I'm excited to announce a collaboration that I'm participating in with a fellow beauty blogger, Emma, of http://www.stylebyemma.com/. Check out her blog if you'd like to be treated to her thoughts on style, makeup, and a bit on life as well. You can also follow her on twitter at @EmmaSaidWhat
Treat yourself well, follow your intuition, and live beautifully!!!
One of the best elements of this partnership is sharing one of my favorite bloggers with YOU, my lovely readers! We thought it would be fun to embark on a Top Five Favorite series! Last week I wrote about on my TOP FIVE FAVORITE Fall Must-Haves-- Splurge vs. Steal style and this week it's Emma's turn! Be sure to check back each Friday to read our weekly picks on everything from lipstick to shoes and everything in between.
Emma’s Top Five Favorite: SKIN CARE
Welcome to installment two of Top Five Favorite Friday– this week I’m sharing my favorite skin goodies. It’s extremely important to take good care of your skin, as it serves as an essential protective barrier to the elements (and is the largest organ we have)! Each person’s skin is different, and a routine should be planned based on lots of factors that vary such as age, environment, and individual health. The products below are basic staples– a cleanser, a tool, an exfoliator, a moisturizer, and a spot treatment. I nearly included my favorite toner (Kate Somerville Clarifying) and a serum (Dr. Brandt Collagen Booster, Lancome Genefique) but left those lovelies off the list as they are not essential for all ages.
Where’s the SPF?! I currently use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 55. I do like this product for my face, but I’m not head over heels in love. (Someday I hope to find that perfect fit SPF!) I encourage you to use the SPF of your choice after moisturizing, and let it absorb for a solid 15 minutes before you apply your makeup. USE SPF! Healthy skin should be the first and most crucial step in any makeup routine.
An additional note: To me, skin care is an investment in my health. After years of trial and error, I’ve found that many of the best products for my skin come with a higher price tag. There are bargain goodies to be had, but sometimes a higher price does yield an exceptional result. I encourage you to look at the health of your skin in a preventative sense and consider that excellent care early on will save you money as you age (and look absolutely fabulous doing so!).
On to the list…
1. Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser.
I’ve gone through more bottles of this than I can recall! This cleanser removes dirt and oil without stripping moisture from the skin. In a pinch, it quickly removes makeup as well (although I do use a separate eye makeup remover). The scent is light and natural, a bit on the herbal side. Philosophy Purity will work for ALL skin types– dry, oily, acne-prone, sensitive, and mature. I’m hooked for life.
Availability: Sephora, Philosophy.com, QVC. Tip: Opt for the everlasting 32 oz. bottle with pump for around $45 for the best price per ounce.
2. Clarisonic Mia.
In conjunction with Purity cleanser, I use the Clarisonic Mia (I have it in pink!) 3-4 times per week. Although this exfoliating brush isgentle enough for daily use, I opt for less action as I also indulge in a weekly scrub. The Clarisonic has improved the texture of my skin, and gets rid of dry flakes that can clog pores. I highly recommend investing in a Clarisonic, and specifically, the Mia. The brush head on the Mia is the same size as its larger counterparts (Clarisonic, Clarisonic Pro) and Mia is compact for travel. A whole new level of “clean” skin!
For reference, I have the brush head for sensitive skin.
Availability: Sephora, Clarisonic.com.
3. Kate Somerville ExfoliKate.
The best scrub on the market, hands down. I’ve blogged about this exfoliating fruit enzyme enriched scrub before. I stand by it 100%. Many scrubs are harsh and ineffective, stripping the outer layer of the skin and ultimately causing breakouts. Others are too gentle, and fail to truly exfoliate. ExfoliKate gets rid of blackheads and dead skin exceptionally well– leaving you with glowing, fresh, healthy skin. A facial in a tube! This green gooey goodness is pricey, but worth every penny. Availability: Sephora, KateSomerville.com
4. Bare Escentuals bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper This moisturizer and primer in one has been my go-to choice for the past three years. There is a small amount of salicylic acid in the mix to encourage skin cell turnover, as well as vitamins (surprise!) and botanicals. The texture is light, which allows it to sink into the skin very quickly– perfect for rushed mornings. This also works very well under makeup– of the mineral variety, MAC MSF Natural, liquid foundation, even as a boost under tinted moisturizer.
Availability: Sephora, Ulta, Bare Escentuals boutiques
5. Kate Somerville EradiKate
This is my top overnight spot treatment. Every woman needs a bottle of this sulfur based potion in her medicine cabinet! EradiKate can make a noticeable difference in a spot overnight, and dries up blackheads and clogged pores faster than anything else I’ve tried. Sulfur is one of the best anti-acne topical treatments on the market. If benzoyl peroxide is overly drying for you, give sulfur a shot. Even if you have near perfect skin, stash one of these away… just in case…!Availability: Sephora, KateSomerville.com
What are your favorite skin care goodies? Let me know if you are a fellow fan of anything I mentioned.
Wishing you healthy skin…
XO
E
Stay tuned for next week's TFF!
Thanks for reading!
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