The Sephora sale has officially begun. Rouge members can begin shopping with their discount today, and I outlined the other dates in my makeup recommendations post here. This post covers my favorite and most-used skincare products, as well as some items I’m thinking of picking up!
Stay tuned, because I’m working on yet ANOTHER recommendations list for body, hair, and self-tanning products. Keep an eye out for that in the next few days.
Cleanser
I’ve been using cleansing balms for the past few years. I find them more efficient than liquid makeup removers at removing makeup, and they’re better for the skin (and environment) than makeup removing wipes. I love the Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm as the first step in my cleansing routine. It doesn’t leave any oily film in my eyes and does an excellent job at removing even the most stubborn waterproof makeup. I like the cherry version, but it is limited edition!
I’m not too picky about my cleanser, but there are a few at Sephora that I do really like. Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip and Fresh Soy Makeup Removing Face Wash are both excellent everyday cleansers. I especially like the Fresh one because it feels so gentle and I can use it on my eyes to help remove excess makeup. Ceramic slip definitely feels more deeply cleansing, yet doesn’t feel like it strips my skin.
When my skin is feeling a bit more clogged or breakout-prone, I like to use Murad’s Clarifying Cleanser. I feel like it really helps get rid of blemishes faster, vs. using a normal cleanser with my normal acne treatments. Caudalie’s Vinopure Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser is similar but slightly more gentle.
Moisturizer
I’m not super loyal to any one moisturizer, but there are a few that I find to be really great for specific things.
The Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer is an amazing, lightweight moisturizer that keeps my face moisturized all day long. It’s great for summer or when my skin is feeling more oily or breaking out more than usual. It’s quite similar to the Tatcha Water Cream, but the price is much more reasonable.
When my skin is drier (especially during the winter and ski season), I like to use a rich moisturizer like the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream. It’s heavy without feeling like it’s clogging pores, and it’s absolutely gorgeous to look at. It definitely adds something special to your skincare routine. It’s pricey, so get it during the Sephora sale to save money!
Another rich moisturizer I love is the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream. This stuff is crazy expensive, so I have the mini size. I don’t use it every day, but I find it makes a great base for makeup since it’s so deeply moisturizing. If you use it sparingly it does last a while. I also like using Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Mask or Laneige’s Cica Sleeping Mask as a deep moisturizer or before makeup. They can also be used as masks, as their names suggest.
Treatments
There are a number of special treatments I like to use, depending on what my skin needs.
I don’t always use toner, but when I do it’s either The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution or Ole Henricksen’s Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner. Both are fairly gentle on the skin, but help to even out skin tone with continued use.
One of my favorite skincare products of all time is Sunday Riley’s Good Genes. After only a few nights of using this, the texture on my forehead was pretty much gone. It’s amazing at clarifying and smoothing skin. I’ve recently started using their A+ High-Dose Retinol Serum, and I’m dying to try the new Pink Drink Firming Resurfacing Essence. Just look at that packaging!
My all-time favorite spot treatment is the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. If you suffer from acne, you need this. I’ve used it for over 10 years and couldn’t even tell you how many bottles I’ve gone through. I’m really interested in trying the Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Spot Treatment Mask!
Masks
I’ll admit it, I don’t mask as often as I’d like. I generally get really lazy when it comes to masking and just want to run through my skincare routine in one trip to the bathroom. However, there are a few that I do enjoy.
For a clarifying mask, I reach for the Ole Henricksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask, Glamglow Supermud, or this Dr. Dennis Gross mask.
For exfoliation, I reach for The Ordinary’s peeling solution – yes, that crazy mask that looks like blood. I’d really like to try the Summer Fridays Overtime Mask for exfoliation as well.
Wander Beauty’s Baggage Claim Eye Masks are my favorite under eye masks.
Lip Care
If you’re an Insta follower, then you know I love my lip products. To avoid going on and on about them, I’m going to link all of my favorites below.
Sets
Sephora has a ton of amazing skincare sets out for the holidays, and many of them include products I know and love or products I’m dying to try. I’ve linked some of the ones I’m eyeing below. Check out more of Sephora’s holiday sets here.
Happy shopping!
Xo,
Meg
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