40 and Fabulous! Beauty Tips for Women in Their 40s!
I woke up the other day and realized that in a few months I’ll be turning 40! That has stirred up A LOT of feelings and questions, some positive, some anxiety inducing. Everything from reflecting on the many accomplishments that I’m proud of to wondering if I’ve saved anywhere near enough money for retirement is heavy on my mind these days!
But one thing that hasn’t been stressing me too much – my beauty routine! I have been disciplined and consistent with a skin care regimen, and I have also shifted my hair care approach to focus on hydration and health, and less experimental with styling that can cause damage. I think its safe to say I can easily pass for 10 if not 12 years younger!
It is common for women to notice natural changes in their skin and body as they approach middle age (and yes 40s are middle aged, fight me on it). Loss of elasticity, fine lines, and dryness are common concerns, as well as hair loss and weight gain. However, with the right routine, you can maintain a youthful glow, age gracefully, and embrace your natural beauty.
Here's a guide to updating your skincare routine as you enter this new amazing decade:
Beauty Tips for Women in Their 40s!
Facial Cleansing Tips for Women in Their 40s
Here is my go-to facial routine when it comes to skin care!
Double Cleansing
Why: Double cleansing effectively removes makeup, dirt, and impurities, preventing clogged pores and breakouts.
How: Use an oil-based cleanser to dissolve makeup and dirt, followed by a water-based cleanser to cleanse your skin.
Exfoliation
Why: Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, revealing smoother, brighter skin. However, be gentle as mature skin can be more sensitive.
How: Use a chemical exfoliant with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) once or twice a week.
Skincare Routine for Women in Their 40s
Once you’ve got a cleansing routine down, focus on the rest of your skin to treat any major issues, restore balance, and get you glowing!
Serums
Why: Serums are highly concentrated formulas that deliver potent ingredients directly to your skin.
What to look for: Antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E), hyaluronic acid, retinol, and peptides.
Moisturizer
Why: Hydration is essential for plump, youthful-looking skin.
What to look for: Look for a rich, hydrating moisturizer that contains ceramides and fatty acids to help strengthen the skin barrier.
Sunscreen
Why: Sunscreen is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays and preventing premature aging.
How: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days.
Eye Cream
Why: The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate, making it prone to fine lines and wrinkles.
What to look for: Look for an eye cream containing peptides, caffeine, or retinol to help
Retinol
Why: Retinol is a powerful anti-aging ingredient that can help reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
How: Start with a low concentration of retinol and gradually increase it as your skin tolerates it. Prescription ones are the most effective, don’t waste your time or money on the stuff you’ll get at retail.
And don’t forget your neck and hands! Those are some of the places that signs of aging can creep up and get worse quickly. Use the same products on your neck as you do on your face, and add a hand mask to your weekly routine, and cuticle oil nightly. That will help your skin retain moisture, and the little gloves force you to keep your hands of your phone for a bit!
Lifestyle Changes for Women in their 40s
Skin care can only do so much! At our age it’s time to take a close look at your diet and step up the attention and care you give to your overall fitness and health
Here are some other changes you’ll need to make to your lifestyle if you’re a woman in or close to your 40s!
Diet and Lifestyle
Why: Your diet and lifestyle can significantly impact your overall health.
What to do: Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants. Stay hydrated, manage stress, and get enough sleep.
Stay on top of your medical appointments
Why: Keep your over health in check and be aware to catch and treat any issues. Make your regularly scheduled appointments and pay attention to any changes in your body that you think are worth raising with your physician. You know your body and your instincts may not lead you wrong. If you feel unheard by your medical team, get a second opinion or seek out a female care team that may be more receptive to complaints based on women’s intuition.
Remember, consistency is key when it comes to skincare. By following these tips and incorporating the right products into your routine, you can maintain healthy, radiant skin well into your 40s and beyond.
Read more beauty & lifestyle tips:
How to Update Your Skincare Routine for Fall
I Used a Rose Quartz Roller Daily for 2 Weeks - This is What Happened
Updating Your Skin Care Routine for Fall
Trends and updates in line with the season are not just for clothing.
As you know, a change in season also introduces changes to your makeup and skincare routines. Now that autumn has arrived, it’s time to bring out not just your sweaters and hats, but also your thicker moisturizers.
The cooler weather, coupled with constant exposure to radiators, can cause dry, flaky skin. Fall is the season of skin tightness, dryness and seasonal breakouts, and we need to upgrade our skincare routine to be ready for that.
Rise up to the challenge of the changing seasons. Here are 6 essential tips for keeping your skincare routine optimized for the autumn season.
6 Skin Care Updates for Fall
Bring out richer moisturizer
The lightweight, oil-free moisturizer you’ve been using all summer will not be enough for your skin’s hydration needs in the fall. You can still use your light lotion, of course, but you should use a rich moisturizer for nighttime. Think of it as a way to prepare for winter, when the air gets even drier.
Switch from gel-based to cream-based moisturizers to lock in more moisture on your skin. Cream moisturizers have more oil than water, so they’re better at sealing moisture in the dry season. But if cream is too heavy for you, you can switch to a serum first. Just don’t stick to last summer’s moisturizing gel. Don’t forget to take care of your lips, too! Put a moisturizer and barrier balm on your lips to prevent them from getting chapped and flaky.
Treat and prevent skin damage and breakouts
Shifts in temperature and humidity are likely to trigger acne breakouts. But don’t panic! A mask with aloe and multivitamins can soothe and hydrate your skin instantly. Using a mask at least once a week is recommended. If you can’t decide which mask to use, you can always get multiple masks to target different areas of concern about your skin.
Adding vitamin C to your fall regimen is also a good idea. Vitamin C helps repair damaged skin. The intense heat of summer usually causes skin damage, such as uneven skin tone and dark skin. Fine lines and wrinkles can also be treated with this vitamin. Last but not least, applying sunscreen is a no-brainer, whatever the season.
Choose cleansers and toners that moisturize
Among the best beauty buys for fall are cleansers, toners, and masks that have moisturizing properties. There is no way to overestimate the importance of hydration during cooler, dryer days. Micellar cleansing water can give a moisture boost for parched, sun-kissed skin coming out of the summer months. This is also a good way to prop up your skin's barrier properties to keep you protected from the harsh fall, and eventually winter, weather.
Remember to exfoliate— but not too much
You might think that scrubbing will just make your skin drier, but a skin-sloughing agent actually treats parched, flaky skin. Exfoliating also stimulates natural oil production. A face and/or body scrub once or twice a week will be a great addition to your routine. Follow-up with a gentle, soap-free cleanser for best results.
However, be wary of over-exfoliating because this can leave your skin vulnerable to inflammation and loss of hydration. If your skin is perpetually inflamed, irritated, itchy, or even painful, then you’ll know you’re exfoliating too much. In this case, you can switch to a mask or treatment pad.
Book a facial appointment
No time, no problem! If you can spare some time for at least a 30-minute facial, it can do wonders for your skin. Our skin naturally goes through a cycle of shredding and renewal, but this process is aggravated by seasonal changes. Getting a facial is not only an excellent way to get deep cleansing and a skin revitalization, but also a way to get expert help on specific skin issues related to the fall-related change in temperature and humidity.
Get a humidifier
Speaking of autumn weather, you will probably be exposed to a lot of artificial heat from radiators and heaters at work, in the mall, and even at home. But getting warm and cozy is not the only problem. You will need extra humidity, too. Heat and low humidity makes the skin prone to flaking, cracking, and peeling. Luckily, you can enjoy the extra heat indoors without sacrificing moisture.
Invest in a skin-friendly humidifier that you can put on your desk or a corner of your room. As soon as you turn up the heat, make sure you turn on the humidifier, too. That way, your skin will get the temperature and humidity it needs to stay healthy and soft.
Final tip: Transitioning your skincare for fall
If it’s not already clear by now, the key to great skin in the autumn months is moisture. To make the most out of your skincare regimen this fall, remember these six steps:
Use richer moisturizer.
Treat and prevent skin damage.
Choose moisturizing toners and cleansers.
Exfoliate thoroughly but not excessively.
Book a facial.
Buy a humidifier.
About the Contributor
Sophia Young recently quit a non-writing job to finally be able to tell stories and paint the world through her words. She loves talking about fashion and weddings and travel, but she can also easily kick ass with a thousand-word article about the latest marketing and business trends, finance-related topics, and can probably even whip up a nice heart-warming article about family life. She can totally go from fashion guru to your friendly neighborhood cat lady with mean budgeting skills and home tips real quick.
I Took Collagen Daily for 21 Days and You Won’t Believe My Results!
Have you been keeping up with your skin care routine? I definitely tried to but the past few months have been a doozy to say the least. Since things are slowly starting to calm down, and I’ll hopefully be back to wedding planning soon, I decided to take some time to think about how to step up my beauty game. I have several skin care favorites that I use every day, and I indulge in regular skin treats like face masks and rose quartz rolling. But sometimes, especially once you hit a certain age, you’ve got to step up your game! There are only so many things you can do topically, so I started thinking about skin care from within. Obviously diet plays a huge role in how your skin, nails, and hair look. But we never get everything we need from dieting alone. A lot of people rely on vitamins and supplements to get their maximum nutrition, and there are plenty of supplements designed for beauty as well.
One of the most important beauty supplements is collagen. Collagen is amazing for a whole host of reasons, but you have to find the right formula and take it consistently for best results. I decided to do a 21 Day Collagen Challenge to see what would happen after consistent use. Keep reading for more about the benefits of taking collagen daily, how it can benefit your skin, hair, nails and overall health, and the results from my 21 Day Collagen Challenge!
I Took Collagen Daily for 21 Days and You Won’t Believe My Results!
Benefits of Taking Collagen Daily
So what are the benefits of taking a collagen supplement? Collagen is great for more than just beauty! Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It’s essential for the connective tissues that make up several parts of your body, like tendons, ligaments, skin, and muscles. Collagen supports these essentials, and also has several other health benefits, from helping with joint pain to improving overall skin health. Collagen also improves elasticity and hydration, which is why it’s essential for anti-aging. It helps strengthen skin, reduce wrinkles and increase hydration and elasticity.
Collagen is also great for nails and hair! Taking collagen daily can prevent brittle, weak nails and encourage hair growth.
Collagen Tablets vs Drinking Collagen
So what’s the best way to get your collagen in? There are tons of options on the market so it can understandably get pretty overwhelming. From capsules to powders to liquid drinks, to injectables, the options can seem never ending!
I’ve tried both collagen capsules and collagen powder that you mix into a beverage to drink in liquid form. Both have pros and cons so it’s really up to you! A pill or tablet is the fastest, easiest way to get your collagen. However if you already take a lot of other vitamins and supplements it can get annoying adding another one to your plate.
Studies have shown that liquid collagen is digested and absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly and efficiently than solid supplements, so they really are best for maximizing the benefits of taking collagen. Collagen powders are another popular option, and the most versatile. A collagen powder can be mixed with pretty much anything – coffee, smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, etc. It’s a great way to sneak in the supplement without really realizing that it’s there. This approach really only works if you find a formula that is perfectly odorless and colorless, and that dissolves quickly and easily. It can take some trial and error to find a formula that works for you, so look for samples before committing to a huge tub! I love my Hair La Vie collagen, but it really only mixes with water. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is another great formula. It’s a high protein formula so not a low calorie collagen supplement, but it works well with my high protein diet. I love how easily it mixes into just about anything – no clumps, chalkiness, weird smell or taste!
Results from Taking Collagen Daily
So does taking collagen daily really make a difference? I have been taking collagen on and off for years, but kind of fell off my routine the past few months. I’ve been trying to get back to normal in a lot of ways, and my health and beauty routines are just one of the areas I’m revamping. After being out of my routine for a while, I decided to get back to business with a 21 day collagen challenge. Essentially, I would commit to taking a collagen supplement daily – either in capsule or powder form. Keep reading for my results from taking collagen every day!
Week 1 of the Collagen Challenge
I’ve been on a smoothie kick, so I start by adding a scoop of the Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides to my usual recipe. The standard serving size is 2 scoops, but I want to start with a small amount to make sure it doesn’t affect the taste and texture. Everything is all good, so the next day I add 2 scoops and it’s still completely unnoticeable.
On days where I don’t make a smoothie I just mix the collagen into my coffee. It’s really amazing how unnoticeable it is, so that is an upside to this challenge. I also have a jar of Hum collagen pills that I never finished, so if I forget to take the powdered collagen I just pop one of the supplements instead. I don’t notice any major results the first few days, but the extra protein boost from the collagen powder keeps me full longer so I snack less. Maybe there will be an added weight loss bonus at the end of this 21 Day Collagen Challenge?
Week 2 of the Collagen Challenge
I experiment with adding the collagen to more recipes – oatmeal, pancakes, a yogurt parfait. Love the versatility and how easy it is to mix in with everything! I also notice that my nails are growing faster than usual. I’ve always had nails that will grow and stay pretty strong, but they do tend to get ridges or microtears that make me have to trim them down. This week they are looking long and sturdy! My skin also feels softer, but I don’t notice any major results. Not that I expect to see immediate skin results from taking collagen every day for 2 weeks. I see my collagen routine more as something long term and preventative when it comes to anti-aging.
Week 3 of the Collagen Challenge
Towards the end of the third week I notice a big impact in my hair - less breakage and shedding and a little bit more shine! It’s hard to tell with kinky curly hair, but I definitely think something is happening. I also love that the high protein collagen helps keep me fuller longer so I snack less and stay in a calorie deficit. Nails are staying on point too and my skin looks nice and healthy.
Overall, I definitely recommend taking a collagen supplement daily. You may not notice instant results, but be patient. Collagen is amazing for anti-aging, so even if you aren’t amazed by your immediate results, you may be grateful you comitted to the routine years later. Let me know if you decide to try a 21 Day Collagen Challenge and what results you get from taking collagen daily!
12 Face Oils You Need to Add to Your Routine Now!
Well I just had another birthday, so you know what that means . . . time to seriously adjust my skin care routine. I’m not one of those women that is terrified of aging, so I’m definitely not freaking out. I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished and turning one year older is a great reminder to celebrate that. However I’m human and am of course very aware of my appearance. Being on camera a lot as an influencer can add pressure, and the non-stop Zoom meetings this year didn’t help! Who else has gotten so tired of seeing their own face up close and personal while on Zoom video calls? It seriously started getting to me after over a year of working from home.
In any case, skin care is part of self care, and your self-care routine should be adjusted based on what is going on in your life. Even though I have oily skin, working in face oils have been a GOD SEND for my skin care routine! It may sound counter-intuitive, but keeping oily skin properly hydrated is key to balancing oil production and keeping the shine under control. Plus, as you get older, your skin needs more TLC and face oils can help give you that.
I’m rounding up some of my favorite face oils and all the ways to work them into your skin care routine!
12 Face Oils to Add to Your Routine Now!
Why You Should Use Face Oils
So let’s talk about why you should be using face oils! There are a ton of benefits to using face oils in your skin care routine. If you suffer from dry skin they can deliver the moisture you need to keep your skin glowing. If your skin is on the oily side, they can help properly hydrate your skin to maintain balance.
Face Oils for Every Skin Care Concern
There are different types of face oils for every concern. The simplest formulas focus on moisturizing, but there are plenty of other oil based skin treatments you can consider. There are Vitamin C infused face oils that can help boost radiance and reduce dark spots, retinol face oils that help improve texture, and even CBD infused facial oils designed to reduce inflammation and swelling. Face oils are also great for anti-ageing and there are even face oils for oily skin.
Best Selling Face Oil Treatments
These are some of my favorite face oils at every budget! The Vintner’s Daughter is definitely a splurge, but it is hands down one of the best products I have ever used. Pixi’s retinol facial oil is another amazing option at a price point you can’t beat. I just started using the Biossance Vitamin C + Rose Oil, but the early results are looking good! And for a simple oil treatment focused on hydration and radiance, you can’t go wrong with the Drunk Elephant Luxury Facial Oil.
How to Use Cleansing Facial Oils
My evening routine always starts with a good cleanse! I use a facial oil to gently remove makeup and debris, then follow up with a gel or cream cleanser to cleanse and treat my skin. I prefer that method since the oil gets rid of all the makeup and top layer of grime, but it’s a much gentler method than using makeup remover wipes. I apply the oil to dry skin and massage it in for a few seconds, then add a few drops of warm water to emulsify. Then I gently wipe it all off with a black face towel that I dampen with warm water.
Oil Based Skin Care Treatments
You can even use oil based treatments for your other beauty needs! Everyone should be using eye cream, so you can try an anti-aging eye oil. Or instead of lip balm, a super moisturizing lip oil can do the trick And we all should be getting our omega 3’s and this formula from Hum is one of my faves. Most fish oil supplements leave a little bit of yucky aftertaste, but not this one!
Are you guys working facial oils into your beauty routine? Let me know how you use them!
I Used a Rose Quartz Roller Daily for 2 Weeks. Here’s What Happened
How many of you start updating your skin care routine for the New Year? I usually keep it pretty consistent and avoid following beauty trends, but I happened to get a rose quartz face roller around the holidays! I’ve seen a lot of buzz about them, but never considered adding one into my rotation. My skin care process is involved enough and I also wasn’t buying the hype about them. Can a little stone rolling device really transform your skin? I debated returning it for some of my beauty favorites that I knew would be efficient, but decided to give it a try for 2 weeks and see what would happen.
Keep reading more my experience with rose quartz face rolling, why you should use a rose quartz face roller, and of course, my results from regular use of a face roller.
Benefits of Rose Quartz Face Rolling
Rose Quartz rolling apparently has a ton of benefits! If you are into the various meanings of stones and elements, rose quartz is said to be a healing stone. Rose quartz is believed to remove emotional stress, purify energy, open the heart, as well as comfort and sooth. Rose quartz face rollers are said to improve blood circulation and overall skin tone, remove wrinkles and puffiness, reduce dark undereye circles, eliminate toxins and promote lymphatic drainage. Sounds like a miracle treatment, right? I was definitely skeptical that a rose quartz roller would do all of this, so I was excited to use it daily for 14 days and see what would happen.
Rose Quartz versus Jade Face Rollers
There are a lot of stone rollers on the market, and rose quartz and jade are some of the most popular. So, what’s the difference between a rose quartz roller and a jade roller? Jade rollers also have the benefit of increased circulation and lymphatic drainage, which is your body’s natural way of detoxing. Jade is also more known to have a brightening effect on the skin. However, jade is a softer stone than rose quartz, so your rose quartz roller will be more durable and last longer than a jade roller will. A jade roller also will warm on contact, while a rose quartz roller will stay cool much longer. This is partially why rose quartz rollers have more of the pore tightening benefits than jade rollers. Rose quartz rolling also helps your skin care products absorb more deeply, so they can really penetrate your skin and perform more effectively.
How to Use a Rose Quartz Face Roller
So here is how my 14 day rose quartz roller challenge went! Some people keep their face rollers in the fridge but I knew that wouldn’t work for me. I decided to pop it in the freezer for about 15 minutes before using it. Then every night I would do my normal skin care routine before starting to roll. I didn’t add any new products or change my routine so I could be sure that any change in my skin could be attributed to the rose quartz roller. Then I would roll my face and neck for about 2-3 minutes each night. If you use a rose quartz or jade roller, make sure to roll outwards and down. Imagine your nose as the center of your face and everything rolling away from your nose, towards your hairline and down your jawline and chin. This encourages proper lymphatic drainage. I kept the pressure moderate and comfortable, and use the big end for face and neck and the small end for underneath my eyes. It felt cool and refreshing but not otherwise remarkable.
Results of Rose Quartz Face Rolling
After about 3 days of daily rose quartz rolling I noticed that my skin felt a little tighter and firmer. On day 5 I had dinner with friends I hadn’t seen in a while and a few people asked if I had lost weight. This was a week after Christmas and I most definitely had not! The rose quartz roller was actually making my face and neck look more slender! Around day 7 my fiancé came home with a pretty bad shoulder bruise and he asked if I could test my fancy roller on it. Bruising is caused when blood vessels beneath the skin burst, causing the patchy redness. Since the rose quartz roller is supposed to help reduce inflammation and uneven skin tone I decided to test it out on him. The bruise was pretty much gone after 2 days of rolling!
By day 10 of consistent face rolling I was hooked. My dark circles were reduced, my pores look smaller, and skin looks firmer and more toned. Overall, I feel like I’m just waking up prettier and you have to love that as a result! If you are curious about trying a rose quartz roller, in my opinion it’s a must!
Some of them are insanely expensive, but the exact one I have is linked below and it’s only $20. Also including some of my current skin care favorites.
Let me know if you try rose quartz face rolling and what you think!
Keeping that Glow! Get Unready with Me and Aveeno MaxGlow!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MaxYourGlow #CollectiveBias
Hope you all are ready for Christmas! I’m sure you will be spending the next few days grabbing last minute gifts, finishing decorating and wrapping everything, and if you are hosting, prepping for the big party. Crazy stressful right? It’s so hard to juggle everything this time of year, stay balanced, and not lose your mind in the process. Plus the holiday season also demands that you always look glam and put together, which just adds another level of pressure! As much as I enjoy hair, makeup, and fun outfits, sometimes you just NEED a bare face and sweat pants. One way I stay sane and squeeze in self-care is to find an off night, or even an early evening, where I stay home and show my skin some extra TLC. Here are a few steps I take to get unready and pamper myself during the stressful holiday season.
Hover over the image above for product information and to purcahase at CVS
The first thing to go is whatever sparkly, tight, layered thing I had on, kick off the heels and cozy up in a warm, fluffy bathrobe. Sometimes I’ll treat my hair to an overnight oil treatment for extra moisture, sleeping with it covered by a plastic cap and satin bonnet.
Then it’s time to get all the holiday makeup off! I’ve been using the Aveeno Positively Radiant Micellar Gel Cleanser. I love micellar cleansers as a first step in my getting unready routine, since they gently remove makeup without stripping the skin. Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Micellar Gel Cleanser is formulated with a moisture-rich soy and kiwi complex and it helps skin feel hydrated, soft, and enhances your skin’s natural radiance. More than just a cleansing and moisturizing routine The AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Collection is designed to enhance your natural radiance and give you a lit-from-within glow. Each soy enriched product targets tone and texture.
I also love using face masks, and do one at least once or twice a week. When you don’t have time to put one on then sit and wait, sleeping masks are perfect. Who wouldn’t want to put one on before bed and wake up glowing?
Aveeno’s Maxglow No Mess Sleep Mask is a new one I’ve been testing out. This nighttime face mask helps even skin tone and texture for soft, luminous skin when you wake. Plus the tube includes a paddle applicator so that your hands stay clean for an easy, mess-free application. Then just rinse off in the morning for radiant, glowing skin. Don’t worry about it making a mess when you sleep, the mask will stay on your face and not end up all over your pillows. After I apply it, I like to tuck myself in, turn that phone on silent and spend some time reading or just reflecting on my day. I think it’s important to unplug and not spend the last moments of your day staring at a phone screen.
Since this time of year doesn’t allow much time for personal shopping, the most convenient beauty destination to pick up these products is your local CVS. CVS is actually one of the largest beauty retailers in the United States, so it makes staying on top of your beauty needs easier than ever. Make sure you check out the AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Collection if you want to enhance your natural radiance and give you a lit-from-within glow.
Seasonal-Skincare Remix - Taking Your Skincare Routine from Summer to Fall!
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BTSWithPinkGrapefruit #CollectiveBias
Well Labor Day has passed and summer is pretty much over! Even though we've got a few more weeks of warm weather, the summer vibe is over and it's time to start seriously thinking about Fall. I still haven't done much Fall shopping, but have been thinking about transitioning my skin care routine to get ready for the new season. I don't know about you guys, but my high-summer products can be pretty intense - deep cleansers, exfoliators and toners to keep pores clear.
But as temps and humidity settle down for Fall, I start going easier on my skin. My skin is on the oily, acne-prone side so I always have to keep that in mind when trying new products. One of my long-term go-to products is the NEUTROGENA® Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Gel cleanser. Did you guys know that NEUTROGENA® is the #1 Dermatologist recommended Acne Brand? This cleanser smells amazing, cleanses thoroughly but doesn't leave my skin feeling harsh or stripped. Since cleansing is the base of any skincare routine, it's important to use one that can clean but keep your skin balanced! With Grapefruit Extract + Vitamin C, it clears breakouts and even the marks they leave behind, basically washing away the sins of your summer!
I also tend to go lighter on my foundation in the summer. However come Fall, I go back wearing a little bit more for the grown-up, put together vibe the new season calls for. Double cleansing becomes an essential for the new season. I start with the NEUTROGENA® Cleansing Wipes, Pink Grapefruit, then go in with the cleanser. The wipes sweep away pore-clogging dirt and oil in one simple step, leaving skin clean with no greasy residue.
As things cool off in late Fall/early Winter, make sure you are using a moisturizer that is more hydrating, and throw in a weekly sheet masks for good measure!
I love shopping at CVS for most of my household needs, and their beauty department is seriously stepping it up! You can find classics like the NEUTROGENA® product line, and an impressive selection of color cosmetics, nail polish and nail art, hair care, and false eyelashes. Make sure you check it out, and let me know what you think of the NEUTROGENA® Pink Grapefruit Line!
5 Skin Care Essentials I Can't Live Without
This summer has been a hot one! We've had several heat waves and the humidity feels like it's at an all time high. I try to make small tweaks to my beauty routine every season, based on the changes in temperature and what's going on in my life at the time. Since my summers tend to be super busy and full of weekend trips, I try to give my skin a little extra TLC! Here are some new products my skin has been loving.
Tula Beauty Probiotic Skin Care Line
The brand focused on using clean, clinically proven, high-quality ingredients to create cruelty free products that help women feel more confident. The brand gifted me some of their best selling products that are now available at Ulta. The Purifying Face Cleanser keeps my skin clean, refreshed, and balanced, their Eye Renewal Serum keeps puffy eyes at bay, and the Hydrating Day and Night Cream is moisturizing but not too heavy for my combination-oily skin.
FIlorga OPTIM-EYES® Eye contour cream
This baby is an eye-cream power house, keeping wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness away. I recived this product through Octoly and have been loving the results. I especially notice a difference when I've spent long days out and about in the sun. It includes a high-tech blend of Filorga’s NCTF®, a polyrevitalization cocktail of 59 ingredients and Filorga’s own hyaluronic acid.
Australian Pink Clay Mask - Urban Defence
I usually do a mask once or twice a week and a new one I've been trying is the Australian Pink Clay Mask - Urban Defence. I also recived this through Octoly, and the pretty pink hue begs to be Instagrammed! The mask is packed with unique ingredients, like Kakadu plum – a tiny Australian fruit that holds the highest known natural source of vitamin C and helps stimulate collagen, reduce hyperpigmentation, and protect from harsh environmental aggressors. There is also vitamin E for reinforcement at blocking free radicals, age-fighting vitamin A, and old man weed – a traditional indigenous medicinal remedy which fights acne-causing bacteriaI. It leaves my pores looking tighter and skin feeling smooth and refreshed.
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil
Cleansing oils are magic, even for oily skin! One of my go-to oils is by Shu Uemura. Can you believe 1 bottle sold every 7 seconds around the world! I love how it clears away makeup, oil and impurities without stripping/drying the skin.
InstaNatural Collagen Age Defense
Since beauty starts from within, vitamins and supplements are a major part of my beaut routine. I take a collagen supplement daily, and this time it's been the InstaNatural Collagen Age Defense. The formula is full of ingredients proven to improve the appearance of skin from the inside out; MicroActive® Resveratrol and BioCell Collagen® reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness while increasing collagen levels in the skin. Careless® Mango and Florabella® support circulation and improve skin tone and elasticity. With consistent use expect to see healthier, smoother more radiant skin over time.
Let me know what new products you have in your rotation, or anything you are dying to try!
Be Your Own #SkinGoals with Avya Skincare!
This post is sponsored by Avya Skincare, all opinions are my own
Your beauty routine should always start with skincare. Everyone’s skin has unique challenges, and for women like me who have an abundance of melanin, we have to consider several other factors when choosing a skin care product. Avya Skincare is an amazing new luxury skincare line designed specifically to address issues that commonly affect women of color - pigmentation and skin discoloration.
The Day Moisturizer is enriched with snow mushroom, niacinamide, and other rare botanicals, to protect and defend your skin from everyday environmental stressors. That is super important if you live in an urban area like this NYC girl!
The Night Moisturizer features Vitamin A and provides overnight hydration and renews skin without irritation so you can wake up flawless! If you are sensitive to retinoids/Vitamin A based products, or have never used them before, you may notice some dryness or flaking at first. Just try using the product every other day instead of daily until your skin gets used to it, and avoid using exfoliants or anything with acids for a while.
At $105 and $110 respectively they are a pretty penny, but think of it as an investment in healthy skin and aging gracefully. Check out the full line at avyaskincare.com and let me know how you like it!
That High Maintenance Life: Adventures in Chemical Peels
Post peel makeup!
I’ve been reworking my skincare routine to find the balance between managing breakouts and preventing the early signs of aging. It’s been tricky finding ways to keep my oily skin under control and keep the wrinkles at bay, especially since most anti-aging treatments involve heavy moisturizing.
Last night on my Snapchat and Insta story, I took you behind the scenes of my first chemical peel with Dr Charles from Derma di Colore. In preparation for the peel, I streamlined my skin care routine for 2 weeks prior, eliminating my retinoids and oil-control formulas in favor of gentle hydrating products.
I relied on one of my new favorites, the Hydroxatone Hydrologic Active Infusion Moisture Mask. This new product was sent to me by their team to review, and it’s an amazing cleansing mask that deep cleans while delivering long lasting hydration. You start out like a normal face wash, applying it and massaging into the skin, then leave it on for 3 minutes before rinsing. I also used their Deep Moisture Sheet Mask instead of my usual charcoal one. I usually kept this one for long flights to save my skin from drying cabin air, and it was a great way to help my skin build moisture before the chemical peel.
Getting the peel on
These products had my skin feeling plump, refreshed and radiant and I was ready for the peel to do it’s work! I was low-key terrified I would come out looking like a lobster. Who could forget the Sex and the City episode when Samantha walked out of the office after a peel, red-faced, burnt and terrifying small children! But as you saw on Instagram, I left looking like my normal self. No dramatic results, but he does recommend repeating the treatment monthly to see its impact. In the meantime I’ll be keeping up with my gentle, moisture balancing routing with my Hydroxatone product line and layering on the sunscreen!
My Updated Anti-Aging Beauty Routine
Not telling how old I am because #noneofyourbusiness, but its definitely the time in my life where I’m starting to appreciate anti-aging skin care. Obviously the earlier you start an anti-aging regimen the better, but my skin still is on the oily, acne prone side and a lot of anti-aging ingredients revolve around moisture. It’s been a challenge to find products that are a good fit and address both my skin care concerns.
I was so excited to be able to partner with Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare! Just take a look at how amazing she looks and tell me you wouldn’t be convinced to do pretty much anything she said to age like that! Here are the products I’ve been testing the past 2 weeks and my initial thoughts.
Image via Brinkley Beauty Instagram
Thermal Detox Warming Cleansing Mask
I always do a mask once a week, and this one is a really nice cleansing one that feels much more gentle than some of my go-to formulas. The treatment is heat-enhanced so warms when in contact with water to purify skin and enhance radiance. You are supposed to apply it to dry skin, but mine was slightly damp, so I got the warming benefits up front and again when I started rinsing it off. It leaves my skin feeling nice and refreshed, and definitely more balanced after a few uses.
Image via Brinkley Beauty Instagram
Refocus Eye Undereye Treatment
This serum basically does everything you’d want an eye treatment to do – reduce fine lines & wrinkles, firm and smooth the skin, and brighten up the area. The serum is loaded with a Bio-Copper Complex, which is designed to naturally build collagen and elastin. I definitely noticed my under-eye area was brighter after the first week or use, and no puffiness either. I hope with continued use it will keep the crows feet at bay!
Complete Clarity Facial Cleansing Wash
This cleanser is lightweight, and barely suds, but it’s been a great 2nd step in my cleansing process. I still start with coconut oil to remove most of my makeup, just because wipes usually irritate my skin and cleanser alone doesn’t cut it! It leaves my skin feeling really clean and refresh, but without that tight, stripped feeling I get after using most clarifying formulas. This is definitely a new favorite.
Make sure you check out all the products in Christie Brinkley's skincare line, and let me know your faves!
My Head to Toe Skin Care Secrets
Even though I look younger than my age, I'm still aware of the fact that I may not always be so fortunate. My skin has had it's ups and downs, being plagued by acne since college. Thanks to a vigilant skin care routine, a wonderful dermatologist, and probably some sheer dumb luck, my skin is more or less decent. Except for that time of the month when all hell (and pimples) break loose.
Here are some of my holy grail techniques for keeping the skin on my face and body in top condition! High maintenance, maybe. But hey, no woman has ever regretted taking care of herself!
Double Cleansing
Yes, I wear a good amount of makeup on a daily, and my cleanser literally just doesn't cut it. I start by gently massaging a light oil, like coconut or sweet almond oil into my skin, then gently wiping it off wit a steaming hot face cloth. This gets all the makeup off, opens my pores, and gets my skin ready for cleansing. My go to formulas are the Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser or the Boscia Detoxifying Cleanser.
Toning
My night I use Neutrogena Fight and Fade toner and by day SKII Facial Essence. There is a difference between an essence and a toner, as several beauty specialists have tried to explain to me. However I still don't get it! I just know you apply both the same way, and at the same point in your skincare routine (after washing, before serum).
Treatment
I recently started using the L'Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal system that I got complimentary for testing via BzzAgent. I love the eye cream, and the day moisturizer, but the night cream is a bit too heavy for my oily skin. However it makes for an awesome hand treatment! I always rub a serum and bit of anti-aging cream onto my hands before bed. That skin is delicate and is exposed on a daily basis, which is why your hands are the first place to start showing signs of aging. Give them the TLC they deserve.
Exfoliating
I exfoliate weekly, starting with a good brush down with a body brush on dry skin before hopping in the shower. Then I scrub up with a body scrub, lately Ole Henrikson or something from The Body Shop. After buffing I apply a few drops of my hair oil, which containts jojoba, almond, olive, castor oil and rose and vanilla essential oils for fragrance.
Foot Treatments
Keep those puppies soft by giving them a daily once over with a pumice stone. When callouses get stubborn, I use a gel and foot file to slough them off, and do a Baby Foot peel about twice a year. A quick Google image search will confirm that this is the grossest beauty treatment ever - but the feeling of having brand new feet keeps me doing it!
What are your go to skin care products? Any tips to stay flawless from head to toe?