Winter Skincare Routine

In the dry winter air, it’s imperative that your skincare routine changes to adjust to the weather. I still use a lot of the same products that I did in the summer, but I’ve introduced a few new ones as well! Follow along for a full breakdown of my winter skincare routine; your skin will thank you later! 

 In the morning…

Instead of doing a full cleanse of my face, I usually just rinse my face with water (to prevent over-washing), or swipe my face with Avene Cleansing Lotion (bought in Paris). On days that my skin is acting up, I use a cotton pad soaked with my tried and true Glossier Solution to clear my pores. When I ran out of my first bottle of this, I immediately noticed a difference, so it’s safe to say I swear by this stuff!

If you think of your skin as a sponge, it’s not going to absorb anything if it’s dry. You gotta make sure it’s moist and plump before layering on your products! To do this, I either spray Dr. G Hydra Intensive Mist or moisten my skin with The Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics to start with a hydrated base. I follow up with The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5 serum, and every now and then, I activate the circulation of my skin with a cold jade roller. This drains your skin of unwanted fluid and gives the skin a perfect glow.

If my under eyes need extra hydration, I love the Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment and SkinCeuticals Eye Balm. To moisturize my face, I use my Glow Recipe Watermelon Moisturizer for a lighter base, but if my skin is really dry, I use my favourite Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask under my makeup. To protect my skin from the sun in the winter, I use the Huxley Stay Sun Safe SPF 50, and it works great! It’s not too thick, and doesn’t smell horrible, either.

To prime my face before makeup, I either use the Benefit Porefessional or The Ordinary Silicone Primer. Both work wonders!

To summarize…

1. Cleanse/refine

2. Tone with chemical exfoliant

3. Moisten skin with mist or essence before serums

4. Apply serum(s)

5. Eye cream

6. Moisturize face

7. SPF

8. Makeup primer (if needed)

At night…

In the evening, I use the Face Shop Rice Water Oil Cleanser to do my initial makeup removal, then, I fully cleanse with the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser - hands down one of my favourite cleansers! To do this, I more often than not use my Luna Mini Facial Cleanser to exfoliate and make sure I circulate the blood in my system and get all my makeup off. On days when I need extra exfoliation, I’ve been loving the Summer Fridays Overtime Mask. And it doesn’t hurt that it smells like beautiful pumpkins, either! Lastly, I swipe a cotton pad with Garnier Micellar Water to make sure it’s all off.

Next, I hydrate my skin with my fave Dr. G Hydra Intensive Mist followed by The Ordinary Buffet serum, then the best/most affordable multi-vitamin-for-your-skin oil, The Ordinary “B” Oil. On nights I want a more intense retinoid, I enjoy using my Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil! To seal all the moisture in, I use my favourite Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask (if you still haven’t bought this, I’m already on my 3rd tube because I use it twice a day… just saying). If I’m feeling super fancy, I’ll use the Laneige Lavender Sleeping Mask on top! And you better believe my lips are saved with the Laneige Sleeping Lip Mask or Glossier Balm Dot Com.

To summarize…

1. Oil cleanse to remove makeup

2. Gel/water based cleanser

3. Exfoliate if necessary

4. Micellar water or toner to remove ALL residue

5. Moisten skin with mist or essence before serums

6. Apply serum(s)/treatments

7. Facial oils/sheet masks

8. Eye cream

9. Moisturizer/sleeping masks or both

10. Lip masks… followed by an extra spritz of mist if you’re feeling luxurious :)

For the body…

To avoid dry skin, you can’t forget about your body! I try to dry brush my skin (as painful as it is) at least 4 times a week. To wash my skin, I’m obsessed with the Glossier Body Hero Shower Oil. To exfoliate, I loooove the Herbivore Coco Rose Body Polish, but the Trader Joe’s Lavender Body Scrub is basically a dupe! Post-shower, I follow up with either the Huxley Moroccan Gardener Body Oil or Glossier Body Hero Lotion. Both divine!

What are your tried and true winter staples?! I’m always looking for new faves, so leave them in the comments below!

xo

Linnea

Euro Essentials

Ok, ok, I know I’ve been talking about Europe a liiiittle bit too much lately, but I can’t really help myself - I’m too excited! I feel extremely lucky to be able to cross off so many places and things from my bucket list over the last two years... they really have been my most amazing years yet. I’m clearly addicted - and this travel bug is never ever going to go away. But I’m A-OKAY with that.

So for Europe… I’m travelling to three different cities: Milan, Paris and Stockholm, which just so happen to be the fashion capitals of Europe!! Not to mention all pretty different climates, so how could I NOT pack my entire closet?! Well let me tell you, it was tough. Very, very tough. And I know I’ve talked about my travel essentials before, but I’ve narrowed down my absolute euro must haves for this trip - outfits, shoes, accessories, skincare and all. Let’s dive in, shall we?

1. Blazers - I’ll take one in every colour, please. And yes, I’m literally bringing 3.

2. Dad Shoes - Because a girl’s gotta be able to walk all over the city (and look cute doing so). I’m so happy that man-repelling dad shoes are IN… and no I don’t care if my entire wardrobe repels men. If you get it, you get me.

3. Fanny Pack - For all the gypsies comin’ at me. Lol. But really, could it be any more perfect to have fannies come back in style on my way to Europe?

4. Tortoise Shades - Because what’s an outfit without them?

5. Pleated Skirt - The most versatile piece I’ll be bringing with me. It can be styled with sneakers, heels, booties, a blazer, a cozy jacket, a bodysuit, a tee… literally everythinggg.

6. Teddy Bear Coat - For those cozy rainy Parisian days... or days out in the countryside of Sweden.

7. Sock Booties - To pair with almost every outfit. They’re one of my favourite fall staples for sure.

8. Summer Fridays Overtime Mask - A PSL in a mask… that gives you a face like a baby’s bottom. Mmmhmm.

9. Laneige Lavender Sleeping Mask - Fluffy, soft moisturizing clouds that literally give you sweet lavender dreams - and a plump, moisturized face in the morning!

10. Ouai Wave Spray - With shorter hair, it’s the only ouai.

11. Lanege Sleeping Lip Mask - Bomb. Dot. Com. Loved the Berry, and the Apple Lime is my new fave. I’m def buying the other scents too because this product is just that good!

Where are you off to next?! Let me know below.

xo

Linnea

Vacation Must Haves

July has arrived, meaning I'm finally sun bathing in Mexico! I've been dying for this vacation, especially because we've been so sunshine/heat deprived in Vancouver this year. While I prepped for my trip, I thought I'd round up a bunch of my Mexico essentials - outfits, skincare, accessories and all!

Swim Tank | Swim Bottoms | Printed Headwrap | JORD Wooden Cassia Watch | Gingham Dress with Knot | Gingham Jumpsuit | Denim Jumper | Crop Top

Outfits & Swimwear

I'm going for a very relaxed vibe on this vacay; lots of crop tops with culottes, summer dresses, denim, and of course, linen. I can't live without jumpsuits, skirts, shorts or bodysuits, so you better believe my luggage is full of them! As for swimwear, I'm still loving high cut one pieces, as well as bandeaus for optimal tanning, and some tank styles. 

Accessories & Skincare

For accessories, I packed tons of sunnies and hats and straw bags - because switching up your accessories can transform your whole outfit! For skincare, first and foremost, Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask is number one, followed by my new Dewy Sunscreen Spray... you guys, this stuff is amazing! Its SPF 50 and it gives you the nicest glow to set your makeup. It will definitely be empty by the time I return. I'll also be using lots of Balm Dot Com, and my favourite Sleeping Lip Mask by Laneige.

Jet Lag Mask | Glossier Balm Dotcom | Cateye Sunglasses | Sleeping Lip Mask | JM Solution SPF Glow Spray | Bamboo Clutch | Straw Hat | Slingback Espadrilles | Star Sneakers | Rattan Round Crossbody | Black Basket Tote

I may be a tad bit of an over-packer, but when else do I get to wear all my clothes lol. A vacation is the optimal time. Anyway, time to work on my tan. See you in a week, friends!

xo

Linnea

Summer Skincare Routine

Skin. It's been a big part of my life these last few years, and I'd pick skincare over makeup any day. Now that I've pretty much become a skincare junkie, here's my tried and true skincare routine, morning to night. And lucky for you, I've linked all the products I can find, so you can easily shop my routine.

AM Routine

In the morning, my routine varies depending on the products or masks I used the night before. If I used a hydrating sleeping mask (which I usually do), then I just do a simple water rinse. If I have various products on my skin that aren't safe for the sun, I'll do a gentle wash with Paula's Choice Moisture Boost One-Step Cleanser or the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser with a Konjac Cleansing Sponge. Don't waste much money on these - Miniso has them for like $2! Next, I'll tone my skin with Glossier Solution. Absolutely love this stuff.

This is where my routine changes, based on what my skin needs that day. If my skin is calm, I opt for hydration, always. I've mentioned these before, but my go-to hydrators are The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5, followed by The Buffet. If I'm breaking out a little, I use Niacinamide + Zinc, and if I need some brightening, I'll use Glossier Super Glow.

After serums, it's time for moisturizer. And again, Miss indecisive changes it up everyday, but I use either the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with SPF, or the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer (amazing), followed by the Glossier Invisible Shield (which is a clear SPF 35 gel without flashback, but is only available in the states, fyi). It changes depending on my mood, but don't ever skip SPF! I can't stress enough how important it is.

To hydrate under my eyes, I switch between the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream and the Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream. In my opinion, the CeraVe is a very close dupe to DE, just not as creamy, and waaay more affordable. To prime my skin, I use the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask (yes, it works as a makeup primer AND quick mask AND sleeping mask AND moisturizer - highly recommend on all accounts) or The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer. Et voila, my skin is ready for makeup application! Yes, it's a lotta steps, but I'm so used to it now that it takes no time.

PM Routine

To wash off the day, I use The Face Shop's Gentle Oil Cleanser to get all my makeup off (without water). Then I do a double cleanse with the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser and pat my skin dry. If I feel like I need to exfoliate (which I do 2-3 times a week), I'll use the Face Shop's Smart Peeling Cleanser, which literally peels your dead skin off - it's so satisfying to use! 

To tone my skin, I'm currently using the Rose Water Spray from Trader Joe's, and it's actually so good. I think it was like $3. I'll follow that with one of the serums I mentioned above, then some sort of hydration. For anti-aging purposes, I like the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil as well as The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalene. If I need more hydration, I use either the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask or the Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask. If you love the smell of watermelon and Korean skincare, you'll love Glow Recipe. Use this link for 15% off your entire purchase!

For eye cream, I use one of the two I mentioned above, then smother my lips with the Laneige Sleeping Lip Mask - it's by far my favourite lip product (next to Glossier Balm Dotcom). After that, I'll make myself a cup of tea, do some reading, then head to bed for a good night's sleep. 

What are your go to summer skincare secrets? Leave them in the comments below!

xo

Linnea

Current Skincare Favourites

It's no secret that I'm getting older...I mean, who isn't? And with that in mind, 2018 is the year that I'm putting myself first in all aspects of my life. Sounds a little selfish, but if i'm gonna do it, now's the time. In doing so, I'm making my health, nutrition, and beauty from within more of a priority. Skincare goes hand in hand with that, and I have quite a few favourites to share.

First off, let's just say one word. Serums. Oh my goodness, these bad boys are changing the game. I used to use some higher-end drugstore serums that made my skin feel nice and made my makeup application super duper smooth, but I never looked at the ingredients... I was all about the price. Since then, I've experimented a bit with different serums for various issues/benefits, and let me tell you, I am obsessed. They are one of the best inventions ever. Especially when you apply them with your refrigerated jade roller...game changer.

Without further ado, here's a roundup of my absolute faves:

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil: This is a little of a splurge, but this retinoid is everything. Not only is the bottle amazing to look at, but the potion inside is magic, and I love the smell, too! The chamomile essential oil in this seriously makes me sleep like a baby.

Glossier Super Pack: Glossier's a brand that's doing big things in the skincare industry, and their packaging gets me every time. For tired, dull skin, use Super Glow. For breakouts, use Super Pure, and for dehydration (aka hangovers), use Super Bounce. These small but powerful serums really do work, and I love them, but I've found that they're almost identical to The Ordinary's products, so if you're on a budget, buy those instead!

The Ordinary, everyfreakin'thing: I use A LOT of products from the Ordinary, and I love everything about them. They're Canadian, have perfect minimal packaging, AND they're all silicone-free, alcohol-free and cruelty-free. But my favourites are the Hyaluronic Acid + B5 for instant hydration, as well as Niaciminide + Zinc for blemishes and redness (these are equivalent to the Super Bounce and Super Pure, above). I also love using The Buffet as a daily "anti-aging" multivitamin for my skin, as well as the Granactive Retinoid 5% in squalene, which is similar to the Sunday Riley Sleeping Oil (without the nice smell and at a much cheaper price).

Jade Roller: Besides the fact that serums are amazing on their own, I've grown to love applying them with my jade roller. It's a super affordable tool that you can put in the fridge for the next time you feel puffy. The feeling you get when you apply your serum with the cooled jade is incredible! Seriously, try it.

Thayers Witch Hazel Lavender Toner: I've been using this toner for a while now, and it's great for calming and purifying the skin before serum application. Plus, it's lavender, so bonussss! 

What are your go to skincare items? I'd love to know if you have any favourite invisible SPF's! 

xo                                                                                                                                                  Linnea