5 beauty products I’m loving right now

Since I’m sort of obsessed with learning about the latest and greatest beauty products, I thought it’d be fun to start sharing my discoveries on the blog.

Kleenex Exfoliating Cushions: Yep, there are now Kleenex facial cleansing products. The tissue brand recently launched eye makeup remover pads, wipes, oil-blotting sheets, cotton soft pads, and these exfoliating cushions — all available online only.

Kleenex sent me some samples to try at home, and I’m hooked on these dual-sided discs designed to cleanse, smooth and brighten your skin in one go. They remind me of those individual Buf Puf sponges I used in the early 90s (does anybody remember those?) but, like, a million times more luxurious.

The first time I tried a Kleenex Exfoliating Cushion, I had a pimple forming on my cheek, so I applied a dab of zit cream after buffing and polishing my face. The next morning…nada. It totally disappeared. Now, my prescription pimple cream is good, but it isn’t magic, which leads to me to believe that the cushion had something to do with the disappearance. I’ll be using these one or twice a week as part of my nighttime skincare routine.

R+Co Park Ave Blow Out Balm: My hairstylist introduced me to the brand R+Co, and at her suggestion, I’ve been using the Park Ave Blow Out Balm whenever I wield my hairdryer and round brush. The lightweight styling balm does triple duty by adding a little bit of body, reducing frizz, and protecting the hair from heat. (I literally never unplug my flat iron, so my hair can use all the heat protection it can get.) Plus, it smells delicious, and the packaging is cool enough to leave out on your counter.

bareMinerals SkinLongevity Vital Power Infusion: I’ve been using this anti-aging serum twice a day since I received a bottle from bareMinerals earlier this year. I can’t say for sure that it’s reduced my fine lines and wrinkles, but I think it gives my skin a healthy glow. At the very least, I like how it feels on my face — smooth and moisturizing. The secret ingredient is bareMineral’s patented Long Life Herb Extract, a “super superfood” from Okinawa that supposedly helps defend against of signs of aging.

Dior Diorshow Mascara: Some friends and I were recently chatting about our makeup must-haves, and I confessed that I never leave the house without mascara. Diorshow is my go-to because it lengthens and adds volume without looking clumpy or sticky. It also never flakes and has a lovely rose fragrance. When I want serious drama, I reach for a different mascara tube, but for my easy everyday look, I love Diorshow.

Darphin Ideal Resource Anti-Dark Circle Eye Illuminator: Let me start by saying that, at $60, this eye cream isn’t cheap. It’s also not meant to be a heavy-duty super anti-aging eye product, although it does offer some long-term benefits. But it’s sooooo worth it.

Instead, Darphin Ideal Resource Anti-Dark Circle Eye Illuminator instantly brightens with lightly tinted cream packed with peptides and vitamins. I use it instead of under eye concealer, which has always looked cakey to me, and I’ll sometimes reapply it multiple times a day because the metallic tip feels cool sliding across the skin. And yes, despite having a light tint, you can still wear it at night.

Let’s chat! I want to know what beauty and skincare products you’re currently using and loving. Share your favorites in the comments below!

This post is an in-kind collaboration with Kleenex Facial Cleansing products (#radiantskin), sold exclusively online. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support this blog.