A Skincare Routine to Combat Dry Skin

Okay, there is one thing to note before I launch into this post, and that is: I'm kind of a freakazoid about my skincare routine. In general, the more steps there are in my regimen,  the happier I am. I love the ritual of cleansing and moisturizing before bed and starting each day with a fresh face. However, I wasn't always an advocate for a 7-step routine. My interest in skin care began somewhat recently. Last winter was definitely a turning point for me, skincare-wise; It was a constant battle against dry skin. After trying several different facial moisturizers, I added a serum to my (barely there) routine. It made a slight difference by keeping some of the dry skin at bay. But my skin still didn't have the plump, moisturized, healthy look I was searching for. When fall 2012 rolled around and the temperatures started to drop, I didn't plan to wait for dry patches to kick in. I revamped my skin care routine, adding in several steps (products) I hadn't considered in the past and switching out products that were no longer effective for new ones.

I start my routine with a cleanser, such as a hydrating one by CeraVe which contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid (aka makes my skin rejoice). It's basic, unscented and doesn't foam but leaves my skin feeling clean and hydrated from day to day. On nights where I might wear eye makeup, I add in a makeup remover such as Bioderma sensibio H2O solution micellaire to make sure it has been removed before going to bed. My preference for using this product lies in the fact that I don't have to pull at the skin around the eye area to remove stubborn eye makeup. I use MAC Marine-Bright Formula Softening Lotion as a toner after cleansing and before using the Hydraluron serum and a moisturizer. The toner has a slight scent (which I love) and I do not find it to be at all irritating or drying, as I have found with others. On week nights, I rotate between using Olay Regenerist night resurfacing elixir as an AHA exfoliant and Proactiv repairing treatment as a benzoyl peroxide treatment (only on small areas where I'm more prone to break out), and a moisturizer that contains a small amount of retinol, such as Neutrogena healthy skin anti-wrinkle cream. I use a moisturizer with spf every morning. Olay Regenerist one is a current favourite as it layers nicely under makeup.

So you may mock my, ahem, extended routine (*Emily*), however since I began using these products, I haven't had a single dry patch of skin all winter *knocks on wood*. One of the best aspects of this routine is that almost all of these products are from the drug store!

Have you found a routine that works for your skin type?
Xo,
Jess

Products Mentioned:

Bioderma sensibio H2O solution micellaire, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, MAC Marine-Bright Formula Softening Lotion, Hydraluron, Olay Regenerist night resurfacing elixir, Proactiv repairing treatment, Neutrogena healthy skin anti-wrinkle cream, Olay Regenerist enhancing lotion with UV protection (SPF 15)

Rimmel Wake Me Up Review

Like any true North American beauty obsessed gal, I have been lusting over Rimmel’s Wake Me Up line that was released in the UK in early 2012. After watching endless YouTube videos by the likes of Tanya Burr, Zoella and Gemsmaquillage all raving over the quality of the foundation, I jumped for joy when I finally found it in my local Shoppers Drugstore. Because I have no apparent sense of restraint I picked up the foundation in Ivory (200), the concealer in 'very light' and the Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch in 'flush of pearl'. After 3-4 uses I can say confidently that the foundation and concealer are in the running for my favourite drugstore face products.

While I am usually a high end foundation lover (Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B10 being my HG foundation) I can already tell that the Wake Me Up foundation will soon become a most reached for product in my makeup bag. Appearance-wise, the foundation comes in a glass bottle with an orange cap with a pump for easy dispersal of the product (NARS PLEASE TAKE NOTE!). 

The product on first glance is very sparkly which almost immediately turned me off. However, once applied, the sparkle almost disappeared on my skin and only enhanced the glow of the foundation. The consistency is relatively thick, I would give it a medium coverage label. For that reason I would not recommend this for my dry-skinned friends out there. The foundation clung a bit to dry skin but I found mixing a little moisturizer in helped this issue.

Despite looking ultra dark in this picture, for me, the colour worked. One issue I have had in the past with Rimmel (and that some may have with this product) is that the colour range is minimal at best. The lightest shade will probably work for anyone with NC 20 skin but if you are a true NC15 I would pass on this one.

With regard to staying power, this baby lasted all through the work day... without a primer! Most recently I have been using Nars Sheer Glow and finding that my face loses that flawless finish just after lunch. I would be good to go all day with Wake Me Up.

For those who know me, they know I am exceptionally picky about concealer. Being a victim of allergies, I have always had dark circles under my eyes and am constantly seeking out a concealer that does not crease, has maximum coverage and does not need constant retouching. 

Wake Me Up claims to be a “full coverage concealer” and frankly I think it comes pretty darn close. Again, while a little dark, the concealer barely creases, covers my circles for at least 4-5 hours and works well for blemishes as well.

The only product I had a bit of an issue with was the cream highlighter. I would really classify it as “adult body glitter”. The product has the same glitter as the foundation but doesn’t fade in as much as the foundation’s does. 

In my opinion, highlighters should just provide a nice sheen on one’s face as opposed to a fairy dust look so this might be falling to the bottom of my bag sometime soon. The only way I could get this product to work was to mix it with the foundation in a similar fashion to the way I would use Mac’s Strobe Cream. This way the foundation looks extra glowy for those days when you really need it.

All in all though, if you are looking for an inexpensive but quality foundation or concealer, definitely try Wake Me Up! We would love to hear your thoughts so please feel free to comment below about your experiences with the product!

xo,

Em

Tired Eyes

Waking up early is not fun. Especially when you have to be in public in under an hour. This morning I had an early rise in order to make it to a press conference for work. Because I was going to have to do a bit more than grunt at people and sip my coffee in the corner I had to use a few key skincare products and cosmetics to at least give the impression that I was awake and happy to be up at the crack of dawn!

I started out my morning routine the same as always: Shiseido Facial Wash, Clinique Toner (3) and my Clinique something gel moisturizer. This morning however, I added my Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage (what a mouthful). Basically this is the same idea as the Garnier eyeroller that has been kicking around for a few years. I’m not convinced that this product actually does anything major to defeat my dark circles but the cooling sensation definitely wakes my eyes up a little.

After priming my skin, I move on to foundation (Nars Sheer Glow for that extra deweyness!), a bright pink blush a la Nars Gaiety and my Bobbi Brown corrector and concealer. For eyes, I tend to go quite clean as a smokey eye or heavy eyeliner tend to make my eyes look heavy and not awake. I opt instead for my Mac Paint Pot in Painterly, a healthy dose of mascara compliments of Benefit They’re Real! and highlighting of the brows and inner corners with Mac’s Phloof! To really get that wide awake look I have two surefire tricks. I line my upper lashline with any old black pencil eyeliner and then use my Mac Chromographic pencil in NC15/NW20 to rim my waterline.While effective in giving me that fresh and well rested look, the MAC chromographic is definitely a luxury/splurge-worthy product. Essentially it is just a flesh toned eyeliner, which is a bit tricky to get your hands on. After chatting with Jess though, she mentioned that she recently picked up the Rimmel Scandaleyes Liner in 'Nude' which we think might be a high street dupe! Stayed tuned, we will likely be doing a compare and contrast soon!

Hope this post helped my fellow early risers! And remember if all else fails... copious cups of coffee might do the trick!

xo,

Em