My Skincare Routine

This is a constantly evolving process as I am still trying to find what works for me. The steps stay the same, it's just the products that change (unless I really like it/them). Currently I use my Neutragena Makeup Removing Towlettes (love these) to take off my face makeup and L'Oreal Eye Makeup Remover to take off my....well, eye makeup, using a cotton round.

I then cleanse my face twice, as suggested by petrilude (check him out on youtube....he is wonderful!!). I use half of what I would use and wash my face twice, first to get rid of excess oil/dirt and second to actually cleanse the skin :)

After this, I pat my skin dry, don't rub just pat. I then apply my toner, which right now is The Body Shop's Seaweed Clarifying Toner and I apply this to my entire face with a cotton round, or a cotton ball.

While my skin is still slightly damp I apply my moisturizer. Since I have oily/combo skin, I apply it sparingly to my face. Applying my moisturizer while my skin is still damp helps it to just glide on and I don't have to tug my skin while I'm spreading it. For moisturizers I switch off between LUSH's Enymion and Clean 'n Clear's Dual Action Moisturizer (I used this in the video). I am also trying out The Body Shop's Vitamin E Eye Cream. I apply a tiny dot of this to each eye and blend in with my ring finger.

If I need to, this is when I apply my Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. Take these steps and apply them to your skin type. Even if you have the same skin type you have to find what works for you. I am still hunting for better stuff, but this will work for now.

Don't forget to check out my YouTube Channel: uniscore1 :)

My Face Routine

Here is what I do for my face routine, mostly on a daily basis. If I am going to work, I generally skip the concealer because it tends to come off quicker. I don't know if it is because my skin is oily or what.

First step is I cleanse and moisturize my face. Most of the time I use The Body Shops "Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream". It's a gel consistency and goes on really smooth. I really like the smell of it and it does a pretty good job of keeping my face matte throughout the day.

I was using a primer for a while (Rimmel Fix and Perfect) but I didn't find that it kept my makeup in place any longer than just going straight to my foundation, so I skip that step now. For foundation, I've been using Revlon ColorStay (combo/oily) in 180 Sand Beige. I would say this is a medium coverage foundation, with potential for full coverage. I'm not looking for a completely flawless finish, just more something to even out my skin tone and cover obvious spots. For me, Revlon ColorStay does the trick.

Next step is concealer. I used MUFE Camo Cream Concealer palette (No. 1). I don't use concealer on a daily basis as I stated above. It tends to be a waste of time because I only wear makeup to work and when I'm going out. At any rate, I used some for the video. I use the peach shade under my eyes and I set that with Benefit's Powderflage (using my 224 or C412 brush). I use the darkest of the concealer shades to cover any obvious spots that my foundation didn't cover.

To set my foundation I use Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Sand (0-1 Medium) using my ELF Complexion Brush (I have two, one for powder and one for blush). I just swirl my brush in the powder and blend it around my face and a little down my neck.

For blush I tend to lean towards more natural shades. I've been using Peach from NYX for a while now. Before that I was using Peach Sorbet from Rimmel. I also use MACs Melba. I don't use frosty or shimmery blushes because I don't want to emphasize the appearance of my pores. I apply my blush with my ELF Complexion Brush.

The final step in my face routine is to either use a setting spray or a finishing spray. I have been using a sample size of Urban Decay's All Nighter spray. I'm not sure if I want to spend $29 on the full-size yet. I mostly use that when I go to work. If I don't use that I use MACs Fix+ to decrease the powdery-ness. I also run my other duo fiber brush over my face while it's still damp.

I know my skin isn't perfect, but I'm not looking for a completely flawless look either. The thing that bothers me the most is how uneven my skin tone is. I get pretty red around my nose and cheeks and like I said, Revlon ColorStay evens my skin tone out, and most of the time lasts all night at work.

Hope this helps and let me know what you think! :)

~Taime~