**SO, this blog post is from my old website from 2018, but I still stand by the fact that you need to take the time out to do some self-care, however that looks for you. Skincare will forever be my self-care!! I am excited to re-do this routine with updated products that I currently use!! That will be coming soon. Until then, here's my 2018 self-care at-home facial for your reading pleasure
It's cold and flu season, and for the last two weeks, (HAHAHA ohhhh 2018 me, if only you KNEW what the future held) I have had a child home from school every dang day. They took turns in sharing the germs, and their coughs still linger, but today was the first day all four were back in school. I found myself alone in the house, with just the cat, and a looooong list of things to do, the house looks like a disaster, so many things need to be done. I looked in the mirror, and after so many nights of only 5-6 hours of sleep, my skin was showing a lack of love. SO, I ditched the to-do list and did a DIY home facial. I have a plethora of products, so there was little effort to pull this off.
I have never actually had a facial before, so can't really compare this to a spa experience, but I have to say, my skin feels amazing!!! I did a google search and found an article on allure that gave me the steps I needed to achieve a spa-level facial.
After I washed my face, I used Sonia Roselli's Sexapeel Instant Exfoliation Spray (still a favourite product in 2022) to remove the dead skin and start the groundwork for amazingness. This spray is an innovative formula of plant enzymes that gently exfoliates the surface of your skin. Developed by a Chicago-based professional makeup artist, it is truly the best exfoliating product I have used. I carry a bottle in my kit too!! Next came the Origins Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay for 10 minutes, it is a purifying mask and skin refiner to smooth skin, refine pores, and boost skin's overall quality. I followed this with the Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask for Extreme Detoxifying Hydration. This mask is perfect to calm and soothe irritated skin after sun exposure, peels, waxing, facials, and extractions. Once I washed this off I relaxed in my recliner (with the cat, of course, because she can't leave me alone), with the Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Pure Luxury Lift & Firm Hydra-Gel Eye Patches for 15 minutes.
Once the exfoliating and masks were complete, my face was feeling incredibly clean and smooth but was definitely in need of some love and attention in the form of moisturizers. I used the Arbonne Nourishing Facial Oil first. This sheer dry oil formula contains omega fatty acids 3 and 6 and is a super antioxidant to help support luminous skin beauty.
My final step was to use the Sonia Roselli Water Balm (ALSO still a part of my daily routine in 2022), which is made out of unicorn tears. Ok, well actually, it is described as a multi-use product that not only preps skin, it helps repair a compromised skin barrier. Water Balm creates a thin barrier to the skin so that anything you put under it will be "locked" to keep products from evaporation. This means it is the perfect final step in a facial, but also at night time to use over serums!
After all was said and done, it took me about an hour to complete my at-home facial and was sooooo very needed. Not only because my skin was screaming for love, but because I needed to do something for myself. Taking the time to do something special for yourself is needed, and should be done on a regular basis. Self-care isn't selfish, so don't feel guilty to put yourself first!! If you're a caregiver, mother, CEO, whatever, you need to take the time to treat yourself, whatever it is that makes you happy or feel pampered. If you can't afford the spa, make the spa in your bathroom. It's so easy!! My house still looks like a disaster, but tomorrow is another day. I have no regrets about ditching the chores and grocery shopping, and haven't been able to stop touching my face, haha!!
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{Had to include these photos, Norah is my shadow and follows me everywhere. I was trying to find good lighting to take pictures of the products, and she watched me change from one area to the next, wondering what I was doing, and why I was ignoring her for so long. I love this little furball} (She's still obsessed with me in 2022 too :P)
