The Skincare I Brought With Me To the Beach

Last week Stan and I headed to the beach for a few days and it was a scorcher! I brought skincare products with me that were designed to replenish, soothe and HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE! I figured I would show you the products I brought and my thoughts on each. At the bottom of the post, I linked all the makeup products I brought with me and I'll be doing a video soon on my beach makeup look.

1. Shu Uemura Anti- Shine Fresh Cleansing Oil - I cannot believe this is the first time I am reviewing a Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil on the blog. These cleansing oils were the first ones to turn me on to oils in general, and they transformed my skin years ago. I brought it with me on this trip because it is the most effective oil at removing every last stitch of makeup, sunscreen, etc from my face and feels like liquid silk on the skin. It dissolves easier than almost any other oil I have in my collection and leaves my skin feeling so hydrated. It gives my skin such a great deep clean that if I wanted to skip a second cleanse, I could.

2. Omorovicza Cleansing Foam - I am pretty vocal about not loving a foaming cleanser, but there are those few exceptions (this being one of my favorites). Thankfully this Omorovicza falls into the exception category. It foams but not with tons of bubbles and still leaves my skin feeling soft and supple rather than tight and dry. I brought it with me because it worked wonders as a second cleanse and then also as a morning cleanse.

3. La Prairie Ice Crystal Serum - If you scroll down a few pictures, you can see that this serum has a bit of shimmer in it that helps to give the skin a gorgeous radiance. However, I prefer using this in the evening as a way to help calm, soothe and hydrate my skin. When at the beach, I needed products that were designed to help replenish after spending most of the day in the sun. This serum, while it has anti-aging benefits is also amazing at giving my skin back the moisture that it has lost, helping with any inflammation while instantly smoothing the skin. But not only does this serum work wonders, the entire Ice Crystal line is quite a transformative range. I swear by this for a sunscreen/foundation hybrid and my mother and I both love this oil as a decadent treatment especially during the winter months.

4. Darphin Stimulskin Plus Serumask - I knew I needed a mask to give me a strong boost of moisture at night after being in the sun all day, so I grabbed this Darphin serum/mask to bring with me. It's thick, rich and instantly cooling on the skin and I tissue it off leaving a thin layer to press on to the skin. My skin feels plump, firm and moisturized immediately after. It works instantly so I leave it on for 10 minutes, tissue off and press in the remaining product into my skin. For dinner, I just went ahead and applied my makeup right on top of this, but during my nighttime routine I like to finish with a serum and lightweight moisturizer.

5. Pestle & Mortar Hydrate Moisturizer - I love this moisturizer because it's lightweight, comfortable and easy. It's not designed to do much more than hydrate the skin, but that is what I love about it. The texture is perfect for the hot weather because it helps to add back in a bit of moisture, but doesn't make my skin feel like it's being suffocated.

From bottom to top: Omorovicza Cleansing Foam, La Prairie Ice Crystal Serum, FAB Eye Cream and Tatcha Water Gel

6. Tatcha Pore Perfecting Water Gel - During the day, I wanted something to moisturize my skin under my sunscreen but the heat and humidity were no joke so the texture of the product had to be bearable. This Tatcha Water Gel was absolutely PERFECT! It feels like a bit of nothing on the skin but instantly helps hydrate without making me additionally shiny or oily. The gel itself does have a bit of shimmer to it, but is undetectable on the skin. This has become a summer staple for me after using it these past few weeks.

7. First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Eye Cream - To be honest, I saw this on my shelf and threw it in my bag having never tried it before. I didn't expect much (though I really do love FAB products - these pads are an acne fighting favorite, this is a moisturizer and hand cream staple), but as soon as I applied this under my eye - wow! The only word I can use to describe the texture and feeling was comfort. It felt rich yet not thick, and comforting yet not the least bit greasy. It worked wonders on my eyes each morning to help depuff and soothe them, and at night it was a welcome relief after being in the sun all day.

8. Kiehl's Cactus Flower Hydrating Mist - Mist, mist and more mist. That is my motto at the beach. I would use this refreshing mist during my skincare routine and then I threw it in my bag to bring with me during the day. Whether at the beach or grabbing something to eat, I would give my skin a quick spritz to help cool it down and replenish a bit of moisture. It smells fresh like a fruity cactus which made spraying it so much more pleasurable!

In addition to the products photographed above, I never travel without this cream which is in case I have a breakout and of course I needed to bring a sunscreen (this one for high SPF and this one for mattifying the skin).

*pr samples included

Here are a few of the makeup products I brought with me:

Review: Kiehl's Pollutant Defending Masque and Energizing Radiance Masque

I don't know if it was the bright packaging or intriguing names of these masques that piqued my interest. I have been a long time Kiehl's fan (this cream is a holy grail), and find their products to be effective yet still affordable. I used to get quite overwhelmed by their selection, but I ended up working for them about 8-9 years ago for a short time so it gave me a better understanding of all their ranges. They release quite a number of new products every year, and while not every single launch draws me in, these two masques most certainly did.

1. Kiehl's Turmeric &  Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque - I had a feeling I would love the Pollutant Purifying Masque immediately, but had reservations about this one because it had larger seed particles in it which can sometimes be irritating to my skin. Thankfully I didn't let that deter me because I was obsessed with this masque from first use! The name could not be more accurate since my skin looked immediately more radiant and energized after. As soon as I applied the masque, it had a cooling effect and my skin felt instantly revitalized. I left it on for 10 minutes, and then removed it with a warm cloth because it hardens on the skin. FYI, it can be a bit stubborn to remove so a cloth is necessary. The seeds were not a problem and did not cause any irritation and when I went to look at my skin in the mirror - it was shocking how bright, clear and fresh it appeared! In fact, the huge (and quite painful) cystic blemish I had on my chin was less red and smaller by the next morning. For those fighting with dull and tired skin, this is a great option for a quick pick-me-up.

2. Kiehl's Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Purifying Masque - Both of these masques are intensely aromatic - with this one being the strongest. While the Tumeric & Cranberry Seed masque feels very invigorating on the skin, it is the scent in this one that really refreshes me. It's a bit different than a traditional minty aroma, but one that I did not mind. The texture looks like a paste from the above picture, but when you touch it it has a slippery gel feel. It is designed to be used as a last step at night, applied for 5-10 minutes and then removed with a tissue patting in the remaining product into the skin. I preferred using it as a traditional mask halfway through my routine and then continuing with the rest of my products (typically serum and moisturizer). The effect was not as immediate with this masque as it was with the Energizing Radiance one, but after using 3x a week for two weeks straight, I did notice that my skin looked less congested and felt nicely hydrated after each use. At this price point, it's a nice masque to add into your routine if you want an added boost of hydration and something to help detoxify the skin.

*pr samples included

Shop more of my Kiehl's recommendations: 

3 More Fragrances I've Been Loving

I know, I know. ANOTHER fragrance review? But because I'm so picky about fragrance, I always find it blog-worthy when I find another one that I love. And there are 3 out of the ones I have been testing recently that were instant hits with me.

1. Guerlain Mon Exclusif Eau de Parfum - This is my first Guerlain perfume, though I am a huge fan of the makeup. As a lover of sweet fragrances (and sweets in general - nom), I read the description and notes online before testing it and knew I would love it immediately. Sandalwood (awesome - I live for this sandalwood scent from Nest), Toffee (yum in my fragrance and in my tummy) and lavender (is there a more calming and delightful scent? I think not.) - basically it's a trifecta of scents that come together to make magic. It's warm and sweet with a hint of floral and smells very cozy on the skin. It's definitely a "sweater weather" fragrance.

2. Fresh Cannabis Santal - I have had a ton of Fresh fragrances over the year - mostly the more lemon/citrus/sugar scents that they are famous for. However, during a recent meandering Sephora visit (you know those ones where you are just slowly moving from gondola to gondola picking up everything to touch it, smell it and feel it while checking your phone and not really paying attention. Just me? Oh, ok.), I wasn't even paying attention when I picked up the bottle to smell this. I stopped dead in my tracks and it was as if I was jolted out of my Sephora daze. It's a great mix of sweet (Chocolate, wild strawberries and dark plum), floral (magnolia and rose) and a woodsy musk (vanilla musk, vetiver and patchouli). It the perfect compliment to a big cashmere cardigan coat or fuzzy warm scarf. Yes, I like to pare my fragrances with an accompanying piece of clothing.

3. Kiehl's Aromatic Blends: Orange Flower and Lychee - I discovered this while at the Kiehl's flagship store recently. I believe this particular scent is only sold there but I was hooked as soon as I sprayed it on my wrist. It's a floral mix balanced with orange citrus notes that would seem way too summery for this time of year, but it deepens when on my skin making it more fall appropriate. There are other scents that are part of the Aromatic Blends collection that are available online - this one being my other favorite which surprised me because of it's patchouli notes. But the mix with rose makes it so pleasant. The ancillary body products in the Orange Flower and Lychee scent are available online but as for the fragrance it would be best to call the store and have them ship it.

*pr samples included

Shop more of my fragrance recommendations:

Video: New Skincare First Impressions

I've only been testing out these products for a short time, but wanted to go ahead and do a first impressions video to put them on your radar. Stay tuned over the next few weeks and months to Instagram (you are following me, right?? hmmm??!!) and I will give updates as to how they are working for me. Scroll down to watch the video and don't forget to subscribe!

Below are the products that are mentioned in the video:

Murad Firming Peptide Body Treatment

Murad Detoxifying White Clay Body Cleanser

Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu Vitamin C Brightening Cleansing Powder

Kiehl's Precision Lifting and Pore Tightening Concentrate

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Sleeping Cream

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

What He Uses

You would think this post was sponsored by Kiehl's, right? Nope. My husband just loves this brand that much. Naturally he can thank me for introducing him to it, and once he started he was hooked. Now with that being said, most skincare items out on the market today can be used by both men and women. However, my husband is still convinced that all the products I have are for women and that he needs products for himself. *side eye* Ok, fine. So off to Kiehl's we went years ago, and he hasn't looked back since. As a pretty serious Kiehl's lover myself, I completely support this skincare monopoly he has created for himself. While he has tried a few other brands out there, he tends to always find his way back to Kiehl's. So when they sent over their newest Oil Eliminator line for men - my husband was ecstatic ("a package for ME??!!" was his exact response). So here is a look at some of his recent additions along with some tried and true staples. And the second pic is proof of his obsession......his recent Kiehl's empties (which you can bring back to Kiehl's stores to recycle and get FULL SIZE products - here are all the details).

1. Facial Fuel No Shine Moisturizing Lip Balm - I have approximately 15,000 lip balms at home, but noooooooo he wants to wear this one. It's matte, softening and super easy to carry around. Now if only he could remember which pants' pocket he leaves it in.

2. Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap - As if the name wasn't 'manly' enough, this is a serious bar of soap. Made with bran and oatmeal, this scrub is one of his favorite products. I recommended he buy this a few years ago, and he has been in love with it ever since. "It makes my skin soft and stuff" was his response when I asked him what it did. I guess that says it all.

3. Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 - Shhhhhh, this techincally isn't part of the Kiehl's men's line but he doesn't need to know that! He alternates between the Facial Fuel moisturizer SPF 15, and this Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF lotion. SPF was mandated by me (I'm bossy, what can I say), so this is what we ended up with. It soaks in immediately which he loves, and I can feel good knowing his face isn't frying in the sun. Hashtag compromise.

4. Men's Oil Eliminator Deep Cleansing Exfoliating Face Wash - His regular staple face wash is the Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash and this face scrub (which I had to make him use "exfoliation is NECESSARY, OK????!!!"). But he is always concerned about his oily skin so this face wash was the perfect one to try, and it's quickly becoming his favorite. He says there is a nice cooling sensation when using, it really gives a good deep clean and is the perfect product for the summer to help his skin stay matte.

5. Men's Oil Eliminator Refreshing Shine Control Spray Toner - "Why do I need to use this?" was the question I was met with upon first introduction. But I am not scared of a challenge, so I replied with "because you do" and the stand-off began. Of course the next morning I saw him using, so clearly it has piqued his interest. Toning is a step that may be lost on many men (and women for that matter) but it makes such a huge difference. This one is great because it is a spray (super easy), gives a matte finish almost immediately and feels refreshing on the skin. I don't want to say "I won" but.....

6. Men's Oil Eliminator 24-Hour Anti-Shine Moisturizer - After the first day, he was enjoying this immensely. It's not heavy, nor does it have a "sticky" feeling on the skin (his words not mine), and really helps the skin stay matte for a good part of the day. I am thrilled he is loving his new skincare additions but if he starts taking longer than me to get ready in the morning, we are going to have a problem.

And be sure to check out the fun social media campaign Kiehl's is running to celebrate their Oil Eliminator line. Read more here. 

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Hydration Is The Name Of The Winter Skin Game

Sound the alarm and dispatch the emergency personnel because this winter is not playing around with my skin. The main culprit for me though is dehydration.  I still get shiny in my t-zone no matter how cold or hot it is outside but I can often tell my skin is dehydrated just by how it feels and looks - dull and lackluster.  Lack of moisture is not just for those with dry skin - if I had to guess I would say that most people are quite dehydrated just from how we live our lives.  Adding hydrating products into my routine is always my first priority, even over anti-aging products.  Mainly because I find that keeping my skin full of moisture and water is the best anti-aging remedy out there (in my opinion of course, but it's my blog so my word goes. *stomps feet, pouts lips*)  I have quite a strong arsenal of products helping me fight the dehydration battle, from masks, to serums, to sprays, to cleansers and beyond.  Click on each product for more information.

1. Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist - Not a first time appearance on the blog, this Tatcha mist is a must have at home, on the go, or anywhere you may need a burst of hydration.  My favorite part of this is how evenly it sprays, leaving the skin subtly hydrated rather than drenched. It has a milky texture, so the soothing sensation it leaves is quite addictive.  As I have said before, it is a bit of a splurge, but I feel so worth it.

2. Murad Refreshing Cleanser (c/o) - While I leave it up to my cleansing oils to remove most of my heavy duty makeup, I have been following it with this Murad cleanser.  If you read my recent "How I Take Care Of My Skin" post, you know that I typically cleanse twice each night.  I fell instantly in love with this cleanser because it is both a foaming cleanser with a rich milky texture - AKA the best of both worlds.  I find it leaves me feeling clean, refreshed and nourished without any dryness or tightening which can be a feat in and of itself for a cleanser. 

3. Dermalogica Active Moist (c/o) - If there is a skin issue, Dermalogica has a product designed to address it.  I find that while some lines are great for helping me treat certain issues, Dermalogica literally has a product for every ailment my skin may face.  I discovered this product on a whim when it was sent over with a few other products, and sadly I placed in the back of my beauty shelf only to forget about it for a few weeks.  When I dug back there one day and discovered it again, I slapped it on and was promptly speechless.  It is oil-free so it doesn't feel heavy on the skin, but it is like a drink of water for my face.  Hydration is immediate and whether I wear day or night, my skin never gets oily after.  Dermalogica wins again - hydration success!

4. Mario Badescu Herbal Hydrating Serum - Again, another product not new to my blog but one that needs to be mentioned over and over and over - and especially now that we are talking hydration.  Upon first feeling the texture of this serum, I was hesitant because of it's slightly honey-like feel rather than a typical water-like serum.  Then I applied it.  Welp, I was hooked.  It is the number one product I reach for when my skin is irritated, sensitive, worn out, been dragged through the mud, etc - because it helps to soothe absolutely any problem I have and balance my skin again.  

5. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream Intense Hydration (c/o) - With a name like that, it's as if it was written for this post, yes?  Kiehl's has been a brand that I have used for years because of their simple but efficacious formulations, and as a long time user and lover of the Ultra Facial line, this new addition couldn't have come at a better time this winter.  While so many products help me to keep hydrated, I still suffer occasionally from those stubborn dry patches that come because mother nature is hell bent on making me suffer for not recycling enough or something.  I use it on those specific patches and have found it to be a miracle worker - stubborn dryness no more.

6. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque (c/o) - I mask nightly as we learned from this post.  So in addition to the new Ultra Facial Cream Intense, I am using this Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight hydrating mask once a week.  I often fear overnight masks due to the high mess potential, but since only a very thin layer is needed I find that I can manage it quite well.  It still gets on my pillow case slightly, but barely enough to notice and certainly not enough to persuade me not to keep using!  However, what is noticeable and extremely persuasive is my face the next morning - hello soft, supple, moisturized and calm skin.  Another winner in my book and again the reason why Kiehl's products will forever be in my routine. 

Have you entered my Sephora $75 card giveaway?!!!  Enter here.

Shop more hydrating options:

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How I Take Care Of My Skin

This one is going to be a long one folks so grab a snack and take a seat.  My skincare routine is probably the most asked about question I receive regularly on my blog and different social platforms.  It's no secret, I have quite the multi step regimen but after much trial and error, I have found some underlying principles and rules that keep my skin looking its best.  Now I preface this post by saying that I am not an expert, doctor, or esthetician - I am simply one girl (with oily skin) staring in the mirror asking her skin to be as good as it can be.  And while you can search my blog for tons of great specific product recommendations, this post will be an overall conceptual explanation for how I approach taking care of my skin.  My extensive routine may not be for everyone, but this is what works for me, so remember that you can adapt some of my experience to what works for you.  The kicker with my skincare system however, is my skin is constantly changing and will continue to change for the rest of my life.  So the trick is trying to treat what my skin needs now, rather than trying to find the perfect recipe that will last me forever.  This is a major reason why I don't use the exact same routine every single night.  If I am testing out a new product, I will usually add to my routine 4 nights/week, maybe 5 for at least 4 weeks to see effectiveness.  But my skin is never (ever) the same from day to day due to external factors (stress, weather, NYC, life in general), so using the exact same line up every night does not work for me.  I do however, try to balance out ingredients each night, trying not to overload my skin with too much of the same thing all at once.  For example when using an acid based cleanser and toner, I may finish up my routine with a soothing mask and hydrating moisturizer. Remember however, this is what works for me - and many of you may have differing opinions for your own skin.  That's cool.  Diverse skincare routines is what makes the world go round, baby.  I have now rambled way too long, so let's get into the good stuff.  Here is a look at some of my best practices for taking care of my skin, and after each category, I will list a few of my favorite products.  Click on each product link for more information. 

1. Cleanse - I cannot cleanse enough.  And surprisingly I find that my skin does not dry out from my cleansing routine mainly because it's geared towards properly removing my makeup so not a single bit of residue remains.  I always begin with a face wipe of some kind to initially help me remove the first bit of my makeup.  Naturally it never gets everything off (eye makeup especially) so I always follow with a cleansing oil.  Cleansing oils are my holy grail products - and a huge key to how my skin stays looking so great.  Nothing breaks up makeup, dirt, grime and oil (eek, my face is disgusting, right?) like an oil based cleanser - and any amount of eye makeup I may be wearing comes off effortlessly.  Finally I finish with a third type of cleanser depending on what my skin needs that evening - perhaps an acne/glycolic wash or a gentle milk rinse to make my skin feel great but never stripped.  

• Wipes I love: Ole Henriksen, Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse
• Cleansing Oils I love: Shu Uemura (holy grail), Nude, Shiseido
• Cleansers: Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel, REN Foaming Cleanser, Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

2. Tone - Why? What? Who? How? This is exactly how I felt about toning when I began my skincare journey.  And then I just dove in, did some research and tried out different types.  Voila - I am now in love with toners.  Typically, they are designed to remove any remaining traces of dirt/makeup, balance the pH of the skin and prepare the skin to receive the following treatments/serums/creams that will follow.  Since I have oily skin that is acne prone, I tend to gravitate towards ones to help me remove bacteria so I can prevent future breakouts.  But if my skin is particularly dry/irritated/sensitive that day due to who-knows-what, then I treat it accordingly.  

• Acne specific toners: Mario  Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion (holy grail)
• Hydrating Toners: Murad Hydrating Toner, Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater

3. Exfoliate - This step by far has made the most difference in my skin over the past two years - helping me achieve radiant and even-toned skin. I do love getting rid of those dead skin cells, but I read a great article a few months ago which mentioned too much exfoliation can have a negative effect.  Eureka! That was me - I was exfoliating in some form almost every night - and multiple times over.  It was a miracle I had any skin left.  So I began to really look at what was in the products I was using each night, and to make sure I was not overloading my skin with peels, scrubs and then acidic based ingredients in my products.  The two main types of traditional exfoliation I do regularly are chemical (peels) and manual (scrubs) - and I use each once a week, normally on Wednesday and Sunday nights.  The rest of the week I may have cleansers, toners, serums, creams with exfoliating properties, but traditional peels/scrubs I save for once each a week.  

• Peels: Perricone MD Blue Plasma (I swear by this stuff), Arcona Raspberry Resurfacing Peel
• Scrubs: Tatcha Deep Rice Enzyme Powder, Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, Kate Somerville Exfolikate

4. Mask - This step for me truly embodies the notion of treating what the skin needs when it needs it.  If my skin is dry that day - a hydrating mask.  If I have a breakout, a pore refining mask.  If my skin is dull, an exfoliating/refining mask.  And a great tip that I learned from a close beauty blogging friend is that you only have to mask the part of your face that needs it.  For example, the t-zone may need that clarifying clay mask, but the cheeks and forehead may be dry and need a hydrating mask.  Mix it up.  Don't layer the masks - just use them on the parts of the face that will benefit the most.  

• Pore Clarifying - Boscia Luminizing Black Mask, Mario Badescu Drying Mask, Mario Badescu Silver Powder (not really a mask but amazing blackhead treatment)
• Hydrating - NARS Luiminous Aqua Gel, Dermalogica Multi Vitamin Power Recovery Masque, Tatcha Luminous Sheet Mask
• Exfoliating Mask - Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask, Ole Henriksen Blue/Blackberry Enzyme Mask
• Calming Mask - Mario Badescu Calma Mask

5. Eye cream - Many people feel that using their face cream around the eyes is a suitable treatment for this area.  Like I said before, I am no expert, but I do prefer to use a product designed for the eye area as I feel it may be more sensitive to the needs of that particular skin.  I liken it to using shampoo for your hair and shower gel for your body - while you can probably use one product for everything, you may not necessarily get the same results.  

• Hydrating - Tatcha Ageless Eye Cream
• Exfoliating - Perricone MD Blue Plasma Orbital
• Depuffing/cooling - Mario Badescu Ceramide Eye Gel

6. Serum - Often packed with a higher concentration of active ingredients, serums pack a serious punch when delivering results.  They are usually more potent than your typical face moisturizer and are best used under a day or night cream.  I have the least amount of serums in my arsenal mainly because they are the priciest of all skincare items, so I like to choose only a few that are effective for treating different conditions.  Hydration is a major concern for my skin, because while its oily, it can also be dehydrated - so a moisturizing serum is always in rotation.  I also love an exfoliating/retexturizing serum which really aids in brightening the skin and making it look refreshed.  Lastly,  I always need to have an acne treatment because I still break out after all these years - stupid hormones, ugh. 

• Hydrating - Mario Badescu Hydrating Serum (amazing stuff)
• Brightening - Sunday Riley Good Genes
• Acne treatments - Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion, Mario Badescu Drying Cream

7. Moisturizer - My goodness - where to begin with this final category. This is probably the category I am the least loyal to because I am always trying something new.  With that being said, I again take the "treat what you need" approach to moisturizers.  If I am dry, irritated, red, broken out, dull, or feeling like I need a whole new face (kidding, but there are those days), I will reach for the cream to address the concern.  Yes I have a few favorites that I can't live without, but for me, this category is forever just trial and error.  You win some moisturizers, you lose some moisturizers.  

• SPF day options: Mario Badescu Oil Free SPF 30, Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF 30, Perricone Photo Plasma SPF 30
• Hydrating/Soothing: Tatcha Rich Moisture Silk Cream, Neal's Yard Remedies Beauty Sleep Concentrate, Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer
• Anti-aging: Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer

So there you have it folks - a more thoughtful approach as to the "whys" behind how I take care of my skin.  I feel that understanding this concept is more empowering than the products themselves.  Now that I know how to give my skin what it needs when it needs it, I feel more comfortable navigating all the trials and tribulations that my skin will go through over the years.  Let my future wrinkles be warned. 

  
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Beauty Bits: Body Products For Winter Skin

I may be oily as can be on my face but the rest of my skin tends to be dry, flaky, pale and just plain ick. During the summer months, obviously it is not as bad because of the humidity and heat, but I still need to my skin well hydrated.  But in the winter months, my skin takes a huge push into alligator territory - dry and scaly - double ICK!  There are even some days where it hurts after a particularly cold walk home - so having products that can moisturize and hydrate immediately are of the utmost importance.   I need relief NOW.  This winter these products have been saving my poor skin already (and the cold hasn't even begun yet in NYC):

1. Kiehl's Creme de Corps Nurturing Body Wash Cream - Nothing is more luxurious than lathering up with a thick, creamy body wash as the Kiehl's Creme de Corps line has been a favorite for years.  I even put a little in my bath and soak in it to help soothe my skin when it feels extra dry.  A winter doesn't pass that I don't have it in my shower. 

2. Dermalogica Exfoliating Body Scrub (c/o) - I exfoliate A LOT in the summer (I love a good shiny leg), but I still keep the scrubs around when the temps drop.  I typically use this once a week, and while it gives a good scrub, I love the gentle foam that develops as I am scrub-a-dubbing.  It helps to take away all that dead, dull winter skin while still helping to calm it. 

3. Kiehl's Creme de Corps Limited Edition "Grapefruit" Whipped Body Butter (c/o) - Hello, decadence.  I mean, there is the actual word 'butter' in the name - so you know this stuff is the real deal.  First of all, the original Creme de Corps Body Lotion has always been my holy grail - and is the most hydrating yet absorbent lotion of all time.  And then Kiehl's had to kick it up a notch and blow my mind with the whipped body butter.  I left the top open in the picture to tease you a bit - can you even with that texture??  And now for the holidays, they have made a limited edition Grapefruit scent, with 100% of net profits going to the Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign.  You can hydrate, have perfectly silky skin and give back.  Does it get better than that?

4. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (c/o) - As you all probably know, I am never one to run from a body or face oil - I just love them!  And this cult classic certainly lives up to the hype.  A dry oil that absorbs immediately leaving the skin soft, supple and with a healthy shine.  But don't let this one application stop you, it can be used on your hair, face (apply before foundation for a subtle glow) and a few drops in the bath for a milky emulsion in which you can soak yourself all night. 

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Beauty Bits: Nighttime Correction

While it's important to get the proper amount of rest each night for our minds and bodies, I find that the biggest tell tale sign of little sleep is on my skin.  If I don't have the proper amount of rest, my skin looks dull, lackluster and often begins to break out.  But interrupted sleep is inevitable so I need to do my part to help it in every way I can - and the answer for me is using an effective night cream.  Adding a multi-purpose cream that is designed to help address numerous different concerns has made a world of difference in my morning after skin.  Currently I have two products in rotation, one a long time staple and the other a new discovery.  The Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial is a mouthful to say but a favorite (and cult classic) to use.  The texture is quite thick so a little goes a long way, but with ingredients designed to target uneven tone and premature aging, this cream packs quite a punch.  I find that my skin has a significant glow when used regularly, and any summer pigmentation issues that have carried over to the fall have disappeared.  The Kiehl's Multi Corrective Cream (c/o) is new to my arsenal but has quickly earned its stripes.  With ingredients that help to retexturize, smooth and and sculpt the skin, my first initial result was waking up with texture-less skin.  No lumps, no bumps, no dry patches - nothing!  As I began to apply makeup after my shower, the foundation melted right into my skin and wore beautifully that day. A coincidence? I think not.  Since then this cream has been on repeat each night (though suitable for the day as well), and my skin cannot thank me enough.     

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Beauty Bits: Kiehl's Creme de Corps

Though I  may seem to spend all efforts on my face skincare regimen, I can assure you the rest of my body gets quite a bit of attention as well (no alligator skin here).  While I may vary from hour to hour on my face skincare (I exaggerate so), the approach towards my body skincare regimen is a little less fickle.  Kiehl's Creme de Corps has been a long standing holy grail product line for me - and just about every product in the line is better than the next.  The cult classic for this line is definitely the standard body lotion and was the first product to get me hooked.  People often touted it's ability to absorb immediately and hydrate skin instantly no matter how dry or irritated - and I have to give it up to those "people" - they were 100% right.  It is the ONLY body cream I will travel with and while I may try out a million others, I always go back to Creme de Corps as my favorite. 

Even more exciting then finding the Creme de Corps was finding the Creme de Corps Lightweight Body Lotion SPF 30, since we know how much I strive to keep myself pale and pasty!  Every single one of my face products from moisturizer to foundation has SPF so I am always covered, but when it comes to the rest of me - I am a sitting duck for all that awful sun damage.  And while most body SPFs can be thick and sticky, this lotion couldn't be further from - light, easily absorbed and perfect for everyday.  I would have been happy sticking to these to body lotions - but then Kiehl's had to go and launch their Soy Milk & Honey whipped body butter - and change. the. game.  Whipped and luscious - while sounding like a delightful dessert - is in fact the texture of this lotion.  Upon first use I was sure it would have to be stored at the back of my beauty closet for the coldest depths of winter, but once I applied - it was clear this was a year round cream - ANOTHER addition??? YES.  Finally, supremely hydrated skin would not be complete without the first step - Nurturing Body Washing Cream - a body wash that will change the way you take a shower.  And while not pictured above because I am currently out *tear*, is the Soy Milk & Honey body polish which if stranded on a desert island would be the only scrub I would bring.  Come to think of it - the entire Creme de Corps line deserves the "only body products needed if stranded on a desert island" status.  And you can quote me on that. 

Because all of you are like me (that's why we get along so well) and have no self control (I'm so proud of us), you can purchase all the products here:

Kiehl's Body Lotions & Creams · Kiehl's Body Cleansers

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Beauty Bits: Morning Rituals

After rambling on about my nightly skincare routine last week (see post here), I received requests to reveal what is in  my current morning regimen.  And like the blogging puppet that I am, I obliged.  Here ya go.  Ma face schtuff fanned out nicely for the sake of being artsy.  I will say that while most of these items are used in regular rotation, I am not averse to changing on a whim and spontaneously arriving at my neighborhood Sephora with a force-field like pull directing me to the skincare department.  Upon arriving, I will subsequently stare off into oblivion, mesmerized by all the lights and rows of face creams, and just wander.  Then I will snap myself out of my trance and pull out my trusty I-phone that contains lists and lists (and lists and lists) of products that I have come across in my daily reading, blogging, tweeting, instagramming travels.  But for now, this is the line up.  For now.

1. REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel - To get my tired butt out of bed in the morning, I rely on cleansers that either foam or have a gel consistency.  Why? Who the heck knows?  In the evening I am usually using a cleansing oil to take off my spackle, errr makeup, so a nice cooling or foaming consistency seems fitting for the a.m. shower.  And since this is rose-infused, the scent is delightful and makes my skin feel extra soft. 

2. Mario Badescu Seaweed Cleansing Lotion - After jumping on the toner bandwagon, I am enjoying this for my morning routine as it calms my skin immediately and does not make it feel tight afterwards.  Alcohol free and gentle as a lamb, it is the perfect way to prep my skin for the barrage of makeup I will be putting on it later. 

3. Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 - I use its sister product, the Ultra Facial Cream, in my nighttime routine, and love this range so much that I just can't help but use the lotion for the day.  With my oily skin, I do prefer lotions for day to wear under my foundation, and flip flop between this and the next product.  It has SPF, hydrates my skin all day and looks great under makeup.  This should be in every one's routine.  Seriously. Your face will thank me.

4. OLAY Complete All Day Moisturizer SPF 15 - Yes you have seen me talk about this during the summer in my post about sunscreen.  And yes I am still using it.  Yes, I still have a ton left.  Yes, I do believe secret OLAY elves come every night and fill it up so it never runs out.  No muss, no fuss, a great day moisturizer. 

5. Perricone MD Acyl-Glutathione Eye Lid Serum (c/o) - Try saying that 5x fast.  You can't.  But your inability to say it will only be won over by ability to be completely amazed at its awesomeness.  One of the only eye creams I have ever come across that can be used on the lid, this serum has become forever linked to  my eye makeup for its ability to help smooth my lid and allow anything I put on top to stay there until I decide to take it off.  And after you finish reading my blog post, head over to The Daily Perricone where I did a full review on it, and read that too.  And then sit back and ask yourself "how can I make the world better?"  By smoother lids and brighter eyes?  Unequivocally and undeniably - YES.  The rest of us thank you in advance. 

6. Ole Henricksen Truth Serum - How could I not love this serum after my intimate affair with the face wipes?  All that vitamin C goodness in a serum form?  Delicious.  After receiving this recently in a Glossybox, I have been hooked every single day.  It absorbs quicker than I can apply, and instantly makes my skin feel hydrated and nourished.  The best thing is my skin looks brighter all day when I wear this (and trust me I have tried it without because I am a total skeptic believe it or not), and after my imaginary blogging oath I took, I feel compelled to only speak the truth.  Or maybe the serum made me do it.  Food for thought.

Ok now I have given you night skincare AND day skincare - now I need to know what I am still missing.  My FOMO (fear of missing out) is quite real when it comes to beauty so don't leave me in the dark. Leave a comment below or tweet me @alittlebitetc with some skincare products I need to try.   



Beauty Bits: Keeping the Pale

Pale is in.  Or making a comeback.  Or poised to make a comeback.  Or perhaps I want to make myself feel better.  Fine - being tan is awesome.  It makes you look thinner, your skin looks smoother and wearing bright lipstick is a rite of passage.  But I don't tan, I splotch.  Splotch is the opposite of looking thinner, skin looking smoother and is an inappropriate palette for a bright lipstick.  So really, I have no choice - hence pale is the color du jour.  And to preserve the pale and stave off the splotch, I turn to the above products for rescue.  I have it all covered and multiple times over - face, body, lips, repeat.  The only body part that I do not shield from the sun using a cosmetic product (gasp) is my hair.  Is hair a body part?  Well - let's pretend it is for this post.  My hair is normally hidden, adorably so, under a hat - fedora not floppy (the subway ain't the kentucky derby, ya feel me?).  The key to my casper like appearance is layering - a body lotion with SPF to moisturize but then a spray for when a mobile touch up is needed.  For the face, I run from the multiple choices in favor of one product that can protect and hydrate.  Often I finish the face with a foundation, tinted moisturizer or powder that also has SPF, but I can ramble on about that another time.  Let's stick to the matter at hand.  And let's get a little intro on each product, shall we?

1. Dior Lip Glow with SPF - this is a clear lip balm that enhances the natural color of your lips, with

    SPF. Neat.

2. Olay All Day Moisturizer SPF 15 - oldie but a goodie. SUPER lightweight and all around good

     guy.

3. Julep Daylight Defense - I professed my love for this in my June favorites - it smells like oranges,

    melts right into the skin and goes great under makeup. 

4. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock - great mobile product and beach necessity.  Not 

    super sticky like some I have tried. 

5. Kiehl's Creme De Corps Lightweight Body Lotion with SPF - this is part of their iconic Creme de

    Corps line so you know it's bound to be good.  And it is.  

6. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer with SPF - another alternative to a day time moisturizer under

    makeup.  Lightweight, blends easily, feels good on skin, blah, blah, blah.  Just buy it.

 

Beauty Bit: Butter Me Up

The thicker the better.  How this could be said for so many things - but I am talking about body cream (all you gutter minds - behave!). And my recent indulgence that delights my morning bath time ritual is the Kiehls Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter.  It even sounds indulgent, and rich, and well kind of like you wanna put it on some toast.  But trust me, this works better in the bathroom than in your kitchen.  Part of their cult-following Creme de Corps range, this "sinfully addictive" product is perfect for these winter months.  Lightly scented with a sweet aroma, it envelopes your skin in a blanket of rich hydration.  Yummy personified.  But give yourself a few extra minutes to let it set before dressing.  Don't ever rush the rich.