It's been a long time since I've updated you all with what I've been using on my face. I like most of what I'm using right now, so I thought I'd share...
As far as cleansers go, I'm just trying to get through what I have. If I'm wearing a lot of makeup, I'll take off the bulk of it with the Trish McEvoy Long-Wear Face and Eye Makeup Remover. This is easily the best micellaire type makeup remover I've tried. It gets off the most of my makeup really quickly, yet leaves the skin hydrated and residue free. I wouldn't stop there to remove my makeup though just because I want to make sure it's all gone. I'll do another pass with the By Terry Douceur de Rose Comforting Cleansing Cream to remove the rest. This stuff is lush. It's a thicker cream cleanser that turns almost watery as I start massaging it in. I'll do a second cleanse with this, too, as it's an excellent skin cleanser and morning cleanser. I find it's brightening, softening, and it smells so good. I normally hate rose, but this doesn't smell like artificial gross rose, just good. If I'm in the shower, I'll cleanse with the Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Cleanser. This I strongly dislike. It removes makeup very well, but it just leaves my skin parched. I only got it as part of a set. I would not recommend.
I'll then go into my toner. I've been using the Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion. This is the only exfoliating toner from Clinique that I like (and that doesn't contain alcohol). It has salicylic acid to gently exfoliate, and it's not at all drying. Best thing is the price point; it's less than $14 and lasts a long time.
After toning, I'll do my serum. I'm currently loving the Mario Badescu Peptide Renewal Serum. It's hydrating and just keeps my skin overall happy. The only downside is that it's super runny (really hard to work with the dropper at first because it all comes pouring out). Some of you may not like it because it sits on the sit for a bit, too before sinking in. I'll do my eye cream, the Origins Ginzing, which isn't really all that special (I don't notice any difference with or without it). At night, I'll layer the Origins Plantscription oil over my serum. I love this. It absorbs well, keeps the skin hydrated, but it also works to clear breakouts! Nice. Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins tops this all off at night. It's a super rich, nourishing moisturizer, and it smells great.
During the day, I'll use the Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Moisturizer after the Mario Badescu serum. It's incredible. It's very light-weight, yet it hydrates brilliantly. I find it controls oil well, too, and makes my makeup look really fresh throughout the whole day. It smells nice as well, almost like pine sap. I wish it were in a pump though... After this moisturizer I'll use the Clinique Super City Block SPF 40. This sunscreen's nice because it doesn't make me oily, and it's still alcohol free. However, it does leave a bit of a white cast. (Nothing that I can't fix with bronzer).
If needed, I do have a couple spot treatments on hand. If I have a really bad under the skin blemish, I'll dab on the Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion to take it down or make it come up as a white head. Great stuff. I've also been using the Paula's Choice Clear Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution. I initially bought this as a liquid exfoliant, but after using this once, it left my skin so dehydrated and tight feeling, I put it away. I've been breaking it out recently though just to use on certain spots. It's not bad as a spot treatment; I find it does take down the zits nicely. However, as a liquid exfoliant for all over the face, this is awful.
Of course, I have to have a ton of masks on hand at all times... I've been using the Natura Bissé C+C Vitamin Soufflé Mask when my skin feels a bit dull or in need of something hydrating and firming. It smells amazing and makes my skin feel really plump. For Natura Bissé, this mask isn't that expensive either. I'm very happy with this guy. I'm also in love with the Kat Burki Hibiscus Antioxidant Face Mask. This stuff is intense (please, do not use this more than once a week). First of all, I love the texture. It's a very creamy clay that's not too thick, and it doesn't dry on the skin; you can still move your face. It also hydrates as it purifies and exfoliates. I'd say its only downside is that upon application it does tingle (I'm more sensitive to glycolic acid). Sometimes, I'll use this to cleanse my skin if I'm feeling a bit congested. It also has some very gentle exfoliating particles in it, so I like this if I do want a little bit of manual exfoliation that's not rough. This mask does it all, really.
If I ever need a super gentle exfoliant, I'll reach for the Natura Bissé NB Ceutical Tolerance Enzyme Peel. This is one of the best exfoliants I have ever used. It's gentle, but it seriously lightens any dark spots or gets rid of any dry patches, and it does it fast (no longer than three minutes with this). While I love my acids, I find myself reaching for this when I especially want to exfoliate under my eyes (because that area needs exfoliation, too) and can't be too harsh. Also, if I've used other exfoliating toners and serums, this gets me my treatment without doing too much. I recommend this to anyone who is sensitive (it can be used by those who react to water). Even though it's expensive, one jar lasts forever, and it's so effective.
I also have a couple masks from Origins on hand. I really love the Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask when I'm feeling extra dehydrated. It smells amazing, and it isn't too heavy. I'll put this on whenever, really. I also imagine that this tube will last forever, too. You hardly need any product for one application. I also have the Origins Clear Improvement charcoal mask if I'm feeling very congested. This is way too drying for me to use all over the face, but I'll use it on spots or my T-zone sometimes. It's honestly not my favorite mask; I don't like how tight it makes my skin feel, and I don't think it helps blemishes that much. However, I'm just trying to get through it.
Another one of those "just using to finish it" products is the Mario Badescu Silver Powder. This stuff actually does nothing. Really. It doesn't really help with blackheads, as it's supposed to do. I just use it sometimes to absorb oil from a blemish if I've popped it.
Hope this is helpful. As you've read, some of the products I'm using I really love, but some are definitely not products I would recommend or repurchase. If it helps, I normally have oily skin. I get a few blemishes sometimes (one always the week before my period) and then hyperpigmentation after them, but for the most part, my skin is great. No complaints. It just depends on what I'm using or taking in (if I eat a lot of sugar, I'll pretty much always break out).
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