As I started to put this post together I realized how many products I actually try in a month, it’s a lot. I always label myself as a minimalist when it comes to skincare and makeup and I’m now realizing that is totally false, at least for the skincare part. I’m not as much of a makeup girl as I am a skincare junkie (my mother’s daughter). I didn’t wear make-up until my first job out of college (true story). Even then, my make-up skills were weak and consisted of tinted moisturizer, mascara, chapstick and maybe some blush. I still don’t like wearing a face full of make-up, and my routine is pretty minimal (my make-up abilities are also quite scarce). But taking care of your skin is so important and since I do in fact try a lot of different products, I thought I’d share the ones I like most every month. I’ve broken it down by category, cleansers, moisturizers, serums, etc. Here goes…
Cleansers
I used two different cleansers this month, the Ibuki Gentle Cleansing Cream from Shiseido and the Fresh Rose Cleansing Foam. I really like the consistency and the lather of the Shiseido cleanser. As someone with really dry skin it gives you that clean feeling without making you feel dry. The cleansing foam from Fresh smells really nice and I prefer to use in the morning when I’m washing my face, it helps wake me up in the am.
Moisturizers
I typically don’t like any creams that come in a jar because I once read about how it’s almost impossible to keep germs and bacteria out and so makes you more prone to breakouts. That said, I used two moisturizers in jars this month and I really like them both so I’m making an exception. The Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Cream smells really nice and feels lightweight but is very hydrating. A great cream for dry winter skin. I used it a few nights a week and occasionally would add a few drops of this serum. I just recently got this Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream by Peter Thomas Roth and I love it. I only use it at night, but my skin feels so soft and hydrated in the morning. It has an almost gel-like consistency when it goes on. In the mornings before I apply make-up I’ve been using this new coconut priming moisturizer by First Aid Beauty. If I’m going to work out or don’t feel like putting on makeup it’s really nice on its own. It gives a dewy look to your skin and it smells nice.
Serums
I’m a huge fan of serums. I use them year round for my dry skin. I’ve been using the Complexion Conserve by Farmaesthetics for several years now and it’s one of my favorite beauty products of all time. A little bit goes a long way. I add about 2-3 drops to my moisturizer in the morning and at night. I also tried this Fresh Seaberry Skin Nutrition Booster. The directions said to use it 2-3 times per week so I used it in place of the complexion conserve a few nights a week. It’s hard to tell if it makes a big difference because I alternated it with the complexion conserve but it didn’t make me break out or irritate my skin and my skin seemed hydrated after use.
Miscellaneous
A few more products I’ve been using that I really like.
Farmaesthetics Facial Mist – I’m a major sucker for face mists. I keep them everywhere and use them all day. I love the ones by Farmaesthetics because they smell so nice. The packaging is also so pretty I keep one out in my bathroom and on my desk.
Shiseido Ibuki Sleeping Mask – Unlike the other two masks above this one you leave on overnight. This mask does wonders for my skin particularly if it’s irritated, dry or just feeling dull.
Shiseido Ibuki Multi Solution Gel – I’m really not one to break out often but the holidays wreaked havoc on my skin and this stuff was a life saver. I use it as a spot treatment anytime I feel a pimple coming on.
Jouer Lip Enhancer Condition Treatment – If you have dry lips, look no further. I’m addicted to this stuff.
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment – I actually bought the trio from Nordstrom and I like all three colors but this one (Honey) is my favorite. It’s like a hydrating lipstick and it has SPF 15.
Masks
I have become a mask addict. I almost never used them a year ago and now I do several times a week. I don’t recommend going crazy with too many different masks though, particularly if you have sensitive skin. I did that recently and ended up with a bumpy skin rash. That said, these two masks were winners. I use the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Intensive Peel 1-2 times per week. My skin always looks amazing afterwards. I usually put it on in the shower and leave it on for about 3-5 minutes. It’s a great mask for exfoliating and this one does that without drying out my skin. It’s somewhat similar to the Goop Exfoliating Instant Facial (but way less expensive). I also used the Fresh Rose Face Mask 1-2 times per week. It has a cooling gel type feeling and left my skin feeling very hydrated afterwards.
Eye Creams
I’m really bad about using eye creams so I’ve been trying to be better about using them on a regular basis. This month I used Shiseido’s Benefiance Wrinkle Resist Eye Cream (which I gave to my Mom for Christmas) and Fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream. I really liked them both but prefer the Shiseido cream for night and the Fresh cream for daytime. You could technically use either one for both, but I think the consistency of the Shiseido cream is thicker and creamier (better for night) and the Fresh is more of a cooling gel so I prefer it for day.
Make-Up
I like to keep a pretty minimal approach to make-up. Partially because I just don’t like the feeling of heavy make-up and also because I hate spending time doing it. These are my tried and true favorites as of late.
Jouer Anti-Aging Primer
Jouer Tinted Moisturizer
First Aid Beauty Color Correcting Cushion
First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Illuminator
Naked Palette
Laura Mercier Concealer
L’Oreal Voluminous Feline Mascara
Glossier Haloscope
I have the same issue with my favorite moisturizer! I hate that it’s in a jar, but it really works the best for me. I recently read a short post on Refinery29 that suggested getting an airless pump bottle from Amazon and putting your own moisturizer from the jar into the bottle. It suggested this one from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CWY33U0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I haven’t tried it yet, but I think I’m going to!
That is such a good idea! I am totally going to do that. Thank you for sharing Annabelle. xx
I love the Jouer tinted moisturizer + rose masks are the best!
x Diana // http://www.dianapearl.com
I live for that stuff and I love that is has SPF.
I have been using the Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Cream and I love it, so I am going to pair it with their under eye cream. And after your rave reviews of the Complexion Conserve Serum, I will definitely have to give that a try!
xo, Lauren
http://www.itsallgoodblog.com
I agree, the smell of the Fresh products is so nice. I highly recommend the complexion conserve, I’ve been using it regularly for several years and it’s still one of my favorite products. A little really goes a long way, 2-3 drops at most mixed in with your moisturizer.
I used to be more of a makeup junkie but definitely gravitating more toward skin care as I get older. I’ve probably already told you this but the layout of your new site is great – I love how it’s broken into separate blocks with titles – feels like a magazine but still super personal. I love all the rose products you mentioned – I definitely want to get a few.
http://www.stephanieterrone.com