Beauty 911 - Winter Skincare Routine

Now that winter is here (insert Jon Snow joke), my lips are chapped, my skin is tightening in the cold air and I know my skincare routine needs more love than usual. I've been trying out a variety skincare products that work well with my oily skin and the products listed below are my top 5 products to combat the harsh winter months ahead.

ESSENCE: May Coop Raw Sauce
The glory that is maple tree sap, absorbs deep into the skin flawlessly. The essence hydrates and delivers nourishment to skin, creating a healthy glow and creates a stronger skin territory. This essence helps to prep the skin to better absorb and boost the effectiveness of any products that follow. After applying the raw sauce onto my skin, i notice that there's barely any product residue left on my skin, but i feel hydrated and fresh.

SERUM: Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster
I've been using this serum for 4-5 years and It does not disappoint, I flip out anytime I start to run out of product. This serum is formulated with a vitamin C complex to produce collagen, brighten your skin, and minimize fine lines. My skin always feels healthier and looks brighter like i have JLo glow, but better! 

MOISTURIZER: Ole Henrikson Sheer Transformation
Ok so.. i STAN for Ole Henriksen's products (obvi). For the same 4-5 years ive been using the Truth Serum. I've been using Sheer Transformation. I have oily skin and this moisturizer paired with the serum AND the essence, allows my skin to be fully hydrated and glowing without causing breakouts.  

LIP BALM: Fresh Sugar Advanced Lip Therapy
Honestly any lip balm will do, I own several lip balms but I really wanted to try Fresh's lip therapy balm because of all the amazing things i've heard about it. This product is a hydrating lip treatment that conditions lips for a smooth, fresh finish while boosting moisture and volume. It really works and I worry less about my chapped lips repairing themselves in time for matte lipsticks :)

SLEEPING MASK: Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Water-Max Sleeping Mask
For that extra boost of moisture, i use my Dr. Jart+ Sleeping mask 2-3 times a week. This product is a weightless, leave-on mask that creates a protective barrier on your skin, locking in moisture and nutrients while you sleep! After my essence, serum and moisturizer, at night i lock it all in using this sleeping mask. When i wake up, my skin feels moisturized and smooth!

After many months of trial and error (and breakouts) I've found these products to work the best for my skin type (oily, combination, acne prone skin). And if you have skin like mine, you'll be ready to fight the winter cold with these products.

via GIPHY

<3 

Sephora Friends & Family Haul

Once a year women of all walks of life reach out to that one friend that knows someone at Sephora for their Friends and Family discount. Luckily for me one of my best friends is a Manager at Sephora and offered me the discount willingly without having to harass her (God bless you Maria!). 

The week prior to the sale, I went to my local Sephora (Powell SF) and requested for a few dozen samples of products I was interested in purchasing. I recommend that all patrons of Sephora ask for samples, as it is the best way to test out products and determining if the product is worth purchasing. So I came into the sale already knowing what I wanted :)

Below are the pictures of my purchases, please don’t mind my bed sheets lol.

Cover FX Infusion Drops
These drops transform your everyday beauty products into powerful skincare treatments that are customized to fit your skin’s needs. Custom Infusion Drops can be mixed with anything liquid: moisturizers, serums, oils, primers, foundations, and tinted moisturizers

Fresh Sugar Advanced Lip Therapy
This  lip treatment corrects and conditions lips for a smooth, youthful-looking finish. It is fortified with a high concentration of ultra-nourishing, age-delaying ingredients to nourish your lips.

Becca Backlight Priming Filter
A makeup primer to help blur imperfections and impart a radiant glow. Blended together, they impart a one-of-a-kind, lightweight, whipped fluid that creates a smooth canvas and acts as an instant filter, while the vitamin E-enriched formula minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Ole Henriksen Three Little Wonders
A three-step daily regimen developed for an effective, easy, and healthy skincare routine to treat all major skin concerns.  These three little wonders with indulgent textures and aromas make treating your skin a daily pleasure. 

May Coop Raw Sauce
A hydrating, nourishing essence featuring a silky formula that's highly concentrated in maple tree sap to create a stronger skin environment, helping prep the skin to better absorb products to follow and boosting their effectiveness. 

As you can tell, almost everything I bought was a skincare product since most skin care is 1) EXPENSIVE and 2) Rarely on sale. So the F&F sale is the perfect opportunity to stock up on hydrating goodness and a 24oz Purity Cleanser :)