Bali Beauty Haul

Back in January I spent two week in Bali with friends to celebrate a very special wedding, and I've decided to post up the beauty products I hauled over there seeing as I haven't even cracked into them yet! I've been so focused on using up the bulk of my stockpile to bring my beauty room to normality that I haven't been trying the exciting new bits I brought back from overseas, but I figured now was as good a time as any to take a look at what I got and start trying things out!

Original Source Vanilla & Raspberry Body Butter - I'm not particularly fond of this scent from OS but I made grabby hands purely because we don't have access to anything but the shower gels here in Australia!

 

Silkygirl Big Eye Mascara & Moisture Boost Lip Crayon - I'd heard of this brand via Vita's blog, which was the only reason I threw something random from them into my cart at the pharmacy. I also meant to get the powder she raves about but as you'll see below, my memory wasn't great that day...

 

Hado Labo Ultimate Moisturising Milk - I had dashed into a pharmacy with a friend to get some cool air while waiting for our driver, and was confronted with a wall of Hado Labo, a brand that I've never before had access to...a moisturiser seemed like a safe option to try out.

 

Maybelline Velvet Matte by Color Sensational in various shades - I saw the cheap Maybelline price coupled with the word matte on the outer wrapping of these, and over the course of the two weeks a stack of shades ended up climbing into my suitcase. Shamed to say I haven't given all of them a good whirl yet, but the ones I've tried have quite a mousse-like consistency.

Garnier Sakura White Pinkish Radiance Gentle Foam, Whitening Cream and Sleeping Essence - I'd never seen these before (of course the range came out in Australia right after I returned from Bali - though I don't know if the products are identical?) but they seemed pretty interesting and I generally like Garnier skincare range. I still have some skincare to trial so I won't be using these right away, but am excited to eventually try them!

Cottage Le Caramel Gourmet Shower Gel & Moisturizing Body Milk - Another blog-influenced purchase, from the now defunct Mustard Jumper. From memory she bought these from France? I was so excited to see them on the shelf in Seminyak one day, and I need moisturiser like a hole in the head but bought it regardless (because that is what I do)

 

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Body Lotion - Technically this 50ml tube came free with a magazine I bought at Melbourne Airport, but once I can see an airplane I'm in holiday mode so I count this as a holiday purchase.

Biore Body Foam Whitening Scrub - Truth be told, I bought this purely for the weird factor! I am partial to trying Biore products while holidaying in Asia, it just seems the thing to do, you know?

Stroberi Nail Polishes - These reminded me of shades from the old OPI Spiderman collection, and that is about as far as my rationalizing will go for these. The Stroberi store is so cute and every time we drove past it we would have a good giggle at the name, so at least these bring back fond holiday memories!

Silkygirl Brightening 2-Way Foundation & Skin Perfect CC 2-Way Foundation - These were my attempt at purchasing Vita's favourite product, close but no cigar! Hopefully they are just as lovely though.

L'Oreal Mat Magique All-in-One Matte Transforming Powder and Canne Film Festival Limited Edition Nail Polishes - I have this strange obsession with buying powders when in Asia, and the pink case for this was too cute to pass on. The polishes were on clearance and such majestic looking shades!

Yves Rocher Hydra Vegetal Intense Hydrating Mask, Peach Creamy Gel Moisturiser, Apple Delight Perfume and Blushes

Fellow blogger Anna always raves about the Yves Rocher brand, so as soon as I spotted it I knew I was about to spend a lot of time filling up a basket. I dipped into most areas of their product line to give it all a go, and was pleased to find two neutral rose toned blushes to add to my blush stash #blushfiend

 

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter and Silky Cleansing Oil -  I'd been wanting to dip my toe into the skincare side of TBS and I love a good cleansing butter or oil, so this felt like a sensible indulgence and I think it worked out a bit cheaper to buy it over there than on Australian soil (plus holiday money is play money, right? ha!)

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It will be a while before my next holiday, so it felt extra nice to sit down and remember all of the lovely things I purchased while away. I also stocked up on a whole lot of Bath and Body Works products but there was too much to fit in this post. Perhaps I should post my collection someday?

-Emma

Triple Threat Facial

Sitting in front of the laptop with an hour or two to spare, it’s often quite nice to treat your skin to a wee bit of pampering. Rather than going for the everyday serum-eye cream-moisturiser routine, I like to plump up my skin every once in a while with what I call the ‘triple threat facial’. No credit can be taken for this by me, as I was completely inspired (as in thispost) by Vivianna Does Makeup (who got the idea from Caroline Hirons, skincare gem) An idea so genius that I can’t believe it hadn’t popped into my head already, I’m now getting a lot more use from more of my face masks and my skin seems to be thankful for it. For the record, my skin is a real mixed bag and has lots of issues, from dry patches and a shiny forehead to hormonal breakouts and general dullness. Choose masks that suit your individual needs, and start achieving better skin!

First things first, the facial begins with a clay-based detoxifying mumma jumma, for which I bring out my mighty Queen Helene Mint Julip mask. Bright green and minty, this clarifies the skin and I like to apply it with a paddle foundation brush for even coverage that doesn’t waste any of the minty goodness. As Anna points out in her post, this digs down deep into pores and cleans them right out, so that the next two steps can work to their full potential without any grime in the way. After leaving Mint Julip on for 30 mins and removing with a damp muslin cloth, step two of this process can begin.

Radiance is the next thing you want to slap on your mug, and at the moment I am using the Guinot Instant Radiance Moisturizing Mask*. Wafts of lavender and rosemary are key features of this greige face treat, and I leave this on for 15-20 minutes before whipping it off with a tissue. I like the look of the REN Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask that Anna used and was eyeing it off in Mecca Cosmetica the other day, but I just can’t take the plunge until I’ve used up some other face masks first. I’m trying to be good, you see?

Final step is my favourite, not purely because the long process is drawing to a close but because this mask is my very favourite. The Jojoba Company Botanical Hydrating Face Mask* is clay based and uses a bunch of classic hydrating ingredients to soften and plump up the skin. I love the way it tingles, and that it actually does what it promises to do, and does it well. Using these three dedicated masks in a single evening is a real treat for the skin, and I see it as ensuring I have some brownie points stored up to trade on those days when it threatens to act up on me.

 

 Let me know what face masks you love in the comments below, and if you ever have time for this sort of at-home pampering.

*Marked items were provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

*Interested in the Queen Helene? iHerb stocks it for $3.84 here, and if you use my discount code BEJ649  you can save extra! $10 off every order $40+, or $5 off if order is below $40. Happy shopping!