As the winter stretch seems eternal, and the urge to envelop ourselves in blankets forever and ever becomes ever more prominent (and increasingly inevitable) a good skin care routine to comfort and protect the skin from the harsh winter winds is essential.
As someone who resembles an under-bridge-troll in the morning (regardless of hours slept, alcohol consumed or even if i'm woken up by Ed Westwick, in the buff, holding a bunch of flowers in one hand and some seriously strong coffee in the other), it takes a fair bit of coaxing for me to leave my bed at all, let alone engage in comprehensible conversation or even function as a human.
My morning skin care routine is long enough to give me time to wake-up, easy enough to do whilst still half-asleep, and nourishing enough to give myself a little love first thing in the AM. It is quite extensive and I understand that most people don't like caking on as many creams as I do (I like to layer up my face as well as my outfits in winter), but this is just the routine i've found that works for me and i'm always open to suggestions! :)
So here we go! Step 1. - CLEANSE WITH BIODERMA
The first thing I do (after washing my hands and splashing cold water on my face) is a good sweep of Bioderma to remove any excess night-time products, left over shampoo or conditioner and oils/general sleep-ness from my face. Bioderma is, quite frankly, the absolute tits. I'm not quite sure how well I would be able to fare in a Bioderma-free world and for anyone who hasn't yet given it a try - I urge, beg & pray for you to try. (I've put the links for where you can get all products mentioned at the bottom of the post). It feels just like water, is great for sensitive skin and is the best cleanser in the world. Fact.
STEP 2. - TONE WITH KIEHL'S CALENDULA TONER
Next up I use a good splash of my Kiehl's Calendula toner, I find this really helps as a final step to make sure my face is totally clean, fresh and ready to go. It makes skin super soft and relaxed and helps to clear pores and give a really even, bright skin tone, full of herbs and alcohol free
STEP 3. - EYE SERUM: ESTEE LAUDER ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR EYE
After cleansing and toning, I apply my eye serum (giving my face time to absorb the toner and dry and just breathe for a bit). I use this on my 'eye bone' (I'm sure it has a technical name but lets just go with eye bone for now) sweeping it across and up to the end of my brow, then i go back round in small circles, and gently pat in any excess.
STEP 3.5 - EYE CREAM: EMU OIL
Next up is eye cream (I've inherited terrible dark circles - thanks mum - so my eye area needs quite a bit of attention). I love the Emu Oil eye cream for the mornings because it's really nourishing, simple and isn't filled with chemicals or junk, not too intense and not watery either, just a great little product that does exactly what it's needed to do. I apply this in exactly the same way as the serum but take it a little higher to cover my eye brow bone (I know, my biological knowledge astounds even me).
(please excuse my shocking computer skills, I hope this helps?)
STEP 4. - FACIAL SERUM - ESTEE LAUDER ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR / ORIGINS MEGA BRIGHT
Once my eyes are cared for, I move onto my facial serum. Depending on how my skin is feeling or what I'll be doing throughout the day, I use either the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair or Origins Mega Bright serum. (If my skin is feeling a little delicate I sometimes use the Origins Mega Mushroom). I put this all over my face and neck and gently pat in until absorbed.
STEP 5. - MOISTURISER(S)
Moisturiser is the next step in the facial recipe. I am unashamed to say that I am a total moisturiser whore. I pick them out of my draw like a fat kid in a candy store, I love to layer them up for a really intensive injection of moisture and to creat a barrier against the nasties of city life. For the past few weeks I've been fairly loyal, my favourite combination is the Clinique dramatically different moisturiser, followed by Origins GinZing, and finished off with Kiehls Ultra light daily defence SPF 50+++ (which is always the final step, regardless of the season).
STEP 6. - LYMPHATIC DRAINING
Once my face is nicely clean and well fed, I like to start the day with a little lymphatic draining to wake my skin up. I've been using the Eve Lom draining techniques. You can watch a video of Eve's trademark draining techniques here: Eve Lom Video
(I find this also gives me a little bit more time for the moisturiser to fully sink in before applying my make up)
And that's that! A little long winded and product-heavy but i have combination to dry skin usually and in winter I just feel as though skin needs a little extra help to stay plump, hydrated and protected. If any of you have tried any of these products or have any suggestions for products that you love to use in the morning, please let me know in the comments below as regardless of how full my morning routine is, there's always room for a new step!
Until next time!
Amber x
For Bioderma: http://www.monguidesante.com/bioderma-maID=14.html
For Calendula: http://www.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/by-category/toners/calendula-herbal-extract-alcohol-free-toner
For ANR eye serum: http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/product/685/24552/Product-Catalog/Skincare/By-Category/Eye-Care/Advanced-Night-Repair/Eye-Serum-Infusion/index.tmpl
For Emu Oil: http://www.emu-oil-well.co.uk/p/moisturising-eye-cream/21
For Mega Bright: http://www.origins.co.uk/products/8670/Skincare/Range/Dr-Weil-Mega-Bright/index.tmpl?cm_sp=Gnav-_-Skincare-_-Dr.WeilMega-Bright
For ANR: http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/products/8241/Product-Catalog/Skincare/Collections/Advanced-Night-Repair/index.tmpl
For Mega-Mushroom: http://www.origins.co.uk/product/3860/11116/Skincare/Category/Serums/Mega-Mushroom-Skin-Relief/Advanced-Face-Serum/index.tmpl
For Clinique dramatically different: http://www.clinique.co.uk/product/11095/26651/3--step/DDML/NEW-Dramatically-Different-Moisturizing-Lotion/index.tmpl
For Origins GinZing: http://www.origins.co.uk/products/10950/Skincare/Range/GinZing/index.tmpl?cm_sp=Gnav-_-Skincare-_-GinZing%E2%84%A2
For Kiehls moisturiser: http://www.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/by-concern/healthy-skin/ultra-light-daily-defense-spf-50
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