Joy Comes in the Morning

Winter? Ummm, it’s March. I know. I may be a little behind, but where I’m from, it’s snowed in April. And it even snowed on my parent’s wedding day in May. So, it feels perfectly normal to be writing about winter skincare in March. 🙂

I get skincare questions all the time. And I love it. Some of you may not know, but I am a Licensed Esthetician! After moving to Indiana from Ohio, a friend encouraged me to enroll in the local beauty college. I was having a really hard time finding a job with my marketing degree. I put out so many resumes hoping to just get an entry level position, but nothing. Enrolling in beauty college was probably the second biggest risk I’ve ever taken in my life. The first, which just happened recently, was working for myself and running my own business! 🙂

Winter weather definitely takes a toll on every skin type. Oilier skin becomes less oily and sometimes flaky. Dry skin becomes drier, sensitive skin becomes more sensitive and even normal skin becomes unbalanced.

I am constantly reading magazines and researching brands for new products to try and introduce to others.

A couple of years ago I was introduced to Pai Skincare. Pai is a British company specializing in sensitive skin products for face, body and children. I’ve had my share of skin sensitivities, but I always felt that my normal/combination skin was fine and wouldn’t really benefit from sensitive skin products. However, I was really curious to see if removing common irritants from my skincare would improve my skin. So, I decided to take the risk and make the investment.

I say ‘investment‘ because their products are not cheap. I have a philosophy when it comes to spending money on skincare-if it really works for you and you will actually use it, then buy it. I like to think I am a frugal person. I love a deal, especially free shipping. Nothing gets me going like free shipping. And even though I love Sephora, I will always be a drugstore girl at heart. Set me loose in a Rite Aid and I will tear that place up. There’s just something about all those different products and brands all in one place that makes me want to spend hours reading all the labels. And the sales! So affordable! So when I looked at the price of one moderately sized cleanser and saw that it was $50, I really had a hard time justifying that purchase. $50? A cleanser is essentially soap and water…what soap costs $50? Or water for that matter?

I prayed long and hard about that purchase. Yes, I pray about buying beauty products. I pray about pretty much everything. I wanted to try a whole new approach to my skincare and that meant changing my budget. I told myself that if I tried it and didn’t like it or if it didn’t help my skin, then I would know! A one time expensive loss.

So, I decided to spend the $136 and got the three step Cleanse & Tone Starter Kit. And yes, I got free shipping. I also purchased the Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil. I had previously been using rosehip seed oil and was loving the results! Rosehip seed oil is an excellent natural and inexpensive replacement for Retinol, a wonder product for fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.

Now some of you may be thinking, $136? That’s not expensive at all. Well, for this girl, it was! I’ve never spent that much on makeup or skincare in a single purchase ever! I don’t even spend that much on weekly groceries. But like I said, I was trying something new. It was shocking to spend that much money for 3 products. But I thought if it lasts me 6 months or more and it actually changes my skin, then it was worth it.

Like I said before, I don’t really have sensitive skin but I did have some chronic underlying redness. Since purchasing and consistently using those products, my skin has become more calm and glowy.:) It feels good to put good things into your body. I have also increased my water intake and my diet has become even healthier, which always improves the skin. 🙂

I have really enjoyed using these products and I wanted to share the love. No matter what your skin type is, I highly recommend trying the Camellia and Rose Hydrating Cleanser and the Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil. I believe two of the most important steps in your skincare routine are cleansing and moisturizing!

Have a blessed Sunday!