Happy New Year! Starting the year out with a skincare roundup. I’ve gone through a skincare refresh and reset the past few weeks and today I’m sharing what I’ve restocked and love from Nordstrom. They carry most of the brands I use on a regular basis and I’ve added a few new things to my routine this month.
Cleanser
I always love trying different cleansers and just finished using quite a few in the last few weeks. I restocked my three favorites. The Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash is one of best for sensitive skin but still very effective at cleaning the skin. If I had to use one brand of cleanser the rest of my life I think Kate Somerville would cover all my needs. The ExfoliKate Cleanser is a great one with a gentle clinical strength exfoliating ingredients. The Goat Milk Cleanser is great for dry skin and I love the EradiKate Daily Cleanser for acne prone skin.
La Mer’s Cleansing Foam is another favorite I love for a silky creamy foam. It has a gentle spa like scent but doesn’t irritate my skin. Leaves it squeaky clean and soft.
Dior’s La Mousse Off/On Foaming Face cleanser is another great one if you have normal/combination skin. A little goes a long way and skin feels fresh with this one. This is my third tube!
I love a good acid exfoliator to help resurface skin and get rid of dead skin cells but sometimes having a gentle exfoliant is nice to have on hand. I’ve had my eye on the Sisley Exfoliating Enzyme Mask for some time and decided to splurge. It’s a powder exfoliant that’s activated with water. It turns into a creamy mask you apply and massage to the skin. Leave it on for 1 minute then rinse. It far exceeded my expectations! Skin is left smooth and clean but not stripped. 100% love. It’s called a mask but to me it’s a cleanser + mask in one.
I also highly recommend trying the Eve Lom Muslin Cleansing Cloths. They’re designed for the Eve Lom Cleansing Balm, but I use the cloths for any cleanser. Helps to gently exfoliate the skin, ensure all your cleanser is removed and improve blood circulation. I notice my complexion is a lot clearer and smoother when I use cloths consistently.
Toner
For toners I restocked my tried and true La Mer The Tonic. This is one of the best ones I’ve tried for any time of year to rebalance, refresh and tone my skin. Doesn’t leave a film and one of the few that doesn’t irritate my skin. 100% worth the splurge!
Moisturizer
For moisturizers I’m rotating a few right now including the La Mer Moisturizing Soft Lotion and Chanel La Solution 10 de Chanel. Both are good for sensitive skin. La Mer has a wide range of moisturizers and creams for different skin types, my favorite has been the Moisturizing Soft Lotion because it’s light weight but still very hydrating.
The Chanel La Solution 10 de Chanel is one of my favorite sensitive skin creams. It has 10 ingredients selected for sensitive skin. I like that it’s unscented and has a cream formula but comes with a pump dispenser.
For sheet masks my two favorites are the 111Skin Y Theorem Bio Cellulose Face Mask and La Mer Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask. I restocked the 111Skin this month. It’s a bio cellulose mask and helps hydrate and reduce fine lines. This has been one of my go-to’s for years (even loved the original formula) and one I keep splurging on.
NuFace revamped their Trinity+ and Mini+ devices. I received the Mini+ Starter Kit over the holiday and can’t wait to see the longer term results with it. I have several areas on my face that could benefit from the lifting effects of microcurrents. If you’ve tried any of the new devices let me know what you think!
Hand/Body
I picked up Jo Malone Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment which is an ultra rich creamy hand cream. I used it in the past and don’t remember why I never restocked. It’s super luxurious and I highly recommend checking it out. For body I really love the Necessaire Body Oil. It’s unscented, thick, absorbs nicely, hydrates – love that it doesn’t have any added fragrance so it won’t interfere with my perfume. I have a mini from a holiday bundle but just ordered the full size to keep on my nightstand.
That wraps up my skincare refresh for the new year! What are you using right now? Any new skin care loves or rediscoveries?
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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.
I’ve been testing out the LED Light Therapy Mask from CurrentBody and love the convenience of being able to do this treatment at home! I’ve had several LED light therapy treatments at skincare clinics in the past and loved the results. However being able to use a device at home is so much more convenient and affordable. After putting a few items from the CurrentBody line to the test I’m excited to share some first impressions today.
With any kind of skincare treatment consistency and patience is key. I have been using the LED Light Therapy Mask ($380) for 3 weeks and plan on sharing updates with you throughout the rest of the year. I’ve noticed subtle changes with consistent use. Skin has started to look and feel firmer and some of my sun spots have started to fade. I can’t wait to see the results with longer consistent use.
The CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Mask uses a combination of Red Light (633 nanometers) and Near Infra-Red Light (830 nanometers). There are 56 lights total evenly distributed to target your entire face. Red light helps boost collagen production to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
Near Infra-Red Light works with this to penetrate skin at a deeper level to reduce inflammation, texture. Both work to help boost the skin rejuvenation process and it’s something I am all about as I’m in my early 40s and have noticed changes in my skin and body this past year as I age.
The bulbs are bright but still safe for the eyes and I can wear the mask without goggles. The mask is made of a flexible silicone material. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear with the Velcro strap. It does take a few tries to get the adjustment right. They recommend you do a patch test on your arm first before trying it on your face. I had no irritation or any issues – you don’t even feel the heat from the bulbs on the skin. It’s painless and there’s no tingle.
Recommended use is 3-5 times per week for 10 minutes. The power remote is timed to shut off automatically at the 10 minute mark. I use it on clean skin but also tried one of their Hydrogel Face Masks which I absolutely loved for added hydration and skin softness. I definitely plan on ordering more!
CurrentBody also has an entire line of skincare and tools. They have a serum set called The Power of Four Skincare Set ($80) with four serums to restore, add glow, help with anti-aging and hydrate. So far I’ve tried and liked the Glow Serum which has a really nice hydrating feel to it.
I love rollers for the skin to help with instant depuffing and CurrentBody Skin Cryo Roller ($35) is a really nice one! It’s made of stainless steel and has a really nice cooling sensation. I struggle with puffiness in the morning and these types of rollers work wonders on me to help. This is one of the largest ones I’ve tried and it’s great for covering larger areas of the face.
I also really like the Dr. Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask ($79.99). It’s a silk material with raised silicone dots designed to help your face relax to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. I love that it’s light-blocking and helps me stay asleep in the morning. A lot of the items are available in bundles or sets with a price break so definitely browse their Gifts and Sets section.
Overall I’m really impressed with CurrentBody. I can’t wait to share more of my skincare journey with the LED Light Therapy Mask. If you’ve tried any LED treatments please let me know in the comments!
They’ve given me a 20% off promo code for you to use on the above products use code BEAUTYLEDCB to save 20% now.
By popular request I have my summer sunscreen roundup with all the formulas I’ve tried and loved recently! I have mainly used formulas from Supergoop!, Shiseido and Chanel but finally put more formulas to the test. My skin is very sensitive to extreme heat and sunscreen so I test with extreme caution. Here is what I’ve tried and thoughts. Up first are formulas for the body!
This is my all-time favorite sunscreen for the body. It’s the best I’ve tried that has a velvety dry down, longest lasting even in water and easy to spread even over wet skin (although I recommend applying on dry skin). It also helps protect against heat. It’s also formulated to use on the face but I use this one only on the body, neck, arms, legs. Love this value duo at Sephora.
I’ve loved and used this formula since the day it launched (have also repurchased numerous times). It has superfine light reflecting particles (it’s smooth, no chunky texture) and adds the prettiest shimmer and to the skin. Love that it’s smooth and hydrating.
This was one of my latest splurges – for me it was hard to find as it was almost always sold out but seems to be back in stock a few places. It’s one of the most expensive sunscreens I’ve tried and it is pure love. It glides on the skin smoothly. Has an anti-oxidant complex to nourish and hydrate the skin. Has a very subtle sunscreen scent which smells like summer to me. Love that it has a pump applicator. There is also a Soleil Superieur face version which I’ve used and loved before but it’s also quite expensive.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.5%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (8%)
This formula wins for the best scent. It has a nice smooth application. No pilling. Smells like a fun summer vacation. I love how the formula wears and performs. Two things though: I do wish it had a higher SPF and it doesn’t apply well on wet skin. If you’re in the water or super sweaty you will need to towel off before applying otherwise it doesn’t adhere. It has coconut oil, aloe vera, banana extract, Vitamin E and Niacinamide.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 3.0%, Zinc Oxide 8%
This formula is Andrew’s favorite and the only body sunscreen he uses. It’s the longest lasting even in water and with sweat. It’s one I order in bulk because Andrew goes through so much. Anytime we have guests in town we give them a bottle of this Jack Black formula (or Supergoop!) to use while they’re here because it’s the best at protecting skin and preventing sunburns.
It’s also available in 3-Pack of Minis at Jack Black. The only downside is that it’s so effective it is very hard to remove at the end of the day. You’ll have to give your body multiple scrubs with a washcloth or sponge. I’ll sometimes have to use a cleansing oil all over and let it sit to break down the formula before using a regular body wash. Andrew’s favorite is the Jack Black Turbo Wash (which I also borrow from time to time). The Big Sir Body and Hair Cleanser is also pretty good.
If you’re looking for the men in your life to up their grooming game, I highly recommend Jack Black. They have some good starter sets. I’ve bought this for Andrew, his brother, my brother, etc.
Sun Care Face Formulas
For the face I have stuck with a very small select group of formulas for the past three years. I am very sensitive to heat and sunscreen. With the wrong formula my face often reacts with red spots and flare ups when exposed to extreme heat. I still get review requests every week to review/test different formulas from you! This year I finally branched out and tried more after careful research and am thrilled to report that I have some new winners.
I’ve loved and used La Roce-Posay for a long time. It’s one that most of you love and use too. Three formulas I started using recently include the following:
The Anthelios Ultra-Light SPF 60* ($30.99) has a lightweight texture and semi-matte finish. It’s a white fluid but has no white cast on my skin. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 7%.
The Anthelios Mineral Tinted SPF 50* ($34.99) is an excellent mineral formula I actually like and love. I find most mineral formulas don’t work for my skin type with the texture, but this is a really good one with a brown-beige tint. It disappears into the skin. Active Ingredient is Titanium Dioxide 11%.
The Anthelios Melt-In-Milk SPF 60* ($24.99 to $36.99, face & body, chemical sunscreen) is a great formula for the body. 100% recommend. Has a high SPF, melts into the skin, absorbs quickly. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 7%. See them in action below!
The Tatcha formula works under makeup nicely and it has a velvety feel. The packaging could use a bit of work as the product sometimes will squirt out of the top once you open it. I haven’t had any flaking issues that you see online (not yet). This is more fluid in texture compared to their Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen with SPF 35.
The Summer Fridays formula is a really nice one I found works with me. Reviews seem to be mixed – definitely try a patch test first. I don’t think it’s the best long-wear formula if you’re outside for an extended period of time.
The Chanel UV Essentiel SPF 50 ($55) and CC Cream ($55) have been in my top picks for years. I love the ultra lightweight texture of the UV Essentiel and I don’t sweat a lot on my face so this works for me (it didn’t work for Andrew, he sweats more). Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Titanium dioxide 3.8%, Zinc oxide 17.1%.
My most-worn sunscreen is the Chanel CC Cream with SPF 50. It’s a tinted product with medium coverage and wears so well on my skin. Lasts all day. It is on the semi-thick side so application is key. It’s not one I recommend applying with fingers. Use a sponge to work it into the skin and blend. This method works best for me when applying any CC cream. So many of you have told me you have kept referring to my review from 2018!
Active Ingredients: Active ingredients: Octinoxate 6.8%, Titanium dioxide 4%, Zinc oxide 15.2%
Supergoop! is one of my favorite brands for sunscreens in general. I love all of their chemical formulas and one mineral. My recommendation for formula would be based on your skin type and preference. Each one has a different texture and purpose.
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30* ($30 to 42) was one of the highest rated/most loved formulas from you based on messages I received on social. So many of you love this skincare line and after finally trying it this year I 100% agree. No white cast on me (although there is a very subtle white tint), no pilling, lasts on the skin. Definitely reapply every hour (as with all formulas) but love that it’s not sticky or goopy and it doesn’t have any smell or weird sunscreen scent.
Both are great formulas for the face. The Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen has a beautiful hydrating feel. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture. Leaves the skin feeling smooth and slightly plump. It has enough moisture that I can use this as a moisturizer.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3%, Homosalate 10.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 5.0%.
The Shiseido Urban Environment Sun Dual Care Oil-Free Sunscreen is also a recent winner. It has a more fluid thin texture with a velvety dry down. Super lightweight, long lasting, has a slight pale peachy pink tint when you apply it on the skin but disappears after blending.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a skincare roundup and with summer in full swing I have an updated routine with my favorites for clean and clear skin. With the heat, sunscreen and extra sweat my skin is prone to getting clogged and irritated. If you also experience the same issues during the summer, I have my current go-to’s I swear by from Nordstrom. These are my favorites to help clear out the pores and keep skin looking fresh!
Cleansers
Long time readers know I’m a fanatic about cleansing my skin. Keeping skin super clean and making sure I remove all traces of sunscreen and makeup at the end of the day is essential but with long wear makeup formulas it can be tricky. I rotate cleansers and use different formulas for morning vs afternoon.
Using a good makeup remover whether it’s a cleansing balm or cleansing oil is always a must. It helps break down foundation, concealer, blush etc.
I really love the Chanel Sublimage L’Huile En-Gel De Demaquillage Gel-To-Oil Cleanser ($110). I love it because it’s less messy than a regular liquid oil. The gel melts right into the skin and has that signature Sublimage scent (obsessed!). It makes the skin feel super soft and smooth and clean!
I always follow with a toner to help rebalance the skin and make sure all traces of cleanser and makeup are removed. My two go-to’s right now are from Kiehls and Sisley. The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner ($12 – $20) helps moisturize the skin and refine texture. I also swear by the Sisley Balancing Floral Toning Lotion ($115) which is the best alcohol-free formula I’ve used.
For texture and resurfacing, the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads ($59) have been the best resurfacing pads I’ve tried. There’s no stinging, no uncomfortable residue, and really works for smoother skin. You can use these daily but I use them 2x per week.
Pore Cleaning Masks
To keep the pores clear and clean I use Glamglow. The Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment ($25-86) is one I cannot live without (Value Set for $69 here). Anytime I feel like pimples or clogged pores are surfacing I use this and it’s the most effective AHA and BHA acid mask for problem skin. Charcoal helos absorb excess oil and toxins. Apply a thin layer and leave it on for 5-20 minutes (I usually leave it on for 10). Rinse thoroughly.
I also really love charcoal based masks/cleansers and the Glamglow SUPERCLEANSE Clearing Cream-to-Foam-Cleanser ($32) and SUPERSMOOTH Acne Clearing 5-Minute Mask ($34) are essential for my summer routine. Both are gentle enough for me to use daily but I usually have these in rotation 2-3x per week. Andrew loves these too. They’re great to absorb excess oil without stripping the skin.
I rotate with oils and moisturizers but really love the Sisley Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream ($220) right now. It’s the perfect lightweight moisturizer for a fresh glow. I use this as a first layer then add the Sisley Double Tenseur Moisturizing Gel ($210) on top for my perfect smooth base. They’re quite the splurge but there’s nothing quite like either!
For eye treatments I love the Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid ($165). It’s another expensive buy but 100% worth the splurge if you want a really nice lightweight eye cream. Right now Nordstrom has the Black Rose Set for the Anniversary Sale which has the full size cream, eye fluid and mini black rose mask ($230 on sale, $415 value).
La Mer is always a nice luxurious treat. I splurged on the La Mer Luminous Renewal Set ($95) from the NSALE which has travel sizes of the Cleansing Foam, The Treatment Lotion, Renewal Oil and Moisturizing Soft Cream. If you have dry skin they also have this set with the regular Crème de la Mer in the Radiant Hydration Set (also $95).
The last thing I wanted to highlight is a new try! La Mer recently launched The Micro Peel ($270). It is a leave-on resurfacing peel treatment with AHAs, BHAs and PHAs to polish the skin and clear pores. I just started using it at night 1x to 2x per week. It has a bi-phase formula so you shake the bottle to activate the formula and mix contents. Use on clean skin and don’t rinse. You can add moisturizer on top if you want but I’ve been applying it on its own. It has a minimal tingle and I really like it so far. Will keep you posted as I can test more!
Sunscreen is also a very important part of my summer skincare routine but I’ve saved that for a future post (coming very soon!).
You can find all of my picks available at Nordstrom.
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Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own. All products purchased by me.
I’ve been a huge fan of the Beautybio Bright Eyes and Cryo Roller for depuffing and brightening the eyes so I was really excited to partner with them to try some new items from their line. Beautybio is the most well known for their GloPro tools but there are quite a few other products they carry I think are worth checking out. They’ve also given me a promo code to share with you, details below.
Zenbubble Gel Cream
The Zenbubble Gel Cream is a new favorite for a nice lightweight oil-free calming gel-cream in one. I love that it absorbs quickly and easily into the skin. It’s oil-free and fragrance-free, perfect for sensitive skin and works well to reduce redness while rebalancing the skin. It contains phyto marine actives, microalgae and chamomile. These help calm the skin, add hydration and reduce redness and improve skin texture over time. I love that it has a pump style dispenser to keep the product clean and sanitary inside the tub.
Eyelighter Concentrate
I love trying anything to help brighten the eye area and The Eyelighter Concentrate is a great multi-tasking product that brightens and depuffs. It has retinol, Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and squalene to smooth the eye, brighten, depuff and hydrate. It has a contoured cooling applicator which feels so good when applying the product. You can also use this as a makeup primer for the eye area.
Heathly Scalp Dry Shampoo
The Healthy Scalp Dry Shampoo is a something I think everyone should try. Dry Shampoos can be hit or miss for me but this one is pure love. Love how it absorbs oil and leaves the hair feeling soft and shiny (no crunchy feel with this one). It smells clean and fresh! It’s also starch-free and alcohol-free. It’s also safe for color-treated hair.
Glass and Gloss Megawatt Glow Pro-Facial
The last thing I want to highlight is their Glass and Gloss Megawatt Glow Pro-Facial. It’s a 2-step facial product with an ultra fine scrub and a face gloss serum. The scrub is one of the most gentle face scrubs I’ve tried. The product contains what they call spherical skin-friendly nanoderma crystals which gently buff the skin to resurface texture in gentle way. You apply on damp skin and rinse. The second step is to follow with the gloss serum to add hydration and glow. A little goes a long way and even though it has a glossy finish, it’s more like a serum so it blends into the skin nicely while giving you a radiant dewy glow.
You can find all of these online at Beautybio! They’ve also given me a 20% off promo code SABRINA20 for my readers to use online, valid through end of May!
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Have you tried anything from Beauty Bio? What are your favorites?
Many thanks to Beauty Bio for partnering to sponsor this post.
The Sephora Spring Savings Event starts tomorrow! The event runs 4/1 through 4/11 for Beauty Insiders with early access for Rouge Members starting first. I’ve rounded up the best skincare tries by category. I rotate frequently depending on season and how my skin is acting. Here is what I’ve tried and loved. If you’re looking for something new I hope you find this list of recommendations helpful!
Dates and Details
Use code SAVESPRING at checkout to save. You can use the code multiple times throughout the event! The access dates and details for each tier (exclusions apply):
Rouge Members save 20% off 4/1 – 4/11
VIB Members can save 15% off 4/5 – 4/11
Insiders save 10% off 4/7 – 4/11
Also all Sephora Collection items are going to me marked down to 30% off (no promo code needed for these items) throughout the event. Here is what I have had in rotation and loved by category:
Cleansers + Makeup Removers
Best most repurchased cleansers are from Kate Somerville, I love pretty much everything in her line! She has an excellent range of effective skincare for all skin types.
Most Repurchased Cleanser – EradiKate Cleanser, also love Exfolikate is also great if you like one with AHAs, Goat Milk is great for a hydrating cleanser, DeliKate Soothing is nice if you have flare ups or sensitive skin
I could probably do an entire list of body care favorites but to keep it edited and more streamlined, here are my favorites:
Best Lightweight Longwear Body Sunscreen Sunscreen – Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50, hands down lasts the longest and most effective on me
That wraps up my favorites in skin care and body care! Let me know if you need any other recommendations or have questions! Stay tuned for another roundup tomorrow with my all-time favorite foundations + bases!
I love a good skin refresh this time of year and I’ve recently added a few new things to my routine from Sulwhasoo. I’m always looking for skincare to help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Two things I’ve tried and loved include their First Care Activating Serum and their best selling Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream.
First Care Activating Serum
The First Care Activating Serum is their prepping serum they recommend as the first step in skincare after cleansing. It has a blend of 5 herbs to improve hydration, brightness, radiance and helps reduce the look of wrinkles. Sulwhasoo’s serum has what they call their JAUM ActivatorTM which is a mix of Lotus, White Lily, Solomon’s Seal, Peony and Rehmannia. I love the pump packaging and it has a very lightweight fluid texture to help boost the effectiveness of following skincare steps.
I found two pumps enough to cover my entire face. They recommend using this both morning and night. Skin is left glowing and dewy!
Concentrated Ginseng Renewal Cream
The second product I tried is their Concentrated Ginseng Renewal Cream. This is one of the creamiest moisturizers I have tried! It has a super silky smooth texture that melts right into the skin. They’ve combined Korean red ginseng and retinol to help with visible signs of aging which have started to creep in. It makes my skin feel more supple and bouncy. Complexion is noticeably more plump! I like using this as my night time moisturizer.
You can find both products available online at Sulwhasoo. If you’re new to Sulwhasoo products and want to try things out first they have a Bestsellers Trial Kit which looks really good, it has both the serum + cream in it along with a couple other items I’ve been wanting to try (I will probably order this myself). Also available in minis too here and here.
Do you have any Sulwhasoo favorites? I’ve heard so many good things about their face masks and serums! Would love to know what you love from the line!
