Top Tier - The Luxury Facial, Meet Your Newest Obsession

The luxury facial is what I like to call my unapologetic splurge. My shameless obsession. The greatest favor you could ever give yourself and I believe is the personification of self-love. Okay, but on the real its just a bougie af skincare routine that is actually worth the hype. I’m giving you the skinny on what A-list products are worth it and how to maximize your results. And yes, you do have the time in your schedule (I sent a calendar invite, right?).

B E G I N W I T H C L E A N S K I N

• Start by emulsifying everything that is on your face. What I mean by this is to take a cleanser/make-up remover balm and run it over your entire face, effectively loosening up your make-up or any impurities your skin collected throughout the day. I usually do it on completely dry skin—something about it just gives me that good feeling. Totally a personal preference.

  • My Favorites: Drunk Elephant’s Makeup Melting Cleanser Butter, Lancome’s Miel-en-Mousse Makeup Remover with Acacia Honey

  • Currently Using: Biologique Recherche’s Lait VIP O2

• Next up is your cleanser. During my normal skincare routine I’m not as particular when it comes to a cleanser—just something that soothes and removes the rest of impurities on my skin. For the luxury facial, you’ll want to seriously consider what cleanser you’re using. It is the secondary element to ensure your skin is prepped properly and thoroughly cleaned.

  • My Favorites: Obagi-C Vitamin C Cleansing Gel, (MALIN + GOETZ) Grapefruit Face Cleanser

  • Currently Using: Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam

• Optional Step - Exfoliation: when you want all the grime on your skin far far away, scrub that dead skin and your day off.

  • My Favorites: (MALIN + GOETZ) Jojoba Exfoliating Cleanser

  • Currently Using: OLEHENRIKSEN Pore Balance Facial Sauna Scrub

P O T I O N S A N D S W E E T S P O T S

• You’re finally free of pollutants on your skin, but let’s make sure. Grab your toner! This is where the facial really begins—with the magic juice from Biologique Rescherche called Lotion P50 Original “1970”. If you’ve never heard of this, do yourself a favor and give it a search. I heard about this product during a summer internship (shout-out Urban Outfitters). I would often listen in on conversations the women around me were having—needless to say this was a steal. Toners are great for sealing off your clean skin and allows each layer to feel prepped. I love using P50 because over time my skin has become tighter, firmer and more even thanks to this french elixir—I just switched to the P50 PIGM400 formula, as it has been noted to lighten and brighten skin/dark spots.

  • My Favorites: OLEHENRIKSEN Balancing Force Oil Control Toner

  • Currently Using: Lotion P50 PIGM400

• Now comes the layering process—serums. I used to be an avid protester of serums. My skin naturally becomes shiny throughout the day and truthfully I didn’t see how a serum could help. Genuinely I thought my face would be greasier than ever—but damn did I eat my own words. Serums are my newest obsession. These mighty little droppers can work wonders on dull, dry, or irritated skin while replenishing balanced skin with hydrating enzymes. I never go a night without a good retinol, peptide and VitaminC serum. Serums are game changing, period.

  • My Favorites: OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Serum, Flora + Bast Age Adapting CBD Serum

  • Currently Using: The Ordinary “Buffet”, The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

• Before we add deep moisture, let us not forget the eyes. I am a high-functioning and high-strung individual by nature, therefore puffy-eyes, dark circles and dullness are common qualities I see shining through in my complexion. I try to use an eye cream every night, and although I don’t have wrinkles now, I like to use one that has anti-aging compounds (if I can). Otherwise I always go for the fluffy, cloud-like creams or a nice thick gel eye enhancement. Putting your eye cream on before you final moisturizer allows you to give this area of your face a little extra love while sealing in the product benefits with the additional moisture.

  • My Favorites: Mario Badescu Ceramide Eye Gel, Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream

  • Currently Using: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream

M O I S T U R I Z E

• Now its time to douse your face in some well earned moisturizer. For me, there is no better feeling than sealing in all my facial layers with a nice and rich moisturizer. I want those ingredients to stay in my skin as long as possible—locking in moisture for a stronger glow and more refreshed appearance. Depending on what products you use, you may want to go for a thinner or thicker moisturizer. If you did a heavy toner/exfoliate you will want to lean on thicker creams. If you went mild on the serums and didn’t double cleanse you’ll want the thinner one. I find you need to play around with moisturizers and really match one to your routine (basically should add back into your skin whatever is missing).

  • My Favorites: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer, The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer

  • Currently Using: Hanacure Nano Emulsion, Biologique Recherche Creme Placenta

• Now that you have just given your skin a luxury rich overhaul top it off with some rosewater spray and at least six hours of sleep (does anyone sleep anymore?). Again, this is just one of the many combinations you can use throughout your facial process—this is simply where I am right now. Hopefully you can use this road-map to give your face and your self some TLC right now. Trust me, worth every second.

F I N

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