fall faves

I haven't fallen this hard for a product in a while. My moisturizer is meh, and I rotate cleansers constantly...I'm content with all of them, I just like to try new products. Basically, I like to keep my skin guessing. Anyway, I recently tried Sunday Riley's Good Genes and oh my heaven's do I wish I had skin like this all the time and I wish I could afford it! This is a product that my skin loves and it's obvious when I haven't used it...so I guess it needs to stay in the routine! It's a nighttime serum that is primarily a 30% lactic acid. Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy (think: glycolic) but because it is derived from milk, it's the gentlest of all the AHA's. That's why a 30% isn't such a scary amount when it's a gentler ingredient from the get-go. But if you're super sensitive you can apply it a couple times a week and leave on for a few minutes, then rinse. I personally use it about 4-5x a week (without rinsing it off), put a moisturizer on over it and go to bed. I wake up with skin that is clearer, more even, pores are tighter and fine lines are harder to see. Now you see why I love this product?

Ole Henricksen Empower Me Cleanser is a gentle, creamy foaming cleanser. When the weather turns cold I know my skin needs more moisture so I like that this doesn't strip my skin of it's hydration. It's also pH balanced, so it has a built-in toner and technically removes makeup too. Oh, it also smells fabulous!

I know the EOS Shave Cream is a bit random here, but I'm really crazy about this lately. I've used it all summer long and it's a rich cream that doesn't lather (unlike most shave creams that foam) so a little goes a long way. I get such a smooth shave when I use this, and my legs feel so soft and hydrated that I probably don't even need body lotion after.

The Peter Thomas Roth Blue Marine Algae Mask is a lovely mask that makes my skin feel cushioney soft and plump with hydration. It's a gel mask that is loaded with algae and hyaluronic acid, which infuses dehydrated skin with loads of moisture. This is also great at calming inflammation and can be used 2-3 times a week, or everyday if needed. And in the winter, it might just be needed everyday.

So now that the season has changed, do you change your skincare products too? I'd love to hear what your using!

p.m. routine

When the moon rises, it's time to hit the sink and start the night time ritual of removing the day's face. When you're body is at rest, products have a chance to absorb and sink deeper into the skin, so this is the time to really pack on the products. If you're afraid of layering during the day, because you also wear makeup, save the treatments for the evening. They'll be more effective anyway.


1. When I'm wearing anything waterproof (like liner or mascara), the Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover is one of the best at taking everything off. I usually soften my lashes with a bit of warm water, then pour the remover onto a cotton round and hold it on my lashes for a minute. Then I gently wipe the makeup off, without rubbing, to prevent eyelashes from falling out.

2. Ole Henriksen Nurture Me Makeup Removing Wipes are made of a soft cotton, so they're gentle on my face but also take every ounce of makeup off. Most days I just use these wipes and then follow with a cleanser.

3. Caudalie Instant Foaming Mousse Cleanser is something I could literally inhale because I love the clean cucumber scent! It's also a wonderfully pH balanced cleanser, so no toner is necessary.

4a. Dermadoctor Poetry in Lotion is a 1% retinol treatment that I only use 3x a week, so that's why I have the other serums for my "off" nights. When I use the retinol, I skip the moisturizer and eye cream and just use a bit of oil (7.) to keep my skin from drying out.

4b. Dr. Brandt Laser Perfect Serum has a lovely feel and sinks in quickly. It's jam-packed with antioxidants to keep my skin supple and healthy.

4c. When my skin gets a bit dull, Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester 15 ampoules do just the trick. Vitamin C Ester is patented by Dr. Perricone and is one of the most stable and effective Vitamin C's available. Any dark spots fade and there's an overall radiance to my skin that I'm crazy about.

5. The triple peptide formulation in Dr. Brandt Do Not Age Eye cream gives my eye area the firming and hydration that it needs after a long day of smiling.

6. Who knew I would like Greek yogurt so much that I'd put it on my face? The Greek folks at Korres did, that's who. Their Korres Advanced Nourishing Sleeping Facial contains Greek yogurt, which is a superior hydrator for the skin, and keeps my face feeling plump and soft.

7. Caudalie Premier Cru Elixir is an anti-aging oil that I use over my moisturizer for extra hydration. I've also used this oil before and really liked it, but the Elixir oil is full of anti-inflammatory prickly pear, which makes it a superb anti-aging. Plus, it smells of soft, springtime roses that just make you feel blissful.

8. Whenever I have a doosey of a pimple coming (or has arrived) I just dip a Q-tip into this little jar of pink bliss: Kate Somerville EradiKate. Although the sulfur smell is not my favorite, the results are worth it and my blemishes are leveled flat in no time.


So, what's your evening routine like? Do you have different products for day time vs. night time?

wake up call

On a regular basis, I'm asked what products I use. Sometimes people ask me because they're complimenting me. Sometimes they genuinely want to know so that I can recommend something from my routine. And sometimes I think they want to know so that they can test me. Maybe they're testing me because they know I'm an Esthetician or because I have a beauty blog, or because they know I have a terrible memory and can't remember the products I use on my face every. day. It's pathetic, really.

Anyway, here's my routine for the fall/winter/early spring seasons (I'll post my p.m. routine tomorrow). As the weather warms up, some of these products will change.

1. First Aid Beauty Cleanser is my go-to cleanser when I need to use something quick and gentle. Sometimes my face is extra sensitive (maybe from a peel or too much retinol) and this cleanser will clean my skin without drying it or adding to any irritation.

2. I alternate between the First Aid Beauty Cleanser and this one. The Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Cleanser feels like you are washing your face with a cloud. It's a creamy foam that is heaven sent for combo/dry skin...it also doesn't hurt that the soft citrus scent gently wakes me up.

3. Kate Somerville ExfoliKate is a facial in a tube. It contains enzymes, an AHA peel and also granules so it's a triple exfoliator that packs a major punch. My skin is super soft every time I use this.

4. I don't know how I've lived without Dr. Brandt Needles No More. It's a targeted serum that's only applied to the areas where Botox would go (which is only the forehead and outer crow's feet) and a dual peptide delivery system relaxes the muscle contraction and mimics the results of Botox, but without the needle. There are immediate and cumulative results and I'm just over the moon about it.

5. Shiseido Ultimune Concentrate is a pre-treatment serum that is full of antioxidant protection to keep my skin on the D-E-F-E-N-S-E all. day. long.

6. Fresh Black Tea Eye Concentrate is a lovely, hydrating (albeit rich) eye cream that moisturizes my dry eye area. It also doesn't hurt that it's loaded with anti-aging benefits.

7. I've expressed the benefits of using a hyaluronic acid serum before and Perricone MD Hyalo Plasma is the one I use to keep myself from slathering my dehydrated skin with gross stuff, like Vaseline.

8. Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Cream has a cream-gel texture that sinks in and feels great. I only wish it had an SPF, but at least I get that from my tinted moisturizer.

Ok, so what are the products you use in the morning? Do you use as many products as this?