If you know me - I'm a maniac about my face care. I NEVER EVER go to sleep with make-up on. I won't even take a nap on my pillow with make-up on! I started tackling winkles and using anti-aging stuff at 25. I'm always willing to try new skincare and love to research! I think this is all influenced by my mother - she is 64 and you would think she is 45. Her skin is amazing! Some of it might be genes but I do credit her healthy eating and smart skin care.
SO! I thought I would share my pregnancy skincare routine with you! I did switch things up a bit once I got pregnant because my skin did change. I still have incredibly oily skin (always have ...) but once I got pregnant, it took a more combo route. Don't get me wrong - I still get oily just not as hardcore as before babies-in-belly.
First things first: I have expensive taste. The products I use are not cheap. I admit it. Oh, but they work so well! I have a monthly "face care" budget so I work on getting a few products at a time and try to plan ahead. I'm certainly not able to buy everything all at once. But in the long run - it's so worth it!
The majority of the products I use are from Kahina (http://kahina-givingbeauty.com/). Not only are their products safe from all the acids and chemicals you need to avoid during pregnancy, they also help women in third world countries. How cool is that?!
MORNING ROUTINE
1. Wash face
Four to five pumps and apply in a circular motion all over my face and my neck (don't ever forget about your neck!! It can get damaged and wrinkle just like your face!). THEN I use the holy grail of all face tools: The Clarisonic. With so many brushes to choose from (I use the deep pore cleansing brush) - this gentle exfoiliator is just what the doctor ordered. Love. It. And completely worth it's weight in gold!
2. Toner
For this - I go cheap: Apple Cider Vinegar. A few drops on a cotton ball and apply to face. I can't begin to tell you all of the wonderful things that Apple Cider Vinegar can do for you! Your hair, your skin, your digestive system (if you drink it).... It's great! Yes, it has a strong smell - but I'm used to it and it doesn't bother me.
3. Argan Oil
While my face is still damp from my ACV, I apply Kahina's Argan Oil. This. Stuff. Is. Amazing. I kid you not. Josie Maran also has Argan Oil but I've found that Kahina's works better with my skin. Josie's is a bit too moisturizing for my oily/combo face.
3.1 Argan Oil the belly!
Side note here - I then use Josie Maran's Argan Oil and rub it over my belly, boobs, and love handles. I don't use Kahina for this because it is so expensive and Josie's is just fine for my belly. Some say that the argan oil can combat stretch marks, etc. I'm sure this isn't very true because stretch marks come down to genetics BUT so far, I have no stretch marks. What's the harm in trying, eh? Plus, I have a well moisturized belly. :)
4. Moisturize with SPF
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Mattifying Lotion with SPF 15 is my go-to. It has solid ingredients, protects my face (AND neck!) from the sun, and doesn't make me break out or get super oily. It's all about protection from the sun!
After I brush my teeth to let the lotion set - I apply a pump of Bare Escentuals Oil-Free Primer. I've tried a lot of primers - and this one works the best for me! I still get a bit oily - but nothing that a quick blot won't take of later in the day ...
6. Moisturize Body
I like to give the primer time to set so I head to the rest of my body. Technically this isn't the proper thing to do as you really should apply lotion to your body right out of the shower in order to retain moisture. But I focus on my face first while my hands are their cleanest. To each their own ... I don't use anything fancy-pants. St. Ives Shea Butter (from Target) has worked wonderful for me! Nice scent and it truly keeps my skin moisturized!
7. Apply make-up
After a solid hand washing, I apply my make-up. Bare Escentuals' new concealer is WONDERFUL. Adore it. It hides the dark circles and makes me look all bright eyed and bushy tailed. Plus I can spot conceal on major breakouts, if any.
I always used Bare Escentuals as my foundation - but as my pregnany progressed, my skin was looking more and more cakey when using it. So I switched to Givenchy Fluid Foundation Airy-Light Mat Radiance SPF 20 (long name, eh?). This sucker is expensive! BUT I tried samples for a long time... I would go into a different Sephora store and just ask for a sample in the shade I knew worked. Then I'd use that for awhile. They are pretty generous with samples! Once I felt like I could make the investment, I did. So worth it.
I put a small amount on my fingers (maybe a dime ...) and then just spread it on with my fingers. . I like full-coverage and this does the trick!
My setting powder is Make-Up Forever's HD powder. It really is wonderful! I bought the travel size from Sephora about four months ago and I'm still using it. A little bit goes a long way!
Blush - color depending on my mood. I love NARS and MAC blushes. Bare Escentuals is getting better ... Next up: chapstick. THEN I head to take care of my hair. Mascara is the very last thing I apply before heading out the door, strangly enough ... I don't know why really ...
NIGHT ROUTINE
Following steps 1 thru 3 in the morning routine (including "arganing" the belly!) Step 4 for night is a bit different. Also note - I do a clarifying mask after washing my face two times a week. Kahina's is fantastic but so is Paula's Choice Carbon Mask. I let it sit about ten minutes and then use the Clarisonic when rinsing it off. Skin feels just lovely.
4. Spot treat (if needed)
If I have a HUGE breakout then I put just a teensy-tiny amount of Paula's Choice Benzoyl Peroxide on it. PLEASE, PLEASE check with your doctor before using anything like this. My doc gave me the okay - and I only use a small percentage IF I even spot treat. I do not do this every night - only if I have a huge pimple that just needs to go away. The little stuff I can handle.
5. Eye Serum
Part of my wrinkle defense! I apply Kahina's eye serum around my eyes and let it soak in for a minute or two.
6. Lotion
For nighttime, I go a bit heavier in the face lotion. Kahina's face lotion is too moisturizing for me to use during the day - but is simple wonderful for me to use at night.
Another tip to combat pimples: after you have completed your face routine, apply a small dab of cortosine cream to your zit or pimple. Let it dry and then head to bed. This cuts down on inflammation and redness. When I wake up in the morning, I have a blemish I can easily conceal or no blemish at all! But I do this at the very end of my routine to leave it on overnight.
And Voila! My routine. :)
~M
