As a makeup artist, I’m always on the lookout for affordable and effective skin-care products that will help me look my best. This March, I spent about $250 on new skin-care items, including some old favorites and some new products I was excited to try.
First off, I repurchased The Inkey List salicylic acid cleanser, which has been a staple in my routine for about a year now. This affordable, cheerful product has never failed my acne-prone skin, and I’ve put all my family members on it at this point. The salicylic acid cleanser keeps my acne at bay, helps with my overall skin tone and texture, and is definitely worth the $15.50.
Another old favorite of mine is the Fenty Fat Water Hydrating Milky toner essence, which I originally received as a gift and was skeptical about because of all the hype. However, I loved it so much that I had to repurchase it this month. This incredibly hydrating and nourishing toner makes my skin look radiant and is a product that kills multiple birds with one stone. At $44, it may be slightly on the pricier side, but it’s definitely worth it.
While I loved the Fenty toner, I wasn’t as impressed with the Peace Out acne-healing dots, which I bought for $42. While these patches might handle whiteheads that pop up before you need to go somewhere important, they’re just okay in my opinion. They are a little pricey for me, and I think there are cheaper pimple patches that do the same thing.
On the other hand, I absolutely adored the Hada Labo Gokujyun premium lotion, which I bought for $23. This Japanese skin-care secret gave me triple the amount of hyaluronic acid that the average product gives for the same price, and I had no issues with stickiness or pilling. The Hada Labo lotion added luminosity and hydration to my skin and was a major key in fading my hyperpigmentation, which allowed me to wear less makeup.
In terms of eye cream, I was recommended Kiehl’s Creamy eye treatment with avocado by a makeup mentor of mine. This rich, creamy, and hydrating eye cream was a game changer for preventing under-eye creasing, and a little goes a long way, so the $47 price tag is definitely worth it.
As someone with oily, combination skin, finding a hydrating moisturizer that doesn’t clog my pores has been a challenge. However, I finally found the solution in Youth to the People Superfood air-whip moisture cream with hyaluronic acid, which I bought for $63. Although this moisturizer is on the pricier side, it’s lightweight and hydrating and has a lovely smell. My skin has been better for it, so it’s definitely worth the splurge.
Another product that has helped me achieve glowy, radiant looks is the Ren Clean Skincare glycol lactic radiance renewal mask, which I bought for $76. This flash facial in a bottle has been my secret weapon before any event where I need to look my best, and it’s definitely worth the price tag. All you need is one pump and it will give you a gorgeous glow that everyone will compliment.
Lastly, I tried The Inkey List oat cleansing balm for $15.50 but didn’t love it. Although it’s more affordable than other makeup cleansing balms, I’m not a big fan of the texture, the way it leaves my face feeling, or the fact that it needs to be applied to wet skin. If you wear a lot of makeup, it’s not worth the hassle.
Overall, these are my honest opinions about the skin-care items I bought in March. While some were worth it and some were not, every person’s skin is different, so it’s important to find what works for you.
