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My Skincare Routine
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I’ve had a lot of people ask me what my regular skincare routine is and I’m embarrassed to tell them that I don’t really have a “regular” routine. As I’m sure you can imagine, I like to try new products… a lot. Sometimes it’s a good thing, because I discover some real gems. Other times, it’s a really bad thing because it irritates and messes with the pH balance of my skin.
Although I don’t always stick to the same skin care routine, I do have one that works pretty well for me. And believe it or not, I actually try to keep my routine pretty simple. I’m only 22 years old, I don’t need a zillion different products to fix my face… yet. (A profile of my skin type can be found in the About section of my blog)
In the mornings, I use Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin, followed by a tinted moisturizer, and then my makeup (which has SPF 15 in it).
In the evenings, I use Proactive Renewing Cleanser (yes, just the cleanser), followed by Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer. And when I remember, I dab on a bit of Arbonne eye cream.
And on days when I’m breaking out, I’ll use Proactive in the mornings as well as the evenings. But I really don’t like to do that because it over exfoliates my skin, which can lead to irritation.
Other products that work their way into my routine somewhat regularly include Murad’s Oil Control Mattifier, which I use after moisturizer (not tinted) as a primer. And Clean & Clear’s Facial Cleansing Wipes when I’m too lazy to wash my face before bed (they’re better than nothing!)
In the future, I’ll do a post on my favorite body products, so I’ll wait until then to give that away.
To learn about some of my other favorite products, check out the About section of my blog.
An attractive way to store makeup brushes
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If you’re anything like me, you have some trouble keeping your makeup workstation clean and organized. Yes, there are a lot of makeup organizers out there that I could buy, but let’s face it: most of them are U-G-L-Y.
As a working woman, I’m pressed for time in the morning. To maximize my morning efficiency, I want my beauty supplies to be right there where I can see them. That’s why I keep everything I use regularly in this basket (pictured below), perched up on my Target shelves that Carter installed when we first moved in and realized our bathroom had no storage space. And up until about a month ago, I kept my makeup brushes in the basket too.
My makeup brushes were mixed in with all of this makeup. They would get buried and were always impossible to find in the mornings when I was in a rush. In addition, they were getting squished and dirty.
I don’t want to have to go digging and fishing through drawers and boxes and baskets to find what I’m looking for. I want to be able to find it right away. I also want my workstation (I’m sure Carter would be thoroughly appalled that I’m calling our bathroom a workstation) to look pretty. Is that too much to ask?
After months of frustration, I finally decided to do something about my predicament. I went to Michael’s Craft Store and purchased a glass candle bowl with pretty details, and some small glass stones. It was a simple solution that has worked out so well. I now have an attractive storage solution for my makeup brushes.
My makeup brushes are a lovely complement to my jewelry station, when I actually put them away. (But usually, they get left in the bathroom on our counter.)
Now I’m looking for a solution for my makeup basket so that it doesn’t look like a bomb went off in there! Do you have any suggestions?
Related post: “How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes“
Fashion Staples
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I’m certainly no expert when it comes to fashion, but lately I’ve been having a lot of fun experimenting with different trends and styles. I’ve found that it’s easier to be adventurous when you have some really great staples in your wardrobe to pair your more questionable (i.e., “trendy”) items with. There are a few criteria that classify a staple in my mind: 1) It can be paired with many different items and you’re not finding yourself struggling to think of what to wear with it. 2) It can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on the occasion and what you pair with it. 3) It’s an item that you see yourself wearing this year, and for many years to come. 4) It’s of a nice quality and material and makes whatever else you’re wearing feel that much more chic.
Lately, the staples I’ve caught myself wearing over and over again have been my cropped leather jacket (pictured), my black skinny jeans (pictured), my “gold” men’s-style watch (pictured), and my black blazer (pictures to come).
And below are some staples (okay, these are more on the luxurious side) that I’m coveting right now, which I’d love to mix and match with my other clothes and start making magic. *sigh* If only I didn’t have bills to pay…
What items do you find yourself wearing over and over again? And what are you coveting right now?
New Years in Portland
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I hope everyone had a simply fabulous New Years Eve! I had a lovely time visiting with sorority sisters Brittany and Emily, sipping on Prosecco, and ringing in the New Year with my boyfriend Carter. It was great to catch up with old friends and although it was below freezing outside, we even managed to leave the house and make it out to a bar for a while.
I think we planned our evening quite well, actually. We called ahead to make sure we reserved a cab, got downtown early to make sure we could get into a bar, and stayed in one place to make sure we kept our table. Amazingly enough, it was one of my least expensive New Years experiences and one of my favorites! Of course, good company makes a big difference.
Now here are my Beauty New Years Resolutions. Hopefully if I don’t follow them, someone will hold me accountable!
Wash my face every morning and every evening before going to bed.
Use eye cream regularly.
Keep with the same skincare routine and stop switching it up and irritating my skin.
Drink water instead of Diet Soda and coffee.
Moisturize every day when I get out of the shower.
Discover a home highlighting kit that I love.
Follow through with my promise to post to this blog every week
Happy New Year everyone!
