A Multi Active Lifestyle

A few months ago I posted that I receive the whole line of the recently reformulated Clarins Multi Active line.  Since I had used the line years ago (like over 10) and was now the target age for the product, I was very excited to try it again with the update.  So here's the low down...

True to Clarins form, the formulas are full of unique botanical ingredients. Organic Teasel minimizes fine lines caused by a stressful lifestyle, Myrothamnus fights the effects of daytime stress minimizing fine lines and boosting radiance and Organic California Poppy helps absorb the harmful effects of late nights and interrupted sleep.  They make the Day version in 4 formulas, Normal to Combination, All Skin Types, Dry Skin, and an All Skin Type + SPF 20 and the Night version in 2 formulas, Normal to Combination and Normal to Dry.  I started with the day for All Skin Types and night for Normal to Dry because I love a rich texture at night.  Now I have combo skin, and as much as I love a rich texture, it's warm out, my skin didn't need all the extra hydration and l was waking up with a little bit of clogged pores, so I switched to the Normal/Combo night cream and that solved that problem.  I continued to use these 2 for almost 4 months.  I did use the Normal/Combo day cream a few times during hot and humid days and while traveling to humid climates, it was the perfect lightweight gel texture for those days, but I really loved the texture of the All Skin Type cream for the dry LA weather.

Clarins has texture down, they know what will work for each skin type, so stick with what they recommend.  My skin felt comfortable and hydrated, but never heavy, every day I wore the creams.  My skin was always glowing, looking fresh, never a clogged pore (except when I tried the cream too rich for my skin).  During my time using these I also decided to give my skin a break from Botox.  I've been getting so many compliments on my skin even though I have facial expressions again. I remember in my very first Clarins training, my fabulous trainer Christy said the night cream will give 8 hours of sleep no matter how few hours I sleep you get.  Every morning I woke up looking like I got a full 8 hours of sleep (my average is an unhealthy 5-6), I almost didn't even want to wash my face in the morning for fear that glow would wash away!

Chances are, if you're in the 25-35 age range, when first signs of aging start, you're stressed the fuck out, not sleeping, and wondering why your skin isn't looking how it did 10 years ago.  The Clarins Multi Active line is a going to work great for you.  It protects from free radical damage while smoothing out those first fine line, so pretty much pausing aging and keeping you looking your best.  The night cream is my favorite of the 2 products just because of how amazing I look in the mornings, but the use of both of them together, you really can't go wrong! At $53 for the day and $56 for the night, they're an affordable luxury you can't afford to miss out on.  Which formula is your favorite??

Down in the Grease Pits

One of the biggest questions skin questions people ask me is how to help their oily/combination or acne prone skin.  There are so many different ways to answer this, so I’m going to address the most common concerns I’m asked.

1.    Are You Oily?

Most people have a little oil in their t-zone by the end of the day.  This is normal; it doesn’t mean you have oily skin.  Truly oily skin will be shiny on the t-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and cheeks within a few hours of waking up.  Combination skin will be shiny in the t-zone by mid-day, but shouldn’t be too shiny on the cheeks, or may even be dry there.  Normal skin will have a slight shine to the nose maybe forehead by early evening.  Dry skin will look like the Sahara from the moment they wake up.  Your skin type probably changes based on where you live, visit, and time of the year.  I’m Oily on the East coast 8 months out of the year and on the West coast I’m Combination with a little dehydration all year.  Ugh the struggle.

2.    Cleansing

Oh you wash your face with your shampoo and wondering why you have clogged pores?  Well no shit brah, shampoo may get the beard nice and shiny but it isn’t going to help get your skin glowing.  Cleansing may be the most important part of an oily skins routine.  You need to find a perfect balance between detoxifying and exfoliating without stripping your skin completely. Your skin should feel smooth and slightly tight after it has dried off, not dry and patchy (sometimes you’ll see white flaking, no bueno).  If you strip your skin of all its natural oils, it may over compensate by creating even more oil.  I’ve used about 1,000 different cleansers, it definitely takes some experimenting to find which one works best for your skin, here are a few of my favorite oily/combination skin cleansers (some are good for all skin types as well)

Erno Laszlo Deep Sea Mud Soap $45 – Legit one of my all time favorite cleansers.  I started getting acne for the first time when I was 26, and my pores were massive.  A girlfriend told me to get this, and it changed my skin almost instantly.  Mr. Laszlo creating an special cleansing method: Fill your sink with warm water, dip soap in water, massage soap on face, rinse soap back in water and set aside, lather face, splash face 20 times with water in the sink, then 10 more times with clean running water.  I still do this cleansing method with most every cleanser I’ve used. Great for Normal-Oily Skin

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip $45– I hated this the first time I tried it as I was so use to a lather.  After tossing it aside for a few months, I revisited and fell in love.  You have to get use to a very mild cleansing feeling, but trust that your skin is clean and balanced.  It tightens pores, boosts radiance, stimulates circulation, and helps with irritation.  Great for Normal-Combination Skin

Milk Makeup Charcoal Cleanser $28 – Yeah I work for them now, so I gotta do a plug, but I have been using this for 2 weeks now and I’m liking it more than I thought I would.  This sulfate free cleansing contains charcoal from the Japanese Ubame oak tree + vitamin E, cleanses the skin gently without over drying.  Great for All Skin Types.

3.    Toning

I’ve used toner since I was 12, so I’ve always felt it a very necessary step in my skincare routine.  Oh your cleanser has a built in toner?  How?  That’s never made sense to me.  I apply my toner to a cotton square (Shiseido makes the best, you use less and makes your bottle last forever) and sweep it all over my face, excess cleanser and any remaining debris is seen on the square.  So how exactly is your cleanser doing that?  Yeah…  I have a very hard time finding a toner I like, there haven’t been many, these are the exceptions. 

Erno Laszlo Light Controlling Lotion $55 – I grabbed this after I fell in love with the soap.  When my skin is on the oilier side I love a little alcohol in my toner.  This one tightens pores, exfoliates, controls shine, and also has added humectants to bring hydration to the skin.  Great for Combo-Oily skin.

Belif Eucalyptus Herbal Extract Toner $28 – More recently I discovered this guy on a hunt for a less expensive toner.  Fell in love, even purchased a second time (which never happens).  This toner contains a blend of herbal extracts to control sebum and shine without stripping.  Great for Combo-Oily skin.

4.    Targeted Concerns

Black Heads
These are those black dots you seen on your nose, forehead, and chin.  What causes them is excess sebum and bacteria; these can turn into blemishes, so its good to take care of them.  I usually steam my face and squeeze my skin (works great on the sides of the nose) to get the blackheads out.  If done wrong though, it can leave some redness and scarring, so best to get a professional to do this.  Pore Strips are a great quick fix (I love the ones from SkinFood), but it’s best to maintain by cleansing and masking regularly.

Pores
Pores are where these black heads are chilling out.  Oily skin will have larger more visible pores, this is how the oil gets to the surface of your skin.  You can’t make pores smaller, you just can’t, sorry.  You can keep them clean though, which makes them look smaller.  Keeping good about your skincare routine helps, so cleanse, exfoliate, and mask regularly.  Now I have heard there are certain lasers that can help make pores smaller, but I’ve yet to experiment with them, have you?

Blemishes/Zits/Whiteheads
These will be those pesky bumps on your skin that you want to pop, don’t, that’s how acne scars are formed.  For emergencies I like to use a Benzoyl Peroxide based spot treatment (Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix works great) but using them too frequently causes irritation, sun sensitivity, and your skin can build up a tolerance.  Stick to using it directly on blemishes and not on large areas.  Salicylic Acid is milder and great for more regular use to control blemishes and is usually in a gel texture that’s easy to smooth over acne prone areas and large pores (Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel).  If you have an event tomorrow and need that mammoth zit to shrink overnight, Sulfur (Mario Badescu Drying Lotion) is the way to go.  If you had chicken pox as a kid, this clearing method won’t look so strange to you.  Dip a cotton swab in the formula and apply the pink stuff directly to blemishes before bed.  This will shrink blemishes overnight allowing you to cover them more easily with makeup.

Cystic Acne
Cystic Acne is that crazy painful blemish you get that you can’t pop and hurts like hell when you touch.  I get these on my forehead and the tip of my nose a few times and year and I hate them so much.  I mean I’ve gone as far and sticking sterilized needles into them to pop them (I DO NOT recommend doing that, lesson learned).  Cystic acne comes from an internal bacteria (in most cases).  If you have severe Cystic Acne, topical products alone will not help, you need to see a dermatologist.  Anyone trying to sell you a topical saying it cures Cystic Acne is just throwing you a sales pitch and doesn’t know what they’re talking about.  In mild cases I’ve seen taking probiotics help (I take Natures Sunshine Bacillus Coagulans), but for severe cases a Dermatologist prescribed antibiotic is necessary.  They will usually prescribe a retinoid (Like my favorite A313) to apply at night to smooth at the skin and help with the scarring.

5.    Hydration

So many people with oily skin don’t moisturize because they think it will make them even oilier.  Note that I listed this topic as “Hydration”, Hydra=Water, oily skin can also be dehydrated, making it produce even more oil.  There are also tons of environmental aggressors and free radicals floating around you need to protect your skin from; this is where a moisturizer comes in.  I could list a million different moisturizers here, but unless oil control is your only concern, you should pick a moisturizer based on your skin concern, be it brightening, anti-aging, age prevention…  Just look for lighter weight formulas, usually water based formulas or products listed as lotion vs a cream.  Below are a few products I’ve used when looking to re-balance my skin and calm down the oil, these I’ve used as incremental treatments, then go back to my normal skin routine.

Clarins Lotus Treatment Oil $54 – I talked about this in a previous post.  It was the first all over oil I ever used and its still a favorite of mine.  Use every night directly after toning (while skin is still wet) for 3 months at a time to help rebalance.  Great to use as your night treatment in the hot summer and underneath clay masks as a booster.

Decleor Aromessence Ylang Ylang Purifying Night Balm $42 – Even when my skin is oily, I love a rich texture on my skin!  This night balm is an emollient oil/wax blend that smells like happiness and leaves the skin feeling fresh and brightened in the morning.  Cleanses and purifies, re-balances, and reduces imperfections and inflammation.  Great for that dry-acne prone skin as well.  Also available in a purifying Serum/Oil that can be used during the day.

6.    Masking

More than any other skin type, masking is most important for oily and congested skin.  Cleansing and toning can only go so far without being to aggressive on the daily, that’s when adding that masking boost comes to play.  I love clay based masks and have gone through 100s of them.  These are best when trying to combat blackheads, control oil, and maintain clear skin.  Sheet masks are great for adding treatment into the skin, but they don’t pull anything out, so when you’re looking for that quick detoxifying fix, reach for the clay masks.  Use as needed, but not more than 3 times a week.  To add an extra boost to your mask, mix a drop or 2 of Tea Tree Oil with your toner right before masking.

Apivita Face Mask with Green Clay $21.70 - I grabbed one of these at a pharmacy in Spain and instantly fell in love.  Its not at all drying, but leave the skin feeling fresh and the pores diminished.

Bliss Steep Clean Pore Purifying Mask $55 - This is one I've used for years!  Dispense the dual pump product into your fingers, warm it up, massage it in, and in 15 minutes your skin will look poreless!  Definitely must have!

7.    Exfoliation

Granular exfoliation stimulated the skin, which can make oily skin produce even more oils.  It can also spread bacteria around creating more blemishes.  I'm a big fan of chemical and enzyme exfoliants.  These work by breaking down the proteins holding dead skin cells to your skin.

Amore Pacific Enzyme Peel $60 - I talk about this one all the time cause its so damn good.  The powder foams up and removes all dead skin, leaving your face fresh and glowing.  A definite must have, and it last forever.

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Blemish Control Pads $30 - These are like your old school Stridex pads, only they won't rip your skin apart.  You can use them after each time you cleanse to gently exfoliate while helping control oil and tighten pores.

8.    Foundation

You have all your skincare on and want to cover up some of your blemishes and/or control oil, but are scared that foundation will clog your skin.  There are definitely some foundations that should be avoided for oily/acne prone skin (I won’t name names, but it won’t “Fix” anything), but there are plenty of foundations that are amazing for your skin type.  Look for something oil-free, mattifying, liquid or powder based on your preference.  Personally, I like the flexibility of a liquid, you can work it into hard to cover blemishes, and adjust the coverage as necessary.  My favorite for oily-acne prone skin is the Hourglass Immaculate Liquid to Powder Foundation, yes I use to work for them, and I’ve seen it completely transform people’s skin.  I even wore it myself on an occasion as a spot treatment to hide blemishes and pores and my skin looked better when I look it off than before I had applied.

 When you do get shiny through out the day, be sure to have some blotting papers handy.  Just press onto the areas of concern to absorb oil.  I'm loving the Milk Makeup Roll + Blot, they're made out of hemp and double as rolling papers, whats not to love!

Death Becomes Her

If you’ve ever met me I’m sure you’ve heard me mention 1,000 times how my mom is a Naturopathic Dr and how many supplements I take.  If you haven’t, my mom’s a Naturopathic Dr and I take a shit ton of supplements.  Years ago I started working for this company called Glowelle (which is unfortunately no longer) they created a drink that contained a ridiculous amount of nutrients and and anti-oxidants for the skins benefit.  I was 24 at the time I started working for the company and back then I even noticed how hydrated it kept my skin and how “glowy” I looked.  This was back in 2008, the economy was in the crapper, and people didn’t understand “beauty from within” and couldn’t afford $120 for a 30 day supply.  Now That I’m a bit older and definitely seeing signs of aging, I wish and pray every day that this product comes back.  Until it does, I’ve endlessly researched different types of supplements to keep my skin in top shape from the inside out.  You are what you eat, and what I don’t get from my diet I supplement with supplements :)  Here are a few new and old that I can’t live without.

In August last year I decided the Man Bun was fading out of style a bit too quick and I wanted my long hair back, but damn was it going to be a bitch to grow my sides out to match the top of my hair.  It was time to buy some Biotin!  I first started with the Maxi-Hair for Men from Country Life as it was the most popular one I could find.  I went through about 3 bottles of this and wasn’t very impressed.  I noticed a little faster hair growth, but it wasn’t anything outstanding.  When I was going to replenish one day I ran across the Irwin Naturals Biotin-6000 with Bamboo Extract, being a sucker for packaging this one really appealed to me.  I’m on my 3rd bottle of it and I’m SOOO happy.  My hair has been growing much faster and much healthier, my nails, which have gotten brittle as I’ve gotten older, have been growing much stronger, even my lashes have been staying healthier!  I’ve also noticed it helping my skin as it contains ingredients to help with elasticity, hydration, and free radical protection.  The only slight issue I have with the pill is that they do tend to leak just a little, so be careful not to get them on anything white, there’s usually 1 pill in the bottle that isn’t totally sealed, these pills are however easier to swallow than a lot of other ones I take.  2x a day the bottle will last you 1 month.  Irwin Naturals Biotin-6000 4.5/5 Stars $16.49 a bottle (I usually buy 2 so I don’t have to pay shipping)

Now my mom, being the loving and caring person that she is, loves to help out my neurotic beauty habits by sending me over any skin and health related articles and information she receives.  She also loves to send me different supplements she thinks may help my skin.  Regeneplex is definitely the best beauty supplement I’ve taken, Momma bear sent it to me a few years ago and I can’t stop taking this miracle pill.  After 2 weeks of taking Regeneplex I was trying to figure out why I was getting so many compliments on my skin, it looked brighter, plumper, rested, and just all over glowing, then I remember of yeah, that new pill I’ve been taking!  Whenever I run out its like okay, sad face, I need it ASAP.  It’s rich in Carotenoids -Lutein, Beta Carotene, Lycopene- help fight free radical damage, fight photo-aging, and even improve skin smoothness.  Also high in Zinc and Vitamin C to boost collagen and fight free radical damage. A proprietary blend of a bunch of other ingredients like Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin B, and Camu Camu just add to this amazing supplement.  90 Pills in a bottle 2x per day for best results. Now, the only problem is its not exactly easy to find, you have to buy it through an authorized retailer, non of which are online (I found one bottle on Amazon for $130).  Standard Process Regeneplex 5/5 Stars, If you want to get a bottle and can’t find a retailer, hit me up and I can order some for you, its $42.50 a bottle just shoot me a message ihrichak1@gmail.com.

I’ve recently become fascinated with Ayurvedic medicine, one of the worlds oldest holistic healing systems.  Turmeric is probably the most well known of these herbs.  Its mostly used as an anti-inflammatory, which is why I originally bought it, I do so many peels and aggressive skin treatments that my skin does get inflamed and irritated, as well as my muscles being inflamed from either stress or exercise.  Turmeric has also been show to help detoxify the liver, inhibit growth of skin cancer, help with psoriasis, speed up the healing of wounds, help with depression, aid in weight management, natural painkiller, it pretty much does your laundry and makes you dinner.  I’ve been taking it for a few weeks now and noticed less redness in my skin, my body aches have definitely gone down, and one friend said that its made my skin look more tan?  I guess eating a lot of something thats yellow can make the skin more yellow, but I can’t find any studies on that.  I’m enjoying the Gaia Turmeric Supreme 4/5 Stars $20.99 for 120 pills per bottle, 1 pill 2x a day with food.

Being one to buy anything that says it’d good for the skin I’ve decided to give He Shou Wu a try.  This ancient Chinese secret is said to nourish the blood, hair, skin, nervous system, shen (Spirit), and Jing (primary essence/life force).  The last 2 I clearly copied from their website cause I have no clue whats thats all about, but count me in.  People are said to have had their grey hair turn back to black and hair grow stronger from this.  It’s also said to help with liver and kidney tonifying.  It tastes a bit like earthy sadness, so I recommend mixing it in with your favorite tea and a little honey.  I’ve only just started taking this, so the verdict is still out, but I’ve found great reviews for it online, and I mean, when has an ancient Chinese secret ever been wrong?  Sun Potion He Shou Wu available cheapest through Thrive Market (a new favorite store of mine) at $32.95 vs $55 check them out for 15% off your first order.

In addition I take a few other skin beneficial supplements from my favorite herb brand Natures Sunshine, which I’ve been taking for some 20 years.  
Coenzyme Q10 100mg 2pills a day in the AM $41.95 retail, $27.95 member cost- Protects against photo-aging, stimulates cellular activity, stimulates collagen production, and free radical protection.
Super ORAC 1 or 2 pills a day $53.85 retail or $35.90 member cost, also available in the Super Trio daily supplement pack (thats how I take it) - Contains a whole slew of anti-oxidants to fight off free radical damage including Green Tea/EGCG, Mangosteen, Resveratrol, Acai Berry, Turmeric, Quercetin, Selenium, and Apple Fruit Extract.  These are actually all the ingredients that were in the Glowelle drink I use to take.
These can be purchased through Natures Sunshine, hit me up if you want the details on how to get them at member cost (or just follow the link above), it doesn’t cost anything to join, ihrichak1@gmail.com

Have you found the potion to give you eternal youth?  Let me know, I want to start taking it!

SALE on SALE

After Christmas is always the best time to buy left over gift sets, because they always go on sale, and Sephora is having a sale on their sale items!  Here are a few items you should probably be buying while you can get them at a discount.  Use code EXTRA20 at checkout!

Foreo LUNA for Men Ultimate Grooming Collection with PRORASO - I just ordered this one!  Everyone has been saying how much they love their Foreo, I love my Clarisonic, but the Foreo are nice for travel as they hold a charge for 365 day! I've never tried the PRORASO skincare products, but at this price you can keep them, I just want the Foreo!  Value $269 - Sale $169 - Sale on Sale $135.20!!  Can't beat that!

Tria Age Defying Laser Bundle - I just got the laser for eyes (I've been using it for 3 days) this one is good for the entire face.  My friend Patrick came up to me and said "Girl, I stopped Botox" and his forehead was super smooth from using it.  #sold.  Value $549 - Sale $495 - Sale on Sale $396

Ole Henrikson Lift & Glow - If you're in the market for a good skincare starter kit, this is it.  Cleanser, Eye Gel and Cream, Vitamin C Serum, and Day/Night cream all in one set!  Ole Henrikson products are natural and effective at a great price point.  Value $104 - Sale $45 - Sale on Sale $36

Bliss Steep Clean - This has always been a favorite mask of mine for clearing black heads, I just did it last week!  Retail $55 - Sale on Sale $33

Algenist The Best of Algenist Collection - Another fantastic brand, I mean they make renewable energy that fuels battleships, they're pretty smart.  Using their signature Alguronic Acid to support cell regeneration, this set includes a cleanser, facial oil, anti aging face cream, and one amazing eye balm (its one of my favorites).  Retail $120 - Sale $96 - Sale on Sale $76.80.

Kevyn Aucoin The Contour Book - I also use to work for Kevyn Aucoin for a brief time.  His artistry has inspired millions even after his death, his makeup line is his legacy.  This set includes some easy to use products for contouring. Retail $59 - Sale $40 - Sale on Sale $32

Check out the sale page and see if any of your favorites are on there! Remember to use discount code EXTRA20 to get the extra discount, hurry it only last for a few days!

The Art of Layering

When it comes to crazy weather that changes 3 times a day, as it does in LA, I have absolutely no clue how to layer clothes.  But when it comes to skincare, I am the master at putting on as many layers as possible.  I love to layer products of all different kinds to get my skin glowing and I rarely use 2 products with the same actives, I want all my products to be doing different things, like, why use a toner, serum, and face cream that all have the same actives?  Shouldn't you be getting enough out of just one of them? If your skin can handle it, switch it up and give it a little of everything.  Here's how to get all those products on your face without feeling weighed down, I've provided some products that I have or am using that work great in these steps.

1. Cleanse - As someone with combination skin, I like bit of a deep clean, then add all the nutrients and oils back in afterwards.
AM Jurlique Clarifying Deep Cleansing Gel $28
PM Bellatora Exfoliating Cleanser $95

2. Toner - I find a lot of people don't use toner, but I love it.  It balances the ph of your skin and removes any excess cleanser leaving your skin fresh for products.
AM/PM Erno Laszlo Light Controlling Lotion $55

3. Essence - Applied directly after toner, facial essences add water light actives into the skin that are immediately absorbed. Warm and press into skin.
AM/PM SKII Facial Treatment Essence $99-290
AM/PM Belif Hungarian Water Essence $42

*If you are doing a sheet mask do it here, skip step 4 and maybe step 6 if you feel the serum in the mask was on the heavier side.*
SKII Facial Treatment Mask $135 for 6
Dr Jart Brightening Infusion Hydrogel Mask $7.50
Freeset Donkey Milk Skin Gel Mask Pack $37 for 10

4. Ampoule/Serum #1- Ampoules (as they're called in Korean beauty) are lightweight, gel-like, watery serums that easily absorb in the skin. Warm and press into skin.
AM/PM Cosrx Propolis Light Ampule $23.98
AM/PM Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate $78-175

*If you're experiencing breakouts, now's a good time to add a spot treatment*
Murad Acne Spot Treatment $18

5. Eye Serum/Gel - Eye serums and gels absorb the fastest, they're typically used for dark circles, puffiness, and lifting. Press all around orbital bone using a firm pressing (not rubbing) motion to stimulated lymphatic drainage.
AM/PM La Mer Luminous Eye Gel $145
AM/PM Dr. Perricone Acyl-Glutathione Eyelid Serum $120

*Wait 30 second for these step to absorb*

6. Serum #2 - This is going to be your heavier serum, usually your most active one.  Heavier serum usually have glycerin or silicones in them to help carry in active ingredients such as peptides. Warm and tap all over the face
AM/PM Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum $59.50-$154
PM Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment $105

7. Eye Cream - This will be your richer eye product, used for hydrating/firming.  Take a small amount and warm between 3 fingers, press around the orbital bone.
AM/PM AmorePacific Future Response Dual Eye Cream $150
AM/PM Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm $65

*Wait 30 Seconds for those products to absorb*

8. Facial Oil - Facial oils can be used so many ways, it really depends on what you're using it for.  You can use before, after, or mixed in with your cream.  Use before if it's a lighter weight oil after if it's thicker.  Ether can be mixed with a cream.  Oils can penetrate creams, that's why they can be used after. To apply all over, warm in the palms of your hands and press all over the face.
AM/PM African Botanics Neroli Infused Marula Oil $85
PM Sunday Riley Luna Oil $105
AM/PM Odacité Wild Carrot Serum Concentrate $55 (great for mixing with your moisturizer)

*Wait 60 seconds (I usually brush my teeth, put on the coffee, turn on the iron here, throw on my body cream, or put some product in my weave here)*

9. Cream or Lotion - Choose a texture for your skin type, if you're oily, you obviously don't want a heavy texture over all these layers.  Drier skin types may like a richer cream to lock in moisture.  Warm in hands and sweep outwards.
Dry Skin - Caudalie Premier Cru La Crème Riche $158
Normal Skin - Natura Bisse Essential Shock Intense Retinol Fluid $105 (Currently trying this one out, its suppose to be great for men, can be used around the eyes, and can be used as a serum or a day/night lotion)
Oily or Acne Prone Skin - Clarins Truly Matte Hydra-Matte Lotion $45
Sensitive Skin (Redness/Irritation) - First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream $6.50-$30

*Wait 60 seconds for the moisturizer to absorb, throw your clothes on, chug the rest of your coffee, reply to some emails...*

10. AM - Sunscreen is a must.  Mineral sunscreens (zinc and titanium) work by reflecting UV rays away from the sun and last the longest, chemical sunscreens absorb UV preventing it from hitting the skin.    Mineral sunscreens sometimes make my skin itch, other have the same problem with Chemical.  Find a texture you like, I use a creamy one in the winter, and water light in the summer.  Always use SPF 30 (anything more than that doesn't really do much).  Warm in hands and sweep all over the face, be sure to focus on high points, forehead, nose, and cheeks they all get the most sun (or your left temple you're in the car as much as I am...). 
Thicker - Jurlique Sun Specialist SPF40 High Protection Cream $38
Thinner - TonyMoly My Sunny Watery Sun Gel SPF30 PA++ $15.99

*Now you can apply your primer, foundation, and the rest of your makeup, or just have bare glowing skin*

10. PM - Retinoids - These are one of the only truly proven anti aging ingredients.  A retinoid is different from what we can but from a store, these need to be prescribed by a dr.  You can use them alone, but I like using them as my last step to reduce sensitivity as they can be pretty aggressive. The closest I've found without a prescription is the A313 Vitamin A Cream that you can purchase OTC in France or from the link below.
A313 Vitamin A Cream $33.75

10. PM Option 2 - Sleep Masks are so much fun to use! I can cater to my skins current needs by having a variety of sleep masks to choose from.  These mostly help by adding extra moisture into the skin, especially helpful during dry seasons or when you have heating or a/c on at night drying your skin.  Warm and press into skin as a final step.  Wait about 10-15 minutes before putting your face on the pillow.
Dr Jart Water-Max Sleeping Mask $48
AmorePacific Moisture Bound Sleeping Recovery Mask $60

11. Lip Treatment - Lip balms are my crack, they always have been, I've been using them longer than I've been using eye cream (15 years old). Always leave the house with some good balm in your pocket, never know when you'll need to 😘.  Apply liberally as needed.
Hourglass No28 Lip Treatment Oil $42
Nuxe Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm $18.50

See 10 step skincare really isn't that difficult (even if you add in 2 or 3 more steps).  When in doubt, just remember thinnest to thickest. Have you had success with this? Are you doing more than 10 steps?  I'd love to know!

Régime De La Nuit

Often I'm asked what products I'm using, so I'll try to keep you up to date with my latest trials and obsessions.  Here's my current routine in the evening.

1. Clarisonic Mia2 w/ Deep Pore Cleansing Brush $119 - My long time friend and esthetician, Jessica, gifted me this for my birthday this year, how I never had one I have no idea, but it's quiet amazing for cleansing the skin.  My only qualm is that it stops after 1 minute, what if it want to over wash my face for 5 minutes? It's my life, let me live it. 4/5 Stars, everyone needs one, just get the appropriate brush for your skin type.

2. Bellatorra Exfoliating Facial Cleanser $95 - I've been using this for about a month, and I'm really enjoying it.  Bellatorra is a new line sold at Barneys, the lines main benefit is its 48hour time release ingredients, mostly in its leave on products (the facial mist feels like happiness).  This cleanser smells like grapefruit (which I love), it gently exfoliates, cleanses, protects, and reveals a smoother complexion.  All skin types 4/5 Stars.

3. Belif Eucalyptus Herbal Extract Toner $28 - I'm very picky about toners, and I'm on my second bottle of this one.  I like to feel very cleansed without being stripped.  This toner removes any leftover cleanser and sebum, leaving my skin feeling balanced and super fresh.  4.5/5 Stars.

4. SK-II Facial Essence $99-$205 - Thank God I got a sample of this cause I've been out for awhile.  This is THE BEST facial essence you'll ever use.  To sum it up, I first purchased this 10 years ago because my friend Nathan called me up and said "I showed up to work with no sleep after a 3 day bender with only this on my skin and my coworkers asked if I had just gotten off vacation" enough said 5/5 Stars.

5. Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum $78-$175 - You can read a little further down (a previous post) my thoughts on this lovely hydrating serum.

6. Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum $58.50-$154 - I just started using this a few days ago, I love the texture, very light, absorbs easily, and blends well with my 10 Step skincare routine.  I'll report back on results.

7. Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil $105 - Just started this one a few days ago as well, but I'm kind of obsessed already.  I LOVE facial oils, especially in the cold dry weather.  I'll report back after a few more weeks of use.

8. Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Eye Lifting Balm $62 - You can see my review on this one in a previous post, mostly just finishing this one up so I can try a new one.

9. Amore Pacific Future Response Age Defense Dual Eye Creme $150 - I received these deluxe size samples quiet awhile back and started using it about 2 months ago, there's a cream for the am (with SPF25) and one for pm.  These small samples are never ending, like every other Amore Pacific product I've ever used, it's like they regenerate themselves, making them totally worth their higher price.  These creams have kept my eyes smooth and hydrated.  4/5 Stars, I highly recommend the duo for anyone late 20s+ who are needing some extra loving around the eyes.

10. Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Night Infusion Cream $76 - You can see my review in a previous post, I've been using this since the beginning of October and I'm liking how it's lightweight texture hydrates and layers well with my other steps.

11. A313 Pommade $33.76 - Everyone needs a retinol/vitamin A cream, it's proven, it works, you'll love it.  I use it 5-6 nights a week as the last step in my nightime routine. Check out my previous post for full details

12. Hourglass No28 Lip Treatment Oil $42 - When I first started working for Hourglass, I moved from the humid East Coast to dry ass LA.  Never had my lips felt so dry, ever.  As a lifetime chapstick/lip balm junkie, this is the answer.  It's repaired my dry lips to the point that when I don't have anything on my lips still feel hydrated and smooth.  Apply in the am and before bed at night, it will change your life.  The 24karat gold plated applicator is also quiet the conversation piece to pull out of your pocket, my friends always ask if I have "the gold one" on me as I always have a lip balm in tow.  5/5 Stars, you need this, I can't live without it (and not just cause I work for them, I would buy this if I had to).  Its also available in a very wearable sheer red for the holidays.

13. Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Eye Mask $35 - This copper infused eye mask claims it can reduce wrinkles in as little as 4 weeks. I'd be lying if I said I noticed a big difference in my skin from it, but I will say that I bought a second one after leaving my first one on a flight to Paris. Why? Because it's so soft and comfortable, it blocks out all light, and I get some of the best sleep I've ever had with it on.  I feel it's satiny smooth fabric prevents sleep lines on my eyes from sleeping on my sides.  As for its wrinkle reducing properties? Every little bit helps and I want the matching pillow case.  4/5 Stars.

14. Dr Jart Water-Max Sleeping Mask $48 - On the 1-2 nights a week I'm not using the A313 I like to use a sleeping mask for a boost in hydration.  I've only used this one a handful of times so far, but I like its lightweight and easily absorbed texture.  It gives some nice hydration, but I'll give my full report after I've used it a bit longer.

15. Elemental Herbology Facial Soufflé Overnight Cream $84 - The lovely girls at Mecca in Sydney Australia bought this for me as a going away gift after I told them how obsessed I was with the texture and smell.  It's one of the thickest creams I've ever felt and has this amazing herbal aroma from all the essential oils.  I use this maybe once or twice a week as my night cream, when my skin is feeling especially dry, like day 2-3 after a chemical peel or during this random super dry LA nights. 4.5/5 Stars

I'd love to hear your thoughts on any other these, have you tried them? Love or hate them? Have any other questions? I'm all ears.

Vitamin Oui

If you haven't heard of the legendary Avibon, you're probably not that big of a skincare fanatic.  If you have heard of, then you probably know it's been taken off the market for "reformulation" (I emailed them, it's never coming back). Fortunately there's a substitute, A313.  I ordered this online when I found out about it and immediately fell in love with it as part of my winter brightening routine. It's a Vitamin A cream (retinol), less potent than Avibon, but similar to our prescription retinol creams.  I noticed smaller pores, smoother skin, diminishing fine lines, and brighten skin within a few uses.  It does cause some initial redness, peeling, dryness, and irritation, as do all retinols with any strength, but those side effects fades after about a week.  I suggest applying this over your night cream for less irritation, that's how I use it every or every other night.  If you're headed to France, bring a picture, every pharmacy I went into had no clue what I was talking about, and I went into every one I walked past. I recommend this to anyone and everyone, like Botox and sunscreen, retinols are something everyone should use to keep their skin looking younger.  4.5/5 Stars available on Amazon around $30

I Heard It Through The Grapevine

Some of my favorite skincare products come from the French brand Caudalie, so when I heard they were joining forces with Harvard to bring new advancements from their already potent resveratrol, I said "put it all over my body".   The line contains their signature Vine Resveratrol and combines it with Micro Hyaluronic Acid to boost firmness, elasticity, and help your skin to boost its own Hyaluronic Acid levels.  I started using the entire line October 1st and continued through November 1st, here's what I thought.

Let's see how many products I can hold in one hand

The Firming Serum is the key formula in the 4 product line up.  It's also the product I finished first.  Consumer studies on the serum boast denser skin in 7 days, firmer And lifted skin in 28 days, and smoothed wrinkles in 56 days.  Well, after using it twice a day, I only made it to day 28 before I ran out of product.  I'm typically not heavy handed with my skincare, but the serum is thicker than most and I spread all my skincare down my neck, I found I needed quiet a bit of it.  The dropper style dispenser also leads you to believe you can use a full droppers worth.  Last complaint is that the dropper isn't long enough to get out all the product, so I was q-tipping the rest out to get to 28 days.  Despite it only lasting 28 days, I love the results from this serum, my skin was so plump and hydrated and definitely looked firmer.  Great for all skin types who need a boost in hydration and some help with fine lines.  I would recommend it for late 20s and up.  4/5 Stars $82.

I typically hate having sunscreen in my moisturizer because so many irritate my skin.  The Face Lifting Moisturizer SPF 20 was a nice exception to this.  I do wear 30+ SPF so I would still prefer not to have it added in, but on my days running out the door this is a great option.  Its lightweight fluid texture provided a great deal of hydration without being greasy.  I switched to a different moisturizer after November 1st, but now I'm thinking to switch back, I miss how soft it made my skin! 3.8/5 Stars $66

My favorite time for skincare in evening, mostly because I can layer on as many products as I want.  The Resveratrol Lift Night Infusion was a nice addition.  It has a lightweight whipped creamy texture, almost mouse like.  In Caudalie's studies they found 93% of users noticed smoother wrinkles and 90% noticed their skin was more relaxed in 28 days.  Well this is one of the products I kept using after 11/1.  I've been loving how my skin looks in the morning, so refreshed like I actually slept 8 hours (I usually get 4-6).  As its been getting really dry in LA I've found myself needing to add some more oil or alternating with heavier creams, but I keep going back to it.  It's spreads really far, feels like it will last me a long time. I would recommend this to anyone 30+ with Combo-Dry skin in need of a solid great night cream 4.2/5 Stars $76.

Lastly we have the Eye Balm.  Now I'm a bit of an eye cream snob, I've used nearly every one on the market, so I'm quiet particular.  Caudalie reports that 80% of users noticed less puffiness in 28 days.  I don't get puffy, so I can't really talk to that.  It's very lightweight, I felt that it did help my skin stay hydrated, however I like my eye creams a lot thicker.  I felt like I needed an eye cream on top, so I used an Amore Pacific one on top.  I keep grabbing it every morning and night, so I must not hate it, but I wouldn't say it's one of my favorites.  Would be a great starter eye cream for someone, or apparently anyone with puffiness.  3/5 Stars $62

All in all the Resveratrol Lift line has been enjoyable to use, the textures have been different from the rest of their products, and I've enjoyed that.  I still prefer the Premier Cru Face Cream and Eye Cream but this is definitely a nice more affordable option.

UPDATE

Just finished using the Resveratrol Lift Face Lifting Soft Cream after 3 months of use.  It was what I loved about the SPF Moisturizer, and without the sunscreen that I didn't.  This kept my skin hydrated when it was dry, but wasn't so heavy that I ever felt greasy.  My skin glowed every morning I wore it, and stayed super soft and plump.  It even helped when my red was peeling from too much retinol/peels.  I would 100% use this again, the texture was amazing, and I knew my skin was going to always look smooth.  5/5 Stars 😉 $76

Under The Sheets

It's not secret I have an obsession with Korean skincare, they just really know what's up.  The biggest Korean skincare trend to make it stateside is sheet masks.  I may have gone a bit overboard on ordering sheet masks from Korea and buy them at every store I can find them in, but these quick fixes are such a fun supplement to your skincare routine.  It's nice having a variety so you can pick one according to your current skin concern.  Here are just a few I've been using recently.

I am all about brightening.  I want all that sun damage I caused in the tanning bed to fade faster than its popping up.  The Innisfree intensive Ampoules Mask [vita C] is one of my new favorites.  I ordered it a quiet a few month ago but just recently used it.  It contains a Vitamin C Ampoule (fancy name for serum) that you apply first, then lay the sheet mask over top.  My skin was glowing the next day, exactly what I needed after my recent travels and lack of sleep. 4/5 Stars available at innisfreeworld.com for $4

If you're a skincare junkie, Facebooks creepy algorithms have taken notice and you've seen the ads for the Orgaid Organic Sheet Mask.  If I see an offer for free beauty products you know I'll be the first one on board.  They apparently knew how obsessed I am and sent me 2 sheet masks (on different days) so I mean, I had to write a review.  Upon opening the mask I though it was going to rip the mask apart accident Because they don't put the clear divider in there, probably more eco friendly, but it was sturdy and highly saturated in formula. I left it on about 20 minutes, it still hadn't dried at all, but I was hungry and wanted a snack.  It definitely left my skin feeling super hydrated, but I didn't really notice any other benefits.  4/5 stars, great for anyone looking for a boost in hydration and like clean and organic products. $7.99 for 1 and $38.50 for a pack of 6 at Orgaid.com or on Amazon.com

When I think of donkeys, the first thing I think about is most definitely not their milk.  Thankfully the Koreans have other opinions on the matter.  When a super nice girl I met on New Years (thank Eunice!) messaged me that she wanted to send me some Donkey Milk sheet masks, I obviously was over the top excited.  Now I can't read Korean for the details on these, but I'll tell you they feel like happiness and dreams.  The serum has a very milky texture and stay moist on the sheet for longer than my attention span will allow Otto stay on.  It left my skin feeling super soft and hydrated. 5/5 Stars $WhoKnows, available from your super cool Korean friend.

Now if you don't want to play games and want some serious results, then you need to turn to the gold standard in sheet masks, Knesko Skin.  First let me tell you about the founder Lejla Cas, if you ever meet her while she is in a spa selling, you'll buy everything she tells you too.  She's stunning, has flawless skin, a soothing accent, and the most calming demeanor, she could tell me eating gravel off the 405 would get rid of dark circles and I'd believe her, but I doubt she would.  Her masks are free of junk ingredients and packed full of actives.  There Diamond Radiance and Nanogold Repair masks for both eyes and face.  These masks are amazing after a chemical peel or for an intense boost to your routine.  They soothe, repair, firm, lift, hydrate, help with puffiness and dark circles, you name it.  At $150 for a 4 pack of masks and $60 for 6ct eye, these masks aren't exactly your impulse purchase, but maybe the fact that I give them a 6/5 stars and that they're amazing will make you run out and grab them.  Available at high end spas such as Canyon Ranch and Four Seasons, Nigels Beauty Emporium In North Hollywood, and KneskoSkin.com

Flashback

100 years ago, I worked for Lancôme.  I was obsessed, the skincare smelled and felt amazing, the textures were unreal, the global "innovations" and "1st time" ingredients had me sold.  Then I learned what a marketing ingredient was, and moved on to other products, until recently.  I was given the Advanced Génifique (fake French word) Youth Activating Serum and threw it towards the back of my product queue, until a slot opened up and I decided to give it a try.  The second ingredient is "Bifida Ferment Lysate",  as fermented ingredients are typically high on the list of Korean Essence products I decided to do a little research.  There are no real studies on the effects of this particular bacteria on the skin, but I will tell you this, I'm on my second bottle.  This concentrate absorbs super quick and feels like an instant boost of moisture.  Lancôme bosts some moderate results across all major skin concerns, targeting it to all skin types and ages, so it truly is an "All Skin Type" product.  It features a dropped that premeasures the perfect amount every time you open it; I used this morning and night and it lasted me over 4 months

I finished my first bottle, moved to another product for the past few months and am happy to say I'm glad there was a second bottle in my queue to use.  At $105 for a 1.69oz bottle it may not be the most affordable extra step in your routine,  I give it 4/5 Stars and recommend it to anyone wanting a boost of hydration, radiance, and improvement in texture.  Use after essence and before or as your serum.

I'm Burning Up Baby

Some like the leafs changing colours, some like the cold weather accessories, some like the Pumpkin Spice everything, but my favorite part of the fall, other than not having to deal with Hollywood Bowl traffic, is all the peels I can use!  I'm fortunate enough to have friends that give me professional strength peels that I'm able to do at home, but then I find an at home peel that I'm completely obsessed with!  

Being the hippie that I am, I love an effective natural brand, Korres is one of those brands that every time I try a product from them I'm so surprised at how much I love it, mostly because it's so affordable. The Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Petal Peel is one of my new favorites, I started with just a sample and had to get the full size.  It's a 2 Step system starting with an Aloe based gel, it contains 10% fruit, Glycolic, and lactic AHAs, so that sits for 30 seconds, then Step 2 is a rich cream with another 10% AHA and pomegranate enzymes.  It also contains stabilizing Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid.

 Korres boats some impressive user results (Check out their website) and I noticed how great my skin looked instantly.  My skin was super soft, not dry or irritated as it often is after a professional strength peel, but still had the same smoothness.  Pore looked smaller, fine lines softened, brighter more radiant skin, it fantastic.  I've only been using it a few months, but I think with continued use it will definitely brighten some dark spots.  Did I mention that is smells like happiness and dreams?The whole Wild Rose line does (the exfoliating cleanser was the first product I tried in the line and it's great).  

I recommend this for anyone who wants an effective at home peel. I used it in the summer, when I normally do not do peels because of so much sun exposure, and had no adverse reactions or irritation (just wear sunscreen)

5/5 Stars  $64 at your local Sephora