Wedding Blog
(from “I Enjoy Being a Girl” sung by the incomparable Peggy Lee):
When I have a brand new hairdo
With my eyelashes all in curls
I float as the clouds on air do
I enjoy being a girl
When men say I’m cute and funny
And my teeth aren’t teeth but pearls
I just lap it up like honey
I enjoy being a girl!
I flip when a fellow sends me flowers
I drool over dresses made of lace
I talk on the telephone for hours
with a pound and a half of cream upon my face!
I’m strictly a female female
And my future I hope will be
In the home of a brave and free male
who’ll enjoy being a guy, having a girl like me!
I love that song. I sing it in my shower quite regularly! (I sing quite regularly in my shower, period 
)
I want you to focus in on one of those lines:
“I talk on the telephone for hours
with a pound and a half of cream upon my face!”
Now, lean in a little closer….
…closer…
…too close! Remove your face from my personal bubble please!
…okay, perfect!
At the risk of sounding like a salesperson, a televangelist - or Oprah I’m going to let you in on my biggest, hugest, most spectacular beauty discovery!
Ponds Cold Cream. It has literally saved my face.
When I was a teenager, I went on Accutane (a super-hard core strength acne medicine), which cleared things up amazingly. AMAZINGLY. As I got older, I became plagued by monthly pms-induced spotty episodes - nothing huge, but annoying, especially because:
I am a picker.
I am a scratch-my-face-off-when-stressed out kind of crazy lady.
Will power doesn’t work, neither do those baby hands-off mittens (maybe because they don’t fit…hmmm…I digress), and neither do admonitions from family members and Mr. Shortcake.
“SHORTIE, DON’T SCRATCH!!”
No can do. If I’m stressed, and there is an itty-bitty bump on my face, I will scratch until it is no longer there (leaving me with a gaping wound - logical? I know.)
The only thing that has ever prevented my from scratching, consistently, was having clear skin. Nothing to scratch at = no scratching.
In walked the new love of my life,
Ponds Cold Cream.
Cold cream has been around longer than your grandmother’s grandmother, and probably both of those ladies used it. Ask any good looking, well-kept elderly lady what she uses - most times it will be cold cream.
Ponds cold cream - the original kind, NOT the new “refreshing cold cream” or the “dry skin cold cream” contains seven ingredients. SEVEN.
If my dermatologist (super amazing man, highest paid professional in Vancouver, so I hear) has taught me anything, it is that higher price not only doesn’t mean better quality, it means MORE JUNK.
I started using Pond’s Cold Cream at the beginning of April. I use it twice a day, morning and night. I smooth on a generous layer, massaging it into my skin in gentle circular motions, let it absorb for about 30 seconds (you can do it for longer, if you want), and then GENTLY wipe it off with a warm, wet wash cloth.
Two days later, my skin was ridiculously soft, and CLEAR. My skin had been out of whack after going off of the pill, and it calmed down like a post-tantrum two-year-old offered a lollie.
My skin was SO SOFT that Mr. Shortcake WENT OUT AND BOUGHT TWO TUBS OF COLD CREAM FOR HIMSELF.
MY FIANCE USES POND’S COLD CREAM AND HAS A FACE AS SMOOTH AS A BABY’S BOTTOM!
Cough. Sorry for yelling. Seriously though, Mr. Shortcake’s face is soooooo smooth - and since he has started using the cold cream, the incidence of ingrown hairs post-shaving his neck has dropped down till nill, and we can actually dance cheek-to-cheek without my cheek coming away with a bad case of dancer’s rash!
Seriously. For $10 a pop (CND), it is worth a try. Sister Shortcake has just started using it, and is now telling her friends too!
Don’t believe me? Read and be converted, oh ye of little faith:
The Fedora Lounge
Makeup Alley
Homebasics
DING DONG! SHORTCAKE CALLING! 
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Share this post: Ding-Dong! Shortcake Calling!
Girl! this is seriously OLD SCHOOL! Pretty damn good to last this long…and you’re right…is older than my grandmother!
Good stuff! 
I used that stuff last semester when I took a stage makeup class. Not only did it remove every ounce of that crap, but it made me feel refreshed!
You convinced me! I’m buying it! My face’s history sounds just like yours, and FI has some bumpage that could stand correction as well, wonder if I can convince him too.
How does it compare to a cold cream like Noxema?
As I am also someone who is prone to acne to the point where I take prescription meds for it, and zits drive me nuts too, do you gals recommend any simple overnight creams that will moisturize but not clog up? I’m 30
Sorry can’t type long I’m runnimg to the store to buy some!
Oh man, I am with you there! I don’t break out badly, just a few once a month, but I CANNOT leave them alone! It’s completely illogical, but I can’t not pick at them. I am definitely going to try this.
Sarahbell, try ‘Galaxalbase” - you can find it at any drugstore - it’s the moisturizing base that pharmacists use to make dermatological lotions. It’s thick, but not greasy, it’s like a wonder cream - moisturizes enough if you’re really dry, but not too much if your face doesn’t need it.
But seriously, try the ponds. It’s a “cleanser’ technically, but it moisturizes so well that I haven’t used my Galaxal base since I started using the cold cream!
@Sarahbell:
oh, and as for Noxema or Nivea - it’s like perfume, not all cold creams are alike.
Ponds is the best is all reviews (I personally haven’t tried the other ones), and has the least “cr*p” in it - no propylene glycol, sulfates, titanium dioxide, etc….ponds is made with mineral oil (but doesn’t leave you greasy), beeswax, water, etc, in comparison.
You are hilarious, but I might have to try it! I hope that I can work the same magic on Mr. Peacock
Yeah, I’m pretty bad that way, too. Once something is there, I *have* to pick at it! I think that I’ll give this a try - thanks for the info!
Oooh! Gotta try this! Any suggestion for the back? Now that the weather is getting warmer and in Texas, it’s yucky hot…my back doesn’t take the sweat so well after my jogs. I do shower asap but still breaks out!
@MissRaspberry: This is going to sound crazy, but try Head and Shoulders. I’ve been known to be afflicted by some unsightly blemishes on the chest and back area and I tried this.
LITERALLY. The. Best. Thing. Ever. My back and chest were clear within days. It can leave you a little dry, so don’t forget to moisturize, but definitely give it a try. And just get the classic H&S, not the sensitive scalp or anything like that.
I love how you convinced Mr Shortcake to use cold cream … I’ve convinced my FI to use Oil of Olay everyday. We share the same bottle
I just got back from buying my first bottle! My grandmother always used cold cream and she aged beautifully….it can’t hurt right??! Looks like there are about to be a bunch of clear/soft skinned girls out there!
Ok…I am going out to the store NOW to get some of that stuff! I’ve tried EVERYTHING and no success!
so do you use a cleanser before the ponds or just the ponds?
i’ve used it take stage make up off, too, but i’m willing to give it a try– i swear, since getting engaged my skin has gotten progressively worse…
Okay, this is probably a stupid question but I’ll ask away…Do you use this in lieu of soap or face wash? Or face wash then Pond’s?
@Chacha:
I use the ponds twice a day…it cleans off EVERYTHING (disgusting the stuff that comes off your face , and it moisturizes at the same time!
I think I’m headed to the store tomorrow! I’ve been using Murad for a little over a month, but my skin is still in the “purging” stage, I guess. and I’m so bad about picking/scratching. With the wedding in 3 weeks, I need something pronto, and I’ll try anything. Plus it sounds so refreshing! Hopefully if it works on me I can get my fiance using it:) Thanks for the suggestion
I’m sold! I’m going to get some Ponds next time I’m at Shoppers. Maybe I’ll buy some stock in Ponds too!
I think Ponds should give Miss Shortcake a year’s supply for all the business she’s drummed up for them… I went out and bought some yesterday at the grocery store. Had been using 2 different cleansers and 2 different (love Estee Lauder, but so expensive!) moisturizers. I’ve run out, and with $ being tight, couldn’t justify it. I CAN justify less than $4 on something that does it all. Thanks
I still don’t get it, because I’ve actually tried this product before… do you rinse it off when you’re done? Or just sort of tissue it off? It seemed rather greasy, if I remember (and I’m not a greasy faced gal).
By the way, my grandmother used it as well. And I remember loooooving how it smells.
Does it work on really dry skin? I’ve tried alot of products to deal with my dry skin and some just made it worse. It sounds like something I would like to try I just don’t want to make my skin even worse with only weeks to go before the big day!
I’m so addicted to Ponds Cold Cream. I had the worst oily skin before and kept blotting-paper makers in business — within a month, my skin had calmed down significantly. I’ve probably used half a dozen blotting papers in the last YEAR.
I LOVE that you have a link to the review on Makeup Alley! I was just opening a new window to go there when I it. Your skin situation sounds exactly like mine, I can’t wait to try Ponds!
@Chrystal:
I have exzema as well as combination skin. Living in winnipeg this winter forced me to literally try everything to moisturize my chapped face (hel-lo vaseline!)… the ponds is very nice at moisturizing - i’ve only had to use it since, and not anything else. I can never guarantee it, but all the reviews I’ve read have been overwhelminly positive. You could always just try it for a couple of days!
@Sarah M.:
Ponds is made with mineral oil, so it is a greasier cream, but it has never left my (even oily t zone09 greasy. The key is wiping it off completely with a warm WET wash cloth. Some people use tissues, but I think that’s just environmentally irresponsible. If you want, you can always rinse your face with water after using the wet wash cloth
Oh wow, I am so getting a tub of that stuff. I have oily, acne-prone skin, and while my prescription zit creme is fairly effective, I can’t seem to stop picking at the few zits which do pop up … which of course makes everything 100 times worse than it would be if I just LEFT IT ALONE. I swear my hands have a will of their own.
Now I can’t wait to try Ponds!
I’m definitely going to give Ponds a try!
And I’ll second Shortie’s call to use a washcloth– it’s not only environmentally responsible, but a dermatologist told me that washcloths are great exfoliaters!
Also, use a fresh one each time you wash your face. Just “rinsing” it and hanging it to dry will not get rid of the bacteria, and you don’t want to put it back on your face the next time! I buy the cheapy kind that are 5-for-$5 and have about 20+ washcloths, so I always have a fresh one at hand.
here its less than $4: http://www.drugstore.com/qxp17105_334918_sespider/ponds/cold_cream_cleanser.htm
check this out: http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=705996&refurl=%2Fproduct.php%3Fprod_id%3D71166%26
it’s listed as only a moderate hazard to you health. It’s better than a lot of other stuff as long as you are not allergic to fragrances and are ok with testing on animals and petroleum on your face.
this would be much better without the fragrance.
i totally agree with you about the less ingredients the better! my face also cleared up a lot after I switched to a better lotion and cleanser with very few ingredients.
im also a picker so i have to be so careful and my will power can falter.
ooops!
I put the wrong link to the Skin Deep Database. This is the right one for the Pond’s Cold Cream
http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/product.php?prod_id=71166
@Leticia:
hey, thanks for the link, Leticia! i’m glad to see that ponds is a “4″ - my old cleansers are 9!! Most of the facial cleansers are in the red on that site, in fact…yikes!
Ok. I’m convinced. Before I head to the store and just so I’ve got this right:
I go to my bathroom, take out the Pond’s cold cream, scoop some up, apply to face, gently massage onto face for 30 seconds, wipe off with warm wet washcloth. Then leave the bathroom. Do NOT apply another product at any time before, during or after this process.
Is that right?
THANKS! I’m going to run out and buy some right after work!
I was very tempted to try the pricey La Mer products after reading Mrs. Peony’s rave review (http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/04/10/product-rave-feel-my-skin/)
BUT now I’m thrilled that I can try a more cost effective solution that has worked for you.
I also did several courses of accutane and I also suffer from the bad face-picking habit when the occasional break out occurs…so I was definitely looking for some skin care tips as the wedding approaches. THANKS AGAIN!
@HCB:
yup, that’s right! You can leave it on for longer if your face was feeling really dry, but 30 seconds usually suffices. I brush my teeth and do calf raises at that time
my mother SWEARS by ponds cold cream… and as a result… i do too!!!!! go team ponds!!!!!!!!!!
I was so excited about this stuff, but so not excited about the fragrance in it, that the hubs and I did some research: you can make your own cold cream for super-cheao! Go on, all you DIYers - try to make your own, non-animal tested, fragrance free variety:
http://www.spaindex.com/HomeSpa/HoneyColdCream.htm
Though I gotta say, since the homemade stuff has to be refrigerated, I’ll likely take the Pond’s with me when traveling. Thanks for the post, Miss Shortcake!
Thanks! I’m going to buy some tonight!
Holy Crap Shortcake, you are my hero. I bought a tub yesterday, used it once in the afternoon, once last night, and my skin looks AMAZING! I’m usually full of major breakouts like a 15 year old boy, and I’m so thrilled after only one day!
I used a baby wipe yesterday after wiping off the ponds, as it was still a bit greasy, and put on the AHA product that comes with Murad, but that’s it! Thank you so much!
Thanks for the tip - can’t wait to try it out! Anyone have any suggestions for how to clear skin from old blemishes? Not scars exactly, but my skin is just so fragile and thin (one time while getting a facial the woman said i had skin like onion paper and it was the most fragile skin she’d ever seen!) and takes so long to heal that old pimples never seem to disappear completely. I am always stuck with little red marks and blemishes. Creams that the dermatologist prescribes are always way to harsh and dry the life out of my skin. So I don’t really have a big acne problem these days, but just trying to deal with previous acne problems.
Alright Shortcake….I’ve got to give you props! I have skin that sounds similar to yours. Accutane and the whole thing. I was really scared to put greasy stuff on acne prone skin but I bought some Ponds after your sterling recommendation and I’m hooked. The HUGE zit that was coming in on my chin has totally shrunk and is going away. I haven’t used anything other than Ponds and a washcloth. No zit cream!! I’m from Florida and my face isn’t oily with all of the humidity. Thanks!!
Miss Shortcake THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for sharing this, I’ve tried EVERYTHING, from prescription topicals to weird gadgets like the light therapy and in literally one week Pond’s took care of the little bumps on my face and made my skin smoother/softer. YAY!
Ooh! Glad to find this post as well I am buying me some Pond’s on my way home tonight. My skin is sooooo dry in this Chicago bitter cold. I am going out of my mind!!
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Mrs. Shortcake, Vancouver
Age and Occupation: 24, Marketing Manager/Children's Lit Writer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Master's Student/Personal Trainer
Engagement Date: August 7, 2007
Wedding Date: October 2008
Blogging Since:
Venue: Ceremony in a historic church, tented lawn reception at a golf and country club
About Me: 1950's housewife sent to the future, reborn as crafting-obsessed, jill of all trades. I enjoy decorating, writing, baking sweet things, singing show tunes/dancing in public, wearing pearls, and knitting sweaters for my furbaby, Harvey, to chew upon. I heart pink, and believe that sparkles are the new black.
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