Hello, Bitchery! It’s Amanda. I’m relieving Sarah of her duties and taking over Stuff We Like this week. This edition is going to focus on my recent skincare and makeup journey and while I don’t have a regimen quite yet of perfect products I love, I have definitely found some winners.
I’ll also be discussing some of the skincare problems that I have, so if you’re sensitive about that, you may want to skim or skip around.
SKINCARE
Within the last few months, I’ve decided that I want to develop a skincare regimen to make my face healthier and less prone to breakouts. And like most things, it’s all about trial and error! Oh, and waiting. Results don’t happen overnight. As of right now, my routine consists of these steps:
- Makeup removal
- Cleanse
- Acne treatment
- Moisturize
I might throw in a face mask or treatment here or there for fun, but those are the four steps I try to adhere to on a nightly basis. I’m also not going to talk about everything I use, since some of it is just okay. I’m going to solely focus on what I’ve found to be a staple in my routine so far.
Cleanse: I haven’t found a cleanser that I’m in love with just yet. I use a softer foam cleanser for days where I haven’t worked out or worn a ton of makeup. For “dirtier” days, I use an exfoliating cleanser or something a little harsher. However, there is one cleansing tool that I’m totally in love with: my jellyfish brush!
The inside contains a sponge that you wet. I put a dollop of my Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser on top and boy, does it lather that sucker up. The bristles on top add a deeper clean than just using my hands.
And, if you notice the “frequently bought together” section on that page, I own the cat headband as well.
Love it for washing my face, putting on a mask, or doing my makeup!
Acne treatment: I will forever swear by the Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patches. Admittedly, I’m a picker. If my hands are idle, they will immediately go to my face. It’s a horrible habit, I know.
These patches help keep my fingers from picking, but they also reduce redness and swelling of pimples. They’ll even last through the night. It’s also highly satisfying to see all the oils the patch has sucked out of the blemish. My only complaint is that one pack doesn’t come with a ton of patches, so buy in bulk! Note: I use these after I finish everything in my nightly routine.
Moisturizer: Earlier this year, I started working out a few times a week. Since then, my skin has gotten really oily, which has been a huge struggle for me. When it came to finding a moisturizer I liked, I didn’t want anything that would add more oil to my face.
If you have oily skin, I really recommend L’Oreal Paris Hydra Genius Face Moisturizer. It’s a liquid moisturizer instead of a cream. It’s lightweight, absorbs into the skin quickly, and I love the smell. If you don’t want to order through Amazon, I was able to snag this at my local CVS.
Other: Going back to working out, I now get acne elsewhere, too. Fun! On workout days, I make sure to use a more exfoliating body wash and I’ve really enjoyed Tree Hut’s sugar scrub selection. The sugar scrubs aren’t too harsh on my skin and they have this nice gel-like consistency, which makes it easier to get the product out of the jar.
I’ve been using the Moroccan Rose scent, but they have so many others, such as Italian Mocha, Almond & Honey, Original Shea, and more.
MAKEUP
Don’t ask me why I’m on a makeup kick lately, but I have officially decided I want to do more with my makeup. Normally, I’m just a foundation kind of girl. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll throw on mascara and lipstick. I also definitely needed to get rid of some old products because makeup has expiration dates, who knew?!
If you want to join me on my makeup journey, here are a few things I’ve learned and loved.
Resources: When it comes to makeup retailers, I prefer Ulta over Sephora. Their rewards program (which is free!) is much better. With Sephora, you accrue points that you can use on free samples of varying sizes. With Ulta, your points go toward taking money off your next purchase. They also always have a coupon available, too. However, I believe Ulta stores aren’t as widely franchised as Sephoras and buying makeup online can be a crapshoot.
If you’re on a budget, TJ Maxx and Marshalls are your friends! There can be a lot of stuff to weed through at these stores, but I’ve been able to find some big name brands at a discount. I’ve found lipsticks from Anastasia Beverly Hills and Smashbox and eyeshadow palettes from Bare Minerals and Too Faced. But be sure to check the products inside the box before purchasing. Sometimes, the product might be missing or broken.
YouTube has also been a huge help for me. I love Tati Westbrook because she features “drugstore” products and does videos like Best Under $25 at Sephora. She’s a huge help for the more budget conscious consumers like me.
Beauty News is amazing, as well. Featuring two Aussie women, they test out products, divulge the latest beauty gossip, and smash up cosmetics (which is very satisfying). The smashing has a reason though, I promise. They’re aiming to see if you get the same amount of product as advertised on the box and figure out what consumers are actually paying per gram of makeup. It’s extremely helpful if you’re trying to decide whether or not a makeup purchase is worth it. I appreciate their news sections too, since I want to be sure I’m not supporting shitty brands.
Lipsticks: Man, I never thought I’d love putting stuff on my lips, but I am a huge convert. I tend to gravitate toward reds and plums and I love matte shades. There are two products in my collection that I highly recommend
Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream is available at most drugstores and makeup retailers. It’s a liquid lipstick that dries really quickly into a powdery matte finish. I own several shades in this, though my favorite is Prague.
Sephora’s own brand of cream lip stains is wonderful. If you’re looking for a great, vibrant red, I recommend Strawberry Kissed.
Eyeliner: I always have mixed feelings on eyeliner and whether to use a pencil, gel, or liquid. For someone who isn’t used to doing their eyeliner or wants a more steady hand, I’ve gotten great results in L’Oreal Paris Super Slim Infallible Liquid Liner. It looks like a skinny felt tip pen and it allows for great control.
Powder Foundation: I don’t think I will ever buy another powder foundation again after discovering It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation. It is rather pricey at around $35, but allows for medium to full coverage. It also has built in SPF!
Lastly, if you have a ton of makeup, I highly recommend these organizers! They’re light weight and it’s possible they could fit in a drawer (except for the tall one), if you’d rather not have them take up counter space. I own four different kinds:
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Let me know which products you absolutely love in makeup and skincare! I love experimenting and trying out new things!
Really interested in your cleansing routine! I use Cetaphil and it’s just serviceable.
Face Masks: Aztec Clay + Apple Cider Vinegar = Boom. Perfection.
Makeup removal: I’m on my second bottle of Simple micellar water and am obsessed!
Cleansing wipes: As a fellow oily-faced person, I can’t make it through the day without a shine fest. I buy a pack of Cetaphil cleansing wipes and keep it in my desk drawer. Halfway through the work day I tear one in half and clean my face (I don’t wear foundation). I also steal the toilet seat covers in the bathroom for blotting.
Lips: I’m all about the Burt’s Bees lip balms and lip crayons.
Eye Makeup: I react to basically the majority of makeup and look like I have pink eye. For eye shadow, I can tolerate loose or pressed BareMinerals. I also buy the indie loose shadows from Shiro Cosmetics (they are a pop culture lover’s dream with all of their collections and fun titles!). For primer/concealer I use an organic BN cream from Physician’s Formula and I also use that brand’s green tube organic mascara. Most eyeliners also burn my eyes so I use the slightly nore expensive brand of Zuzu Luxe/Gabriel Cosmetics.
Moisturizer: I use Cerave Ultra-light since it has spf, but I would love something more mattifying that doesn’t break me out.
Hydrocolloid Bandages: Instead of the pimple patches I just buy large hydrocolloid bandages from the grocery store and cut them up. They are totally satisfying and lifesavers – just like you said above!
Please do hair care or nail polishes next if that hasn’t already been done. Loved this!
Speaking of make up organizers – I was sucked into Trish McEvoy because her products are designed to fit into essentially what looks like an old Fil o Gacts ör Franklin Covey organizer (aka the makeup planner). I LURV it. They can be small or large. The eye shadows or blush snap into plastic binder “pages” that you put in the organizer. It has a pouch and pockets for brushes, mascara, foundation, etc. The entire thing zips shut and fits into my purse or carry on. Since I travel A LOT, this has been the bomb. http://www.trishmcevoy.com/
@Kate- I particularly like PC’s Extra Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment for spot treating hormonal break outs and the Resist Weightless Body Treatment with 2% BHA to keep what I lovingly refer to as “bod-ne” at bay 😉
Someone mentioned recent body acne, and I just wanted to pop in and say that I’d never really had it until this year. In my late teens/early 20s I would occasionally have a bit on my upper back, but I started to develop it all over my back suddenly (at 32!). Turns out it was the new shampoo I was using! I had been using it for a month or more before the acne began, so it wasn’t immediately evident it was the culprit. I would look at any newer beauty items to see if they’re causing it.
@Kate: I use stuff from the Resist line — hydrating cleanser, replenishing toner, moisturizer with retinol, anti-oxidant serum, SPF 50 moisturizer, AHA treatment. The cleanser, toner, serum and SPF moisturizer are night and day. Retinol is AM, AHA is PM. I don’t need to use much of anything, and my skin is satiny smooth and my post-menopause acne problem has cleared right up. My skin also stopped looking dull. I’ve been very, very happy…
Just here to echo the call: Get thee to Caroline Hirons! She has the best advice. Truly. And lots of suggestions for drug store products–I’ve been very pleased with her suggestions at the Pixi sort of level (I have dreams of Tata Harper–someday!). She saved my face from my move to a dry midwestern climate. Go read Caroline–she’s brilliant! (and funny!)
I have very oily skin that’s prone to hormonal acne breakouts. My skin gets very irritated with bad alcohol, essential oils, and fragrance. So, a lot of the comments that people posted of their go-to products (including the OP) have been huge misses for me or I know in advance would irritate the hell out of my face. I am always reviewing/researching the ingredients of skincare products before trying them. For my consistent brand faves, I love CeraVe and Olay for drugstore; First Aid Beauty, Clinique, & Drunk Elephant for high-end. I also love Paula’s Choice, but it’s online only. Although, their BHA’s are incomparable IMO (#1 Holy Grail Product: tinyurl.com/y6wyrbk2). Otherwise, I’m always trying to new skincare and makeup products because it’s fun for me, but not for my bank account. lol.
Since Jan. 2017 I’ve been nearly 100% dedicated to Paula’s Choice, except for one CeraVe cleanser that I use for my nighttime routine.
The BHA exfoliant and SPF moisturizers helped make my skin wedding-ready for August; I had a few people tell me that I was “glowing” days beforehand. Overall, it’s been awesome, especially after struggling through a decade of unnecessary breakouts and damage caused by harsh cleansers and toners (I basically can’t use anything that contains fragrance). Their products designed for body acne are great too, like the BHA exfoliant lotion and the body spray.
I’ll still get the occasional hormonal or diet-related breakouts, although they’re much less frequent and severe now.
My makeup routine is simple enough. Most days, I’ll apply PC’s Resist SPF tinted moisturizer with some concealer and Marcelle loose powder. For more coverage, I use Urban Decay’s Naked foundation with the same concealer and powder.
So much of skincare works for one person but not another. A huge number of the products listed here have irritated the hell out of my super-sensitive, prone to redness skin. A few things I do like:
Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass color correcting something. It’s basically a tinted moisturizer that’s green in the jar but becomes skin-toned (I’m pale, it works for me, not sure how it works on darker skin tones). I use this after a moisturizer and sometimes follow with a BB cream or foundation depending on what kind of coverage I want.
Dr. Jart also makes literally the only sheet masks I have ever tried that don’t break me out badly. The first time I tried one of theirs (I think it was the firming thing) I looked in the mirror and it was the first time in my entire life I’ve ever tried a beauty product and had an immediate positive result.
L’Occitane. I got some of their stuff as a gift last year and have found myself repeatedly buying more from them. I just used their Shea Oil makeup remover (as the first step in double cleasning) and Peony moisturizer, and I keep stroking my own face because it feels so good.
Glamglow’s Supermud is one of the few things that doesn’t irritate my skin, but leaves it looking really great.
Kate Van D tattoo liner, Benefit They’re Real lash primer (sometimes by itself) and Roller Girl mascara, Benefit Eye Bright, Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick, Nars Velvet Matte lipstick pencil in Dolce Vita–this is my everyday makeup lineup.
I’ve made an effort since last year to cut down on plastic and single-use products. This means no cleansing wipes, no Sephora foot masks (basically plastic bags full of lotion for your feet, and they’re SO GOOD but also NO GOOD–just put on lotion and socks!), no more Sephora Play or Birchbox where I’m getting a small amount of product in a lot of packaging. I’ve tried out a bunch of bar shampoos/conditioners, switched to bar hand soap and body soap, and have purchased reusable cotton rounds to use instead of the disposable ones. I’m down to my last few q-tips and have sworn not to buy any more, so I haven’t entirely figured out how I’m going to fix makeup mistakes when those are gone, but the majority of these changes have been completely painless. Now if only it was that easy to give up sugar!
Can anyone recommend a good shampoo for colored hair? Biolage Colorlast changed their formula and it’s not good anymore.
@Robin: I highly recommend L’Anza! My hair stylist suggested their shampoo and conditioner for colored hair when I got a balayage. She has bright purple hair and uses it as well, so I definitely trust her. I also use L’Anza’s heat protectant serum for when I straighten my hair and their leave-in conditioner spray.
@Robin — I don’t have colored hair, but my stylist uses a lot of ISO shampoos/conditioners. I use the Bouncy Cleanse one for curly hair, but they also have one for colored hair. Hope that helps.
I’m such a makeup/skincare addict, so I’m glad you’re posting about this! I’ve been reading through all the comments and making notes about products to try.
If you like woman-owned, cruelty-free small businesses (who doesn’t?), you should try Besame Cosmetics! They make amazing products at reasonable prices, and they are both reproductions of vintage colors AND nerd-themed. (Agent Carter collection, anyone?) I use their stick foundation, cream blush, Agent Carter eyeshadow palette and swear by their lipsticks. 1946 Red Velvet has a permanent home in my purse.
As far as skin care, I have very dry skin. I use two different moisturizers – one in the morning with SPF and another in the evening before bed. Sadly, I still haven’t found one I love since Olay discontinued the one I was using. I also like to put a bit of Vaseline under my eyes to help with dark circles and how dry the skin at the corner of my eyes can get, especially in winter. I like wearing full faces of makeup, but I also make sure to never sleep in it, and to give my skin a day off at least once a week. (Neutrogena’s makeup remover wipes are a lifesaver!)
Make up would probably be an even bigger vice of mine if I didn’t have so many books I wanted to buy! I love Bare Minerals foundation. For skin care The Body Shop is my favorite. I am sensitive to many women’s fragrances. Even though Chanel No 5 is spendy it’s worth it to me to splurge on a product that I wear all the time. Also because I am fragrance sensitive I find beauty boxes a better way to try new products than department stores. I’ve tried many of them and Birchbox and Target Beauty Box are my favorites. I would say that I only need to do a subscription box every few years. Right now I am overflowing with palettes i love so I won’t need to buy anything new for at least 2 years!!!
Love this post! My daughters bought me the 2 tier organizer and the round one for Mother’s Day! So excited to go through all my makeup and purge (aka make room for new stuff).
My skin changed recently because of the intense heat, and my winter moisturizer (cetaphil) suddenly caused breakouts. I got a sample at my local Target of Aveeno (can’t remember the name right now, but it has a purple top and spf 30), and am loving it. My face doesn’t get sunburned, isn’t greasy, and is still clear.
I’m blessed (heavy sarcasm) to be allergic to about 90% of the makeup on the market (including bb and cc creams). So when I have to wear it, I wear a very light layer of Bare Minerals. I’ve also had damage to my right eye from a work accident a few years ago that makes eyeliner painful. But, Bare Minerals has a liquid eyeliner that works well for me.
Recently discovered Badger Balm too, and I highly recommend it to anyone with sensitivities or allergies. And extra bonus is none of the balms aee scented strongly…this is a real deal breaker for me because I also get migraines from hell from perfumes and dyes.