I think all of our beauty routines have changed a lot this year and I thought maybe it would be a good time for an update from this post I wrote at the end of March.
These days I wear a lot less makeup but I still do my face most days because it makes me feel good. Generally it's CC cream, concealer, mascara and brown gel and sometimes I'll add eyeliner and brow pencil if I'm feeling fancy. I only wear lipstick for blog pics and some video meetings and I rarely wear blush anymore.
Because of masks, I don't see the point in doing much to my lower face these days but I love a dramatic eye/brow combo if I'm going out in the world. I've linked my current products above but wanted to mention how much I like my current mascara:
I got this in an Allure box and it's quite good. It actually holds a curl and is a reliable, non-clumpy volumizing mascara. It's not super messy and it doesn't flake. Yay! Speaking of my lashes, I haven't given an update on my GrandeLash serum progress! Here are some pics comparing June to September:
I mean, damn. I actually have longer lashes! They aren't crazyballs long, but they are definitely longer and a bit thicker and I am pleased. The other day I walked by a mirror late in the afternoon and was surprised that I could actually SEE my eyelashes still. Some of this is because my Wander Beauty mascara actually holds a curl but also, GrandeLash works, y'all.
As well as wearing less makeup, I've also fine-tuned my skincare game. One thing I wish I'd gotten a photo of is my face before I started using Differin every night. I know I've talked about it a few times but, you guys, nothing else has ever made such a visible difference in my skin. I still have melasma (though it's lighter) but the overall clarity and smoothness in my skin is visible. It's inexpensive and it works - can't ask for more than that. I'm also still using my Avene moisturizer and the occasional serum from The Ordinary.
One new product I've added is Topical C from Nue Co. It's a powdered form of vitamin C that you mix in with your moisturizer or serum. I've been mixing it with The Ordinary's Marine Hyaluronics which seems to work well. I just started using it recently so the jury is still out, but so far, so good.
Your turn! What's changed in your routine? What products are working for you right now?
I started using Blume face oil a few months ago and it seems to be a game changer for me. My skin looks less red and more happy. I used up my first bottle and repurchased another. Also I got a set of Nudestix metallic eyeliner pencils last year for my birthday and liked them so much I've gotten sets for two friends. They're great for looking nicer in a hurry.
ReplyDeleteDying to try Nudestix! Thanks for the rev.
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DeleteAny chance you would do a follow up post on microblading?
ReplyDeleteYes! I have a touch-up scheduled in late November, so I’ll post a follow up closer to that. (You know, an after/after-after kinda thing. 😁
DeleteNice I guess that means you are still a fan! I think I’m going to pull the trigger soon after 7 months of analyzing my eyebrow asymmetry in Zoom meetings haha.
DeleteLooks like the Supergoop CC cream is a winner for now? :-) I too am doing mostly a full face bc I'm on zoom-equivalent calls All Day Long. (sigh) I've switched to a powder foundation (Mary Kay--long story) because it requires far less precision and time than a CC cream at the moment. As the weather cools I may go back to the CC cream bc dang my face looks good with it! I was using a Rodan+Fields Lightening cream for melasma but they discontinued, so I switched to a PCA Skin gel/serum. It is more drying, which may not be a bad thing--have to see. I think everything else has been the same.
ReplyDeleteGod I soooooo miss lipstick! It was, I realize, a real part of my identity (if that makes sense).
ReplyDeleteI wear a mask all day at work so there isn't any point in lipstick these days.
I’ve become loyal to Uma - their clarifying oil is game changing for me. And I use Biossance moisturizers and eye creams and lactic acid.
ReplyDeleteStill working through my little tub of R and F eye cream (it is fine, but not spectacular) but finished up ALL my Monat skin care (super gentle and loved it) - it lasted me nearly 10 months!! I am using up all the random products I have accumulated from beauty sub boxes and some moisturizing factors and hyaluronic acid from The Ordinary. I am still super red but none of these items is making it worse. My goal is more dermatology work in 2021 with my healthcare budget. OH! I forgot, I added R and F tinted sunscreen and it is quite lovely. Light coverage that I can build upon. Lash serum is next because why not.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been so pleased with lash serum! (And my next adventure might be Botox because why not. )
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