Hello, I'm Julie! I've made my way from Maine to Boston to Pittsburgh to Philly... and back again, and blogged about it along the way. Currently: Portland, ME. Check out my About page or F.A.Q. below to learn more about me. Thanks for reading!
I've been saving up my skincare empties to do a full IGTV review for you – and I've finally done it! Only took 10 tries. I can finally toss these into the recycling bin, hallelujah. I've linked all the products mentioned below – it seems like a lot, but please just know I've been saving these for the past several months – I don't go through this much skincare on the reg. Most of these products I really liked, with a couple of exceptions BUT that's not to say they could work great for you. Heads up, Biossance products are 20% off right now – ending today.
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil: My holy grail product, this oil has transformed my skin. I use it at night and occasionally patted over moisturizer on days when I'm going make-up free for a dewy glow.
As a child of the late-'80s/early-'90s, I have visceral memories of teen-targeted skincare ads. Remember Sea Breeze? Noxzema? Even as a relatively clear-skinned 14-year-old, I remember virtually burning off my skin with astringents and toners, using scrubs and basically, anything else that promised to make my skin look clear and clean. The thought of actually slathering my skin with oil? Unheard of at the time. That was obviously a long time ago, but the memories remain as a reminder of how far we've come in our collective skincare awakening. These days, I love discovering new-to-me skincare brands that boast something a little gentler, some a little more natural. The same goes for my makeup. Not that I ever caked myself in foundation in the first place, but over the years my approach to beauty has veered away from make-up first, instead focusing on healthy skin from the inside out as the perfect canvas to enhance, not cover up. I shared a bit about my approach to skincare here, and today I have a new brand to add to the arsenal: The Organic Skin Company.
The Organic Skin Co is a new-to-me brand that I've quickly grown to love for the product's smooth application, gorgeous finish, and the company's dedication to producing high-quality, organic, cruelty-free products that actually give back to the planet – tenets that I believe all companies should be striving to emulate. You can read more about them here and here - frankly they do a better job of explaining themselves than I ever could, but what I can do is tell you about the products themselves. The Organic Skin Co was kind enough to send me a care package with a few of their essentials, and I've been testing them for the past couple of weeks to see how my skin reacted and how they worked for me - and friends? I'm honestly in love. These are the holy grail of makeup and skincare products. Why? Because they make you look like you... but better. Like the more awake, glowier and golden version of you. Like you got eight hours of sleep last night and not five. In my opinion, they add just the right amount of 'oomph' – not too much, but just enough. Below I'm giving the lowdown on what I've been using - and here's my face with everything on it. Can't tell what I'm wearing? That's the point - also I don't have a ring light so there's that too...
In the Spotlight Luminizer in Rose Gold: We're starting with the luminizer because honestly, this is my favorite product of the bunch. It's so pretty and adds just the right amount of shimmer, and it's easy to tap onto your face. As in, it goes on but doesn't smear, and actually looks as though it's in your skin instead of sitting on top. After applying this CC cream and this concealer beneath my eyes, I tap this onto my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose, in the corners of my eyes and above my top lip.
Cheeky Lips in Desert Storm:Made to work on cheeks as well as lips (hence the name), this creamy blush/lip stain has a gorgeous finish and texture. I don't wear a ton of lip color, but I love this shade tapped onto cheeks for a little warm glow. Desert Storm is also the perfect, universally flattering coral shade – I honestly think it would look amazing on almost everybody.
All About the Gloss in Star Burst:This gloss was the product I was most skeptical about but ended up surprising me the most... I mean, I haven't worn lip gloss in a long time. But this isn't the gloss you remember from 1998! Dotted on after a clear balm, it adds the perfect enhancement to lips, not too shiny (although you could add way more to achieve that effect), but just the right amount of glimmer.
Rosehip and Orange Moisturizer: If you live where the air is dry or experience dry skin in any way, let me say this: dude, this moisturizer! It's super thick and smells amazing, and if your skin can handle a deeply hydrating moisturizer, this one is pretty bomb. I slather it on at night to allow my skin to drink it up while I sleep. I feel like it adds a nice barrier against the dry air in my home at night.
The Good Oil:I love an oil for skin, and this one delivers beautiful results. It calms, reduces puffiness, and soaks in easily. If my skin is feeling especially dry, I'll tap it on over the moisturizer at night or on no-makeup days. The scent is lovely, but I'll admit it throws me off a bit because I'm used to scent-free products. If I wore this during the day, I wouldn't need a perfume - it smells that good.
I'm typically pretty skeptical when it comes to trying new skincare – and actually pretty nervous to use them because my skin has been so happy recently, so to have been trying these products out for the past couple of weeks with no breakouts is saying something. I love how these products are made and they've quickly become staples in my routine, replacing some products I wasn't super happy with. If you've found a new skincare brand recently, I'd love to hear about it! Let me know in the comments!
Until midnight tonight save 50% off all products from The Organic Skin Company using the code BF50
*I received the products featured in this post courtesy of The Organic Skin Company. As always, opinions are my own*
There was a time, not so long ago, when I prided myself in the simplicity of my daily skincare routine. A simpler time. Uncomplicated: Cleanser, moisturizer, done. That was, of course, when I felt invincible against environmental factors, before the onset of visible wrinkles and dark circles caused by stress and lack of sleep, and all those other fun things that seem to crop up as soon as one turns 34 (and/or is living a perhaps too-frazzled life). As the birthday candles on my cake have increased in number, so has the intensity of my morning and evening skincare rituals – I'm not obsessive, I've just come to enjoy the ritual and process of it, and of course, the nice skin that comes with it. While it's no 10-step-Korean-double-cleanse-tango, it is definitely more involved. But it's also very much worth it, ever since changing a few things in my arsenal last fall, my skin has been considerably clearer and fresher looking. I'm not without the occasional breakout, but it's better. Much better.
Recently I've received several requests on Instagram to share my routine, so here we are. When we moved here in October last year, my skin was looking... haggard. After one final gross Philadelphia summer and the stress of moving (and some not-so-great food choices because of it), my complexion was congested and broken-out, and I was miserable. It took a lot of tinkering, but after several months my skin is back on track and frankly looking better than it ever has.
Along with the products and routine described below, two major factors that affect my skin are stress and diet. I'll be discussing both in separate posts because the topic is a big one. So while you read what follows, I ask that you keep the following two points in mind:
1. I am not a skincare expert, this is simply what works for me at this very moment in time. I'm happy with how things are going.
2. Stress and diet play a major role in the clarity and tone of your skin. You can use all the expensive products in the world, but if you're not taking care of your insides, it often (though not always) reflects on the outside. You gotta eat well and keep things moving.
Anyway, another post for another day. OK? OK! Let's do this:
Oh... one more thing to keep in mind I don't use ALL these products EVERY DAY. I swap 'em out! Some days I'll be feeling one product while some days I'll be feeling another. You gotta go with what moves you.
Morning:
Cold water-only wash (usually – sometimes hot though)
Tone
Serums
Moisturizer (gel cream)
SPF
Lip Serum
Cleanser: I don't normally cleanse my face in the mornings, instead I'll typically just splash with cold water and pat dry. Occasionally I'll use the Jan Marini Bioglycolic Cleanser on my chin since that's where I tend to break out most frequently. This cleanser can also be used as a quick mask, so if I'm feeling especially congested, I'll leave it on while I brush my teeth.
Toner: Usually just a few sprays with this rosewater spray. But again, if I feel like I need more or if I'm trying to clear a breakout, I'll swipe on this witch hazel toner.
Serums: Always vitamin C and something with hyaluronic acid in it. The vitamin C brightens and hyaluronic acid plumps and helps retain moisture. Right now I'm loving this vitamin C serum (which I found at TjMaxx) and this serum from Coola that contans hylaluronic acid and also adds a hint of tan (also LOVE their sunless tan for what it's worth).
Gel moisturizer: This is a new one for me, prior to this I was using oil for daytime and didn't put two and two together that it was the reason why my makeup was always tired looking. Not anymore! I picked up this gel moisturizer from Origins and it's been a game changer. It makes my skin feel super hydrated and dewy.
SPF: Confession: I only recently started wearing SPF consistently. I know. Regardless of my shameful ways, I found two that I LOVE: This gel SPF primer from Coola and this mineral SPF from Biossance. Both work beautifully - switch 'em out depending on how I'm feeling and what I'm doing (SPF primer for low-key days and mineral SPF for days hiking or at the beach).
Lip serum: Yes, lip serum. Guys, I am OBSESSED with this serum from Odacite. It's made to diminish fine lines on the lips and provides a gorgeous cooling sensation. Yes, it's pricey, but it lasts forever and in my opinion, it works. I barely need lip balm anymore.
Night:
Cleanse (with either oil cleanser or double cleanse with oil cleanser + Bioglycolic cleanser)
Tone
Serums
Moisturizer (oil)
Eye stick
Cleanser: At night, I use this oil cleanser from Biossance to remove my makeup and cleanse my skin. Depending on how my skin is feeling and the time of the month (I always get some problem spots before my period) I might follow that up with the Jan Marini Cleanser. I always, always remove my makeup and do my full skincare routine. It's a non-negotiable for me and has been since my 20's.
Serum: In the evenings I'll usually use a serum or two that has some kind of AHA or exfoliant in it - right now I'm loving this vitamin A serum from Mad Hippie and I've also been using this AHA serum from Paula's Choice lately.
Oil moisturizer: I'm a huge fan of oils for skin. I use Trader Joes coconut oil as a body moisturizer and after my serum soak in, I pat on one of three oils that I switch out: either this one from Biossance, which is fairly light, this rosehip oil from Trilogy, or this CoQ10 oil from Trilogy. Again, depending on my mood and the state of affairs on my face.
Eye stick: I learned of this eye stick from Evan Healy from a coworker and now I use it nearly every night. After my moisturizer has had a chance to soak in, I'll dab it around my eyes and sometimes swipe it over my lips for added moisture. It's super travel-friendly, too, so I always pack this with me when I fly for a little extra moisture (I fly with a clean face if the flight is over two hours - something I definitely recommend)
Lip serum: Before I hop into bed I swipe on the Odacite serum to moisturize my lips overnight.
Phew! That's "it" (it feels like a lot even though I know it's not). I understand a lot of these products are on the more expensive side, and I get that's not feasible for everyone, so I wanted to add a note about saving money on skincare.
First, I guess I should say that most of these will last a full year for me. For example, I bought the Jan Marini cleaner back in October and I'm only about halfway through.
Second, I'm a huge sale shopper. I purchased most of my Biossance products on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and I always look out for the beauty sales at Whole Foods (they carry Ole Henrickson, Trilogy, Mad Hippie, Evan Healy, the rosewater spray and witch hazel). I'm also a Thrive Market member, where I'll occasionally pick up a mask or reup on rosewater or the witch hazel. When it comes down to it, knowing when to buy will save you a ton of money, and also purchasing from retialers that accept returns on beauty items in the even that a product doesn't work for you.
And finally, investing in products when you know it's worth it. Yes, that lip serum is expensive. But it lasts forever, and for me, it was a product I deemed worthwhile. Some people pay for expensive spin classes, I go to a $10 dollar gym and buy expensive serums. We all have our vices.
I hope this was helpful! Hit me up on Insta if you have any questions! XOXO
