Birthday Body Shop Skincare Haul | Beauty

I was very lucky to receive this amazing Body Shop skincare pack for my birthday recently. I find these packs can be a bit hit and miss sometimes - some have products that I would never use! However I love everything that came in this pack and cannot wait to try them out.

Here is what was included:

Wild Argan Oil Massage Soap & Shea Soap

Shea Body Whip & Shea Shower Cream (I am using these at the moment and am in love! The shower cream smells amazing, and the body whip leaves my skin silky smooth and hydrated)

Wild Argan Oil Shower Gel, Wild Argan Oil Body Butter & Wild Argan Oil for Body and Hair

Mooring Body Butter & Mooring Body Scrub

All in all a great pack of skincare! I will definitely be trying out everything in this pack - which also came with a pretty blue body scrubber and a gorgeous 100% bamboo bowl. 

xx

 

Skincare Routine | Beauty

Today I wanted to share my current skincare routine with you. This is something I try to stick to everyday, no matter how tired or rubbish I am feeling. I absolutely love the way my skin looks and feels after using these products. Warning: this blog post contains a lot of Natio products! If you have been reading my blog for a while you will know about my love for Natio products and how great they make my skin feel. 

Morning

I start off my morning routine with Johnson's face wipes. This ensures my skin is completely clean from the day before. Next I move on to to Natio's Gentle Skin Toner. This gives the face a deeper clean and helps to smooth out any imperfections with the skin. I finish off with Natio's Daily Protection Face Moisturiser with SPF 15. I believe it is so important to use a daily moisturiser with SPF in it for extra protection from the sun. 

Night

My nighttime routine is slightly more involved because I usually shower at night. Whilst I am in the shower, I use Natio's Gentle Foaming Cleaner to start cleansing my skin. I then follow this up 2 - 3 times a week with Natio's Acne Clear Pores. I have been loving this product and feel like it has definitely helped keep my skin clear. If I have been wearing makeup, I will follow up my shower cleanse by using the face wipes again to ensure I have removed all of my makeup. I then use the toner again to remove any residual products from the day. Finally, I use Natio's Intensive Moisturising Night Cream to help put moisture back in to my skin and keep it smooth and soft.

Do you have a daily skin care routine? What products do you like to use?

xx

 

Sneaky Sunday Purchases | Haul

We had such gorgeous weather over the weekend, so I made a trip into National Pharmacies to grab a few Spring time supplies.

Natio Daily Moisturiser Face Protection SPF15
My current favourite day time moisturiser. It it non greasy and wears well underneath my makeup. The SPF 15 is also a big plus for extra protection from the sun.

Natio Pure Mineral Skin Protecting BB Cream SPF 15

I have used BB creams before and loved them during the warmer months, so I picked up this Natio one in the colour Medium. I really like the way BB creams feel on my skin - light but still with a bit of coverage.

Revlon Nail Polish in the colour Fuchsia Fever

How gorgeous is this nail polish colour! I went through all my nail polishes not long ago and realised I needed more bright colours in my collection. Revlon nail polish always look nice on the nails and doesn't chip easily.

Revlon Colour Burst Lip Butter in the colour Cotton Candy (#45)
National Pharmacies had Revlon lip products out 2 for $25! I have wanted to try their lip butters out for a while so I took this opportunity to buy a couple. I really like Cotton Candy as a subtle but pretty / glossy pinky purple.

Revlon Colour Burst Lip Butter in the Colour Pink Lemonade (#47)
I think this colour is going to become a staple nude for me over the next few months. I love how moisturising these lip butters are and the slight gloss finish.

I hope you got out on the weekend and enjoyed the gorgeous sunshine!

- J x

Please click here to see my disclaimer policy.

facebook // twitter // pinterest // ravelry // bloglovin' 

Natio Finds | First Impressions

I picked up three products from the Natio range at National Pharmacies a few weeks ago and couldn't wait to give them a try! Here are my first impressions.

Complexion Perfection Foundation Sponge

I had heard a pretty good first impression about these sponges by Amy from Bottled Beauty and couldn't wait to try them out myself. Personally I love makeup brushes as I think they give a more natural look and don't use as much foundation as sponges, however I was pleasantly surprised by how good these sponges are. It does take more time to apply your foundation, so I can see myself using these only for special occasions, however the end result really is flawless. 

Clear Pores Detoxifying Face Scrub with Jojoba Beads

There were a few mixed reviews about this product online so I was interested to see how this scrub worked for me. A few of the reviews mentioned the lack of exfoliating power due to the gentleness of the scrub. After only using it a couple of times (it should only be used 2 - 3 times a week) I quite like the way it has been making my skin feel. Acne wise - I will need to use it for a bit longer to see if it has any impact!

Intensive Moisturising Night Cream

My skin has been feeling quite dry this winter, so I decided to give this night cream a try. I have been using it every night since I purchased it and so far am pretty happy with the results. I wake up with a lovely, smooth hydrated face.

I use the facial scrub and night cream as part of my overall skincare routine. I find that by trying to stick to this routine, my skin looks glowing and healthy. Look out for an updated skincare routine post soon.

A little something to remember when reading skincare product reviews - all skin types are different. Something that might not have worked for someone else may work for you! Most products have a mixed reaction, however if a product has mostly negative reviews, I would usually stay clear.

- J x

Please click here to see my disclaimer policy.

facebook // twitter // pinterest // ravelry // bloglovin' 

Weekend Shopping | Haul

I have been on a spending ban lately, which has been pretty easy considering there have been a million bills to pay so spending money on things I want like material and new makeup has been pretty much impossible. So when I popped into Spotlight with a friend on the weekend, I wasn't actually planning on buying anything...until I saw their massive sales. I managed to pick up all of the items below for less than $50! Such a bargain.

Teal Canvas // $5/metre (reduced from $15/metre!) // Spotlight

Black, White, Silver & Teal Stripe // $3.50/metre (reduced from $5/metre) // Spotlight 

Navy & White Striped Knit // $3.50/metre (reduced from $5/metre) // Spotlight

 

Kakhi Material // $3.50/metre (reduced from $5/metre) // Spotlight

Newlook Dress Pattern (my 1st pattern!) // $10.50 // Spotlight

Invisible Zipper (for the dress I am making from the above pattern) // $5.00 / Spotlight

I also popped past National Pharmacies on my way home because I really needed a darker foundation and some new powder. They had some member specials as well as my usual 20ish % off for being a member so it actually worked out quite cheap!

Maybelline Falsies Mascara // $11ish // National Pharmacies

Clearasal Ultra Rapid Action Deep Pore Scrub // $11ish // National Pharmacies

Natio Daily Protection Face Moisturiser SPF 15 // $12ish // National Pharmacies

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in 230 // $11ish // National Pharmacies

I have been using this foundation for a while now but in the shade 130, however I really needed a darker shade for summer so I picked up the 230 shade which has been much nicer on my skin! I think I will still wear the 130 during the day for now as I can still get away with it, and use the 230 for night time.

Maybelline Fit Me Powder in 230 // $8ish // National Pharmacies

Overall a very successful weekend of shopping! I will be posting about my creations when I get around to making them.

- J x

Please click here to see my disclaimer policy.

facebook // twitter // pinterest // ravelry // bloglovin' // etsy

Favourite Products | October

I have been loving these products this month, so much so that I wanted to share them with you!

 

Nivea in-shower Body Lotion

This stuff is absolutely amazing! And it also means I don't forget to moisturise after I hop out of the shower. Once you have cleansed your body / shaved, apply this while you are still in the shower and then rinse off. Once you have dried yourself, it will leave your skin feeling silky smooth. I am always skeptical of products like this, but safe to say this one actually works!

 

Napoleon Perdis Rainbow Eye Palette

I actually picked up this eyeshadow palette in a promotion Westfield were running, where you received the palette free if you spent $120 or more in selected stores - so I am not sure if you can actually purchase this product or not. I am a massive fan of Napoleon Perdis makeup, and this palette is no exception. The colours are stunning and I know I would wear most of them. They are stunning on the eyelid - a tad shimmery - and last all day.

 

Lee Stafford Argon Oil - from Morocco

This is not the first time I have mentioned this beauty on my blog, but I seriously cannot get enough of it! It makes my hair look amazing, especially if I decide to keep my hair naturally curly. This product also keeps my fly-aways under control no matter how I have styles my hair.

What products are you loving at the moment?

- J x

Please click here to see my disclaimer policy.

facebook // twitter // pinterest // ravelry // bloglovin'

30 Day Snap - Day 6

Friday Night Wind Down

This is my perfect Friday night wind down combination. It's great me time and I feel so relaxed and rejuvenated afterwards!

- J x

Recent Purchases

I recently purchased a few skin care and hair items from National Pharmacies and have been impressed with them so far - so I thought I would share them!

Last year I shared with you my skincare routine. It has not changed since then (although I have been a bit lazy wih it over the last couple of months), but the products I choose to use has!

I have gone back to using a couple of Natio products. I have always liked Natio and these products are definitely impressing me.

1. Natio Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser

The combination of ingredients means this facial cleanser both feels and smells great. Its light weight and has so far left my skin feeling smooth. It really cleanses my skin and when I come to tone, I have hardly any product left on my face.

2. Natio Gentle Skin Toner

This toner smells amazing. It is probably the best smelling toner I have used (NB: I haven't used that many!) I have found that some toners can be very overpowering but this toner is once again lightweight and feels lovely on my skin. 

NB: Do not use toner near your eyes (both on top of the lid and under the eye) as this skin is very sensitive. You can get special eye make-up remover (my next investment) which is gentler on the skin. 

3. Lee Stafford Argon Oil - from Morocco

My hair is so thick and lately has been pretty frizzy and a little bit out of control. I have swapped shampoo and Conditioner but it is still not how I want it! (I am also growing out my fringe which causes me endless grief in the mornings when I'm doing my hair!)

While I was in National pharmacies, I discovered this product. I have tried a similar product that came out of my August "Lust Have It" beauty box and have also tried a tiny bit of the famous Morccon Oil. 

This product has been working a treat in my hair. I will admit, my hair is naturally pretty curly, but usually if I don't style it after I wash it or the morning after I wash it, they are crazy curls! 

The other night after washing my hair, I took a small amount (you don't need much! Not even a full pump) and worked it though the ends if my hair up to the root. The picture below pretty much shows what my hair looked like when I woke up! I applied another small pump to my hair before work and took this picture later that night. My hair has never looked this good naturally! And the Argonoil smells amazing. Safe to say I'll be giving this product a try again!

If you live in Australia, I would recommend you get a National Pharmacies membership. It's only $40-$50 ish a year for a single person membership, but I will get back that money after my first two visits! The discount is amazing (even off of prescription medicine)

I hope some of you might consider trying these products or let me know of others you have tried and loved! 

- J x

(NB: This is not a sponsored post)

Skin Care Routine

I have never been one to look after my skin or get into a proper skin care routine. I would stick with a "routine" for about a week and then I would get over that and forget about it!

But, over the last year I have been slowly working my way up to having a skin care routine in place. It started with me always putting moisturiser on under my foundation, and has now developed into a cleanse, tone, and moisturise routine.

Now, when it comes to the products I use, I am in no way an expert as to which products are better for my skin because frankly, I have not tried enough! I have in the past used Natio products which I have mentioned in other posts. I do love Natio, and would definitely repurchase their cleanser, toner and moisturizer. They are also very well priced.  But I recently ran out, so I have started using the 3 step skin routine from Clinique (I was given these as a present for my 21st birthday)

NB: I am not reviewing any of the products I have mentioned below. I am simply letting you know what products I use and my routine!
 

Step 1 - Cleanse

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap

 

 

I keep this in the shower so that I remember to use it! Facial soaps are a great alternative to normal soap as the skin on your face is more sensitive than that of the rest of your body.

 



Step 2 - Tone

Clinique Clarifying Lotion

This is used all over the face except eyes and is applied with a make up remover pad.

 

For eyes, I am currently using Avene Gentle Eye Make-up Remover to remove any left over eye make up after cleansing as it is not as harsh as toners / make up removers.

 

Toning is actually quite an important step. I used to always skip this because it is not as easy as applying it with your hands. But you will be surprised at how much product will still come off your face even though you have already cleansed it. The photo below shows how much product I got off of my face even after having a shower and cleansing!

 

Step 3 - Moisturize

Clinique Dramatically Different Mousturizing Lotion

 

I only complete steps 1 and 2 after I have had a shower, but I moisturize morning and night and if I re-do my makeup throughout the day. This clinique moisturizer only requires you to use a small amount, like in the picture below, as it has very good coverage. 

NB: A tip my boss was told by her skin care professional - when using moisturizer for the day time, use one with UVB in it not just UV. UVB rays are the main cause of skin cancers.

I must admit, when I am in my routine I can definitely tell the difference in my skin. Whilst we were away earlier this year, my routine got thrown out of whack and my skin became spotty and uneven. I believe that it is important to clean your skin daily especially after make up use.

- J x