Just as our personal style constantly evolves, so should our skincare philosophy and routines. After all, we are changing over time, we are moving through different stages of life, and often our environment is changing too as we move from one climate to another. In this post I’m going to describe my own skincare journey. I am not a skincare expert, but perhaps if we share our experiences we can learn from each other. Please comment on my routines and share your own skincare thoughts in the comments section below. 

My earliest skincare memories all revolve around protecting my skin from the sun. My Mum was a strict sergeant major when it came to skincare, and sun protection was at the top of her list of skincare rules. I was the kid at the beach and poolside wearing a hat and smothered in the highest sun protection factor. In those days (the ’70s), sunscreen wasn’t as invisible as it is today and you could spot my huge white sunscreen streaks a mile away. But I was little and thought that the streaks were fun. I still wear sunscreen each day, even in grey and rainy Seattle.

In my early teens I moved from a child’s skincare regimen of soap and water, to adult skincare products. My Mum started me on a basic cleanser, toner and moisturizer, and advised against using regular soap on my face. I also used a homemade skin scrub made of oatmeal, and proper body lotion and make-up remover, both of which I still use today. I started wearing a little make-up over the weekend, and this was when Mum’s second most important skincare rule came into play: remove make-up and clean up before going to bed. I still religiously follow this advice and can’t sleep with a face full of make-up and mascara.

There were a few times during my late teen years that I completely ignored my Mum’s number one skincare rule. Twice I burnt myself to a cinder on the beautiful beaches of Cape Town because it was too much trouble to reapply sunscreen after being in the water, and wearing a sunhat wasn’t cool. Both times, my Mum was absolutely furious and wouldn’t speak to me for days. I was in so much pain that I had to see our GP on one of the occasions. My skin peeled right off and peeled off again. I learnt my lesson. 

In my late twenties I started going for facials a few times a year. I had grown up seeing Mum have facials so it was a natural addition to my skin care routine. Today, I try to have regular facials because on many levels, the process works for me. I enjoy the effects of the steamer and extraction, which are things I can’t do myself, and I like the afterglow of a facial. Facials are also one of the few ways in which I can really relax, so it’s become more than just part of my skin care regimen.

At the age of 29 I developed eczema for the first time. My Mum had just been diagnosed with Cancer, and it seems that my outbreaks of eczema are directly related to my stress levels. I treat it with an over the counter cortisone cream. I think my skin is getting more sensitive as I grow older. I have learned to travel with my own soap, for example, because I have found that using the scented soaps provided in hotel rooms has often lead to a rash.

From my mid twenties through to my late thirties I believed that expensive skincare products were the best skincare products. My Mum used a pricey skincare range for most of her adult life, so I followed suit and switched to her brand as soon as I could afford to do so. In fact, I remember working a few more waitressing shifts just so that I could afford one or two expensive skincare goodies. For years, I totally bought into anti-aging creams, serums and eye creams promoted by the major brands.

That all changed at 38. Suddenly, after 38 years of normal, healthy skin, my facial skin was dry as a cork. I even wrote about my dry skin dilemma, asking for your help. I tried just about everything that was suggested. While some of the recommendations worked, none were more than a temporary solution. After about a year, I saw a dermatologist who offered life changing skin care advice. He said that I should stop using expensive skin care products and switch to an inexpensive skincare line that he recommended.

Ironically, the expensive products that I had been using were full of ingredients that were drying out my skin. Can you believe it! My dry facial skin was so bad that I had to apply a prescribed ointment, but I saw a major skin improvement by the end of one week. I so wished that I had seen my dermatologist earlier.

For the past three years I have enjoyed a very simple and inexpensive skin care routine. For my face, I use a very basic cleanser and moisturizer twice a day, removing my make-up in the same manner as I have always done. I exfoliate with a enzyme cleanser once a week and apply sunscreen to my face and hands daily. I use a drugstore body and hand lotion, along with a very gentle soap for the rest of my body. That’s it. No more fancy products and anti-aging serums. Unless my skin starts reacting negatively, or my skincare products are discontinued, I will not change my skin care routine. 

I have heard that ample sleep, several glasses of water a day, and a caffeine-free diet does wonders for our skin. This seems right, but these habits are hard for me to incorporate into my lifestyle. I am used to sleeping only six hours a night (I welcome seven when the opportunity arises). I don’t drink lots of water because I’m just not a thirsty person. And when I am thirsty, I’d much rather have a cup of hot or iced tea. I’m afraid that very little will stop me from drinking strong caffeinated earl grey tea with milk and sugar three or four times day. On the other hand, I don’t smoke or drink coffee and alcohol. I also eat loads and loads of vegetables. I’m not sure whether those habits help my skin, but it would be a bonus if that was the case. 

By now it is probably clear that I learned most of what I know about skincare from my Mum. She drilled into me from a young age me that you only get one chance to look after your skin, so best you look after it. She had beautiful skin right until the day she died at age 59. There are a couple of things I would add to her advice though. First, do not assume that the expensive products are the best products. Everyone’s skincare needs are different, and the right products for you might be very inexpensive ones. Second, if you do have any serious skincare issues, I would suggest seeing a dermatologist sooner rather than later.

That’s my skincare story so far. What is yours? I’d love to know how you care for your skin, and what you’ve learned along the way.

Veteran forum member Laura brought Franco Sarto’s ‘Yonkers’ Stretch Boot to my attention last week because she bought a pair and was happy with her purchase. I recently tried them on and they are indeed fab. 

They don’t have a cushioning footbed but that is easily remedied with the a $2 insole from the drug store. The heel is stable and stands at three inches, and the stretchy pull-on nature of the style makes it work for narrow calves and a wider calf. I found the boot hard to pull on, but that will loosen up over time. It’s made of a synthetic material and runs true to size. 

The best thing about the boot is it’s fitted ankle. For some reason, boots that slim at the ankle are hard to find at the moment. This makes them ideal for midis and dressier occasions, which is in fact precisely why Laura bought them.

They are on sale and available in three colours, of which the mushroom gets my top vote. Some of the styles are available in narrow and wide, and sizes go up to a 12. Read the rave reviews.

This post was inspired by an article in the November issue of InStyle Magazine: “5 Ways to Wake Up your Work Wardrobe” (p. 186). I was nodding all the way through the article and found I could tie their points back to previous posts on YLF. So if you’re bored with your work wardrobe, here are 10 ways to spice things up. The first five are InStyle’s points with my take on them, and the last 5 are my additions. 

1. Add Colour: Pick a work appropriate separate and wear that in a colour with a neutral support act. If you dare, wear colour from head to toe. Or, throw in coloured accessories like shoes, scarf, belt and bag. This classic outfit builder illustrates how colour is mixed with neutrals in a work wear ensemble. The more on trend outfit builder incorporates colourful accessories. 
2. Add Sparkle: As InStyle puts it “Shine needn’t be sequestered to the evenings“. I like daytime sparkle in tops, sweaters, jackets, skirts and footwear. Although it isn’t a rule, I prefer daytime sparkle in neutrals other than black because black sparkle tends to look more “evening” to my eye. Tone down the sparkle with tweeds, denim, silk and wool separates. 
3. Add touches of Lace: We addressed whether lace was appropriate at the office and I voted yay if the execution is modest and neutral. Lace trimmed camisoles and blouses are great, and lace shell tops are excellent layering pieces. Dress down a lace skirt with a sweater. 
4. Mix in Prints: If you are print-adverse, bring them in slowly and in subtle ways. Stick to low contrast neutral designs that are quiet instead of loud. Wear a patterned scarf if a separate or dress is too much. Mix animal print shoes and belts with solids. 
5. Incorporate Leather: The right leather jacket makes a nice change to a wool blazer. By all means wear a leather skirt with soft professional separates. 
6. Mix Patterns: Start by mixing plaid, pinstripe and tweed bottoms with printed tops. If you like this aesthetic, you can go to town with the combinations. Refresh your memory with this beginners guide to pattern mixing.
7. Try New Trouser Silhouettes: This has been my favourite way to change up my own business casual vibe this year. We saw client Christie model her tapered trouser looks a few months ago, and now she’s hooked. It’s a trouser season ladies, and there is so much to explore in the silhouette. Think extra flared, or tapered, and look for those design details that tickle your fancy. Think high waisted and pleated if you dare. 
8. Wear dresses and skirts: This is old hat for some, but for those who are still uncomfortable wearing skirts and dresses to work, I’d love to encourage the change. Client Bei-Jing, who holds a senior position in a male dominated tech industry, wears skirts and dresses to work two to three times a week. 
9. Swap out pumps for booties and oxfords: Pumps are great for work and always look professional. But booties and heeled oxfords add an on trend bit of magic to an outfit, especially if you pair them with skirts and dresses. They are also much easier to fit than tall boots. If there is one thing to add to your Fall or Winter work wardrobe, let it be booties or heeled oxfords. 
10. Throw in fun hosiery: Black opaques are not your only option. Consider textured neutral hose and choose small subtle patterns. If you work in a creative environment, experiment with all sorts of hosiery. The assortment improves each year. 

So far this season, my business casual clients have been especially excited about new trouser silhouettes, daytime sparkle, pattern mixing, booties and leather skirts or jackets. Do these ideas resonate with your work wardrobe? Please feel free to add to the list.

You know that one item in your closet you love dearly? The sartorial outsider that you feel expresses your personality to a T, and that you wouldn’t want to give up for all the money in the world, even if it’s not your “usual style”?

That happens with books too. There we have all these amazing, unexpected, offbeat titles, that aren’t necessarily the perfect fit for our “standard” bookstore categories, but nonetheless deserve a place in the spotlight. We want them to feel right at home in YLF Books too, so that’s why we’ve created our Quirky Corner just for them. 

Be prepared to get your socks charmed off by the protagonists in our first quirky title. The Catwalk Cats share a house with Vogue’s creative director Grace Coddington and her partner Didier Malige. Want to take a guess at who’s the boss chez Maison Coddington? Or maybe you’ve been feeling a litte uninspired in the kitchen lately? Then the American Fashion Cookbook – 100 Designers’ Best Recipes might be just the thing to rekindle your culinary fire.

The intriguing A Shade of Red – One Lipstick and One Hundred Women is a new addition to the Personal Stories section. Photographer and writer Alyson Fox travelled the country to photograph one hundred very different women all wearing the same shade of bright red lipstick. This is the visual account of her journey.

New Giveaway

In last week’s Book Nook we announced that we’ll be reading 100 Ideas that Changed Fashion, written by Harriet Worsley, for the YLF Book Club. Well, today we have a fun surprise in store for you: Laurence King Publishing has kindly offered to give away five copies of the book! The competition will run until Thursday 10 November and we’re chuffed that it is open to all our readers worldwide. So don’t forget to visit our Competitions section and answer the giveaway question for a chance to win one of the five copies.