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.