I used to get facials regularly. The lady that did mine recommends seasonal facial, say spring and fall for example... They felt just wonderful!.. Along with the facial I would get a neck, arm, hand, leg and foot massage to boot!, it was part of the facial.. It is very relaxing. Then I decided to go ahead and branch on out into some Microderm Abrasions. Oh my goodness... those are just wonderful!.. The first time you get a micro it's very mild, then each trip they increase the presure and abrasion. I never left the shop with a red or irritated face. Along with the Micro derm treatment you get the same other massages. My husband and daughter were the only people who knew I was getting the treatments but I had people telling me how nice my skin looked. My daughter and husband also told me, my daughter said mom.. I can tell a huge difference in the way your face looks and when my husband said "you get new makeup or something, cause your face looks really pretty" I knew it had to be true, he is not one to throw out compliments like that. I think everyone should paper themselves occasionally...also if you have never had a manicure or pedicure you should!...Those are also very relaxing, not to mention good for your feet. Where I go, it costs 35 for both, that's not bad at all and they have the most wonderful massage chairs at the pedicure bowls. My husbands asks me.. why in the world do you starch and iron my shirts and pants, just take them to the cleaners.. I tell him everytime I iron a shirt, you pay me instead of the cleaners... it's just in the form of a mani and pedi...So somebody, everybody.. go treat yourself!

I use arbonne products for my face and Jason body wash for the rest of the body. In colder months, I use a lavender oil salt scrub from Trader Joes. Body moisturizer I use a coconut cream from Trader Joes too. Most of my beauty products are organic (except for hair conditioner). I have pretty much tried everything out there, and can't believe what I like the most I buy at TJs. But over the last few years I've had a few very young friends diagnosed with strange cancers. I had a bone tumor, my sister had a thyroid tumor, my next door neighbor had a huge lung tumor (all of which were benign- thank goodness) but it made me wonder about all the chemicals we expose ourselves too daily. So I've decided to go organic, in food, beauty products, and limit my family's exposure to all of the toxic chemicals available in main stream supermarkets. I know, not what you asked for in your original post, but something to think about.

Kateskourus: Have you never seen FACIAL wipes? Chispa: I'd love the recirculating pump, but have heard that the continuous hot water running through the pipes can have a deleterious effect. Probably not true, but after two leaks we're being extra wary :>/ The small heater under the sink is the way to go( read my 2nd post) and I cannot wait! Start with lotion or a facial wipe and follow with a hot washcloth....heaven! As for mics: I do use ours when I have a sinus headache. Place washcloth in bowl of water and boil it HOT! Roll up in a larger towel, immerse face and enjoy the steam for 5-10 minutes. Does help. Well, we are waaay off of decorating so better quit here. Thanks all!

OklaMoni - I suspect that you won't like cheaper products after using EL (depending on the EL that you use) and of course your skin type. I can't use EL except, surprisingly, for the Verite cleanser that I can just use to wash my face. I wish I could use any of the products mentioned - I can't. I have very thin, fair, naturally extremely dry skin, and am allergic to just about everything - especially botanicals (and antihistamine) and of course can't use any form of acid/retinol/C - or fillers. Skin is right colour for laser, but skin is too thin. So I have always used the most hydrating toner I could find along with a hydrating serum/cream, followed by a night cream during the day (this was post the period when SPF started being added to day creams - can't use a combo product). Finding a sunscreen that doesn't cause a rash is the devil - and I need one that is moisturizing and doesn't eat my makeup. I am 63 and agree with those who posted that they can see aging basically all of a sudden. It happens - and often in 5 year bumps. My face is thin - always has been, even when I weighed 200 lbs. during my teen years. At 63 it is still thin which does not help. I am not overweight now but my weight is all on the bottom. I have a long waist and short legs - so always wear long skirts (and at 5'7" hard to find) - of course I use to be taller. Cost is definitely becoming a problem - not developing a burning rash from a product is of course a primary concern - but absorption of a product is key. Products that I have tried that cost less and resulted in a rash also did not absorb. My foundation contains oil - has to - and since I am yellow based with a ph of 3.5 everything changes on me - so not easy either. I guess it is a good thing that I have only one lipstick, blush etc. since I have only been able to find one shade in everything that I use - and they have now been d/c. I hate reformulation - everything these days is about actives and botanicals - deadly for my skin. So I need high end products - but fortunately I am at the low end of the high end due to my botanicals/actives issues. I will try just about anything provided there is a chance it will work - I will not rule out say one botanical or 2 if they are at the bottom of the list - but when the listing starts off with Linden Blossom, Lily, Lavender, Rose etc. - forget it. Forget anything "natural". I can't even make a cheap masque using honey and egg due to the honey. I can't use yogourt on my face because of the lactic acid - this will guarantee a rosacea attack. Soy is also a major problem. And forget perfume/fragrance. I can't even use Clinique - there is something in the products - I know it was Aloe Vera at one time - maybe still is. I have been trying to find cheaper products that work especially with the high cost of living and my husband's retirement looming. I worked for a company that did not provide a pension. Then there is hair. My natural hair colour is auburn. I greyed in my 20s - and it is ugly iron grey that does not look nice with a yellow-toned skin. How I wish I had that gorgeous silver or white hair with a pink-toned complexion. But I don't. I tried on wigs in other colours - horrible. Natural auburn (nothing with a purple tone) is perfect for me but now that I can't get the colour shade at the drugstore - not to mention the full grey that I would now have - it would be tough doing it myself as I did until 15 years ago because I would have that awful line of demarcation - and I do need to pull the colour through. Red fades, no doubt about it. I always wear a hat. I have extremely thick, very dry, naturally wavy hair that grows like a weed. Last time I went for my colour the growth was twice that of the normal person. And living in Toronto going to the hairdresser is not cheap. I need to have my hair cut by someone who knows how to cut curly hair and I need to have layers so that it will curl properly. I do not suit it really short - and I would look (I know because I wore it short until I was 30) like a brillo pad. There are people that I know (my husband is one) who can use anything. And yet, I could look worse - well I am about to. I have been on HRT for 6 years - so am about to be taken off it. There were no health reasons for me not to take it so I did - my reason being my very dry skin.