Beauty Blogger: My Skincare Routine

So I may not be an actual "beauty blogger" by any means, however, it is no secret that I love a few products. Makeup, hair products, nail polish, I love a little bit of beauty products. It hasn't been until these past few years where I have really started to get more interested into my skincare routine and invest in some good products. I've tried different three step series like Clinique and Proactiv after a little breakout, I have used something as simple as Dove or Cetaphil, but truly not until this past year {knock on wood} I have actually started to feel like the mix of products in my bathroom cabinet, are the ones that are actually working. I love seeing what other people use, love and recommend so I thought I would share my favs today.... my daily routine. 

I always always wash my face before I head to bed! It is a key to nice clean skin. You read it in every magazine but the truth is...nothing is good about sleeping in your makeup. I remove my makeup with either a cleansing water or with a makeup remover towelette. I switch between two face cleaners. If I have gotten sweaty, out for a long run, the gym, etc. I go for a sudsy Kiehl'sBlue Herbal Gel Cleanser. It is good if you have breakouts and in my mind the sudsy feel really cleans away the sweat and dirt. I've been using it for months and so far it hasn't dried me out, I just like it. I do not use it twice a day however, once is enough. 

In the evening before bed I use Eve Lom Cleanser sometimes using the muslin cloth step and sometimes using my Clarisonic Mia. At first I was a bit hesitant about both items since they are over my Boots budget, however, they both last a long time and, they both work great. The cleanser is great for removing traces of makeup, Vogue says its the best cleanser, so OK!;) Really, in the winter it doesn't dry out my skin, the large pot lasts me for way over a month, really, a little goes a long way! Twice a week I like to use the brush with it to really feel like I get a deeper clean and get all the dirty city air out of my skin! 

Cleanse, done. After I clean I follow with these three: Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Toner Alcohol Free, Kiehl's - Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 50ml, Kiehl's Skin Rescuer Stress Minimizing Daily Hydrator . By the end of this post you will think I work for Kiehl's, I don't. Last year around New Year's I was getting weird break outs here and there and walked by the new Kiehl's down the street from us and decided to stop in for their skin check. I left with TONS of samples {seriously their samples are AMAZING!} and a few new products, I have continued using them for a year and I LOVE the toner and the serum the best, love love love them. They are not crazy expensive and such a nice brand and give great service. 

The toner makes my face feel fresh after I clean it but not stingy. The serum makes it tingle a bit but I love it, I have actually felt like it evens it out and I use it morning and night. The hydrator is great because it is nice and light and my skin is not too overly dehydrated so it works as a lighter option. 

When I want a bit of extra cleaning, about twice a week I use: Kiehl's Epidermal Re–texturising Micro–dermabrasion  to scrub the dead cells away and then apply Sanctuary Spa 5minutes Thermal Detox Mask - or - Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque both are awesome but way different. On days where I have late nights, maybe one too many {or two too many} glasses of wine, have been traveling etc. the hydrator is nice. You add it on as a mask, wipe it off and sleep with the rest on, leaving your skin in the morning awake! The 5 minute thermal mask has been a fav of mine for awhile. I LOVE the way my face feels warm when I put it on and I truly think it deep cleans the yucky stuff from your face.  

 I'm that girl who has been using an eye cream for YEARS, do you? If you are 18, 20, 33 or 53, use an eye cream! Laughing, smiling, squinting, all of those make happy laugh lines, but what you do not want is the extra crow feet by not hydrating around the eye. Don't use eye cream? Your eye makeup will look thicker and dryer, so really, invest a little and don't throw on your body lotion all over your face, get a separate cream just for the most delicate skin on your face...your eyes! Kiehl's Since 1851 Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream

Drink a lot of water, not too much coffee {I could get better at that!}, lots of veggies, salads, yummy fats like avocados, get a lot of sleep {I need to do better at that also} and exercise and your skin will be thanking you! Do not just use ANYTHING on sale on the shelf, spend some time getting samples and using for a few weeks and see how your skin reacts, its worth it. 

I've wanted to try these few products for awhile but haven't yet: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Serum and One Love Organics. Has anyone tried these, loved these? Let me know! What are your favorite prodcuts, I would LOVE to hear! 

xoxo - Rebecca

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*this post is full of my opinions. I am not an skincare expert or have been paid by the companies I recommend, I just truly like them.