Chanel added three new shades of the Revitalizing Lip and Cheek Balms in 07 Vibrant Coral, 08 Ardent Brick and 09 Purple Energy. All three are brighter bold shades that are really pretty for spring to summer. These have a dewy balmy texture with no dry down (they stay dewy). Since they’re balms there is a bit of stickiness to them. I really like these on the lips. Since they’re very balmy they adhere well and stay put. It is colder and drier than usual this time of year here in Florida which means I can wear a lot of things I normally can’t. I’ve been really enjoying things for dry or normal-to-dry skin and I think the No 1 de Chanel line is best for that skin type.
There’s a cute Revitalizing Travel Duo with minis of the No 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Serum and Crème Riche. I tried these in a few mini sample GWPs when the line first launched and found the formulas too rich for my skin type. They both have a beautiful texture and feel but are heavily scented. I did try them again to review and while the scent did not irritate my skin I did find both a little too heavy. My skin has been dry but I still feel both of these are best suited for truly dry skin. They come in a little travel pouch which is really cute.
Revitalizing Mask
Last we have a look at their new No 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Mask which I think is beautiful. It has a soft jelly texture. It’s a rinse off formula, you apply it to clean skin for 5 minutes and rinse off. It really does leave the skin feeling baby soft and luxuriously smooth. It’s also refillable and you can purchase the refills separately. Two concerns with this formula are the fragrance and alcohol high up in the ingredients list. I was fortunate neither irritated my skin but wanted to put this on your radar in case you have skin sensitivities.
Overall love the look of the new Lip and Cheek Balms. I’ll be enjoying them on both the lips and cheeks right now. When the heat returns to Florida though I suspect they will be too heavy and dewy to wear on my cheeks in humid weather, but I will still be able to use them on the lips. The skincare additions are nice, but not really for my skin type.
It’s been a dry winter this year in Florida and colder than usual although I suspect it’s usually very cold and dry for most of you in the winter. I’ve had a few things in rotation I’ve been loving that I wanted to share to combat dry skin focusing on body care. I have picks at multiple price points.
Body Lotion and Creams
There are so many great body creams and lotions on the market but scent is something I am so picky about that I feel like I am missing out on a lot of great formulas. I usually prefer something unscented or very lightly scented when it comes to body moisturizers. I also need something to feel smooth and not sticky so anything “balmy” is usually a no-go for me.
My favorite body cream right now is the Herbivore Botanicals Cloud Milk Firming Body Cream ($40, at Herbivore, Sephora and Nordstrom). It’s what I wanted the Kopari Ultra Restore Body Butter ($36) to be which felt a little too thick and smelled too sweet for my taste. The one from Herbivore Botanicals has a soft cushiony velvety creamy texture hat melts into the skin. It’s scented with coconut and vanilla but isn’t too strong. Has a very hydrating feel that absorbs well and doesn’t pill.
Naturium Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion ($14.99) is a great budget-friendly option that is fragrance free, semi-thick but doesn’t feel greasy. It does take a little work to massage into the skin fully but I really like it. I brought the travel size with me on a trip.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Body Cream ($30 – $65, also in this Duo Bundle Set) is one of the more expensive options I’ve tried. If you like the Magic Cream for the face I think you’ll like this one. I love both. It has a super luxurious feel and texture. There is a subtle scent like face version but it’s light and fresh. It has shea butter and is very soothing. Also has a smoothing effect. I do think it’s incredibly overpriced but I think the formula is really good.
Prequel Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Cream ($18) is a soothing body cream with 1% colloidal oatmeal. It’s what I wanted the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream to be in body lotion form, although in looking at their website I just found out they actually do have an Ultra Repair Body Lotion ($38) that seems to be exclusive to their website. The Prequel Barrier Cream worked to help calm down some dry skin flare ups I’ve had this winter season. Some areas of my hands and arms became so dry they started to crack and turn red and burn to the point I couldn’t sleep. A mix of Vaseline and the Prequel cream helped calm everything down and restore moisture. On normal days I love this on the body just by itself.
A number of you recommended Osea, in particular the Anti-Aging Body Balm and Body Butter. I had a mini sample of the Anti-Aging Body Balm to try and the formula is incredible! It is on the balmy side with some slip in the finish so it doesn’t really have much of a dry down. I am trying to decide if I can wear this even with the balmy texture because it feels incredible but I don’t like sticking to my clothes. I think I may order their Glow to Go Starter ($32) set to try a few other things.
Body Oils
I love a good body oil but this is another category where I am really particular with scents and texture. Thick ones will most likely help hydrate the best but I prefer ones that are not thick or sticky.
Celine Huile Celeste ($195) was quite the splurge but I love it mainly for the scent. It’s one of three new additions to the Celine perfume lineup in the Cologne Celeste scent. It’s a beautiful fresh citrus, notes include ANGELICA, SWEET LEMON ESSENCE, PETITGRAIN, NEROLI ACCORD, AMBRETTE BUTTER AND ORRIS BUTTER. This is a pour out style kind of bottle and I wish it had a stopper or spray. I managed to get an extra spritzer cap for the top in store although I don’t know how long it will work as it’s designed for the cologne. Texture is dreamy and beautiful. Just like you’d expect of a massage oil. I bought this for the scent which is very light compared to the cologne, but I really love it and will use every last drop. I don’t think I will repurchase due to the price but it was a beautiful splurge.
Chanel L’Huile Vanille ($230) is another splurge that I think was 100% worth it. The Chanel Body Massage Oils come in four scents for now and I would love to own them all but Vanille is my favorite. It smells just like the Sublimage Skincare line which is very unique. It has the most beautiful texture with a soft scent. I love the way it feels and absorbs into the skin. The only downside is the large glass packaging. It’s so beautiful and very substantial but a bit difficult to hold because of the size. Also the top has no stopper so it’s a pour style so you have to be careful not to pour too much out. Formula is 10/10 though.
Shower Care
For the bath and shower there are three I’ve been loving lately. Saltair has a great lineup of affordable body and hair care items. I really loved their Golden Hour Oil-Infused Nourishing Body Wash ($15). It has a pineapple + coconut scent that is sweet but isn’t too sweet. It has a gel like texture for a body wash. Moisturizing level is medium, not as hydrating as an oil, but more than a regular shower gel. I really liked the texture and formula.
Bioderma Atoderm Body Cleansing Oil ($29.99) is great for soft hydrated skin. Works wonders on dry skin and leaves the skin feeling silky smooth. I do wish the packaging was a bit more aesthetically pleasing but the formula is great. They also have it in a small 3.4 fl oz travel size which is nice to try before you buy the full size.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel ($26 to $56) is probably my most repurchased shower cream. It is very strong in the scent but I love it. It’s a cream shower product that really does hydrate the skin well without leaving any film or residue. After going through this so much we decided to start buying the Value Size 33.1 oz which comes with a pump. They also make this in a large refill pack now.
I love a good body scrub but I haven’t found anything I really love right now. Most are either a little too gritty or the oil-based scrubs leave the skin feeling too oily if that makes sense. For now I’ve been just using a good wash cloth to exfoliate.
Hand and Cuticle Care
I used up a bunch of hand creams and cuticle oils over the past few months and right now have been sticking to my tried and true. I love the Chanel La Crème Main ($55) or Le Lift La Crème Main ($70) because they have the best dry down and are not sticky. For me they have the perfect amount of moisture.
For ultra dry hands/skin I think L’Occitane is the best. I just placed an order to restock the Shea Butter Hand Cream ($13, new packaging looks great!) and the Cuticle Oil ($22).
For the cuticles I finished up the OPI ProSpa Cuticle Oil which I really loved. I will probably repurchase. Right now I am working my way through my second bottle of the Hermes Nail Oil which I really love but is almost always out of stock. Chanel’s L’Huile Camelia ($32) is another luxury option which is quite the splurge but incredibly nourishing and works. I bought the Dior Huile Abricot ($30) which has been repackaged. I used to really love it, I still like it but not as much as the OPI or Chanel because I don’t find it as hydrating.
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That wraps up my body care loves for winter! Would love to hear about your favorites or hits and misses!
The Sephora Savings Event starts Friday 10/27 for Rouge Members and I’m rounding up my best-of favorites and recommendations. This is Part 1 focusing on my skin care, body care and fragrance favorites within the last year – so for those asking for an updated list, this is for you! Here are my favorites by category.
Use code TIMETOSAVE during these dates (exclusions apply):
Rouge Members – save 20% off 10/27 thru 11/6
VIB Members – save 15% off 10/31 thru 11/6
Insiders – save 10% off 10/31 thru 11/6
Sephora Collection is 30% off for all members
Cleanser/Makeup Remover
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Balm – This is my all time favorite makeup removing balm. It’s a solid cleanser you apply on dry skin, massage and then rinse off with warm water and a wash cloth. I’ve really liked their limited-edition scented ones which surprisingly do not irritate my skin. I loved the Strawberry Shortcake Clean. I plan on ordering their Tea Harvest Green Clean Trio.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator – This is the one of the best rice-based powder cleansers I’ve used. It’s a classic and great for clearing out pores and exfoliates gently. Add water to activate and turn it into a paste and massage + rinse. I do believe they have a few different variations of this but I’ve only tried the classic version.
First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser – This is my favorite gentle everyday cleanser. It’s one I’ve repurchased the most in the last year. I like that it’s not drying but gets the skin squeaky clean. Anytime one of my nieces or friend’s kids ask for a recommendation for cleanser, this is the one I gift them.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser – Another favorite I keep stocked at all times. It’s a thicker liquid but lathers up well with warm water. Keeps skin clean but also soft.
Jack Black Acne Remedy Balancing Foam Cleanser – This is Andrew’s favorite but he only uses it 2x per week (he alternates with Kiehl’s or Turbo Wash which is technically for the body, but he uses it on the face too). It has 0.5% Salicylic Acid and keeps his skin clear and free of blackheads and pimples from sweat/sunscreen/etc.
Toner/Treatments/Masks
La Mer The Tonic is one of my top 2 favorite toners. I’ve tried a lot of different formulas and this is the one I keep repurchasing. My other favorite is the Sisley Floral Toning Lotion but it’s not available at Sephora.
Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer is a new to me toner I just started trying and I really like it. It’s the first hydrating toner I’ve actually liked. It’s a milky cream formula but doesn’t leave a sticky film on the skin.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Baby Facial is the best at-home AHA + BHA resurfacing treatment. I’ve kept my skin pretty clear the past year with proper face cleansing and I keep my brushes super clean so I haven’t had many issues with clogged pores. This is one I’ll use once every other week.
Sunday Riley Good Genes is hands down THE best lactic acid treatment. Anytime I feel like my skin is getting a little bumpy from clogged pores or feeling a little dull this brings clear glowing skin back to life within a few days.
I rotate moisturizers depending on season. The La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream is my go-to this year. They reformulated it earlier this year and it’s even better than before. For a luxury moisturizer Augustinus Bader is also very good.
La Mer Eye Concentrate Cream is what I’ve been using most of the year. I love the little ball applicator which has a nice cooling effect on the eyes. A little goes a long way, I feel like this little jar could last me a VERY long time.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is the best lightweight moisturizing cream. I think it’s great for both men and women. If you’re looking for a great starter moisturizer this is the one I recommend. Kiehl’s has a lot of great starter sets – I highly recommend them!
Biossance Squalane+ Vitamin C Rose Firming Oil is my go-to face oil. I’m typically a cream kind of person for moisturizers. This one is soothing, hydrating and firming. It feels like it really sinks into the skin. I use this at night.
I don’t have a lot of skin care tools that I’ve used consistently in the past few months. I’m looking to step up my game again but the one tool I really love is the BeautyBio Cryo Skin Icing Dual-Ended Roller. The stainless steel chills skin and really helps for depuffing and tension. I like that it has two sizes in one. A few weeks ago I had the worst tension headaches and swelling and this tool helped a lot.
Body Care
I love splurging on body care! I haven’t done a lot of roundups on this category but here are my favorites.
Jack Black Turbo Wash is Andrew’s favorite and I use this one too. It’s the best effective body cleanser to remove sweat, sunscreen and excess oil but doesn’t strip the skin. They have several different scents in the body wash but the Turbo Wash is the most effective.
Herbivore Botanicals Hot Coco Coconut Oil Body Scrub is something I bought recently and I LOVE IT. It’s on the small side but super fun. It’s very hydrating and I think I might order a couple more during the sale.
Herbivore Botanicals Cloud Milk Coconut Firming Cream is my current obsession for body moisturizer. I am super picky with body creams because I don’t like to wear anything that feels sticky or heavily scented (I’m normally a body oil kind of person). This is heavenly and the coconut scent is perfect – not too light and not too heavy. It has a very smooth texture. 100% recommend.
That wraps up my absolute favorites in skin/body care from Sephora! Stay tuned for my makeup favorites! I know I covered a lot but I wanted to be thorough. If I had to rank my Top 5 must-haves in this category they would be:
La Mer Sheet Mask
La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream
Beautybio Cryo Face Roller
Herbivore Botanicals Cloud Milk Cream
Sunday Riley Good Genes
What’s on your wishlist for the Sephora Savings Event?
Chanel added a new product to their No 1 de Chanel skincare line with three shades of the No 1 de Chanel Skin Enhancers ($60 each for 1 fl oz). These are radiant illuminators that combine skincare and tint in one. The No 1 de Chanel Skin Enhancers contain the Red Camellia Extract and Red Camellia Oil which are supposed to help revive and protect the skin.
These can be worn on their own all over or as a primer underneath foundation. The three shades have a medium texture consistency – not liquid/fluid but not super thick like a cream. They do have a hydrating feel and a little goes a long way so you don’t need a lot.
I’ve played with these a few ways. The shimmer is fine enough that I can apply all over the face in place of foundation for an all over glow. If I set with a good medium coverage powder on top like the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder or Chantecaille Compact Makeup the result is a naturally radiant glow from within kind of look, almost like fresh skin that is softly powdered.
I also like using as a primer underneath foundation or mixed in with foundation for a little more glow.
There are three shades, Soft Pink is a pearly soft peachy pink, Medium Coral is a peachy shade, Intense Amber is a very warm golden amber shimmer. On my skin tone which is a Chanel B40/BD41/B50/BD51 I can use either Soft Pink or Medium Coral on their own. I also like the two mixed.
There are lots of complexion enhancers out right now and for a similar finish, I would say the Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter is the most similar in the way it looks on the skin. Of course the formulas and shades are completely different, but for a glow product I can wear all over the face on its own without looking like a disco ball, I feel these are similar. The Elf product is primarily makeup and the shades are closer to skin tone shades while the Chanel is noticeably more hydrating and the colors work to almost brighten the skin with the pink and peach tones.
Bottom line: love. I didn’t expect to love these as much as I do since I already am a die-hard fan of the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter and Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter. Both of those come in skin tones so I wasn’t sure I would like the No 1 de Chanel Skin Enhancers since the colors aren’t really skin tones.
The Chanel has a beautiful luxurious feel and adds a soft radiance to the skin. The tint in the base adds more life to the skin by adding some warmth. I will say that if you have super oily skin these may be too hydrating for you.
I have an updated sunscreen roundup today! I’ve tried so many formulas over the years but I often proceed with caution as I have sensitive skin. My top 2 go-to brands for sunscreen have been Shiseido and Supergoop! and for Andrew it’s Jack Black but I have quite a few formulas reviewed in today’s post.
You can always click on the SUNCARE tab to read past reviews and round ups. I’ve also shared my favorite self-tanner, after sun care loves and some misses in this post.
Best Clear Sunscreens – Face
When it comes to face sunscreens I usually try to find something that is lightweight in texture with a high SPF and that layers well with makeup. However there are days when I’m at the beach or on the boat where I go makeup free so those days I opt for something that will adhere well to the skin and hold up well under sweat/protect from heat.
Most of the sunscreens I’ve reviewed are chemical sunscreens. In general mineral formulas usually don’t work well with my skin type unless it’s a tinted option (like a CC cream).
The Chanel UV Essentiel with SPF 50 ($60) is one of my favorite clear sunscreens. Chanel reformulated it this year and I 100% love the new formula. It’s not as fluid/liquid so it doesn’t creep into the corners of my eyes as easily. It has a lightweight almost gel like formula and blends in easily. Doesn’t leave any white cast. Also works well with the Chanel foundations. The UV Essentiel is scented (similar to their previous sunscreens) so if you have fragrance sensitivities do a patch test first. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3.0 % | Homosalate 10.0 % | Octisalate 5.0 % | Octocrylene 5.0 %
Shiseido Vita-Clear Sunscreen with SPF 42 Vitamin C ($38) is another great formula. This is a clear liquid and has a lightweight texture. It has Vitamin C to help with brightness and target dark spots. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3%, Homosalate 10.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 5.0%
In general I think Shiseido makes the best sunscreens I’ve tried. If you’re looking for other options, they make one for oily skin and mineral options too.
Cle de Peau Beaute UV Protective Cream SPF 50+ ($140) is a newer launch and quite the splurge. It has an ultra-luxurious texture unlike any formula I’ve tried. This one has a completely clear finish. It’s hydrating but has a nice dry down. It’s described as suitable for all skin types but I still think it’s best for normal/dry skin. That being said my skin tends to become very dry when it is exposed to a lot of heat outdoors so this one is still really good. It is scented with a floral fragrance, so if you have sensitives to scented sunscreens, do a patch test first. Do I think it’s work the steep price? I don’t know. Will use it up entirely but I don’t know that I will repurchase. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 5%
I also bought the Cle de Peau Refillable UV Protective Lip Balm with SPF 25 ($65) to try. I’m undecided on this. I really need to wear sunscreen on my lips but I can’t stand the taste or feel of most. This one definitely has a taste to it and I don’t really like how it feels (it has a waxy feel).
The Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer with SPF 50 ($55) is a great sunscreen that doubles as a primer. It works well under foundation and has a clear invisible finish. Love that it’s hydrating but lightweight. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Octinoxate 6.7%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 2.0%
The Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick with SPF 50 ($30) is one of the best face sunscreens I’ve tried. It has a sticky finish so it adheres really well to the skin. I like this for touch ups on the go on makeup-free days. It is easy to reapply. Since it adheres well make sure you wash your face really well at the end of the day. I recommend double cleansing with an oil cleanser first and then following with a regular cleanser. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.5%, Homosalate 10.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 10.0%
Vacation Inc. Super Spritz SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Mist ($24) is pure love. It’s the easiest way to touch up your sunscreen if you wear makeup, although be sure to spritz liberally. It smells incredible and did not irritate my skin. Doesn’t feel heavy and refreshes the skin. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.9%), Octisalate (4.9%), Octocrylene (9.5%)
Tinted Sunscreens
I have quite a few foundations that also have sunscreen, but today’s roundup focuses more on products that are primarily sun care.
The Supergoop! Glowscreen with SPF 40 ($38) is one of my favorites. I really love that they added more shades. I alternate between Sunrise (the original champagne shade) and Golden Hour (bronzey). I love using this all over the face alone or under foundation to give a natural radiant glow. The Glowscreen also has hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to hydrate the skin. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%
The Supergoop! CC Screen with SPF 50 ($44) is one of the few mineral cc creams I like. I’m currently out of this as I used mine up but I like it when blended with a sponge. If you blend with fingers it will feel too thick. Has good medium coverage that stays put and lasts.
The Chanel CC Cream SPF 50 gets a shout out as one of my all time favorite tinted sunscreens but it’s currently being reformulated. It’s nearly impossible to find this now. The Chanel counters near me told me it will be back in 2024. I will 100% be trying out the new one.
Tower 28 SunnyDays Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30 ($32) is another mineral formula I actually can wear and like. It has a balmy texture more like a sunscreen and blends in easily on the skin. I wear 35 Point Dume but they added some newer shades I need to check out. Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, 12.6%
Best Sunscreens – Body
For the body the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50 ($50) is hands down the best of the best in terms of offering the most effective protection from the sun and heat. You still need to reapply frequently but this one holds up the best against sweat, water and heat. I love that it is easy to reapply even on sweaty skin. It’s easy to apply and blend. I highly recommend getting the Value Size Duo ($66) because it comes with a mini you can put in your purse.
Vacation Inc. makes the best smelling sunscreens on the market. I’m thrilled they added SPF 50 versions of the Classic Spray and Classic Lotion. I generally do not recommend body spray sunscreens because it’s so easy to miss areas with the mist dispenser. Also sprays typically don’t last you more than 1-2 days if you’re truly applying sufficient product and reapplying every 2 hours.
I really love both sunscreen oils from Vacation Inc although I do wish they had a higher spf. The Chardonnay Oil with SPF 30 feels heavenly on the skin and the Baby Oil with SPF 30 smells just like baby oil. I would say these are best for days you’re in a shaded area or for non-water days.
I tried the Soleil Toujours Antioxidant Sunscreen Mist SPF 50 ($36) and really like it. (There is an SPF 30 option too.) Has a slightly sticky feel but adheres well and has a shiny look on the skin. I would 100% try the body lotion if it came with an SPF 50 option. I like this enough to use up and consider repurchasing, but it just doesn’t have enough product to justify the price. Sprays get used up really fast! (Andrew tried it and says he is not a fan) Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%
Supergoop! Glowscreen Body with SPF 40 ($42) gets another shout out from me. I love this formula and love the added shimmer to it. It can feel a bit thick when you apply so you really need to work it in the skin to blend it, but it adheres well and never fails me. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 7%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%
The Jack Black Oil-Free Sun Guard SPF 45 ($22) gets a shout out as this is Andrew’s favorite formula and the one he wears daily. It’s thick and takes some work to blend in but it’s the most effective and easy to re-apply. It’s the best water resistant sunscreen we’ve both tried. The only downside is that it also takes a lot of work to remove in the shower but in terms of protection, it’s one of the best. The Turbo Wash is the best at removing it. Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 8%, Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 3%
Aftersun Balm
We’ve tried a lot of aloe and after sun care products. At the end of the day any good aloe vera gel is great to help soothe the skin. We often get a bottle of Banana Boat or Sun Bum Cool Down After Sun Gel. Two other formulas I’ve tried include ones from Dior and Vacation.
The Dior Solar After-Sun Balm ($52) is another really nice hydrating balm that I love. Has a lightweight texture and cooling effect. It does have alcohol in the ingredient list but it did not irritate my skin.
Self-Tanner
Last but not least many of you have asked if I self tan and I usually don’t. I really don’t like the way self tanners smell or feel on the skin but I finally tried Loving Tan this year and loved it. I tried the 2 Hour Express Formula in Medium and it gave really impressive results. The tan looked very natural in color (no orange tones), did not streak and did not transfer. I was 100% impressed! I will say that any self tanner (even this one) can dry out the skin so my only added tip is to moisturize daily. You can see the before/after transformation here.
Here are a few recent misses in sunscreen. A lot of these have positive reviews out there, they just did not work for me.
Kosas DreamBeam – I’m not sure I would call this a total miss because it blends out nicely, doesn’t pill or cake. I give this a miss because I just think there are better formulas out there and this felt exceptionally thick on my skin. So thick that I could not wait to wash it off.
Beauty of Joseon Matte Sunscreen Stick – I had such high hopes for this but it went on streaky, felt thick, had a noticeable white cast and clogged my pores.
Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow – another one I had high hopes for, but left my skin a greasy mess. I felt like everything stuck to me. The shimmer wasn’t really noticeable on my skin. It is hydrating and gives your skin a glow, but there is zero dry down and it feels very slippery.
First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen – I had such high hopes for this as I really love First Aid Beauty. There is an overwhelming number of positive reviews so if you’re looking for a mineral sunscreen, I still think it’s worth checking out. It sank into my pores and did not blend easily (I made sure I gave the bottle a through shake).
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I know I covered a lot here! If you’ve been wanting more details on any of these formulas I hope you found this roundup helpful!
Rounding up my favorites in skincare at Sephora for their Spring Savings Event Sale! My skin has improved so much over the past few weeks and I think it’s due to the shift in weather. Warmer temperatures are better for my skin and I’ve noticed that it’s more balanced and less dry these days. I’ve put together a list of my Top 5 in each category right now. For the Sephora Sale use code SAVENOW. Savings and access dates will depend on your Beauty Insider Tier:
4/14-4/24: Rouge Early Access: 20% off
4/18-4/24: VIB Preferred Access: 15% off
4/18-4/24: All Tiers: 10% off
30% off Sephora Collection for everyone
BEST CLEANSERS
The cleanser category is one that I love exploring the most. I think the key to my best skin is to properly cleanse it. A lot of skincare and makeup with silicones are often hard to remove so double cleansing is a must to ensure you remove every last trace. These are cleansers I love:
Dior La Mousse Off / On – great for oily skin or for removing makeup (not long-wear eye makeup though)
La Mer The Tonic – a classic I’ve used for probably over a decade
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner – love everything in the Ultra Facial line, it’s a great everyday basic that is gentle but effective
SERUMS & MASKS
I typically stick with just one moisturizer on my face for day except on dry skin days. I’ll add a serum as more of a treatment to target skin issues like when it’s feeling extra irritated, extra dry or needs some soothing.
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Serum – the best serum I’ve used for sensitive skin, I think Drunk Elephant is a really great line with lots of options to target and treat a wide range of skin needs
La Mer The Concentrate – one of my latest discoveries and it’s been a REAL game changer, I had some flare ups on my skin due to an allergic reaction to a pore smoother from another brand, this worked wonders to calm down my irritation and redness within just a couple of days
So many great moisturizers these days. I rotate formulas depending on season. Here are my favorites and why:
La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream – one of the best luxury creams I’ve tried, I prefer the Soft Cream for my skin type and they just reformulated it and it’s even better than the original, I feel so fortunate to have been able to partner with them on Instagram, I’ve loved La Mer for so long, with this cream my skin has never looked better
I’m incredibly picky when it comes to sunscreen I’ll use on a regular basis. As a beauty blogger I try a lot of formulas but so many irritate my skin. Two brands I swear by are Shiseido and Supergoop!. There are so many new formulas I have not tried them all – but here are a few favorites right now. Bottom line is I don’t think you can go wrong with anything from these two brands.
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector SPF 50+ – this is MY HOLY GRAIL body sunscreen, it has a good smooth dry down (not sticky) and it’s the best for long lasting power, for protecting against heat and also water resistant/sweat resistant. This is the one I hand to anyone who visits us as the best long-wear sunscreen. You still need to reapply throughout the day though.
That wraps up my Skincare Favorites! I know I covered a lot but I wanted to be thorough! Let me know if you have any questions! I’m hosting another giveaway! One reader (US or Canada only) will be selected to win a Surprise Box of beauty goodies. I have so many extras I want to pass them along to another beauty lover. I’ve included 20+ full size items along with a bunch of fun minis.
To enter:
Open to Residents in US or Canada
You must be 18 years or older
Enter via the widget below
Winner will be selected on 4/21 and emailed same day by me
Selected winner must respond within 72 hours or another winner will be selected in their place
Happy New Year! Starting the year out with a skincare roundup. I’ve gone through a skincare refresh and reset the past few weeks and today I’m sharing what I’ve restocked and love from Nordstrom. They carry most of the brands I use on a regular basis and I’ve added a few new things to my routine this month.
Cleanser
I always love trying different cleansers and just finished using quite a few in the last few weeks. I restocked my three favorites. The Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash is one of best for sensitive skin but still very effective at cleaning the skin. If I had to use one brand of cleanser the rest of my life I think Kate Somerville would cover all my needs. The ExfoliKate Cleanser is a great one with a gentle clinical strength exfoliating ingredients. The Goat Milk Cleanser is great for dry skin and I love the EradiKate Daily Cleanser for acne prone skin.
La Mer’s Cleansing Foam is another favorite I love for a silky creamy foam. It has a gentle spa like scent but doesn’t irritate my skin. Leaves it squeaky clean and soft.
Dior’s La Mousse Off/On Foaming Face cleanser is another great one if you have normal/combination skin. A little goes a long way and skin feels fresh with this one. This is my third tube!
I love a good acid exfoliator to help resurface skin and get rid of dead skin cells but sometimes having a gentle exfoliant is nice to have on hand. I’ve had my eye on the Sisley Exfoliating Enzyme Mask for some time and decided to splurge. It’s a powder exfoliant that’s activated with water. It turns into a creamy mask you apply and massage to the skin. Leave it on for 1 minute then rinse. It far exceeded my expectations! Skin is left smooth and clean but not stripped. 100% love. It’s called a mask but to me it’s a cleanser + mask in one.
I also highly recommend trying the Eve Lom Muslin Cleansing Cloths. They’re designed for the Eve Lom Cleansing Balm, but I use the cloths for any cleanser. Helps to gently exfoliate the skin, ensure all your cleanser is removed and improve blood circulation. I notice my complexion is a lot clearer and smoother when I use cloths consistently.
Toner
For toners I restocked my tried and true La Mer The Tonic. This is one of the best ones I’ve tried for any time of year to rebalance, refresh and tone my skin. Doesn’t leave a film and one of the few that doesn’t irritate my skin. 100% worth the splurge!
Moisturizer
For moisturizers I’m rotating a few right now including the La Mer Moisturizing Soft Lotion and Chanel La Solution 10 de Chanel. Both are good for sensitive skin. La Mer has a wide range of moisturizers and creams for different skin types, my favorite has been the Moisturizing Soft Lotion because it’s light weight but still very hydrating.
The Chanel La Solution 10 de Chanel is one of my favorite sensitive skin creams. It has 10 ingredients selected for sensitive skin. I like that it’s unscented and has a cream formula but comes with a pump dispenser.
For sheet masks my two favorites are the 111Skin Y Theorem Bio Cellulose Face Mask and La Mer Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask. I restocked the 111Skin this month. It’s a bio cellulose mask and helps hydrate and reduce fine lines. This has been one of my go-to’s for years (even loved the original formula) and one I keep splurging on.
NuFace revamped their Trinity+ and Mini+ devices. I received the Mini+ Starter Kit over the holiday and can’t wait to see the longer term results with it. I have several areas on my face that could benefit from the lifting effects of microcurrents. If you’ve tried any of the new devices let me know what you think!
Hand/Body
I picked up Jo Malone Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment which is an ultra rich creamy hand cream. I used it in the past and don’t remember why I never restocked. It’s super luxurious and I highly recommend checking it out. For body I really love the Necessaire Body Oil. It’s unscented, thick, absorbs nicely, hydrates – love that it doesn’t have any added fragrance so it won’t interfere with my perfume. I have a mini from a holiday bundle but just ordered the full size to keep on my nightstand.
That wraps up my skincare refresh for the new year! What are you using right now? Any new skin care loves or rediscoveries?
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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.
