Hello, everyone! What a break it has been. I am making a comeback, rejuvenated refreshed and ready to create content after becoming a licensed esthetician! It has been a long journey and an evolution, to be a bit dramatic, but I'm proud to have made it back here here. This post took me an entire week from start to finish as I'm rusty beyond belief.
It feels a bit unfamiliar since this is my first foray into blogging in over a year, and I'm learning everything all over again with a new camera among other aspects, so I decided to start with what is essentially a list of the products I've loved this year and am continuing to use into the Fall season.
Grab that cup of coffee or tea and let's get started!
Since discovering Supergoop! thanks to my friend Sabrina over at The Beauty Look Book, I have been experimenting with the brand's lineup and am now ready to share my favorites. As many of you know, I used PCASKIN for a few years, namely the Protecting Hydrator SPF30 which is a sunscreen moisturizer that is great for oily skin and works well under makeup.
Although I am switching things up in 2018, I have always been an avid proponent of sunscreen and reapplication of sunscreen because I use acne fighting products and enjoy chemical peels that make my skin more sensitive to UV rays and sun damage. I think Supergoop! makes some incredible products at unbeatable prices, so please take a look at what I consider to be the best offerings from the brand!
I've been a fan of Dr. Colbert for years now, especially his perfect Illumino Brightening Masks, but lately I have been using his NYDG skin care line. Due to travel, overuse of my heater, and various treatments to reduce the appearance of my acne scars my skin feels drier than usual. Plus I have been breaking out again from stress and hormones. The treatments are slowly but surely helping but so are these new NYDG products!
Most of you are probably aware that Amore Pacific is the leader of the Korean beauty product industry. They produce some of my favorite kbeauty essentials, like Sulwhasoo's Brightening Cushion and Snowise EX Masks, but they also have their own signature line of skin care. I tried Amore Pacific's basic Moisture Bound skin care range in the past and couldn't find anything that was compatible with my finicky skin. The Time Response and Future Response products, however, are a completely different story!
Southern California weather has been unpredictable, but one thing is still certain – sunscreen is still the most important step in our beauty routine. With every year as we age, the pile of anti-aging creams and potions on our countertops becomes a mountain but sunscreen is the most crucial product in wrinkle prevention.
I have lots of sunscreens that I rotate through, but the Equitance Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 is one of my favorites because of the formula. It provides just enough moisture for my dehydrated skin, but it never makes me look oily or greasy at the end of the day. It's a great product for those who like to multi-task and cut down on morning routine time since Equitance's sunscreen is a 3-in-1 SPF, brightener, and makeup primer.
A lot of my readers and subscribers tell me they have tried so many heavy sunscreens that end up clogging pores. This Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 has a matte finish so even those with oily and combination skin types can feel confident wearing it under foundation. Plus, Equitance's key brightening ingredient, Linoleic acid, is also formulated into the sunscreen so you get the benefits of skin care as well as skin protection.
Equitance is offering a Valentine's Day sale! Get 14% off the entire site (excluding two gift sets) plus a free full-size bottle of the Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36. The promotion will end on Sunday, 2/14 so use code RAEV14 to take advantage of this deal while you still can!
Skin has always been one of my priorities, thanks to the women in my family. My grandmother is virtually ageless; she's turning 80 this year but doesn't look a day over 65. My skin, however, hasn't been perfect like hers. I discussed my acne skin story in this Top 10 story HERE, sharing why I got cystic acne and what products I used to speed up the purging process. Today's skin chat is more of a general take on my skin care history. The past 2 years been incredibly challenging and emotional, but I'm so grateful that my skin is nearly done healing!! Don't forget that your skin is an organ (your body's largest), so be gentle and patient. Below is a heart to heart video that I made while in Tokyo to share my journey, the process.
In case you've never seen my inflamed pimple-ridden skin, here's the Kiehl's video where I bare it all. I did manipulate the lighting so that it wouldn't look as red or as painful, but my face hurt all the time back then. I cried a lot. My eyes still get watery just thinking about it. I hated looking in the mirror, and I dreaded filming and uploading videos. I didn't want to talk about it, couldn't open up about it because I would inevitably burst into tears. I was so scared that someone would spot me in public that I stopped going to the gym and I stopped going outside altogether for a while. I started eating a lotof junk food and take-out and gained ten pounds back then, which many of you noticed.
To make matters worse, I was swallowed up by depression which deepened when the blue-purple welts started to surface. That part of the healing/scarring process was the most traumatizing because I looked bruised all over. I was fat, bloated, and ugly. There was so much deep damage that even my grandmother was very concerned that my skin would never bounce back. But after 6 months (which felt like years), my skin started to heal. My mood improved and I felt a surge of hope. The depression naturally lifted in due time, and although I was still embarrassed, I wasn't as afraid to venture out.
In hindsight, I think the best treatment would have been professional extractions and microdermabrasion facials every three weeks to boost the effectiveness of the products I had been using. I was overwhelmed and unable to take on that financial commitment at the time, but it would have left me with fewer, smaller scars. So that's my best advice to everyone.. find an exceptional esthetician AND use quality skin care! Of course, wearing sunscreen daily, drinking plenty of water, eating clean and green, and sleeping 7 hours a day will help drastically as well!
Even though I've been treating the scarring for a year, I have a couple stubborn scars on my cheeks and forehead. I'm hoping to clear those up in the next few months. It's all about consistency and lifestyle when it comes to these things. And since I haven't filmed a skin care routine video in a while, I figured I would share what products I've been using faithfully! I switch it up when I'm testing new products, but the lineup below features my go-to skin savers. These are my favorites, so please try them!!
I love sunscreen. I would say I would worship sunscreen if it wasn't sacrilegious. A quality sunscreen is the best defense against sun spots and wrinkles. Since I rely heavily on potent treatments like glycolics, my skin has become more sensitive to sun exposure. I take sunscreen very seriously — more than ever — so that I can prevent damage instead of treating it! Unless I am filming or testing new products, I try not to wear foundation and instead, reapply my sunscreen throughout the day. There's a sunscreen for every skin type here, and all details regarding my updated Holy Grail line up can be found after the jump!
Spring is the perfect time to update your skin care wardrobe. I have never tested so many new foundations and skin care products before, ever — which is saying a lot considering how many products I test every quarter — so my complexion has been congested and dehydrated and requires more TLC than usual. I've also been suffering from breakouts on my chin, so today's video will cover all varieties of skin care treatments! Because I am getting older and now fully understand all aspects of the arduous acne struggle, I take skin care very seriously. I never recommend or even feature something that I did not personally try, use, and feel is worth recommending.
Hence, the power players that I will be sharing today are some of the very best in their respective categories. I highly recommend you give them a try! Call my sister Patricia at Neiman Marcus in Newport Beach at 949.220.3366 if you need guidance with La Mer products. She can help you pick products that are suitable for your skin type and concerns, and there is no pressure as she does not work on commission. Plus, there will be a special (non-sponsored) giveaway launching on my Instagram page tonight, so please stop by to check it out!
Skin care is an intimate personal journey. I was raised by a grandmother who used nothing but Shiseido and Lancôme skin care for most of her life, so that is the foundation on which I built my beauty preferences. She started me off with Clinique sunscreen and Shiseido skin care when I was 13. I was blissfully unaware of price at the time, so I used what I was given and that was all I knew. Later on, I learned about skin care layering, and that is when I started experimenting. My skin is sensitive, but it can tolerate a lot of product because I have built up a tolerance over the last six years!
I was genetically blessed with clear skin. I had a couple patches of clogged pores and the occasional hormonal pimple, but my teenage years left me without a single scar. Then came university and plenty of sleepless nights, meaning the introduction of eye cream. I experimented with Shiseido, Lancôme, and random skin care discoveries (like Jurlique and Ole Henrikesen) from Sephora at the time. I was annoyed by a few red patches on my cheeks and broken capillaries around my nose, but if only I knew back then how incredibly lucky I was..
Last year, I endured an unfortunate and very painful bout of severe cystic acne. I had heard from friends and subscribers about how awful acne was, but I never grasped the full impact of the trauma until my own experience. From having nearly flawless skin to pockmarked "pizza face" within six months was mind-boggling and frustrating. As most of you know, I live and breathe beauty, which made me feel even more ashamed about my skin's situation. I did not share my feelings when the acne occurred because ultimately, I had no idea how to open up and talk about it. So, please learn from my mistake: DO NOT WAX YOUR FACIAL PEACH FUZZ. Almost two years, plenty of tears, and thousands of dollars later.. redemption. My skin isn't 100% quite yet, but by July 2015, I truly believe it will be!
If you want to know why I believe SK-II, Cle de Peau, 3LAB, and the rest of these phenomenal skin care products really DO work.. check out my video from July 2013 here, where you can see my acne at its worst. It was even more awful to look at in person and once the healing process started, my face was blue and purple all over. Quite frankly, I couldn't decide whether the active blemishes or the scarring process was more depressing. The bruising was much harder to hide! Either way, it was an unpleasant ordeal and I'm grateful that my acne journey is almost over. I've garnered more skin care knowledge and regained my confidence along the way!
Now, here are some of the most valuable skin care lessons I've learned over the years:
1. WEAR SUNSCREEN (all day, every day).
2. Thoroughly remove every single trace of makeup every night.
3. If you have acne, DO NOT pop your pimples. Go to an aesthetician.
4. Use a serum and/or moisturizer every night, even if you have oily skin.
5. Start using eye cream at 18, if not earlier! Nothing ages a person more than eye wrinkles.
6. Drink at least 6 cups of water daily, and try to clock in at least 7 hours of sleep.
7. Treat yourself to a treatment facial as often as possible. Try micro-needling!
8. If you don't have time or money for professional facials, use a SHEET MASK at least once a week.
9. Exfoliate with a treatment/mask at least two times a week (once if you have very sensitive skin), even if you're using a Clarisonic or Foreo or whatever device is trendiest.
10. Invest in quality skin care. It's not always about the price, but luxury skin care has never failed me. Pick up plenty of samples and experiment to find the best products for your skin!
And as promised, here are more product recommendations based on skin type and skin concern. I know many of my subscribers have oily/combination skin, are suffering from acne, or have super sensitive skin. Please keep in mind that products that work (and have worked) for me may not work as well for you. Again, skin care is personal and all about preference, so keep an open mind and don't give up!
ACNE + BREAK-OUTS:
I used a lot of Juice Beauty during the worst of my acne, and it did seem to help the purging process. I highly recommend the Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel (Full Strength and Blemish) as well as their Clearing Mask and Blemish Clearing Serum. Do not expect overnight results, as purging takes time! Also try Jurlique (natural/herbal) and Ole Henriksen products to calm the skin.
For those targeting the occasional hormonal blemish/break-out, I recommend the SK-II Skin Refining Treatment as a spot treatment. I dab it on morning and evening, and my pimples shrink, slowly but surely! No dryness or flakiness like that which can occur with those popular pink clay treatments. I also use the Refining Treatment to keep my blackheads in check (applied all over the face 2x a week).
Additionally, find a talented aesthetician for facials and extractions to minimize scarring, and keep your daily skin care regimen on the minimal end. Try cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream, and moisturizer. Don't forget your sunscreen in the morning, and try to reapply, as it will go a long way in reducing acne marks! Most importantly, wash your pillow cases and makeup brushes WEEKLY, at the minimum!
OILY + COMBO SKIN:
Although not all alcohol-free products perform well, do stop using products that strip your skin completely dry. Your skin will overcompensate by producing more unwanted oil! Wear a hydrating sunscreen like Eve Lom's and skip moisturizer during the day if you must, but that means you absolutely NEED to use a hydrating serum and/or heavier moisturizer at night.
I highly recommend the products in the Ole Henrikensen 3 Little Wonders Bonus Collection, particularly the Truth Serum and Sheer Transformation Moisturizer. I used OH when I had combination skin and loved it! The brand is fairly affordable and offers plenty of awesome travel-sized kits if you are a skin care junkie and/or afraid to commit to full-size products.
Another must-have is the Lancôme Visionnaire Skin Corrector. I used it when I had combination skin, and it tightened the skin to help my pores look invisible. The pearly effect also makes the skin look smoother, clearer and brighter. I introduced this product to my friends with combination and oily skin, and now all them swear by it!
NORMALIZING SKIN:
As a teen, I had oily skin. During my college years, I had combination skin. Now at 25, I have normal to dry skin. That came about as a result of (simply and inevitably) aging, natural hormonal changes, and good skin care habits. I credit the SK-II Facial Treatment toner with making the most noticeable difference in my oily T-Zone. Since then, I have used it interchangeably with other toners to prevent a plateau, but it still remains my favorite. The lightweight yet powerful 3LAB Super H serum also kept my skin nourished and hydrated, further balancing my skin's condition and sealing in the effects of the SK-II toner.
ANTI-AGING:
When I started my YouTube channel in 2010, lot of women used to give me grief when I explained I first started using eye cream at 18. The truth is, it's all about prevention, and starting early is encouraged nowadays due to environmental factors like sun exposure, pollution, and lifestyle stress! FYI: You don't have to start with a heavy or anti-aging eye cream when you're 18. Try something lightweight and more basic, like the SK-II Facial Treatment-Eye or Fresh Lotus Eye Gel.
ASIA EXCLUSIVES:
Two of my favorite moisturizers, the SK-II Cellumination Day Surge SPF 30 and SK-II Facial Treatment Lotion SPF 15, are only available abroad. If you have a friend that travels often, request these! The CDS is best for dry to combination skin, and the FTL is ideal for normal to oily skin. The Lancôme UV Expert XL-Shield SPF 50 is also a fabulous sunscreen for normal/dry to combination skin.
ULTRA SENSITIVE SKIN:
My beauty blogger buds with incredibly sensitive skin use the SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C serum, in case any of you are looking for a very gentle anti-aging treatment! SK-II skin care is potent, so start with the Repair C just to be safe.
This summer has hectic with travel and shoots, so I have been enjoying any and every minute to relax and enjoy the little things. Still, I figured this would be the perfect time to take a moment to share what beauty products I have been loving as well as some new I discoveries found along the way.
I always travel with my Tatcha Soothing Silk Hand Cream. You never know when you'll have to shake someone's hand when introducing yourself! It keeps my neglected cuticles from looking too dry, and it truly hydrates without making my hands feeling greasy. The Soothing Silk Hand Cream has a pale blue tint to it, but rest assured, it blends into the skin like any other translucent lotion and leaves no color residue.
A recent discovery is the Ivory Lashes brand. I have fallen in love with many of their styles because they come with thin and flexible lash bands, striking the perfect balance between weight and definition. I have been wearing Smitten Kitten and Hey Lover the most, which I think would suit all eye shapes beautifully. They are also just plush enough to transition from day to night seamlessly, which makes it easy to amp up your look with just a bit more eyeliner!
Since I usually wear false lashes on shoots, I've kept my D.U.P. Eyelash Glue in Black very handy recently. My lashes do not lift often, but I like to relieve my dry eyes with my Refresh Optive Advanced Preservative-Free eye drops (the best for sensitive eyes) throughout the day. Since the drops can wet my lashes and weaken the glue's hold, I carry my lash glue just in case I need a quick fix. I purchase the D.U.P. glue from Little Tokyo beauty boutiques or Japanese grocers like Mitsuwa with a beauty aisle.
I rarely ever touch up my makeup when I am out and about, but I like to take my Cle de Peau Luminizing Powder with me — and I swear it's not just because the champagne compact is utterly, jaw-droppingly pretty. This is a magically luminous-yet-never-oily, smooth and even complexion in a compact. I swear by it! I use 13 Sand when I want a bronzy glow and 14 Delicate Pink when I want a brighter highlighted look. These Cle de Peau Luminizers are ultra finely milled, do not accentuate pores, and in short, are the best powder highlighters I have ever encountered... and that's saying a lot considering I've worked with luxury cosmetics for a decade now!
As I age, I love red lips more and more. I now fondly recall my college days when I was too self-conscious to wear red lipstick or even red lip gloss in public, but now I find that it really enhances my complexion in a manner that no other color can! It makes me feel bold and spunky and can even perk up my mood. My favorite of the summer has been Giorgio Armani's Rouge d'Armani lipstick in 400, their signature shade. I love that it is hydrating yet semi-matte, allowing my lips to look fuller without any gloss. It lasts all day, even when sipping water and tea!
Since the sun beats down on us for most of the year, I am wholly dedicated to sunscreen. A good broad-spectrum sunscreen is the best step toward the anti-aging campaign since it will protect you from wrinkles and sun spots as well as prevent any acne scars from darkening. While traveling to Shanghai recently, I discovered some incredible sunscreens! My new obsession, however, is the Lancôme UV Expert XL-Shield SPF 50 PA+++. This sunscreen is an Asia exclusive, but it is worth tracking down because it keeps my skin comfortable yet matte — a nearly impossible combination. Lancôme knocked it out of the park with this one! If you have oily skin or you have been looking for a sunscreen that will not leave you looking oily or feeling greasy, then this is one to try. I found mine in duty-free shopping as a duo set, so gift one to your best friend as I did. I definitely wouldn't blame you if you kept both for yourself, though!
I always carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated through the heat. When I can swing by a Starbucks, I grab an iced drink to cool off. I drink coffee when I need a pick-me-up, but I have recently been loving the new Teavana® Shaken Iced Blackberry Mojito Tea Lemonade™. It's unique, refreshing, and totally addicting! I've also tried the Teavana® Shaken Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade™ (sweet and tasty) and the Teavana® Shaken Iced Black Tea Lemonade™ (a classic), which I throw in the mix to shake things up.
Last but not least, I have been wearing my Ray-ban Aviator Flash Sunglasses non-stop. I have them in Green and have been contemplating the Copper version because I have become so fond of the style! I usually prefer my oversized plastic sunglasses, but these affordable Flash lenses are ultra lightweight and comfortable. They also make a statement, which goes hand in hand with my colorful lululemon athletica outfits for easy, breezy airport outfits!
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Click here to check out my Pinterest Board on Summer Beauty + Lifestyle Essentials!
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Starbucks through their partnershipwith POPSUGAR.
While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about Starbucks, all opinions are my own.
Most of my readers and viewers are aware that I am wholly dedicated to sunscreen. I have been fairly diligent about wearing it daily since my university days, but now I will wear sunscreen even when I do not plan on leaving the house at all! A good broad-spectrum sunscreen is the best step toward the anti-aging campaign since it will protect you from wrinkles and sun spots as well as prevent any acne scars from darkening. I have tested so many sunscreens in the past year that I have lost count, but I am finally ready to share my top 5 picks!
I recently asked on Twitter if any of you were interested in seeing an "Empties" video, and the response was so great that I decided to go ahead and run with the idea! I accidentally threw a couple empty bottles out before I was able to film this, but I will try to review/mention them another time. Now, I generally end up going through hair, body care, and skin care products first, but I will try to include more makeup products in the future! You will see many of my essentials in the video -- products that I reach for almost every single day -- as well as new product recommendations. I hope you find this video gave you some valuable insight into my most-loved products!
