Nightime Beauty Routine (winter edition)

Respecting a nighttime beauty routine seemed always very daunting for me.  Yes, I might be sleepy and the movie on TV very interesting but I keep on reminding myself that a beauty routine is also relaxing and soothing.  That's how it goes:

Step 1: Removing my daily makeup

I soak a cotton pad with Garnier Skinactive Micellaire Water and I try to remove as much makeup as I can.  In case I wear a waterproof mascara, I then use the Garnier Skinactive All in one Micellaire Duo-phase water using a q-tip.

I then soak a terry cloth in hot water and I take every single residue of makeup and dirt away from my face.  By the time I put the cloth on my skin the water is not hot anymore, it's rather warm.  All this procedure results in a clean and slightly exfoliated face. 

Quick review: Garnier Skinactive Micellaire Water, my go-to simple demakeup solution, very effective and no irritations whatsoever. I would repurchase it again and again.

Garnier Skinactive All in one Micellaire Duo-phase water, ideal for the average waterproof mascara.  Very effective, no irritations. I would repurchase it.

Step 2: Anti-aging 

I use the number one weapon that modern cosmetology has to offer for anti-aging and this is the Vitamin A or retinol. 

Quick review: The product that i'm currently using is the La Roche-Posay Redermic R intensive retinol cream and I really like it.   I haven't noticed any irritations so far and I'm really pleased with the results. I use it only at nights and the morning after I make sure that I wear a sunscreen.

Step 3: Hydration

After my retinol cream has been completely absorbed into my skin, I use a small quantity of serum on my face and an eye cream around my eye area. 

 

Quick review: I'm currently using the Nivea Cellular Anti-age concentrated skin-refining serum which is very light with a fine emollient texture. For the eye area I use the Nivea Cellular Anti-age Eye Cream, a rather thick consistency product which does not irritate my very sensitive eyes.  They are both O.K. I guess, but nothing special in my opinion.  I'm still in search for my Holy Grail eye cream and night serum.

FYI: My almost 48 year old skin is normal with an oily T-zone, not sensitive, hyper pigmentation prone with a really sensitive eye area.

Have a nice night beauty routine!!!

Morning Beauty Routine! (winter edition)

I won't go into detail about how important it is to care of our skin first thing in the morning. Sun exposure, air pollution, stress, you can add the rest.... We have to protect our face as good as we can and that's the golden rule of anti-aging.

My almost 48 year old skin is normal with an oily T-zone.  It's not sensitive.  I never had acne. My only worry is my severe hyper pigmentation mostly in the summer months. So that's what I do in the morning based on my needs: 

STEP 1:

I put my hair away from my face. I cleanse my hands as good as I can. I make sure I have a clean towel nearby.

STEP 2:

I take my favorite non-foaming (foam dehydrates...) cleanser and using lukewarm water I cleanse my face, neck and chest area while massaging my skin.  Wow, I really like this step!!!

Quick review: Erre due Purifying cleansing gel, very gentle and soothing with a delicate scent that I really like.  It's a Greek product and it was given to me as a gift with purchases. I would buy it again.

 

 

STEP 3:

I then take the cleanser away from my skin by placing my whole face under running water.  I don't splash the water against my skin because I think some residue of cleanser stays on it and dehydrates it.  Instead I "shower" my face. Maybe it is a little inconvenient because I wet my clothes 99% of the times but the result is so refreshing... Pure purity!!!

STEP 4:

I pat my face with a clean towel (I have plenty of little white ones)

STEP 5:

I put on my vitamin C serum. Very important step for strength and glow.

Quick review: Insta natural Vitamin C serum a really effective serum with a ton of good ingredients.  I buy it from amazon.de (approx. 20 Euros).  No offensive scent.  Dries almost immediately.  I would buy it again.

STEP 6:

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen... A hydrating one with SPF 30 in the winter... and I'm good to go!!

Quick review: Carroten Hydra Plus SPF 30, in the beginning it seemed like the ultimate sunscreen for my 40+ year old skin: no white cast, quick absorption into the skin, very hydrating BUT it has a rather offensive scent that gives me headaches.  Fortunately, the scent lingers only for half an hour and then you forget all about it.  But still, it's a drawback for me.  Greek product. I wouldn't buy it again.

N o t e s: 

If I stay indoors the whole day I omit sunscreen.  I just use a moisturizer with sunscreen.

Hands: before I go out I won't forget to put sunscreen on the back of my hands

Quick review: Vaseline advanced repair hand, very emollient and hydrating although I don't have particularly dry hands (wear gloves, girls!) I would buy it again.

Have a nice day with a proper morning routine!!!!