EVENING SKINCARE ROUTINE
When I was in 6th grade I decided to apply glitter gel to my face before bed. I woke up with an insane rash & quickly learned that skin does need to be cared for, in the right way (sorry glitter, your purpose is served elsewhere). Though I didn't know it at the time, this was the beginning of my skincare journey. My routine has evolved with the needs of my skin over the past few decades. It began with a simple warm washcloth wiped over my face in my pre-makeup years to where I am now as a 30-year-old thinking about hydration, wrinkles & supplementing (assisting?) the youthful glow. These are the products I have tried, tested, & chosen to keep around & use in my evening routine which - *spoiler alert* - does not involve glitter.
(This post is in no way sponsored or endorsed by any company or product. It is simply a testament of the products I love & have seen results from. As far as my research has informed me, ALL of these products are cruelty free & do not contain yucky ingredients.)
Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser. A cleanser that gently removes makeup & moisturizes skin is hard to find, but this one fits the bill. I have tried a lot of cleansers & many have fallen short in their ability to actually take off makeup or if they do, they are very drying. I love that I can rub this stuff straight onto my lashes to remove mascara & it doesn’t irritate my sensitive eyes. It’s also worth mentioning that the scent of this cleanser is delightful. PS: You can get 20% off your first Glossier order & free shipping on orders of 2+ items with this link (this link is unique to me as I am a Glossier rep, because I love their products so much).
Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera. My commitment to using this product runs deep. I splash a bit of this onto a cotton round & run it along my face after washing. I’m always surprised by the dirt & makeup that still lift off with this (even after a shower). If you're not into roses as much as I am (more here) just be sure to go for the alcohol-free variety (which even includes a lavender option), it won't dry out your skin. I use this before applying my moisturizer & because of the aloe vera in it I don’t need to use much moisturizer at all (so if you use a high-end, fancy pants lotion you will get more bang for your buck).
Glossier Super Glow. After about a month of using this serum every night (& day), I am officially a super fa of the brightening benefits of this serum. This is the newest addition to my nighttime routine & I don’t see it going away anytime soon plus, the price is a steal for the glow it gives my skin. Glossier also offers serums for hydration & redness/breakouts. I add a drop to my forehead & cheeks & rub it all over before moisturizing. PS: You can get 20% off your first Glossier order & free shipping on orders of 2+ items with this link (this link is unique to me as I am a Glossier rep, because I love their products so much).
Farmacy Sleep Tight Firming Night Balm. This gem came to me by way of a Pop Sugar Must Have Box (back when I was still a subscriber, #budgets). Out of all of the skincare products that came my way over the years as a subscriber, this is the only one I actually used religiously & intend to repurchase. I 100% believe this has minimized fines lines & made my skin more firm. The consistency is a gel-like oil- hard to describe, but it’s lightweight & very hydrating. This is also the type of product where a little goes a looooong way so a jar can last a while. If I have a breakout on my forehead I just apply this to my cheeks, chin & neck and use a blemish product on my forehead instead.
Fountain of Youth Skincare Rewind Eye Cream. I was introduced to Fountain of Youth Skincare when they contracted my photography services & have since fallen in LOVE with their products. This eye cream fades dark circles & works to erase fine lines. I apply it on top of the Farmacy balm for extra hydration & lift (trust me, I need it). I use a very small amount & dab it around my eyes & around my brow bone. I even apply an additional layer when I get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. If there is any skincare product that’s worth investing in, in my opinion, it’s a good nighttime moisturizer (see above) & a good eye cream.
Smith’s Minted Rosebud Lip Balm. Two things I cannot go to sleep without doing: emptying my bladder (thank you pregnancy) & applying balm to my lips. This balm has been in my toolkit since my high school days. It combines the beautiful smell of roses (yeah, rose scent is a thing for me) with the cooling effect of mint. It’s the perfect amount of moisture for my lips. I apply it every night and yearn for it when my lips are chapped. The only downside is that it is hella-hard to pull the tin lid off if you have just put lotion on your hands- so keep that in mind. Oh, and if you leave it in your car on a warm summer day make sure it is laying flat & that it re-solidifies before you move it.
I have it in my plans to create more beauty posts (skincare, makeup, the like!) in the future, so please let me know what you think or if you have any favorite skincare goodies you get excited about.