{sponsored} a change in my spring routine

Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://www.discoverbeautywithin.com/.

It’s springtime. For me, that means it’s time to come out of winter hibernation, and back into the world of the living. I have to start looking more presentable, as my friends are also coming out of hibernation and we have more plans in the mix. In turn, I start paying (more) attention to my daily/nightly skin routine.

I’m all about simple. I don’t have time (or patience) to deal with a lot of products. I want to feel good about myself, while also taking care of my skin, but I really don’t have a ton of money to spend on products. So if I can find something that works well for me, and doesn’t break my checking account, all the better.

A look at some of the products I use.

I try to make sure that everything I use has some level of SPF. I’m pale. It’s just how I am, and I’m not looking to tan. In fact, I need to protect myself as much as possible from the sun. Sunscreen might be my number one “product” starting…well, starting right now until the fall. (I’m guilty of not using it like I *should* in the fall and winter.) When I know I’m going to be outdoors for an extended period of time, I make sure I have sunscreen close by. Up until recently, I’ve used Avon or Coppertone sunblocks. Lately, though, I’ve been researching sunscreens, and I’ve started paying more attention to ingredients, so I’ve been working on making the switch over to more natural products. They’re a little more expensive, but they mean fewer chemicals.

Makeup is super simple. I use a foundation that also contains a powder, eliminating one extra product and step for me. Just a few weeks ago, I purchased a foundation in a slightly darker shade because I’m not going to be ghost-like for all of spring. I also splurged on new mascara (I don’t use waterproof mascara because of how difficult it is to wash it off.) I used to be a big fan of eye shadow, but with allergy season in full force, I don’t like to run the risk of itchy eyes and wiping eye shadow all over my face. Throw in a lip gloss or chapstick, and you have my makeup routine. (For fancy events, I break out the lipstick. And eyeshadow. Because I’m wild like that.)

Now let’s talk lotions. I’m bad about using a moisturizer in the morning. During winter, I tend to use a moisturizer in the morning. Notsomuch during the spring and summer. I do, however, use a moisturizer at night. And during my pregnancy last year, I became obsessed with Suave’s cocoa butter with shea lotion. I still use it every evening (it acts as a moisturizer and is helping to make sure I don’t have any stretch marks from the pregnancy.) Throw in a bit of Mederma on my c-section scar, and I’m all lotioned up!

I’m thinking I may have to add in a concealer soon if my 7-month-old doesn’t remember how to sleep through the night.

How do you change your routine to get ready for spring or summer?