Why I Mask at Least Once a Week

If you guys follow me on IG, you might remember there was a time period where I was doing a mask a night. Though that was one of my more ambitious endeavors, that was also the week where my skin has never looked better. I love masking because sometimes when I have full day shoots on location or I'm traveling, it really takes a toll on my skin. Masks are a great way to restore hydration and nutrients back into my skin. It's just as important to be consistent with your skincare as it is to use good quality products. Hence ... Instytutum.

This beauty company is a beauty company that blends both science and beauty. Through a series of conversations with different people, I've become very inspired to be more intentional about what products I bring on my beauty shelf now, and even more intentional about what ingredients I'm putting on my face. The ingredients in this face mask are Peptide Argireline, Collagen Matrix, and Botanical Complex, all ingredients designed to help bond, hydrate and revitalize your skin. 

Engineered in a Swiss lab, Instytutum's mantra is designed with one thing in mind: flawless skin. 

This mask in particular cites clinical studies that women can see immediate results. I was skeptical at first but I really did notice an improvement in skin tone and hydration. If you're new to masking, I'd definitely recommend this product as your intro to masking because it's really nice to use (I prefer gel masks over sheet masks) and it's effective.

Happy masking! 

Get the mask here.

3 Ways to Instantly Get Bright & Glowy Skin

It's a new year and I'm back with my beauty tips! This winter season, one of the things I'm changing up in my beauty routine in addition to switching to thicker creams is more exfoliation! Skin can become dull over the dry winter season, but one way to avoid this is by using an exfoliant to scrub away dead skin cells to reveal the fresh skin cells underneath. I've been a huge fan of exfoliation since discovering it last year. Have you guys incorporated this into your skincare routine yet? If you're acne prone or have sensitive skin, do be careful about aggravating your skin with exfoliation. Test it on your hand first before applying it to your face! Keep reading to check out the 3 products I'm using to instantly get brighter and smoother skin. 

1. Kate Somerville Exfolikate Exfoliating Treatment $24!!!

Level: Strong

Fair warning-- your skin WILL become softer and smoother after using this product. This product really packs a punch. "Apply for 2 minutes and you will see instant results." Honestly, it's more like apply for 1 minute and you'll see results. I really like this product because it's a quick fix product where immediately after my skin feels softer, my complexion looks more even, and my skin tone looks brighter. (Do be careful if you have sensitive skin though, they have a gentle version that might be better suited for you.) 

2. Bliss Microdermabrasion Treatment $48

Level: Medium

No shade but I'm actually pleasantly surprised by this product. One of my biggest pet peeves is buying a "micro-bead" cleanser and finding out that it doesn't actually scrub my skin the way I want it to. This volcanic pumice spa powered microdermabrasion doesn't just sound fancy, it actually scrubs your skin. I like this because you can decide how hard you want to exfoliate your face by the pressure you apply with your hands!

3. ORG Mineral Peel $25

Level: Gentle

I've shared this mineral peel before-- you can find my dedicated post on it here. It's the first peel I've used where it's gentle enough to be used every day (I use it once every 3 days). If there was ever a top 5 products I can't live without (because I can't choose just one), this would definitely be one of them. I absolutely love love love the feeling of scrubbing my dead skin cells off my face, it's the most satisfying feeling in the world. This product is unique in that your skin does rub off. But oddly enough, it is still gentle. Definitely worth trying!

& there you have it, my 3 ways to instantly get brighter and smoother skin! Have you guys tried exfoliation before/would you try it? What are some other ways you guys get brighter skin? Share with me in the comments below!