Beauty Resolutions: More than Skin Deep

January 17, 2012

Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://www.discoverbeautywithin.com/.

Sleep has been a huge focus of mine the past month as I try to solve my insomnia, sleep apnea, and other issues going on with this wacky body of mine. Last week, I did a horrible job of getting enough rest, and this morning feel like a ton of bricks has fallen on my head. Not only that, but yesterday I noticed that my skin was really oily and this morning, I have broken out all over my face. Talk about  a self-esteem booster!

While beauty may seem skin deep, I feel much better about myself when I feel like I look good. Perhaps that’s why I’m a little obsessed with plus size fashion. Here are my plans for getting my beauty regimen started again.

  1. Drink up. I’ve not done a great job of drinking all the water I normally do. My bucket cup of water will not leave my side this week. Hydration is the name of the game.
  2. Take my makeup off at night. Ok, so we’ve all been reading this tip since our Seventeen Magazine days, but sometimes it’s so hard to stick with! My biggest problem is with eye makeup. I will wash my face and then dry it off and fall into bed, only to wake up and have mascara smeared all over my eyes. I have started using Vaseline on a Q-Tip to get the smudges off, and some Cover Girl eye make up remover if it’s really bad.
  3. Sleep. Head must hit the pillow earlier in the night.
  4. Pucker up. My lips are notoriously dry, especially in the winter. If I’m in a meeting, I notice I’m always biting my lip to try to get some dry skin off (totally gross, I know). I frequently get split lips and they bleed. This means I now own 3 of my favorite Burts Bees lipbalms (Pomegranate Oil). 1 by my nightstand, 1 in my purse, and 1 in my car. I must remember to slather up.

Hopefully these things will help me get some confidence and put some pep in my step. Dealing with acne at 30 years old is just not fun!

What are some of your favorite beauty regimens or tricks?

  • http://twitter.com/jaemie Jaemie Gyurik

    I don’t know what’s so difficult with taking makeup off at night, but I struggle with that, too. It’s not because I don’t want to; I just get so busy and forget! The best thing I have found to help with this are Neutrogena Make Up Remover wipes. Sure, it’s not the same thing as washing your face, but it gets the make up off and cuts down on any acne flareups and nastiness caused by clogged pores. LOVE THEM!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      Thanks for the heads up about the wipes – I need to get some for sure.

  • http://collinesblog.wordpress.com/ Collinekc

    I try to make sure that I drink enough water during the day. Eating a lot of raw fruit and vegetables also helps keeping my skin moisturised. And of course I need that beauty sleep!

  • http://www.lifeafterbagels.com/ Morgan @ Life After Bagels

    AH – don’t use vaseline … I have no idea who’s idea it was one day to start up that “trend” but it’s way past it’s prime … there’s about a million reasons not to use it, but if you’re having a problem with breakouts, the residue from the vaseline after you rinse your face will most definitely make things worse 

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      I know there’s a big debate about vaseline, but I will fully admit I’m clueless about it. I just use it because it’s what I have in my bathroom that worked. Now I have regular eye makeup cleaner.

  • http://www.katieheddleston.com/ Katie Heddleston

    After I wash my face at night I use Clinique clarifying lotion (it’s actually a liquid). Anyway, then sometimes I use it in the morning too before I put lotion on my face. I also don’t wear make up every day — just depends on what I’m doing! 

  • Angie

    At 45, I NEED to find some moisturizer for around my eyes.  It’s getting a little scary, but my skin is so sensitive and I’ve bought SO many expensive products only to have my eyes swell shut after one use *sigh*.  BTW, GO CATS!!

  • http://www.binaryfory.wordpress.com/ Amber

    (Hey Emmie, I know you didn’t ask for help with the sleep thing but just fyi, the trance cd that comes with the book I CAN MAKE YOU SLEEP by Paul McKenna really helped me. You may be able to download it as an app from iTunes as well. So sorry to hear you’re struggling with sleep – I’ve battled insomnia and irregular sleep for years and it is the WORST.)

    I am in big-time need of a beauty regimen for my nails. I need to set a couple nights a week to give myself a manicure and just stick to it.  Like while I’m watching a movie or something at home – just get out the files and buffer and polish and just do it.  Right now they are bare, ragged, the cuticles are dry and cracked, and generally look like I’ve been living amongst wolves.

  • http://www.theyearofthephoenix.blogspot.com/ Lady Lazarus

    Way to represent us Wildcats! (I got my MLIS there :) )

    I do the water thing, though I know I don’t drink quite enough. And I am a firm believer in lip balm. I rarely wear lipstick but I always have at least two tubes of lipbalm or chapstick with me.

    I also always moisturize with lotion after a shower, my face especially.

  • Elizabeth

    My favorite beauty regimen is my Clarisonic Mia.  It’s simply amazing how clean it gets your skin!

  • Leigh

    First off – you ROCK……second – Blistex Complete Moisture (soft, smooshy lemony) and Nivea Kiss of Flavor Strawberry (also soft, smooshy)……have one of those two on me at all times.

  • http://cavegirlcooks.com/ Myla

    After spending way too much money at Sephora trying out new products, I have finally fine-tuned my skincare regimen.  Here are my must haves:  At night, I use a Clarisonic Mia, with Philosophy Purity Made Simple in the shower.  This gets every last bit of makeup off.  I follow with Dickinson’s Witch Hazel, which helps heal any dry patches, I use Clinique Youth Surge Night moisturizer and Fresh Sugar lip treatment before I go to bed.  In the morning, I use the Mia again and the witch hazel, then use Clinique Moisture Surge before putting on my makeup.   

  • Maryann

    Olive oil has been my skin’s good friend lo these many years.

  • J Dueck616

    Another vote for the Clarisonic Mia here!  And invest in some makeup-cleansing wipes (Forever 21 sells some decent and inexpensive ones)…keep them by your bed. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jody-R-Goldenfield/100000069514057 Jody R. Goldenfield

    Great things to do!! Hey, try being in your 50′s & dealing with face stuff! Us poor women & hormones!! UGH!!!

    Be careful with overdoing the lip stuff. I saw a Dr. Oz segment on using them way too much can actually be bad & there was a recipe for coconut oil on the lips too. I know I wrote about it on my blog a while back with links to other things for the lips…. I love Burt’s Bees! :-)

  • Kalee @ www.soreyfitness.com

    I follow all of your tips (or try to–water is hard for me). I also wear SPF everyday! I have read 90% of wrinkles are from sun damage. Also, if I am super dry, I like to use sugar scrub! :)

  • http://mamazaftig.com/ Mama Zee

    I’ve found the best thing I can do for my skin is drink water and avoid dairy. Dairy kills my skin. 

  • http://rockafellaskank.wordpress.com/ Debbish

    Em, I’m big on the water-drinking thing. Those times I’ve been strict with my weight loss / dieting regime I’ve been drinking lots of water and everyone comments on my skin. I normally drink a lot of water anyway, but the lack of crap in my body must also help!

    Deb

  • LHA

    I am also a fan of the Neutrogena make up remover wipes. They make it very easy. In fact, after years of using Aveda, Body Shop, Clinique, etc., I have really started loving a whole host of Neutrogena products.  They are often rated as best buys in magazines that rate skin care products. Advice to you younger women….use sunscreen every day!  You will be glad when you get older and have beautiful skin. 

    I also agree with the water drinking.  It really moisturizes your skin from the inside out.  Emmie, your emphasis on fashion and beauty for ALL women is really terrific!  It always makes me feel better to look better.

  • Rebecca Bond

    I always do a face scrub in the shower in the morning, glowing skin and a great way to wake up!

  • http://twitter.com/danceliftrun Tiffany

    I love the Neutrogena wipes that people have already mentioned. My skin feels really soft after using them and they get all my mascara off without much effort. I need to work on drinking more water though. :)

  • ele-in-flight

    I have tried to change my skin routine and my skin is soo much better now – I use all Liz Earle products and they have really helped me.  I don’t drink enough water so I’m with you on that one – try harder :)   I have terrible sleep pattern – can’t sleep because I’m so stressed so might try Paul Mckenna has someone else has commented.  Good luck.  

  • http://twitter.com/MeWaistingTime Karen (WaistingTime)

    I wear a moisturizer with sunscreen on my face every day! 

  • http://weightlossguidesreviews.net/ weight loss reviews

    i always scrub my face in the shower and then use moisturizer after my shower

  • Angelika

    I got a Clarisonic for Christmas and I LOVE it.  LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  I have used Cetaphil for years, and I always wash my face before bed.  Oh, and Aquaphor on the lips before bed!

  • http://www.dietdocnewyork.com/ dietdocnewyork

    Having proper sleep is very necessary to have the good health as well as to get the good skin too. To get the good skin it is very necessary to have the good skin care.  Remove the make up at the time of sleeping is the good idea to have good skin care.

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