Summer Skin Edit: What I Love

Oh hello, Golden Gate Bridge!

HELLO HELLO!  I figured I'd try to not let a long time go before I wrote another blog.  I'm awful at making time for myself much less anything else that isn't either work or theater.  However, you can see in the photo above that when I travel FOR work, I will make some time to take in the sights!  

I was fortunate enough this past week to be in San Francisco for work and since my best friend Heather lives just about a half hour outside the city proper, she generally plays tour guide for me when I'm there. (Bonus!  work fun AND bff time!)

Anyways, that's not really the point of the post, so let's just get right into the skincare, shall we? 

I begin by saying (as always) that I have an extremely dry skin type.  In the summer I tend to lean a little more normal but by no means do I have enough oil to be considered combination.  So I tend to stay with my creamy formulas, but they tend to be either oil-free or still hyper-hydrating.

In the photo above (my very messy bag o' skincare) you'll not see a cleanser because it's in the bathroom...but it's the Sephora Collection Supreme Cleansing Oil (which is sadly, out of stock right now!)  It gets my skin super clean (especially when used in tandem with my Clarisonic Aria!) and I absolutely love using oil cleansers!  I'll have to do a specific post on them soon!

Then you'll see the Josie Maran Argan Milk - this is one of those hyper-hydrating products that I absolutely love especially in the summer months.  It gives me all the hydration of argan oil, but without the heavy feeling -- I'm actually not a lover for the pure argan oil on my face...I much prefer the texture of Argan Light if I use Josie's...but then again, I'm a total Fresh Seaberry convert (see my post here!)

I mix a few drops of that Seaberry oil (or any oil really...in my bag is a trial version of the Kate Somerville Dilo oil...more on that later once I've made up my mind about it) into the Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation moisturizer.  This is a must-have product for me.  I love the lightweight whipped texture, and it has licorice and pea extract for brightening!  This container is probably the third full size jar I've gone through in the past three or four years so I'm always trying new things, but eventually I get back to this one.

I also am trying out a trial of the Kate Somerville Age Arrest eye cream.  I like the dense texture that immediately sinks into the eye area...and it leaves my skin very velvety feeling which I adore!

There are a few other things you're seeing in the bag and they're more like my ancillary products...not necessary but nice to have every once in a while...Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die for serum (LOVE!), Amore Pacific enzyme peel scrub, GlamGlow Supermud trial, Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix, Clinique healing gel, and the Peter Thomas Roth 40% peel.

If you have any questions or would like anything more in-depth, leave a comment!

Some products shown in this blog post were received as gratis from my job.  This does not influence my thoughts or opinions on any of the products I choose to show on my blog.  I am not sponsored by any of the companies featured in this blog post - I do not make any commission by including links, nor am I blogging on behalf of my employer.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Winter Edit: Skincare Routine January 2014

Winter Skin = Dry, flaky, itchy, irritated.  Oh wait, that's my skin all year long!

So when winter comes, it's time for richer textures, oils, and lots of exfoliation (sorry it's not pictured, but I will list and link everything that I use in my routine in the post!)

Being that I work where I do, I have a plethora of skincare in my arsenal, and so I try a lot and rotate a lot.  I wanted to make sure I give you everything that I'm currently using so with that in mind -- here we go!

My cleanser(s) of choice still remain to be oil cleansers.  Do not let them scare you, especially if you're oily...they are fantastic at helping control your oil production and keeping you hydrated!  They also rinse clean which means no greasy feeling!  Currently, I have the Sephora Supreme Cleansing Oil, and a couple samples of the Dior cleansing oil that I'm working through.  My ultimate favorite is the Boscia Makeup Breakup and I've tried the new Tsubaki hybrid cleanser and that's ace as well!

As far as exfoliation goes, I'm still loyal to my Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads as well as throwing in some Bliss Steep Clean or Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Peel and Reveal.  Also, I have a Clarisonic Aria that I pretty much keep on the highest speed ;)

So after I've cleansed and exfoliated, I move onto serum.  I've been using my Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Serum for a month now, and it's so cooling and fresh feeling on my skin!

I then layer my moisturizer mixed with 2-3 drops of Fresh Seaberry Face Oil.  For day I'm using the Caudalie Vinexpert Riche (the packaging has changed but it's great for some serious moisture and a gorgeous radiant glow!) and for night I have the Sephora Collection Age Defy night cream.  Both textures are richer than a typical moisturizer (aka my favorite texture! the richer the better!) 

My eye cream right at this moment is the Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel from Ren.  Again, this has gone through a package switch.  Some days I think that I should have saved it for this upcoming spring/summer because I don't think it's giving me as much as I want as far as moisture right now, but it's not leaving me parched in any way.  I love the texture and the cool feeling of a gel around the eyes too -- especially since I have allergies and wake up with super puffy and irritated eyes most mornings ;)


That's my current skincare routine...sometimes I'll throw in an Ole Henriksen Lemon Strip Flash Peel to really get the flakies away...

If you have any questions or want a more in-depth review of any products, please let me know!

Some products shown in this blog post were received as gratis from my job.  This does not influence my thoughts or opinions on any of the products I choose to show on my blog.  I am not sponsored by any of the companies featured in this blog post - nor am I blogging on behalf of my employer.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thoughts: Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil

HOLY GRAIL ALERT!

HOLY GRAIL ALERT!

HOLY. GRAIL. ALERT!

Hahaha.  I do have a penchant for the dramatic, n'est pas?

But seriously.  This is one of my most loved products right now!  As you know (if you've been reading my blog) I do work at Sephora...therefore I get to try a lot (I repeat...A LOT) of skincare throughout the year.  There are times when I am halfway through something and I wish I could just get through it to try something new...but Seaberry Oil is something I want to never, ever, EVER, go away.

Seaberry oil is jam-packed with a great blend of pure oils and omegas including: 

• seaberry - antioxidant and contains omegas 7 and 9 (moisturizing)
• cranberry seed - helps keep skin smooth and elastic
• camellia seed - emolliant and a skin moisturizer
• grapeseed - anti-inflammitant, anti aging benefits
• sweet almond  - an excellent emollient and moisturizer
• Omega 3 - calming and soothing
• Omegas 6+9 - improves skin elasticity, softness, and smoothness
• Omega 7 -  an ingredient I don't see often in skincare, omega 7 enhances the skin's ability to heal itself

as well as being packed with omega essential fatty acids.  It also has vitamin E for hydration and and to maintain skin elasticity.

Seaberry (or seabuckthorn) which is native to Siberia and found across Asia and Europe, is a multi-use ingredient that can not only be refined to be used in face oil (which, clearly, is what I'm talking about in this blog post -- haha) but you can also refine it to be used in food/beverages (ps, if you can get ahold of Sibu juice [LINK] -- it's DELICIOUS...I had a training with the founder of Fresh in San Francisco last month and we got to try some!)

So why do I love it so?  Well firstly, dry skin loves moisturizing oils.  I am hoping I'm not the only desert skin out there who doesn't enjoy the feeling of argan oil on my face (I find it super thick and it never fully sinks in...and I loathe feeling greasy).  This just melts into my skin and leaves me looking so glowy and hydrated but never greasy or shiny.

PRO TIP!  

I love mixing 2 drops of Seaberry Oil into my current moisturizer of choice.  It slightly changes the texture of the moisturizer (right now I'm using a Lancome night cream and a deluxe size Amore Pacific cream...but it pretty much mixes into any oil-free moisturizer very well) and turns it into a silky lightweight texture.  The creams sink into your skin and it's a fantastic way to feel ultra pampered.

You can also use it like you would any oil - I've run it through the ends of my hair, used it on my cuticles, mixed it into body lotion (which will be great coming into winter in Maine...my elbows and knees will love it!)

Have you tried Seaberry oil or any other face oil?  What was your favorite?

*this product was provided by the company to me through my job.  this does not influence what i put on my blog in any way.  my thoughts and opinions are my honest ones*