The secret to flawless makeup, spilt.
Make up is nothing without a good skin foundation; and I don’t mean coverage. These easy steps that take about 30 minutes a night make my makeup look best.
From having zero shame skincare ritual on flights, to birthday wish lists being simply full of k beauty masks. I’d say I’m heavy on getting sheet-faced.
I’ve fallen in love with my Skincare routine that involves a heavy dose of Korean products because most of them incorporate tons of organic, anti inflammatory, heavily moisturizing elements that leave you with that “pregnant lady” glow without having a bun in the oven. Having that all day glow can depend on your moisturizer, toner, even down to what type of sheet mask you use! I’ve been waiting to share my routine with you to help you achieve the perfect make up aka the perfect dewy glowy skin foundation for your cosmetics ( make up is nothing without skincare)!
1. 2 step-cleanse
Getting rid of all makeup, dirt and general environmental impurities is best done with an oil cleanser. I love Shu Uemura’s oil cleanser! Three pumps is enough to take all your cosmetics off.
Second to the oil cleanse comes your water based cleanser. This water cleanser will whisk away any residue from your oil cleanse and the remaining impurities with it ( not to mention leave your pillowcases mascara streak-free). I love Dr. Jart’s derma clear micro water.
2. Face cleanser
Once all the debris has been washed away by step 1, I wash all the leftovers with Fresh Beauty’s Soy Face Cleanser. A gel cleanser so gentle, it picks up the unnecessary and leaves your skin with the moisture it needs.
3. Exfoliation
This step is crucial for a polished and smooth complexion ( because who wants to look like a crunch bar when they wear makeup?) Peeling off dead skin cells and debris makes the rest of your routine easier and not to mention your skin grabbing all the maximum benefits of your products you use next to this step. Do this once to twice a week only to not dry out your skin. I love using Immunocologie’s exfoliating lotion. It contains the right dose of glycolic acids to lift away dead skin without stripping your skin from moisture!
4. Toner
Prepping for the fun part is one of the best parts of my routine! I never use cotton pads, just my hands. I take a nickel sized amount of Whamisa organic flowers toner from Glow Recipe and gently swipe all around your face working outwards. Toner helps balance your skin’s pH levels and preps your skin with a bit of hydration to better absorb your following skin care treatments. Think about your skin like a sponge—it’s more difficult to rehydrate it when it’s dried up and hardened than when it’s already a bit damp.
5. Essence
Call this part the heart of my routine. Essence is a toner and a serum on roids. It helps create a healthy foundation both skin surface and absorption and helps tremendously with skin repair and cell turnover. I love Huxley’s Secret of Sahara oil essence from Glow Recipe. I apply it directly to freshly toned skin with my hands and pat it in.
6. Sheet mask
If essence is the heart of a Korean skin care routine, the sheet mask is its soul. It’s a quiet meditative, skin-nourishing ritual that imparts maximum treatment into your skin while you hulu and chill for 15-20 minutes. This is also the best selfie opp during your skin care routine. Once or twice a week is enough for this step, but of course I do a mask a night because there’s no such thing as overdoing sheet masks! I have too many favorites, but my go-to’s are all Dr. Jart sheet masks!
7. Eye creams
The skin around your eyes is the most delicate skin on your face and should be treated like the fragile flower that it is, with extra helpings of hydration and protection. Use your ring finger to very gently tap—never rub—eye cream around the entire orbital bone, avoiding the water line. I use Dermalogica’s stress positive eye lift and love applying it with Artis brush’s Oval three brush for most delicate application.
8. Moisturizer
Hydration is your express lane to dewy glowing skin. Finding a moisturizer that works for your skin type is a crucial step to protecting your skin and seal in all the products you did prior to this step. Without this last step, all your essence and toners will evaporate and not be as effective. Morning and evening, pat a moisturizer all over face and neck to keep skin protected and hydrated, sealing in all the work from your other steps. Once a week, sub in a sleeping pack to wake up with revitalized and fully hydrated skin. I love using Amore Pacific’s Time Essential Creme fluid.
Skincare is very personal so make sure yours works for your skin type! Always remember to invest in skincare before you invest in makeup because great cosmetics go to waste with unhealthy, dull and rough skin.