My skincare routine

So to help my sister figure out what order to use different products I'm posting my skincare routine.

In the morning:

1-My very first step is to check my face for blemishes and use my blemish extractor to address any that may have cropped up overnight. It is very important to clean your blemish extractor before and after each use to sanitize it so that you don't add to the problem of breakouts. I wipe mine down with rubbing alcohol before each use and after each use I wash it with warm water and an antibacterial soap.

2-Then I jump in the shower and at the end of my shower I wash my face with Pur Minerals Revitalizing Facial Wash using an Ecotools Sustainable Facial Buff. I usually do this in the shower. I think it smells like creamcicles, so yummy. Once a week, usually Friday morning, I use BeFine Exfoliating Cleanser instead for good exfoliating. If I've been sweating a lot from yard work or have been at the beach or feel like my face is a particularly greasy, grimy, or dirty I will forgo my Face Wash for this exfoliator. I apply the exfoliating cleanser using my fingers only. Be sure to pat your face dry with the towel, never rub.

3-My next step is to use a toner. Toners help clean off any residual make up or dirt that your cleanser may leave behind and it will close the pores you opened with the warmth of washing your face. The toner I use is BeFine Firming Toner and I apply it with a cotton round, using two spritzes. This toner is alcohol free so it's not drying and you still get that toner tingle but its from the ginger and witch hazel which also gives you that firming action.

4-Following the toner I apply my facial serum, Pur Mineral Be Firm. I squirt one pump on to my finger tips and blot over my face then gently smooth over my whole face.

5-The facial moisturizer is next. I use Pur Mineral Mineral Moisture Complex. I dab one finger pad into the moisturizer and blot over my face and gently smooth over my face. I get a second dab and apply it to my neck down onto my chest.

6-My last step is to use an eye cream. I apply a 'slight' pump of Pur Mineral Tone Up to my under eye area. By slight pump I mean I dispense about a large pin head amount onto my ring finger pad press it into the ring finger of my opposite hand then use each finger to dab the eye cream under each eye and on to the eye lid. Never rubbing only gently dabbing.

In the evening:

1-I clean off my make up and wash my face with a single Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber and Green Tea Baby Wipe. These are much cheaper then make up or facial wipes and don't leave a residue on your face. And they are so cooling on a hot day too!

2-I then use my toner like in step 3 above.

3-I keep my BeFine Night Cream in my night stand so I can apply a pea size amount to evenly to my face and neck.

4-I also keep my tube of Ulta Eye Cream in my night stand. I dab a small amount on to my ring finger and apply it as stated in step 6 above. Ulta changed the packaging on this eye cream for some reason so when it was on clearance I bought 3 tubs for about $3 each to stock up, since it regularly goes for $25 a tub!

5-Next I dab on a little Pur Minerals Mineral Lip Revival on to my lips.

6-Lastly I rub in some BeFine Rough Spot Lemon Balm on to my feet, elbows, knees, and hands pull on my Ecotools Eye Mask for some Zs.

Others:
There are a few other things I use regularly for facial and other skin care.
-Pur Minerals Happy Feet is a citrus foot lotion that really does make you feet happy, even Chuck loves this on his feet, but it's pretty pricey, luckily a little goes a long way.
-Chocolate Mud Mask, smells great and if you take the contents out of the pouch, put it in small container you'll get multiple use from one pouch. I always use a soft paint brush to apply my mud masks, less waste and more even, controlled coverage.
-Queen Helene Mint Julep Mud Masque, this is a refreshing mint mud mask that feels good and can also be used as a spot treatment to dry up blemishes. Don't use more then twice a week as it can be too drying.
-Queen Helene Grape Seed Peel Off Masque, a good peel off mask that I like to use once a week.
-Ecotools Body Buff, I use this buff with my body wash for good exfoliation on my arms, legs, etc.
-Dove Go Fresh Burst Body Wash, this is the body wash I am using currently I love this scent and like the same scent for my Body Spray.
-And yes I do use a Ped Egg on my feet, I wear wool socks and steel toed boots to work everyday and this means I often have rough calluses and a build up of dry skin especially on my heels;this has been the best way I have found for keeping my feet soft. I use it each weekend and follow it with Happy Feet from above.
-My tweezers of choice is my the one that came in my Ecotools sets. I have a smaller one and a standard size one that I really like.

Little Disclaimer:

This post is not sponsored by any of the products mentioned above.

Hair routine

So a friend from work has been bugging me about my curly hair routine as she's curly-headed and loves the definition and shine of my curls. So I'll post it here complete with the products I use and thought Les would like to see this too.

First I must warn you, I know this sounds gross but I don't was my hair...Yeah I know, I know I do wash my hair but not in the conventional way. I only use shampoo once every 10 to 12 days. Yep That's right!

Shampooing:
So once every 10 to 12 days I use Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo. I only use a small amount and try to limit it to my scalp only, rinse, and continue on with my daily routine below. (Approx $0.88 for the standard size and $1.24 for the family size)

Daily Routine:

1-I do what is called a conditioner wash or co-wash using Suave Refreshing Tangerine Conditioner (or Suave Tropical Coconut depending on my mood). To co-wash you apply the conditioner to your scalp with your finger tips and "scrub" like you are washing your hair with shampoo. I generally apply in three small "doses" for good coverage. I quarter size amount to my front hairline and temples, a quarter size amount to my crown, and a quarter size amount to my rear hairline and behind my ears. Rinse. (Same price as shampoo above)


2-Then I actually condition my hair with Suave Almond and Shea Butter Conditioner using about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons and combing it through with my fingers. This is a thicker, richer conditioner. Note that this is the ONLY time I ever comb or brush my hair, in the shower when there is conditioner in it. I leave this conditioner to "set" on my hair while I shave so about 2 to 3 minutes, then rinse using cooler water. Cooler water helps to seal the hair and keep moisture inside and smooth each hair to avoid frizziness. (Less than $3 for 32 oz)
3- Before I leave the shower I use my only styling product, Sebastian Potion 9 Lite I apply it while the hair is still dripping wet and never wring my hair out. Wringing you hair causes breakage and frizziness and breaks up the curls. The product is a wearable treatment and comes in a spray bottle. I spray it twice onto my wet hand and then rub between my hands and apply by scrunching my hair while my head is pointed downwards. ( 5oz for $12 to $15)




4-Immediately after step 3 I "plunk" or "plop" my hair in either a Curl-Ease towel (got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond for $15) or microfiber spa towel. See video below. I leave my hair wrapped like this while I get dressed and finish getting ready. Your hair wont be fully dry, but it does go a long way in jump starting the drying process. Try not to touch your hair once you remove the towel to avoid adding frizz. I have also slept with this on my head and woke with fully dry and supper cute curls. To help avoid the flattening that sometimes happens to the top of my hair I add two to three Scunci Vented Salon Clips (love these!) to the roots to hold them up and keep my hair from flattening while it finishes air drying.

Now if later in the day I need to refresh my girls I wet my hands and apply one spritz of potion 9 lite to my hair by scrunching it while I am bent over.

And that's about it!


This post is not sponsored by any of the products mentioned above.