Even Beauty Routines Get the Blues: My Current One Does, Anyway (in the Absolute Best Way)

As Type A as I am -- and I admit, I'm pretty Type A -- I somehow never transfer this to my beauty routine. I think it's because I'm constantly adding new products into the rotation with tried and true faves, so there isn't necessarily a rhyme or reason to what products I'm using. I'm always so drawn to people's Instagram posts featuring products of specific colors, but I just don't seem to BE one of those people.

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Take it All Off: Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

You might want to kill me when I tell you this ... but I don't wash my face. Ever. And because of this, my skin looks and feels amazing basically all the time. I swear I'm not bragging -- it's just my way of life. But I'm totally changing my tune now, thanks to Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water.

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So Ready For This Milky Jelly: Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser

A few months ago, my fabulous friend Mindy came to visit me in LA. Now, Mindy and I have many common interests -- our devout obsession with Friends, an affection for Maker's Mark and our love of wedge heels among them. We even shared a hairstylist back when we both lived in Pittsburgh ... which leads me to our number one shared passion, BEAUTY PRODUCTS. We've spent many a day together perusing the shelves at Sephora or texting back and forth about the products the other person simply has to try. So when she whipped out her bottle of Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser and told me I'd love it, I knew she would be right. Well, spoiler alert -- she was.

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Double the Fun: Getting #UNREADY with the Neutrogena Double Cleansing Method, Plus a Giveaway!

We've all been there. The seasons start to change, and all of a sudden, our skin just totally and completely freaks out. It gets drier, it gets oilier, you notice more breakouts ... basically, your skin does everything it can to make you feel like you're going to scream. Well, I'm here to tell you that with the Neutrogena Double Cleansing Method, things are about to get a whole lot brighter.

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My Paula's Choice Skincare Empties

Back in June, I told you about a new (to me) beauty brand that had pretty much taken over my skincare regimen. I'm speaking, of course, about Paula's Choice. Well, it's now a few months later, and I'm here to tell you I'm still so obsessed, I've got a couple empties to share with you!

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Take it (All) Off: Tarte Fresh Eyes Maracuja Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Wipes

I don't know about you, but when it comes to taking off my makeup? I. Am. Lazy. I mean, I'll do it -- but I want the act to be as easy and least consuming of my time as possible. So whenever I can get away with using a cleansing wipe instead of actual cleanser, cotton balls, pads, you name it? Sign me up. Enter Tarte Fresh Eyes Maracuja Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Wipes.

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Throwback Thursday: My Longtime Love of Pond's Cold Cream

Are you looking for a cleanser that takes off every stitch of makeup, dirt and oil ... and doesn't strip your skin of moisture? Well, I have a little secret for you. I've been using the same cleanser since I was 4 years old, and it's the best one I've found to this day. I speak, of course, of Pond's Cold Cream.

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My Recent Savior: Burt's Bees Cucumber & Sage Facial Cleansing Towelettes

I just got back from a two week, life-changing trip to Israel with my mom and brother. We went to four cities (Tel Aviv, Netanya, Haifa and Jerusalem) and had such a wonderful, emotional experience. (More to come on our trip in a future post.) But I'm here to tell you one way that my life was changed on the trip -- I discovered the fabulousness that is Burt's Bees Facial Cucumber & Sage Facial Cleansing Towelettes.

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The 2 Cleansers Your Skincare Regimen Needs Right Now

I'm really not much into washing my face. It tends to make my skin worse and, truth be told, I just hate spending the time to do it. Until I started using these two cleansers by Bliss and Restorsea, that is.

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The Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cleanser Challenge, Plus a Giveaway!

Starting today, I'm taking the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cleanser Challenge. What is this, you may ask? I'm pitting the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser head to head against my current favorite cleanser (in case you forgot, it's the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser) and seeing how it makes my skin look and feel.

The Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser promises to remove 99 percent of excess oil, dirt and even makeup while leaving behind 99 percent of skin's natural moisture and preserving its barrier. Plus, it's formulated with a hypoallergenic fragrance and clinically proven for sensitive skin. I'm really excited to try out this cleanser. It's been on my back burner for awhile now, mainly because I'm so in love with how the CeraVe one makes my skin feel. It will be really interesting to see if I can add another cleanser to my arsenal, especially with humid summer months just around the corner!

Want to accept the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cleanser Challenge along with me? Just head to ultragentle.com and get started! I'll be tweeting and Facebooking throughout the challenge, so be sure to keep checking back to see how my challenge is coming along, too!

And here's the most exciting part. TEN WINNERS will receive their very own full-sized bottle of Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cleanser! To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Two Cleansers You Need Now: Eve Lom and TAY

I'm fairly attached to my CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. It really takes a lot to drag me away from it, since it not only moisturizes and hydrates my skin, but it never irritates. But recently, I've been drawn to two different cleansers on a pretty regular basis.

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My Top 4 Skincare Products Of The Moment

I love trying new skincare products. I have my favorites, sure -- but, no matter how much I love certain products, I always keep trying new ones. I just love to see what's out there! These four have really gotten me excited.

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The Cleanser That Changed My Skin (and My Life): CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

I have to be honest about something. I don't normally use cleanser. In fact, I just don't wash my face at all, unless I'm using my trusty Clarisonic (and even those occasions are few and far between). Well, color me surprised, because the latest addition to my must-have list is CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.

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Morning Glory: Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser

Recently, I seem to be a sucker for a new type of cleanser. Gone are the days of wetting my face before sudsing up (though, to be fair, I still do love my Dermalogica cleansers). Recently, it seems like all I do is use cleansers that are meant to be applied to the skin dry -- like Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser.

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Thinking Outside the Box: La Prairie Cellular Cleansing Water

At a facial recently, my facialist noticed that I had small bumps along the collarbone. (For the record, I had noticed them too, but had no idea how to get rid of them.) Well, color me surprised when she told me a little cleanser along the collarbone would clear them right up! I immediately decided to try La Prairie Cellular Cleansing Water ... and wow, has it made a difference.

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My Current Hero Skincare Products: Plus a Video!

At a facial this weekend, I was asked to provide detailed information about my entire skincare routine. I actually really had to think! Check out the products currently making appearances in my skincare lineup in the video below.



The products featured include:
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
Clinique All About Eyes

Today's Shower Ritual: Blow, Caress, Clarisonic, Dermalogica and Gillette Venus!

What was in your shower today? I'll let you know what was in mine!



Seen above:

Blow The Perfect Shower Cap, $18 at beauty.com (click here for my review!)
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, $41 at drugstore.com
Clarisonic Mia, $149 at drugstore.com (click here for my review!)
Gillette Venus Embrace Pink Razor
Caress Whipped Souffle Ultra Silkening Body Wash in Blackberry Cream

Beauty Giveaway: Elemis Skincare Set

It's time for another fabulous giveaway here at The Beauty of Life! This week, I'm giving one lucky reader the chance to win a skincare set from luxury skincare brand Elemis. This prize is valued at $257! You'll have the chance to win the following amazing products:

Elemie Pro-Collagen Marine Cream ($210 value): This limited-edition version of the revolutionary cream comes in a huge 100ml size and is part of Elemis's 20th anniversary collection. It's formulated with padina pavonica, rose and mimosa absolutes, and gingko biloba liposomes to increase hydration, firmness and elasticity in the skin.

Elemis Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser ($47 value): Formulated with antioxidants to withdraw impurities and infuse the skin with anti-aging properties! It even comes with a flannel facial mitt and a 15ml Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.

Entering is easy. Enter your name and email address in the box below. The winner will be selected on Friday, April 23 and notified by email. It's that simple!



This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Thursday, April 22 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

I'm No Oil Slick: Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil

You know the saying: Oil is thicker than water. Well, that really stopped me from ever wanting to try an oil-based cleanser. Something about putting oil on my face when it already felt oily just didn't sit right with me. And yes, I know that dermatologists have been recommending this for years -- but sometimes I'm slow to try these newfangled ideas! Let me be the first to admit how wrong I was ... because the second I tried Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil, my entire life changed.

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Yves Saint Laurent 3 in 1 Cleansing Water Radiance Revealer Makes Cleansing Fun.

I have a confession to make. I don't wash my face. (Waiting for the subsequent collective gasp to subside.) I've tried, in the past -- but I never seem to stick with it. I get bored, I forget, I just plain don't want to. And for some reason, my skin actually seems to react better when it's left alone. This is, of course, until I discovered Yves Saint Laurent 3 in 1 Cleansing Water Radiance Revealer.

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