Mario BadescuDrying Lotion Blemish … curated on LTK

ad Today is the first day of the @ULTABeauty Hello Holidays event, and you'll want to check this one out for sure. They have up to 40% off an amazing selection of their most popular products, including some amazing gift ideas! The event is online only, but you can still use their same day delivery and purchase online and pick up in store options. So, you can get the deals while getting your products from your local store. Today on my blog I'm sharing some of the beauty gifts I'm planning to give this year, so check out the post for full details. But here you can see my gift ideas for preteens/young teens. I have 2 daughters, they're 10 and 13. They are very into their beauty products (not surprising given their mom is a beauty blogger), so you know they'll be getting some new products to try out for Christmas! Here are a few of my favorites that my girls will be getting. First, a super cute lip balm! This container looks like a Macaroon, and it has Hello Kitty on it! Inside there is a non-sticky and hydrating lip balm. One of my favorite highlighting lotions for prepping the face is definitely going to be a hit for my 13 year old. And both girls currently love a good face mask. This Cookie o' Glow looks like cookie dough and is detoxifying, great for preteens who are a little prone to blemishes. What gifts will you be picking up from Hello Holidays? ULTA ULTABeauty LTKGiftGuide LTKSaleAlert LTKBeauty

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Mario BadescuDrying Lotion Blemish Spot Treatment | Ulta

The Crème ShopHello Kitty Strawberry Rose Latte Macaron Lip Balm | Ulta

I Dew CareLet's Get Sheet Faced Sheet Mask Set | Ulta

I Dew CareChill Mo-Mint Soothing & Cooling Wash-Off Mask | Ulta

I Dew CareCake My Day Hydrating Sprinkle Wash-Off Mask | Ulta

L'OréalTrue Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer | Ulta

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15minbeauty

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I'm often on the go, and don't have much time to spend on my own look. For example, today I quickly got ready, took my kids to school, ran a bunch of errands and then came home for a 9:30 am work call on Zoom. I need to be able to get ready fast, or refresh hair that's a few days out from a fresh washing (I'm on day 3 hair today).

These are 2 of my favorite products to do just that! Deep Clean Dry Shampoo is a super effective dry shampoo, but it is not detectable in my hair. I can't see it on my brown hair, and I can't feel it at all! It's great for hair that's a few days out from a shampoo, I especially like to use it at night on day 2 or 3, and it prevents the oily roots from even appearing.

Redken's Friends and family starts today, and goes until 11/24. With the code RKHOL24 you get 20% off and free shipping for $50! These are the best savings of the year! Some of my favorite @Redken products are shown here. What will you be stocking up on?

#Redken #RedkenPartner

#LTKSaleAlert #LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKBeauty

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Today @ULTABeauty's Hello Holidays event is starting! This is a 4 day, online only special, and you should act fast! They have up to 40% off some of their best products, including a LOT of amazing gift ideas! While the deals are online, you can still use the buy online and pick up in store or same day delivery options, you don't need to wait for shipping if you're in a time crunch.

Today I've created three different gift guides, and while you can get the full details over on my blog, here I'm sharing my favorites for your mom or mother in law.

I admit that I'm a huge sucker for an amazing smelling candle, and this one from Better World was my first choice for this gift guide. When I was in my local ULTA Beauty recently, the staff opened one to create a tester and we were all going crazy for it! The glass votive is also really pretty, and it comes with a gold marker to personalize the message on the candle as well.

I'm also including one of my favorite travel brush sets. This collection from Morphe has an amazing price point, has brushes that you actually need, and it all comes in a compact pouch.

And finally, check out this amazing body lotion from Philosophy! I've been in love with it for the last few months, it is lightweight and super hydrating. It also has active skincare ingredients, which I've been neglecting in my body products for years. If I'm paying attention to antiaging ingredients in my face products, I should do the same for my body! This lotion has both retinol and niacinamide.

What beauty products will you be buying for your mom? I would love to know! Check out the Hello Holidays event at ULTA Beauty now, it will be over soon!

#ULTA #ULTABeauty

#LTKGiftGuide #LTKSaleAlert #LTKBeauty

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Over on the blog today I'm sharing a ton of great gift ideas! They're all from the online only @ULTABeauty Hello Holidays event that is starting today! (Yes, it's online only, but you can still buy online and pick up in store or have it delivered to your home on the same day.) They have up to 40% off a huge selection, which means it is perfect for both buying things for yourself and buying gifts!

Over on my blog you'll find 3 gift guides:
• Preteens/Teens
• Moms/Mother in Laws
• Skincare Queens

Who will you be shopping for this weekend at Ulta Beauty?

#ULTA #ULTABeauty

#LTKGiftGuide #LTKSaleAlert #LTKBeauty

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It's finally here! The @Sephora Savings Event is starting for the Rouge tier, which means I've been filling my cart with my go-to products. Here are some of my favorite skincare products that I've already added to my cart. Here is my family's favorite face cream from @Kiehls, my go to @elemis daily morning face wash, the best eye makeup remover for waterproof makeup, and the lip balm my girls and I own in every flavor. That exfoliating cleanser from Tata Harper? It isn't harsh at all, and it smells like oranges.

This is the perfect time to stock up on your must have products, especially if they're a bit of a splurge! What skincare items are you adding to your cart for the event?

#SephoraPartner #SephoraHaul

#LTKsalealert #LTKbeauty #LTKfindsunder50

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I've been digging through my vanity and travel makeup bag for the last few days, taking stock of what I currently have and what I'm running out of. Why? Because The @Sephora Savings Event is here! It takes me a bit to plan my purchase, and I always forget things, or decide to try something else and then need to make more purchases.

Here's a look at some of my favorites for a "me but better" face that are in my cart already. The Kiehl's Ultra Facial is great for prepping the skin for makeup, it works for every skin type. The Charlotte Tilbury color corrector, my new go-to concealer from Westman Atelier, my favorite Fenty foundation and my Charlotte Tilbury illuminating powder are all must have products each day!

I'm always looking for new products to try out, let me know what you're putting in your Sephora cart today!

#SephoraPartner #SephoraHaul

#LTKsalealert #LTKbeauty #LTKfindsunder50

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I'm a huge fan of Elemis #skincare, especially their Pro-Collagen line. It is hydrating and makes my skin glowy, without feeling heavy or clogging pores!

For the next 24 hours only you can buy this trio at a 69% discount, and you can pick the original, SPF or ultra rich version of Pro-Collagen cream! It also comes with the Cleansing Balm and Night Cream. This is perfect for stocking up or to give away during the holidays.

I'm linking a few other amazing Elemis sets from @QVC (love that they have so many great deals), especially with my favorite face wash and radiant priming lotion.

This one will seek out fast!

Don't forget to use the code WELCOME20 if you're a new customer (give $20 off $40+, until 10/31)

#LoveQVC

#LTKbeauty #LTKsalealert #LTKSeasonal

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I recently finished a favorite product, and it prompted me to post my thoughts on hair masks.
Not all hair masks are for everyone. They have different benefits and help with different problems. I have friends complain all the time that they didn't like product X because it didn't solve problem Y. When it was meant to fix problem X. The mix up I mostly hear is from people who expected the classic Olaplex treatment to help their dry hair. Olaplex helps restore broken chemical bonds in damaged hair. It's amazing if you've treated your hair with chemicals or lots of heat.
If you want to hydrate your hair, you need a hydrating hair mask. My favorite (and the empty shown here) is the Darshana Hair Oil treatment. It smells like oranges, it's super hydrating (my hair is SO SOFT), but you also cannot overdo it. I slather this on, go to bed and wash it out the next day. My hair isn't greasy or heavy feeling, it's just soft!
I'm sharing some of my favorite hair masks here, but if you want to hydrate, my favorite is the @Darshana!
#founditonamazon

#LTKfindsunder50 #LTKstyletip #LTKbeauty

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This is one of my recent favorites and I have to share, especially since there's an amazing deal on the set from @HSN!

This is @TooFaced's Lip Injection liner in Post-Op Pink and the Lip Injection Maximum Plump in Caramel Apple. I've been really loving the lip liner especially, which is actually a perfect neutral shade for me, and it works with every lip product I own. But, my favorite pairing right now is the limited edition Lip Injection! It really does smell my caramel apples, and it has the prettiest gold-copper shimmer. I love that it isn't sticky!

My biggest lip tip for over 40 is to actually USE lip liner. It's an extra step, but it really is one that can make a huge difference! It adds some much needed definition to the edges of my lips and helps prevent feathering. I line right on the edge of my lip line, as I've found that overlining can look great in pictures and online, but just doesn't work for me in person.

What's been your go-to lip product recently?

#HSNInfluencer #LoveHSN #FallBeauty

#LTKbeauty #LTKover40 #LTKsalealert

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These were my biggest MUST TRY products for the early fall! My newest purchases from @Sephora have really changed up how I'm doing my makeup every morning.

But, I'm here to say that the new Vital Skincare Concealer from Westman Atelier is everything I need now that I'm over 40. There are other full coverage concealers out there, but most of them only seem to work well if you're in your 20s. They cake easily, don't blend well for those of us with less than perfect undereyes, and I just avoid them.

Vital Skincare Concealer is a holy grail level product. It blends easily and looks like skin. It does not cake. It lasts all day. Even though I'm in my late 40's, I can use this and it just works.

Today on the blog I'm sharing how I'm currently using this concealer (FYI, using it everywhere, no foundation!), and what process has worked best for me. I'd love to know if you have any no caking concealer tips as well!

All of the products I'm using with the Vital Skincare Concealer are available at Sephora! Make sure you check out both the Beauty Insider Program and their Pick Up/Delivery options when making your #SephoraHaul!

#FallMakeup #FallBeauty #sephorapartner

#LTKover40 #LTKbeauty #LTKfindsunder100

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After a recent #SephoraHaul, I've really changed up how I do my makeup in the morning. I'm using very specifically placed concealer (the new Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Concealer is a game changer if you're under 40 and don't have perfectly smooth undereyes, much like me), a natural looking and flattering tinted lip balm, and an amazing new volumizing mascara.

All of the products I'm using with the Vital Skincare Concealer are available at Sephora! Make sure you check out both the Beauty Insider Program and their Pick Up/Delivery options when making your #SephoraHaul!

But much like any look, the key to this is skin prep and then the application process.Today on the blog I'm sharing all the details of this super fast 5 minute makeup! I'm using lightweight but super hydrating products to prep my skin.

The Westman Vital Skincare Concealer is truly the key to this look, as other full coverage concealers just don't work unless you have perfectly smooth skin. And I just… don't. Because I'm human. But placing the concealer in specific locations, spraying with setting spray, and then blending has been amazing! I get a flawless finish that lasts all day.

#FallMakeup #FallBeauty #sephorapartner

#LTKbeauty #LTKfindsunder100 #LTKover40

That time when you realize the Stila liquid shadow you've been wanting is 50% off for a few more hours at ULTA, and suddenly you have a VERY full cart...

#LTKover40 #LTKbeauty #LTKsalealert

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@Bluemercury's Anniversary Sale is here, and I'm all about it! Bluemercury is my go-to retailer for all things luxury beauty! They carry my favorite makeup for the fall (yes, I did purchase Chantecaille's entire Cheetah collection the moment it was released), to my beloved professional skincare eye cream and even the cream that's become my essential product for no heat curls.

All of those things (and more!) are included in the Anniversary Sale, where you'll get up to 25% off $250 or more (note, a few brands are excluded or at a lower discount). Today on the blog I'm sharing all of my picks! They're also debuting a new website, introducing new brands, opening new stores and renovating new ones. I'm excited for the changes.

What luxury beauty products will you be picking up during this event? I would love to know!

#Bluemercury #Bluemercurypartner #TheNewBlueStories

#LTKfindsunder100 #LTKbeauty #LTKsalealert

#ad Today I'm sharing some of my favorite shower game changers! These are the products that can elevate any shower, but I swear they are some of my must haves when I'm doing an everything (or special event) shower.

These are products I purchase over and over again! From amazing hair masks, the shampoo/conditioner combo I've been repurchasing for over 10 years to my latest find, the pre-shave scrub and shaving butter that will give you the smoothest shave ever!

The best news is that some of these products are included in @ULTABeauty's 21 Days of Beauty! The Truly Shave Kit is an especially great deal, and will likely sell out. If that happens, be sure to check your local store inventory and do an in store pick up or same day delivery, I've managed to snag sold out items that way so many times!

What products have changed your shower experience?

#ulta #ultabeauty

#LTKsalealert #LTKover40 #LTKbeauty

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Today I'm sharing my game changing products for a shower, and these are some of my favorites before and after an everything shower!

Before a shower, I like to do as many intensive treatments as possible, with all of their waiting times overlapping to multitask as much as possible! I'll treat my hair with either Olaplex or DryBar's pre-shampoo depending on how dry or damaged my hair is at that time. A mud mask to clean out my pores is a great compliment to those treatments.

After the shower is over, I like to be as hydrating as possible, making my skin super glowy! The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is both soothing and hydrating, while Philosophy's Ultimate Miracle Worker Resurfacing Body Serum has anti-aging ingredients to treat your body as well as you've been treating your face.

Some of these favorites (such as the Ultra Repair Cream) are included in @UltaBeauty's 21 Days of Beauty event, but they WILL sell out. Plan your purchases well in advance, and if your item sells out, don't panic! Check for local store inventory. These products are perfect to buy online and pick up in store, or have a same day delivery. I've managed to buy any "sold out" items this way during the 21 Days of Beauty Event.

What products are you buying this year?

#ulta #ultabeauty

#LTKbeauty #LTKfindsunder50 #LTKsalealert

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I'm a huge #skincare junkie, so it shouldn't really be a surprise that recently I realized I had fallen into the trap of having a million step routine! A product for this, a product for that... it is easy to find yourself slowly adding products and then you realize you're applying 4-5 products in the morning!

I decided I had to streamline my routine. I looked at what problems I really need to focus on with my skincare in the morning, and looked for a single product that matched those goals. I ended up with this, the @SummerFridays CC Me Serum. Perfect makeup prep, Vitamin C (x2!) and Niacinamide. All in 1 easy step.

What skin care adjustments have you made recently?

#LTKsalealert #LTKbeauty #LTKover40

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These are some of my go to #makeip products now that we are on the very tail end of summer! I want lightweight, forgiving and easy makeup. I want to actually SEE my skin through it, and I want to look like me, but... better? Prettier?
The @SummerFridays Sheer Skin Tint in particular is an amazing find, since it just blends perfectly and makes me look like I have amazing skin, not amazing makeup!
What are your late summer beauty finds? I would love to know!

#LTKfindsunder50 #LTKbeauty #LTKover40

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Now that summer is here, we are spending a LOT more time in our backyard pool! You know I've been stocking up on summer beauty favorites from @Sephora, and fully admit that the buy online and pick up in store option has been my bestie lately. Sephora opened a new store in my town and I drive right by it to go to work!

Today over on the blog I'm sharing my must-have products that I reach for whenever we are spending the afternoon in the pool! Of course there's a lot of sunscreen, but also a hydrating (and not sticky) lip gloss and the creamy blush that gives me just the right amount of color.

Which beauty products are you using poolside this summer?

#SephoraHaul #PoolBeauty #SummerBeauty

#LTKfindsunder50 #LTKbeauty #LTKover40

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I've gotten a little more minimal with my pool day beauty choices as I've gotten older. Poolside at home means a lot of sunscreen, and a little bit of color on my face (even in the sun, I can easily look pale and washed out). I do add a little waterproof mascara and waterproof concealer when we're on vacation, but for home I just rely on some big sunglasses!

You can find more details about my picks over on the blog today, and everything is from @Sephora! It's super easy to grab what you need with Same Day Delivery, so you don't even need to leave the pool.

What are your favorite poolside beauty picks?

#SephoraHaul #PoolBeauty #SummerBeauty

#LTKbeauty #LTKover40 #LTKfindsunder50

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Have you seen this yet? I'm 100% convinced that @SummerFridays has created the PERFECT foundation, especially for summer!
This is their Sheer Skin Tint, which is incredibly lightweight but still provides light to medium coverage. I swear it disappears almost immediately into my skin, with almost no blending. And it feels (and looks) like there's nothing on my skin. And then it just looks like that all day long.
I'm kissing days of hot, heavy (and sweaty) makeup goodbye!

#beauty

#LTKover40 #LTKbeauty #LTKfindsunder50

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I'm obsessing over my latest makeup find, this is so perfect for summer! @SummerFridays Sheer Skin Tint is super lightweight. It feels like nothing on my skin. But just a little bit of this light to medium coverage product really makes a huge difference in how my complexion looks! Suddenly my skin is just perfect, but it doesn't look like there's any product on it. Even better, it lasts forever! I love that my face looks just as amazing at the end of the day as it does as the beginning.

Do you have any amazing new makeup finds for summer? I would love to know!

#beauty #SummerBeauty

#LTKover40 #LTKfindsunder50 #LTKbeauty

#SephoraPartner

Now that summer is almost here, I've been wanting to up my sunscreen game. My entire family is already obsessed with the Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense SPF 50, but I wanted to add a stick sunscreen for my nose that I could just swipe on and go. I've tried a couple of products, but everything felt heavy and sticky.

My newest find is this balm from Glow Recipe, which is NOT at all sticky, has skincare ingredients, and even smells like watermelon! I'll be using this one poolside all summer long.

#summerbeauty

#LTKbeauty #LTKfindsunder50 #LTKover40

#SephoraPartner
Have you been changing up your beauty routine now that winter is FINALLY over? I'm embracing all things glowy, especially my lips! I'm over matte, dry lips. This summer I want hydrating, shiny lips that have a bit of color, and no stickiness!

Here's a look at some of my newest finds that fit the bill, as usual I found all of them at @Sephora. You'll find more info on these lippies, and my other recent intro to summer finds, in my most recent #SephoraHaul post on my blog.

#summerbeauty

#LTKfindsunder50 #LTKbeauty #LTKover40

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Have you ever relied on a product so much that you had to take it with you everywhere? And then bought it in multiple sizes?

That's how I am with @SummerFridays Jet Lag Mask! I need to have it at home, with me when I'm in transit for a trip, and then once I get there. So I have both the mini and full sized tubes with me whenever I travel! (I grab new ones from @ Sephora whenever we are leaving for a trip!)

This multitasking cream is perfect for keeping my skin soft and hydrated, whether that's my face, hands or cuticles. I use it as a mask and as a go-to intense moisturizer. I have it with me whenever we are leaving the house!

What's your go to travel beauty item?

#LTKbeauty #LTKtravel #LTKfindsunder50

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This is hands down the most multi-tasking product in my TSA 3-1-1 bag!

Summer Friday's Jet Set Mask is a cult favorite and one of my must haves when I go out of town. While it's a mask... it's really actually a lot more.

This is a non-sticky, super hydrating moisturizer that can be used pretty much anywhere, any way. I love to use it as an actual hydrating face mask (apply a thick layer for about 10 minutes), I usually prep my skin this way the day prior to any air travel. It can also be used as a regular moisturizer for face or body. I especially love it on my hands and around my cuticles when I'm in the super dry air of the plane!

What's your must have for flying? I would love to know!

Check out this product and a few of my other travel friendly favorites from @SummerFridays and @Sephora below!

#LTKbeauty #LTKfindsunder50 #LTKtravel

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I know I'm not the only one who has been itching to get out of town! We have a few weekends away from home coming up, and I've been so excited to create a new travel beauty kit for myself. We're heading to a ski weekend as well as a few dance competitions for my daughters. So, I'm in need of amazing sun protection and easy makeup that I can do quickly but looks good enough to brave a competition full of other dance moms!

My travel kit has a lot of my favorite items in it, as well as a few new ones. I've been buying smaller versions of favorites, but the Rewards Bazaar from Sephora has also been a huge help! Make sure you're spending your Sephora points wisely, it's the perfect way to have your favorite products with you when you head out of town.

One of my favorite recent finds is the Fenty foundation stick. I have a quick layering process for my face makeup lately, and the creams have been working so well for my over 40 skin! The end result is glowy and natural looking all day long. I love that can I can get travel versions of the contour and blush sticks now at Sephora!

What have been your go to travel items lately? I'd love to know!

#SephoraHaul #TravelBeauty #Beautyover40

#LTKfindsunder50 #LTKover40 #LTKbeauty

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Ectoin is THE hot new ingredient in skincare, and it's the bacteria byproduct you didn’t know your skin needed. Ectoin is found in single celled bacteria around the world in harsh environments, it is an anti-stress molecule that helps the bacteria survive and even thrive despite the challenges.

Ectoin helps skin hold on to water, increasing the skin's moisture content. It also prevents transepidermal water loss, keeping moisture in the skin and helping the skin’s barrier function. The skin’s barrier function is critical for smooth, glowy skin!

This new moisturizer from @Biossance (you can buy it at @Sephora) also features Squalane and peptides, to further support barrier function, reduce inflammation and make skin smoother, improving texture and elasticity.

It is a pretty thick cream, but it isn’t sticky or heavy. It actually functions a lot like a lighter moisturizer, sinking into the skin pretty quickly. I use it after my other treatment products in my nightly routine, including my eye treatment and serums. The next morning my skin is soothed and very soft, no more dry patches for my makeup to stick to!

What nighttime skincare routine changes have you made recently?

#Sephora #BiossancePartner #Skincare

#LTKover40 #LTKbeauty #LTKfindsunder100

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I've recently been making a few early winter skincare routine changes, specifically to support my skin's barrier function.

What does this even mean? It isn't anything super sophisticated, but it means that I'm not tearing my skin apart with harsh products that leave my skin red, irritated and flaky. Instead, I'm specifically choosing products that help the skin hold on to moisture, especially if they do so with molecules that work with this skin, rather than just creating a heavy layer of product over the top.

This new overnight moisturizer from @Biossance (now available at @Sephora) is my new favorite find! Like the rest of Biossance's products, it does feature Squalane, the plant version of Squalene, found in our skin and important for barrier function. It also helps soothe irritated skin, without feeling heavy.

The new important ingredient is Ectoin, an anti-stress molecule derived from single-cell bacteria that can be found in the most extreme environments around the world. It helps your skin hold on to moisture, reduces transepidermal water loss and helps stabilize your skin barrier. The end result is skin that is smoother, less irritated, with improved texture and less apparent fine lines and wrinkles.

I've added this into my nightly routine after my serums and eye products. I've already seen smoother makeup application in the morning (because there are no more dry spots!) and less redness.

Have you made and early winter skincare changes?

#Sephora #BiossancePartner #Skincare

#LTKbeauty #LTKover40

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This @LovePhilosophy One-Step Facial Cleanser is one of my favorites for on the go! For years it has lived in my travel makeup bag, and I stock it in my overnight favorites for when I am on call in the hospital. It has a light lather, removes everything (all makeup, no matter how waterproof, doesn't stand a chance), and afterwards my skin just feels clean, smooth, hydrated and not at all stripped.

Check out this and more of my Philosophy favorites on today's IG stories! Everything is 30% off until 12/13 for Green Monday!

#skincare #beauty #lovephilosophy #ltkbeauty #ltkover40

#LTKfindsunder50 #LTKsalealert #LTKbeauty