Author Archives: glossygoddess

Why I Love Double-Cleansing

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I love, love, love double-cleansing. Not to brag, but I was doing it before it was cool and I before I’d ever heard of the much-lauded Korean skincare regimen. Mainly because of necessity–I wear lots of makeup and one pass with a cleanser doesn’t always cut it. Now, I also know that double-cleansing really helps get skin clean so products can be more effective. I don’t do it every night, but whenever I wear a full makeup or my skin just feels like it needs it, I do it.

Now, I know what you are thinking. You are thinking “Ugh, I can barely cleanse twice a day, now one of those needs to be a double cleanse?”. Well, not necessarily. But if you are up for a double-cleanse, check out my favorite products to do so with, including a few easy ways that make you say “Oh, not so bad”.

How to Double-Cleanse

  1. Cleansing Oil + Face Wash
  2. Cleansing Oil + Facial Wipes
  3. Cleansing Oil + Micellar Water
  4. Face Wash + Facial Wipe
  5. Face Wash + Micellar Water
  6. Micellar Water + Facial Wipe

Above are six ways to double-cleanse, along with some links to my favorite products. #1 is going to be the most thorough. Oil dissolves makeup and the cleanser follow-up ensures all traces are removed. The easiest are #2, #3, and #6. Why? NO WATER. That’s right. You don’t have to bother getting your face wet, which literally makes this process so much easier and faster. Apply the cleansing oil first, massaging in to dry skin, then remove with the wipes or micellar water. Or just soak a cotton pad with the micellar water and then run a  wipe over your face. SO EASY. This is great when you are drunk. You have no excuse to go to bed with makeup on (you still need a separate eye makeup remover). Now that you have these easy options, promise you’ll at least thinking about double-cleansing when wearing makeup.

Oh, and yes, that meme about drunk girls coming home at 3 a.m. and doing a full skincare regimen was about me.

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Current Fave: Foundation

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I have such trouble finding the right foundation. Not necessarily the right shade (thankfully), but the right formula that won’t sink into my large pores. I’ve tried everything.  However, I think I found it.

I recently received a sample of the Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation in shade 1N2 Vanille. I was trying not to have high hopes, as I didn’t want them dashed, but this foundation exceeded my expectations.

Now, what works for one person doesn’t work for everyone, but I tried mixing and matching this foundation with different primers and finishing powders, but here is the product sequence that gave me 10-hour wear:

  1. Primer: Laura Geller Spackle Hydrating Under-makeup Primer (didn’t work as well with original Spackle…not sure why)
  2. The new Laura Mercier foundation (ugh…so many Lauras…I either want to start singing some Christopher Cross, rewatch old “General Hospital” episodes, or both).
  3. Setting Powder (right after foundation application and before contour, highlight, blush, bronzer): MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
  4. Finishing Powder (after contour, highlight, blush, bronzer): Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder
  5. Setting Spray: Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Setting Spray

This foundation has medium coverage, but you can build to full, which is my preference. It’s also very creamy, and despite being billed as matte, I didn’t find it too matte. I used my Shiseido Foundation Brush for application.

I still want to try some more primer and finishing powder combinations, but am super happy with everything so far, and I couldn’t wait to share with everyone. Finding the right foundation is HARD. It really takes a lot of time and effort. I’ve probably been on the hunt for about 18 months, if not longer. If I find any product combination I like better, I’ll update this post, but I highly recommend heading to Sephora to try out this foundation. Let me know how it goes!

Don’t Let an All-Nighter Lead to Bad Skin

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We’ve all been there. It’s late, you’re exhausted, you’ve likely had more than a few drinks, and the last thing you want to do is remove your makeup and apply skincare. But, you HAVE to. No excuses, unless you’ve been partying all night in Tel Aviv and Israeli airport security takes away your skincare and you arrive in Athens looking super goth…but that’s another story. Anyway, if you remove your makeup, you can show up to brunch or work or even the coffee shop NOT looking as bad you feel. Promise.

Granted, I have a whole routine for removing super heavy makeup, but when you need to remove quickly and pass out, here’s what I recommend (pro tip: leave products on bathroom counter before heading out):

  1. Remove your eye makeup.
    GG Loves: Eye Makeup Remover
  2. Remove the rest of your makeup.
    GG Loves: Micellar Cleansing Water
  3. Ensure all makeup is gone.
    GG Loves: Makeup Remover Wipes

You may need to do each step twice, and if you still have traces of eye makeup, it’s OK to use #2 and #3 on your eyes. Even you don’t do each step twice, you’re still better off than where you were. Throw on any evening moisturizer or serum in your arsenal and get to bed. You should probably take some naproxen and drink water/coconut water, too, but that might be pushing it (pro tip: leave those on your nightstand before going out too).

If you can make it through a shower in the morning, try the below two products on your skin, follow with your morning routine, and no one but you will know you’re a party girl.

  1. Cleanse
  2. Exfoliant

Leave the cleanser on for ½ of your shower and scrub on for ½ of your shower, and glowing skin will follow.

With a little planning and the right products, the only regret you’ll have is your 3 a.m. text messages, and not your skin.

Want Great Makeup? Start With Great Skin

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Whenever I’m doing a consultation with my clients, the one part I never skip is skincare. In fact, that’s what I start with. Skincare is super important, and it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Moreover, the better your skin is, the better your makeup will look, and you may even find yourself wearing less, or wearing it less often. Face makeup (foundation, concealer, etc.) is usually what I skip when I’m in a rush or just feeling lazy, because I’m strict on skincare.

I always recommend six basic items: cleanser, toner, anti-aging moisturizer with SPF, night moisturizer, an exfoliant, and eye makeup remover. The exact ones vary based on my client’s skin type. I support mask use as well. And of course, there’s a world of serums and more to explore, but for some clients, six items tends to be their max.

For myself, I use a variety of products, depending on what my combination skin needs, but below is my main routine.

Cleanser: First Aid Beauty, Face Cleanser
Toner: Paula’s Choice, RESIST Advanced Replenishing Toner
Day Moisturizer: Paula’s Choice, SKIN RECOVERY Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Night Moisturizer: Paula’s Choice, RESIST Intensive Repair Cream

Weekly Chemical Exfoliant: First Aid Beauty, FAB Skin Lab Resurfacing Liquid 10% AHA
Weekly Manual Exfoliant: Fresh, Sugar Face Polish

Moisturizing Face Mask: boscia, Tsubaki Oil Gel Deep Hydration Mask
Clearing Face Mask: Shiseido, Purifying Mask

I use serums and treatments for hyperpigmentation as well, but pretty much stick to the above products, which keep my skin clear and glowing.

Finding the right products (I can help!) can be a process of trial and error, and you may need to change them with the seasons or as your skin changes, but once you do, you’ll be on the way to gorgeous skin in no time.

Welcome

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Welcome to The Glossy Goddess!

I love makeup, and I’m here to help you navigate the overwhelming choices and sales pressures when it comes to buying makeup. Together, we’ll find the right shades and products for your skin and lifestyle. No more unused tubes of lipstick or dried-up mascaras. I work with all budgets and styles.

It’s time to get glossy.