Mario Badescu was introduced to me when I started working as a makeup artist. The boutique where I worked had the entire line, and after a few samples I was completely addicted. One great thing about MB products are their reasonable prices, which remain low because they keep the packaging so simple. Martha Stewart, Jennifer Anniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Stone have all raved about this line. I adore so many of their products, but here are my absolute favorites.

Buttermilk Moisturizer: If you have acne-prone, sensitive, combination skin THIS is the daily moisturizer for you. Ingredients like lactic acid, carnation oil, and allatonin make this feel like a luxurious cream, without the pimple-causing effects. I have been using this every day for the last 5 years, and I swear by it.

Rosewater Facial Spray: Some nights after washing my face, my skin is tight and needing moisture. Aloe, rosewater, and herbs are combined in this sweet smelling mist to rehydrate the skin. Now you won’t need to worry about having a sticky face stain your pillowcase!

Apricot Super Rich Body Lotion: Let me just tell you that this body lotion smells unbelievably good— fresh, clean, and simple. Super Rich it is. The texture is super creamy and thick, and it soaks into the skin for the ultimate hydration.

Glycolic Acid Toner: Combined with grapefruit, glycolic acid works to gently slough away dead skin cells that build up over time. If your makeup looks dull, it’s highly likely that your skin is in need of exfoliation, and this product does exactly that without any rough scrubbing particles.

Herbal Hydrating Serum: I love this product because it can be used in a few different ways. If you have oily skin, this could be used alone as a light moisturizer. If your skin is dry, or dry now because of the changing seasons, layer this under your regular moisturizer for additional benefits. If you just want to have a super-hydrating mask, you apply 2-3 layers of this, leave it on for an hour before your shower, and your skin will feel lovely!

Glycolic Eye Cream: For anyone with premature signs of aging and fine lines, this eye cream is bound to soften and hydrate your skin. Keep this in the refrigerator for a soothing treat before bed. The Vitamin E smooths, while the glycolic acid removes dead skin cells from the surface layer, to repair the tissue-like skin around the eyes. Believe me, your concealer will look even better when your under eyes are hydrated!

City Girl Logic: Where to skimp and splurge with beauty products? Here is a helpful guide.

Something to keep in mind when shopping for beauty products is the shelf life. Mascaras should be replaced every 3-6 months, and  lip glosses should not be kept over 1 year. On the other hand, powder blush and eyeshadow can last up to 2 years. **Expert tip: if it smells strange, or the color is off, throw it away. No need to take a chance!

My philosophy is, spend the least amount of money on the items you replace most frequently— eyeliner, mascara, lipstick/ gloss— and spend the most money on the items you use over a longer period to ensure you get the best quality and payoff. I cannot stress enough how important it is to splurge on your skincare, foundation, concealer, and powders— especially if you have skin concerns of aging, acne, or sensitivity. If you skimp on everything else, you can try new beauty trends without breaking the bank.

Face Cleansers for Sensitive/ Combination Skin.

This topic of skincare is very near and dear to my heart because I have tried an enormous number of products, all pictured are included, to care for my hard-to-please skin. My skin type is somewhat of an anomaly: sensitive, oily in places, flaky in places, burns easily, and prone to breakouts, redness, and irritation. After about 8 years of trying, buying, and regretting, I have settled my gaze on the very products here. 

Luckily, the range in price does not reflect their rank of benefit because all of them do exactly what I need: remove makeup, dirt & oil without stripping the skin’s natural oils or adding artificial dyes and fragrances.

City Girls, if you’re sick of going to bed with a tight face and waking up with breakouts and redness I urge you to try them!

1. Darphin Intral Cleansing Milk // 2. Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Milk // 3. Mario Badescu Orange Cleansing Soap // 4. Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash with Tea Tree Oil & Awapuhi // 5. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser