My evening skincare routine

A couple weeks ago, I went into detail about my morning skincare routine with Kiehl's, so this time I will go through my evening skincare step by step. If you are someone that wants to finish your skincare in 5-10 minutes, then this isn't the routine for you. My whole process takes about an hour each evening ( I know, crazy, but I know others who spend longer than that every night!). So without further ado...

After a long day of work, it is so crucial for me to get rid of all my makeup, 100%. Clinique take the day off cleansing balm does exactly that. I've used cleansing waters and oils, but I believe cleansing balms are the best at cleansing your skin of all the makeup and dirt that accumulates during the day (I do use a makeup remover for my eye makeup first though!). Then, I use an exfoliator. I'm currently trying out a pumpkin enzyme mask, and so far it's proving to be a fantastic exfoliator. I'll probably do a separate post for this. After exfoliating, I apply my first mask of the night while I'm taking a bath. Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque is a must every single night for me - the air in Tokyo is so dirty that I need something strong enough to get rid of all the dirt and debris from my skin, and clay masks always do the trick. Sometimes I alternate with Caudalie Instant Detox Mask, which is also a great clay mask for instant purification. After washing off the clay mask and stepping out of my bath, it's time to moisturize, moisturize, and then moisturize. As in my morning skincare routine, I spray my face with Avene Thermal Water, then with a cotton pad, apply Kiehl's Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence, the best toner for even sensitive skin like mine. It preps the skin well for application of serums and moisturizers to come after. At this point, I apply yet another mask, this time a moisturizing sheet mask. I was using Korean sheet masks for a while, but Lululun sheet masks are affordable and also do the job well. Sheet masks are so necessary during the drier seasons to prevent flaky, dry skin. After leaving that on for 20-30 minutes, I apply my serums and moisturizers. First, the Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, a powerful serum with continuous delivery of 10.5% pure vitamin C. I've also been using face oils recently, and they seem to be working well. I'll either use Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate or Josie Maran's Argan Oil. When using a face oil, make sure you only take a few drops, rub it between the palms of your hands to warm it, then apply until it sinks into your skin. Last but not least, moisturizer and/or creams. I use an eye cream by Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Bright Dark Circle Minimizer to, of course, get rid of the dark circles and puffiness underneath my eyes. My final step is face cream. My favorite right now is Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream, which is one of the best creams I've ever used. By the time I've finished with this last step, my skin is feeling very soft, supple and clean. 

This might be a handful for some, but was this helpful for any of you? Do you use any of these brands or products in your routine? Let me know in the comments!

Winter skincare essentials

It's that time of year where changing up your skincare routine is a must. Here are some of my winter skincare essentials that are giving me the right amount of moisture all day long.

1. Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins
2. Neutrogena hand cream
3. Placenta & Vitamin C Mask
4. No 7 Restore and Renew Eye Cream
5. Smith's Rosebud Salve
6. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre

冬になると、スキンケアも変えないといけないですよね。私が最近使っているアイテムを紹介します。皆さんはどんなスキンケアアイテムを愛用していますか？

Do you have any favorite skincare items for this winter?

Love,

Samantha

Monthly Favorites #3 | the ultimate acne-free skincare routine

New monthly favorites is finally here! This time I want to introduce my skincare routine to keep the break-outs away.

I've mentioned in several beauty posts that I don't have the best skin and I break out easily (and still do if I am not careful), but I think I finally found a skincare routine using products that work with my skin. The key is to cleanse thoroughly and to moisturize, but in an oil-free way.

1. Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water 

This is essentially water for your face. I do use tap water to wash my face, but it just feels nice to spritz some of this on before and after I wash my face. It's great for sensitive skin (as the website notes), and it really does soften and moisturize my face. They have this in a travel size, which is great.

2. Nature Republic Forest Garden Green Tea Cleansing Oil

This is actually very similar to the Shu Uemura cleansing oils, but I happened to be in Shinokubo (Tokyo's Korea Town), and decided to give this one a shot. It definitely does its job - all my makeup is off in one wash, no rubbing, just light circular motions with some water and your fingertips. A dermatologist I spoke with recently told me this is the best way to remove makeup and dirt. I use this only at night before I use a regular cleanser.

3. Avene Oil Control Foam

This is the most gentle cleanser ever. I use a foaming sponge to get it really foamy, and gently cleanse my entire face with it. This is especially made for oily sensitive skin, so it's perfect. A little goes a long way too. The one I use seems like it is only sold in Japan, so I think this is a similar version sold in the U.S. 

4. T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel

After cleansing and spritzing on more thermal water, I apply witch hazel with a cotton ball. Yes, I am aware that the website says it is used for first aid, but it is an astringent and I swear they sell it in the skincare section in Japanese stores! (that's where I got mine). Anyways, this stuff is amazing. It gently removes any and all traces of dirt. It may seem like I am crazy about cleansing my skin to the last bit, but I read an article that if you take the time to apply makeup, you should also take more time to remove it well at the end of the day. It is the best way to avoid break outs and imperfections on the face. This astringent is alcohol-free, and I use it as a toner.

5. La Roche-Posay Effaclar K Daily Renewal Essence for Oily Skin

This is also an important step in my routine. La Roche-Posay is a a great skincare line that has amazing products for sensitive skin. This essence in particular smooths the surface of the skin while unclogging and minimizing the appearance of pores. I think this is a similar product sold on the U.S. site. Lovely product. 

6. Trader Joe's enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 15 (for day)

Fragrance free, for all skin types, light, non-greasy, broad spectrum protection, enriched with vitamins A, C, and E, PABA free, non-comedogenic (does not clog pores). I think that explains this product well. Non-comedogenic is a key word. 

7. Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral-enriched renewal cream

I can't and will not let go of this product. I've been using it for over half a year now and it does wonders. Paraben and sulfate-free, this is a non-greasy cream that really awakens dull skin. It's almost like a mask I wear overnight, finding my skin looking so much healthier in the morning no matter how tired I am. 

8. La Roche-Posay Anthelios 45 Ultralight Sunscreen Fluid

The perfect sunscreen for the face. It is water resistant, fragrance-free and tested on sensitive skin. No problems with this one.  

I hope this helps if you also have sensitive, acne-prone skin like I do. I'm not saying you will never break out because I still do sometimes because of stress or hormonal factors, but this routine has  helped me significantly. I think because I take my time to cleanse and prep my skin, it feels and looks better than before. It's the first thing a person sees, so it might be best to take extra care of it :)

I would love to read any suggestions, any questions, concerns, or even any comments if you have used these products already. Love reading your opinions!

Have a great week! (almost the end of summer - enjoy it!)

Love,

Samantha Mariko

oil-free makeup & skincare

I'm trying to prepare myself for another hot, humid summer in Japan with a makeup & skincare routine that will keep me fresh all day long. 

For my skincare, I absolutely love Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins. I use it at night to lock in my toner, and my skin feels so soft when I wake up in the morning, and not oily at all! 

I have a very oily T-zone, and when I was looking for skincare products at ULTA one day, a sales associate recommended me the Mario Badescu Silver Powder. I only use it once or twice a week where I get the most oily (around my nose), and it refreshes my skin and leaves it matte. 

For makeup, I swear by Laura Mercier's oil-free products. I've been using the Oil-free foundation primer for a while, and the foundations I've used really stay put all day. I just picked up the Oil-free tinted moisturizer recently, but I already love it. The sales associate recommended I use the Laura Mercier mineral powder to finish off my sheer, not-too-done look. 

What makeup or skincare products do you use for a natural, oil-free look? 

Let me know in the comments!

Love,

Samantha Mariko