Hi friends! This newsletter is (usually) a monthly-ish round-up of life things - what I'm enjoying, reading, learning, buying, doing, thinking about, and more. Sometimes, it’s a bit more vulnerable and personal, talking about things like whether or not to have a third kid, and how to handle rejection and feeling left out. Sometimes, it’s a deep dive into a specific topic, like travel, back to school, or like today, skincare favorites!
Alright, let’s dive in! Today, I’m sharing a big list of my current skincare favorites. My skin leans more dry/normal (vs oily) and I don’t have a ton of acne, but definitely get hormonal acne every now and then. Basically, I’m always trying to make my skin look less dull and tired and opt for products that help with brightening! Here’s the long list of my current skincare favorites, organized by when/how I use each.
✨ CURRENT SKINCARE FAVORITES! ✨
☀️ MORNING:
SkinPharm Clarifying Pads - These pads are made with salicylic acid and help brighten skin, tighten pores, and combat breakouts. You can use these daily, but I use them every few days after washing my face but before applying oils, serums, sunscreen, etc.
SkinPharm Youth Serum - This serum is a “multitasker that tackles everything from dull, dry skin to firmness, fine lines, wrinkles, redness and uneven texture.” I just finished my bottle and loved it - I'm planning to order another one!
Supergoop! Glow Screen - I’ve been religiously wearing this sunscreen for several years and love it. SPF 40 provides excellent sun coverage and gives my skin a glowy, dewy look. The Elf Whoa Glow (with SPF 30) is a much more affordable knockoff ($14) that is still excellent.
🌝 EVENING:
Lemon Laine Glow Moisture Face Oil Serum - this is a fantastic face oil packed with 14 botanicals that make my skin look and feel so much brighter. It was created by a Nashville-based small business, Lemon Laine, but it is now available on Goop (!!). I like to put a few drops of this on my face and neck before bed, before putting on my moisturizer.
Kiehl’s Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum - this is the current Retinol I’m using, but I’m not Retinol loyal to one brand/product right now. I try to put it on every other night before bed, and this is the one I’m using right now! I’ve also used The Ordinary’s Retinol, which is excellent, especially for the price.
KORRES Santorini Grape Velvet Skin Drink - This product is SO good if you have dry skin like me. It makes your skin look and feel silky and soft. This came recommended to me by my friend Christine who always has stellar product recommendations and this one didn’t disappoint. I’m on my third bottle! You can use it this morning and night, but I use it at night or during the daytime when I’m not wearing makeup.
Cerave Moisturizing Cream - E and I use this every night before bed. It’s my top layer (after serums, oils, etc.).
👀 EYE AREA:
TULA Glow + Get It Cooling and Brightening Eye Balm - This brightening eye cream balm hydrates, brightens the look of dark circles and reduces fine lines. I use this in the mornings!
Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Firming and Lifting Eye Cream is a highly-rated eye cream that “ lifts and firms, diminishing fine lines and brightening the entire eye area.” I’ll use this one morning and night.
ILIA Bright Start Retinol Alternative Brightening Eye Cream - this eye cream “visibly brightens, hydrates, smooths, and depuffs while prepping skin for concealer.” I like how there’s a ceramic tip, so it feels like a bit of eye massage experience vs. ‘just’ putting on eye cream. I typically use this in the mornings.
🌀 ANYTIME:
Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser - I’ve bought this cleanser many times and am still obsessed. It can also be left on and used as an exfoliating mask - I’ll have to try that! I use it in the mornings and evenings.
LANEIGE Radian-C Brightening Treatment Essence - this is a recent addition to my routine. I wear it morning and night, after cleansing, but before other oils, serums, moisturizers, etc. Really like!
Stratia Lipid Gold - I’m not very committed to one moisturizer, but I’ve been using it lately and like it a lot! It’s excellent for dry, sensitive skin and is fragrance/allergen-free.
OLE HENRIKSEN Dewtopia 25% AHA + PHA Flash Facial Exfoliating Face Mask might be my favorite product from this list. My skin looks SO good after this mask! My skin looks SO glowy and bright afterward, like an at-home facial. I use it once or twice a week. 10/10 recommend (and read the excellent Sephora reviews - I’m not the only one who loves this!)
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® Extra Strength Daily Peel Pads - these two-set pads are excellent for acne and uneven skin texture. They have cleared up my skin! I use these sporadically, and I like to use them when I have hormonal acne (usually around my period).
TULA So Poreless Deep Exfoliating Blackhead Scrub - this is an exfoliating scrub that I use about 2x/a week. I love exfoliating my face - I feel like a layer of gross skin/gunk comes off, and my face feels so lovely after this!
LIFE LATELY:
I started teaching at Belmont University last month! I’m teaching their PR department's first-ever Influencer Relations class! The class is all about influencer marketing — ways brands engage with influencers, types and tiers of influencers, how to develop influencer campaigns + programs, how influencer marketing aligns with larger brand goals, etc. It’s been a lot of work to develop a course from scratch and navigate teaching in-person twice/week, but overall, it’s been really rewarding and enjoyable so far. 👩🏼🏫
We recently threw a joint fairy-themed birthday party for Lucy 6th birthday and Winnie’s 4th birthday and it was so sweet and fun! 🧚🏻♀️🍄
I feel like I’m either traveling back-to-back or not going anywhere. After not traveling since NYC in November and Ohio after Christmas, I have three weekends in a row of travel coming up! E and I are going to San Diego next weekend for a wedding and the weekend after that I’m going to New Orleans (first timer!) for a girls’ weekend. So excited about quality time on both weekends! After that, we’re going to the Cayman Islands for spring break.
I recently made this sensory ‘calm down basket’ for the girls when they need some extra space, help to calm and regulate their emotions, and/or a sensory break. It hasn’t been a magical cure-all (obviously), but it’s really provided a great outlet for our girls when they need it!
CODES & DISCOUNTS
BETTER DAYS - use code LUCKYANDI for 10% off
CADENCE - use code LUCKYANDI10OFF for 10% off
CHATBOOKS - use code LUCKYANDI20 for 20% off!
EIZZY BABY - use code ANDI25 for 25% off
HIYA VITAMINS - use this link for $15 first order + free shipping
NUULY - use this link for $10 off your first order!
SHOP LUCKY COLLECTIVE (my Moroccan textile shop!) - use code LUCKYANDI for 10% off!
PAST NEWSLETTERS
No. 20 - Life Lately & On Feeling Rejected + Left Out (October 2023)
No. 19 - The Back to School Issue (August 2023)
No. 18 - Life Lately & On Being Outside of Your Comfort Zone (July 2023)
No. 17 - Life Lately & On Prioritizing Joy (May 2023)
No. 16 - Life Lately & On Feeling Vulnerable (March 2023)
No. 15 - Life Lately & A Personal Question (January 2023)
No. 13 - September 2022 (The Travel Issue)