Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

They’re packaged just like baby wipes and are perfect for travelers. Simple also makes a variety of wipes to suit all skin types including Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes, Revitalizing Exfoliating Wipes, Daily Radiance Cleansing Wipes and Regeneration Age-Resisting Cleansing Wipes.

If you’re searching for a cleanser that will set your world on fire or leave your skin smelling like orchids, this is not it. But for those, like me, who prefer to splurge on moisturizers and serums and spend only $5.99 on a cleanser that effectively removes make-up and doesn’t irritate my skin with harsh chemicals and fragrances, these wipes pack a perfectly compact punch.

Image: Simple

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Skincare Made Simple

Every once in awhile, though, particularly when the weather warms up and I begin daydreaming of little towns in Provence where orange blossoms really do encircle home gardens and parks, I crave a little something more. And L’Occitane Extra Gentle Cleansing Milk is there for me, orange blossom water and all.

L'Occitane Extra Gentle Cleansing Milk

At $20, the milk cleanser is a bit pricier than drugstore brands, but worth it. It only takes one dab of the silky solution, which is laden with orange blossom water, Shea butter and something called linden flower, to effectively remove make-up and dirt. It’s also ideal for those with super-sensitive and dry skin, as you can bypass the use of water altogether and simply remove the product with a tissue.

But the best part, the absolute best part about most of L’Occitane’s products are their refreshing, invigorating and utterly relaxing scents. It’s like a shot of aromatheraphy in a bottle.

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L’Occitane Extra Gentle Cleansing Milk

Yves Saint Laurent has developed ‘Radiance Revealer’ Cleansing Water that contains a couple of unusual ingredients – tree bark and yuzu. This is of course in addition to the essential trace elements and vitamins you might expect from a luxury cleanser.

Image: Yves Saint Laurent

What is Yuzu? It’s a Chinese citrus fruit which grows to be the size of a small grapefruit at most. Mostly used in cuisine, and very rare in the United States, this is the first time I’ve seen Yuzu as a headline ingredient in a facial cleanser. Maybe this will be a trend that continues as yuzu proves itself to be more than just a distictively scented food garnish.

Yves Saint Laurent ‘Radiance Revealer’ Cleansing Water is gentle on the eyes and perfect for sensitive skin. Available at Nordstrom for $38.50.

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Yves Saint Laurent ‘Radiance Revealer’

Benefit You Clean Up Nice Face Wash

Your first step is to remove all your make up and throughly cleanse your face with your favourite face wash. Benefit Cosmetics‘ oil free You Clean Up Nice! ($25) face wash, lathers quickly to dissolves dirt and make up, leaving your skin smooth and fresh. The citron orange blossom scent will perk you up too.

Benefit Cosmetics Woman Seeking Toner

The next (optional) step is to use a gentle and/or alcohol free toner.  Benefit’s Woman Seeking Toner ($32) toning lotion hydrates and revitalizes your skin. Apply toner with a cotton pad on your face and neck to refresh your skin.

Benefit Cosmetics Do It Daily Moisturizer

Last step is to moisturize. I don’t have to tell you that moisturizing your skin is essential to keeping it looking radiant and healthy, so you must do it daily. Quite apropos is Benefit Cosmetics‘ Do It Daily! Moisturizer($28), it’s an oil free face lotion with SPF 10. It contains vitamins A, C and E to keep your completion soft and supple.

Along with a healthy lifestyle and the above steps, you’ll soon look and feel like the goddess that you are. All  products above are available at Benefit Cosmetics counters and through their official website.

(Images: Benefit Cosmetics)

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Benefit Cosmetics Skincare Essentials

As my first official post for Splendicity’s Skin Care category, I wanted to begin by showing you the skincare product I absolutely love and highly recommend to all.

I’ve tried quite a few different facial cleansers and make-up removers over the years and Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple cleanser is far and away the best product I’ve ever used. My time is precious and this one-step cleanser cuts my nightly routine to 5 minutes, tops!

Here is what it says on the bottle:

purity is natural. we come into this world with all the right instincts. we are innocent, and therefore perceive things as they should be, rather than how they are. our conscience is clear, our hands clean, and the world at large is truly beautiful. it is at this time we feel most blessed. to begin feeling young again, we must begin with the most basic step of all, the daily ritual of cleansing.

I use Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple every night to take off all the make-up, grime and oil. It leaves my skin feeling clean, fresh. You know how some cleansers still leave traces of make-up on your skin? You won’t have that problem with this cleanser! When I first started using this I would ‘test’ out the cleanliness factor by swiping my face with a cotton pad with toner expecting to find make-up residue in the wake. I was pleased to find no traces of make-up or dirt. I was truly convinced and thus have since not purchased any more toner.

What I love most about this product is, my face doesn’t feel dry or ‘tight’ after use. Most drugstore and other pricey cleansers I’ve tried are either too drying or harsh on my sensitive skin.  Purity Made Simple is extremely gentle and effective! It’s available in different sizes; 3oz (great for travel!), 8oz, 16oz and 24oz. Personally, I buy the biggest bottle I can find because I don’t want to risk running out. Although it’s pricey, $10 – $40, it lasts a long time as you don’t need but a quarter-sized drop!

The easiest thing you can do to improve your skin is to wash your face every night. I don’t care if it’s 2am and I’m dead tired, I make an effort to wash my face before I go to bed. Doing this has greatly improved my overall complexion and it’s saved my pillowcases!

(Image: Sephora)

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Philosophy Purity Made Simple

WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Towels
Face cloth
Cotton Pads
Warm Water
Large Bowel
Kettle
Makeup Remover
Gentle Cleanser
Exfoliator
Mask
Eye cream
Moisturizer

CLEANSE
Start by gently removing makeup from around your eyes.  Use a cleanser specifically for that delicate skin and rinse off if necessary. For your face use a cleanser that is designed for your skin type: gels are great for oily skins, creams for dry skins.  Splash you face with warm water – not hot and then take a dime size amount into wet hands, lather slightly and then apply to skin.  Work the product into skin using circular movements, missing the eye and mouth areas. Rinse the cleanser off using clean warm water.

EXFOLIATE
Exfoliation is extremely important because it improves the the surface appearance and function of the skin, resulting in clearer, smoother, more even-toned skin. Choose a gentle exfoliant, you do not want to tear the skin but rather polish it. Using your fingers apply the product in a circular motion to the skin, focusing on congested areas.  Rinse well using clean warm water.

STEAM
You want to open your pores before using a mask so that all the impurities are removed. Boil some water in your kettle and pour into a large ceramic bowl. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to cool down.  Cover your head with a towel and place your head 10 inches above the water.  Let the steam penetrate your pores for about 8-10 minutes, then pat your skin dry.

MASK
I love a good mask.  My skin always feels so clean and smooth after using one. Choose a mask that is designed for your skin type – clay masks are great for drawing out impurities in oily or acne prone skin, a moisturizing mask for dry skin.  Apply a generous amount to your face, avoiding the eye and mouth areas.  Most masks should be left on for about 10-15 minutes and then I like to remove it with a wet face cloth.  Gently pat skin dry.

MOISTURIZE
Every skin type needs a moisturizer.  It will keep your skin hydrated and balanced.  Choose one to suit your skins needs and then apply a thin layer to the skin avoiding the eye and mouth area.  Finish off with an eye cream.

There you have it – your very own home facial routine.  What products do you like to use for your facial? I’d love to hear about them.

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Home Facial: How To