My Beauty Routine: An Update

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Here is an update post with my new-ish beauty routine and how I’m liking all of the different products. I’m saving makeup for another day! 

How I’m Liking Beautycounter

I Like That I Actually Have A Routine

I’ve been using Beautycounter long enough now that I have a nice routine that I’m doing every morning and night. So far I have been very happy with both the products and my results (see below!) It’s nice to actually have a routine. For years I mixed and matched products and never committed to one line of skincare or makeup. Thanks to my propensity towards sample sizes, I constantly rotated different products and brands in and out. And because I am actually not a beauty junkie or skincare expert, I was probably using them wrong and doubling up on function. It feels really good to have a morning and nighttime lineup and know the purpose behind each product.

I Like Following A Recipe

It’s also nice to have someone tell you: these are the products to use and in this order. I wouldn’t know how to bake a cake without a recipe, and I don’t necessarily know all of the ins and outs of skin to know what I should be using and how to use it. Beautycounter’s website is packed with information on the what, why, and how of each product, so I am now confidently using my products with purpose.

36 Is Not Too Late!

When I lived off of samples I felt like I never had to “buy” beauty products (even though I paid for the samples.) I have never actually invested in my skin until now. I don’t know about you, but I take better care of things that I spend good money on compared to things I purchase that are cheap or are given to me. I used to easily justify spending money on a hotel room or pillows for my couch before I would on beauty. I am now 36 and decided I need more than SPF to keep my skin looking youthful. It’s kind of like putting money into retirement: the younger you start the better off you are. Mid-30s isn’t too late (it’s NEVER too late! My sister and I have our mom trying out the Resurfacing Peel!)

Here are the products I bought and how I’ve been using them.

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Morning Skincare Routine

(aka whenever I take my first shower)

Countermatch Cleansing Milk – This cleanser is creamy, smells like a clay mask, and does not dry skin out. I keep it in the shower. I like to use an exfoliator a few times a week in place of my regular cleanser, so I need to buy one of those sometime soon.

Rejuvenating Toner Pads – I love the feel of toner on my skin right after a shower. That tight feeling is like the skin drinking in moisture! I cut these toner pads in half to make them last me twice as long (about 3 months). They were really easy to cut, surprisingly, and half of one is just fine for my face.

No. 1 Brightening Mist – I use this as my morning brightener and the matching oil at night. I spritz it over my face and it sinks in quickly because the mist is so fine. I think of it as a nice drink for my skin. It’s packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin C. I also use it whenever I need a little refresh.

Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum – I think of this as nutrition for my skin that is gentle enough for anytime, anyday. It goes on very smoothly and you only need a little.

Countermatch Adaptive Lotion – This lotion is a great all-over hydration to lock in the toner + serum effects. A little goes a long way. I skip eye cream in the mornings to speed up my routine and save money by using it only once a day (at night).

Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer with SPF – This is the start of my makeup routine, which I’ll save for another post, but I point it out as the end of skincare because of the SPF! I make sure to put this on my forehead and ears too.

Nighttime Skincare Routine

Cleansing Balm – I really thought I would hate this but I actually love it for one big reason: you don’t have to wash it off! I hate washing my face at the sink because my sink is high and I am short and water tends to drip all down my arms and only my clothes. The cleansing balm is a multitasker and is a cleanser, melting make-up remover, and a replenishing overnight mask all in one. I rub a jelly bean size amount over my skin and then wipe off the top layer with a 2×2 esthetic wipe. No water necessary!

Makeup Remover Wipes – If my face is really dirty OR if I have on a lot of makeup I use one of these wipes instead. My sister taught me that they tear in half really easily, so I use half at a time to double the use. Note the tear well in one direction but not the other!

Overnight Resurfacing Peel – This is my FAVORITE product!! I love the lemony smell, and it goes on so smoothly. It will tingle for about 5-10 minutes after putting it on which is one of the ways I know it’s actually working. The peel has 15 acids that resurface your skin without causing irritation. 9 of the 15 acids in the peel are resurfacing acids that work to renew the skin by removing dead skin cells (like breaking down the top layer of the skin) and the other 6 are soothing acids that rehydrate and replenish skin. Your skin does not actually peel or flake off – the goal is to smooth skin, lift away dark spots, and shrink lines, pores, and scars while leaving skin brighter and glowing. I skip toner at night because the peel gives the same effect and feeling. I’ve been using this 5 nights a week or so. #IfYouOnlyBuyOneThing

While peel sinks in for 3-4 minutes, floss and brush your teeth!

No. 1 Brightening Oil – This is another product I did not expect to like, but I bought because everyone raved about it. I put a few drops into my hand and press it into my skin rather than rub. It makes a little sound that reminds me of PopRocks that I like to think is the oil going into my pores! The goal: bright and radiant glow.

Countermatch Rescue Eye Cream – Not much to say here except I think it’s good to use an eye cream! I also think this is one of those “could definitely leave out” items. Since I bought the Countermatch Collection, it came with the bunch. And since I do have a lot of fine lines around my eyes, it’s probably good that I’m using it!

Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream – A nice, hydrating night cream to seal it all in. I love how this dispenses through a press lid (because it’s air tight and minimizes oxidation.)

No. 3 Balancing Facial Mask with Charcoal – I just added this recently and really liked it!! It smells great and dries nicely onto skin before it’s time to rinse off. I’m trying to use it once a week and I skip the Peel + Brightening Oil that night.

Body + Hair

Shampoo and Conditioner – I’ve tried other “natural” hair care products before and been underwhelmed. First of all, I really need my shampoo to lather. I know that is not a critical part of cleaning hair, but it’s just something that I feel strongly about. Second, I prefer not to have a strong herbal scent. I’m happy to say that the Beautycounter shampoo and conditioner checks both boxes (in that 1) the shampoo lathers and 2) it smells nice – like sweet lemon!). I think this is the hardest product for me to spend money on because these are not cheap, but since I wash my hair less now, that does help them last longer. (Please Beautycounter can you come up with a safer dry shampoo that sprays!?)

Citrus Mimosa Hydrating Body Lotion – I use this sparingly on my legs and arms after a shower. A little goes a long way. The scent is nice and clean – not overpowering!

Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist – Admittedly I was the queen of spray sunscreens. I KNEW they were full of chemicals that weren’t good for me or the ocean, but I always thought a sun burn would be worse. The alternative, a lotion, always left my body white as a ghost and my hands greasy, plus it took so much longer to rub in. The Beautycounter mineral mist is a GAME CHANGER for sun protection because it delivers a fine mist that 1) you cannot see it and 2) it is not greasy!! While you do still have to rub it in, it’s actually really nice to be able to SEE the sunscreen and know where you have applied it. With the clear sprays you just have to aim and hope you cover your body somehow in that cloud. I will let you know how we like it once pool season is in full swing.

Countersun Sunscreen Stick – Great for kids’ faces and soccer games. Goes on clear! It’s also so small you can keep on in your purse or diaper bag and not feel like you’re lugging around weight.

Baby Gentle All-Over Wash – I bought this for Birch and it’s nice! I think both a pro and a con is that it really has no smell. While I do like my baby to smell like powder and lavender after a bath, I think unscented really is the best choice. And his natural smell is pretty darn sweet! I haven’t bought or tried the Kids’ line or the baby balm, but I know people have and like it a lot!

Before And After

A picture speaks 1,000 words. Here is an updated before and after! I tried to make the exact same face, but geez is that kind of hard to do! Anyways, I think my skin is clearly brighter, a bit more radiant, and more even. It absolutely feels better – softer, hydrated – too. Those forehead spots are going to take a while to go away, but I do think they look better!

Girl, That’s A Lot Of Products!

Yes, I know! Like I said, I go at things 1,000%. I knew these would cost me a lot, but I also know they will last a while. And like I said, I was ready to invest in my skin. If it looks worse a year from now, I can always go back to drugstore brands.

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