Daily Skin Care Routine (x2)

I love getting up in the morning as much as I love punching concrete walls whilst simultaneously setting fire to my eyeballs. Regardless, it must be done and having a little routine a lá the preparation of the face makes it a little easier to get ready when I’m already 10 minutes late for the train.

I begin by literally crawling from bed to the bathroom, my eyesight obscured by tears brought on by cruel reality. In the shower I will wash my face with Simple’s Kind To Skin Purifying Cleanser. It feels quite oily for whatever reason and I never feel like my face is really clean when I use this, so I won’t be repurchasing this when the time comes. Worry not though, dear readers, for I have not completely written off Simple. I am also open to suggestions, so if you think I’m being pig-headed about this, feel free to abuse.

Leaving the shower I will inevitably be hit by a wall of steam as I have, yet again, forgotten to turn on the fan. Alas. Once my face is dry, I grab some cotton swabs and clear off any remaining soap or general dirty whatevers that are left, using Nivea’s Pure & Natural Cleansing Toner which I adore. To be honest I have merely dabbled with other toners in the past, but this one is so good I don’t feel the need to experiment with others. Whilst I wait for my face to dry, I will usually apply Vaseline to my lips. Vaseline is the only lip product I have ever needed and I will take a tube with me to the grave. I will then apply Simple’s (hey again, Simple) Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser.

Finally, because sun-protection is literally the most important thing concerning your face, bar none, my friends, I use either the Cancer Council’s Day Face Sun Screen SPF 30+ in medium or Invisible Zinc’s Tinted Daywear SPF 30+ UVA – UVB. I have been known to wear both on extremely sunny days or if I’m out for a long time (e.g. Big Day Out 2014).

When I get home at the end of the day the first thing I do is take any and all face products off my face. I use Nivea’s Daily Essentials Extra Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover on my entire face because screw rules. This makeup remover is severely inadequate in removing the amount of eyeliner and mascara I occasionally smear on, so if I have decided to do a little something-something with my eyes, I usually double-up the removing power with Maybelline’s Clean Express! Eye Makeup Remover (I’m not sure whether I use waterproof or classic nor do I care nor am I checking). I then scrub, scrub, scrub with Bioré’s Blemish Clearing Scrub, of which, I am under the impression, does not contain plastic micro-beads, which is a huge plus. This product makes my skin tingle and my face genuinely feels cleaner and refreshed. I then follow up with the same Nivea toner and Simple moisturiser.

Et viola.

Rummaging through my trash

Let’s rummage through my trash together. 

The first product I’ve used up is the Organic Care Dry Nourish Shampoo, I talked about this is in a recent post. I love this product. My hair and skin are both dry so I always look for products that are hydrating. This does the trick. 

Would I repurchase? Yes, it’s my favourite shampoo. 

I’ve also used up the Organic Care Normal Balance Ultra Health Shampoo and Conditioner. I liked both of these products but I prefer the Dry Nourish line better. 

Would I repurchase? No

One last shampoo I have is the Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo. This product is great, it really does hydrate my hair, however it’s not as good as the Organic Care one. When I used this product up I put it in a bag in my room and the scent of this was so strong that when I was trying to sleep I couldn’t because I had gotten a headache from it. I chucked it into my hallway and I was able to sleep easily. The scent is very strong and chemically - be warned. 

Would I repurchase? No

A cult favourite is up next. The Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque. I purchased this a while ago because it was on special at Woolworths. I don’t understand the huge deal about this product I don’t think it’s that great or worth the money. 

Would I repurchase? No

Next we have the Batiste Dry Shampoo, in the scent coconut and exotic tropical. Another cult beauty favourite. I’ve repurchased it, I like it, and it lives up to the hype.

Would I repurchase? Yes, Already have

The last hair product is the TRESemme Heat Tamer protective Spray. I like the way that applies, and is even in application, and I’ve repurchased it and use it every time I apply heat to my hair whether that be blow drying, straightening or curling my hair. 

Would I repurchase? Yes, always 

Now on to body/skin products I’ve used up. 

I’ve used up three body washes. The first is the Kit Hokey Pokey Bath & Shower Gel. This stuff smells like caramel and I absolutely love it. For the record caramel is one of my favourite scents and food. The second body wash I used up was the Collections Strawberry Milkshake bubble bath and shower gel. This product didn’t last me very long because it is a travel size but it worked. The scent is very artificial strawberry and is very strong but that doesn’t mean it’s awful. Both of these products were gifts to me at Christmas time because apparently body washes are the only presents for teenage girls. 

Would I repurchase? I would definitely repurchase the Kit bath and shower gel. 

The last body was is the Dove go fresh Nourishing body wash burst in nectarine and white ginger scent. This stuff was so good I used it up in about a week because I loved the smell of it. It is so fresh and fruity (duh Megan that is the point of this product). The product itself is quite a thick consistency which was a bit odd.

Would I repurchase? Probably not. 

I bought the Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish when I was on holiday, (featured in this post). I really like the product, however the scent is the most off-putting obnoxious scent I have ever experienced in a beauty product. I don’t know why I don’t like it, but every time I went to use it, my nose scrunched up in disgust. I think there might be the same product in a different scent so if you want to try it, make sure you get the other scent. However, if I want a body scrub I’ll probably make it myself because they are super easy and better for your skin. 

Would I repurchase? Never again

I’ve used up two of the Biorè Daily Deep Pore Cleansing Wipes, as you would know from my Daily Skincare Routine I now use a different product. I switched because although these were good makeup removing wipes, they are too harsh on my skin and sting my eyes, and the reseal-ability to the packaging isn’t great so the wipes dry out really fast. 

Would I repurchase? Not anymore since I’ve changed my routine 

Another Biorè product I’ve used up is the Biorè deep cleansing pore strips. To be honest I bought these because they are always featured in films and I was intrigued. I didn’t realise how difficult these things are to get right. There are only about four instructions, but I can only make them work every second time. I only really like the ones for the nose because I felt it actually made a difference. 

Would I repurchase? I would repurchase the pack with just the nose strips 

The last non-makeup product in this empties post is the Simple Kind to eyes, Eye Make-Up Remover Pads. Review here. 

Would I repurchase? Yes

I only have three makeup products that I’ve used up, however I’m almost finished a number of makeup products so if I continue to do these empties posts then expect those to make an appearance. 

I have finished two of the Maybelline precise liners. Review by Alex here. I have the same feelings towards them. I love them, they are my holy grail eyeliner. If I ever find something that I love for applying my eyeliner then I will be shocked. Winged eyeliner is made easy with this product and it lasts a long time. 

Would I repurchase? Always 

Last but not least is the L’Oreal telescopic mascara in carbon black. I’m really picky when it comes to mascara. If the mascara is waterproof, clumps or flakes throughout the day then it goes straight into the bin never to be thought of again. Except for this mascara I have never repurchased one because by the end of its life I am left unsatisfied and don’t go back. I really like the brush/wand/applicator of this mascara because it is so small and I’m able to get right into the root of my lashes and it is easier to coat my bottom lashes. 

Would I repurchase? Yes!

First Impressions: Bioré One Minute Self-Heating Mask

Price: $7.99 AUD (for a pack of four, individual-use sachets)

Peel-away face masks are one of the greatest things ever. Your face hardens into that weird, glossy mask and you can’t move your mouth. Then you get the pleasure of slowly ripping the dried paste from your visage. Oh man. Anyways, having left my 8 year old face mask tube at my parent’s house, I decided to treat myself to some new ones. After perusing the offers at Priceline, I chose Bioré’s One Minute Self-Heating Mask. Megan sang the praises of charcoal and I really wanted to try one of these ‘self-heating’ products that have been emerging from the depths recently, so this was the best of both worlds.

After cleaning my face with both Maybelline’s Clean Express! Eye Makeup Remover and Garnier’s Micellar Cleansing Water, I splashed my face with water (as water activates the self-heating thingo) and, whilst partially blinded by the water dripping into my eyes, applied the face mask. I had to massage it in to my skin with yet more water to make the product do the heat thing. Well, ultimately, it definitely did self-heat. Unfortunately, as it’s winter here in Australia, the warmth didn’t last long.

Terribly applied face mask. This looks nothing like the lady's on the packet.

Despite this, after massaging for minute, then running away to take a photo, then washing it off, the end result was lovely. My skin was all tingly and felt superbly clean. To finish off, I used Nivea’s Pure & Natural Cleansing Toner to ensure all remnants of face mask were gone (although, writing this now, I’ve just found some hidden in my hairline) and then moisturised with Simple’s Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser.

Although I feel I cannot review this product accurately until I’ve used it more frequently, for this one-off, first impression, this is a well worthwhile face mask. I could feel the difference on my skin and the pleasant tingles continued for a good half an hour. Plus, the self-heating thing is pretty darn cool.

Hair care

Firstly I start by washing with the Organic Care Dry Nourish Ultra Hydrating Shampoo and follow it up with the conditioner from the same line. I always wash my hair twice and condition once. I also make sure that when I’m rinsing my hair that I turn the heat of the water down a little bit because cold water helps to control frizz. Before I rinse the conditioner out, I’ll make sure to get rid of any knots by using a comb. 

Once I’m out of the shower I’ll put my hair up in a towel, get dressed and carry out my skincare routine. Once my hair has had time to dry, I take my hair down and run my fingers through it, and make sure my part is in the correct spot. I’ll then get roughly a 5c size amount of the Pantene Pro-V Intense Smoothing leave on Crème and run it through my hair focusing it at the roots and using the excess throughout the rest of my hair.

I’ll then take a pump and a half of the Joico K-Pak Reconstruct Leave-In Protectant to Prevent Damage and focus it on my hair from my ears downwards because that is where the majority of the damage of my hair is situated. I take the excess and spread it through the rest of my hair. 

I’ll then spray the TRESemmé Heat Tamer Protective Spray through my fringe and blow dry my fringe and make sure it looks right.  If it isn’t sitting properly I’ll run my straightener though my fringe until it does. That’s how I deal with my hair. I let the rest of my hair air dry or will put it up in a french braid until dried. I’ll set everything in place with the L’Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray, in extreme hold natural touch. The smell of the hairspray is awful, very strong and potent but it does the job. If you can withstand the smell, then you wont regret it because it helps contain fly-aways and holds the natural curls in my hair. 

I only wash my hair every few days. If my hair gets a bit greasy in between washing, I use the Batiste Dry Shampoo. 

First Impressions: Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing Water All in 1

Ooh, so Instagram worthy

Price $11.99 available at Priceline. 

Alex 4.5/5 

Feeling fairly sceptical about this highly praised micellar water product, I purchased it today (40% off, yeah, that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout) and am very pleasantly surprised. My ultimate test with any form of makeup removing product is its ability to take off the disgustingly thick and sticky mascara that adorns my eyelashes some days. Surprisingly, the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water removed all the mascara gloop in one fell swoop, along with the rest of my face makeup. Although I am not convinced of its “no rub” promise, as I still had to scrub a bit to clear away the last remnants of my eye makeup, it was otherwise very effective. Personally, although this is a “no-rinse” product, I still cleaned up afterwards with a touch of toner, but I’m sure on my no-makeup days (about 6 of the 7 days of the week), my face will feel cleansed after using this product as a standalone. Half a mark extra has been awarded for the quantity of the product. This is not something you will have to re-purchase often, so save that extra money for a hot chocolaty milk.

Megan 4/5

The amount of product you get for the price is very good and it didn’t sting my eyes which is an added bonus. I’m glad I purchased this because I think it will replace my makeup removing wipes in my daily skincare routine because it is more economically viable because it does a better job and is going to cost me less in the long run. Alex recommended this to me, so when it was on sale I jumped at the chance to try it. Cleansing waters are increasing in popularity, within the blogasphere but they aren’t budget friendly *cough* Bioderma *cough*. The product feels good on the skin, and manages to take off most of my makeup without a lot of effort. However, I feel as though I still need to wash my face with my normal cleanser to get the rest of my mascara off as it doesn’t get everything off. Like Alex, I felt as though I had to rub at my eyes to get my mascara off but not as much as I do with my regular makeup remover wipes. Although the product says perfume free, there is a subtle scent to it. 

Before

After

Daily Skin Care Routine

Let’s just pretend that we didn't neglect the blog for the last month and get right into this post. 

Just as the title suggests, this is my daily skincare routine. I’ve included my morning and night products because they don’t differ greatly.

Morning routine:

While I’m still in the shower I use my favourite cleanser I have ever used, the Biore: Daily Detoxify Scrub. I use about a pea size amount and massage it into my skin and it gently exfoliates my skin and I like to think that it actually does make my skin glow. It doesn’t break my skin out and makes my skin feel really nice and clean and fresh. 

The first thing I do to my face when I get out of the shower is apply a lip scrub. I use the Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub. If you love sweet scents this one is for you, it’s a bit sickly sweet. 

I then follow that up by using the Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm. I always have this lip balm on me, it’s cheap, and does the job so well. I do these steps first because I find that the lip scrub is a bit messy and I don’t want the scrub to end up all over my face.

Afterwards I’ll use the Simple Kind To Skin Soothing Facial Toner (why do simple products have such long names). I’ve recently started using this again because the first time I tried it I was trying it along with a whole bunch of new products and my face kept breaking out so I stopped using everything, but this time I haven’t had a problem and it is doing the trick. 

The final step to my morning routine before I put on makeup and get on with my day is moisturise. I live in Australia so the sun gets super intense and I want to protect my pale complexion from sun damage. So the Nivea Daily Essentials Light Moisturising Day Cream Normal and Combination Skin. (Until I typed this out I didn’t even realise it was for a certain type of skin, but it doesn’t matter because fit into that category hooray, also such a long name). This product is in SPF 30 so that’s a win in my book. Now this product is quite heavy, but is also super moisturising and even though it’s winter here currently I’m still using it because I really enjoy how the product feels on my skin and what it does to my skin. 

Now, in the evening I do a couple of things differently. 

Firstly I’ll use the Simple Kind to Eyes Eye Make-Up Remover Pads (review here) to get rid of my eye makeup and then follow up with the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes Night Calming. These two products together take of 99% of my makeup so if I’m being super lazy I’ll just leave the rest. I love both of these products and they don’t sting my face because they are created to be gentle. 

I then use the Biore facial cleanser and the Simple toner that I mentioned earlier. 

The final step is to moisturise and in the evening I don’t need SPF, so I use the Clean & Clear Essentials Moisturiser. It’s a good, lightweight moisturiser that leaves the skin feeling super soft until the morning. 

Review: Simple Kind to Eyes Eye Make-Up Remover Pads

Price: AUD $8.59

Rating: 4.5/5

Makeup remover pads are increasingly gaining popularity. There is a good reason for this: convenience. It combines makeup remover with the makeup remover pad, all in one. I think I have found the best eye-makeup removing pads on the market thus far. (I am happy to be proven wrong though). However, the convenience factor does make the cost go up. Makeup removing pads are more expensive than regular makeup remover. The skincare brand Simple is well known for creating products specifically for sensitive skin. I have used many of their products, and I have not been able to use them for very long because they do not agree with my skin, but that is just me. 

Yes this is an empty packet, but that is all I had on hand

Now moving right along. Simple Kind to Eyes Eye Make-Up Remover Pads (long enough name?) are fantastic. They come in packets of 30, so it is a basically perfect ratio of days in a month to pads in packet. My eye-makeup glides off when I use the pads. Although, they do not get absolutely everything off; only a tiny bit of mascara is left over. They do a great job. If they were just a bit bigger, then I would be able to get everything off. The pads are great for the eye area, which is sensitive. 

To be honest, that is all I really need to say about this product. They do what they are supposed to do: take off my eye-makeup. While they are not cheap in comparison to a typical bottle of makeup remover, they are convenient. They are the best eye-makeup remover I have ever tried and I do not even remember what I did before I had these. With how good this product is I wish my face did not break out with other Simple products, but alas.