Evening Skincare

Last week I did a post on my morning skincare routine, which you can read here, it is quite a basic routine. Today I'll share my evening skincare routine, which is the one that I enjoy best. It is also quite basic, I've seen so many evening skincare routines that have 101 products in it. I'd get so confused, I like things simple. So without further ado here it is.

Morning Skincare

One of the things I hate, other than shaving, washing and styling my hair, is washing my face in the morning. I have no idea why, I think its just because I'm a lazy person and also not one of the best morning people either but washing your face in the morning to me is essential so all morning complaints aside, I thought I'd share with you my no fuss morning skincare routine.

A Mini LUSH Haul

If you follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram you would surely know how excited I was when my LUSH order arrived on Tuesday - so much so that I nearly hugged the delivery guy when I saw what he was carrying. I thought I'd show you what all I ordered and get you excited (hopefully) about reviews on each one of them soon.

Skin Saviours

So I will be the first one to say that I do not have perfect skin. In fact mine has a few bumps, pimples and redness and its just oh so annoying. Now in summer my skin gets a hell of a lot worse in my opnion, because of the sweat and oil build up (eww). I have a few not-so-secretive-secrets that I use almost daily to keep my skin in check and makes my skin feel cleaner.

November Favourites

Who would think that its already the 3rd of December already? This year has flown by at a highly fast pace, hardly even have time to blink without the months just whizzing by. With that said its time for another monthly favourites and it felt as if I had just put up my October favourites just last week.

The Summer Series: Skincare

The second post to The Summer Series is on skincare. I like to change my skincare products as per the seasons as the different seasons affect my skin quite dramatically. These are my staples for summer with a few randoms added in whenever I feel like my skin needs something else.

October Favourites

My October favourites this month isn't very many products and its mixed between skin care, hair care and makeup. I've been trying out my fair share of products lately so heres what made the cut...

Budget Beauty: The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator

The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator - R99.

 The Body Shop seaweed range is aimed mainly for people with combination to oily skin. This exfoliator is incredible. Its oil and soap free which helps control sebum but it doesn't strip my skin too much and leave it dry and tight.

Bioderma Sebium AI Intensive Care

 

 Bioderma Sebium AI Intensive Care - R167.95.

Oh the lovely world of French skincare. Bioderma has to be the best skincare range out there if you ask me and this AI cream is probably their best creation. This cream is specifically for acne-prone skin. It helps get rid of the bacteria that causes inflammation of spots.

Life Update & Skin Care

Hello everyone! I'm back! I decided to come back on the 1st of a new month to get a proper fresh start on life and my blog. I'm not going to be posting very often just once in a while to get back on track and I don't want to push myself too hard or put too much pressure on myself. Its been a really hard and long month but I'm slowly getting there after a long time. I feel like I'm becoming myself again but not really if that makes sense...?

Budget Beauty: Freeman Beauty Pineapple Enzyme Mask

This is my second product from the Freeman Beauty Feeling Beautiful range and once again I'm not left disappointed. I have another mask which I did a full review on here and that mask made me want to try other products from their range. It was about R15 more expensive than the last mask but thats expected because the first mask was bought a while ago and bought at the local Dischem store.

Clarins Cleansing Milk

The Clarins Cleansing Milk - R265.

Now this stuff is what makes me want more and more Clarins products. I bought this on a limb because I've been looking for a cleanser that doesn't dry out my skin and milks usually do the trick without making skin overly oily. This cleanser is specifically for combination or oily skin and you do get cleansing milks for dry and normal skin so its for everyone. I really can't describe how much I love this product, its so soft on the skin and it really cleans my skin of impurities while moisturising and removing excess makeup. As you can see this contains all natural products that are good for the skin and doesn't involve harsh chemicals that could irritate the skin. It contains Bio-ecolia which preserves the skins balance, vitamins A and E which improves your skins quality over time, Gentian which tones and heals your skin with its healing properties, Iris and Hawthorn which helps decongest your skin leaving it clean and lastly Hydrophilic acids which help cleanse the skin. All good and healthy ingredients that love your skin.

The product is very thick but almost watery and silky when applied to the skin. I literally use a pea sized amount as it spreads easy and you can feel how clean your skin feels and once your skin is dry, the skin doesn't pull or feel tight in anyway. I first remove my makeup with my trusty Bioderma (how I like love that stuff!) and a cotton pad and then wet my face and apply the cleansing milk to my skin and rub it in circular motions into my skin. It gradually thickens while washing your face and neck. Its so gentle that I can use my ring finger and gently remove excess eye makeup from the eye area and it doesn't burn my eyes or irritate them in any way. I then use a "harsher" face wash afterwards (if need be) as I feel that the cleansing milk isn't really a face wash but more of a light cleanser.

I can feel and see the difference in my skin after using the cleansing milk diligently. My skin feels softer and more moisturised and I don't have dry patches like I used to get and its controlled the oil production in my skin and keeps small breakouts at bay. I wouldn't say this helps get rid of pimples or blackheads as such but it does clean the skin properly which definitely helps to prevent pimples and blackheads. I wouldn't recommend this though if you have acne prone skin and want to focus on that instead, although this does help in the long run as it keeps skin clean. This is a great cleanser if you're looking for something light that helps dry and oily skin and works great to remove excess makeup and dirt from your skin.

xxx

Links below:

Clarins

May Favourites

So today I'm doing my May favourites, there's not too many products that really stood out to me last month but these are definitely the winners for May and every other month. It's a real mix of all products ranging from hair to skin to nails, I love it when that happens!

Anyways my favourites for May are:

Clarins Cleansing Milk

Catrice Cosmetics Infinite Matt Makeup in 010 Light Beige

A Beauty Blender dupe (see full review here)

Avon Speed Dry+ in Vamp It Up (see full review here)

Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick

Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula (mini size)

Tip Top Protein Base Coat

I've been using the Clarins Cleansing Milk for about two months now and I can really feel a difference in my skin. It hydrates my skin but not too much that it makes it oily and it removes excess makeup and cleans your skin. My skin hasn't felt so soft and hydrated in a long time and I'll be doing a full review once I'm completed satisfied.

The Catrice Infinite Matt Makeup is the perfect shade for me. I've also been using this for about two months and I'm completely sold. It's so easy to apply and its matte so it doesn't make my t-zone shiny but its also not that matte where you skin is flaky and visibly dry, it still provides hydration. I would say this is medium coverage and is definitely buildable and I find that it covers dark circles like never before while also brightening the eye area. It covers redness and blemishes (with a little help from concealer) but it still looks natural because it allows your freckles to show through it. I find I get the best look out of it when I use my Beauty Blender dupe which has also made it to my May Favourites without hesitation. It blends foundation out so well and almost gives it a sheer, dewy effect when the sponge is damp.

The Avon Speed Dry nail polish is my favourite colour and I love that it really does dry in 30 seconds, I just wish it would last longer.

The Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick is a no brainer. These lipsticks are so soft and hydrating to your lips and provide such a nice colour on your lips.

Advance Techniques conditioner is a conditioner that I don't think I'd be able to live without anytime soon. This make the ends of my hair so soft and shiny and manageable that I can't stop playing with my hair after I wash it. And paired with the shampoo these two are a killer team.

The Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula is one that surprised me. I really don't like the smell of a chocolate cream, nor do I like smelling like chocolate, for some reason I find the smell quite nauseating. Anyways like I said this surprised me. I thought I wouldn't like it just based on the smell but I reach for it all the time because of how soft it makes my skin during these cold days and I've gotten used to the smell now. My skin is visibly smoother and I'm definitely getting a bigger sized bottle though.

The Tip Top protein base coat is my favourite. It doesn't allow coloured nail polish to stain my nails and it makes nail polish last for longer. I've worn this on its own too and it has an incredible shine too while making your nails feel stronger. Repurchase again and again.

So those are my favourites for last month and I can't wait to see what this month brings for me!

xxx

Orlane Vivifying Lotion

I got this Orlane Vivifying Lotion out of a Glossybox when Glossybox was still in South Africa so this is only sample size. The Orlane Vivifying Lotion preps your skin for other treatments for your skin. It's alcohol free and is suitable for all skin types and also maintains the skin's natural pH balance. I apply this one a cotton pad and gently wipe it across my skin, its also great at removing makeup although that's not what you use this product for but still you can use it to remove makeup as its not harsh. It really tones, smoothes and cleans the skin and it leaves your skin feeling refreshed and healthy. For the record I have combination/oily skin and this doesn't make my skin too oily at all, it actually moisturises it so lightly but thoroughly, even now in winter when my skin is more dry/combination it manages to keep any dry areas at bay. This is definitely an all round product meant for all skin types and for all seasons. Best Glossybox sample ever.

xxx

Links below:

Orlane Paris

Budget Beauty: Feeling Beautiful



Freeman Feeling Beautiful Clay Mask - R39.95 from Dischem stores



As you can see by how used this is I've had this mask for quite a while - since last year to be exact - and I'm in love with it. I got it from one of the local Dischem stores. The Freeman Feeling Beautiful Clay Mask (you can see their range of products here) has avocado and oatmeal in it and this one is more suited for oily/combination skin as it draws out all the excess oil from your pores. Generally I have oily/combination skin but in winter my skin gets very dry so I wouldn't recommend you use this in winter as it does dry your skin out and leaves it feeling tight in winter. Trust me, I know from experience!

Basically what I do is I wash my face and pat my skin dry and I apply this mask all over, even on my neck. I let it dry completely and then thoroughly wash it off. You can feel it drying on your face because you start feeling like you can't move your mouth or crease your forehead so that's a sign when you need to wash it off. It's a very thick consistency so you don't need to worry about pouring a lot into your hand as it spreads very easily and as a bonus this mask lasts for a very long time.

Once you've washed it off you can feel your skin is softer and smoother. I wouldn't say that you can visibly notice a difference (well you can in a way because you don't have those shiny bits from excess oil but I mean pimple wise I don't see a difference.) but you can feel the difference in your skins texture which is nice as make up goes on so much smoother and more evenly. It does remove oil very well and you can feel your skin is oil free and matt for about two days - which for me in summer is a big yippee! If your skin is very oily, even in winter, I would suggest putting cream on afterwards because of how tight it makes your skin. I apply this mask once a week or once every two weeks depending on my skin.

Freeman has a wide range of products, which you can see in the link I put up, and I'd definitely try all their products out and repurchase this avocado and oatmeal mask again.

Have you tried any Freeman products?

What face masks would you recommend?

xxx

Bioderma Sensibo H2O

Bioderma Sensibo H2O - R152.50

I was so happy to hear that Bioderma was in South Africa and in a local chemist of mine. My sister got it first and then told me and I just thought I had to get me some of this stuff that I've heard so many people speaking of! Anyways this stuff is just the bomb. I got mine for sensitive skin because my skin has it moments where it wants be horrible.

Bioderma removes make up like a dream. I battle to remove my eye make up especially and this stuff just does it in two swipes - so impressed! - instead of me having to constantly rub my eyes vigorously to remove make up properly. You can feel the difference in your skin because it just feels so much cleaner and softer. Now that the southern hempishere is going into winter I'd have to put cream on afterwards but in summer I can tell this won't dry out my skin.

The great thing about Bioderma is it doesn't leave you feeling like you have to wash off your make up remover. Some make up removers feel like they "sitting" on your skin. Also another great thing is that it dries out your pimples and visibly makes your skin clearer - yay!

Personally I think this is a super great product and I'll definitely repurchase it again ad again.

xxx

The Bad News on Face Wipes

Face wipes. Everybody's used them once or twice or more in their lives because they are so convinient to use. I was reading Becky's blog today and I read her recent post about her confessions. Her last confession was using face wipes occansionally, even though they are bad for your skin. So I guessed a lot of people wouldn't know why face wipes are bad for your skin, myself included. I went onto those Yahoo questions that you can search on google and picked up, from various answers, why they are bad and now I'm sharing them with you.

I would like to say first that I do occansionally use face wipes but not everyday (it's my guilty secret...) Okay so while face wipes are easier to use, not to mention handy, face wipes only remove impurities from the surface of your skin, which I guess is alright since all you mainly want to do is remove your make up from the surface but remember make up can settle in your pores and clog them up leading to pimples.

Apparently face wipes lead to extreme dryness of the skin because face wipes don't contain moisturiser in them. I wash my face straight after I've used face wipes since I hate that feeling of the wet, almost sticky feeling it leaves on my skin (I shiver just thinking about it...) so I can't really say if my face wipes have ever dried my skin out. And talking about that, face wipes are soaked in some pretty harmful chemicals (I can't say all brands use these chemicals but I saw my brand of face wipes do contain one of these harmful chemicals.)
Here's a list of ingredients to watch out for:

1. Propylene glycol and Dipropylene glycol - these are irritants!
2. Parabens
3. Phenoxyethanol - another irritant!

Also, think about it, we've always been told in school that things that contain moisture in them are a breeding ground for bacteria... face wipes are packed on top of one another in all that moisture with the heat of the light bulbs in the shop shining down on them, not to mention that face wipes sit in the shop for months at times waiting to be sold so they have to have some sort of preservative or alcohol in them to retain their use. Now think you're rubbing that face wipe with possible bacteria and all those irritant chemicals all over your skin and your delicate eye area!

Now I'm sure I've scared people into not using them so instead I'll say try using a cream cleanser. It will remove make up and get into your pores, moisturise and condition your skin. Sounds better right? Right.

Hope this helped.

xxx

Garnier Skin Naturals Oil Control Deep Clean Face Wash

Garnier Skin Naturals is a deep clean face wash for oily skin. I have combonation skin that tends to get shiny and oily sometimes. I only use this when I feel my skin needs some attention to that shiny T-zone I suffer from at times.

Garnier Skin Naturals

This face wash is actually really quite drying on the skin and definitely not recommended in winter. If you have really oily skin I would give this a go but apply a really moisturising face cream afterwards as your skin will feel tight. When you wash your skin with this it adds a tingling sensation to your skin and it feels great because it feels like its working. I find it makes my skin really soft and it feels clean. It stops pimples but if you suffer from blackheads it might not work too well.

I have noticed an improvement in my skin from using this face wash (even though it dries out my skin a little too much - I work around that with face cream because I think it is worth it!) I will change my face wash though during winter of course.

I recommend this if you suffer from oily skin because it really does work!

Hope this post helped!

xx