Daily Routine

Getting up in the morning can often be rather difficult, especially when it's winter and still quite dark outside; however, I find it's easier to "rise and shine" if I have a set routine that I follow every morning. I would definitely consider myself a planner (although I still love spontaneity!), and having a routine makes me feel like I am in control of my sleepiness.

This morning I thought I would share with you my morning routine and the products I use to put myself together.


1. After I get out of the shower, I towel-dry my hair and run a little Kerastase Oleo-Relax serum through it. My stylist convinced me to use it when I chopped all of my hair off in July and it has been absolutely fantastic. It's a little pricey, but totally worth it because I only use a small pump each time I use it. It's been eight months and it's not even half-empty!

2. I then walk to my bedroom and sit down at my vanity (a perfect thrifted find!). It's wonderful to have a place dedicated to your morning routine with everything at your fingertips (that's not in the bathroom where the boyfriend is busy getting ready). The first thing I do is shake my bottle of Neutrogena Oil-Free Make-Up Remover, douse a cotton ball in it, and smear off my raccoon eyes that have appeared during my shower. I hate to admit it, but I'm really bad about taking off my make-up before I go to bed, and really just do it after my shower, right before I'm about to reapply. I got into the [bad] habit when I was going through chemo and didn't want to rub my eyelashes too much because I didn't want them to fall out! I know. It's terrible. I'm trying to change!

3. After the raccoon eyes are gone, I break out my Burt's Bees Radiance Creme. This is my most recent purchase, and I love it! My old moisturizer just wasn't cutting it this winter, and I also wanted something without parabens (potential cancer-causing buggers). It's also in a pretty little pot - I'm such a sucker for good package design.

4. I then smear on my favorite Sonia Kashuk concealer under my eyes (I couldn't find a picture but you can buy it at Target!). It apparently works well because one morning I somehow forgot to put it on and a friend said, "Wow, you look tired! You've got really dark circles under your eyes." Hey, at least she was honest. (Sadly, this one has parabens, so I'm going to stop using it once I find a good one without them. Anyone have any tips?)

5. Next comes the eyeliner, Revlon's ColorStay twist pencil. It's so convenient that you never need to sharpen it, and it always goes on smoothly. I just buy it at the local drugstore. Mine is always a dark brown.

6. My absolute favorite part is my mascara, benefit's Bad Gal Lash in Rich Black. It's the only thing I religiously splurge on at Sephora (it lasts a full year, so it's worth it!). It has the biggest wand head I've ever seen and does wonders. It's what really makes me look awake!

7. I finish off with some bronzer (I have been coveting this lovely Cargo bronzer - once again, lovely packaging!), and...

8. ...Smith's Rosebud Salve on my lips. Who doesn't love this stuff? I also put some on my cuticules, which are ever-so-dry this winter.

9. My hair will have almost air-dried by now (since it's so darn short!) and then I can either finish it off by lightly blow-drying with my diffuser, or just letting it go natural. Bumble & Bumble Grooming Cream always comes in handy.

10. If I'm feeling extra put-together, I'll spritz a little BCBGirls Star perfume in the air and walk through it. I've been wearing this same scent for years, but I'm tempted by Michael Kors' gardenia-scented Michael...

Looking at it now, it seems like a lot of work, but I promise this doesn't actually take very long, probably only as long as it took you to read it! Once it's an everyday process, you could practically do it with your eyes closed (but that might make mascara application a little tricky... oh, I'm sooo funny). I use it as my time to zone out and relax before a crazy day.

Now what are your favorite products? Do you have a morning routine that you religiously follow every morning, or are you more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type of person? Please share!

*swoon*
Paige