Skincare Sunday

Hey ya’ll! If you know me, you know I love my skincare routine and gettin’ dolled up with a full face of makeup. Except, this hasn’t always been the case. My skin used to really take some abuse. Between sunburns, sleeping with my make up on, using junky products… Yikes. Thankfully I found a brand and routine that works for me, my skin, and my lifestyle.

When it comes to skincare and makeup there are so many options! Where do you even start? My preference is Mary Kay. But, everyone has their own brand(s) of skincare and makeup that work for them. I say, do what makes you and your skin feel best! My mom always had a vanity full of pink product, and ironically used to sell it. I guess MK runs in my blood! During college she finally convinced me to order some MK cleanser. Once I got started, the convenience and consistency had me hooked. Over the next couple of years I moved all of my products to Mary Kay. In the last year I’ve become a consultant myself. They are products I use and love, I enjoy sharing them with my friends and family, it’s a fun outlet, and I love the positive Mary Kay family!

While I am an MK consultant, I’ll be honest with you, I’m not perfect about my skincare routine. Whoops. I said it. My routine is quick, it’s easy, and it always leaves me feeling fresh and clean, but, well, sometimes it just doesn’t happen! I try to minimize the number of nights I sleep with my make up on, but rest easy knowing I’ve got a team of products to get my skin back to feeling it’s best.

Hold up. Before I get into the products I love, I want to emphasize the fact that everything else about your life – from food to exercise to stress and emotions – are just as important. Being conscientious of your overall health and well-being is critical to a glowing face. I think we can agree that eating whole, natural, unprocessed foods makes us feel better from the inside-out. If you’re putting junk into your body, it will at some point reflect on the outside. Exercise is also a critical component, I know after I get the blood pumping my face has a renewed freshness and clarity. (On the flip side, be sure to exfoliate regularly so your sweatsesh doesn’t get trapped behind any dead skin.) Lastly, stress and emotions – a big one for me! This is a two-fold component. Depending on my stress and emotional state, I neglect my skincare routine. Which, as you can guess, only makes it worse. In general, your face is a mirror for your emotions and overall health. See below for a breakout chart. This gives you an idea of why you might be breaking out in specific places.

Now to actual products – the foundation of my routine is the Timewise VoluFirm set. For years I just used the Timewise Age Minimize 4-in-1 Cleanser. A great option, but my mom convinced me to try out the VoluFirm Set. (Thanks, mom!) I love the cleanser. It is the 4-in-1 Cleanser with a jet pack. I feel it gets my face cleaner than any other cleanser I’ve used in the past. I also love the fact that the set comes with a separate Night Cream, and a Day Cream with SPF 30. The Eye Cream and Tone Correcting Serum don’t hurt either… I (try) to wash my face really good at night. In the morning if I have to shower (versus showering at night) I’ll use my cleanser, if not, a quick wipe down with a warm washcloth and my Day Cream, and I’m done!

What my cleanser doesn’t get off, I rely on my trusty Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover to eliminate. This stuff is magic when it comes to removing make up. No scrubbing, just a gentle wipe with a cotton ball soaked in a couple drops of Makeup Remover. Adios smokey eye!

However, my favorite product is the Skinvigorate Brush. It removes four times as much gunk as plain hand washing your face. Um, yes please! This deep clean is necessary, especially after working out or being in the dirt and muck. It feels like a mini spa sesh, and once you see how much dirt is in the brush after using it, you’ll never go back to just hand washing again! I take this brush everywhere, and can feel the difference when I don’t use it. It helps flush out all of your pores and gives your skin a nice glow. I really love this thing.

Masks! Probably my favorite step in skincare. There are two masks I use when my face is screaming for some love – the Moisture Renewing Gel Mask and the Charcoal Mask. I utilize the Moisture Renewing Gel Mask when my skin feels dry. Which oddly feels like is happening more and more. This mask is easy, I apply it all over my face (like a cream), and then sleep with it on (it’s clear, and looks/feels like a heavy duty moisturizer). In the morning I rinse or wash my face, and can feel my skin is more moisturized and supple. Now, the Charcoal Mask is a best-seller for a reason. You can apply it with your hand. Once it’s dry, you wipe it off with a warm rag. No ripping or peeling (ouch!). As it dries you can see it pulling the junk out of your pores. I use this when my skin feels clogged and blah. It’s like a refresh button. Both of these masks are favorites and always in my drawer ready.

When we think skincare we usually focus on the cleanser and creams, but a key component is our actual make up brushes. My thoughts on those? CLEAN YA DAMN BRUSHES! Can I get a collective “ewww”? Brushes get filled with old makeup and whatever was on your skin when you were applying your makeup. I’m terrible at staying on top of cleaning my brushes, and every time I do clean them, I get grossed out. Cleaning my brushes happens in two ways – I do a “deep” clean, and an everyday clean. For the deep clean:

1. I get two cups. I fill one with warm, soapy water, the other with just plain warm water.
2. One at a time I dip my brushes in the soapy water, twirl, smush, and spin them around. You’ll see the water instantly start get murky. Yep, that’s l the gunk breaking loose.
3. Once I feel the brush is clean, I move it over to the regular warm water and swirl it in there to get the soap residue off.
4. After it has been properly rinsed, I try it off on a clean towel. Running it back and forth on the towel (you’ll see more makeup come off here).
5. At the very end I may or may not spray each brush down with our MK Brush Cleaner and try off on the towel again to get the last bits of makeup off the brush.
6. I let the brushes dry, and and then they’re ready to go again!

For day-to-day cleaning, I spray each brush with the MK Brush Cleaner after putting my makeup on. Once they’re doused I wipe the brushes off on a towel. This keeps them dirt and makeup-free in between deep-cleans.

I want to take an extra minute just to emphasize how important it is to keep those brushes clean. You don’t want to introduce your clean pours to dirt and bacteria each time you apply your makeup. Clean that sh!t up!

I love that Mary Kay has so many different lines and products so you can mix and match. While I love my VoluFirm Set, I keep a few other products handy…

• The ClearProof Moisturizer is so lightweight, that I like to use this when my skin is teetering on a breakout. It doesn’t clog pores or rest heavy on your face, but you don’t lose any moisturizing qualities either.
• The ClearProof Toner. Ah. So clean! I use this after my cleanser to get any last bits of lingering dirt. It’s so satisfying (maybe I’m weird?) seeing all the dirt on my cotton ball after rubbing it over my face.
• The ClearProof Acne Treatment Gel. You guessed it! Zit time (ugh). When I’m getting a zit (or when I already have one), I apply some of this over it, hoping it will help minimize it. I think the success of this product is dependent on the root cause of your zit. Most of mine seem to be hormonal, in which case you kind of have to ride them out. For ones that are diet- or lifestyle-induced, you have a better chance of heading off with some product.
• Next up, ClearProof Pore-Purifying Serum Acne Medication. I use this when my feel my face needs an extra layer of acne protection. I will put this on after my toner to help head off any greasiness, oiliness, and general zit-things.
• Last but not least, the Soothing Eye Gel. This is always in my travel bag! When I am running low on sleep, or have puffy eyes (or just a hard time waking up in the morning), I apply this under my eyes. A quick pick-me-up, and I’m refreshed and ready!

Well, there ya have it. My favorite tips and products. I place an importance on skincare, because when my face feels healthy and clean, I feel more confident. I do love makeup, but it all starts with a clean canvas. As I mentioned in the beginning, use brand(s) and products that work for you and your skin. Customize your routine to optimize success for a fresh face, and don’t be afraid to ask questions! Or Google and Pinterest that shit.

If you have any questions about Mary Kay, don’t hesitate to reach out. I love talking skincare and makeup. If I haven’t used a product personally, I’ve got a group of gals who has, and can give you real feedback! Follow me on my Mary Kay Account for regular updates on products and make up looks!

I’d love to hear back from you, do you have a consistent skincare routine? What’s your favorite product? Tell me about it in the comments, or tag me in your self-care/skincare posts!

While I am a dedicated MK gal, I did just start exploring the essential oil world (see blog Essential Everything). I love oils and am open to trying their skin benefits. Do you use oils on your face? Which are your favorite?