As a proud (albeit sometimes frustrated) owner of a Tiny Bathroom, my approach to maximizing efficiency within the space lies in simple, sink-free skincare. Working over a vanity the width of your hips drastically limits mobility and inevitably ensures that water will get everywhere. I suggest donning a terry cloth bathrobe and if you really want to go the extra mile, come prepared in an Inamorata bathing suit. Wash your face at your own risk, I dare you.
Or, skip the fuss. Let go of the notion that cleanliness is synonymous only with washing your face twice daily. (Granted, you should certainly cleanse morning and night, but cleansing comes in many forms—not just as a traditional face wash. Ultimately: listen to your aesthetician or derm because they know your skin best.) I wash my face exclusively at night within the shower-curtain-lined confines where splashing is allowed and encouraged. Here’s my theory: You’re bound to achieve a more thorough (and effective) cleanse when you’re not worried about getting both yourself and your surroundings wet. And if you’re not taking the time to work a cleanser into your skin or worse, not rinsing it off properly, what’s the point in a sloppy, slapdash job?
All this is just to say that I haven’t looked back since letting my face wash reside permanently in-shower. Sink-side, I rely on toners (for cleansing and re-balancing) and face mists (for additional toning properties and a boost of hydration). Here’s how:
I begin every morning with toner.
The controversy is two-fold here. Not only do I skip face wash, but I forsake it in favor of one of the most polarizing product categories in skincare: toner. For the toner-adverse, I suggest reconsidering your opinion with the same soapbox I’ve delivered countless times on QVC (sorry, not sorry; this is a beauty PSA). The right formula can be the ultimate multitasker that removes excess oil and surface impurities; re-balances the skin’s pH; and provides a weightless layer of complexion-boosting benefits (depending on the ingredients, of course) throughout the day because you don’t rinse it off.
I start with a gentle astringent to cleanse. Thayers Witch Hazel with Aloe is my favorite for removing last night’s inexorable buildup of oil and clarifying skin. When used in conjunction with a cotton pad (I tear mine in half always to stretch one round’s use), this formula truly gives a thorough clean without being harsh first thing. The trick is to keep sweeping across your face and neck until the cotton comes up clean.
…and then follow up with another, if necessary.
Step two serves as a traditional “toner” step. On most mornings the witch hazel is enough, but if my skin looks dull, congested, or is at the brink of being problematic, I’ll follow up with an appropriate exfoliating toner—this time, using my hands to apply (as Martha Stewart does!) to minimize product waste.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is my go-to for all concerns (discoloration, dullness), but after a night of indulgence (which means T-zone congestion and sometimes the occasional breakout is the morning-after consequence), I’ll use Glossier Solution.
(Disclaimer: My skin can handle acids well and I always wear physical sunscreen. Some skin types are more prone to increased sensitivity with the use of exfoliating alpha/beta hydroxy acids, so keep in mind that this step may be best reserved for the evening to reduce irritation from sun exposure.)
And to finish, a liberal misting of facial spray.
Once my skin is clean, I replenish. Misting now generates a Pavlovian response where I’m instantly perked up, but this step serves more than just to refresh. Ultimately, a skincare-forward face mist is designed to hydrate and prep the skin for moisturizer—especially if you use a humectant-based face cream or serum (like Hyaluronic Acid or its cousin, Sodium Hyaluronate) that binds water to the skin—while infusing additional benefits into the skin.
So, I mist—liberally—then moisturize while my skin is still dewy.
Although Kopari Coconut Rose Toner is the current favorite, I’m by no means mist-monogamous. In the past, I’ve loved Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist (divine, but indulgent) just as much, and I would be remiss not to mention everyone’s first love, Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater: an affordable (and iconic, #shelfie-worthy) option for the mist newbie.
. . .
xx
Your turn. Thoughts?