I write roughly 1-3 skin care/makeup posts per year. This shall be one of them, let’s knock it out early! Why not?! I grabbed all of my favorite everyday products, brought them downstairs, put them on a white blanket and snapped this crappy pic just for you. So please indulge me and read it!
Before we get started, I feel like I should tell you that I have normal/oily skin- except in the winter when it’s very dry and scary because that’s exactly how Chicago feels in the winter.
What I look for in products: SUNSCREEN! Ahh sun! I spent my teens basking in the sun and tanning beds and it makes me sick. I think the last time I “tanned” was when I was 21, ever since I have stayed clear. I wear hats, SPF, and sit under umbrellas when on vacation and am totally okay with it.
I also look for anything that is anti-aging, wrinkle prevention, and evens out dark spots (thanks teenage, Tay!)
Best of all, everything I’m going to talk about is CRUELTY FREE 🙂 meaning they don’t test on animals.
If you listen to nothing else I say, just listen to this; Elta is the best sunscreen I’ve found. My dermatologist introduced me to it and I’ve been buying it on Amazon ever since.
Wow wow wow this stuff is good! It moisturizes but it doesn’t leave your skin feeling super oily. I can’t get through the winter without this facial cream. Don’t believe me? Just read all of the amazing reviews. There’s a reason people love this stuff!
3. Kiehls Midnight Recovery Eye… (for those damn dark circles.)
Again, Kiehls got it so right with this eye cream. I rub it under my eyes every night and on the rare occasion when I forget to do so, I always regret it the next morning because I swear I can tell a noticeable with the coloring around my eyes and even the fine lines. (Order now and you get a free gift!)
4. Derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub.
I use this in the shower as an exfoliate and it is so good! It helps to diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars. (Buy the pack of two, you won’t regret it.)
5. Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial.
I’ve looked high and low for a good night face/neck cream and this is it. It smells like heaven and I noticed a difference in my skin within a few days of using it. My skin was more hydrated, even, and all around fresher looking.
These are great for getting rid of bags, dark circles, and overall sleepy looking eyes. I bring these with me on every vacation and sleep with them on almost every Sunday night. (They’re good for hangover eyes, too.) They’re kind of like puffy bandaids you wear to bed, except they’re not sticky and they actually feel like cool little pieces of heaven under your tired eyes. I love THEM. And they work!
I have quite a few little spots on my chin that aren’t because of sun, but have more to do with my touching and scratching at certain “imperfections” on my face that I shouldn’t. They’re gross and I’m embarrassed of them because every dermatologist I’ve ever seen has always said to me, “don’t touch your zits!” But did I listen? No. So now I’m on a journey to correct this mess. I put it on twice a day (morning and night) under my moisturizer.
I was skeptical of this stuff, but it works. 100%. I started using it in July (I still have the first one I bought- so I’ve made that little tube LAST.) And I’ve actually had makeup artists ask me if I had lash extensions. Nope, just Lash Boost!
So yes, it’s pricey, but if you want longer lashes it’s pretty incredible how great it works. I also put it on my eyebrows too (remember how I used to shave my brows in middle school? ….) And yes, I have fuller brows now too thanks to it!
And now to talk about my LOVE for It Cosmetics…
This is the first makeup remover “balm” I’ve used before (other than lip balm) and I’m wondering why it took me so long. It’s said to be a makeup remover AND an anti-aging serum, I like it because it feels so soft on my face and takes the makeup off quickly- especially eye makeup! (And I’m very lazy when it comes to taking off my eye makeup, or I used to be anyway.)
10. Secret Sauce Anti Aging moisturizer.
It features anti-aging collagen, peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and licorice root to reduce discoloration, lines, and wrinkles. (Yes, I copied that straight from the package, but it’s true.) And it feels nice!
11. Your Skin But Better CC Foundation (with SPF 50.)
This is my favorite foundation. It’s very light (so if you prefer something heavier, this one wouldn’t be for you.) And it’s simple to blend and goes on easy if you’re like me and give yourself about 3-4 minutes to get ready in the morning.
12. Bye Bye Redness Correcting Cream.
My skin can get red and blotchy in the winter and this helps take care of that in an instant!
Brightens, hydrates, and purifies 🙂 This is my favorite toner to date.
I use this in the shower and it smells wonderful and leaves my skin feeling so so soft!
In conclusion, I’m a fan of everything It Cosmetics has. (And no, this is not a sponsored post from them.) I have been very lucky and was sent a few free products from them awhile ago, but now I continue to buy on my own because I really do love their products.
Okay, I’m done. I hope this was helpful! Now if someone could just teach me how to contour I would be set. Bye, happy weekend!
*affiliate links used.
Thank you for the recommendations, Taylor! I’ll check them all out! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Dark spots (from the sun and also hormone-induced melasma—eff birth control pills) are my nemesis. I’d pay my right hand and first newborn for a good tinted sunscreen (and I actually sorta do already), so I’m interested in that EltaMD stuff, which is much more affordable. I’m assuming it doesn’t make you break out? (In addition to dark spots, I’m also super prone to acne, so that also makes picking out a suncreen fun. and by that I mean horrible.)
Ugh YES girl, this is so helpful– I am always looking out for good skincare. I used to be a tanning bed/sun bathing queen (RIP 2008-2010).. WTF were we thinking!? I have found a few self tanners that are the bomb that I use when I start jonesing for some color.