PHOTO CREDIT: www.kuscomurphy.com.au

KUSCO-MURPHY LAVENDER HAIR CREME - Sometimes I beat my hair into submission with heat styling and products, but most of the time I try to work with what I have.  As a busy mom whose hair is a great way of gauging the weather (stick straight during dry Chicago winters, absolutely curly on humid summer days), I love finding one product that works for my schizo hair’s ever-changing texture.  Kusco-Murphy Lavender Hair Creme is a light pomade that fits the bill perfectly.  Kusco-Murphy is an Australian line known for top notch products with natural ingredients, and this stuff is no exception.  It can be used on wet or dry hair.  Applied to towel dried hair it minimizes frizz, and on dry hair it adds loads of shine and excellent hold without restricting movement.  On my thick, long hair I concentrate on the ends to define my layers and run a teeny amount closer to the roots for sleek, soft hair.  The effect is as natural and beautiful as the lavender fragrance, and I love that the product rinses out easily with water, leaving no trace of build-up.

FINAL VERDICT – GGI (GOTTA GET IT) – At $30 for a 4 ounce jar, Kusco-Murphy Lavender Hair Creme may seem like a costly product, but that little jar will last forever and the product really does deliver.  My hair will never truly be wash-and-go, but Lavender Hair Creme gets me mighty close and it smells amazing.

*purchased*

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IF I CAN ONLY AFFORD ONE PRODUCT, WHAT SHOULD IT BE?

I hear  you ! None of us want to forsake our skincare regime even  if we are “squeezed” for cash these days. Decide how much money you have in your budget for skincare and spend it on a GREAT eye cream. The eyes are the first to show the signs of aging and a good eye cream is a must.

Your local CVS or drugstore will  have lots of good choices for cleansers  at responsible prices. Look at the ingredient labels and you can find one almost identical to your more expensive cleanser. There are also good choices for moisturizers both with and without susncreens. Acne care products with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are abundant and relatively inexpensive.

For a good eye cream look at Olay Definity Highly Defined Anti-Aging Illuminating Eye Treatment. I actually use this one myself as I love that it has a very light texture so I don’t  wake up with puffy eyes . Also helps with dark circles.

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Contrary to popular belief, pores do not open or close! The size of your pores are genetically programmed and/or stretched by an accumulation of oil and dead skin cells. Once they are strectched they will not close aka get smaller.  As you age, pores also get larger because the openings loosen up.

The best way to prevent large pores is to wash with a product that prevents oil build-up as well as promotes cell turnover -one with salicylic acid for oil control and glycolic acid to accelerate dead skin cell turnover. Using of a mild Buf Puff will also work to remove oil and dead skin cell build-up in the pores that causes the pores to be strectched. The old cold water trick helps the appearance by contracting the blood vessels making the skin appear tighter while a moisturizer plumps the skin surrounding the pores also making it appear smaller. Home microdermabrasion kits can also help keep pores clean and taut.

For those with oily skin, and prone to larger pores especially around the nose, cheeks and chin, monthly facials with extractions can be a real benefit

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