R+F - Why the regimen?

I've decided to do a few posts this month to provide product information for those that might be interested in Rodan + Fields. Sometimes people are wondering about the products but haven't had a chance to ask...well, here you go!

Ok, why the regimen? Rodan + Fields has four regimens - here's a quick rundown:

REDEFINE - This is the anti-aging line. Minimizes wrinkles, pores, and prevents them as well.

REVERSE - This one is for sun-damage and skin discoloration (freckles, spots, melasma). 
                  {Sorry, I don't have a pic of this one!}

UNBLEMISH - The regimen that fights acne and breakouts, specially formulated for adults (but teens can use it too).

SOOTHE - This line is for sensitive skin. It decreases irritation and redness.

The answer: The Doctors (Katie Rodan + Kathy Fields) are believers in multi-step therapy in order to produce the best results. Each part of the regimen does its own job and works with the others to bring about the best possible outcome for your skin. Check out these results!

Now when many people hear the word "regimen" or "multiple steps" they think, "No way, I can't do all that!" Or "Can't I use just one of the steps to see results?"

All of the regimens do contain either three or four parts and all contain sunscreen for morning-only application. 

I can honestly say that I had no problem transitioning to using a regimen. Before I started using Redefine, I was a wash-at-night girl and was even slacking at that. In the morning, I would just splash my face a bit in the shower but nothing else. Once I started using the products and feeling those instant results, I was addicted. I don't think I missed a morning or evening regimen in the first six months. Even now, I rarely skip. Seeing and feeling those results are what give me that push even when I'm tired and don't feel like washing my face. And, really, the whole process takes about four to five minutes max. I put on my mask - step 1 - before brushing my teeth and wash it off when I'm done brushing. Step 2 - toner and step 3 - moisturizer - take about 30 seconds total to apply. That's it!

If you're wondering which regimen would be right for you? Take this short {quiz}. Don't forget to enter your email address at the end so I can see your results as well! As always, if you have any questions, I'd love to get you some answers and great skin!

Visit my personal website to learn even more about the products: kristiemccormick.myrandf.com  

{My next post will include the awesome "extras" that Rodan + Fields offers in addition to the four regimens.  Stay tuned!}

Sparkle & shine - 4th birthday party

Today was the big party day at our house. Landen turned four on Wednesday and today we celebrated with family and some friends. Being 6.5 months pregnant while being mommy to a four and one and a half year-old have definitely minimized my party planning and decor, but I enjoy it just as much as that first birthday party. 

The theme this year - Sparkle & Shine - was inspired by Landen herself. She's into all things girly. Babies, bracelets, lip gloss, all things shiny. So I went with it. It also allowed me to incorporate PINK - a must - and reuse/repurpose some of our decor from last year's sweets party. 

I'll start with the decorations...instead of puff balls this year, I opted to make some tissue paper tassels. Just as easy as the puff balls, just a different look. And if you're going to make tons of them like I did, they just take a little time. I followed this tutorial on Pinterest.

The banners were just revamped from last year. I've actually used them for three parties now. I just replace the colored paper and save the brown card stock triangles. Using rubber cement to attach the paper usually works well, but the pink glitter paper I used on one of the banners got discolored from it...oops.

Another new decoration was some glittery garland. I spray painted and glittered some circular name tags and hot glued to some string for extra glittery decor in the window. 

I went pretty simple on the snacks this year. It was an ice cream & cake party, so white cheddar popcorn, birthday treat cookies from earlier in the week, and some mexicali dip did the trick. I used clear glass bowls and some apothecary jars to serve the food. The glitter "L" was a big hit with Landen because she got to help me make it. And, boy, was it glittery! She loaded it on for sure. Along with the snacks we served some pink lemonade. 

Party favors included homemade glitter playdoh and a cookie cutter. This was another project that Landen got to help with which made them even more special for her to share with her guests.

The birthday girl herself was feeling pretty festive, as she should, dressed in a personalized, frilly, sparkly ensemble. Shockingly, I could find very few (like zero) dresses with sparkle or any kind of sequins when I searched some of my favorite websites a few weeks ago. So we decided on this dress and paired it with some sparkly shoes, and I found a sequin "L" iron-on appliqué to add some more shine. 

Finally, the cake. Oh, the cake! My favorite bakeries were booked with weddings this weekend...and I may have waited a little too long to place my order, so I decided I would make it myself. Crazy. Never again. I am NOT a baker, and it is so stressful! I will say that the cake turned out fine, but I made SIX round cakes and one GIANT batch of buttercream frosting this week. Did I mention I hate baking? I may need to close my kitchen for a week to recover. So here it is...

It took one (sad looking) practice cake earlier in the week, a new frosting recipe and some help and moral support from my mom to get this thing put together. But I did it. Just this one time. Never again. Did I already say that? 

Of course Landen received several nice gifts from family and friends that I'm sure will keep her busy (and well accessorized) for quite awhile. She and Callen enjoyed the bubble maker from Uncle Dan once the party was over. 

Although it's hard to believe Landen is FOUR, it's also so much fun to watch her grow each an every day. Being her mommy has not been a breeze by any stretch of the imagination, but I wouldn't trade this attentive, particular, emotional, energetic little girl for anything. I'm sure this year of her life will be amazing.

Now excuse me while I go book a birthday cake for next year's party...

Back to the blog - Why Rodan + Fields?

I haven't blogged since Landen's third birthday...and tomorrow is her fourth! So it's been an entire year of an inactive blog. The culprit: (no, not my kids/crazy schedule) my computer! I HATED my last computer and have since upgraded to a beautiful MacBook. I'm in love. And to get right to the point of this post (because my kids will only stay occupied for so long), the reason WHY I was able to purchase my MacBook is my Rodan + Fields business! That's right, my R+F business helped me purchase my dream computer - one that I thought I would "eventually" save up for. 

So why did I choose R+F? Well, I didn't really go out looking for a side business in addition to my teaching job and mommy duties. R+F chose me. I had a couple of family members getting into the business last spring/summer and eventually I tried the products as well. After an initial trial, I ordered my Redefine regimen and the rest is history. I FELL. IN. LOVE. with my skin. Seriously. 

I felt instant results with this regimen. And, to be honest, I didn't even think there was anything wrong with my skin to begin with. So seeing and feeling results was surprising. I initially thought this was just a good aging preventer. My results: firmness, no more afternoon/evening greasy feeling, and a more even complexion. 

As some have probably noticed my R+F "naked" posts, I have also been able to go make-up free - something I NEVER thought possible. Now, I'm going to be honest. I am not TOTALLY comfortable going make-up free. My eyes need a little help - blonde eyebrows and short, light lashes are something that R+F cannot fix, so I often opt for my brow liner and mascara even on "make-up free" days. 

So I thought I'd share my normal make-up regimen with you:

There it is! Mascara, brow liner, and some cream eye color (because my eyelids are naturally a bit dark). This is what I wear on a daily basis. Hanging around the house, running errands, even visiting friends or going on outings with the kids. This is my everyday regimen.

Now, if I have a special event - like going out to dinner, a wedding, something a little more dressed up, here's what I use.

To my normal regimen, I add powder, a little cheek bronzer, some colored eye shadow and some Younique fiber mascara. No concealer, no foundation...and I love it!

Within one week of using Redefine, I KNEW I had to get into the R+F business. I mean - the results are REAL. They are clearly products I believe in, so I took the plunge and, along with making extra money, have enjoyed seeing the results from my customers and others all over the country who are loving their skin because of R+F!

If you'd like to check out the products for yourself, my personal website is:

kristiemccormick.myrandf.com