Olay Retinol24 4 Week Trial - RESULTS

This blog post is sponsored by Olay.

Okay friends, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for…

If you follow me on Instagram (which most of you do), you know I have been testing out Olay’s Retinol24 collection over the last 4 weeks to see what the hype is all about. Spoiler alert, this trial is NOT the last time I will be using these products.

The last time I tried retinol products, my skin got extremely irritated. It would turn beet red and start peeling by the morning. It made me feel like I was doing much more harm to my skin than good.

However, I understand the importance of using retinol, especially while I am young for preventative purposes. Retinol is a powerhouse skincare ingredient that targets fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production in the skin. Our skin naturally produces collagen, but it produces less and less as we age. The more collagen we have, the bouncier, tighter, and more radiant our skin is.

Upon doing research before I started this 4-week trial, I discovered that Olay says that 96% of users who have tried these products experienced virtually no irritation. Now THAT is a statistic I was really excited to test as someone who suffered from sensitivity to retinol in the past.

I can now confirm that Olay’s Retinol24 Collection did not irritate my skin in the slightest. In fact, it soothed my skin and kept my skin perfectly hydrated throughout the night.

My absolute FAVORITE product from the collection is the Retinol24 Night Moisturizer. I am a sucker for a really rich, hydrating moisturizer and this one really did it for me. I woke up each morning with perfectly plump and glowing skin.

I also LOVE that these products are fragrance-free. My skin can be pretty sensitive when it comes to harsh ingredients and fragrances but my experience using these products was quite flawless.

The other really fantastic part of these products is price point. Retinol products can be extremely pricey but Olay makes retinol skincare accessible for everyone. You can find these products at your local drug store.

If you are in the market for retinol skincare products that won’t irritate your skin or break the bank, be sure to pick up Olay Retinol24 Collection at your local drugstore or snag them online here! These products most definitely passed the test.

Shop My Exact Skincare Routine

One question that I get the most in my DM's is "What is your skincare routine???". I have answered this question here and there but I have been experimenting with different products for the last few months. Well I finally have a  solid skincare routine and I can tell you where to get the exact products I use every day. 

1) Cleanse

I like to start my morning by cleansing my face with the Knours. Your Only Cleanser. This cleanser is so gentle yet so effective. It removes all oil, dirt, and imperfections from the skin. Since I started using this product I have noticed my skin is softer, brighter, and just feels super clean.

You can purchase this product here for $25.

2) Tone

This is the one skincare product that I swear by and I absolutely cannot live without. Solution by Glosser is a chemical exfoliator that can transform your skin in 4 weeks. I wish this was around when I was a teenager but I am so grateful to have it in my life now. 

This product is what makes my skin so clear and blemish free (most days).

You can purchase this product here for $24. It's worth 100x its weight in gold. Thank me later.

Then I spray my face with this toner:

 This Elemis Soothing Apricot Toner ($36) smells refreshing and perfectly soothes my skin after exfoliating with the Glossier Solution. It tones and rebalances the skin without dehydrating.

3) Apply serums

This Intensive Hydrating Serum with Green Tea Seed by Innisfree ($20) has been my saving grace this cold Winter. It's easily my favorite smelling skincare product right now but it also feels incredible on my skin. It's insanely hydrating and keeps my skin that way all day, through the cold and all. 

I also have a serum specifically for my under-eyes. 

The Eye Serum by MDNA Skin ($180) is the priciest part of my routine but definitely worth it if you struggle from dark circles and puffiness like I do. MDNA Skin has some of my favorite skincare products I have ever tried (moisturizer coming up next) and this serum is one of them. 

I have tried many different eye creams and serums. Most that I've tried have at least one of these three problems: they irritate my eyes, they don't sit well under my makeup, or they don't layer well with my other skincare products. But this MDNA Eye Serum doesn't create ANY of those problems. 

4) Moisturize

My every day moisturizer is the MDNA Skin Reinvention Cream ($75).

 This moisturizer makes my skin feel and look amazing. It is soothing and incredibly hydrating. This cream is basically magic -- it functions as a toner, serum, moisturizer, and a mask all in one. We love doing the most for our skin! 

You can get this moisturizer here for $75. 

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And that's it for my skincare routine! I do love a good skin treatment though, and you can check out my favorites here for extra self-care.  I'm always up for a face mask!

 Make sure you subscribe to my blog so you don't miss my next post! 

xoxo,

Liv

The Summer Skincare Trend That I Can't Let Go Of

If you know me, you know I am skincare OBSESSED. I am always following the latest industry trends and trying them all. Well I must say, the Summer trend revolving around watermelon was one of my favorites ever and one that I can't let go of this Winter.

I love watermelon. It's refreshing, hydrating, and the perfect representation of Summer. Basically, it's like a superfood for your face. Lots of brands are incorporating this juicy treat into their products and I am SO here for it. And just because it's Winter doesn't mean we can't continue to use these amazing products! If you think about it, Fall and Winter might even be the better seasons to use watermelon as a skincare ingredient since most people experience dry skin during this time of year.

Below are my favorite watermelon infused products that are a MUST try. 

Bliss What A Melon Overnight Mask ($16)

I have written about this overnight mask before and I love it so much I am writing about it again. I consider this mask a part of my skincare routine because I use it at least once a week. It smells SO delicious and gives my skin all of the hydration it needs to naturally glow.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Pink Juice Moisturizer ($39)

This moisturizer feels like a treat on my skin. The smell instantly takes me to a poolside cabana with a glass of fresh watermelon juice in hand. But really, I wish. 

This moisturizer is great for all skin types (including sensitive skin) and really helps boost a natural glow and radiance in the skin.

Milk Makeup Watermelon Brightening Serum ($36)

 I am clearly a big fan of products that promote luminous, glowing skin. This serum by Milk Makeup fights dryness, wrinkles/fine lines, and uneven skin tone. Another watermelon-inspired product to add to your skincare collection.

WINKY LUX Watermelon Jelly Balm ($14)

This Jelly Balm is the BOMB. Not only is it packed with moisture to hydrate your lips, it also has pH-activated ingredients which makes it a color-changing lip balm to give you the perfect pink lip color. This is a must-have in my collection.

Sephora Collection Watermelon After-Sun Mask ($5)

This is the ideal summer treat for your skin. It's a cooling and hydrating mask that soothes skin after sun exposure - especially if you have a sunburn. This mask has also been proven to prolong 82% of women's tans who have tried it, which is quite the added bonus (Sephora). 

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Writing this post has me craving watermelon. Let me know if you get around to trying these products and share your favorites with me!

xoxo,

Liv 

The Skincare Treatments that Changed My Skin

For those of you that don't know, I have been on a hell of a skincare journey since I was in middle school. I struggled with acne and never felt confident with my skin. I wore a full face of makeup every single day in high school and college and wanted nothing more than to feel pretty without makeup. 

Over the last 6 months or so, I have been experimenting with different skincare products to figure out what will work for me. I have a stable skincare routine ( which can be found here) but I realized that my skin needed that extra push to get the clarity I wanted. 

What I have discovered through my skincare journey is that face masks are necessary. I have a serious love for face masks and try a new one practically every week. I realized that I can use multiple face masks a week that target different issues. Here is the ultimate list of my favorite face masks that have helped me achieve the skin of my dreams.

When I'm having breakouts and need a detoxifying mask, I use:

Glossier Mega Greens Galaxy Pack ($22)

This is a detoxifying face mask that I love. Especially being around so much pollution in NYC, this treatment gives my skin the deep cleanse it needs. 

The Body Shop Matcha Tea Mask ($28)

This pollution clearing mask has a little bit of a burn which is something I really love about it, oddly enough. It really makes me feel like it's clearing my pores - and it does! 

For an at-home facial feel:

Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask ($48)

This mask does it all - it exfoliates, brightens, and helps with pigmentation issues. It feels like a treatment straight out of the spa.

Elemis Peptide 4 Thousand Flower Face Mask ($45)

This mask is easily one of my new favorite skin treatments. This mask feels like velvet on the skin, has a little tingle, and visible results after a single use. I use it at least once a week.

For hydration:

Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask ($30) 

This face mask perfectly plumps skin with hydration and always makes my skin feel recharged. I love the fresh scent and jelly-like consistency.

Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask ($22)

Also a cure for a skin hangover. ^

To clear out and shrink those pores:

Olehenriksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask ($36)

This mask is not only the most beautiful shade of electric blue, but it also instantly shrinks your pores. The treatment truly mimics a "cold plunge" and feels so fresh and cooling on the skin.

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask ($21)

I have had the hardest time finding masks that actually clear my pores but this one... it's the best I have tried for this purpose. I'm not going to tell you that if you use this once, your pores will be clear as day, but it's an incredible start. With consistent use, I think you will be thrilled with the results. 

For brightening:

Farmacy Bright On Massage-Activated Vitamin C Mask ($38)

This mask is a massage-activated vitamin C mask which means as you rub it into your skin, it changes colors, which activates the ingredients that brighten your skin. It goes on incredibly smoothly and instantly brightens.

Bliss Mighty Marshmallow Mask ($15)

Bliss is a great skincare brand and this treatment in particular is very soothing. I feel like a lot of face masks that are made to brighten the skin can feel harsh, but this one is so calming and makes my skin feel and look revitalized.

Overnight masks:

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask ($48)

This mask is certified clean at Sephora and perfect for anyone with sensitive skin or even eczema. I love using this either as an overnight mask, a hydrating mask (in which you don’t have to rinse off) or an under-eye treatment. It really is a do-it-all mask but I love it most as an overnight mask or in-flight mask.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask with Avocado & Swiss Glacier Water ($26)

I am convinced Origins has the best-smelling overnight face masks. I get SO excited to use this mask! I wake up with perfectly hydrated skin in the mornings however, you do need to rinse it off in the morning unlike the Jet Lag mask listed above.

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I will continue to update this post as my mask experimenting continues. But for now, these are my absolute MUST HAVE face masks - each with its unique purpose. 

Let me know if you have any face masks that you can't live without! I would love to add your favorites to my "try" list. 

xoxo,

Liv