MY BEAUTY ROUTINE ESSENTIALS
Being a woman is dual. The society expects you to care of yourself and look a certain way. With this burden - because clearly, guys, it is a daily one - comes some advantages. Told you: DUAL.
To take care of your soul and body, you have many possibilities: sport, healthy eating, shopping crisis - yes my dear, no better way to empower yourself than making your credit card go on fire ... if you have a black AmEx, just saying - and the beauty routine.
The beauty routine is far from the cheapest way to make you feel good and to take care of yourself, but let's be honest, sport and healthy eating can be a real pain in the ass. However, with your beauty routine, the results are almost immediate and kind of effortless and painless. Alright, alright! I am not talking about shaving your legs! This is definitely painful and super annoying, but hopefully you don't have to do it on a daily basis.
A few weeks ago, one of you asked me what was my beauty routine. I have to say that at first, I did not really know what to answer to this poor angel. I have so much cosmetics that I did not know where to start. So I tried to pay carefully attention to every steps of my beauty routine to identify the products I was using.
After answering , I realized that It would be an amazing post subject as I am sure some of you may want to know the same thing. Before telling you what are my beauty routine essentials, there are one or two things you should know. First of all, I am French living in Paris, so I have access to the treasures of the wonderful "parapharmacie". But, trust me, you'll probably have similar stores in your country with the same kind of products. Secondly, a routine is a "daily repeated process". So according to this meaning, the essentials are the products you cannot dismiss. The cosmetics, you would bring on a desert island, no matter what! It may seem exaggerated but at least I am sure you got my point.
I hope you will discover some new products or needs, your soul and body require. Here are my beauty routine essentials!
MY ESSENTIALS
Body Moisturizer:
Repetto Body Lotion: I have been using this product for a year now. I use it for two reasons. First to moisturize my body skin - obviously this what body lotions are supposed to do! The second reason is the powder scent. It is actually the same as the Repetto perfume. Perfect to make you feel good before and after a busy day.
Kiehls Ultimate Strength Hand Salve Lotion: After using it for 4 years, I can tell you that I haven't found anything better. Trust me I tried so many hand creams before and every time I hated the texture. I disliked it so much I preferred not to put on anything than using a hand lotion. One of my friend offered me this one as I was keeping on complaining about my dry hands. To this friend, thank you doll, now I am completely addicted to it!
Stain:
Lancôme Effacernes Longue Tenue: This longue lasting concealer is super easy to dose, thanks to its cream texture. It is the one and only concealer I ever used. I have been using it for eight years. I really love the non-dehydrating texture, which don't make you feel like a wax doll. Your stain should alway make you feel comfortable and not like you're wearing somebody else's skin.
Garnier BB Light: Simple to use and easy to combined to other product, this BB cream makes you skin look soft as silk. You will have an instant bright complexion. I am using it on a daily basis as the base of my make-up or solo. I added it to my beauty routine only a year ago and I cannot get rid of it!
Hydratation creams:
Avène Hydrance Optimale & Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream: So yes I am using two different lotions. Why? To avoid my skin to accustom to one particular formula. I alternate every week. Both of made for sensitive skins and dermatologically tested. The skin of your face is super delicate and you have to pay attention to it by using dedicated products. I do not recommend to use traditional body moisturizers on your face. I have used Hydrance Optimale for over ten years. I always alternated with other creams. But I finally found one that I love as much as the Avène lotion: Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream, that I have been using for 4 years - another present from my friend.
Maybelline Dream Cushion: To perfect my stain, I use this super easy-to-use cushion. I discovered it only two or three months ago, but it is now part of my essentials. I love the long lasting texture. As the Lancôme Effacernes Longue tenue, it is comfortable. The skin can breathe. It is super important for me that my sensitive skin is protected and not altered by the make up I am using. So whenever it deals with stain, I pay attention it is not damaging it.
Eyes & Lips:
Mac Nude lipstick: I have always been the kind of girl that accentuate the eyes instead of the lips. However, I was looking for the perfect nude lipstick to complete my make up. The Mac lipsticks were recommended to me. So I gave a look and found the Hue shade which match my complexion. I have been using it for 2 years and I always have it on me.
Elisabeth Arden Khôl: Black khôl is part of my visual identity - not even kidding, once my mother did not recognize me in an airport because I did not have my khôl underlining my eyes! I prefer the khôl texture to the regular pencils one. It gives a more intense look. It also is the first cosmetic product I ever used: 12 years ago.
Diorshow Blackout & L'Oréal Faux Cils Papillons mascaras: As I have super long dark lashes, I use two kinds of mascaras. For an intense look, I selected 9 years ago the Diorshow Blackout one that match my dark lashes and my khôl. To curve them, I put on the L'Oréal Faux Cils Papillons. The combination of the two give the expected result: dark and curved lashes.
Bourjois Liner Pinceau 16H Ultra Black: The eyeliner can be scary, don't you think? Difficult to apply? Don't last long? I had the same issue before discovering this eyeliner. It lasts all day long without any retouch. The brush helps you to put it on quickly and easily. It is the perfect eyeliner for beginner. I have been using it for seven years now.
Chanel Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadows: I love my eyes. So whenever I put on some make up I want to show them off. I have plenty eyeshadows: an entire box filled with products from various brands. Smokey eyes are a religion for me. One of the no-brainer cosmetic products to create the perfect smokey eyes are the Chanel Les 4 Ombres. The pigments of the eyeshadows are really innovative and of high quality. Whatever you'll do during your day or night, the colors won't fade away.
Make up removing solution:
Bioderma Créatine H2O: This is the classic that is used by a lot of women who wear make up on a daily basis, such as models. It is made for irritated and sensitive skins. I am even using it when I did not wear any make up to clean my skin. After applying it on your face, you will feel purified and fresh. A perfect ritual to begin and end your day.
Beauty Bag - Sonia Rykiel
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Oh! I almost forgot!
Obviously, we are all different, with various styles, skin sensitivities and complexion. So your beauty routine may be different from mine according to your needs.
And it is the way it should be! Always use products that corresponds to yourself!
(Photo credit: 4am Journal)