Clarisonic Pro
Sonic Cleansing System
*Clean, well prepped skin is essential for beautiful makeup work. Clarisonic makes the process foolproof. In 60 seconds this glorious gadget's sonic brush head works two ways: flexing (not spinning) action between the outer and inner brushes works deeply to loosen dirt and oil, while the back and forth oscillating motion of the inner brush cleans, exfoliates, and stimulates the skin. Expensive? Yes. Indespensible? YES! There's a reason why this piece of equipment is highly recommended by leading dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons, estheticians, and spas for superior facial cleansing ...IT WORKS!
Cetaphil
Gentle Skin Cleanser
*What can I say? This stuff has been on the makeup artist's shortlist for decades and has been consistently recommended by dermatologists for even longer. The cleanser will not strip the skin of natural protective oils, disturb the skin’s natural pH balance, is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic (won't clog pores). It's ideal for people with special skin conditions like acne, rosacea, or eczema that usually exhibit topical irritation. Heck, they use this stuff on newborns...it's got be uber-gentle!
Dermalogica
Precleanse
*How many times have you heard talent say..."the makeup you used made me break out".
Probably wasn't the makeup. Try blaming pollution, dirt and old makeup lodged in their pores before you even started.
Basic cleansers are not enough to seriously deep clean the skin, especially when it's exposed to the high levels of pollutants and debris in urban centers (NY, LA, Chicago, etc). Precleanse is a hydrophilic (water soluble) oil blend that liquefies sebum, the oily glue our skin produces that attracts pollutants, hardens and clogs pores (ummmm, blackheads anyone?). It effectively flushes dirt, makeup and other residue out of the pores leaving skin prepped for a proper surface cleansing.
PHilosophy
Purity Made Simple
*Why do soooo many artists have this in their kit? The reason is pretty simple (sorry about the pun)...it does what a cleanser is supposed to do on EVERY skintype. Thanks to a low alkaline, ph-balanced formula, Purity rapidly dissolves dirt and makeup while deep cleaning pores. Infusions of sage, chamomile, and carrot soothe and calm even sensitive or problematic skin, leaving it refreshed and ready for makeup prep. SIMPLE!
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare
All-in-One Cleanser
*This stuff has quite a buzz going. Word on the street is that this 3-in-1 cleanser/toner/makeup remover really delivers. Well, I don't believe everything I hear on the street, so I got a sample from my local cosmetic crack house (Sephora) and found out the buzz is spot on!
This creamy cleanser addresses the necessity for multi-purpose products in the makeup kit (and in the medicine cabinet). It also reduces the surface stress caused by using multiple products to cleanse the skin. Massage a little into dry skin for up to 30 seconds, splash with water and watch the dirt and makeup easily rinse away.
It contains no parabens, sulphates or mineral oils, easily removes makeup (including mascara) and waterproof products (like sunscreens) …and is suited for ALL skintypes. I think I've reached multi-taskering nirvana!
Kiehl's
Ultra Facial Cleanser
*This mild cleanser is specially formulated with a sugar-derived foaming agent to thoroughly cleanse without over-drying or stripping skin of its natural oils. Ultra Facial Cleanser is PH-balanced to maintain a natural acid/alkaline balance on the skin's suface (your natural protection against the environment) and is chock full of emollients like Squalane, Apricot Kernel Oil, Vitamin E, and Avocado Oil, to dissolve excess oil, dirt, and debris as it effectively removes all but the most tenacious makeup...but still treats skin gently.
CeraVe
Hydrating Cleanser
*I can see the raised eyebrows and a lot or you saying, "this stuff looks just like Cetaphil" (calm down all you Cetaphil groupies). We just wanted you to know Coria Labs has integrated some great new technology into the same product type. The only thing new about Cetaphil in the last decade is the packaging.
The startling fact is that CeraVe is not only gentler than the iconic Cetaphil, it's also more hydrating with many additional benefits ...FOR THE SAME PRICE.
The Hydrating Cleanser can be used on ALL skintypes (especially highly sensitive rosacea conditions). It will loosen and remove dirt, germs, excess oils, dead cells and cosmetics without irritating the skin or depleting essential moisture. CeraVe should be considered an alternative for Cetaphil users. Try, then decide which you like better (Blenderella is diggin' the Cerave...I'm just sayin').
SkinCeuticals
Simply Clean
*This cleanser is ideal for oily to combination skin types. It gently removes excess oils, impurities, makeup and debris. Botanical extracts soothe, nourish and hydrate while hydroxy acids exfoliate without stripping the protective lipids from the surface (which would activate oil production). The result is a comfortable, non-oily skin...never itchy or tight.
Philosophy
MicroDelivery Mini Peel Pads
*These ambitious little pads were created to help exfoliate the most delicate skin. They're soaking in a secret blend of enzymes that dissolve dead skin cells leaving the skin smoother and more radiant. But that wasn't enough ...these overachieving wonder pads contain serious anti-inflammatory ingredients that super soothe and minimize redness that might occur during exfoliation. Dry, flaky, SENSITIVE skin has met it's match!
Peter Thomas Roth
Un-wrinkle Peel Pads
*This is a pretty perfect peel product (say that 3x fast). Loaded with alpha, beta and gamma exfoliators, amino acids, botanical extracts and anti-oxidants—great stuff! It's also fragrance-free, alcohol-free and gentle enough for daily use on the face, neck, décolleté, top of hands, elbows and knees...anywhere you need to eliminate dull dead skin, minimize pores and prep to accept other skincare products more effectively.
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare
Extra Strength Alpha Beta Peel
*Some skin just doesn't respond to standard skincare, so you need to take extreme measures. This is not a peel for the faint of heart (ummm …it's called extra strength for a reason). Dead skin cells and congested, clogged pores don't stand a chance against this one-two punch. 6 different Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids bulldoze through skin "challenges" with professional precision in a patented 2 part process. Clearing, clarifying, toning, shrinking enlarged pores and reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles …WITHOUT IRRITATION??? How the heck did they do that?
With some jaw dropping technology, that's how! More delicious attention to detail …the makeup kit friendly packets with presoaked towelettes.
Kate Somerville Skincare
ExfoliKate
*Another major player in the "I need immediate results" game. This ingenious little tube uses smooth polyethylene beads for manual exfoliating and the power of fruit enzymes and lactic acid (from milk) to clarify skin by dissolving dead cells and eliminating bacteria. It is ideal for everyone, except delicate skintypes...but never fear, Kate made a sensitive skin formula too!
Ren Skincare
Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask
*REN specializes in products that don't contain synthetic fragrances or colors, pertochemicals, sulfates, parabens or animal ingredients. This mask joins the quickly growing category of skin friendly 'non-manual' exfoliators (so much better than rubbing and scrubbing). It safely and effectively resurfaces, without causing irritation, because you know how sensitive actors and models are (rolls eyes). Its four-fruit-acid-complex (lactic, glycolic, tartaric and citric) and papain enzyme create a gentle-yet-potent exfoliating action that leaves skin smooth, glowing and ready for makeup.
DermaDoctor
Physical Chemistry
*Need some serious skin refinishing fast? This pH balanced, buffered Multiacid Resurfacing Complex works beyond peel potential. By adding Synthetic Polymer Microdermabrading Beads (free of rough edges) this becomes a one, two punch of exfoliating excellence. But what about irritation??? Well, they added an Anti-irritant Complex (Green Tea, Dimethicone and Algae Extract) to ward off potential facial redness, irritation and inflammation. I told you this stuff was SERIOUS!