#theresheglows

I've been asked by many of you about my skincare regimen since I started posting images of myself on social media wearing Tricia Zee jewelry. Now, what I'm about to say may not be all that satisfying but the truth is that it varies. I don't exactly always practice brand loyalty, I really just try anything to see if it works (granted it already has great reviews). So think of me as your personal guinea pig for all things related. My regimen changes according to the season. During the winter months, my combination skin easily tends to dry out in certain areas, while in the summer I experience more oily troubles. And of course, as mentioned in my birthday blog posted last October, my main focus has been targeting the pesky little fine lines that are now working their way to settle in on my thirty-five-year-old skin.

At the moment I have a subscription to IPSY which allows me to try out a variety of different brands for both skincare and cosmetics that are tailored to my profile. So here's the deal for what's currently going on over my bathroom sink.

I've recently been alternating between these two cleansers at random: Vital Vita 12 Jelly Cleanser and Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser. I personally prefer face washes that lather and love when a little goes a long way. These cleansers leave my face feeling so fresh and so clean clean. I also received Papa Recipe and Elemis cleansers in the past and liked them just as much. I started using the very inexpensive Cala facial cleansing brush just about a month ago and am kinda surprised at how much I also like it. For combination skin like mine, the dual brushes help me to focus the right amount of scrubbing on the different areas of my face without it being too overbearing. The soft bristles do the lather work while the silicone helps with lightly exfoliating.

Now...drumroll please.

This is by far my new obsession, Azure Rose & Collagen revitalizing eye serum. I have been using a number of eye creams and serums, but none were successful in smoothing out the particular stubborn skin under my right eye.

I saw this in TJ Maxx of all places and after looking up reviews while standing in the cluttered store aisle I decided to give it a go for $5.99. To be honest, the first few times I applied it I was a bit unsure I would see any results at all. It has a watery consistency with a faint silky finish and no real scent. I'm so used to feeling the weight of other products that it felt like I was rubbing a bunch of nothing into my skin, but after a few days, my concealer magically started to look smother on. Here's the kicker...I figured that if it was good enough for my eyes it was good enough for my entire face and so there began the experiment. It has now been about a month and I have since then seen a noticeable difference in the fine lines on my forehead. I'm not sure that the actual product is solely to thank for this or if most products with collagen will have a similar effect, either way, I'm ecstatic!

Another IPSY introduction that I fell in LOVE with is Hanhoo Watermelon Illuminator daytime facial oil. It's so lightweight and feels great on the skin with just a hint of watermelon scent. Although it's supposed to be an oil, it's more like a silky light cream. I'll sometimes mix this with my foundation on a casual day and it feels so smooth going on.

While the weather was colder and my skin felt a bit beat up and flaky I used Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Facial Oil before bed, another IPSY intro. I don't know if my skin has ever felt as soft using another product. I would literally wake up and rub my face for the gratification of just feeling how pillow-soft my cheeks felt. It also has fine glittery gold flakes in it which makes you feel that much more fabulous going to bed at night.

Again, this is just a highlight of my current favorites. Who knows what else I can end up falling equally in love within the near future! I hope this answered most of your questions, but if you have any additional questions please post them in the blog comments. Do you want to share any products you absolutely love? What can't you live without?

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Hi Guys!

Now that we're coming into the winter months I guess it calls for an update on new favorites and self-care skin routines. I went over many of my new favorite products last time but left out a lot of the routine part (oops, my bad!). It's important however to note that everyone's skin is unique and that what works for me may not necessarily work the same for everyone else. With that said, who else has a bathroom cabinet full of different products half of which have been recommended? Uugh I know...we're all looking for the miracle potion, and because we are so different we're constantly combing through dozens to get it right. Well, I can't promise you all the answers but as I said before, I definitely consider myself a guinea pig for all things related. While I usually try sticking to the same core products throughout the year, my routine does change according to the season. The colder it gets the more hydrating masks I will implement throughout the week, but as of now, these are some things I can't do without.

Whether or not I've applied makeup, before bed I always use a cotton pad to remove any makeup or residue on my face and neck.

I previously used Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water, but earlier this year discovered Yes to Coconut Micellar Cleansing Water. I don't like to think I'm that lazy, but the no-fuss pump dispenser on this makes me feel like I have a millisecond of my life back. It may not seem like a huge deal, but milliseconds do add up that you very much. I follow with facewash, and if you read further up already, many of the ones listed earlier in this blog still hold a top-five position. But! I discovered a new product that is perfect for colder months which won't dry your skin up as much.

Meet Purlisse Blue Lotus 4-in-1 Cleansing Milk. This gal works on all skin types, rejuvenates skin, improves elasticity, and has whole oats that calm & soothes sensitive skin. I wash with lukewarm water and my silicone brush, pat dry, and don't ever feel like I've stripped all of my skin's moisture away. We'll see how it holds up in the dead of winter.

Now that I've washed my face, this is usually when I would follow with a mask. I should have a better schedule going but I usually wing it based on how my skin looks or feels or if I'm dead tired of course. In which case I just want to face plant in my bed worrying about being pretty another day. If it's one of those days where my skin looks fatigued or I go into crisis about fine lines I usually apply a detox mask. It just so happens that Purlisse also sneaked its way into my mask category with their Purlisse Matcha Green Tea + Lemon detoxifying charcoal mask. This is one of those products that really feels like it's working once you've applied it on. It's tingly and cooling all at once and literally feels like you've taken a load off. Another new favorite is Onekind Pore-Fectionist Refining Facial. When I say this baby refines your pores it's no joke. I got immediate gratification from just my first time use, granted I can't say the effects are everlasting, but it's like a little magical buffer every time I use it.

Whether you've made it through a mask session or skipped it completely, this is the part where you can wrap it all up and take that ass to bed. First, my all time favorite toner Thayers Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Formula. Dab with over face and neck and follow with a moisturizer.

Now, the oils/serums I've listed before still hold true but because this 35-year-old face has since then become a 36-year-old face I'm currently using Kate Somerville Wrinkle Warrior Hydration Gel. We sadly can't all be Jlo. Fighting wrinkles are inevitable and while this product is on the pricier end it does help to minimize the appearance of them. Of course, it's advised to use the collection together but If you can only stick to one I prefer Kate Somerville Wrinkle Warrior 2-in-1 Plumping Moisturizer + Serum.

If you skipped masking at night and have time to self-care in the morning go ahead and fit in those 10-15 extra minutes loving yourself and your skin.

I usually wipe my face with toner again and pick a moisturizer based on what I maybe layering on. If I'm applying makeup I'll layer a primer first and while this is totally not on purpose I came to love another watermelon scented product, Ciate Watermelon Burst Hydrating Primer. It's light and cool to the skin and I guess this also just means I'm a sucker for melon scented stuff.

This may seem like a lengthy routine to some, but it truly feels like QT time with myself. I don't typically pencil in spa days or even get my nails done readily, so as a mom these small self-care routines make me feel like I'm carving the time out to make myself first. Even if only for 20-30min at a time.

Feel free to share some of your own favorites with me! What routine works best for you?