of my home, offering waxing and facial services, called....what else?...poetic waxing. Finally going to do it!

Hope you've had some nice surprises in your life recently. If not, go out and make some happen! :) :)

My Pet Loves

You are listening to "Pictures of You" by the Cure.

Finally, here it is. I know there are so many more I will think of after I post this, but that's just the way it goes!

1. Hearing the organic sounds as fingers change position on a guitar during a song (I’m sure there is an official name for this)
2. Guys wearing backwards baseball caps
3. Twilight
4. A deep, cleansing breath (especially while in a twist yoga pose)
5. Afternoon delights
6. Playing in the rain, not caring if you get wet
7. The smell of freshly-baked, warm chocolate chip cookies
8. The streets of Manhattan after 3am- still hopping!
9. A stolen glance across a room
10. Hugs that last a long time
11. The hour or so before a concert begins when the excitement in the air is palpable
12. When people take the time to fully understand something, instead of making snap judgments
13. Cats’ breath
14. When breathe knows what I am feeling even before I do
15. Hearing crickets chirp at night
16. Cute bunnies running across my lawn, staring at me while they eat
17. Music so loud I can feel the physical vibrations of it-especially dance music!
18. Swimming, alone, far enough out in the ocean that it’s scary, as the awe of nature overcomes you and you feel connected with the sea
19. Spooning
20. Driving in any car with a good stereo, with it turned way up (can you tell I like loud music?)
21. Looking into people’s windows at night while driving by (Just to clarify, I mean seeing families having dinner, seeing how their house is decorated, etc.)
22. Sweatshirt weather

Musical Horizons

"When there is more in your head than you find in your life, calls for a change"

This is one of my most favorite song lyrics. Its from the Sundays, "I Can't Wait" off their Static & Silence album. You're listening to this song right now. If you've never heard this album, take a listen! Its such complicated, well-composed, amazing music, IMHO. This sentiment has rung true for me at various points in my life. I listen to this song often, as this is one of my favorite CD's. Sometimes, when I hear these words, I don't think about them much. But when I find these words striking a chord within my soul, then I know its time for a change. Time for me to pursue something that will broaden my mind, my heart, my horizons. I am going through such a time right now.

I am going to take this opportunity, since I am talking about the Sundays, to post the complete lyrics for another song on this same album, "Folk Song". This song is just so beautiful I have to. Of course the lyrics alone are no way to enjoy or even come close to fully appreciating a song, and that is certainly the case with this song especially, but until breathe gets home and shows me how to post a song file legally, this will have to do. Update- thanks, breathe! You got it to work. Luv ya!

"Folk Song", by the Sundays

summer sky and a throat bone dry
and the fields are all gold
dusty lane with a song in my brain
and it stoned me to my soul

I climb higher move towards the fire.....blaze sun
silver trees and a whispering breeze
are my sight and my sound
the thought of heaven couldn't drag me from the path
when I'm wandering here alone
I climb higher move towards the fire.... so blaze sun
watch until it dies slow falling from the sky
pale fading sun

I have recently felt a pull towards writing music, getting things down on paper, or recorded, that are in my head. The time of day this happens most is early morning- I often have a lucid dream of some music or lyrics, and wake up with it in my mind. But then I head to the shower, and by the time my hair is dry, its gone. Rarely have I been able to hold onto it long enough to get to the computer to write the lyrics down (or type them up, however you want to say it!). And I haven't ever been able to sit down and play the music to accompany the lyrics. So this is what has lead me to my latest endeavor: learning how to play the piano. My brother, who is very musically inclined and has lots of experience with it, has told me that the piano is the absolute best instrument to learn to read and write music with. I have started Class Piano I at College of DuPage for this fall semester. I can tell already how challenging it is going to be. I played the violin in grade school, so I know a tiny bit about reading music, but the bass clef is new to me, and of course I am not used to using both hands equally, and it's going to take a lot of discipline and time. And I have to cut my nails! But the payoff will be worth it. I get chills thinking about actually being able to compose a song and play it. I am a long way off from that, but I'll get there. Maybe when we finally get our iMac with garage band on it, I will be much closer to being able to lay down some tracks!!

I now have the challenge of needing to purchase a counter-weighted digital piano with all 88 keys on it, with MIDI, under $500. Anyone know someone selling a decent used one? Its not urgent, as I can practice at my sisters' house or at COD, but eventually I will be needing one.

I'll conclude by posting a song I wrote myself. It's hard for me to post this, I'll admit. I wish I could post the music too, but I can't.

"Here We Are" (written 2-18-06)

(slow, piano solo, drawn out notes)

Here we are
So alone, with nowhere to go
Like a dreidel spinning out of control
When will we topple over?

Here we are
It over-takes me, the desolation
Looking out, it will never, ever end
Till our minds become one

We could go on
What would the point be, it's done and gone
Another universe, another crime
Will that get us to the Church on time?

We are one
Always have been, not the chosen ones
Every breath, every kernel in time
Woven together like wool

We will go on
like a big smoke screen, Oh what does it mean?

(could be ending bridge, building drums)

'Till out comes the sun
And that warming burst of fire,
It fills us with burning desire
All we have is that desire

My Pet Peeves

I am not difficult. I don't have many. But the ones I do have, well, they bother me a lot. And I guess some of them might not even be too rational....but hey, they are MY pp's, and they're not going away anytime soon. Please don't judge me.

1) When people chew highly odiferous gum in a movie theatre (or other enclosed space). Those of you who know me well know I am not a big gum fan. It's quite a handicap, as the rest of the world seems to enjoy it just fine. I think its gross, I hate the way it smells, and I hate the way Britney Spears seems to think its perfectly acceptable to chew on it madly and constantly, especially during a television interview. I have been known to chew some Juicy Fruit or other mild flavors from time to time (although rarely). The gum that bothers me most is the Extra-type, the ones that you could detect from a couple of states away. To add insult to injury, when I am sitting in a movie for a good two hours I think its just rude to cram my nasal passages with that smelly mint. I mean, I can't even taste my popcorn, for God's sake! Seriously, something that odorous and strong has no business happening within a 1/2 mile of anyone eating anything. I don't mean to offend anyone, as I know many people do this. I just really do feel this strongly about it! It's kind of like smoking; I feel it should be relegated to the outdoors. (Even then it would bother me, but I'm trying to offer an olive branch here).

2)Dry Hands I don't know why, but when the skin on my hands gets even a little dry, I feel icky inside. I can't explain it, I just have to get some hand cream pronto.

3)Conventional Toothpaste Yup, this one correlates with #1 above. I cannot tolerate the smell of conventional toothpaste brands such as Crest or Colgate. They are just so spicy and strong. I don't know what created this aversion for me, I should probably pay a Psychologist a pretty penny to figure it out. I remember coming home from Australia on our honeymoon, breathe and I were lucky enough to get bumped to business class because we told the Quantas airline agent that we just got married. It was wonderful having a comfortable recliner seat and our own personal video screens, but the experience was ruined for me because we were seated in the row directly behind the bathrooms. All night, (this is a 15-hour flight, mind you), I was bombarded by the constant smell of people brushing their teeth. In case you're wondering, I use Therabreath brand toothpaste, which has a soft,mild, natural peppermint flavor. I also like Tom's of Maine. I have often joked to breathe that his cooperation in this matter has saved us from divorce court (he uses Therabreath as well, at my request).

4) Super-bright spotlights on my yard. We just moved into our new house, and I love our new backyard. However, sometimes, when we are out on our deck late at night enjoying the sounds of the crickets, our back-door neighbor likes to turn on her bright, obnoxious super-duper spotlight that blinds me. When this light is on, it cancels out anything else in your field of vision. Okay, it has only happened a couple of times, but it is a pet peeve of mine, and I am in venting mode.

5) People flicking cigarette butts out of their car window. This needs no explanation. It is completely asinine, on many levels. First of all, if you're driving behind this person, you can get startled by this flash of light on your windshield, and possibly crash your car. This may sound extreme, but if the wind blows it towards your car a certain way, it can happen. Secondly, if my window is open, guess what? That hot ashy thing can fly right onto my arm or into my eye, or onto my car seats. Thirdly, the world is not your garbage can, people. I realize that using your car ashtray creates a horrible stench. But that is one of the consequences of being a smoker, so deal with it. At least try not to do it when you're moving at 40 mph!

These are just pet peeves, which means they are minor things that irk me. I do have many deeper concerns, such as child abuse, world hunger and war-mongering. But I'm not getting into those things....yet. I promise this blog will not turn into a negativity-fest. Stay tuned for my Pet Loves, coming soon.

Essentials for Skin, Part I: The Basics

I love skin care products. You could say I am a skincare ( & make-up!) junkie. I am a sucker for good packaging and marketing, I love to try new things, but I get most excited over finding something that actually works. I'm like a kid in a candy store whenever I set foot in my absolutely favorite store, Sephora. I can't set foot in there too often, though, or breathe and I would be living out a cardboard box!

I am often asked what the best products are out there- and there sure are a lot of them- "What works?" they ask. People want to know what they should be using on their skin, and I guess they ask me because 1) I am a licensed esthetician and 2) they know I live for this stuff!

Before I get into what I consider to be the best products out there, I want to first stress a very important point. And that is, that the question you should be asking is not "What works?", but rather, "What will work for me?" What works for someone else's skin is not necessarily what's going to work for you. Everyone's skin is different, and has unique needs. This is what makes life interesting! I know, its not as fun to chat with your friends about skincare when you have this bit of wisdom floating in your head. It's tempting, as you admire a friend's glowing, even-toned complexion, to ask "What have you been using?". Now, if you're a guy reading this, you might be thinking, "I'd rather die than ask another guy what he uses on his skin". That's understandable, and if that's you, you might want to just skip over this paragraph. But if you're a girl, this scenario plays out quite often. Your friend leans over and confesses her latest magic potion in a lowered voice. (Or, maddeningly, she may just answer, "Oh! I've just been drinking a lot more water".) At this point you're poised to go right out the next day to hunt down that very same product so that hopefully, your skin can be glowy and even-toned too. So you buy it, try it, and more often than not discover that this magic potion just doesn't do the trick on your skin. And that's okay, because remember, we're all different.

It's a much smarter approach to first know your own skin prior to purchasing anything. You can find that out by a quick quiz, a home-administered test, or by simple observation It also helps to know a bit about what basic products you should be looking for.

That being said, its easy to conclude that we all want the same thing: clear, soft, dewy, even-toned, firm skin. It'd be nice if it were also relatively wrinkle-free. In short, it'd be great if we could stop time, as in that freaky Twilight Zone episode when the guy discovers the stopwatch that can actually freeze time while he can move about. Wait, did he continue aging normally while everyone else was frozen? Okay, maybe that's a bad analogy.

So what is actually needed to achieve this? Well, lets keep it simple and start with the basics. There are four things you should be doing to your skin everyday: you need to cleanse your skin, moisturize it, treat it, and protect it. There is also one more thing that should be done on a regular basis, although not necessarily every day: exfoliate. So there it is; the nitty gritty. [hey Ranny, that rhymes with titty!- (don't ask.)] That's 5 separate actions that your skin care arsenal needs to accomplish effectively. Don't panic: I'll break it down for you. And it may not even involve that many different products (unless you're product-compulsive like me). But I'm tired now, this blog-thing is a lot of hard work. I'm off to bed, and will publish Part Deux in the near future. Nite-nite!