Updated PM Skincare Routine for Oily & Blemish Prone Skin

Developing and maintaining a proper skincare regime will always be something I am truly passionate about. No matter where I am or what I am doing - whether it be on holidays, coming home from a messy night out or just being a pure lazy slop - I will always always make the time and effort for going through the ritual of my evening skincare routine. Friends and family usually marvel at the lengths I will go to keep my skincare routine top-notch and the amount of products I will haul around with me on trips often gets me a few eye-rolls and snide comments, but after experiencing years upon years of bad skin thanks to a lovely combination of teenage hormones and acne, you will rarely catch me wavering from my regime.

There are a few select tried and tested favourites that I will never ever part with, but if finding new favourites and constantly trying a new skincare products were an Olympic sport, I would probably have a few gold medals to my name! I previously shared my PM skincare routine for acne prone and oily skin with you many moons ago, so I thought it was time to once again share what I have been loving and what has been working well for my skin lately. Quite honestly, I could probably do these posts more often as I am always unearthing something new and wonderful, but it takes a pretty damn good product to stay a constant in my regime.

Two Everyday Essentials with Emma & Roe

For as long as I can remember, I have always been a statement jewelry fan. It wouldn't be uncommon to see me rocking a brightly coloured beaded necklace, various chunky multi-coloured rings or a pair of cute studs. So obsessed I was, I tried to collect a unique piece of costume jewelry in every country that I would visit in my late teens and early 20's - my favourite being a string of emerald and garnet coloured glass beads from Rome. But like everything else that evolves and changes as you grow older, so did too my affinity for out there, look-at-me jewelry.

These days, I rock a statement eye or lip over eye-catching jewellery, and I barely remember to put on earrings most days and prefer much more simplistic, versatile and basic pieces. So it comes at no surprise that these two new sterling silver bits that I received from Emma & Roe* recently have fast become a welcome addition to to my everyday accessory line-up - and if you are anything like me, you will adore these pieces too.

KKW Beauty Liquid Creme Lipsticks | Are they worth the hype?

If you are a long time reader of my blog, you may have spotted my post sometime last year about my First Impressions on the Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kits. And if you did happen to read that post, you would know that I wasn't 100% sold on the quality of the Kylie Lip Kits for their fairly expensive price point. But yet here we are again, with me reviewing more Kylie products - something I definitely didn't think I would be doing again any time soon! Somehow (with a willpower unbeknownst to me) I have managed to avoid every single one of Kylie's new launches since the first Lip Kit drop. I just about nearly gave up at the Koko Kollection launch though, and basically was foaming at the mouth when I first laid my eyes on her Kylighters - but guys I bloody resisted because I just was not convinced on the quality for the hefty price tag. Sure they looked hella cute, but they were hella more expensive than they were worth IMO.

But you already know, I damn well could not resist the KKW x Kylie Cosmetics Creeme Liquid Lipstick Collaboration. Deep down, a tiny part of me was holding on hope for a Kimmy Collab, and you best believe that when I first spotted those promo posters (you know the ones!) on Insta and Twitter one morning, I started rounding up all the dollars I could find, because ya girl was about to drop whatever amount necessary to get that collection in my hands. Yes, 14 months later, I can proudly (or maybe sadly...) say that I am STILL just as obsessed with Kimmy K - and mother of god I needed this collab in my life. But did these Liquid Lipsticks live up to all their hype? Did I waste my time (and money) by giving Kylie Cosmetics a second chance? Read on for my first impressions and swatches of the KKW Collection...

Tried & Tested | Magnitone London Daily Cleansing Brush + Demo Video

It's no secret that I am a firm believer and advocate of exfoliation. As someone with oily and acne prone skin, I was taught early on in the game that regular exfoliation was the key to unlocking smoother, healthier, clearer skin. Regular exfoliation for me, worked absolute wonders (thank you glycolic acid). So it comes as sort of a surprise to me, that out of all people, was so SO late to join the cleansing exfoliating brush bandwagon. Blame it on my preference for chemical exfoliation or my reluctance to try something out of my comfort zone (why try and fix something that isn't broken, right?), but I only recently welcomed an exfoliating brush to my regular skincare routine - shocker I know.

The cleansing brush in question is the Magnitone London Vibra-Sonic Daily Cleansing Brush*, along with The Stimulator Lift + Tone Massage Replacement Head*, that I had the pleasure to try out (and finally catch up with the times) thanks to SkincareStore. Promising not only a deep pore cleansing action, but smoother, brighter, refined and tightened skin - I was hooked line and sinker.

Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant | Is it Worth the Hype?

From the creators of the make-up melting marvel, PreCleanse and one of my fave Charcoal Masks at the moment, comes arguably one of the most anticipated skincare releases this year so far (or maybe just for me?) There is no denying that Dermalogica is one my favourite skincare brands, everything they create just works and every time I see a sneak peak or get wind of new product coming I can't help but feel a little bit school girl excited and let out an internal (possibly also external) squeal. So when I was asked to try their latest twist on one of their Cult Classics thanks to Active Skin, I just couldn't pass up the offer. Dermalogica's new Daily Superfoliant* is skincare game changer, promising to resurface the skin but also fight off premature skin ageing that is caused by pollution. Yes, that lovely thing called pollution.

I know what you're thinking, not only do we need to worry about slip slip slapping everyday to prevent damage caused by the sun but now we must also think about pollution we subject our skin to on the daily - here's to never leaving the house! But I don't know about you guys, but I really don't need something else to stress about (hello, stress head right here), so having a product that takes out most of the work out in protecting in your skin is definitely something you want to have in your arsenal - but is the Dermalogica Superfoliant worth all the hype? Let's get down to the nitty gritty.

Two New Additions from Alpha-H

There are not many things in life that I enjoy more than talking about skincare - maybe except for red wine, a good cheese board, caffeine and Jai Courtney, but you get my drift. Looking for the perfect cleanser to help combat your dry but super oily skin? I'm your girl. Or maybe that pesky blemish that surfaced suddenly overnight before a big date? Let me hook you up with what you need to zap it away pronto. I love talking about my fave prods just as much as a new mother can't stop gushing about her newborn child - because discovering a new and exciting serum is pretty much on par as a new baby, right?! One of my all time fave skincare brands to talk about is Alpha-H (we go pretty wayyyy back), and I have two products of theirs that I have recently added to my skincare routine thanks to Facial Co. If you have yet to try Alpha-H, looking for more products of theirs to try or just love chin wagging about new skincare like I do, then read on. 

Empties #5 | Things I've Used Up

As a self-diagnosed make-up and skincare addict, it can be incredibly hard (and I mean really dang hard) to resist the urge to buy new products just about every second day of the week - most of you would know the feels! With so many incredible new releases it is difficult to not get swept up in the hype. However, I've recently put myself on a spending ban and a bit of a declutter of my make-up stash (more on that one later) in the effort to use up all the make-up and skincare products that I have lying around 3 quarters finished or just about empty. I have this horrible habit of becoming really obsessed with certain products, use them day in and day out, then suddenly abandon them halfway through when something brand new and sparkly comes along, never touching them again. Now that we have hit April (how, I wouldn't have a clue!) and I have collected a small amount of empties that I have FINALLY polished off and can bid goodbye to - hello restraint, I am now a goddamn pro. Let's talk trashy!

Sparse Brows & Lashes? These are the products for you...

If you're anything like me, you would know that achieving on-fleek brows, full fluttery lashes and eyeliner sharp enough to slice your own finger is definitely not an easy feat. Surely you all know the struggle!! As good as I like to think I am at applying my make-up, somehow my brows and liner always seem to be a complete hit or a definite miss. And thanks to a fantastic thing called genetics I was sadly not one of those lucky few born with thick brows, nor a steady hand or talent of nailing my winged eyeliner every single time (thank you for micellar water and Q-Tips though!)

But thankfully, the make-up Gods pitied us, heard our frustrated tear-filled calls for help and blessed us with the genius idea of a thing called fiber products. One such brand that is making sparse brows and lashes a worry of the past is Cherry Blooms. An Australian owned company that is widely known for their unique Fibre Lash Extensions and Fiber Brows, these products not only create a natural look but are also super quick and easy to use - even for super novices like me! I have been using a few of their products for a couple of months now and I like to think my brow/lash/liner game has some what improved - to see how I got on and if I am no #Instaworthy read on!

Best of Beauty 2016 | Skincare

As promised, I'm back with Part 2 of my Best of Beauty picks for 2016 - this time focusing on skincare. As the avid skincare junkie we all know I am, picking out products for this post was incredibly HARD - like borderline impossible. If I were able to literally choose alllllll my favourite skincare products for the past year we could quite possibly be here till 2018 (and nobody really wants that now do we...) So, with that being said I have limited myself to choosing products that I had only tried in 2016 and no earlier and somehow I have managed to round it off at a single digit number - round of applause pretty please. So without further adieu, my Best of Beauty Skincare products for 2016.

Best of Beauty 2016 | Make-Up

To say that this post is incredibly overdue would be the biggest understatement of the year - and it's only January! But god damn how time flies. I kid you not it was literally December 20 something when I started planning what products I wanted to include in this post, and I pretty much blinked and Christmas was over, New Year happened and BAM we are almost at the end of January, like seriously guys HOW!? But I still had to go ahead and do this post (even though it might as well be titled Jan faves now...) because I just love Best of Beauty posts as it adds a nice touch of finality to the year. So Happy Belated New Year anyway, I hope 2017 has been super fab for you so far! As for me, I wouldn't even know because apparently I am still living in 2016 *cry laughing emoji* (anyone else still dating things with '16 instead of '17? No? Just me?) However, I decided to split my faves post into make-up and skincare, first being make-up and skincare following up in a few days. Strap in guys, it's gonna be a long one ....

Brand Focus | YoungBlood Cosmetics

Before I started blogging I used to be that sort of person who stuck with certain tried and tested products or ones that a magazine would recommend, followed all the 'it' make-up trends of the moment and generally only bought brands that were only stocked in either Mecca, DJs or Sephora. I partially blame my problematic skin making we fearful to branch out and try anything new in case it made my breakouts worse. But now I am proud to say that I am whole different 'worldy' type of person. I have now realised just how much I love discovering and trying out new brands and products that are not necessarily 'mainstream' and finding some real gems that I would have never have found otherwise. 

One brand with some seriously amazing products that I unearthed this past year was Youngblood Cosmetics thanks to the guys over at SkincareStore. For me, I really like to get a feel of a make up brand through their base or lip products. Generally the first products that I try from a new brand are their lipsticks or foundations (is this just me...?) and go on to experiment some more if I get on really well with those. I was lucky enough to try a few of their base products and as you guys all know, my skin is super pesky and annoying, so let's see how I got on with them - spoiler alert: I am still using most of these products 3 months down the track ...

Colour Pop Haulin' & First Impressions

When it comes to social media hyped brands it doesn't get any more hyped than ColourPop Cosmetics. Not only are their product launches more lust worthy and exciting than their last, their products are incredibly affordable with a colour range that is simply gorgeous, AND with so many formulas to choose from it's no wonder that so many of us are left itching to get our hands on them and see what the hype is all about - me included. But as ColourPop is usually not so easy to get your hands on in Australia, it is safe to say that my ColourPop wishlist has been under construction and perfectly curated for a very very long time now.

However, that all recently changed and like nearly every single other beauty obsessed individual on Instagram, I too also took advantage of one of their latest Free International Shipping promotions - I mean you would be absolutely crazy not to right!? And boy oh boy am so glad that I finally took the plunge. As a ColourPop ~ virgin ~ I couldn't wait to see if their products would live up to their expectations. Let's take a peek at my small (but growing) ColourPop Collection and my first impressions on their products .

Why you Need this Epilator on your Radar for Summer

It seems that spring has well and truly sprung here in Sydney and summer is definitely not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon. I don't know about you guys, but I kinda have a love hate relationship with warmer weather. Yes I love wearing less layers, floaty sundresses, lot's of coral orange lippy, enjoying balmy evenings and countless days spent beachside - but all of that good stuff means that more skin is suddenly on show.

Now, I am extremely pale (can you tell by my hand above) and add that in with the fact that the peach fuzz that have been sporting on my legs for the last few months is suddenly gone out of style, I often find myself in a high maintenance pickle every week. It goes a little something like this - shave, exfoliate, tan, moisturise, exfoliate repeat. No one really has the time or energy for that right? Or just me? Call me lazy but I am never ever bothered for those shenanigans every darn week. That's where this baby comes in, the Philips Satinelle Advanced Wet & Dry Epilator*. It may look a tad scary, but I'm here to tell you why you need this Epilator on your radar for silky smooth legs all summer long.

Want a Long Lasting Matte Base? Then this is the Foundation for you...

Ever found yourself glancing at the bathroom mirror at lunchtime and discovered with shock horror that your once matte and flawless complexion has now transformed into something that closely resembles an oil slick? Because me too. On one too many occasions to count.

If you have oily skin like me, you might understand the struggle of finding a foundation that not only manages to last all day but doesn't leave you looking like you have just doused yourself in oil by 12pm. And when you experience that life changing moment of discovering the one, you stockpile that stuff like it is getting discontinued, but that's until your inner beauty addict reemerges and demands you try out some more foundations - because who are we kidding, where else are we supposed to get our kicks if we aren't constantly trying and buying new beauty products!?

However, over the last 3 months I've managed to stick with using just one base (I know, I'm just as shocked as you). The foundation that I have fallen in love with is the Becca Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation* and if you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed this guy making an appearance or 5 - that's how much I have been loving it! Read on to find out why...

Tried & Tested | Dermalogica's IonActive Power Treatment

Uhh wowzaaa! It seriously feels like forever and a day since I did my last blog post - just over 2 months to be exact! What can I say? It has been a CRAZY busy few months both in my work life and personal life, you know how it gets right? One minute it was July and next thing I know we are suddenly in September, golly damn. Unfortunately blogging had to take a back seat for a little while, but now I'm slowly starting to get back into the swing of things and fingers crossed will hang around for the time being in blogging land! I missed you all so much!

So I thought today's post would be a little review of a treatment that I was luckily enough to try back in July (feels like so long ago now!) If you have been keeping up with my past blog posts you would be no stranger to my love for Dermalogica, so when I was asked to try their new IonActive Power Treatment naturally my answer was a resounding yes. Dermalogica are one of the very few brands whose products get along so well with my skin, and who I am to break up a good thing going? Plus, who doesn't love a sneaky facial every now and again?

Empties #4 | Things I've used up

It feels like forever and a day since I did my last empties post. I seriously take my hat off to all of you who are able to finish off enough products to do monthly empties, for realzz I do not have that sort of discipline. I have this horrible habit of using a product till it is about 3 quarters empty, then moving on to something new and faaaaanccyyy before I actually finish it off. Consequently I have a sizeable collection of products that are almost empty, but not quite enough to throw away (I could probs do a post on all those buggers instead, let me tell you).

So I have been really really really trying to restrain myself lately, step away from all the glittery new things that come my way and actually finish some things off. It's still not a lot (baby steps people, baby steps) but here a few things that I have used up lately. Let's talk trashy.

Winter Beauty Survival Kit

Forgive me for being horribly cliche, but it is well and truly winter here in Sydney. As I sit to write this post it has been cold and pouring rain all weekend - but I ain't complaining, helloooo to staying in bed with a cup of tea and watching TV all day! Winter is definitely one of my favourite seasons. I love nothing better than snuggling under mountains of blankets, thick coats and woolly scarves - and of course rocking a good ole berry lip. My skin on the other hand, a completely different story. My skin in winter is notorious for becoming a dry scaly mess, so just like I switch up my wardrobe, I must do the same with my skincare routine. As my skin is oily at the best of times, adding extra hydration can be tricky tricky business. These are the skincare products that I have been currently using to help me get through the next 3 months ahead.

Current Evening Skincare Routine for Oily & Blemish Prone Skin

If you have been reading my blog for a bit now you might have a teeny tiny inkling about how passionate I am about skincare. Lotions, potions, serums, oils, creams, toners, acids, mists and peels - you name it, I have definitely tried it at some point. But if there were one part of the whole skincare shindig that I wholeheartedly endorse, would sponsor the process if it were remotely possible, and would profess my love to, would be hands down a proper evening skincare routine. I can't be the only that seriously loves going through the process of a nightly skincare routine, right? Surely? Come on guys...
 
There is just something that I find so therapeutic and methodical about following my nightly skincare ritual every evening ( and before you ask, yes I sometimes can get lazy too, but never lazy enough to not remove my make-up... gross), it is my way of winding down for the day. However, it hasn't always been this way for me. As someone who suffered from really horrible acne as a teenager I always had a love hate relationship with my skin and consequently skincare, especially when products time and time again failed to improve my skin (you can read all about my skin story here)

Like I previously mentioned in my morning skincare routine, my skin is very oily but can also be a bit dehydrated at the same time, can get quite congested and is prone to the odd breakout or three (fun fun fun!) I thought it were about time I shared my current evening skincare routine with you.

Kylie Lip Kit and Glosses | My Experience, First Impressions & Swatches

I have a (not so secret) confession to make. I have a complete and utter obsession with the Kardashian/Jenner clan. My camera roll and Pinterest boards are overflowing with their slayin' outfits and make-up looks, I may skip your snapchat story but I will never skip theirs, I love Nori/Penelope/Mason/Reign like they were my own children, my friends know exactly who I am talking about when I refer to any of them by first name in a conversation (because who else would I be talking about...) and you better believe that I did download Kimoji pretty much as soon as it was released - my obsession quite literally knows no bounds.

Now I know what you're thinking - why, why, WHY? And that my friends is a question I can't even answer myself. It is an obsession a few years in the making and I am not ashamed, not even one bit. So naturally as soon as I heard that King Kylie herself was releasing her own line of lipsticks I couldn't contain myself, I had to have them in my life one way or another. It was like all my prayers had finally been answered, my two long time loves were coming together and better yet I could FINALLY achieve that infamous KJ pout.*

For months I waited to get my very own Lip Kits. But y'all know the deal, they are almost impossible to get your hands on. So it seemed I would never own one after all (*insert sobs here*). Until one day a fellow obsessed friend and I decided that it was time we finally took action. We found out when the next re-stock date was and we quite literally prepared for battle.

Product Round Up | 4 Concealing Favourites

Whether we like it or not, the sad truth is that our skin exposes all of our dirty lifestyle secrets. Stayed up later than you should have last night? Hello dark under-eye circles. Indulged a little too much on vino and cheese on Friday? That may explain that irruption of pimples on your chin. But lucky for us that is where concealer comes in. Concealers promise to help camouflage skin imperfections, reawaken the skin and fight signs of fatigue, illunminate under the eyes and pay all your bills on time (if only!) With so many available on the market from pots to tubes and doe foot applicators it may be a bit tricky to figure out which is the best for you and how to make them work hard for their money. I've rounded up my concealing favourites with my tips and tricks on how to make them work.