#SKINBABE: Tara Needler
Each #SkinBabe will help us share confidence, gain confidence and inspire confidence!
Tara Needler is indeed a #SkinBabe! Tara is such a fun person to follow on social media: Tara is confident, funny and authentic! I connected with her thanks to a deep-dive on Instagram and found her account before she had 5K followers ... now, The Small Town Blonde has more than 33K people following her daily life! I LOVE to see her success!
Tara is a girly-girl when it comes to make-up and skincare. She is OBSESSED. Tara also moonlights as a make-up artist and teaches classes to young girls about how to apply make-up best. BUT, as a true #SkinBabe, The Small Town Blonde knows that no amount of make-up will make up for a bad skincare routine!
Tara shares A LOT of links below, walking us through her step-by-step skincare routines for both day and night. Even if you're not quite on Tara's level, there's a key takeaway here: MAKE SKINCARE FUN & CONSISTENT. Tara shares how she incorporates her favorite products throughout her day and makes sure she has them accessible at all times -- in her purse, car and nightstand!
#SkinBabe Tara Needler shares her favorite products with us and a few laughs, too. She's also a firm believer in my 2-Step Cleansing process - you take off your make-up THEN you wash your face. Tara's beautiful skin demonstrates that's important for her and YOU too, #SkinBabe!
#SkinBabe, be sure to read all of Tara's skincare knowledge as she shares detailed skincare tips & tricks, favorite products & CONFIDENCE!
What Does #SkinBabe mean to You?
Being a #SkinBabe means I am important to myself, not in vanity but in self love. When I slather on that retinol or try to jade roll away my double chin, it's a few moments of staring in the mirror for some positive self talk. Sure, I see those pesky blemishes and new wrinkles, but I force myself to also find the things I love about myself. When I teach makeup classes, I always reiterate this. Is there anything more beautiful than a strong and confident woman? When we love ourselves we take care of ourselves. A #SkinBabe is more than skin deep. ;)
Why Do You Like Skincare, #SkinBabe?
Skin is an investment in the current and future you. I love to know what I do today will benefit my skin in the future. This can make me a bit cray cray when it comes to skincare however. Such as never going without my Mario Badescu drying lotion (I stock pile it). I also love researching and finding new products or just wandering the skincare aisles at local stores. (I could be there forever, just asked my hubs)
What's Your Biggest MUST DO for Your Skin, #SkinBabe?
Wash yo FACE, I have yet to miss a day since I was 13. My mom instilled that in me since day one. I carry makeup wipes in my purse (2-Step Cleansing Process, people!), these are my favs, and stock them in our cars too so when I am headed home for the day, I can start my skincare routine. I would also say start using anti-aging products, at least one, as early as possible. For me, I introduced a very low retinol around age 23 and I never looked back! Oh and drink water, I say this for myself too because I need to do it more.
What's Your Current Face Routine, #SkinBabe?
AM Routine
Micellar water: this draws out the impurities and I always use a round cotton pad, Garnier Micellar Water is my favorite.
Philosophy Purity on a Clarisonic: I love this cleanser for the morning. It is gentle and leaves your skin glowy. I am a big believer in the Clarisonic as well, I can tell the difference if I don’t use it for a few days. It is worth the investment, mine is 4 years old.
Witch hazel: I find this at TJMaxx or Target, it is a great inexpensive astringent that helps with pores and tone of skin.
Josie Maran Argan Oil: One of my holy grail products. I tend to break out with heavy creams so switching to an oil for my moisturizer was a game changer. Plus under my BB Cream, it gives me the most amazing glow.
Jade Roller: During morning coffee, I keep mine in the fridge to help wake me up and de-puff my face.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion: I work from home and because I’m insane, if I have pesky bump you better believe I am a sight to see when the FedEx man comes.
Face mist: throughout the day to stay hydrated, I like to use a face mist. I love the Mario Badescu ones because they are inexpensive but I have also fallen in love with one from Ole Henriksen. I keep one of these in my purse as well, they work well as a setting spray or if you just need a little boost!
PM Routine
Micellar water again: this stuff gets everything off!
Double cleanse: First with oil cleanser, I love the Tarte Oil Cleanser (coconut oil also works well) Second cleanse is with Murad AHA/BHA Cleanser
Exfoliate 3x week with Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask or Peter Thomas Roth Enzyme Gel (I use this too!)
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair: It helps with tone, texture, and crazy hydration.
Peter Thomas Roth Retinol PM: Retinol is the a hero product for anti aging. Neutrogena Rapid Night Repair is also a nice retinol cream and it is at your local drugstore.
Josie Maran Argan Oil: I pat this in all over and down my neck.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion: Duh! You stick a cotton swab straight through, don’t shake, and put it where those dumb spots are popping up.
Cosrx Patches: If I have a really bad under the skin blemish coming in, these things will zap it overnight.
Face mist: I keep one near my bed so it's the last thing I do before I go to sleep.
Aveda Hand Cream: Also beside my bed, don’t forget your hands!
Weekly Routine
Clearing face mask using apple cider vinegar and Aztec Healing Clay (featured on #MaskingWithMimi!)
Hydrating sheet masks when I need an extra boost
What's a Product You Can't Live Without, #SkinBabe?
Can't live without my drying lotion, I wear it as much as possible to heal blemish and keep them from scaring. If you know me well or just follow me on my insta stories, I am most likely wearing it. I have been known to forget and wear it in public, no shame!
For a great save product: coconut oil, I use this if I run out of oil cleanser or just want to save some money. It can be used as a moisturizer if I need extra hydration. And I use it after every shower to keep my skin silky smooth. So if you don't have room in the budget, get an organic, unrefined, cold pressed coconut oil, you can thank me later!
My splurge: It would probably be my Josie Maran Argan OiI or the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. The Josie Maran Argan Oil is the most superior of all argan oils I have tried and worth the investment. As for the Advanced Night Repair, I have been using this for 2 months now and the difference in my skin is amazing. It helps with tone, wrinkles, moisture and that glow baby!
Quick tip: one of my favorite places to #SkinBabe shop is QVC, they always have the best prices, kits or super sized products.
Who's Your Favorite #SkinBabe?
The Skinny Confidential. She is a crazy skincare guru. Lauren does all her research, and her feeds are so bomb. She recently did a post on the importance of Chlorophyll water so guess what I just bought on Amazon ... sure did!
Thanks #SkinBabe, Tara Needler! 💋
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#SkinBabe Tara Needler also teaches classes about make-up application!