My current skin care routine

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Skincare routine As a beauty enthusiast, when it comes to skincare, I am constantly chopping and changing, and trying out new products. Rarely would I stick to one product for so long, because there will always be some new launches, which are too exciting to resist, beckoning me to try. But for the past 6 months, I found myself quite ‘committed’ to a routine with the same products, and haven’t been swayed much by anything else.

I think when it comes to skincare, you know you have found the right routine that works for you when you can see a noticeable and dramatic change to your skin (in a good way of course!), as simple as that. As someone with normal to dry skin, hydration is key when choosing skincare products for myself. Whatever it is that’s going to help boost and maintain my skin hydration, I will happily take on board.

I start my morning routine with a spritz of Liz Earle’s Instant Boost Skin Tonic all over my face. This contains all the refreshing and soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera, calendula and chamomile, to really calm and perk up my skin, prepping it for other skincare products. Then I’ll follow with Antipodes’ Apostle Skin-Brightening Serum, which is a water-based serum that not only helps brighten up my complexion by reducing the effects of overproduction of melanin, but also helps to restore essential moisture while delivering anti-oxidant benefits.

As it is currently winter, which is the worst season for anyone with dry skin, I’ve really up my game when it comes to moisturiser. I usually swear by Lancer Intensive Night Treatment (which can be used both morning and night if you skin is very dry), but at the moment I’m currently loving Rodial’s Stem Cell Magic Gel, which is such a champion multitasking product. It acts as a hydrator and repairer and can be used in multitude of ways; from intensive moisturiser to a night mask or as a makeup primer. It also has anti-ageing benefits, helps boost epidermal regeneration, which means tighter and firmer skin with less wrinkles. I absolutely adore both the texture and scent of this moisturiser. Although it is an intensive moisturiser, it has a very lightweight texture with a pleasant cooling sensation that melts into the skin very quickly. The Stem Cell Magic Gel, as with all Rodial’s products, has a gorgeous, feel-good, spa scent, which makes you feel really refreshed and revitalised.

Then as a final step to my morning routine, I like to add a few drops of Rodial’s Stem Cell Super-Food Facial Oil and pad it all over my face. Sometimes, if I want to save time, I will just mix a few drops with the moisturiser, and they go perfectly great together. The Stem Cell Super-Food Facial Oil is a powerful cocktail of super-food actives and anti-oxidant ingredients, which targets dehydration to restore your skin’s natural glow. It also contains Rosehip Seed Oil, which promotes elasticity and firmness.

For my nighttime routine, after toning, I’ll go in with Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Nourishing Milk, a two-in-one product combining face oil with treatment serum. It is designed to be used alongside your moisturiser, and specifically catered for normal to extra dry skin, which is perfect for me. It gives your skin an extra boost of nourishing moisture for instant radiance, and work over time to rejuvenate the skin for a healthier complexion in the long run. As the name suggests, it has a white milky, runny consistency, and a lightweight texture to be expected from a hybrid of oil and serum. It absorbs into my skin in no time and has the most gorgeous calming scent that reminds me of Sisley skincare.

I use Rodial’s Stem Cell Magic Gel also as a night time moisturiser, but then add a few drops of Rodial Snake Booster Oil either after the moisturiser or mix in with the moisturiser. The Snake Booster Oil contains a special dipeptide ingredient that gives a mild freeze like effect to the skin to reduce expression lines as well as dramatically tighten and firm the skin in the long run. It also helps boost collagen production, which is always a plus in my book.

I swear this blog post isn’t sponsored by Rodial, but I’ve just been very impressed with their products of late. I’m also quite surprised that the brand has not been hyped about as much as its peers in the market. If I have to point to the products that have given me the most noticeable results, I would have to say all three of the Rodial‘s products combined, without a doubt.

Have you tried any of the products mentioned in this blog? What’s your current holy grail skincare product?

My Five Most Used Makeup Brushes

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I will admit, I do own a ridiculous amount of makeup brushes (who doesn’t?), most of them a result of impulse YouTube/Blog-enabled purchases. I will also admit some of them, after the first try, ended up at the back of the drawer completely forgotten never to be used again. Having said that there are an exceptional few that are very well loved and pretty much used to their full potential (some are on their last legs) and today I’ve picked my current top 5 most used brushes that I can’t be without.

I feel like I’ve been obsessed with Bobbi Brown brushes this year. Ever since I picked up the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush I just got completely hooked and been adding one brush after another to my stash. The Full Coverage Face Brush is what I reach for over other brushes to do my foundation just because all the hype about it is true and it really does possess some sort of a magical power at blending foundation to give a flawless skin-like result. I also love the compactness of it and the short handle, which makes it very travel friendly.

When it comes to blending out concealer, however, nothing has yet managed to beat my trusty old Real Technique Setting Brush (although watch this space as I’m eyeing the MAC 188 brush as per Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeUp recommendation). I think when it comes to getting a seamless blend finish, a fluffy brush is always key and this setting brush by Real Technique is super fluffy, super soft and by far gives the most natural, seamless finish. Mine is very very well loved and is looking a bit worse for wear that I think I will be needing a replacement soon.

To set my under eye concealer I’ve been obsessed with the Bobbi Brown Eye Blender Brush. I’ve raved about this brush before in my previous post but basically it’s the perfect size to get around your eye areas not to mention it is super soft and fluffy, which is a real treat to use. I use it to dust a bit of powder to set my under eye concealer and also dust across my lids to prep for eyeshadow. Another great use I find for this brush is to apply highlighter on my cheekbones and underneath my eyebrows.

Speaking of eyeshadow, there’s only one brush that trumps them all in terms of eyeshadow application and I’m quite sure I speak for everyone here when I mention MAC 217. It’s pretty much a staple brush in every girls’ collection because it’s such a nifty little tool and so multifunctional. You can use it to apply a quick wash of eyeshadow all over your lids, or sweep it back and forth in your crease to define your eyes, or use it to blend all eye shadows together to finish off the look, or sometimes I even use it to blend my under eye concealer when I really want to be precise.

Finally the Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder Brush is another great multifunctional tool that I literally cannot be without. I absolutely love products like these because when I travel I don’t have to lug around 10 brushes if I can just have one brush that serves at least 4 purposes. The Sheer Powder Brush is amazing at 1) applying powder all over your face to set foundation, 2) applying blusher, 3) contouring, 4) applying highlighter. I know I will panic and run to the store to buy a replacement immediately if I ever find myself without this little life saver.

What are your personal favourite brushes that you swear by?

Secret Eye Brightener ft. Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder in Pale Yellow

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Dark circles and I, we just don’t get along these days. Serious lack of sleep and this fickle weather we’ve been having (sunny and warm yesterday, pouring down and freezing cold today) means dark circles have successfully staked a claim on my face of late. I use a pretty decent eye cream that does help most days (Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair cream), but there are times when dark circles are here to stay and you just need a very quick fix.

There are two products that have been my best friends in combating those stubborn dark circles and they go hand in hand. The first is Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder in Pale Yellow. If, like me, you’ve always wanted to try the Ben Nye Banana Powder but it’s just too difficult to get your hand on one, you’d really get along with this Bobbi Brown alternative. It’s basically the same yellow tone powder but to me it’s much more brightening and it really sets your concealer or whatever you have underneath throughout the day, not to mention it comes in a much more convenient packaging. If you’ve owned the popular Bobbi Brown duo concealer kit you would be familiar with this product already as it’s the powder that comes with to set the concealer. I ran out of the powder from the kit ages ago (since it’s quite small) and have always wanted to just get the powder on its own because it’s simply the best at brightening your under eye area and setting your concealer.

And to apply the powder I have found the perfect tool in Bobbi Brown Eye Blender Brush. It’s just the softest, gentlest brush to use around your eye area and it’s also the perfect size to dust around the corner of your eyes, underneath and all over your lids. I’m a big fan of Bobbi Brown brushes anyway and this is another one that does not disappoint.

What’s the product (s) you swear by to brighten and banish dark circles?

Everyday Natural Eye Colour ft., Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Sand Dune

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“Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick is designed for the modern woman on the move. Just swipe it on and go—it’s that easy.” – Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick

Despite being completely obsessed with make-ups, I am still a neutral girl through and through. Yes I can get lost for hours watching make-up tutorials on YouTube but when it comes down to it I still think natural looking makeup is the way to go for me. I always gravitate towards neutral colours and my makeup collection consists mostly of variations of nude, beige, brown, taupe shades, you get the gist.

So it came as no surprise that I was immediately drawn to this Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow stick and particularly in the neutral shade, Sand Dune. A neutral eyeshadow colour that takes no time at all to apply? I’m already sold!

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Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick is a waterproof cream eyeshadow in a twist-up stick, which is easy to just glide on and blend on the go or when you’re in a rush. It is so versatile and can be used to shade, define, smoke up and highlight your eyes, depending on the shades you use.

And the verdict? I’m definitely a fan. It applies so effortlessly, the formula is so smooth and pigmented and glides on tug-free without creasing or flaking. Not to mention it is very long wearing, once it’ set it does not budge until you remove it with makeup remover at the end of the day. It can also be used as an eyeshadow base and if you are a fan of MAC’s paint pot in Painterly, you’ll love this even more. It’s great for traveling or on one of those days when you’re in a rush and only have a few minutes to do your makeup.

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The shade Sand Dune is a natural flesh colour but with a warm peachy undertone. Sand Dune will work well as  a natural base as well as a brightening colour for the lid (depending on your skin tone). Personally it gives my natural lid a more even, warmer look without being too drastically different from my skin tone (I have a medium complexion with yellow undertones).  For me this is perfect for a natural everyday wear and it’s what I’ve been using every single days for a good few weeks.