I saw a friend for a birthday lunch last week and she complimented me on my skin. She used the word ‘glowy.’ (Major compliment, thanks girl!) Like many French girls, I said ‘Oh, I haven’t done anything special.’ PLOT TWIST: A few weeks earlier I had gotten carded by a waiter and then got complimented saying I looked 19.
I have a routine, ladies.
Here are 2 types of exfoliation for mega watt glow.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
Dry Brushing
This is great pre-self tan and during a detox- but you should think about making it part of your routine.
Dry Brushing stimulates the lymphatic system, boosting circulation, sweeping off dead skin cells, stimulating the lymph nodes, improving digestion, reducing the appearance of cellulite, & generally helping the body remove waste.
Wait what? Your lymphatic system collects the waste our cells produce, transports it to the blood, and eliminates it. Dry brushing stimulates this process resulting in exfoliated skin and less build-up/congestion of toxins and inflammation in the body. You’ll look and feel better!
What do I need? A natural brush
How To Do It: Right before my shower, on dry skin, I’ll do a quick brush. Start at your feet and brush upward towards the heart. When you start on your arms, begin at the hands and work upward. Use firm, small strokes upwards, or work in a circular motion. For the stomach, work in a counterclockwise pattern. (Via Goop) The whole process takes 3-5 minutes.
BTW: We aren’t trying to exfoliate harshly. Do not apply too much pressure or use a harsh bristled brush. It should never break, scratch, or irritate your skin.
Shave Your Face
I get peach fuzz on my cheeks. Lucky me the hair is blonde. But I love the smoothness and benefits of a quick run over with a razor.
Nair? Waxing strips? Plucking? Threading? — In my opinion, they will all do more damage than good. Too harsh for the sensitive skin on your face & will prob cause hyperpigmentation, acne or inflammation.
Shaving your face is nothing new– I found out about it in 2012 from Bachelor babe Michelle Money .
I’m afraid it will grow back thicker & darker. Nope. I’ve been doing it for years and never happened.
How often? I typically shave as often as needed. Maybe once every few weeks. Whenever the peach fuzz starts to bother me. I might step up to once a week if I want more exfoliation.
What do I need? A good razor- people enjoy eyebrow ones like these (Tinkle
Does a leg razor work? I have never and wouldn’t use a women’s leg razor. The texture on the legs is different than on the face.
How To Do It:
Start with clean, dry skin. Also a clean razor (I swipe mine a few times with rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad). Gently pull the skin taut, then start shaving in short, downward strokes. Hold the razor at a 45-degree angle against the skin.
Post-shave is a great time to apply a toner, then an oil or moisturizer to your skin. I’m loving this Rose Hip Oil from Ole Henrikson.
There are some tricky areas- your chin and neck. Take your time. DON’T EVER DO YOUR FOREHEAD. Michelle said she cut herself 4 times and I’ve been too scared to attempt.
Think of it as poor girl’s Dermaplaning. Dermaplaning – “A licensed and trained professional gently sketches a fine scalpel blade over your face to give you the smoothest skin of your life.”
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
yeah I went there. Sorry, ex emo kids
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliator which safely removes the outer layer of dead skin cells from your skin. Along with ‘anti-aging,’ glycolic acid can also lighten discoloration (sun spots, age spots), and improve acne-prone skin (BYEEE pimples + blackheads).
I’m currently using this cleanser from Nip + Fab
To Do It: Depending on how my skin is doing, I’ll cleanse with it once a day, at night or a few times a week. I’ll even use it down my neck and onto my shoulders because I can be acne prone there as well.
PEOPLE,
always wear sunscreen when you’re using AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)’s like glycolic acid. Your fresh, baby skin is more susceptible to sunburn. For this reason, I use glycolic acid at night- not in the morning.
Retinol
I wanna look young forever. Who doesn’t? A lot of buzz about retinols right now.
‘Retinol’ describes vitamin A derivatives that unclog pores, boost collagen to reduce fine lines, and speed cell turnover to even out discoloration and smooth the skin.
How long does it take to work? 4-6 weeks to see results.
The more intense, the better? Nope. Retinol can be slightly irritating. I recommend starting with a lower concentrated formula and increasing slowly over time. You will see results with gentler formulations. I’m starting with this one, ROC Retinol Sensitive Night Cream
Do I need to go to a dermatologist? No! Over the counter formulas are great. But professional recommendations and products are never a bad idea.
How To Do It: 15 minutes after washing your face, apply a retinoid. I use one pea-size dab to cover my whole face. (I’m extreme, and read you can go up to your eye area- so I have been. I’ve had nothing but good results) After a few minutes, apply a moisturizer to prevent dryness.
For the first two weeks, apply a retinoid every third night. You really want to ease in to minimize adverse side effects (redness or flaking). Ramp up to every other night for two weeks. Then go for it every night.
BTW:
Benzoyl peroxide & Alpha Hydroxy Acids may deactivate retinoids, so don’t layer them. So Glycolic Acid ^^ and Retinol aren’t for the same night!
Vitamin C Serum
This Vitamin C Serum is like a daily multivitamin for your skin. Vitamin C has antioxidant properties and supports collagen production. It’s an anti-aging serum that brightens and firms. More benefits Here.
I’m loving this one.
How To Do It: After cleansing skin, apply to face and neck daily, follow with a moisturizer.
Rose Hip Oil
This product came with the Vitamin C Serum as a booster or topper. BUT love it on its own as well. Rosehip seed oil helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, eye bags, fine lines & more. Studies have shown that it can also help to reverse the adverse effects of prolonged sun exposure. Need I say more?
How To Do It: After cleansing skin, rub one to two pumps between your hands to warm and apply in a circular motion onto face and neck.
Last Tip- French girls apply their skincare routine to the face, down the neck, and onto their décolleté.
It’s all the same skin and will give you an overall glow and delay signs of aging.
Voila! I don’t do all of these religiously- but like anything, if you want results you need to be consistent.
BISOUS, ANNE
LifeStyled By Blonde
Fantastic article!!! From TSC