Skin is a Beautiful Thing... Wear It Well!
A few months ago, I was sitting across from my soon-to-be grandmother and Mary Kay guru (she knows all things beauty), Nana Louisa, complimenting how soft her cheek felt after our traditional tight hug. She told me the #1 rule to having great skin is moisturizing and wearing sunscreen, and I, of course, nodded.
Fast forward to today and I am still miserable from “forgetting” to put sunscreen on my body aka wearing turtlenecks like it’s my job to prevent instilling fear into people once they see my Michael Jackson skin… Too soon? Not to mention, I walked into work today and saw huge flakes in my hair, only to realize it was my scalp peeling from the sunburn, making it look like I haven’t washed my hair in months.
You just can’t make this stuff up, people.
All of this is to say that not only do Nana’s words ring true, but I never agreed more to her wisdom on taking good care of our biggest organ. While I am no beauty guru, I do have suggestions to skincare routines that won’t break your bank. Especially for all of us “sensitive skin” types out there!
Morning
I start off with Clean & Clear’s Morning Burst Shine Control cleanser. I have this magical combination of dry and oily skin, so I love this brand for its ability to reduce shine, dry skin and reactions (again, sensitive skin). I also LOVE the bursting beads in this cleanser – they burst with vitamins to nourish your skin and stimulate your senses to wake you up.
After the cleanser, I moisturize with Dior Dreamskin Treatment. Okay, yes, this one isn’t necessarily a “budget” item, but it’s worth every penny for its lightweight, anti-aging formula. Remember, YOUR SKIN IS WORTH EVERY PENNY.
Afternoon
By the time it’s lunch, my face looks like I just did Orange Theory for five hours. To freshen up, I like to use the Evian Natural Water facial spray. Now, I know you are technically supposed to use it prior to moisturizing to hydrate your skin, but I found this little hack works well with the combo type IF you spray it lightly – moisturizer / makeup on or not. It gives my skin a new glow, allowing me to finish up the day feeling fabulous.
Nighttime
I will admit I am horrible at taking my makeup off, especially after a long day. All I want to do is get into bed and sleep for 36 hours, but we all know sleeping with your makeup is like willingly asking the Grim Reaper to come take you away. Since my skin reacts to most scented products, I am very picky about my makeup remover wipes & solutions. Trust me when I say I’ve tried it all, and Garnier is the best out there (for us “people on the budget”).
For those everyday uses, I recommend Garnier Skinactive Micellar Cleansing Water. Ladies, it is unbelievably gentle on the skin and does not leave you feeling like you followed up your five-hour Orange Theory workout with two extra hours of CrossFit. You know, how most of the oily makeup remover solutions do? Plus, a little goes a long way with this removing cleanser.
I top off my nightly routine with belif’s Moisturizing Eye Bomb and True Cream. While I love the lightweight formula, it leaves my skin looking a little glossy, so I prefer that look for overnight since it takes some time to absorb into my skin — this helps prolong the hydration process.
Travel
I am notorious for traveling lightly – not a good thing since I forget to pack half of my essentials… But the two things I NEVER travel without are makeup remover wipes and a facial mask.
For the wipes, Garnier saves the day yet again. Their formula leaves my skin smooth without that burning sensation. As for facial masks, anything works. If it’s a short trip, pack a sheet mask. if it’s a long trip, pack a clay one so you can get two uses out of one pack!
Next time you’re at the store, don’t be afraid to splurge a little and #treatyoself. Remember Nana’s words and picture yourself in 30-40 years looking like you’re in your twenties. Loving the skin you are in begins with self-care — start your journey today
XO,
Karolina