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the Rite of Aging…early

~ Navigating Rheumatoid Arthritis through Beauty and Nail Art

the Rite of Aging…early

Tag Archives: Estee Lauder

My First and Foremost Holy Grail Skincare Product – Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum REVIEW || Video

13 Monday Nov 2017

Posted by MonicawithRA in Beauty, Reviews, Skincare

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Estee Lauder, skincare, video review

Nothing to disclose.

I have another Rant or Rave video over on my YouTube channel! The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum gets an A++ in my books and remains my number #1 holy grail skincare product.

I know the Advanced Night Repair serum keeps my skin young, healthy and texture free because I see how my skin gets when I don’t use it. My face and neck absolutely adore this product and lap it up like none other. If I didn’t use this amazing nightly serum I honestly would look as ill as I feel. This Estee Lauder product is everything I could ask for and more. Did I pique your interest? Make sure you watch the video and subscribe to my channel!

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Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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The Week the Prednisone Wrecked My Skin (Estee Lauder Enlighten Dark Spot Correcting Night Serum In-Depth Video Review)

27 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by MonicawithRA in Skincare

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Tags

Aveeno, beauty vlogging, Caudalie, Estee Lauder, hyperpigmentation, Neutrogena, prednisone, rheumatoid arthritis, skincare, vlogging

May contain affiliate links.

I am attempting a more vlog-style video and this is my first one. I would like to do weekly videos showcasing my Rheumatoid Arthritis and my beauty hobby!

In this first video, I talk about Prednisone and review the skincare products I use to repair hyper pigmentation in my skin. I hope you enjoy!!

 

Products Mentioned:

Estee Lauder ‘Enlighten’ Dark Spot Correcting Night Serum

Caudalie Deep Cleansing Exfoliator

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer w/ SPF 15

Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen w/ SPF 55

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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“But, You Don’t Look Ill!” (Skincare Routine – Face) | Fall 2015

20 Sunday Sep 2015

Posted by MonicawithRA in Beauty, Reviews, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Skincare

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Tags

Aveeno, Bobbi Brown, Caudalie, Chanel, Clinique, Estee Lauder, holy grail products, Neutrogena, skincare, tea tree oil

Some links may be affiliate ones.

When people find out I have Rheumatoid Arthritis they say “but, you don’t look ill”! If you knew me during high school and college this is actually pretty funny because it was not until college that I started taking care of my skin. Before that I washed my face in the shower and the only sunscreen I wore was during outdoor excursions. Occasionally, I bought facial cleanser but was too lazy to use it.

As a direct result of my negligence, I was plagued with scarring of pimples past. My forehead was three or four shades darker than the rest of my face, my cheeks and chin were peppered with hyper pigmentation.

When I was diagnosed with RA and prescribed many difficult medications, hyper pigmentation was no longer my main concern. My skin went into oil overload in an attempt to find balance, my eyes were puffy, and my eyelashes fell out. I was still hiding my disease and I did not want my body to be a dead giveaway.

I researched and tested product after product before settling on a simple and, in my opinion, perfect routine. My previously oily skin became more combination and I no longer broke out. Seriously, my last pimple was three or four months ago!

So, when people say I don’t look ill, I take the compliment and credit my fantastic skincare  routine! Enjoy!

 

2015 Skincare Cleanser | The Rite of Aging

(Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power Gel Cleanser)

After six years, Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power Gel Cleanser has reached holy grail status. It is marketed as Neutrogena’s most powerful acne fighter but I find it more gentle than the brand’s other cleansers which always dry me out. I use this twice daily, year round and the cleanser balances my skin and gently clears it. Salicylic acid is a mild chemical exfoliator. In conjunction with other products this cleanser helps keep pigmentation at bay.

Unfortunately, the cleanser was discontinued and none of the other cleansers are remotely similar to it. I was able to snag six before the price sky-rocketed on Amazon but I don’t know what I am going to do after I’ve finished those! Honestly, this cleanser is so good I may buy it at that crazy price.

 

Skincare Sserums 2015 | The Rite of Aging

(Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum)

(Tea Tree Oil) – I buy mine at CVS but any drugstore carries it

Ah, Tea Tree Oil, my savior. After unsuccessfully finding a toner that did not strip my skin of essential moisture I turned to natural alternatives. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic which kills bacteria hiding in pores. Since starting tea tree oil my skin is more balanced and I no longer break out. When I get the stray pimple, it is much smaller and heals more quickly than before.

I always talk about the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum and am never without it. I bought this at the beginning of my anti-aging journey. I didn’t know what to expect since I still had “young” skin. However, within a week, my skin felt smoother and the edges of any spots blurred. A couple of years ago, in an attempt to cut costs, I did not re-purchase and my skin noticed the absence. I broke out and the texture changed. I learned from my mistake and I will never go without this serum again!

 

Skincare Exfoliators 2015 | The Rite of Aging

(Caudalie Deep Cleansing Exfoliator)

(Bobbi Brown Buffing Grains for Face)

The Bobbi Brown Buffing Grains are amazing. I am all about streamlining my skincare routine so when I heard about dry grains added to cleanser I was all over them. Unlike other exfoliating cleansers, I have full control over how harsh or soft my exfoliation is. I always exfoliate twice a week but if my skin is particularly sensitive one day I do not want a harsh scrub to make it more angry. And, since it is a dry ingredient, it does not spoil! I have had this bottle for two years! Keep in mind these grains are unrefined and abrasive. A couple of pinches of product is all I need for a effective exfoliation.

In general, I love the Caudalie line so I had to try the Deep Cleansing Exfoliator. The densely packed exfoliating beads are suspended in a thick cream that protects the skin from scratching. This is an abrasive scrub but my skin always feels baby soft after I use it. As an added bonus the particles do not get caught in my eyebrows or hair line!

 

2-moisturizers

(Caudalie Vinosource Cream Sorbet)

(Clinique ‘All About Eyes’ Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage)

The Clinique ‘All About Eyes’ Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage is my #1 holy grail product of life. I have genetically puffy eyes and one tear can swell them shut. When I started my RA medications my eyes became even more aggravated. My usual ice cubes and frozen spoons were no longer sufficient to combat my rabbit eyes. I heard good things about this eye massager and was immediately taken with the gimmicky metal rollerball. It does work, though! The fluid is cool on contact and the massage feels great. I swipe this above and below my eyes a couple of times then use a left over rollerball to continue the massage. With continued use I see a dramatic difference in the overall look of my eyes and definitely notice when I do not use it.

The only downside is Clinique frequently increases the price. I tried the drugstore alternatives and the Origins competitor. None held a torch to Clinique. They either felt like I was applying nothing at all (ahem, Garnier) or the rollerball was too far into the base and scratched the skin (sorry Origins). The ‘All About Eyes’ version is certainly hyped up but well worth the money.

Face moisturizer is the one thing I am not set on. I tried everything from Chanel to Olay and have yet to find anything I like well enough. If I had to choose I would go with the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet. It is light but extremely hydrating. The product is some sort of hybrid. It looks and feels like a cream but when rubbed into the skin it emulsifies into water. Very nifty and fun to use! The lotion is non-greasy and has a very pleasant smell. A luxury I look forward to using every night!

 

2015 Skincare Face Lotions | The Rite of Aging

 (Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer – SPF 15) – I buy mine in bulk at Costco but all drugstores carry it, including Target and Walmart

(Chanel UV Essentiel Complete Sunscreen Fluid – SPF 30)

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 is a hyper pigmentation game-changer for me. The active soy is effective in lightening my acne scars. Soy is a natural, light ingredient so results are not immediate but I see a huge difference. The scars are lighter and any new ones do not leave as dark a mark as before. I cannot imagine using anything else. The lotion also has instant brighteners so when the sun hits my face it appears smooth and radiant.

During the summer I need more sun protection than what the Aveeno lotion offers. Cue Chanel UV Essential Anti Pollution Complete Sunscreen with SPF 50 (I know they sell the SPF 50 during the spring and summer but only have the SPF 30 available). This is a very funny product. It is a light volatile fluid that provides physical UVA/UVB protection with titanium dioxide. I give the bottle a quick shake to mix the ingredients and smooth no more than two drops all over my face and neck. I am a little skeptical about physical sun protectants but if I wash my face properly in the evening I do not break out. The one ounce bottle is the perfect size to fit in a purse or pants pocket and it lasts all summer.

 

Well, that’s it for my face routine! I hope you like and want to try some of these products! Have you tried any of these? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!

If you end up purchasing any of these items and you are not already, don’t forget to sign up with Ebates! Activate the button on your browser and get cash back with your purchase!

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Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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Let’s Go Shopping – Beauty at Nordstrom

09 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by MonicawithRA in Beauty, Skincare

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Tags

beauty, Chanel, Estee Lauder, haul, MAC, Nordstrom, skincare

Contains affiliate picture links.

I did not buy anything over the last few months and went slightly crazy at Nordstrom. There were many products I drooled over but had to lock the buying bug away. All my funds went towards Saachi’s chemotherapy and I did not want to spend on anything extra. Now that she has passed, I have a little wiggle room and wanted to go on a shopping spree (I always crave shopping sprees when I’m sad…)

What makes you feel better when you grieve? Do you shop? What do you buy? Tell me in the comments!

 

Below are the items I bought and a few others that caught my eye and am still debating! Enjoy!

nordstrom beauty haul - chanelErmergersh. I almost cried. I thought they no longer offered the higher SPF Chanel UV Essential lotion! This stuff is AH-MAZING. The first time I bought this sunscreen the sales rep told me to only use two drops rubbed between my fingers then applied to my face and neck. I don’t actually need more than that amount! The sunscreen only comes in a one-ounce bottle but it lasts me the entire summer. I keep this in my scrub pants pocket for those sunny days when I unexpectedly find myself outside with the dogs. The lotion is very fluid, it is non-greasy and absorbs quickly but, as with any titanium dioxide sunscreen I really wash my face well at the end of the night.

nordstrom beauty haul - mac fix +This facial spray has been on my radar ever since I started watching YouTube beauty videos. Everyone, and I mean, EVERYONE raves about this product. Apparently, this is the ultimate facial spray! It hydrates, blends foundation seamlessly and sets makeup! Take a sample size with you no matter where you go and your face will always be flawless! Those claims would pique anyone’s curiosity, right? I sampled MAC products before and was never too impressed by them but I decided to give them another chance. I am on a facial spray kick right now and there was no better time to try this one! I do not wear enough face makeup to “set” it…so…what am I going to use it for? During the summer I love wearing more vibrant, fun eye looks but they always crease! Apparently, spraying Fix+ on the brush not only helps shadow stay longer, it also mimics applying shadow “wet”. Let’s see if this product lives up to the hype!

 

nordstrom beauty haul - anrThe Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (ANR) serum is no surprise. It makes regular appearances on my blog. I am in my twenties, known for obsessive sunscreen use so I do not leaps and bounds differences in my skin after using it. This being said, I notice my skins feels more rough when I skip this step in my routine. I no longer break out as frequently, or am as oily, (especially important during the hotter, more humid months) and my skin just feels better.

 

nordstrom beauty haul - strobeAh…yet another YT sensation! Everyone gushes this is the best highlighter ever made. I always shied away from this because of a) the name and b) I am very picky about my highlighters. I love the idea of strong highlighter but because of my yellow undertones white highlighters look crazy and let’s face it, with this name, I really don’t want to look like I’m clubbing at 10 o’clock in the morning!  Nordstrom sells the mini-version of the MAC Strobe Cream so why not give it a go!

 

bb8fb39a46337406e669c65f6c8375f4When the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette came out I fell in head-over-heels love with the shade ‘Blackheart’. I almost bought the entire thing just because of that one shade. One day, I was at MAC counter at Nordstrom and laid eyes on the very similar MAC shade “Beauty Marked”. I considered buying it but I was still on the fence about the UD palette. Of course, it didn’t make sense to shell out 50 some odd dollars for only one shade but it would be cheaper for all 12 than the sole MAC one. I decided to be real with myself. I would never use the other shades in the Naked 3 palette, so now…it’s time for Beauty Marked!

 

nordstrom beauty haul - raspberry popIf I ever go for a lip product other than balm it has to be a nude gloss. However, I cannot stop gushing over this Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Raspberry Pop! As it is, I am a huge fan of the Pure Color Glosses! The consistencies down the line are perfect. They are not overly thick but they are slightly sticky. I barely notice it after they wear for a while. They settles nicely into the lips and do not accentuate dry lines or patches. I own at least three in my stash at all times. That is saying a whole lot since I rarely wear lip products!

Raspberry Pop is not very pigmented. It adds a slight berry tinge but it is like wearing a classy disco ball! I cannot get over the glitter in this. I would not wear it to work but I definitely to weekend brunch! It is just so freaking fun!! It catches the light in a bright, glimmer-y way without yelling “hey, look, the girl smeared her lips with glitter!” I absolutely love it! (Some of my other favorite shades: Blazing Coral and Magnificent Mauve!)

 

nordstrom beauty haul - warm neutralI am still on the fence about this palette. I love neutral eyeshadows and own way to many of them. But, this would be a great way to try out MAC eyeshadows. And, I do not own any dupes for these colors!…Can you tell which way I am leaning??

 

_10415190 _10415209If I chicken out on the above palette I can always purchase one of the smaller ones instead. Here’s the problem: I cannot decide between the two (Burgundy Times Nine [top] or Amber Times Nine [bottom])! Since I am new to MAC the logical part of my brain says I should go for the larger palette then come back for the smaller ones. I just cannot get over the burgundy shades, though!! Can I get all three??

 

Yeah…I completely went off the rails with this haul. I rarely buy this many products in one go. I purchase one expensive item or a couple of cheaper ones…Then I got the email about the 24-piece sample gift with $130 purchase. This was the perfect time to check out some of my “want-to-try” products. There was an extra bonus: add $20 more and receive a FRESH sample set. On further inspection of the gift sets, I realized I was not interested in most of the products. Unfortunately, when I tried to empty my shopping cart of the larger items (i.e., the 15-eyeshadow palette) I added more little items instead! Oops!

 

What do all these products have in common other than first time tries? I cannot purchase them at Sephora. The store starts their Beauty Insider 15% off sale on April 12th! Logically, of course, I shouldn’t buy a whole lot from either store since I plan to take advantage of both promotions but hey, I can always put myself back on a no-spend regime!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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