my skincare routine

I have jumped onto the 'obsessed with skincare' bandwagon and thought I would share some of the things I've been using. I have recently revamped my skincare routine but had these pictures ready to go, so thought it was still worthwhile sharing my thoughts with you.

Environ AVST Cleansing Lotion

This is a runny lotion type cleanser which I use after removing my makeup with Bioderma Crealine H2O. The fact that it doesn't lather or anything like that takes a while to get used to, but it really does clean my face well and is so darn easy to remove. It leaves my skin soft, and once I get out of the 'acne/shit skin' phase I'm in, this will be my cleanser for sure.

 

Bioderma Crealine H2O

This magic water is like a drug for me, I just can't get enough. I've talked about this in depth here, and I am over the moon that it is now readily available in Australia. I use a separate eye make up remover and keep this baby for all over the face, and it takes off the gunk and precleanses as well. To find stockists, click the link to my full review here.

 

Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant

I may 'like' a whole bunch of other exfoliators on the market, but there is only 'love' in my heart for this one. Nothing gets my skin as smooth as Alpha-H does, and it isn't lying when it says it is gentle. I'm pretty sure I could use this every day without a problem, but I prefer to use it every second or third night. This helps with foundation application as well, as it helps create a more even base to work with. Buy it from AdoreBeauty.

 

Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Moisturizer

This is a light-weight moisturiser that I find great for my combination skin, as it hydrates but doesn't add to any oily parts of my face. It smells quite strongly of something 'organic' (you know what I mean, right?) but I have grown to like the scent. The bottle is glass and I like the aesthetic of it. The only problem with the packaging is that because it is a thicker moisturiser, now that I'm at the end of the bottle it is almost impossible to use! I have to scrape it from the pumps tube each time I use it, it is driving me nuts but is worth it. Buy it from Echolife here.

 

 

Though I switch up my skincare quite often, I liked the quality of all these and would readily recommend them. I have since switched up my cleanser and my moisturiser to something better suited to how my skin is at this point, however I would repurchase all of these items! My doctor has supported the idea that my skin acting out is a hormonal issue, which hopefully means it will be back on track soon!

 

Are you obsessed with skin care right now?

What is your current skincare routine?

Some of these items were provided for consideration, but I use them because they work for me. Honesty, always.

Alpha-H Age Delay Cleansing Oil // Product Review

I wear a full face of makeup most days, and so feel the need to double cleanse in order to ensure my skin is totally clean when I hop into bed each night. I was sent a sample tub of the Age Delay Cleansing Oil from Alpha-H, which I used each night in the shower (after removing the bulk of my makeup with a designated makeup remover) This cleansing oil is a balm-like consistency that is infused with sea buckthorn and smells of a mix of rosehip along with other floral and fruity scents. 

I massage the balm all over my face before using water to emulsify it, and though they recommend removing this balm with a cloth, I tended to just use water as I followed it up with another cleanser anyway. This stuff melts away makeup and dirt and nourishes my skin, leaving it super soft. If you don't remove the balm with a cloth there will be residue left behind, but it is pleasant and hydrating (perfecting for the aging skin that it is targeted towards!) and so I didn't mind this at all.

The full size product comes in a tube and retails for $49.95 AUD. Once I've burned through some of the other cleansers I have to trial, I will be buying a full size of this. It is not often that skincare grabs my attention as much as this has, and suffice to say I am very impressed.

Have you tried anything from the Alpha-H brand?
What do you recommend I try next?
Do you precleanse often?

*This product sample was provided for review, but my review and opinions are unbiased and honest, as always.

 

My Current Routine

I will happily admit that I am a snooper, and love seeing what is in the cabinets and handbags of others. I usually squeal when Natalie posts over at The Mustard Jumper, and when she posted this I was riveted, and decided to follow suit. Here is the products I'm using right now, but keep in mind that I change up my makeup and skincare frequently!

Face

01. Cleanser:  Environ AVST Cleansing Lotion

02. Toner/lotion: Environ AVST Moisturising Toner

03. Cream/moisturiser: Environ AVST1 Moisturiser

04. Facial Mask: Jurlique Intense Recovery Mask + Sukin Purifying Facial Masque

05. Exfoliator: Soap and Glory Greatest Scrub of All + Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant 

06. Make-up remover: Face of Australia Gentle Make-Up Remover (review) + Alpha-H Cleansing Oil

Body

07. Shower gels/soaps: Lush Glogg, Kiehls Coriander Body Wash, L'Occitane Cherry Princess Pearlescent Shower Cream

08. Body lotions/creams: The Body Shop Moringa Body Butter + Sukin Hydrating Body Lotion

09. Nails: Essie 'Nice is Nice' (review) + Darling 'Hot Diggity'

10. Body exfoliator: Burt's Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Scrub + Botani Spirulina Salt Scrub (review)

11. Foot cream: -

12. Lip balm or lip treatment: Korres Jasmine Lip Butter (review)

13. Perfume: Thierry Mugler Angel EDT (review) + Kim Kardashian for Women

Hair

14. Shampoo/conditioner: Garnier Fructis Sensitive Anti-Dandruff Shampoo + random conditoner sample sachets I am trying to use up before I buy my beloved Terax Crema.

15. Mask or other treatments/products: Moroccanoil, Girlz Only Dry Shampoo, John Frieda Frizz Ease

Make Up

16. Foundation: Bourjois Healthymix Serum, Clarins Ever Matte Liquid, Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse.

17. Powder: Maybelline Dream Matte Powder + Clarins Ever Matte powder.

18. Blush: Benefit Dallas, essence Swirlpool, YSL Creme de Blush in Powdery Rose

19. Mascara: Australis Lash Lengths

20. Lipstick/lipgloss: Natural Compatibles 'Berry', essence 'me&my icecream'

21. Eyeshadow: MAC 'Jaunty' eyeshadow (review), L'Oreal Infallible in 'Sahara Treasure', Femme Fatale Cosmetics 'Poison' pigment.

22. Eyeliner: essence gel liner in Midnight in Paris

Many of these products were sent for consideration and I am in the process of trialling them for this blog. Honesty, always.

July Favourites

I know I am super late with this, but I was never in the same place as all of the products in order to take a photo! Here is what I loved hardest in July.



July Favourites!



*

Rexona Girl in Tropical Energy is pretty much my favourite deodorant, it smells incredible and keeps me comfy and dry throughout the day.

*

Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant* is a product I'd never have noticed on my own, but am so glad to have used! Helps keep the flakies at bay and keeps my skin super soft without being rough. Review is here.

*

Rimmel Match Perfection Cream Gel Foundation* in Ivory is ace. Have a review coming up, but suffice to say I'm loving this sick.

*

Face of Australia liquid eyeliner* in Black is a product I used almost every day in July, and assisted me in my goal to master a liquid eyeliner. Easier to use than others I've tried, the brush tip was easy to wield after a bit of practice.

*

Sportsgirl 'Get Cheeky' blush is the one I reached for most in July, I loved that it was more sheen than disco shimmer so could be worn all day and into the night. Review is here.

*

Colour blocking with Orange and Pink- I have this combo on my tootsies right now, alternating OPI's 'In My Back Pocket' with Ulta3's 'Bo Peep'

*

L'oreal Colour Riche Serum lipstick in Freshly Candy is crazily creamy, and was purchased when I first began reading Primped. Zoe Foster loved it, so I had to have it, and as always she chose a winner! Wear this quite a bit, it's a really great pink for me.

*

Essence Stay with Me lipgloss is 'Me & My Ice Cream' is amaaaazing! I've spoken about my love for Essence before, and my biggest crush is on these babies. This colour works perfectly with Freshly Candy and they create the perfect combo to accompany a smoky eye.

So that is the round up of what I've been loving in July! Let me know if you've tried any of these products, or would like to see them reviewed.

emmabovary xx

*Marked items were provided for consideration for review, which in no way affects my opinion of them. Honesty always!

Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant

I have been using the Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant for the last few weeks, and found it to be, as the name states, great for everyday use. I didn't feel the immediate or 'wow' effects of this product after every use, but found that over time it did shift the dead skin I had kicking on my face. Alpha-H also claims that it is:

*non-abrasive(tick!)

*great for sweeping out congested pores and blackheads(unsure)

*effective in reducing redness and pigmentation (possibly)

My favourite things about exfoliants like these are that they don't cause redness in the skin immediately after use, and they help my moisturiser sink right on in to the deeper layers of my skin. My skin acts out with most new introductions to it's regime, but this little baby slid right in without a fuss.

The exfoliant contains crushed fruit enzymes that are derived from green papaya and pineapple, and are activated when you mix the powder with a small amount of water in your palm. I will admit, at this point, that I found this at first to be a little bit of a pain. My main gripe was that the powder dries wherever it drips, which was often down my arm (a messy skincare user indeed) and I found my rings to be covered in residue from Alpha-H after each use of this product! My rings were pretty dirty to begin with, but it was still not an outcome I aimed for.

I found this to be most effective when following the instructions to the letter: mix powder in hand with small amount of water, rub over face in circular motions for one minute. It felt like a luxe little facial massage, and allowed me to fully enjoy the finely milled nature of the exfoliant.

Overall, I enjoyed and am still enjoying this product, and also find it's super-light weight great for travel (even if it's only to my man's place) Am unsure whether or not I will repurchase this when my bottle is up, but I do think it's one of the best daily exfoliants I have tried so it's a definite possibility.

50g

$59.95

More information can be found here

emmabovary xx

(this product for send for consideration,for review, but as always my opinions are honest and my own)

What I'm Using

Round-up of what I've been using lately!

Shampoo:Sunsilk anti-dandruff one
Conditioner:Matches above shampoo
Styling:Cedel Hairspray, I've been rocking slick pony's lately
Shower Gel:Crabtree and Evelyn rose
Body Moisturiser:Crabtree and Evelyn rose
Deodorant:Rexona Air Petals
Fake Tan:Non, am a proud fair bear
Cleanser:Clinique 3 step Anti Blemish
Toner:Clinique 3 step Anti Blemish
Moisturiser: Clinique 3 step Anti Blemish
Exfoliator:Alpha-H gentle daily exfoliator which I am trialling for beautydirectory
Peeling:Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads
Mask:Elianto Pumpkin face mask
Serum: Just rosehip oil
Primer: Face of Australia primer,love!
Foundation:Revlon/Bourjois (reviews to come)
Concealer:Undereye Revlon colorstay, but am in desperate need of a blemish concealer!help!
Powder:Face of Australia translucent powder
Blush:Stila CC in Gladiola
Bronzer:Nars Laguna
Highlight:MAC Chez Chez Lame
Eyeshadow base:Urban Decay Primer Potion
Eyeshadow:MAC Retrospeck/UD Naked Palette
Eyeliner:UD Zero liner
Curler:Non, too chicken to try
Mascara:Maybelline The Falsies
Lipsticl:Elianto baby nude
Lipgloss:MAC Florabundance
Nail Colour:Face of Australia in Lady in Red