A.M. / Morning Cleansing Routine

Good Morning! Let's pretend it's morning, even if it's not, mmkayy?

An essential part of beautifully applied makeup, and beauty overall, is taking good care of your skin. There are lots and lots of routines and regimens and sources for advice and information out there in this World Wide Web but this is just my particular method. 

My skin is combination, very oily in the R-Zone, acne prone and has hyper pigmentation from old acne scars. It's a real winning combination (note the use of sarcasm, as there is not yet a sarcasm font). 

When I had really bad breakouts I tried it all. Pro-Active, dermatologist prescribed skin care and medicine, Clinique 3-step system, various drug store brand cleansers and systems, and many more. 

Then while I was pregnant it became necessary for me (I decided) to simplify my routine and use only natural ingredients, organic where possible. I figured whatever I put on my skin would sink in to my blood stream and affect my baby. It may have been neurosis but that was my thought process. 

I went to Lush and kind of made up my own AM and PM routine for taking care of my skin (PM routine up next). 

Please note: it IS imperative to properly cleanse and wash your face in the morning. There are lots of reasons and a more detailed blog (from a true skin care expert) can be found on Caroline Hirons website. 

Here's the run down:

Cleanse with Herbalism from Lush

Tone with Tea Tree Water from Lush

Moisturize with 100% pure Argan Oil from Josie Maran

Moisturize Lips with Honey Trap from Lush

I also take my vitamins, supplements and drink my first 20 ounces of my daily 80 ounces, in the morning. This helps my skin from the inside out. Consult a doctor to find out what's right for you. 

As you can see I keep it reallllllll simple. I don't have a lot of time for fuff in the morning. Yep. I said fuff. And I've got zero time for it. 

Now, what's missing? 

1) EYE CREAM

2) SERUM

aaannnnd 

2) SPF 

Those are three VERY critical steps that I kind of skip.  Well. Not kind of. I actually skip them. 

Any self respecting skin care specialist would require vapors for fear of fainting if they knew. Let's not tell any, shall we? *wink wink*

I find SPF causes me to break out so I avoid it and rely on SPF in my makeup and/or only apply my Clarins one when I know I am spending the day in the sun. I'm still on the hunt for one I like and when I find it I'll let you know. 

I avoid serums because I don't like anything getting between me and my Josie Maran 100% pure Argan Oil. That stuff is pure hydration and deliciousness for my skin! 

As for eye cream...well...I really should use it. At my age (not disclosing that right now thank you very much) I should really be taking a proactive approach to my anti aging regimen. I do use eye cream at night (PM routine spoiler alert!) but I never use it in the day time because I feel like it makes my under eye makeup crease. Again, still on the hunt for that holy grail eye cream. 

If you've got any recommendations for serum, eye cream or SPF please feel free to leave it in the comments below. 

Until next time!

Xoxo

Jessica 

Photocredit: http://www.cnjtc.com 

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (with broad spectrum SPF 15) Review

Prepare yourself... Prime your face! There I said it. You have been officially advised to Prime Your Face.

Priming is probably the most often skipped step in most people's makeup routine. Most people do it or they don't. Some people only prime when they need some extra wear out of their makeup, like for weddings and special events.

But why on earth wouldn't you want extra wear and all the yummy benefits of a great primer on a daily basis? Its like a two second extra step for - in the case of a really good primer - lots and lots of benefit!

I never used to prime, but I have my reasons. I tried so many. Some of the best really. Bare Minerals Prime Time, NARS Pro-Prime Primer, MAC Prep and Prime, Smashbox Photo Finish (regular, light and blemish control versions), even Urban Decay De-Slick spray and All Nighter spray, both under AND over my foundation. I always, always, always got some breakouts when I used any kind of primer.

Breaking out after using a primer is the start of a vicious cycle: get breakout- need primer- need makeup to hide breakouts- get more breakouts...you get the idea.

However, once I found the right primer for my skin I have not stopped using it and I use it every day any kind of makeup is going on my face, with. out. fail.

The right primer acts as a barrier between the gorgeous skincare you apply and the gorgeous makeup you apply. Makeup which sometimes clogs pores, unfortunately. But fear not! Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer will save you! (tosses superhero cape over shoulder)

photocredit: hourglass website

Since I started using this primer about 6 months ago I have not had a single makeup related breakout. In fact, the only breakouts I've gotten are hormone/that time of the month related. And even still, those are rare.

So, this primer applies white and then dries matte and invisible. Alone on the skin it blurs lines and pores. Then, your usual foundation or, my personal new favorite, a tinted moisturizer, on top ices the cake nicely. I even apply it over my eyelids and under my eyes for extra oomph. It is mineral based AND water resistant- perfect for the coming warmer months. And talk about good for you? It is paraben free, sulfate free, phthalates free, synthetic dye and fragrance free, oil free and gluten free!

Lets talk staying power: it is makeup glue. I have combination skin with a VERY oily T-Zone and this stuff helps my makeup stay strong from 7AM when I apply it on the train until 7PM when I finally take it off at home. I'm running to catch trains in New York Penn Station, running to get my baby girl from day care and running from the subway to my office in Manhattan. Lots of running around and I don't have the time or energy to check my makeup periodically, I need to know it looks flawless all the time and it does.

PS Its also got a tiny SPF 15 benefit which is always nice.

Next time you're in your favorite makeup shopping happy place ask for a sample. Its worth a try. Leave a comment if you do and let me know how you get on with it. Then you too will always Prime Your Face!

xoxo
Jessica