My Morning Routine - T.A. Nieman

*Blog cover photo credit: Picture by Duncan Lauer*

Hello again friends!

Originally, I was going to do one post with both my AM and PM skin cleansing routine. But the last blog post was so long, I wanted to give you guys a shorter version. So, in this blog I'm going to cover my morning routine.

One of the things that a lot of companies may forget to tell you is that your face routine doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, sometimes it's best if you limit the amount of products you put on your face. Some things will help, while others just pile up on your skin and can cause break outs.

What I want to show you guys are the essentials of face cleansing in the morning. It's not a lot of product, but each of them have their extraordinary uses.

Let's start with the obvious: Cleanser.

Now, there are cleansers for days in any store. The ones that I recommend are light scrubs. What this does is help to eliminate any dead skin or build up on your face, creating a fresh/clean palette to begin your day (and allow the subsequent products to really soak in).

There are two that I recommend, but it's all in your preference. As with the other blog, let's talk high end vs affordable.

High End: Almost sorry to admit this, but the best daily scrub I've found is from Kylie Cosmetics. Her Walnut Face Scrub is simply amazing! It is gentle on the skin, but gets off all the gunk built up over night:



You do not need very much, as it really will go far:




Though it is expensive, it is worth the price.

Now, if you don't want to spend the extra money, or simply don't like her cosmetic line, I will also use:



This is also the cleanser I will use in my PM routine. It is gentle and safe for daily use, with all kinds of additives in it for extraordinary care for your skin. Which is what it's all about!

TIP: When drying your face after washing, pat dry. Do not scrub! If you exfoliate your skin too much, you run the risk of getting rid of the natural oils and protectants that your skin has. Be gentle!

Next is a facial mist. I provided some tips on how to use facial mists in your makeup routine in my previous blog, but let's discuss how best to use it in the morning face wash routine.

Facial mists, depending on what they have in them, is a great next step after your face is cleaned and dried. Anyone will tell you that after your skin has been washed and dried, it loses some of the natural oils it desperately needs. Facial mists can help to restore some of what is missing. And because most of them are light, they don't add a lot of extra gunk to the face.

My current favorite is an affordable one (and a brand I simply love):



I could do an entire blog on why the Hemp products are so good for your skin (let me know if you'd like that!), but I'll shorten it here to say it has redness reducing within the spray. Additionally, this is a calming influence on your skin and helps to reduce any kind of irritation or inflammation.

Now, even if you don't want to use the Hemp product line, be sure to find a facial mist that has rosewater in it. Not only does it smell amazing, but rosewater helps to maintain the skin's pH balance and helps to control excess oil. Oily people have found an ally! But it helps to hydrate dry skin also. It's one of those things that I never skimp on when washing my face.

Once the facial mist is on, then it's time to put a light serum on your face. Nothing too heavy, especially if you plan to put makeup on. But even if you are staying makeup free, you don't want something heavy sitting on your skin all day long. This usually means something doesn't work with your skin. Finding the right serum may be trial and error, as everyone's skin is different.

The one that I enjoy the most is Ponds - Skin Tightening Serum:



For aging skin it's important to have a skin tightener. But not all of them worked for me. Took me some time to find this, honestly. There is one other that I love the most, but it's harder to find (though still affordable when available on Amazon):

L'Oreal Paris Youth Code Serum Intense For All Skin Types (Not pictured, as I am currently out).

When you can find it, I highly recommend it. One pump and you'll swear by it.

TIP: Did you know that Lancome and L'Oreal Paris are owned by the same company? Did you also know that L'Oreal has an affordable version for almost everything that Lancome has? Enjoy that piece of information!


Last, but most definitely not least, moisturizer! Now, if you are like me and either are crazy oily in the T-zone (or oily all over, really), or like your makeup to stay on instead of melting off due to humidity, then you need something that will manage moisture. You need the benefit of the moisture, without everything turning into what fast food restaurants put their fries into...



So, come in Formula 10.0.6! This was a random purchase originally at Ulta, back when I had just moved to North Carolina and was desperate to stop the melting off of the makeup. And what a find! This has aloe and bamboo in it, so the moisture is rocking, but it also dries down to a matte finish; which leaves your skin oil proof on it's own.

The good thing is that it works on it's own, but flourishes under makeup. (Refer to anti-humidity blog; insert Formula 10.0.6!) You don't need much, but make it a pea size amount to ensure that you can cover your face (do not put it on your eyes!):



Formula 10.0.6 also has a wonderful sun tan lotion (that I am currently out of) that I love. I'm using a generic right now, and I'm not a fan. But look at Ulta and the options this company has. You won't regret it.

The result? You end up with soft, clean and moisturized skin for the rest of the day. As normal daily toxins and atmospheric whatever start coming into your skin, you'll notice it feels bad by evening. Which is why the next blog will cover your PM routine.

Don't scrimp on the face wash steps, my friends. When you are 60 and your face is looking 40, you'll be happy you did it.

Until next time! Have a wonderful day!