While I do love beauty ( & non-beauty on Home in High Heels!) monthly favorites, skincare has to absolutely blow me away to be included. & not everything works for my skin type, tone, or preferences. So I thought it might be fun to start a new series here where I give you the straight talk on some of what I’m currently using by pulling things right off my bathroom counter or shower shelf. aka Bathroom Vanity Breakdown because…countertop sounds kind of lame, yeah? Keep reading to check out my favorite morning fragrance for lounging, a cleansing water I practically buy in bulk, & a cleanser that legit rolls off the dead skin cells!
Shiseido WASO: Clear Mega-Hydrating Moisturizer
I can’t help but start with the packaging on the Shiseido WASO: Clear Mega-Hydrating Moisturizer…this is so different from the brand’s items I’ve tried in the past! This is super chic but I am so used to their more vampy/red designs that this feels brighter. & I love the handle-type lid! The product inside is a lightweight gel that is so nice after I apply a scrub (like below) or do a treatment because it is super soothing. I will say this has a scent though! There are other moisturizers currently in rotation for me but I don’t hear people spotlighting this one as much! K-Beauty has been so popular so I’m hoping J-Beauty (japanese beauty!) makes the same splash since I so enjoy trying new, fresh beauty trends!
Joico Defy Damage Protective Conditioner
I switch up my color a lot- even if you can’t tell. I’ve been super into “toning” my hair & tinting the bottom an array of brights especially. The best way for my hair to maintain color is less washes & the best way to get that going is dry shampoo. Which eventually leads to products buildup. It’s a cycle. So what I’ve learned to do is use something more stripping on my scalp/buildup when needed & then follow it up with whatever color I’d like to boost so it is super clean & takes it in. Then I desperately need something to condition my ends & the color itself. For reference, I usually ombre my hair so I don’t even dye the upper portion. All of this to say that the Joico Defy Damage Protective Conditioner has been exactly that step in my routine- but I really want to try their Defy Damage Protective Masque now!
Garnier Skin Active Micellar Cleansing Water
Cleansing waters are one of the greatest skincare inventions. Shown above is the one I’m currently using- Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water, For All Skin Types. I’ve also used the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water, All-in-1 Waterproof Makeup Remover and Facial Cleanser but next I’d love to try the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Water and Glycerin, All-in-1 Hydrating, For Normal to Dry Skin! I tend to love rose as an ingredient so this sounds heavenly. Although I can use them all interchangeably, I tend to remove heavy eye makeup or liquid lipsticks with oils because they’re so nourishing. I then follow up after using a cloth because I don’t like putting anything harsh or toning near my eyes or eczema areas. I buy these in bulk because they work!
Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub
The brand sent this over & to be honest- I’d have never have picked this from a lineup. & I’d have been so wrong. Now I keep this to use when I have breakouts or clogged pores, especially on my chin & nose. Derma E’s Microdermabrasion Scrub feels really expensive- but not in the flowery, over-packaged way. In fact, it is super simple in just a glass jar. I mean expensive in that it really works & is super finely milled for an actual scrub. What I’ve been doing is applying just to the necessary areas, letting it sit a bit, & then I exfoliate in circular motions before rinsing clean. I think using it all over would be wayyy too harsh but it sure has become a clear favorite for finicky skin!
Primera Mild Facial Peeling Gel
Now here’s something I do use all over my skin & neck- minus my eye area of course. The Primera Mild Facial Peeling Gel might seem a bit spendy for a cleanser- but honestly you should be putting it in the “treatment” area. This is 5 ounces of pure glowy skin magic. Peeling masks are my FAVORITE way to instantly get rid of dry or dead dull skin. In my opinion, this kind of product is a complete game changer. Sweep off the whole layer of blah skin in one sweep then top with something blissfully moisturizing or penetrating because that’s when my skin absorbs best! This is a “clean” version of masks I’ve used as well so if that’s something you’re looking at in Sephora add it to your list!
Marin Bee Honey Butter
You’ve possibly seen me feature or chat about Marin Bee Honey Butter in the past- & yep, I still love it! I love what they do for the bees & that they’re a genuinely kind business…but I really love the products I’ve tried as well which is why you’re here! This body butter is a combo of honey with shea, jojoba, & coconut with a sweet honey scent that isn’t overpowering. & it is thick enough for my hands but gentle enough to not irritate my eczema! The packaging is so darn aesthetically pleasing- I can’t help but love seeing it on my vanity table!
Demeter Fragrance in Fresh Brewed Coffee
If you love coffee or even just the smell of coffee…I can’t see how you wouldn’t love Fresh Brewed Coffee from Demeter. I’ve had some scents I love & some I don’t but then there’s an in-between. Those scents I like- but are missing something? Or scents that just aren’t QUITE right. I don’t actually like amber or musk normally so this is a great way to add depth to other blends or ya know…just enjoy coffee bliss.
Tarte Maracuja Oil
So this is a product I’ve used off & on for years! The Tarte Maracuja Oil first came into my life in the form of tiny samples. Then I lucked out with some sets containing deluxe samples. & they got me- I was hooked! I’ve used it while traveling especially- for moisturizer & eye/lip makeup removal. I honestly don’t know how to travel without it now & this is still my fallback facial oil during eczema flares!
& this magazine is from Serene + Lily…one that ended up in my mailbox & I kept to flip through. Does anyone else get random magazines or ads still? I have gone pretty digital but sometimes things still randomly show up!
See anything here that catches your eye? Anything that might be a yes or no for you? Where do you prefer to shop these days? I’m partial to online- like ULTA or Amazon!
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