I came across the Glossier website earlier this week, which automatically got me to thinking about my favorite beauty products that are geared toward enhancing natural beauty. I love Glossier’s idea of skincare as makeup, and it was a great jumping off point to starting thinking about my own skincare routine.
With autumn at the door, this is the time of year when I spend my nights at the Yoga studio, trying to up my health game, after rushing around the farmers market because I am going to eat super conscious and super local this season, I swear. Like spring nurtures new life and thus brings an incredible amount of things to do— for me, the fall delivers a desperate scramble to finish the year at my fittest while finishing all of my other goals, too.
Sometimes, it’s good to just sit and think about something with focus and intention.
So, thank you, Glossier, for the inspiration! I came to the conclusion that writing a post about my favorite products that enhance natural beauty is a great idea. And because the changing seasons are on my mind, I’m going to dedicate this post to keeping skin looking and feeling its best during our coldest months.
5. Keep your eye cream with you
Over the years, my esthetician has given me plenty of advice about my eye area. As a natural-born squinter, I’ve needed every bit of it. One of the tips she gave me was to find an eye cream that wouldn’t break down my makeup (I am currently using Mario Badescu’s Hyaluronic Eye Cream) and then keep that eye cream with me at all times. Because the eye area is delicate and naturally exposed to the elements, both indoor and outdoor, a protective layer of moisture goes a long way.
Let me tell you, there is something delicious about gently patting eye cream on during a flight or even when I’m just sitting at my desk. With the indoor heaters going full blast this season—there is no reason to wait for bedtime to apply eye cream.
4. Balance oil with oil to keep away shine
I have honestly fallen in love with facial oils, and let me tell you– I was late to this party. Nearly a decade ago, a good friend of mine started using the oil cleansing method and I just couldn’t get on board, and actually ended up avoiding facial oils for quite a long time as a result. As a matter of fact, I’m using a decadent, milk-based facial cleanser from Rhonda Allison right now.
However, given some time, and after buying a number of different oils– I’ve found that Josie Maran’s 100% Pure Argan Oil is a cult classic for a reason. First, the initial ingredient is argan oil. If you think that isn’t unusual, check out a few other brands the next time you’re shopping around. Often, oil-based moisturizers are made up of other oils not mentioned in the product’s name, and these oils often offer fewer benefits to the skin. Josie Maran’s 100% Pure Argan Oil keeps my face and hands perfectly moisturized without the shine on even the coldest days (it’s also organic!).
3. Don’t forget to pamper your lips
I take my Too Faced La Crème Lip Balm in Just Kissed with me everywhere I go. It offers great moisture to combat cold, windy days while giving just a hint of color to my lips that I find works with both office and night-time makeup looks. For me, it is one of those “my lips, but better” products. At night I tend to add a lip liner with it to give my lips some definition. I do end up reapplying during wear but I definitely believe it’s worth it to keep chapped lips away.
2. Makeup formulated with skincare in mind
I’ve been using Jane Iredale products for a really long time. Another recommendation from my esthetician, Jane Iredale’s makeup bases were, if memory serves, formulated to help mask redness after light chemical peels while also providing a protective layer of SPF and anti-inflammatories to sun-vulnerable skin. I can say that it does both very well and really covers redness without completely covering the texture of your skin.
Jane Iredale’s products are also awesome for people with chemical sensitivities and is especially great for those who want a good quality vegan makeup option.
1. SPF 45 Tinted Moisturizer Bliss
My mom kindly passed on many samples of this Revision Skincare’s Intellishade SPF 45 Tinted Moisturizer in Original and Matte, and I have been gobbling these little tubes up in a frenzy. As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve been doing at-home peels on a nearly weekly basis (review coming soon) and thus am in need of some serious broad spectrum sun protection.
Revision to the rescue, apparently. This stuff is amazing. If I add just a hint of Jane Iredale’s Pure-Pressed Base after applying this product, my makeup base is set for the day and I don’t even look like I’m wearing any makeup! I get zero shine from this tinted moisturizer despite its SPF 45 protection, which I almost can’t believe.
The Intellishade technology is formulated to match all skin tones, and I’ve had luck with it myself so far though I have heard that it doesn’t work for everyone. Hopefully they’ll offer a broader range of shades in the future. I am counting on this stuff to get me through a winter of peels!
Thanks again to Glossier for the inspiration, and if you have any product questions or suggestions, please leave a comment!
