Evening Skincare Routine

It's time for bed. You're exhausted. The last thing you want to do is wash your face, so you just go to sleep.  No big. But you get into this routine, and start to notice that your skin is looking dull, your pores are large, you have little wrinkles around your eyes, and your face dropped what seems like a few inches. Oh, and there's a huge zit on your forehead.  No pun intended, but this is your wake up call that you need a solid nighttime skincare routine! It sucks, but I promise if you push through, you'll wake up to bright, plump skin. I've finally found a great routine that works for my skin, and I rarely wear foundation any more. Remember the basic formula:

Cleanse

Tone

Serum

Eye Cream

Moisturizer

Lip Balm

This might excite you, but this might feel like one. more. thing. you have to do in an already overstuffed day. If you're the latter, remember that the most important thing in skincare is a routine - meaning something you can keep up with - and you can't form a routine if you feel overwhelmed. At the very least, invest in a good cleanser and a good moisturizer. Keep that up every day and every night, and you will see results!

Here's what I do to my skin every night. Occasionally I'll add in a mask or peel if I need it, but usually I just stick to this. Enjoy, and I'll see you next week!

Morning Skincare Routine

Good morning! I'm a morning person (who appreciates a good sleep-in every once in a while). But even if you relate more to my puppies Clark and Kent...

...a quick a.m. routine will wake up your skin and keep you looking fresh all day.

I think any solid, anti-ageing skincare routine includes masks, chemical and/or manual exfoliation, and following this basic pattern (day or night):

Cleanse

Tone

Serum

Eye Cream

Moisturizer

Lip Balm

It also takes a lot of trial-and-error as well as giving your skin what it needs - which might be different seasonally, monthly (think: hormones), or even daily. I like to think of my array of serums, masks and treatments as a medicine cabinet - you don't need flu medicine for a headache, just like you wouldn't use a chemical peel on already irritated skin that needs some TLC.

Let me say, too, that the products that work for my skin might not work for yours. I've been at this for a long, long time (When I turned 10, the *exact* thought I had was, "Well, I've hit double digits. Better start taking care of my skin." Not joking.), and I know how my skin works and I can tell what "mood" it's in. What I'm here to share is 1. a great foundation upon which you can build your own routine, and 2. hopefully introduce you to some new products.

Next week I'll share my nighttime routine, but for now, please enjoy this #IWokeUpLikeThis moment!

Summer Lovin', Had Me a Mask

Beaches and barbecues don't require a lot of makeup, so it makes life easier when skin is in its best shape.  I keep these four masks on rotation in my routine, thinking about them like medicine for my skin.  Have a headache? Take ibuprofen.  Need to deep clean pores? Use the Dr. Dennis Gross peel. Cleanse and exfoliate your face, then take some you-time with one of these delicious masks.

1. Caudalie Vinoperfect Enzymatic Peel Mask

Bad news: I feel like they're discontinuing this mask.  Since I don't want you to fall in love then have it taken away, this is a great replacement.  In case I'm (hopefully) wrong, it still deserved a mention.  Although this isn't necessarily what you think of when you think "face mask," - I wanted something thicker and tingly-er - the results are awesome.  Your skin just looks clean and calm, and this is what I use when I want to do something but my skin is too irritated for a harsher treatment.

2. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Extra Strength Formula

When I want to push the reset button on my face, I use this.  For my sensitive skin, I can only use it about every two months or so, but this peel cleans out pores, tightens skin, and makes everything glow.  I recommend using this at night, finishing with an emollient moisturizer, and taking extra care to apply sunscreen the next several days.  Another great aspect: you can do this mask in under five minutes.

3. Crude Personal Care Detox Mask

This one wins best new mask award.  While other clay masks leave my skin dehydrated, this cleaned my pores just as well as (and far more gentler than) a pore strip.  If you're into completely natural skincare, check out this whole line of excellent products.

4. Institut Esthederm L'Osmoclean Gentle Deep Pore Cleanser

Osmoclean makes me happy.  I've used this for years, and have many lovely memories attached to it.  When I want the ultimate face mask, I use this one.  It goes on almost clear, then, as you massage your face, thickens into a glorious cream. Although I usually leave this on during a long bath, you can rinse it immediately and still receive a beautiful treatment.

Designer Bags

Samantha, my friend from high school, is sweet enough to follow me on Instagram (@electralane), and asked for tips on how to cover under-eye bags. Here's the bad news: short of fillers or surgery - to either tighten that area, or remove fat pads, then get rid of excess skin - there is no perfect coverage option.  More bad news: because it's a texture problem, even the best concealer can't flatten ripples.

BUT there is good news.  With a few skincare fixes and strategically placed concealer, we can at least trick the mirror into showing us a flatter, brighter area.  In no particular order, here's how:

1.  Never, ever, ever tug or pull at the delicate skin around the eye. Ever. Once it stretches, it doesn't go back.

2. Put a cold compress over your eyes to restrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. This is only temporary, but helps especially in the morning hours.

3. If you have allergies, talk to your doctor about getting on an anti-histamine.

4.  Drink lots of water (I shoot for two litres a day) because it pushes out the bad stuff and keeps everything moving.

5. Use a really hydrating eye cream at night to plump that area in a good way.  My favorite is Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.  A little goes a long way, and the jar lasts a very long time.

6. If you really want to pull out the big guns, a brightening eye cream during the day is a huge help.  Also by Kiehl's, I love their Eye Alert because it doesn't cake under makeup.

7. An eye mask delivers lots of good things AND tightens.  I use these on my brides.

8. When it comes to concealer, the best way to cover is to use a concealer + brightener combo: the concealer goes all over, and the brightener goes in the inner corner and the ridge between the eye bag and cheek bone.  Click HERE for the video demonstration where I use the MAC Prep + Prime Highliter pen and brush number 287 with Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer (which lasts for-ev-er).

Celebrity DIY Face Mask

A makeup artist friend of mine in L.A. learned about a brand-new, groundbreaking enzyme in a common ingredient - when mixed with coconut oil, it becomes the most coveted skincare in Hollywood.  I tell you all about it and show you how to properly apply the mask in THIS video. Enjoy, and I want to hear how well it worked for you!!