Alex's Creative Space from the 2010s-Now!
They say a mother doesn’t have a favorite child…and now I know what they mean, as I love both my Westman Atelier “Super Loaded Tinted Highlights” EQUALLY! I wanted to show you guys the difference between my two favorite shades: peau de pêche & peau de rosé! But for real, I’m pretty sure my siter is the favorite, at least this week. I’m coming back for my throne with a handmade card or something. Enjoy!
I can’t count how many times I’ve thought I’ve found my “miracle skincare product”. The one that after a single use, I’m willing to name a child after it (it would be pretty hard to convince Michael to name a kid “Tata”). My skin is clear and glowing, the grass looks greener and I don’t even mind when someone spells my last name wrong in an email for the 10th time this week –IT’S IN THE SIGNATURE! I beam with pride as I think I’ve finally found my skincare ~flow~ and I look for a rooftop to shout it from.
But then after a few weeks, my temperamental skin returns, and despite my new allegiance to the “perfect” product, it never goes back to being calm and clear. The product goes under the sink and the quest continues.
Like a child let loose in a Costco on sample Saturday, I have tried everything. My linen closet is a graveyard of products past. Don’t get me wrong! I’ve found some great skincare products along the way. But I had yet to consistently hit a skincare stride. Of course there will always be outside factors like hormones, stress, poor eating, and my favorite pastime- nervous picking. I wasn’t looking for perfection, but I longed for my skin to look and feel healthy, even when I had a breakout (or 10).
This past summer I was in Paris for work and had a free day. I was researching places I could get a facial post-flight, when I saw that Biologique Recherche had opened an institute. Biologique Recherche is a French skincare brand with a cult-following. I had tried their P50 exfoliant a few years ago, but didn’t stick with it. Everyone I knew that used it, loved it, so I called my credit card company to let them know that the giant expense they were about to see in France wasn’t fraud! Just a girl let loose in Paris with a credit card, running on two hours of sleep and a double espresso (and some plane-wine. There was for sure a plane Pinot).
I walked in the doors to the institute and immediately took notice of the immaculate, calming space. It was like walking into a dream, but without my night sweating and teeth grinding. I opted to do a skin analysis to start my appointment, where my skin needs were determined. We found out that my skin was over producing sebum, which would explain the colony of whiteheads that I woke up with every day. I also had more oil than an O’Reilly’s Auto Parts. After getting my results, my aesthetician tailored my facial and product plan to my needs.
After the best facial I have ever had (my skin was glowing for WEEKS), she went over the top-three products that would benefit me. Something about her crisp white lab coat and chic ballet flats, she could have told me to buy her a timeshare in the Bahamas and I would have done it. I bought up all her recommendations, and thus began a religious routine over the next six months.
Going into the Institute, a new cleanser was the top product on my list. I hadn’t used anything that had blown me away, I was trying new cleansers constantly. Lait U is a gentle cleansing milk that takes off makeup and dirt, without dehydrating skin. My face always feels squeaky clean, plump and hydrated afterwards. My only issue with the product is that Michael keeps trying to use it, and he needs to learn to stay in his lane. Go back to your 3-in-one shampoo/body soap/face wash and leave the $100 cleanser* to me, sweetie!!!
*Worth noting that Biologique products are WAY less expensive in France. It’s a pricey brand, but it costs me much less than trying new products every few weeks!
I have extremely sensitive skin. It’s like a teenager during the last 30 minutes of “The Notebook”. Because of this, I’ve always been nervous about chemical exfoliants or acids. They always left my skin irritated and raw. P50 is the cult classic product for Biologique Recherche, so I was thrilled when I was told there was a version for extremely sensitive skin-P50W. P50 is a do-all product. It exfoliates, hydrates, and balances skin. I use it 2-3 times a week, swiping a cotton pad from my forehead to my chest. The texture of my skin has completely changed, and even when I have a breakout, my skin still looks healthy. It’s a miracle- just like me being able to survive in France for 10 days only knowing 4 words in French (one of which, is croissant).
My skin after 6 months. Heinous photo taken on PORTRAIT MODE SELFIE, so you know it shows everything. Pores looking CUTE!!!
I would say I’m a pretty loyal person- except when it comes to moisturizers. I jump from one to another like an 8th grade boy does crushes on the class trip to Washington D.C. (I haven’t forgotten, Stefan!!!). I’ve found ones that hydrate, but break me out, ones that clog my pores, yet somehow make my skin drier. Creme Dermopurifiante is ideal for acne-prone skin like mine. It helps purify skin and get rid of excess oil, which has made a significant difference in the amount of whiteheads I get. It makes my skin look clear and balanced. It definitely smells like something died and then came back to life as a smelly water mammal, but it’s worth it. That’s how you know it’s good. I’m willing to physically repel my husband for this product. Five stars.
When I was leaving, my Biologique Recherche guardian angel loaded me up on samples of their Masque Vivant face mask. She told me if I used it twice a week, I would never age. It brightens, tones and refreshes skin like no mask I’ve ever used. Sure, it smells like I’m a one-woman-Benihana that’s on fire, but I might look 25 when I’m 50. Beauty is pain and turns out it also smells like garbage!
I’ve been on this routine for about 8 months now, and I can truly say I’ve never felt better about my skin. Of course I still have days during my period or times of stress when I look in the mirror and debate even going outside. But the consistency in the brightness, clarity and hydration in my skin is something I’ve never had before. I was taking French lessons, but I think my fully French routine solidifies me as a French woman. Vive la France (and my skin)!!
It was a wise, wise man who once said “Get a hobby!!!!!”- it was my husband, and I think he said it to me when I finished all re-runs of "The O.C." in one week. Little did he know, my hobby would become skincare & masking, and I could do it all while re-watching the Chrismukkah episode. Take that!
I’ve tried many masks, some good, some bad, some smelly, some making me look like a straight-up serial killer in the night. But I found myself coming back to the same five masks every time, keeping them on rotation for my skin-needs at that moment. I thought I would share with you all today my holy grail of face masks, which is not to be taken lightly! I’ve tried a ton, and somehow these five have survived the test of time, which is more than I can say for my violin hobby, my drawing hobby, and even my horseback riding hobby (didn’t end well, don’t want to talk about it).
This has been my ride-or-die mask for a few years now. I do it at least once a week, preferably before an event or on a lazy morning. I am addicted to how this mask makes my skin look. I call it “Botox in a bottle” (NOT IN A BOTTLE BUT I MAKE MY OWN RULES), because it tightens, firms up and moisturizes all in 20 minutes. It also just feels incredible on your face. When I fly long distances, I put it on mid-flight and let it soak in like moisturizer.
Hot Tip! Put it in the fridge for the ultimate masking-experience.
Sometimes my skin goes into a meltdown more epic than a 6th grader at Hollister trying to cop a pair of jeans from their mom (me, that 6th grader was me). It needs serious work, but I don’t have time for or can’t afford a professional facial. This Tata Harper mask gives me almost the same results. It’s like a refresh button for your face. It helps me to get rid of little bumps, calm acne, and get my skin glowing again. Expensive price tag, but you’ll spend just as much on a new candle! No? That’s just me? Got it.
This is it ladies and gentlemen- a mask so good- that it got my husband into the masking game. Refreshing, purifying and effective. 86% of my summers are spent in this mask, because after .2 second of being outside and getting sweaty, this mask makes me feel clean again. On occasion, I do get a small breakout after using, because it’s bringing things to the surface. But for the most part, it helps balance my skin and unclog my pores.
The first time I did a sheet mask, I hid behind a door and waited to scare Michael (here’s those serial killer vibes!!). He ended up working late so I sat behind that door for a long time, but on the upside my skin looked UNREAL after. This mask has become my post-travel ritual. It restores all moisture to your face, leaving it plump and glowy.
Another hot tip- save the packaging to use the leftover serum as night cream the next day!
Sometimes I come home from work and have so much to do (or just need to take a nap, it’s usually the nap), there is simply no time to sit down with a 20-minute mask. This is just as powerful, in less than half the amount of time. The directions say to leave it on for 2 minutes, but I leave it on for about 5 minutes- rules are made to be broken, baby. This stuff is a miracle. I wake up in the morning with bright, even skin. I really can’t believe the difference it makes overnight, it feels like it breathes new life in to your face. Major pay off with minimal work- the ideal face mask and also my resume objective!
So here’s to starting off 2018 with your best face forward! Unless you go out and drink your weight in $6 bottles of champagne this weekend. You get a pass for a few days.
Ahhh, the inevitable flakes of winter- and I'm not talking about the snow. As the weather gets colder, my skin gets flakier than a Pillsbury biscuit. I'm flakier than that girl you run into at Target from high school that says "we should get coffee sometime!!!". Get the ugly, gross picture? Good. Now we can proceed with what we're going to do about it.
I'm a firm believer that some of your skincare and beauty need to change with the seasons. I've compiled a list of my favorite skincare and beauty products for winter to get you through these next few months (let's face it, Winter lasts until April). So crank up your heat, ignore your unshaven legs as you pull on some big wool socks, and enjoy: The Winter Beauty Edit.
You all know my obsession with Glossier's Priming Moisturizer. I use it every morning before my makeup for a perfect base every time. So when Glossier came out with a richer version, you know I pressed “order” on launch morning before my eyes were even open. This is my top-winter product. It healed my dry, flaking skin overnight. It’s unbelievably rich, creamy and luxurious feeling. The best part is, you can’t use too much. It melts into skin like butter, bringing life back to dry, dull, winter face. I also use on my neck because I am in constant fear of Tech Neck (it's a sickness). It feels like a $300 cream Kim Kardashian probably uses- but it's only $35 and you don't have to act like Kanye makes sense.
* Psst: you can get 20% off and free shipping through my rep page here: https://www.glossier.com/reps/alexmauro
Again- getting hydration on your skin in the winter is hard, because we’re indoors, cooped up under blankets just trying to get through it. Milk Makeup Cooling Stick is an easy, fun way to not only reduce redness and perk up tired skin, but it adds an extra layer of hydration. I keep mine in the fridge, swipe all over my face-especially under eyes- in the morning after washing. Also a perfect gym bag companion for after a workout.
Back to the flakes. You know the ones, you scrub and you moisturize and they just appear again like a stage-5 clinger at a party- BUT THEY WEREN’T INVITED! When my skin needs a reboot, I scrub with this and it does exactly what it says it will- polishes your skin. My winter-dream team is washing clean skin with this, then Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich. You will wake up with a whole new face (not in a bad Heidi Montag way. It an awesome, how am I this glowing? in the winter way).
Sometimes, you need a good detox, from harmful harsh heat in your house, from layering on makeup, etc. This is my ultimate. It detoxes skin without stripping it, it just leaves a nice, smooth, matte finish. It makes me feel so CLEAN afterwards. But because winter is a fickle biotch and will ruin this moment for you, follow up with Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask. If you don’t’ have that in your arsenal already, skip this whole post and order that. Baby steps- and that is the first one.
Yes, you do need sunscreen in the winter. And fall. And all other times of the year. People always ask me what they can use to prevent wrinkles, and sunscreen is it. We don’t realize the damage those harsh office lights make, the sun when we’re in the car- etc. You can drive yourself crazy trying to avoid it or worry about it- or you can wear sunscreen daily. This one was recommended to me by multiple friends, and for good reason. It is unbelievably lightweight and silky. I put it on before my priming moisturizer, and you can’t even tell it’s there. It blends in beautifully and protects all day. Get on it.
The top question I am asked is “what can I use for under-eyes?". In service to all of you, I’ve tried just about all of them. This one is the only cream I have ever noticed a difference with. I do feel it helped with my dark circles over time, but more than anything it just made my under-eye area look not so tired. It smoothed the skin, actually making it look younger and healthier. A little goes a long way too- I've had it about 4 months and haven't even made a dent in the tube.
Some days, you walk outside and are immediately assaulted by ice-cold wind, sharp, sleet-y snow and frigid temperatures. You think to yourself “I need a damn vacation”, but you check your bank account and it says “Girl lol no you need a BUDGET”. So how do you get away without actually getting away? Treat yourself to something tropical. On those miserable winter days, I crank up the heat in my apartment, take a bath (this is the best bath companion), and follow up with Mermaid Perfume Body Oil. It smells like you just left the beach, Mai Tai still in hand. It soaks into skin in seconds and leaves you with a lingering vacation smell all day. Not to mention crazy soft-skin worth of putting your bathing suit on (you can walk around your house in one, I won’t judge). Bonus points if you get their candle- it will fill your whole home with beach bliss.
In the winter, I’m all about a more natural look- like an Eskimo with natural beauty just oozing from my pores. But as we all know, sometimes it takes a little work to make natural look polished. This is why I love Boy Brow Clear. I am faithful to Boy Brow in brown, but I do have some little baby hairs in the front that don’t quite need color, but just a little lift. Voila, Clear Boy Brow. All the same gorgeous, effortless, just a little messy brow, without color if you don’t need it (bless you).
I had been coveting a glossy eye for months, but couldn’t seem to figure it out without looking like I had some weird disease. Then I was recommended Milk Makeup Eye Vinyl, and it changed the game. PERFECTLY glossy without looking oily or sick. It gives you the ultimate cool-girl look, because let’s face it, you are cool and should look like it. My favorite shade is the nude. Glide it on eyelids and pat in and BAM! You’re an Olsen (without the chain smoking, bravo).
Winter is tough- but taking care of your skin doesn't have to be. All of these products can be easily integrated into your routine, without sending your face into panic mode- because it's stressful enough just trying to keep your socks up in your boot all season.
* Title photo via Into The Gloss
