britt’s picks // dermstore anniversary sale

Dermstore is one of my fave one-stop shops for all things skincare and beauty. They’re currently having an epic Anniversary Sale, and I wanted to share some of my top picks with you guys. Shop now until August 17th to get up to 25% off (use code CELEBRATE) participating brands, and members even get 3x loyalty points on others! From an effective at-home LED therapy mask to a makeup artist fave cleansing water to one of my holy grail anti-aging and anti-acne products, you're sure to find some great deals. Get to shopping- and saving- on serums, cleansers, toners, sunscreen, exfoliants & more! And please be sure to share any great finds of yours as well :)

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

This serum is always a staple in my routine. A lactic acid exfoliating treatment that smoothes the skin, and leaves it bright and gloomy? Yes please.

SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

This is a super hydrating, fragrance-free serum that replenishes your skin’s hyaluronic acid, and guarantees eight hours of continuous moisture.

iS Clinical Active Serum

This is one of my holy grail products with amazing anti-aging and anti-acne benefits. Say goodbye to dull complexions and hello to radiant skin.

EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46

This sunscreen is made with zinc oxide and niacinamide, making it great for those with sensitive skin! It also won’t break you out, which sunscreens are known to do.

Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro

This at-home LED mask with red and blue lights helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and acne. It’s a splurge, but worth it when you compare to the cost of multiple laser treatments and facials.

Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner

This nourishing, alcohol-free toner refreshes and rejuvenates the skin thanks to chamomile & cucumber extracts, hyaluronic acid and coenzyme Q10.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O

This makeup artist fave cleansing water and makeup remover does the job with ease, and doesn’t irritate your skin in the least.

ILIA Fullest Volumizing Mascara

This mascara really delivers plump, full, and non-clumpy lashes. Bonus points for a totally clean formula with no nasty ingredients.

HUM Nutrition Skin Heroes Pre + Probiotic

This combo of pre & probiotics works its magic to promote both gut and skin health on a cellular level.

GoldfadenMD Pure Start Detoxifying Facial Cleanser

This gentle cleanser purifies the skin by getting rid of makeup, impurities, and dead skin cells, and leaves you with fresh, hydrated skin.

Slip Silk Sleep Mask

This eye mask is gentle on delicate facial skin, comes in tons of colors, and is so soft and comfy to sleep in!

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This classic product has a cult following for a reason. The original BHA toner works to unclog pores and even skin tone without being too harsh.

 

 * 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 // sunday riley CEO vitamin c brightening serum & face oil

I’ve been a Sunday Riley fan for as long as I can remember. Their Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment and Luna Sleeping Night Oil are cult faves, and repeat buys for me, for good reason. Plus, I love that Sunday Riley is Houston-based! Yay for amazing products coming out of my hometown in Texas! Since vitamin C products are such a crucial step in any skincare routine (in my opinion), I was excited to try out their C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum and C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil.

If dullness or discoloration have been getting you down lately, the C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum is going to be your new BFF. This lightweight serum absorbs quickly into the skin, and works hard to combat visible signs of aging (think wrinkles, loss of firmness, dark spots, etc). It also helps with any redness and sensitivity, which I struggle with a lot this time of year. I’ve found it to be super supportive to my skin’s moisture barrier, leaving me with youthful, glowing skin! Plus, it’s important to note that this serum uses an extremely stable, oil soluble form of vitamin C, so you know you’re getting the best quality available.

After applying the Brightening Serum, I follow it up with C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil. Like the serum, this is lightweight and absorbs instantly, which I love. Nothing worse than a face oil that just sits on top of the skin and leaves you feeling greasy! Of course, the same ultra-stable form of vitamin C (THD ascorbate) is at work here fighting fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, discoloration, redness, loss of firmness, and more. Plus, antioxidant-rich turmeric acts as an effective calming and soothing agent. Red raspberry and evening primrose oils join the party, giving your skin the ultimate luminous glow! Perhaps I need to try C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream next?! As always with Sunday Riley, these products are free of sulfates and parabens, and are cruelty-free as well! Such a win in my book- and your skin will thank you later :)

 * 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! 

sephora spring savings event 2020- my picks!

A couple times a year, Sephora gifts us with savings events that are basically a beauty junkie’s Christmas! If you hadn’t heard, their Spring Savings Event is happening right now and ends officially on Friday, May 1. It’s an amazing event and the perfect opportunity to stock up on not only your favorite skincare essentials, but consider pulling the trigger on products you’ve been eyeing for a while. After all, with this quarantine lasting until who-knows-when, we have all the time in the world to play with products at home!

In case you aren’t exactly sure how the Sephora sale works, here’s my breakdown. 

There are three tiers for Sephora members: Rouge, VIB, and Beauty Insider. 

  • Rouge members have spent over $1,000 with Sephora and had first access to the sale starting Friday, April 17 and receive 20% off their order.

  • VIB members have spent over $350 and began shopping Tuesday, April 21 for 15% off their order.

  • Beauty Insiders were granted access Thursday, April 23 and receive 10% off their order. There is no dollar amount you have to spend to get Beauty Insider membership! Sign up is free and fast, and you can immediately start shopping. 

Most importantly, you’ll need the promo code no matter which tier you belong to: SPRINGSAVE

With all that in mind, I wanted to share the 9 products that I’ve re-stocked since the Sephora sale began. From skincare to haircare, these are the brands and products I love and trust most when it comes to taking care of myself no matter the season.

TATA HARPER

Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil With Vitamin A

I love a Retinol. Truth be told, not being able to use this Retinoic Face Oil from Tata Harper during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is hard (to read more about anti-aging products to avoid during pregnancy, read this). I love this particular face oil because, although it’s retinol-powered, the oil and added vitamin A keep it hydrating and extra gentle on your skin. So many retinols can be drying or cause irritation, and this doesn’t. Looking forward to getting it back in the rotation!

 BIOSSANCE

Squalane + Tea Tree Balancing Oil

Biossance has a cult following for a reason. Its main ingredient in most of its products, Squalane, is a 100% natural, plant-derived moisturizer that is gentle on all skin types. This particular oil is both clarifying and balancing for the skin. I’ve noticed it helps me most with breakouts and redness and is great when it’s that time of the month and your skin is getting a little too hormonal!

SUNDAY RILEY

C.E.O Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil

Another cult classic in terms of face oil is the C.E.O Glow Face Oil from Sunday Riley. Vitamin C is a hero when it comes to anti-aging and that, mixed with the calming effects of Turmeric make this product one of my all-time favorites. This oil does it all: brightens, hydrates, and leaves skin with an unmistakable glow, which we could all use more of nowadays.

DRUNK ELEPHANT

T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial™ 25% AHA + 2% BHA Mask

I love my spa visits as much as the next girl, but there’s no telling when we’ll be able to go back to relying on an expert to pamper us. The importance of at-home self care has become even more vital to me over the last month or so to feel some sense of normalcy and calm. I love Drunk Elephant’s T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial for this reason. It truly is as close to a facial in a bottle as you can get! Apply it once a week for 20 min and watch in awe as your skin is suddenly glowing again. It has almost 5 stars and over 2.1K reviews on Sephora for a reason!

 SUPERGOOP!

PLAY 100% Mineral Broad Spectrum Lotion SPF 50

Speaking of treating your skin, just because you’re not taking a beach vacation anytime soon doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be protecting your skin via SPF daily. I swear by this Supergoop! 100% mineral, broad spectrum SPF lotion. Because it’s mineral based, it’s much less irritating making it ideal for sensitive skin. You can use it all over—on both your face and body—and you should! Have I mentioned how important SPF is?

ILIA

Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation

Speaking of SPF, ILIA is quickly becoming a new favorite in clean beauty for me. I wrote about the brand back in January, and I’ve since added another product to my arsenal: the Super Serum Skin Tint Foundation with SPF 40. This is the perfect option for springtime into the summer months. When it’s warm outside, the last thing you want to do is apply a heavy foundation to your face. This ILIA Skin Tint is lightweight and gives you a dewy finish thanks in part to its serum and hyaluronic acid! Plus, the SPF is perfect for every day, but especially pool or beach days.

MILK MAKEUP

KUSH High Volume Mascara

Another essential for spring and summer days when minimal makeup is what you’re going for is a great mascara. I love the KUSH High Volume Mascara from Milk Makeup. It’s volumizing without looking clumpy (huge plus) and is 100% vegan! Plus, the hemp-derived cannabis seed oil simultaneously conditions your lashes while thickening them. Just a few coats of this is all it takes to look and feel glam with minimal effort.

OLAPLEX

Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3

If you haven’t seen or heard of Olaplex, you must not be active anywhere on social media because this line of products is everywhere and for good reason. With a team of legitimate scientists and industry experts behind Olaplex, their hair care product delivers serious results. I love the Hair Perfector No. 3 the most. It isn’t a leave-in conditioner; the No. 3 is a concentrated hair treatment that reinforces and strengthens all types of hair. Personally, I’ve found it’s great for color-treated blondes. By applying it for at least 10 min once a week (or more for severely damaged hair), it works to repair breakage and general hair damage.

SLIP

Silk Sleepmask

Lastly, to really round out the list of ultimate treat yourself Sephora skincare, I love this silk sleepmask by Slip. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase has proven to do wonders for haircare, and this sleepmask promises the same for your skin. Friction from tossing and turning can cause you to wake up with those oh-so-attractive “sleep lines,” but treating yourself to this mask made from the highest grade mulberry silk will prevent that and so much more. It’s one-size-fits-all and available in 8 different colors and patterns to fit your exact sleeping beauty personality, not to mention it’s hypoallergenic. It’s the small luxuries like this mask that are carrying me through quarantine, so I hope you’ll treat yourself to one, too!

Bonus Splurge!

DR. BARBARA STURM

Super Anti-Aging Serum

I somehow (?!) didn’t know Dr. Barbara Sturm products were carried at Sephora until now, but boy am I glad I do! With a background in anti-inflammatory medicine, Dr. Sturm focuses on non-aggressive natural extracts and scientifically-proven ingredients to treat the skin from within. Her super anti-aging serum is packed with antioxidants like purslane and skullcap to promote skin rejuvenation, leaving you with a firm, youthful complexion. 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 // sunday riley auto correct eye cream

I'm getting to that age where I feel like an eye cream is a smart addition to my beauty routine, even if just for preventative measures. I've been a big fan of Sunday Riley products (hello Good Genes and Luna!) for a while now, so I was excited when they recently launched Auto Correct, a brightening and depuffing eye contour cream. What I love most about this cream is that it seems to give me a brighter, lifted look almost instantly, thanks to several plumping and hydrating ingredients like shea & cocoa butters and watermelon rind extract. Just like coffee perks you up in the morning, caffeine (along with ginseng root) in this product helps energize skin by reducing the appearance of any dark circles and puffiness you may have. Concentrated powerhouse ingredients like horse chestnut work to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, while antioxidant-rich lutein provides a lovely glow to the skin. As always, you won't find any parabens, sulfates, or phthalates in this cream, which is a huge bonus since my skin does not jive well with those things, causing major irritation. I've even heard that some people keep this eye cream in the fridge for a wonderfully refreshing cold cream in the morning- I just may have to try that. Regardless, I think it's safe to say that Auto Correct has earned a welcome spot in my daily rotation!

fave products // sunday riley good genes lactic acid treatment

My love for Sunday Riley products is nothing new at this point. I've been continuously impressed by the high level of effectiveness of their oils, toners, and cleansers over the past year. One of their most popular products that I had yet to try, however, was their Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment. This stuff has a cult following, so I figured it was time I give it a try to see what all the hype is about! The serum, which is packed with high-potency purified grade lactic acid, works to exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving you with fresh and bright skin. It's great to combat dullness and uneven texture, and helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Even better, fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed and look visually plumped with consistent usage!

So far I'm really enjoying Good Genes. My skin appears younger and more radiant, and I feel that my complexion is overall more healthy and clarified. It's not something I use every day, as the lactic acid can be a bit intense for my sensitive skin. Every other day or every few days seems to work perfectly for me, and it's super important to remember to use SPF with any AHA product to prevent sun sensitivity. If you're looking for a great Sunday Riley starter kit, my top two favorite products are sold together in this Power Couple kit, which is the ideal transformative duo in my opinion. 

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 :)