[my skincare routine]

People comment on my skin all the time. At family events, in comments on photos, and at random get togethers, people ask how I get my skin the way it is. I always find it odd to hear these comments because I have such an awkward complexion and my skin annoys me daily. The trick is I've learned over the years how to take care of my skin and which products really work for me and which don't.

In the spirit of how natural my look is, I took a photo of my skin care products outside.

[cleanser][scrub][moisturizer][towelettes][cream]

I placed the products in order of use. During my morning shower, I wash my face with the cleanser and use the scrub to exfoliate and remove dead skin. I prime my skin with the moisturizer once I'm dry before I put my makeup on. When I'm getting ready for bed, I use the towelettes to take off my makeup and finish by applying the firming cream on my face. I really emphasize my forehead, around my eyes and my neck.

I'm not one to spend crazy amounts of money on products and facials and creams, and I used to try and use regular body soap and lotion to minimize cost. Sadly, as I get older, I'm realizing the importance of skin care now, so after lots of trial and error, I've finally found a reasonable routine that doesn't take much time or money.

How do you take care of your skin?

"spend less time in the mirror and more time feeling wonderful."

- frederic fekkai

[skincare]

If there's something I'm very particular about, it's my skin and skin care. My face tells you everything you need to know about me. If I'm stressed: acne. If I'm not sleeping: bags. If I binged a few days ago or ate chocolate: more acne. To counteract that and to keep even-toned skin, I have a pretty strict, but very simple, skin care routine. 







Morning: morning time is shower time, which is when most of the work is done. I rinse and cleanse my face with Neutrogena Naturals fresh cleansing + makeup remover face wash. I use it to wash my face and take my eye makeup off too. I rinse that off before putting shampoo in, and get ready for step two!






While the shampoo is in my hair, I use St. Ives Blemish & Blackhead Control Apricot Scrub. This is my FAVORITE. SCRUB. EVER. Of all the drugstore brands i've tried, it has the most beads and feels the most effective. I leave that on until rinsing my shampoo out and get ready for step three. 

After I put conditioner in my hair, I use the St. Ives Timeless Skin Apricot Scrub. I actually bought it on accident, but after using an entire bottle, I saw and felt the difference in my face. My forehead and neck are both tighter and my skin feels so much more firm!!!


I finish by moisturizing my face with Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer. I've been using it for years and never once have I even wanted to try a new one. It moisturizes my skin but keeps it fresh all day!

The last part of my daily skin care is right before bedtime. Right after I get in my pj's, I wipe my face with some kind of makeup removing towelette. I've been trying different ones for a while but can't seem to find one I can't part with. My most recent (which I'm actually replacing today) is the Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Towelettes. They clean pretty well for towelettes and leave my skin feeling clean instead of oily. 

In all reality, I should probably do more of a deep clean at night, but it's hard enough to even remember to remove my makeup at all. 

"let us all meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."

- mother theresa