These are all the beauty products HG’s Editorial Director wears, because you needed to know

By Gina vaynshteyn

January 19, 2017

By Gina vaynshteyn

January 19, 2017

We’re starting a new series called The Beauty Files, where HelloGiggles editors and contributors share what exactly they put on their faces, and why. We want to take you on this voyeuristic journey because we believe makeup means something different for every single person — applying makeup is a conscious, intimate decision we make almost every single day, and there’s usually a method behind the madness. Join us every week as we spill the beans on beauty products, and feel free to submit your own Beauty File. E-mail us at [email protected]!

I am probably way too addicted to beauty products. Scratch that. I am probably way too addicted to PURCHASING beauty products. The feeling of virtually or IRL adding tubes and tubs with descriptions that promise to change my life and face and skin and lips forever satiates something I can’t quite put a finger on, but once I get those products in the mail, or unpack that familiar black and white striped bag, I’m kind of like, oh okay cool, and plop them on top of all the other products I’ve purchased that month.

But in the last half year, I’ve tried to be more cognizant of my purchases and make sure to actually use them. I savor them now, and really appreciate the time we have together! As a result of this new found prudence, I’ve mastered a skincare and beauty routine, which is something I never thought I would possess, or blog about. But here we are, and here’s how it goes.

Morning: 7:30 a.m.

About eight months ago, I had an enlightening phone call with Alicia Yoon, the founder of Peach and Lily (an online haven for Korean beauty product lovers). I learned that I basically needed to be using a thousand more products on my face if I wanted the elastic, even-toned, hydrated skin of a girl child. Instead of washing my face with whatever cleanser promised to keep acne at bay (it usually didn’t) and then immediately piling on makeup (cringe), I started to use gentler, and yes, more expensive products. In fact, I created a skincare routine, which is the most adult thing I’ve ever done with my life.

First, I use Mizon’s Egg White Bubble Cleanser ($12.87). It’s extremely mild, and it doesn’t strip my skin of all oil. It leaves it clean, yet leaves behind some moisture.

Next, I use Mario Badescu’s Aloe Vera Toner ($15), which makes my skin feel soft and gets rid of any redness. If you have sensitive or dry/combo skin, I highly recommend this toner!

On top of that, I pile on a serum. Today it’s Tosowoong’s green tea brightening goop ($21), which makes my skin feel awesome and look more even-toned.

Lastly, I apply La Roche-Posay moisturizer with SPF ($34). I live in L.A., aka the city of sunburn, so sunscreen and products that contain sunscreen are a must.

Still morning, running late, etc: 9 a.m.

By this point in the day, I’ve washed and moisturized my face, eaten a bowl of oatmeal, and drank a mug of coffee while checking my work inbox, assigning out stories, and scoping out what we’re covering on HelloGiggles that day. BUT, before I head downtown to our office, I scribble some makeups on my face. Because it makes me feel good and excited for the day. Isn’t that how something you love is supposed to make you feel?

For foundation, I use Make Up Forever Mat Velvet (during the summer and fall, I swap out with a more translucent, dewy BB cream) in “Ivory.” You can snag one at Sephora for $39 and I promise you it will last forever. I love this foundation because it’s creamy, not overly-drying, and really does the job. I don’t even use concealer when I’m breaking out, because the coverage is so awesome.

I dust some finishing powder (also Make Up Forever in “Golden Ivory,” $36) to matte-ify my face.

And then I undo that matte finish, because duh, with Glossier’s Haloscope highlighter in “Quartz” ($22), which I smear right under my brows, and on my temples and cheekbones to make me look dewy, but not oily. TRICKY STUFF, let me tell you.

I just got Urban Decay’s Naked Palette 2 ($54) for Hanukkah, so I’ve been using any occasion as an excuse to paint on some shadow. Lately I’ve been going with a shimmery beige — either “Half Baked” or “Suspect.” I pick the latter today.

Next, I draw a thin, jet black cat eye. In middle school, I used to light a match to my black Wet ‘n Wild eyeliner pencil because when you’re a wannabe emo, you can never have too much black eyeliner. Anyway, Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner in Trooper ($20) gives you that same inky, blackest-of-black look (without burning your eyelids).

Next up is Smith and Cult’s Lash Dance mascara ($28), which makes it look like I’m wearing falsies.

I give my brows some L-U-V with Anastasia’s Brow Powder Duo ($23), which naturally fills them in and accentuates my arches.

Last but not least, I paint some Benefit Benetint Cheek and Lip Stain ($30) on my cheeks and rush out the door!

Post-lunchtime: 2:45 p.m.

This is the most lethargic part of the day. Mostly because I’ve eaten too much bread, and also just because it’s mid-day and probably something in our brain is wondering why we’re not napping somewhere soft. The best pick-me-up besides Dunkin? MAKEUP, THAT’S RIGHT.

I forgot to put on some lipstick this morning, so after eating Indian food for lunch, I first apply some Burt’s Bee’s ($5.49 for a two-pack), and then my favorite lip product of 2016, and possibly all of time: Too Faced’s Limited Edition Candy Cane liquid lipstick ($21). It’s the perfect red-pink and it smells (and tastes, oops) like Peppermint Mocha.

By this point, my face is getting a little too shiny and blotchy for comfort, so I dab some Clinique Stay-Matte Universal Blotting Powder ($26.50) on my nose, chin, and forehead, areas that have given up on my carefully put together dewy-but-not-greasy look. And then I notice the skin under my eyes is maybe a shade bluer than it was this morning (probably because I’ve been ogling my laptop screen for the last eight hours), so I powder that, too. What would we do without modern-day makeup? Look really sleepy, I guess.

It’s-ah-me! All freshened up and ready to party SNACK.

After-work workout: 6:30 p.m.

Working out with foundation on just seems wrong, so I usually wipe off all my makeup with this Célavi cleansing wipe ($7.99) that doesn’t QUITE smell like apricot, but it also isn’t drying. Also, it does the job, and it’s cheap. The gym is the one place where I never have to think about Google Analytics, or emails, or Twitter anxiety because I am TOO BUSY feeling like I’m going to throw up on the elliptical!

Evening: 9 p.m.

It’s been a LONG day, and I’ve probably thought-spiraled, doubted myself, and wished I was a completely different human woman at least a thousand times. (You feel me, right?) The only thing I can think of that can break the anxiety spell and give me the chance to feel whole again is this pink champagne-hued mask (Original Skin Rose Clay Retexturing mask by Origins, $26). And maybe some actual champagne, but first thing’s first.

Whenever I use this product, I usually leave it on for a half-hour (in the meantime, I watch The Crown or read — today I’m finishing up The Wangs vs. World, which reminds me of my immigrant parents who I miss. I very much recommend!), and then when I wash off the clay, I use the grainy-ness to exfoliate my face. It makes it so unbelievably soft and renewed. Mental health-wise, I feel calmer, and ready to put the day to rest.

Bedtime: 11:30 p.m.

After washing my face with my Egg White Bubble cleanser and applying toner, I use Bare Mineral’s SkinLongevity serum ($48) and Tatcha’s Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream ($185) mostly because I’m vain and fear death, and also because this stuff smells GREAT.