have you got colour in your cheeks?

we all love a little acid. which acid suits our skin??  this is the best question. whether it be lactic, glycolic, salicylic, hyaluronic, alphahydroxy...  make sure it's the right fit for your face. while hyaluronic is a water binding love machine, that will leave you plump and fresh... salicylic can send your skin into a tizzy. being a flushed and ruddy girl, i cannot jump into the stream of chemical peels that beckon... but i certainly can dabble, and dabble i do. occasionally i let my skin get unruly and angry with me. at that point, i reel it back in, go to my routine and calm it down. i don't necessarily want to neglect my exfoliation all together, so my choice is to lean on an old favorite. this is where a pioneer of skincare comes in. jan marini. i can go on and on about marini products. her transformations serum is probably one of the most effective anti-aging and active serums on the market today- which is why my skin cannot tolerate it. jan marini's glycolic wash is another story though... even my rosacea and sensitive skin can handle it 2-3 times a week. do i get pink? yep. is it worth it? yep. this cleanser is heaven in a bottle. i recommend everyone have it in their shower. slather it on your face, neck, decolletage... and let it chill out while your conditioner does it's job. rinse this well, it's active. and as always- don't ever leave your home without 30+ sunscreen.

xo
mercergirl

“The youthful body untouched decays the fastest, for no living hands record its splendor; and here youth and time are wasted.”

- Roman Payne

dewy winter skin

after trying handfuls of bb and cc creams, none which have wowed me... alas kate somerville to the rescue. normally i don't agree too well with kate's products. although they are very treatment targeted and work wonderfully, my overly sensitive skin goes into a tizzy with application. i recently got a sample of the somerville illumikate cc cream, and shortly after bought the full size. this cc cream is more than average for sun protection and coverage. it floats seamlessly between a tinted moisturizer and a luminous liquid foundation. the staying power is divine. after a full day's wear, just a touch up will suffice for night. totally buildable, spreads beautifully with foundation brush or fingertips alike. i think it could be a little too dewy for summer months, but definitely will be used on the daily during fall and winter... well into spring. the light/medium color is perfectly tinted with yellow undertones to cut any ruddiness. i imagine the tube will last a couple months, as a pea size amount does the job. this cc cream is not to be missed.

Hands are the window to the soul...

“The youthful body untouched decays the fastest, for no living hands record its splendor; and here youth and time are wasted.”

- Roman Payne

i have ranted and raved on hands and spf. i despise gel manicures, as they don't provide spf or gloves to wear to protect your hands from the direct UVA rays. hands are a sure fire way to show your age. we slather anti-aging serums and concoctions on just about every part of our bodies, and then wash them off our hands. it's shameful! every bit of serum you use for your face, eyes, lips, neck and decolletage... should be used on your hands too. 

finally, after many years of layering my sunscreen over my hand cream- there is an awesome solution.

Robanda Anti-Aging Hand Treatment is the pure jam. not only does this rich and intoxicating treatment moisturize your paws, it also protects with spf 20 and has a small amount of retinol for an active anti-aging boost. 

made in USA, not tested on animals, good size for your satchel, well priced, genius.

thank me later.
xo
mercergirl

oh honey...

wish i could take credit for this, but i can't. most i can do is just put it out there for you and have you test drive it. as i have made very clear, i am a product trollop. my well organized and large bathroom is crammed full of multiple size bottles of everything from serums to oxygen masks, exfoliants, miracle renewing oils, supplements, shampoos... you name it. my regimen is strict, but my product choice is loose and gorgeous. i despise routine and i love to try anything, especially if it smells good... although i don't ever share my signature scents. i know, i know.

the point is face wash. i have rocked everything from glycolics to vitamin a cleansers, all the way back to good ol' cold crème when i want to feel greasy and vintage. i recently read about using raw organic honey as a cleanser. i figured that i would give it a whirl, since i know honey has amazing natural benefits and costs next to nothing.

i LOVE it. not only does my skin feel super hydrated, but it's clean and refreshed. it's all about technique... but i urge you to check it out. start with a wet face (duh) and just apply a decent size dollop with your hands. use your fingertips to spread all over in circular motion to form a good emulsion, then rinse with cool water. you can repeat if you wish... that's it.

thank me later.
xo
mercergirl