I have quite an obsessive personality especially when it comes to beauty. I mean, who doesn’t? Skin is so important. It is the first thing people see when they meet you, it can tell a lot about you, and it will age with you (hopefully gracefully). Skin wasn’t always important to me. I grew up receiving compliments on how beautiful my skin was. And if you are receiving complements on something, you don’t change your routine, which at that time was non-existent. Terrible, terrible me. The older I get the more I realize that beautiful, even-toned skin is now speckled with dryness and sun spots. I should have been preserving my skin and instead I was abusing it. My mother was so right. Take care of your skin when you are young and you will thank yourself when you are older. I should have listened! As bad as I think my skin is I still can’t say that I am a beauty whore. I don’t stalk beauty products weekly and I don’t get overly excited when a new product comes on the line. So how am I beauty obsessed? When I find a product I love, I am ride or die for it. It takes me years to find them but when I do, they are my beauty homies. I have been using all of these religiously for the past week and last night I had the greatest validation! My husband looked at me in the mirror right as I finished my routine and said, “wow, your skin looks amazing.” Most of these products are new to on my list so I am excited to introduce them to you!
Sothys Paris Lotion Douce Confort Soothing Lotion
This toner is absolutely a dream. My skin leans more towards dry so finding a toner that doesn’t completely dehydrate it has been tough. And, I don’t want a toner just to hydrate, I want a toner to clean my skin so beautifully that my skin has a glow after using it. I know this sounds like a lot to ask for one tiny product but my standards are high and settling is not an option. Remember when I said it has taken me years to find the right products – I was referring to this toner. After more than a decade of searching for an incredible toner, I found it! I actually received this Sothys Paris Soothing Lotion in my Oui Please box this month. I really believe it has transformed my skin. It feels really soft and leaves my skin feeling hydrated. I think most people are scared of toners because they think they are for acne prone skin or oily skin types but I think you have been misinformed. Dry skin can have a toner too and one that completely helps your skin be the best it can be. Sothys has an entire range of products I am dying to try. Now that I know my skin reacts incredibly well to their products I can only imagine what my future skin will look like!
Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm
I first heard of this beauty balm from an old high school friend. She was kind enough to let me try this balm and introduce me to this brand. Neal’s Yard Remedies is a London based brand which but just entered the US. Their philosophy is to create a market which is more natural, holistic way of health, beauty, and well-being. I loved what they stood for so was excited to try one of their products. I must admit, I am always a bit nervous of balms that say they can be used as multi-purpose. I know that shouldn’t deter me but I am one of those “black and white” type of people. I need a beauty product to say it cleans, tones, or moisturizes. Not all three. That really throws me for a loop. However, when I received this Wild Rose Beauty Balm that can be used to clean, refine, or as a moisturizer I was intrigued. I can honestly say I have tried this balm for each of the intended purposes and am 100% sold. I love it as a moisturizer for my lips, which get really dry in the winter. But I have found it to be a really beneficial facial cleaner. It is an extremely gentle exfoliate which feels good on dry, winter skin. Once you wipe this away, your skin literally feels new. I have been using it before holiday parties and I love the way my make-up applies to my skin. It creates such a moisturized and evenly-toned base!
Olay Anti-Wrinkle Wet Cleansing Cloths
So funny thing about these Olay Cleansing Cloths, I bought them at London’s Heathrow airport a few weeks ago and didn’t realize they aren’t sold like this in the U.S. When my sister looked at them a few days ago she remarked how she had not seen this set yet and I brushed it off as if she hadn’t been to the store lately. Little did I know she made a completely valid point. I have linked to the similar U.S. version but am sorry I can’t find these anywhere in the U.S. However, you can not go wrong with Olay cleansing cloths. I have been a HUGE fan of these for the past few months. I think they remove make-up so much better than cream and water. They feel amazing on your skin and I find myself using them in the middle of the day as a pick-me-up for those afternoon drags. I love wiping them around my neck and face. They make you feel clean, rejuvenated and your skin literally glows when you are done! I also really like Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleansing pads.
La Roche-Posay Physiological Ultra-Fine Scrub
This is a product I just started using in the past few days. My husband has been a long fan of La Roche-Posay as they were first produced in the E.U. Since coming to the U.S. a few years ago they have certainly made a splash. I am a new fan of theirs but am quickly falling in love with their products. I use this cleaner with my Olay Facial Scrub brush for those days I need a deeper exfoliation. The title is Ultra-Fine Scrub and let me tell you, it is! I love how small the beads are as I don’t feel like I am using sandpaper against my skin and totally wreaking havoc on my skin. They also make this scrub for sensitive skin which I like buying because I think it is more gentle and leaves your skin feeling more renewed and less overwhelmed.
Beautycounter Lustro Face Oil 2
Lustro is also a brand I was just introduced to. Not only did their packaging instantly stick out to me but also their approach of “safe skincare.” As Gregg, the founder, was applying sunscreen and skincare to her children and herself she had no idea the amount of toxic ingredients which were found in these products. She was completely shocked when learning the lack of regulation the FDA puts forth toward the beauty industry . Companies are allowed to use known toxins—ingredients that have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, hormone disruption—without telling us. Upon hearing this she started Beautycounter, a company devoted to progress. I have ordered a few more of their products after receiving a sample of the 2 face oil. If you are scared of face oils – don’t be! They re-balance your skin while helping it hydrate. Beautycounter has an oil for all skin types so be sure to check out the one that is right for you! This oil has changed the way my skin stays mouisturized without caking on or making me break out. I highly recommend you take a look at these oils and the many other brilliant and safe products Beautycounter produces. Your future self with thank you!
Freeman Facial Peel-Off Cucumber Mask
I first bought this mask as something fun to do on a girls night. The price was extremely affordable so in my mind, it probably didn’t work. However, it has now been a year and I am still obsessed with it. Don’t let the price of $6 deter you from believing in this mask. The cucumber feels amazing on your skin and once you peel it off an instant glow. You think I am lying? Try it for yourself. I have used it for a year and made a few of my friends try it with me. What did they do? Ran to the drugstore and bought one for themselves. I don’t know what exactly makes this mask work so much better than others but it does! It is the one product that I know no matter what time of year I can rely on it. I can’t say anything else about it other than you must try it for yourself!
