Current Cleansing Routine

Let me share a little beauty blogger confession before I dive into this post - I have become so, so slack when it comes to skincare! Overall it's just the general lack of TLC that I've been missing in my routine, as I've still been double cleansing at night and enjoying it! I need to re-evaluate the treatments/lotions I'm using more than anything - I need to commit to a serum and moisturiser and stop chopping and changing between bottles! Since I'm generally content with my cleansing routine as it stands, I thought it was worth sharing, if only as a record for my own benefit.

I've just finished up a woeful eye make-up remover so am using the new Simple Kind To Skin Micellar Cleansing Water for both face and eyes, and am actually quite happy with how it is performing. I was using the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water which I love, but had seen so many glowing reviews of this that I just had to pick it up when I saw it on sale at Priceline. I pour some on a cotton round and sweep it all over my face to take off the main layer of makeup. I then smear some of the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm all over my face before jumping into the shower. I work the balm all over my face as the water heats up (I like my showers super hot!) and then take my face cloth to remove it. I finish off my double cleanse with the Garnier Goodbye Dry Gentle Cleansing Milk - I find milk cleansers too mild to use on their own, but enjoy them after a balm or oil cleanse. The scent of this one is amazing, but I am about to finish it up so will be moving onto a new cleanser soon - is it sad that this really excites me?!

What cleansing products are in your routine right now?

Any new cleansers I should chuck into my line-up?

-Emma

 

*All of these cleansers were purchased by me. Honesty, always!

Current Favourites - Mid April '14

The last few months have been a little trying for me, with work being filled with drama and wedding planning shoving my brain into overdrive. I did manage to find a few nights to sort through some of my beauty room, and Mister Bovary kindly built me some new drawers to store a portion of my makeup collection. It has made it much simpler to chop and change looks, and narrowing down my current favourite products was definitely an easy task this time around.

Despite my skin becoming less than covetable of late (perhaps attributed to new skincare trials and some lazy nights...) I've been enjoying the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water with gusto. Very similar to Bioderma Crealine H20 but at a much lower price point, the spendthrift in me rejoices at this release! Another skincare gem I adore is the Garnier Moisture Match moisturiser, of which I use the blue variant which targets normal to dry skin.

I've added another blush pan into the 'consistently reaching for' category to sit alongside Tarte Exposed...Hourglass Radiant Magenta really doesn't apply anything like it looks in the pan, but gives me a natural pink flush that makes me think of airbrushing each time I apply it. Another luxe cosmetic love of mine is the new Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick in Cheri, the purchase of which I blame on Tiffany from Will Work for Makeup. A full post is upcoming for this stunner, such is my love for the shade and formulation!

A press sample love of mine is the Rimmel Scandaleyes Rockin' Curves mascara*, which I have already influenced a few of my friends to purchase. The formula is a little bit more wet than I generally like in a mascara, but it really stretches out my lashes and gives them noticeable length and curve which I appreciate. Last but not least for my current favourites is MAC Club eyeshadow, which has shown itself to be a real workhorse for me in the last little while. I have been wearing this sheered out for work, and then packing a few more layers on to turn it into a smoky eye of a night time.

What are your current favourites? Any new blushes I need to try? ;)

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

*Provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

The Skincare Edit

I’ve decided to try and be one of those bloggers who uses things up before moving onto new bottles. I find it equal parts simple and difficult, it’s nice to have my routine set out for myself but I tend to get bored of using the same item for an extended period of time. The joy I will feel at finishing some skincare is pushing me forward, but my new Boots skincare is sitting on my desk taunting me on a daily basis…

In the morning I’ve been using my Garnier Micellar Water to remove the PM layover excess (build-up of night cream etc) and then going in with my Guinot Refreshing Cleansing Milk*. I’ve just switched out from my Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion +* (which wasn’t doing much in terms of hydration for me) to the Garnier Moisture Match for Normal-Dry Skin which is one of the new releases from the brand. If I am going to get any sun exposure I use my Dermalogica Oil-Free Matte Sunscreen *instead of the Garnier, and this also acts as a great primer to wear underneath my makeup. I’m too lazy to apply serums or eye cream in the morning, until my morning coffee has sunk in I’m quite useless to be honest.

When I get home from work I remove my eye makeup with my Neutrogena Oil-Free Makeup Remover which has replaced the Clarins Instant Eye Make-Up Remover* that I used up. I then continue my routine in the shower where I use my Thalgo Pure Velvet Cleansing Cream* and my Guinot, but I’m sort of looking for a thicker balm-like cleanser so that my double cleanse feels more thorough, you know?

I then apply my serums or treatments, which changes depending on how my skin is acting at any given time. Acne being a pain or skin looking a bit bumpy? Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion sorts that out followed by some Effaclar Duo. General tone looking dull and in need of a pep up? Lancome Dreamtone Serum* is my luxe option, or a moisture mask like Origins Drink-Up Intensive Overnight Mask is slapped on.

Mister Bovary won’t let his lids fall unless he has enjoyed a spritz of the Jurlique Balancing Rosewater Mist that he bought me for Christmas two years back, and I quite like a bit of L’Occitane Lavande* on my pillow (which isn’t strictly skincare but does wonders for my sanity, which I’m sure in turn keeps my skin happy!) I then pop on a bit of the Korres Jasmine Lip Butter, Aveeno Postively Radiant Intensive Night Cream* and I’m ready to hit the hay. 

That is my skincare round up right now – I’d love some recommendations for balm-like cleansers or just awesome cleansers in general!

What cleanser are you using right now?

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

*Provided for consideration. Honesty, always.