How I Even Out My Skin Tone

I receive a lot of questions about skincare, but one of the most prevalent one is about evening out skintone. Tackling hyperpigmentation, dark spots or sun damage is a challenge and sometimes with over the counter products only so much progress can be made. However, one category of products that has had the strongest effect on helping me even out my skin tone is peels. Whether in the form of pads or a liquid like mask, regular use of them over time has helped reduce any uneven pigmentation on my skin. I will stress again though that all of these products are over the counter so results will never be as strong as a medical treatment or something prescribed from the dermatologist. But I still felt it was necessary to do this post and talk about some of my favorite ones that I have tried over the years, as well as three recent ones that I added to my routine and enjoyed greatly.

Three points to note before we get into the reviews: 1. If you are going to add a peel into your routine, it is essential that you wear sunscreen during the day (frankly you should always wear one, but especially when using peels). 2. Do a patch test to see how your skin will react. Peels are designed to be exfoliating and use different types of acids, so it's wise to test it out on a small part of the face to ensure no reaction will take place. 3. I always apply my peels in the evening since I may get a tad red or flushed after, and I try to use them no more than 2x a week since I don't want to overexfoliate my skin.

1. Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Peel - These are a single use pad that can be wiped over the skin after cleansing and before applying treatment products. Though these state they are a "wrinkle recovery peel" due to the addition of retinol and ferulic acid in the pads, I find that using these for the past 2 months has helped slowly even out my skin tone, especially a dark spot on my cheek that recently popped up. It didn't completely erase it, but I saw a definite fading. Additionally, these are wonderful for helping address any anti-aging concerns such as firmness, fine lines and lackluster skin.

2. Kat Burki Dual Acid Peel - I am new to the Kat Burki line, but was excited to have my introduction be this peel. It comes with a brush which I find always makes it feel more decadent when applying, and it's designed to help retexturize, refine and reverse sun damage. With ingredients like avocado oil, glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid, I found this peel helped not only smooth and even out my skin, but keep it hydrated as well. Initially when I first apply it, there is a strong tingling sensation. I was worried that it would remain the entire 10 minutes that I had to leave it on, but thankfully it subsided within the first 60 seconds. Occasionally with some peels, my skin can begin to feel tight as the liquid dries on the skin. Thankfully that was not the case at all - instead my skin felt incredibly comfortable and I forgot I was even wearing the peel. It came off very easily with warm water and I followed it with a soothing hydrating serum (love this one) and moisturizer (used this one).

3. Juice Beauty Green Apple Full Strength Peel - I heard wonderful things about this Juice Beauty peel so I was thrilled to be able to finally try it for myself. The texture is a lot runnier than the Kat Burki so it takes some getting used to when applying, but a thin layer is all that is needed for the face. I felt a tingling sensation within the first 30 seconds, but it subsided quickly and I was able to leave this on for 15 minutes. Afterwards, my skin was a tad flushed and red for about 20 minutes but it quickly went away and my skin felt soft, supple and radiant. In addition to addressing hyperpigmentation, this peel helps address firmness and reduces the appearance of fine lines. If you are sensitive or have rosacea, I would recommend trying their peel for sensitive skin rather than the full strength. 

These three that I have mentioned above are recent discoveries, but I rounded up some of my tried and true favorite peels (and one serum that is amazing at fading dark spots) in the widget below:

Video: February 2015 Beauty Favorites

I skipped January but I'm back with my monthly beauty favorites for February. Hooray!!  It's a good mix of skincare, color, and other bits. Scroll down to watch the video and don't forget to subscribe!

Have you entered my Tatcha skincare giveaway?!!! Enter here.

Below are all the products mentioned in the video:

Tatcha Indigo Soothing Silk Moisturizing Hand Cream

La Prairie Cellular 3-minute peel

Clarins Lip Comfort Oil

Diptyque Rosafolia

Tom Ford Cheek Brush

By Terry Velvet Rouge

Ilia Tinted Moisturizer

It Cosmetics Lipgloss in Naturally Pretty

Pixi Glow Tonic

My Quick Skincare Routine For Radiant Skin

Though I have learned a lot about skincare over the years through reading articles coupled with good ol' trial and error, I am still constantly seeking out new recommendations. My close friend Felicia from ThisThatBeauty.com (I also contribute articles there twice a month) did a blog post about a quick three step routine she was using for her skin and I decided to try something similar! Sometimes the best recommendations can come from a friend, right? It's a quick and simple three step (well three and a half since the peel is two steps) process for glowing skin. Every time I've done this over the past few months, I always wake up with a rested and radiant complexion and have now made this a part of my regular skincare routine.  I guess not every night needs to be a 13 step process. Ha!

1. SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil - Cleansing oils are by far my favorite type of cleansers to use because I find they give my skin the deepest clean without stripping it. I am particularly fond (translation: in love) with this SK-II cleansing oil because it feels like liquid silk on the skin. Seriously! I prefer a cleansing oil formula that is thin and lightweight, emulsifies nicely and rinses away with little to no effort. The SK-II Cleansing Oil removes every single stitch of makeup I am wearing, making it possible for me to even skip my standard double cleanse step. I don't like to skip that step regularly, but on some nights when I just don't have the energy to go that extra bit, I can count on just this cleanser to get the job done. That job being to de-spackle my face.

2. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Medi-Spa Peel - I recently did a post on my favorite facial peels, but at the time had not used this one enough to feel comfortable including it in my round up. Now after giving it a go for a few weeks, I am really loving the results. After cleansing the skin, I use this two part peel to give my skin an intense exfoliation, remove any built up congestion, help break up hyper pigmentation and resurface the skin. The first step involves using the pre-soaked pads all over the face (I include my neck and upper chest as well) and I do feel a bit of tingling. Following this step, I apply the firming peptide milk which soaks in immediately leaving no residue or sticky feeling on the skin. It's a pretty strong peel so I like to use this no more than once a week, even once every two weeks. But it's a perfect middle step for this quick 3-step process since it removes all the surface dead skin thus allowing the facial oil to really penetrate into the skin and work it's magic!

3. Sisley Black Rose Precious Face Oil - Though face oils are not so new anymore, many people still worry about the idea of putting oil on their face. Especially those with oily skin. But in my experience (as someone with oily skin), I find facial oils to be the most healing, nourishing, balancing and effective moisturizers for the skin. Face oils can be great layered with other skincare products such as serums and moisturizers, but can also work well when used alone. I actually prefer to use them alone most of the time (unless my skin is really dry and irritated), and this new introduction from Sisley is the ultimate in luxury face oils. It's a dry face oil so immediately after it's applied on the skin, it's absorbed leaving no trace of shine or residue. Because of it's strong healing and nourishing properties, the Black Rose Face Oil helps to replenish the skin's moisture and stimulate it's natural glow. And glow I do the next morning - it's as if all past skin sins are erased and I am starting anew. Is there a Sisley Black Rose Precious Oil I can use for my life?!!!

*pr samples included

Have you tried any of these products?

My Favorite Facial Peels

There is little I love more in life than a good facial peel. A little tingling, sometimes a bit of stinging but the result is always the same - glowing, fresh, radiant skin. Peels can help to break up hyper-pigmentation, exfoliate at a deeper level than granular scrubs, reduce the appearance of fine lines and give clearer/brighter skin. Though I can never resist trying a new peel, I do have my all time favorite peels that have made the biggest impression on me. Here are my five favorite facial peels:

1. Revive Glycolic Renewal Peel - This is definitely the strongest peel that I have and is saved for when I want to really bring out the big guns. Serious hyper pigmentation, rough skin texture, remnants from a bad breakout, dull lackluster skin - any of these (or all of them - ugh) make me reach for this peel. Because it combines both peel pads and an exfoliating gel afterwards, the two step system is what really makes the difference for my skin. The gel does tingle so make sure you test it first to make sure your skin can handle it, but if you can your skin is in for a treat. This gives me near perfect skin afterwards - pore appearance is minimized, skin is smoother, and fine lines are almost non-existent. *round of applause* Because my skin can be a bit red after, I do not use this on a night I am going out but rather save it for the evening before. Even using it a full 24 hours before a big event, I still have stellar results. This peel is by far the closest thing I have to an at-home spa treatment. Robe and cucumber water not included. 

2. Perricone MD Blue Plasma - I've been singing this product's praises for years now. Not only can it be used daily both morning and night, but it gives the most gentle exfoliation without any of the side effects that come with peels. I had no redness, no irritation, no tingling and no stinging and my skin always looks better when I use this regularly in my routine. It's easy to add into any regimen and works with almost any product mix I am using at the time. It has now secured a place in 'Maree's Skincare Hall of Fame' (if there was such a thing). 

3. Arcona Raspberry Resurfacing Peel - The first time I used this peel, I did not know what to expect. And then after about 10 minutes, I removed the gel from my face and stared at my skin for what seemed like forever. It was absolutely glowing, and so hydrated which is rare for a peel! In the list of peels that I mention in this post, it is probably my second strongest one so I only use it once or twice a month. But when I do, I am guaranteed gorgeous glowing skin for the next week or two. I rarely get ready for a big night out or special event without doing this mask the same night - because my skin never fails to look its best after. There is a bit of tingling and stinging with this one so be prepared, but for me, I don't mind it. Because the results are soooo worth it. Bring on the sting!

4. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads - As I have said over and over again, there is not one product from the First Aid Beauty range that I don't absolutely love. And these pads are no exception - in fact they were the first product I ever tried from the range that got me hooked. I love them because they are incredibly gentle and suitable for every day use. Using them at the toning step of my routine is how I found them to be most effective since they give a light exfoliation right after cleansing. I then follow up with a hydrating mist, toner or essence, to help replenish the moisture in my skin and keep it balanced. And since these pads are so gentle, I find that they can work for almost any skin type, even sensitive (though you should always test things first to be sure). My skin regularly looks brighter and more even-toned when using these pads. And I have noticed a distinct difference in how my foundation wears on my face when using these pads - it seems to almost glide on with little to no pulling on dry patches, caking up or looking too heavy. It's almost as if these pads were made for gals who love a full face. 

5. m-61 Power Glow Peel - When I feel I want to amp up the results from my First Aid Beauty pads, I switch to these from m-61. They are a bit stronger and I typically use them every other day so as not to irritate my skin. I find that these help me prevent stubborn breakouts, and have had a significant impact on any hyper pigmentation that I may be suffering from at any given moment. These were all I used after the summer was over to help erase any lingering sun damage that managed to get through my SPF. Rude. But regardless of the sun's ruthless ways, these pads worked to help fade the dark spots and make my skin return to it's non-patchy appearance.

New In And Loving: Bluemercury M-61, Nest Fragrances, Guerlain and Laura Mercier

Some days I feel like I am just going to explode with excitement for products - it's like I am still 6 years old. Too much good stuff not to share my thoughts, and these few items are new to my collection but first impressions are already knocking my socks off. A little skincare, a little makeup and a little fragrance - a complete trifecta of products I am loving right now.

1. Nest Fragrances in the scents Paradise and Indigo* - If you follow my blog, you know I am a Nest fanatic. I love the candles and the personal fragrances (this one being a holy grail fragrance), and once again they hit a home run with their two newest fragrances Paradise and Indigo, now available at Sephora. Paradise smells exactly as the bottle looks - bright, vibrant and citrusy with notes of blood orange, white ginger and cedarwood. It's delicate and fresh for the summer. Indigo on the other hand was a bit darker, moodier but with a sweetness that I simply adore! Wild fig, bergamot, and black cardamom come together to create a scent that is as perfect for day as it is for night. Frankly, I keep them both side by side and do eenie meenie minie mo each morning to decide. I am the picture of sophistication. 

2. M-61 Power Glow Peel* - What happened to that top layer of skin? Oh, the M-61 Power Glow Peel took it away forever!!!! OMG! And what was left was baby soft, glowing, radiant, and gorgeous skin. People have been telling me on Instagram (over and over actually) that I need to try this product. Alright already! So I have. And welp.....it's awesome. Instagram was not lying to me. Formulated with salicylic and glycolic acid, these pads give a strong exfoliation, but surprisingly also help to calm and soothe. I would recommend starting with once a week to see how you do and then build up from there. But watch out, you may not be able to turn back. Your wallet has been warned. 

3. Guerlain Lingerie de Peau - I have a developed a love/hate relationship with this foundation. On one hand, it wears beautifully on the skin. Truly one of the most flawless foundations I have ever used on my face. That being said.....the only caveat is it oxidizes. Quite deeply I might add. But I was too in love with it to give up, so I decreased the amount I use (because a little can go a long way) and it has solved most of the problem. I don't use bronzer on the days I wear this so as not to add fuel (aka color) to the fire (aka my face). But I just can't quit the finish....so stunning. A satin like finish that makes my skin look like it has been airbrushed. And no pulling on dry patches, settling into fine lines or creeping into my pores. It knows better than that.

4. Laura Mercier Baked Eye Shadow Quad in Rendezvous in Monte Carlo* - Part of the new summer 2014 collection, this quad has been on my eyes almost every day since I received it. The colors blend so well together and they wear for-ev-er. Each shade can be worn dry or wet, though I prefer to wear the lighter shades dry and then wet the dark plum/brown shade to use as a liner. When done, I'm pretty sure my eyes look better than your eyes. (ok, ok, I know it's not a competition. sorry)

5. Laura Mercier Sheer Creme Glow* - Golden pink highlighted cheeks is on the menu for this summer. The finish of this new Laura Mercier summer 2014 cream blush is divine and looks gorgeous tapped on the cheekbones for glowing, fresh, 'I just woke up like this' skin. Yes, your summer self needs this. No, your cheekbones won't survive without it.

* press sample

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Beauty Bits: Peels At Every Price Point

If I had to list my favorite past times - they would include eating, reading, taking my little nugget to the dog park - oh and exfoliating like a champ.  It's a wonder I even have an outer layer of skin left (kidding, sorta) with the amount of enjoyment I get from sloughing away those dead skin cells.  But with all the new technology out there - all that manual exfoliation and exhausting your arms is a thing of the past with the introduction of facial peels.  Peels are typically formulated with various ingredients that help to exfoliate, retexturize, smooth, and brighten - basically they make your skin look ah-may-zing.  I have rounded up some great ones at every price point so everyone can share in the fun!  Let's discuss:

1.  Arcona Raspberry Resurfacing Peel - This was the first peel I ever purchased many months ago, and have loved it from the start.  Formulated with a blend of mandelic, lactic and malic (say wha???) acids, this leaves my skin super refreshed, smooth and incredibly glowing, and has become my go to product before special occasions.  But beware - it does tingle when applied.  That's how I know it's working..... ;) 

2.  Perricone MD Blue Plasma - As if I could love this product any MORE!  You have heard me rave for months about this gem and its revolutionary method of giving the effects of a peel without any irritation, dryness or side effects.  The active ingredient is salmon roe enzyme (for real) and can be used daily to help hydrate, exfoliate and smooth the skin over time.  Completely worth the splurge.  

3.  Alba Botanica Pore Purifying Mini Peel (c/o) - New to my peel arsenal, I was thrilled after trying this super affordable option and finding its results to be quite remarkable.  Formulated with 6% alpha hydroxy acid, this fast acting gel works well at eliminating toxins and dull surface cells to reveal shiny, revitalized skin.  And with its natural claims of being 100% vegetarian, paraben and sulfate free, and hypo-allergenic - it is a must try!  

Final note:  With all this sloughing, scrubbing and removing of yucky, pathetic dead skin cells, it does leave the skin sensitive to the sun so be sure you are wearing a sunscreen!  *shakes finger at you*

As if I wasn't already overflowing in beauty products, I still want more.  I'm a lost cause, save yourselves!  But if you are like me and cannot be saved, feel free to follow along on my Pinterest board I have dedicated to beauty products I am currently coveting.  Hopefully we will all get through it together.  

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