Get Unready With WTF Bride - Curated Skincare Products To Try For Brides-To-Be
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WTF Hubby is caught off-guard. Suddenly realizing he is actually marrying someone who is just peachy at home, sprawled on the yellow couch, and listening to sultry jazz snake out of her headphones like fireplace smoke - he is surprised.
He’s used to witnessing my vortex of consecutive meetups, photoshoots and various food events. These events are fun, but the more intense ones often leave me with something to be desired…
Like finding the time to unwind!
Cold-pressed juices of remorse, facials, and long evenings at the spa belong to a time before COVID. At home, the simple act of washing off my makeup and getting unready have become the solid marker of downtime.
Everyone’s skin needs are different, but here is a glimpse into my evening skincare routine.
Cleanse with Banila Co’s Zero Cleansing Balm
This is probably my 8th jar of Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm! The texture of this balm starts off oily, but turns into a milky consistency as soon as it touches water. I usually scoop out a dime-sized amount and massage it into my face, before rinsing it off. I like that it removes makeup without stripping off the natural oils on my face.
2. Double-Cleanse with Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser
Double cleansing is just the fancier way of saying I wash my face twice.
This Purity Cleanser is a simple, no frills cleanser with a cult following. It's gentle and doesn't leave my skin with that dreaded "tight skin feeling", yet does the job in washing off the stubborn gunk that my first cleanser may have missed.
3. Exfoliate Physically or Chemically!
My skin has grown up a lot from the early days of physical scrubs. Remember when the apricot scrubs were actually making micro-cuts in your face?!
That was too steep a price to pay for smooth skin. I only use chemical exfoliants now!
Ringing in at a cool $115 for 35 treatments, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peels are my favourite exfoliants. I use them 1-2 times a week to help with cell turnover.
For a more budget-friendly option, try YEOUTH's Glycolic Acid 30% Gel Peel with Retinol and Green Tea . Yeouth sent me this product to try out and I've been loving it so far! There's a strong possibility that I'll permanently switch over to this peel when I finish the bottle. Hello, affordable smooth skin!
Make sure you read the instructions and do a patch test when trying out a new chemical exfoliant. They're effective, but powerful stuff!
4. Spritz on a Hydration Mist
Hydration mists, like AMOREPACIFIC's Moisture Bound Skin Energy Hydration Mist, are my skincare side-kicks in the summer. They combat hot, sticky skin and instantly cools you down during those dog days of summer.
In the winter, they're an expresso shot for tired looking skin.
Gifted by one of my WTF Bridesmaids, this Kis Met Day Dreamer Spray is my favourite for bedtime. Made from lavender, it's a versatile and relaxing spray that can be used to soothe skin or as a room spray!
5. Apply a Gentle Toner
I passionately hated toners in my early 20s. They were skin criminals, robbing the moisture off my face and turning my skin into a barren desert. No thank you!!!
Then I discovered GENTLE Korean toners, like this Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner. Instead of drying out my skin, they add moisture while removing skin impurities.
They changed the toner game for me :)
6. Brace Yourself for Snail Slime
"Think about it: out of all the land creatures, snails have crazy moist skin."
-WTF Hubby
When I first started using COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence , WTF Hubby would go around asking people who else used this stuff. He found a mucin believer at one of his badminton games, proving that it wasn't as uncommon as he had orginally thought - hah!
Snail mucin sounds like a disgusting skin trend, BUT IT WORKS! It's soothing and doesn't aggravate your skin when you put it on after a chemical exfoliant.
I put 3 pumps onto my hand and smooth it over my skin. There's no odour. It's a bit slimy in texture, but it really hydrates and plumps the skin. I'm on my 5th bottle, so I obviously got over the slimy texture.
7. Apply a Serum
Does anyone else find the packaging for Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Capsule Night Serum gorgeous?!
I have the retinol version of this serum, which comes in a beautiful rose colour. I like that the serum is "portion-sized" and instantly smooths out the skin upon application. It reminds me of the texture of my everyday skinscreen, SuperGoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40!
I'm careful not to use this serum on the days when I've done a chemical peel.
8. Slather on a Moisturizer
I alternate between two moisturizers: AMOREPACIFIC The Essential Creme Fluid and Chanel Le Lift Creme.
The Essential Creme Fluid is my absolute favourite for day or night. I love the light, yet moisturizing formula!
The Chanel Le Lift Creme contains a retinol-like ingredient, so I'm careful to avoid it on the days I've done a peel. It's my basic lazy moisturizer. If I'm too tired to go through a long skincare routine, I'll at least put this on and call it a night.
9. Dab on Eye Cream
MISSHA Misa Gumsul Giyoon Eye Cream is another one of my Korean skincare favourites! Its consistency is on the thicker side, so a tiny bit is all you need. I use it all year round, day and night, and it does a great job moisturizing and brightening my under-eye area.
10. Apply A Pimple-Eraser, If and When Needed
Even though Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin is a complete mouthful to say, it remains one of my skincare staples since my early 20s (the time of hormonal acne - shudder...)
Sulphur is the active, pimple-fighting agent in Out of Trouble. I prefer it over salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide! When my face wants to imitate Mount Vesuvius, I'll use this as a mask and rinse it off after 10 minutes. It's also a great overnight spot treatment.
11. Swipe on a Lip Sleeping Mask
Chapped lips are not cute.
Swipe on this LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask to hydrate lips while you sleep! Don't be fooled by the size of the jar. It'll last you a very long time.
Choose from 8 different flavours, including gummy bear and mint choco!
12. Mask for Extra T.L.C.
Credits: Background photo created by freepik
I'll apply a facial sheet mask once or twice a week, as a treat for my skin. As much as I love sheet masks, they can get expensive!
My absolute favourite sheet mask is the Too Cool For School Egg Cream Mask. It's super moisturizing and completely indulgent!
If you're looking for a cost-effective alternative, try masks that come packaged in tubes or jars.
This might be a Water Sleeping Mask, but I'll slather it on any time my skin is feeling parched. It quickly eradicates dry spots. They don't exist on my face anymore :)
As much as I like to get dolled up and socialize, I also like to soak until the bubbles in the bath fizzle out and indulge in a long skincare routine. 2020 has been an awesome year to come out as a homebody to WTF Hubby.
Would you ever try putting your skincare products on your Hubby, just for funsies? I have… haha!
If you’ve tried any of these products, I would love to hear from you!