Products I Will Not Repurchase

1. Make Up For Ever Duo Mat Powder Foundation
I'm a fan of Make Up For Ever products.  Absolutely LOVE their matte velvet plus foundation.  Absolutely love their lab shine lip gloss (specifically #S2).  Absolutely love their aqua line.  Thus, it pains me to say I will not be repurchasing a product from them.

It's a great product: oil free and mattefying makes it great for my combination skin.  Further, it has great coverage.  I believe it's actually the fullest coverage of foundation that MUFE has.  The finish is also pretty natural.  With that said, I've chosen not to repurchase this product because it contains talc and a paraben, ingredients which have been linked to cancer.  Talc is actually listed as their first ingredient.  Read my previous blog post HERE to understand why I choose products without talc and parabens.

2. Benefit's Hoola Bronzer

I may be starting an uproar with the makeup community and all Benefit fans by listing Benefit's Hoola Bronzer as a product I won't be repurchasing.  A makeup cult favorite, this bronzer gives a gorgeous matte and natural color to virtually all skin tones.  Unfortunately it contains talc and parabens.

3. Shu Uemura Anti Oxi Cleansing Oil
One of the earliest blog posts I wrote was about cleansing oils. (Click HERE to read) I was introduced to cleansing oils by way of Shu Uemura's Anti Oxi Cleansing Oil.  I virtually sang praises for the idea of cleansing oils but was remiss in looking at the ingredients as it was a gift.  When I finally sat down and looked at the ingredients, I stopped using this cleanser cold turkey, got into my car, and drove straight to the nearest Sephora to buy a new cleanser.  The first ingredient listed for this cleanser is mineral oil, an ingredient where evidence has found it to be carcinogenic You can read about mineral oil in further detail HERE.  I will always be grateful to this specific cleanser for poppin' my cleansing oil cherry, but regretfully, we must part ways.

4. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch

Speaking of mineral oil, another product that contains it is a HUGE HUGE HUGE cult favorite among make up artists: the YSL Touche Eclat.  Hop onto YouTube and after a search, you will see what a huge sensation this luminizing pen is.  It is indeed a great product that truly brightens the skin to a gorgeous radiance but my skin is more important to me.

5. Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation
I'm happy to report that my decision not to repurchase this foundation has nothing to do with ingredients.  Josie Maran is renown for a healthy line of beauty products all infused with argan oil.  If you want more information regarding the benefits of argan oil, read my post HERE.

This foundation was ultra hydrating and moisturizing for my skin, which is expected with argan oil infused in the formula.  Better yet, the chameleon pigments in this foundation break down upon application to match to my skin.  Gone are the days of struggling to find the right shade of foundation for your skin.  This foundation makes it so easy.

However, I'm a medium to full coverage foundation gal.  This foundation was light coverage.  Just not my cup of tea.  For all of you light coverage gals out there, this foundation truly is worth a shot!

Night Time Skin Routine

Top (left to right): Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil, Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion, Josie Maran Infinity Cream, Primavera Revitalizing Antioxidant Mask

Jar: Mario Badescu Strawberry Scrub

Blue jar to the left: Glo Therapeutics Renew Serum

Blue jar to the right: Glo Therapeutics Pure Hydration

Tool: Clarisonic Mia

Makeup isn't just about the colorful products you paint onto your face.  It begins deep - skin deep.  Your makeup won't look flawless and glowing if your skin isn't healthy and hydrated.

I've had my own fair share of skin issues but from those issues, I've learned which products work and don't work for me.  I also know what I need to do to keep it healthy.  My main vice is not drinking enough water.  Coming in a close second is not getting enough sleep.  The latter sometimes is out of my control, but as long as I've been maintaining good skin care practice, I can use makeup to brighten up my tired eyes.

I have combination skin that is on the dehydrated side.  (Remember, dehydrated skin is a condition, not a classification e.g. oily, normal, or dry.)  Here are the products I use to take care of my skin.

1. Up & Up Exfoliating Cucumber Cleansing Towelettes

I randomly picked these towelettes up in Target one day because I was gearing up for a mini trip.  At the time, I had never used towelettes so I can't even remember my reasoning as to why I decided to get them.  All I can remember is that they were the cheapest one at the time and the price sold me.  So as proof that I seldom used towelettes and typical of a Target experience, I threw a package of these Up & Up Exfoliating Cucumber Cleansing Towelettes into my basket, paid for them, and then into a drawer they went at home....forgotten.

....until 2 weeks ago.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover how gentle yet hydrating these towelettes are.  They have an exfoliating side and a smoother side to just cleanse.  I use the exfoliating side to wipe my makeup off.  I then use the smoother side to remove my eye makeup.  I wear contact lenses and have extremely sensitive eyes (I couldn't wear contact lenses for a few years due to an allergic reaction)  These towelettes do not aggravate my eyes even when I still have my contact lenses on.  The makeup removing power is also pretty darn good.

HUGE pluses: These towelettes contain aloe and is hydrating, which shouldn't be a surprise since the name promises the hydrating quality of cucumbers.  I now use these towelettes before I use my cleanser so make sure I remove all traces of makeup and dirt.

Ok sorry....ADD on that mini review.

2. Scrub - Mario Badescu's Strawberry Scrub

About 3 times a week, I use this scrub to exfoliate away the dead skin cells.  This product is a spa in a jar.  It's creamy and leaves your skin soft. What's awesome is the affordable price.  At $15 for 4 ounces, this is a definite repurchase.

3. Cleanser: Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil + Clarisonic Mia

Click HERE for my review of the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil
Click HERE for my review of the Clarisonic Mia

4. Toner: Mario Badescu's Cucumber Cleansing Lotion

I use a cotton round and pour a few drops of this onto the cotton round.  A little goes a long way!  I recently purchased a few Mario Badescu products from Ulta and so far am enjoying all of them.  There are actual cucumber bits in the squeeze bottle!  The cucumber extract assures hydration to your skin.

5. Serum: Glo Therapeutics Renew Serum

If for some reason I don't use my strawberry scrub to exfoliate, I will apply this serum after toner but before moisturizer.  This serum functions to exfoliate and turn over cells to promote smooth and healthy skin.  It also contains oil controlling agents that is great for my combination skin.  The only thing I don't like about serums is that you have to wait for it to absorb into your skin after application.  This product instructs to wait 30 minutes.  I'm hard pressed to find that kind of time when work gets busy.

Will I buy this again when it runs out?  No.  I took my facialist's word and purchased this at her recommendation, having faith that it'll work.  Again...I'm hanging onto that faith...despite the fact that I don't see any visible effects from the serum.

5. Serum: Glo Therapeutics Pure Hydration

When my skin needs a surge of moisture and hydration, I reach for this.  In fact, I'll even apply it during the daytime to make sure my skin meets its moisture needs.  My only complaint is the price: $46 for 1 ounce.  Ouch!

6. Moisturizer, Eye Cream, and Lip Moisturizer: Josie Maran Infinity Cream
Click HERE to see why I use Josie Maran's Infinity Cream as my moisturizer for my face, body, eye cream, and lips.

7. 2 - 3 times a week, I use the Primavera Antioxidant Mask

Because my skin is dehydrated, I actually sleep with this mask on and wash it off in the morning.  It leaves my skin hydrated, soft, and rejuvenated.  No joke - it's like I have a new layer of skin in the morning.  The mask applies like a lotion and is invisible.  You can't see or feel it.

It contains organic rose essential oil (reduces broken capillaries, promotes cell renewal), organic pomegranate seed oil (contains antioxidants), aloe vera extra (restores hydration), organic green tea extract (soothes skin and contains antioxidants), and green clay (draws toxins and repairs tissues).

I LOVE this mask.  I initially was taken aback by this product because I'm use to masks being colorful, visible, and thick.  Safe to say I was highly skeptical.  However, it delivers so well that it's almost like a trip to the facialist.

For a more in depth review of Primavera products, click HERE for my take.

I hope some of this has helped you on some level.  Skin care is a pretty personal thing so get to know your skin.  Sometimes, it's just a trial and error process until you find something that agrees with your skin.  These are the products that have worked for me through trial and error.

What products do you all use for your night time skin care routine?