So the last post left us off with a review of skin care products I received from Skin Actives—some of which have become part of my existing skin care program.
Now before I begin, I want to make one thing clear. I use a “cocktail” of assorted brands and products during the morning and in the evening. Just as I have many distinct brands of cosmetics, I don’t stick to only one brand of skincare. You really need to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t.
A melange of the skin care products I use on a regular and rotating basis. It’s crazy–right? No. It’s all good because I’m a big believer in using a variation of products that work for you.
My routine runs the gamut. Presently, I have a Target brand moisturizer because I was unable to get old-school Olay when I needed it. The Target brand works just as well. From time to time I also like to use Witch Hazel as a toner. It is gentle and refreshing.
Now that the Skin Actives has replaced the Peter Thomas Roth Moisturizer, I’ll be rotating between these two–with the Target for days when I’m indoors!
I’m also testing the waters of a few skincare items from Deciem—from The Ordinary and NIOD. But I want to touch base in explaining to you what works for me in my daily skin care routines. Both AM and PM. So, grab that cup of cawfee or tea and come along with me while I get ready!
Wednesday, October 11, 2017. 7:57 AM
It’s almost 8:00 AM. I enjoyed a leisurely coffee in bed because I’m a lazy slob. Actually, it’s a rainy morning and I’m just taking it easy today.
Here I am. No makeup. Barefaced but not bare-assed. Ready to get ready.
No makeup. Just me and my wrinkles! Good Morning!
Since my evening routine consists of applying quite a bit of product, I go lighter during the day. First off, my skin is clean. And the serums and creams I applied last night have worked their magic so I rinse with warm water. I do not use soap or cleansers in the morning.
H2O is my morning cleanser! I use tepid water. WTF? How did that spot of toothpaste get on the sink? I thought I cleaned everything!
Every now and then, if the previous nights’ weather is humid or if it’s really hot, I’ll put a bit of toner onto a cotton pad and wipe on my face. Usually Witch Hazel.
After patting my face dry with a towel, I spritzed the Hylamide Water that Deciem sent me. I’m out of the micellar water I got at City Pharma last year so I’m subbing with this.
I’ve been spraying this on my face like crazy!! Keeps my skin hydrated!
Next. I’ll apply a light serum. Today I’m using Caudalie’s. VinoPerfect. (Not to be ingested like vino) I like the fact that this serum is a liquid and not a gel.
A perfect reason why rotating products is a good thing. I bought the Caudalie serum at …my favorite store–CityPharma in Paris last year. If I didn’t rotate, it would have been empty a long time ago. And I paid less than half the price this serum goes for here in the States! Notice the many serums I rotate!
I’ve been applying this NIOD Neck Elasticity Catalyst (review to come) on my neck, morning and evening for a week now. I’m praying it helps to tighten that turkey neck of mine.
A very thick substance that spreads quite easily when you massage into the neck. I hope it works!!
Following that, a drop or two of Vivant Skincare Derm-A-Renew. This is a Peptide and is applied with a dropper. It’s very similar to the Caudalie’s serum in texture but is just a bit thicker.
I’ll tell you, I dig that Derm-A-Renew. It’s great stuff. The Vivant “Three Musketeers” of skin care over here!
Now—there’s a reason that I go with the lighter textured serums/products. It’s because if I use a gel on my face in the morning or a heavier serum, the primers that I use tend to bead up or peel on my face. I’ve learned through trial and error what products to use under my makeup.
Let me add, during the winter when it’s really dry, I put either Nuxe or Bi-Oil on my face. I don’t use it in the summer at all –only in the dead of winter!
When I have a “no-makeup” or bare face day, I’ll slather on the heavier serums— but when I wear foundation, I stick to those in the evening.
Since I’m not leaving the house today, and the weather sucks (I have to wait for someone from the water company to come today and check our meter so I want to look as human as possible), I’ll forego the sunscreen and save a few pennies. I’m using the inexpensive moisturizer from Target.
I think I paid four dollars for this. I’m not linking Target’s website because it sucks!
A little swipe of Wink from Vivant Skincare today, since I used the Skin Actives Bright I-Cream yesterday (I rotate), and now I can get ready to do my face.
This is my second tube of Wink. A little goes a long way and I apply all over the eye, not just underneath. Again, this is a great product for those with sensitive eyes.
Face done and later this evening I’ll go over my evening routine!
Skin care products on. Makeup on. Hair on.
I interrupt this post to give you a public service message. This Mascara. I’ts crazy good. I picked it up at Target for less than five dollars and now I see it is n the Essence site for $1.12. I gotta go order some! Essence Forbidden Volume Mascara.
Wednesday, October 11, 7:45 PM
Dinner is finished. Bonaparte is going upstairs to watch CNN. (I can’t because I get too upset with orange man). I’ll go to take my makeup off and proceed with my evening skincare routine.
The ONLY product I use to remove makeup. I had to substitute with Crisco once and from then on always have a back up of this.
There is only one makeup remover that I swear by. Albolene. It literally melts the makeup off my face. I gently rub it over the face, eyes included because this stuff is epic for removing mascara. In fact, I’m almost at the bottom of the jar and I have another one in waiting. I’m obsessive over this stuff.
BWAAAAAHHHH!! Would I lie to you? Look how great Albolene melts that eye makeup away!
After wiping this off my face, I wash. Tonight, I’m using the Vivant Skin Care Mandelic Acid Cleanser. I need to be stingy with this because I’m getting to the bottom of the barrel. My backup bottle is itching to be opened! This is a clear liquid with a very light gel consistency. It has a slightly pink/orange hue to it. It lathers up nicely, cleanses very well and feels great. Does not leave your face feeling taut or dry at all. This product is a Holy Grail for me!
No Desert Salt Scrub or Dove Soap (yes. I rotate and wash my face with Dove too) tonight. I’m washing my face with Vivant’s 3-in-1 Mandelic Acid Wash!
This is all I use of the wash. It was about a dime size but it spreak when I took this photo.
Works up into a nice lather!
After rinsing and patting my face dry, it’s toner time. I’ll use Vivant’s Mandelic Acid toner. I love this stuff. I have a backup because I’m also running low on this. Again, this does not leave my face feeling dry. I like to rotate between this toner and the Eau de Fleur d’Oranger water that I got at City Pharma in Paris. I loaded up on this Orange Blossom water because I love the scent. This is my last bottle. I’m freaking out.
The Eau De Fleur Oranger was dirt cheap at CityPharma in Paris. I loaded up and am at the bottom of my stash. The 3-in-1 Toner is another HG product for me and I have my backup at the ready!
And toner always manages to pick up the leftover grime near the hairline!
Now it’s back to the Neck stuff. I’m really hoping this works.
Back to the Neck Elasticity Catalyst!
Serum time. I’ll be using the Skin Actives Collagen Serum and The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% serum tonight.
I used the last of the old bottle. Now, THIS is my last bottle. I gotta order me some more after I write this post!
And a little bit of the Hyaluronic Acid serum from the Ordinary. I feel like a bartender for the face–my cocktails for skin!! Instead of Gin & Tonic maybe tomorrow evening I’ll have a Gin & Serum!
An evening application of more Wink around the eyes and finishing off with a run downstairs to the fridge to get the Skin Brightening Cream! I’m using this tonight.
I was instructed to keep this in the fridge. Fine by me because it is nice and cold!
And that is both my morning and evening skin care routine! I’m happy to say that I picked up a bottle of Micellar water at TJ Maxx today for $2.99—9.1 fluid ounces. Not too bad! A good tip—when you are at Marshall’s or TJ Maxx, always check out the beauty section because you can find good deals. Sometimes you can find duds too, but for the most part, there are some good deals!
I’m getting excercise running up and down the stairs! This is the Micellar water I picked up at TJ Maxx today. I may put this is the fridge too!
As we age we really need to start taking care of our skin. I swear up and down that your makeup won’t work if your skin isn’t prepped. It may take a bit longer these days than when we were younger—on the other hand, we don’t have kids to bathe or put to bed so it evens out! And as with my wardrobe, I like to use lower-end skin care products with higher-end.
That’s it! Good night!
I love to let those products go to work while I dream of winning the lottery!
Good Night My Loves! Mommy is standing beside you!!
