Getting Even

Over the last year, I’ve been actively trying to find different skin care products that will help even my skin tone and lighten my acne scars. I’ve gone through dozens of serums (in addition to all the cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and masks) and these are the ones that are currently working for me. I use 2 in the morning and 2 at night before I apply my moisturizer. Check ‘em out...

These are my winners. 

This one from Klurskin (Ultra Bright Hyaluronic + Vitamin C Serum) is actually one of my first serums ever. It's perfect for everyday--I use this one in the morning after/on top of my Glossier one, but before my moisturizer. This really lightened my dark marks on my forehead and cheeks.

This Glossier Super Glow serum is super lightweight--has the same texture as water. I use this one in the morning after I cleanse, but before my Klurskin serum. Sometimes I use this at night as well. I noticed it dramatically lightened slight dark circles under my eyes. 

I bought this 111 SKIN Celestial Black Diamond contour gel/serum from Space NK and I initially got it because the salesperson said I had frown lines and that this would help, but it also helps even skin tone because of the retinol and other things in it and depuffs my eyes. I keep the applicator in the fridge, so that I can apply it to depuff my eyes. It was super expensive, but it honestly makes my face look and feel like a dream. I use it at night before I put on the Darphin face oil. 

This is more of a face oil, but I still consider it a serum. This Darphin Niaouli Aromatic Care oil is sooooo soothing. I put it on at night after the 111 SKIN serum. It feels and smells really good. I noticed it actually cleared up my skin while keeping it moisturized. It has a slight tingling/menthol-ish feeling too, which I love. 

Even though black don't crack, I still feel like I needed something more to keep my skin as vibrant as it was in my early 20s (as I approach my 30s). I think my regimen is working. My skin is getting clearer and more even-toned as I age and I think it's with great help of the wonderful skincare products I keep stumbling upon. I encourage everyone to really get in the habit of good skincare--you'll thank yourself 10 years from now.

"Misting"

So I’m literally a sucker for face sprays and this is the season where they are really needed. I’ve tried soooo many over the last year and the ones below are in my current rotation. I love "misting" myself as I like to say. They’re a quick way to not only keep your face hydrated, but they literally give a little pick-me-up during the day—they smell good, are energizing, and feel great. In the spring/summer months, I like to keep them really light and cooling. In the fall/winter, I like them to be super hydrating and soothing. Take a look at the ones I’m currently using and loving…

Caudalie Grape Water is great because it’s 100% all natural and is super light yet very hydrating. It’s perfect for sensitive skin as well and it can really cool you off in the summer and hydrated—I honestly use this all year round. The way it sprays out is very gentle too, which is nice. This brand also makes another face spray that’s even better for summer because it’s super cooling and sets makeup-I love their Beauty Elixir as well.

CocoKind Organic Rosewater Facial Toner is awesome because you can use it as a toner as well (spraying on a cotton ball then applying to face). I use this as a face spray throughout the day. It’s made of pure organic rose water and that’s it, which is wonderful. It’s smells really good and feels great. The best part is that I found it at Marshall’s for $7. This one is definitely a steal especially for the price.

The Mist by La Mer is obviously luxurious. It leaves a dewy glow to your skin and feels refreshing. However, don’t get it in your mouth when you spray because it doesn’t taste good.

Folie Apothecary Palo Santo & Peru Balsam All Purpose Mist is one of my absolute favorites. The label rubbed off because I’ve carried this around for months every single day in my tote bag or purse. The best part about this spray is that you can use it over everything from your face to your linens. It helps fade dark marks to improve and even my skin tone, which is what I always look for in skincare products and it smells awesome! I often spray it in my home and at  my desk at work. This one really provides moisture and a mood uplift.

Boscia White Charcoal Mattifying Makeup Setting Spray is great for keeping oiliness/shine under control. It can be used over or under makeup or just on bare skin. I really like using it for when I wear makeup because it keeps my face matte. I tried it without makeup too and it does keep the shine away, but I have to pat it in or it will leave white powdery specks. It feels good on my skin though and definitely helps with keeping the shine to a minimum. 

Getting Toned...

When it comes to toner, it’s all about the ability to clarify and moisturize my face. I’ve tried so many different ones over the last 2 years and currently, I’m using the ones listed below.

The first one I use is by a food brand called Al Wadi Al Akhdar and it’s just pure natural rose water. I use it on days where I just want something refreshing and quick. It really keeps my face soft and moisturized and is really soothing after I do a detoxifying face mask.

The Oil Absorbing Tonic by La Mer is great for in the morning after I wash my face. I use this right before I apply makeup (if I decide to wear makeup that day). It keeps me pretty matte, but also leaves a very subtle shimmer to my skin.

Humphrey’s Citrus Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Toner is great to use any time. Mainly, I’ll use it at night right before I apply a face serum. It’s also great for mornings where I’m not going to apply makeup and just want a fresh feeling all day. It smells like lemons and oranges, which is uplifting.

Garnier’s Skin Active Micellar Cleansing Water is great for removing makeup. I always use it after I wash my face or sometimes if I’m feeling really lazy and don’t have face wipes, I’ll use it to remove my makeup after a long day or night. It leaves my skin so refreshed and clean. I use it until there are no traces of makeup or dirt left on the cotton pad/ball.

Scrub a Dub Dub...

For the past couple of months, I've been using all types of scrubs on my face to try and keep my skin smooth and to help get rid of the few acne scars that I have on my chin and forehead...etc. Luckily, I found my "fantastic 4"--Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Skin Brightening Exfoliator, Folie Rose & Chamomile Facial Scrub, Acure Brightening Facial Scrub, and Origins Modern Friction Instant Brightening Pads. These scrubs are currently saving my life and I rotate their use every 2-3 days or so. I love, love, love these products and I'll tell you why...

This Kiehl's one is awesome because I can actually use it as a facial cleanser as well because it lathers nicely. It feels refreshing and I literally only need a pea-sized drop for my entire face, which means this will last me probably at least a year. Also, I use this in the morning and at night every other day or so. 

This is one of my fave Target buys that happens to get the job done--it's cheap, quick, travel-sized, and most importantly, it works really well. This one felt very "scrubby"--kinda like sand, but leaves my skin super duper soft and glowy. This is the travel-sized one, so it's easy to carry around. www.acureorganics.com

I use these Origins pads only about 2-3 times a month only because it's not necessary to use more than that. This actually feels more like a toner. It's really refreshing and feels tingly the first few times. It actually kinda reminds me of those clearasil face pads. This actually did brighten my dark spots from acne scars, but I only use this one at night. www.origins.com

This Folie scrub is one of my all time fave skincare products. It feels luxurious in a really calming all-natural kind of way. I like the way it feels--very soothing and relaxing. It's an oil based scrub, so it feels really nice (if you're into cleansing oils and things like that--I'm obsessed). I actually put it on my lips too when using it on my face because it's kinda sweet as if it were a lip scrub. I massage it into my skin for about 5 min and then I rinse with warm/hot water and pat dry. This scrub is the most moisturizing of them all. I have naturally oily skin and it's still perfect for it. I use it every other night and I'm seriously into it...like seriously. 

www.folieapothecary.etsy.com

I just have my brows and liner on--no concealer or foundation. 

Just have my brows on, but no other makeup. 

Okay, I totally have makeup on here, but the glow is on "fleek", honey!!!! 

If you haven't started scrubbing yet, what are you waiting for? Get on board! Go get you a scrub and get your skin fed for the summer. Get on fleek...snatched...new glow, who dis? Go...NOW!!!! 

Face time

Soooo I've had quite a few people ask me about my skincare regimen lately and first of all, thank you--I'm flattered, but also, I spend a good amount of time trying to keep my skin healthy, so if it still looked shitty, I'd be really concerned. One of the main things I'm still struggling with when it comes to my face are the dark spots from former pimples--I have exactly 2.5 on my forehead, one above my lip, and one on each cheek and one dot on my nose...all of which are fading--thank God!

The first step in taking care of your skin is to make sure you're hydrated inside and out along with using decent products. I'm not blessed with perfect genes to have perfect skin, so if you're anything like me, you'll have to work a little harder just as I do to keep things smooth and even toned. For starters, DRINK WATER--a glass of hot water with lemon is good when you first wake up and a glass of room temp water before bed is great. 

Next, make sure you are removing your makeup before you go to bed (or once you get home) and if you don't wear makeup, make sure you're washing your face and moisturizing before bed--keep your face clean. When I run out of Simple's Micellar Water Wipes, I use Origins Clean Energy cleansing oil to remove makeup--sometimes I use it in the morning too as my face cleanser. Then I use Glossier's Mega Greens Galaxy Pack  face mask (about 2-3 times a week). Other times, I'll use those Tony Moly sheet masks--I've tried them all, but I particularly like the tea tree and the rice ones. After that, I'll apply the Darphin Aromatic Purifying Balm (every other night--not everyday) and gently pat on the Amaki Jasmine & Rose Nourishing Oil. If I have a pimple, I'll put Uncle Harry's Hemp Blemish Salve on it. That's it for nighttime. Also, once I save up my coins, I'll buy the Folie's Prickly Pear Face Serum because that thing works wonders--I've tried the sample and I'm obsessed. My other next purchase is going to be the Klurskin Hyaluronic + Vitamin C Serum because I know that thing also works wonders.

In the morning, I wash my face with Skinfood by AB's Charcoal Cleansing Bar and then I'll apply the Amaki oil (very lightly) along with Klurkin's Rosemary & Willow Oil Control Serum and Glossier's Balm Dotcom and then I'll wait a few minutes and begin applying makeup. That's it for morning/daytime. My next purchase will be Little Barn Apothecary's Rosewater Face Toning Mist.

The Regimen

1. Aveeno Face Wash  2. MAC Lightful C Softening Lotion  3. Origins Eye Gel 4. Klurskin Oil Control Serum 
5. Neutrogena Gel-Cream 6. MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance Primer 7. MAC Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone 

Soooo over the last couple of months, I've had numerous people from co-workers to friends to strangers ask me about my skincare regimen and I finally took the time to share the full list of products that I use on a daily basis (this does not include my face mask treatments I do on a weekly basis—I'll share that next time). These are the items I use before I apply makeup and to be honest, I don't always have time to use every single one every morning, but when I do take the time to focus on my face (when I happen to wake up on time and not hit the snooze button a million times), I use the above products in those exact steps.

Let me elaborate on each...

-The Aveeno face wash has been one of my absolute faves for years (like since college)—it's super foamy and feels really good on my face.
-The MAC Lightful C Softening Lotion is more like a toner and it helps even out my skin tone. I mainly use it at night even though it's suggested to be used in the morning.
-I only use this Origins eye gel when my eyes are puffy—it works almost instantly.
-Klurskin's Oil Control Serum is the best one I've used in a long time—it keeps me shine-free for hours and I'm really infatuated with the scent...sooooo fresh and clean.
-Neutrogena's gel-cream smells good, but it literally makes my skin feel like butter. It makes my face feel baby-soft and it's great for my oily skin because it doesn't feel greasy or make my skin shiny at all. It's perfectly hydrating.
-MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance is a really great primer—it's actually so moisturizing that I can use it in place of lotion in the morning, but I normally only apply to my cheeks and around my mouth.
-MAC Prep+Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment is the perfect primer for my t-zone. I have super oily skin, so normally my makeup wears off my t-zone by midday, but with this primer, it keeps my t-zone matte and the makeup fresh.

For all of you with super oily skin, consider trying the above products. They work great for me and if you decide to try any of the above, I hope they work for you too and that you love them as much as I do!

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