Paula’s Choice

You may have noticed the new Paula’s Choice little graphic in the righthand column under the “Things I Like” cloud. Yes, friends, it’s an ad.

Before you think I sold out–and make no bones about it, I sort of did–let me just tell you that I use Paula’s Choice. I love her Skin Balancing Cleanser, I use her SPF 15 face powder daily, I dab blemish eliminator on zits when they pop up … I’m definitely a fan. My mom turned me on to all this stuff years ago. She read Paula’s Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me book and couldn’t stop buying Paula’s Choice. I think she’s tried everything Paula sells.

Anyway, they have an affiliate program where I get 15% of any purchases made through my blog. So, why not? I’m not about to start cluttering up the place with ads, and I wouldn’t put anything up that I didn’t believe in. But times are tough and I might as well make a buck! 😉

A little about the company, from them:

Paula guarantees that her products meet her exact criteria for excellent skin care, and she won’t make any exaggerated claims about them. Her goal is to help women [thisislifeinaustin note: and men! my dad uses this stuff!] obtain and maintain the skin they’ve always dreamed of having.

For more than 25 years, Paula Begoun has studied, analyzed, tested, and critiqued leading skin-care formulations and makeup products to help women around the world understand whether a product was worth the money or could live up to the claims on the label. Paula’s exhaustive research and quest for high quality, reasonably priced products led her to develop her own premier product line of makeup and skin care products. In 1995, Paula’s Choice was launched.

Potent antioxidants, pH-effective exfoliants, and soothing water-binding ingredients that mimic the structure of the skin characterize Paula’s Choice skin care that, according to Paula, “will never contain synthetic coloring agents, fragrance, or any of the irritating ingredients that I warn about.” Better still, Paula is dedicated to ensuring superior quality formulations for all her products.

Paula’s Choice cosmetics offer beautiful textures and a diverse palette of flattering colors that can take you from daytime professional to nighttime glamour. With foundations that contain effective sunscreens, silky smooth powders, blushes, and eyeshadows, and moisturizing lipsticks and glosses, you will find professional makeup artist quality in every item. Paula’s Choice products are fragrance free and are not tested on animals.

So sellout or no, buy some Paula’s Choice! My recommendations:

Skin Balancing Cleanser

Everyone in my fam uses this. We all have at least two bottles at any given time, lest we run out. It moisturizes without leaving you dry or oily. It removes grime without scrubbing. It is genius. And sensitive. And has never caused a breakout. Live by it.

Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion SPF 15

This stuff is like gold: while $19 for a tiny tube, it really does moisturize while keeping your face from being shiny. And it protects you from the sun while it’s doing its fly mattifying job!

Healthy Finish Pressed Powder SPF 15

Also good for protecting you from the sun, this pressed powder provides me with just enough coverage without covering me up. My mom and I both use this daily; I own it in Flaxen and Healthy Tan for winter and summer respectively.

Extra Strength Blemish Fighting Solution

This stuff knocks it out. Dab on a blemish just two or three times and it deflates like magic. Everyone in my fam has borrowed this from someone at one point or another–we don’t even know who it belongs to anymore!

These are my top four, the main ones I use. My mom also uses the Antioxidant Serum, which is heavenly smooth but wickedly expensive, the concealer, the lip balm, the sunscreen, the 2% beta hydroxy … I’m telling you, she loves the stuff. It’s great, so give it a shot if you’re looking for new cosmetics!