Let's talk skincare!

Let's talk skincare and when I say "Let's," I mean really, Let's talk together, because this is not my field of expertise.  I know skincare is important.  Especially now over 30, I know it's even more important.  Since my big hobby is makeup, I also know makeup goes on smoother and looks better when you have smooth and clear skin.  The only skincare routine I've had in my life is to wash my face and use moisturizer, which I often skipped in the summer but always needed in the winter.  Recently I've started exploring a little more into skincare and wanted to not only share that with you but also get your expertise.

Here are some of the new products I've tried and liked.

After being in the Bridal party for my friend Leslie, she gave us all gift cards to Aveda.  Part of my purchase was this really cool deep cleansing clay masque!  Aveda products always smell amazing to me and this masque is fun because it really is like putting clay on your face.  I use it once a week.

When in Florida visiting Jesus's family for Christmas, his cousin Uki bought this particular cleanser for his parents by Aveeno.  I have since bought it myself because it smelled good and has great little scrubbing particles that feel nice.  Maybe I should be using a makeup remover in addition to this but it does get my makeup off! I don't know if I need something called "positively ageless" yet but probably, being 31 sounds like a good time to start caring about skin aging to me!

This next product is the one I am most excited about!  It's a moisturizer.  I've used an oil free moisturizer from Olay for years that cost about five dollars and I've loved it.  It was lightweight, oil free, and had an SPF.  Other moisturizers made my face break out and this one didn't.  BUT recently in the winter as I've been wearing makeup, I've seen that I needed something more moisturizing.  Old habits die hard and what once worked for me has finally come to my attention that it was time for a change.  It was especially brought to my attention when my husband pointed out that I was wearing A  LOT of makeup!  The truth is I wasn't but my makeup looked cakey on top of my dry skin so I knew my moisturizer wasn't hitting the mark for the winter.  So I sat in the moisturizer aisle for about ten minutes at the store and decided to try something new that cost $17!  Woah that's a lot but I have a new commitment to take skincare seriously so I wanted to explore new options.  On a whim I bought this Loreal Age Perfect hydra nutrition golden balm.  As I was reading all the backs of the many different brands and packages, this one sold me on the benefits of moisturizing the most hence the name "hydra nutrition."  This moisturizer is much thicker than what I was using and I am a little nervous about it causing breakouts but it's been a week and nothing yet!  While the thickness scares me, it also intrigues me because I feel like it's working and I haven't noticed the makeup cakey-ness since using it.

So clearly all these products are all different brands and I don't know if that really matters.  Do you have a particular line that you stick to?  Or maybe you mix your product brands like me and can tell me some things you recommend?  I'd love to hear what other people are using and am even interested in department store brands as I've only tried drugstore.  Thanks for all your recommendations in advance!

PS here are my most recent makeovers as I feel like I haven't practiced in forever!  Here is my sister in law, Yung, and I'm so bummed the light and I didn't capture a true photo of the beautiful purple I used on her eyes but you can still see a lovely flawless complexion!  

And here is myself using my Urban Decay Vice 3 eyeshadow palette and I simply followed this youtube tutorial to do it!