Tag: Beauty

Building A Winter Skincare Routine

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FYI: I’ve used ALL these prods (below) and recommend them highly. For reference, I have Combo-Dry skin now in my mid-40s. If possible, look for minis (IF unfamiliar w/ the brand) and comparison shop (to get the best deals). Products I’m currently use (Fall/Winter 2025) are marked w/ a star (*).

1) Cleansers

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser*

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Tatcha Rice-Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser

2) Exfoliators

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (gentle exfoliator; can use ea. day)

Ole Henriksen AHA Lemonade Smoothing Scrub (use 2-3 x per wk.)

Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder (3 types: Classic, Gentle, or Deep)*

3) Toners

Fresh Rose Toner

Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Alcohol-Free Toner*

4) Serums & Eye Creams

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright 15% Vitamin C Serum (can be used daily)*

Ole Henriksen Double Rewind 0.3% Pro-Grade Retinol Serum (use 2x per wk at night, IF new to retinols)*

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Eye Crème for Dark Circles (can be used daily)*

5) Moisturizers

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream

Ole Henriksen Strength Peptide Barrier Boost Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid*

Tower 28 SOS Recovery Cream*

6) Sunscreens

Innisfree Daily UV Defense Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 36 Sunscreen​

Tower 28 SOS Face Guard SPF 30*

Sephora VIB Sale Wishlist (Fall 2025)

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As (regular) followers on IG know, I mainly shop at Ulta. I’m on a low buy (some mos. are no buy).

Here is a (small) wishlist for current Sephora sale:

1. Glossier Cloud Paint Plush Blush: I’d like a red blush (esp. for holidays), so interested in color Burst. I have tried a few lip products from this brand.

2. LANEIGE S’more Kisses Set: One of my fave brands for lips! This is a limited-edition set w/ 2 items: Vanilla Lip Glowy Lightweight Hydration Balm (full size) and Chocolate Sleeping Mask (mini).

3. Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil Stain: The color I wore last Fall/Winter is Delight; however, ALL colors look FAB (checked in-store before).

4. Sol de Janeiro Delícia Drench™ Moisturizing Shower Oil for Dry Skin: I loved the scent (of the body spray I tried)! The brand’s body washes and lotions are better than the sprays, so check those out.

Winter is Coming: Lip Products for the Season

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Lip Exfoliation

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator: One of the few products I like for exfoliating dry/chapped lips.

Lip Balms

Fresh Sugar Hydrating Lip Balm: My recs are the Caramel and Coconut scents.

Laneige: Lip Glowy Balm (var. scents); Lip Sleeping Mask (var. scents; can use during day)

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm: Iced Coffee (sheer cocoa) is my current choice; there are a variety of choices. For a more affordable alternative, try the Cocokind lip balms (I’m trying now).

Lip Color

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna: Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick: Riri shade will look good on tan skin; Gloss Bomb Cream Color Drip Lip Cream: Cookie Jar (chocolate caramel) is a FAB Fall/holiday color.

    Winter is Coming: Skincare Recs for the Season

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    Cleanser

    First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Facial Cleanser: My personal fave cleanser for Fall/Winter; I have used it off/on for almost 10 yrs.

    Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: Another of my top choices which have used 5+ yrs; good for any season/type of skin.

    Serum

    Estee Lauder Advanced Night Serum: The (one and done) serum for ALL ages/skin types; I’ve used it off/on for several yrs.

    Lancome Génifique Ultimate Recovery Face Serum: This is a V popular product for mature skin; my mom has used several products in this brand for 20+ yrs.

    Moisturizer (Face)

    Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator: This is esp. recommended for those w/ acne-prone (as is entire brand) or sensitive skin in Fall/Winter.

    Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Moisturizer: This product feels fancy (& works); also V popular holiday gift idea (as part of a set) for moms, aunties, & gal pals.

    Moisturizer (Body)

    First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration: This is THE best moisturizer for cold climates &/or dry skin (can use on face also); good for ALL genders (I gifted to my super-dry skinned dad)!

    Native Moisturizing Lotion: My fave scents are Coconut & Vanilla and Lavender & Rose; I’ve been using this (affordable) brand for 5+ yrs.

    Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil: The (viral/popular) product that really works; I see women (all ages) flocking to get this product at my local Ulta store (whenever on sale).

    Sephora Spring 2021 VIB Sale (4/9-4/19) Recommendations

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    Skincare

    Fresh Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence: A great toner for ALL skin types (I’m combo to oily- FYI). Get mini size to try, or see if part of a skin set (good value). This brand is ONLY at Sephora, not at ULTA (where I mostly shop).

    First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum: I already like it, though have ONLY been using it for the past 3 mos. I (luckily) found it over at my local TJ Maxx. I’m NOT so knowledgeable re: serums, BUT this works on me!

    Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40PA+++: Having grown up under the desert sun of AZ, I take sunscreen very seriously! This is a great choice, esp. for those of you who have tan to deep skin tones (leaves no white cast) and/or need a natural-looking sunscreen under makeup.

    Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 42: Another great SPF choice, if you’re seeking something non-greasy and natural.

    Fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator: I’ve used this 2-3x in the past- need to get one soon. My lips are just in bad shape!

    Makeup

    Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation: I almost couldn’t believe that I used up the bottle in early 2020; I rarely finish my foundations! (FYI: My shade is 300). This MAY be a bit too thick/full-coverage for some, if you’re in hot/humid weather this Summer.

    Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick: These were recently on sale (Sephora and on the brand’s site). I’m all stocked up for myself and gifting! Here are the best colors for those w/ tan skin tones: Spanked (my everyday color), Thicc, Ma’Damn (red), S1ngle (nude), and Freckled Fiesta (terracotta- great for Fall).

    Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer: If I didn’t have a stack of new lip glosses, I’d get this product again- LOL! I used the original color (Fenty Glow) in 2019; the brownish color (Hot Chocolit) looks fab for tan skin tones.