Winter Beauty Essentials

With winter just around the corner I thought I would do a post sharing my beauty essentials for the coming colder months!

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm
Cleansing balms have been getting a lot of attention over the past year and are definitely worth the hype. Not only do they melt into the skin and help break down makeup for cleansing, but they leave your face feeling so soft and smooth after! This Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm contains no mineral oil, sulphates or parabens and is suitable for all skin types.

Models Prefer Thirst Stop! Mask
I've never really been a fan of face masks until I gave this product a try. Unlike typical masks that dry and tighten on application (often leaving my skin feeling uncomfortable and tight after), this calming mask smooths onto the skin in a thin cream consistency and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. Pomegranate extracts also help regulate hydration and retain moisture to the skin, exactly what I'm after in the cold weather.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Base
I love using this illuminating primer under my foundation when the cold weather has left my skin looking dull and pale. It's not glittery or too shimmery, just gives the perfect healthy glow to your makeup (if you have oily skin I would avoid using it on the t-zone though!).

Palmers Moisturizing Body Oil
Body Oils are a great way to instantly smooth and moisturise the skin, and this Palmers body oil is a long time favourite. It's not too thick in consistency, fast absorbing and inexpensive. My legs are prone to dry patches which can often lead to irritation when shaving, but applying a thin layer of this oil before hand helps give a smoother shave, life saver!

Carmex Lip Balm
After 8 months on accutane, I've experienced the worst when it comes to dry lips. I always carry a tube of carmex around, but if you're experiencing extreme dryness, try applying Blixtex Intensive Repair Balm first and layering the Carmex over - my winning combination!

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum
As the weather gets colder I recommend trying to switch over to a more moisturising and radiant foundation. Healthy Mix Serum applies on the skin smoothly and doesn't look too shiny or too matte, just a beautiful natural finish. Note - If you have combo-oily skin you will need to powder to control shine and increase lasting power, as it can fade a bit during the day.

REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate
To exfoliate I always reach for chemical exfolliants as they are able to clear and smooth without having to scrub, scratch or irritate the skin. I love this product by REN as it uses natural fruit acids which are gentle on the skin and leave my skin with a brighter and smoother texture, perfect to get rid of all that flaky skin build up from the cool weather.

BENEFIT Total Moisture Facial Cream
My holy grail moisturiser for dry and dehydrated skin! This Benefit cream is a thick consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin leaving it feeling hydrated and smooth. For best results I apply a facial serum first and then layer this cream over.

NIVEA Q10 Hand Cream
I always carry a tube of hand cream in my handbag as my hands are always dry as the weather gets colder. This hand cream by Nivea is a light consistency and fast absorbing, great for applying on the go.

What are your favourite cold weather beauty essentials?

xx

Haul | Benefit Beauty

Just a couple days after making my skincare wishlist (see previous post) I decided to put in an order from the Benefit US website and purchase some skincare and makeup. Prices are in USD and if you spend $125 they have free international shipping (when I made the order it was only $90, but that deal is over now unfortunately).
1. Benefit POWda WOWza $28 USD
I feel bad for showing this limited edition product as I just checked the Benefit website and they aren't selling it anymore, but you can still purchase each item individually. I've always wanted to try the Benefit box powders and thought this set would be perfect! It includes a mini hoola, coralista and bella bamba.

2. Benefit 6 Piece Skincare Set $24 USD
The set that inspired my purchase! I'm so excited to try out all the Benefit skincare.

3. Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream $38 USD
My skin has been incredibly dry lately and after just a couple days of using this thick cream I have actually seen an improvement.

4. Benefit Hoola Packette & Stay Don't Stray Packette free
Every online purchase comes with 2 samples, I decided to choose the Hoola and Stay Don't Stray packettes.

Have you ever tried Benefit skincare or makeup?

xx

Wishlist | Skincare

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I've noticed recently that my interest in skincare has gone from basically non existant to almost, well obsessive this year. Maybe it's because I've been to the dermatologist a few times and been forced to finally address all my skin insecurities, or maybe it's because I turned 20 and accepted that I'm not a child anymore and my skin is, unfortunately, changing! Wahhh. Either way, here are some skincare items I am currently lusting over.

FYI: I used to have oily acne prone skin, but am currently on Accutane which has changed my skin to sensitive and normal-dry. Some of these products I wouldn't start using until after I finish my treatment.

1. Bioderma Crealine H20 Cleansing Solution
It seems like everyone in the beauty community owns and adores this cleansing lotion. It's quite pricey to get your hands on, but luckily a good friend of mine is currently in Europe a picked up a bottle for me in France! Hoping they both arrive safely haha.

2. Benefit 6 Piece Skincare Set $16.27 AUD
I tried a sample of a Benefit cream last year and have since been quite curious to try some of their other products, in particular the Total moisture Facial Cream and It’s Potent Eye Cream. I found a 6 piece sample set on ASOS but unfortunately it only ships to parts of Europe. I'm hoping some of my relatives overseas will be able to get it for me and send it over, as I really don't want to have to place a large order on the Benefit website just to get free shipping.

3. Aēsop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner $39 AUD
I've heard ViviannaDoesMakeup on youtube talk highly of Aesop products, in particular this facial toner.

4. Avene Gentle Toner $30.95 AUD
I've tried a few Avene products this year and love how gentle they are on my sensitive skin. I'm not sure whether I want to try this toner or the one by Aēsop first.

5. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum $150 AUD
Like Bioderma, I feel like this is a product everyone loves. I've never actually tried a serum before, and I'm not sure if I could justify spending $150. Surely it can't be that good!? Am debating between this and the Aesop serum mentioned next.

6. Aēsop Oil Free Facial Hydrating Serum $65 AUD
Still quite expensive, but I've heard great things about this serum and it's better value for money at 100mL while the Estee Lauder only contains 50mL.

7. Aēsop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Eye Cream $81 AUD
Yes you read that right, $81. The best part, it's only 10mL! Can't even. That being said Reese at ReeseATOMIC raves over this eye serum and I'm actually really tempted by it. The eye area is so delicate and shows aging easily, so I can see how it's sort of justifiable to spend big money on eye creams and serums. I think I might ask for this for Christmas, but for now I'm happy with my $24 Avene eye cream.

8. Caudalie Divine Oil $38.25 AUD
The only body oils I have ever tried are Bio Oil (broke me out) and one by Palmers which was ok, but I'm not a fan of the Palmers cocoa smell. I've heard Kate at Gh0stParties rave over this Caudalie Divine Oil which can be used on skin, hair and nails.

9. Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil $49.30 AUD
I always thought that a facial oil sounds like a greasy disaster waiting to happen, but this particular one is designed for oily or combination skin and I'm curious to see how it would work out.

What are your holy grail skincare products?

xx

New Skincare Routine

For almost a year now my skincare routine has included a Cetaphil cleanser and nothing else. I have acne prone and oily combination skin and have tried everything from Clinique, Proactiv, Neutrogena to Clearasil and basically any brand you can think of. Don't get me wrong, none of them were bad products that made things worse... but they didn't improve my skin at all. I decided there was no spoint spending lots of money on products that were showing no results when I could just use a Cetaphil cleanser for a fraction of the cost.

As the seasons are changing (worst time for my skin) I have decided it's time to try and get into a routine again. A couple weeks ago I purchased the Natio Young range for oily combination skin, including a cleanser, scrub, toner and moisturiser.

You get a decent amount of product in each bottle and they retail at only $9.95 AUD each. As we stock the Natio range at the pharmacy I work at I also get a further staff discount - always a bonus!

So far I'm liking the products; no miracle change in my skin but I am enjoying having a routine that works with my skin type and is reasonably priced.

What are your favourite skin care products?