WWTF // summer break-up

Dear Summer:  

I think that we should see other seasons... It's not you, it's me... 

It's just that, I sort of hate you these days! I'm really sorry. I hope we can stay friends. 

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Okay, now that I am back on the market for better, cooler months it's time to get myself in top form. Namely, my FACE! 

In the wake of my crappy relationship with this Indian summer, all I have left is dull, cracked, congested skin that seems to never want to stop flaking off of my body. I don't even blame it...i'd ditch me too in this condition.

The humidity has been through the roof lately and the only downside to living by the beach these days is the void left in my heart, where A/C should be. It's been miserable! If you have oilier skin like me, then you live in a special kind of misery... known as acne.  Because when heat fluctuates between dry and humid like it has been, oilier skin types will notice a lot more congestion (or "bumps") in the t-zone. Over-dried skin only makes us produce more oil, and humidity makes us sweat-- so when you do the math on that equation the results are pretty bleak. In order to restore this skin type it takes some major exfoliation. One super fast solution to that is the Clarisonic. 

{insert heart eyes emoji and confetti blowing out of your computer}

The Clarisonic has been my go-to in predicaments like this for many, MANY years now....I want to say that I bought mine in 2010... and I'm happy to report that, despite my reservations about spending $150 on a brush, I've used the very same Clarisonic for all of those years. (I'm pretty sure that even cars don't last me that long.)

So, just note that if you're eyeing one, it pays for itself in the long run. You'll get a TON of use out of it. You can use it on other parts of the body too. I like to use it on my chest and occasionally my legs, too. They sell brush heads that are a little bit firmer for thicker skin on the body and it's good to keep on hand during drier months when skin can get ashy.

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The beauty of it is that it can be used with any cleanser that you have on deck (or, for the body, just plain soap) and it'll get the job done. It cuts down needing to buy an additional exfoliant, which is nice if you don't like having a lot of products taking up bathroom space and it's a no-brainer to use. Although, I have to advise you against following their directions to use it twice daily....Maybe to kick-start the first day or two, but after that you'll be so buffed out that your skin feels like it could bleed if you smile too wide. 

(just my personal opinion) So I limit it to once a day (I prefer night) and skip a day in between once my skin gets back to all of it's smooth glory....You don't have to overthink it  either.  just use it when you feel like you're congested. Stop when you don't. Simple. The only thing that you need to remember is to change out the brush heads every 2 months or so. Which aren't very expensive ($20) and can be picked up in beauty supply stores like ULTA.

✚ The reason for new brush heads is so that you don't harbor bacteria in the bristles. It's easy to forget to change those out but make it a point, especially if you're prone to acne. Anything wet is a breeding ground for p. acnes bacteria, so I'd also suggest you try to store it face up, in an area that can let it dry out. 

And... I can't forget to mention that it scores brownie points with the menfolk also...the spinning brush head really helps heal in-growns from shaving and can prevent them too! 

{❤︎, b.}