Routine Quotidienne

Bonjour Blogsphere!

Thanks to the Lancome blog, I have discovered a wonderful website called Polyvore which is awesome. It allows you to create your own fashion layouts like you would find in a magazine (such as Vogue) using real products from a plethora of different brands. Whether you're an aspiring Beauty Editor, fashionista, or just a creative person with lots of time on your hands; you will have loads of fun designing your own fashion layout! The finished version can be shared with friends and user groups, plus there are links on each of the products that give you product information and price as well as a links to buy the products! So without further adieu, I present my first Polyvore layout!

Here is the collection of products which make up my daily routine, inspired by a friend asking what I actually use on a daily basis. If you notice, they are all Lancome. As many of you may know, I spent four years working as a make-up artist for a plethora of different lines. I got addicted to Lancome while working as a counter manager, and am in love with their skincare for three reasons. First, Lancome dedicates a huge chunk of change towards research and development, leading the industry on product innovation. There's a lot of technology in their products, and you can see the results on your skin. Second, out of all the "lifers"- women who have spent their entire careers in cosmetics- the lovely ladies of Lancome have hands down the best skin. If that is not the best testiment to their products, I don't know what is. Third, I love how the products smell and feel on my skin. Skincare with Lancome is an experience, not just a necessity.

So, onto my day-to-day habits. Keep in mind that these products are geared toward my skin's needs- there may be products are a better fit for you.

1. CLEANSE: A cleanser is an important part of any girl's daily routine as it breaks up make-up, dead skin, and the dirt of the day to keep your skin looking fresher and acne-free. The Lancome cleanser I use has a rich foam texture and feels absolutely decadent when I'm using it. Plus, all you need is one pump, so the product really lasts for quite some time.

2. TONE: Toners provide light exfoliation and get your skin to return to a normal Ph balance after cleansing. They are particularly helpful with you have dull skin. In my case, I use Lancome's formulation for dry skin because my skin is often on the parched side. If you REALLY can't be bothered to use a toner, I recommend choosing a gentle exfoliator in place of a cleanser. This way you get the added exfoliation of the cleanser. My favorite is of course Lancome's Exfoliance Clarite, which has two sizes of beads for both purifying and deep cleansing. Plus, it has pineapple and papaya extracts, which makes it smell yummy.

3. TREAT: For the serious skincare person, serums are great targeted treatments which can help with a specific skincare need. They should be slipped on underneath your moisturizer, and can be used day and night. In my case, I have been using Genefique during the day (for fresher, younger, and more renewed skin) and Primordiale at night (which attacks the first signs of aging).

4. EYES: Eyes are the first place we see aging, and the eye area has different problems than the rest of the face (ie puffiness and dark circles). Most eye creams contain caffeine, which helps reduce puffiness. When applying eye creams, you should always use your ring finger and pat (not rub) the cream in on the orbital bone. Otherwise, you can tear the eye area and make the problems worse!

5. MOISTURIZE: I prefer a moisturizer which also acts as a treatment product so that you can have added benefits. Day creams tend to protect the skin from aging (especially those with an SPF), while night creams are more repairative in nature. While your skin is at rest (during the night), your body is able to do more restoration. If your budget only allows for a day cream or a night cream, I highly recommend going with a day cream for two reasons. One, night creams do not contain SPF, so you will need to add a sunscreen to your regime as the sun is what ages our skin the most. Two, the saying "A stitch in time saves nine" is true of our skin- preventive measures are much more effective than reparative.

6: LIPS: As a cosmetic junkie, I started using Primordiale lip cream a few years to soften my lips and prevent aging. For someone who has problems with their lipstick feathering into their lines, it is a great product.

7: BODY: Moisturizing the body is just as important as moisturizing the face! Remember that in 20 years, we won't just see your neck! My personal choice is Lancome's Glow Sensuale because it has a light self-tanner (which you can't screw up) and a very light scent which will not overpower your perfume.

So that, dear readers, is what I currently use on a daily basis from the plethora of products which are in my vanity. If you are interested in any of the products, click on the image and it will take you directly to the Polyvore layout and individual product purchasing links.

Click of French Culture
If you are going to be shopping in Paris, something you may want to consider is vintage shopping. The French themselves do not frequent many of these stores, and you can find absolute steals. Les Puces is an amazing flea market (and potentially the original flea market as well!) and there are some true bargains to be found. With this economy, who DOESN'T want a bargain? There are also a lot of great vintage shops including Reciproque (the largest in Paris with an entire rack dedicated to Chanel suits) and Didier Ludot (focused on haute couture, with one of the stores focused entirely on little black dresses).

A bientot readers!
-Liz Anne