Self care and Skin Care

When your day starts and ends with you, you can energize yourself to give to others.  This is especially important because I feel like my personality pushes me to carry others emotionally.  I think that's why it's always been especially draining to be in a field that serves and assists others.  If I fail in helping in some way, then I take it especially hard. 

Overall, I have pretty healthy skin.  There are always going to be flaws I don't like, but I've gotten to the point where I have accepted and am fueled by my imperfections.  So my skincare regimen has become more about the care of it, but about taking the time out of my day to focus and give time to myself.  Sitting in front of my vanity and going through my usual ritual makes me slow down and follow a routine: me first, then the rest of the day will come.  Similarly, going though the ups and downs of the day, I end with centering myself back to me.  It's my personal practice of balance through self care.

Cost Vs. Worth 

On another note, I have been reevaluating my consumerist tendencies.  I've been trying to be financially responsible in the last year or so since our wedding, and I'm at a point where I do love the occasional retail therapy, but I also like to ask myself what I actually need, and if certain splurges are worth it.  Again, I do believe in self care and the occasional purchase can be deserved.  But being that my skin doesn't absolutely hate me (*knock on wood*), I find certain costs and past spendings now frivolous.  Since my skin doesn't have too many problem areas and issues, certain expensive products aren't that necessary.  Similarly, some cheaper drug store brands might have ingredients that dont' work well for my skin since I've had past issues before, I try to find balance in a well reviewed product that's fairly priced.  If I'm going to splurge, it's going to be because I've researched and open to giving it a go.  I've had friends who would spend a few hundred and whine about spending that amount quickly after, only to also try to push me to spend.  You can imagine that I've stood my ground during those moments but I also will only spend what I think I need and really want.

Life Style and Experience

I am into Korean skincare lately.  They seem to be into more natural ingredience and really bringing out your most inner natural glow and skin health.  But I'm not a big fan of all the steps.  I'd rather just do what's necessary for my skintype specifically rather than what's advised for the general population.  Since I don't find a lot of issues or problem areas, I don't want to get into the ten step regimen.  Especially when I travel, I want to be able to upkeep my routine.  I've tested out some great products but nothing that I felt I would absolutely purchase again because they didn't exactly wow me.  Now, my new phase is the Trader Joe's beauty line because it promotes natural and cruelty free ingredients that's affordable and accessible.    

Trader Joe's Beauty Line

I've been wanting to give Trader Joe's products a go since they're extremely affordable and highly rated.  I figured if it's affordable and have good reviews - why not give it a shot?  Maybe they will become a part of my holy grail and push me to avoid spending on the Drunk Elephant skincare line that I've been eyeing and researching for the past few weeks.  I'm still open to purchasing a product or two down the road if I still really want it.  But for now, these items will do.  So far I've purchased their Jojoba oil, Rose Water Toner, Vitamin E Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Tea Tree Oil Wipes, and now the Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum.

My thoughts and reviews on the products*:

Jojoba Oil - Nothing special, and nothing bad.  Affordable, but since it didn't really provide any direct and obvious effects for my skin, I'm not super motivated to purchase again.

Rose Water Toner - I like toners because they're gentle and don't strip your skin like using a facial wash and water will especially because I find our water in particular can be a little harsh.  I have to use a water filter faucet for our shower and baths because I did have skin reactions when we moved here.  Overall, I'm not big on the fragance but it's not the worse either.  It's gentle, but nothing special either.  But for the price, I might consider buying it again since I find most toners I've used not really do anything special other than give my face a clean canvas to start my skincare/make up regimen.  

Vitamin E Oil - I bought this a while ago actually and only started to use it as a part of my night time regimen.  It's not extremely fast absorbing as other and more expensive facial oils, but that's also why I opted to make this a nighttime use.  It gets the job done since my face is particularly drying around the nose due to the cold I'm just getting off of.  I find my face is a little brighter and not as dull as it was before I used it.  I go lighter on the forehead because I notice my forehead will be a little oily if I get a little too crazy with the product.  Just a note, I didn't really follow a nighttime regimen before but if it's doing the job at $3.99 a bottle, the price point and use and effect would definitely push me to buy again should I run out.  

Tea Tree Oil - A little harsher product since it's tea tree after all, but it's also effective as an acne fighting agent.  I get hormonal break outs and I used it with a q tip and dab on or around the problem areas, and they pretty much decrease overnight.  I've also mixed it with olive oil and use it as a healthy hair promotion (massage into my scalp overnight for a thorough wash the next day).

Tea Tree Oil Wipes - Would definitely buy again.  Tea tree oil is really strong and can be harsh so it makes it so easy that they're ready to use and quick to pull out of the jar and swipe over any acne or problem areas.

Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum - I literally just bought this product 2 hours ago and used it because I've read such good reviews on it.  Since my nose area is on the dryer end now that I'm getting off a cold, I've been inclined to add more moisturizing products.  People say this has obviously improved their skin elasticity, texture, and complexion so I'm excited for this but we'll have to see over time.       

My Nighttime Winter Regimen

I have not been wearing much make up during the day, so I start with the Trader Joe's Rose Water to give myself that clean canvas so my skin is prepared to take in all that the rest of the products have to offer.  Next, I usually do an essence spray that I mix (containing Missha Time Revolution Moisture Essence, COSRX Vitamin C, and Josie Maran Argan Oil Moon Drops, and Trader Joe's Rose Water Toner).  Now with my newly purchased Trader Joe's Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum for added moisture locked in, and then Vitamin E Oil I press into my skin.  This is still a newer regimen so I'll do a review in a few weeks on how these products take, but I'm happy with how my face currently feels — moisturized and soft! Maybe I won't need to up my regimen with costly Drunk Elephant products, but I'm still eyeing that Protini Polypeptide Cream.

I didn't expect to post in detail about my regimen and thoughts on these products, but I guess I had more to say than I knew!  If you couldn't tell, I'm really into researching, experimenting, but also figuring out what works for me and also treating myself occasionally for the hard work I do day in and day out in my professional and personal life, and the stress I do tend to undergo because of all of the above.  Excited to continue this journey and write more about it!  

*For reference, my skin is combination: my forehead can get a little oily through out the day, and everything else can get a little dryer.