It’s fairly safe to say that I’ve found a bit of a rhythm with my skincare and makeup routines. I’ve been slowly making my way through my stash, and repeating old favourites where I’ve run out. From a makeup perspective, aside from the usual suspects like mascara, foundation or eyeliner, it’s fairly difficult for me to make my way through a whole product. So there’s plenty to play with if I’m feeling fatigued by my current choices.
So this month is pretty light on “new” (to me) products. If you did want to see some of the items that I’ve used up, I do share a round up/mini review over on my Instagram (check the highlight called “BEAUTY”). I’ve also talked a little more in-depth about my pregnancy skincare routine HERE.
THE MAKEUP EDIT
Trinny London BFF Cream Skin Perfector SPF30 | Admittedly, it took me a few days to figure out where this skin perfector from Trinny London fit into my routine. Typically, I’ll prime my skin, and follow up with a light base most days). Initially, I used this as my “light” base, but quickly cottoned on that it’s better used as a moisturising primer. There’s a very small amount of pigment in the product, which matches with your skin tone as it warms up and is worked into your complexion. I find that this isn’t enough coverage for me to wear solely on its own day-to-day, but it does help to even things out a little and reduce any redness in a subtle way. By way of comparison, I suspect this is similar to the Glossier Skin Tint. It feels really hydrating, and leaves my skin looking dewy; a perfect starting point if you’re planning on applying a matte foundation.
Clarins Lip Comfort Oil | I’m not sure if it’s the pregnancy, or the heat, but I have been chewing my way through nourishing lip products the last few months. I have a stash of the Lip Comfort Oils from Clarins, and started using these as an alternative to a traditional lip balm. The formula has a slight sticky or tacky feel to it when applied, and it is super thick. The viscosity is similar to what I’d expect from a medium runny honey. I like this best when applied in the evening; both while winding down and before bed. I’ll swipe a thick layer over my lips, and let the oil do the rest. My favourites of the bunch are these two limited edition “The Kooples” shades. They’ve been infused with colour changing technology which transforms the hue depending on the natural colour or ph level of your lips. The pale pink creates a blush, rosy hue for me, while the black version is more of a subtle plummy tone.
Benefit The Porefessional Hydrating Primer | This is the newest addition to Benefit’s Porefessional range; a hydrating primer. I was super excited when I received this in the post, as my skin thrives when I slather it in hydrating products. Plus, your skincare and priming products are key to perfecting a good makeup base. I really like this. It’s got a thick, creamy consistency, and it doesn’t have that same slippy silicone feeling that you get with the original. This quickly mattifies the skin, and smooths out any pores. It’s the kind of product that is ideal for those super hot, sticky Sydney days to prolong the wear of your makeup. My complexion tends to be very shiny after skincare, and I like that this primer dials it down a notch, but still leaves my skin with a nice glow.
Benefit Bad Gal Bang Mascara | I tried a few products from Benefit this month, the second being the Bad Gal Bang Mascara. I remember when this mascara launched; it was a big deal. I’d heard nothing but praise, so while I’ve got an affordable tried and true favourite, I figured, why not give it a go. The wand is a plastic bristle brush, but it’s not super sharp and “pokey” like some plastic mascara wands can be. It adds both volume and length, and layers up well. Basically, from a looks perspective, this outperforms my current favourite from Ardell. However, the only downside – and this is pretty common for me – is that is smudges onto my brow bone. If you don’t have oily eyelids like me, then this is totally worth buying.
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer | Concealer was something I’d sort of neglected a bit recently, opting instead for an all over consistent base. But after noticing that I was getting a bit of darkness under my eyes which couldn’t be touched up with a light foundation base alone, I decided to shop my stash for the most heavy duty concealer I own. Shape Tape does not play around; it is seriously thick, and has seriously good coverage. I find that a little goes a long way. Too much, and it’ll look caked on the skin and crepey. I use a small dot near my inner corner, and blend this outwards using either a beauty blender, my fingers, or a small concealer brush. I have a feeling this will be getting a lot of love after baby arrives…
Benefit Hoola Bronzer | The final beauty product I mixed into my routine in January was the Hoola Bronzer, again from Benefit. This is a cult classic, yet I’d never actually tried it. And I totally get the hype. It’s warm, but not too warm, is glitter-free (because who wants glitter in their bronzer?), and it blends out well. I’ve got the travel size, which I think is perfect for me given that powders take what feels like a lifetime to get through. This is one I have on rotation, but if I had to pick between this or my Marc Jacobs O!mega Bronzer, it’d definitely be the latter.
THE SKINCARE EDIT
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum | Starting off my skincare edit with a product that didn’t quite work for me: the C-Firma Day Serum from Drunk Elephant. I’ve been making my way through a few samples I had from the brand (which I’ve really enjoyed), and decided to add this into rotation as my morning serum after finishing up the serum I’d been using previously. I have quite sensitive skin, and have been slowly eliminating anything that flares up the redness or eczema I get on my face. Unfortunately, this did both for me. I found it had a slight burning sensation, and it caused a slight eczema patch to form on my right cheek. Ultimately, this wasn’t the one for me, and would be better suited to someone with a normal (and more robust) skin type.
MZ Skin Rest & Revive Restorative Placenta & Stem Cell Night Serum | My current evening serum, I’ve been enjoying the addition of this into my routine. I received this as PR at a Sephora event last year, and for whatever reason, had delayed actually giving it a go. It’s got a milky, creamy formula with a faint scent (nothing too offensive). On the skin, it has a slightly shiny or oily appearance. I’ve been concentrating this primarily on areas of concern: my forehead for fine lines, and the redness around my mouth. My complexion feels plump and full, and as with products of a similar ilk, I do feel like the fine lines appear less visible. It’s worth noting that this costs a pretty penny, so it won’t be one I’ll be rushing out to buy once it’s all used up. Instead, I’d rather use the Phyto-Retinol from Biossance for similar results.
Fresh Rose Face Mask | Travel hasn’t been high up on our priority list, particularly with baby on the way, so I’ve been making an effort to use up many of the travel-sized products in my beauty stash. This was the first to come out – a beautiful rose mask from Fresh. I find that rose-based products can be a little hit or miss with my complexion. Sometimes it acts as an irritant, and other times it’s calming. This was thankfully the latter. I’ve used this on days where my skin is feeling a little dry, and it acts to add an extra boost of moisture to my skin. Plus it smells divine!
THE BEAUTY EDIT
evo The Therapist Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner | I’ve been incredibly loyal to my Aveda haircare for the past 18 months or so, but decided to finally switch things up with “The Therapist” range from evo. And you know what? I think I’m a total convert. I actually first tried this around 6 years ago, and recalled really loving it. At the time, my hair was much more unruly, frizzy, and coarse than it is now. I was on a mission to find and use all and any products that would alleviate those three issues. I’ve been using this exclusively for the past 4-6 weeks, and love the way it makes my hair feel. It’s softer – something I didn’t think possible – I can go slightly longer between washes despite the heat. And in combination with a styling product from evo, I’ve also had less frizziness to contend with.
Amo Ferragamo EDP | Ending on a fragrant note, I thought I’d mention the perfume that I’ve been wearing daily; Amo Ferragamo from Salvatore Ferragamo. This has a bright, fresh feel to it while still feeling very light when applied. The top note of campari is the one I detect most when applying, along with the middle note of jasmine, and base note of tahitian vanilla.
