The Ravings of an Insomniac

I hesitate to make a proper skincare routine because for the most part, the routine is the same as the last one I posted a few months back. The products have almost all changed, but the routine and order is still the same. But I do enjoy reading skincare posts, so I thought perhaps I'd do a series on the skincare I've been using, with mini reviews. I'll update it every couple months when a few of the products have changed. Let me know what you think of the idea!

If I'm wearing makeup that day, before I even start my skincare routine I will remove my makeup. If I'm wearing mascara or face makeup (other than concealer), I'll take it off with a good massage of coconut oil and a washcloth. But more often then not, I'll just have my brows filled in and a tiny bit of concealer on. If that's the case, I'll simply take it off with my cleansing water, the Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water. It's no game changer, but it does the job and it does the job well.

For a few months I would switch between cleansers daily, which is all good and fun, but then I discovered a cleanser that I really enjoyed - so much that I couldn't bear to leave it for just one day, so much that I use it both morning and night. It's the Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash (review here). Very gentle but powerful, this cleanser washes away all dirt, makeup, and impurities. The refreshing scent is also very lovely.

Quick mention about that pink thing! I love these things. They're basically little silicone face brushes that gently exfoliate and help you get a deeper clean. Mine is from Sephora. I squeeze cleanser onto it and massage my face.

I exfoliate every other day - I should probably wait to do it once a week, but I really like the scent of my St. Ives Green Tea Scrub and I enjoy the way it makes my skin feel, smooth like a baby's butt. This scrub doesn't actually do anything for acne, but it's gentle on the skin while buffing away dead skin cells.

After removal, cleansing, and exfoliating, I must tone. A lot of people say toners are unnecessary, but I really like them! I find that they make my skin feel a lot smoother and happier (toners balance skin's pH level, if you didn't know). I'm using two at the moment, although one isn't labeled as one. Said toner is the H2O+ Oasis Mist, a hydrating facial mist that I use pretty much whenever I feel like it. This alcohol-free concoction works well as a toner, a facial spray, a setting spray, or a pick-me-up. In case you haven't noticed yet, I love it. The other toner I use after cleansing - but only at night. It's the Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner. I'm pretty partial to this product, this bottle is a repurchase - but only because the I really like the smell of it. It's a nice toner, but I could do with a new one. Sometimes I apply the toner with a cotton round, but usually I rub between my palms and press into my skin because I like the way it feels.

My favorite part of my skincare routine is probably putting on eye cream. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. For some reason, I find it extremely satisfying. The eye cream I'm using right now is the Burt's Bees Sensitive Eye Crean, which I like but probably won't repurchase. It's light and hydrating and the texture is very nice, but I'm on the lookout for anti-aging creams so I can prevent future wrinkles and fine lines, and this eye cream doesn't contain many anti-aging ingredients.

I don't have a lot of active acne, but I do have small bumps under the skin that annoy me to no end. I also have blackheads and my chin is forever breaking out. I need a spot treatment. The one I'm using right now is the No7 Rapid Spot Rescue. Originally, I really liked the product, saying it really did reduce the spot in two hours like the claim said, but my opinion has since changed. I don't dislike it, but I feel that this treatment is only a temporary fix. Not to say that's a bad thing, I would just rather have something deal with the spots for good.

This moisturizer is something that's new to me - you might have seen it in my recent haul. It's the H2O+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment. This can be used a moisturizer or a mask, I've been using it as the former. I absolutely adore it so far. I have to use it for a lot longer to see if my skin will have a bad reaction, but I really love it in this early stage. The gel formula is really cooling and nice, it smells lovely, and it really hydrates my skin. The smallest bit also goes the longest way!

Whew! That ended up being a lot longer than I anticipated. Thanks for getting to the bottom of this rather long post! What skincare products do you use?

What it is: a facial moisturizer
Where it is: Target and online
For how much: $20
Anything else: Pacifica products are natural, cruelty free, and vegan friendly! A portion of the proceeds also go to support clean water.

Shortly after purchasing the Sea Foam Complete Face Wash and loving it, I figured I'd pick up the moisturizer that Pacifica makes, as they come together in the Good Karma Skincare Set. The moisturizer came in a red cardboard box that I tossed, figuring I wouldn't review this (I usually don't review skincare on my blog). If I'm not mistaken, the box pretty much said the same thing as the bottle.

Pacifica claims that this moisturizer is "a highly effective anti-aging everyday natural moisturizer.  Proven peptides, high potency antioxidants, floral stem cells and advanced natural extracts come together in our exclusive superpower Fleuracell Complex® with ingredients shown to improve the overall appearance of skin and help minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles deeply moisturize and protect help support collagen promotes a lifting effect, and brings back skin's natural radiance." This moisturizer contains a very hefty list of skin benefiting ingredients, including sunflower seed oil, kelp extract, and coconut water. It's formulated without petroleum, parabens, SLS, or phthalates. It has 1.7 oz of product, although the website's picture says it has 1.



The packaging is really nice. The moisturizer comes in a white tube (why don't all face products have pumps, they're much more sanitary) with claims and directions. It's fairly simple but effective. One pump gives you the perfect amount for your face.

This cream is a white, very light and fairly runny cream. Since it's so light, it's not nearly moisturizing enough for my normal/dry skin. I've had a dry, tight, itchy patches on my face since I started using the product. It smells a little funky, not unpleasent but a little strange. To me, this scent is so familiar but I can't place it. It smells like a natural product, if you catch my drift. It spreads very easily over the skin and absorbs in a matter of seconds. I quite like the texture. It hasn't broken me out or left me with any kind of negative reaction. Since I've started using this, my skin has looked a bit brighter, but it's not like I radiate light. I honestly can't say anything about the anti-aging benefits of this product, because at my age I hardly need these types of products.

Bottom line: I'm pretty partial to this product. It's nice and light, but not moisturizing enough for my skin. I would recommend to anyone with normal/oily or combo skin. I'll finish this moisturizer, but I won't repurchase.

Hey, everybody! Today's post is a review on a cleanser I've been using for a couple weeks now. I thought I'd share my thoughts on the product. Quick disclaimer, this is a face product. Everybody's skin is different, so I'm not certain if you will enjoy this product as much as I do.

What it is: a facial cleanser
Where it is: Target and online
For how much: $11
Anything else: Pacifica products are natural, cruelty free, and vegan friendly!

For those of you that don't know, Pacifica is a vegan perfume and body brand that has recently expanded to makeup and skincare. Their skincare and makeup is formulated without "animal testing, animal ingredients, FD&C color, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, propylene glycol, benzene, mineral oil, petroleum, peanut oil, triclosan, and other ingredients you do not want on your skin." Already sounds great, right?

Pacifica claims that this product will "harness the power of the ocean with marine extracts.  Coconut water and natural actives come together in our gentle sulfate-free foaming cleanser that removes daily toxins and make-up. Deeply cleanse, balance and refresh tired skin. Remember, one of the best defenses against aging skin is daily cleansing." It is formulated with papaya extract, coconut water, and sea algae extract. This cleanser contains 5 oz of product.

Click on the picture if you want to read the text!

 The packaging is simple, a pretty blue squeeze tube with a flip top. The product is a clear gel. It smells wonderful, like coconut with a dash of vanilla. Whenever I use this cleanser I am taken to the pool, the ocean, a lake, anywhere bright and summery with water. The scent is a great pick-me-up in the morning.


Cleansing wise, this is wonderful! It's very gentle and doesn't strip my skin, but leaves it feeling clean and wonderful. It takes off makeup like a charm. You wouldn't need a separate makeup remover if you only wear a little makeup. It foams up very well, and although foaming cleansers are supposed to dry the skin out, this one doesn't. I haven't had a bad reaction to this yet, and I've been using it almost daily for about a month or so.

Bottom line: this cleanser is great! It's gentle but powerful, non-drying and foams up well, and it smells great. I highly recommend.

• NYX Za Za Zu Lucious Mascara
• Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm in 01 Unique Pink
• NYX Slide On, Glide On, Stay On & Definitly A Turn On Waterproof, Extreme Shine Eyeliner in 02 Black Sparkle 
• Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in 200 Sheer Ecstasy
• Physicians Formula Eyye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum
• Pacifica Hawaiian Ruby Guava Roll-on Perfume
• NYX Sharpener 
• (Not pictured) Palmer's Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Oil