Those close to me know how much I looooove beauty! I’m always giving advice and checking people out when I talk to them. When I look at someone, the first thing I notice is their skin…then everything else follows. I like makeup but I’ve figured out what I like and have gotten my routine down. I don’t deviate from that very much. I love editorial looks in print publications but nothing rocks my world like skincare. Also, your makeup will look 1,000 times better if there is good skin under it. When my skin is good, I know I’m going to have a great day! So…here’s my routine (a la Caroline Hirons – look her up!) and some of my favorite skincare products.
I have an oily skin that is acne prone. It’s pretty resilient and doesn’t react negatively to much. There was, however, an incident with Tea Tree Oil a couple of years ago. Let’s just say I gave the Elephant Man a run for his money! The skin on my face is oily, the rest of my body is so dry I can strike a match on it. My routine is pretty much the same day and night.
Cleanse. Tone/Exfoliate. Treat. Moisturize.
I wear makeup almost every day. So the very first thing I do when I get home, after kisses from my boys ;), is take my makeup off. This is a 2 step process called double cleansing. 1. Remove makeup 2. Cleanse the skin. I like using an oil based cleanser for my first cleanse. This destroys makeup and all the other gunk that has collected throughout the day. I massage in and wipe away with a warm washcloth. Depending on the product, I will emulsify and splash off. Next I go in with a cleanser of my choice whether it’s another oil based or gel like cleanser, to clean my skin. My cardinal rule is: no foam. Foaming cleansers typically strip away ALL oil from your skin and leaves you feeling parched and tight. Stripping away all that oil will make even oily people more oily (to compensate for what you washed away) which leads to clogged pores and more breakouts. For drier skin, it makes you drier and dehydrates the skin…and wrinkles. BTW-in the morning, I only cleanse once…there is nothing to ‘remove’.
Once I’m cleansed, I use an acid toner to exfoliate. This stage takes away any last remnants of makeup or cleanser left on my face, resurfaces it, and also begins the moisturizing layers. Acid toners that I look for contain the following acids: salicylic, glycolic, and/or lactic. Salicylic – clears pores (for acne-prone skins, this one is golden); glycolic – resurfaces the skin (gives you ‘smooth as a baby’s bottom’ skin (all skin types); lactic – resurfaces skin, helps to break down bonds that hold dry skin cells together and reveals glowing skin (great for dry skin). After toning, your skin should be slightly flushed. Sting is good, burn is bad! TIP: I am a pimple popper! When popping a spot, make sure it’s at a head. Once you apply pressure and get it out, stop when you see blood. If you keep going, a scar will appear. Go in with your toner that has salicylic acid and apply pressure, then buff it (short strokes back and forth over the spot). This will take away the germs and clean it all up. Then add moisture! Preferably an oil.
Next, we are on to treatment. This is where you should look to correct whatever issue you are having with your skin. Hyper-pigmentation (dark spots or acne scarring), dryness, dullness, redness, etc. This is where I would suggest you spend the most in your routine. Serums will cost more due to the concentration of the ingredients use to correct skin problems. All the other items in my routine are typically affordable/budget items. I spend a lot on my serum, $50-100 is typical. I have a lot of acne scarring that has turned into dark spots, and I am always trying to reduce the appearance of my pores. So, I look for serums that will help me battle those issues. Retinoids are great for hyper-pigmentation and also overall anti-aging.
Lastly, moisturizer! Daytime, I use something fairly light so that I am not unnecessarily oily by the end of the day. Also, I try to use something with SPF, everyone needs SPF if you are going to be outside. (That means you my melanin-rich sisters!!) If my moisturizer doesn’t have any SPF, my makeup usually will. I will either use an oil or a really rich cream at night, or both, depending on what I feel like I need.
My routine takes me about 5 minutes…sometimes less. It is extravagant, but your face will thank you! And you can thank me later 🙂 Below are some of my favorite products to get you going. Enjoy!
PIXI – Double Cleanse (made by The Hirons herself!!!)
SUNDAY RILEY – Blue Moon Tranquility Cleansing Balm
CLINIQUE – Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
TATCHA – Cleansing Oil
FIRST AID BEAUTY – Facial Radiance Pads
PETER THOMAS ROTH – Max Complexion Correction Pads (acne prone skins); Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads (Normal-Dry skins)
CLARINS – Double Serum
ESTEE LAUDER – Advance Night Repair
SUNDAY RILEY – Good Genes
SUNDAY RILEY – Luna Sleeping Night Oil
BOBBI BROWN – Intensive Skin Supplement
CLINIQUE – Liquid Face Soap-Extra Mild
