Some of the Best Beauty Products I’ve Ever Used...
Here’s the Daily Products, Procedures and Beauty Rituals that I Vouch for 100%
You asked! So I’m answering all your questions about beauty.
How you feel about Beauty starts with how you talk to yourself about Beauty.
Beauty is as much about daily maintenance as it is confidence and attitude. It's a celebration of who you are inside and out, your ancestors, your genes, your mental health and wellness… It’s also important to develop a good beauty routine and find the products that work for you.
You wanted to know what my go-to Beauty Products are?
Well, @mainly_melissa, @beverlyj.stevens, @appiahsally, @trader202121, @bertphotoatl, @batofthelash, @katspearschicago, and everyone who commented - thanks for your questions - let's take a look…
Here’s my go-to arsenal of cost effective - results-oriented beauty products. Most are tried and true, some are new finds that I’ve spent my time and money on, to make sure they work, so you don’t have to go broke or be frustrated searching for the right products.
This is my current routine:
Cleanser:
Gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin is non-negotiable, even for oily complexions. Supporting the skin's natural microbiome is job number one. No matter what type of skin you have: dry, oily or combination, removing only the dirt and makeup and not stripping the skin of its natural moisture is the basic building block of beauty. Makeup lays better over smooth clean skin, and light reflects better off skin that’s free of dry rough patches, enlarged pores or oil deposits. To answer your question @beverlyj.stevens - My go-to’s are: Cetaphil, which is I think one of the best drugstore cleansers you can buy, and at the luxury end Shiseido Treatment Softener.
Toner:
Toner is a product that I often skip - that’s up to you - but I prefer to rinse with lukewarm water very, very thoroughly to help bring back the skin's natural pH after cleansing.
Face Cream:
Where do I begin?! My love affair with face cream is long and deep and unending @appiahsally.
Pre-workout clean beauty products are a smart beauty move - because the fewer chemicals while you're sweating and your pores are wide open - the better.
There's a new brand called Epicutis, made with very few simple natural ingredients, that’s very effective at locking in moisture. Keep your skin stimulated. If your usual routine isn’t giving you the glowy results you expect anymore - switch it up. Where you’re at in your hormonal cycle, diet and the weather all affect how skin responds to products.
Rule of Thumb:
Water and Gel based Moisturizers and Cleansers for warmer weather and heavy workouts.
Oil based Cleansers and Creams work better in the winter months, overnight and if your skin needs some extra love.
This is one of my better strategies for getting the kind of results I want out of my skin care investment.
One of my skin saviors is DefenAge and it’s always in rotation - Defensins are natural molecules that signal your skin to regenerate, activating dormant reserves of fresh, young cells, this proprietary defense formula is the closest thing to stimulating the kind of cellular response you get from ‘controlled wounding’, like dermaplaning or microneedling, but without hurting the skin’s surface. Another longtime favorite is Shiseido, my mother used Shiseido when I was a kid and, full disclosure, I’ve done some work for the company in my career as a model and have come to love a lot of their products. Right now I’m really crushing hard on their Vital Protection, Advanced Firming, and Lifting Cream for night time support during the winter months.
Someone asked: How do I take care of my Neck?
Genius question @mainly_melissa! Here’s a beauty rule to live by: ANY TREATMENT YOU DO TO YOUR FACE DO TO YOUR NECK. Cleanse and moisturize your neck from your jaw to your sternum with your regular skincare. Basically any skin exposed when you’re wearing a V-neck sweater. Turkey neck is a sign of neglect. Tendons in your neck weaken and drop with age, massage, stretching and sunscreen are essential for supporting the health and elasticity of the delicate skin on the neck. I use Shiseido Urban Environment Vita Clear with Vitamin C to help prevent oxidation causing dark sun spots.
Skin on the neck ages just as quick as the face, so one of the best non-invasive surgical treatments to consider is the aesthetic treatment Softwave.
Home Repair:
I LOVE DIY Beauty Treatments.
I’ll upload a video of how to make my Papaya Mask. It’s an easy to make exfoliating emollient fruit acid Papaya Mask. You’ll get esthetician worthy results at an economical price.
At Home Sheet Mask:
I love a good sheet mask. Superstar New York facialist Joanna Vargas creates incredible facemasks, they are pricey, but worth it for a special event or when you need a boost in the afternoon from the sun, harsh cold weather or a hangover.
Sephora in-house brand has a comprehensive range of cheap and cheerful sheet masks to treat whatever ails you. Personal fave, Sephora’s charcoal mask; use it before your skincare and makeup routine and you will never get a smoother finish from your foundation.
Exfoliate:
There’s a million and one ways to exfoliate, but there’s only one right way… Do not use anything that can scratch your face. Sugar Scrubs are my favorite, and one of the best ones you can make at home. The recipe I use is simple coconut sugar fractionated with coconut oil. Mix it two to one - sugar to oil. I usually just take a mason jar and stir it up and then you can literally use it from forehead to feet. Slather this divine concoction over your skin and let it sit for two minutes. Using your hands, or a washcloth, begin gently scrubbing in a circular motion and rinse off. It’s the perfect all-in-one product for everything. Coconut oil contains lipids that most closely mimic the natural, good fats and oils found in our own skin. I’ll post a video to show you how but homemade and wholesome, there’s no better treat to lock in moisture and lift away dirt than this simple scrub!
Dry Brushing is an ancient beauty ritual. The Egyptians, Asians and Greeks have been at it since before Christ was born. Why? Because it’s very important to stimulate the lymph system, which helps to process and neutralize a lot of the body’s waste products. Dry brushing improves circulation and the appearance of the skin. All you need is a stiff bristle brush or a large loofa, 5- 10 minutes and voila!
Here’s a quick video demonstrating the technique…
My Scent
I love Frederic Malle’s Portrait of a Lady.
Perfume is so emotive and very personal, and I really try to gate-keep on this one, but I always remember how I first discovered it… I was in Savannah, at a French bakery and it was 7.30am, the ovens were hot and the smell of fresh pastries filled the air - until this lady walked by and I literally dropped my croissant and chased after her to find out what scent she was wearing. She was generous enough to share it with me, so I’m paying it forward and sharing it with you.
I love perfumes made with new formulations and seasonal fragrances, like Whipped Cherry from CLEAN They are water-based, alcohol-free with no synthetic ingredients are incredible - not only for how they smell but for the health benefits as well. Alcohol when mixed with even the purest ingredients can combine to form formaldehyde, a potential carcinogen. Formaldehyde is not required to be listed as an ingredient in cosmetic labels because its presence is a by-product rather than an initial ingredient.
Beauty is about taking time to strengthen and care for yourself. Give yourself a little more love each day.
Keep your questions coming.
Talk soon…xx Veronica
PS. Message me here.
