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Beauty Recs for My 30+ Journey ⭐
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items My 30s have been all about relearning what works, from embracing my natural waves to giving my skin the hydration it suddenly craved. These are the products I’m genuinely loving through every step of the journey.
Sections
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Skincare Essentials for 30+ Skin 🫧
Haircare Essentials for Wavy Asian Hair 💇🏻♀️
Body Care Essentials for My 30+ Journey 🧴
Skincare Essentials for 30+ Skin 🫧
My favorite skincare for combination skin that’s become drier with age, with a focus on hydration, barrier care, and a healthy glow.
I didn’t expect much after just one use, but this serum genuinely surprised me.
I applied it before bed, and when I woke up the next morning, my skin looked noticeably plumper, brighter, and healthier. It had that well-rested, glowing look that usually takes days to achieve. Even my husband noticed and asked what I had done diff...
I always assumed I didn’t need an anti-aging serum yet, but this completely changed my mind. If one night could make this much of a difference, I’m excited to see the long-term results. It’s officially become a staple in my skincare routine.
I applied it before bed, and when I woke up the next morning, my skin looked noticeably plumper, brighter, and healthier. It had that well-rested, glowing look that usually takes days to achieve. Even my husband noticed and asked what I had done diff...
I always assumed I didn’t need an anti-aging serum yet, but this completely changed my mind. If one night could make this much of a difference, I’m excited to see the long-term results. It’s officially become a staple in my skincare routine.
Perfect Renew 3X Signature Serum - Anti Aging Serum for Wrinkles by Laneige
This is the boss moisturizer for my combination, dehydrated skin!
Back then, I didn’t know that dehydrated skin can happen at any age, it isn’t just about anti-aging. My main concern was fading dark spots, so I only looked for moisturizers that tar...
Perfect Renew 3X Cream Advanced - Anti Aging Moisturizer by Laneige
I’ve been using this product for 4 years. It was the first acid product I tried after a severe breakout in 2020.
Ironically, that breakout was caused by another acid product from a Korean skincare brand that was trending at the time. The experience left me pretty traumatized, and I avoided using acids for quite a while.
Eventually, I reset my entire skincare routine and discovered Sunday Riley Good Genes. Since it’s a gentle lactic acid, I decided to give it a chance. I didn’t expect much during the first 1–2 weeks, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. It has noticeably...
Four years later, it’s still a staple in my nighttime routine whenever it’s my acid night.
Ironically, that breakout was caused by another acid product from a Korean skincare brand that was trending at the time. The experience left me pretty traumatized, and I avoided using acids for quite a while.
Eventually, I reset my entire skincare routine and discovered Sunday Riley Good Genes. Since it’s a gentle lactic acid, I decided to give it a chance. I didn’t expect much during the first 1–2 weeks, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. It has noticeably...
Four years later, it’s still a staple in my nighttime routine whenever it’s my acid night.
Good Genes All-In-One - AHA Lactic Acid Treatment by Sunday Riley
Finally, a sunscreen that doesn’t break me out. Most sunscreens I’ve tried leave a heavy film on my skin, and after a few days, I end up with tiny whiteheads and breakouts. This one is the exception. I’ve spent years looking for a sunscreen that work...
Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 by Supergoop!
The first cleanser that leaves my skin feeling clean, not stripped.
My search for the perfect facial cleanser has been surprisingly similar to my search for the right sunscreen. Almost every cleanser I used in the past made my face feel tight and dr...
Soy Face Cleanser - Hydrating Gel Face Wash by Fresh
My “skin reset” whenever my combination skin starts taking over.
My skin constantly shifts between dehydrated and combination (yes, somehow both!), so I don’t use this every day. I reach for it whenever I notice more congestion, excess oil, or those...
2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant by Paula’s Choice
The high-strength retinol that convinced me to stick with retinol.
This was the first high-dose retinol I ever tried, and nearly three years later, I still haven’t felt the need to replace it. That’s probably the best review I can give.
I only use ...
A+ High-Dose Retinol Serum by Sunday Riley
The prep step I never skip in my skincare routine.
I apply this essence immediately after cleansing, while my skin is still slightly damp. It acts as the perfect first layer, prepping my skin to better absorb the serums and moisturizer that follow.
...
Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence by Fresh
The moisturizer that made me fall in love with recovery nights.
If I had to choose just one product that completely transformed my moisturizing routine, it would be this emulsion. It’s easily one of my biggest skincare holy grails.
I use the entire...
Perfect Renew 3X Emulsion Advanced by Laneige
The first step to my favorite hydration routine.
This is the product that kicks off my dedicated hydration and recovery nights, and I never skip it. While it’s called a Skin Refiner, I think of it as the perfect bridge between cleansing and the rest...
Perfect Renew 3X Skin Refiner Advanced by Laneige
The retinoid that started my retinol journey.
Before I fell in love with Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum, this was the product that introduced me to retinoids. Looking back, I honestly couldn’t have picked a better place to start.
I used L...
Luna Sleeping Retinoid Night Oil by Sunday Riley
My go-to cleanser when my skin needs a deeper reset.
While the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser is my everyday favorite, I always keep the Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser in my routine for the days when my skin needs a little extra cleansing.
Even though...
Ceramic Slip French Green Clay Cleanser by Sunday Riley
My weekly reset for clogged pores.
I don’t use this every day, just once a week, especially after a week of wearing makeup almost daily. I think of it as my skin’s “reset button.”
By the end of the week, my pores can feel congested from layers of s...
Deep Clay Mask The POREfessional by Benefit Cosmetics
A fresher version of the OG, but the performance is still there. 💕
I’ve been using the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask since the original Berry version became a beauty staple, so I was curious when they refreshed the formula and introduced the newer vers...
Lip Sleeping Mask by Laneige
The micellar water that understands combination and dehydrated skin.
Finding a cleanser that removes the day without making my skin feel stripped is surprisingly tricky. My skin can get oily and congested during its combination phase, but it’s still...
Low pH Niacinamide Micellar Cleansing Water by COSRX
Haircare Essentials for Wavy Asian Hair 💇🏻♀️
For over a decade, I thought straight hair was the only hair I’d ever have. After years of heat styling and chemical straightening, I’m finally embracing my natural wavy hair for the first time in my adult life. These are the products I’m using and g...
Styling time efficiency inceased by 1000% for my wavy, frizzy, hair
I used to be the kind of girl who always washed her hair at night so it would be completely dry and ready to style the next morning. Otherwise, I’d have to wake up hours earlier jus...
Airwrap ID™ Multi-Styler and Dryer for Straight to Wavy Hair by Dyson
The brush that made detangling feel effortless.
I almost always reach for this before wash day, especially when my naturally wavy, thick, coarse hair has accumulated a few days’ worth of tangles. Instead of ripping through knots, the flexible bristl...
Detangler Hair Brush by The Wet Brush
One bottle that has survived every era of my hair journey.
I’ve been using this hair oil since my days of regularly straightening my hair with a flat iron, and it’s still one of the few products that has earned a permanent spot in my routine, even a...
Extraordinary Oil Hair Serum by L'Oreal Paris
The foundation of my regular haircare routine.
For years, my hair went through chemical straightening and frequent heat styling because I didn’t know how to work with my natural waves. As I started growing out my natural hair, I realized I needed a ...
Nourishing Haircare Set for Damage Hair (Shampoo, Conditioner, Leave-in Treatment) by Milk_Shake
My “reset button” for healthy hair.
One thing I’ve learned on my wavy hair journey is that healthy hair isn’t just about adding moisture, but it’s also about removing buildup.
Because I regularly use leave-in products, heat protectants, hair oil, a...
Delicate Comfort Clarifying Shampoo for Dry Scalp & Hair by Shu Uemura
The perfect follow-up to my clarifying shampoo.
I don’t use this hair mask every wash. Instead, I save it for my hair reset days, right after using my clarifying shampoo about twice a month.
After removing all the buildup from styling products, hai...
Hydrating Mask for Dry Hair by Kerastase
The routine that introduced me to protein haircare.
Before I found my current routine, this was the haircare set that completely changed how I cared for my hair.
After years of chemical straightening and constant heat styling, my hair felt dry, rou...
Bundle Set of Shampoo and Protein Treatment for Damaged Hair by Kundal
A budget-friendly clarifying shampoo that gets the job done.
If you’re curious about adding a clarifying shampoo to your routine but don’t want to invest in a premium option just yet, this is a great place to start.
I use it as an occasional shampo...
Tea Tree Deep Cleansing & Clarifying Shampoo by Kundal
One of the first hair masks that helped me start my healthy hair journey.
Before I found my current routine, this was one of the very first hair masks that made me realize how much of a difference consistent haircare could make.
After years of freq...
Conditioning Hair Mask for Hydration and Nourishment by Tsubaki
My favorite travel-friendly hair serum.
I always keep a bottle of L’Oréal Extraordinary Hair Oil at home, but whenever I travel, these Ellips Hair Vitamin capsules are the first thing I pack.
Each capsule contains just the right amount for one use,...
Pro Keratin Hair Vitamins for Frizzy Hair by Ellips
My first-ever hairstyling tool and it lasted me 10 years!
Before I upgraded to the Dyson Airwrap, this BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Straightener was my go-to styling tool for years. In fact, it was the very first hairstyling tool I ever bought, so it h...
Nano Titanium™ 1¼" Ionic Straightener by BaBylissPRO®
Body Care Essentials for My 30+ Journey 🧴
My post-shower skin treat after scrubbing & shaving.
This is one of those body-care products I reach for when my skin needs extra moisture, especially after exfoliating or shaving.
The L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil leaves my skin incredibly...
Almond Smoothing and Beautifying Supple Skin Oil by L'Occitane
My go-to body moisturizer for seriously dry skin.
The Body Shop Shea Body Butter has been a favorite of mine since high school, and somehow it still has a permanent place in my routine. As I got into my 30s, I noticed my skin becoming much drier tha...
Shea Butter For Skin by The Body Shop
My Everyday Bag Staple. If the Shea Body Butter is my go-to for giving my skin an intensive moisture boost at home, this hand balm is the one I always keep in my bag.
I love how convenient it is for keeping my hands moisturized throughout the day, e...
Shea Hand Balm, Hand Moisturisers by The Body Shop