January 15, 2021
My at-home TCA peel experience, rediscovering my favorite Helmut Lang scent that *was* discontinued, Drunk Elephant's facial mist and why I'm obsessed with micellar water.
A Method AMAZING Peel update
I wrote about The A Method’s AMAZING Peel a few weeks ago, and wasn’t lying when I said I was going to try it. Although it arrived a few days after Christmas, I figured New Year’s Day was the perfect opportunity to give it a whirl, and here’s the scoop.
Performing the peel itself was super-easy… I washed with the included cleanser and allowed my skin to thoroughly dry before using the teeny-tiny rollerball to apply the TCA solution to my face, neck and chest. I definitely felt a tingle that continued for the next few hours, and as you can see below my skin got a bit flushed. Since the peel neutralizes itself, I didn’t have to anything else other than wash, use the TCA Retexturizing Cream (which I used every evening until I ran out) and slather on some of the also-included moisturizer and wait to see what happened.
My face felt slightly tight for the following two days, and I started to notice my skin was getting a little rough and scaly. When I woke up on day 4, my chin was shedding big time, and the peeling slowly but surely spread to my upper lip, then my forehead and finally my cheeks.
Today is day 8, and although my entire face is still peeling, you can’t really see it thanks to a nice layer of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. I can totally see a difference in the areas that have already peeled (I have one large, visible “fresh” patch on my left cheek), and newly revealed skin is smooth, soft and definitely healthier-looking. But, I haven’t really seen any effects on existing pigment, and nothing has risen to the surface so it can eventually slough off. (However, the instructions say full results are visible in 14 days, so I still have a week to go.)
At this point, I can confidently recommend this home-based TCA peel because it’s basically fool-proof, totally safe and it has already made a positive difference in my skin. My only advice would be to plan it accordingly… The peeling would definitely interfere with makeup—which is why I haven’t worn any since 2021 began. I’ve also been extra-diligent about sunscreen and wearing a hat while walking or playing tennis, because UV exposure after a peel is beyond no bueno.
After using this home-based treatment, I think I’ll schedule a professional TCA peel in a few months’ time so I can compare the experience and the results—all in the name of research, of course. ;-)
I dreamt one of my favorite perfumes was discontinued...
Yes, I even have all things beauty on the brain when I sleep and dreaming that my beloved Helmut Lang Eau de Parfum was discontinued could technically be considered a nightmare. Although it’s been several years since I last had it in my possession, I keep a running list of all the fragrances I’ve ever worn in case I want to revisit a scent from the past. I didn’t need it in this situation since I was reminded of this fragrance nocturnally—and would you believe that my subconscious may have been right?
Upon Googling the Eau de Parfum shortly after setting into my office, something was definitely afoot. The fragrance was sold out on Helmut Lang’s own website, and I saw several auction listings for both the old packaging I first had back in the ‘00s and the new packaging at well above the standard $185 MSRP. (I also discovered that one of my favorite NYC perfumeries, Aedes de Venustas, seemed to be one of the only legit retailers ANYWHERE to have it in stock.) I had a strong feeling that my dream was likely right, so when I found a listing on eBay for a new, unopened box for $150 I jumped on it.
With notes of rosemary, lavender, orange blossom, sandalwood, patchouli, artemisia, jasmine, rose, heliotrope, lily-of-the-valley and Virginia cedar, this scent has always reminded me of old-school Coppertone sunscreen—and it wouldn’t be the first time this woody, powdery, musky, spicy scent has gone incognito… After first launching in 2000, it quietly went where other discontinued fragrances go before reappearing (much to my delight) in 2014.
My thankfully-authentic bottle arrived yesterday and I’m so happy this scent is part of my life again. Now I just have to add an asterisk next to it on my perfume list to indicate that it’s currently in the rotation.
Think of this mist as happy hour for your skin
I’m all about a nice, cold sake, face mists and minding my skin’s microbiome, so when these three things come together I immediately take notice. You may find this to be an odd combination, but this is exactly what you get with Drunk Elephant’s new Sweet Biome Fermented Sake Spray (and more!).
This skin-balancing cocktail also features kombucha and hops for amino and fatty acids, electrolyte-rich coconut water and the ceramides your skin needs to keep its barrier and microbiome going strong. This means you get soothing on contact and less of a chance of experiencing dryness and sensitivity with ongoing use. The ever-so-slightly-scented mist is ultra-fine, and it’s been a lifesaver in the four days since I did The A Method’s AMAZING Peel. (And my skin is indeed peeling at last.) The only thing that would make this magical mist better: Keeping it in the refrigerator—which gives me another reason the get the skincare fridge I’ve had my eye on.
Yet another reason to love micellar water
Micellar water has secured a much-coveted spot in my “normal” daily skincare routine as the final step of my evening cleansing. But although things have yet to get back to “normal” around these parts, my micellar water is still a mainstay. Of course it’s still there on the those days I actually put on makeup (whether for a Zoom or doctor’s appointment), but it’s also there every other day when I keep my face bare other than skincare.
Even if I’m makeup-free, I still like to start my evening skincare regimen with a clean slate—but I don’t see the need to over-wash (and potentially piss off my skin’s barrier). Micellar water comes to the rescue once again, and after a few light swipes (with my reusable cotton rounds, of course), my skin is prepped and primed.
I’ve definitely been spoiled by Natura Bissé’s C+C Vitamin Micellar Cleanser Water for the past few months, and as far as micellar waters go, this one ticks all my boxes. It’s super-lightweight (like, um, water), the smell reminds me of baby aspirin, it never stings or burns, and it leaves my skin feeling completely clean. I was truly sorry to see it go…
But as the self-proclaimed Queen of Backstock, I had Beauty Pie’s Qi Energy Ginseng Micellar Water at the ready as soon as I finished the Natura Bissé. I’ll admit I don’t love the Beauty Pie as much (it’s a bit thicker than I’d like), but it certainly gets the job done and it cost me less than $10.
If you need a Beauty Pie refresher, this subscription-based shopping option involves paying just $10/month for access to high-quality skincare, makeup, candles and more made in the same factories as your favorite luxury brands at insanely low prices. I’m slowly but surely replacing all of my “basics” like body wash, body lotion, hand cream, etc., and I’m psyched to try the Superdose C C-Suite Rapid Action Power Brightener (which would ordinarily cost $90—but I only spent $14) when I finish my BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner.
As for my next micellar water, unless something literally lands on my doorstep, I’ll probably go back to my old, reliable Bioderma.