Stressful Life: Distressed Skin

A good friend of mine is going into a high-stress, long hours, high-stakes finance job. She's beautiful, smart, and a tough cookie. How does one stay young while working 80-100 hrs a week? Here is a list of items to prevent and fight the onslaught of free radicals, sleep deprivation, and fatigue. NOTE: this post is tailored to tired, distressed, combination to oily skin types

EYE Cream: for when she works till 4am in the morning on those excel sheets

You thought coffee was just for drinking? Wrong. It's also topically good for your skin. Origin's Ginzing Eye Cream is a cup of espresso for your eyes. Really. It contains caffeine, ginseng, and magnolia abstract to depuff and brighten tired eyes. The skin illuminators give the illusion of refreshed eyes so you can pretend you got 8 hrs of sleep instead of 4 hrs. Ditch the Starbucks, invest $29.50 in a jar (about 3-5 months supply) for this eyes rever-upper. Besides, drinking coffee dehydrates your skin and makes you pee like a race horse.

Clinique All Eyes Cream: voted #1 by Allure Magazine's Readers' choice award
This baby does EVERYTHING. This cream is great for night time usage. Its moisture rich botanical formula delivers the hydration tired eyes need.

Garnier Nutritioniste Anti-puff Eye Roller: for majorly bad days when her eyes resemble ET. The rolling ball massages the eyes for better blood circulation. A cool spoon will also do the trick.

Cleansing Wipes: for when she doesn't have time to wash her face before a boardroom meeting

Blum's Tea Tree Oil cleansing wipes are fast, effective, and gentle at removing excess oil, make-up, and sebum (the stuff that produces oil and blackheads). It's great to use in the morning, after the gym, and at night. Can be found at Wholefoods and New Seasons. 100% Organic.

Mattifying Pore Refiner : for when she starts to shine in the afternoon
Oily T-zone? I feel you. Many women think oily skin/t-zone is the bane of their existence. Let me set this straight: OIL IS GOOD FOR YOU! Oil production prevents wrinkles and protects your skin. Shine on the other hand is bad. So, use Dr. Brandt's Pores No More Pore Refiner. Yes, it's a pricey $45 a tube but it WORKS. It instantly mattifies your skin and diminished your pores. Celebrate your oilies ladies, and control the shine!

Midnight Concentrate Night Serum: for when she needs sleep but can't afford to sleep
Khiel's came out with a 99.8% pure essential oil blend. Rubbing in oil onto your skin? Seriously? I was skeptic too. You only need two drops, which instantly absorbs into your skin. The next morning, you wake up to younger, softer skin. Also oil fights oil. It balances/reduces your oil production over night. Give it a try. Ask the Khiel's make-up counter lady for a 10-day sample. You won't regret it.

That's all for now ladies! Cheers to good skin and CONGRATS on the investment banking job Steph! Yes, those two things are NOT mutually exclusive.

Ciao bella,
--B