Like most of us over the last 5 years, I have taken a much deeper dive into skincare. I’ve adopted all of the big guns, acids to exfoliate, Vitamin C serum, and while I have a few expensive brands in my routine I also have several affordable power players from Amazon that I cannot live without. 

COSRX

This brand launched my interest into K Beauty a few years ago. I was going through a break up and decided that I would nurse my broken heart by overhauling my skincare routine. This brand was originally introduced to me through Rio Viera-Newton’s posts on NY Magazine’s “The Strategist” and I’ve spend more time exploring it since!

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

My holy grail skincare product, I use this morning and night. Yes, it’s made from purified snail mucin and the texture pretty much feels like snail slime, but it helps to prep my skin and adds a very light layer of moisture. In the morning, I apply this first after I wash my face, and at night I will apply it after I use toner or an acid treatment, as I usually want those actives to be the closest to my skin. Since I started using it, my acne heals faster, sunburns don’t last as long and the tone and texture of my skin are significantly better. 

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

One of my many bad habits is that I have a really hard time leaving zits alone. These patches have been a total game changer, because not only do they help to heal any blemishes more quickly, they also keep me from touching my face and doing more damage. These are best used on zits that are at the surface or have already been popped because they work to suck all of the gunk out, but I do put them on when I feel something forming under the skin so that I leave it alone when I’m watching TV or reading in bed. 

COSRX Centella Blemish Cream

This spot treatment isn’t strong enough on it’s own for my skin to stop a big blemish when it’s forming, but it is the perfect thing to put on when I have a blemish that is healing and at the dried out stage. It puts moisture back into the skin, calms redness and helps it to heal faster. 

Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

A friend had recommended these to me when I was making changes to be more eco-friendly. They are durable, soft, easily washable and just the right level of absorbent. I use them for makeup removal, applying toner and sometimes a gentle exfoliation. The set comes with a little mesh bag, which I hang on the back of my bathroom door. After using a pad, I rinse it off in the sink and then pop  it in the bag - the bag then goes in with my whites on laundry day! Also, I struggled with how to store these at first, but then cleaned out a glass candle holder from Anthropologie, which is just the right size and keeps them from being out in the open in my bathroom!

Gold and Snail Hydrogel Eye Patches

I’ve written about these before, but nothing beats them in terms of effectiveness and affordability. A huge tub of them is less than $10 and you get 60 patches. I have a deep under eye area, so they can get very visibly puffy and dark. I probably use these once or twice a week - first I apply my snail mucin and serum, then put these under my eyes while I let it all absorb. They are cooling and the texture of the patches is also soothing. Best part- they really stick well on the skin so you can blow dry your hair, get dressed, cook, etc while you wear them. 

Ice Roller

The rise of jade and rose quarts rollers the last few years has brought a lot of attention to increasing circulation and blood flow to your face for a visibly tighter and more sculpted appearance. My personal favorite version of this is the ESARORA ice roller (which was a birthday gift from #1 sister Eloise!). The reason I like this ice roller better is that it’s bigger, so it takes a little bit effort to get your entire face, and the cold helps to visibly reduce puffy under eyes and also get rid of big blemishes as they form under the skin. The best combo for under eye puffiness is to apply the gold and snail eye patches, then use the ice roller after you remove them to help the serum absorb and give a boost of extra cooling power. 

Tinkle Razors

One area that I am very fortunate is that the hair not on my head is generally blonde and fine, but this doesn’t mean that I’m completely hairless. A few years ago I noticed that the hair on my upper lip was pretty thick, a little bit dark and that makeup was sometimes looking a little bit weird when it was on there. I found these little razors, which are the perfect shape and size for gently removing facial hair from even the smallest or most awkward place. I sometimes get a little bit overzealous and use them all over! 

Canmake Lasting Multi Eyebase WP

I have never used an eye makeup primer that gives as much stick and hold as this one. After applying, I usually let it settle for a few minutes as it can crease a little bit if you apply to much. I wipe away any excess, and my eyeshadow goes on smoothly and will stick for the entire night. I also like that it doesn’t really come off of my eyelid and onto my brushes, so I don’t have to worry about washing them more.