Summer Skin Care Routine

Hello Lovelies! I hope you all are doing well! Last night as I was washing my face before bed, I came to the realization that my skin care routine has changed drastically since my last skin care post. Not only have I updated many of the products I use, but I have also added in a new skin care tool! My skin seems to really be responding to the changes & is much less dehydrated & dull looking than it was months ago. This is not to say I think that any of the products I used previously aren't good, I just feel  this combination suits my needs better right now. So, if you would like to see which products I credit for improving my skin over the last few weeks, keep on reading!

Morning Skin Care Routine

Step 1: I cleanse my skin with Clinique's Liquid Facial Soap in the Oily Skin Formula. This, aside from my Origins A Perfect World Face Wash, is one of the only cleansers I have repurchased numerous times. This was my holy-grail cleanser throughout college. It is gentle, yet effective, and the foaming lather feels refreshing on the skin. I switched to the Clinique cleanser because the gel formula seems to work better with my Clarisonic Mia.

Step 2: I am still using the same daytime moisturizer, my trusty Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. This lightweight gel is the perfect consistency to wear under my foundation. It keeps my skin comfortable throughout the day and prevents it from becoming dehydrated.

Step 3: My holy grail sunscreen is still Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector. I have raved about this product before, so I won't bore you with all that again! If you would like to know more about this amazing sunscreen, you can read my review here.

Evening Skin Care Routine

Step 1: First off, I remove all my makeup with MAC Cleanse Off Oil. This is a first-time purchase for me. I had heard such wonderful things about this product & wanted to see if it would live up to all the hype. I am still a bit undecided as to whether or not I would repurchase this. I do love how gentle it is on my skin & the fact that it removes all my face makeup with no residue left over. My one and only complaint about this product is that I find myself having to use a lot of product to remove all my eye makeup. Most nights I am still left with some residual eyeliner after using this (have been wearing Stila Waterproof Liquid Liner). I really do love how hydrated this makes my skin feel though and most importantly that it rinses off cleanly with water. So I will continue to experiment and see how I can hopefully make it work better for me.

Step 2: Next, I cleanse my face with my Clarisonic Mia & my Clinique Liquid Facial Soap. I think these two products works great together. The result is fresh, deeply cleansed skin that is primed and ready for toner & moisturizer. 

Step 3: Before I apply my moisturizer, I tone my skin with Yon-Ka Lotion PS for Normal to Dry Skin. This spray-on face toner is actually a similar concept to the ever-popular Caudalie Beauty Elixir, except it is alcohol free. Both products contain similar essential oils that are meant to balance the PH of your skin and restore a healthy glow. I absolutely love the Yon-Ka Lotion and have used it on and off ever since high school. I love that the essential oils help balance your skin, and heal acne flair ups. Not to mention, the smell is completely intoxicating. One spray and you immediately feel as if you are transported to a high-end French spa!

Step 4: A few weeks ago, I found myself suffering from very dehydrated skin. My skin felt dry and tight and yet during the day would get quite oily, I think to compensate for the loss of hydration. Ever since I switched over to Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, my skin has improved immensely. It seems to drink this lightweight gel-cream up. When I wake in the morning my skin looks & feels so much more hydrated, plump and healthy. I cannot recommend this face moisturizer enough if you have combo to oily skin that feels tight or dehydrated.

As Needed Extras

When spots pop up, I still reach for my Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer. Also, once or twice a week I use Origins Modern Friction  to gently slough away any dead skin cells. I have noticed however, that I need to use this scrub much less frequently now that I started using the Clarisonic Mia, which has a slight exfoliating effect. 

What products are in your Summer Skin Care Routine?

Thanks for reading!

Lots of Love,

Louise

Today I'm Wearing #12: Essie Cascade Cool

Hello Lovelies! Today I wanted to show you a new Essie polish that I have been wearing the last few days. It is called Cascade Cool and is part of the new Essie Bikini So Teeny Collection for Summer 2012. Cascade Cool is a creamy, medium bubblegum pink, but with purple undertones. I feel that if Essie's Splash of Grenadine had a pink-toned little sister, this would be the color. 

This color is subdued & girly, yet still has enough punch to be playful for Summer. Also, something about the cool tone of this nail polish is super flattering & manages to make my hands look a little tanner than they are.  

 Unfortunately, the formula was a little thin & streaky. However, with 3 coats the color was completely opaque. 

*Image from essie.com*

Essie's Bikini So Teeny Collection for Summer 2012 really has some beautiful, unique shades. I plan on going back for Bikini So Teeny, a pretty periwinkle blue, and Off the Shoulder, a bright warm-toned hot pink (a girl can never have too many pink polishes).

Have you tried any of the new Essie Summer 2012 shades? 

Thanks for reading!

Lots of Love,

Louise

Clarisonic Mia: My First Impressions

*Image from clarisonic.com*

Hello Lovelies! Today I wanted to talk to you about my first impressions with using my new Clarisonic Mia! As some of you might know, I was given my Clarisonic Mia in Turquoise as a gift from my boyfriend. I have been using it off and on (I will get into that) for about a week now, and I wanted to share with you my experiences so far!

The Perfect Summer Lip Gloss? Dior Ultra-Gloss in #664 Rose Bikini

Hello Lovelies! *Sigh* another weekend has come & gone too soon! Hope you all enjoyed it! While I was out shopping a bit this weekend, I found a gorgeous new product that I just knew I had to share with you asap! It is the new Ultra-Gloss from Dior, in Shade #664, Rose Bikini! This shade is launching as part of the Dior Summer Mix Collection, which is a compilation of eye-catching bright lip glosses & nail polishes for Summer 2012. 

 Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss #664, Rose Bikini, is best described as a bright watermelon pink. I love that the color can be sheered out for a more subtle look, but is also pigmented enough to create more of a statement lip if desired. Rose Bikini is part of the "Glow" family of Ultra-Glosses, meaning it contains little to no shimmer. This shade is completely shimmer free, which I really appreciate. I generally steer clear of glittery & ultra shimmery glosses.  

The formula of this gloss feels very smooth & moisturizing on the lips. According to Dior.com, the Ultra-Glosses contain Hyaluronic spheres which help condition & moisturize the lips. As is the case with most non-sticky glosses the wear time isn't amazing, but I would say I get around 1-2 hours of wear time before I need to reapply. 

The packaging is your standard luxurious Dior tube. This is one of those glosses that just looks so pretty in the tube, I actually look forward to pulling it out of my purse in front of people to reapply. 

The only complaint I have about this product is that I wish the applicator was a doe-foot instead of the little lip brush. I find doe-foot applicators much easier to work with, however this is just personal preference. 

All in all, I really feel Dior hit a home run with their Ultra- Gloss in Rose Bikini. It is a quintessential bright Summer color that captures the feel of the season perfectly. I cannot wait to wear this lip gloss all Summer long. I'm even considering running out to buy a backup!

What is your favorite Summer lip product? 

Thanks for reading!

Lots of Love,

Louise

A Little End of May/ Beginning of June Haulage

Hello Lovelies! This is just a quick post to share with you a few clothes & beauty products I picked up over the last few weeks. All of these items were purchased by myself, with the exception of my Clarisonic Mia in Turquoise, which was a lovely present from my very sweet boyfriend! 

May Favorites

Hello Lovelies! Hard to believe May is already over & it's time for another monthly favorites! This month, the theme for me was all about lightweight products & shades of peach & coral. As the temperature starts to climb, I really enjoy a more minimal, effortless makeup look. Hope you enjoy!

Without fail, every morning in May I used this trio of Shiseido Urban Environment Oil- Free UV Protector (review here),  Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup (review here), & my Real Techniques Buffing Brush. I can see why the Real Techniques Buffing Brush has received such rave reviews. It makes applying any liquid foundation much easier than conventional foundation brushes & creates a seamless, natural finish. 

As I mentioned, once the weather starts to warm up, I start to pull out my collection of coral & peach face products. I just love the flattering effect this shade has on the skin & think it looks especially appropriate in the Spring & Summer months. Benefit Coralista is one of my most cherished Summer blushes & I have worn it continuously the last 2 Summers. It is just the most universally flattering, easy to wear coral-pink color. I love how it adds a touch of sheen & luminosity to the skin. Also, I am obsessed with how delicious it smells! MAC's Blush in Immortal Flower, a slightly more peach color, was another May favorite (review here).

As for eyeshadow, my most used product was the limited edition NARS Eyeshadow Trio in Ramatuelle (review here). I think the peachy shades of this trio work perfectly with the coral & pink toned blushes I mentioned. Also, this month I was pleasantly surprised by a drugstore purchase of mine, the Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara. I have never been a fan of Revlon mascaras in the past, but this one far exceeded my expectations!  It lengthens, curls & separates the lashes, all while coating them in rich black color. In my opinion, it is a much more affordable dupe for another mascara favorite of mine, Benefit's They're Real (even the brush looks almost identical). 

Have you tried any of these products? What makeup or skincare items were you loving in May?

Thanks for reading!

Lots of Love,

Louise

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow Pale Barley

Hello Lovelies! Today I want to talk to you about an eyeshadow that has been creating quite a stir in the beauty community, Burberry's Sheer Eyeshadow in Pale Barley. After seeing glowing reviews for this product on many beauty blogs, I decided to go to Nordstroms and see what all the hype was about for myself. After using it only a few times, I think I can safely say that Burberry's Pale Barley might be a contender for one of my favorite eyeshadows of all time. 

Besides the high price, there really isn't a single negative thing I can say about this product. The formula of the Burberry Sheer Shadows is creamier than any other line I have ever tried. It feels buttery soft & smooth on the skin. The shadows are also very pigmented & long-wearing. Although Pale Barley is a shimmery color, I appreciate that the shimmers are so finely milled that it creates more of a sophisticated glow on the eyelid, as opposed to obvious flecks of shimmer.

Pale Barley is a pewter- beige color with a slight golden sheen. When I first swatched it on my hand, I was afraid it might look too warm on me (I really can't pull off gold eyeshadows). However, when applied on my eyelids, it appears as a gorgeous neutral pewter beige shade. I have been wearing this shadow over Benefit's Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit, a similar pewter shimmery color. With just a thin line of MAC's Blacktrack Fluidline winged out on my top lashline, this makes for a perfectly effortless eye look. I love that this one shade creates enough subtle dimension to be worn on its own. 

The packaging of the Burberry Sheer Shadows is beautiful as well. I adore the weighty feel of the compact & the gorgeous chrome Burberry pattern on the outside. I honestly get excited every time I pull this beauty out of my makeup bag. 

Although there are no exact dupes in my collection, a few similar shades I own are NARS Cyprus and Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit. Cyprus is much warmer & more golden than Pale Barley, while Birthday suit is lighter & cooler. 

Swatches Left to Right: NARS Cyprus, Benefit Birthday Suit, Burberry Pale Barley

* Also Wearing: Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup, Benefit Hoola, Benefit Coralista, MAC Blacktrack Fluidline, Revlon Photo Ready Mascara, tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Stain in Charmed* 

For more reviews & swatches on Burberry's Pale Barley Sheer Eyeshadow:

 Delicate Hummingbird

The Beauty Look Book

As far as I know, Burberry Cosmetics are exclusive to Nordstrom & Nordstrom.com. If you have a chance to visit a Burberry counter, I highly recommend you check this eyeshadow out for yourself! I for one, cannot wait to try out more products from this line of cosmetics!

Thanks for reading!

Lots of Love,

Louise