Switching up the Skincare - cleansing oils & balms

I was a little bit disappointed to get to the end of my DermalogicaPrecleanse* recently, as I really enjoyed the way it easily cleaned my makeup off and kept my skin clear until the very end of the bottle. Rather than rush out to repurchase (tempted though I was) I thought it best to use up some of my other cleansing oils/balms in order to behave as ‘normal’ people do haha fat chance! I guarantee that I will be repurchasing this in the future though!

 

The first cleansing oil I pulled out was the Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Facial Cleansing Oil, which I purchased from Priceline when the brand first hit the shelves. I was pumped to use it and adore the packaging and aesthetic of the brand, but for some reason I thought to check out the ingredients before I slapped it on my face. I was just getting over a huge upsetting breakout, so when I saw that the words ‘mineral oil’ were first on the ingredients list, I physically stepped back to think about what it might do to my skin.

I haven’t been brave enough to test it out despite the rave reviews I’ve read online, I just can’t see how an ingredient like mineral oil can be good to grumpy skin like mine. I’m not claiming to be an expert on ingredients or skincare in general, so if you want to read more about mineral oil in general I highly recommend you check out Beauty Mouth by Caroline Hirons aka the skincare queen. Hirons has spoken at length about the negative aspects of mineral oil, and I think it her blog is a must-read!

I dived into my stash to find something else to use up, and came across my half empty Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser, which is a thick balm inside a thick plastic tub. I loved using it but moved onto other things (as beauty bloggers do) in order to review for the blog, but I am really happy to come back to this. It needs to be removed with a flannel/muslin cloth and I find it really moisturising, but I’m happy to report that it doesn’t leave me oily or break me out.

Do you precleanse every day?

Do you prefer cleansing balms or cleansing oils?

*Provided for review, but that hasn’t affected my intense love for it. Thanks Dermalogica! Honesty, always.

Trying Out a New Brand // Shu Uemura

Trying out a new brand for the first time is such an exciting moment, especially for someone who spends so much time in the beauty world. Previous to these products I had tried the Shu Uemura Skin Purifying Cleansing Oil (pink bottle) and enjoyed the small sample bottle, but apart from that I had only gazed in awe at the luxurious lashes at the David Jones counter on Bourke St Melbourne, and not actually tried my hand at any of the colour products available. I know of so many bloggers who are big Shu fans, and I was elated when a package full of this makeup (and a cleansing oil) landed on my desk.

I used all of the makeup in a single look in order to showcase them all, and it just so happened that all of the shades worked well together. The Glow On blush refill in Soft Orange (M 542) is quite a pastel shade, and when compared to something like Cream Soda from MAC is really is orange. Though I applied the cheek shade heavily in order to take these photos, I think a lighter flush would work well on my pale skin tone and be a nice change to my usually orange (which tends to be Stila Gerbera more often than not!) I still prefer some of the other blush shades from the brand though, so though I like the formula this colour isn't 100% in my book.

The Drawing Pencil in Pearly Gold was surprisingly my favourite product from this package, and I love the way that the pale gold looks as an inner corner highlight. I have used this pencil quite a lot for that task, and though it isn’t a shade I would normally pick out I think it has made me rethink my choices when I head to a makeup counter. Often I reach for the typical ‘exciting’ products (blush, anyone?) but pencils like this can slot so well into an everyday routine to perk it up a bit!

 

Working with the warm toned theme, Shu Uemura kindly sent me a Rouge Unlimited lipstick in Bright Orange, and I think the sleek modern packaging really stands out amongst my black MAC and gold YSL lipstick tubes. I love the way this glides on without accentuating any dryness on my lips, and I think I really needed a shade like this to stand as a true orange in my collection, as opposed to the bountiful coral oranges I tend to collect like Pokemon! I also love the way this photographs, though I think a bit of mascara would have balanced it out a little bit. I was trying to branch out and see how I fared without a bit of definition on the lashes, but I am definitely in camp three-coats-at-least on this one.

So now it is your turn- when was the last time you tried a new brand out for yourself?

 

*Products were provided for consideration. Opinions are my own. Honesty, always.

Dermalogica Precleanse + an exciting price drop!

Don't get me wrong, I had heard rave reviews about the Dermalogica Precleanse* from fellow beauty bloggers, but for some reason it still slipped under the radar for me. To be honest, Dermalogica in general was a favourite of many I knew, and until the middle of last year I had only really skimmed to surface of their product range. I enjoyed using the Microfoliant*, but it wasn't until the Precleanse met my face that the love affair truly began.

 

The premise of this is something that some disagree with, but the notion of pre-cleansing truly is something worth trying for yourself. Foundations are now lasting longer, primers are gaining popularity and sunscreen is an everyday necessity, so 'double cleansing' or using a precleanse is an easy way to ensure you are thoroughly cleaning your skin before applyling your serums and moisturisers. I use a dedicated eye makeup remover on my lids and lashes, before using precleanse and my cleanser in the shower. You rub this oil over your (dry) face, add some water to emulsify and work it into the skin before it easily rinses away. I prefer this over other oil-based cleansers I have used, as it leaves my skin happy and clean without drama.

Dermalogica Precleanse is pretty much a citrus scented addiction, as my skin never feels totally clean unless I've used this before my regular cleanser.

Now that the price of Dermalogica products have dropped in Australia, I will be repurchasing a 150ml bottle for $43.35 from Adore Beauty when this one runs out. Shouldn't need to repurchase for quite a while though, as this bottle lasts for ages!

What do you think about the idea of precleansing? A necessity , or just another step in your already-too-long skincare routine?

*This product was provided for consideration, but opinions are all mine. Honesty, always.

Emptied in August

Clarins Eau des Jardins Uplifting Shower Gel

Will be posting a full review on this as I adored it, smells amazing and is PH balanced.

Priceline Round Cotton Pads

You constantly see these in my empties, because I use them for everything! Bioderma, toner, folded in half to fix eye liner. You name it!

Dermaveen Oatmeal Conditioner

The matching shampoo was featured in my last empties, and this isn't much better. Doesn't give my hair enough moisture, but I've used worse conditioners in the past.

Boots shave cream

This is so old the can has rusted, I found it at the back of my cabinet and was repulsed. This is not empty, but a chucker.

Sunsilk Colour Lock Shampoo

A grotty sample that I don't want to put near my head, this is also a chucker.

Shu Uemura Skin Purifying Cleansing Oil

I felt that this took my makeup off well, but did leave a bit of an oily residue. I didn't dislike it, but I can't decide if I like it enough to buy it in the future.

Rimmel Match Perfection Cream Gel Foundation

I really enjoyed this, it really does feel like a cross between a cream and a gel. I found that it sets really quickly so you have to blend each section of your face separately to avoid it feeling mask like. The finish it gives is like real skin, but without major flaws, and I liked wearing this to work or out to lunch on Sundays.

Lancome Tresor Midnight in Love

I love fragrance samples, and this sweet blackberry vial was lovely. It was uber sweet so I tended to wear it at night, but I can see myself buying a full bottle of this.

Australis Lash Length Extension mascara

Reviewed here, I really enjoyed using this fibre mascara and loved how easy it was to remove. In the end up it became very clumpy (in a soft, fibre-y way) but it lasted well past it's proper 'expiry' date (yes, I kept using it because I'm cheeky) Would repurchase. 

 Face of Australia Face Base Primer

I already have another tube of this on the go, it is my favourite moisturising base and it lets my foundation glide on a lot easier. I use this daily and find it helps my colour cosmetics last a little bit longer, but it's more for application help than anything. Have and would repurchase.

What did you use up this month?

What mascara and primer are you using right now?

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.