I love makeup – always have, always will. It’s fun to play with different ways to create looks with all kinds of makeup products. But I get a bit annoyed when makeup is less about fun and more about hiding skin issues that I might be struggling with. Sure, that’s what a good foundation or concealer are designed to do, but I like it better when I can wear makeup just for fun.
Enter skincare. Skincare is the key to creating a clean canvas that you can create fun makeup looks with. I’ve tried hundreds of products over the years and some have worked and some have most definitely not. But over the last few months, I think I’ve finally found the winning combination to treat the variety of skin issues I still face at 41 – tone and texture, breakouts, and fine lines. Today, I’m sharing the four types of products that have transformed my skin.
PRODUCT TYPE ONE: DIRECT ACIDS
Acids are my skincare must have. I love using a good glycolic acid cleanser (like this one) in the evening to cleanse my skin and I use a glycolic acid toner as needed to clear out my pores (I love this one and this budget friendly version). But adding an acid serum is the real key. I use these at night after cleansing and they have cleared up my blackheads, helped with exfoliation, and made my skin smoother than every before. While I love both of these products and alternate them regularly, The Ordinary Lactic Acid is a fabulous budget-friendly find that I absolutely adore.
PRODUCT TYPE TWO: VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is a powerhouse ingredient that helps to improve skin tone and brightness. If you struggle with dull skin, this is definitely the product for you. I tend to use vitamin C serum in the mornings, before applying moisturizer because they perform so well under makeup. These are two that I love and alternate regularly.
PRODUCT TYPE THREE: RETINOL
The final powerhouse ingredient that I use regularly is retinol. Retinol can pretty much do it all – it reduces fine lines and wrinkles, smooths skin, and even works to reduce breakouts. The one downside to retinol is that it can be very drying and irritating to some skin types, so you need to incorporate it very carefully. If you’re new to retinol, I recommend adding it very slowly to your routine, starting with once a week and gradually adding it more regularly as your skin becomes used to it. You’ll also need to wear sunscreen regularly, as retinol affects your sun exposure. These are two retinol products I regularly use. The IT Cosmetics Hello Results and CeraVe Skin Renewing Cream Serum are very similar, so I do recommend the CeraVe as a more budget-friendly option.
PRODUCT TYPE FOUR: SUNSCREEN
Last but not least - in fact, it maybe the most important, is sunscreen. Sunscreen has become the most vital part of my skincare routine because it truly helps prevent a variety of skincare concerns, including wrinkles, age spots, and discolouration. I have been using the Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen for five years and love it. It never clogs pores, mixes well with my foundation for light colour coverage, and it’s super budget-friendly. The Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen is a popular lightweight and effective sunscreen that works well under makeup.
If you’re interested in trying any of these products, I do have a discount code for Tula, one of my favourite skincare brands. Check them out here:
Linen pants have always been a great style staple in the spring and summer (and I would argue, in fall on those cool-in-the-morning, warm-in-the-afternoon days). But this year, wide leg linen pants have made a resurgence and I honestly love it.
Not only are they comfortable, but they can look elegant enough for the office or a night out, especially when paired with heeled sandals. I found these ones on sale at Joe Fresh and thought they would be perfect as I get ready to transition back to a hybrid work schedule in the coming months.
For this look, I paired the pants with a simple white button-down shirt I found on sale at Old Navy two years ago for about $10. The oversized shirt and wide-leg pants combination may seem like it could be a bit too billowy, but doing a front tuck helps to streamline things. I like that it looks effortless but polished, and the fact that it's an incredibly comfortable combination is just a bonus.
Although I do love the way these pants look with flat leather sandals (sort of casual and effortless again, without looking sloppy), I added a favourite pair of heeled leather sandals I picked up two years ago and they work perfect for this outfit.
While everything except the pants are older, I have found several similar items and linked them below if you're looking to recreate this look.
PRODUCT TYPE ONE: DIRECT ACIDS
