Morning Skincare Routine

Since I mentioned my skincare overhaul in my Current Skincare Loves post, I thought I'd tell you about my morning and evening skincare routines. Up first is the morning lineup.


I have a small rotation of cleansers to use for any skin condition, but lately I've been loving the Boots No7 Melting Gel Cleanser.  It melts into an oil and feels very nourishing and silky on the skin. Even though I layer on many products at night, I still feel like I need a bit of moisture on some parts of my face in the morning. This cleanser feels like it moisturizes the drier areas on my face without making the more normal/oily parts on my face too oily.

Next I balance my skin using the Origins United State Balancing Tonic. It smells lovely, and it zaps my oily sections without drying out my cheeks.  After the tonic I'll use a hydrating eye cream - right now I'm loving the Mario Badescu Chamomile eye cream, which has vitamins A and E to combat dry skin.  It feels very rich, yet not too heavy to use in the morning. I'll use the Origins Super Spot Remover Gel if I have a particularly angry spot, otherwise I reserve this for nighttime. Next I go in with Caudalie's Vinosource SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum.  It's very light yet super hydrating. It helps my skin feel moisturized all day, even through sitting in a dry, air-conditioned office.  Last is moisturizer, and I've been using The Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet.  I picked it up with my reward points a couple months ago and I love it. I've been going through it quickly because I use quite a lot at once, but it dries down to a velvety, silky texture, and makeup just glides right over it.  And if I know I'll be spending a lot of time outside, I'll layer on a facial SPF, usually just one from Neutrogena.

That's my morning routine - keep your eyes out for my evening routine, coming soon!

What are your favorite products to use in the morning?

A Little Surprise

Recently my little sister moved to Boston to start her first year away at college. I couldn't be more proud of her, but of course I miss having her at home. Even though we are almost four years apart, we are very close - she was always the one to binge-watch beauty videos on YouTube with me, and the one to go on long trips to Sephora and Ulta with me, not leaving until our arms were covered in swatches and guiltily carrying bags full of new goodies.

The day after she left, I decided to go on a shopping trip, dragging my boyfriend along with me, and this time I looked only for things she would like. I had the idea to bundle them all together and ship them off to her as a surprise (this post won't go up until I know she's gotten the package so I don't spoil the surprise), in case she needs a little pick-me-up after her first week, or just for the thrill of getting her first package at school.

The first things I got her were two lipsticks from MAC, one for going out and one to wear to class or more low-key events.  She has determined that she has the same skintone as Estee from Essiebutton, so I of course picked two Essiebutton-approved shades.  I know my sister loves her bold orangey-reds so I just had to get her Lady Danger, a matte formula which MAC describes as a vibrant coral-red. For a more class-appropriate shade I chose See Sheer, described as a grapefruit pink. This one is a lustre finish, so it is more sheer and creamy, perfect for everyday and easy to apply.  Next I picked up the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in shade 20 (sand). She had been saying before she left that she wanted a good do-all concealer, and this is my favorite concealer I've tried (I use the shade 15, fair). I also got her Stila's Kitten eyeshadow, because she went through a period where she always borrowed my Stila In the Light palette and left a rather large dent in this shade, so I assumed she really liked it. 
I also picked up an Essie nail polish in the shade Tart Deco, because she had been wanting that before she left, too.  Lastly on the beauty front I picked up a box of Biore pore strips to use on pamper nights with her friends.

I couldn't send a care package without including snacks, so I also included a couple of her favorite sweets that I know she didn't bring with her.

What kind of things would you send in a care package? I need ideas for the next one I send her!

Everyday Makeup Routine

As much as I love playing around with my makeup, I've fallen into a routine using mostly the same products every day so that I can spend those few extra minutes in bed before having to get up for work.

I work in an office, but it's right next to a machining floor so if I wear too much on my face I feel a little too dirty and grimy by lunchtime.  I've been using a light layer of a tinted moisturizer or BB cream, but anything else feels too heavy.  On really good skin days I'll use the Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream - I like this because it's moisturizing and it's a good color match for me. It's one of the only drugstore BB Creams I've tried with a more pinky undertone.  It does have a strong smell that I can notice for awhile after putting this on, but it doesn't bother me too much.  If I want a bit more coverage, I'll use the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in the shade Cameo.  I've never tried a tinted moisturizer with better coverage than this.  It evens out my skintone while still looking like skin.  If there are any pesky spots still peeking through I'll cover them up with the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in the shade 15 (Fair).

Next I'll move on to my brows. My holy grail is the Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Brown, although I try to rotate in the Eyebrow Cake Powder by Nyx in Ash/Taupe so I can go longer without having to buy another Brow Wiz.  If I'm running late, I go for the Brow Wiz, and if I have more time I'll use the powder.

For my eyes I keep it simple with a wash of a cream eyeshadow - usually Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Nude Compliment, which is like a cooler-toned version of Bad to the Bronze (my other favorite).  I draw in a little definition on my outer corners and also tightline with the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner in the shade Corrupt.  I like using this dark brown shade for every day rather than a black one because it looks softer.  Lastly I'll curl my eyelashes and coat them with the L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Waterproof Mascara.

My cheeks tend to get red during the day in the summer so I usually avoid blush, but when I have been wearing anything I've been reaching for the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed - it's a very neutral color that goes with everything and is actually very sculpting as well as brightening.

I finish off the look with a neutral lip color that's easy to touch up during the day. I usually go for the Dior Lip Glow, Syrup by MAC, or the Nyx Butter Gloss in Angel Food Cake.

What are some products in your daily routine?