loving lately...skincare edition
I apologize sincerely for being MIA as of late but having three very demanding, opinionated littles yapping in my ear at all hours can make even the simplest of tasks seem harrowing. Now that a new school year has begun, I’m holding out hope that I'll find my way back to my beloved laptop far more frequently dispensing my latest tips in the beauty department. Soooo much has happened this summer…. I mean I didn’t get pregnant or anything but I did chop all of my hair off and when I say “all,” I mean that the final cut measured in at over a foot and a half. You’d think I’d be remorseful but it was a refreshing change and my neck thanks me kindly. In addition to my new mom lob, I majorly changed up my skincare routine as well. I tried many a new product and came out being blasé about most but luckily there were a few stand-outs that really made me pumped to share with my audience…
Beauty Counter's Rejuvenating Face Cleanser- I'm not usually one to jump on band wagons (I swear I've been a Yankee fan from day 1), but when I tried this face wash from Beauty Counter, I was a believer! In fact, I can barely keep up with these enthusiastic fingers that are aggressively typing away to tell you all about it. Ok so, a cleanser for me MUST: A) rinse off all of my makeup, EVEN MY MASCARA, no exceptions, and B) make my skin feel thoroughly cleansed but not at the cost of hydration. BC's face wash far eclipsed my aforementioned criteria and is now apart of my daily skin routine. A huge bonus is that it is a super clean product, so if a little gets up your nose or in your mouth, you can rest easy that you won't need to pull an all-nighter googling toxic ingredients and their coinciding symptoms (Anyone???)
Drunk Elephant's Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil- I’ve always been reticent to put anything that has the word "oil" on my face in fear of waking up the next morning looking like an acne prone teenager. BUT, I had read so many stellar reviews about this oil that I was willing to go against my gut and give it a try. Not surprisingly, Drunk Elephant delivered on another fantastic product. I add this oil to my moisturizer in the evening and energetically rub into my face. It absorbs really well into my skin and oddly, doesn’t actually feel oily. I’ve become a huge admirer of this stuff. It is a tad pricey and it definitely feels somewhat indulgent but a little bit goes a long way and the improvement of texture and condition of my skin is worth the splurge!
Kiehl's Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask- I originally discovered this Kiehl's mask as a sample. The sample size allowed me to use it a few times and reflect upon it’s results. I was so wowed by the effects, I immediately went on the hunt for a full size jar… meaning it was delivered to my doorstep in less than 48hrs by Sephora.com. The whole world is touting the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric in our diets, it's no wonder it's such a powerhouse when it comes to our skincare as well. Along with turmeric, this “radiance” mask also contains micronized cranberry seeds which gently exfoliate the skin as you're washing off the formula. It accomplishes all your skin goals in one jar instead of using several different ones. Upon removal, my skin looks tight and luminous without feeling itchy… too bad there’s nothing like this on the market for our lady regions. It is the perfect prep-step before applying night serums and lotions. NOTE: definitely use a washcloth when rinsing off.
Huxley "Secret of Sahara" Sheet Mask- Who would have thought that my very favorite sheet mask would have come by way of Birch Box. I had sort of given up on Birch Box mostly because I hate the clutter of a dozen little products. But stumbling upon Huxley's "Secret of Sahara" (which is a combination of Prickly Pear Seed Oil and Cactus Water, which are known for their anti-oxidant and hydration effects) was well-worth that month's membership fees. This sheet mask is becoming a giant in the Korean skincare craze and now I know why. The mask adheres really well to skin so it wasn’t annoying or uncomfortable leaving it on for a half an hour. Once I removed the mask, I massaged the oils in and was surprised by how hydrated, firm and glowy my skin looked. Conveniently, these packs can be bought in threes from Amazon. NOTE: The mask comes in two sections.... "you need to roll up the section holding the oil then press down firmly on the edges of the pocket until it pops. This will release the oil into the mask sheet compartment." OK... this was actually really hard to do- I basically had to unleash my 5th grade jazz dance routine on top of it to finally hear the “pop”- but all those step-ball-changes were a small sacrifice to make to reap the benefits of this awesome mask.
Daily Concepts Mini Micro Scrubber- If you're looking for less of a commitment than the Clarisonic then this facial mini scrubber is for you. The best way to describe it is as a spongey mitt. It's double-sided so one side is coarse and provides an exfoliating effect, taking no prisoners on those dead skin cells, while the other side is a soft cotton which suds up easily and is great for cleansing. I have noticed a dramatic difference in the texture of my skin since I started using this product this past summer. It really helps to eliminate the grime left behind from heavy spfs and foundations and dries super quickly between uses. It's also quite durable and can be thrown in the wash, and if you don't want to add to your laundering duties, just buy a bunch... they're super affordable at Ulta. I've also heard these scrubbers can double as tanner applicators.
