If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It…
You’ve heard the old adage and it’s a saying for a reason – when something is working, don’t overthink it. If you change for change’s sake, you’re likely to create problems where there were none. That’s not to say you have to settle for lackluster results, but if something is working well… stick to it.
I see it time and again at the store – people looking for the magic potion that will miraculously change their skin. There is nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all, unless their skin looks pretty dang good already and is happy. This changes, our skin gets accustomed to things; the weather affects it; and just like that, what was working no longer does. That’s when you change it up. What you don’t do is jump the gun and change it when it’s working.
Right now, my skin is very happy. In the morning, I wash my face with Zelens Detox Foaming Cleanser. My skin is clean from the night before, so I just need to wash off the night’s skincare remnants. I then follow with Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum and an eye cream (here I play the field); I wait 15 minutes while I drink a cup of coffee and follow with my Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream. After a few minutes, I apply a bit of face oil (Zelens, RMS, Bader, Saint Jane…any one seems to work well now). I pat that oil in. I then apply my makeup.
When my skin gets a little dry (heaters, dry air) and I see a bit of flakiness, I use my new favorite exfoliator Skincando Pumpkin Enzyme Mask. I slather a bit on, wait a few minutes, and rinse. My skin is literally glowing afterward and my makeup looks flawless. It’s actually a bit of a problem because I only need to use it once or twice a week, but the results are so good… I’m tempted to do it daily. (Don’t.)
At night, I wash with Augustinus Bader Balm Cleanser as a pre-wash. I then follow with Rilastil’s Aqua Cleanser. I apply the Zelens Power A serum and then wait 15 minutes while I brush my teeth and get into my pj’s. Then I use my Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream. I use the Augustinus Bader The Lip Balm and go to bed. Right now, this is my holy grail. I know that at some point, I’ll have to shake it up. But right now, my skin is clear. My skin is glowing. My skin has minimal visible wrinkles. I’m not messing with a good thing.
Every time someone comes in and asks for a new “something” I ask why they are looking, what they are using now, and what isn’t working. Most of the time they have a good answer. But sometimes, they just want to try something new. That’s when I steer them to a great hand cream or perfume.
Your face will let you know when it isn’t happy. It will be dull. It will break out. It will be dry… you get the idea. If your skin is singing, don’t stop the music by changing the channel. It isn’t that I don’t want to sell you something; I just don’t want to sell you something at the sake of your skin’s happiness.
- About the boutique
Located in historic Old Town Alexandria, for more than 17 years Bellacara has been Northern Virginia's preeminent boutique for high end cosmetic, skincare and haircare products. At Bellacara you will find premiere beauty products that have been carefully edited by the store’s owner, Angela Sitilides, who personally tests all the products sold in store. The boutique carries only the best product lines – Kiehl’s, Jouer, Dr. Dennis Gross, Christophe Robin, Moroccan Oil, Bumble & Bumble, Fresh, Molton Brown, Skinceuticals, Smashbox, Stila, Mario Badescu, Clarins, Dermalogica, Kevyn Aucoin, Kai, Child, St. Tropez, Smith and Cult, and many more.
1000 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.299.9652
