Alexis’s Morning Hair and Skin Routine… Exposed!
Meet Alexis! She’s a big fan of Tata Harper, Jane Iredale, 100% Pure, Ilia and other things we love (like coconut oil, mmm). She’s also an esthetician, so she knows what she’s talking about. Read on for what she does on the daily!
Name: Alexis
Age : 28
Current weather : Mostly warm and sunny. Ohio had a fickle spring but seems to be settling into more normal 70ish temperatures.
Hair : Shoulder-length, fine and pin straight. When it’s humid though I have all these fun “baby hairs” that stick straight up.
Skin : Very fair, doesn’t burn but doesn’t tan either. Combination, with a tendency to be oilier in the summer months. I thank my good complexion due to great genes from mom and dad!
Favorite star or icon from the past : Maureen O’Hara
In the shower…
Most days I usually just rinse. No soap or shampoo just plenty of water and a good scrubbing mitt. About 3 times a week I wash my hair, as we head into the warmer months that will probably go up to 4 just because my hair is so fine. I always use my Jane Iredale Magic Mitt wash my face. I love it because you just use it with water; no soap needed! When I do want some exfoliation I either use Tata Harper’s Regenerating Cleanser or apply a mask like the one from Kahina Giving beauty.
Outside the shower…
I moisturize my body with just coconut oil. I love the way it smells and it sinks into my skin quickly enough so that I don’t feel greasy when getting dressed. I use the famed Soapwalla deodorant. It’s pretty much the only natural deodorant that combats bot smell and moisture. Which to me is pretty much worth it’s weight it gold.
Being an Esthetician I am pretty passionate about skincare. I always start with a refreshing mist of something. It was rose water but lately it’s my Tata Harper hydrating floral essence. I swear I’d wear this as perfume. Then I follow with some type of moisturizer. Since we’re heading into summer and I get oily I switched to using Tata Harper’s Rejuvenating Serum. It’s lightweight but moisturizing. I always use a sunscreen, right now it’s the 100% Pure Pomegranate Antioxidant SPF20. Last but not least- eye cream! This is also from 100% Pure – the Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream (longest name ever). It’s so good at combating dark circles even my boyfriend has started using it.
Finishing touches…
I start off my makeup routine with Jane Iredale’s Amazing Base (loose) in Bisque. I use the Jane Eyeshadow in Cappuccino for my brows and the move to my eyes. Most days it’s just a little mascara. The one I am using right now is from Josie Maran. On days I use eyeliner I reach for my trusty Jane Iredale ones (the midnight blue is awesome!) or I just got a Zosimos Botanical one that I really like as well. Cheeks are usually a cream blush, RMS beauty in Smile and Vapour’s Aura Multi-use in Torch are my go-to blushes. I finish with a little tinted lip balm or one of my Ilia Lip conditioners (Shell Shock is my current obsession).
For smells I like light during the summer. Orange Blossoms are a favorite scent of mine and the Tsi-La Fiori D’Arcancio is the epitome of all I ever wanted in a perfume.
Oh, we love that Tsi-La too! Did Alexis mention any of your faves?
A few of my faves here…The 100% Pure Coffee Bean Eye Cream is spectacular. It’s the only eye cream that’s ever done a thing for my puffiness. I love pure coconut oil and all things RMS.
The Jane Iredale magic mitt sounds interesting; may have to try that. I also love coconut oil but am fortunate I can use on my face as well-I love Nutiva organic extra virgin, it is cold-pressed, organic and unrefined. I read somewhere awhile back that type of coconut oil is more agreeable for skin care and it works for me. Also I own Tsi-La Fiori D’Arcancio and love it!! Lots of compliments!
Definitely love Tata’s Hydrating Floral Essence! I just finished a bottle. I’m back to Kahina’s, which I had been using before I tried the Tata. I like them both, a lot – but maybe Kahina just a teeeensy bit more. Also a big fan of Josie Maran’s mascara :)
Thanks for all the great tips- looking forward to trying some of these (Ilia cream blue, coffee bean eye cream)!
It was refreshing to read a product-loving, makeup-included daily routine. I have great respect and occasional envy for those whose routines are makeup-free or makeup-optional, but sometimes I miss the glamour a bit in this section.
@Emily I agree! This routine made me want to get back in touch with my girlier-girl side!
Love it the routine! Totally agree @Emily!
Hi Alexis ,thanks for letting us in your daily routine.
You mentioned a few of my favorites (Kahina toning mist, Tata floral essence (not the new version though),RMS and 100% eye cream. I have heard so much about Jane Iredale’s mitt that I might look into it with care.. will definitely be looking into the eyeliners you mentioned as the one I’m using (Afterglow) is good but I’d happy to find a great one.
@nancy if you are looking for clean pencil eyeliners, I found INIKA and Lily Lolo at Saffron Rouge. I really love both and was happy to find pencil liners (though I love RMS I like to have pencil options too). Both brands have more color options than Afterglow and I like the texture a bit better.
Vapour’s Multi-Use blush in Torch is my fave makeup everything/anything, of all time! It’s sheer but has great impact, and can be layered easily. Best of all, it’s really easy to use. I tend to get powder blush all the way into my ears (sigh), but this blush stays put, and as long as I remember to blend it properly, it looks 100% natural.
@ Rebecca, thank you . I never heard of these two brands before (and haven’t shopped at Saffron yet) so I’ll definitely be looking into them. On Afterglow, although they work – and do not need to be sharpened – I believe there must be something a little bit better. I have tried Vapour Organic eyliner pencil before that and although the texture is great, it breaks constantly as you sharpen it.
Thanks again, all the best
Oh my gosh! I’m so excited to be featured AND on my birthday. Thank you so much! =) This has totally made my day.
For everyone asking about the magic mitt, it’s kind of amazing! The little fibers in the mitt take off every last bit of makeup. I just wash it out after each use and hang it up to dry.
@Danielle I’ll have to see if I can find the Nutiva brand coconut oil. I’ve been using just an organic one but I’d love unrefined as well.
@Mercedes I really like their Argan oil so I’ll have to check out the Kahina Mist. Thanks for the recommendation.
@Jessica – Torch is just the most beautiful color. I agree with you that it’s one of my favorite makeup products ever!
Thanks so much again =)
@ Alexis, happy birthday!! Wishing you a very special day!
I love reading the exposed routines and always learn about new and interesting products! But everytime a new one is posted, I beeline straight for the routine-ee’s skin type, hoping it might mirror mine and offer some solutions for the issues I have, and I’ve not yet seen a routine from someone with an allergic/sensitive/dry/rosacea-ey complexion. I would love to see something from someone who has actually managed to improved redness or combatted intense dehydration…
@Amy We’ll look out for one. But if anyone in the audience has a great routine for super sensi skin, please submit it.
@Amy, I’ve never had rosacea but I fit the allergic/sensitive/dry. I used to have psoriasis, including on my face but I don’t anymore. I don’t really have the discomfort of dryness with my current routine. Diet is the most important thing for my skin – in my case vegan/raw/gluten free works best but everyone is different. Research anti-inflammatory herbs and spices and incorporate these in your diet or take capsules (turmeric is a favorite of mine). Staying away from most scents and preservatives is key for me. General advice for topicals: use products with few ingredients, unscented or only EOs you know are okay for you, no compromises on truly clean ingredients, regular or occasional use of honey for mask/wash, gentle exfoliation occasionally (as with raw honey or Pai muslin cloth), oils and butters that suit your skin (argan oil, shea butter, Pai bioregenerate are some recommendations). Keep it simple with ingredients that pack a punch. Research some oils for rosacea and make a nice DIY (maybe with a shea base) that will suit you perfectly. Also, I believe Evan Healy has a line specifically designed for rosacea – I’m a huge fan of her pomegranate serum (includes sea buckthorn I think).
@ Amy, I don’t have rosacea either, but I definitely have dry/sensitive/allergic and somewhat acne-prone skin. I’ve learned that the best way to handle it (for me at least) is by using as little as possible. I wash only at night with raw honey and a little bit of baking soda if I need the exfoliation, and moisturize with either organic raw extra-virgin coconut oil or argan oil. In the winter I moisturize at night and in the morning, but lately I feel like I only need it in the morning. I think just those two things have helped my skin tremendously – I cut out washing in the morning, ridiculous moisturizers, heavy makeup, etc. and try to keep it as simple as possible. Definitely avoid fragrances and dirty ingredients.
I also drink tons of water throughout the day, drink green juices, and eat 99% vegan and no/minimal processed foods. Like Rebecca said, everyone is different but I think finding the right balance of products AND diet can really make a difference. And stressing less! Stress can ruin my skin.
@Amy–super sensitive skin here, occasional redness. I wash my face in the morning with California Baby Super Sensitive Shampoo & Bodywash and in the evenings with the Kahina Cleanser. I use my Clarisonic a few times a week with the Kahina. I use oils on my face day and night. Currently using and loving La Bella Figura’s Barbary Fig Renewal Serum. It’s truly amazing. I have a few samples of their oils and love them all. Before I discovered La Bella Figura I was using straight up Argan Oil, which was great, just not quite hydrating enough for me. I found that simplifying my routine made my sensitive skin look much better…less is more for me in that sense. Also, products for babies (I happen to have one) are really great for sensitive skin. Hope this is a bit helpful!
Vapour’s Multi-Use blush in Torch is my fave makeup everything/anything, of all time! It’s sheer but has great impact, and can be layered easily. Best of all, it’s really easy to use. I tend to get powder blush all the way into my ears (sigh), but this blush stays put, and as long as I remember to blend it properly, it looks 100% natural.
Wow! Thanks for the suggestions!! Love my NMDL Community! From your tips it sounds like, for the most part, I am doing what I can/should product wise. My current routine is: I wash my face at night with Pai Camellia Rose Cleanser, alternating with Dr Haushka’s Cleansing Milk. I use Pai’s Muslin Cloth to remove either cleanser and add my Clarisonic to the mix a few times a week, when I feel like I might benefit from it. After cleansing, I use Patyka’s Witch Hazel Toning Lotion which I find helps with my occassional breakout and balances what could otherwise be a too oily/creamy routine. My skin feels super velvety after. Then I pat on Patyka’s Absolue Serum… I was using Evan Healy’s Pomegranate Repair Serum the past few years but even though I love how it smells and feels, I didn’t see any permanent or cumulative effect, so I decided to experiment with another serum in hopes of finding something that might penetrate further. At night, I sometimes use Argan Oil in addition to the serum. During the daytime only, I finish off with a moisturizer… Usually Evan Healy’s Whipped Shea Butter with Olive Leaf but I also experiment with some samples I have in search of a lighter moisturizer for summer to get me through the humid hellaciousness of DC that still provides the moisture and protection
I feel when I use the EH.
Body… Dr Bronners Lavender wash and unrefined coconut oil for all over moisture. I swear by Egyptian Magic on super dry areas and my allergic related bumpies on my upper arms.
I have accepted that in order to see results I may need to change my diet and (attempt to) give up dairy. At least for the most part. My gut tells me that is the issue at this point. I hope to be proven wrong and not have to say goodbye to gorgeous stinky cheese.
Pai’s lotion moisturizers are really good – I use the one for combination skin in the summer. Also, giving up dairy is not really that difficult once you see results. I still miss the taste of cheese, but I am also very afraid of accidentally eating dairy because it has such a terrible effect on my skin.
@Amy, I know it can be hard to think about giving up forever something you love to eat. Try committing to a specific period of time. Going through a couple of hormonal cycles (so about two months) will give you the best idea, but if that seems too hard to commit to try at least two weeks. In my opinion, going with a full force elimination for a short period is much better than “cutting down” if you want to see how your body is really responding to that food. Best of luck to you!!