Let's face it..

I'll be the first to admit, I have seriously neglected my face. G-u-i-l-t-y. Not taking off the perfect smoky, sultry, dramatic nighttime makeup is a golden ticket for waking up looking like Tammy Faye Bakker or a rabid raccoon. I'm pretty sure I don't have to go into much detail..we've all been there.

 

good morning, gorgeous!!

Snarling Procyonoidae and dramafied televangelists aside, I have tried to maintain a skincare routine that is easy, streamlined, and effective, in hopes that I can save myself from looking like a rough-grain leather bag while my skin is still young enough to be forgiving of the abuse I bestow.

Morning Face Routine: (pre-coffee, pre-breakfast zombie mode)

1. Use a cleansing cloth (such as Neutrogena Makeup Removing towelettes) to clean off any stubborn makeup that didn't come off.
2. Drink coffee.
3. I normally wash my face in the shower. My Clarisonic Mia stays in the shower, as well as the facial cleanser I am currently using. 
4.  Next step: Toner..swipe swipe swipe.
5. I then normally apply a balancing lotion and then a day time moisturizer with SPF before applying my makeup.

Nighttime Face Routine: (dead tired, sometimes tipsy)

My nightly routine is simple. I use a makeup remover wipe to take off the majority of my makeup and then do a quick wash. Bing bang boom. No frills. I should do more at night, but I'm lazy.

I have tried many different skincare products. From drugstore cheap to high end European lines, it's been in my bathroom. I am currently using a mix/match of different products, and my skin is surprisingly happy.

What's on my counter right now:

- Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Cleansing Cloths - I was in a hurry one day at Target and grabbed these wipes instead of the classic blue makeup remover wipes. And let me tell you, these are great! Leave my face feeling clean, refreshed and the grapefruit smell is intoxicating.

- Clinique 3-Step Skin Care Line - After never having good results and swearing I'd never use Clinique again, I met an amazing specialist that finally made me a believer in their products. I love the liquid cleanser..no more icky bar soap, and the gel version of the daily moisturizing lotion is so lightweight.

- Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme - One Sunday afternoon I stopped by Nordstrom and picked up a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer from Chanel. And everything being said and done, I have to say that this stuff is hands-down the best product of the entire purchase. I use this as an alternate to the Clinique lotion, mainly on days when my skin is dehydrated.

(These  great Clinique products are also in my medicine cabinet. All About Eyes is like a hangover cure for puffy eyes!)

Probably -the- single best investment I have ever made, beauty wise, is the Clarisonic Mia. I tried other brands that offered similar results, however this thing is uh-may-zing. So easy to use, waterproof (I leave mine in the shower), and much more effective than anything I have ever tried. 

On a whim, I purchased the Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion Skin System and I honestly haven't really used it more than a handful of times, so I can't really give it a 'yay' or 'nay'. 

One other product I really love using is the Kate Somerville Dermal Quench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment. While I'm not fighting any saggy, baggy, wrinkle face problems yet, this stuff is like a 'facelift in a can'. It does have a bit of an odd smell, but a few quick sprays, 30 seconds of massaging it in, and bingo, you can see the difference. And it gives your skin a nice natural glow as well.

(OTC Botox in a can..thanks Kate!!)

For an added boost, I do try keep a microdermabrasion appointment on my calendar, although I've been completely slack lately. I'm addicted..I love it! But that's it! My basic routine. Not perfect. Not complicated. But it works! And if it's quick and easy, I'm happy!