Part 2: Skin Care Routine

This post is part two of my Skin Care Routine Post, the first one here discussed my current three step system. This one will be talking more so about the "extras" of skin care. Although I refer to them as "extras" they're still super important!

  Clinique's Sun SPF 50 Face Cream not pictured

Make Up Remover: Since I'm an avid make up user I normally have to deal with removing eye make up, and some products are much tougher and budge proof then others. Since these products are so long wearing and water proof, my cleanser and toner just can't break them down. So before I wash my face when I'm wearing water proof mascara or eyeliner I'll do a quick swipe over my eyes with Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Make Up Remover. This product is so gentle, but it still gets the job done. All I do is shake it up, dab some on a cotton pad and let it get to work on my eyes make up. This product is for sale in a whole slew of stores, in Canada, you can get it at select Shoppers Drugmart's most department stores, Sephora or even at Lancome.ca, this product retails for $34.00-$35.00 CAD for the 125 ml size.

Weekly Mask: About once a week or so I do a mask. I use The Body Shop's Honey & Oat 3-in-1 Scrub Mask. I really like this because it too is very gentle. When you first put it on it gives you a tad of a stinging/warming sensation on certain areas of my face (mostly around my nose) its not at all painful. I like it because it feels like its actually doing something to you face. The smell of it is fairly mild, kind of oaty and honeyish, but not quite. This also acts as a gentle defoliator, so if you have sensitive skin, this may be great for you. My face feels super soft, moisturized and clean after using this mask. I let this sit on my face for about 30-45 minutes when I use it. This product is for sale at The Body Shop and it retails for $16.50 for 100 ml.

Exfoliation: Another crucial part of skincare is exfoliating, my favorite exfoliant is Clinique's Face Scrub For Men, its so great. Its got really tiny grains in it so if your skin isn't tough enough to take a fine exfoliator you need get yourself on with larger pieces, which tend to be less abrasive to the skin. I really like this one because it has a minty, cooling sensation it leaves on your face for a minute or so after you wash it off. I use this product 2-3 times a week depending on how flaky my skin is looking. This product is for sale at a variety of departments stores or at Sephora/Sephora.com it retails for $23.00 for 3.4 oz at Sephora. 

SPF: Sun protection is key in any skin care regime. The one that I've been using for about two years now, Clinique's Sun SPF 50 Face Cream is great, it doesn't leave my face with that typical "greasy" sunscreen look, after about a minute, I'm ready to prime my face and get on to putting on my makeup. It does have that typical sunscreen smell, but if fades quickly, plus it reminds me of the summer time. This product sells at a variety of department stores, as well as Sephora/Sephora.com. It retails for $23.00 CDN for 1.7 fl oz. 

I always told myself I'm going to start an Anti-Aging routine when I turned 21 or 22. Now that I'm 22 I've started. I'm still kind of testing the waters on this subject, so its not going to be too much in depth, I feel like this sort of thing takes time. In the last little while I've been using two deluxe samples of both Lancome's Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate Serum and their Genifique Eye Youth Activating Eye Concentrate. I'm really liking the Genifique Serum, my sample is slowly running out, when its gone I'm planning on buying a full size on this product (It comes in three sizes 30 ml [$95 CAD], 50 ml [$125 CAD] & 75 ml [$155 CAD]). The Genifique Eye (It comes in one size: 15g for $80.00 CAD) is also pretty good too its very moisturizing and doesn't leave my eye area feeling tight at all, I do like this product a lot but I won't repurchase after I finish my deluxe sample because I have a full size High Resolution Eye Refill-3X (also one size: 15g for $76.00 CAD) that I got as a bonus when I bought some Lancome stuff. After that's done, I'll choose which product I liked better or maybe again try something new and go from there.

Part 1: Skin Care Routine + Cetaphil & The Body Shop Reviews

This is the first part of a two part post, this one is discussing my three step cleanse, tone, moisturize system. Part two will talk about Anti-Aging, Exfoliating and etc.

 
Since my last skin care post I've switched things up, the three step system I was using before (The Body Shop Vitamin E system) I changed things up about 2 months ago, because my face was becoming more and more oily, which is weird for me, because I have ultra dry skin.

 

Cleanse: I thought even though I'm changing products, I'd keep it simple, because my skin doesn't do well with heavily perfumed creams and etc. I started using Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser and I'm loving it, its a thinner consistency non foaming cleanser. It has no scent and does a great job at gently washing my face and getting rid of most of the make up I have on at any given time. I really like this cleanser and would highly recommend it to anyone who has normal-dry or sensitive skin. Another bonus is the Cetaphil is quite inexpensive and is available for sale in most pharmacy's/grocery stores. You can also get it online at Well.ca, this product is for sale in four different sizes, the one I buy (the 16 fl oz one) costs anywhere between $17.00-$20.00 CAD. Keep an eye out because I've seen this stuff on sale many times.

Tone: Since the Cetaphil line of products doesn't carry a toner, I've just carried on using  The Body Shops Vitamin E Toner. Its a really gentle toner, gentle enough to use on your eyes help in removing excess makeup. Feels really refreshing. This sells for $12.00 CAD for 200 ml at The Body Shop. 

Moisturize: My skin is so dry, so I need a heavy duty moisturizer. I've been LOVING the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, its a really thick and heavy cream. But the best part about it is that although its so thick and heavy, it absorbs into the skin ultra quick and doesn't make my face oily at all, I would again highly recommend this to people with dry skin. Not to mention this stuff has done wonders for my hands which up until using this stuff have been so so dry. When I put this moisturizer on my face I always scoop up a little extra to rub into my hands. Again this (like the cleanser) is unscented, so its great for people with sensitive skin. Staying in the same line as the cleanser, this product too is very in expensive and is for sale at most pharmacy's/grocery stores. You can also get it online at Well.ca, this product is for sale in three different sizes, the one I buy (the 16 fl oz one) sells for anywhere between $22.00-$25.00 CAD. Again keep an eye out because I've seen this baby on sale a ton of times.

Getting through the Winter!

It gets terribly cold here, and its not even like I live in the Yukon, I can only imagine how blistering cold it gets there. I thought in light of the winter season I'd share a few products that are necessary for getting through the cold weather.

 

Image created through Polyvore

1) Exfoliate - You need a good exfoliant. Serious, you NEED one. Skin tends to get dry and flaky in the winter months. You should exfoliate all throughout the year but in the winter I think its crucial. Even if you have oily skin exfoliating is beneficial because it sloughs off all the "old" skin. In addition to exfoliating your face (and body) don't forget about your lips! Exfoliating will help to rid them of dryness. If you're feeling extra creative you can even make your own exfoliants. Here Michelle Phan shows you how to make your own lip scrub and here she shows you how to make your own facial exfoliant. My favorite face exfoliant is Cliniques Mens Face Scrub (yes the mens one, I used my boyfriends once, and now I'm hooked! Its minty and amazing!)   

2) Moisturize + SPF - Moisturizing is super important, again, all year ‘round but is necessary in the winter months whether your skin is dry, combo or oily. With the winters harsh winds and cold dry air you need to give your skin the extra moisture it needs (and craves). Just use what you like, weather is ultra chic high end or something from the drugstore (Cetaphil is AMAZING). In addition to moisturizing SPF is ALWAYS important. In the winter too! It’s not like the sun goes and hides in the cold months. I love Cliniques SPF 50 facial sunscreen.  Also, drink lots of water! This will also aid you in keeping your skin from getting dry!

3) Lips: Protect That Pout! - I’m guilty of licking my lips and causing them to get chapped like you wouldn’t believe. Every night before bed and all throughout the day I apply Blistex to save myself from getting chapped, cracked sore lips. I really like Blistex because they offer products that are SPF 15 and sure they have the fruity flavored balms but I prefer the minty tingly ones. Plus they’re super cheap!

4) Free your Hair of The Frizz! – I for one have super oily hair, and you’d think that this would save my from the winter static. But, unfortunately it doesn’t. I get all staticy and electrical like everyone else. So you need to put something on that do of yours to tame it down. In the past I’ve used various things this year I’m using Ojon Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum Odds are you only need a dime sized drop for your whole head concentrating most of the product on the ends of your hair.

5) Bundle Up Baby! – This ones clearly important. Don’t be ashamed of going out with a rad muppet hat like I do, sure you may get a touch of hat hair, but at least your ears will be nice and toasty! If the hat hair is too “messy” for you then earmuffs are a great alternative, and they come in a ton of super cute variations at a huge variety of price points. Gloves are important too, I wear them mostly when I’m driving, other then that I’m a huge mitten fan. We must not forget about scarves, boots, huge (scary huge) winter jackets, long johns, snow pants, hand warmers and all the other fantastic things the come along with trudging through the winter weather. Even though it’s a pain in the butt, I just can’t help but love that cool crisp winter air!

If you guys have any other winter tips/tricks or must have's don't hesitate to post them in the comments!