Colbert MD Stimulate The Serum, Illumino Face Mask, and Tone Facial Discs Review, Photos

I have fallen head over heels with Colbert MD. I have been using his skincare quite diligently for the past two months, and his products are still proving highly effective on my stressed skin. They're all formulated with patented QuSome technology which allows the active ingredients to be delivered into the skin's deepest layers. The results I've seen with two of his products have me hooked for life!

Heart to Heart | My Skin Story: Acne, Depression, and Healing

Last month in Tokyo!

Skin has always been one of my priorities, thanks to the women in my family. My grandmother is virtually ageless; she's turning 80 this year but doesn't look a day over 65. My skin, however, hasn't been perfect like hers. I discussed my acne skin story in this Top 10 story HERE, sharing why I got cystic acne and what products I used to speed up the purging process. Today's skin chat is more of a general take on my skin care history. The past 2 years been incredibly challenging and emotional, but I'm so grateful that my skin is nearly done healing!! Don't forget that your skin is an organ (your body's largest), so be gentle and patient. Below is a heart to heart video that I made while in Tokyo to share my journey, the process.

Equipment Silk Sleeveless Blouse // Gjenmi Staple Lariat Necklace // Hair: T3 Micro Compact Dryer

MAKEUP WORN:

Shu Uemura False Lashes // MUFE Eyeshadow // Burberry Eyeliner

Tom Ford Blush in Frantic Pink / Bronzer in Gold Dust / Lipstick in Spanish Pink

In case you've never seen my inflamed pimple-ridden skin, here's the Kiehl's video where I bare it all. I did manipulate the lighting so that it wouldn't look as red or as painful, but my face hurt all the time back then. I cried a lot. My eyes still get watery just thinking about it. I hated looking in the mirror, and I dreaded filming and uploading videos. I didn't want to talk about it, couldn't open up about it because I would inevitably burst into tears. I was so scared that someone would spot me in public that I stopped going to the gym and I stopped going outside altogether for a while. I started eating a lot of junk food and take-out and gained ten pounds back then, which many of you noticed.

To make matters worse, I was swallowed up by depression which deepened when the blue-purple welts started to surface. That part of the healing/scarring process was the most traumatizing because I looked bruised all over. I was fat, bloated, and ugly. There was so much deep damage that even my grandmother was very concerned that my skin would never bounce back. But after 6 months (which felt like years), my skin started to heal. My mood improved and I felt a surge of hope. The depression naturally lifted in due time, and although I was still embarrassed, I wasn't as afraid to venture out.

In hindsight, I think the best treatment would have been professional extractions and microdermabrasion facials every three weeks to boost the effectiveness of the products I had been using. I was overwhelmed and unable to take on that financial commitment at the time, but it would have left me with fewer, smaller scars. So that's my best advice to everyone.. find an exceptional esthetician AND use quality skin care! Of course, wearing sunscreen daily, drinking plenty of water, eating clean and green, and sleeping 7 hours a day will help drastically as well!

Even though I've been treating the scarring for a year, I have a couple stubborn scars on my cheeks and forehead. I'm hoping to clear those up in the next few months. It's all about consistency and lifestyle when it comes to these things. And since I haven't filmed a skin care routine video in a while, I figured I would share what products I've been using faithfully! I switch it up when I'm testing new products, but the lineup below features my go-to skin savers. These are my favorites, so please try them!!

Holy Grail:

SK-II LXP Ultimate Cream

SK-II Brightening Derm Mask

SK-II Facial Treatment Mask

SK-II LXP Essence

Sulwhasoo Snowise Mask

Sunday Riley Luna Oil

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser

SK-II Skin Rebooster (now discontinued)

Other products in my current rotation:

Sunday Riley Good Genes

Equitance Brightening Toner

Replenix SPF50 Sunscreen

Koh Gen Do Massage Milk

Sunday Riley Flora Oil

SK-II Mid-Night Mist

SK-II RNA Essence

MAC Blemish Gel

Shu Uemura Blanc:Chroma Cleansing Oil

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Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm, Sheer Renewal Cream, and Clarifying Detox Mask Review

Colleen Rothschild is a fairly new brand in the skin care realm, but I have been using her 3-step regimen in the evenings with surprisingly great results. I like her fuss-free approach, and the simple packaging makes it far less intimidating to those who aren't yet prepared to tackle the layering of a dozen toners and serums. More details after the jump!

BEST OF | My Top 10 Face Masks and Skin Care Treatments Review

As much as I adore skin care basics and skin care layering, my latest obsession has been with masks! I truly find that using sheet masks and treatments like peels can boost the results of my standard skin care regimen, so today I will share my favorites from Nordstrom. Some of these are more budget friendly and others are substantial splurges, but all of them are true gems. All details after the jump!

FAVORITES: December 2014 Beauty HITS & MISSES (Lipsticks, Foundation, Acne + Skin Care)

Welcome back, everyone! I hope you've all had a wonderful start to 2015. I am very much looking forward to this new year, but December was a long and memorable month. I leaned on excuses like stress and work, and as happy as my taste buds and tummy were, I was definitely paying for it with my poor health. I weighed in at 117 pounds and officially decided it was time to turn my life back around. I have been eating very healthy (no Christmas gorging) and trying to get exercise whenever possible. Unfortunately, I was very sick for nearly a week due to the insane bug that's going around, which derailed all my video plans, but I am back and feeling more motivated than ever! I experienced an adrenaline rush while filming, though sadly, I totally crashed with exhaustion after filming this episode. Still, I hope you enjoy the last Favorites episode of 2014 and hope you look forward to the Best of 2014 reviews! xo

Products Reviewed

Theory Cashmere Sweater (On sale now, a super steal!)

BB Dakota Leather Jacket in Taupe

Wayne Goss Powder Brush (LE)

Tom Ford Lips&Boys in Beau and Julian

Bakel Cool Eyes Eye Cream

Natura Bisse Glyco Extreme Peel

Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Masks

Dolce & Gabbana The Blush in Tan

Chikuhodo Z-2 Brush (NOT Z-4, sorry!)

NARS The Multiple in St. Lucia

NARS Irresistible Eye Palette

*Best of NARS Review HERE

Clé de Peau Cream Foundation

Clé de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation

NARS Reflecting Pressed Powder

NARS Powder Foundation in Deauville

Makeup Worn

Clé de Peau Concealer in Beige

NARS Tinted Moisturizer in Alaska

Clé de Peau Foundation in O20

NARS Reflecting Pressed Powder

Dolce & Gabbana Blush in Tan

Clé de Peau Highlighter in Pink

NARS The Multiple in St. Lucia

NARS Irresistible Eye Palette

em cosmetics liquid eyeliner in Black

Clé de Peau Perfect Lash Mascara

Burberry Holiday '14 Lip Glow in Oxblood
Velour Lashes in Whispie Me Away
*receive 15% OFF with code RAEVELOUR

Earrings:

Prudence C Crystals

Nails:

Chanel Spring 2015 Tenderly

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