More Avene and Some Love?

I did some shopping about ten-days ago at my local Duane Reade. I needed to pick up a light daytime lotion for the summer but I came home with two precious new finds:

1. Avene Thermal Water Spray

I feel like every brand has its own "water spray," to gain market share in the ridiculous water market. I mean seriously, paying money for a facial water spray is kind of odd. In any case, felt like it was harmless since this bottle was only $7+tax and many of my friends have them, sort of like a household stable, like your dish detergent or like cooking oil...? I've been using it twice a day after I wash my face. So far so good, it's very hydrating which is good. And apparently, the mad scientists at Avene have been using this "water spray" since 1743 to treat dermatological conditions like eczema.

2. Avene Hydrance Opitmale Light Hydrating Cream

This is a light-weight moisturizer that I use under my daily La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen (highly recommended). The ingredients in this product are very neutral, I don't think there's anything too fancy in here...just simple hydrating stuff which is exactly what I am looking for right now. The tube comes at $27+tax, a bit pricey for basic face lotion. I was debating between this and the Neutrogena Daily Moisturizer (spf 43), both around the same price but I really wanted something light that wouldn't clog the pores and the Neutrogena was a bit heavy (probably the sunscreen part).

3. On the Topic of Commitment

Had an interesting discussion with my friend DK today on marriage & love. I mean my answer has always been the same. Marriage, husband, love, family, kids are all wonderful things to have in life but not everyone is meant to have everything...you know that perfect white picnic fence life. And yes of course, being a loving wife and the perfect mother is something most girls grow up dreaming about...that perfect fairy-tale romance with that fabulous wedding but realistically, it rarely happens. Instead, most just settle with the first decent guy that comes around hoping that with time, hard-work and sacrifices the ideal family life will blossom when in reality...divorce rates are how high? I just find that this type of commitment to be insanely risky, like a high-yield junk bond...the promised return is unbelievably fat and attractive but the risks you have to take on before the maturity are just outrageous. I suppose, it's easy to blame my parents for failing to stay in love and together for my indifference on the subject matter, commitment in general, but I think it's more than that.

I think my personality just won't allow myself to be in a situation where my entire happiness and well-being is anchored on one person's actions and decisions. Usually the defensive mechanism, cut and remove, jumps in the picture before I realize what's even going on. I just don't know how to be that vulnerable, the kind of nakedness that's not so sexy. And perhaps, my share of heartbreaking experiences has contributed to this physical impossibility. But hey, I've always wanted a heart of steel! But seriously, I trust that most people agree that vulnerability is a scary thing. And that when you commit to someone whether it's a simple relationship, a friendship even, you give the person an immense amount of power to change who you are, to influence you, to impact you; mannerisms, preferences, behaviors all evaporate into the space you share with that person and before you know it, they are settled on your skin. And should you one day realize that it's time to move on, for whatever reasons, you are unable to just go back to who you were before that person, you are literally forced to adapt to this new self. Doesn't that idea startle you? I mean, gosh, to lose yourself a little every time you let someone in, it's confusing. Maybe this is why nobody knows who they are anymore. More specifically on the current topic, I mean to have everything hang on a string of words, have everything so breakable to his "I don't love you anymore" or "There's someone else," just seems ludicrous; a flawed concept.

My mom is actually scared that I'll end up alone forever but I mean if that's what the universe wants for me then there's nothing anyone can really do to alter the truth, no? I just refuse to change my mentality to fit into what our society breeds us into believing, that love is meaningless without contractual obligations i.e., all that a marriage license/prenup entails. And I will never settle for the "first decent guy" just because of extraneous factors (aging) or difficult circumstances (family pressure). I find that love comes and goes and there's no point in trying to prolong it, stall it, trick it into a forever. Isn't that what makes it all so addictive, fabulous and romantic...the idea of a fleeing love? The concept of uncontrollable and unpredictable love? I don't know...I guess it's obvious that I have commitment and trust issues but I don't find it particularly alarming or disadvantageous. In fact, it's much easier to believe in nothing then to believe in everything only to later learn that everything has become nothing at all.

Just so many uncertainties. So many doubts and risks and sacrifices required before one even gets a small glimpse of the supposedly promised happily ever after. Like how will you ever know it's worth it? I'm sure if we look at the statistics regarding lasting happiness associated with marriage/love we would see that the outliers are what we believe to be the normalities. Messed up, no? Then I guess the more important question here should be: how far will one go, how much will one risk for a chance to realize a seemingly rare phenomenon?

5 minutes.

Because 5 minutes is enough time for you to process your instincts and to make a conscious decision on how best to act on those inner impulses or rather to see how easy it is to dismiss those feelings.

Summer Lovin'

I made the executive decision to start blogging again. I don't have much to say to the world, nothing to show or prove. Just need an outlet, a medium to document my current awesome life so that when I start work (and go absolutely psycho) I'll have something nice to look back at, and hopefully it'll keep me sane. Oh, also most of the "you's" used henceforth will be to address my friends.

First thing first:

1. Malin+Goetz Detox Face Mask

Bought this product cause of the Allure sticker. Thought, why not? I read up the ingredients and they were quite impressive, some very advance science in there. The vitamins and anti-oxidants didn't do much for me. Maybe cause I'm a smoker/drinker, but the mask left my skin feeling moist and patchy-dry. I feel like a layer of my skin was scrapped off in the process. Not worth the $40+tax, I'm going to try and return the product for store credits and get their Gentle Neroli Shampoo. Oh, also tried the Jojoba Face Scrub, made my skin yucky as well (my natural skin type: dry-normal/slightly sensitive). My advice: stay away from the face products and go for the candles + hair goodies instead.

2. Kiehl's Acai Damage Minimizing Cleanser

If you're looking for a new face wash for the summer then you must try this. It comes in foam and is very light, perfect for most skin-types as all ingredients are "natural!" I've used this during the winter and am experimenting with it this summer, so far so good! It does the job: clean the face. Nothing too fancy, probably doesn't do any of those anti-aging magic but is effective enough for me. I usually skip the "make-up removal" step and go straight to the face wash - perfect for those drunken lazy nights! And what's even more awesome is that it's only $24+tax, and you can probably ask for free samples before committing.

3. Kiehl's Centella Skin Calming Face Wash

I've been obsessed with anti-aging products for a while now. I often dabble with my mom's collections but have recently found them too heavy for my skin. I bought this cleanser back in December and have not used it religiously but again the product is decent. A bottle comes at $28+tax. It has all the latest "hot" ingredients that supposedly delay aging. Don't know if I look younger but whatever, if you want to be proactive with anti-aging then you should give this a try. The product didn't irritate my skin at all, didn't feel like I was drowning myself in vitamins/anti-oxidants.


4. Avene Cleanance Anti-Shine Purifying Lotion

I swear by this product. My ultimate holy grail! Even my love for La Mer comes second to this divine toner. The bottle is just under $20+tax and can be purchased at local Duane Reades. The brand is French and is more of a pharmaceutical company than a cosmetics house (I like). I've been using this for about 4 months and have noticed a distinct difference in my skin, talking about pore-size ladies! And it's not acidic/harsh so my skin is never dry after use. I apply this twice daily, mostly the T-zone. Next: will try their anti-age line and day creame!


5. Dr.Hauschka Lip Care Stick

I've been smoking consistently for about three years now. I rarely put on lipsticks and never lipgloss but the one thing I consistently reach for in my bag is this chapstick. I like vaseline too but carrying a small tub around and using my finger to apply is tedious (and kinda gross). Dr.Hauschka is a German brand, all natural/organic and Whole Foods carries a comprehensive selection of its products in the city. My mom (who's also very high maintenance about her skin care products) also uses their anti-aging/firming line.



Now, onto even happier things:


Made mushroom/onion red pasta for the girls last Sunday so we could watch the Celtics beat LA in full stomachs.


Nothing sweeter than a weekday cupcake surprise. I find this incredibly sexy. Weird? Possibly.