Winter Beauty Refresh: The Products I Have on Rotation

I do my own manicures at home (I actually dread the time spent in the salon chair!), so a nail polish that looks just as good by me as the professionals is key. I do the whole routine; the cuticle oil is one of my secrets to a smudge-free hand. 

Smith & Cult is my go-to 5-free nontoxic nail polish that literally lasts longer than any other polish I’ve worn.  I have about a dozen shades at home, along with the base coat and top coat.  Once you go Smith & Cult, you’ll never look back! 

I can’t say enough for this little guy.  I LOVE that it’s a convenient size that I can throw in my bag when I travel.  The Mia Fit is both lightweight and waterproof, so I usually use it in the shower.

The delicate, yet powerful design is the surest way to remove makeup, buff dead skin and find soft, smooth skin beneath. The reviews say it all; people are obsessed with this Clarisonic, and I’m one of them. 

Not all face oils are created equal, I’m finding.  I’m currently in love with this one (and The Well Code approves).  It has an all-star lineup of ingredients: organic rosehip oil (corrects dark spots and restores suppleness), organic argan oil (an anti-oxidant that hydrates and softens), jojoba oil (a great anti-inflammatory that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and pore size), organic sea buckthorn seed oil (calms redness), vitamin e oil (a strong anti-oxidant that boosts collagen production), jasmine essential oil (tones all skin types), lavender essential oil (soothes skin), and geranium essential oil (reduces the appearance of wrinkles).

Whew! I use 2-3 drops day and night after I’m done cleansing and toning.  And I’ve got to say…it’s damn good. 

I use this toner as my second step to my daily skincare routine (after cleansing) and before applying the face oil. The umbrian clay helps purify the skin, while cinnamon bark and burnet root work to clarify.  I love the addition of lavender floral water in the mix too; it tones and balances (and relaxes me!). 

This face mask is a big reason my skin feels soft and supple, despite the frigid temps.  It has a unique, cooling gel formula that seriously melts into your skin.  The mask soothes and tones my complexion (I can smell the cucumber and the aloe) and it’s simply a lovely feeling on my face and neck. Another really, really great buy from Fresh.  

I’ve started using this gentle cleanser daily since my skin has flared up a bit with the colder temperatures.  I have sensitive skin, so I really enjoy this plant-derived cleanser that doesn’t strip my face too harshly. 

My skin feels SO soft after using this, and I haven’t felt my usual tight, too-dry skin I usually do this time of year after cleansing. 

I’m glad I snatched up a bottle of Wild Fig & Cassis before it was discontinued!  I know it’s just a tease to hear it now, but I just can’t get enough of the fragrance.  “Sun-warmed figs and delicate cassis is entwined with notes of hyacinth and cedarwood, enveloping the wearer in the warmth of the Mediterranean” just whisks me away to heaven.

Of course, her other fragrances are note-worthy; I’ve worn Jo Malone for years. The gift sets make great gift ideas this time of year too! 

Like I said earlier, I’ve experienced a few more breakouts recently than my usual.  I use this Acne Clearing Wash in the shower to help keep them under control. 

It’s alcohol and paraben free, too, so I feel better using it than, say, your standard harsh acne wash. 

I never colored or filled in my brows before.  I’ve heard many girls swear by doing it, but since have such light coloring on my face, I hadn’t really thought about doing so until recently. So when I decided to try it out, I of course looked to the go-to name in the game, Anastacia Beverly Hills.  I tried the Tinted Brow Gel in blonde, and with a few practice runs I was able to get it looking natural and subtle.  

Another must-have in the brow department I learned: the Perfect Brow Pencil. This pencil is two-sided, giving you the means to apply and blend the color perfectly into your natural brow. I really like the consistency of this pencil; it’s a creamy formula that dries down to a natural powder finish and helps you get the most natural effect possible. I ordered the blonde shade here as well. 

I. Am. Obsessed. with this Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask by Fresh. While you sleep, your skin is already working to recover and turnover, and this mask works in sync with that!  It gives me an incredibly moisturized feel to my skin in the morning, while firmer too (I swear).

I like to apply it to my face, neck and chest, leaving it on overnight. 

I picked up this special edition lip scrub at Create & Cultivate in October, and I can’t be caught without it now.  It tastes and smells like a Sprinkles cupcake, which is AMAZING and right up my alley. But most importantly, the lip scrub is packed with essential oils that hydrate and gently exfoliate my lips so I can keep the perfect pout. Aaand it’s paraben free, which is so important in my book! 

Where was NERD Acne Treatment when I needed it years ago?!  This unique acne treatment lotion uses your own immune system to kill acne on your face by nurturing the good, acne-fighting bacteria. 
The lotion works WITHOUT damaging benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid you’ll find in other acne products.  Instead, it uses powerful plant extracts, and it’s lightweight and colorless. It’s amazing, I tell you…I swear my face looked clearer after a few days.