light

After a much-needed hiatus I am back with my evening skincare routine! For the summer months, I’ve streamlined it (and I really mean streamlined) down to a few light-weight essentials. To begin, I’ve got the ever-annoying combination skin that tends to veer oily, so moisture, contrary to popular belief, is very important.

I start off with the Khiels Ultra Facial Cleanser, which is just a basic face wash. However, it has squalane in it, which makes it more moisturizing than your average cleanser. It also does a pretty fantastic job at removing makeup, although I prefer pre-cleansing with a cotton-pad soaked in micellar water first.

Next I apply one and a half pumps of my Curology formula. I’ve been using it for about six months now and it has made a massive difference. I rarely break out now, and if I do it’s because of travel or bad diet habits (cheese is so good, y’all, but so bad).

Every other night I’ll use The Ordinary retinoid 2% emulsion. It is not the best retinol I’ve ever used, but it does its job and it is hella affordable, so definitely will continue to use and repurchase.

Before moisturizer I dab on a bit of the Khiels Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment, which is one of my favorite eye creams. I use my ring finger, since it is the most delicate, and use light inward strokes.

My current go-to moisturizer is the Khiels Skin Rescuer (there seems to be a Khiels theme emerging). It is light but super moisturizing and very safe for sensitive skin. I don’t usually have super sensitive skin, but I like this one because it is light-weight and gentle on sun-burned skin–which I try to avoid, but sometimes life happens.

My lips are perpetually chapped, so I like to slather on a ton of lip balm before bed. For the last 6 months I’ve been using the Glossier balm dot com in mint non-stop (and the tube still isn’t finished!). It has such a refreshing feeling and really gets the job done. I wake up with a smooth and flake-free pout.

I top everything off with a spritz of the Mario Badescu Rose Water, which is heavenly and just the perfect thing for hot summer nights.

My summer-time treats are the Glow Recipe Watermelon Mask, which is so extremely amazing, and the Fresh Brown Sugar Lip Scrub. The mask is moisturizing, exfoliating, fragrant, and glow-granting. I love this stuff. Just a spatula full will do the trick. My skin drinks it up right away and in the morning it is plump and glowing and smooth. Miracle worker! The lip scrub is an amazing physical exfoliant. It isn’t rough at all because the sugar particles will start to dissolve and it is super moisturizing while it sloughs away dead skin. Sometimes I feel like I don’t even need lip balm after using this scrub, but I just like the Glossier one too much.

And that is it! My super-simple, hydrating summer evening skincare products. Which of these do y’all use and which do you want to try?

-Cindy

I moved recently to Austin for the summer. While it’s been great (read: hipster coffee shops galore), this is also my first time living truly on my own. I’ve lived for eighteen years with my family, and when I went off to university, I had the wonderful experience of living in a tight-knit residential college. I’ve always been around people, and I love it.

Living in Austin has been my first experience of living alone. As an extrovert, this transition has been radical . . . and difficult. I’m also processing some recent emotional upheaval, so I’ve had to practice self-care frequently. Below are a few of the things I’ve been doing (on the cheap!) to take better of myself:

Taking time to lose myself in a book (preferably one from the library). At the beginning of the year, I made the commitment to read for a half hour every day. Even though I study literature in school, I’ve used this commitment to discover new books on my own. I’m currently reading Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte and The Hour of Land: A Personal Topography of America’s National Parks by Terry Tempest Williams.

Aside from enriching my literary taste, I always leave my hour feeling satisfied that I’ve done something concrete to help myself. The small victories count! Other books I’ve read and loved this summer include Landline by Rainbow Rowell, Little Soldiers: An American Boy, a Chinese School, and the Global Race to Achieve by Lenora Chu, and the entire Harry Potter saga.

Moisturizing. Don’t roll your eyes at this. If you know me, you know that I love, love, LOVE having super soft skin. And I’m guessing that if you’re reading this beauty and lifestyle blog, you probably have a tub or bottle of lotion somewhere. Take the time to slather some on and notice yourself.

I’ve upped my moisturizing game by using sweet almond oil or coconut fig-scented lotion. Another pro tip is to place your moisturizer in the refrigerator for a few hours – perfect for a hot summer day!

Seeking light. This year, I’ve become obsessed with the idea of light, how it affects my mood, and how I can harness it for my benefit. For example, when I need to feel productive or happy, I’ll go to places with massive windows and just sit there – my local Starbucks and Austin’s Faulk Central Library are perfect. When I need to prepare my body for sleep, I’ll turn off all the lights but keep on my crystal salt lamp. It provides the soft ambience to settle my body in for the night. While light isn’t on everyone’s mood radar, pay attention to where and when you feel the happiest and seek those places and moments.

Communing with nature. I’m lucky that Austin is a city that loves nature. When I really need to check out emotionally, I’ll run by Lady Bird Johnson Lake. Google “hiking trails near me” to discover your local hidden gems. And pro tip: I like going early in the morning A) to avoid the worst of Texas heat and B) to set some good vibes for the day.

Reaching out to people. I’ve been more aware that much of this sad feeling stems from loneliness. A friend of mine recently told me that she is adamant about not having a “phone relationship” with people, so she’s been building a habit of meeting with people face-to-face. While that’s not always possible for me, I try to FaceTime or call loved ones as opposed to just sending them texts. More often than not, many of my friends feel the same way I do and are equally happy to talk. Reaching out to people has been a practice of recognizing that while reaching out can seem inconvenient for both parties, it’s a beautiful and necessary practice of community and happiness.

Building small habits. My mother will tell you that she wishes I flossed more. And because I love my mother and my gums, I’ve been building the habit of flossing every night. Building habits like these aren’t always fun, but I’ve been reminding myself that ultimately, I’m winning. Try going for walk a few times a week, incorporating more vegetables in your meals, or making it a point to shut off your phone for a few hours each week. Small habits like this build up in the long run!

Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or trendy – really, it all boils down to being aware of your emotions and taking proactive steps!

— Amanda Cordero

Tag: light

Cindy’s Summer Evening Skincare Routine

The Art of Practicing Self-Care…Cheaply