Simplifying

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Olay.

Moving. Isn't it the worst? I'm not a fan of packing boxes, loading boxes, unloading boxes, unpacking boxes--the whole process is just so tiring, so completely exhausting. But one thing I actually enjoy about the process of moving is having the opportunity to go through things. To donate or throw out all the unnecessary things that have gathered in drawers and on shelves.

I recently moved out of an apartment that I had lived in for three years and, let me tell you, I acquired a lot of stuff throughout the house. By far, the room that had accumulated the most junk was my bathroom. The drawers were full of old mascaras, lipsticks that were not the right shade, face soap bottles with less than an eighth of the product remaining, nail polish too thick to use, and half a dozen lotion bottles with just a tiny bit of lotion left in the bottom of the jar. There were broken hair clips and stretched out bobby pins and at least five pair of nail clippers. Under the bathroom counter was a collection of those tiny hotel toiletries, half used (I don't know what compels me to toss these into my luggage when I leave a hotel). (A confession: we stayed in Santa Barbara recently and I brought home the toiletries. What? They were fancy toiletries, people. I'll use them this week, I promise.)

As I was filling a garbage can with these items, I made a promise to simplify. I threw out all the old mascaras and eyeliners and powders and left with a single bag of makeup--one bottle of foundation, one blush, one eyeliner, one mascara, a couple of eye shadows, and two shades of lipstick. I threw out the ridiculous number of hair care products and kept only my favorite items. I did the same with my skin care products, limiting myself to a single day cream and a single night cream (both Olay, I'm a long-time fan). I'm promising to use things up before I buy something else--or throwing things away that I don't like when I replace a product with something new.

The simplicity is helping. My morning routine is faster, more streamlined. I don't have to dig through a drawer of old makeup to find an eyeliner. I also notice my skin looks better--I'm using a limited number of products and have plenty of time for the basics, including moisturizing my face every morning. I've been using the Olay Total Effects Cooling Hydration every morning since it arrived and I've noticed that my foundation to go on more smoothly and leaves my skin with a natural sheen.

Now, on my bathroom counter, I have just the essentials: the Olay Total Effects Cooling Hydration, a small makeup bag, a toothbrush and toothpaste. The simplifying efforts have meant more time in the morning, a fresher and more classic look, and a less complicated regimen. It feels good to simplify and I actually think my skin looks better for it.

More about one of my new essentials: New Olay Total Effects Cooling Hydration instantly cools and leaves skin with a moisturized fresh feeling that lasts from morning to night. This oil-free daily moisturizer provides 7 anti aging benefits in 1 lightweight formula--complete with vitamins, minerals and cooling mint extract for an invigorating burst of freshness. For more information visit Olay.

For a chance to win $100 from the wonderful (and beautiful) folks at BlogHer, leave a comment telling me how you simplify your beauty routine. Then, visit the BlogHer.com Exclusive Offers page where you will find 14 other bloggers’ beauty stories and 14 more chances to win!

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) Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.
• Sweepstakes ends 5 PM PST on December 20, 2010.
• This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected

Check out the official rules, too, if you like that kind of legal stuff.

Comments

[jennifer horn]

I only put on the bare minimum unless it's for a night on the town. With 3 kids many days it's a little blush and mascara.

[jennifer horn]

tweeted. http://twitter.com/jen_r_horn/status/16972708680040448

[Deborah Wallin]

I simplify by not wearing much make-up, and washing with soap and water.

[Over Thirty Mommy]

To simplify, I got laid off from my job now I don't have to bother with my makeup or doing my hair! LOL

Ok, honestly, I simplify by wearing minimal makeup and it is better for my skin.

[Lana]

I try to keep it simple, found an eyeliner I love and a mascara. Use warmth on my face and well rested around eyes. I do occasionally but stuff that looks interesting but I have my staple items.

[Jessica]

I simplify my beauty routine by keeping all my essentials in my makeup bag in my purse. So when I am on the run I have my moisturizer and eye cream waiting for me in my makeup bag I dont have to search for them in my bathroom.

[Sarah L]

I simplify by not using makeup. thanks for the contest.

[Sarah L]

blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2010/12/win-100-from-total-effects-and-blogher.html

[Diane Baum]

I try to keep my make up routine simple and natural but my main concern is keeping my skin moisturized-so i do 3 times a day.

[carol y l]

I wash once a day and use moisturizer twice a day. My skin would get too dry if I washed more often

spencer1953 at gmail dot com.

[carol y l]

tweet http://twitter.com/dresdenrain/status/16991241799467008

[Amy]

My way to simplify beauty routine is to use moisturizer that already has high # of sunblock. So, I don't have to get 2 separate products.

[Aisling]

I use a mild facial cleanser at night and a nighttime moisturizer. In the morning, I rinse my face with lukewarm water and use a daytime moisturizer. Minimal makeup.

[Chrysa]

I like to use tinted moisturizer it both moisturizes and evens out the appearance of my skin tone all in one product.

[Chrysa]

tweet http://twitter.com/#!/LuckyJinxy/status/17010034437263360

[R Hicks]

I don't have a routine but I do moisturize morning and night

ardy22 at earthlink dot net

[R Hicks]

tweet

http://twitter.com/Ardy22/status/17015250272391168

ardy22 at earthlink dot net

[Barbara Long]

I simplify my beauty routine by not using a bunch of different products. I use one facial cleaser and one facial moisturizer and that's it.

[email protected]

[Heather W]

I use one night time moisturizer, instead of a few different ones
Lovefool827 (at) yahoo (dotcom)