This post is dedicated to all my beautiful brown skin ladies with blotchy complexions. I come bearing great news. There is hope...and it's not in a pill, a peel or a dermatologist's office. I know I have slacked off on posting, but I wanted to share this, so here I am. Maybe this will get me "back in the mood" to post more often.
Backstory: Skip to "The Point" if you don't want to read all of this.
In summer 2010, I was on a quest for the perfect mineral foundation. I did a review on Valana Minerals. In that review, I took pictures of my skin, foundation free.
Fast forward a bit to Spring 2011. I was on the search for a line that would clear up my skin once and for all. I did a little research on the web, then went to my local mall to see if they had Clinique's Even Better Dark Spot Corrector. The sales person talked me into purchasing the Acne Solutions Clear Skin System Starter Kit, which is basically a mini version of their Acne Solutions line.
I walked out a happy camper, ready to start yet another trek towards "Clear Complexion Land."
I was pleased with the results, but wasn't quite ready to buy the full sized version (retails at approximately $140, including the Even Better Dark Spot Corrector), so after I ran out of the sampler, I still used the Dark Spot Corrector with the drug store equivalent of the Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam, Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Foam Wash (why is the name so long? Serious question). Anyway, I liked it. I used it with Neutrogena's OFASC Toner and it stopped most of my breakout cycles.
Now, believe it or not, I didn't buy the Dark Spot Corrector for my face. Call me jaded, but I'd already been down the fade gel/cream road several products. I just didn't think it would really work on my face. Silly, I know. I actually purchased it for a dark mark on my chest. It was visible when I wore scoop neck shirts and I didn't want to try to hide it with make up.
Well within about 4-5 weeks, the spot was nearly undetectable. I have no idea why this surprised me. Successful before and after pictures were posted at Clumps of Mascara. At any rate, it was only after my good experience fading the chest mark that I decided it was time to try it on my face.
The point:
So...let's fast forward to about one week ago. I was looking back through this blog, trying to determine the most viewed blog post. The second most viewed was the Valana Minerals review. I couldn't help but notice the pictures I'd posted of my skin. Something was different though. A little off, but in a good way. I got up, went to my bathroom and looked in the mirror. My skin looked NOTHING like that now!
Much of the discoloration seen in those pictures has either disappeared completely, or is MAJORLY faded. What better way to start blogging again than with a product success story?! I have only been using Clinique's line again for about a month or so, this time the full sized products and of course, another bottle of the Dark Spot Corrector (which they only sell in ONE size...big).
Anyway, the pictures are below for your review.
Before (left side)
After (left side)
Before (right side)
Now (right side)
I'm doing "before" and "now" pictures instead of before and after pictures because I am still using the products.
Other things you should know:
I share the above info to give a better idea of outside variables in this accidental experiment. I will check back in about six months from now. Hopefully I'll be all clear. My question is...what are YOU waiting for? Try it out and tell me how it works for you!
Love!
Backstory: Skip to "The Point" if you don't want to read all of this.
In summer 2010, I was on a quest for the perfect mineral foundation. I did a review on Valana Minerals. In that review, I took pictures of my skin, foundation free.
Fast forward a bit to Spring 2011. I was on the search for a line that would clear up my skin once and for all. I did a little research on the web, then went to my local mall to see if they had Clinique's Even Better Dark Spot Corrector. The sales person talked me into purchasing the Acne Solutions Clear Skin System Starter Kit, which is basically a mini version of their Acne Solutions line.
I walked out a happy camper, ready to start yet another trek towards "Clear Complexion Land."
I was pleased with the results, but wasn't quite ready to buy the full sized version (retails at approximately $140, including the Even Better Dark Spot Corrector), so after I ran out of the sampler, I still used the Dark Spot Corrector with the drug store equivalent of the Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam, Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Foam Wash (why is the name so long? Serious question). Anyway, I liked it. I used it with Neutrogena's OFASC Toner and it stopped most of my breakout cycles.
Now, believe it or not, I didn't buy the Dark Spot Corrector for my face. Call me jaded, but I'd already been down the fade gel/cream road several products. I just didn't think it would really work on my face. Silly, I know. I actually purchased it for a dark mark on my chest. It was visible when I wore scoop neck shirts and I didn't want to try to hide it with make up.
Well within about 4-5 weeks, the spot was nearly undetectable. I have no idea why this surprised me. Successful before and after pictures were posted at Clumps of Mascara. At any rate, it was only after my good experience fading the chest mark that I decided it was time to try it on my face.
The point:
So...let's fast forward to about one week ago. I was looking back through this blog, trying to determine the most viewed blog post. The second most viewed was the Valana Minerals review. I couldn't help but notice the pictures I'd posted of my skin. Something was different though. A little off, but in a good way. I got up, went to my bathroom and looked in the mirror. My skin looked NOTHING like that now!
Much of the discoloration seen in those pictures has either disappeared completely, or is MAJORLY faded. What better way to start blogging again than with a product success story?! I have only been using Clinique's line again for about a month or so, this time the full sized products and of course, another bottle of the Dark Spot Corrector (which they only sell in ONE size...big).
Anyway, the pictures are below for your review.
Before (left side)
After (left side)
Before (right side)
Now (right side)
I'm doing "before" and "now" pictures instead of before and after pictures because I am still using the products.
Other things you should know:
- I did not change my diet by excluding sodas, sweets, fried food, etc.
- I did not increase my water intake, by any noticeable means (although you can feel free to do it)
- I stopped touching my face all the time.
- I became a nearly religious user of Biore Pore Strips. This helped alleviate any desire to bother the white heads and black heads that would show up on my skin. This removed the main reason I'd touch my face in the first place.
- I use sunblock everyday (as the instructions encourage)
- I changed my pillow case at least once week.
- Yes, I still use MAC Studio Fix Fluid everyday.
- I use Wonder Cloth to aid in removing my make up.
I share the above info to give a better idea of outside variables in this accidental experiment. I will check back in about six months from now. Hopefully I'll be all clear. My question is...what are YOU waiting for? Try it out and tell me how it works for you!
Love!
