skincare Archives » Alina Avery

Over Indulgence Recovery Routine

April 29, 2015 by Alina Avery

Since I’m leaving NYC and my current job, my coworkers and I went out last night for drinks to celebrate and say goodbye.

And when I say drinks I mean…

Vodka sodas,

and picklebacks,

and fireball shots.

Let’s just say my skin (and the rest of me) was not quite its vibrant glowing self this morning.

Luckily, I’ve developed a routine to get myself back to radiant (or at least fake it!)

Starting with hair, the Lush Roots treatment is a great way to perk yourself back up. It’s slightly minty and tingly, which feels great on your scalp in the morning. I always feel more put together when my hair looks great, and this pretty much guarantees soft, full, smooth, voluminous locks. I apply it first thing when I get out of bed, and then take some time to relax and wake up while it works before getting in the shower to shampoo it out. It’s a great way to ease back into human-hood.

I always give my face a good cleanse since chances are I either skipped it entirely the night before (guilty) or just used a makeup removing wipe. Obviously, I reach for the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser. It’s super gentle, so it’s great for when my skin is in a more delicate state, but still really effective at removing dirt, oil, makeup, etc. It doesn’t strip skin either so it’s a win all around. I’ve sang the praises of this cleanser so much that I actually don’t know what more I can say.

Next, a good exfoliating is in order. I love using the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peels and since I’ve just stocked up it was the first thing I reached for. It really helps to soothe and smooth skin and unclog and refine pores. I’ll apply step 1, brush my teeth, and then step 2. It’s a great alternative to a harsh or messy scrub when you’re still in a bit of a daze.

A plumping serum is your best friend when you’ve had one too many the night before. Your skin (and, let’s be real, your whole body) is dehydrated, meaning every fine line is exaggerated. I’ve been loving the Kiehl’s Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate that I picked up in my recent haul. Its serum to liquid texture makes it perfect for layering without feeling heavy and it plumps and hydrates my skin right back up.

The last thing I’ll do to make sure no one can tell I’m functioning on three hours of sleep (at least by looking at me) is to mix a healthy amount of illuminator into my foundation. I already customize my base daily, so this isn’t too far a venture from the norm, but Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector is my go-to on days like today.

There are also things I’ll be sure to skip:

Elaborate eyeshadow. You definitely don’t want to accidentally draw attention to any darkness under your eyes from a lack of sleep, and when you’re going for wide eyed and radiant, a fresh clean eye look is best. Maybe a slick of liner if you’re feeling bold, but I’ll usually just swipe on a satin-y matte light shade, like MAC Brule or Urban Decay ABC Gum, to conceal any veins or darkness in my eyelids.

Heavy powder. Your skin is going to be a bit more dry than usual, and a powder can accentuate that. Definitely set any concealer you’ve applied, but go a bit lighter than you normally would. You want to look dewy and fresh, not flat.

Matte lips. Again, dehydration means dry skin means extra dry lips. Anything matte can make this super obvious and even create flakes and crusts (um, gross). I’d also avoid anything too glossy which can go so far in the opposite direction to draw more attention to any problems. So stick to a moisturizing tinted balm like the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments or By Terry Tinted Baume de Rose that will give you a hint of color and a huge dose of moisture.

What do you do the morning after to get yourself back into tip top condition?

Spring 2015 Haul (Pt. 1 – Birchbox Friends and Family Sale)

April 24, 2015 by Alina Avery 1 Comment

I have been shopping lately. Between the Sephora VIB Sale, the dwindling days left I’ll be eligible for my Birchbox employee discount, and just general excitement for the spring season, I’ve picked up quite a few bits and pieces here and there. I decided it’s better to break it up a bit instead of having one monster post.

Which is extra bad because soon I’ll have to pack up everything I own, so I’ve also been trying to use up my current stash as much as possible (aka apply self tanner daily). Keep an eye out for an empties post to round out the next few hauls.

Today was the Friends and Family Charity Sale at Birchbox HQ. Meaning that all of the products that were returned or damaged or discontinued or generally unsalable are available for employees and those they know to purchase at heavily discounted prices.

The product sales at work are tricky for a few reasons:

1) Hygiene

You don’t want something that anyone has put their fingers in, mouth on, etc. I tend to grab skin care and hair products that dispense cleanly to avoid any potential contamination or disease spreading.

2) Damages

Some products are returned because the packaging is broken, or the product itself is defective. Each item has to be inspected to make sure it still sprays properly and isn’t leaking or messy.

3) Discounts

Some products will be a better deal than others. For the Birchbox sale, price points are $1, $2, $5, and $10. While a $1 product sounds like a great idea, it’s usually the $10 stuff that’s going to be the best deals. Each of the products I bought were $10, but retail for $40 and up, meaning I got them for at least 75% off!

4) Digging!

There are literally boxes and boxes of product. It helps to know what you’re looking for and recognize products you’ve purchased or used before. I’m pretty good at sussing out things that I like, but it can be trying if you’re not patient, especially as little things tend to sink to the bottom.

During today’s sale, I grabbed:

1) Dr. Brandt Glow Travel Kit ($65)

I’ve purchased this exact set before. It’s two retinol products, one for night and one for day. They smell a bit funky but they work really well to refine skin texture, even tone, smooth and soothe.

2) Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($42)

A STAPLE product. Seriously, I have recommended this for anyone that has hair. It adds texture, shine, doesn’t weigh anything, smells amazing, but is pricey and the bottle always seems to run out quickly.

3) By Terry Baume De Rose ($60)

I’ve had the pot version before, which I like, but is risky to pick up during the sale. I inspected it for fingerprints and it appeared untouched, which is good enough for me. It’s a rose scented colorless balm for lips, cuticles, and other dry areas. The packaging is compact but luxe, and this one will replace the one I keep on my bedside table, and that one will head into my purse for on-the-go.

4) Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel ($85)

I’m actually kind of upset about this because I just shelled out the cash to buy it full size, but I’m excited to find it anyway! This is an ideal product sale pick because each application is individually wrapped (so sanitary) and at $10 it’s an incredible deal. You use the first wipe, wait 2 minutes, and apply the second one. My skin always feels so soft and clean afterwards. It’s great for mornings when your skin feels congested or dull.

5) Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser ($45)

I’ve also used this before, but haven’t repurchased it as the Kiehl’s cleanser is way more cost effective and works well enough for me, but this cleanser is great for minimizing pores and balancing skin. It does give you ceramic or porcelain looking skin, but I have heard people complain about the scent. I don’t mind the fragrance personally, and a cleanser is on your skin for such a short amount of time that it doesn’t bother me at all.

I think I did pretty well at the sale! It can be tricky to dig out the best products, but definitely worth it. It’s for sure one of the things I’ll miss the most about working at Birchbox.

April Wishlist

April 2, 2015 by Alina Avery Leave a Comment

It’s March favorites time, but I just posted a Holy Grail list, so instead I’m going to post about the things I’m looking to maaaaybe pick up in April? The Sephora VIB sale is coming up, right? Hmmm…

1) Surratt Artistique Blush
pink

The who Surratt line is new at Sephora this week. I have heard great things about the collection but it hasn’t really been accessible. Until now. The blush shades I’m looking at are Grisaille, a contour shade, Guimauve, a “marshmallow pink” (pictured above!), and Duchesse, a soft peach. Also maybe I’ll grab the empty palette for them too. WHO KNOWS.

2) Surratt Relevée Lash Curler

Along the same lines as why I want to pick up the blushes, this curler is an industry favorite and I’m dying to try it. It’s out of stock at the moment but I’m hoping the re-up will coincide with the sale and the stars in the universe will align and it will be mine! I’m okay holding off on this as the lash extensions I got for the wedding are still going pretty strong, which means I don’t really need mascara or a lash curler at the moment, so I might postpone adding this baby to my stash. But I am definitely lusting after it.

3) Rita Hazan Weekly Remedy Treatment

Guys. This looks awesome. I love hair treatments and have found some super effective ones, but they take SO LONG to do and require SO MUCH effort. I hate having to put it in my hair and then sit there in the shower waiting for it to work. And who wants to plan ahead of their shampoos to do a wash out treatment? Not me! So these back-to-back rinse-immediately products look like they are right up my alley. I imagine them to be so easy and hopefully effective.

4) Sunday Riley Effortless Tinted Primer

I bought this back in the fall and actually used it all up. I loved using it in the winter, especially when we were skiing and I wanted something on my skin during the day, but also didn’t want to wear foundation or concealer. For the spring and summer, it would be great to layer with an SPF for a beach day where you feel silly wearing a full face of makeup but naked without anything on. It kind of plumps skin and leaves it flawless and gives just a tiny amount of coverage but is totally undetectable. It’s so light and lovely and I definitely want to repurchase. Just gotta save up those Birchbox points!

5) Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare™ Extra Strength Alpha Beta® Peel

I’ve been buying these in the small packs of 5 because I can’t shell out the big bucks to buy the 30 pack. I love using these wipes in the morning to wake up and treat my skin before putting on makeup. There are two steps: you apply the first one, wait two minutes (this is when I make my Nespresso), and then apply the second one. So easy and effective. I generally prefer chemical exfoliants to physical scrubs because they are easier to use (I HATE rinsing scrubs off my face) and generally more effective.

What’s on your shopping list for April?

Products I’ll Repurchase Until I Die

March 31, 2015 by Alina Avery 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.

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.

Kiehl’s Haul

March 27, 2015 by Alina Avery 3 Comments

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

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.