PRODUCTS WORTH INVESTING IN
Alrighty - you guys have been asking me a lot lately for my LATEST skin care routine and I just wanted to start off by saying that I'm really excited to share this with you because these products PRODUCTS WORTH INVESTING IN have been THE MOST effective ones in clearing up my skin!
Hello Hello Hello!
Alrighty - you guys have been asking me a lot lately for my LATEST skin care routine and I just wanted to start off by saying that I'm really excited to share this with you because these products have been THE MOST effective ones in clearing up my skin!
So I would say my skin has always been "clear" for the most part. I didn't have like chronic acne or anything like that but I would get like 3 bad zits a month and then I kind of always had those little pearl like white bumps...?
You guys know what I'm talking about? I think the technical term is "milia" but either way, I used to always have some of that on my cheek bones.
From my understanding, they're basically the result of the protein Keratin getting trapped beneath the surface of the skin MEANING that you can easily get rid of them with the right kind of exfoliator.
Now - before I became a littttle more educated on skin care, my go to exfoliator was that super grainy apricot scrub - you know the one that you get from the grocery store? I thought it was THE BEST! Little did I know, it's WAY too rough for our skin, ESPECIALLY our face.
I should know that you get what you pay for hahah.
ANYWAYS
So I went and saw Dr Kay and she immediately told me that I needed to use a glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is able to deeply penetrate the skin, not just the surface, which makes it the most effective thing when it comes to treating acne, blackheads, fine lines and dull looking skin.
I used this cleanser immediately and after 3 weeks, my face was 100% cleared up!!
So we love that, obviously. Then I was just so excited that I was using a product that actually worked that I started talking to Dr Kay about other skin products that I thought I could use.
One thing I was looking for was an eye cream just because I know that the skin around our eyes is very delicate and is supposed to have it's own TLC. I also told her that I wanted to avoid fine lines as much as possible and that my skin was often dry SO - she came through with allll the solutions.
Dry skin = wrinkles. SO in order to avoid that we need to keep oils on our face as often as possible. (if you're someone that has naturally oily skin - I'm super jealous haha)
To keep my skin hydrated she suggested that I get her Hyaluronic Water Gel ASAP.
Hyaluronic acid keeps collagen synthesis up, as well as retaining skin moisture, which contributes to theanti-aging benefits of the skin.
She also suggested that I get her Brighten and Tighten Vitamin C serum because Vitamin C is not only necessary for collagen production and maintenance, but it is also a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals in the skin.
Then for under-eyes, I purchased her REVITAL EYES, which I use every other night. According to Dr Kay, "this formulation combines All-trans-Retinol, green tea, arnica, and vitamin K along with a system of chelators and peptides to deliver maximum results".
So, to break everything down so far, when I wake up and before I go to bed I TAKE OFF MY MAKE UP WITH CLINIQUE "TAKE THE DAY OFF" MAKE UP REMOVER, then I exfoliate with Dr Kay Glycolic Acid cleanser AND THEN I put the Hyaluronic Gel on and wait for my skin to absorb it, then apply the Vitamin C serum.
You guys still with me?
I know it might sound like a lot, but believe me, once you find products that you like and see results in your skin, you totally look forward to grabbing a tea, going in your bathroom, and winding down OR waking up for like 10 minutes.
IT'S AMAZING.
Okay - moving on.
So if I am getting ready for my day then I go through everything I just listed above and THEN finish things off with THIS SUNSCREEN.
I got this from the Murad skin care line and absolutely LOVE IT. It goes on smooth, I don't need to try to rub it in for forever, it's actually orange so there's no white residue, and it has SO MUCH PROTECTION.
If I am about to go to sleep, then I will follow all of the steps from above but instead of applying sunscreen, I will apply the eye cream then this Dr Kay night time moisturizer. SO when I go to bed, my skin is OILED THE FUCK UP. I feel SO clean and I wake up to hydrated, glowing , acne free skin.
I learned that when it comes to applying products on your face, you want to put the THINNEST one on first that way the skin can absorb them.
I would suggest starting with 1-2 products from this list and seeing how you like the way your skin feels, and then get more. Like I said, I used to use drug store face wash and for some people that's enough but unfortunately that just wasn't the case for me so finding these products and deciding to invest in them instead of dinner, was a good call, if I do say so myself.
You can find all of Dr Kay's products here
You can find the Clinique make up remover here
You can find the Murad sunscreen here
Invest in your face!
X
MY LATEST SKIN CARE ROUTINE
Hey girl heyyy!
So personally my skin routine changes like ALL the time and I think that's perfectly fine. I love trying new products and seeing how they help and right now I feel like everything is SERIOUSLY working well together.
Everyone wants to get rid of fine lines and dark under eye circles, have an amazing face mask for girls night plus of course a daily sunscreen.
Right now I have a face mask that I'm SO excited to share with you because I've used it about 8 times now and I have noticed that it actually makes my skin GLOW.
Then I have a daily sunscreen thats light but applies the perfect amount of coverage plus a face oil that I put on with it first thing in the am.
PLUS some other goodies so let's just get into it!
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PS: This is the first time I've ever taken THIS good of care of my skin so don't feel overwhelmed. If you see something you like then just start there. I didn't start with all of these products in one day either so start small and just know you can always come back here when you're ready for your next product!
1.
To be honest, I don't like to just swear by any mask because I feel like going through the process of doing a face mask takes time and I don't want to do the whole thing just to wonder if the mask even did anything.
A lot of companies claim things to be true but it can be hard to say if they're really working.
I used this mask once and didn't like the smell. I mean it's spirulina which is an algae so I mean, I guess you can be confident that they're being honest with their ingredients.
I kept it on though and used it again the next day and I swear to you, later that day I literally noticed that my skin looked like it was glowing.
Now I'm obsessed with doing this mask like twice a week before bed or first thing in the morning then I close up my pores with this next product...
2.
This is technically for ice rolling sore muscles on your body which is why this product is a win win! I use it for what it's for and then I use it for what it CAN do, which is tighten my pores and reduce under eye puffiness INSTANTLY.
After I do a mask or if I just wake up and feel like I can't even open my eyes, I roll this all over my face and neck for 5-7 minutes and feel so rejuvenated it's insane.
This is also another thing that I do where other people will comment that my skin looks "glowing".
3.
Nahaia Sunscreen and Gold Face Oil
Post mask and ice rolling, I dab a little bit of this gold oil into my palm then add 2 pumps of 30 SPF sunscreen.
I've been obsessed with this combo because I'm HORRIBLE at applying sunscreen daily so it's been nice to have a go-to but ALSO i've been loving how easy it is to add in the benefits of the Liquid Gold Nourishing Oil.
The oil is made with ALL ORGANIC and natural ingredients like rosehip, primrose, and macadamia nut. It is meant to help with anti aging by firming and rejuvenating the skin. Definitely A MUST if you've been looking for a face oil.
I've tried other oils like straight up rosehip oil but I found they were either too oily or they would cause me to not get pimples but sort of...they were like little tiny bumps along my cheek bones.
4.
Last but not least, I've been ending my days with this Nion Beauty cleansing brush! Their brushes are built from technology in Japan and research in South Korea to bring us something called S-Ion technology.
I don't know about you but I had no idea what this was but apparently (now stay with me here), negative ions can boost our circulation, counteract environmental toxins and increase our sense of well-being.
These brushes actually BOOST negative ions to cleanse our skin. So it's VERY helpful for a small price.
Also, I've been using these:
Now to be totally honest, I've only used them twice, and I have one more to use. I don't think I have horrible under eye circles so it could be that I'm just not noticing much but, I'll keep you updated.
I like the way they feel and you can just give them a quick cut so that they fit to the shape of your eye. I've worn them while cleaning up the house and blogging but again, I'll give it another shot to see if I see anything much different.
So that's it! I know it might sound like a lot but if you want to start with any 1 product just click on the picture and you'll be ready for check out!
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What does your skin care routine look like right now? And PLEASE let me know if there's anything out there that you think is a MUST HAVE.
HOW I'M CARING FOR MY SKIN THIS WINTER
Considering I'm a Cali girl and it's still hovering around 50-degrees over here, it's safe to say that I've been completely UNPREPARED.
I don't know how to wear layers, my hair is freaking the __ out, and my skin lately was starting to feel like it was trapped in saran wrap or something. Just dry and all around ew.
I'm always trying different little products while I stick with my main dish aka my Thayer's Rose Water with Aloe that I've raved about like a million times + exfoliating every night.
These little side products tend to come and go because they end up being too much for my skin causing me to get little bumps on my face that are like almost pimples but not? You know what I'm talking about?
Or the product is too oily or sticky or watery, or it's like 872 steps and I just don't even want to take the time.
SO. I recently got some product sent to me from a skin care line called Tula and I feel like I wasn't even expecting it.
This is not a paid post or promotion of any kind by the way. They won't even know I'm doing this until the same moment that you do.
I've just been loving it so much and use it twice a day that I finally felt like I found something I trusted and wanted to share with you guys.
First of all, the color is so on point.
Second...the first thing that I read when I opened up my little package was a quote from the creator of Tula that reads:
We have taken the same good-for-you ingredients that keep your insides healthy and applied them to a product line that nourishes your skin.
Ummmm YES PLEASE. I've been dying for some skin products that work and are made from natural ingredients. So I checked those out and found that Tula is made from the following:
- Patented Probiotic Complex
- Yogurt Extract
- Turmeric
- Blueberry Extract
- Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids
- Vitamins A, C and E
- Chicory Root Extract
- Rice Nutripeptides
Seriosullllly in love.
It's skin benefits are:
- Increased Hydration
- Reduced Redness and Inflammation
- Improved Tone and Texture
- Restored Natural Balance
- Reduced Fine Lines and Wrinkles
- Increased Suppleness
I've been using the Exfoliating Treatment Mask every other night (which is a beautiful teal color by the way - obsessed) and the Hydrating Day and Night cream twice a day.
My skin seriously is so soft after using it and feels WAY more hydrated. I pair this with my ice rolling for plump, glowing skin.
Check them out!
Thank you Tula!
THE TONER YOU SHOULDN'T BE LIVING WITHOUT
(Currently Listening To: From Time by Drake)
Okay, I meannnn, have I been living in a hole or are you guys also new to this witch hazel thing? It kinda scares me when I find something incredibly useful and cheap that's been around for forever. Makes me wonder what else I'm missing out on...
But while we wait to figure that out, let's talk the MAGIC that is Witch Hazel.
I was telling a friend the other day that I feel like my skin is basically a light pallet of reds, whites and blues when I don't have make up on. Awesome. My under eye is blue, my cheeks get a light red-ish pink and then I have been avoiding the sun so this white skin is just glowing, and not in a good way.
He (yes he) said three things.
WITCH HAZEL. ALOE VERA. & ROSE WATER.
I thought to myself, witch hazel sounds scary, I got aloe, and I've heard rose water is good for your skin but I've never used it in anything else other than a cocktail sooo. (But this man has the most impressive skin and bald head you've ever seen so, I trust him).
I was thinking I had to go buy all three ingredients and get down on some kind of serious drill line for my nightly skin routine but then he told me it's all in one bottle and it's SO EASY.
I literally just get out of the shower, leave my face a little damp, and then rub a little bit of Thayer's into my hands and rub it all over my face. DONE.
I do the same thing in the morning when i wake up and I've ALREADY noticed that it's working as a toner.
Who else is excited for me?! SO EXCITED OVER HERE.
Okay so here's a little background on what the hell I'm talking about.
+ Witch hazel has been around for years and it is a topical astringent that comes from a shrub, kinda looks like a lavender plant, but yellow.
+ It's most commonly known use has been for skin because since it has a high concentration of tannins, it is capable of not only removing excess oil from your skin but it also shrinks your pores! SERIOUSLY WHYYYY AM I JUST FINDING OUT ABOUT THIS?!
+ So since your pores are smaller, less shit from the environment is getting trapped in your face which means LESS BLEMISHES, AND LESS BLACK HEADS. (Black heads are pores that are congested with pollution and toxins, ew.)
+ Obviously if it helps prevent blemishes it also helps TREAT current blemishes you may have or irritated skin and acne. Use a cotton pad to apply to the face to reduce irritation.
AFTER SHAVE
Since it tightens the skin and reduces inflammation it's literally THE PERFECT thing to use after you shave. Bye stupid ass razor burn, we all hate you.
BRIGHTEN AROUND EYES
I could cry. Isn't brighter looking eyes without concealer and 75 dollar eye cream everyones dream? Witch hazel will tighten and brighten your under eye, just make sure you don't get it IN your eyes.
I mean , I could go on for forever. It's also used to treat minor cuts, sunburns and varicose (spider veins). So that's JUST the witch hazel part! This little magic tub also includes doses of aloe vera and rose water.
I've tried SO many different skin products to try and tone my skin and they always end up making me dry out or get oily or I get little bumps on my face, kinda like acne, but not. I'm telling you you guys, iv'e oonly been using this for a few days and my face feels tighter, it's glowing IN A GOOD WAY and isn't oily or dried out.
AND IT'S CHEAP !!
I'll attach a link for you guys so you can buy like a million right now. This one was given to me by my friend but he said he got it at Sprouts so maybe places like Whole foods has it too.
Buy witch hazel:
https://thrivemarket.com/thayers-alcohol-free-witch-hazel-toner-rose-petal?utm_source=ebay&utm_medium=pla&CAWELAID=120220540000000783
Let me know how it works for you guys because I AM OBSESSED.
MY NIGHTLY SKIN ROUTINE
UGH SKIN CARE. So desirable but so confusing right??
I don't know why but I kinda like JUUUST STARTED to really care about taking care of my skin. About a year ago I started the whole sunscreen in the morning thing but it hasn't been consistent, kinda like ANY new habit.
But lately, I've been ALL ABOUT IT.
I started browsing top rated skin care blogs and have been reading everything, everywhere.
(I got close to buying some expensive shit- I feel like they're good at explaining to you why you need 200.00 sunscreen. TOOO GOOD....)
Anyways I DIDN'T, I only ended up buying two new items, 1 from Sprouts and 1 from Marshall's and kept it cheap! I had everything else BUT I learned the order that I'm supposed to be using everything.
Let's talk.
1. MAKE UP WIPE
This might just be a personal thing but when the brows are on and the lip stick is dark, I don't want to try to scrub it off in the sink for 20 minutes while trying to keep product from getting in my eyes and keep water from dripping all the way down to my elbows.
I like to take a make up wipe and GENTLY take off the hard stuff. DO NOT PULL YOUR SKIN WHILE USING A MAKE UP WIPE. Be as gentle as possible.
2. EXFOLIATE
Ahhh yes. Get off the rest of your make up, get off any dead skin that has built up and ENJOY. Wrinkles are caused by a lot of things including the sun, smoking, and genetics but ALSO by the build up of dead skin. We need to make sure we gently scrub away those impurities in order to reveal fresh glowing skin.
AND it doesn't need to be the most expensive thing you've ever purchased. I LOVE this one that was sent to me in a gift bag so i've been using this one BUT once this is out I'll go back to my favorite drug store face wash - St Ives Apricot Scrub.
3. CLEANSE
My all time favorite cleanser is Thayer's witch hazel formula. I did an entire blog post on it here, but it is an AMAZING cleanser that's like 10 dollars and it is made of witch hazel, aloe vera, and rose water. Could you even ask for anything better?
After we exfoliate our skin, we want to use a cleanser to remove excess dirt, oil, and other types of pollutants from the face. We are exposed to pollutants pretty much all day everyday and if we just let it sit then we start to notice pimples and blemishes.
(When I first started using this cleanser, I noticed I would wake up in the morning and my face would feel tighter but NOT dry. It is SO refreshing, I'm addicted. It has helped even my skin tone & a million other things so check it out.
4. OILS
Every skin care blog I read said to do the same thing. You want to apply your skin care products in order from thinnest to thickest. This way your skin can absorb each thing. If you put on a thick lotion first and then try to apply an oil, it's just going to sit on your face and not really get absorbed.
When it comes to oils you can really use whichever one that you're most in love with, just find one that works for you! Pretty much all oils are amazing, that's why you hear so much about grapeseed oil and coconut oil and what not. (See my post about how I'm using essential oils in my bedroom!)
I fell in LOVE with Rose Hip Oil because it obviously smells amazing and it is known for repairing sun damage and skin discoloration.
For someone like me that didn't start using sunscreen until a year ago, this is a major plus.
I also put it on in the am, after I cleanse of course.
5. MOISTURIZER
Now you are ready for your cream! Again, any time your applying oils or creams, do it gently. Try not to pull the skin so that you can keep the elasticity of your skin strong and to keep from forming new wrinkles.
Apply in small circles with your fingertips and push UP rather than using your whole hand to apply and pulling in a downward motion.
I read about plenty of night creams but ended up going to sprouts to get a 20 dollar Collagen night cream. Collagen is the main protein that helps keep skin tight and elastic and it allows it to look supple and soft sooooo it's kinda important, and it kinda SUCKS when your body starts producing less on it's own. (Hi #11 and crows feet).
If you guys have any other suggestions, leave them below!
- Chelsey