my skincare routine

Skincare: Where to even start?!

I’ve been chasing the perfect skincare regimen for years now.  Being in the beauty industry, I have tried about every line out there.   If you’ve been a client of mine, then you’ve probably heard my song and dance… I’d rather invest in good skincare, sunscreen and makeup than clothes, shoes and bags (although, those are great too!).

I’ve tried everything from over-the-counter to Obagi, SkinMedica, Theraderm, Image, Revision… the list goes on… and on!

It wasn’t until September when I found my new skincare-soulmate and now my regimen has completely changed the appearace and texture of my skin.  Rodan+Fields – I’m sure you’ve heard of the product line.

For a long time, people approached about Rodan+Fields.  I never really gave it a “go”, because it didn’t come from a dermatologist office.  Little did I know, the founders/ creators behind Rodan+Fields ARE dermatologists.  They also happen to be the founders of Proactiv, the only acne line that helped my skin after I got off Accutane.

Here’s a peek into what I use on a daily/ weekly basis.  In conjuction with the Redefine Regimen, I also use my Claisonic Brush during my morning shower.

How did I get hooked?  One of my best friends, Kristen started raving about the product and her experience with it.

Kristen is also a consultant with Rodan+Fields and referred to as the “wrinkle warrior”.

Kristen knows her stuff when it comes to preserving the youth of your skin and protecting it from the sun and enviornmental damage!  Obviously, I noticed a change in her skin and that’s when I was like… ok, sista… hook me up!  The rest is history… and there’s not a product that I’ve tried that I didn’t fall madly in love with.

Now, to answer questions I receive often… what exactly do I use + my steps.  I’m using the Redefine Regimen – for the appearance of lines, pores and firmness.  I’ve also used samples Soothe for eczema on my body and Unblemish for my breakouts.

Along with the Redefine Regimen use the Amp Roller and the hype is real.  It’s an amazing tool.  I use the Micro-Dermabrasion Paste – my FAVORITE product, Eye Cloths, Eye Cream + Night Serum.

Ok… let me break it down for you! 🙂

* N I G H T  R O U T I N E *

Step #1 – Redefine Daily Cleansing Mask : Mask draws impurities from pores and gently exfoliates, without disrupting skin’s delicate moisture barrier.  **I let the mask set on my face for about 2 minutes while I brush and floss my teeth. 

**Step #1 – (I’LL DO THIS 2x PER WEEK, INSTEAD OF THE MASK) Micro-Dermabrasion Paste : is a high-glide, oil-free formula designed to promote maximum gentle exfoliation. Use intermittently to enhance cell turnover and improve skin tone and texture.  **this is my favorite product!!! 

Step #2 – Redefine Pore Minimizing Toner : Alcohol-free toner minimizes the appearance of pores.

Step #3 – AMP MD System : Micro-Exfoliating Roller and REDEFINE Night Renewing Serum. The AMP MD System utilizes micro-exfoliation roller technology for visibly advanced skin-firming benefits. **the AMP tool comes with Step #4, Night Renewing Serum, these cool little capsules!

Step #4 – Redefine Night Renewing Serum : Visibly reduces the appearance of aging with a potent blend of peptides and retinol.

Step #5 – Redefine Multi-Function Eye Cream : Utilizes powerful peptides to minimize the look of crow’s-feet and reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Optical filters visibly brighten the eye area.

Step #6 – Redefine Overnight Restorative Cream : Ultra-hydrating cream replenishes skin’s natural moisturizing factors while you sleep for visibly firmer skin in the morning.

Step #7 – REDEFINE Lip Renewing Serum : Each peptide and antioxidant-rich capsule helps lips retain natural moisturizing factors, visibly smoothes lip texture and reduces the appearance of lip wrinkles.

**Kristen just gave me the eye cloths!  I started using them after Step #1.  They gently removes makeup while depositing proven peptides to reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles and puffiness.  Amazing!** 

It does seem like a million steps (and it is!!)!  Tending to your face at the end of the day, often times, doesn’t sound appealing… BUT I always thank myself once all my serums are on!  I especially thank myself in the morning.  I’ve also come to the realization that I would rather have a line of products that I can attack my face, my pores, my skin, both morning and night… rather than investing time and money into facials every 1-2 months.  Personally, I feel like I’m doing more for my skin by controlling exactly what I’m applying throughout the day.

The morning routine, I promise you, is much easier.  I apply my mask, brush my teeth, hop in the shower and immediately use my Claisonic Brush.  After the shower I use the toner, apply the AM cream and eye cream.  Voila!

I’ve seen a huge change in my skin.  Here comes the honesty… I used to get Botox, starting at age 26.  I’ve always been insecure about my wrinkles that came out at a young age!  Not kidding you, I remember feeling self-conscious in high school!  Deep wrinkles in my forehead.  For years, people used to ask if I was mad… I wasn’t, it was just frown lines that I’ve had for years.  So, I caved, and started doing Botox.  I hated the way it made me look though.  It made my eyes squinty, heavy and I also felt tired.  Not too mention, my eyebrows, no matter where I went and what doctor I got injections by… my eyebrows were always uneven.  But it filled in the wrinkles, so I went with it.

I’ve grown up a little ;), I’m now 32 years old!  For several years I lived in a bubble of stress while trying to conceive, I’ve now had my baby and balancing normal life stuff, a business, you know the drill… it’s tiring and I have a lot more on my plate at 32, than when I was 26.  BUT, I’m confident when I say, my skin looks better now, than it ever has… 6 whole years of a lot of life changes, stress and growing up.  I credit that all to Rodan+Fields… which has also filled in my wrinkles!

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Ok, so I didn’t just buy all of this at once.

I started off with the Redefine Regimen, which includes the face wash/ mask, toner, PM cream and AM cream.  Oh, and I also invested in the eye cream during my first purchase.  Which, is by far the best eye cream I’ve used.

**you can contact Kristen, and she’ll give you all the details, but I believe if you sign up as a Preferred Customer you get 10% off and free shipping!**

I then ordered the Redefine Amp Roller.  This is available alone or you can buy in with the Redefine Regimen+Amp It Up (which I did) and it’ll save you some money.  It also comes with the Night Serum Capsules (used during my Step #4).

Around Christmas I order the Micro-Dermabrasion Paste, which as I mentioned before, is my favorite product!   I can’t describe how amazing it leaves your skin!

I ordered everything in phases as you can see.  It also took me OVER TWO MONTHS to finish using one regimen.  The stuff lasts.

Here’s a recent picture of my skin!  I wish I had a more close up picture… but other than the bags under my eyes, it’s worked wonders on my insecurities… the forehead wrinkles!

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If you’re interested in learning more, you can contract Kristen!  Tell her I sent you and she might 😉 even give you a free mini facial pack to try out!

Her email: lunsfordkm@gmail.com

I’m actually going to have her do a guest blog post to feature some of the other amazing regimens and products that Rodan+Fields offers.  There’s too much good stuff to capture in this one post!  Real quick though, the Reverse Regimen is AMAZING!!!  Removes, vanishes, takes away sunspots and skin imperfections.  Kristen thought for years she just had hormonal freckles that popped up… little did she know, they were sun damage spots!  Check out her own three week results!  Also, they have these new strips out that is like Botox without the needle!  Amazing!  It’s called Acute Care!

Love your skin, ladies!

xo