I looked in the mirror last week and thought, “wow, my skin looks really great”. This was a pleasant surprise since I didn’t think it looked that great during quarantine and it’s completely product driven. We still can’t get facials yet in New York and I haven’t see Dr. Wade since January 3rd. She is open and I should probably get a little touch up of Botox between my brows to take care of my squint line but no one is seeing me right now except a handful of people so I’m pushing it off until the fall. Until then, I’m using the products below to give me a glow.

Also, the photo of me was taken two weeks ago after Marie Robinson had finally colored my hair for the first time since January 31st. My stylist who cut my hair for over 15 years decided to retire in January to become a flight attendant. Very unfortunate timing so I had Rachel at Marie Robinson Salon cut three inches off my hair. I felt like a new woman and I’ve finally mastered the curling iron so I can replicate her blow out at home.

I’ve been using this Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening Exfoliating Daily Cleanser morning and night for years. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Rub it in your hands first to foam it up before using. I love it because it cleans without stripping my skin.

I’ve also used this Kiehl’s Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion for years. I’ve tried the cult favorite Biologique Recherche P50 and other products but always come back to this one. If I don’t wash my face throughly enough, it takes care of any residual make up and helps keeps break outs at bay.

I use this Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion as a preventative measure on my t-zone and haven’t had any breakouts in months.

As I mentioned in a previous post, my lovely Instagram friend, the jewelry designer Ana Mari Ortega recommended this SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum after I mentioned that I am still battling hyperpigmentation. She said it really helped her melasma during pregnancy. I just started using it for a few days and will follow up after I use it for a few weeks.

I ran out of another serum I was using and had two of these Ubuna serums left that I haven’t tried so I started using the Ubuna Resist Anti-Pollution Serum a month ago so this could be one reasons my skin looks so great. I’ve used the Re-Gen Renewal Sleep Serum and the Brighten Maximum Glow Serum before and loved them both. Ubuna is an amazing Japanese skincare brand and if you’re looking for a new serum, they are worth checking out.

I’ve been using this Clé de Peau Protective Fortifying Emulsion SPF 22 for a long time and I’ll definitely be buying a new bottle when it finally runs out. “This emulsion is formulated with the brand’s breakthrough Skin-Empowering Illuminator, which unlocks skin’s intelligence to help defend against stressors. Luxuriously lightweight, it protects skin and imparts long-lasting hydration while protecting against daily damage and dehydration for a complexion that is beautifully vibrant. With prolonged use, skin is nourished and hydrated, with its texture refined.”

I was recently sent a lot of Dr. Barbara Sturm products to try and I can honestly say that they live up to the hype unlike some popular products. I probably don’t need to add this Light Face Cream but I do for a little added hydration. They sent me the light version so next time I will try the Rich Face Cream. There is also Darker Skin Tones Face Cream specifically developed for women of color.

I had no idea that Dr. Barbara Sturm serums should be applied in a specific order depending on the product. I was using the Lifting Serum first as I would with any serum and then I saw a video of her detailing the order and you are supposed to apply this one last. It “helps visibly refresh the skin matrix thanks to an instant lifting agent based on an advanced technology transfer.” I have no idea what that means but I can say it works.

I’ve actually been wearing make up every day again and I think my skin does better when I wear it since it gets less greasy. I know this doesn’t work for everyone but these are the three products I use that I think contribute to my radiant and glowing skin. After all my skincare products, I apply Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer which seems to be sold out everywhere which makes me worried that it’s discontinued. Or perhaps it’s delayed in production due to Covid-19. I really hope it comes back into stock. Then I apply the Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Drops for extra glow. You could just apply this if you don’t wear make up but I wear La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20 in Neutral. It is hands down the best foundation and covers without making it look like you’re wearing foundation so “fine lines and wrinkles look softened, the look of pores and imperfections are diminished”. There’s a reason I’ve worn this one for years .

Masks and lipstick don’t mix so I’ve just been wearing By Terry Baume de Rose Crystalline Liquid Lip Balm. It’s not sticky so I can wear it under under a mask.

Once or twice a week I use the Mario Basedcu Healing and Soothing Mask followed by the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. I’ve been using these two hero products for at least 10+ years because I love how my skin looks and feels afterward which is glowing. Glowing is a big thing for me.

If I had any spots, I’d dab this Mario Badescu Healing Powder on them with q-tip but my skin has been amazingly clear for the last month. I love that it can be used over make up too. My skin is probably clear because I’ve cut out dairy. If you’re struggling with skin issues, it’s probably due to dairy.

I haven’t used the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial™ 25% AHA + 2% BHA Mask in a while but it’s great for creating a glow when your skin is looking a little dull.

I completely understand that I use a lot of products and many of them are expensive. I’m lucky that press teams send me products to try so I can share the ones I love with you. If you can only afford to purchase a few products, make it my night routine and if you can only afford one product, make it the Glyderm. I’m convinced that this new routine is the key to my skin looking amazing when I wake up every morning. I start with the Dr. Barbara Sturm Night Serum followed by the Glyderm Cream Plus 12. This product can sting a little and applied after the serum makes it less tingly. It’s an advanced product so you may want to start with a less intense Glyderm product. Then I apply the Dr. Barbara Sturm Light Face Cream for hydration. I’ve noticed this combination has made the one line on my forehead almost imperceptible and my squint line isn’t as deep now too.

I was in contact with the PR person for the Newa Beauty radio frequency device to get one to try but she ghosted me so I ended up buying it myself. I’m glad I did because in the two weeks I’ve been using it. Radio frequency encourages the growth of collagen which plays an essential role in building smooth and plump skin. I use it in the morning since the Glyderm product is so strong. I don’t think my jawline has been so defined in years. You use the device five days a week for four months and then you transition to two days a week. I can’t wait to see how I look after the four weeks and will keep you posted. After I’m finished, I use the NuFace Fix around my eyes to depuff them.

Once I transition down to two days a week with the Newa Beauty radio frequency device, I’m going to start using my NuFace Mini three days a week and the Ziip Beauty device two days a week and then switch it up. I read that you get great results when you combine radio frequency with microcurrent.

The DMH Aesthetics LED Light Shield Mask was a quarantine present to myself. I love that you can watch tv or scroll Instagram while wearing it unlike other LED masks. LED light has been shown to speed healing, boost anti-aging properties, and kill bacteria. The blue LED light is often used for acne treatment.

I definitely did not feel like I looked my best in quarantine due to the stress and inflammatory foods I was eating. I’ve made a lot of changes recently and finally feel like I’ve emerged looking and feeling the best I ever have in ages. I hope my recommendations help you too.

XOXO,

HC