The Routine

I personally believe that my beauty routine is very important to me. At one unfortunate point, it was not. I used to think nothing of a clean, healthy, exfoliated face, but then I wised up and learn to at least wash it once in a while. Too bad that's not enough. I knew I needed to start using some product. After my introduction to Borghese's Fango I needed more. I invested in a few things and received some testers for others. I had to have been on the right path since the cosmetics manager at Bloomingdale's started complimenting me on my skin.

It is a bare (bear) necessity to have a routine that you can stick to. It's ok to slip up here or there. I certainly do, but I know my skin will make me pay for it the next day.

Over the years I feel like I have tried enough products to know what works with my skin. I am, however, always looking for ways to improve what I already have. I like hearing about what other products everyone else uses and why. Maybe, I might come across something even better.

With that, I will share my current routine and why I like it so much for me.

I need to start out with a nice clean face, of course. Most mornings I use Sisley's Cleansing Milk with White Lily ($118). All I have left is my GWP sized bottle to photograph (these littles seriously last forever, about 3 months). It is normally for dry or sensitive skin, but I like it because if I washed my face and had an absolute emergency my face wouldn't feel tight or dry at all without any moisturizer.

For days that my face is feeling a little more icky (or if it has just been awhile) I will exfoliate. I use Borghese's Esfoliante Delicato ($27). Since there is no Borghese up here (and because I want to give it a try) I have ExfoliKate Gentle ($65) for when that runs out. I am curious to see how the two match up.

Now it's time to tone and moisturize. I found out that some things are just worth it (well, to me). The first splurge I made into high end skin care was the La Prarie Marine Biology Tonic ($95). If you didn't already know, I raved about it in "Nearly a Decade of Eyes." I love how it makes my face feel like a big puff of oxygen just hit it. It's like, "bam" and my skin is awake. I was told from the La Prarie rep that a little goes a long way, and it certainly does. One bottle lasts nearly a whole year with regular use.

My face has never felt better since I started using Moisturizing Cream with Cucumber from Sisley ($170). Also first mentioned in "Nearly a Decade of Eyes." This facial cream is so great, even the Mr. noticed a difference in my skin. That's really saying a lot too.

After that, primer and make up. Whew, what a day. Time to take it all off. I used to be so lazy with removing my makeup at night. Then, a friend recommended the MAC Facial Wipes ($28 for 100). They're awesome and now even after a night partying (not that I do that too much anymore) all I have to do is pull out a wipe and well... wipe.

While I'm in there taking off all my makeup, I might as well throw on some Bobbi Brown Hydrating Intense Night Cream ($60). It goes on well and when I wake up again, my skin still feels nice. I will admit that there is a night cream I do like better, but I hate wastefulness so I'm going to use up my Bobbi Brown first. It is the Sisley Botanical Night Cream with Collagen and Woodmallow ($195). It feels so much lighter on my face when going to bed, but it will be a beauty splurge when my current cream runs out.

I don't always need the most expensive product just to be happy. For my eyes I love my Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream ($46). My eye cream has to work like an MVP because I have a problem with never getting enough sleep. A good eye cream makes it so I have less baggage to conceal in the morning. The nice thing about this eye cream is that I can use it night and day. I will put a little tiny bit on my lids while getting ready in the morning and it will help to act as a base for my eyeshadow to prevent creasing.

There we have it. A routine. My skin may not be anywhere close to perfect but it's current the best it has ever been. I do still get a pimple here and there. With that, take note that whenever you are changing skin care creams and things, breakouts can occur as your skin is adjusting to the new product.