Lake Shore Lady

A Chicago based wellness blog with a dose of style!

Beauty

LSL’s New Skincare Routine

Let’s talk SKINCARE today, shall we?!
I know it might seem like I always have perfect skin, but it’s important that all of you understand what strategic makeup, excellent lighting, and a really good camera can do on even your worst days. Since I mostly work from home, there are tons of days that I never even put a stitch of makeup on my face… and when you’re looking at blemishes, breakouts and dry skin all day, it can start to get you down.
*click the product images above or the links below to shop*
bliss Triple Oxygen Cleansing Foam | SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel (on sale!) | Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
This post is NOT sponsored. The facial service and moisturizing cream were gifted, but honestly, I’m just so excited to have my normal skin back and I wanted to share my new found wisdom 🙂
Over the past year or so, my skin was very hit or miss. It would be fine and then I’d get stressed and break out. Or the weather would go from negative degrees to 40 degrees and throw everything off. But finally, one GLORIOUS day, I got invited to check out the bliss Spa in the W Hotel. I had only ever gotten one facial before that and I didn’t really think it was all that exciting – but this one was full on LIFE CHANGING. She got rid of all my dead skin, cleaned up the areas that I had been picking at (gross, I know), and left my skin feeling healthy for the first time in months.

After the facial, she was nice enough to chat with me about what she observed… like I said, this facial was LIFE CHANGING. I explained that my skin was super dry from the winter air, so I was moisturizing like crazy. She then explained to me that thats exactly what was making me break out, creating a vicious cycle. Basically, I needed the stuff that was actually going to hydrate my skin, without all of the chemicals/additives/oils that could block my pores.

Enter: SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel.  I decided to buy it and try it out the day she suggested it, and now I don’t ever want to live without this stuff! Seriously, I just bought two more backup bottles because it’s on sale on Amazon! It hydrates my skin, evens my skin tone, and helps brighten any dark spots that I created from being impatient and popping pimples I never should have popped. Again… gross, I know. (embarassed emoji!) She also told me about bliss spa’s Incredi-Peel wipes. You don’t need to use these no-rinse peel pads every day, but when you do, they’ll exfoliate and smooth your skin without irritating it by using this crazy weird technology that releases glycolic acid over time? Haha I mean, I don’t need to understand it, all I know is that they work great!

And then there’s the real magical product: Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion. Holy moly you guys, this stuff makes pimples straight up GO AWAY. If you feel one coming, you just dip your Q-Tip into the little bottle, put a dab on the spot and go to bed. Wake up in the morning, wash your face, and it’s diminished. AND if you keep repeating this process each night, it will completely disappear. It’s not the cutest look if you’re going to bed next to someone else – but I still think it’s worth it. No frustration that leads to popping that leads to scars. Seriously – magic!
And of course, what about your skin that isn’t on yo face?! I hear you – I’ve been doing SO MUCH hot yoga the past few months that my skin has definitely needed some love. So, when my pals over at Zapwater sent me a bottle of Advanced Clinicals Coconut Oil Moisturizing Cream, I was so excited to try it out – and it did NOT disappoint. It’s powerful and light and smells delicious. Yes, please!

So, the moral of the story is that it only took me until my late twenties (ugh) to figure out how to properly take care of my skin. Better late than never though, right?!

What products do you guys use when stress gets the best of you? Anything I’m missing? I’m thinking about venturing into the world of BB Creams – any suggestions there? Speaking of makeup, I recently started using this PUR Bronzer and it’s so gorgeous I can’t stand it. Just in case you’re also shopping for that 😉 

Ok, now I’m done. Your turn!

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Comments

  1. I LOVE that drying lotion and all things Mario but I need to try out that gel ASAP. A friend gave it to me and it's just been sitting in my drawer because I didn't know how to use it haha!

  2. Lauren, I couldn't be more with you on this post. I'm often told that I have such lovely skin by those I know on the internet, but in reality, it's my biggest struggle appearance-wise, and a constant source of embarrassment and frustration for me. (How am I this old and still struggling with this?!) On camera, my skin looks fine… but lighting, angles avoiding close-ups is how I accomplish it. 🙁 Booooo!

    And I completely agree about the working from home thing. I don't always dress up or put makeup on, and therefore the mirror is often my worst enemy!

    Anyway, thank you SO MUCH for these recommendations. I LOVE Bliss, and I used to use Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion and found it phenomenal. Need to pick it up again!

    As for the creams, I highly suggest Smashbox's CC Cream. I hated the idea of using something like a foundation, but this stuff is super light and has SPF, and it blends SO naturally! I've tried a bunch and it's definitely my fave. Just use a little bit, though. Also: it's a tiny bottle but it lasts FOREVER! 🙂

    xoxo!

    Kelly | Kelly in the City

  3. I love Dr.Jart BB Cream! It is perfect for those hot summer days that you don't want a full face of makeup! still provides coverage without the heavy feeling of foundation. And it has 45 SPF!