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What Finally Got Rid Of My Adult Acne For Good!

March 21, 2018 by Stacy 6 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking these links, I will be compensated with a small commission, however your price does not change. Get more detail in my Disclosure Policy. Thank you!

I have had mild to moderate adult acne for as long as I can remember.  I’ve been married almost 16 years, and my husband had never seen my face completely clear.  I’ve tried just about everything non-prescription to get rid of it.  I even went on antibiotics for a few years.  Nothing seemed to work.

Warning – This post is picture heavy.  None of these images are edited at all.  I’m not wearing any makeup in the photos, with the exception of the Lash Boost results photo.  In that one, I have a little concealer, bronzer and blush on, as well as a very, very, very thin layer of mascara.

With that out of the way, here are the before pictures.

March 2017


My before umblemish picture. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!Before using Unblemish. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

I had tried regimens in the past that would work for a few months, and then stop working.  As I got older, my adult acne changed to more cyclical outbreaks, and they’d be large, deep ones.  They would leave red marks for months, sometimes years.  I was very self-conscious about it.

Before using Unblemish. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

Before using Unblemish. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

 

Last year, while on a Spring Break trip with my family, I decided I’d had enough.  I was done with adult acne.  There was one regimen out there that I hadn’t tried yet, mostly because I felt it was too expensive.  I also am not real into multi-level marketing gimmicks.

Of course, I’m talking about Rodan + Fields Unblemish.

My results after using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for one year. See the before, during and after photos!

Like everyone else, I had seen my Facebook feed littered with amazing before & after posts of Rodan + Fields products, but I always wondered how legit they were.  Every blog post I read always plugged a Rep.  I wanted to see real results from real people without a kickback.  I wanted to see someone’s adult acne disappear without accutane or birth control pills.

THAT is why I’m writing this post today.  No one sponsored this post.  No one paid me to write it.  They don’t even know I’m writing it.

I had used both Proactiv & Proactiv+ in the past, and I knew those worked for a little while for me.  These Doctors know how to get rid of acne.  What really drew me to Rodan & Fields Unblemish was the fact that in the regimen, three ingredients are used: Sulphur, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Salicylic Acid.  Those are the top 3 acne fighting ingredients, and I had used all of them in the past.  But, I had never used them all in one regimen before.  Between those three items in the same regimen, I felt my adult acne didn’t stand a chance.

When we got home from that trip, I reworked my entire YNAB Budget to see if it was even possible to fit the Unblemish Regimen into our monthly expenses.  After some cutting, I figured out a way to get it done.  My neighbor is an R+F rep, sort of, and I ordered it from her website.

Once I got my regimen in the mail, I started using it according to the instructions.  They want you to start off slowly to get your skin used to the products.  This means using it at night every other day, then adding a day, then adding the morning in the same manner, until you’ve worked your way to twice a day every day.

I absolutely love the smell of the Unblemish line. It makes your face feel so clean!

April 2017 – Five Weeks

5 Weeks Using Umblemish picture. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

5 Weeks of using Umblemish picture. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

5 weeks of using Umblemish picture. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

5 Weeks of using Umblemish picture. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

5 Weeks of using Umblemish picture. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

After five weeks, I started to see a difference in my skin.  I noticed I wasn’t getting any new pimples and my skin was healing.

September 2017 – 6 Months

6 months of using Umblemish picture. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

6 months of using Umblemish picture. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

6 Months of using Umblemish picture. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

Before and After 6 months using Unblemish. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

After 6 Months, I noticed the old red spots were fading.

January 2018 – 10 Months

Picture at 10 months of using Unblemish. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

Picture at 10 months of using Unblemish. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

Picture at 10 months of using Unblemish. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

Before and After 10 months using Unblemish. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

After 10 months, I was really happy!

March 2018 – One Year

1 year of using Unblemish. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

1 year of using Unblemish. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

1 year of using Unblemish. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

Before and After 1 year of using Unblemish. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

After a year, I have seen a few pimples, but they are always very, very small, and they went away quickly.  I even had a few times-of-the-month where I didn’t have a tell-tale pimple.  That hadn’t happened in decades.

I wanted to write the post today to show you my honest results.  I am not a Rodan + Fields rep.  I don’t intend to ever be an R+F rep.  I don’t know that Unblemished will work for you.  I do know that it works for me.

Other Rodan + Fields Products I’ve Used

Over the last year, I have tried some other Rodan + Fields products with mixed results.

First, I love the Redefine Eye Cream.  It works really well.  I noticed that my fine lines aren’t as noticeable as they used to be. They are still there, but I feel like my concealer doesn’t hang out in them and make them visible.  I didn’t notice any difference in dark circles.  Eye creams are weird on me, and sometimes I have a reaction.  I didn’t have any adverse reaction to this, and one tub usually last me about 4-5 months.

Before and After 10 months using Unblemished. I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemished for a year, and have seen wonderful results. See the blog for a full year's worth of pictures!

I used the Reverse Lightening regimen in the mornings with Unblemish at night for about 3 months last Fall.  The comparison above is when I finished using Reverse.  I have some light melasma from my last pregnancy, as well as overall areas of redness, and I wanted to undo some old sun damage. After the 3 months of using this regimen, I didn’t really see a difference at all, but I know some people have had dramatic results.  I’m still nursing my last baby, so hormones might have something to do with that.  It may be something I try again next year, but for now, the Reverse line was a dud for me.

I have the AMP MD system and I really love that.  I don’t use it every day, but when I do, my skin feels amazing.  It’s a bit of a splurge, but worth it.  You’re supposed to use it everyday, and the roller itself lasts one year, so the cost-per use is fairly low.  You do have to get the serum every 60 days if you use the AMP every day.

The Soothe Sensitive Skin Treatment is really great for bug bites.  I bought it for redness, which I didn’t think it worked for, but it really works when the mosquitos use me for lunch.  It also feels wonderful on sunburns.

For my last shipment, I ordered the Peptides & Brush.  This is sort of like Bare Essentials Mineral Foundation.  It’s ok.  I don’t know that it’s any better than Bare Essentials.

7 weeks of using Rodan + Fields Lash Boost. I've received tons of compliments on my lashes!

One thing I really, really love, and that I get a ton of compliments on (even more than my clear skin) are my lashes.  That’s thanks to Lash Boost.  That stuff is amazing.  My lashes are so thick and long.  Buy it with the regimen to get it cheaper.  It takes a while to use a full tube, especially if its a maintenance tube.  At first, you use this everyday, but after you get the length you want, you can cut back to 2-3 times a week.  I’ve only bought 2 tubes myself in a year.  I do have mascara on in that bottom picture, but its the thinnest of thin coats.  Just one!

I am a VIP Member to get the free shipping and discounted prices.  I haven’t run out of anything before its shipped, and I sometimes can skip ordering a whole regimen for a shipment, especially if I use these cloths to apply the toner.  They don’t absorb as much liquid as normal cotton pads, so your toner lasts longer.  When I don’t need to order a full regimen, that’s when I order one of these other products that I’ve tried in order to hit the minimum spend requirement.  I think that’s like $89 every two months.

Non-Rodan + Fields Products I’ve Used

pmd Personal Microderm. I'm using this in conjunction with Rodan + Fields Unblemished to get the best skin of my life.

I have done a few other things to my skin regularly this year.  I use the PMD microdermabrasion device once a week on Sundays.  I’ve also been using different Target Masks, my favorite Skyn Iceland Mask, or the Beautycounter Charcoal Mask once or twice a week.  That’s it.  These things are nice, but I’m giving all of the credit for my clear skin to Unblemished.

So that’s how I used Rodan + Fields Unblemish to get rid of my adult acne for good.  I wanted to offer a perspective that wasn’t sponsored by anyone, and offered real-life results and testimony.  Unblemish worked for me.  Something finally worked!  At 37, I finally, at last, have clear skin!  It feels amazing!

If you want to try Rodan + Fields for yourself, I’m sure you have someone on your Facebook timeline who’s bragging about getting a Louis Viutton bag, or going to Napa for hitting an R+F sales goal.  Hit them up for your products.  You can pretty much throw a rock and find an R+F rep somewhere.

But don’t let your budget hold you back.  I’m buying FAR less beauty products now than I was a year ago, and its all thanks to my clear skin.  That savings more than makes up for the cost of the products.  Budgets are all about what’s important to you.  If your skin is important to you, like it is to me, then you find a way to assign those dollars the job of paying for your skincare routine.  For me, that was cutting back on funding a few other areas that I wasn’t spending as fast (baby products & beauty products), and shift it to Personal Care.  I figured out a way to make it work for me and my budget at the same time.  Plus, there’s an empty bottle money back guarantee if it doesn’t work for you.

If you’d like to pin this post for later, here’s a pinnable image for you:

I've been using Rodan + Fields Unblemish for one year. See my before, during and after photos.

Have you had success using any Rodan + Fields products?  I’m always looking for new things to try.  Have you gotten rid of adult acne?  Let me know what your skincare dilemma is, and what you’ve used to solve it in the comments!  Maybe I’ll add your favorite products to my next shipment!

 

Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: Acne, Beauty, Skincare

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Finds!

July 24, 2017 by Stacy Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking these links, I will be compensated with a small commission, however your price does not change. Get more detail in my Disclosure Policy. Thank you!

Things are going FAST during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!  Did you get your hands on what you wanted?  I missed some things I really wanted.

I’ve rounded up a few things that I love that are still available!  Most are under $50!

frye bag

Frye makes beautiful products!  I bought a bag from them during this sale last year, and I love it!  It’s gorgeous!  This one comes in this delicious cognac color as well as grey.  Its only $284.90 during the sale, but goes back to $428 on August 7th!  You will not regret this one!

These Vince Camuto booties are so cute!  Look at that detailing!  If you missed out on last year’s must-have bootie, this one is better & comes in 3 different colors!  They’re on sale for $99.90, but are 149.95 after the sale is over!

These leggings are one of the most popular items in the sale!  I finally bought a pair this year and I totally get why!  The high waist keeps everything in, and they are comfy!  Perfect for Fall & Winter, and this is the best price all year.  On sale for just $35.90, they’ll be $54 after the sale!

This is my absolute favorite bra!  They fit so well and last for a very long time!  This one also never goes on sale, so this is the best time to stock up!  Make sure you check the fit chart if you haven’t been professionally fitted.  You’re most likely going to need to order a bigger cup & smaller band!  Win!  This one has extended sizing and comes in 8 different colors for just $44.90.  They are $68 after the sale!  Don’t forget the matching panty!  It’s on sale too!

This is another item that is hyped up that I picked up this year.  These no-show socks are amazing!  All the heart-eyes! 😍  They keep your feet cool and, most importantly, they stay in place!  I’ve shopped around for these, and they normally are $12-14.  During the Anniversary Sale, they’re only $8.90, and they also come in black!  Stock up time!

I saw this clutch online and was obsessed, but I saw it in person and I’m in love!  At just $20, its not real leather, but its much bigger than you think it is, and the strap across the back is so unique!  Perfect for the Fall!  It comes in 5 different colors/patterns including 3 solid colors. It will go back up to $

This roll tab sleeve top is super cute & classic and comes in lots of colors!  It’s really popular, so get it before its gone!  Its just $27.90 during the sale, and $42 after!

 

This facial cleansing tool is super affordable!  Unlike other similar tools, there’s no pieces to change out that cost more money.  Get it for less during the Anniversary Sale!  It comes in three colors for just $166.90 but $249 on August 7th!  The mini version is less than $100!

It’s always nice to get Kendra Scott jewels for less!  These tiny earrings come in 3 different finishes!  They’re just $39.90 during the sale and $60 after!

I really love this statement necklace, but I love its sale price even more!  Its just $35.90 now, but goes to $59 on the 7th!

If you don’t have a pair of black skinny jeans, you need to fix that problem!  This pair is just $49.90 during the Anniversary Sale, and $69.50 after!

Mac Makeup Brushes are always one of the best deals of the Anniversary Sale.  This set has everything you need to get started!  A $162 value, they’re just $49.50 during the Anniversary Sale!

This sweater has been super popular during this sale and has completely sold out several times.  It comes in 7 different colors and is perfect for Fall AND Spring!  Most of the colors & sizes have a backorder date of November, and you won’t be charged until your sweater ships!  It could come earlier than November depending on the stock.  I sized down to a XXS Petite in this one, and I got the pink & black versions!  They’re just $49.90 during the sale and $79 after!

I love this Plus-Sized sweater!  The neck is convertible, so it can be worn off the shoulder like in the picture, or as a cowl neck for more coverage!  It comes in 4 beautiful Fall shades and is just $49.90 during the sale ($79 after)!

leith circle cardigan

This is another sweater that’s been flying off the shelves this year.  It has sold out several times, and comes in 4 colors.  I bought it in the burgundy stem shade, and it is gorgeous!  The softest sweater, you’ll want to wear it everyday!  If its sold out, add it to your wish list and keep checking back.  It’s been restocked several times.  That’s how I got mine!  It’s also $49.90 during the sale and $75 after.

There’s still a lot of awesome items available during the Anniversary Sale, but they won’t be there for long.  Get your’s before they are gone!

Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Today!

 

Filed Under: Beauty, Fashion Tagged With: Beauty, Fashion, Nordstrom, Sale

Julep Summer Polish Duos & Trios On Sale!

July 17, 2017 by Stacy Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking these links, I will be compensated with a small commission, however your price does not change. Get more detail in my Disclosure Policy. Thank you!

Sun’s out, nails out!

Grab a bold one.

Grab a polish duo for only $10, and a trio for $12.

Bright and refreshing nail colors – ready for optimal summertime lounging. Get specially-curated nail duos and trios at the season’s coolest prices.

This is a great deal!  My buy price for a Julep polish is about $4.99 or so, considering the full retail price is $14 per bottle.  Great price for teacher & hostess gifts!

Fine print: Offer expires 7/24/2017 at 11:59 PM PT, or while supplies last. Promotion excludes the Julep Box, Savvy Deals, Julep add-ons, Sweet Steals and Secret Store catalogs. Not valid for purchase of julep.com gift cards, gift boxes, Gift of Maven, or Mystery Boxes. Orders placed for the Monthly Maven Reveal (e.g. monthly Maven Boxes, Upgrade Boxes, and add-ons) are not eligible. No exchanges or returns on free gift. No adjustments on previous purchases. Taxes vary by location.

 

Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: Beauty, Julep, Online Deals

Best of Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Beauty!

July 13, 2017 by Stacy Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking these links, I will be compensated with a small commission, however your price does not change. Get more detail in my Disclosure Policy. Thank you!

It’s finally here!  The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale started today for Nordstrom Card Holders!  It’s Christmas in July!  For 3 weeks (4 if you have a Nordies Card) brand new Fall Merchandise is on sale!  Perfect for that special Back to School (or Back to PTA/Carpool/Playdate) outfits!

If you’re not a Nordstrom card holder, the sale opens to the public on the 21st. Items are limited quantity and sell out FAST!  Nordstrom always has Free Delivery & Free Returns, so don’t be afraid to order if an item you love is available, because chances are it will be gone next time you go to buy it!  Here are a few of my absolute must-have favorite things that I’ve bought over the years at the Anniversary Sale!

There is so much in this sale that I’ve broken my picks down into separate posts by category: Women’s, Men’s, Kids & Baby, Shoes, Women’s, Home and Beauty.

The Beauty Department is full of bundles, value sizes, and gifts with purchase specially curated for this sale.  Products that Nordstrom only sells for these three weeks every year.  Think Jumbo sized lotions, makeup brush sets, nail polish sets, discounted expensive beauty tools and more.  This part of the sale is so much fun, but it can also be a budget buster if you’re not careful.

Here are my favorite Anniversary picks from the Beauty Department!

 

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Love My Mia2!

 

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A Year’s Supply! Like Getting One Free!

 

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Awesome Price for an Awesome Set!

 

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Love these for summer! One for every bag!

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Jumbo Kiehl’s Shampoo!

 

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Matching Conditioner!

 

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Best Lotion Jumbo Sized!

 

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Rare Living Proof Jumbos!

 

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Awesome Brush Set!

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NARS Cheek Palette 😍

 

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Philosophy Sets!

 

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My New Favorite Beauty Tool!

 

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Big Discount!

 

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Love the Rose Gold!

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Everything You Need in One Set!

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My Favorite Spray Sunscreen!

What are your favorite picks?

Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: Anniversary Sale, Beauty, Nordstrom

Save 25% At The Julep Friends & Family Sale!

July 11, 2017 by Stacy Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking these links, I will be compensated with a small commission, however your price does not change. Get more detail in my Disclosure Policy. Thank you!

Julep Friends & Family

It’s the Julep Friends and Family Event! We’re sharing the love, and you should too! It’s a great time for friends & family to stock up on beauty favorites, and try something new. For 48 hours only, get 25% off sitewide.  Just use the code HEYFRIEND!

Pick up a new nail color for summer or try out some of the Julep beauty products!

This deal ends tomorrow night, so shop today!

Promotional code HEYFRIEND must be entered at checkout to take 25% off of your cart value on orders up to $500 through 7/13/17 11:59 PM PT. Offer may not be combined with any other promotional code. Promotion excludes the Julep Box, Savvy Deals, Julep add-ons, Sweet Steals and Secret Store catalogs. Not valid for purchase of julep.com gift cards, gift boxes, Gift of Maven, or Mystery Boxes. Orders placed for the Monthly Maven Reveal (e.g. monthly Maven Boxes, Upgrade Boxes, and add-ons) are not eligible. All items purchased with promotional code are final sale, absolutely no exchanges or returns. No adjustments on previous purchases. Taxes vary by location.

Filed Under: Beauty, Online Deals Tagged With: Beauty, Julep, Online Deals

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Hi There! Thanks for visiting my little corner of the internet. I’m Stacy – Mom of 3 who loves to shop, DIY, organize, & play with beauty products. But, most of all, I love to be frugal & do it all for less. Stick around and learn all of the ways I never pay full price!
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