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They say that your taste in music at 15 stays with you forever. Given that Death Cab for Cutie still gives me full body chills, I can believe it. In my case of formative-year psychology, though, the same applies to my makeup routine. It’s been the same since high school: some shimmery shadow, eyeliner, mascara and a touch of blush or highlighter if I’m feeling frisky.
Blame it on my bouts of breakouts or my desire to wake up at the last possible second before getting ready for school, but I never cared for foundation—the whole process of finding my shade, figuring out how to apply it without it looking or feeling cakey and then actually taking the time to do it just felt like too much work. (I did try a few times, and besides hating the feeling of it on my skin, always ended up with either the ghostly pallor of a haunted Victorian doll or the copper complexion of a star on Jersey Shore—alas, this step was just never going to be in my skill set.)
I feel the same way about it now in my mid-30s. The ship has sailed, and I refuse to bring a bottle of foundation with me. But that’s not to say that I don’t strive to achieve the best possible canvas for the makeup I actually do love wearing. Instead, I pour my energy into my skincare regimen—much like my companion in bare-faced displays, Pamela Anderson—and I’d like to think it pays off. Here’s everything I use to feel confident in the (facial) nude.
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1. CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
Amazon
The best thing I’ve found to keep blemishes at bay is this foaming cream cleanser by CeraVe, which I wash my face with every night. It boasts 4% benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient proven to combat breakouts and the bacteria that causes them. Thanks to additions like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which work to hydrate and soothe, as well as ceramides to maintain the skin barrier, this formula feeds my skin as it cleanses and I’ve never found it to be drying.
$18; $15 at amazon
$18 at ulta
2. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Original photo by Stephanie Maida
Hailed for its affordable formulas that focus on effective actives, The Ordinary has gained my favor for its no-BS approach to skincare, free of fancy claims (and the upcharges that come with them). This particular serum has been in my rotation for years (beginning way back when it was still called Buffet) and there’s a reason I keep coming back to it. It’s the perfect does-it-all cocktail, offering both the hydrating benefits of hyaluronic acid and the skin-firming, collagen-promoting promises of peptides. This is my first step after cleansing, day or night.
$20 at amazon
$20 at sephora
3. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Oil
Original photo by Stephanie Maida
Great for evening out dark spots, boosting brightness and providing a potent dose of antioxidant protection, this face oil has a cult following—and I’m a proud member. Its two hero ingredients, vitamin C and turmeric, work to give my complexion a sunny glow that I can see all day, while the oil formula makes my face feel like it’s basting in nourishment. But worry not, even on combination skin like mine, it doesn’t coat your face in a slick layer of oil; I’d say after about 20 minutes, it’s fully soaked in, leaving a bright, bouncy finish behind.
from $40; $34 at amazon
$40 at sephora
4. EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
Dermstore
I’ll leave the house without a stitch of makeup, but if there’s one thing I’d never skip, it’s sunscreen. While there are lots of tried and true options out there, I’ll forever swear by EltaMD’s UV Clear formula with SPF 46. It uses both zinc oxide and octinoxate to provide full-spectrum sun protection, along with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to calm and hydrate. It’s the one facial sunscreen I’ve used that never leaves a white cast, irritates my skin (or eyes) or clogs my pores, so I always make sure to have another bottle on deck as soon as my stock starts running low.
$44 at dermstore
$43 at amazon
5. NuFACE Mini+
Original photo by Stephanie Maida
I’m holding off on injections for as long as I can, so to aid in the fight against sagging and skin laxity, sans any needles, I turn to my trusty NuFACE Mini. The handheld device employs microcurrent technology to lift and tone the muscles of the face, which essentially act as skin’s “scaffolding,” plus stimulate cells to encourage the production of more collagen and elastin. Combined with the brand’s Hydrating Aqua Gel (a bottle of which comes with the starter kit), I glide this gadget over my face for five to ten minutes a few nights a week. I swear, it’s the secret to a snatched jawline and lifted cheekbones—and celebrities like Kate Hudson agree.
$250 at dermstore
$250 at amazon
6. SkinMedica Retinol Complex .25
Original photo by Stephanie Maida
Now, no 30-something’s skincare lineup is going to be complete without a retinol, so you knew this was coming. What I particularly like about SkinMedica’s line is that it offers different doses of the holy grail anti-aging ingredient (a form of vitamin A), so that you can gradually work your way up to a higher percentage without shocking your skin into the dreaded “retinol purge,” i.e., the extreme dryness, flaking and breakouts that come with the cell turnover. Since I’ve only recently begun getting serious about my retinol use, I started from the bottom with this .25% formula, which I apply every other night at bedtime. It’s definitely aided in smoothing out texture and fine lines, but hasn’t caused my skin any redness or irritation. I’d recommend it for fellow retinol newbies looking for a gentle way to incorporate it into their regimen.
$64; $48 at dermstreet
$64 at amazon
7. Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
Original photo by Stephanie Maida
I jumped on The Rich Cream train a couple of years ago after hearing my PureWow colleagues rave about it, and have been a happy passenger ever since. A splurge though it is, it has officially become a non-negotiable in my routine due to its unmatched moisturizing effect that leaves my skin soft, smooth and perfectly plump (if I do say so myself). A big part of it, I’m sure, is the brand’s TFC8 complex, a proprietary, science-backed blend of natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins and peptides that purport to promote skin renewal on a cellular level. Although I haven’t pulled out my microscope, I can’t argue with the results.
from $98 at augustinus bader
From $98 at sephora
8. Lyma Laser
Original photo by Stephanie Maida
The latest addition to my collection of beauty gizmos, the Lyma Laser is a celebrity-loved (and admittedly, celebrity-priced) skincare wand that harnesses the power of near-infrared laser light to “trigger mitochondrial stimulation deep in the cells (a process called photobiomodulation), which boosts ATP production, enhances cell regeneration and reduces inflammation,” according to Plastic surgeon and Aesthetic Director of Lyma Dr. Graeme Glass. In layman’s terms, it encourages skin to act like its younger self. I alternate between this treatment and the NuFACE on different nights now, and have seen a noticeable improvement in the look of my forehead lines, under-eye area and nasolabial folds.
$2,695 at lyma
$2,695 at amazon
9. 111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Mask
Original photo by Stephanie Maida
If you ever catch me looking particularly radiant on a night out, this 111Skin sheet mask is why. While its diamond-infused formulation may sound like a gimmick, various studies suggest that diamond nanoparticles can help deliver active ingredients deeper into the skin (therefore increasing their effectiveness), and, thanks to gem’s reflective nature, can even aid in protecting skin from UV rays. The two-piece hydrogel mask is aimed at lifting and firming, and I find that it delivers on every front—including giving my visage a diamond-like glow that comes through in photos.
$140 at Dermstore
$140 at revolve
I Have $1,000+ Worth of Skincare Products—Here Are 8 Items to Splurge On and 8 Cheaper (Still Incredible) Alternatives
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