Gidget, you're like Jenny, naturally beautiful

I saw your post once on FB with the facial exercises and did them for a few days and then forgot.

Thanks for the great links.
Oh and I got your email late last night. Kudos on the other article


You're a star baby
I've only read half of this humongous but critical thread. Dwight must be from Alabama, where I'm from and that's where we were trained to wear big hair and big make up.
I must know more about the facial exercises ASAP. Gidgett?
okay, since I'm from Alabama, the land of the big ass make up, I've learned a few things since then... here are my tips.
its all about skin care. get thee to a qualified aesthetician and begin with a micro-peel. you must have these about every month or so. or at least find out which kind of facial works best to get your skin in its best condition and keep it there.
use the best skin care products you can afford and use them every day for the rest of your life. I use obagi, with retin a, and several other excellent products recommended by my aesthetician. find the ones that work best for you and stick with them. Oil of Olay doesn't cut it - and never did. In fact, I've learned a lot about using products other than moisturizers which are not really needed once you've established a skin care regimen.
find a high quality make up line you really like and try to use only that line of products (keeps things simple). with good skin care, you will not need much - so you will not have to spend much time or money on make up products.
and that is key. not needing much make up at all. but when you dress up, then you do want the nice mascara etc.
I love Trish McEvoy make up and I stick with it almost exclusively with just a few exceptions such as Mac mascara (I love the Trish mascara too). There are many excellent make up lines but if you can find one you really like then you don't have to go all over to seek products - you can eventually order the stuff online and make it even easier. oh, and I found an excellent Aveda tinted moisturizer with sunscreen I've used all summer - its barely there and supplies that healthy glow/sheen. very light but exactly what is needed during the summer.
last tip. I know a
few women who look great with absolutely no makeup. but most really need a touch to look their best when they are dressed for work or a day out shopping or a night out - or even to go to the grocery store. more than "a touch" is really up to the individual. less than that, well, sometimes its just unfortunate, imo, because that skin ain't looking so great without proper care and without a tiny touch of something to brighten or smooth it in the most natural looking way. its just my observation. but bottom line is everyone looks beautiful even without the products and make up. because its not about how people appear in your eyes. its about how you feel about yourself. and Alicia - you are an inspiration here because you are going all out to do the things you want to do for you.
I do love skin care products. But I have learned to find the ones that really work and stick with them, and in the long run make up becomes secondary. I truly do NOT spend much time or $$ on make up since I only use a tad, and since I no longer feel the need to check out all the other product lines and get sucked into purchasing their new products. oh, I have felt so FREE from having to go to the make up counter - haven't been in years - but I do schedule a make over every few years with an expert to find out what's new in my favorite product line, and to update a few things.
I would love to hear more about people's favorite skin care products.