In two days my teenage son and daughter finish school for the year (next year they’ll be in Year 11 and 12 … yikes … how did I get here?).
In my immediate future, well, at least the ensuing eight weeks until they return to school, I will morph into a taxi driver, food provider and general fun facilitator. In return for such selfless kindness, they will keep me *company* as I continue to work away in our shared lounge room, willing myself not to reminisce about when I was at school and had zero appreciation of ultra-long holidays.
I have attempted in the past to enlist my children’s help with my blogging. So far it’s only been Mr 6 who’s applied any enthusiasm to the more mundane side of things … he’s currently doing a traineeship in parcel opening and sitting on a B+. My daughter happily lapped up a facial and massage opportunity earlier this year but my teenage son has stayed strangely immune from this world.
Until now.
See, thanks to the advice from the beauty therapist my daughter had at that spa visit, we changed tack with her skincare routine, playing to her sensitive skin side and not trying to attack the zits. It’s worked. Her skin has calmed down and she only gets the odd breakout.
My eldest son has mild acne. We’ve been to the doctors about it but opted not to get all druggy with it unless it got worse. Instead we went with some targetted skincare that erred on the more cosmeceutical side. That ran out recently, coincidentally when these two products landed on my desk.
1. Neutrogena Deep Clean Long-Last Shine Control Daily Scrub $7.49 | 2. Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Gel Wash $13.99
He actually reached unprompted for the Neutrogena scrub which I left on the bathroom shelf. This amazed me on many levels because teenage boys, no matter how smart at school, do not seem to excel in the common sense – or beauty – department. Not wanting to sidetrack him too much and curb this new-found enthusiasm, I suggested that he alternate his daily routine and use the Clearasil Gel Wash at night and the scrub each morning. Genius.
Now, the bottle for Clearasil says 12 hours and – bang – you’ll have clearer skin. I can’t say I saw this but I did notice a difference over the period of about a week. And it’s been ongoing. That’s a big budget tick from me.
The girlie stuff
Not to be outdone by her brother (this could actually be my daughter’s mission statement. One she’s upheld from birth), here’s what my daughter’s been testing for me:
1. Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light shampoo $7.99 | 2. Hello Kitty Kawai Kiss lip balm $9.95 | 3. Taylor Swift Wonderstruck from $49 (available exclusively at Myer)
She may have squealed: “Pantene” when Mr 6 opened that parcel. She loves the stuff. This is the latest offering and perfect for holidays when she’ll be washing her hair most days after a surf at the beach. It’s a new zero-residue shampoo and conditioner that delivers hydration quickly and is rinsed in seconds for a weightless feel. I’m hoping this translates to shorter than 20-minute showers.
She’s also mad keen on lip balms (don’t know where she gets that from), add in the cuteness factor from Hello Kitty and I was working my way up to an actual MOTY Award. Which, I may have figuratively received when the oh-so-adorable bottle of Taylor Swift’s first fragrance, Wonderstruck, arrived. Such a cute fragrance too – all sparky and feminine to start, then settles to a gorgeous vanilla, golden amber and sandalwood.
Anyways, wish me luck over the next two months. I see a lot of wine in my future.
Oh, and PS. these products aren’t exclusive to teens … I won’t tell a soul.
Do you have a teenager in your home? Do they have any pressing skincare, beauty or hair issues?
Products featured here were sent to me for editorial consideration. Check out my disclosure policy here.
Comments 10
I need to get my skin analysed. It is dull and tired, wrinkles and sagging is starting (yes ALREADY. How unfair is that?), I have patches that break out really badly, but also patches that are red and dry. So I mix between using products targeted for acne and utlra moisturing just those patches. It’s a real hassle, my skin reacts differently all the time, and it’s confusing.
I need to make the time to go and get a professionals advice.
Author
I think that would be wise and I also think you need to err on the side of treating your skin’s sensitivity first … if you get that balance right then the rest will balance out too. Trilogy has a great sensitive range.
Great products! My 8yo son has sensitive skin and he uses clean and clear which he loves. Hoping he will keep it up as he gets older!
Author
Great that he’s already in a routine, Dannii!
My youngest daughter finished year 12 last week – Happy dance!!!
She has had perfect skin until this year when the hormones kicked in. Having sensitive skin definitely complicates using the pimple creams. Since exams have finished and she started using paw paw butter on her forehead every night her skin has settle! Happy dance again 🙂
Author
Oh, how exciting – what a feeling! And yes, once I switched tack on how to treat my daughter’s skin (treat the sensitivity first) the rest took care of itself. Thanks for the paw paw butter tip.
Lovely – just found something for my daughter as part of her birthday present – 16 a week after Christmas.. The Taylor Swift fragrance.
and I’ve been saying to the 13 yo son that he needs to start washing his face (think I will just record it and hit play, and save my vocal cords!) Think I will take a leaf out of your book, and just purchase the Clearsil – and put it in the shower…
here’s to the school holidays…. clink clink. x
Author
Oh, she’ll love it, Vicky … the bottle is so lovely and I really do like the fragrance. With your son, yes, go for it … and if you can get him to moisturise, I love the Cetaphil moisturiser for them – great value from the chemist.
The Cetaphil – is that the one with SPF 30 in it as well?
Author
Yes it does!