I have just taken five steps back from simplifying my life, but it hopefully will have been well worth it. Stopping by the Origins store in Harvard Square on my way back from an appointment, I picked up a full skin care regimen for the face (wash, toner, serum, lotion and scrubber – darn, that’s a lot – a lot of products and a lot of work/time).
Background
I have been meaning to start taking better care of my face. As I’ve gotten older (in my early 30’s), my skin has become problematic. Plus, my aunties in Korea (in their late 50’s and older) have amazingly soft and smooth skin by taking great care of it. And finally, getting married in a couple months finally gave me the incentive I needed to take the steps towards getting my skin into top form.
Previous to this purchase, I was using a sampler set of Grapeseed from Body Shop (face wash, toner and teeny tiny tub of lotion). It was my first time using toner (at least the way it is supposed to be used - between cleaning and moisturizing). Before that, I had tried some all-natural cleansers, but had a reaction to them. My skin is sensitive and reacts to certain product ingredients; reactions are not always immediate and can occur subtly after repeated use, such as a change in the texture of my skin or my pores looking bigger. Therefore with skin care products for the face, I prefer to buy in small sizes. Not only are they easier to travel with, but I can test the products before purchasing them in larger quantities.
Originally considering Body Shop’s Seaweed line next, I decided to try something new. I looked into Dr. Hauschka, but was somewhat hesitant because of the cost (I don’t just consider the overall cost, but the cost per ounce) and looked at Origins instead. My experience with face care products has been nominal because I have focused more on organic body lotions and shampoos/conditioners. In general, once I find a product I like, I will just stick with it. I also haven’t used products from any of the major department store cosmetic brands; brand names don’t interest me as much (also because of all the chemicals and additives) as a product that doesn’t irritate my skin.
Body Shop
Body Shop makes their product line easy to choose from because they basically have the same products in different scents. I dislike artificial fruit or floral scents because I find them too cloying and sweet. This usually makes my choice limited and as a result, easier. The scents I prefer would always become discontinued, but I continued to use Body Shop because it didn’t irritate my skin, was reasonably priced, and was easy to select.
Origins
There is an Origins store in Harvard Square and in ten years, I have only stepped into it once very briefly. I selected a present for my sister and then left immediately. I would less likely have gone if it were at a cosmetics counter in a department store (not really my scene and I tend to avoid malls and mini-malls). My intent was to purchase a gift set to try their products.
After showing me the available sample sets (none of which suited my needs), Courtney demoed the products she recommended, which she happens to use herself. She cleansed, scrubbed, toned, salved and moisturized my left hand. After which, I was amazed because I could actually see and feel an immediate noticeable difference. I was sold.
She recommended:
Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash, $$
Just as the name describes it, this cleanser froths up with a drop of water. With a slight minty scent, it gives my face a nice cool refreshing squeaky clean feel without drying it out.
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Purifying Tonic (organic), $$
For an organic product, their packaging is questionable. The translucent cap might have been designed to make the product more aesthetically pleasing (not really), but serves no purpose except to create more waste. I don’t really have much to comment because of my lack of prior experience with toners. Whenever I do use a toner, the cotton pad always picks up some dirt even after cleaning, especially from the neck.
Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Serum, $$$$$
I’m not quite completely sure what this does, but it felt great and soothing to my skin. While it is not necessarily a primer, I was looking into one and will use this instead.
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Youthtopia, Skin firming lotion with Rhodiola, $$$$
I had never heard of Rhodiola, but it might be one of the reasons that this moisturizer is so expensive (a quick search revealed it is normally ingested and who knows if there are any benefits when applied topically). It is also being marketed as a “skin firming” lotion. Face care products are not cheap to begin with and it seems anytime a product claims to prevent wrinkles or extend youthful skin, the price doubles. However, it’s very lightweight, making it ideal for the summer and also what I needed. During the winter when my skin is dry and needs deep moisturizing, I like to use Aesop’s Primrose Facial Hydrating Cream (also expensive, but a bargain when compared to the Youthtopia lotion for price per ounce), but it is much too heavy for summer use.
Modern Friction, scrubber, $$$
I’m already a big fan of this product. I don’t normally use facial scrubs. But when I remember to, I have used JASON’s Citrus Scrubble. My favorite were simply ground Azuki beans that the Body Shop sold years ago, but stopped carrying. You would mix the azuki powder with water into a paste and apply to your face. It was fantastic because it was completely natural and so simple – with only one main ingredient. Modern Friction is extremely gentle yet effective at sloughing off the layer of dead and dry skin cells to reveal the smoother softer skin underneath. Wow, what a difference a good scrub can make.
Conclusion
All of the products have varying nice neutral natural scents, also my preference. The cleansers make your skin feel clean without drying or stripping it and the toner/moisturizers are lightweight, apply smoothly and absorbs into the skin. While the Body Shop products are adequate, the Origins products have a higher level of refinement and subtly with a real visible impact. After only one use, my face was noticeably smoother and brighter, even my SO thought so and on the second day of use he even thought I had used makeup (he knows that I’ve been researching makeup, but they haven’t arrived yet). I will have to use the products much longer to see how it works and impacts my skin long term and I may post more detailed reviews on each item.
Without question, Origins is more expensive and with certain products outrageously so. I ended up spending more money than I intended to (Dr. Hauschka ends up being more expensive or about the same per ounce). With quality products, a little bit goes a long way, so I should be able to extend use of these items for at least a year or longer. (To rationalize: the upfront costs are expensive, but all of the products are used daily (except the scrubber) and the daily cost for a year breaks down to $.56 a day. People spend four times that on coffee and I don’t drink coffee. In the end, it’s all about priorities and budgeting.) Besides, it’s nice to indulge for what you put in and on your body.
In addition with Origins, you’re not only paying for the product, but also for the service. I discovered that they give customers free facials with an appointment (I’ve never been to a spa or ever had a facial). Courtney was great and I already booked my appointment for a facial and makeover. She is going to help me select a lip color and provide me with some hints and tips for applying (wedding day) makeup
Update:
1. Origins is a division of Estee Lauder.
2. The facial is technically “free”, but they will charge your for the cotton pads or reusable facial sponges used in the treatment.
3. Keep Modern Friction away from your eyes, even when rinsing. It will make them sting because of the lemon juice, according to Courtney.
Donating glasses can help to give others sight. Give the Gift of Sight (partnered with Lions Clubs International and acquired New Eyes for the Needy) has programs to provide free vision care and eyewear to the underprivileged in domestically and internationally. Donating is made easy because glasses (sunglasses should be non-prescription) can be dropped into collection boxes at participating independent eye doctor or at LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical, BJ’s Optical and Sunglass Hut stores nationwide.
If you can’t fit all of your books onto your shelves, then you have too many books. (Yes, you could get more shelves, but there is still a limit to the number of shelves your space can accommodate.) If this is the case, it is time get rid of some books.
Books For Soldiers
