Christmas is quickly approaching and if you’re looking for some last-minute gift ideas I have some cute ones to share from The Body Shop! They have tons of great gift sets and bundles at multiple price points. There is something for everyone whether you’re shopping for a loved one, friend or looking for something to treat yourself.
The Body Shop Holiday Gift Guide: Little Gift Box
One of my favorite sets is the Warm Vanilla Little Gift Box ($25). They’ve packaged up some great body products in a Shower Gel, Body Yogurt, Hand Cream and mini Body Scrub. The shower gel is really amazing, and I love that this vanilla is warm and well-balanced. The Body Yogurt is a lightweight moisturizer and absorbs beautifully into the skin. They carry this set in a other scents too like the Nourishing Shea, Soothing Almond Milk & Honey, Hand-Cracked Coconut and a few others too.
Mask Duo
For the skincare lover the Day and Night Mask Duo ($45) has a Nicaraguan Coffee Intense Awakening Face Mask for day and the Hemp Overnight Nourishing Rescue Mask. The coffee mask is a gentle warming exfoliating mask you leave on for 5-10 minutes. It has sesame seed oil, cocoa and shea butter to soften the skin – I was so impressed with this one! It’s gentle on the exfoliating properties and after rinsing off my skin felt so incredibly smooth, soft and refreshed. The overnight mask is made with Hemp Seed oil and aloe vera to help soothe dry skin. It has a soothing earthy scent to it and very hydrating.
Hair Care Set
For the hair care lover they have some cute hair sets! I tried the Puree Bliss Banana Hair Care Duo ($20) which comes with the Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner along with a fun banana print hair wrap. Both have a fresh fruity banana scent that lathers up nicely in the shower or bath. They rinse out to leave a subtle scent so it’s not too fruity. My hair really likes both for a good clean feel.
Sharable Hand Cream Set
The cutest gift set is the Squeeze and Share Hand Cream Cracker Set ($28). It comes with six individually boxed hand creams. They’re perfect to split up for stocking stuffers or to give as gifts to coworkers! The Almond Milk and Honey is my favorite – it has a really nice scent with a light almost gel-like texture. It absorbs into the hands well leaving them soft, hydrated and not sticky.
I hope you enjoyed this holiday roundup! If you’re doing last minute shopping I suggest you order soon! Also don’t forget to check out their Special Offers/Sale Page to see what GWPs and sales they have going on!
Shop the Post:
Many thanks to The Body Shop for partnering to sponsor this post.
The dry season is officially here in South Florida and although our winters are mild compared to everywhere else we’ve had some fairly cold days and nights. My skin has been going nuts with the weather change and everything is dry! I’ve rounded up my favorite hydration heroes for body, hands and lips. If you have any favorites you swear by, please let me know in the comments!
Chanel Huile Douce Gentle Oil Hair and Body* has been one of my favorite body oils – it looks like it has been discontinued but they still have the Scented Options in L’Huile Orient, L’Huile Jasmin, L’Huile Vanille and L’Huile Rose – I may splurge on one for myself for the holiday
Augustinus Bader Body Lotion ($35 for 30 ml or $95 for 100 ml) is something I bought over the summer, back then it was a little too rich for my taste, but now that the dry season is here I find it perfect, it is hydrating and there’s no fragrance – it has a semi-matte finish in the drydown
Necessaire Body Lotion ($25 for 200 ml/6.8 oz) is my favorite day-time unscented body cream, it’s gentle, effective and doesn’t interfere with perfume
Also love:
L’occitane Shea Butter Hands and Body Extra-Gentle Lotion ($29 for 10.1 fl oz) is one I don’t have right now, but it has been a favorite in the past, after using it up several times I just wanted to explore other products and try new things, but this one has never failed me
Hand Creams
Favorites for the hands:
La Mer Hand Treatment ($90 for 3.4 oz the full size option, note that mine is a mini) is one of my latest loves for hand treatments, I bought mine as part of the limited-edition holiday Rejuvenating Hydration Set ($95) which seems to be selling out nearly everywhere (as of now still available at Net-A-Porter and Blue Mercury). It’s silky, emollient and super luxurious!
L’Occitane Shea Butter Intensive Hand Balm ($19 for 1.7 oz or $36 for 5.3 oz) was something one of my sweet readers sent to me a year ago (the only fan mail I’ve received!) – she was so sweet to send me one she bought while traveling and the large tube lasted quite a long time! They’ve since launched a smaller tube which is purse friendly, it’s a thicker version of their Classic Shea Butter Hand Cream which I also love
Kiehl’s also makes great hand creams, so many of you have said you swear by the Ultimate Strength Hand Salve as the best unscented option (I agree it’s great! available in multiple sizes), I also really like their scented options in the Lavender and Grapefruit – they have a nice Healthy Hands Trio ($35) I highly recommend getting (and fast because it’s selling out quickly)
Molton Brown also makes great scented hand creams, I love the Fiery Pink Pepper* ($15) the best although their new Flora Luminaire* ($15) is also really lovely!
Cuticle Care
Cuticle care favorites:
CND Essentials Solar Oil Care Pen ($12.99 for 2.5 ml) is one that always makes the best-of lists for so many magazines, I bought the click brush pen version recently and really like it – it seems a little pricey for the amount you get, but it works well (also available in the Bottle with Brush Applicator)
Dior Huile Daily Nutritive Serum ($28) has been one of my holy grail cuticle oils but is so hard to find as it’s always selling out, you can still find this at Dior.com – if you see it at your local counter I highly recommend you pick it up!
OPI Pro Spa Nail and Cuticle Oil* was something I received recently in a PR package and it seems to come in a few formats, the one I have is a 0.29 fl oz dropper style ($9.95 available on Amazon). It helps with dry cuticles and a little goes a very long way. It also comes in a Bottle (.5 fl oz for $15.95) or a To Go Brush Applicator (.25 oz for $9.50)
Olive and June Cuticle Serum* ($15.99 for 1 at Target, or $30 for 2 at Olive and June, .13 fl oz) comes in a pen applicator with a sponge tip, if you’re one who doesn’t like the super emollient feel of oils, you will love this because it’s a serum that is more like a sponge-on cream vs a drippy liquid oil. It softens cuticles, it’s easy to use and works!
Lip Favorites
small round marble tray from Goop, makeup bag is Cuyana
Lip care favorites right now:
Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask ($28) – best cushiony clear gel like lip mask you can wear during the day or leave on over night
By Terry Baume de Rose* ($60) – best soothing thick lip cream (also available in a tube form with a slightly sheerer feel and finish, it’s not as thick but just as hydrating)
La Mer Lip Volumizer ($80) – not really a lip balm, but more of a smoothing lip volumizer with a serum feel, it leaves my lips feeling super soft and smooth
Fresh Sugar anything! I’ve been loving the Sugar Advance Therapy Treatment Lip Balm* ($26) because it comes in a tube form and doesn’t require fingers to apply. I do really love the Sugar Hydrating Lip Balms* ($18) like the Caramel, Coconut and Lime Mint ones as well.
What are some of your favorites?
Press samples indicated with a *. Others purchased by me.
The weather has shifted and dry season is officially here and my skin has been in desperate need of some extra TLC. So many of you had mentioned Skinfix to me as a new brand that you really love and I am thrilled to partner with them to give you a closer look at their Barrier+ Triple Lipid Peptide Cream.
The Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid Peptide Cream is my latest skin saver. It’s a rich hydrating cream that comes in a pump dispenser jar. I love that it is unscented, soothing and has that lush creamy feel without a super heavy texture. The Triple Peptide Cream is one of those moisturizers great for stressed or sensitive skin. It’s great especially if you have eczema or irritation from acids or retinol – there’s no stinging when you apply and it is very soothing.
For those who are into natural skincare, you’ll be happy to learn that the cream is 95% naturally-derived. The highlighted ingredients include:
Triple Lipid Complex – to restore natural lipids, it makes the skin glow!
Peptide Protein Blend – supports skin barrier function to protect it
Lily Root Extract – to tighten the skin and help skin retain moisture
I’ve been using this for nearly a month now and skin is more hydrated and smooth without any irritation. I love it during the day or at night. I even use it on the hands and body although they do have an Eczema+ Hand Repair Cream and Body Cream I am really eager to try.
Bottom line if you’re looking for a good no-fuss moisturizer that is good for sensitive or stressed out skin, I highly recommend giving the Lipid Peptide Cream a try. I frequently give skincare to friends and family, my brother has eczema and I’m sending him one of these creams for Christmas!
I have an updated fall skincare routine with a full breakdown of what I’ve been using and used up over the past few months! The weather turned here for a few short days and I almost thought we were going to have colder cooler weather but then it popped back up to the high 80s! The weather still has shifted for fall so I’ve changed up some of my moisturizers and serums. This is what I’ve been loving lately by category.
Cleansers
I’ve been a bit obsessive with cleaning my skin multiple times a day. I always cleanse in the morning. Right before a workout and right after a workout. And then in the evening before I go to sleep.
Tatcha Rice Wash is a newer gentle exfoliating cream cleanser. There are tiny rice powder particles that I feel are gentle enough that I don’t feel any grit on the skin. It’s creamy when you add water and is good for normal to dry skin. (Also available in this mini duo.)
Kate Somerville Cleansers – all Kate Somerville cleansers in general are well loved in our home, I’ve tried all of them and always have a backup stash, for family who visit and have skin issues, I always recommend and gift them one of these when they shop/raid my beauty closet!
Eradikate is the best to deal with acne issues, it’s the one that has effectively prevented maskne by cleaning out the pores and any clogged areas, the 3% sulfur + oat extract helps absorb excess oil. I can rarely use anti-acne skincare because it’s often too drying or harsh and ends up stripping my skin. The entire Eradikate line is one of the few I can use that does not irritate my skin.
Exfolikate is best for normal to oily skin. This one has exfoliating ingredients including glycolic and lactic acid to help resurface the skin and fruit enzymes that also help with natural exfoliation. It’s not harsh even though it’s an “exfoliating cleanser”.
Delikate Cleanser* is the best calming cleanser I’ve tried. I will often use this in the morning and then one of her other cleansers at night.
First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser is a great everyday cleanser that is gentle but effective. It has a creamy almost foaming texture when you add water. Andrew loves this, my brother loves this, I love it too. I think it’s reasonably priced!
Good Molecules Facial Cleansing Mitt – I almost always use a washcloth to wash my face, but I often ruin them with makeup or mascara remnants. I ordered a few of these face mitts to use just for when I have makeup to remove or wash off and they’re small but really nice! I want to look into other brands of reusable washable cleansing cloths like this. I bought a pack of three and really like them.
Toners
The top three toners I have in rotation:
La Mer The Tonic – this is another formula I’ve used for years that is a great no-fuss refreshing kind of toner to balance and purify the skin. (La Mer’s website also has this in a smaller travel size version.)
Sisley Floral Toning Lotion – this is one I’ve written about so many times. It’s alcohol free, gentle, hydrating and refreshes the skin beautifully. It’s very expensive but 100% the splurge (I have bought several bottles of this to replenish my skincare cabinet).
Farmacy Clean Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner – I’ve been using this on and off for a few weeks now and really like it! I find most toners with any kind of acid either are too strong or too sticky. This is one of the few I’ve tried that doesn’t turn my skin beet red or sting. I feel it’s gentle enough for my skin to not have any tingle but still effective enough to clean out my pores. (I tried the Paula’s Choice BHA toner and my face felt like it was on fire! It turned horribly red and irritated for a solid week before it finally calmed down.)
Serum Moisturizers
I’ve tried to improve my serum and moisturizer routine as the weather turns. I’ve included a few new items I’ve added to my routine and also wanted to mention a few Andrew uses.
Sisley Pure Bright Activating Serum* – this is Andrew’s favorite brightening serum. He has permanently “borrowed” this from my beauty cabinet and uses it religiously (LOL!). For his skin he’s struggled with darker sun spots on his cheek bones since we moved to Florida. This is the only product that he finds that works to brighten dark spots over time. He like that it feels lightweight, it’s simple to use and it works.
Sisley Hydra-Global Hydration Booster Serum* and Gel Cream Moisturizer* – the Sisley Hydra-Global line is a great one for normal to dry skin. Andrew uses these on whenever he feels dry and likes that they’re both hydrating without that greasy overly heavy feel.
La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift* – this is the newest serum I’ve tried and it BLEW MY MIND. It’s a lifting and firming serum with two chambers. One has a milky emulsion serum and the other has encapsulated caviar beads. To activate the serum there is a pump to mix the products together for a beautiful smoothing serum. Skin is left firm and smoother and softer. I’ve just ordered a few more La Prairie items I’ve had on my wishlist from the line and cannot wait to try them.
Kate Somerville Delikate Recovery Serum* and Recovery Cream* – this has been my most frequently used duo all through summer and now in the fall. It’s a great everyday calming duo that smooths the skin. I initially used it on only dry-skin days but have found it’s really versatile for me. Sometimes I will skip the serum and only use the cream.
Kate Somerville Peptide K8 Power Cream* – this is my second most-used moisturizer. I feel like everything Kate Somerville just works without any extra effort of fuss.
Kate Somerville Dilo Age-Defying Oil* – I started incorporating a few oils into my routine and have used this one again every other night. It’s my favorite!
Chantecaille Rose de Mail Face Oil* – This is a new to me oil which is designed to soften fine lines and brighten the skin. It has a floral rose scent but compared to other rose oils I’ve tried it has a more botanical vibe rather than straight up rose. It feels a little thicker in texture while other oils I’ve tried are more fluid but it absorbs into the skin beautifully. I just started using this so I can’t really report on the effects yet, but it’s like a veil of protective moisture.
Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid – this has been my go-to eye treatment for a few months. I loved it for its lightweight feel and the applicator has a beautiful cooling sensation which helps with puffiness in the mornings. It’s nearly used up and I will be trying a different eye cream soon!
My masks have been the same for months now. I’m really interested in trying new formulas but for now have stuck with what works. For hydration I alternate between the Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask (lush and thick) and the By Terry Baume de Rose Le Mask* (love how this bubbles/foams, will 100% repurchase). For a sheet mask my latest love is the La Mer Treatment Lotion Hydrating Sheet Mask. It leaves the skin feeling soft and refreshed.
For acne issues or pore clearing my Glamglow Supermud has been my go-to – I only use this when I feel like my skin needs a pore clean out.
For acne I’ve finally gotten any spot acne under my chin under control. I think the influx in stress and hormonal issues caused skin issues for me earlier this year. For the occasional pimple I still rely on Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Spot Treatment (Andrew uses this religiously and has me buy him multiple tubes at a time) and the Kate Somerville Eradikate Acne Treatment.
Tools
I’ve been neglecting almost all of my beauty tools except for a couple things. I really still like the Le Mieux Skin Perfector* which I’ve had for many many years! It’s a great gentle pore cleaner that has tiny pulses from ultrasonic waves. There are different variations and models out there from other brands but this is one that has worked for me for years so I’ve stuck with it. I have also been really liking the Mount Lai Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool in the Jade or Rose Quartz options. They both really has helped improve my circulation and radiance of the skin.
That wraps up my current fall skincare routine! As always I’d love to hear about what you’ve been loving lately! Let me know in the comments! I love getting ideas from you to see what you’re using and loving.
Press samples indicated with a *. All others purchased by me.
I have an updated skincare routine and testing roundup today! Summer is here so I’ve changed some things in my daily and weekly routine. This year has been a challenging one for all of us. For me added stress, hormonal changes and wearing face masks has definitely taken its toll on my skin. In May my face had a total freak out – I was breaking out in places I’ve never had issues with, I had texture issues + redness and increased sensitivity. Part of the reason why I haven’t been posting as many makeup reviews lately is that I’ve been trying to let my skin breathe and recover – thank goodness by now it has!
For some background on my skin type. I have normal combination skin. I do feel I run on the sensitive side although I can handle some acid treatments in moderation. My main skin concerns are keeping a smooth skin texture, depuffing the eye area in mornings and anti-aging. This year I turned 39 and fine lines have kept creeping into my forehead. I have not had Botox although I’ve talked about wanting to try it for a couple years now. I’m deathly afraid of needles and a few of you have emailed me and assured me it’s quite tolerable. I’ve never had bad acne issues until this year with some hormonal issues which caused bad painful breakouts around the chin although this could have also been due to wearing a face mask. I’ve since gotten it under control.
Many of these things you’ve seen on the blog before – I have a lot of tried-and-true products. There are some new items I’ve incorporated and tested. I’ve split everything by category and given my thoughts for the new items I’ve tried. For example, I think some are better for dry skin vs. oily skin so I’ve put notes below on each product I’ve tested.
Makeup Removers + Cleansers
Out of all the skincare categories I go through cleansers and makeup removers the most. I love testing different formulas but I typically use only 2-3 at any given time.
For makeup removal I almost always remove eye makeup separately from the rest of my face. I find long-wear mascara and liners are easiest to remove when soaked with a pad or bi-phase remover first. My top 2 are Bobbi Brown Instant Long-Wear Makeup Remover and Almay Longwear Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads. Both have an oil in the formula but do not sting my sensitive eyes.
These days I’m all about solid balm cleansers to remove makeup and my go-to is the Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm. It’s one of the few that will rinse off completely and does not leave a greasy film on the skin. Another good option is the Sisley Radiance Foaming Cream*. It’s an effective one-step cleanser that removes makeup but won’t strip the skin. They just added two more items to this line and I just tried their new Triple-Oil Balm Makeup Remover* and it is quite amazing! It has Babassu, Shea and Macadamia oils, melts into the skin and rinses off nicely.
My latest try is the new Kate Somerville DeliKate* line which I think is phenomenal. I’ve been using the DeliKate Soothing Cleanser in the morning or before bed and it really works to calm stressed out skin. It’s a cream formula and super gentle. The Kate Somerville team has offered my readers a special offer, if you order from their website, use code SABRINA20 at checkout to save 20% off sitewide now through 9/30.
Regular exfoliation is essential but I try to do this in moderation with scrubs. The best daily gentle scrub I’ve tried is the Fresh Sugar Face Polish because it melts into the skin and isn’t harsh or too gritty (also available in a mini if you want to try it out first).
Toner
My go-to toner is the Sisley Botanical Floral Toning Lotion. It’s alcohol free and leaves the skin fresh and soft. I have also used and really enjoyed the Revive Balancing Toner for another soothing option. Other formulas I’ve tried include the Eve Lom Rescue Toner* which I think is a nice gentle option and La Mer Tonic. My favorite out of all of these is the Sisley formula.
Moisturizers
My favorite daily moisturizer has probably been the Drunk Elephant Polypeptide Cream but I’ve used it up and decided to try something new. The Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Serum* and Recovery Cream* are really nice for normal to dry skin and work to reduce redness and soothe the skin. I’ve been using this on dry skin days or at night and it really does work to soften and help redness. For daytime my latest obsession has been the Kate Somerville Peptide K8 Power Cream*. It’s a great smoothing moisturizer that blends in nicely and has really helped even out tone after regular use.
I’m not the most diligent when it comes to using eye creams and after trying so many I still haven’t found THE one. I don’t have eye wrinkles yet and my main concerns are with puffiness. Three I have tried recently include the Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Eye Cream (nice lightweight hydrating option), Chanel Le Lift (does noticeably help with lifting) and the Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid. Quick note that I don’t look for super rich or thick eye creams this time of year. I only need a light amount of moisture and these 3 all were light enough to work for me. Out of these three the one I like the best is the Sisley option. It was quite the splurge but I like the cooling applicator which helps depuff and makes application a fun process. The formula works nicely to smooth and hydrate the skin.
Hydrating Masks
For hydrating masks I really like formulas with rose for their soothing, calming and gentle plumping properties. The Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask is the best splurge to hydrate and plump. For a more budget friendly option the Fresh Rose Face Mask is a beautiful calming one that leaves the skin feeling super fresh. The newest one I’ve tried is the By Terry Baume de Rose Glowing Rose Mask* which is a brightening and clarifying option. It bubbles on the skin and when rinsed off leaves the skin supple and smooth.
The 111Skin Eye Masks are the ultimate indulgence for me. I love the Sub Zero De-Puffing Eye Masks in the mornings to help cool and depuff. The Rose Gold ones are nice for brightening and soothing.
Retexurizers + Acne Treatment
Since I live in sunny Florida I cannot avoid sun exposure so I try to keep acid treatments and retexturizing treatments to a minimum. They are essential to help get rid of dead skin and keep pores clean. Your mileage will vary depending on skin type and tolerance to acid treatments.
For acne or clogged pores treatment depends one what kind of acne you have. Most of the time I find the Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Spot Treatment with salicylic acid works best for blackheads and whiteheads. It helps reduce inflammation and exfoliates the dead skin to unclog the pores. Another good mask to help clear out pores is the Glamglow Supermud Charcoal Mask. Sometimes I will only use it on the T-zone or chin area where I have clogging.
My favorite night time treatments have been the Sunday Riley Good Genes, an effective lactic acid treatment, best for removing top layer of dead skin or the Kate Somerville RetAsphere Micro Peel, the only Retinol Glycolic treatment my skin has been able to tolerate, best to stimulate collagen and cell turnover. I don’t use these at the same time as I either use lactic acid or retinol. I’m currently using the one from Kate Somerville and only use it 1-2x per week.
An interesting peel product I’ve tried is the Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel. It has fruit enzymes and exfoliates the skin in a peel gel. You leave it on the skin for a few minutes so it dissolves dead skin. It’s very mild and gentle so it’s not harsh. It does contain alcohol denat though so if that is irritating to your skin you may want to pass.
Sunscreen
My go-to sunscreens are from Supergoop!. The Unseen Sunscreen with SPF 40 is my go-to choice for everyday. I also really liked their City Sunscreen Serum with SPF 30 but keep forgetting to re-order it.
I know I covered a lot! To help simplify the roundup, here is my current routine and favorites:
Morning Routine
Cleanser: Drunk Elephant Beste or Kate Somerville DeliKate
Toner: Sisley Floral Toner
Moisturizer: Kate Somerville Peptide K8 or Drunk Elephant Polypeptide Cream
Eye Treatment: Sisley Black Rose Fluid
SPF: Supergoop!
Afternoon (pre-workout)
Remove makeup with a balm cleanser: Farmacy Green Clean
Double cleanse with a gel cleanser: Drunk Elephant Beste
Night Time
Eye Makeup Remover: Bobbi Brown most days, if I’m wearing waterproof mascara I’ll use the Almay Pads
Cleansing Balm (if I’m wearing makeup): Farmacy Green Clean
Face Cleanser: depends on how skin feels, most of the time it’s Drunk Elephant or Kate Somerville
Night Toner: Revive Soothing Toner
Night Treatment: Kate Somerville Retasphere Micro Peel (1x per week) on dry skin nights I’ll use a light moisturizer, most of the time I let my skin breathe
Acne Spot Treatments: Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Spot Treatment
As Needed
1x per week or every other week acid, pore cleaning masks
2x per week hydrating masks as skin needs it
2-3x per week eye masks
I hope you found this helpful! Would love to hear what you use right now or if you transition your products as the weather gets warmer! If you’re looking into any of the Kate Somerville products don’t forget to use my code SABRINA20 for 20% off sitewide now through 9/30.
Press samples indicated with a *. All others purchased by me.
It’s our third winter in Florida and I cannot believe how the time has flown! It feels like it was just a short while ago that we were driving across the country to start a new chapter of our lives. Most of the year we find Florida to be sunny and warm but we’ve had a cold winter (it’s been colder than I remember it being in past years) and everything is significantly more dry. My skin has definitely felt it and so I’ve changed up my routine. Here are some things I’ve been loving recently for lips, hands and body to combat the dry weather.
Hydrating Lip Favorites
I’m still recovering from shock that Bite Beauty discontinued my holy grail lip mask and I know many of you are too. They’ve done some sneak peeks of their brand revamp on social and they’re launching their new Agave+ Intensive Vegan Lip Mask on January 10th at Sephora. I will be ordering it to try out. In the meantime, what I have in rotation now:
NARS Afterglow Lip Balms* are my most reached for balms these days. I always keep one in my purse! The original Orgasm shade swatched here. New spring shades swatched here. I’m constantly asked for an alternative to the Dior Addict Lip Glow because they often shift to an unflattering color. The ones from NARS have a more subtle color change and are nicely hydrating. I can wear it to the gym, use it for touch ups or on low-key makeup days.
By Terry Baume de Rose (mini size shown which was limited-edition) is the thickest most lush hydrating pot lip balm I’ve tried. It’s also one of the most expensive lip splurges I’ve made and repurchased several times over because I do think it’s 100% worth it. I will need to repurchase the full size very soon as I’ve nearly finished all the minis I’ve kept on hand.
EM Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour* is more of a color product rather than skincare, but it’s the most hydrating lipstick I’ve ever tried! It feels lush and hydrating and smooth on the lips and is very comforting. I feel like it is a truly universally flattering color (as described) and it comes in the prettiest peachy pink nude with a lush shine. I hope they will launch this in more colors! Full review + swatches soon.
Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil in any of the tinted shades are the best lip oils I’ve tried. There are a number of “oil-infused” launches this spring and I will be doing an updated lip roundup soon. Many of them just don’t hold up to my expectations for hydration. A lot of them will add a nice shine to the lips like a gloss but don’t have the same hydrating properties like a true oil. As expensive as the Hourglass ones are I think they’re among the best. You can see the tinted versions swatched in my last year’s balm hits and misses here.
Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment is a balm I always find myself gifting away. I accumulate a lot from GWPs, press samples and various sets so I’m always splitting them up and sending them off to friends, family and readers. I finally decided to keep one and try it for myself and WOW! This is significantly more hydrating than the regular Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments (ones with tint) and I absolutely love it. It’s hydrating, smooth, smells delicious and prevents peeling. Also available in mini size in various sets like this 6-piece Travel Size Set, Travel Duo, On-The-Go Set to name a few.
Body + Hand Care
For the body I’ve been loving a few unscented body creams or super light oils. As much as I love a good fragranced body lotion or cream, sometimes I just want something that won’t interfere with my perfume or one I can sleep in easily. Sometimes heavily perfumed face products or body creams prevent me from falling asleep.
Two body creams I’ve been loving are the Necessaire Body Lotion in the Fragrance Free version. I ordered it over the holiday as I’ve seen it everywhere on Instagram and I was influenced to buy it. I really like that it’s hydrating, smooth and has a soft velvety dry down. It absorbs into the skin nicely and doesn’t feel too heavy. I think it’s reasonably priced. (On the nails is the new Chanel Le Vernis in Daydream, review soon.)
I’ve also loved the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Nude Cream which I reviewed last November when it launched (it made my favorites list). It’s now also available at Sephora. I still use it almost every day and love how it’s hydrating, soothing and smooths out the skin. I’m not the biggest fan of the packaging because I find it a little bulky but it’s not a deal breaker and I actually do like the pump. It has a soft velvety dry down so it’s not greasy feeling. I feel like this is like the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream in body cream form (many of my friends have told me they’ve used the face cream as body cream).
I also wanted to mention that the Kate Somerville Dry Skin Saver is another great unscented body cream that works for my skin. Both Andrew and I really like it.
For body oils the Chanel Gentle Oil for Body and Hair* has been at the top of my list for body oils. It’s lightweight, absorbs beautifully, makes the skin ultra soft and has the most beautiful lightweight fresh scent. If you’re familiar with the Fresh Body Cream version, the oil smells the same.
For skincare my favorite moisturizer is still the Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream* for it’s lightweight texture and beautiful finish. On days I need extra moisture I’ve found myself loving the SkinRX Lab MadeCera Cream* that I got from Soko Glam for an ultra calming and affordable hydrating cream. (Full review here.)
I’ve also really been loving the Augustinus Bader Cream and Rich Cream which I bought in the mini 15 ml sizes directly from their website. The minis run at $85 each but they have a Discovery Duo on their website for $150 for 2 x 15 ml. They also have the 2 x 30 ml for $305 available on their website, Nordstrom, Saks, etc. I’ve been testing the Augustinus Bader Cream, Rich Cream and Victoria Beckham Cell Rejuvinating Moisturizing Primer for several weeks now. The Rich Cream is the best for winter or very dry skin. The Cream is my favorite for year round for my skin type. Both of these made my skin look significantly smoother and healthier. I think the Victoria Beckham version is nice for summer but it is the lightest out of the three and didn’t add a significant amount of moisture for my skin.
I will most likely be purchasing the regular Cream in the larger size once I’ve used up the mini.
For a more affordable option that works I’ve also been loving the Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream. The rose scent is subtle and isn’t overpowering once it absorbs into the skin. I like that it really is super hydrating without feeling heavy or greasy. It calms my skin on the days it has flare ups from allergic reactions. It soothes when it’s super dry and itchy. I think it’s a nice one to try!
For night time I usually let my skin breathe naturally without product except lip balm or eye cream, but I have started using the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Oil again and love it. It helps balance out the skin overnight and is a great moisturizer that absorbs into the skin. You can also find it in a mini size in their Nourishing Essentials Set that comes with their Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.
For eyes I’ve been rotating between the Tatcha Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream* and the Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. Both are super hydrating and have helped smooth out those tiny little lines that creep up when my skin is dry. I alternate between the two for day or night. They are on the rich/heavy side so when the hot humid weather returns to Florida these will most likely only be used at night for me.
For face-mists I’ve been loving the Chanel Sublimage La Brume for extra moisture but with a super fine mist. I feel like a broken record raving about it but I truly love it. I never want to be without it.
For sheet masks my I feel like my favorites will forever be the 111Skin ones. I have tried a few other ones recently (roundup soon) and really love the Joanna Vargas Forever Glow Anti-Aging Face Mask for a hydrating calming one and the Twilight Face Mask for deeper moisture and softening. The Forever Glow feels fresh and hydrating while the Twilight is heavier and makes the skin feel like baby’s skin. She has a Glow to Go Mask Set that has one of every sheet mask formula if you want to try them out before buying a full set.
That wraps up my winter skincare favorites! Would love to hear what yours are right now. I know Florida has a mild winter compared to other places, but it’s still dry and I hope this roundup gives you some ideas on what to try in case you’re looking for extra moisture for your skin.
I’m excited to share some new skincare I’ve been incorporating into my routine over the past few months! A number of you have expressed interest in seeing more Korean skincare reviews on the blog and I’m thrilled to partner with Soko Glam to put one of their 5-Step skincare routines to the test. I have a full review of all the products I tried. They’ve curated some great sets to help you address your specific skin concerns by skin type.
I took their Skin Quiz and connected with one of their Soko Experts for a skincare consultation to find the best products for my normal but sensitive late 30’s skin.
The 5-Step Normal Skin Set was recommended for my skin type and it was very easy to incorporate into my regular routine. It’s priced at $95 (valued over $139) and includes things you can use both day and night:
If you have different concerns or skin type, they also have other 5-Step Bundles (and 10-Step) for Brightening, Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Oil Control and more.
My thoughts on the 5-Step Normal Skincare Routine below! You can find the full list of ingredients on each specific product page.
_________
5-Step Korean Skincare | Step 1: Oil Cleanse
I love solid makeup removers and the Botanic Farm Grain Ferment Cleansing Sherbert is one that contains rice, rice bran and soy bean to gently break down makeup for cleansing. It melts like butter into the skin! I found it super gentle but effective and it left my skin super soft.
_________
Step 2: Water Cleanse
The Acwell Bubble Free pH Balancing Cleanser is a gentle gel cleanser that is lightweight, effective and calming. I had a few skin flare ups over the past month and this helped calm down the skin. It has a hydrating finish and leaves the skin feeling clean and soft. The texture has no foaming/bubbling action which is really nice!
_________
Step 3: Toner
I use toner religiously and have a few staples I rely on. Trying new formulas always makes me nervous with my sensitive skin. The Missha Time Revolution Clear Toner was mild enough to use 2x per day after cleansing and left the skin brighter, more even and softer. It contains their fermented yeast extract to help cellular turnover. I will definitely repurchase this one after it’s used up!
_________
Step 4: Essence
I often neglect essence but anytime I add it, I find my skin is significantly more balanced. With the cold dry weather here for the fall/winter adding the Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist has been a lifesaver. It dispenses a super fine mist (one of the finest I’ve seen!) to evenly spritz the skin. It’s fragrance free. I also find it makes a nice setting spray for makeup.
_________
Step 5: Moisturizer
The SkinRX MadeCera Cream has such a high number of rave reviews and I was interested in seeing if it lived up to the hype. It 100% does! I was so impressed by this – especially for winter! It’s a great moisturizing cream that is perfect for sensitive or normal-dry skin. It sinks into the skin nicely and hydrates, soothes and reduces redness. On super tender skin days it helped calm the skin. There is also a Sheet Mask Pack available from the same line which I want to try next!
_________
_________
Additional skincare tries
I tested a few other things from Soko Glam for acne. I’ve really loved the CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patch for a hydrocolloid treatment so I restocked! They come with different sized patches which is convenient since I usually have different size pimples whether it’s a whitehead or blackhead. I find these work best on whiteheads to absorb excess oil and pull the debris to the surface. The Missha Speedy Solution Anti Trouble Patches were recommended to me by a few readers so I bought a pack to try. These contain salicylic acid and tea tree oil and work to reduce redness and penetrates the skin to dissolve the debris that is clogging your pores.
Overall I’ve really enjoyed the 5-Step Normal Skincare Set. All 5 products are winners and easy to incorporate into my routine. The SkinRX MadeCera Cream is the highlight for me. For cleansing I also love solid makeup removers and the Botanic Farm Grain Ferment Cleansing Sherbert has been really nice to use for an effective cleanser. If you have any skincare lovers you’re looking to gift skincare to, I think either the cream or sherbert cleanser would be great for any skin type.
You can find all the products I reviewed at Soko Glam. They have a wealth of information on their blog and you can easily navigate recommendations by skin concern or skin type! They’ve started Cyber Week early with some savings! From 11/15 through – 12/1 @ 11:59 PM EST save 30% off most things with code: SGBF19. In addition all orders $135+ will receive a Soko Glam branded jade roller Note: Code SGBF19 is valid between 11/15/19 at 12:00PM EST through 12/1/19 at 11:59PM EST. Exclusions apply: not applicable on purchase of sets (including 5- and 10-Step sets), gift cards, Then I Met You products and The Little Book of Skincare. Not valid with other promotions or discount codes. Gift with purchase available while supplies last. Purchases of $135+ after 30% discount applied.
Do you have any Korean Skincare favorites? Have you tried anything from Soko Glam? What do you recommend?
