Skincare and I have not always been best buds. I try and I try and no matter what products - or what price point - I pick things from, my overall skin quality doesn't seem to improve. Boooo wasted mulah from my budget. Still a couple of things I'm using at the moment have me conservatively excited - excited because I think they might actually be working, conservative because what if I'm crazy?

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair
Just so we're all on the same page here, I am not looking for an anti-aging product. If there's one thing my oily skin will bless me with it's smooth(ish) skin for a while. But my acne induced hyperpigmentation is another thing entirely. I received a sample of this in Saks beauty week bag and have been using it off and on for about a week and freakishly I think it might be working. To the (my) naked eye my face looks smoother, possibly brighter, and my dark marks not so dark. Will it be worth the purchase of the full bottle? Only time and the rest of my sample will tell...


Biore Mild Face Wash
I'm half-tempted to put a '?' next to this one just because I'm not completely sure it's the cleanser I have at home. Why am I not sure you ask? Because the one I have came straight from Japan and I haven't taken the time to sit down and read all the Hiragana yet. And that's because I like the product itself so much that what it's actually called is kind of immaterial to me. This Biore cleanser is creamy and very gentle - no squeaky clean feeling afterward even though I can tell my skin is completely clear of makeup. I'm so thankful that my friend had a sample I could try the last time I was in NY!

I've got a few more Lovin' Lately posts planned so keep an eye out - I've been trying new foundations, lip products, and more and it hasn't been a bad time!