Just kidding. You can’t look like you’re twenty-four years old forever, unless you’re Gwyneth Paltrow or Cindy Crawford.

Just kidding. You can.

Both women have stringent skin care routines, and ladies, I promise you. If you take care of your skin, it will take care of you.

Today is my birthday [cue Happy Birthday song] and last year on my b-day, I promised myself I would start removing my mascara and washing my face before bed. I was seriously the worst at this, and constantly slept in my makeup. I don’t care if you criticize me for this, but I truly have a “before” and “after” every single day, and I don’t like to wake up and see the “before makeup” version. #SorryNotSorry

Even after years as a skincare consultant and witnessing firsthand how beautiful my mom’s skin looks (she washes her face every morning and night!), I needed to commit.

So I did.

While there were a handful of nights that I still slept in mascara, I confidently say that I not only removed my mascara, but washed my face and used skin care supplements about 90% of the time. Barring any skin care conditions that would require a visit to the dermatologist, you can truly spend only a few minutes each day taking care of your money-maker.

I’m excited to share some tips with you.

1. Buy a white pillowcase.

The thought of leaving foundation and mascara streaks across my beautiful crisp linen inspired me most nights to perform a nightly skin care routine.

‘Nuff said.

2. Designate a special bag for *only* skincare products.

My beautiful double-zippered black Lancome gift-with-purchase bag holds everything necessary for skincare maintenance. Most nights, I turn on The Office, grab the bag, and take off my makeup sitting in my bed.

Keeping my cosmetics in a separate bag not allows me to fit all-the-makeup it can hold, but allows me to actually use the samples I get from my Sephora Play and FabFitFun subscription boxes because I can see all the skincare items at once.

3. Facial Wipes

I am addicted to facial cleansing wipes. I had to take baby steps, people, and facial wipes were the only way the makeup was gonna come off at the end of the day. I also love them for in the morning, when my face feels oily from the supplements and sweating during the night. Which we all do, btw, regardless of how low you turn down that A.C.

I’m just starting to use some of my liquid cleansers outside of the shower, but I definitely use a washcloth so I’m not splashing water everywhere. Also…no soap. I repeat…no. soap. Use a real facial cleanser.

*PRO tip: Use upward-and-outward motions when you’re cleansing or applying product. Give those muscles some lift…gravity is already pulling everything down.

4. Supplements. Are. Everything.

Anti-aging products work. Experiment until you find your favorite brand and use the day and night creams. Sun protection is crucial, so make sure you’re using a product that has an SPF for the daytime. I always use facial supplements on the back of my hands to help prevent sun exposure from the windshield in the car…and also because I want my hands to remain young-looking for as long as possible.

For night, I love products that have collagen in them. Don’t forget to moisturize!

5. Apply products properly.

Eye creams should be applied with the pad of your ring finger because it’s your weakest finger. The skin around your eyes does not contain moisture glands, so forgo the facial moisturizer and shell out some cash for creams made for the delicate eye area. Be careful not to tug or pull.

*PRO tip: What you do to your face, do to your neck. Your neck shows signs of aging first, so slather those creams up your neck (upward and outward) and your décolleté. There are specific products for this area, so start with your daily supplements and then work your way towards specialty ones.

6. Foundation is part of your skincare.

This is a rule I live by. We come into contact with disgusting pollution and dust every day. Our skin is our largest organ and we should protect it. I’d rather have that dust and grime stick to my foundation so I can wash it down the drain (or off with the facial wipe) than to let the pollution get into my skin.

I consider foundation my “protector” and love liquid and mineral powder versions. Matching the right shade can be tricky, but when you find your perfect match, your skin will look flawless and matte.

*PRO tip: Make sure your foundation bottle says “non-comedogenic” which means “won’t clog pores.”

While this post could go on and on about exfoliating, toners, masks, etc, I’ll cap it there for now and we will revisit this topic again. And as I celebrate turning another year older, I’m adding “exercise daily” to my annual goal. If I do it 90% of the time, that’s winning in my book.

P.S. I have a sneak peak inside my Lancome skincare bag on my Instagram account today. Take a shot of yours and tag me #BetJett.

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