fave products // osmia organics naked body mousse & oil

If you have dry, sensitive skin, or even if you don’t, I cannot recommend Osmia organics naked collection enough. I’ve been using both the naked body oil and naked body mousse over the last few months, and my skin has felt smooth and hydrated all throughout the dry LA winter.

These Osmia products contain no harsh fragrances, even essential oils, since those can be irritating for those with sensitive skin. The only thing you’ll smell is the scent of the natural base oil blend, which is made of 11 incredibly nourishing oils (nine are certified organic!), including organic jojoba oil, velvety kukui oil, organic rosehip seed oil, and soothing organic hemp seed oil.

I recommend applying the oil on clean, wet skin just after you get out of the bath or shower- it absorbs better this way, and leaves you with silky, smooth skin! The mousse is rich, yet fluffy, and often times combine the two for ah extra dose of nourishing hydration.

Because these are free of irritants, the naked body oil and mousse are safe for use on excema, psoriasis, newborns, and nursing mothers! My toddler gets a nice slathering as I get him out of the bath or shower as well. Baby soft skin for everyone- yes please!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // osmia organics brighten facial serum

Osmia Organics has been a go-to brand of mine for several years now. Ever since I struggled with perioral dermatitis, it’s been a true skin savior! For a while, I mainly stuck with the Black Clay Facial Soap, Active Gel Toner, and Purely Simple Face Cream since they seemed to work well for my sensitive skin and kept reactions at bay. Soon enough, however, I branched out to try their Brighten Facial Serum, and I’m super glad I did! To me, it’s the perfect serum and oil combo that works to increase cell turnover and improve your skin’s texture. Organic argan and camellia seed oils provide a nourishing base, while broccoli seed and prickly pear oils add that wonderful velvety texture, all while absorbing quickly and not feeling greasy! Active serum components come into play thanks to botanicals like algae and wheatgrass, which help calm irritation and enhance your skin’s natural tone. Papaya, pumpkin, and mushroom extracts keep your skin looking smooth and luminous! I typically apply a few drops of the Brighten Serum right after cleansing and toning, maybe even when my skin is still a bit moist, for better absorption. It also goes on really well under a heavier moisturizer, or even foundation! I love that the small bottle is easy to keep in my bag for anytime, and a little truly goes a long way! Be sure to check out Osmia’s other serums as well- in addition to brightening, there’s one for blemish-prone skin, and another for dry, mature skin too! You won’t be disappointed.

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // osmia organics black clay facial soap

I know I've mentioned this before, but I have very sensitive skin, and am therefore quite conscious of the products I use. Over the last couple years, I started to get small outbreaks of a condition known as perioral dermatitis, which caused me to pay even closer attention to certain ingredients, in particular. After multiple dermatologist visits and tons of personal research, I discovered there are many different causes and triggering ingredients, which vary from person to person. One of the best changes I made in my own skincare routine, however, was switching to Osmia Organics Black Clay Facial Soap. Australian clay and Dead Sea mud work their magic to balance and tone the skin, while almond, avocado, and castor bean oils condition and nourish it. I can honestly say this has been a game-changing cleanser for me, as it has greatly reduced any dermatitis outbreaks and does not irritate my skin in the least. Although these days a bar soap may seem a bit out of the norm, this little guy lathers up wonderfully thanks to coconut oil, and lasts for a very long time. Not to mention it's super convenient to toss in your travel bag! Don’t forget to snag a Soap Saver to keep your bar clean, and give it a nice spot to dry once you’re finished using it. The exceptional, natural ingredients found in Osmia Organics products have completely sold me, and make this a skincare brand worth investing in. 

beauty minute

I recently got interviewed about my beauty routine for a feature on Garance Doré. You can read my Beauty Minute on their site, or continue reading to check out my daily beauty regimen and go-to products. By no means do I use all of these products every day, but the ones listed below are some of my favorites that make me look and feel my best! 

Morning Routine:

I have sensitive skin, so I prefer to use brands that use clean, simple, and high-quality ingredients. I usually just rinse my face with water in the morning instead of using a cleanser. Then I use Osmia Organics Active Gel Toner. I add True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster to my True Botanicals Cellular Renewal Serum (which activates it), and apply that mixture next. Then I finish with either Osmia Organics Purely Simple Face Cream or Sunday Riley Juno Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil, depending if I want something lighter or more rich (and don't forget your neck!). My lips always get a thick coat of Aquaphor in the morning. I take a probiotic every day, and like to have hot lemon water if I can as well. I’ve also been loving Sun Potion supplements in my morning coffee or smoothie! For fragrance, my go-tos are by Tom Ford- I love Violet Blonde or Oud Wood, depending on my mood!

Makeup Routine:

I rarely wear makeup when I'm not working- it feels nice to give my skin a break! If I'm wearing makeup, it's usually just the basics. I like a lot of Glossier products- they make great no-frills essentials. I use a tinted moisturizer (with SPF!) by Laura Mercier or True Botanicals, and concealer if need-be by Glossier (Stretch Concealer) or RMS Beauty (Un Cover-Up) on the face. Curled lashes, with or without mascara, but I like Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes. Groomed brows are a plus, and Glossier Boy Brow has a nice waxy texture. Glossier Haloscope and RMS Beauty Living Luminizer for highlights on the cheekbones and brow bones help give you that dewy glow. I rarely wear lipstick, but a red lip is fun every once in a while, and YSL Rouge Pur Couture has lots of great shades.

Daytime Touch-Ups:

I always have a good lip balm with me. Glossier Balm Dotcom and Lano Lips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm are go-tos, and I also just brought several tubes of Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment back from Australia. I also like to have a facial mist of some sort for whenever I feel like my skin needs a pick-me-up. Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist and Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence are both great. I drink tons of water throughout the day as well. 

Nightly Routine:

My nightly regimen starts with removing any makeup (if I'm wearing any) with Bioderma Crealine (aka Sensibio). Then I wash my face with Osmia Organics Black Clay Facial Soap or Sunday Riley Blue Moon Cleansing Balm (this one also makes a great mask). I tone with Biologique Recherche P50 (without phenol), then apply Mario Badescu Buffering or Drying Lotions to any blemishes if needed. I love a hydrating & calming oil at nighttime (something thicker than moisturizer) and Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil or UFO are amazing. Eye cream is also important to start sooner rather than later- I've been loving Tata Harper Restorative Eye Creme.

Hair, Body, Masks:

I love R+Co shampoo & conditioner- both the Sunset Blvd. Blonde & the Dallas Thickening versions are go-tos. If my hair needs a refresher, I’ll use a bit of R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo or Ouai Wave Spray. Korean exfoliating mitts also work wonders for fresh, baby-soft skin. Post-shower, I’ll use either R+Co Tinsel Smoothing Oil or Ouai Hair Oil on the ends of my hair, then coconut oil all over my body. Every once in a while I'll apply a face mask (like Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask or Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask) or a sheet mask (Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask or Hada Labo Ultimate Anti-Aging Facial Mask) to treat my skin to a little at-home facial. Now just to be clear, I don't use all these products every day. Beauty sleep, a healthy diet, and lots of water are all great ways to create that glow from the inside, out as well :)

 
 

skincare // in the air

Taking care of your skin during air travel is super important. All that dry, recycled air can wreak havoc on your skin, not to mention all the germs floating around, so it's a good idea to take some preventative and healing measures along the way. I wanted to share a few of my go-to products and tips (all TSA approved!) to ensure fresh and hydrated skin upon landing. First and foremost, drink tons of water. I always bring a refillable water bottle, and fill it up before boarding (post-security), and then have the flight attendants refill it multiple times throughout the flight. This is key for staying hydrated from the inside, out. In terms of skin, I always try to fly makeup-free, with freshly cleansed and moisturized skin. This will help get you started on the right foot. I always keep some type of face mist in my carry-on, whether it's Caudalie Beauty Elixir or Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray. A spritz or two is always a nice, refreshing pick-me-up when my skin starts to feel stale or parched. If you really want to take your face spritz to the next level, I suggest investing in The Pocket Spa by Kelley Quan. This compact, refillable personal humidifier hydrates and moisturizes your skin using only water, leaving you with youthful and dewy-fresh skin! It also prepares the skin for and increases the efficacy of all your other products to follow. Once the skin is prepped, I apply moisturizer: I'll either bring an oil like Sunday Riley Juno Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil, or a moisturizer like Osmia Organics Purely Simple Face Cream, both of which are great at locking in moisture. I also make sure to have a thick ointment, like Glossier balm dotcom or Lano Lips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm, which can be used on your face & lips, hands & cuticles, or any other dry spots you may have. For longer flights, and maybe if I have a bit of privacy in business class, I'll bring a sheet mask like Hada Labo Ultimate Anti-Aging Facial Mask or SK-II Facial Treatment Mask. These may look silly while they're working their magic, but I promise your skin will thank you upon arriving. Maybe you're not willing to go this far in public, and that's alright- just apply one once you've reached your final destination. Lastly, I love this Aesop Ginger Flight Therapy. It's said to give an invigorating sensory lift when applied to your pulse points during times of stress or nausea. If nothing else, it leaves you smelling lovely with the aroma of lavender, macadamia nut, sweet almond, and ginger oils. By incorporating these tips and products into your travel routine on a regular basis, I hope you'll notice an improvement in your skin's overall look and feel just as I have.

bedtime routine

 

Next up in the daily routine is bedtime! These area all the products I use on any given night. Once again, sometimes all of them get used, other times not. Occasionally I will use the same Osmia Organics set from my morning routine instead of the other moisturizers pictured above, just to keep things more consistent. Glossier balm dotcom is part of yet another routine- I'm kinda obsessed. 

 
 

 

First off, if I had makeup on during the day, or sometimes even if I didn't (NYC can feel pretty dirty at times), I remove it using Bioderma Créaline H20. It's pretty universally used by makeup artists because it gets the job done, and doesn't irritate the skin at all. Then I wash using Osmia Organics Black Clay Facial Soap, and may spritz with Avéne Thermal Spring Water if I'm feeling dry. Whenever I feel like my skin needs a bit of exfoliation or deeper clean, I will use my Clarisonic Mia2, either with black clay soap, or another gentle cleanser, like Dr. Bronner's Baby Unscented Liquid Castile Soap. It's a great one for sensitive skin, as it has no fragrance, contains coconut, olive & jojoba oils, and is certified organic! 

 

 

Post-cleanser, I use Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 to exfoliate, hydrate & balance my skin. People call it a "facial in a bottle", and it's so true. It's like a magic potion, and they have a suitable version for all various types of skin. If necessary, I will use Mario Badescu Drying Lotion as a spot treatment. Don't shake the bottle, and leave the pink stuff on overnight. I also love Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion, which is better for the deep, underground bumps. I'll use one or the other depending on the type of blemish that arises. 

 
 

 

In terms of moisturizer, I apply Colbert MD Nourish Eye Cream to the delicate area around my eyes, which promotes collagen production while firming & rehydrating. I have also heard great things about their Illumino Anti-Aging Brightening Mask & am thinking about trying it! If I don't use the Osmia Organics Purely Simple Face Cream, Avéne Tolérance Extrême is another great moisturizer for those with hyper-sensitive or allergic skin. It works to restore the skin's barrier and reduces skin reactivity. During the winter if I feel like I need something even thicker, I will mix in RMS Beauty Oil for extra hydration as well.

 

Once the face is done, I make sure to moisturize & hydrate the rest of my body as well. I love using organic coconut oil all over- it works wonders on face, body & hair, and is naturally antibacterial & antifungal! You can use it as a moisturizer, eye makeup remover, deep conditioner, highlighter, shaving cream, on dry cuticles, etc. The options are (almost) endless. In a pinch, if I could only take one product with me, coconut oil would likely be it! Glossier balm dotcom goes on my lips and any other super dry spots. Right after washing my hair, I apply a hair oil to the ends to keep them looking healthy. Right now I'm using a wonderful Isle of Roses hair oil given to me by a hair-stylist friend.