MY BEAUTY ROUTINE

A few skincare products that you need to try!

When it comes to skincare nothing is more important than finding the right routine for you skin. Lately we’re witnessing a surge of skincare brands. Every celebrities, doctors or influencers are surfing on the trend of launching their own brand with the promise of having the best formula for your skin… But which ones are really worth the hype? I don’t have the answer but I can share which ones works for my combination skin type. So here is my simple 5 steps daily & night beauty routine plus my Sunday’s extra care routine!

Step 1:

First thing first, if I have makeup on I’ll grab my charcoal cleansing balm from Clinique and rub it all over my face. It is the number one makeup remover out there with a silky balm formula it gently dissolves your makeup. This version that I use contents Japanese detoxifying charcoal that help cleansing and unclogs your pores. Then I wash my face with Clinique face wash, product that I’ve been using for almost a decade now! It gently cleans your face and keeps your natural moisture balance. I’ll put a bit of soap on my Clarisonic and run it over my face. It cleanses six time better than your hands alone. With two different speeds with one minute pulsing T timer for personal customization.

Step 2:

After it’s time to tone! On a cotton pad I’ll use my Pixi Glow Tonic all over my face avoiding around my eyes. It has the ability to dissolve the bonds binding dead, dulling cells to the skin’s surface living a radiant face. If you have sensitive skin you might not want to use it daily. From time to time I use the Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% tonic solution which has the same role as the Pixi toner mentioned above.

Step 3:

On day time I use Dr Sturm Vitamine C serum. Vitamine C helps reduce uneven pigmentation, improve tone and provide anti-oxidative protection. It also supports the formation of collagen which is needed for a firm and youthful skin. Then I apply my Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum. Even if it’s a night time serum I use it daily. It leaves my skin silky smooth by infusing my skin with a 72-hours moisture and target dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. After applying my serums I like to take my jade roller or Gua Sha and work it all over my face in outward & toward movements to reduce facial tension, aid lymphatic drainage and increase absorption of your skincare formulas.

At night time I use only the Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane light oil serum. When I use this serum it’s mandatory TO NOT USE IT WITH ANY PRODUCTS that content direct acids, copper peptides, direct vitamin C, retinoids! Avoid around the eyes also. Use it only at night time. Most skincare claims the benefits of retinol which is a dilute version of retinoid. Retinoid acid is a highly potent class of vitamin A derivatives, it smooths out lines, brighten dull skin and controls acne. Since using it, my face’s skin became so soft with less textures! One of my favourite product in my routine with significant improvements!

Also at night if I have a big zit squatting, most of the time my forehead, I’ll pop a bit of Acnecide gel on it overnight and avoid adding any more product on the spot area.

Step 4:

Then I like to apply my eye cream. Little story, I’ve try several brands that has left me unsatisfied with side effects such as milia development… Happily, I got a Clinique All About Eyes sample one day and immediately fell in love with the ingredients. I’ve been using it for a while now and noticed improvements on my skin texture around my eyes. No more milia too! Thick products and formulas can lead to milia development due to pore clogging.

Next, I’ll moisturise my face with my favourite face cream N°1 de Chanel Revitalizing Cream. It’s one of the new beauty line released by Chanel lately. It smooths, plumps and provide comfort. Red Camellia is the key ingredient in this beauty line. Chanel opted for a refillable packaging to reduce carbon footprint and waste which I think is amazing!

Let’s not forget lips! Your beautiful pout needs to be taking care of too. To be honest I don’t own any lip scrub or lip mask. I usually scrub my lips with my body scrub or my Clarisonic face brush and it does an amazing job! But I love using N°7 Protect & Perfect Lip Care as it gives me the softest lips since it’s a rich conditioning balm.

Step 5:

As the final step of my normal routine it’s important to use a sunscreen! This step shouldn’t be optional whether you live in a gloomy country or think your skin is pigmented enough to protect itself or you’re trying to tan on a beach. And more so if you’re using a vitamin C serum sunscreen is a must! Summer Fridays’ Shade Drops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk sunscreen is enriched with hydrating and powerful antioxidant ingredients. And it protects you from the sun!

Sundays night routine:

Every Sundays it’s time for extra face care, with a clean skin I like to pull my hair back with a headband before use a steamer to open my pores. The heat helps to make the extraction easier and products to penetrate the skin. Then I’ll use a blackhead extractor if needed to reduce infections or scarring hygienically instead of using my fingers.

Now it’s time for mask. I like to start with a clay or charcoal base mask. The best one I’ve found so far is the Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey mask! It simply purifies and nourishes your skin without leaving a strong perfume smell. You also won’t experiment dryness after using it. Then I follow with Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting face mask. It’s a yummy vitamin fruit complex mask with a luxurious texture it exfoliates and brightens your skin. I like to apply my face mask with a brush as it reduces product waste and eases the application. Another must have, Nip+Fab Hyaluronic Fix Extreme4 Jelly Eye Patches to add back moisture under my sensitive under eye. After I follow up with my usual serums and moisturisers mentioned in my beauty steps above. What a luxury night!

Don’t be afraid to try new products and also to educate yourself on the ingredients. It helps understanding how the product works and simply if it’s what you need. And totally unnecessary BUT I like to store my serums and face creams in a mini beauty fridge, I love the feeling of cold product on my skin and I feel like it closes my pores. Voilà, I’ll end by adding it’s all about finding the right products for your skin and the perfect routine.