Fashion Friday: Fresh Face Forward

Happy nearly New Year!  It’s Fashion Friday time so what better to do when looking forward to the new year than to put a fresh face forward.

I’ll admit, I’ve gotten a little lax with my skin care.  I’m in my 40s so I can’t really afford to slack off like I have this fall.

So what better to kick off the fashion new year than focusing on our face?

I thought I’d highlight a few new things I’ve tried, what I want to try, and check out what you’re doing.

First up, WATER.  This is not a new thing.  In fact, I’m thirsty all the time so I do drink a lot of water.  Many days I’ll down a gallon (when I’m at work and not traveling).  But between a big travel mug of coffee in the morning and a glass of wine in the evening, I need even more water to combat those dehydrating forces.  Granted, I’m also cutting out weekday wine which will help, but water is universally good for your skin.  And it’s free and easy.  Add lemons, I’m told.

Second, my girlfriend gave me this cool new face mask in a bag of goodies for Christmas.  I’m terrible about exfoliating and deeply hydrating my skin.  (It’s starting to show.)  It’s called Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb and you can get it for $3 at Wal Mart.  (Or you can buy a pack of 6 on Amazon and get free shipping if you’re Prime.)  My skin felt so amazing afterwards.  I’ve previously sung the praises of the Garnier SkinActive eye roller which I utterly love and use as a anti-eye puffer AND concealer.  Now I am really wanting to try other products since they’re 2 for 2 in helping my skin.

Since we’re on the topic of ways to hydrate, my best friend Kristin showered me with BeautyCounter moisturizers for my face when came to town.  She mixes the adaptive moisture lotion, the rejuvenating radiance serum, and the vitamin C oil.  One squirt of each in her hand and then she applies before make up.  I’ve been doing it this week and my skin feels like silk.  Love these.

This might be an important time to remind you that I do not sell ANY of these products nor do I make affiliate money off of links.  This is just stuff I’m loving.

I keep meaning to try my girlfriend’s Rodan & Fields stuff because she has the most amazing skin.  Particularly high on my list is this Soothe facial cleanser because I have terribly dry skin and you might see a theme in this post that my old skin needs hydrating.

This is obviously pricier than my Garnier options, but my makeup and skin care is quite a hodge podge.  I have Olay, L’Oreal and Garnier mixed in with MAC, Origins, Lancôme and BeautyCounter.  Still one of my favorite scrubs (because again, I forget to exfoliate) is my Olay Total Effects citrus cleanser.  And the only mascara I’ve used for over a decade (okay, make fun, but I love it) is L’Oréal Voluminous.

So that’s what is on my short list this new year.

But I would love to hear what you use to give yourself a fresh face forward.

Especially if you have an exfoliant you like for your face which won’t break your skin out or leave it dry.  Also, if you have a BB cream or a CC cream you love, share the brand.  I currently use a Mary Kay CC cream as my foundation (on days I bother) and I really like it’s not too heavy.  However, I have to get in a more routine habit of using a cream/moisturizer instead of just powder.

Make everything easy for me.  I won’t spend more than a few minutes!