Grab a cup of tea, a big bowl of (ThisThatBeauty’s fav) popcorn, glass of vino, yummy cocktail, or what ever it is you reach for when you settle in for a good read. This article promises to be the longest post in ThisThatBeauty history.

I am often approached regarding my exact skin care routine. I must confess. This is an extremely difficult question to answer for a number of reasons:

1) Everyone’s skin is different and the results I achieve may or may not be similar for your sweet little face.

2) My skin care routine changes from season to season…and when I say “season to season” I am not referring to weather. I am referring to my different “skin seasons”. For example, there’s the “acne season”, where my primary focus is managing my annoying adult acne. There’s the “dry season” where I incorporate products that help remedy excessive dryness. Currently my skin is in “hyperpigmentation season” so my routine is very heavily and aggressively focused on remedying the dastardly dark spots that have taken up residence on my otherwise pristine (I kid) mug.

3) I regularly (and cheerfully) review/test/and flip flop from product to product….and allow me to clarify what I mean by “flip flop”. I only flip flop from product to product after I’ve used for the recommended time frame (usually 4-8 weeks). If there’s no adverse reaction, I generally stick with a product until its used up. I then write a review and decide to re-purchase or move on to the next one. However, I should note that even though I regularly review and switch products, there are certain skin care principles that are constant (more on that later).

4) My overall skin care routine is somewhat extensive. Just ask @KatAragon. We recently roomed together in LA and she lovingly poked fun at my diligent day and evening skin care rituals…but she also all but licked my face and marveled at how smooth and even my complexion is. (I kid about the licking, but I could tell she wanted to-LOL).

So for reasons 1 through 4, it is hard for me to give an exact run down of what my skin care routine is….No two faces are the same, my skin issues and products change often, and my overall routine is quite intense…I’ve actually seen eyes glaze over when I’ve tried to explain it all.

The main focus of this article is my current “skin season” – HYPERPIGMENTATION, which is in bold and spelled out in caps to signify that I am yelling the word at the top of my lungs. Hyperpigmentation is no joke! It makes me feel angry, sad, insecure…and basically unpretty. So for this article I will share with you, the intimate details of my struggle with hyperpigmentation and the products I am currently using. Once I am through this particular “skin season” some of the products will likely change.

Before getting into the actual products, I have to take a small step back and talk a bit more about my overall skin care routine. As I’ve already said, my routines are “skin season” specific and change often. HOWEVER HOWEVER, there are CORE PRINCIPLES that are constant….cleanse, tone, eye cream, treat issues, anti oxidant serum, sunscreen, special treatment masks, regular facials and regular dermatologist visits.

PROPER CLEANSING

I generally tend to favor gentle cleansers. I am usually on some sort of topical medication for acne management (currently using Evoclin foam) so I steer clear of harsh cleaners that will possibly conflict. However, the cleanser must clean deep enough to control my excessive sebum and oil production. A few of my fav cleansers include:

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser – It is super gentle and does no harm.

KISS MY FACE Exfoliating Face Wash – Don’t let the word “exfoliating” scare you. The formula is gel-like with no bits or particles. The cleanser gently uses the power of natural fruit acids to exfoliate the skin. Lemon Grass Oil is incorporated as an anti-inflammatory and astringent. Antioxidant Green Tea repairs damaged skin.

Lancome Creme Radiance – This clarifying cream to foam cleanser contains antioxidant White Lotus and soothing Rose de France to penetrate deeply without drying out the skin. I always feel brighter after using.

GRN Blue Chamomile Cleanser – Certified Organic Extracts of Chamomile, Rosemary and Green Tea. This gentle cleanser provides deep cleansing without harsh chemicals. It does not dry or irritate my skin.

So you see, I mainly use cleansers that are gentle and free of harsh irritants. My cleansers do rotate from time to time, but GENTLE is key for any cleanser I use. In addition, my Clarisonic Skin Care Brush is a staple. This brush is working miracles in my skin….*cue the parting of the sea and the conversion of water into wine*

This brush saves lives! I bought my first Clarisonic a few years back when Lady O (not Michelle, Oprah) touted the brush as one of her fav things. The brush flew off the shelves like Free Pancake Day at IHOP, but I was lucky enough track one down (and was later rather unlucky because I left it at a hotel and was forced to buy a replacement). For some odd reason I abandoned using the brush…bad move. During a skin care convo with my sister from another mister – Adri, she encouraged me to get back on my Clarisonic grind. I charged up the super sonic brush and have not looked back. My skin is, at this very moment, the best it has been in a long time. Regardless of the different cleaners I rotate, my Clarisonic skin care brush is a staple.

TONER

The next step of my skincare routine involves the use of a “gentle” toner. There’s that word again, “gentle”. My current favs are all awesome with a capital “A” because they are non-drying, contain no alcohol, and help to restore my skin’s balance after cleansing:

Chella Refining Tonic – Contains zinc and pomegranate. Is gentle and refreshing. The yummy pom scent is a bonus!

Renee Rouleau – Moisture Infusion Toner, Revitalizing Ginseng Toner, and Balancing Skin Tonic are my favs.

KISS MY FACE Balancing Act Facial Toner – (Description from KISS MY FACE) Tone and nourish skin with organic ingredients. Revitalize tired skin with this blend of certified organic grapefruit, orange, ginger and lemon balm essential oils and extracts. Seaweed extract provides trace minerals while antioxidants Ester C® and Vitamin E help fight the signs of aging.

Again, the trend is “gentle” yet effective!

The last few steps in my general routine include acne medication, serum, eye cream, SPF, special treatment masks, regular check-ins with my derm, and somewhat regular facials.

And now, getting back to the main focus of this article, the next few products in my routine are formulated specifically to address my current “hyperpigmentation season”.

Are you surprised that I stated there will be a “few products” required to address hyperpigmentation? Well don’t be. Often times we expect one miracle product to solve our issues. I wish! The reality is that good skin takes a concerted and continued effort.

While this post is intended to share with you the products I am using to win my personal battle against hyperpigmentation, I also want to express my opinion that a lot of folks out there are slackin’ on their skincare pimpin’ and expect one miracle product to improve your skin. Girlfriends, I am here to tell you that if you are not properly addressing your skin from all angles, don’t expect the two or three hyperpigmentation remedies I’m about to recommend to work for you.

For example -

• If you’re sleeping in your makeup….your skin is filthy and not properly repairing itself so don’t expect these products to work for you.
• If you are not using sunscreen daily (preferably SPF30)…. don’t expect these products to dramatically diminish your hyperpigmentation.
• If you do not properly exfoliate…do not expect these product to magically transform your roughness.

Am I making myself clear:) Good skin care is a multi-pronged approached. Whipping your skin into shape is serious business, kids. I highly suggest that you evaluate all aspects of your regime and not just place a band-aid. I am taking the time to highlight my core principles of skin care because I want you to understand that it takes a certain level of sustained commitment to achieve your desired results.

So having said ALLLLLLLL that (Whew, momma’s tired), I now want to share with you the products that I am currently using to address my hyperpigmentation. But remember, overall good skin care habits in conjunction with these products is the route that ThisThatBeauty wholeheartedly recommends.

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I did not always have post acne hyperpigmentation. When I was in my early twenties and first started breaking out (Hello Adult Acne), my pimples usually healed without leaving a trace of its existence. This is no longer the case. I went through a terrible breakout phase last summer. The pimples were often cystic and extremely painful. After months of a couple pimples here and a couple pimples there, my face transformed from relatively blemish free to a face full of dark spots.

I went from skin like this (no makeup in pic):

To occasional breakouts like these (NSFW):

Which eventually led to lots of dark spots like these (DOUBLE NSFW):

I even ended up in my derm’s chair for cortisone shots:

With the help of great concealers by Cinema Secrets, Make Up For Ever, CoverFX, and BECCA, I was able to conceal the dark spots with minimal effort. But that was a band-aid, not the solution. The products I am recommending in this post are tried and true skincare solutions!

First and foremost, not to beat a dead horse because I already mentioned my Clarisonic in this post but ….hats off to my Clarisonic skin care brush. Its sonic technology gently and effectively cleanses my skin, clears pores, and really helps to improve my tone and texture. Everything about my skin improved once I started back using my Clarisonic skin care brush. Without proper cleansing, environmental stressors like pollutantion, oil and bacteria accumulate on the skin, clogging pores which causes blackheads, blemishes and dullness. Clarisonic’s gentle cleansing and massage help to prep my skin to better absorb my skin care products. In a study Clarisonic reported that after cleansing with their brush, skin showed a 61% improvement in the absorption of Vitamin C. They claim that skin becomes clean, clear and smooth—allowing skin to experience the full benefits of serums and moisturizers. I co-sign. The proof is in my gorgeous glowing skin….and did I mention I bought two Clarisonic brushes? Yea, its that serious!

For daytime I use Kiehl’s Highy Effective Skin Tone Corrector (KHESTC). This has been a staple in my anti-hyperpigmentation arsenal. I’ve been using for over four weeks and already see significant improvement.

KHESTC is formulated with a blend of antioxidants and acids that help to lessen the appearance of dark spots, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. KHESTC does not contain Hydroquinone. Instead it is made of a unique blend of Glycolic Acid, Emblica Fruit extract, and HEPES which KHESTC claims is as effective as 2% Hydroquinone and a safer, gentler combination of ingredients to achieve almost similar results.

Emblica Fruit extract contains a large amount of Vitamin C which serves to protect the skin from sun damage, promote collagen production, reduce inflammation, and help repair damaged skin. It is a natural antioxidant, which means it eliminates free radical damage to the skin. Emblica extract also works as a skin lightener. HEPES is an organic chemical buffer and acts as a hydrating agent to the skin. HEPES helps to eliminate roughness. It is as powerful as Glycolic Acid.

Glycolici Acid, a long time friend of mine, is essential because it works to dissolve the outer skin layer, breakdown hyperpigmentation, and reveal fresher looking skin. Glycolic Acid also helps to even out skin tone and improve texture/scarring.

I like that KHESTC is a corrector and antioxidant in one. That’s very important because it cuts down on the need for a separate antioxidant serum. The product comes in a gel like formula which is quickly absorbed into the skin. My one complaint about the product is the packaging. The metal tube oozes product long after you squeeze and dispense. This leads to the wasting of product. Here’s how I worked around this annoyance…I squeeze less than I need and allow the tub to ooze out additional product. Does this make sense?

After applying KHESTC, I follow up with a healthy slathering of Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF20. I am eternally grateful to my beauty blogger bud who was kind enough to give me her press sample of Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF20. I had heard buzz from several friends in the industry that the moisturizer is effective in correcting hyperpigmentation. I used the product every morning for about 6-8 weeks and noticed that my dark spots were beginning to fade. Over time they became less and less obvious. After going through one full sized container, I rushed out and purchased another. I continue to use it today.

In the evenings, for the last 2-3 weeks, after cleansing, toning, eye cream, and Evoclin, I have been applying Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel. Once again, I have my sister from another mister, Adri, to thank for turning me on to this product. I was complaining that I need another product in my anti-hyperpigmentation arsenal and she suggested stepping up my game with Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel. NOTE: Your Hyperpigmentation might not require a treatment for day and a treatment for night….but you saw my pictures. I did not have time to play games. I should disclose that Murad contains 2% Hydroquinone. Momma’s not hear to judge, but merely inform. My dark spots, in my opinion, require a product like Keihl’s that’s safe for daytime use…AND a product like Murad’s that’s highly effective for evening use. Once my spots fade a bit more, I will transition off of the Murad because I don’t want to use a product with hydroquinone for an extended period of time. You definitely need to think long and hard about the severity of your hyperpigmentation and then choose a product accordingly. Consult your dermatologist…which is actually a very important step that I won’t spend too much time on today. But see your derm…I do, regularly. Over the counter products can be expected to do but so much. I usually get regular facials and Silk Peels (but I haven’t made time for either since starting this new regime…bad girl!).

After applying Murad, in lieu of a night cream I rotate between one of two Vitamin C serums. In the evenings I alternate between Mario Badescu Vitamim C Serum and MD Skincare Hydra Pure Vitamin C Serum. Both contain potent doses of Vitamin C and have proved effective in diminishing my dark spots. Sometimes I skip the serum and go straight for Creme de La Mer.

On a weekly basis I use enzyme masks like Chella’s Enzyme Exfoliating Crema Mask. I also alternate between at home peels like Erno Laszlo C Peel or MD Skincare Alpha Beta Peels.

I am incredibly pleased with the improvement I am seeing in my skin. If my skin remains on its current course, I hope to slay the hyperpigmentation beast and be blemish free by summer.

Here’s what I look like today…WITH NO MAKEUP!!! You will notice that my hyperpigmentation is SIGNIFICANTLY improved. Perfect? No! But definitely much improved. I feel I’m well on my way….

Hyperpigmentation is no joke! In my day to day as a makeup artist and beauty writer, I often come across women who struggle to remedy their hyperpigmentation. Often times in our insecure moments of weakness we purchase some random snake oil in hopes that we’ll wake up looking like new money. This is almost never the case, love bunnies. You must commit to improving the overall health of your skin. And that has everything to do with how you care for your skin from sun up to sun down and from “skin season” to “skin season”. Make the investment!

This is an extremely personal post for me. I went back and forth in my head debating whether or not to leak my “un-pretty” photos. In the end I decided to share my photos/experience and pour hours into writing this post because I want to help other women in the hyperpigmentation struggle. I want to arm you with the information and resources to improve your skin. Be empowered! I also want you all to know that you’re not alone…ThisThatBeauty’s been there too!

Please share this post with your girlfriends, aunties, roommates, etc. I hope this extremely long article is in some way helpful!

Please share your thoughts! Have I helped…or run-on for way too long? Leave a comment:)

When it comes to brow enhancing products, your options now greatly extend beyond the choice of pencil or powder. There’s a wide array of product offerings from which to choose….from powder wax duos, to felt tip markers and everything in between. Learn about the latest in brow enhancement innovations as ThisThatBeauty helps you navigate the best of brow enhancing products currently available!

Laura Geller Brow Marker is a long lasting brow color product that is ideal for women who desire a durable formula that will cling to both skin and hair. For women with sparse brows or completely hairless sections, this product is helpful. The thin, precise soft-tipped brow marker dries instantly and wears all day without fading.

Smashbox Brow Tech Trio is an innovative 3-in-1 product that creates beautifully groomed, natural looking brows. The convenient everything-you-need palette includes a lighter shade of powder to fill in brows, a darker shade of powder to define brows, and a grooming wax to set your brows and keep them in place all day. Smashbox Brow Tech Trio is available in blonde, taupe/soft brown, auburn, brunette, and dark brown.

A universal brow product IS possible! It Cosmetics proves this with BROW POWER, a universal brow pencil with active brow enhancing technology that claims to aid the regrowth of brows. The shade of the pencil adjusts based on the amount of pressure that is applied. As a makeup artist, this product is a god-send when working on set on multiple clients. There’s no need to switch between brow pencils for light and dark haired clients, I simply adjust the amount of pressure when applying. Genius!

One of my favorite skincare brands, Chella, recently launched a new brow product that I think you will love! The Brow Color Kit contains the essential tools needed to give your brows shape, depth, and highlight sparkle. Available in four shades (beautiful blonde, awesome auburn, luscious light brown, dazzling dark brown), the brow kit includes a sleek European designed brow pencil, glistening lace highlighter, defining gel, and sharpener for the brow pencil and highlighter. This kit is perfect for individuals who prefer pencil products. If you have sparse areas that require a fill-in here and there (like me!), The Brow Color Kit is perfect!

Smart on-the-go products make this busy Beauty Girl extremely happy! Smashbox Brow Tech To Go is a dual ended brow tool that provides both a pencil and setting gel in one streamlined tool! How bright are the folks over at Smashbox?! Both portable and travel friendly, this gem of a brow tool offers precise application and perfect grooming. Sometimes I skip the pencil end and go straight for the grooming gel. It’s amazing what a little grooming gel can do to frame the face!

Christi Harris Lift-N-Lite is like an eye lift in a tube! If you have weak, sagging brows or heavy upper lids (like me!) this product can help you achieve a more lifted and youthful appearance. Watch this video demo…I can show you better than I can tell you:)

I hope that you find brow success with some of the products mentioned above. If you are ready to venture into the world of brow regrowth treatments, check back in a few weeks for ThisThatBeauty Contributor Christene Carr (@cnicholac) as she shares her thoughts on a brow regrowth product that she’s currently testing. Full review in 4-6 weeks!

xoFelicia

I do what I do because I love sharing my love for all things beauty, hence my tagline “Benefit from my Obsession”…(and despite what the FTC thinks, writing reviews for ThisThatBeauty has never nor will it ever finance my Christian Louboutin habit..but my FTC rant will come at a later date:))

Quite honestly, just having the opportunity to purge here daily is reward enough. But the fact that you lovey ladies (and few gents) return daily and occasionally drop a kind comment…well let’s just say that’s the gravy on my chicken fried steak. And well if a brand that I have favorably reviewed is so kind as to extend a special little discount to my readers, well that warms my heart as well.

Chella, a brand that has recently captured my heart, was so impressed with my thorough review that they added it to their press page and created a special discount code for ThisThatBeauty readers. How lovely!

For a recap of my Chella review CLICK HERE

For the deets on the 20% off coupon code CLICK HERE

To read the nice things that Chella had to say about my review CLICK HERE …and if you’re too lazy to click, just scroll down. LOL:)

No Empty Promises and Buzz Words!

Posted on October 26th 2009

We love when Beauty Bloggers write great reviews on our Chellá products (and why wouldn’t they be great reviews??), but we ADORE when a writer like Felicia at ThisThatBeauty.com takes the time to actually do her research. Felicia’s has to be one of the most concise and thorough reviews we’ve read in a while!

Check out her fact-packed review and then head over to www.chella.com to order your own at a 20% discount… you KNOW you want to! Just click this link – THISTHAT – and get ready to say hello to beautiful skin!

I have gone absolutely gaga for Chella, a professional skincare line. Chella was created to optimize the cutting edge science of peptides and their incredible effectiveness in stimulating the production of collagen and elastin.

The secret to the efficacy of Chella’s skin care line lies in their proprietary Chell-x Complex, a scientifically advanced formulation of ingredients that work at the cellular level to stimulate skin’s existing collagen and elastin proteins. The Chell-x Complex revolves around three important concepts:

1.  Stimulate & Repair

A combination of essential collagen and elastin stimulating AMINO ACIDS and PEPTIDES, which act as messengers at the cellular level, send signals to help stimulate the production of collagen and reverse and repair the signs of aging by thickening the skin thus improving its tone and increasing its elasticity.

Chella offers a full line of products which includes cleansers, toners, serums, day creams, face&body lotion, eye cream, night creams, spacial masks, and suncreen products.

Protective ANTIOXIDANTS defend skin from UV-induced collagen breakdown and deactivate free radicals that damage and prematurely age skin.

2.  Feed & Nourish

BOTANICALS that promote healing, bring energy and food to the skin and additionally soothe, hydrate, and promote healthy, beautiful skin while boosting skin moisture retention. VITAMINS and MINERALS feed existing collagen and elastin cells to support new healthy cell growth

3.  Protect & Defend

Protective ANTIOXIDANTS defend skin from UV-induced collagen breakdown and deactivate free radicals that damage and prematurely age skin.

After using the Chella skincare line for a few months, two products have captured my heart and dramatically improved my skin!

Intensive Formula Eye Crema – This has been my holy grail eye cream for the past few months. The unique combination of anti-aging and anti irritant ingredients work beautifully to reduce the appearance of dark circles, puffy eyes, fine lines, and wrinkles.

This rich and moisturizing eye crema effectively treats dark circles and puffiness while protecting against increased environmental damage through innovative combinations of Hyalo Hydration Complex, Tri Amino Complex and Bio-Enzymatic Complex as well as Bio-available Vitamin C, additional vitamins, antioxidants and botanicals.

Key ingredients:

Antioxidants

• Green Tea – The topical application of green tea helps to repair sun damage, prevent premature skin aging by acting as a sunblock, and enhance skin tone while stimulating new cell growth.

Botanicals

• Acai Berry – A botanical which contains a massive amount of antioxidants as well as Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Acai has also proven to be one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins. The berry is packed with several other ingredients including fiber, protein, vitamins B, C and E, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron. The berry is also a natural source of high amounts of amino acids including praline, tryptophan, theorine and lysine. These ingredients work together to provide a powerful health boost to those who consume the berry.
• Pomegranate – A botanical which contains potent antioxidants known as anthocyanidins and ellagic acid which work synergistically to effectively protect from damaging free radicals that age skin.
• Sunflower seed oil – A botanical high in fatty acids which smooths and moisturizes the skin.

Vitamins

• Vitamin A – Vitamin A is recommended by dermatologists to keep skin young and smooth while improving the quality of the skin’s collagen layer.
• Vitamin C – Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is one of the relatively few topical agents whose effectiveness against wrinkles and fine lines is backed by reliable scientific evidence
• Vitamin E – Provides moisture to the skin and can help to reduce the appearance of scars
• Vitamin F – An essential Fatty Acid which assists in the suppleness and youthful appearance of the skin.

Enzyme Exfoliating Crema Mask with Lactic Acid and Sugar Cane – I know I’ve struck gold when my esthetician co-signs on a product! When I shared Enzyme Exfoliating Crema Mask with Lactic Acid and Sugar Cane with my skincare guru, Leslie Cole, she had nothing but great things to say about the ingredients. She nearly burst at the seams at the mention of lactic acid and sugar cane…two powerful ingredients she wholeheartedly endorses for my skin!

This creamy, gentle mask is a combination of enzymes that exfoliate dead cells and excess sebum from the skin and encourages cell turnover for more radiant, even toned and younger looking skin. Gentle enough for use on sensitive skin or skin with acne or rosacea.

Key ingredients:

Alpha Hydroxy Acid

• Lactic Acid – An alpha hydroxy acid derived from fermented milk which gently removes dead skin cells on the surface of the skin and hydrates newly exfoliated skin
• Sugar Cane Extract – An alpha hydroxy acid which effectively exfoliates dead skin cells

Botanicals

• Aloe Vera – Has anti-irritant and healing properties that soothe and cool skin
• Butcher’s Broom – Stimulates skin circulation and has anti-inflammatory properties to calm skin
• Ginger Root – Stimulates skin circulation and gives skin a healthy glow
• Gotu Kola – Has healing and antibacterial properties that help to heal and prevent breakouts in addition to containing anti-psoriatic properties
• Lavender – Has anti-bacterial properties that can help heal and prevent breakouts
• Lemon Extract – Has antibacterial properties that can help heal and prevent breakouts
• Licorice Extract – Effective for purifying skin and brightening skin tone and which works as an anti-irritant
• Marigold – A botanical which provides antioxidant protection and antibacterial properties.
• Yeast Protein – Has antioxidant properties and aids in the healing of the skin

Vitamins

• Vitamin B5 – Boosts skin’s moisture retention, suppleness and elasticity
• Vitamin E – Provides moisture to the skin and can help to reduce the appearance of scars

Chella is a progressive skincare brand rooted in science not empty promises and buzz words. I encourage you to explore this groundbreaking skincare line and experience the difference for yourself!