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Are you ready to learn about my skin care favorites?

During my 25 years as an on air host at QVC, I presented thousands and thousands of beauty products. From prestige brands like Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier and NARS, to small brands that hit it big like IT Cosmetics, Philosophy, and Tatcha. I worked with the founders, the artists and the guests and learned a lot about formulations, ingredients and what worked.

Me and make artist/entrepreneur, Bobbi Brown.

I always tried every product that I presented…but that doesn’t mean every product was right for me. I didn’t love everything and I never claimed to use something if in fact, I didn’t use it or like it at all. My job wasn’t to like it…it was to learn about it and share information about it so YOU could decide if you liked it and wanted to give it a try.

Although I’m more known for the home decor shows I hosted at QVC, I’m always surprised at how many people want to know about the beauty products I use. Maybe it’s because I was able to touch and feel so many products or perhaps because I’m in my 50’s and have had to adjust my regimen over the years to complement what was changing with my skin. Whatever the reason, I’m always flattered when I”m asked to share my skin care favorites.

Me, 2018, with just a little lip gloss. I’ve never been afraid to show myself with no makeup…it is who I am!

So, over the next few months, I’m going to open up my beauty case and share my favorites and finds with you. I’ll do my best to explain why I like them so you can decide if they might be good for you too. I do think skin care is often trial and error…what works for my skin needs may not be the best for yours. But I’m happy to share what I know!

So to get started, here are 10 skin care favorites I’m loving right now!

Good Skin Is Always In!

Here’s the bottom line with makeup…if you want it to look good on your skin, you have to make sure your skin looks good. End of discussion.

Yes, you have to cleanse your face everyday. And a makeup remover is not necessarily a cleanser. It was Christie Brinkley who told me her beauty secret was exfoliation. Duly noted. I’ve been an exfoliating junkie ever since.

And then you have to hydrate. Fact: Your wrinkles will look better if your skin is really hydrated. Moisturized skin looks smoother, more radiant and more supple. It’s one of the easiest beauty tips I can give you.

So here are 10 skin care favorites that have made a difference in my skin. If you want more information on these items, you can click the highlighted description.

Bye Bye Makeup, Hello Clean Skin!

Clinique’s take the day off makeup remover has been a go-to of mine for years. It’s the best makeup remover I’ve ever used for mascara and long wear eyeliner products. It works well to remove lip stains too. It is gentle, affordably priced, and works quickly so that when I’m ready for bed, this extra step doesn’t feel like a chore.

Purity Made Simple cleanser by Philosophy has been part of my skincare routine for over 20 years. So through my 30’s, 40’s and now 50’s, it has been the one product that I’ve never needed to change. As you saw above, I do use an eye makeup remover prior to this step, but if you don’t wear much makeup, this cleanser can do double duty for you, both as a makeup remover and cleanser. It’s for all skin types, doesn’t sting around the eyes, and never leaves my skin feeling parched or tight. I use this as my nighttime cleanser.

I discovered Kate Somerville’s Exfolikate Cleanser over 5 years ago and fell in love with its creamy texture. Although this falls into the Exfolikate range of products, this cleanser doesn’t have any grit or tingling to the skin. I use this as my daily morning cleanser to wash away the residue of my nighttime products and boost the radiance of my skin with a little gentle exfoliation. The more you massage it on your skin, the creamier and silkier it becomes. It leaves my skin feeling clean and smooth.

Can’t Live Without…

I don’t take making statements like the following lightly…but here it goes. Dr. Lancer’s The Method:Polish is THE BEST exfoliator I have ever used. I was turned on to this skincare brand by a famous friend who is also the nicest “Shark” you’ll ever meet. And here’s how much I love this brand and it’s products…after trying a sample size kit of cleanser/polish/moisturizer, I started trying almost everything in the range. This exfoliator is the secret to glowing skin for a lot of Dr. Lancer’s celeb clients. I love that it is concentrated, so a little goes a long way. I’ve noticed a huge improvement in the appearance of pores, and if you want your skin to feel smooth as glass, well, this is it. I use it once a day, usually in the morning. If you’re not exfoliating your skin regularly, your skin probably looks dull, cloudy and textured. If you were only to change or add 1 thing to whatever you’re currently using, try this. It’s excellent. You might also want to check out Dr. Lancer’s 3 step The Method if you’re interested in an easy and basic skincare routine that delivers results.

Hydration Is The Key

This Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Eye Cream is a dream cream for the delicate area around your eyes. It’s dense, so a little goes a long way and as you lightly press it into the area around your eye, it just melts in. I go a little heavier with it at night time so my skin can just drink it in. This product is all about hydrating the dry, thin skin around your eyes.

I just recently discovered this Clinique Moisture Surge Mask. O-M-G. Use this after cleansing at night, in place of your moisturizer, and WOW! I never knew just how parched my daily skin had become. This absorbs beautifully, you won’t wake up with an oily or greasy feeling on your face, and your skin looks dewy and more youthful. I love it as an undereye mask…try it! I’m not sure this is the right product for those of you who tend be more oily…but the normal/dry crowd should love it.

The Serum Step

I’ve learned a lot from the various doctors and formulators I’ve worked with over the years about the importance of Vitamin C in skin care products. It helps brighten the appearance of the skin and may help reduce the appearance of dark spots. I’ve always admired Dr. Murad’s products (and was lucky enough to work and learn from him in my early days). This Murad Vitamin C Serum is part of my nighttime regimen. I use after cleansing, before my moisturizer.

Day and Night Essentials

Bobbi Brown developed this vitamin enriched face base as a primer to wear under her foundations. But let me tell you, it is one of the best moisturizers I’ve ever found. It’s comfortable on the skin, works great as a primer for foundation sticks, and isn’t so heavy that if you put spf over it, you feel like you’re wearing an oil slick. It’s one of those products that I truly enjoy using every day.

This picture is from 2016! You can see the Bobbi Brown Face Base has been a skin care favorite for a long time!

I thought long and hard about whether to include La Mer Moisturizing Cream in this blog. So let me address the elephant in the room…it is expensive. And I know not everyone can afford this product or sees value in skincare products at this price point. That said, for my skin, it is a splurge worth making. I’ve used La Mer for several years and have noticed a renewed suppleness and radiance to my skin, as well as a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I only use this at night and a little goes a long way. I’m not buying a new jar every month, more like every 3-4 months. And truthfully, my skin doesn’t need it as much in the summer, so from June-September, I may other skin care favorites like the Bobbi Brown Face Base or Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizer at night for something lighter. If you’re worried that La Mer might be too heavy for you, I’ve also used their lighter version, La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream, which is less dense and a silkier formula.

This TATCHA Kissu Lip Mask is a sleeper of a product. It may not receive the fanfare of some of Tatcha’s other products, but I think it is one of their best. The consistency is a thicker gelee, but that’s important because it clings to your lips and insures you’ll be getting the benefits of the hydrating ingredients while you sleep. I smooth some of this on and around my lips every night. I wake up with soft lips that don’t seem to be as prone to peeling and dryness throughout the day. A little goes a long way here too, so don’t over apply or you’ll feel like the product is too much.

Be Realistic About Your Skin

Here’s my biggest tip when it comes to skincare products. THERE ARE NO MIRACLES! You really can’t judge a skin care product on just one use. And you also have to be realistic about how much can be undone by topical products. Take a selfie with no makeup and after using a new product or changing your routine, take another picture 30 days later. If you see some improvement, that’s a good sign…but be realistic. Maybe you won’t see a huge improvement, but you may find a new product you like better for its feel or price point.

Here’s the barefaced me in 2020. Yep, I might be getting a few more wrinkles around the eye area…but my eyes crinkle when I smile…so if that’s why the wrinkles are there, I’m living a happy life!

I hope you’ll let me know if you try any of the 10 skin care favorites I’m loving right now. And if you have any questions about these products, ask away in the comments below. I’ll do my best to answer them!

And be on the lookout for more beauty blogs! I’ll be tackling foundations and concealers next! What else would you like to see from me?

Here’s to great skin!

Jill

ps…with summer here, be sure to check out my recent blog that features some super cute sandals for the season!