DORÉ

Finding the right beauty regimen is somewhat boring to me. Unlike with fashion, I’m not hooked on skincare trends and makeup sensations. It hasn’t always been like that though. I used to be a panda girl (heavy black eye-makeup) in middle school. Gothic rock influence, no doubt. And a cat-eye-lady in high school. That was a trend, I guess.

Now, I just try to focus on buying non-toxic, preferably fairly derived and made products. I use the Healthy Living app to find products that fit my requirements.

Here is what I’ve found…

Morning:

I wash my face with charcoal Meow Meow Tweet bar soap that I found at Package Free shop.

After a good wash, I splash some toner on. Literally splash. I hate using single-use cotton pads. So, I just pour some on my hands, smile, and throw it in my face–just like in the ads! Or, sometimes I’ll use toilet paper as a pad and tap-tap it on my face. I have the coolest TP at home, it’s called Who Gives A Crap and their packaging makes me chuckle every time. It’s made of fully recycled paper and the company gives 50% of their profit to a charity that helps build toilets.
I use MADARA Balancing Toner.

After a minute or two, I spray some MADARA Infinity Mist Probiotic Essence. I find that whenever I get blemishes, whether it’s from travel or nasty New York humidity, I go hard on probiotics externally and internally and I always notice results.

Next up, moisture. I use a mix of The Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics and
Pycnogenol 5%. Hyaluronic acid captures and delivers moisture to skin cells, while Pycnogenol helps address breakouts.

I don’t really wear a lot of makeup, but when I do want my skin to have a bit of color, I blend
Dr. Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint into BIOSSANCE Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer (am I crazy for using two moisturizers?). This tint is the best product I’ve found in this category. It actually is translucent unlike some creams I’ve seen that feel more like a wrong color foundation.

Makeup:
Brows first. I wish I hadn’t lost my natural brows to the pluck. I started plucking them at 13, so by the time I realized my mistake, it was too late. I use ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS
Perfect Brow Pencil and then brush them up with Ere Perez Aloe Gel Lash & Brow Mascara.

Then, I use YVES SAINT LAURENT Touche Eclat All-Over Brightening Pen. I just got this one after almost two years of foundation/ concealer freedom, but I use it very scarcely.

Another fave of mine – Glossier Cloud Paint in Dusk. Brows and Cloud Paint are definitely my biggest go-tos. And, Kjaer Weis Lengthening Mascara !

Done! It looks like a lot on paper, but this routine takes me no more than 15 minutes to apply.

Day:
I don’t revisit my face during the day, but I do use hand cream a lot. I’m actually trying out a new one by skinfix that hopefully will help me with hand eczema.

In the summer, I am also a heavy user of wet wipes. I take them to our shoots, keep some in the office, have a supply on-hand always.*
*I know, “doesn’t use cotton pads, but is ok with single-use wet wipes.” I’m eye-rolling at myself, honestly. If you’ve got a good tip for a sustainable way to fight summer’s sweaty armpits, neck, and boobs on the go, hit me up!

Night:
I follow my same exact skin care routine at night. Sometimes though, I like to treat myself to a scrub mask. Also, after shooting Sandra Chiu for the Gua Sha story, I am a big fan of the tool. I make sure to apply a lot of oil and massage all the tension out of my face while watching The Simpsons in bed. Et Voila!