I am starting a blog about my favorite things to use as a makeup artist. Anything from cosmetics to skin care and there would be an occasional hair product thrown into the mix.

For my first entry, I am talking about skin care. Yes, skin care. As of this writing, I have been working as a makeup artist for eight wonderful years and within that time span, I have noticed that majority of people I have worked with do not have the proper skin care regimen. You have no idea how many times I have had to hide my annoyance because some people expect my brush to be the magic wand that can make every single blemish, freckle, pock mark and that none existent bump in the middle of the forehead disappear with the flick of my wrist. Applying a thick wad of foundation is never the solution of making the skin look good.

Less is more.

Remember makeup sits better and lasts longer on well maintained skin. In the long run, you won’t even have to use any foundation at all.

I will be sharing my skin care regimen. I know this will not work for everyone, but I hope that this will jump-start someone’s journey to good skin.

I have been told by a few people that I have good skin. I don’t mean to carry my own throne, but I know this to be true.

This wasn’t always the case.

Going through High School, I was marked by pimples and uneven skin tone. I was teased about it a few times and that fueled my quest to have good skin. In turn, it lead me hopping from one brand to another, trying out different formulas, breaking out even more and getting frustrated.

Luckily, one evening I was watching The Oprah Winfrey Show and they were talking about skin care.  That night I learned that the most important aspect of skin care is using a moisturizer with Collagen in it. As we age, Collagen production in our body weakens. Having Collagen in your moisturizer helps strengthens the skin and aids it in its renewal process.

The next day, I made my way to the department store and went through different skin care products. I decided to stick to one brand. Different brands have different formulas and I was scared that intermixing might alter the chemical balance of my skin.

For a sophomore in High School, I chose the cheapest skin care brand available.

To this day I am still using it.

St. Ives was the brand I decided to stick with on that fateful day some 15 odd years ago.

Their Apricot Scrub is a staple on my shelf. For years it has scrubbed away dead skin cells, grime from long shooting days, bike rides through dusty streets or a few layers of makeup. I like how invigorated my skin feels after using this.

One of the main reasons why I appreciate this product is because it helps me NOT get ingrown hair (which can be painful). My facial hair is quite course and they tend to curl back inward. This scrub gets rid of the thin layer of dead skin cells that covers the follicle.

I have tried other facials scrubs before but I break out from them. The formulation might be too strong or the beads might be too coarse.

I use this scrub 3 to 4 times a week or as needed.

If you are constantly breaking out or experiencing sensitive skin, that is an indication that you are exfoliating too much. It’s either you are scrubbing your face rigorously or using an exfoliating solution which is too strong for your skin. It might be an indication that you might be allergic to a certain ingredient in the product. So before purchasing, always read the ingredients!

Another St. Ives staple on my shelf is their Collagen Elastin Moisturizer.

I bought this because of my de facto Godmother, Oprah, said so..

The reason why I love using moisturizer is because it hydrates my skin.

Let me tell you, what makes fine lines appear on your face is dry skin.

I made this observation the first time I went to Europe. I started noticing some lines that I haven’t seen before. That’s when I realized that the air is drier in some countries. Dry air sucks the moisture right our of your skin making it dry, patchy and prone to cracking. I finished a tub of moisturizer in a month.

That’s why I always tell people to moisturize. It nourishes the skin and keeps it healthy.

Before I turned thirty, I decided to add an anti aging regimen to my skin care.

Let me say that during my late teens and through my twenties,  I was also using St. Ives Renewal Cream. I bought this by accident because I thought it was a moisturizer. It turned out to be a cream made of AHA and BHA. I have been using that up until I couldn’t find them on the shelves in 2006.

In knowing what I know now, I have been using an anti aging cream unknowingly at that time.

In 2010 when I was 28 years old,  I decided to add a few anti-aging products to my routine. I am a beach lover and I enjoy soaking up the sun. This lead to photoaging. Luckily enough, I was asked to collaborate with a skin care and cosmetics line for their in-store display and advertising materials and was introduced to their anti-aging line.

I decided to try it.

VMV Hypoallergenics has an anti-aging line called “Re-Everything”.

Since then, I have been using their Re-everything Eye Serum.

What I feel is a tightening of my under eyes which makes it appear less puffy.

As stated behind the bottle, this product promises to give “long-term cellular renewal, anti-aging and antioxidant therapy.” Which I like to hear because it is not boastful.

I have used other Eye Serums from other brands and I always get Millia. Millia are keratin filled bumps that appear around my eyes (or anywhere else). They weren’t painful but it takes a while for them to disappear. I had to extract them a few times.

Ever since I have used VMV’s Re-everything Eye Serum , I haven’t had that experience at all.

At the same time, I was also introduced to VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everything Cream. I am currently using the Anti-aging Primary Treatment (yes, there is an advance treatment only to be used once you have finished this bottle).

What I like about this product is the “glow” that it gives me when I use this. I have also noticed that my skin looks and feels healthier.

The most important thing for me is that, my skin hasn’t become sensitive at all. Most anti aging creams I have tried before made me break out or made a few spots on my face “tingle”! It was such a relief for me when I started using this because I didn’t have any of those issues at all.

It is gentle yet powerful.

The other great thing about VMV Hypoallergenics is that it is a Global Filipino brand. It is largely available all over the Philippines and in some parts of the world (click here). Their products are known to be allergen free. So you know it is safe.

While walking around the mall and wandering into GNC, I discovered they had moisturizers. I decided to take home their Vitamin C and Vitamin E A and D moisturizing creams because they were on sale and because they were moisturizers with anti oxidants.

As suggested by the sales representative, I could mix both products if I so desired.

Once I got home, I checked out the ingredients first and see what was the major difference. Both moisturizers have the same components except for the vitamins in each bottle. I decided to mix both and used then immediately. It’s been four months since I started using it and I have not experience any adverse reaction to the mixing, and my skin not only appears radiant but feels healthy too.

I alternate between St. Ives Collagen Elastin Moisturizer  (I use this at night) and GNC’s Vitamin C / Vitamin E A and D moisturizing creams (I use during the day).

Let me also state that I work out at least 3 times a week. I engage in a few sporting activities every so often. I try to eat healthy. I watch what I eat, not my weight. I do not smoke. I only drink alcohol once in a very blue moon. AND I don’t have facials because I do not believe in them.

That my friends is my skin care regimen. I was lucky enough to find products that work for me. I have been using almost the same products. The few changes I made throughout the years was because some products got phased out and I’ve added a few because of the need to adjust to my aging process.

I know some of you have a difficult time finding a product and a formula that works. The products that you choose doesn’t have to be the most expensive in the market. Always do your own research. It pays to be knowledgeable of what you want for yourself. If you don’t know what your issues are, ask for help. If you are doubtful of the person you are asking, look for someone who is knowledgeable of the product that you are looking for.

Having great skin is finding a skin care regimen and sticking to it. One must not be lazy about it.

~

For complete info about the products:

St. Ives Apricot Scrub – Click here

St. Ives Collagen Elastin Moisturizer – Click here

VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everything Eye Serum – Click here

VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everything Cream – Click here

GNC Vitamin C Moisturizing Cream – Clcik here

GNC Vitamin E, A and D Moisturizing Cream – Clcik here