Latest Skincare Obsession- Facial Oils

As promised, I'm dedicating an entire post on facial oils because I'm absolutely obsessed with them. They're great for all skin types, especially for oily skin because people with oily skin typically have dehydrated skin and an imbalance between the water and lipid content in their skin, causing the skin to overproduce oils in order to compensate for the lack of moisture in the skin. So using facial oils will help to replenish the oil in the skin and help to regulate the oil production in the long run. There are good oils and bad oils for the skin. Mineral oil is a bad one to avoid because it is comedogenic meaning that it clogs your pores. Plant-derived oils, such as rosehip oil, almond oil, sunflower oil, etc. are good for your skin because they help to replenish the hydrolipid barrier of the skin which protects your skin from all the environmental toxins, as well as providing your skin with the nutrients that it needs in order to repair itself. So long story short, if you haven't tried a facial oil before, go and get one now because it will do wonders for your skin!

Clarins Lotus Oil is what I use when my skin is being super oily or acne-prone. It helps to regulate my oil production and also makes my skin heal itself faster. I find that it really helps to fade acne scars, calm down any breakouts, and minimize the size of my pores.

Just like its names says, Balance Me Radiance Oil helps to enhance radiance of the skin and gives your skin a boost in the moisture department. I know that a lot of people with oily skin might think that their skin is already oily and shiny and so they don't need any more radiance, but having radiant skin actually helps to blur out any imperfections that you may have and make them less noticeable, and just generally makes your skin look healthier.

Caudalie Divine Oil is a multi-purpose oil that can be used on the skin, hair and body, although I only use it on my skin because it is quite expensive. This contains a lot of antioxidants which helps to increase the blood circulation to the skin and repair the skin overnight.

Pai Rosehip Oil is one of my recent purchases after hearing so many good things on rosehip oil. Rosehip oil became super popular ever since Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr mentioned it as one of her beauty secrets. Rosehip oil is full of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that help to nourish the skin, repair any environmental damage and has a lot of anti-aging benefits. I love the formula of the Pai rosehip oil because unlike the other three oils I mentioned earlier, this one is super lightweight and absorbs quickly so it can be worn during the day. I find that it helps to calm down the redness in my skin, fade any acne scars, and just makes my skin look like it has a glow from within.

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Current Favorites #4

Sexy Hair Healthy Soy Renewal Beach Spray is beach hair in a bottle. It acts as a leave-in conditioner and a texture spray in one to give my hair volume and tousled waves as well as nourishing it at the same time.
I find that a lot of texture or salt sprays make my hair crunchy and dry, this doesn't do that at all. I love the fact that it does two things at once because who wants to put on a bunch of hair products in this hot and humid weather?

I can't believe that it took me so long to try out Hydraluron as this has been the most raved-about product by bloggers and youtubers recently. It is basically a serum that contains purely hyaluronic acid which penetrates into the deep layers of the skin to restore moisture and elasticity of the skin. Consistent use of this will help to increase cell turnover, reduce skin roughness and boost the action of other skin care products that you put on top. Again, as I've mentioned countless times in my previous posts, moisturization is the key to solving any skin problems, so I highly recommend this to any skin types.

I got the Innisfree Vivid Tint Rouge on Ebay recently because I heard that it's apparently a dupe for the YSL glossy stains. I have it in the shade #4 Refreshing sweet orange, which is an orangey red color. It is surprisingly pigmented, and lasts really long on my lips without being drying. I've the tried the YSL glossy stains before, and I have to say that I like the Innisfree one better.

If you read my previous post on cream shadows, then you'll know that I'm obsessed with them and I pretty much wear them everyday because they're great for everyday natural makeup and stay on my eyelids without creasing in the hot humid weather. Daiso Cream Eyecolor in Rose has been my recent favorite. It is a rosegold color that is super pigmented, easy to blend and lasts forever on my eyelids, and it is super affordable too. You can find it on Ebay for around $6.

Here are the swatches:

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Products I Can't Live Without - Hair

Products I can't live without are products that I use on a daily basis and are the best of the best that I've tried. These are the products that I have to have on hand at all times and just can't imagine living without them. I've decided to break it down into hair, makeup, and skincare.

Tangle Teezer is a lifesaver for tangly and unruly hair that's hard to brush, which is the type of hair that I have. It's such a painful experience for me every time I brush my hair because I always have so many knots in my hair and all the other brushes I've tried just end up breaking my hair. Tangle Teezer, on the other hand,  brushes through my hair so easily without causing any pain or breakage.

Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo is what I use once a week as a clarifying shampoo to get rid of all the product buildups in my hair. It basically lets my hair start over fresh and gives tons of volume to my hair. You definitely need to follow up with a deep conditioning mask after because it can be a bit drying.

Alterna Cavier Hairspray is the hairspray that I swear by. It keeps my hairstyle in place without making it crispy or hard, and when I use it on curled hair I can still see curls in my hair on the third day. It works to tame flyaways and baby hairs, and keeps my hair free from frizz even in humid or rainy weathers.

Batiste Dry Shampoo is a must-have if you're lazy like me and don't want to wash your hair everyday, which is something you shouldn't do anyways because it can dry out your hair. You just spray it to the roots of your hair, and it instantly absorbs all the oil and freshens up your hair and gives it tons of volume. If you're worried about getting a white cast they also have one for dark hair which sprays out a dark powder when you use it.


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Brand Overview: Stila

In this brand overview post, I'm reviewing the brand Stila, which has quickly become one of my favorite brands for buying color makeup. Their makeup are really high quality and their prices are on the more affordable side in high-end makeup.

Stila In The Light Palette is definitely one of my favorite palettes in general. It consists of a collection of matte and shimmery shades, and you can create looks from natural everyday to smokey night-out looks. All of the colors are super pigmented and easy to blend.

Stila Kitten Eyeshadow is probably Stila's most well-known product and it's been super hyped up over the years. It's the most gorgeous shimmery champagne color that works to instantly brighten your eyes, and works well with all skin tones; it's an absolute staple in my makeup collection . You can wear it as an inner-corner highlight or swipe it all over your eyelids for a simple everyday makeup.

I've mentioned the Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera before in my cream blushes post. It a beautiful coral color that's a must-have for the summer time because it helps to instantly create a healthy, dewy complexion, and acts as a blush and highlight in one.

Stila Long Wear Lipcolor in Daring is something that I bought on a whim during the winter time when I wanted a darker lipcolor. It's this oxblood red color that's super in for the fall and winter. It goes on pretty smooth and moisturizing, and as it dries it stains your lips and lasts all day throughout meals without being drying on the lips. I'm definitely planning on going back and picking up more colors from this range.

Here are the swatches for Kitten, Gerbera and Daring:

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My Skincare Routine: Masks Part #1

Masks are something that I use religiously every week as I found that they make the biggest difference to my skin. I often like to use a few different masks in conjunction, starting off with a detox mask to give my skin a deep cleanse, I then usually follow up with a radiance mask to exfoliate the dead skin cells off my skin, lastly I try to put back moisture into my skin by using a hydrating mask. I found that this routine has really improved my skin and has become a crucial step in my skincare routine.

Since I have a lot of masks to go through, I've decided to split it into two parts. Part one is going to be all about detoxifying masks, and part two will be about radiance and hydrating masks. I like to use detoxifying masks right when I get out of the shower, as the hot water in the shower really gets my pores open and facilitates the detox masks in getting deep down into my pores and getting all the gunk out.

Michael Todd Kaolin Clay Mask has all kinds of clays in it to help absorb excess oils, dirt and toxins deep down in your pores to create a clearer complexion. It also has sulfur in it, which is a natural ingredient used to treat acne. As you wash off this mask, the tiny clay particles help to gently exfoliate your skin without being harsh and drying.

Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask uses active charcoal to dissolve and draw out the the gunk that's clogging your pores. I find that this one is really effective at getting out those stubborn whiteheads, and I've noticed significant smaller pores every time I use this.

Elemental Herbology Facial Detox is something that I've recently discovered after reading so many good reviews on blogs, and I'm completely in love with it. It's gentle yet effective, and it's just a quick pick-me-up when my skin is looking dull and congested. While the clay helps to decongest the skin, the manuka honey helps to calm and hydrate the skin as well as providing antibacterial benefits. This is a must-have for oily, congested and acne-prone skin!

I've mentioned the King Olive Olive Sebum Care Mask before as my go-to product for getting rid of any blackheads. It is the only thing I found that completely gets rid of my blackheads while also being gentle on my pores, unlike a lot of traditional nose strips which can be harsh and even make your pores larger in the end which leads to the formation of more blackheads. You can get this from sasa.com for around $10.

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Brand Overview: Dior

When it comes to high-end makeup, Dior has got to be one of my favorite brands. Even though their prices are quite up there, I do think that you're getting what you paid for in terms of quality. Dior is known for making very wearable, natural makeup that is great to wear on the daily basis.

Amber Diamond is probably Dior's most popular and hyped up product. It is a powder highlight with very finely-milled shimmers that can be worn both on the face and on the eyes. This is my go-to highlight as it just creates the most beautiful and sophisticated glow that doesn't look tacky at all.

Dior Nude Foundation is my foundation of choice when I want to achieve a flawless yet still natural complexion. It has a medium coverage and dries matte while still making your skin look like it has a glow from within. It is a fluid-based foundation so it has a thin consistency and feels very light on the skin.

Dior Nude Hydrating Concealer has the same concept as the Dior Nude Foundation in that it also feels light and looks very natural on the skin, while also providing good coverage. This is my go-to concealer during the colder months as it is the only concealer I found that won't emphasize my dry patches.

Dior Skinflash is an amazing concealer to use under the eyes to create a bright, glowing look. It has the same concept as the YSL Touche Eclat, but it works so much better. I find that the YSL Touche Eclat barely does anything for my undereyes- it doesn't cover anything and it is not very hydrating so it often settles into my fine lines. Dior Skinflash on the other hand provides medium coverage and cancels out any darkness I have in my undereye eye area. It is also super hydrating and doesn't crease at all.

Dior Addict Lipgloss in #957 is a dark berry red color that is great to wear all year-round. It is very hydrating on the lips and doesn't feel sticky at all. It is pretty pigmented so it can be worn on its own or over other lipsticks, and it makes my lips look super juicy and glossy. Dior Addict Lipstick in #681 Icone is a very wearable pink color that is great for everyday makeup. Again, it makes my lips look super moisturized and hydrated.

In my last skincare post, I mentioned the Dior Creme De Rose as my favorite lipbalm. It just feels super luxurious on the lips and hydrates my lips like no other.

Here are the swatches:

               

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Drugstore Eye Favorites

When it comes to eye products, there are a lot of affordable options at the drugstore that are very comparable to high-end eye makeup in terms of quality, so you definitely don't have to break the bank when it comes to buying eye makeup.

Maybelline Color Tattoos have got to be the longest wearing cream shadows that I've tried, and I've tried a lot over the years including Chanel, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Laura Mercier, Estee Lauder, etc., and nothing compares to Maybelline longevity wise. They can be worn alone, or under other eyeshadows to enhance the pigmentation. The color I have here is Inked In Pink, which is a gorgeous pink color that I like to wear on its own during the summer time for a bright, wide-eyed look.

NYX Single Eyeshadows are great powder eyeshadows from the drusgtore that are super smooth and pigmented. These are great to play around with if you're just starting out with wearing eye makeup and want to find colors that suit you. NYX makes some great matte eyeshadow colors, which are quite hard to come by as most matte shadows from the drugstore are quite sheer. The color I have is Red Bean Pie, which is a purpley mauve color that I like to use in my crease, which looks much more interesting than the typical browns and blacks.

L'oreal Infallible Eyeshadows are a must-have from the drugstore. They are basically the exact dupes for the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Eyeshadows, considering that L'oreal owns Giorgio Armani and both of these eyeshadows are probably made in the same place. These are pressed pigments that are intensely pigmented and give your eyes this wet look when you put them on. The color I have is Bronzed Taupe, which just like its names says is a bronzy taupe color, and I often just wear this on its own because it helps to brighten and define my eyes at the same time.

Milani Shadow Eyez are another type of cream eye product that are great to use for a sheer wash of color all over the eyelids. They are super shimmery and easy to blend, and last pretty well on the eyelids. The color I have is Champagne Toast, which is a peachy champagne color that everyone needs to have in their makeup collection.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliners are super creamy, pigmented and long-lasting. The color Nude is great to use on the lower waterlines to achieve bigger and brighter eyes, and this is the only liner I find that lasts on my waterlines.

Here are the swatches:

 

Last but not the least are the Wet N Wild Palettes, which are amazing value for the money. These eyeshadows are super buttery smooth, and the pigmentation is just out of this world! I pretty much own all of their palettes and single eyeshadows, and shall I say that I like these better than my Urban Decay and Mac eyeshadows? Hard to believe right? The one I have here is called Petal Pusher, and it contains some of my favorite purples and pinks.

Here are the swatches for some of the colors in the palette:

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Current Favorites #3

  

 

So it should come as no surprise to you that I've been super loving this Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow in Tansoleil for the past few weeks, as I've just dedicated a whole post on cream blushes not too long ago. After loving every single product that I've tried from Kevyn Aucoin, I decided to give their cream blushes a go, and I've fallen head over heels for this. It is a beautiful coral color that dries to a dewy finish so it helps to give your face a natural glow. This just makes my face look so healthy and fresh even when I have a bad skin day. I never thought that a blush could make my skin look better, but for some reason it just does.

Here is a closer look at the product:

             

To brighten up my undereye area, I've been using the Clinique Airbrush Concealer. It is super light and moisturising, and it is one of the few undereye concealers I find that don't emphasize my fine lines. It gives me a subtle highlighted effect and makes me look more awake and fresh.

I've been trying out more face oils lately as I find that they make such a big difference to my skin, and I will do a post on them in a few days. Balance Me Radiance Oil is the one I've been really liking lately. It contains loads of good ingredients such as sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil and rosehip oil, just to name a few. This is suitable for all skin types, especially oily and acne-prone skin as the oils really help to decongest the skin and prevent any future breakouts.

To get rid of any product buildups in my hair, I've been using the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo every other week. I find that sometimes my hair can look really dull and flat just because I use a lot of hair products in my hair, and this just helps to get rid of those nasty residues that normal shampoos can't get rid of. It is a clarifying shampoo so it is meant to be used every week at the most because it can be a bit drying on the hair. I find that this gives so much volume and shine to my hair after I use it, and I can't believe that I didn't discover this product sooner. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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My Skincare Routine: Eyes & Lips

I'm pretty low maintenance when it comes to eyes and lips, so I don't do much besides just making sure that they are moisturized and hydrated. For my nighttime eyecream, I use the Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream, which is the only eyecream I've found that truly helps with dry undereye area and fine lines. It is packed with vitamin E and other beneficial nutrients to help to keep your eye area hydrated. I've suffered from fine lines for a few years now, and I've noticed a huge reduction in my fine lines ever since I started using this.

For my daytime eye cream, I use the Lierac Instant Smoothing Gel. It has a cooling sensation when you put it on, which helps with depuffing your eyes. It dries down to a slightly tacky finish, so it also acts as a primer to help any eye makeup that you put on top adhere to your eye lids better. If you have dry skin, you can definitely use this as an eye cream and primer in one, but as I have oily eye lids I still use a primer on top just to be sure.

Since I wear a lot of waterproof mascaras which can be a bit harsh on my lashes, I find that it's really important to take care of my lashes as well. Canmake Lash Care Essence was rated as one of the best selling makeup items in Japan so that's why I decided to give it a try. It contains several types of botanical ingredients which help to nourish your lashes overnight. I've noticed that my lashes look longer and fuller since I started using this.

To exfoliate my lips, I use the Lush Lip Scrub, which is just a typical sugar scrub. There are other ones on the market but this is just what I have on hand. After I've exfoliated, I usually will slather on a thick layer of Dior Creme De Rose Lipbalm, which is a product that's totally worth all the hypes around it. It is packed with vitamin E, essential oils and shea butter, and it is an absolute savior for dry and cracked lips. It just feels so luxurious on the lips and doesn't leave a greasy residue- best lip balm ever! I sometimes also put this on top of my lipsticks which helps to make my lips look fuller and plumper.

If I'm in a hurry in the morning, I usually will slather on the Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate, which just gives my lips a slightly coral tint. These keep my lips hydrated throughout the day and they also come with several other colors, including a clear one that you can use overnight. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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My Current Obsession: Cream Shadows

  

I know it's not too long ago when I wrote a post about my obsession with cream blushes, but I just can't seem to get enough of these cream products. Cream products are great for the summer because they adhere to the face better than powder products; they also give your face a beautiful sheen that makes you look fresh and glowing. Cream shadows are especially great for those lazy days where you just want to have a bit of color on your eyes and be ready to head out the door. They can be worn alone or underneath other shadows to prolong the wear of your eyeshadows as well as intensify the color.

Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Orchid is a beautiful metallic lilac color that is creamy and long-lasting. It is such an unique shade of purple that won't make you look like you've just been punched in the eye, and is great for a pop of color on your lids.

Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes in Ample Amber is a warm bronzy color that is super easy to wear and works to both brighten and define your eyes. It is quite buildable so I usually swipe a sheer layer all over my lids and intensify the color in my crease to add depth to my eyes.

I almost cried when I had to pay the hefty $36 price tag for the Chanel Illusion D'ombre in Emerveille, but I just couldn't resist a gorgeous warm peachy champagne color. It is great for everyday and looks stunning on the eyes.

For a more affordable option, check out the Maybelline Color Tattoos. They're super creamy and long-lasting, and come with a wide range of colors. Barely Branded is a metallic beige color that I like to use under other shadows to make them pop. Once it's on my eyes, it won't budge anywhere, and it also makes my eyeshadows and eyeliners stay on all day.

Make Up Forever Aqua Creams and Aqua Shadows are essentially the same product except that one's in a pot and one's in a stick form. I find that the aqua shadows are little bit drier in formula than the aqua creams, but they're both super long-lasting and waterproof. #13 and #28E are both shimmery champagne colors, but #28E is probably a little warmer in tone. They're both great for everyday natural, effortless makeup and are must-haves for the summer.

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My Skincare Routine: Acne Treatment

These three products are what I alternate between when I'm actively breaking out. I've tried out many acne treatment products over the years, including a few prescription ones, and these three are what work the best for my skin. I find that it's really important to switch up your acne treatment products every once in a while because your skin can get used to one product and the product will lose its effectiveness overtime, so it's just better to have a few products on-hand to alternate between.

La Roche Posay Efflar Duo contains a combination of benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and LHA to help to refine the texture of your skin, unclog pores, as well as treat and prevent any future breakouts. When you first use this, you will notice your skin getting worse and breaking more as this product stimulates faster cell turnover and will bring out the acne that's deep down in your skin to the surface, which eventually leads to clearer skin. I usually will use this all over my T-zone during the nighttime, and this truly helps to create more perfect skin overtime.

For spot treatment, I use the OXY10 10% benzoyl peroxide, which is the typical ingredient used to treat acne. Benzoyl peroxide is anti-bacterial and can be a bit harsh and drying on the skin, so if you're just starting out with benzyl peroxide, definitely use the 2.5% or 5% formula. I believe 10% is the highest percentage that you can find for over-the-counter acne treatments. This is a product that I know I can trust and depend on; it dries up my pimples over night, but you definitely have to wear a sunscreen during the day when you are using this because otherwise it will cause redness and scarring.

Another spot treatment that I use is Lush Grease Lightning, which I alternate with the OXY10. This is a much gentler yet still effective acne treatment. It contains natural ingredients such as tea tree oil and thyme, and I find that this one won't cause redness or scarring that the OXY10 can sometimes cause. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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My Skincare Routine: Moisturisers & Sunscreen

Moisturisers are something that everyone should use regardless of what type of skin you have and regardless of whether your wear makeup or not. Everyone has some extent of dehydration in their skin, which can lead to dull, uneven skin, dry patches, and an overproduction of oils as your skin is trying to compensate for the lack of moisturization. I think moisturization is the key to a lot of skin problems; if your skin is not moisturized it won't be able to repair itself, and any other skin care products that you put on your face will lose its effectiveness. So choosing the right moisturiser is the key to better skin as increased hydration can lead to faster cell turnover and repair, and better absorption of other skincare products.

In the morning, I'll use the Murad Oil-Control Mattifier on my T-zone, which helps to control my oil production throughout the day. I then use the Clarins Daily Energizer Cream-Gel all over my face for hydration purposes. These two are both oil-free and feel super light on the skin. Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Mousse is the sunscreen I've been using lately. It has SPF 50+ PA +++ which is usually what I go for. It comes out like a mousse and once you smooth it over your face, it melts down to a watery consistency and is super easy to blend. It feels super light on the skin and doesn't leave a white cast on my skin.

For the nighttime, I like to use something richer that's going to repair my skin overnight. Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins is an oil-free moisturiser that contains tons of minerals and vitamins that will help to resurface your skin and gently sloughs away any dull or dry skin. I've mentioned the Clarins Lotus Oil before in my go-to skincare post, which you can click on to read a more in-depth review. It basically helps to put back the oil that my skin has lost during the day and rebalance the water-oil ratio of my skin, which eventually leads to less oily and more supple skin. Caudalie Divine Oil essentially does the same thing; it is a multi-purpose oil that can be used on the skin, hair, and body. I find that the Caudalie one is a little richer and more hydrating than the Clarins one, but they basically do the same thing. The Caudalie one also contains their patented polyphenol, which is an anti-oxidant ingredient that helps to increase the blood circulation to your skin and repair your skin overnight. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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Current Favorites #2

Now that the weather is getting warmer, I've been getting into lighter makeup. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua is a water-based fluid foundation that is oil free and non-comedogenic. It has a light and buildable coverage, and helps to create a fresh and natural complexion. It evens out my skin tone and covers up any redness, while still letting my true skin show through. This is great if you want to look like you are not wearing any makeup, and I've been getting a ton of compliments lately when I wear this.

To set my foundation, I've been using the Laura Mercier Mineral Powder, which is one of my holy grail face products. Like the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, it provides buildable coverage yet still looks natural on the face. No matter how many layers I put on my face, it still looks natural and not powdery at all. Unlike most powders, this one doesn't make my face look so matte to the point where it looks cakey and lifeless, but it still controls oil and sets to a very natural finish. Mineral powders in general are very good for people with oily and acne-prone skin because they are anti-bacterial.

To help me to achieve that summer beachy tousled hair look, I've been using the Bumble and Bumble Hair Un Dressing Cream. I work it between my hands, and scrunch my hair with it while my hair is damp. It just helps to give tons of volume and texture to my hair.

To get my legs ready for the summer, I've been using the L'occitane Almond Shower Oil to help with the moisturization department of my legs. It has an oily consistency and you just work it over your whole body when you're in the shower. It makes my legs look super moisturized, smooth and glowing, and you don't even need to use a body moisturizer when you get out of the shower if you're lazy like me.

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My Skincare Routine - Serums

Serums are potent skincare products that can totally revamp how your skin looks. There are so many different types of serums on the market that are all meant to target different skin problems such as dehydration, dark spots, fine lines, large pores, uneven skin, etc.. Serums are meant to be used under moisturizers as the particles in serums are much smaller than that of moisturizers, allowing them to be better absorbed by the skin and target deeper layers of the skin. Serums can also maximize the efficacy of any moisturizers that you put on afterwards.

La Roche Posay Derm AHA has been a lifesaver for me as I have really congested pores and bumpy, uneven skin, and this just helps to clear out my pores and smooth out the texture of my skin. This contains 10% glycolic acid which works to chemically exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover.

REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate is a much gentler version of the La Roche Posay Derm AHA as it contains  a smaller concentration of lactic, glycolic, tartaric and citric acids. I find that this helps  to minimize the imperfections of my skin and gives my skin a healthy, radiant glow.

Lancome Visionnaire is one of those serums that promises to do everything for your skin. It claims to diminish wrinkles and pores, and correct any imperfections such as acne scars. This product is highly rated by beauty blogs and magazines everywhere, and I have to say that this product doesn't disappoint. It truly blurs out any imperfections on my skin and also increases the moisture retention of my skin; overtime my skin looks more supple and healthy. I find that I also break out less when I use this product thanks to its non-comedogenic formula.

Lastly, the Cosme Decorte Moisture Liposome is a pretty famous product in Japan as a lot of celebrities use this. This helps to penetrate deeper layers of the skin to repair damaged skin cells and continuously moisturizes the skin throughout the day, and helps to improve the moisture retention of any other moisturizers that you put on afterwards. I can't emphasize enough how moisturization is the key to better skin- when your skin is moisturized, it repairs and regenerates itself better, allowing any skincare product that you put on it to work much quicker and more effective.


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Favorite Drugstore Face Products

I'm pretty picky when it comes to face products as I have quite acne prone skin and I don't like to try out a lot of drugstore face products as I find that they often have really harsh ingredients that can be quite irritating on my skin. However these products are some of my favorite face products in general and are very comparable to some of my high-end face products.

Bourjois is one of my favorite drugstore brand, although it is a bit more on the pricey side. Their makeup are really high quality and well-made. I have the Bourjois Powder Blush in 54 Rose Frisson which is bright coral color that's great for the spring and summer. It is a finely milled powder that's super soft and easy to blend, and lasts forever on the skin. Bourjois Bronzing Powder is a good drugstore bronzer that won't look muddy or orangey on the skin; it's completely matte and gives the skin a nice sun-kissed glow. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation is definitely one of my go-to foundations; it feels super light on the skin and gives the skin a natural coverage.The reason why it's called a serum foundation is because it contains vitamin-rich fruit extracts in it to help to give the skin moisture and an overall radiance. It never feels greasy or cakey on the skin and is great for all skin types. I like to use the Boujois Healthy Mix Concealer for my undereye area because it is super moisturizing and doesn't settle into my fine lines.

Speaking of undereye concealers, the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer is another one of my favorites. It contains micro shimmers which help to instantly brighten up the undereye area to make you look much more awake, and once you blend out the concealer you won't be able to see the shimmers at all.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer is what I use to cover up any discolorations or acne scars on my face. It is super opaque and long-lasting, and is great for the summer time. This is a UK drugstore brand, but you can find it on ebay for around $10.

The NYX Powder Blush in Taupe is such an unique color in that it is a pinky taupe color that can be used both as a blush and a contour. It has a grey undertone which makes it great for contouring your whole face to give your face a subtle definition. When used as a blush, it makes your cheeks look super defined and chiseled. Again, I've never seen this color anywhere before and I find that it looks much more natural on the face than the typical bronzers which are often brown-based; however because this NYX blush is grey-based it helps to create natural shadows on your face.

Here is a closer look:

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My Skincare Routine- Toners

Toning is an essential step in my skincare routine- not only does it help to remove any makeup or facewash residues from my face it also helps to balance the pH of my skin and exfoliate my skin at the same time. I usually will alternate between these toners as I don't want my skin to get used to one product and lose its effectiveness.

The Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Toner contains many great natural ingredients that are anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial while still being moisturizing. It helps to calm down the redness in my skin and prevent any future breakouts.

Lush Tea Tree Toner is another one of my favorite; it contains tea tree oil which also has anti-bacterial effect on the skin. It also gives the skin a cooling sensation and helps to mattify your face on those hot summer days.

If you want a cheaper alternative, then check out Thayer's Witch Hazel. Witch hazel has been proven to have many beneficial effects on the skin- it helps to moisturize and heal the skin while also having anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects on the skin. You can find this for under $10 at any grocery store.

The Caudalie Beauty Elixir has been highly-raved about lately; it contains a mix of essential oils and plant-derived ingredients that just helps to give your skin a  boost when your skin is looking dull and lackluster. It helps to tighten pores and calm down any redness, and adds back any moisture or nutrients that your skin may have lost.

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