Coupled with a WIAW post. Sure, why not!
Egg on sourdough with sriracha and avocado. Bacon.
Yesterday was a fun day around the house. Alongside getting things done, we also just played around with fall fun, like pumpkins.
Hailey actually reached in to help pull out the guts this year. Huge progress!
We also cleaned, pulled out fall dΓ©cor and roasted butternut squash. Hailey kept asking for more sweet potatoes to eat and when I told her it was actually butternut squash, sheβd say βno thank you mom, just more sweet potato please.β
Mixed super greens, roasted butternut squash, roasted pumpkin seeds, avocado and diced apple.
In the afternoon I thought a cup of coffee sounded like a nice idea.
Honeycrisp apple, almond butter and coffee.
I drank about half of it before I realized Iβd be up all night and cut myself off as the jitters set in. Luckily it did the trick in keeping me awake for my drive into Charlotte.
Jen invited a few of us to an event at Carolina Facial Plastics. I am always interested in learning more about skin care and came prepared with my list of questions to ask after the presentation. Dr. Kulbursh was incredibly nice, as was his staff and the reps that were there too. We munched on some delicious food while hearing him discuss his expertise.
A few of you on facebook sent me some questions as well, so after the presentation, I went to town asking questions. Here are a few Q&Aβs I found the most helpful.
Should I use both a hydrating serum and an AM lotion with SPF?
It depends on your skinβs needs. If you live in a dryer climate, then yes, both are fine to use, but if you are only doing one, pick the sunscreen.
Can I just use the SPF face lotion I find on sale at the drugstore?
There is actually a difference in SPFs! Less expensive SPFs usually protect from the sun with a chemical block. Pharmaceutical grade products (they recommended Image) protect with a physical block, like zinc for example, which makes a difference on how well it protects your skin. I never knew that!
What is a great, quality, basic routine for someone to take good care of their skin?
Invest in four products- a high quality cleanser, an anti-aging AM serum, a face lotion with SPF and a repair PM cream.
What if Iβm on a tight budget- what product is most important?
A high quality sunscreen. However, the four products listed above are strongly recommended. They say to invest in one at a time and you will be surprised how long they last.
What is the best way to perform an extraction?
Just donβt do it! Damaging your skin, then exposing it to sun with create dark spots on your face that are hard to get rid of.
What is a great product I can use for my skin while pregnant or breastfeeding?
A vitamin C serum is a great choice for the skin that is safe while pregnant and breastfeeding, unlike retinols.
I really enjoyed getting to learn more about skincare, especially as I am currently interested in creating more of a preventative and quality skincare routine. Iβd really like to look more into peels as well, but baby steps first, right?
I also loved having a night out and getting to hang out with some great friends!
Dr. Kulbersh, Katie, Jennifer, Kseniya, Julie, me and Jen.
Plus, they hooked us up with some awesome goodies that I can’t wait to try out. There is even an organic line!
David handled getting both girls fed, bathed and in bed like a champ. Ignore the fact that he put the same pajamas back on Kaitlyn after her bath. You know, the pajamas she had spit up on earlier? Ok, ok, I probably shouldnβt pick on him because I was pretty grateful for a fun night out!
Do you have a set skincare routine?
What product do you feel has made the most difference in your skin?
What is one product you could NOT live without?
Andrea says
I’ve always struggled with my complexion. I have combination skin and prone to breakouts. Through trial and lots of error I found Origins. I use a number of their products now but in the beginning it was all about Checks and Balances facial cleanser with my Clarisonic Mia. I have a whole skin care regime now using several of their products (day time moisturizer with SPF and a slight tint- VitaZing, anti-aging eye cream, skin tone brightening serum, PM repair lotion, mask, exfoliator, etc) and finally feel confident leaving the house without makeup on. I am happy that I found products that work for me and was finally able to leave the dermatologist prescribed antibiotics, lotions, acutane, etc. in the past. It might be a little more expensive but it’s that much less money I’m spending on makeup to cover it all!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh wow, I’m so glad you found a system that works for you! I’d love to find the same thing, but skincare feels so overwhelming to me. I’m hoping to just learn a little at a time until I can build up an arsenal that fits my needs π
Rachel Cooks says
I like the idea of eating healthy foods to promote good skin health.
Elizabeth says
I love Aloette skin care! I started off using them several years ago to help eliminate problem skin, and now use the anti-aging line for sun protection and to repair my sun damaged skin. It was important to me to find a skin that restores and repairs my skin, while at the same time, safe to use on my children. Aloette is organic, aloe based skincare, as well as paraben free(and cruelty free).
Alex says
Apples and almond butter is such a good snack; especially now that apples are in season!
I have some of bad bouts of acne pretty frequently and regularly. I think this runs in my family-my mom had acne until she hit menopause. I haven’t found a good product that helps me with these issues. I experiment with products here and there but I tend to just wash my face with plain water every evening. I’m curious. I’ve never heard of an extraction. What is that?
Brittany Dixon says
Extraction (as my understanding of it) is basically squeezing or picking at your face to unclog a pore. Terrible for skin, but tough to resist sometimes!
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
I have lived in many places (Boston, San Francisco, Hawaii, San Diego, and now Denver) and I’ve learned that as I move from places with different climates (humid, dry, hot, cold) I really need to change up my skin care.
One of my favorite discoveries (as a result of having an infant with an eczema problem) is Eucerin. I now use it myself… all the time. The lotion in the summer and the cream in the winter. The cream has been godsend with the dry dry weather here in Colorado.
Meri says
You are going to love Image skincare. That is what I started using after a facial at a spa…it is amazing! Smells great too, not like chemicals!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh I’m so glad you like it! I’m excited to try it out. I liked that they don’t do animal testing/paraben-free, etc. I’m a sample junkie so I am looking forward to testing it π
Audrey @ In Shape Cupcake says
I couldn’t live without bb cream and coconut oil!
All your eats look delicious!
Sherry says
Your soup looks delicious. I’m going to make it as soon as the weather cools off again.
I love the SkinCeutical Clarifying Cleanser. It has salicylic acid & it is an exfoliating cleanser. I had been using the SkinCeutical C E Ferulic as a serum on my face in the morning but just changed to SkinCeutical Phlorentin CF (was told that this was better for more “experienced” skin). Love Revision’s Intellishade Matte. It is a tinted moisturizer with Sunscreen (broad spectrum SPF 45.
Just started Revision’s Nectifirm yesterday so will have to see if I can tell any difference after 8-12 weeks.
Brittany Dixon says
Did you go get the nectifirm? I need you to come visit so you can sort through all these samples with me!! π I’m going to try the Intellishade sample from my derm, too. I’ve heard good things!
Colette says
Brittany, you should check out Caroline Hirons blog, she’s a UK based skincare guru, she knows her stuff! Her blog has cheat sheets so you don’t need to trawl through the whole thing to get an idea of what her regime is. It’s really good, she’s all about acid toning/exfoliation, so try that before you look at skin peels. She also recommends double cleansing if you have been wearing makeup or SPF, using an oil cleanser/balm first, washing off with a flannel, then a non foaming cleanser. Anyway, she explains it all better than I can, so check it out, I think she’s great and my skin has improved loads since I started. She’s on Instagram and twitter too.
Brittany Dixon says
WOW, sounds like a ton of great info. I will definitely check it out- thank you for sharing! I always wonder about getting my make up off all the way. I feel like I never quite do.
Colette says
I can recommend Cliniques Take the Day Off Balm for the oil cleansing, and I’m not normally a Clinique fan. It’s like a tub of lard but works really well, melts your makeup off!
Emily says
Yes, once I stopped breastfeeding, I really began to invest in skin care. It has always been a passion of mine – I have worn SPF 30 every day since I was 20 – and it has paid off b/c I have very few wrinkles at 36. I have always relied on physical blockers like Titanium Dioxide b/c chemical sunscreens always broke me out. And now research is confirming what the dr said – physical blockers are best! Hooray!
Now, I am using primarily Paula’s Choice (PC):
AM: Avalon Organics Vitamin C cleansing gel, Cerave SPF 30, RoC retinol eye cream
PM: PC Skin Balancing Cleanser, PC BHA Exfoliant, PC Ultra Lite Anti Aging serum, PC 15% Vitamin C booster, RoC retinol eye cream.
Michelle says
I’d like to jump on the Paula’s Choice bandwagon too. Her products rock!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
Such great tips!!! I’ll admit that I sometimes really neglect taking care of my face. I do however, ALWAYS wear a lotion/bb cream/powder with SPF, so at least I have that base covered! My old faithful moisturizer/anti aging cream is Olay, but love hearing about more fancy ones! Creams and serums can definitely add up!
Paulina says
I tend to get lazy about my skincare routine. I notice a big difference when I remember to wash/moisturize every night, so I do that at least. I admit that I’m clueless when it comes to serums, eye creams, or any other skincare products. I think I should up my game since I’ll be 30 next month but it’s intimidating. My favorite product is my clarisonic brush. I use it in the shower most mornings with a little bit of cleanser. And I just got a tinted spf fountation from Philosophy that I love. I have samples of eye cream from clinique but I never know when to use it, and at what point in the routine.
Carrie (This Fit Chick) says
ooo can you make me that breakfast please!? I just told, Julie, I don’t have a regime– or a fancy one. I just use wipes twice a day! I would like to try other things, but I dont see the need as the wipes work well for my skin for now!
LaToya says
I pretty much have a routine, but I’m always a sucker to try things which results in breakouts most of the time, so I go back.
I just got finished trying to oil washing with coconut oil and my face flamed up so I’m back to my staple- Simple.
Colette says
The trick with oil cleansing is to do a double cleanse, first with the oil and remove it with a flannel and warm water, then repeat with a non foaming cleanser. Check out Caroline Hirons blog I mentioned above to Brittany.
Melanie says
I use the Resist line from Paula’s Choice and love it. I recommend everyone should check out their site. They also don’t test on animals which is important to me.
That salad looks awesome!
Danica @ It's Progression says
I recognized a few faces in that picture – glad you had a fun night out!
I love the necklace you wore by the way, where is it from?
Matt @ Runner Savvy says
Drooling over that breakfast!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
I really need to up my skin care routine. I use Trader Joe’s Cleanser, Vitamin C, and a really good moisturizer…. but that’s it. I’m starting to get some “laugh lines”. I know as an almost 30 year old, I need to be doing more!
Emily says
I use a line local to Tasmania in Australia where I live called “Beauty and The Bees” which prides themselves on using only edible, local and expensive quality ingredients you’dand only tested on humans. From their range I use a facial soap and a moisturiser which has changed my life
Cat says
I’ve actually found that with my skin, the simpler the better! I literally use jojoba or sweet almond oil and warm water to take off my make up (just mineral powder foundation) and ACV to cleanse and tone, then a little more oil to moisturise. Done! So cheap and my skin has never looked better.
rachel says
that salad with the squash looks soooo yummy!
Erin L says
Hi Brittany,
I love your posts, but the last 7 or so haven’t been emailed to me… I miss getting them!
Thx!
Erin
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