​Hey guys....I know the blog posts have been sporadic lately. I'm still very sick and I know you're probably tired of hearing it but I'm tired of it to. I used to do blog posts to take my mind off being sick, that's how this blog started, this time was different. I am very very sick. Anyway, I thoroughly miss testing makeup and trying new skincare. However, I've been too tired to even think of what products I "need" to use, or "test", or what routine I'm going to put together for the night. Needless to say I've not done a million steps in my PM skincare like normal. Which gave me the idea to actually do a blog post on what I've reached for without even having to think about it. Some of the products are kinda new anyway. So let's talk about it.

​Lately, I've not been well. If you don't know I have a lot of health issues and I'm no stranger to the hospital. So it's been a rough go the last few weeks and I've been away from home a few times. However, no matter what I still do my skincare steps. That's the one thing that's in my overnight bag that I stress over the most and spend the most time on is packing my skincare travel pouch. So I thought it would be a good blog post to discuss what I travel with and why and some tips that I have from experience over the years.

​Hey guys! I know that Valentine's Day is over but thanks to my illnesses and also my husbands schedule we don't always get to have a planned "date night". However, we were blessed to have one the other day and I was so excited. So I thought it was the perfect time to detail my "date night" go to products. 

*Some of these products were gifted or sent in press samples. Some were not. Not an ad.

As you know I'm a huge fan of REN skincare. They've always stayed true to their message and their story in an ever changing world. Especially in the ever changing skincare community. Their products are "clean" and have been since I can remember. The packaging is also 100% recyclable. They have products that will suit pretty much everyone while also being very effective. The line I want to discuss today is the Evercalm line because it's my favorite. It is soothing and helps with redness. It's amazing for sensitized skin.

​OSEA Malibu is a brand that I've always had a crush on. They just look so lovely, not overly complicated or anything, they really stick to their vision. So I got the chance to try their Atmosphere Cream (which I will link here) not too long ago as you remember. They were super kind and sent me some products because at the time it was when I had super dehydrated skin. You guys might remember that. So I've been trying these products for a couple of months to really get a feel and see what they did for my skin.

​I am a creature of habit when it comes to body products. Everything from toothpaste, soap, hand soap even, but definitely body and hair products. Which is why I don't talk about them that much because they don't change often, hardly ever. I have no problem trying products but I'm very particular about heavy scents, a greasy residue, etc. etc.

This routine can be used morning or night, or both if you want to. It's by far the shortest routine I have because everything in here packs a punch. At night I usually have at least two serums, a double cleanse maybe, an oil and lock it in with a moisturizer. Not to mention weekly treatments and eye creams. So it's quite extensive or can be but I love it. I love skincare so it doesn't bother you but it gets tricky. This is much more simple.
​

First up I started with Elemis Pro Collagen which is my fave balm cleanser. For several reasons but one of those being that you can leave it on for say 5-10 minutes, especially in the AM, and it will soften the skin. I find this very comforting on tired skin as well as being an effective cleanser. It's a nourishing and gentle cleanser and I love it! It's been a favorite for over a year.

Next up is a new product from REN Skincare (@renskincareus). The sent me a package (thank you so much guys!) and the new AHA Tonic Ready Steady Glow as well as another product. It's a push down dispenser and it gives the skin a glow. It smells very nice, it didn't really tingle to me. I used a fair amount. I am so happy to see brands coming out with AHA liquid toners for morning and night. I'm never let down by REN Skincare they're a "clean beauty" brand, their products, when compared to other brands in Sephora, are probably mid tier price point? I love them and I really love this it's very refreshing. I've used it both morning and night and it's been great so far. 

Next up I'm using Exuviance Total Correct + Sculpt Serum. Which I have an entire review on. This serum is what I like to call a super serum. It has everything you need to correct, tone, benefit and nourish you skin. It helps with discoloration, it has antioxidant benefits with Vitamin C, it helps smooth the fine lines and skin in general. It's just very nice and I love it. It's a pump packaging.

Last is also new from Drunk Elephant. It's the new Protini Polypeptide Cream. This has 9 signal peptide waterlily blend. First impression I really love this. It's so light weight. It cuts down on steps for me because peptides are in the cream as well as amino acids and more. It's almost like a water cream but it's not hardly there in my opinion. I think I like this just a little better than my LaLa Retro Whipped Cream from them because of the added benefits. It can also be added to any serum, oil, or moisturizer as well. I think they hit it out of the park with this I truly do. Also thank you Drunk Elephant for sending this to me as well!

So that's it. If I would've been wearing makeup I would've done a double cleanse. Other than that, that's about all I would add to this routine in particular because I love how easy it is. I switch up my routines everyday as you know. So this won't always be the routine it's super nice though and it's a routine that packs a punch.


"Products were sent to me at some time or the other, the post isn't sponsored. I didn't have to talk to them in this at all."

​I thought it might be neat, and maybe helpful, to show you some of my skincare line ups. To see what order they go in, for me. I love to layer products. So my simplified steps are still quite a few steps. My extensive, more in depth routines include weekly or bi weekly routines. It gets very confusing on my Instagram (@lovemascara) and I get a lot of questions about when I use this or that, where do I use this or that in the routine, and what's my AM routine is like. 

So I thought it'd be easier if I didn't over explain in depth about the products them self and what situation exactly I would use a certain product is. I'm simply going to add in some routines of products that you've seen often, briefly explain what they are and where they go in my routine.  I also think I'll break this up into AM, PM, Extensive Treatments, Multi Masking/Pamper/Selfcare Sunday. With a new category named "routines" on the blog which will be different from the category "go to routines" which target a specific concern I'm having with the skin.

​Lately my skin has been throught the ringer. I've been sick and on 3 different antibiotics for around a month. So along with that, I've been trialing some stronger retinols or "new generation" retinols at the same time. Everything had been going relatively ok, up until a week ago which is when all hell broke loose. I noticed my skin had some major sensitivity to the point that it was nearly raw in one place. I had to quit using my clarisonic, my Lotion P50 AHA and strong Vitamin C suspensions. Then after that got a little better my skin went insane. I had had a fever for a week, was taking the last of my 3rd antibiotic round so I thought made that was it. My skin on my cheeks and around my jaw and chin (not my forehead or nose though oddly enough) felt like it hadn't been washed in ages, like I had slept in 5 layers of makeup (and I hadn't been wearing any), and like it was fixing to really peel or something. It never did any flaking but it felt horrible. You couldn't see it, I had no bumps, redness, or breakouts, but it was so rough to the touch. Then when I went to wash it with my normal cleanser as soon as I was done I had to have a face mist on hand because that made it so much worse, and the skin felt so tight and uncomfortable. Which only began happened at the very end which helped me figure out that my skin was severely dry and dehydrated and not having a reaction to medicine.