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!

Sunscreen: The Dailies

Here in the Boston area, it felt like we skipped spring and jumped straight into summer with 80 degree + days. I'm not complaining though. After record breaking snow falls (boo!!) I'm just so happy that the sun is shining and I'm not sinking into a 7 foot snow drift. But all that glorious sunshine leads to a major issue: sunscreen. 

It ain't just for the beach these days.

Tarte TarteGuard SPF 30 oil-free moisturizer // Jergens Natural Glow Protect Daily Moisturizer SPF 20

You guys, the beauty industry answered my prayers for a gradual tanning body lotion with SPF included. More specifically, Jergens came through for me. Luckily, I've already been an avid applier of the gradual sunless tanning body lotions (and yes, even though I'm super pale the medium to tan skintones is the one I use and it still looks subtle and natural) so to have it also contain a sunscreen is a BIG bonus. Now as the photo indicates, these are my everyday lotions with sunscreen. If I'm at the beach or outside a lot, that's a whole different sunscreen. 

The TarteGuard facial moisturizer is not only oil-free and super lightweight, but it also contains a physical SPF 30! It goes on a little white, but once it's fully rubbed in the whiteness disappears. It also wears perfectly under makeup. 

Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45 // Supergoop Setting Mist with Rosemary SPF 50 

Ruby is obsessed with being outside, and we all know reapplying sunscreen is where it's at, but who wants to mess up their flawless makeup application? Um, no one. And Supergoop totally understands that and that's why they created an SPF 50 (chemical sunscreen) makeup setting spray. That's right, not only will it mattify that oily, sweaty complexion, it will keep the makeup in place and provide you with some extra sun protection. Win win! Supergoop made this bad boy in two sizes, the one pictured above is the small travel one, perfect for keeping in my purse.

I know I've professed my love of the Peter Thomas Roth SPF 45 powder mineral sunscreen before, but it goes without saying that this is essential for my hairline and part. The last thing my thin hair needs is a gloppy sunscreen weighing it down more than gravity already does. And even though this powder is a little yellow, once I rub it in it's not noticeable and it even absorbs oil. This is another one I keep in my purse at all times.


So, what are the sunscreens you use everyday?

drink it up

1. Ren Instant Firming Beauty Shot 2. Dermadoctor Wrinkle Revenge Serum  3. Clarins Hydra Quench Bi-Serum 4. Perricone MD Hyalo Plasma   5. Peter Thomas Roth Viz 1000 Serum 

Taking care of your skin couldn't come at a better time. Most of the country is swept up in Arctic temps, which will leave your skin chapped, red, and dehydrated. Maybe you live in Arizona and are dealing with dry, desert landscapes that equally create Arctic-like havoc on your skin. Or maybe you have oily skin, which breaks out really easily, so the idea of a heavy moisturizer has you terrified. Regardless of your environment, or fears, most of us need more water in our diet, and coincidentally on our face.

That's where Hyaluronic Acid comes in. It sounds scary and potentially dangerous but it's quite the opposite. Hyaluronic Acid (aka Sodium Hyaluronate) is naturally occurring in our skin and plumps up the cells with water-like moisture leaving your skin lubricated, soft and fine lines filled in a bit (if you want a lot of filling, then you get this filler which is primarily made up of Hyaluronic Acid).

The five serums that are featured all contain high amounts of Hyaluronic Acid. A cosmetic chemist once told me that Hyaluronic Acid is a very expensive ingredient, so if you see it high on the ingredient list then that probably explains why you have sticker shock. I have personally tried 4 out of the 5 serums and can tell you that they were like a drink of water for my skin, without feeling greasy (my favorite one is the Perricone Hyalo Plasma though. It has a cushion-y texture that my skin loved and needed). Just apply the serums to clean, dry skin; let it absorb and then follow with your moisturizer (or if you're oily skin, then that is your moisturizer!).

Has your skin changed with the season too? Have you needed to change your skincare routine because of it? I'd love to hear what you're using!

Beauty Fixation: June

Remember when I went through the differences between BB and CC creams? I feel like tinted moisturizers are a thing of the past, and BB/CC creams are taking over... and I'm not upset about it. I think summer is the best time to put away your heavy foundation in favor of something lighter. Just like we put away the soup tureen and bring out the salads, it's time to lighten the load on your face. That's where this little wonder comes in. It's the Peter Thomas Roth CC cream and they just recently came out with a lighter shade, so it's the perfect color for me (they also have 3 darker shades for all you non-pasty folks like me).  

It feels nice and lightweight, but there's great coverage and it evens out my skin nicely. I also like the SPF 30 and that it contains a high dose of Vitamin C, provided by the Brazilian Camu Camu Berry (which is supposed to have 30x more Vitamin C, per ounce, than an orange). 

Do you switch your foundations from season to season? Are there any BB/CC or tinted moisturizers that you're obsessed with?

The true meaning of beauty rest: Sleep Masks

Sleep masks have become a quickly growing trend, and these aren't the silk masks you put on your eyes to shield the light. These masks are focused on intense hydration with added benefits, so here's the roundup:

Dr. Jart Water Fuse Water-Max Sleeping Mask is a beautiful, soft cream-gel consistency that immediately soaks into the skin. Leave this by your bedside table- it's meant to be applied 10 minutes before you fall asleep (that means you've already done your nighttime skincare routine and this goes over it) and in the morning any dry, irritated skin will vanish. Because this is lightweight, this mask is suitable for all skin types, including oily/acne skin. It won't clog the skin or feel heavy, and it may reduce topical dehydration due to aggressive anti-acne treatments.

Nuxe Masque Creme Fraiche de Beaute  has 8 natural milk plant extracts to soothe, moisturize and soften the skin. After cleansing, apply the cream to dry skin and leave on for 10 minutes and either rinse or tissue off... or you can rub it in for extra moisture!

Boscia Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask contains natural plant extracts and oils for anti-aging and hydration. This rich cream is meant to replace your nighttime moisturizer so only use it a few times a week- especially when you need the additional hydration.

Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu Power Cx30 Sleeping Mask is for skin that is lackluster, dull, dry and more importantly... spotty. You know what I mean. Spotty= pigmentation- from either the sun or age or acne... these aren't the freckles you were born with. This mask contains camu camu berry, a fruit that has 30 times more vitamin C than an orange, making it more potent. Apply over your entire nighttime skincare routine (including moisturizer) only 2-3 times a week. If you're already using a brightening routine than this is ideal- it will only speed your results to clearer, radiant skin.


** Even though my combination skin isn't necessarily dry, I do encounter some surface dehydration (especially in the winter) so I've enjoyed trying these beauties. I like that each mask is more than just a moisturizer- there are options based on your needs and it's nice to have the variety, don't you agree?

Any other sleep masks you'd recommend?