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My Updated Skincare Routine

Skincare RoutineIt’s been a while since I’ve done a beauty review, so I thought I’d share my updated skincare routine.

I had been using Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream and Biologique Recherche’s p50 lotion for over a year.  I was convinced I had found my holy grail moisturizer and toner and my search was over.  But like 95% of the beauty products in my arsenal, after about a year of use, they seemed to stop working.  I wasn’t seeing any visible benefits.  Maybe my skin got so used to both, they lost their efficacy.

And so a new search began.

Toner

I had heard great things about Moon Juice’s Acid Potion being a great alternative to p50 lotion.  While Biologique Recherche has one of the tightest quality control standards in the world and is considered very clean, the Acid Potion is officially green, clean beauty.

I’ve been using it for 4 months now and love it.  Unlike p50 lotion, I can feel it working every time I apply it (it tingles/burns).  A little goes a long way.  I put a few drops in my palms and pat it on my face and neck (no cotton ball).

I love that it’s easily accessible – it’s carried at Sephora, etc. – and comes in a glass bottle.

Final verdict?  I’d recommend Acid Potion over p50 lotion.

Moisturizer

At the end of the day, The Rich Cream ended up being too rich for me.  I tried switching to The Cream, but didn’t like it near as much.  For how expensive it was, I wasn’t seeing enough of a benefit to continue buying it.

I’m now using a combo of OSEA’s Atmosphere Protection Cream and Ere Perez’s All-Beauty Crème.  They clock in a $48 and $35 and leave my skin feeling so soft and hydrated.  I love that they’re both clean beauty.

Final verdict?  I love both and have re-orderd both several times.

Retinol

Due to pregnancy and breastfeeding, I couldn’t use retinol for years.  Now that I can, I chose this clean beauty version.

I use it two nights per week (start off with one night/week).  A lot of people will experience “purging” when they start retinol (your skin will break out and bring all of the yucky stuff to the surface).  Since I had been using p50 lotion, my skin was already well prepped so I didn’t experience this.

It makes my skin feel SO silky and smooth after applying.  It does, however, definitely dry out my skin (what it’s intended to do).  It comes with a hydrating serum they recommend using to cut down on the dryness.  It’s also offered in a mini size if you want to try it before committing to the $74 full-sized version.

The combination of these three products has increased cellular turnover, kept my skin smooth and hydrated and I love the results.

Final verdict?  I’ll be buying this again.

New Clean Beauty Makeup Favorites

Clean beauty makeupI picked up some new clean beauty products last month.  After using them for all of April and May, I can confidently say I’ve found some new clean beauty makeup favorites.

Brow gel

I’ve tried Glossier and Anastasia Beauty (my fave before discovering this one), but this brow gel gives the effect of an eyebrow pencil while holding your brows in place.  I love that it comes in so many color options.

I wear Medium Chocolate Brown.

Eye Shadow Palette

I’ve been on the hunt for a clean beauty eyeshadow palette that can replace my beloved Charlotte Tilbury one.  This one is gorgeous and such a good deal ($25).  The quality is nourishing and highly pigmented.  I’ve tried other more expensive clean beauty eyeshadow that is dry and dull.  NOT this one.

Blush

I honestly believe the best blush ever made is Nars Orgasm.  This one is its clean beauty counterpart.  I adore the not-to-sweet pink hue.  It’s a radiant finish so it doesn’t look like you’ve covered your face in glitter, but it does reflect light beautifully.

Lipstick

Okay, I’ve actually been wearing this lipstick for years.  It’s the perfect everyday, neutral pink.  I recently bought this color and it’s so fun for summer.

The nourishing formula stays put and I love it.

How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Okay, I know.  It seems pretty obvious, right?  Is there really a wrong way to clean your makeup brushes?

I’m one of those people that loathes cleaning my brushes, so much so, that I have backup brushes to use just so I can prolong cleaning.  :S

Laziness aside, what I’ve picked up over the years are some hero products and techniques that prolong the life of your brushes AND thoroughly clean them.

Favorite Products

This brush cleaner is hands down the best on the market.  Made for a deep clean, I wet my brush and put 2-8 pumps of product in my hand while I swirl the brush around.  Depending on how dirty the brush is, I may repeat this process 3 times.

Bonus points: it’s currently on sale.

I do own a silicon brush mat to get deep into brush bristles, but 9 times out of 10, I prefer using my hand.

Why?

It’s gentler on the bristles and prolongs the life of your brushes.

For Artis brushes or brushes that are made to be used wet or dry, this brush cleaning pad is a must.

The antimicrobial cloth contains one million fiber strands per square inch making it the most effective cleanser on the market.

The cloth is machine washable.  They also sell replacement cloths.

I have also tried Artis cleansing foam and brush cleansing wipes but don’t recommend either.

For beautyblenders or makeup sponges, I recommend this soap.  They’ve added a charcoal (bacteria killing) soap and lavender scent to the lineup.

Finally, another technique I use to clean my beautyblenders is the microwave method.  I recommend using this for sponges that are only slightly dirty.  For a deep clean, use the bar soap and cleansing mat.

Microwave Method for Cleaning Makeup Sponges
  1. Place beautyblenders in a microwave safe bowl of water with a couple drops of dishsoap.
  2. Microwave for 1 minute.
  3. Let cool.
  4. Rinse with cold water.
  5. Repeat process as many times as necessary.

Skincare Secrets: Dry Brushing in Less Time

Biologique Recherche Body GloveI’m a big fan of dry brushing.  But let’s be real – I never seem to carve out the time.  Since it’s something that needs to be done consistently to be effective, I needed to figure out something else.

In walks my newest beauty discovery, the Biologique Recherche body glove.  I’ve talked about my love of Biologique Recherche before. This product is another beauty cabinet must.

It has two sides – thick and thin spikes.  Use the thick spikes to prep the skin for product absorption and optimal efficacy.  Use the thin spikes to dispel fat cells.

The winning feature is that it can be used with shower gel or body lotion – wet OR dry.  This immediately replaced my loofah in the shower.  Now I have an even more effective beauty routine, and I didn’t need to add a step.  Huge win.

Here are some other bonuses to swapping this out for your loofah:

  • It stimulates circulation and rids the body of toxins
  • It can be cleaned (unlike a loofah)
  • It will last forever/eco-friendly (no bristles wearing out)
  • The thumb holes on both sides make it easy for right or left-handed people

Here are more of my favorites for the best body skincare.  You can purchase the body glove here.

Fragrance Review: Byredo & Le Labo

Byredo Le Labo

I’ve written about how to find your signature scent (hint: it involves fragrance layering).  Today I wanted to share the fragrances I’m loving lately and the deets on two very popular fragrance lines.

Byredo vs. Le Labo

I’m a big fan of both Byredo and Le Labo.  Five years ago I think they were somewhat under the radar, but now they are both mainstream, and rightly so.

The biggest advantage to both of these lines is that their staying power is fantastic. These are not perfumes you have to reapply.  One application in the morning is all you need.

They are also made-to-order: they will not mix your bottle until you order it.  This of course ensures that the fragrance is as fresh as possible.  And let me tell you, it makes a difference.

Byredo

Gypsy Water and Mojave Ghost are the most popular, but I have to say, I’m not a fan of either.  Byredo’s strength is in their more unique scents.

My fave?  Super Cedar.

Notes:
Top: Rose Petals
Heart: Virginian Cedarwood
Base: Haitian Vetiver, Silk Musk

As someone who loves androgynous scents, this one is warm and evokes a confident presence.

I douse my car in it once a month and also spray it on the curtains in my living room.  Each morning when I open them, I’m reminded of this beautiful scent.

Byredo also makes a Night Veils collection.  These are pure perfume extract, i.e. more potent.  In 2016 they made a limited edition scent called Le Gant and it was my favorite fragrance OF ALL TIME.  I’m so sad I didn’t stock up.  The closest I’ve found to Le Gant, is Byredo’s Tobacco Mandarin.

Try one of their top-rated hair perfumes for the same scents at a fraction of the cost.

Le Labo

I love that you can personalize your bottle of Le Lebo.  You pick the name you want printed on the label.  Just a cool personal touch to remind you that this bottle is yours alone.

My favorite Le Labo scents are Santal 33 and Thé Noir 29.

Santal 33 notes:
Top: violet accord, cardamom.
Middle: iris, ambrox.
Base: cedarwood, leather, sandalwood.

Thé Noir 29 notes:
Top: bergamot, bay leaves, black tea, fig.
Middle: hay, tobacco.
Base: cedarwood, vetiver, musk.

Le Labo also makes perfume oils for those who want to perfume without alcohol.

Santal 33 is my current winner.  It’s the scent I wear the most and get compliments on it every time I wear it.