UPDATED 07.24.10

i love skincare produtcs – more so than make up. so if you’re really curious about what i’m using at the moment, read on.

morning and night: wash with zia moisturizing cleanser or bamboo exfoliant.

morning: apply zia toner and nourishing creme (i love this thing!). follow with neutrogena ageless essentials spf 25 (so far, this doesn’t break me out, spreads evenly, absorbs quickly, is light and leave no WHITE cast). i’m still on the look out for something more eco-friendly and fits all my requirement.

night: apply toner and olay age defying night cream. this is one of the best product i’d tried so far from olay. it’s very luxurious, smells great, goes on smooth, and absorbs fast. it’s not too light or too thick, which in my opinion is perfect for night time. i’m still stalking zia’s night cream as i’ll like to try that and if i like it, switch over.

twice a week: uses zia papaya enzyme mask to brighten. apply and leave zia citrus night reversal on overnight.

make up: a light layer of sephora’s mineral compact (powder)foundation in d30 with the pixi cropped face brush and a smear of jemma kidd’s classic couture lip in retro or jk’s adapt a lipgloss depending on my mood. these lip colors are very pretty and natural – it just gives you a tint of color. the lipgloss is really really pretty in that it’s clear but draws out a nice pink / peachy color depending on your natural lips color.

when i have extra time and want to add more layers, i apply a thin layer of jk’s mannequin complexion after sunscreen. then a light layer of jk’s moisture tint foundation spf 20 before sephora’s pressed powder. then i’ll finish it up with a layer or two of jk’s i-style duo eyeshadows in boho. you read it right, no blush.

in skincare and make up is where i really tried to take my frugal-ness. zia’s are pricey so i only buy from ebay and when they are at drugstore prices, about $7 – $10 for the full size. considering that i love their products and works for my skin,  the discounted prices are a bonus. the sephora’s compact powder and neutrogena sunscreen are the only items i paid full price for because i needed them right away – especially the sunscreen. all of the jemma kidds and pixi stuff i was lucky enough to be at one of the targets putting them on clearance. i was physced! i got quite a lot of stuff for around $3 – $8. they’ll last me a while since i don’t use much.

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if you’ve got nothing else to do other than twiddle your thumbs, below is my old cleansing routine. and no i’m not high maintenance. thank goodness!

since i am always on the quest to find those nice, wonderful beauty products that work for me, here is my most current list. since i’ve got time on my hand today, i’m also putting up pictures of my stash.

mornings: wash with vanilla bean cleansing mousse just plain water. i follow this by applying a thin layer of skin lighten for my brown spots. i wait a minute or so for that to fully absorb, then my moisturizer goes on – at the moment it is whatever sample derma e sent me pure organic shea butter. i have a few left. they are the small packets in the photos. the last step is my make up. see below.;)

evenings: repeat morning step i am currently using burt’s bees orange essence cleanser- and every other evening or so, i add a half dime size amout of the micro-dermabrasion scrub to the vanilla cleanser and scrub my face. works wonderfully well. then i follow it up the wei east white lotus anti-aging mask for hydration or alba botanica’s papaya enzyme facial mask which leaves my skin wonderfully clean. after washing this off with a washcloth, i apply a thin layer of skin lighten, follow by my age-defying night creme organic shea butter, wei east silk serenity restoraion cream or burt’s bees diaper ointment (yes diaper ointment). 1-2 times a week i use the wei east herbal intensive eye treatment to revitalize my eyes – it smells of green tea and i love that! it does make my eyes feel much better afterwards.

make up routine – very simple:

every morning: after morning facial routine, i use no7 soft and sheer tinted moisturizer with spf 15 apply a thin layer of boot’s botanics complexion refining pressed powder. give my face a nice natural look and is very light. this is the best tinted moisturizer i have found that evens out my skin tone and is very sheer and light. i love the feel of it. it is not sticky or too thick to spread and a little goes a long way. i use this more than the pressed powder as it’s easier and lasts me all day. it is easily available at targets and sell for $11.99 for a 1.67 oz tube.

note: i try to use only cosmetics that does not contain parabens. this tinted moisturizer does but since i like it so much, i’ll continue to use it until i find a tinted moisturizer with spf that is easy to apply, not sticky, and doesn’t break me out. i have tried juice organics tinted moisturizer (not pictured) and this is drying on me and gives no coverage at all, not even a sheer one.

after the tinted moisturizer, i apply l’oreal’s hip illuminating highlighter duo – i use the lighter pink color on the left. it’s a soft shimmering color that i think is very flattering. for a more bronze look, the bronzer color on the right works better. or you can layer both but i mainly use the lighter color. this can also be apply to the eyes as eye shadows – which i occassionaly do. again, i think this may contain parabens but i like it too much to give up on it.

the last step is the victoria’s secret beauty rush lip gloss in cherry bomb. i have tried so many lip glosses before and this is my ultimate favorite one. i use it every day…yes every day. it’s a pinkish-red sheer color that is perfect for summer and i love how it is not sticky at all. just perfect. i picked it up on a whim and love it! i’m usually a natural nude lip gloss wearer but i love this color. smells great too!

sometimes, i use the victoria’s secret beauty rush liquid eye shadow in plus passion. i really like this too. i mainly use it as a eye liner and it work fine. i really like the color and the way the tip glides on.

and rarely when i do not use the lip gloss or want a different look, i use loreal’s star secrets aishwarya rai lipcolour in beige. i’m a lip gloss gal, and i have to admit i love this lipcolour. it’s natural with just a hint of pink beige to it. i found lipsticks to be very drying but this actually feels very nice and stays on nicely. i do have to re-apply after eating but it’s a great color for everyday wear. plus ash’s lipcolours are always very pretty!

other rarely use items: the shiseido lip liner in cinnamon red, i hardly ever use – and only if i want my lip gloss or lip colour to look bolder. which is almost never the case. the tommy girl jean perfume – use when needed. the boots botanical pressed powder is nice too – and i only use it if i don’t apply my tinted moisturizer on – which i always do so this just sits there and look pretty. i take that back, i used to always apply the pressed powder on until i got the tinted moisturizer. oh and the ulta retractable kabuki brush is what is what i use to apply the pressed powder with.

the alba botanica sunscreen spf 30 – this is working out perfect for me. you know how so much sunscreen out there leave a white-cast when you apply and are very thick? this one is not – and it’s natural and smells great – think lavender! it’s a white cream – goes on clear and not sticky at all! i use this on my arms when i’m driving so i don’t get burn. and i use it on my daughters. i stumbled upon them at a bel-air supermarket in the natural foods isle – it was on sale for $5.99 for a 4 oz tube. i got two! it should be useful when we head to tahoe and raging waters.

still love the alba botanic sunscreen, and mainly use it for body now. for my face, i discovered mychelle sun shield spf 28 that is wonderful and doesn’t sting my sensitive eyes! have not break me out yet so will continue to use. it comes in a 2.3 oz squeeze tube for about $16.