Go to my “Makeup Page” to read all the previous posts in this cosmetics series.

I firmly believe that if you want your makeup to look it’s best, you have to take really good care of the canvas it goes on.

Everyday I use an eyecream and a moisturizer that contains an SPF. I have been using moisturizer with sunscreen since I was 16 years old.

The products I use have, naturally, changed several times over the years, but I’ve been using the same cleanser and eye makeup remover for numerous years now.

I LOVE the Almay moisturizing eye makeup remover pads. As long as these are manufactured, I will not use anything else.

Also, in the past six months or so, I have started washing my face once or twice a week with Proactiv. All of my teenager years and all during my twenties, I had really clear, nice skin. But in the past 4 years or so, I have had some funky stuff happening on my cheeks. It’s not even something that’s noticeable unless you’re inches from my face and looking for it, but I know it’s there, AND IT MAKES ME INSANE. (I even have a scar or two to prove it and they really get on my nerves.) So, I’ll wash a couple times a week with Proactive to help keep it clear. (I actually really need to restock my cleanser.)

I don’t use the toner as I don’t really need that additional step.

Once I’ve cleansed (whether I’ve used the Proactiv or not), I apply my moisturizers.

From the Drawer:

I’ve used Olay Eye Transforming Cream for a majorly long time, and I really love it. The only thing I DON’T like about it is that it doesn’t contain any sunscreen. A few times I have tried out other eye creams that DO have sunscreen, but I always come back to this and rely on my makeup products containing SPF to do the job of protecting my eye area. (Also, I ALWAYS wear sunglasses in the sun.)

This eye cream is $20 a bottle, which, to me, seems very pricey. However, I only have to buy it once, maybe twice a year, so I think that is completely justifiable.

For my facial moisturizer, I’ve been using Olay Complete with SPF 15.

I had been using a different version of this for a couple of years (in the taller bottle seen here)…..

…..but recently I felt like I just wasn’t getting the hydration my skin needed. So I switched to the thicker cream instead of the lotion (the short little jar on the right), and I like it much better.

The cream I’m using now costs about $7 per container, and that is a CRAZY good price for a moisturizer.

At night I like to use Olay Night Fortifying Cream. But I’m not gonna lie, I don’t always take my makeup off before bed. I’m BAD about that.

Now…that’s a lot of Olay products, huh?

Don’t misunderstand….I am not dedicated or loyal to Olay products…that’s not why I stick with them the way I do. I keep buying them and using them because my skin does not like change. If I change my products, my skin revolts. I know, I know. THIS IS NORMAL.

Sometimes, though, I dislike a product so much that I change, knowing a revolt is coming, but I deal with it and let my skin adapt to a new, and better, product. But, I’m very happy with Olay. The have great products, a very large range of said products, and they work really well with my skin. And….some of their products are inexpensive, like the ones I’m currently using.

Now, I think that applying protective, hydrating products on your skin is very important, but I also firmly believe you should try to take care of your skin from the INSIDE too.

I try to eat a healthy diet (though I admit that I falter with this from time to time), and I try to stay hydrated. And, I very strictly take certain vitamins everyday.

Confession time.

I really don’t like showing you what I’m about to show you.

But, honesty is best….. I guess.

I take Fish Oil.

Yes. I’m a vegetarian.

No, I don’t EAT fish products. (Aside from the very occasional shrimp.)

I’m fully aware that this is supremely odd.

I had a very dramatic internal dilemma with this for a while, and I actually stopped taking it for a short time. It wasn’t long, though, before I noticed my skin starting to look duller, and it wasn’t as clear (sporadic break outs) as it was when I was taking the fish oil. So, I just take the stupid capsules every day. I realize what I’m doing is essentially foregoing my strong moral standpoint on using animal products for the sake of vanity, but it’s my life and my choices, and I have come to terms with the fact that I’M JUST GOING TO KEEP TAKING THEM.

No, I’m not going to start eating fish, even though I take fish oil. Don’t ask me to explain my reasoning because I CAN’T.

Yes. I’m odd. I do not deny it.

The other multivitamin is something I purchase at GNC and I LOVE IT. I could say all kinds of great things about these vitamins, but I’ll spare you. Just go buy some. BTW, they’re not exactly cheap. You won’t have to sell a kidney or anything to pay for them, but it’s not like buying a cheap-o multivitamin at a drugstore.

AND THAT IS ALL.

More tomorrow.