Why You Deserve A Night Routine

The Story Behind IT Cosmetics

Hello! It’s your skincare obsessed bestie. Thanks for inviting me to drop by, and I can’t wait to start sharing my recs with you. Here is what you can expect from me this week.

  • ICYMI: News, trends, and things to chat about over brunch

  • WAY TO GLO: Authentic skincare tips

  • GLO ABOVE & BEYOND: Business stories in beauty

  • GLOSSIP: Sales events you won’t want to miss

ICYMI

WAY TO GLO!

At the end of a busy day, how do you find your way to your sweet bed?

For some of us, bedtime is promptly after binging a season of The Witcher or after reading a few chapters of a mind-bending sci-fi novel. Perhaps, for some, it’s just an anticlimactic flop. For me, my nighttime wind down always starts with my skincare routine.

The Art of Winding Down

A night routine is not just about hitting the snooze button or scrolling through your social media feed until your eyes droop shut. It's a deliberate practice that involves taking intentional steps to unwind and signal to your body that it's time to transition from the activities of the day to a restful night's sleep. This transition is crucial for mental and physical rejuvenation, helping you wake up feeling more refreshed and energized the next morning.

Skin Care: More Than Skin Deep

One often overlooked aspect of a night routine is its potential to nurture and maintain healthy skin. Throughout the day, our skin is exposed to various environmental stressors, such as pollution, UV rays, and makeup. A night routine provides an opportunity to cleanse, nourish, and repair your skin, aiding its natural healing processes while you sleep. This helps prevent issues like breakouts, premature aging, and dullness.

Setting a Specific Time: The Magic of Consistency

When it comes to night routines, consistency is key. Setting a specific time for your nightly rituals helps regulate your body's internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm. This rhythm influences your sleep-wake cycle and affects various bodily functions, including skin repair and regeneration. By adhering to a consistent routine, you give your body ample time to execute these processes effectively.

A Dermatologist-Recommended Night Routine

1. Cleansing: Begin by removing any makeup, sunscreen, or dirt that has accumulated on your skin throughout the day. Use a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type to avoid stripping away essential oils.

Currently, I am using Bioderma’s micellar water when I don’t have makeup on, and the Farmacy Natural Makeup Remover when I do. For cleanser, I have been using the Cerave Renewing SA Cleaner.

2. Toning: Apply a hydrating and pH-balancing toner to prepare your skin for the upcoming treatments. This step helps to restore your skin's natural pH and improve absorption.

My skin has been a little unstable since I moved to a high pollen area, so I have been using the Albion Skin Conditioner to calm it down. 

3. Treatment: If you have specific skin concerns, such as acne or signs of aging, apply a targeted treatment recommended by your dermatologist. This could be a retinol serum, hyaluronic acid, or any other treatment that addresses your skin's needs.

I am currently trying to work on evening and brightening my skin tone. So I am working through this bottle of SK II Genoptics Aura Essence.

4. Moisturizing: Lock in hydration with a suitable night cream or moisturizer. This step replenishes your skin's moisture barrier, promoting a healthy complexion.

I have been loving the Lierac Hydragenist Moisturizing cream I got from my trip to Paris. It’s light and refreshing, perfect for the summer months.

5. Eye Cream: Gently tap on an eye cream to address under-eye puffiness and dark circles. The skin around your eyes is delicate and deserves specialized care.

Shieido’s Benefiance wrinkle soothing eye cream will always have a spot on my vanity.

6. Lip Care: Don't forget your lips! Apply a nourishing lip balm to prevent chapping and keep your lips soft.

I am still working through my jar of Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.

7. Relaxation: Engage in calming activities that help you wind down, such as reading, meditating, or listening to soothing music. These activities signal to your body that it's time to relax and prepare for sleep.

I always cap my night with a bit of fiction. Right now I am halfway through Book Lovers.

Remember, a night routine is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Customize it to your preferences and skin needs, and be patient with the results. Over time, you'll likely notice not only an improvement in your skin's health but also a more peaceful and restful night's sleep. So, take a step back from the business of life, pamper your skin, and embrace the tranquility of a well-crafted night routine. Your body—and your skin—will thank you for it.

Like this stuff? It would mean the world to me if you can share with your friends and family! Your support is the best kind of motivation 😃 😃 😃 😃

GLO ABOVE & BEYOND

This week, I want to talk about an amazing woman and the impressive empire she built over the course of a decade.

Jamie Kern Lima's journey unfolds like a contemporary fairy tale, one that saw her transition from a local news anchor in Studio City, California, grappling with the challenges of makeup under HD lenses, to becoming the visionary force behind a wildly successful makeup enterprise acquired by L’Oréal for a staggering $1.2 billion in 2016. Despite achieving remarkable success and uncovering her true passion within a mere eight years, Lima's path was strewn with numerous obstacles.

In 2008, Lima, then a news anchor, grappled with the demanding routine of prepping for live morning segments. The harsh glare of early morning lights and unyielding HD cameras necessitated impeccable makeup that both looked and felt perfect. Hereditary rosacea and sparse eyebrows prompted her to scour the market, futilely seeking products that would meet these demands. A pursuit that inspired her to create a makeup line centered not on artistry, but on addressing the real challenges women faced in makeup application. Lima's transformative journey commenced with drafting a business plan on her honeymoon flight, forming the bedrock of Innovative Technology Cosmetics.

The breakout product that thrust It Cosmetics into the spotlight was the Bye Bye Under Eye concealer. Lima's presentation of the concealer on QVC in 2010 led to a rapid sellout, its versatility resonating with customers. What set Lima apart was her candid approach, showcasing her products on individuals of all ages, including herself, without makeup, thereby highlighting her solutions' effectiveness. This authenticity resonated profoundly, propelling It Cosmetics into a beloved beauty brand on QVC. The brand's mission of fostering self-assuredness and authenticity through makeup held sway, driving its success.

Beyond the transformative products, Lima's genuine connection with her audience and her brand's mission became pivotal to her success. Her genuine devotion to solving beauty problems and her dedication to authenticity struck a chord with consumers. The It Cosmetics range features several cult products, such as the Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream, which combines makeup with skincare, a testament to Lima's commitment to holistic solutions. Although priced above drugstore ranges, the products garnered a dedicated following willing to invest in their efficacy. Lima's journey, marked by passion, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to authenticity, led to the creation of a billion-dollar enterprise and the establishment of an enduring beauty brand that truly resonates across generations.

In 2019, three years following the L’Oreal acquisition and having contributed to more than doubling the company's revenue, Jamie departed from IT Cosmetics' leadership team. However, her narrative didn't merely conclude there. Driven by her fervor, she authored "Believe IT: How to go from Underestimated to Unstoppable," which soared to the status of a New York Times Bestseller. This year, she is unveiling her latest work, "Worthy: How to Believe You Are and Transform Your Life."

GLOSSIP

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  • SALES EVENTS

    LANCOME 50% off sale via Farfetch  

    OMOROVICZA 50% off sale via Farfetch

    SHISEIDO 20% off sale via Yesstyle

    ORDINARY 20% off sale via ULTA Beauty

That’s it for today friends! Will see you again next week!