I had my eyebrows threaded at W3LL PEOPLE this past weekend by a lovely lady named Zahira. Threading is an ancient way to remove hair. I love the results. I look like me, but slightly more awake. Threading is more gentle on your skin than waxing because it doesn’t pull up any dry, patchy skin, but I do have to say I did not tend to my skin the way I should have.

After threading, resist the urge to cover your red up with makeup, just go home where you won’t feel as self conscious. Put some Arcona Night Breeze on the area or a cold compress.  I did the compress because the red areas were a little puffy. I did not get the Night Breeze on in time and regretted it. When I did have the bright idea to use it (two days later), it cleared the break out right up, but left my skin a little flaky.

I used the Suki Eye Maintenance for about 6 months. A month and a half ago, I started getting milia, so I stopped using it. Most of the milia have gone away and I’m stuck with a couple of stubborn ones. I can only guess that it was the Suki causing the milia since it was the only product I stopped using. Bummer. It wasn’t inexpensive.

I have decided to try a new eye cream: REN Lipovector Peptide Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream. With a name that long, I hope it lives up to it’s promises. It’s also not what you would call inexpensive. This eye cream uses wheat peptides to do its work. I’ll keep you posted.

Where I got it: W3LL PEOPLE.  What it cost: $55

And, I wish it was great.  Natural mascara, an oxymoron?  Or, am I a moron for holding out hope?

This flakes a little and does run some.  I find after noon, I need to tissue off the darkness.  If I forget to clean up a little before I go grocery shopping and buy wine, I don’t get carded.  At my age though, I kind of look forward to getting carded.

Anyway, this is pretty good.  As good as Dr. Hauschka mascara that has the same problems, and for half the price.  I just wish it came in navy.

Where I got it: W3LL PEOPLE.  What it cost: Around $12

UPDATE 2/17/10: I want to clarify that this is the mascara I am using day to day.  It’s not perfect, but it’s not full of petrochemicals or parabens so it passes the test for me.

I’ve been using the Arcona Youth Serum since August 2009.  I bought a three pack that contained more Youth Serum, Vitamin A Complex and Night Breeze just after Thanksgiving 2009.  The Gentle Solution is a sample size.  At first, it was too much for my skin and I felt dry.  There’s a trick and system to using all of these.

At first, I wasn’t excited about having to use this many products.  I really only want about two night treatments cluttering my medicine cabinet, but it’s not to be.  Here is how you use all of these.

Night Breeze

The instructions say 1 – 2 times a week, but unless you’re really oily and breaking out, this is way too much.  This product works like a skin detox and can be drying.  Use this once a week unless you feel a breakout coming on.  I found the easiest way to remember is deciding to use Night Breeze one day a week and not varying from week to week.  Friday is my Night Breeze day.  I figure my skin could use a detox every Friday night after a week of stress not getting eight hours of sleep.

If I feel a breakout coming on, I’ll use it that night.  Be prepared, your skin will likely be a little flaky in the morning.  Just take a soft washcloth and warm water to exfoliate gently when you was your face in the morning.  Take a little extra time patting in your moisturizer.  If it’s just a couple of spots, you can do your normal routine and put a dab on each spot.  Usually the pimple dies overnight–and what’s better than that?!

Vitamin A Complex

This one smells bad.  It fades fast, so it shouldn’t bug you for long, but there’s a slight nail polish remover scent to it.  Use it 2 – 3 times a week, but not immediately after using the Night Breeze.  I’m sure it’s doing something awesome, but it does get overshadowed by Night Breeze.

Gentle Solution

This is your best friend.  It smells like coconuts and leaves you soft and smooth.  I use this in between the other treatments.  So if I’ve just used the Vitamin A Complex, I use the Gentle Solution.  The same for Night Breeze.

Here is a good tip.  If you find you need to use Night Breeze more than once a week, use the Gentle Solution for two nights afterward.  This helps keep your skin from getting too dry.  If your skin feels irritated, but not breakout prone, skip the Vitamin A Complex and use Gentle Solution instead.

Wrap Up

I know this sounds like a lot of work, and really it is.  But, once you get the hang of switching in between the treatments and seeing how your skin reacts it will seem like old hat.  It is so worth it!  My skin changed immediately.  I breakout much less and the texture of my skin is much improved.  When I wash my face at night, I can feel how smooth it is instead of all the little bumps and flakes I felt before.  I will definitely buy full sizes when my smaller ones run out.

Where I got it: W3LL PEOPLE.  What it cost: $65 for the three pack.