#Basic Skincare.

This is not a glam topic, but I made the ill-advised decision to switch my skincare regimen like a crazy lady earlier this year — and when I say switch, I mean try sample after sample of new products, invest in an entire skincare line without testing it first, and all kinds of other random and rash (pun intended) decisions. I’d been using Proactiv for years and years and it had kept me blemish-free for a decade and a half –and then I decided I wanted to invest in some “upscale” skincare after getting swept up by the blog Into the Gloss (still obsessed) like an idiot.  I mean, Proactiv is like the boring old orthopedic shoe of skincare.  Its packaging is disgusting.  It looks industrial-strength.  But it works for me and I seriously regret leaving it for even a day, just chasing pretty packaging.  So I returned to Proactiv.  My new routine is #basic.  I even turned my cheek to La Mer after trying it for a few glorious months.  (I do love that stuff, but I want to kill myself every time I see the price tag — $170?! WAHHHH.)  I’ve now returned to classic Kiehl’s Ultra Moisturizer ($18).  This stuff is amazing; scent-free, lasts forever, truly moisturizes and absorbs.  Plus, there’s something so sparse and appealing about its packaging — almost atoning for past skincare purchase indiscretions.  It’s like the Catholic Church of skincare.  (Woah, how about these analogies?!)

In the mornings, after moisturizing, I dab on Chantecaille’s rose oil ($185 — to try rose oil out yourself for a little less, Laura Mercier has a new rose oil for $62, Aerin Lauder does one for $68, and I’ve heard awesome things about the By Terry formula, $106).  OK, so maybe rose oil is not so basic.  It smells like heaven and hydrates like a dream and I don’t care that it costs a fortune, because it lasts a long time.  And I’m convinced it has left my skin looking brighter and younger.  Both in the morning and evening, I slather on Shiseido’s White Lucent eye cream ($55).  I’ve been diligent about using eye cream since the age of like 16 and I’m grateful for it as I head into my 30s.  And at nighttime, after washing my face, I put on Korres nighttime brightening facial cream ($48).  It smells like fresh laundry mixed with rose petals and it really moisturizes the skin.  You wake up dewy.  And it’s not just because you haven’t put your contacts in.

Continuing on the rose train, I also love to refresh midday (or sometimes after applying makeup — to sort of “set” things) with Chantecaille’s rose water spray ($64).  I was disappointed to learn that there’s a super inexpensive drugstore brand — Heritage — that has a great rosewater spray for a fraction of the price ($9).  People rave about this stuff.  And while we’re on the topic of rose, I’ll say that for awhile I also tested out Dr. Hauschka’s rose day cream and loved it.  But those little tubes!  I’d go through them in like a week.  And the tube is really annoying — it cracks on the sides the more you squeeze it out and then suddenly it’s oozing out the sides.  Bad design.

When I need a deep clean, I go to the scrub section of my medicine cabinet.  I’ve been really into the Glam Glow PowerMud stuff ($69) — your skin feels seriously squeaky clean afterward — but am an old fan of Kate Somerville’s Exfolikate ($85).  You just feel so buffed afterward.  And while I’m talking about Kate Somerville, I also reallyreally like her body scrub ($65) and, for blemishes, her clearing lotion ($42 — but caution!  This stuff is really drying.)  Lastly, I am dying to try one of these SKII masks ($17 per) — people rave about them.

For lips, I have four things I LIVE for.  First, a heavy duty balm for winter months (Kiehl’s, $7).  I slather this on before bed.  I feel a little guilty about that one because my mom raised myself and my sisters on Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream ($21) and I’ve been a diligent user for like a billion years.  My mom puts that stuff on everything — minor abrasions, burns, scars, chapped lips, bug bites — and I’d been a dutiful follower, but Mr. Magpie was appalled at the smell.  (It has a strong medicinal quality to it that I’ve kind of grown to like…)  Kiehl’s is nice and odor-free for the sensitive nostril.

For daytime, I’m constantly reapplying Sugar Rose lip balm ($22 — they have all kinds of colors/flavors now; the packaging is beaut).  I love that it’s non-sticky and leaves a slight sheen of color.

Every week or two, I do a little lip scrub with Sara Happ’s stuff ($24 — such cool flavors) — I’ve also used Tarte’s formula and like that one as well (it has a nice minty scent).  I love doing a little scrubscrub before putting on a bold lip — it ensures everything is smooth prior to application.

And, last, I literally could not live without Mac’s Prep + Prime ($16.50).  I put it on everyday.  I used to hate lipstick but have seriously gotten into it over the last two years.  Mac’s primer keeps it in place.

For the bod, I wish I could order Fresh’s body lotions in bigger quantities — I absolutely love their Life and Hesperides scents ($22).  The lotion has the perfect weight and viscosity.  And I double up just after the shower with their body oil ($48).

For feet, it’s gotta be Burt’s Bees Foot Cream.  Tha best.  Unsexy and totally messy (#basic), but it’s essentially a thick goopy oily balm that you slather onto your tootsies and cover with thick socks before bed so you can wake up with soft feet.  In the shower, I use Kate Somerville’s body wash (mentioned earlier) and bar soap — I like Fresh’s gorgeous scents ($15), but L’Occitaine’s shea butter bar soap ($12) is an old standby.  I’m curious about this Swedish eggwhite soap which apparently works miracles (see here and here for rave reviews).

Come to think of it, I’m sort of a soap junkie — I have this big mercury glass footed compote bowl sitting on the edge of my bath tub and I keep it stocked with new soap finds.  There’s something so satisfyingly old school about lathering up with a bar of soap.  But occasionally I borrow some of Mr. Magpie’s Molton Brown body wash — he likes the black peppercorn and suma ginseng scents ($30).  Also, intriguing new tobacco scent!  Stocking stuffer!

Tell me your #basic skincare regimen!!!