#I swear I order 10 samples about twice a week now

[xoxoemynn]

my toxic trait is ordering 4 million paint samples and then doing nothing with them.

[sentrava]

At 35, I Started Caring About My Skin — Here’s My Routine

The hardest thing about traveling so often is keeping a regular, healthy diet and a skincare routine compatible with TSA requirements and my aging self. I recently turned 36, and I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t truly get serious about caring for my skin until about 18 months ago. That said, better late than never (right? RIGHT?), so I put together this play-by-play of how to maintain a skincare routine in your 30s—and, in particular, how I keep it up while on the road.

But first, it must be said, I am not a doctor, a dermatologist or an aesthetician (clearly). You should absolutely see one (or all) of the above before doing anything drastic with your own skin. I do have a great derm, Dr. Lorien Sites at Nashville Skin, who I see once a year for skin checks and preventative cancer screenings and an aesthetician in Nashville, Mallory Hamilton at Woo Cosmetics, as well as one in Manchester, Megan Hershman of Be Well Skin, who I go to for professional facials and waxing. That said, I can only afford so many such treatments, so I’ve learned what I can do on my own and what I need to leave to the pros.

And it happens to be my favorite time of year: the Sephora VIB sale! I tend to stock up on all the products I need during this sale for 11 days every April and November. It’s the perfect excuse to try out a bevy of new products as there are 10 to 20 percent discounts throughout the course of 11 days, in addition to all sorts of freebies and perks.

Note: This post is in no way sponsored by Sephora, though I did include affiliate links when applicable below. I purchased every beauty product I featured below through Sephora (or Ulta if I can’t find it at my first-choice shop) and have stopped buying actual skincare products via Amazon. Why? Read this.

My Daytime Routine

After going overboard with products to start and creating blackheads for the first time in my life as a result, this is now what I do in the morning now. I don’t double-cleanse every single day, as I don’t wear makeup and my skin is already sensitive, so the second step is just an occasional add depending on how my skin is feeling that day. It’s always a trial-and-error with what works for you, though I’ve found a lot of helpful tips via beauty guru Caroline Hirons over the years. I also often defer to this New York Times piece on building a skincare routine when I’m feeling overwhelmed and sifting through the black hole of skincare recommendations that is the Internet.

Step 1: Rinse my face with warm water and a cleanser like this Algenist one

Step 2: Double cleanse with an exfoliating product like Tatcha’s Deep Cleanse (optional)

Step 3: Apply Tarte Knockout Tingling Treatment as a toner (I don’t do this every day)

Step 4: Splash my face with Fresh’s Black Tea Kombucha Antioxidant Essence to ward off pollutants

Step 5: Apply a layer of Drunk Elephant Day Serum

Step 6: Apply Supergoop SPF and an additional thin coat of moisturizer if needed (i.e. if my skin is dry)

Go about my day!

I’ve tried to be better about wearing SPF every single day, even if I don’t think I’m going out in the sun. My bestie Lemon turned me onto Supergoop! products a couple years ago, and those are my go-to for days I know I’ll be outside at some point. Plus, I love that it comes in a 1.7-ounce bottle, so I can keep it in my carry-on and reapply as needed. Back home, I have a massive tube of Le Roche-Posay’s Anthelios SPF, a line my makeup artist friend Brenna introduced me to a few years ago (and one you can now find at your local pharmacy like Walgreens), that I apply when running or working in the yard.

I have combination skin that errs on the oily side, so won’t use a moisturizer during the day unless it’s winter (or allergy season like now) and my skin is feeling tight and itchy. In that case, I’m a big fan of Little Seed Farm’s Goat’s Milk Moisturizer, which is a nearby Tennessee brand I purchase locally from Kroger’s but has a website from which you can order if you aren’t local. I also love Tatcha’s Water Cream, and it’s a bonus that it’s a clean product, too (slowly making the switch to mostly products that are certified clean).

Keeping my products organized and ready to use step-by-step has been a lot easier in the new house as we actually have bathroom space and closets here. I like to keep everything where I can see it so I can survey what I have in stock, so I loved adding this rotating beauty organizer I got on Amazon for just $26 to my new bathroom. I also have a variety of Container Store and STORi plastic bins like this one that I use to organize my overflow and hair products in my bathroom closet.

Using Face Masks

Since I work from home, I often do a mask once or twice a week midday and have all my skincare products readily available and have liked splashing this Fresh essence on my face throughout the day when I need a boost. I’m constantly trying new ones, but here are a few of my favorites:

REN’s Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask (I use this peel once a week and it’s glorious)

Sephora Collection Face Masks (I prefer the coconut, pearl and lychee)

TONYMOLY Sheet Masks (for $3.75 a pop, you can’t beat the price)

My Nighttime Routine

One thing to note is that figuring out what works for you takes time. Don’t introduce everything at once, otherwise you won’t know what’s working and what’s not. For example, the Pixie Glow Tonic from Target beauty bloggers rave about? Only made my skin break out and become more red in complexion. I immediately took it out of my rotation and started testing out different Vitamin C and brightening serums instead.

Wash with a deep cleanser (I like various Peter Thomas Roth products)

Apply a serum (Sunday Riley Vitamin C or Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos)

Apply a retinol (currently using Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni)

Apply an eye cream (I haven’t found one I love but currently am using Drunk Elephant’s that came in a set)

Apply a night cream (see below for my thoughts on this)

Between each step, I make sure the product has properly soaked in before I add the next layer. Rule of thumb if you can’t remember which order to apply is: lightest to heaviest. My night cream or moisturizer depends on how thirsty my skin is (I used to not use one, but now I’m trying to reverse deep forehead wrinkles without Botox so use one religiously). My go-to is Belif’s Aqua Bomb, particularly in the drier months like winter, but I really love Farmacy’s Sleep Tight quenches my skin but doesn’t make me wake up feeling oily.

I also finally started using a silk pillowcase, the Slip pillowcase beloved by bloggers everywhere, and I’m kind of mad my mom has used one her entire life and never enforced it upon me because it does help protect both your skin and your hair. And as someone with crazy wavy hair, I can actually straighten it one day, sleep on the silk pillowcase and wake up to it not a mess for a change.

In terms of toning and skin-brightening, friends of mine swear by Karen Hayes Esthetics’ Koji pads, and I finally dropped $160 on a pack and … was extremely underwhelmed. I used them religiously for the recommended 60 days and saw no change in my skin tone. That said, I didn’t actually go in to see the esthetician first—rather, I filled out the survey online—so maybe I needed a stronger prescription? I don’t know. In a world of abundant skincare options, I don’t think I’d drop the money to re-try this one. I’m getting more religious about using a toner and Vitamin C serum instead.

After a decade of using retinol from my derm, I’ve been using OTC retinol products for the past year after my skin went ballistic with an allergic reaction the last time I tried medical-grade products. I’m due for my annual skin checkup with my derm soon, so I’m going to ask her to prescribe me a new retinol—not because my skin breaks out regularly, but because I have deep forehead lines that need reversing (I laugh a lot, what can I say?) and I’m just not into the idea of Botox (no judgment if you are). For those who don’t need as strong a retinol, I do like Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni Retinol Cream and also Algenist’s Retinol Serum.

Drunk Elephant products are pricey, so I’d recommend you go with a sampler kit like this one before investing in the full-sized products to see what you like. But I’m fully on that bandwagon now, as I’ve been using them for nearly a year, and my skin feels so clean and fresh daily (plus, their products are non-irritating and non-toxic).

When I Travel, Here’s My Beauty Kit

My friend Christie, to whom I also go for skincare tips, made me envious of how organized her beauty kit always is, so I threw out my old caddy and bought this hanging organizer instead. I keep it hanging in my bathroom and each section is organized by theme: first aid (Band-Aids, medicine, prescriptions, etc.), dental hygiene, shampoo and conditioner, hair products and skincare. It’s always ready to go when I need to pack my suitcase, and this way, I never forget anything, which I was inevitably doing before. I also now use this little $8 seven-day pill organizer for my prescriptions, which has reduced the chance of me forgetting one bottle since I’m on so many daily allergy meds.

For this, I typically use Sephora samples I get when I’m stocking up or I buy mini-kits of products I use that are under three ounces. Nothing will get me to check a bag when I travel, so I find it’s always easier to be prepared. Some kits of minis I’ve used and love:

Algenist Discovery Kit (which includes the retinol, a serum, an eye cream and more)

Drunk Elephant’s The Littles (which includes a small version of every one of the products I use of theirs)

Tatcha Pore-Perfecting Duo (I use this for my cleanser and moisturizer when traveling)

What You Eat DOES Matter

Doing food elimination diets for my autoimmune disease means that I’ve seen firsthand how my skin reacts to certain foods, dairy in particular. And while we are mostly dairy-free day-to-day—we long ago, started making our own almond, cashew and coconut milk—neither one of us is one to turn down sour cream or cheese, and if I’m at a fancy coffee shop, I’ll occasionally opt for real creamer as opposed to oat milk or cashew substitute.

But if I’m consuming dairy or sugar on the regular, you better believe my skin reflects it. I get large breakouts around my mouth and jawline, and it’s just not pretty. Again, I’m a big fan of these cheap, but totally efficient Nexcare acne patches to get ride of isolated breakouts quickly (note: this is the only beauty product I buy via Amazon as my local Walgreens doesn’t carry it—but yours might). You can’t beat $6 a box! Target also carries the CosRx brand ($5 for 18) that beauty bloggers swear by.

Dermaplaning

I’ve had professional dermaplaning three times, and little has given my skin quite the glow as removing all the peach fuzz and dead skin cells. I absolutely love the effect of dermaplaning, but the problem is that it only lasts about two weeks (at least for me), and it is not cheap. Instead, these days I do weekly at-home dermaplaning with a variety of tools:

Stacked Skincare dermaplaning tool

Level Setter Razors

Tinkle Hair Removal Razors

Stacked is by far the most efficient, but it’s also very sharp, so proceed with caution. The $10 drugstore brands work fine to just get your face smoother for applying serums and creams; not having that layer of fuzz and dead skin definitely helps your products soak in more (and your makeup to go on more smoothly if you’re a daily makeup-wearer).

Microblading & Your Brows

So far I’ve yet to find a brow-grow product that fills in the patchy parts of the brows I overplucked in my teen years. Ladies, why did we not listen to our mothers? *face palm*

I’ve tried Shisheido, Rapid Brow and Sephora—none of which have done anything for me. I finally ordered the two-part GrandeBrow Brow and Lash Enhancing Serums from Sephora, and still nothing. One eyebrow got thicker, I’ll give it that, but the problem brow stayed, well, problematic. So, if you have an effective eyebrow serum, help a girl out, will you? I’m thinking of asking my derm for a Latisse prescription next time I’m in as nothing OTC seems to work.

I would love to try microblading, and honestly was going to do it years ago until I found out you have to get touch-ups once to twice a year. While I’m OK paying $500 for something that has a semi-permanent effect, paying $500 and then hundreds of dollars for touch-ups every quarter or bi-annually is just an investment I’m not ready to make yet (plus, the thought of getting my brows tattooed freaks SVV out to no end). But if you have thoughts on microblading or success stories, please let me know in the comments!

What’s worked for you when it comes to your skin? I’m constantly learning how to take care of myself after years of neglecting my skin, so share your favorite tips or products, pretty please!

At 35, I Started Caring About My Skin — Here’s My Routine published first on https://medium.com/@OCEANDREAMCHARTERS

[rachelvalente]

Sephora Spring Savings Event

Over the weekend, I had lots of requests come in asking for me to share my picks from the Sephora sale. For those who don’t know, they just launched their Spring Savings Event – they only do this type of sale twice a year so it’s a great time to pick up those items you use regularly for less.

Here’s all the details: Rogue members get 20% off thru 5/1, VIB members get 15% off thru 4/29 and Insiders get 10% off 4/23-4/27.  Just use code SPRINGSAVE at checkout to redeem (if you’re not already an Insider, you can sign up for free here & take advantage of these savings).  They’re also offering free shipping on all orders thru 5/1 with code FREESHIP!

There are so many products on their site that it can feel a little overwhelming, especially if you’re wanting to try something new.  I always recommend reading through the reviews before purchasing – and even if you buy something that you test out & don’t love, they have a generous return policy even for used products.  I’m sharing my tried-and-true favorites with you below – these are all things I use on a regular basis and love so I feel confident recommending them.  I’ll be repurchasing lots of these as back-ups for when I run out of what I’m using now.

Farmacy Brightening Eye Cream I’m quickly becoming a big fan of this brand – I have yet to try a product of theirs that I don’t absolutely love, so you’ll see quite a few of them here!  This was my most recent purchase from them & I’ve been using it since mid-February (first mentioned here).  I love that this is a heavier eye cream so it’s really hydrating, which helps with that crepey-looking texture around the eyes (note: I wait a good 10 minutes after applying before putting on my makeup).  And I do think that I’ve seen a slight improvement in my dark circles – a lot of my issue is hereditary, so I’ll never be rid of them completely, but this has definitely helped!

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer I’ve been using Tarte Shape Tape as my go-to undereye concealer for over a year, but I just started having issues recently with it creasing on me (I blame it on my aging skin).  So, when I received a sample of this with my last Sephora order, I gave it a try and now I’ll never go back.  Concealers are so tricky because everyone’s skin tone and texture is different, but I really like the texture and staying power of this one.  I recommend getting the mini size to start – a little goes a long way with this product, so even the smaller version will last you a while (I use the shade Vanilla).

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask This is the most expensive item in my collage, but it’s worth including because the results are that good.  This is the best mask I’ve ever tried for minimizing pores & softening skin.  The smell isn’t my favorite, but I think that’s due to the fact that it’s 100% natural, which I really appreciate.  I’ve only been using it once a week to make it last longer – but, if it wasn’t so pricey, I would definitely use it more often!  Another option would be to purchase this skincare set, which comes with a cleanser & a smaller jar of this mask (about $20 cheaper than the full-size jar on its own).

Kiehl’s Overnight Lip Repair Treatment This has truly saved my lips this winter – anytime my jar gets low, I immediately order more.  It has a thick & creamy consistency with the most heavenly smell.  I apply it every night before bed and wake up with soft smooth lips each morning.

Nails Inc. Polish Duo This base coat + polish combo is a great buy – sometimes I just wear the base coat on its own for an American manicure look.  One of my biggest pet peeves with a lot of red nail polishes is that they aren’t opaque enough, but this one gives such good coverage that you can get away with just applying one coat.  This formula has great staying power & dries quickly (note: this shade is more of a warmer brick red vs. a bright cherry red).

Olly Lustrous Hair Gummies Anytime I can take my supplements in gummy form, I’m all for it because I hate swallowing pills.  I haven’t been taking these long enough to report my results yet, but I love the flavor of them + they get amazing reviews.  We are big fans of this brand in our house – we all take their multivitamins and my daughter swears that these stress gummies help with her anxiety levels throughout the day.  I plan to keep taking these & report back in a few more months – fingers crossed!

Urban Decay Setting Spray I blame my daughter for getting me hooked on this because I never even thought to use a setting spray before.  Someone brought this in for the cast of her musical to use on their stage makeup & I was blown away by how well it worked – her makeup was still flawless after multiple performances, costume changes & sweating under the stage lights.  I only used it for photo shoots or date nights in the winter, but will be using daily once summer rolls around – highly recommend trying out the mini size if you live somewhere that is hot and/or humid.

Farmacy AHA Resurfacing Night Serum If you have aging skin (in your 30’s or older), this serum is amazing for treating dark spots, evening out skin tone and getting rid of dullness.  There is a little tingling when you first apply it, but it’s nothing too severe – it also has a nice scent to it that I love.  Nothing beats the glow I wake up with in the morning when I use this the night before!

Farmacy Hydrating Sheet Mask I’ve tried a lot of sheet masks over the years and this one remains my favorite.  The first time I used it, I couldn’t get over how glowy & soft my skin was.  The ingredients are clean, it fits well (doesn’t slide off your face like some masks) & is the perfect extra moisturizing step for skin that’s become dry through the winter.

It Cosmetics Primer When I first put this on, the formula felt so light, I thought I was going to hate it – but I was amazed by how much better my makeup wore throughout the day than the primer I was previously using.  That being said, if you have dry skin, I would recommend this Smashbox primer instead because it’s more hydrating.

Tan Luxe The Face Drops These were a quarantine purchase for me just a few weeks ago and, so far, I’m loving the results.  I had to experiment a little with the amount – I started with 3 drops and it was a little darker than I wanted so I’m now using 2 drops per application, which gives me a natural looking tan.  I use the Light/Medium shade & just mix it in with my evening moisturizer).  Note: be sure to wash your hands immediately after applying!

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector This is basically an at-home mask treatment – you put it on damp hair, leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing out & then shampoo & condition as usual.  My stylist recommended using the Olaplex shampoo & conditioner once a week to help repair my strands and this treatment takes it even one step further.  My hair has never looked shinier or healthier – will definitely be repurchasing!

Hourglass Translucent Setting Powder This is my favorite powder for setting my makeup – it has a silky finish & doesn’t settle into fine lines.  This does give a more matte finish to the skin, so I use it sparingly.  This also comes in a mini size if you want to try it out before buying the full size version.

Becca Hydra-Mist Setting Powder I wanted to include this powder in my round-up too because it’s cheaper than the Hourglass powder and it might be better for those looking for something with lighter coverage and/or a more dewy finish.  I took the mini size of this powder with me on my India trip & loved applying it because it has a cooling effect on the skin that feels amazing when it’s hot outside.

Living Proof Dry Shampoo I buy this stuff in bulk and have been using it even more now that we’re in quarantine.  I buy a mix of the full-size bottles and the mini size (great for travel) – if you’ve never tried this or if you’re looking for a good dry shampoo, I can’t say enough good things about this!

Charlotte Tilbury Blush My favorite blush was discontinued this year so I began the search for a replacement & this one has become my new favorite.  I know it’s expensive for blush, but I don’t use a lot of it so I know it will last me for a while + I haven’t found anything else that blends or stays put as well as this does.  I use the Pillow Talk Intense shade (a mauvey rose hue)  but I’m thinking about ordering in Ecstasy (a peachy pink) for the summer months.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter This is one of my top 5 holy grail beauty products – it works like magic to blur imperfections and give you a luminous glow without the need for makeup.  I apply this after my primer & before my CC cream to create a lit-from-within effect (I use the Light shade).  But, on days when I’m not wearing foundation, I’ll put my sunscreen on with this on top & it’s the perfect amount of light coverage.  You can also use it over your foundation just on cheekbones & down the bridge of your nose as a highlighter.

It Cosmetics CC+ Cream This is the best full-coverage foundation, in my opinion.  It blends well, doesn’t look heavy & has a natural-looking finish.  I have recommended this to so many of you since I started using it and you’ve all told me how much you love it!  They’ve come out with so many different versions (see them all here), but I still prefer the original formula.  I use the Light shade in the winter/spring and switch to Light Medium in the summer/fall.  It has SPF50 built-in, along with hyaluronic acid, peptides & collagen for anti-aging benefits.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Hands down, the best brow pencil on the market.  Anytime this goes on sale, I order extra because I’m so scared of running out!  I was using Soft Brown before, but once I started adding more highlights to my hair, I switched & now use Taupe, which looks softer & more natural with my lighter strands.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides I’ve been using this powdered collagen for years and swear by it for a healthy gut – I also attribute it to making my nails so strong.  I stir one scoop into my coffee each morning – it’s flavorless & dissolves completely so you don’t even know you’re drinking it (you can also add it to smoothies, oatmeal, etc.).  I usually buy the largest size tub, but the individual serving packets are great for travel or on the go.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer I bought the mini size of this bronzer to try out and I’ve been amazed by how long it’s lasted me.  I use the Radiant Finish and it gives my skin the perfect sunkissed glow.  So many bronzers I’ve tried look too orange or ruddy, but this one has a realistic warmth that’s really flattering.

Supergoop Glowscreen Sunscreen I mentioned this last month after I used it for the first time & I can’t recommend it enough!  It provides you with SPF40 & has the most lightweight feel of any sunscreen I’ve used.  Plus, it has a slight tint to it & it gives you the prettiest glow – perfect for no makeup days!

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Volumizing Mousse I still try other volumizing products from time to time, but I always seem to come back to this mousse.  It actually makes my hair look thicker and doesn’t have a sticky residue + I love how lightweight it feels.

The post Sephora Spring Savings Event appeared first on Penny Pincher Fashion.

Sephora Spring Savings Event published first on https://skinalleyupdates.tumblr.com/

[sentrava]

At 35, I Started Caring About My Skin — Here’s My Routine

The hardest thing about traveling so often is keeping a regular, healthy diet and a skincare routine compatible with TSA requirements and my aging self. I recently turned 36, and I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t truly get serious about caring for my skin until about 18 months ago. That said, better late than never (right? RIGHT?), so I put together this play-by-play of how to maintain a skincare routine in your 30s—and, in particular, how I keep it up while on the road.

But first, it must be said, I am not a doctor, a dermatologist or an aesthetician (clearly). You should absolutely see one (or all) of the above before doing anything drastic with your own skin. I do have a great derm, Dr. Lorien Sites at Nashville Skin, who I see once a year for skin checks and preventative cancer screenings and an aesthetician in Nashville, Mallory Hamilton at Woo Cosmetics, as well as one in Manchester, Megan Hershman of Be Well Skin, who I go to for professional facials and waxing. That said, I can only afford so many such treatments, so I’ve learned what I can do on my own and what I need to leave to the pros.

And it happens to be my favorite time of year: the Sephora VIB sale! I tend to stock up on all the products I need during this sale for 11 days every April and November. It’s the perfect excuse to try out a bevy of new products as there are 10 to 20 percent discounts throughout the course of 11 days, in addition to all sorts of freebies and perks.

Note: This post is in no way sponsored by Sephora, though I did include affiliate links when applicable below. I purchased every beauty product I featured below through Sephora (or Ulta if I can’t find it at my first-choice shop) and have stopped buying actual skincare products via Amazon. Why? Read this.

My Daytime Routine

After going overboard with products to start and creating blackheads for the first time in my life as a result, this is now what I do in the morning now. I don’t double-cleanse every single day, as I don’t wear makeup and my skin is already sensitive, so the second step is just an occasional add depending on how my skin is feeling that day. It’s always a trial-and-error with what works for you, though I’ve found a lot of helpful tips via beauty guru Caroline Hirons over the years. I also often defer to this New York Times piece on building a skincare routine when I’m feeling overwhelmed and sifting through the black hole of skincare recommendations that is the Internet.

Step 1: Rinse my face with warm water and a cleanser like this Algenist one

Step 2: Double cleanse with an exfoliating product like Tatcha’s Deep Cleanse (optional)

Step 3: Apply Tarte Knockout Tingling Treatment as a toner (I don’t do this every day)

Step 4: Splash my face with Fresh’s Black Tea Kombucha Antioxidant Essence to ward off pollutants

Step 5: Apply a layer of Drunk Elephant Day Serum

Step 6: Apply Supergoop SPF and an additional thin coat of moisturizer if needed (i.e. if my skin is dry)

Go about my day!

I’ve tried to be better about wearing SPF every single day, even if I don’t think I’m going out in the sun. My bestie Lemon turned me onto Supergoop! products a couple years ago, and those are my go-to for days I know I’ll be outside at some point. Plus, I love that it comes in a 1.7-ounce bottle, so I can keep it in my carry-on and reapply as needed. Back home, I have a massive tube of Le Roche-Posay’s Anthelios SPF, a line my makeup artist friend Brenna introduced me to a few years ago (and one you can now find at your local pharmacy like Walgreens), that I apply when running or working in the yard.

I have combination skin that errs on the oily side, so won’t use a moisturizer during the day unless it’s winter (or allergy season like now) and my skin is feeling tight and itchy. In that case, I’m a big fan of Little Seed Farm’s Goat’s Milk Moisturizer, which is a nearby Tennessee brand I purchase locally from Kroger’s but has a website from which you can order if you aren’t local. I also love Tatcha’s Water Cream, and it’s a bonus that it’s a clean product, too (slowly making the switch to mostly products that are certified clean).

Keeping my products organized and ready to use step-by-step has been a lot easier in the new house as we actually have bathroom space and closets here. I like to keep everything where I can see it so I can survey what I have in stock, so I loved adding this rotating beauty organizer I got on Amazon for just $26 to my new bathroom. I also have a variety of Container Store and STORi plastic bins like this one that I use to organize my overflow and hair products in my bathroom closet.

Using Face Masks

Since I work from home, I often do a mask once or twice a week midday and have all my skincare products readily available and have liked splashing this Fresh essence on my face throughout the day when I need a boost. I’m constantly trying new ones, but here are a few of my favorites:

REN’s Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask (I use this peel once a week and it’s glorious)

Sephora Collection Face Masks (I prefer the coconut, pearl and lychee)

TONYMOLY Sheet Masks (for $3.75 a pop, you can’t beat the price)

My Nighttime Routine

One thing to note is that figuring out what works for you takes time. Don’t introduce everything at once, otherwise you won’t know what’s working and what’s not. For example, the Pixie Glow Tonic from Target beauty bloggers rave about? Only made my skin break out and become more red in complexion. I immediately took it out of my rotation and started testing out different Vitamin C and brightening serums instead.

Wash with a deep cleanser (I like various Peter Thomas Roth products)

Apply a serum (Sunday Riley Vitamin C or Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos)

Apply a retinol (currently using Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni)

Apply an eye cream (I haven’t found one I love but currently am using Drunk Elephant’s that came in a set)

Apply a night cream (see below for my thoughts on this)

Between each step, I make sure the product has properly soaked in before I add the next layer. Rule of thumb if you can’t remember which order to apply is: lightest to heaviest. My night cream or moisturizer depends on how thirsty my skin is (I used to not use one, but now I’m trying to reverse deep forehead wrinkles without Botox so use one religiously). My go-to is Belif’s Aqua Bomb, particularly in the drier months like winter, but I really love Farmacy’s Sleep Tight quenches my skin but doesn’t make me wake up feeling oily.

I also finally started using a silk pillowcase, the Slip pillowcase beloved by bloggers everywhere, and I’m kind of mad my mom has used one her entire life and never enforced it upon me because it does help protect both your skin and your hair. And as someone with crazy wavy hair, I can actually straighten it one day, sleep on the silk pillowcase and wake up to it not a mess for a change.

In terms of toning and skin-brightening, friends of mine swear by Karen Hayes Esthetics’ Koji pads, and I finally dropped $160 on a pack and … was extremely underwhelmed. I used them religiously for the recommended 60 days and saw no change in my skin tone. That said, I didn’t actually go in to see the esthetician first—rather, I filled out the survey online—so maybe I needed a stronger prescription? I don’t know. In a world of abundant skincare options, I don’t think I’d drop the money to re-try this one. I’m getting more religious about using a toner and Vitamin C serum instead.

After a decade of using retinol from my derm, I’ve been using OTC retinol products for the past year after my skin went ballistic with an allergic reaction the last time I tried medical-grade products. I’m due for my annual skin checkup with my derm soon, so I’m going to ask her to prescribe me a new retinol—not because my skin breaks out regularly, but because I have deep forehead lines that need reversing (I laugh a lot, what can I say?) and I’m just not into the idea of Botox (no judgment if you are). For those who don’t need as strong a retinol, I do like Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni Retinol Cream and also Algenist’s Retinol Serum.

Drunk Elephant products are pricey, so I’d recommend you go with a sampler kit like this one before investing in the full-sized products to see what you like. But I’m fully on that bandwagon now, as I’ve been using them for nearly a year, and my skin feels so clean and fresh daily (plus, their products are non-irritating and non-toxic).

When I Travel, Here’s My Beauty Kit

My friend Christie, to whom I also go for skincare tips, made me envious of how organized her beauty kit always is, so I threw out my old caddy and bought this hanging organizer instead. I keep it hanging in my bathroom and each section is organized by theme: first aid (Band-Aids, medicine, prescriptions, etc.), dental hygiene, shampoo and conditioner, hair products and skincare. It’s always ready to go when I need to pack my suitcase, and this way, I never forget anything, which I was inevitably doing before. I also now use this little $8 seven-day pill organizer for my prescriptions, which has reduced the chance of me forgetting one bottle since I’m on so many daily allergy meds.

For this, I typically use Sephora samples I get when I’m stocking up or I buy mini-kits of products I use that are under three ounces. Nothing will get me to check a bag when I travel, so I find it’s always easier to be prepared. Some kits of minis I’ve used and love:

Algenist Discovery Kit (which includes the retinol, a serum, an eye cream and more)

Drunk Elephant’s The Littles (which includes a small version of every one of the products I use of theirs)

Tatcha Pore-Perfecting Duo (I use this for my cleanser and moisturizer when traveling)

What You Eat DOES Matter

Doing food elimination diets for my autoimmune disease means that I’ve seen firsthand how my skin reacts to certain foods, dairy in particular. And while we are mostly dairy-free day-to-day—we long ago, started making our own almond, cashew and coconut milk—neither one of us is one to turn down sour cream or cheese, and if I’m at a fancy coffee shop, I’ll occasionally opt for real creamer as opposed to oat milk or cashew substitute.

But if I’m consuming dairy or sugar on the regular, you better believe my skin reflects it. I get large breakouts around my mouth and jawline, and it’s just not pretty. Again, I’m a big fan of these cheap, but totally efficient Nexcare acne patches to get ride of isolated breakouts quickly (note: this is the only beauty product I buy via Amazon as my local Walgreens doesn’t carry it—but yours might). You can’t beat $6 a box! Target also carries the CosRx brand ($5 for 18) that beauty bloggers swear by.

Dermaplaning

I’ve had professional dermaplaning three times, and little has given my skin quite the glow as removing all the peach fuzz and dead skin cells. I absolutely love the effect of dermaplaning, but the problem is that it only lasts about two weeks (at least for me), and it is not cheap. Instead, these days I do weekly at-home dermaplaning with a variety of tools:

Stacked Skincare dermaplaning tool

Level Setter Razors

Tinkle Hair Removal Razors

Stacked is by far the most efficient, but it’s also very sharp, so proceed with caution. The $10 drugstore brands work fine to just get your face smoother for applying serums and creams; not having that layer of fuzz and dead skin definitely helps your products soak in more (and your makeup to go on more smoothly if you’re a daily makeup-wearer).

Microblading & Your Brows

So far I’ve yet to find a brow-grow product that fills in the patchy parts of the brows I overplucked in my teen years. Ladies, why did we not listen to our mothers? *face palm*

I’ve tried Shisheido, Rapid Brow and Sephora—none of which have done anything for me. I finally ordered the two-part GrandeBrow Brow and Lash Enhancing Serums from Sephora, and still nothing. One eyebrow got thicker, I’ll give it that, but the problem brow stayed, well, problematic. So, if you have an effective eyebrow serum, help a girl out, will you? I’m thinking of asking my derm for a Latisse prescription next time I’m in as nothing OTC seems to work.

I would love to try microblading, and honestly was going to do it years ago until I found out you have to get touch-ups once to twice a year. While I’m OK paying $500 for something that has a semi-permanent effect, paying $500 and then hundreds of dollars for touch-ups every quarter or bi-annually is just an investment I’m not ready to make yet (plus, the thought of getting my brows tattooed freaks SVV out to no end). But if you have thoughts on microblading or success stories, please let me know in the comments!

What’s worked for you when it comes to your skin? I’m constantly learning how to take care of myself after years of neglecting my skin, so share your favorite tips or products, pretty please!

At 35, I Started Caring About My Skin — Here’s My Routine published first on https://medium.com/@OCEANDREAMCHARTERS