Posts Tagged ‘skin’
It’s no surprise to anyone who knows me well that I’m not a morning person. Nope. I linger in bed thinking about what I want to create that day and who I can inspire. While still in my pj’s, I might choose to meditate (yup, in bed), write in my journal and get my body and mind to cooperate with my heart.
Morning is a sacred time of day for me and one that I keep as simple as possible, including my skincare.
For the past several months I’ve maintained a simple, efficient and effective (for me) skincare regime using a combo of products from spa, drugstore and department store.
Here’s a complete look at my a.m. products of choice and part 5 of my Love List:
I’m not one to use an entire brands range because I find most “systems” rarely address the unique daily needs of my sensitive and dry skin.
Cleanser & Toner: I’ll share how I remove makeup and cleanse my skin at night in my next post. In the morning, I use a gentle soap from Sibu that removes any oils and debris from my nights slumber. It’s incredibly gentle, gets my skin clean without feeling dry. The main ingredient is coconut oil making it a soothing choice. I’ll then follow by spritzing Rose Water onto my skin. I find it counteracts the harsh water in my area plus, it smells fantastic!
You can find this glorious, and inexpensive product, at most health food stores. I’ve been using this for years and always repurchase.
Serums: For morning, Dior Capture Totale One Essential and Ole Henriksen Truth serums are my favorite. I rarely use them at the same time – it’s important to listen to your skin and give it what it asks for – but I will occasionally layer both, if needed. What I love about Capture Totale One Essential is how well it smooths my skin and, as Dior claims, seems to jump start my other products. For a shot of vitamin C and a brightening effect I’ve yet to duplicate with another serum, Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster is a must try! No other product instantly makes my skin brighter. And the soft citrus aroma perks me right up in the morning.
Face & Eye Creams: I liked the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum so much I gave the Truth Creme Advanced Hydration a try and found a winner! It has a nearly sheer consistency that absorbs quickly into my skin and feels, decadent. Just a touch and my skin is hydrated, looks smooth and bright and ready for the next step. On days when my skin is extra parched, I’ve been grabbing the Epionce Renewal Facial Cream. My mother turned me on to this product over a year ago and I continue to repurchase. It’s a more dense cream that absorbs beautifully into the skin. Created by a dermatologist, originally for burn patients, it restores the skin gently and leaves a glow to the skin that radiates ever so lightly underneath my makeup. I’m the finickiest eye cream wearer I know but this Tarte C Brightening Eye Cream won me over. It’s light, not greasy, doesn’t interfere (in any way) with my makeup, doesn’t cause my sensitive eyes any irritation and hydrates my eye area. I can’t speak to the brightening effect around my eye but I suspect someone with dark circles might notice.
Sunscreen: It’s called Miracle Blur for a reason…because the effect it leaves on my skin is miraculous! If I could suggest one product for you to consider, this would be the one. Not only does it contain an SPF30 – which I love because I prefer my SPF mid-range and separate from my moisturizers, but it has a blurring effect that makes my skin texture instantly smoother. Yes, instantly! It is lightweight, spreads easily and absorbs well. On my dry skin, it also adds a hint more moisture. What I appreciate most about this product is how well it works as a primer – any foundation I’ve layered over L’Oreal Miracle Blur looks (almost) air brushed perfect.
If you prefer to use Miracle Blur as a primer alone (it’s remarkable as a primer!) and/or if you have an oilier skin condition, an oil-free and spf-free version is due to launch this July!
I’ve got a slightly more involved approach to my p.m. skincare approach which I’ll share with you next week. In the meantime, who’s going to the movies this weekend? The Great Gatsby looks SOOOO good (peeking the makeup alone is worth the price of admission) but I’m also a Trekkie so Star Trek is another weekend option.
Until next time…
❤Liz
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Growing up in a not so well-to-do household I know all about scrimping and saving.
That’s probably why as soon as I began earning my own money I made it a point to make splurging on myself a habit. And because I believed I fully deserved the bobbles and bits I brought home all wrapped in colorful tissue and glossy bags, my habit was a guilt free one!
Today, I still believe in myself enough to splurge on some pretty extravagant (dare I say ridiculously lavish) items. Feel Good Friday is all about giving you a peek into the indulgences that make it into my makeup repertoire.
I don’t know if it’s just me but I’m always on the prowl for the perfect foundation. Try as I might I never find a foundation that has all the qualities I look for; non-drying, good coverage, all-day wear, creamy texture, not sticky and that can make my face look truly flawless with a few short strokes of my brush.
Dior Capture Totale foundation has come pretty close to meeting my needs…but at $78 for a 1 oz bottle it comes at a price (and one that I happily pay given the results I get).
What I love most about this liquid foundation is the luminous finish. My skin radiates when I use this and let’s be honest, who doesn’t like that. 
I also appreciate that it contains anti-aging ingredients specifically alpha longoze. From what I gathered in my research of this ingredient it is a Dior discovery targeting stem cells that, like rip van winkle curled up under an old oak tree, go into sleep mode due to stress and time.
The alpha longoze in Dior Capture Totale foundation claims to work like a treatment serum because it essentially gives the cells a wake up call (at the dermis level) causing skin to become smooth and plump.
Add to what is already a winner in my book, Dior Capture Totale foundation also uses multi-toned pigments (versus the usual flat combination of red, yellow, white and black used in most foundations) making this a terrific HD foundation given it’s ability to impart a more dimensional, natural effect.
A few other things to note…the foundation is available in 10 shades from ivory (fair complexions) to dark beige (medium dark complexions). For the darkest of skins, it may be difficult to find a color match. And because of the ingredients in this foundation, it is best for drier skin conditions. 2-3 pumps usually does the trick for me but if you prefer a lighter application start with 1-2 pumps.
No matter what brush I use I can’t make a mistake with this foundation. My skin has a subtle radiance, it looks significantly smoother throughout the day (and I’m talking about an 8 hour day folks), doesn’t cake, doesn’t fade, and provides me with light-medium coverage. I set this with a loose powder and don’t need to touch up at all throughout the day – it’s virtually a set and forget experience!
Will you splurge on the Dior Capture Totale foundation? If not, what will you splurge on today.? Here’s the thing…if you don’t spoil yourself from time to time…who will?
❤Liz
PS. The only reason this foundation isn’t getting a 5 Smooches rating is that I prefer a medium-full coverage and this foundation doesn’t build up to full coverage. Other than that, it does what it claims and a little more.
Yes…drink the cool aid…get water logged even!
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Don’t you just hate being taken for granted?
Like when a colleague expects you to carry a heavier load on a joint project or when someone close to you forgets to treat you with the same courtesies they would someone they’re trying to impress?
Yeah, it stinks but it’s up to you to set proper boundaries and speak up (gracefully) when you are treated in a way that doesn’t honor the great individual you are.
Have I been guilty of taking others for granted?
While I’d like to smile like a Cheshire cat and tell you I have not and would not the fact is that without intending to I have 
But, I always go back and do my best to right my wrongs.
Like today for instance…
In the short time I’ve been beauty blogging I’ve shared some great new finds but have not let you in on some of my tried and true beauty black book staples (the shame)!
So today I will not take for granted one of my most coveted beauty items…the Clarins Santal Facial Treatment Oil (formulated for dry/sensitive skin).
Can I say big time, get tingly all over love.
I’ve been using this product for years and can always rely on it to bring my skin back to life when it feels irritated (as in severe rosacea flare ups), dry and in need of repair.
This is a highly aromatic product so if you don’t like the smell of essential plant oils like sandalwood, lavender and cardamom (which combined, help to decongest and soothe the skin) then you won’t appreciate this one. And in case you’re wondering, hazelnut oil is the ingredient in this product that supports your skins ability to retain moisture with some anti-aging support (like plumping the skin) to boot.
If on the other hand you enjoy the waft of spa-like ingredients you will love the Clarins Santal Facial Treatment Oil.
Here’s how I apply this dreamy night time potion…
1. Pour about a pea sized amount onto the palm of your hand (a little goes a long way – a bottle lasts me for about 6 months)
2. After gently rubbing your hands together to warm up the oil, press the oil onto damp skin (I spray rose water onto my skin before applying the oil but you can use your favorite toner or water) avoiding the eye area
3. If you feel you have applied too much, take a soft tissue and gently blot any excess treatment oil from your skin
4. Give the treatment oil several minutes to settle into your skin then follow-up with your night time moisturizer (if you feel you need more hydration only but you may not need to as this oil delivers a super dose of moisture to the skin)
The combination of soothing aromas and plant oils will make you feel wrapped in warmth and comfort as you sleep peacefully and awaken with smooth, glowing skin.
Is there an item you simply can’t do without that you’ve neglected to share? I’m all ears!
❤Liz
Definitely an “on a deserted island” must-have!
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