My Skincare Routine

Skincare hasn't always been big in my books, I was never interested in finding a routine to help with any concerns or ageing because lets face it in your late teens and early twenties you just don't seem to care nor want to spend the money on something that isn't a problem... what do they say " If it aint broke, Don't fix it" I most likely got that all wrong but whatever! But the biggest thing I have learned in my makeup career is that beauty starts with the skin..not makeup!

Now that I am mid twenties I really have been starting to  notice very minimal signs of ageing, pigmentation and my skin isn't as oily prone as it used to be now leaning to the more dry spectrum....BUT I am mostly pointing the finger at those little fine lines under my eyes damn it! 

One thing I have got a lot better at and more educated on is removing my makeup and removing it well!
This is probably the most important step to your skincare as going to bed with makeup still on your skin can cause more damage than you are aware of.
I used to lather on whatever cleanser was on special at new world, which would always leave my skin feeling tight and dry (the feeling I associated with clean skin) If my skin didn't feel 100% stripped of all moisture, It wasn't clean enough for me (Cringing at the very thought!)
Little did I know that this was probably ageing my skin the most as I would go to bed with it feeling extremely dehydrated because I thought moisturiser was the enemy and any oils would make me more oily and break out...My poor skin :(
Oils are your friend people! Regardless of your skin type the right oils will do wonders 

Skincare doesn't need to be complicated and all though the products below may look like a lot they all serve a purpose for me and I most definitely don't use them all at once!
​I will take you through my daily routine from morning to evening down below and walk you through each product

The Four Products above are what I will use in the morning and in the order listed 

1. Estee Lauder Micro Algae Cleanser 
A beautiful jelly like cleanser that I love because its highly concentrated and you only need a small amount to gently foam away any residual oils and sleep from the skin. 
I usually I keep this one in the shower so I can cleanse my skin while in there, 
Nothing fancy just a great cleanser that doesn't overly dry my skin out, and seems to keep it pretty balanced.

2. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner 
This has really changed my skin for the better! I don't have an issue so much with texture on my skin anymore and noticeably smaller pores in my T-Zone.
The magic ingredient "glycolic acid" works as an exfoliant that will brighten and bring radiance to the skin but is gentle enough to use daily and no scrubbing required!
I will soak a cotton pad and swipe this all over my face avoiding the eye area.
I have tried quite a number of the ordinary products but this one has given me the best results so has really stayed a firm favourite and replaced my old favourite which was the pixi glow tonic you may have heard me harping on about around these parts before.

3. Advanced Genifique Sensitive Serum
This little guy is a 30 day treatment serum that is highly concentrated and designed to combat the skins sensitivities or problems that may arise due to seasonal changes, hormonal changes, diet or stress.
Which for me my biggest concern during my pregnancy a hormonal rash on my chin and jawline.
This serum has really helped to settle the aggravated skin and heal it quickly with out any sign of it reappearing, which has been an absolute god send because any dry or irritated skin is such a nightmare to apply makeup over top of...it almost emphasises the issue. 
So this little gem is one I would happily purchase again knowing it will keep my skin 100% in check 

4. Farsali Rose Gold Oil
Never underestimate a good beauty oil! It will really hydrate and protect the skin from drying out during the day, This one can be quite heavy so I only use a small amount and find it works best once applied after showering and cleansing as the skin as it really soaks in nicely.
The trick to having it sit beautifully under makeup is allowing it a decent amount of time to soak in rather than applying makeup straight after use, For example after I use the three previous products in the mornings I will always have breakfast/ coffee and do my emails before sitting down to put makeup on
Using this oil I swear has made my skin juicy and soft like babies skin!

Five night time Products used in the below order 

1. Tatcha Pure Camelia Cleansing Oil
I have tried my fair share of cleansing oils and I have to say this one is the best I have tried yet! It seriously removes like a dream, melting every single trace of makeup in with the oil and then removing it all with a hot face cloth makes for the quickest/easiest way to take off a full face of makeup!
My favourite part of using this product is how my skin feels after using it...soft and supple never feels dried out or tight. Not to forget how amazing it smells! 

2. Estee Lauder Micro Algae Cleanser
Double cleansing is where its at people! Especially if you are a daily makeup wearer. The second cleanse will actually cleanse your skin and pores where the first step is geared at just removing the makeup. 
So this guy gets love morning and night from me and you can see from the pictures I have hardly used much of it because you only need a pea sized drop! 

3. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate 
I use this religiously! Never have I tried a product that you wake up and can still feel intense hydration under the eyes, Its so so good!
I may need to start stock pileing this stuff so that when the baby arrives and sleep is no more at least my under eyes can get a little restoration and I am never without it! 
Do yourself a favour and try this its so beautiful, I really enjoy the applicator too you pull out the wand which only leaves you with the perfect amount of product on it. 
On another note my husband has been put off eye creams in the past because they all seem to get into his eyes and irritate them, well not this one!
I told him he needs to buy his own though...Sorry bout it mate.

4. La Mer Moisturising Soft Cream
I wish I didn't love this stuff as much as I do because holy shit its expensive...there may be physical tears when this runs out. 
The best way I can describe the feeling on the skin is decadent and luxurious feeling! A hydration that feels deeply nourishing not just a moisturiser that sits on top of the skin. 
I like to use it at night because lets be honest Im too worried about using it morning and night that it will run out faster...but in all honestly I feel like your skin gets the most benefits from skincare ingredients while you sleep.
I've been told by the La Mer counter consultant that it works best if you rub between fingers and gently pat into the skin rather than rubbing...So that is exactly what I do to apply it.

6. Farsali Rose Gold Elixer 
Because I want to seal in all that La Mer goodness, I will finish with this oil over top and I feel as though it really locks in all the moisture.
But again the biggest key is not going to bed straight away, give it time to soak in that way you won't end up just giving your pillow the best damn facial treatment its ever had. Because Im not applying makeup after using it at night I do use it a bit more liberally,
Make yourself a nice cuppa and watch your favourite show before heading to Zzzz land 

Lastly I wanted to talk about two masks that I reach for once a week

1. Kiehls Tumeric and Cranberry Seed Energizing/Radiance mask
This is the mask I reach for when my skin feels as though its quite congested as its more of a clay like texture that dries on the skin and seems really draws out impurities.
Because it has cranberry seeds in the mix once its fully dried on the skin I will wet my face and rub it in to make a milky scrub which makes my skin feel amazing after washing it off! Not only does it feel great it really does brighten the complexion and just feels like a great go to whenever I start to notice that my makeup doesn't apply or sit on the skin as well. 

2. Lancome Energie de Vie 
The big green tub! I must admit when I received this masque I looked at the wobbly jelly like texture and thought to myself thats not going to do much for my skin...I don't know why but I always think that a mask has to have a real substance to the texture for it to be good.
Well I was wrong! As the name suggests this is like an energy drink for the skin, its very cooling and hydrating which does wonders on puffy tired pregnany lady skin. You may have read in earlier blog posts that I have really suffered with pregnancy insomnia so some days dealing with only a few hours sleep has my mug looking and feeling extremely tired which is what made me try this in the first place as I opened my skin care cupboard up after a terrible nights sleep one morning, the word Energie jumped out at me 
This is my go to when I feel tired, puffy and all round lack lustre!