Today I am linking up with Love Always, Nancy J for her Glam Series Link Up! I have been wanting to write about my favorite products for awhile now and this has given me a good excuse! Today’s Glam Series is talking about all things related to your FACE. Since, I believe makeup is another whole post (and a long one for that matter), I am going to cover my daily care routine for my face.
I have a lot of favorite products, but I want to share with you my long time favorite products. These are products I have used for over 5 years, because they are awesome. Some of these products are dirt cheap and others are well… a tad pricey. But, the pricey ones are well worth it and last a long time (I promise). I’ve tried to keep the list down to just six face care products, which you will see below:
ONE
Clinique’s Facial Soap – $13.50
Clinique has a 3-Step Skin Care System and I used to use the soap, clarifying lotion (toner) and lotion, BUT… I normally just use the facial soap. In the morning I use this soap to wash my face during my shower. You would think bar soap would dry out your skin, but not this bar soap! My face always feels clean and refreshed and never taut or dry.
The reason I don’t use the clarifying lotion (toner) is because I haven’t noticed a huge difference when I do use it. I really like their lotion (Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion) that goes with their 3-Step Skin Care System, especially in the summer when my skin isn’t dry. But, since I am 36, I prefer to use a lotion/cream for anti-aging. I know, YAY for getting old!
Clinique carries this soap in 3 different formulas, I use the mild formula which is for Dry Combination skin. I cut the bar in half so that it lasts longer in the shower. It comes with its own little container to store it in.
Now, in the evening… I have a completely different skin care routine. That is a blog post for another day.
TWO
Estee Launder’s Perfectionist [CP+R] Wrinkle Lifting/Firming Serum – $95.00
Wow. This post is making me feel… ha! Ok, so lets talk about fine WRINKLES and lines. I am pretty lucky, I don’t really have a lot of these, but I can tell my skin is not what it was in my twenties. I apply this serum after I am out of the shower on the ‘high traffic’ area of my face. For now I squirt just a little of the serum out and I apply it on my frown line area, right below my eyebrow bone and on a little crease on my forehead. I haven’t really put it on the sides of my eyes or below them yet, but I guess I could start to prevent or slow down any future wrinkles. Like I said, this is only for the high traffic areas, not your entire face. And, I don’t need to use a lot of it thankfully!
This item is the MOST expensive product on this list, but it really works! I love this stuff… and one 1.7 oz bottle lasts me over 6 months (with daily use!). And, I believe that anti-aging stuff is expensive, PERIOD. Have you checked out Oil of Olay lately? Yeah, the stuff is not cheap.
I feel in the winter my skin dries out more and that is when my fine lines are the most noticeable. This serum helps to reduce their appearance by doubling the skin’s natural collagen building power and the lines/wrinkles are plumped and smooth. I started using this stuff in my late twenties and I really believe to this day this is why I hardly have any wrinkles! I truly believe you need to keep ahead of the game. 🙂
THREE
Estee Lauder’s DayWear SPF 25 – $48.00
I received a trial jar of this stuff from Estee Lauder and tried it on vacation and fell in love! It has an SPF of 25 (skin protection=less aging to the skin!!) and it is oil-free. When you open the jar it has a wonderful light fragrance and it glides on your skin seamlessly. This is a great creme to prevent the first signs of aging.
FOUR
Rimmel’s Fix & Perfect Pro Primer – $7.75
Usually after I get out of the shower I put the serum and creme on my face first, then I let it sit for a few minutes before I put on a primer. I used to never use a primer until I read about Rimmel’s Fix & Perfect Pro Primer and I decided to give it a try. If I am not wearing makeup, I don’t apply this primer to my face. It basically resurfaces, brightens and protects your face prior to foundation application. It also helps to minimize pores and helps to eliminate shine.
FIVE
MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer – $18.00
I then wait a few minutes while the primer sets before I apply a concealer. I bought a little compact of MAC’s Studio Finish concealer EONS ago and I still haven’t used it all up. I usually apply the concealer under my eyes, on each side of my upper nose, on my eye lids and on any little blemishes on my face. This stuff is great for hiding a sleepless night and I love that it has a SPF and it is water resistant. It can also be used to hide tattoos (not that I have any), birthmarks, etc… it is pretty hard core on what it will conceal! You can buy an applicator brush for it, but I just use my finger tip.
SIX
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation – $27.00
I have been using the MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation since my college days! I love it! It saves me a step, I don’t need to put foundation on, yet it feels like I am just applying powder on my face! It covers wonderfully and provides a smooth, flawless, all-matte, full-coverage finish. I really haven’t found anything better out there… I have tried other products, thinking it is silly I’ve stuck to this one product for so long… but, nothing else works for me as good as Studio Fix!!
Well, that is all I have for now on my FACE!! I am hoping to link up to some more to The Glam Series in the future. I do love to talk up some products!!! Feel free to let me know if you have any questions on any of these products.
