Author: Alina Avery

Products I’ll Repurchase Until I Die

3 Comments

I mentioned in my previous Kiehl’s Haul that the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser is my favorite cleanser ever. And it is. I thought I’d do a little rundown of products I feel similarly passionate about.

FullSizeRender (1)

1) Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat, $4.99 on Amazon for .5 oz.

Okay, just now creating that link I realized how much cheaper this is on Amazon than Duane Reade and now I’m kicking myself for ever paying more for it, especially since I’ve gone through like, 5 bottles since I discovered it a few years ago. It dries out quickly and gets thick easily, but honestly, I don’t mind replacing it often because it’s such a lifesaver. I do my own manicures19 times out of 20, and it’s because of this stuff that I’m able to do so. It smooths polish to a professional finish in literally a minute or less. I also find that it’s super long lasting and chip resistant. You do have to be careful because it will shrink the underlying polish if it’s still too wet, but for someone who is impatient like me, Seche Vite is a dream come true.

2) Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser, $19.50 for 5 oz., $10 for 2.5 oz.

The whole Ultra Facial line is pretty great. The toner has a more substantial consistency than other toners, a bit thicker, which feels like it’s doing more than just wetting your face with water. The moisturizing cream has an almost gel texture, but it soaks into skin and really does moisturize for 24 hours. But it’s the cleanser that stands out. It checks all of the major requirements: non-stripping, makeup removing, nicely foaming, clean rinsing, gentle, and effective. Your face feels actually clean afterwards, but not tight or flaky, and without any weird residue or build up. It doesn’t have any fancy claims or technology, but I always feel like those anti-aging ingredients are better left to serums and creams that stay on your skin for longer than 60 seconds. For cleansers, all I want is something that will get the job done quickly and prep skin for other products. People rave about Cetaphil and other inexpensive gentle cleansers, but I never feel like those actually get my skin clean. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser is the perfect balance.

3) StriVectin-AR™ Advanced Retinol Day Treatment with Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $99 for 1.7 oz.

Yes, okay, this is expensive. Too expensive. Confession: I originally picked it up hugely discounted from a Birchbox employee sale because it was a good value and I’ve liked StriVectin products in the past. I didn’t expect to get hooked. To me, it’s worth the full price since I use it in the morning as a 1) serum, 2) moisturizer, 3) spf, and 4) primer. All in one. If I were to buy 4 products to do the same job as this one, it would definitely cost more than $99. It also does amazing things for my skin. It’s been clearer, smoother, and glowing. I have gotten more compliments on my skin since starting to use this in January than probably ever in my life. Even my husband asked what I was doing differently. One tube has lasted me over two months with daily (generous) use. Also here’s a tip: If I squeeze out too much in my early morning, pre-coffee, stupor, I put what’s left on the backs of my hands. My mom always says that you can tell someone’s age by checking out their hands, so a little extra anti-aging boost there can’t hurt.  Seriously, an incredible product.

4) Becca Mineral Blush in Gypsy, $32 for .2 oz.

Described as “ballerina pink”, this blush is my holy grail. The slightly lavender tones do something with my skin tone to make it look naturally and innocently flushed. It also has a golden sheen that makes it work as a blush and a highlight in one. I never have to worry about putting on too much since it blends out so easily and it’s both pigmented enough and light enough to work for a large spectrum of skin tones. The formula itself is very soft, so you will kick up a good amount of powder when you go in with your brush. I know that bothers some people, but I don’t mind it. I bought this for the first time about a year ago and it hasn’t left the rotation. If the one in the photo looks brand new, that’s because it is. My original is shattered beyond repair, too embarasing for photos, but I continue to use it even though I bought a brand new one weeks ago, simply because I can’t bear to waste it. It’s that good.

cropped-afav1.png

Daily “Foundation” Routine

1 Comment

I haven’t worn an actual foundation in months.

Lately, I’ve preferred to create my own skin perfecting combination of products in the morning. It’s not an exact science, but the strategy is to really look at my skin, decide what it needs to look its best given its current starting state, and do that.

Depending on if I’ve self tanned, or am suffering a breakout, or dryness or discoloration, I’ll mix together various products to try to balance and perfect my skin. A typical formula looks like:

1 part tinted moisturizer or BB cream

IMG_2432

This is where you get your skin-loving benefits. Depending on how my skin is looking (dull, broken out, tired, etc) I’ll choose something different. They’re supposed to treat skin issues instead of just cover them up. Maybe it’s a placebo effect, but I find that it works for me! I love the Armani Luminessence CC Cream, shade 4, for illuminating and glowing, the Guerlain Terracotta Healthy Skin, in nude, for smoothing and perfecting, and the Kiehl’s BB Cream, in light,  for evening skin tone and clarifying.

1 part liquid concealer

IMG_2435

This is the ingredient that gives you extra coverage and turns your tinted moisturizer into more of a foundation. While they definitely provide skincare benefits, TMs don’t always cover blemishes and uneven tone unless you build them up, which kind of defeats the purpose in my opinion, so adding a bit of concealer in there takes it to another level. My picks are the Armani Maestro Eraser, shade 3, (Sorry mine looks a bit grubby here! I do use it just about everyday…) and the Clarins Instant Concealer, shade 2, both because they have lightweight, fluid, super soft textures and provide great coverage with skincare benefits.

1 part illuminater or mattifier

IMG_2436

I reach for the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal when I’m paler (please excuse it’s naked appearance in the photo, the cap broke!) , Armani Fluid Sheer #3 when I’m a bit more tanned, and sprinkle in a bit of W3LL PEOPLE Altruist Powder, shade 15, when I want to be a bit more matte.

IMG_2439

I mix them together with my index finger on the back of my hand, then use that finger to apply to my face, starting with the areas where I have the most trouble: blemishes, under eyes, redness. Then I take a damp beautyblender and bounce and blend it in to my whole face. Then I’ll apply a bit more concealer to spots if I need it, but I don’t usually need to, and then set it all with a translucent powder.

It does take a bit longer than just applying foundation as usual, but I find that it looks amazing and is worth the extra effort. It’s also super easy!

P.S. If you’re curious, my nail polish here is Dior Lady!

cropped-afav1.png

Unexpectedly Great Eyeshadow Colors for Brown Eyes

1 Comment

One of my favorite things about having brown eyes is that they are incredibly neutral, and allow for lots of experimentation with different eyeshadow colors. Here are a few I’ve tried that I wouldn’t expect to work, but found surprisingly beautiful. Of course, these are shadows where I found the quality to be impressive, too.

1) Clinique All About Shadow in Black Honey 

I have this in the single, but can’t find it on Sephora. It’s a hero color for Clinique, especially for their lip products, but works amazingly on eyes as well. The blackened burgundy, slightly shimmery shade has just the right amount of warmth and depth to make eyes pop and the red-brown tone is surprisingly wearable and neutral. I especially liked this one when my hair was either very dark or very light. I don’t reach for it as often now that my hair is a bit redder since that’s sometimes too much red, but it’s still a gorgeous shade. It looks great with a slightly  heavier contour and a super shiny lipgloss.

2) Marc Jacobs Beauty Style Eye-Con No.7 in Night Owl

Specifically, the third shade in this palette is BOSS. This goldenrod shade is so unique. I haven’t seen a true dupe for it. Probably because no one would expect a yellow-gold eyeshadow to be wearable, let alone pretty, but it looks amazing on brown eyes, and the formula is super soft, blendable, and pigmented. It brightens eyes and draws attention to them without being too bold. I’d finish the look with a shimmery nude blush, a matte lip, and a whole ton of black mascara. Confession time: I bought the whole palette just for this color. And I don’t regret it.

3) ARDENCY INN MODSTER Manuka Honey Enriched Pigments in Peacock

This is a duochrome shade that shifts between metallic brown and shimmery green. It catches light beautifully and works especially well as a liner, but since it shifts color based on what angle you’re looking at it from, it can be blended all over the contours of the eye to give a seamlessly blended multi shade look with just one product. The color isn’t super unique; I think MAC Club and Blue Brown pigment (a loose pigment) are similar, as well as Nars Malacca and Kat Von D On the Road (maybe discontinued?), but the Ardency Inn formula is spot on. Pair with a red lip for a night out or a soft pink blush for the daytime.

Here are swatches of 1, 2 and 3 from left to right. I took shots in natural light from a few different angles so you can really catch the duochrome in Peacock:

IMG_2430 IMG_2427 IMG_2428

And a quick snap of me in the Marc Jacobs shadow (an actual stealth snap from my desk) to let you know just how passionate I am about this color:

IMG_2424

 

cropped-afav1.png

The Chop

1 Comment

I pulled a very #basic move this month.

Right after my wedding, I dramatically cut my hair.

My husband sometimes refers to it as “wife-ification”. You know, when you get married, cut your hair short, and then start wearing mom jeans. I’m not all the way there yet, but perhaps I do sense a high waist, tapered leg, light wash in my future?

Anyway, I’m really happy with the shorter length. It’s faster to dry and style and is a welcome and refreshing change, since I’ve had pretty much the same long hair for at least the past three years. It has also inspired me to change up my makeup to play around with new looks that set off the flirty length.

The inspiration, obviously:

Because Kim K is my spirit animal, after all. Just kidding. Well, not really kidding. We can talk about the color another time (spoiler alert: I love it), but what I was really going for was a similar length and texture.

Here’s a before:

IMG_2383

A mediocre quality shot of me and my husband, Matt, at our wedding! My hair has been more or less this length since probably 2012.

And the after!

FullSizeRender

It’s much shorter, but I can still manage a curling iron with it and it feels so fresh for spring. Is it spring yet? Soon maybe? Also, my lashes in this photo are two week old extensions, and my necklace is from Rocksbox.

Also I haven’t quite mastered the selfie like Kim but maybe one day I’ll get it down. Once I figure out my favorite ways to style my new shorter cut I’ll try to post about the products and tools and techniques that work the best for me and how I’ve adjusted what I used to do with my long hair. Perhaps I’ll even make a video!

So, do I look like Kim K yet?

cropped-afav1.png

Kiehl’s Haul

3 Comments

Kiehl’s recently had a gift with purchase promotion that I found too compelling to pass up.

IMG_2410

In order to celebrate Healthy Skin Week, which I don’t think is a real thing, but okay Kiehl’s, they offered a complimentary bag of deluxe samples with any $65+ purchase. There was also an option to upgrade your gift to also get a free full-size Ultra Facial Cleanser with a $100+ purchase.

You probably don’t know, but the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser is my HOLY GRAIL cleanser OF ALL TIME. It removes all of my makeup, doesn’t strip skin or leave it tight or dry, doesn’t sting my eyes, and it’s relatively inexpensive. The full size is HUGE and $19 and the travel size, which lasts at least 2 months for me, is only $10. There are several other Kiehl’s products that I love, but the UFC is my favorite cleanser literally ever.

That said, if I’m going to get a free full size cleanser that lasts for months, there’s no reason for me to include it in my qualifying order, so I went in another direction.

I originally grabbed just the Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate. I’ve been looking for a serum I can layer under my moisturizer at night that won’t be too sticky or heavy and this seemed to fit the bill. It also promises smoother texture, minimized pores, and mega hydration using serum-to-liquid technology, meaning that it dispenses as a gel serum, but as you work it into the skin it morphs almost into a watery liquid and absorbs right into the skin. I haven’t tested on my face yet, but pumping some out onto the back of my hand and working it in definitely felt like it plumped and hydrated.

The other product I’d been meaning to pick up is the Micro-Blur Skin Perfector. This can be worn alone or under makeup and has a thicker, whipped texture that blurs pores and fine lines. It’s like an Instagram filter, but for real life. It doesn’t add any color or coverage, but the texture is soothing to redness and should work like soft focus lighting. just making your skin look flawless. Again, I haven’t given this one a real trial yet, but I have the feeling that these two products together will work to plump and smooth skin so it looks nearly poreless and very youthful. That’s the idea at least!

Finally, to qualify for the upgrade, I threw in the smallest bottle of Creme de Corps. This is my favorite body moisturizer. I don’t have particularly dry skin, but I do get scaly legs in the winter, especially after shaving, and this is one of the only products that clears that up. The tiny size is great for your handbag or desk and the formula is a cult classic: fairly unscented, super hydrating, and non greasy.

My order came with the Ultra Facial Cleanser (OMG cannot say how much I love this stuff!), another deluxe UFC sample (can’t get enough!), and several other samples. Most of them I’ve used before, like the Powerful Line Reducing Concentrate, which I love even though I hardly have any wrinkles — the texture and the warming effect make it really pleasant to apply and it definitely makes skin appear smoother. I also picked up a few samples from the Rosa Arctica line, which I find to be good, but not amazing. The new-to-me sample, which I am super excited to try, is the Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution. I do have a few post-acne scar-spots that I’d like to fade and this can be applied all over or used as a spot treatment. I think using the sample size for spots is going to work out well for me.

Do you use Kiehl’s products? Seriously though, that cleanser is life.

cropped-afav1.png