Current Skincare Routine

 

It's taken me a long time to find the perfect mix of suitable products and I can safely say these are the ones that keep my skin looking it's best and I'd recommend to anyone with oily, breakout prone skin.

 

Throughout school my skin was always a combination type, with no breakout issues. Fast forward six years after high school and my skin started breaking out often and became very oily. This change may have had something to do with all the different products I was testing out so I decided to keep it simple and stick to the basics and this method has worked for my skin over the past couple of years.

 

Removing makeup is such an important part to any skincare routine and should be done before going to bed. Your skin needs time to breath and wearing makeup overnight can block pores and cause more breakouts. My all time favourite makeup remover is the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution because this seriously feels like water and it removes all traces of makeup on the skin - it's amazing!

 

 Finding the perfect cleanser for sensitive skin has been the hardest on my skincare journey but I have found the answer in Perricone MD's Hypoallergenic Gentle Cleanser. Dr Perricone is a Dermatologist, using clinically proven formulas to help achieve clear, beautiful skin. Along with cleanser I use the Clarisonic Mia 2 at night for a deep clean, while still being gentle on my sensitive skin. The clarisonic really clears out the pores, removes dead skin and keeps my skin looking bright and radiant.

 

At night after cleansing, my skin can sometimes feel a tad dry and to put some moisture back in I use the Chanel Le Lift Crème Fine. This is the most luxurious face cream I've ever tried! It's pricey but totally worth the money.

 

Let's face it, even with all these miracle products I still do get breakouts and sometimes if I catch it early I can stop them before taking over my face (bit of an exaggeration I know but they're no fun!). When I see even the slightest sign of a pimple I dab the amazing Mario Badescu drying lotion and like magic the pimple is gone by morning. With a blend of Calamine and Salicylic Acid it dries pimples out overnight.

 

I generally only rinse my face with water in the morning as my skin can get irritated if I cleanse too often. After rinsing and patting dry, I always apply some Origins ginzing refreshing eye cream to brighten up those dark circles. With Coffee Bean and Panax Ginseng, this eye cream gives skin an instant lift and Magnolia Bark adds light to help fade dark spots. It a nice refreshing pick me up in the mornings.

 

In Australia, we can face some harsh sunny days so it's important to protect your skin by using an SPF moisturiser. The Neutrogena deep wrinkle daily moisturiser with SPF15 is the perfect daily protection as it's not oily and soaks into the skin very quickly. If your skin is dry and you need more moisture, try using a serum first.

 

I would recommend these products as they have definitely transformed my skin, but keep in mind your skin type and what is best for you.

 

Let me know what your holy grail skin care products are?

March Favourites

I was channeling my inner Barbie this month with pink obviously my favourite colour in March. Some classic goodies as well as some new favourites I've been loving! 

Coming close to the end of a bottle of Chanel Chance I had to quickly purchase a new one. It's my signature scent, great for day or night and lasts for hours. I always keep a little sample size in my purse for touch ups during the day. 

Too Faced is one of my favourite makeup brands - they just get it right everytime and this product is no exception. There's a reason the new tinted Beauty Balm was sold out in stores! For starters it melts into the skin like butter, doesn't look like you're wearing makeup, has light coverage and a glowy finish. My colour is Vanilla Glow and I love this beauty balm for a light everyday base.  

Another beautiful makeup product I've been wearing so often this month is the Mac pigment in tan. This is a colour that matches so many skin tones and is so versatile. What I mean is wear it dry with a neutral brown in the crease for an everyday, wearable look and wet your brush before applying to achieve a foil metallic night time look. 

Flushed pink cheeks is naturally perfect for a 'no makeup' makeup look. Benefits Posie Tint cheek and lip tint gives a poppy pink stain to both the lips and cheeks. I mainly use on the apples of my cheeks after foundation and before powder for a natural pink flush.

So has anyone ever noticed how good Zara's handbags are?! They're usually hiding under the racks of clothes in a corner but you can find some real gems! I get a lot of compliments on my Zara bags and everyone always sounds so surprised to hear where I've purchased them from. Recently I picked up this black purse with gold detailing, perfect for work. The structured look is great and can be worn on the wrist or over the shoulder with the long strap. I love it! 

Costume jewellery has changed over the years and I've recently rediscovered this pretty necklace I bought so long ago. I like the length and the colour works well with so many outfits as either a pop of colour against black and white or contrasting against an aqua blue. So pretty! 

Hope you've all had a fab long weekend and Easter! 

The Chop

Long bobs are the talk of the town and I've been looking for some inspiration as I'm thinking of doing the chop. Here are some of my favourites. 

Pictures courtesy of Pinterest.

January Favourites

So here we are...just over one month into 2015 and so many things are happening already! My best friends wedding is in two weeks, I had my first group presentation for uni and this weeks sales conference with work, amongst other things! 

One of my goals for 2015 is to save save save my money way more than I did last year and this means no more spendy spendy. Well just really thinking about every purchase (big or small) and saying to myself 'do I need this?' before just buying. In saying that, all of these favourites I already owned except for one which was a gift. 

I'll start with the Tiffanys link bracelet which was a special gift from my best friend who's getting married in a couple of weeks! She surprised me at her kitchen tea with this gorgeous bracelet and I haven't taken it off since! It's my new favourite piece of jewellery and I'm so lucky to have been given it. 

Tony Bianco make some fab shoes and are one of my favourite brands. These suede babies I've had for a while and are a great staple to have in your wardrobe. I wear these either for work or out for dinner ~ they're quite high, so avoid nights you know you'll have to walk alot! Just a tip from me to you : ) 

Just because my skin is oily, doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good cheek highlight. I picked up a mini Benefit high beam cream highlighter and it's just beautiful. Such a pretty sheen for the cheek bones that I've been loving this month! 

Maybelline seriously has the creamiest lipsticks with the best colour selection! This colour 'make me pink' is my go to everyday colour ~ kind of a 'your lips but better' pink. 

Don't you just love those flirty floral fragrances you can spritz on during the day and it's not too overpowering?! This Tommy Girl brights perfume is just that. I've been keeping this one in my purse for on the go during the Summer months. 

Hope you've all had a fab start to 2015 and let me know what you've been loving for the month of January. 

What's In My Purse

 

I'm known to carry around everything and the kitchen sink with me on a daily basis! I guess, I just like to come equipped for any situation that may arise. Here's an insight into what's inside my daytime purse. 

1. iPhone 

My number one essential and the source to all my creativity. I love searching the internet for inspiration, taking photos of my day and of course my slight obsession with Instagram.

2. Wallet & coin purse

Just the general bits and bobs in here: licence, credit cards, loyalty cards, money (if I'm lucky)and bandaids.

3. Diary & note pad

I'm such a note taker, list maker and organiser. I like to keep my diary up to date with upcoming events, assignment due dates etc. And I keep a blank note book to jot down any brilliant ideas for posts or shopping lists. 

4. Copious amounts of lip products 

Can you blame a girl for wanting options!?

5. Sunnies

A must for keeping that harsh Sydney sun out of your eyes while driving. Love a big pair of sunglasses! 

6. Hand cream & mints 

I always keep some hand cream and mints in my purse ~ cracked, dry hands and bad breath just isn't cute! 

7. Perfume & body mist 

I usually keep at least one of these in my bag to re-spritz during the day. I love the sweet floral body mists from Victoria's Secret. 

8. Hair clip

A must during Summer! No matter how much effort I put into my hair, during those warmer months I always end up sweeping it off my face and into an up-do by the end of the day. 

9. Tampons

You never know when you or a friend may need one of these suckers! 

10. House & car keys

Well duh..gets me around and in my house at the end of the day : ) 

11. Neurofen

For that unwelcome headache or when 'that time of month' cramps arise. 

12. Handbag butler

This cute little device allows you to hang your handbag off a restaurant table, rather than putting it on the dirty floor, which I'm sure a lot of us are guilty of.

Let me know what your daily handbag essentials are! 

Products I Regret Buying

As a beauty addict I try a lot of new products, always searching for the best of the best and those worthy of holy grail status. Sometimes, sadly I come across products that don't agree with my skin, hair or body and they become - products I regret buying. 

Is heard a lot of fantastic reviews about the Healthy Sexy Hair Soya Want hair spray so decided to give it a go. As soon as I sprayed that first spritz onto my hair, I knew this wasn't the product for me. The way it sprays out of the aerosol more so wets your hair than evenly spritz it! I won't be repurchasing this pretty pricey hair spray.

Yes to Cucumber products are generally pretty good. Having run out of my regular wipes, I randomly tried these and turns out they unfortunately disagreed with my skin. I had to stop using the wipes because they stung my eyes and the skin around them.

I came across the Aveda body Creme in a pack I bought and was looking forward to trying it out. I'm usually not picky with moisturisers because they generally all do the same. I lathered it on my legs overnight and woke up with it still sitting on top of my skin. This moisturiser is greasy and does not absorb - if that's something you like then this ones for you. 

So many people talk about the Chanel vitalumiere aqua foundation and for some it's their holy grail. I bought mine while on a holiday in Singapore and couldn't wait to get home and test it out. It took me a little while to work out, but this foundation was leaving my skin so greasy by the end of the day. It also made me break out quite a lot and once I realised this, I stopped using it. 

The Secret Pore HD Powder kind of came in my possession by mistake. I had ordered a primer from their website and this was sent incorrectly. The company never got back to me and I thought I should at least give this powder a go. Turns out it was no good for what I was after. It did mattify my skin so well but in photos I had such a white cast on my face - looked very silly. I think I may still use this powder but only when I know no photos will be taken. 

Please remember these products are ones that didn't work with my skin type and what didn't work for me may work for you. Hope this has helped give you my honest opinion and some insight on these products I've tested.