Saturday, November 22, 2014

Rodan + Fields Soothe System

I mentioned in my last post that I recently got a facial. It was my first one and I didn't really know what to expect. I guess I thought I would leave there with beautiful glowing skin but that's not exactly what happened. I had also heard that they hurt so I was prepared for it to be a pampering experience but also that it might be a little painful. What I got was a mix between the two. The hot steam on my face was an interesting experience and once I got used to it, I really liked it! It felt really nice to open my pores. One of the most important takeaways I got from that appointment is that I have sensitive skin. My facialist had mentioned that would be one of the things she would figure out based on how my skin reacted to different stimuli. The crazy thing is that I never knew I had sensitive skin. I would exfoliate and use my Clarisonic like it was going out of style. So, fast forward 29 years and all of a sudden everything makes sense. I did notice that my skin was sensitive to certain things, but I never thought to call it "sensitive skin". I guess I didn't want to admit that my skin wasn't normal. I thought, oh great, does this mean for the rest of my life I have to buy special products catering to "sensitive skin"? But, I actually am really glad that I found that out because I think it's good to cater to your skin type and really know how to take care of it.

Enter Rodan + Fields.




I discovered them this summer and decided to give their SOOTHE system a try.  This system is specifically designed for sensitive skin, which is perfect for me. My skin isn't normally red but it does get irritated and dry. In the past, if I had a breakout, I would use retinol and my skin does not like that! It gets rid of the pimples but is very drying to my skin. You can see in my before photo below, that my skin is looking dry and a little red around the jawline. And now, for all the internet to see, here are my no makeup photos {eek, but also liberating!}. Especially given that I had terrible acne in high school and now my skin isn't too shabby, if I do say so myself...

Before starting the R + F System: 



I've been using the system for over a month now, and I am really happy with the results. I had taken a few progress photos below because that really helps me to tell the difference between each week of use. My skin also feels so much smoother and healthier. I think I am hooked!

Immediately after my first week of using the system, my skin felt less dry, irritated and red. In the photos below, my face looks a little white, it's because I took the photos after applying steps 2-4. The mineral sunscreen does make you face a tad white, so just be sure to use a cc cream or foundation after applying. Voila!

After 2 Weeks:



Technically, you are supposed to use the system 2 times a day but due to my busy schedule, I only wash my face at night and use the regimen then, right before bed. I asked my consultant if that is OK and she said I would get better results it I used it twice a day, but that I don't have to change my lifestyle to wash my face. Hah. So, they get it. It's real life. Realistically, I'm not going to wash my face in the morning. It would add at least 10 minutes to my morning routine and I need my beauty sleep. So, nights it is. And that's been working perfectly for me! 

After 4 weeks: 



I also asked my consultant about using my Clarisonic brush. She recommended I take a break from it and I mostly have. I maybe have used it once every other week. Also, my skin is on the drier side and she also mentioned that you can use the system without water if you have dryness issues. I didn't end up experimenting with that, but it's possible I might in the future as it gets colder here and my skin starts feeling the effects of that.
After 6 weeks: 



I guess the moral of the story is that sometimes less is more. You don't have to spend tons of money and have 27 different products and special things in your skin care line up. You just need real products that work that have good ingredients and that make your skin feel good. It's as simple as that.

If you are interested in trying their products, click here to visit their website or you can contact my  R + F consultant at sassysistershawaii@gmail.com. 

Note: All opinions and photos are my own. I received a complimentary SOOTHE Regimen kit from Rodan + Fields to review. 

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

The. Big. 3-0.

So ... On Monday, I turned 30. 

Whoa, that was weird to type. I have a feeling that the first time someone asks me my age I'm going to have a real hard time answering them. Maybe I'll just be in denial. Check out this if you haven't seen it. It's pretty funny. Also: I didn't get carded buying wine last week. Very interesting. 

Jake was asking me what the big deal is about turning 30? For some reason, I always had an irrational fear that I would be crying on the bathroom floor. Well, the good news is that didn't happen. It still seems very surreal though. I definitely don't feel 30.  When I first thought seriously about turning 30 {which was probably two years ago when I turned 28}, I started asking myself the important questions:

{photo below is from the Carolina Balloonfest, post coming soon}

Does this mean I have to stop shopping at Forever 21? 

Does this mean I have to start having kids right. this. minute?

Does this mean I have to have my whole life figured out?

Does this mean I have to get rid of that tube top in my closet? {I mean, I don't live in Hawaii, anymore... so... yes, I do} 

...and the list goes on and on. 

Somehow I think I'll survive. I've had a running list of things in my head that I wanted to do before turning 30. I am proud of myself for what I've accomplished in my 30 years so far. 

Some highlights:

Go on an amazing foreign adventure -- Iceland. Check

Pay off our wedding loan. Check. 

Get my first facial. Check.

Pass the CPA Exam. Check. {well I did that a long time ago, but it is still one of my biggest accomplishments}

Pay off my credit card. Check {it might have a small balance again... That's life, right?}

Visit NYC for the first time. Check.

Get my first gel manicure. Check.

For me, I think the prospect of turning 30 made me want to reflect. Just on where I've been and where I'm headed. Maybe I don't have to have my whole life figured out, but at least have a rough draft in mind. Jake and I joke about me going to law school. We joke about what city we will live in next. Well, maybe not joke, but we try to visualize living in certain places and just figuring it all out. In the end, it's the journey and not the destination. So, thirty is just another journey. 

Here goes!
xoxo,
Kim

P.S. I filed this under "Beauty" because I didn't know how else to categorize it. 

Saturday, November 1, 2014

High Point Highlights

My friend Megan came to visit from Seattle {!!!} a few weekends ago and we headed to High Point Market in High Point, NC! It was my second time and her first. I wrote a recap about my first time here, in case you feel like checking that out. As I mentioned last time, High Point happens twice a year and it's basically Fashion Week for the Furniture industry. It's not open to the public, but its mainly for industry and buyers and press {me!}. I still can't get over how big it is - 0ver 180 buildings! Over 10 million square feet of showroom space! Maybe we saw 2% of that in 4 hours? Below are some of the highlights from my latest trip to the Market!

Kalalou - love this sign and styling!


Go Home Ltd - This was my fave showroom both times! This wall of books would be perfect in my apartment. And you can actually buy every single book. How cool is that?!?







This pink chair is everything. Don't remember which showroom this was at, but isn't she a beauty?


Vintage Textiles which were super cool! I like the middle one in the bottom row.


Loved these gold and silver fingerprints. See what I did there? I think these would be kinda fun to try and DIY. Not that I'm really a DIY person, but you know? It could be cool. Or it could turn out terrible. Can someone try it and let me know how it goes?


Sugarboo Designs had a ton of cute stuff in their showroom, again:



Overall - it was another great trip checking out High Point Market! Thanks for joining me this time, Megan!

xoxo,
Kim

P.S. Can you believe it's November 1st? And so begins the 16 day countdown to my 30th birthday. Eek!