YSL Skincare products are made especially for makeup addicts like you and yours truly. Each product is tailored to prep the skin for makeup so you get a more flawless finish. I swear by their Flash Radiance Skincare Brush during months where I don’t require a heavier moisturizer (the winter sucks any and all moisture out of every ounce of my skin) because it gives my skin a slight glow and doesn’t leave it looking greasy like some moisturizers can. Sure, it’s a bit pricey, but I love what it does for my skin so I’ll just cut something else out of my budget so I don’t overspend…lol.

You don’t have to spend three months rent to have great skin. Take a look at some budget beauty products recommended by top dermatologists as seen on Elle.com.

Get the full list over at Elle.com

About a month ago when the NYC weather slowly stopped being seasonably mild and showed its true colors, my skin was an unfortunate victim. My usually vibrant and supple (yet sometimes hormonally acne-prone) skin had become a dry, dull, and flaky mess. Ugh. And what made it worse was that I was having some issues with breakouts and even though my usual Proactiv regimen would take care of it, the cold weather just made my skin super dry. Blah.

As any product junkie would, I wanted to try something different. I’ll admit that Clinique doesn’t always come first to mind when I think of radical skin care treatments, but after browsing Sephora’s “Shop by Skin Concern” area, I saw some Clinique products suggested for my issue. It was worth a try so off I went to my Clinique counter.

Approximately $92 later, I had in my possession All About Tomorrow Limited Edition Set,Clinique Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer – Dry Combination, and Clinique All About Lips.

I really only wanted the Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer, but the set was a good deal to also be able to try out the Turnaround Body Smoothing Cream and the Turnaround Instant Facial (both of which I have yet to try…lol). Using the Turnaround Skin Renewer was easy enough. All I had to do was apply it after cleansing and toning my skin, but before moisturizing. I did this religiously for the last few weeks and I have to say I do see a lot of improvement in my skin’s vibrancy. BUT the other products I used in conjunction with it could have also influenced this greatness that is my skin right now.

At night I used Clinique Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer – Dry Combination (it comes in formulas for oily and very dry skin, too). Night time treatments are important since the skin goes through a regeneration process as you sleep.

I also picked up Aveeno(R) Positively Radiant(R) Cleanser Pump Cleansers 6.7 Oz at Walmart because I wanted to try a new low-cost cleanser. It has a bit of a gold luminous glow to it. I love how it didn’t make my skin feel dry after using it.

I bought Clinique All About Lips on impulse because while buying all the other stuff, I remembered I needed something for my lips. It helped my situation a little bit, but I feel like I could have done that with extra strength Chapstick. I’m returning it as soon as I can find the box it came in…lol.

I’m very happy with how my skin is looking these days. If I wasn’t such a makeup junkie, I would go out sans makeup for a few days. But since I am, I won’t…lol.

The folks over at SK1N Probiotic Systems sent over some products for me to test about a month ago. I’ve been testing their SK1N Probiotic Cleanser for the past four weeks and figured I’d share my findings with you.

Product Description
This mild ph-balanced cleanser, foams slightly, gently exfoliating without upsetting the water/oil balance necessary for healthy skin.

PARABEN FREE PRODUCT
Dermatologist Tested
Suitable for All Skin Types
All Natural Formula
Not Tested on Animals
Anti-Aging
Balancing
Recyclable Packaging

Probiotics and Prebiotics supply the skin with nutritive elements, while protecting it from negative influences. It creates a balanced and protective barrier that stabilizes the immune system, using anti-irritating, milk-peptides to moisturize and stimulate collagen helping to minimize wrinkles. SKIN Probiotic Systems is suitable for all skin types.

On first trial I felt this stuff was some overpriced Cetaphil. My skin did look more supple and seemed to glow a bit after first use, but not to toot my own horn, but I’ve got good skin…lol. But what I found after using this product over the past couple of weeks is that it is a phenomenal makeup remover. I had run out of my beloved MAC Makeup Wipes which I normally use to remove makeup and then wash my face with my usual Proactiv cleanser. Usually I’d have to soak a cotton ball with eye makeup remover AND a wipe to get all my makeup off, but with SK1N Probiotic Cleanser, it all came off including stubborn waterproof eyeliner and thick mascara using just the tiniest amount of product. That’s another thing I liked–a little goes a LONG way so you only need about a dime sized amount to get the job done.

For $26.50 you get 6.7 fl oz of product which I think is pricey if you’re used to buying drugstore cleansers, but for the makeup removal power, maybe split the cost between you and two or three girlfriends. Like I said, a very small amount gets the job done so it will last you a really long time.

Check them out and their full line of products at sk1nprobiotics.com

Case in point…

Reviva Labs Alpha Lipoic Acid Vitamin C Ester & DMAE Night Cream, $12.38 at vitacost.com

I’ve written about my on-again/off-again relationship with Dr. Perricone so you’ll know I love his products, but sometimes I hate the pricing (and with this recession I am so not trying to trade unspeakable acts just for a Face Finishing Moisturizer). I buy whatever Perricone products I can, but was thrilled to find a product similar to his Concentrated Restorative Treatment. Both products contain Vitamin C Ester and DMAE (find out what these are and what they do here) and are used at night to aid with firming skin and fighting future skin damage.

To firm skin as it fights future skin damage, Reviva has encased these 3 unique ingredients in a soy liposome—for deep penetration and time-release action.
Thus, as your body rests during the night the nutrients help “lift” skin as they fight the effects of time.
Contains alpha lipoic acid, the all-powerful antioxidant that helps prevent future skin damage … DMAE to help tighten, firm and tone facial skin … and Vitamin C ester that further fights free radical damage … all in a liposome to aid absorption! It’s a dramatic new nutrient complex to help skin look younger, as it protects against daytime aggressions!

When I tell you my face feels like a newborn’s bottom, you better grab a diaper because that’s EXACTLY what it feels like (ok, that was probably a bad analogy given the imagery…lol), but trust me this product is great. You’ll start to notice a difference in your skin after about 7-10 nights. I’ve been using this for years and will not trade it for another night time creme for anything in the world. Try it out and let me know how much you love it.