Eleanor’s Morning Skin and Hair Routine… Exposed!
Meet Eleanor the esthetician. After struggling with her skin for years she came to learn that some of the most effective brands were natural. She now puts Kahina to good use, along with other favorites like Dr Alkaitis, Dr Hauschka, Arcona and more. She’s also seriously piqued our interest in In Fiore (we’ve heard their scents are beautiful too)—who here has tried it?
Name: Eleanor
Hometown: Oakland CA
Age: 25
Profession: Esthetician (at International Orange)
Weather: cold but sunny
Hair: long thick and wavy
Skin: I have battled with skin issues through out my life. Acne being the main domain of my problems—but as we know that causes many more issues like pigment, blotches, uneven texture and scarring. In tying to find the balance I experimented with many products and treatments. I never went as far as accutane but paid visits to the dermatologist and used products with benzoyl peroxide and went on antibiotics. Sorely disappointed I saw an Esthetician who helped get a proper routine and acne facials to help correct my skin. This intrigued me into the skin care world. I am a working Esthetician now and have finally found things that have worked for my skin. Pleasantly surprised I found most if these products I’ve used over the past 10 years have been natural/organic options.
Favorite star: Kate Moss
In the shower…
I flip flop between showering in the morning or evening. Most mornings I climb in the shower half awake, trying not to be indulgent as I have limited time before work or before my boyfriend kicks me out. I usually brush my teeth in the shower with my favorite hard-to-find toothpaste from France called Botot. It’s a fennel-flavored toothpaste. I like this because it’s different than your average toothpaste and makes brushing your teeth feel special. In the mornings I won’t wash my hair everyday I just rinse my wavy tresses and use a good amount of Kahina argan oil throughout my hair to seal and calm the frizz. When I do wash and condition I mix in up between Rare Elements (very natural) and Davines love line (not so natural) these keep my long hair in line. I always leave in my conditioner while shaving or washing my body and then comb through with a wide-tooth comb. This really ensures that the product reaches every strand and conditions deeply. While my conditioner is setting in I usually suds up with a sea sponge and body wash from Everyday Shea that has coconut oil and ahea butters as well coffee extracts for a little stimulation to hopefully prevent any unwanted dimpling down the line. If I shave I use pure coconut oil or Aveno shave cream. I know it’s not the best for you but I have very sensitive legs and this one creates a nice barrier. Always unscented! In the mornings I don’t like to use a harsh face wash. If my skin’s OK and I’ve cleansed your face at night already I don’t like to use anything too striping for day. I use In Fiores Treate cleanser that has pure Aloe Vera and Bulgarian rose waters. Smells divine! If I’m showering at night I like to throw in the works with a full dry brushing session and my favorite body scrub by Suki and even a nighttime facial mask. I like Kahina’s antioxidant mask because it’s purifying but also doubles over as a exfoliator with its micro silica particles. After that I use a gel face wash like Dr Alkaitis purifying cleanser to take off the day.
Outside the shower…
I usually finish off with an all over body balm like In Fiores Dayala filled with the aroma of jasmine and lemongrass. For the face it’s an application of Kahina’s argan oil mixed with their brightening serum. I also use a cooling depuffing eye gel from arcona that has anti-aging ingredients. In the mornings I am religious about using in Fiores vitale toner. Its not just a toner it’s really more like a serum that delivers nutrients and water to the skin. I always also always use a sunscreen mixed with Dr Hauschkas translucent bronze concentrate to blend my own tinted sunscreen. I have three different lip balms I cannot live without… Fresh lip care stick in honey, rms lip balm in vanilla and the Dr Hauschka lip care stick and a new favorite is the In Fiore velouté that comes in a beautiful brass compact with a mirror—you can’t go wrong!
Finishing touches…
I actually don’t wear makeup often. After battling with acne for so many years I pretty much wrote it off. I believe in a great pair of earrings, well groomed eyebrows, and I cannot live without an eye lash tint! If I have somewhere to go I usually give in to a little lip to cheek by rms because its so simple and fast and a little water to canvas highlighter by Vincent longo and my fresh lip balm with the tint honey. I also love Arcona’s mineral brushes for a quick all over fix. I regularly take vitamin c, probiotics and a herbal immune supplement to keep me healthy and happy. :)
Hi Eleanor! Thanks for sharing your routine.
What herbal supplement do you take?
Do you find Dr. Alkaitis’s cleanser to be drying?
Thanks!
I use the Nourrit Face Oil by In Fiore. I absolutely adore it. It smells like a blossoming jasmine vine inside the bottle. It is one of the most calming, joyful scents when you apply it to your face. It feels like aromatherapy to me. Love their line! I definitely recommend it!
Nice! You sound a lot like me; I’m still struggling with acne and am desperate to find my fix! Also becoming an esthetician is sounding more and more like something I’d love to do career-wise :) After reading this, I wish with my entire being that I could just forego makeup like you have! I’ve just always been so embarrassed of my big red marks all over :( It’s like I don’t want anyone to know what I really look like — which became more of a psychological issue that I know I need to quit ignoring. Until then, I’m putting my hope in natural products! And maybe seeing an esthetician myself (I never have before)? Has anyone else found one really worth-while?
Love the idea of mixing Kahina’s Brightening Serum with argan oil! When I apply the serum before oil it tends to be drying.
Sweet! I’ve been meaning to try some Arcona products more specifically their toner pads to use as a quick clean me up after a nice work out. I hear some really good things about their products. Xo, Audreiana from True Beauty By Nature
Hi Natalie,
I take a 100 milligrams of vitamin c. Any brand is okay but I alway look for a formula with bioflavonoids (vitamin p) I also take a probiotic Udo’s choice super 8 probiotic and I love the Wish Garden series of immune remedies. My favorite is their immune activator. I work in close contact with people everyday so this helps me stay healthy.
The Dr. Alkaitis cleanser can be a little drying if your not oily like me. It does have a base of pure Castile olive oil and other oils so it should keep your skin pretty nourished. You can add a few drops of their nourishing oil or the In Fiore oils are great too!
I remember being in my 20’s and thinking I have battled acne my whole life. I am now in my mid 40’s and my skin has never looked better! No fillers, botox or prescription cremes. I think things took a turn for the better for me when 1. I gave up the birth control pill, 2. discovered I was lactose intolerant and gave up dairy and 3. found this blog and started using natural products. I feel for you girls, if I could go back (not that I want to) I know what I would do different. I want to thank Kahina as I am especially fond and loyal to their products.
@danielle That’s totally inspiring. My skin has also improved since my twenties, thanks to diet and natural products. Speaking of, can some of our 30+ readers send in some routines? Thanks!
@ Lauren: I see an esthetician for acne one a month and I love it! I’ve been going for about five months. The immediate results are nice, it’s incredible relaxing, and I think that over time it is improving the appearance of my skin. It doesn’t necessarily make the breakouts happen less often, but my skin looks so much better in general than it used to.
Lovely routine, however Eleanor’s choice of the toothpaste could have been much healthier. Such ingredients like SLS, triclosan, saccharin and methylparaben are very very bad for mouth and overall health.
I used to have a lot of food sensitivities so in my 20’s and 30’s I avoided sugar and dairy as well as fast food. I am almost 50 now and have no wrinkles. I clean with oil and use natural products for skin are and makeup.
I LOVE this routine, and now I’m researching the heck out of In Fiore. Eeeek! So expensive, but looks so luxurious.
Eleanor, do you use Arcona’s Eye Dew? I’m in the market for depuffing eye gel, versus a more hydrating cream (I currently use Kahina’s eye cream which I like, but might try something new when I run out).
Thanks!!
Thanks for answering Eleanor! I will look into In Fiore :)
@Mercedes:
I have used Arcona’s eye dew is a thicker cream that has illuminating crystals in it so it makes the eyes look dewy and bright. The one I use is the Arcona Peptide Eye Serum. It is a great 3 n’ 1 eye gel that’s anti-aging de-puffing and hydrating. It does a great job! Thanks for the comments!
Great site , Love your ways of connecting to the world……. xxoo