Everyone has at least one physical feature they covet but will seemingly never possess without surgical--or divine--intervention: a straight little nose, long, shapely legs, full lips, a flat stomach. (And anyone who says they don’t is either lying or a Ukranian fashion model.)
My if-only feature fantasy has always been beautiful skin. I had some serious acne in my teens and early twenties (which I fetchingly spackled over with heavy foundation--in my prom pictures I look like an awkward geisha who’s been let loose in a Jessica McClintock outlet). Even after it abated it left me with unruly, sensitive combination skin. I did everything I was supposed to--drank tons of water, used oil-free products, loaded up on antioxidants--but I never achieved the dewy perfection I so desperately craved. (In retrospect, perhaps this is because I also did a lot of things I wasn’t supposed to--like drink lots of booze and smoke cigarettes and eat Rice Krispies treats for lunch. But let’s place the blame squarely on nature and look the other way, agreed?)
Anyway, aging hasn’t helped my skin woes. You’d need a sherpa to navigate my crow’s feet, and the oiliness of my youth has recently been replaced by inexplicable dryness, with some red splotches and brown spots thrown in just for fun. So when I was approached to test-drive Olay® Total Effects Tone Correcting UV Moisturizer I jumped in face-first.
The seven things the moisturizer claims to do--seven, being inherently lucky and the title of a Prince song, bodes well already--are moisturize, minimize the appearance of fine lines, reduce the appearance of age spots, smooth skin texture, reduce eye puffiness, defend skin against harmful free radicals and combat dryness. That’s a lot of things, y’all. AND it comes packaged like a delightful summer soft-serve swirl:
Now there’s no shame in picking something based on looks alone--I mean, otherwise would "The Bachelor" still be on TV? But I’m happy to report that Olay delivers on multiple fronts:
- After a week of use, my skin felt smoother and softer and my lines were less noticeable.
- Because it corrects tone, it served more or less as a tinted moisturizer, doing away with my need for foundation.
- It took care of dryness without the need for any additional moisturizers.
- It gave me that subtle “Who, me? I don’t wear any makeup!” glow. Ding ding ding ding ding!
 |
| Subtle differences, but in the "after" on the right my skin is less red and more--dare I say--dewy. Also I have fewer flyaway hairs. Granted, not Olay's doing, but still. Also part 2: Isn't my shower curtain boss? |
What’s your healthy-skin secret? Tell me about it in the comments for the chance to win a $50 Visa gift card!
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by email. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 4/9 - 5/16
Be sure to visit the Olay TE page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers' reviews and find more chances to win! While we're on the subject of looking good, you might want to check out the "Looking Your Best" posts in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com. There are some great tips and expert posts!
I was compensated and provided free product for this post. The opinions expressed herein are my own.
Have you ever tried Philosophy's "Hope in a Jar"? That stuff made me 'dewy'.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit of an upfront investment, but Clarsonic Mia is amazing. Even after using it just a couple times, my skin is soft and dewy. I LOVE that thing!
ReplyDeleteWell, I am actually in the same boat as you - major problems with my acne-prone skin and unfortunately I am yet to find the magical potion. I have to say you sure make this Olay thing sound tempting... I would love to be able to get away without a foundation. Right now I am using Clinique's tinted moisturiser and while it is nice, it is not perfection.
ReplyDeleteMy friend washes her face with honey. This does not count as my secret, really, because I have never actually tried it, but her skin is gorgeous. And in college I was always pontificating without doing the reading, so what the hell...
ReplyDeletetweet: https://twitter.com/#!/prizealert/status/189383491690049536
ReplyDeleteMoisturizing is the most important thing, and staying out of the sun.
ReplyDeletemami2jcn at gmail dot com
tweet:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/189395016622411777
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I think part of it is either you have good skin or you don't. If you don't, products can help, but they're not a cure all . However, drinking lots of water and more importantly, eliminating coffee, sugar and wheat does the trick for me...and a touch of estrogen if you are in the 'over 50' category! I use Burt's Bee's face wipes and Ponds cold cream, the latter has been on the planet forever and it works like a charm! If I want to spend a lot of money, I'll buy Grateful Body products, made locally in Berkeley, CA or get a facial...
ReplyDeleteFor me is using a heavy moisturizer at night, and a sun block during the day. Also drinking lots of water helps to keep hydrated.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/roso1946/status/189402809286926337
ReplyDeleteI like the Olay rotating brush thingy and my Mario Badescu skin care products.
ReplyDeleteI have a fair sensitive skin, so for me it's important to stay out of the sun
ReplyDeleteelena150980@yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/189416598413647872
ReplyDeleteelena150980@yahoo.com
i wear spf everyday
ReplyDeletefreebiel0ve@yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/#!/akronugurl/status/189417801059012609
ReplyDeletefreebiel0ve@yahoo.com
I agree with the "you have good skin or you don't" camp. I've known girls with beautiful skin who slept in makeup, ate like crap, drank only pop, washed their faces with whatever or didn't wash them at all, and never got a single zit. On the other hand, if I think about getting a zit, I will. My best advice for problem skin is washing with Cerave or Cetaphil and not picking/touching my face throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! Sorry, still LOL over Jessica Mclintock--was that not my entire childhood into teen years or what?! Anyway, sometime oh, about 5 mo. ago, it occurred to me that I had skin and that oh, it looked like crap. #1 skin secret discovered? Wash it. And simultaneously fell in love with DHC products somehow...sorry Olay--that swirly bottle is awesome and I think I will have to try it based solely off of how it looks...
ReplyDeleteMAC makes the MOST amazing skin corrector pressed powder. I rarely used to wear any make-up, as my skin is *ok*. A friend took me to MAC and the lady suggested I try it to even my color. It is like a perfect skin palette, and makes me REALLY happy! You can see a huge improvement as you put it on. Its the BEST investment ever!!! avb1022@gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI feel your acne crap. Proactiv has kept mine pretty under control for the past 7 years. There is some random milky organic crap that I use from France that helps moisturize too. I would like to add that it's from a drugstore and not fancypants. It's also the weirdest consistency ever.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, my skin looks better when I just leave it alone.
ReplyDeleteI use SPF products and try to stay out of the sun as much as possible
ReplyDeletekellywcuATyahooDOTcom
tweeted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/kellydsaver/status/189536035322077184
kellywcuATyahooDOTcom
For me, avoiding artificial dyes and fragrances did the trick. Many cases of acne can be traced to food allergies...
ReplyDeleteLots of water, Philosophy "Purity" face wash (that stuff is seriously amazing) and Clinique moisturizer
ReplyDeleteI wash it morning and night with soap and water. Works great for my skin type.
ReplyDeleteSunscreen...early and often
ReplyDeleteI've recently discovered a cleanser from Apothederm http://apothederm.com/shop-products/brightening-acne/brightening-cleanser/ and it has worked wonders for my complexion! Looking forward to trying out their serum too!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn the past few weeks my skin has gone from mad oily breakout to literal face dandruff and back again, so I'll take any advice I can get!
ReplyDeleteTweeted!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/kateydidnt86/status/189808341395062784
On several research olay skin cream lotions have been found one of the best option for making an experiment with it.
ReplyDeleteage spots
Apricot scrub! Love it, have used it for 10 years now.
ReplyDeleteI always use SPF day lotion minimum of SPF15
ReplyDeletedealsfan32 at gmail dot com
tweeted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/Dealsfan32/status/191369574904643584
dealsfan32 at gmail dot com
I wash my face twice a day, use a moisturizer and a face scrub once a week
ReplyDeletes2s2 at comcast dot net
https://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/191712843232587776
ReplyDeletes2s2 at comcast dot net
Less is more and always, never, forget your sunscreen.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/191769363655823361
ReplyDeleteI wash my face everyday with dove and that has always worked for me
ReplyDeletepokergrl8 at gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/aes529/status/191906031142576128
ReplyDeletepokergrl8 at gmail.com
My healthy-skin secret is clay mask! Gotta have it and my mask at least once a week to get rid of blackheads. It works well.
ReplyDeleteThe Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting UV Moisturizer sounds amazing and I need to give it a try! Thanks for the detailed review!
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
I tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/uTry_it/status/192154108399075329
ReplyDeleteAmy [at] utry [dot] it
I put lotion on right after I get out of the shower and I put on a moisturizer with sunscreen everyday...and I don't wear makeup which, i think, has kept my skin looking young.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of how tired I am I have to wash my face at night to remove my makeup and any other things that may have accumulated from being out in the world.
ReplyDeletemoisturize right before bed
ReplyDeleteuse cold water to wash my face and moisturize every day
ReplyDeletemerleandtina@yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/192723194342416386
ReplyDeletemerleandtina@yahoo.com
I use Olay Regenerist skincare day and night to keep my skin moist and healthy, thank you.
ReplyDeletetianhapsari(at)gmail(dot)com
Tweet about this giveaway
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/tiankinasih/status/193112692511354884
tianhapsari(at)gmail(dot)com
I always lotion after washing, and use a lotion with spf15+. Olay is my favorite brand of moisturizers. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
ReplyDeletesongyueyu at gmail
tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/syytta/status/193237697354137600
ReplyDeletesongyueyu at gmail
My best skin secret is avoiding tanning of any kind. But I know I need to do more to protect my face from unintentional sun exposure like when I am driving. Olay Total Effects sounds great.
ReplyDeletechrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
@chrisdeglen tweeted:
ReplyDeletetwitter.com/#!/chrisdeglen/status/193478650954395648
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
use sunscreen
ReplyDeletethepryfamily@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/thepryfamily2/status/193770578757435392
ReplyDeletethepryfamily@gmail.com
i always use a moisturizer with sunscreen in it
ReplyDeletekarinaroselee at gmail dot com
i make it a point to wash my face and moisturize it everyday as part of my normal routine
ReplyDeletedebbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
Drinking lots of water! scg00387 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/195254807815127040 scg00387 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteI put on lotion every night
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/kj20082006/status/196289857277014018
ReplyDeletePlenty of water! Seriously, I can tell a difference when I haven't been drinking enough water. Staying hydrated keeps my skin soft and dewy.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/tnshadylady/status/196369593122553856
ReplyDeleteCleanse tone and moisturize
ReplyDeleteajoy1332 at yahoo dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/ajoy1332/status/196403285475864578
ReplyDeleteajoy1332 at yahoo dot com
I use sunscreen everyday.
ReplyDeleterhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
I try to take the time in the morning to wash my face as soon as I get up, rinse with cool water and then pat dry. I usually wait a bit until after I've had my coffee to apply moisturizer with SPF for the day. At night, I always apply moisturizer before I got to bed.
ReplyDeleteshel704 at aol dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/auntiethesis/status/196864798741377024
ReplyDeleteshel704 at aol dot com
My secret is making sure I clean my face at night and use moisturizer...now this usually means I'm using the Olay makeup remover clothes I leave on my nightstand and then putting on the moisturizer thats also there but at least it gets done on those nights I'm too tired to do it in my bathroom!
ReplyDeleteamethyst2272 at gmail.com
tweeted too: https://twitter.com/#!/happyenchilada2/status/196866085675466752
ReplyDeleteamethyst2272 at gmail.com
Lucky genes- my mom doesn't look close to 60. Other than that- I got too broke to use the delightful Clinique redness reducer cleanser, so I get down with a little Dr. Bronner's soap, and a tiny dab of redness reducer moisturizer (that stuff lasts ages), and out the door I go.
ReplyDeleteGLYCOL PEELS! THEY'RE WORTH THE MONEY; IT HELPS MY SKIN ANYWAY.
ReplyDeletekytah00@yahoo.com
2ND ENTRY TWEET https://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/198143919446429696
ReplyDeleteI make sure to use moisturizer every day.
ReplyDeleteMCantu1019 at aol dot com
I use Burt Bee's sensitive skin cleanser and before that noxzema
ReplyDeletetbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/199378806438506497
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I'm really happy with how my clarisonic cleans my skin!
ReplyDeletenuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/200779815161303040
ReplyDeletenuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
I use good products on my skin, and always take the time to wash and tone my face before bed to remove makeup and the day’s dirt
ReplyDeleteI carve out time by taking a few minutes before bed to cleanse my skin properly and remove makeup and dirt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
gina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com
tweet-https://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/201109625360220160
ReplyDeletegina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Not really a secret, but...wear sunscreen EVERYDAY. Not just in the summer :)
ReplyDeletedmarie824 at aol dot com
Tweeted!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/dmarie824/status/202052276645408768
I wash my make-up off every day, without fail. I can't stand sleeping in it, and I think that's really helped my skin!
ReplyDeletechambanachik@gmail.com
i tweeted for a second entry!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/bellows22/status/202207007082692608
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
Once every couple of months, I like to add a bit of coconut oil to a nice hot bath and just soak. It's an all over super moisturizing!
ReplyDeletecoriwestphal at msn dot com
Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/202241228203491332
ReplyDeletecoriwestphal at msn dot com
Lots of plain water, adherence to a skincare regime and NO tanning
ReplyDeletechrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
@chrisdeglen Tweeted -
ReplyDeletetwitter.com/#!/chrisdeglen/status/202274776650223616
I take out time for my skin every time I shower! I love using sugar and salt scrubs on my body to really make my skin soft and shiny! I look for natural ingredients in my
ReplyDeletemoisturizers like shea butter and essential oils.
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/#!/MsTofuFairy/status/202406662257131520
ReplyDeleteAngie
14earth at gmail dot com
I actually use Olay Total Effects. At my advanced age, I need ALL the moisture I can get, and this is a perfect blend of light coverage plus moisture. So take it from one born in the Jurassic Era - this really WORKS!
ReplyDeleteSince I discovered the concept of using oil on your face my breakouts have pretty much gone away! It sounds crazy but it works. Argan oil is a good place to start and there's an amazing cold cream called Mrs White's. Kind of hard to find in the US but is possible! One jar lasts forever, it takes your makeup off and moisturizes.
ReplyDeleteI cleanse and moisturize my face before going to bed - always.
ReplyDeletemybeachylife at gmail dot com
My healthy skin secret is putting on moisturizer with sunscreen after cleansing my face and put as little make up as possible everyday.
ReplyDeletectong2[at]gmail[dot]com
I tweeted about this giveaway:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/ctong2/status/202551579629469698
ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com
I always clean off my makeup before bed!
ReplyDeleterawrms at gmail dot com
Tweeted:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/livelovelynn/status/202583786586783746
rawrms at gmail dot com
I wash my face daily! sweepmorey at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/mommysdizzy/status/202584206377889794
ReplyDeleteMy secret is drinking lots of water and using a cleanser daily.
ReplyDeletetweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
Tweeted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/disneyfan40/status/202587129216376833
tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
I care for my skin by getting 8 hours of sleep and drinking lots of water.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
slehan at juno dot com
blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2012/05/win-50-visa-gc-from-blogher-olay.html
ReplyDeleteslehan at juno dot com
I drink loads of water...
ReplyDeleteI also a once a week facial thanks
aunteegem@yahoo.cojm
I drink lots of water but the rest of the routines are hit and miss. I spent my share of time in the sun and although I rarely sunburned it did happen occasionally. I'm still prone to occasional zits and my skin tone definitely needs some help.
ReplyDeletewillitara [at] gmail [dot] com
I wish I had a secret! I do know I SHOULD HAVE used sunscreen everyday - paying the price now
ReplyDeleteadrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com
Drink lots of water!
ReplyDeletebingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com
Tweet - https://twitter.com/#!/willitara/status/202905266663079937
ReplyDeletewillitara [at] gmail [dot] com