Hey friends, and happy almost-weekend! I’m actually headed out of town again this morning, just a quick trip down to Austin for a blogging conference. I hope to pick up some new ideas and skills, but something tells me I’ll be in over my head on this one. (You wouldn’t believe the rules and regulations that come with blogging!!!) At least I’ll have Sheaffer and Megan with me, and they’re always down for tacos! #silverlining
I’m really excited to share today’s post with you, mostly because it’s a brand I’m passionate about, but also because it’s a topic that comes up a lot in questions and comments here and on my social media channels…my skincare routine!
But I’m warning you, it’s not a couple of simple products…it’s an artillery! I’m no Spring chicken *cough* 45 *cough*, and a little moisturizer no longer gets it done. I’m doing everything I can to age gracefully, and embrace my ever-changing face, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to do my part to slow it down! I mean, my hair wants to be gray, but I’m not about to let it! #foreverblonde
So when it comes to skincare in my 40s, I’m bringing the cavalry! We’ll start with my evening routine, and I’ll follow up with my morning routine in a future post.
If you’ve been reading Hi Sugarplum for more than a minute, then you know I’m a hardcore fan of Colleen Rothschild products. Like most brand obsessions, I started with a single product…fell in love, then added another. And another.
Each new product made such a difference in my skin, that I continued adding new ones, and now she dominates almost my entire skincare routine. In fact, every person in our family now uses at least one product from the Colleen Rothschild line (including the skincare-phobic Mr. SP!).
Here are the products I use nightly, and the order in which I apply them. It only takes a few minutes, and I look forward to it all day. And for you lucky ducks, everything is 20% off with code SUGARPLUM20!!
Radiant Cleansing Balm | Retinol Supreme Night Oil | Age Renewal Super Serum | Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum | Retinol Supreme Eye Serum | Extreme Recovery Cream
one. Radiant Cleansing Balm // This product introduced me to the Colleen Rothschild line, and was unlike anything I’d ever used before. It’s the consistency of petroleum jelly, but warms to a soft gel when rubbed between your hands, and not only cleans pores and skin, but dissolves all makeup. (I rarely use makeup remover wipes.)
It’s so gentle you can even open your eyes without irritation. (My daughter has several sensitive skin issues, and uses this!) I massage on my face, then use the included muslin cloth to wipe it all off, and exfoliate a little. My skin is left completely clean, and never dry or tight.
This is where the cavalry comes in…the serums!
two. Retinol Supreme Night Oil & Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum // I alternate these two serums every other night because I love them both, and want to take advantage of what each has to offer. Most retinols are too strong for my skin, and leave it flaky and dry. The Retinol Supreme Night Oil combines all the benefits of retinol, but is also incredibly moisturizing, so I never wake with irritation patches. It’s also packed with Vitamin C to help fight environmental toxins.
The Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum has high levels of alpha hydroxy acid to dissolve the surface dead skin cells, and leaves a brighter complexion. It also helps unclog pores and clears/prevents blackheads. I noticed a difference in my skin right away when I added this one!
Sugarplum Beauty Tip: Squeeze one pump into the palm of your hand, rub together and pat on your face. The rule is ‘Hairline to Braline’…you want to apply product on your face, neck and upper chest. Trust me on this…I used to overlook my neck, then one day woke up with a turkey goozle. Now my neck gets a pump of serum all it’s own!
three. Retinol Supreme Eye Serum // I’d yet to find an eye cream that did more than moisturize, so I jumped at the chance to try this new one. Especially considering the eyes are the first to show age. It’s similar to the Retinol Supreme Night Oil, in that it doesn’t cause any flakiness or irritation, but it’s a thicker formula specific for the fragile skin around the eyes. A half-pump is more than enough to cover both eyes, and I apply it by dabbing with my ring finger.
four. Age Renewal Super Serum // This product is the newest to my arsenal, and I’ve actually been using it morning and night. I figure I need to double-down on anything called ‘super serum.’ It’s more of a cream than serum, but a single pump covers my whole face and helps fight the six signs of aging: texture, dehydration, elasticity, fine lines, radiance, and tone. I think if you only used one serum, this one covers all the bases! It’s incredibly moisturizing and leaves my skin bright.
five. Extreme Recovery Cream // The final step, and I usually do this just before bed after allowing the serums to absorb, is moisturize. This formula has a light, whipped texture, but goes on easily and absorbs quickly. It provides the most moisture of any brand I’ve tried, and leaves my skin looking plumped. (Just to be clear, plumping on your face is good.)
If I’m really dry (like in the Winter), I’ll layer this with the Face Oil No. 9. But I have to borrow it from Mr. SP since he permanently stole mine. It goes on like an oil, but absorbs completely dry within seconds, and doesn’t leave any sort of tacky or greasy residue (hence why he likes it).
Oh, and it’s not exactly skincare…but my final step is brushing on a little of this lash serum (on sale!!). I used it nightly for about a month, but now my lashes are so long I only use it 2-3 times week. I’ve had the same tube since October!
Sugarplum Beauty Tip: Rub any leftover creams and serums on the backs of your hands…that way you’re not wasting any product, and helping to fight aging on your hands, too.
So that’s the five-step routine I do every evening…clean, serums, eye cream, and moisturize. Now let’s talk masks…twice a week I do an evening mask, and alternate between these two. The mask comes after cleansing, but before serums and moisturizer.
Dual Enzyme Polish | Clarifying Detox Mask
Dual Enzyme Polish // This creamy mask has a fine grit texture, and smells faintly of citrus. Apply over a clean, damp face and neck, and let sit for 10+ minutes allowing the enzymes to exfoliate your skin (it tingles just a little). Then use circular motions to gently polish the skin, rinse and pat dry. It leaves skin super-soft and exfoliated, with a bright glow. I use this mask on nights before a photoshoot, and my skin is brighter the next day, and makeup applies smoother.
Clarifying Detox Mask // This mask is also creamy, but the charcoal dries like clay, drawing out the trapped dirt and unclogging pores. Think of it as a Biore strip for your entire face! I’ve been known to leave it on for hours. My son uses this as a spot treatment for breakouts and areas prone to blackheads. Sometimes I’ll combine the two masks, applying the Detox to my T-Zone, and the Enzyme Polish to the rest of my face.
Okay, that covers us for nighttime, but I can’t do a skincare post without including my hands-down favorite Colleen Rothschild product…Sheer Renewal Cream! It’s the absolute best day cream, and the one product I’m always overstocked on (for fear of running out!).
It’s so light, but incredibly moisturizing, and leaves my skin with a dewy, illuminated finish. Dare I say radiant?!
If you’re new to Colleen Rothschild products, a great place to start is with the 7-Piece Discovery Collection. In fact, this is how I fell in love with so many products, since it gives you the opportunity to try all the best sellers. It’s also great for travel since they meet TSA size requirements.
Sugarplum Beauty Tip: I save the little jars and refill them from my full-size products, and take it all with me every time we travel.
And not that this matters, but the packaging looks so pretty sitting on my vanity, and all the products smell really nice!
Additional links from the post: Marble Tray | Nail Polish in ‘Pink Agate’ | Pajamas | Thin Gold Rings
Okay, that was a lot, and I probably sound a bit like an infomercial, but I’m convinced these products have made a difference in my skin. And I can’t tell you how many messages I’ve received from readers who are hard-core fans of Colleen Rothschild, too. Including my very own darling Mama Sugarplum! And don’t forget code SUGARPLUM20 gets you 20% off your total order!
But don’t take it from just me, check out all the reviews, too…so helpful to hear other’s point-of-view and opinions.
What is your nightly skincare routine? Is it simple, or do you use an arsenal of products? Any new products or brands I should check out? I’ll tell you what, aging is not for sissies!! #amIright?!
[My Skincare Faves]
*This post is created in collaboration with Colleen Rothschild, but all thoughts, opinions, and goozle-fighting are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!*
