Ten days post-peel, I’m ready to discuss the final verdict on the paint-on glycolic acid procedure. Shall we review the pros and cons?
Peel Pros
non-invasive ♥ little down time ♥ relatively inexpensive ♥ quick ♥ produces measurable results ♥ addresses sun damage ♥ immediate gratification ♥ addictive
Peel Cons
unpredictable — must avoid the sun — triggers breakouts and fever blisters — requires professional application — causes flaking skin — thoughtful timing needed 
I look forward to my next peel and plan to book one in the next few days well in advance of Coachella. Next time I will ask for more intensity on the cheeks, forehead, and jawline and less intensity around the eyes, mouth and on the nose. I will also request my neck and the tops of my hands get a little glycolic love too. One appointment produced noticeable benefits. A second is bound to improve upon the first. I have a hunch that three is the magic number, and it’s only after the third appointment that optimal results are achieved. From there on out, it’s all maintenance.
Murad’s really been pushing their “clinically proven” Clarifying Cleanser by giving away generous samples to the prestige beauty sites to disperse to qualifying buyers. I’m such a sample slut, I made sure to qualify. I’m almost through the tube, having used it on and off over the last few months. Murad claims 92% of users experience a reduction in breakouts in the first three days. I must be one the 8% leftover. Peruse the ingredients and then we’ll chat some more…
The sudsy clear gel provides a menthol-medical experience – think luxury Sea Breeze. Some will find it drying as I do. When used with a Clarisonic, a few drizzles on the bristles creates a foamy face washing experience, but the suds can be quite irritating to the eyes. Personally, I prefer a gentler, simpler wash with fewer harsh ingredients. 
After a hot and cold month with Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator, it’s now time for the final verdict. The serum possesses a few above average qualities. First, as skeptical as I was, I do perceive a subtle improvement in hyper-pigmentation. Spots don’t vanish, but they do fade and lighten. Not a fan of makeup? Listen up; you might enjoy this as a daily product to brighten the face without cosmetics. Idealist does provide a subtle glow.
As mentioned previously, this product doesn’t play well with others. It tends to seize up when layered. Also, the serum doesn’t deliver major results and doesn’t perform in a truly active fashion. For the purists who insist upon a letter grade, I’m feeling generous, so I’ll give it a B-. It won’t be a repeat purchase.
Three weeks into the Clarisonic experiment, I can really see the difference in my skin. The Mia is truly justifying the investment. My troublesome skin is beginning to clear when nothing else seemed to help. I credit this device.
Regarding my skeeves, Annie recommended spritzing alcohol on the brush head to freshen it. For more major cleanings, the brush head should be removed and left to dry. 
Don’t forget to spend some time along the neck and hairline; these often neglected areas need attention. You can even give the ears a once around. 
As some of you know, I’ve been stuck on the buckle of the Bible belt for much of the summer on account of some personal tragedy. It hasn’t been easy or fun, but one special lady certainly brought a little sunshine to some very cloudy days. 
The very talented Joyce Bunch owns a reputable salon in Morristown, Tennessee called LaBoe. Picture Dolly Parton from Steel Magnolias and you are almost there. Kind-hearted with a gentle touch, Joyce breaks out some cutting edge treatments in this little town. For example, have you ever had a cold saline jet peel? Very enjoyable. 
Now most of you might count your lucky stars that Morristown, Tennessee isn’t on the travel itinerary for this year. However, you too can enjoy a little LaBoe goodness. She produces a top-notch and reasonably priced beauty line. Check out www.laboesalon.com for an excellent array of potent products. Free from fragrance and artificial color, Joyce keeps it real and focuses on results-oriented skincare. I’d put her glycolic face cream up against any prestige brand. The LaBoe skincare line comes in generously sized containers that make you feel like you are getting two for one. 
I get a lot of sunscreen inquiries, but haven’t loved any one product enough to drop a full-on endorsement on my faithful DC readers. Either the SPF isn’t high enough, the finish is too greasy, or the product rubs off and burns my eyes. For example, I really wanted to like this Alba Organics SPF 30, but in addition to causing eye irritation, it migrates and you end up tasting it. This creates a grossly unpleasant and uncomfortable experience, especially during any kind of physical activity.
In response to dissatisfaction with all the obvious big players (Neutrogena, Coppertone, Aveeno), the pendulum swung way to the other end of the spectrum, and I invested in this Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30. The plastic end houses peachy colored powder that dispenses through the brush. First off, when the product arrived it was difficult to tell if any actual powder trickled down through the bristles. I pulled off the end and dumped half the product on the floor. At around $30 bucks (on clearance now as low as $12), $15 was wasted by this careless accident – super annoying for sure! Can’t really blame PTR, but the mistake soured my overall impression. 
The powder formulation skirts the typical perils of cream or oil sunscreen as mentioned above. It doesn’t run into the eyes or mouth. Instant mineral isn’t greasy, and it doubles as a loose powder by providing a matte finish. The main drawback is it is difficult to tell if you’ve achieved adequate coverage. Furthermore, like most other sunscreens, it sweats off. I don’t hate this product, but it is most useful as a scalp sunscreen. It doubles as a dry shampoo and crown protector. Sun-roof and convertible babies, this one is for you. 
Of all the sunscreens tested (far more than discussed here), Ocean Potion Face SPF45 Clear Zinc Oxide is my favorite. Unlike many carcinogenic sunscreen ingredients readily absorbed into the blood stream and linked to hormone disruption, zinc oxide is an inorganic compound which provides complete UVB/UVA protection, has anti-inflammatory properties, and is considered a safe sunscreen ingredient. It is also about the only sunblock approved by the FDA for children under 6 months of age. This particular light weight cream absorbs easily and does NOT leave that weird white film many of us associate with standard zinc oxide sunscreens. The best part? This stuff is very reasonably priced. Find this one ounce jar widely available for less than $2, and with a little research, bargain hunters can track it down for only $.67! 
The face for this spring starts with a translucent sheer foundation finished with little to no powder. Berry-stained lips provide interest as shown at Carolina Herrera. 
As beauty strategies go, emphasizing one feature isn’t a revelation, but most get it wrong. Perfect execution requires an extremely subtle hand. 
Brows play an essential part in framing an otherwise mostly unadorned face. The most forward-thinking interpretation serves a super strong, darker sculpted brow with impeccable skin and modest color. 
The finish on lips and cheeks reciprocate each other – think color wash – a single shade layered for various levels of intensity. 
Eye smokers, you don’t have to give up the liner, but please exercise some restraint. See Wang – Vera or Alexander – for different ways to smoke it out. 
With men’s fashion front and center this week, let’s take a moment and discuss putting your best face forward. Women have a slew of products in their arsenal like concealer and foundation to camouflage imperfections. Even though many men could get away with a light application of tinted moisterizer, most desire a product that provides more subtle enhancement. 
Consider trying Eucerin Redness Relief Daily Perfecting Lotion. This super soothing, green-tinted lotion magically masks imperfections by neutralizing red tones. 
Don’t trip on the fact that it’s green. It doesn’t look green on the skin. Think of it as a subtle color-correcting veil. 
Indespensible for those who tend to run a little ruddy like Ms. Renee, yes ladies, this fast-absorbing SPF 15 lotion provides a fantastic base under makeup. 
The market’s currently crowded with color corrector moisterizers, but many of those products just contain pigment. Eucerin Redness Relief possesses healing ingredients with properties to calm irritation. Skin feels cool, nourished, and appears noticeably more even after one use. 
Don’t get whiplash; after the financially indulgent Kinerase experiment, I’ve taken a detour away from luxury lane and made a sharp right down two-for-one-alley. Despite previously unimpressive experiences with RoC, I decided to give RoC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream a chance because, frankly, I had a coupon. What? I ain’t too proud to use a coupon. 
Low expectations sometimes result in pleasant surprises, and RoC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream delivers more than a pleasant surprise. RoC Deep Wrinkle is a truly results-driven product. The formula doesn’t contain any revolutionary ingredients; it relies on glycolic acid, retinol, copper, and vitamin C. This must be a particularly effective and well-balanced blend, however, because I discern a noticeable reduction in forehead creases and crows feet after only about two weeks of consistent nightly use. 