Belle's Skincare Routine: Evening Edition

My favorite moment of my day is when I wash off my makeup and just let my skin breathe.  This is why I have a very simple rule, “Once the makeup is off, I am in for the night.”  

I don’t care if Prince Harry is waiting in the lobby to whisk me away to a land of 24-hour room service and long chats about fashion with my new BFF Kate Middleton, he’s just going to have to come back another time.  I reapply for no man.  Here is how I care for my skin at the end of the day:

Step One. Wipe off makeup using Say Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Towlettes ($8 for 30).

Step Two. Remove Eye Makeup with Clinique Naturally Gentle Eye Makeup Remover ($17).  I used to think that this was an unnecessary extra step.  Then, my eye doctor took me to the woodshed about the amount of flaked mascara she saw on my eyeball.  Mind changed.

Step Three. Wash face using African Black Soap ($11).  Do not rub off the soap, this is a mistake that I used to make frequently.  Instead, using tepid water splash the face 20 times (20!) until all of the soap is removed.  

Step Four. Dry face with a clean, white washcloth. Remember to pat dry. Do not wipe, it tears the skin.  

Step Five.  Wipe the puddle of water off of the counter.  Cleanliness is next to Godliness, or at least that’s what my Nana keeps telling me.  Throw washcloth in the laundry bin.  (Do not reuse washcloths.  Towels, sure. Wash cloths, no.)

Step Six.  Apply iS Clinical Active Serum ($128) to entire face.  At this point, you could stop.  You don’t really need moisturizer when using the serum, but I’m getting on in years and need night cream.

Step Seven.  Apply Eucerin Aquaphor ($4) to the under eye area using a gentle patting motion.  I use the ring finger on my right hand to apply it, since it’s the weakest finger.  This is supposed to prevent any tearing or damage to the delicate tissue.  

Step Eight.  Apply Ole Henriksen Pure Perfection ($48) to face.  I like this cream because it improves cell turnover and doesn’t have sulfates, dyes or parabens.  Whatever those are.

Step Nine.  Apply Ahava Mineral Foot Cream ($19) to feet and hands.  Put on cotton socks to speed effectiveness.  I’d put gloves on my hands as well, but in the immortal words of Bernie Mac in Ocean’s 11, “They interfere with my nocturnal activities.”  Specifically, typing this blog.

For more information on Belle’s Weekly Beauty Routine, also known as my Sunday Night Ritual, click here.  And if you want to know what products I recommend religiously, I have a Pinterest board for that.