Skin Care

Disclaimer: I have not been paid to advertise any of the below.  I am not making money if you click a link.  The only product I have been gifted is the Shae Face and Body Velvet srub and you'll soon find out what Shae and I are up to (peek at an upcoming blog post???).

I have learned to be nice to my skin after years of it just being there.  Modeling has made me take a closer look at how I am treating it because makeup makes my skin upset and if I have a pimple, I'm going to pick it.  I am a combo skin; my t-zone is dry and my jawline is oily.  I get blackheads on my nose and temples.  I don't wash my hair every day so I  get little bumps at my hairline.  

Below are my Morning and Night routines.  Also, I have some things that I keep in my bathroom and use weekly or every other week and those are at the bottom of this post.  I hope you find this educational and at least a place to start from if you're feeling confused.  

Morning:

• https://shaefaceandbody.com/collections/skincare-lip-balm-1/products/velvet-gentle-exfoliating-cleanser 
  • This is activated by water, so I use it in the shower.
  • I massage in all over my face and neck with my fingers.
  • Then, I wipe off under the shower head with a cotton washcloth.
• https://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=121232/C-for-yourself-Vitamin-C-texturizing-serum/Nature-s-Gate/Treatments-(Face) 
  • I found this at Grocery Outlet.
  • You should be able to find it online.  
  • I quite like it. It is a lotion serum rather than an oil serum.
• https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/sheamoisture-african-black-soap-problem-skin-toner/ID=prod6321875-product?reactjs=true 
  • I love this line of activated charcoal products.
  • This has a tea tree base and it works well for daily use.
  • I put it on a cotton ball and rub it in any trouble areas with acne.
• https://www.supergoop.com/shop/anti-aging-city-sunscreen-serum-spf-30/ 
  • This is one of those products I have been searching for and finally found.
  • An SPF lotion that actually doesn't feel like a lotion because IT'S A SERUM!
  • It feels great going on and wears wonderfully.
• https://www.supergoop.com/shop/spf-37-advanced-anti-aging-eye-cream/ 
  • I bought this with the SPF serum because I needed a better eye cream and this has SPF, too! 

Night:

• https://www.etsy.com/listing/484874458/deadwood-whipped-cleansing-cream-pure?ref=shop_home_active_9 
  • I found this Etsy shop while looking for black woman owned skincare lines.
  • This cleanser is fantastic!  I absolutely love it for daily use.
  • I use this with my face brush that is battery powered and spins.
  • My skin likes the spin brush - I find I have fewer blackheads and acne pop-ups when I use a spin brush.   
• https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/sheamoisture-african-black-soap-problem-skin-toner/ID=prod6321875-product?reactjs=true 
  • I use this toner again at night after the brush to spot care any ance.
• https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Clinicals-Vitamin-Brightening-Anti-aging/dp/B01AMOTPI6/ref=sr_1_15_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1514488937&sr=8-15&keywords=vitamin+c+lotion 
  • I was looking for a lotion that I could wear at night and that was a little heavier than my day wear moisturizer. 
  • I found this at Grocery outlet, but it is on Amazon. 
  • Apparently, this brand has some kind of cult following.  It is pretty good stuff.
  • I use like half a pump at night - nothing too much.
• https://www.amazon.com/RoC-Multi-Correxion-Eye-Cream/dp/B01NA9WSBS/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1514488690&sr=1-2&keywords=roc+eye+creams 
  • To finish my night routine, I pop on some eye cream.
  • This is something I had and figured I would use up.  After this is done, I'll be looking for a new night cream.  

Weekly/Monthly:

• Face Masks 
  • Use whatever ones you like!
  • I don't spend too much on them, but I do enjoy a sheet mask a couple times a month.
• Nose Strips
  • Again, these are everywhere now and you don't need to buy the expensive ones.
  • I use one on my nose every other week or so.  
  • It helps keep my large pores clear.
• All Natural Lotion
  • My savior: https://www.burtsbees.com/product/aloe-%26-coconut-oil-after-sun-soother--6-fl.-oz./VM-19499-00-1.html
  • This lotion is magic.  I use it on sunburns all the time!
  • I also bleach my brows and as soon as I am done, I put some of this on to combat any chemical burns I may have encountered because I just had bleach on my face.  
  • I also use this in a pinch for chubrub, and after shaving lotion.
• Comedone Extractor
  • You can get these just about anywhere now.
  • I think I picked mine up from Ross years ago.
  • I use it to get out blackheads and pop whiteheads instead of using my fingers.
  • I told you, if I have something on my face, I will pop it and I know I shouldn't so I got one of these.  :)  

This is what I have in my bathroom.  I know it sounds like a lot, but I have it down to wash, tone, moisturize, eye cream.  The rest is just self-care/treat-yo-self stuff that I have found makes my skin happy.  Make sure you try out products to best suit your skin.  I am not a doctor, merely a model on a budget.