Skincare Routine

This blog is just kind of a mixed bag sometimes, but in some ways, I really like that.  I like reading all sorts of blogs, so it kind of fits that my own blog goes with all of my random interests and likes.  I hope you all are okay with putting up with my randomness!

Anyways...

I've shared some of my current makeup favorites and I thought I'd also share some of my favorite skincare items.  My skin isn't perfect, but I try to do what I can to make it behave and slow down any signs of aging.

Current Skincare Favorites

Here are my current favorite items that I'm using on a regular basis:

1. I've been a longtime fan of Clinique's Acne Solution bar soap.  A bar of this lasts a super long time.  I keep mine in the shower to use on my face as well as my body after workouts.
2. I used to give my mom all of my Clinique eye cream samples, but I've decided I need to incorporate that into my own skincare routine.  I really like this Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream and will probably purchase a full-size jar when I finish off my sample.
3. My old roommate bought a sampler set of The Body Shop's Tea Tree collection and gave me a few items that she wasn't going to use.  This moisturizer is a lightweight gel-ish consistency, that's perfect for wearing under my makeup.
4. My mom and I have both become Philosophy fans in the past year or so.  I tried a sample of their Microdelivery scrub and decided it was worth the little splurge.  I use it every other day or so in place of my Clarisonic at night and my skin has stayed super smooth.
5. Oh Clarisonic, how I love thee!  This is probably my biggest beauty splurge, but it was totally worth it!    I bought the Mia 2 and use it everyday!  I think this has been a factor in my skin staying nice in the past few months.
6. I think Philosophy's Purity Made Simple and the Clarisonic are like a dream team for skincare.  These two give me such a deep clean feeling at the end of the day and really gets all of the makeup off of my face.
7. I've also become a fan of The Body Shop's nighttime tea tree moisturizer.  It's a little thicker than the daytime version, but it's become a favorite product of mine!
8. I'm also a longtime fan of Clinique's Clarifying Lotions.  I go back and forth between the Acne Solutions one and the one for oily / combo skin (depending on deals I find).  It's kind of my final step in clean sweeping my face before moisturizer in the morning and evening.
9. I heard about the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque on a blog or You Tube a few months back and decided to pick it up.  It's super cheap at Walgreens (or whatever drugstore) and really is a nice product.  I try to use it 1 or 2 evenings a week.

What are your favorite skincare items?  

Do you have any recommendations for things I should try in the future?

7 Things I'm Currently Loving

I thought a fun, random post would be appropriate for today.  Fall is in full swing and I'm loving this season!  I've seen a lot of posts about fall favorites, so I thought I'd share a few of my own!  It's not all exclusive to fall, but it's just things that I've really been drawn to recently.

#1 - Scarves

It was kind of an overnight thing that I became a scarf person.  I love dressing up an outfit with a scarf.  I think it's the perfect accessory to add some pizzazz to an otherwise basic outfit.  I also love scarves because they're super affordable.  I've "splurged" on a few that I've loved at J.Crew and Gap, but being a bargain shopper I don't think I've ever spent more than about $25 on one.  Forever 21 can have some great options and some of my favorite solid colored scarves were found for $4 at the grocery store!  

#2 - Diet Cranberry Sierra Mist

This stuff is a.maz.ing.  It only comes around between about September and November and even then can be hard to track down.  I seriously have plans to go to the store soon and stockpile this stuff.  I will totally be hoarder of this pop.

#3 - HGTV Magazine

If you're at all into home decor / DIY / renovations this is totally a magazine you need to check out.  My mom got me a gift subscription last year and I've been totally in love since the first issue.  I'm an HGTV addict, so to have it in a magazine is just wonderful.  I love that this magazine feels very practical and like it's for normal people who don't have amazing home-building skills or millions of dollars to decorate our homes.

#4 - Gap Sweaters

If you were to look in my closet there would be no doubt that I love Gap sweaters.  Some years have been better than others, but Gap just seems to keep coming out with great ones this year.  I'm currently loving their Eversoft sweaters, particular the cardigans.  (Find them here.)  

#5 - Hard Candy Fox in a Box Blush

I try to avoid Wal-Mart like the plague, but I did venture there over the summer after reading several good reviews of the Hard Candy boxed blush.  (They're pretty much a knock off of the Benefit blushes.)  Since fall has arrived, I've found myself reaching for my Hard Candy blush in Smooth Talker, which is almost an exact dupe for Benefit's Sugar Bomb.  They're only $6, so it's worth checking out!

#6 - Jewel Tone / Purple-ish Nail Polishes

If you haven't been following the trends, "oxblood" is the color of the season, particularly in nail colors.  I hate that name and I'm not a huge fan of really dark reds, so I've been leaning more towards dark colors with more of a jewel tone.  I've been especially drawn to things in the purple family (blame K-State football season)

#7 - "Full House" reruns at Nick @ Nite

I grew up watching "Full House" and even as an adult now I seriously can't stop watching that show!  Can you believe that it premiered 25 years ago this fall?!?  (That makes me feel so old, but I do remember watching it as a very small child when it was still on TGIF.)  I've seen every episode multiple times, but it's become one of my favorite evening shows while new shows are recording on my DVR.  I've actually been scheduling my evening workouts to when I can watch "Full House" while I'm on the elliptical.  Obsessed much?  Nah.

What are you loving right now?  I'd love to hear what your favorites are right now!