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Saturday, February 1, 2014

My Evening Skincare Routine: February 2014

Hey, friends! Today I'm here from the Beauty and Fashion Blog Community to bring you my evening skincare routine! In the morning, I'm usually trying to get out the door as fast as I can because I stayed in bed for "just five more minutes" (x4 on a good day), so the nighttime is usually when I try to rejuvinate my skin and give it some love. Without further ado, here is my PM Skincare Routine, aka "I apologize for putting you through Boston winters every year."

First, if I'm wearing eye makeup, I'll go in with my CVS Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover (Generic version of Neutrogena) ($6 for 6.4 fl oz).

This was a 2013 Favorite, and with good reason. I pour some of this onto a cotton pad, hold it against my eyelid for a few seconds, and then wipe my eye makeup off without a problem. Usually I can get both eyes with one side of the cotton pad, and then turn the pad over and get my whole face with the other side (since I only wear light face makeup). 


Next, to make sure all of my makeup is off, I'll go in with some Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Emulsifying Cleanser ($35 for 12 fl oz) and my Clarisonic Mia 2 ($150)


I acquired this cleanser when my mother purchased a set of Serious Skincare's products on one of the home shopping channels. This line is supposed to be for people with dry or stressed skin, since it contains olive oil. Unfortunately, the first ingredient after water is a sulfate, which explains why it wasn't as moisturizing as it sounds. My skin feels a little too stripped after using this, though I do like that it takes off my face makeup well. I'm always sure to follow up with a hydrating serum and moisturizer (see below) so my face doesn't get that uncomfortable, tight feeling. I'm more than halfway done with this, and when I finish it up, I won't be repurchasing. I love their Emu & Aloe Cream, though! 

Next, I'll apply .1% Adapelene Gel (Brand name: Differin). 


This is a prescription gel that you can get from your dermatologist. I will put this on the spots where I usually get blackheads and acne. For me, this is my T-zone (nose/forehead/chin) and my jawline. If you are interested in getting this product, be sure to talk to your doctor before doing (though you technically would have to anyway, since it's prescription-only). It only cost me a few dollars with my insurance, so it wasn't expensive at all. This product takes about 8-10 weeks to kick in (yikes!) so I don't quite know if it's working yet, but we'll see! I haven't had an bad reactions or irritations to it, but I hope it does something good soon! 

While that is sinking in, I'll apply a dab of my Restorsea Revitalizing Eye Cream ($85 for .5oz) under my eyes.


I requested some free samples from Restorsea's website quite a few months ago and received this! I didn't expect such generosity with their samples! This is targeted for crows feet and dark circles, only one of which I have (as a 20-something, guess which one it is). I can't tell how much it's doing for my dark circles, and I've been using this for months, but I do like the thickness and hydrating aspect of this eye cream. Will I be repurchasing? No, because 1) this container is huge and will take me forever to use up, and I've been using it since September, and 2) because I just don't have the money to spend $85 on skincare products (and even if I did, I wouldn't). Still, it's nice not to have to worry about buying eye cream for awhile! 

After that, I'll apply two pumps of my Seventh Generation Boost Soothing Skin Serum ($15 for 1.5 fl oz) all over my face and neck. 


I can't say enough good things about this serum. It was in my 2013 Favorites and you can see a full review here. I received this for free to do a review for Lucky magazine. It has an ingredients list that's just to die for (a short and sweet list with all natural ingredients and no gross stuff). It really hydrates my skin and provides a ton of wonderful antioxidants and vitamins. It's probably my favorite skincare product and I'm obsessed. I'm so thankful that it's only $15 a bottle, because serums are typically so out of my price range. I love that I can give my skin the benefits of a serum without having to spend my whole paycheck.  This bottle has lasted me since July, and with daily usage, I still have a good amount left. When I run out, I'm immediately running out to buy another one--and I never do that with anything, so you know it has to be good. They have a variety of different ones, so next I think I'll try the hydrating one. You should be able to find it at Walgreens or on Amazon. 

Finally, I'll apply my nighttime moisturizer. Right now, I'm using a sample of the legendary La Mer Creme de la Mer ($155 for 1oz).


I got a card in one of the beauty/fashion magazines I was reading that allowed me to claim a free sample of this at the La Mer counter (which they are otherwise very stingy with--I wouldn't blame them at that price). I never shop in department stores, so I was both shocked and awed by the amount of attention the sales associates gave me. She explained the product to me (I had done a good deal of research online, as a beauty blogger, but just smiled and nodded) and gave me my sample. She also took my phone number so she could call me in a few days to see how I was liking it. I gave her my home phone number, since I was leaving for school in two days, that way I didn't have to tell her that I would never consider buying the full size (sorry!). Honestly, this product is nice, but at $155 it should also be able to do my laundry and make me dinner. I could write a whole post on this product (and I plan to in the near future), but right now I will spare you. I won't be repurchasing at that crazy price, but I've been enjoying pretending to be rich by using this. 

Well, that's the end of my current skincare routine. I know it seems like a lot, but I love pampering myself after a long day. Plus, compared to a lot of others I know, it really isn't that bad. It takes no time at all, I love how soft and smooth my skin is by the end. Every once in awhile, I might do a face mask, and once a week I like to use a scrub (usually whatever sample I'm testing out at the moment). All in all, it's a good time. 

If you're interested, feel free to check out the skincare routines of the following beauty bloggers: 
I hope this was fun for you! Let me know in the comments below what your current skincare routine is! I love finding new products to try! 





Disclaimer: I purchased all of these except for the Restorsea (which I filled out a form on their website to receive) and the Seventh Generation Serum (which was sent to me by Lucky Mag). I have just become an Amazon Affiliate, so that's kind of cool. All opinions are my own because I have a brain. I don't accept monetary compensation for reviews because that ain't cool, yo. 

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