my skincare & makeup history
Let’s talk skincare. I grew up fully embracing the “cake on the makeup” strategy. I’m not sure where it started, but my best friends will tell you that I walked up to the MAC makeup counter in high school one day and asked for a shade of foundation. The makeup artist adamantly said she would not sell the foundation to me because it was 3 shades too dark and that it was studio grade makeup. I begged and she persisted, but eventually gave in. I loved makeup… probably because it covered my freckles and made me “tan.” I know… I’m not quite sure what I was thinking.
lightbulb moment
Fast forward 15+ years and I embraced my skin tone and freckles, but still loved quite a bit of makeup. It was not until about 4 years ago that a light bulb went off for me. I didn’t have to “cake on the makeup” if I took better care of my skin. For years, my only nighttime skincare routine was a Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipe. It took my makeup off and I didn’t really want to do anything else!
rodan & fields
I decided to up my skincare game and tried Rodan and Fields Redefine line. I liked it, but didn’t love it. The cleansing mask was fantastic and I liked the way my face felt after I washed it, but I wasn’t crazy about the toner and daytime/nighttime creams. I used it for 6 months or so (because it wasn’t cheap), but it always felt like a chore to me. Eventually, I stopped. Cue the Neutrogena wipes again. I used them for 2+ years.
mary kay timewise
When I turned 30 and had Kooper, I thought… I really need to start taking better care of my skin. So the search began again and I tried the Mary Kay TimeWise line. Same thing… I liked it but didn’t love it. I used it for a bit and then stopped when I suspected it might be why I was itchy. My skin changed so much after pregnancy and was SO sensitive. And, Kooper (in true toddler fashion) likes to lick my face! I began exploring safer, non-toxic solutions.
farmhouse fresh
Back to the drawing board. I needed something that was safe. I went to my favorite spa in St. Pete, the Woodhouse Day Spa, and got a facial. After consulting with the esthetician, I decided to try their sample kit of a clean line that was released by Oprah… Farmhouse Fresh. While I absolutely loved the milk cleanser and agave nectar body oil in that line, I wasn’t crazy about the other products. Another overall fail. I made a pact with myself… if I didn’t love the entire line, I wasn’t going to spend the money on it. At this point, I really was ready to give up and go back to my tried and true face wipes.
beautycounter
Earlier this year, I finally found the one! And honestly, I will never go back. I haven’t looked forward to my skincare routine ever, until now. It’s like a mini spa treatment every morning and night and is the perfect bookend to my day.
brightening facial oil
I have a few favorite products, but let me tell you about my absolutely favorite… the Beautycounter Brightening Facial Oil. It is the perfect way to wake up in the morning… it literally smells like an orange grove! When I put this on my face, it is so rejuvenating and feels incredible. It definitely brightens up my entire face and makes my skin so soft and smooth. I rotate this with my other Beautycounter products, but the days and nights I use the brightening oil are my favorite! I feel like it gives my skin such a healthy glow and that is why it is my favorite product.
the countermatch line
My second favorite product is actually the entire Beautycounter Countermatch line. I love the way it makes my skin feel. It is not greasy at all and I’m also really picky about the scent of my skincare. I didn’t like the R&F or MK scents because they just didn’t smell “clean” to me. I did like the farmhouse fresh scent. But, I absolutely love the beauty counter scent (or lack thereof). But, the most important thing to me about the Beautycounter Countermatch line is that is is effective, clean skincare.
In full transparency… I love their skincare, but their makeup is not my favorite. I’m still searching for clean makeup alternatives (I’ve found a few and will share soon!). I know it is a bit expensive, but honestly, I think it is worth every penny and it will probably last me about 10 months. Here is a quick breakdown of the items in the Countermatch line.
Pure Calm Cleansing Milk: This is one of my favorites in the line. I love it because it goes on a totally dry face, has the best smell ever and leaves my skin feeling soft. I find that it takes most of my makeup off… sometimes it doesn’t take off my mascara, but that is pretty typical for me (I use drugstore mascara – still looking for a clean & effective alternative) and it leaves my skin feeling soft.
Intense Moisture Serum: This serum is super hydrating, but not greasy at all. I honestly feel like my skin is getting a tall drink of water when I am using it and a little goes a long way.
Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion: Great morning moisturizer because it smells and feels amazing. The only downside is that it doesn’t have SPF, but if it did… I doubt I would like it as much! I also think this is why my makeup goes on better in the morning. It leaves my skin feeling super smooth.
Recovery Sleep Cream: Another great, skin quenching moisturizer. I don’t use it every night because I like to rotate the brightening oil and resurfacing.
Eye Rescue Cream: I think this one is simple, yet effective. I put this on with my pinky fingers and rotate this with the oils as well. I find that it doesn’t go on as well at night if I use it combined with anything other than the recovery sleep cream.
it works… i promise!
This all started about 7 months ago when I used my friends Countermatch line for a week and really enjoyed it. The DAY AFTER I went back to my skincare routine, this is what happened! A terrible blotchy, itchy red rash that wouldn’t go away for hours.
So I promise you… it works, it is clean and great for sensitive skin. And, I don’t care if Kooper licks my face anymore 😉
It truly feels like I get a mini spa treatment every morning and night! I haven’t looked forward to my skincare routine ever… until now. And, in even better news… Beautycounter is having a 15% Friends and Family Sale that only happens twice a year. Now is the time to try it if you’ve been on the fence. My sweet friend who is due with her second little one in ONE WEEK set up an online party. If you are interested in trying it out, please shop through the links above to help support her.
Update on 12/21/2019: I became a Beautycounter consultant to lend my voice to the clean beauty movement and they are having an incredible Big Clean Up sale to cycle through the old packaging, but it is AMAZING product steeply discounted (up to 40%) I am so excited!
This is not a sponsored post. I purchased all of these skincare lines on my own and reviewed them completely unbiased.
