Toners

 At first my appreciation for Sunday Riley products began as a fondness, but now I am a full on Sunday Riley convert and LOVER. Each and every product I try from her is better than the last and while I know there are mixed reviews on every new launch she puts out, all of them have consistently worked for my skin. Including her newest one – the U.F.O. Clarifying Oil and Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner.

 1. Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra Clarifying Face Oil – After first falling in love with this oil from Sunday Riley and then experiencing the magic that is this one, I wasn’t sure she could make one that would impress me even more. BUT SHE DID. As someone that suffers from breakouts and stubborn acne on the occasion, I was immediately drawn to this U.F.O. oil because it contains salicylic acid (which my skin responds very well to) and has clarifying properties. I prefer using it at night either alone or with a light hydrating moisturizer on top (currently liking this one and this one). Initially I began applying the oil every other night just to ensure my skin could handle it and wouldn’t flake up, become irritated or have any other unforeseen issues arise. Once I began to see that my skin could tolerate it, I moved to every night. Every now and then my forehead will begin to break out in tiny little bumps and within a few days of using this – they were gone. Though this is an oil, it is one of the least oiliest ones in my collection. It soaks into my skin immediately, leaving my skin hydrated and fresh looking rather than greasy and shiny. And when I wake up the next morning – my pores appear smaller, there is little to no shine on my face and breakouts are minimized, if not gone completely. Like with any new product, I would recommend either getting a sample if you can or testing on a small patch of the face for a few days to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions.

 2. Martian Mattifying Melting Water Gel Toner – I wasn’t sure what to think of this toner when I first saw it’s texture. I am used to toners being more of a clear watery liquid, so I sat with this on my hand for a minute or so just looking at it. However when I massaged it in, it instantly transformed into a water and felt amazing on the skin. I prefer using this in the morning rather than at night because it helps mattify my skin and leaves it smooth and even so that my makeup is easily applied on top. After cleansing, I apply the Martian toner, an essence if my skin is feeling extra dehyrated and then follow with my serum and moisturizer (currently using this and this in the morning). I noticed how much less shiny my skin was throughout the entire day and as a result, I was able to wear a more glowy makeup on days that I use this toner! While this toner is designed for all skin types, I feel that it would be most effective with more oily skin types – though I always suggest getting a sample if you are interested in trying.

My love for Pixi skincare began with the Glow Tonic. It’s a gentle exfoliating toner that can be used daily and I saw immediate results. It is now a product that I keep in my collection all the time and never allow myself to run out. My interest in the brand piqued from there and I was anxious to try as much skincare from Pixi beauty as I could. Here are my favorites from the brand:

1. Pixi Glow Tonic – What started my love affair with the entire brand – the Pixi Glow Tonic. It’s a gentle exfoliating toner with glycolic acid that is gentle enough to be used daily. Even when my skin is at its most sensitive, I can use this. It never fails me and I recommend it to any and everyone I can.

2. Pixi Lash Nourish Makeup Remover Pads – After removing my makeup, I sometimes find there is still some remnants of mascara left on my lashes. I tried these pads as a quick final step to see if it would take away those stubborn last bits of mascara, and it was amazing. I even began using them to remove all of my eye makeup because my lashes and eye area felt so soft and conditioned after. They have become a travel staple for me as well because of how easy they are to pack.

3. Pixi Glow Tonic To-Go – I love the Glow Tonic but longed for a pad form so I could travel with it more easily. I was in Target and saw these and grabbed them immediately! They are the same strength as the liquid toner, but I actually prefer to use a pad instead of liquid on a cotton round. I figured they would give the same exfoliation but I actually find these to give a slightly stronger exfoliation than the original Glow Tonic. I recommend a patch test just to make sure your skin can tolerate.

4. Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser – My skincare routine is never complete without a good mud cleanser to help with cleaning out my skin and detoxifying my pores. This cleanser has a small amount of glycolic acid so it helps to exfoliate the skin while giving it a deep clean. Most of my previous mud cleansers have a slightly grainy feel which can irritate my skin, but this manages to be quite creamy leaving my skin feeling soft yet not stripped or dry. 

5. Pixi Glow Mud Mask – Compared to other mud masks in my collection or one I’ve tried in the past, this one is quite gentle thankfully. In addition to the kaolin clay which helps to purify the skin, it also contains aloe vera and ginseng which helps balance and soothe the skin. I usually need to follow up mud masks with a hydrating mask to help put the moisture back into my skin, but that is not the case with the Pixi Glow Mud Mask. It leaves my face fresh, glowing, hydrated with the appearance of much smaller pores.

6. Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm – While the mud cleanser is typically a once a week or as needed product for my skin, this Nourishing Cleansing Balm is something I can use daily. I love using it as a first cleanse to remove my makeup. If you like a cleansing balm, but don’t want one that is too runny or oily, this is perfect option for you. It’s quite thick and breaks down to an oil once on the face, but the texture is pleasant enough to not bother someone that doesn’t like the feel of a greasy cleanser on their face. (I, of course, love a greasy cleanser LOL)

7. Pixi Hydrating Milky Serum – Most of the Pixi skincare I have gravitated towards is more in the cleansing, toning or masking categories, but this Hydrating Milky Serum was an instant hit. It isn’t too thick so my face doesn’t feels suffocated, but it’s rich enough to do the job. It absorbs quickly (though it’s not immediate), and my skin really responds well to it. I love it in the morning before I put on my makeup because my face looks plumper and more supple after using the serum, and any makeup I apply just glides on.