I've come to realize that without flawless skin, my makeup isn't going to look as perfect as I'd like. I can cover it with foundation and concealer but then I just look like I've covered bad skin with makeup. I'd much rather have perfect skin so I can wear just enough foundation to even out my face. It's taken me years to figure out the perfect combo for my skin and I think I've finally done it. For now.
First of all, and this is a must, I cleanse my skin twice a day. If I skip a wash, especially at night, my skin pays for it. Also, just to be clear, I have normal/combination skin. During the summer I'm a bit more oily and in the winter my skin dries out like crazy. With that said, here we go!
Morning Routine
1.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple facial cleanser
This stuff has absolutely changed my skin. Since having my son, I was breaking out like crazy. I tried so many different cleansers and nothing helped. Purity literally saved my face. If I only have time for one step in my routine, it's this one.
2.
Clarisonic Mia skincare brush
I use this brush only once a day. The Mia, in combination with the deep pore brush head, cleanses my skin so thoroughly I'm still amazed every time. My pores appear smaller and tighter. My skin is smooth and soft. It's so miraculous that when I went for a microderm abrasion treatment, they hardly removed any dead skin; because every day I'm exfoliating my face. I will never live without this brush. Ever.
3.
Origins VitaZing moisturizer
I'm madly in love with this moisturizer. First of all, it's perfect for daytime because it has SPF15. Secondly, it has a very slight tint to it. It's not quite a replacement for my tinted moisturizer or foundation, but it does even my skin enough that I can throw on some mascara and lip balm and not look like death warmed over. Thirdly, it makes my skin feel amazing. It's not greasy and doesn't have a weird sunscreen smell that I normally hate in other moisturizers. It's fab!
4.
Origins GinZing eye cream
I've been searching high and low for the perfect eye cream and I've found it in the GinZing. It moisturizes my eye area without leaving it greasy, but it also helps me not look so tired. It brightens my dark circles leaving me looking more awake and refreshed. It's a must try for sure.
Evening Routine
1.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple facial cleanser
2.
Caudalie Vinexpert firming serum
I don't know how they do it, but this serum is incredible. In the morning I wake up to perfectly smooth skin that's soft and radiant. Now, I'm only 32 so I'm not sure how much firming it's doing for me at the moment, but I like to consider it preventative skincare. If only it wasn't $88.
3.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
I've been using this moisturizer for years now and it never fails me. I never breaks me out. It leaves my skin super soft and smooth. It's truly perfect for me. When I'm super tired I just mix my Caudalie serum right into it and smooth it on. I was using it for daytime as well until I discovered the Vitazing. If you could only choose one, I'd go with the Clinique. Just FYI, I've tried the Dramatically Different Lotion as well and I hate it. So if you've tried that and it didn't work for you, this is completely different. I'd grab a sample and give it a shot. It's good stuff.
4.
Teamine eye complex eye cream
This is my current eye cream. I haven't been using it long enough to be madly in love with it or to see a real difference in my under eye area, but I don't hate it. If anybody has any suggestions for a good night time eye cream I'd love to hear it. This is the one part of my routine that I'm still figuring out.
So, that's it! I hope this was helpful to some of you. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.
Til next time...stay pretty!
