Self Care Routine + Refresh

Self Care Routine + Refresh

• 1.09.2024

Her Morning Regime (1956) by Wayne Blickenstaff 

hello, hello! 

today we're chatting self care in the form of skincare, hair care, body care, and the make up that make me feel like I am pampering myself. I just want to preface this by saying that I am the most low maintenance person when it comes to self care and skin care which may or may not be a good thing.  

I have dry skin patches on my forehead, eye lids, eyebrows, and around my cheeks near my nose + upper lip. it's something that has appeared within the last two years and I've been trying to control / minimize . I also suffer from cystic acne and have many scars to prove it. random redness and wrinkles have also graced my face lately, so I feel like I am a mess.

I've stopped wearing make up because I felt like it looked terrible with the dry patches. I would also breakout the next day, so there's that. I've gotten a better grip on the dry patches, but have stayed away from make up in fear of breaking out which is why I only use mascara these days and eyeshadow. I've debated getting my lashes tinted and extensions to eliminate mascara altogether, but we will see if I ever do it.

so with this post, I am going to share the few things that I have found to help me my skin and the things I want to try as well as other products that I use in my "routine" if you can call it that because if I'm honest, I'm a mom and self care is always on the back burner no matter how hard I try to make it a priority.

*before we start on the routine, let's insert the FDA required statement that some of the links below are affiliate!

 

 

 things that are staying in my routine

 

Ahava Refreshing Cleansing Gel

this is the only face wash that does not make me break out, and for that fact alone. I am keeping it in my routine. I read somewhere that you should only wash your face in the evening and I'm gonna try and see how that pans out this month. I'll keep you guys updated. 

 

Ahava Hydration Creme Mask

I received this in a subscription box awhile back and it's become a staple. I love using it as an overnight mask when my face feels super dry and needs a pick me up. 

Differin Acne Retinoid Treatment Gel Adapalene 0.1%

this is my go to product when I see a cystic acne spot appear. it's the one thing that works for me. it's another staple for me. I love how efficient it is -- depending how big and deep the spot is, they usually disappear within two to three days.

 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturizer

I have been using this product since September and so far I really like it. I use it in the morning and throughout the day now that the winter weather is here. 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Facial Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

like the moisturizer, I have been using this product since September. It's a thicker consistency than the moisturizer, but it really helps relieve the tightness + itchiness that those dry patches bring about. If I'm not using the ahava creme mask, this is the next thing I am reaching for. 

 

Smear by Brit's CLEAN Whip

first, let me start by saying that this is beef tallow and I've been using it over a year. it's the first product that helped fix the dry patches on my face and it's become a balm for all. it's what I use for my eczema flare up and after the shower on my knees and elbows to soften them up. It's great as a lotion and as a diaper rash cream for the kiddos. it's perfect for soothing burns and chaffing, it's really such a versatile product to soothe the things that most people often ignore. I just love it. 

Ahava Body Lotion

for those days where I want to lather myself in lotion and smell divine. I know that most people say t stay away from fragrance, and normally I'd agree, but this is my one exception. I love how it smells and I'm keeping it. 

 

Ahava Shower Gel

you already know, I am an ahava girly and so of course, the shower gel is in routine. It smells so good and is my favorite shower gel.

 

Function of Beauty Shampoo

love that it's personalized and it's one of the three shampoos that I use on my hair for my natural curls! 

 

Pacifica Pineapple Curl Defining Shampoo

number two shampoo for my curls. it smells so good! I love it. 

 

Opalex Shampoo

the third and last shampoo in my round up! I know what you're thinking -- that's a lot of shampoo, but there is a reason to the madness being that my hair tends to get dull and oily if I use the same shampoo for a long period of time. I've perfected the routine and alternate these three.

Pacifica Pineapple Curls Refresher Mist

like the shampoos, I have three products for curl definition that I use interchangeably. This mist is my go to for a curl refresh when I'm in a rush. 

Uncle Funky's Curly Magic

this product is my absolute favorite and a staple. It's the one product that made me realize the potential of my natural curls. if I shower in the morning, this is the product I am always reaching for. It gives my curls so much definition and I cannot get enough!

Pacifica Swirl Curl Definition Cream

another curl definition cream that I like to use especially when I travel because it's so light and compact. 

glossier lip balm

in the flavors mango and birthday -- always on hand, a go-to favorite, must have lip balm! now, I do wnat to say that I bought all the lip balms flavors that they had because I've heard such good things. they're all good, but birthday + mango, those are the ones I will be repurchasing. 

rhode peptide lip treatment

if I'm honest, I've always been a lip balm girl, so trying these lip treatments was going out on a limb for me because they are more glossy that I typically like, but I love them. I literally bought every flavor + tint that they had. they're all amazing, but I am head over heels for the watermelon slice flavor.

rhode peptide lip tint

like I said before, I loved the treatments so much, I bought all the tints too. I like them, I'm just not used to the tints, so I'm working on that. ribbon is my current favorite since it's the most sheer (and jellybean, but that's a limited edition flavor)! 

Dr. Teal's Foaming Sleep Bath

the perfect bath gel for those days when I need a pick me up. 

Sugars Lip Balm Treatment

this the balm I put on before bed, super hydrating and luscious feeling.

things that I'm trying out right now

Ahava Facial Renewal Peel

Ahava Purifying Mud Mask

Function of Beauty Personalized Conditioner + Hair Mask

Glossier Lidstar

Glossier Lash Stick Mascara

Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Liner

 

things that I do for "self care" 

ᥫ᭡. drink tea in the evening

ᥫ᭡. take a bubble bath

ᥫ᭡. listen to a sermon / podcast / music 

ᥫ᭡. read the bible

ᥫ᭡. go for a walk 

ᥫ᭡. watch a cheesy rom-com; the typical chick flick / hallmark film

ᥫ᭡. de-cluttering my spaces (office, closet, dressers, cupboards, etc)

ᥫ᭡. take a long shower

ᥫ᭡. pray (aka, chat with Jesus)

ᥫ᭡. create something (draw, need felting, write)

ᥫ᭡. watch a period piece 

ᥫ᭡. bake

ᥫ᭡. have a fancy coffee

ᥫ᭡. sit by the fireplace. disconnect and stare into the flames

ᥫ᭡. put on some essential oils

ᥫ᭡. light some candles 

ᥫ᭡. watch documentaries 

ᥫ᭡. look for new recipes to try out

ᥫ᭡. look at home / cooking magazines

ᥫ᭡. do a hair / face mask

ᥫ᭡. buy fresh blooms

ᥫ᭡. paint my nails

ᥫ᭡. make the bed

ᥫ᭡. clean out inboxes (text messages, social media, emails, etc.)

 

and that's a wrap! 

that's my self care routine refresh -- it looks like a lot, but it's not that much. it's heavy on moisturizing products, relaxing baths, making my curls look good and balms for everything. pretty minimal, right? I like to think so.  until next week, I hope you get in a little self care yourself in there! xoxo