Written by @Twist.It.Tea
Thanks to the severe change in weather these last few weeks, and much love to the bomb cyclone this past weekend, my face has really needed all the attention it can get. In the beginning of the winter season, I was washing my face with BAD SKIN Milk Bomb Eraser and then following up with a hydrating face mask. But since my face has needed an extra boost of hydration these last few weeks, post face wash I follow up with this amazing little piece of luxury by Eau Thermale Avène, aka my secret weapon. I use their Thermal Spring Water Spray to soothe my skin after a cleanse when my face is feeling very tight. Not only is it soothing my skin, it eases the redness, irritation and whatever else it feels like doing that evening. This is my go to when my skin needs some TLC ASAP! At first I was like, “Ummm, do I really need a face water spray for $18.50??”, and the answer was – yes, yes I do. This magic water has a low mineral content meaning it doesn’t dry out the skin, which is perfect for these winter months when all my skin needs is some surge of moisture especially before bed when I know my heater will kick on and ruin my skin’s life. It also has a neutral pH of 7.5 which helps with restoring balance and reducing sensitivity. I’ve been taking notice of painful little dry spots on my cheek bones and this spray really helped with the burning and inflammation I was experiencing. Also, side note, before you call me crazy, Avène has been in the skin care game for over 270 YEARS, so I’m going to go ahead and personally decide they know what they’re talkin’ about. I know women who have travelled to NYC to pick this product up when they’ve run out (luckily Amazon has your back if you don’t feel like being extra).
I wish I could control my skin 24/7, but instead I have been finding new and interesting ways to relieve my skin when problems do pop up. Which leads me to my favorite winter time clay mask from Glossier, the Mega Greens Galaxy Pack. This lovely piece of skin care is described as a juice cleanse for your face. This cleansing clay mask is jammed packed with all this natural stuff (that I didn’t even know you could put in a clay mask) that particularly helps protect my skin from the nasty NYC pollutants. The formula is a rich and creamy form of kaolin clay, with various extracts like parsley, spinach, and cress sprout extract. There is also a nice orange peel exfoliant that helps with oil balance, which is good for my combo skin. I noticed in a lot of other reviews that it’s recommended to test this out on a small patch of skin before hand because of a sensitivity issue. I enjoy the bits of orange peel, it’s not rough at all, but it gives you a nice, clean feeling after rinsing off your face. For me, this mask has been nothing but positive experiences. Because you need a moist face to apply this mask, the thermal spray is the perfect face prep. My only issue with this formula is that I personally need to use more than the recommended dosage of a thin layer. I prefer a nice thick, green coating, so I know it’s working. It does give me a little bit of a burning/tingling sensation when I first apply it, but it doesn’t bother me at all and eventually subsides after a few minutes. I’ve heard of people using this mask as an over night spot treatment, but I usually just lather my whole face and let it sit for 20-30 minutes depending on my mood. If you’re familiar with clay masks you are prepared for the tightness while the clay dries on your face. By the end of this mask I’m hoping my skin has been thoroughly detoxified with the cleanest of pores and the softest of skin. Although my skin does feel tight, after using this mask three times a week for the last two weeks I have been able to rely on it to keep my skin hydrated during the winter. The conditioning element after I rinse off my face is huge for me because I don’t want to take a clay mask off and feel like my skin needs to be shocked back to life. I do need a cooling property after I remove the mask and I immediately tone with my Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner, which has aloe Vera, rose and sea water *heart eyes*. The final step of achieving the glow up from dull, tired and dehydrated skin is ….
I need a trusted moisturizer. So I am either reaching for Dr. Jart’s Tiger Grass, or my new friend – Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream. First of all, before I move into the formula, I love love love this little container. It keeps the formula sanitary as opposed to dipping your fingers in a jar, and it’s fun to use. I wouldn’t take it traveling with me that is the only downside. But the lid does come off so maybe I can repackage it because I do love to use it AM and PM. I love when I can find a deep moisturizer that keeps my skin balanced and is versatile enough to be used day and night. There's no real reason for this besides that fact that I'm cheap, and also running out of room on the surfaces in my room to hold all of my different creams. But seriously after two weeks of using this moisturizer I’ve noticed a difference in my skin. Thanks to the plantain extract my skin is brighter, and firmer. And also sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer for effortlessly soaking into my pores to release long-lasting hydration. It contains 6 rare African oils that do everything from nourishing, brightening, soothing and combating against environmental aggressors. This facial cream is whipped into silky, goodness that feels luxurious on your skin. I just want to keep applying it over and over again, but the best thing about this product is a little goes a long way. This formula is the perfect balance between powerful and breathable which is what I look for in a moisturizer during this harsh winter season. This skin routine is heavily geared towards hydration, brightening, factoring in environmental issues and repairing of the skin which is desperately what my skin needs to survive these next few months in NYC.
