No big bonuses today so I thought I’d share some hard-learned product information with you guys instead. We all love trying new beauty products to make ourselves feel more, well, beautiful. But what about those… delicate beauty issues that you may need help with but don’t feel quite comfortable talking about? I have battled with these unfortunate symptoms myself, and after years of experimentation and hundreds of dollars spent, these are the products that I now swear by. The majority of these products are widely available, but I have included links to where I most often purchase them:
Body Acne: Recommended product: Amlactin Moisturizing Lotion. I am not sure what it is about this lotion (it has lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid, as the main ingredient) but it clears up all kinds of unfortunate bumps you may have on your body. For a gentle scrub in the shower I swear by Peter Thomas Roth Buffing Beads to get rid of little bumps on the chest and upper arms.
Body Odor: Favorite product: Dermadoctor Total Nonscents. This is by far the best deodorant I have ever used (and I have tried almost all of them). Yes it is more pricey than what you are used to paying for deodorant at the drugstore, but it is worth every penny. Also available in a brightening version.
Facial Hair Removal: I use and recommend the Bellabe Hair Remover, which you can find online at QVC and eBay. You can do this at-home threading while watching TV.
Ingrown Hairs: Now just so you know, I’m not talking about “normal” ingrown hairs. If you are unfortunate enough to suffer little red bumps after shaving, I envy you and recommend Whish Flawless Bump Fighter. But if you like me dared to go entirely bare once upon a time and have since suffered from horrifyingly painful, bumpy, sometimes infected ingrowns, I recommend this two-product regimen. I alternate days with these two products and see nary a bump as long as I am faithful in daily application: Bliss Ingrown Eliminating Pads and Topix Glycolix Gly Sal 10-2 Pads.
Today’s new coupons:
Bon Ton coupon: With any Clinique purchase receive free shipping and free deluxe samples of Cream Shaper for Eyes in Diamond Black and Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Air Kiss. Enter code CLQPROM11 at checkout. Expires April 2 or while supplies last.
Darphin coupon: Today only with any $75 purchase receive free shipping and a free travel size Stimulskin Plus Rejuvenating Lifting Serum (5 ml, a $52 value). Enter code FRIDAY at checkout. Valid today only.
Elizabeth Arden offer: Today only receive free shipping with any purchase. No code needed. Valid today only.
Kate Somerville coupon: With any purchase receive free shipping. Enter code ksfreeship at checkout. Expires March 31.
Macy’s offer: It is still Clarins Time to Choose, but now with an extra bonus. Purchase two Clarins products (one must be skincare) and choose a free five piece gift plus you get a free bonus travel size of Beauty Flash Balm. While supplies last.
Origins coupon: With any $35 purchase receive a free reusable tote bag (blue with a pretty print and red handles) and a mini Make A Difference Rejuvenating Hand Cream. Enter code SPRINGTOTE at checkout. Expires March 31 or while supplies last.
Philosophy coupon: Every Friday in March they will have a special one day only coupon. This week’s offer is 30% off most makeup products. Enter code fabulousyou at checkout. Valid today only. Excludes Hope in a Tinted Moisturizer and The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas.
Philosophy coupon: Starting tomorrow (March 5) with any $75 purchase receive free shipping and a free six piece gift. Gift includes miracle worker moisturizer (0.4 oz), miracle worker eye cream (2 ml), miracle worker concentrate (2 ml), amazing grace shower gel (2 oz), amazing grace body emulsion (2 oz), and a polka dot cosmetic bag. Enter code bdaymiracle at checkout. Valid March 5-10.
Time to Spa coupon: With any men’s purchase receive a free three piece gift valued at $43. Free gift includes three travel size Elemis products: Skin Soothe Shave Gel (30 ml), Deep Cleanse Facial Wash (50 ml), and SOS Survival Cream (20 ml). Enter code BEAMAN at checkout. While supplies last.
Time to Spa coupon: Purchase any Freeze 24-7 product and receive a free travel size Eyecing Fatigue-Fighting Eye Cream (10 ml, a $64 value). Enter code MYFREEZE at checkout. While supplies last.
Von Maur offer: Their Beauty Week starts tomorrow. March 5 through March 13 spend $75 on beauty and receive a cute polka dot insulated tote (black with white polka dots and pink trim). Ends March 13 or while supplies last. Shipping is always free at Von Maur, and they have a nice Lancome GWP right now.
First of all thanks a lot for taking out so much time to share your experiences with us. I would like to ask you one suggestion if you have personal experience with this: which product would you recommend for toner….Clinique Step II (I use extra mild version) or EL Soft Clean Silky Hydrating lotion. And also if you know the comparison between EL Idealist vs Clinique Total Turn Aroung Concentrate.
Many thanks
Well I don’t know what your skin type is, so I don’t know if my recommendations will help. I have combination skin that gets more oily in the summer and more dry in the winter. My favorite toner in the world is Origins A Perfect World Liquid Moisture with White Tea. It is not drying, doesn’t make my face sting, and it actually has a pleasant smell (as opposed to many other toners that don’t smell so great). I have also tried and liked Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner. Toner is not a product I’m hugely picky about, I’ll use almost any sample I get unless it dries me out or stinks, but I have purchased the Origins toner several times. As for the Idealist, I have not had luck with Estee Lauder serums, they really don’t work with my skin for some reason, and I’ve sampled them all. I do use and love Clinique Total Turn Around Concentrate, it is in my regular “rotation” of serums (I use several, again lots have been samples, but the Clinique one I have actually purchased a few times, and will purchase again when I run out). The other serum I swear by is Murad Acne & Wrinkle Reducer. I’m turning 40 in a couple months (gah) and have already started early perimenopause, and break out at odd times and that product is a lifesaver. I hope some of this helps!
Thanks a lot and so sorry to hear about pre-menopause.ahh,m so scared of that …I agree with you, i recently bought idealist but i m more pleased with Clinique total turnaround ( and oh yeah, that was sample). i have read not many people are particular with toner and basically think why to waste money on alcohol 🙂
i have a very dry skin and i bought clinique mild toner and surprisingly whenever i used it, i would break out and took very long time for my skin to get adjusted to it and so i m now scared of trying any other toner. i tried EL toner sample and so far pleased with it. once again, thanks a lot for your comments and all the good work
WOW! Thanks for all the great information! That was very thoughtful of you to take the time to share!
I can recommend the Amlactin Moisturizing Lotion for keratosis pilaris – hardened bumps of skin usually on the arms, caused by sun exposure. The combination of the acids is what works. It’s not immediate, but works over time. It does have a strange odor which does dissipate. Of course, the way to avoid those bumps is to wear sunscreen, but do husbands listen?
Boscov’s now has a clinique bonus Online. I received the email. so i thought if informing you.
I just checked and its not yet live on the site. I will keep checking and as soon as I see it live I will post the info for everyone. Thanks!
Yeah, the odor is not my favorite, but I haven’t found anything that works better, so I stick with it. I’m glad it comes in a bottle with a pump now, though.