THIS WEEK’S EDIT:

MEN’S SKINCARE, SIMPLIFIED

Link to Skincare

I shared a quick version of this recently, but wanted to break it down properly — because most men are either using nothing or the same 2-in-1 they’ve had since high school.

These are the products that are actually simple, effective, and worth using.

Most men don’t need a complicated routine — in fact, using too many products (especially layering things like Vitamin C, retinol, and random actives all at once) can actually irritate your skin and make it worse.

A simple routine done consistently will always beat a 10-step routine you don’t understand — start with the basics, then add in 1–2 targeted products if you need them.

IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START

  • Cleanser CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (great all-around, super safe) COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser (K-beauty fave, gentle) Moisturizer CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion (lightweight, no fuss) Etude House SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream (K-beauty, super calming) SPF Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 (invisible, no white cast) Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF 50 (K-beauty cult favorite)
  • CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (great all-around, super safe)
  • COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser (K-beauty fave, gentle)
  • CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion (lightweight, no fuss)
  • Etude House SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream (K-beauty, super calming)
  • Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 (invisible, no white cast)
  • Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF 50 (K-beauty cult favorite)

FOR DRY SKIN

Hydrating Cleanser

  • La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

Thicker Moisturizer

  • First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
  • Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream

Add:

  • Vitamin C (AM)→ helps brighten + bring life back into skin
  • Retinol (PM)→ helps with texture + long-term skin health

Optional Serum

  • COSRX Snail Mucin Essence (hydration glow)
  • The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

FOR OILY / ACNE-PRONE SKIN

Lightweight Cleanser

  • CeraVe SA Cleanser (great for breakouts)
  • Innisfree Green Tea Foam Cleanser

Oil-Free Moisturizer

  • Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
  • Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
  • Add: Vitamin C (AM)→ helps with dark spots + uneven tone Retinol (PM)→ helps reduce breakouts + smooth skin
  • Vitamin C (AM)→ helps with dark spots + uneven tone
  • Retinol (PM)→ helps reduce breakouts + smooth skin

Treatment

  • Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
  • The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc

THE ONLY “EXTRAS” THAT ACTUALLY MATTER

If you’re adding anything beyond the basics, make it these two:

Vitamin C (AM)
→ Helps brighten skin, even tone, and make you look more awake

  • TruSkin Vitamin C Serum
  • La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum

Retinol (PM)
→ Helps with texture, breakouts, and overall skin quality over time

  • Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

EXTRAS (IF YOU WANT TO GET FANCY)

Lip Balm

  • Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
  • Aquaphor Lip Repair

Hand Cream

  • L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

Body Wash Upgrade

  • Nécessaire The Body Wash
  • Method Body Wash Pure Peace

SO NOW YOU’RE LIKE…WAIT…DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED ALL OF THIS?

Short answer: No — but a few things make a big difference.

Think of skincare like this:

  • Cleanser= washes your face (gets rid of oil, sweat, etc.)
  • Moisturizer= keeps your skin from getting dry / irritated
  • SPF= protects your skin (this is the most important one)

Everything else is just extra credit depending on your skin.

👉Shop everything here

Link to Skincare

WHAT I WORE

Should we do a night out in LA itinerary next?👀

Extras This Week

A couple things I wore that didn’t make it to Instagram (but honestly should have):

👉Shop more here

Night Out

Easy outfits, good company, and one of those nights you wish you could replay.

Lace top, denim, heels, and a mini bag — simple but always works.

👉Shop this look

NYC Look

Wore this in NYC and didn’t want to take it off — one of those outfits that just always hits.

👉Shop this look

Everyday / Casual

One of those throw-on outfits that somehow still looks put together.

👉Shop this look

Should we do a night out in LA itinerary next?👀

SAN DIEGO WITH THE GIRLS

San Diego with the girls just hits different — reunited🤍

Padres game, bar hopping, good convos, and picking up where we left off like we never skipped a beat.

We ended up at a mix of our go-to spots and a few new ones — sharing all my recs below.

⚾Padres Game

Honestly one of my favorite ways to spend a day in SD — good energy, drinks flowing, and just walking around with your friends.

Animae (Dinner)

I should put a little pork tocino emoji if they had one. Elevated Filipino is what we love ok! One of the best dinners of the weekend — a little more elevated but still fun. Perfect for a girls night where you want to actually sit, order a few things, and catch up.

MORE DINNER SPOTS

  • Callie — trendy, Mediterranean, always a hit
  • Juniper & Ivy — elevated but still fun
  • Born & Raised — steakhouse, rooftop vibes
  • Cesarina — cozy Italian, great pasta
  • Fortunate Son — chic Chinese, super vibey🎤Bar Hopping In Gaslamp

Stops we hit:

  • Gaslamplighter (karaoke chaos in the best way)
  • Sidebar (major throwback…had to)
  • Happy Does (new spot!)

Very much a “go wherever the night takes you” type of night.

BREAKFAST / BAKERY (DOWNTOWN + NORTH PARK)

  • Asa Bakery — lowkey one of the coolest finds…thanks to my besties. Bakery by day, and I’ve heard it turns into more of a speakeasy/sushi situation at night👀
  • Communal Coffee — cutest aesthetic café, perfect for a slow morning
  • Morning Glory — iconic brunch spot, expect a wait but worth it
  • The Mission — classic, always good, easy go-to
  • James Coffee Co. — simple coffee stop, great before walking around

🍸The Vibe

Equal parts chaotic and wholesome — exactly what you want from a girls weekend.

👉 Save this for your next San Diego trip

WHERE I WENT

Equal Parts, San Francisco

Low lights, good cocktails, and one of those menus where everything sounds good.

What we ordered:

  • Pull My Daisy
  • Manhattan
  • Kampachi
  • Fried Chicken
  • Bone Marrow
  • Panna Cotta

👉Adding this to your SF list

A Few More Spots To Add To Your List

  • SF / Bay Area Happy Crane — everyone’s talking about it right now Ernest — modern Asian tasting menu, super hyped Penny Roma — pasta spot that’s still trending Bodega SF — casual but very cool crowd NYC Corner Bar — downtown energy, always packed Jean’s — very “you go here to be seen” Sailor — cozy but impossible reservations LA (next trip!) Bar Lis — rooftop, sunset drinks La Dolce Vita — classic but having a moment Gigi’s — dinner that turns into a night out
  • Happy Crane — everyone’s talking about it right now
  • Ernest — modern Asian tasting menu, super hyped
  • Penny Roma — pasta spot that’s still trending
  • Bodega SF — casual but very cool crowd
  • Corner Bar — downtown energy, always packed
  • Jean’s — very “you go here to be seen”
  • Sailor — cozy but impossible reservations
  • Bar Lis — rooftop, sunset drinks
  • La Dolce Vita — classic but having a moment
  • Gigi’s — dinner that turns into a night out

Night Out Itinerary (SF)

If you’re planning a night out, this is the exact route we did:

  • Amélie
  • Harper & Rye
  • PCH
  • Peacekeeper
  • The Felix

👉Save for your next night out

HIS EDIT

PAAK’S PICKS

A few looks from him lately — simple, intentional, and always put together.

He’s very much a “keep it clean, fit matters, and don’t overdo it” type of dresser…which honestly makes everything look better.

👉Shop his picks

The Formula

Structured top, relaxed pants, good shoes — and suddenly it’s an outfit.

Night Out / Date Night

One of my favorite looks on him also because it was my bridal shower — elevated but still effortless.

  • Off-White Arthur Sunglasses in Black
  • Kith Rugby Polo
  • Zara Relaxed Fit Pleated Pants
  • Duke + Dexter Wilde Penny Loafers
  • Tissot Gentleman Brown Leather Strap Watch

What I’m Loving

These cute coasters
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This puffer bag
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These mini dresses
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These belts
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