Happy Monday y’all! Can you believe we go back to WORK this week? Not to burst any bubbles here but MAN am I not ready to get back to reality just yet. After a full week in Mexico and a few days in Houston, it’s going to be such culture shock when I get back to the city today (re: freezing weather and gloomy months). I’m spending my last few days off getting organized for the month and planning out blog content, booking my work out schedule and getting as ahead as I can of everything before Thursday hits me like a wrecking ball.
On a lighter note, today I wanted to round up my favorite skincare products from 2019. 2019 was truly the year that changed my skin. I finally stepped out of my comfort zone and really tried brands I had seen in round ups for years after working in Beauty PR. One BIG thing I learned is that if it’s worth the hype on Instagram/in the blogger sphere, there’s a genuine reason behind that. I was skeptical to try a few brands I felt were oversaturated but MAN am I glad I did. My skin has never felt better (well, except when I was working at Oasis Media Spa in Houston and had a hydro facial every week), and I constantly receive compliments on the glow I have going on.
My biggest suggestions for dipping your toes into a new skincare product? Sample it first. Sephora has so many sample options/GWP so you can try before you buy, or buy a smaller travel sized version first in case you don’t react as you had hoped to it. Learn more about your skin type. I always considered myself acne prone/sensitive skin growing up, but as I became an adult I learned I’m more combination with hormonal breakouts. Don’t be scared by a price tag. If it’s really pricey there is a rhyme to the reason! But on that note, don’t buy something solely because it’s expensive and you think it will make you look like a newborn baby.
Thanks again for all of your support in 2019 and look forward to a ton of new content coming in 2020 (especially beauty related). What are your favorite products from the year? Have a great day and thanks for reading!
1. Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Baby Facial. I genuinely cannot rave about this product enough and how worth the money it is. This skin resurfacer was one of the first dives I took into an updated skincare routine and once I did I didn’t look back. Drunk Elephant in general has so many skin winners and a cult following, and the majority of the products I want to try in 2020 come from the brand (F Balm is first up on my list!).
2. TULA Exfoliating Sugar Scrub. Again, another introduction to a brand I purchased this exfoliant as an add on with my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale purchase. I was very hesitant to trust the benefits of probiotic skincare, especially because the brand is so saturated in the blogger sphere but MAN is TULA worth the hype y’all!! Within just a few days of using the Sugar Scrub my skin was soft + smooth, and the screen works as the perfect first step to really allow all of your serums and moisturizers to go deep into the pores. Use code KAYLEIGHSKLOSET for 15% off and you WON’T regret joining the following!
3. Tatcha Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder. One of the more interesting skincare products I tried this year, I attended a Sephora/Tatcha Masterclass in Houston one weekend where I learned all about the brand (having known nothing other that it had a cult-following from beauty editors all around). The Rice Polish works to exfoliate immensely when you mix water + the powder and use as a second step (following the Cleansing Oil). It took my skin about a week and a half to get used to it, but once it did the results were impeccable!
4. Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream. Something I had been wanting for AGES but didn’t pull the trigger until my mom offered to buy it for me (love ya, Mom) but this cream is the holy grail of holy grail skincare products. It smells delicious, has such a rich formula and really locks moisture in the skin. When I apply at night and wake up the next morning I’m just glowing all around, but I don’t feel as if I have to wipe moisturizer residue off of my face. Literally amazing!!
5. Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream. One of my favorite moisturizers from the get go, this formula contains Hyaluronic Acid making it super moisturizing and fast absorbing. It’s a greta morning moisturizer that doesn’t leave you looking too glossy throughout the day. The PTR team was also SO kind in sending me a replenishment when Ibiza security made me leave behind most of my products!
6. Glow Recipe Watermelon + AHA Glow Sleep Mask. I purchased this towards the beginning of summer when I was traveling to LA a lot on early morning flights. I’d apply as soon as I got on the plane and let the mask do it’s work. It’s a lightweight gel texture that smells amazing and really cools as you apply – perfect for summer when you’re getting more sun. I try to use once a week, or every other week since it isn’t a nightly treatment.
A few other products I’ve really enjoyed this year and will be bringing into 2020:
–Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster
–Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask
–Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
–First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
–Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
–Elizabeth Arden Great 8
–Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream
–Olay Regenerist Whips
–Acne Free Oil Free Acne Cleanser *great for body
Full disclosure: all of the skincare products I rounded up in detail (1-6) are ones that I purchased myself and tried before ever reaching out to a brand. In the event that I received something for free, it was likely that I reached out upon emptying a product (or when security in Ibiza made me tragically leave over half my skincare routine). I’d much rather pay for something and truly test it out and report back than just post what I think will sell the best!