My Nighttime Skincare Routine - Summer 2012

I mentioned before that I change my skincare routine fairly often.  For reference, I'm in my 30s and I have normal/combination skin with occasional breakouts .  I like to try new things and I have a skincare obsessed BFF and cousin who occasionally suggest products they love.  But for right now, these are the nighttime skincare products I am currently using:

1. Kose Softymo Super Point Makeup Remover - I use this to remove my makeup, even stubborn waterproof Japanese mascara which I have on rotation.  I put a little of this gel-like lotion on a cotton ball and swipe it over my face.
2. Lush Herbalism - I take a pea size portion of this cleanser and then mix it with water to turn it into a paste.  After rubbing it on my face in a circular motion, I wash it off.
3. Sana Hadonomy Collagen Facial Mist - This is a pretty substantial facial mist, thicker than most.  It is refreshing and moisturizing.  I use it at night because I don't think it would be good under makeup. At least not for someone with oily zones.  I spray this directly on my face.  I use about 3 squirts.
4. Lancome Primordiale Night [Discontinued] - This was a gift from my mom who loves Lancome.  It's a lightweight night cream.  During the winter, I prefer something richer like La Mer. 
5. Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream - A more heavy duty eye cream.  I like the texture.  Its creamy and rich without being super greasy, although I would not wear this during the day under makeup.
6. Weleda Everon Lip Balm - A good lip balm, not greasy or glossy.  Has a slight vanilla rose scent.

What are your favorite nighttime skincare products?  I always like to try new things so suggestions welcome!

OOTD: Gastropub 8/31/2012

I wore this to grab a drink at the local gastropub.  I've had that top for months but haven't had the chance to wear it.  I found it at Nordstrom for 40% off!  I probably have about 5 other white eyelet lace tops but I can't resist them.

Close up of blouse and my current favorite necklace - mini sideways cross

TOP:  Rebecca Taylor

LAYERING TANK:  C & C California

JEANS:  Current Elliott "The Bell" in Fuel Fray

SHOES:  Stuart Weitzman "Minx"

NECKLACE:  Dogeared

Review of My Asian BB Creams (NC30): Holika Holika, Canmake, Lioele and Skin79

L to R: Holika Holika Aqua Petit #2, Canmake Perfect Serum #2, Lioele Water Drop, Skin 79 Hot Pink Super+

Having recently become obsessed with Asian BB Creams, I've acquired a small collection.  I have four of them, which seems a bit excessive to me only because I don't think I will use them all before they expire.  I believe liquid makeup stays fresh for only one year after opening the container.

I did a lot of on-line research before I purchased these creams so I am happy to say I really like them all.  Every shade works with my NC30 skin tone and normal/combination skin.  None of them make me break out.  

Swatches:

L to R: Holika Holika #2, Canmake #2, Lioele and Skin79

My ratings:

Highest coverage:  Skin 79 and then Canmake

Longest lasting coverage:  Skin79

Highest SPF:  Canmake with SPF 50! And no greyish cast!

Sheerest:  Holika Holika and then Lioele

Favorite for the weekends:  Lioele because it's easy to apply and it has a natural dewy finish, but if I know I'll be in the sun I use the Canmake because of the high SPF

Favorite for work:  Holika Holika because of the semi-matte photo finish and then the Skin 79 for the coverage

Good for dry skin:  Lioele because of the dewy finish

Good for oily skin:  Probably the Skin 79 although I don't think any of these would be my first choice for very oily skin because even though I have normal/combination skin, I still have to set them all with powder to reduce mid-day shine.

Where to Purchase:

You can buy Canmake, Lioele and Skin79 here:   http://www.imomoko.com/

You can buy Holika Holika, Lioele and Skin79 here:  http://prettyandcute.com/

Other places to buy Asian BB Creams:  http://www.cosmelandusa.com/ and http://web1.sasa.com/SasaWeb/eng/sasa/home.jsp
 
Disclaimer:  I am not affiliated with any of these brands or companies

OOTD: Work 8/29/2012

I wore this to work today.  I love the coral flower pattern on the blouse.

Blouse:  Kinder Aggugini (Macy's brand)

Layering tank:  Mossimo (Target)

Black jeans:  AG Jeans "Willow"

Shoes:  Enzo Angiolini "Maylie"

Top 5 Skincare Products

My skincare routine is always changing but these 5 items are staples in my bathroom:

1. Cetaphil - I started using this in my 20s because I read in a magazine that dermatologists recommend it for sensitive/normal skin.  I tried the combination/oily skin version (because I have combination skin) and for some reason, it made me break out.  The original version cleans my face without stripping it of oils.  I've used other drugstore soaps such as Purpose, Neutrogena Deep Cleansing Gel, Biore, etc. and they always left my skin feeling a little bit tight afterwards.  
2. ROC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream (Retinol) - I wanted to incorporate a retinol skincare product into my routine when I was in my 20s and I started with the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream.  That made me break out.  I tried this ROC version and it works much better for me.  I also like Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5 Treatment but it's a little harder to find.
3. Eucerin Everyday Protection SPF 30 - One of my best friends turned me on to this moisturizer.  I use it everyday, even if my foundation or BB Cream has SPF in it.  It doesn't leave a pasty white finish even though it offers good sun protection. 
4. Origins Spot Remover - Sometimes I get milia around my eyes and the internet told me this helps prevent it.  I need to be more diligent about using this regularly though.
5. Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream - A richer eye cream for the night.  I don't like crepey looking skin under the eyes so I do what I can to prevent that from happening.  Since this formula is creamy, I don't use it during the day under makeup.  I prefer something more sheer under makeup.

What are your top 5 skincare products?

OOTD: Work 8/20/2012

OOTD:  8/20/2012

I work this to work on August 20th.  I had to give a presentation so I dressed up a little.  I received a lot of compliments on this dress - but that might also be because I rarely wear dresses to work.

Dress:  Club Monaco "Ella"- this dress runs large and without the belt, it looks like a tent

Belt:  Anthropologie

Shoes:  Stuart Weitzman "Minx" - I looooove these shoes!  I checked prices every week until they went on sale.  They are popular because Kate Middleton has them but I always love a good cork wedge. 

Bracelets:  Gorjana

Review: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB vs. Asian BB Cream (Skin79 Hot Pink Super + Triple Function)

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (travel size) and Skin79 Super + BB

If you don't know what BB cream is, click here.

I've been loving all my Asian BB creams, especially my Skin 79 Super +, so my interest was piqued when Maybelline came out with its own version - the Dream Fresh BB.  It has been said that American BB creams are more like glorified tinted moisturizers and in this case, it's true.  I've also included a swatch of my beloved Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer for comparison.

For reference, I'm an NC30 and in the Maybelline I purchased shade medium (which may or may not be the perfect color for me, more on that later) while in the Laura Mercier my color is Sand.  The Skin79 BB Cream only comes in one color.

Swatches:

L to R:  Maybelline BB in Medium, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Sand, and Skin79 Super + BB

Swatches Swiped:

L to R:  Maybelline, Laura Mercier, and Skin79

Swatches Blended:

L to R:  Maybelline, Laura Mercier, and Skin79 - see below for more info

 Texture

Maybelline - this is the lightest and sheerest of the bunch, runnier than the rest but definitely not watery

Laura Mercier - light and sheer but thicker than Maybelline

Skin79 - creamy, heavier than the rest

Color Match

Maybelline - this is a good match because I am tanned right now but I have a feeling it will be too dark for me in the winter.  It is also more neutral than my yellow-based skin tone.  I didn't have a chance to swatch the light/medium so I wonder if it would be a better match.

Laura Mercier - matches perfectly, a Sephora saleslady helped me find the right shade years ago

Skin79 - close enough but not spot on, ever so slightly lighter than my current shade. Will probably be perfect in the winter.  In the photo above, there is a whitish patch on my skin where this BB cream was blended but that's because it had not fully oxidized yet.  When it oxidizes, it matches my skin pretty well.  If you've never tried an Asian BB cream, many of them look greyish when first applied.

Coverage

Maybelline - very light, definitely need concealer for imperfections and blemishes, but evens out my skin tone, adds a glow

Laura Mercier - light, need concealer for blemishes but evens out my skin tone and covers some minor imperfections, adds a glow

Skin79 - medium, covers minor imperfections well, need concealer for larger blemishes, brightens face, more matte finish

Comments

I set all three with powder, either Maybelline Dream Matte or Lioele Loose Powder. The Skin79 lasts the longest throughout the day and offers the most coverage. In fact, all of my Asian BB creams offer more coverage than the Maybelline or Laura Mercier. The Skin79 also appears to be the only one with skin care benefits such as "wrinkle improvement."  But that's not to say that the Maybelline BB is bad, it's not.  In fact, I rather like it for a tinted moisturizer.  It's light, it evens out my complexion and it is affordable.  It's a nice alternative to the Laura Mercier (although I have been using the Laura Mercier for over 8 years now - I don't think I'll be giving it up any time soon).

Have you tried the Maybelline BB?  If so, what do you think?  If you are also an NC30, please let me know if you purchased the light/medium or the medium.

Disclaimer:  I am not affiliated with any of these brands.