This March, I’ll have been blogging for 10 years! I really can’t believe it. It’s been such an incredible journey and I’m grateful every day for it. In the past 10 years, my journey with beauty has been quite the evolution. Working in this industry means I get sent a lot of PR packages and a lot of them are beauty. I’m not complaining, it’s been fun. For many years, I tried everything and enjoyed testing new products. However, once I became a mom, I started using mostly clean, natural brands, and then a few years ago when I started struggling with acne (you can read that post here), I had to really fine-tune my skincare and makeup routine. Now, I’m in a place where I use the same products more regularly and know what works and doesn’t work for my skin. I still love the rush of discovering a new product, but I’m much more careful about introducing it into my routine.

Here are the beauty products I have loved the most in 2018:

Skincare:

Nothing worked for my acne for over two years. Literally nothing. I tried diet changes, makeup changes, I took supplements, I went to the dermatologist; none of it made any difference. The only thing that worked for me was Drunk Elephant. When I started using that line, my skin immediately started improving. It was incredible. Now that it’s been almost a year of using, my acne is gone and I am so grateful. So that line takes up most of my skincare, but I do have a few others I love.

Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser: My skin responds best to simple, gentle cleansers. This one is my favorite.

Essence: Tata Harper Concentrated Brightening Essence: I don’t think essence is totally necessary, and this one is very expensive. However, I adore it! It’s a step I look forward each and every time. It leaves my skin feeling so hydrated.

Facial Oils | Serums: Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Frambroos Glycolic Night Serum, Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Facial Oil, Monsatery Attar Repair Concentrate

Toners: True Botanicals Clear Nutrient Toner, Mun Anarose Hydrating Rose Toner, Indie Lee Coq-10 Toner

Body: Dry Brush, Weleda Skin Food, Monastery Lapiz Oil, True Botanicals Pure Radiance Body Oil, CeraVe Healing Ointment

Sunscreen: Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Sunscreen SPF 30

Makeup

I do love to wear makeup. I remember fondly watching my mom do her makeup every day and it was a ritual she looked forward to. I like my makeup to look natural and I have my go-tos that I stick to most often.

Foundation: Clinique Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15: This is pretty new to me, but I’m loving it. It’s my everyday base with light but decent coverage.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation: This is my go-to for when I have an event or want a bit more coverage. Still, it’s not super heavy.

Concealer: Nars Creamy Concealer

Bronzer: Too-Faced Sun Bunny

Blush: lilah b Divine Duo Lip & Cheek in B.Real

Mascara: Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara

Eyeshadow: rms beauty Eye Polish in Solar

Eyebrows: Glossier Boy Brow Blonde

Lipstick: Christian Dior Rouge Dior in 361 Rose Baiser, Glossier Lip Gloss, Glossier Generation G in Crush

Hair

When it comes to hair, I’m pretty low maintenance. I tend to air-dry after most washes. I like to have messy, beach waves (which I did a post about a couple years ago). So most of my favorites go with that hairstyle.

Garnier Fructis Style Surf Hair Texture: This is what gives my waves grit and hold. It’s pretty strong so too much will leave your hair weighted down, but it’s key for me in making my waves less fluffy.

Garnier Fructis Curl Shaping Gel Spray: This is also great at giving my air-dried waves more hold.

Aveda Confixor Liquid Gel: This is great for giving my waves hold and definition.

Ouai Wave Spray: This gives my hair more texture and that beachy look.

Ouai Dry Shampoo: This is essential for days I’m not washing my hair.

Rahua Leave-In Treatment: Once a week, I do a leave-in after I shower and go to bed. This is my favorite for silky, nourished hair.