Beauty routines and beauty essentials seem to be a never ending quest for perfection.  Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on how you look at it) “perfect” doesn’t exist.  The beauty industry is a $45 to $66 billion business, and the american woman spends an average of $12,000 a year in products and grooming.  That’s crazy!  Every time we stroll through the beauty counters we have a sales girl from each line trying to sell us “the dream.”  They manage to convince us that they know exactly what our skin needs and that we will miraculously look like the air brushed models in their campaigns.  Although taking care of our skin is no doubt a must, I’m just not sure that there is much of a difference between a $12 jar and $300 jar.

In keeping with the quest for perfect skin, prevention is always the best route.  Sunblock is probably the most important of products in keeping our skin from aging.  I know that sunblock can sometimes make our skin oily and prone to breakouts, but I’ll take a breakout or two now, versus countless lines later.  What do you think? xoxo

Penelope Cruz Vogue…Is a fan of L’Oreal Skin Genesis Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 Lotion

Gisele among others (Claudia Schiffer and Victoria Beckham), can’t live without Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Creme.

Jennifer Garner, Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 46 Daily Moisturizer

Angie Harmon, Bobbie Brown Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizer Balm

Jennifer Lopez, La Roche Posay’s Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid SPF 60

The common thread above is the SPF.  Yes they’re perfectly coiffed and have a ton of make up on, but a smooth healthy canvas gives way for a flawless finish.