Skincare Routine

Each time I am in the midst of a ‘good skin’ month, I feel the urge to post a round-up of the products that I’ve been enjoying. Despite suffering through what I believe was an allergic reaction to my hair mask (exacerbated by constant scarf wear!) I have been happy with the texture of my skin and am thankful for a range of products for helping me out in that respect. Since I am consistently rotating my skincare in order to review products on this blog, many are press samples or things that I only use for a 6 week period to keep the reviews coming. Just something to keep in mind!

In terms of my morning routine, I like to keep it quite simple and use cleansing water like Bioderma Crealine h20 to rid my skin of any remnants of my nightly routine. I’ll be honest and say that this isn’t always a step I undertake daily as I can be quite lazy in the mornings! I then pop on a full pump of Cetaphil Derma Control SPF30+ moisturiser*, which is broad spectrum and non comedogenic. This keeps my skin smooth and helps prevent acne whilst providing UVA/UVB sun protection. I find this to be a great moisturiser and I’m glad that the lightweight bottle is pump action and cheap enough when it comes time to repurchase! While this sinks in, I begin applying my eye makeup, then move onto applying primer and the rest of my makeup routine.

At night, I take a lot more time caring for my skin. I begin by removing my eye makeup before I hope into the shower, with Maybelline’s City Rescue makeup remover which I am about to run out of. I then use Dermalogica Precleanse* and Antipodes Grace cleanser* while I shower. I am still having a love affair with Precleanse, and am enjoying the touch of class that Antipodes brings to my bathroom. I find the creamy formula of Grace to still be quite lightweight, and it doesn’t add any oil or shine to my skin as I at first thought it might. I do still prefer my Soap & Glory Fab Pore Hot Clothcleanser* though, as I find it leaves my skin softer and smells a little nicer than this luxe metal tube. I switch up my facial scrubs quite often, and right now I’m using the Dermalogica Skin Prep scrub* (sample tube).

After cleansing, I move onto layering a few treatments and serums depending on how my skin is acting that particular day. I suffer from a little bit of acne, and so without these treatments my skin acts a fool! Mario Badescu is wonderful for acne prone skin, and I rely on the Buffering Lotion to take care of my bumpy forehead and deep pimples, while the Drying Lotion stops the spots about to erupt in their tracks. I also love La Roche Posay Efflacar Duo to keep my skin acne free overall, and will definitely be repurchasing when this tube meets its end. I sometimes use Lacura Hyaluronic Gel to help suck some moisture into my skin, but lately I’ve been favouring my Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost*.

To end my skincare routine, I take time massaging in a night cream to moisturise the dry patches of my face. I was using a lightweight lotion during the heat wave we experienced earlier in the year, but now that it is chilly I have cracked open my tub of Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream*. Such a lovely name, isn’t it? I found the texture of this really strange, it is sort of like curdled yoghurt, and at first I doubted how hydrating it would be. Happy to report that I was way off, you need the tiniest bit of this to cover your whole face and it works so well at hydrating without being heavy or breaking me out!

 

 

Phew! That rounds up the skincare loot that has been slapped on my mug lately. Now it is YOUR turn! What products do you swear by for your skin?

 *Items provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

 

 

 

Cosmecology Paris // Hydra Skin Hydrating Face Cream

As much as I adore and appreciate the appeal of prestige French skincare, the reality is that I am not always able to indulge in it. I am currently completing my post grad at university, and the pressures of buying a new home and planning a wedding often take a toll on my cosmetic addiction. When I found out that there was an affordable French skincare brand by the name of Cosmecology Paris, I was intrigued.

No outer packaging demonstrates how much the company prides itself on being environmentally aware, and the clear white tubes splashed with colourfully classy ingredient symbols is an attractive addition to my skincare loot. At the Cosmecology Paris launch in South Yarra I had a good sniff of most of the haircare, skincare and bodycare, and I am happy to report that everything smells deliciously fruity and divine!

I have been using the Hydra Skin*  facial moisturiser for quite a long time now and I am about to run out, so I thought it time to sit down and share this product with you. Fruity and nourishing, this aloe + hyaluronic acid filled moisturiser is thicker than a lotion but still sinks in quite fast. I use a pea sized amount each morning and night (though in the PM I use it in conjunction with a serum or facial oil) and though I feel as though it could sink a little deeper, I’m content with how much it moisturises my face. It leaves a slightly shiny finish to the skin, but because I always put it on before bed or under makeup it doesn’t faze me at all.

 

Priced at only $28 for 50ml, this is a good every day skin moisturiser for all skin types that brings a touch of French skincare to your cabinet, without hurting your purse. I would ideally prefer a matte finish, so those with extremely oily skins may want to look to the Cosmecology Paris Mattifying Face Cream instead.



Cosmecology Paris is salon only, for stockists please ring 1300 300 954. 
What French skincare do you adore?

 

*This product was provided for consideration. Honesty, always.

 

An Epic Empties for October

I made an effort to use up things in my cabinets that were almost done or at least halfway, and truth be told I am really pleased with myself for using up as much as I have. I’ve split them into categories, I hope you enjoy the mini reviews!

Shower

 

Garnier Anti-dandruff Sensitive Shampoo I have a feeling that they have discontinued this ‘sensitive’ option from the anti-dandruff range, which is a shame as it is the one that works best for me. Doesn’t dry my hair out, and keeps my scalp happy.

Lush Sugar Scrub I must admit that I am not a lover of this Lush product. I didn’t get to use it very much before it turned to mush (despite being kept out of water) and though it left my skin soft, the loose form of it was a bit of a pain and I found it a bit too rough for me.

Botani Spirulina Salt Scrub* This is one of my very favourite scrubs, I love the zesty scent and the way it feels sticky and sloughs off skin well. I rationed this tub out for as long as I could, but am glad it is gone now and I can head out and buy a new one from Priceline (once I’ve used up some other scrubs I have lying around!)

L’Occitane Shower Gel in Captivant* This unisex scent was really lovely to use, the bottle is pleasing to the eye and the gel itself was soft and didn’t dry out my skin. L’Occitane shower products are quite pricey and make nice gifts, but I will be trying out their shower oils next time for something new!

 

Imperial Leather Foamburst in Summer Zest (Mandarin, Lemon & Ylang Ylang) I quite like the creamy foam that this turns into, and the scent range is all really lovely. For some reason I didn’t quite fall in love with this, though Chris seemed to really enjoy it.

Gillette Satin Care Wild Berry Shave Gel This was a super sweet can of shaving gel, and I found the scent to be quite artificial but enjoyable nevertheless. I think I will try a shave cream next, just to get some more moisture into my legs.

The Body Shop Satsuma Shower Gel This. Was. Amazing. My MIL brought this back from Thailand with her and wasn’t a fan of the scent so gifted it to me. I used up most of this while in Sydney, and am sad to say that this amazing scent is no longer available =( If and when I see it again, I’m stocking up!

Clear Conditioner I was intrigued and tried this purely because Miranda Kerr fronts the brand, and has awesome hair. This feels very similar to Pantene and Sunsilk conditioners to me, and I found it didn’t nourish my hair very much. These sample sizes are $1 at Coles, lovely to try out new things
without a lot of commitment!
 

 



SPRAYS

 

Rexona Girl Tropical Energy Deodorant This pops up in empties all the time, it is my favourite deodorant and I have a stockpile in my cabinet because I pick up a few cans every time they are on sale. I am going to buy the Rexona Clinical Protection deodorant soon, now that the weather is warming up.

 

The Body Shop Berry Luscious Body Spray In an effort to use this, it functioned as a lovely room spray throughout the house. My sister kept asking what smelt so good, but wasn’t happy when I told her this was no longer available!

Impulse City Collection ‘New York’ Body Mist This was also used as a room spray, and was ironic as my parents were IN New York as I sprayed this here in Australia. Nice scent, but nothing I’d rush out to buy again.

 

MAKEUP

Australis Duet Palette This contains a row of shadows under a row of lipglosses. Most of the shadows are smashed to smithereens, and I despise glosses in pan form, so I am tossing this.

Calvin Klein Lipgloss in Taffy This gorgeous pale pink shade came free with a Strawberrynet order, but was obviously old stock as it has ‘turned’ already. Smells awful, so out it goes.

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara sample I loved this mascara, it smells strongly of roses and I love the tapered tip of the wand. I used this up a long time ago but recently stumbled across it in a makeup bag, so am tossing it. I am hoping to get a full size of this for Christmas, as a ‘mascara’ splurge.

FACE

Beauty Care Co Makeup Remover Pads El cheapo from Kmart, I prefer the Priceline branded rounds as these fall apart quite easily.

Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub Minty and yum, this sugar based scrub worked a treat for my flaky dehydrated lips. Chris always asks why I can’t just use my toothbrush like he does, but I think he is just jealous of my sugar hit.

Taut Collagen Orange Drink This concept freaks people out a little, a drink which is supposed to stimulate collagen production which contains shark cartilage. Tastes like yummy orange medicine, but the benefits are unproven for me and I won’t repurchase. This came in a sample subscription box.

L’Oreal Youth Code day cream I was using this way before I was heavily obsessed with makeup and beauty, and I loved the thick but light texture of it. Very hydrating, and I think I would repurchase again and maybe use as a night cream. Very old and pretty much empty, this had to go.

My Beauty Diary Hyaluronic Acid facial sheet masks These come in packs of 2 and I stock up when we visit Thailand. Obsessed with learning about hyaluronic acid lately, I loved getting a shot of hydration with these super soaked facial sheets.

Garnier Clean Sensitive Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Have already shared my thoughts on this here  but suffice to say I will not be repurchasing.

 SAMPLES

Clinique Superbalanced Foundation To be honest I used this once and forgot to go back for the rest, so can’t comment on the actual product. I like that the sample was in a light shade, however.

Kiehls Clearly Corrective White, Clarity-Activating Toner I was only able to get 3 uses from this sachet, but the idea itself is intriguing and I’d like to pick up a bottle to try it out. I have a comparison post coming up on Kiehls toners.

Kio Kio Frangipani & Puriri / Pacific Tiare and Ti Kauka Body Lotions I have a full post coming up on these, but I really enjoyed the scents and got a few uses from these sachets.

L’Oreal Ever Pure Rosemary Mint Conditioner* Absolutely loved the smell of this, and am trying hard to work through some other conditioners before I run out to buy a full size. Luckily I found a few more samples of it in my stash, so can indulge until I can justify a big tube.

 

Phew, that is a lot of empties.

How many products did you finish off this month?

 

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