Current Skincare Routine: FEB 2015

You may not know this, but as a blogger.. I actually have [close to] zero fixed skincare products!

I surely do have a routine (and that is cleanse - exfoliate - moisturise), but when it comes down to having repurchased products stickin' around, then there's only one, and that is St. Ives Apricot Scrub. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water too, I guess, but even then, I still rotate my make-up removing products around a lot, so St Ives Apricot Scrub is the only product that I've religiously use.


Anyways, a slight peek at my current skincare routine today. I'll make this short n sweet!


① MAKE-UP REMOVER: Face Of Australia Gentle Make-Up Remover* ($8.95)
I'm in midst of trying to finish this off. It is a gentle make-up remover, but I'm no longer a fan of these dual-phase (oil/water) products on my skin. However, I do prefer them for removing stubborn eye make-up!

② MAKE-UP REMOVER: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water ($11.95)
My favourite make-up remover for the skin! I've reviewed it here.

③  CLEANSER: Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Pore Scrub* ($14.99)
Haha, yea! I use this "pore scrub" as my daily cleanser -- morning and night. It's listed as a "pore scrub" that'll gently scrub away impurities, and that's totally spot on! It's extremely gentle. So gentle that it works better [for me] as a daily cleanser more than anything.

It's [supposedly] suitable for acne-prone skin, which I don't have [anymore], but still works well at cleansing. Really like the scent of this one. Don't think I'd repurchase it though.


④ DAY MOISTURISER: Palmer's Daily Facial Lotion SPF15* ($12.99)
Only started this recently, after finishing Biore Nourish Moisture Lotion* (which I did enjoy using). Initially, I switched to Neutrogena's Healthy Defence Daily Moisturiser, but it was way too thick. I wasn't used to such a thick consistency, so I immediately switched to Palmer's.

This one is creamier than my previous lotion, but still bearable. Will probably be good for the upcoming cooler seasons.


⑤ EXFOLIATOR: St. Ives Apricot Scrub ($9.99)
The only staple product of my skincare routine. It's sooo scrubby, but feels SO good after. Instant soft and smooth skin. Mmmhm!

⑥ NIGHT MOISTURISER: Biore Overnight Moisturiser
I've purchased this for less than $3 at Priceline. It's a night-moisturiser with a very thick consistency. It even feels thick on the skin, but in a good, and bearable way. Very moisturising, but too bad, it's discontinued.

⑦ SLEEPING MASK: The Face Shop Raspberry Roots Sleeping Mask
This is amazing. I only use it occasionally, but it makes SUCH a big difference to my skin in the morning. It's the last product of my late routine, after moisturisers and eye creams and all. My skin feels extremely supple every morning after! Love, love this!

⑧ EYE CREAM: Indeed Laboratories Eysilix Instant Eye Rescue* ($34.99)
Only started this recently after digging it out from the stash. Haven't used eye cream in yonks! This one is alright so far. I'm not too sure what to look for in an eye-cream. Not yet anyways, so I'm currently happy with this, as it has a creamy and lightweight formula.

⑨ FACIAL MASK: Lush Brazened Honey Mask ($16.95)
I'm not a big fan of this mask. Just using it up. I've received it from a friend as a Christmas present! Although I don't mind the formula, the scent isn't really for me. It bugs me sooo much. Even my mum complains about it. When I walk around home with this on, she'll be complaining about the scent. It's just.. really weird!

Yeap. The products are about to switch up soon, again. I'm almost done with my LUSH mask, and the night-time moisturiser.

Glad that I won't need to look at any replacements since my skincare stash is sooooo full!

When it changes, I'll make sure to update!


Hope everyone [who celebrates] has had a wonderful Lunar New Years!

祝大家新年快乐！身体健康，万事如意，工作顺利，学习进步！

Drugstore Cosmetics Launches for Australia -- February 2013

We're already a month into 2013.. January has seriously flown by too quick.. Time, where did you go?!

I hope the new year has been good to you so far.. It certainly has been good to me. Right now, I'm looking forward to Chinese New Years.. Not like my family gets up to anything anyways, but I'm just excited for all the superstitions that elders will throw around and that everyone around me will be happy celebrating!

Anyways, enough of my blabbering.. let's go on with this month's launches (and a few of last month's) because I know that's all you're looking forward to right now! :P

Face Of Australia Budge Proof Eyeliners -- Let's start off with my one of my favourite Aussie-reppin' favourite brands! New range of gel eyeliners coming soon in Feb! They're described to be "long lasting, budge-proof and sweat, tears and water resistant". I've tried them for the very first time today and they are so buttery soft, creamy and smooth. However, some shades don't seem to be opaque, but I'll have to look into that! :P Oh, and they also come with a pull-out brush from the top of the lid which isn't bad at all. I can draw the thinnest lines with em'!

Available soon in 5 shades, $9.95

Max Factor Facefinity All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation*

It's been a long while since Max Factor has been featured! Their "hot out of the pot" Facefinity foundation is described as a "SPF foundation with a built-in primer to hold, and a concealer to correct" whilst offering "high coverage and a matte finish" which lasts up to 12 hours. I've only used this twice and it sits to be very lightweight and matte on the skin. I need more trial time for a full review though, so look out for that if you're interested!


In store now, available in 5 shades, RRP $31.95
*(On sale for $21.95 at Priceline at this very moment if you're interested). 

L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Powder
I actually don't have any information about this product! Sad.. According to my limited researching skills, it's a BB powder which "smooths and covers imperfections whilst offering a fresh, smooth and soft matte look, lasting up to 8 hours".

Available mid-February
RRP unknown (lol >_<).

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure
I have way too many nail polishes at home so I'm not looking forward to these, but they're described to be 7-in-1, seven benefits of a salon manicure in one bottle, that is!

• Chip resistant
• Strengthener
• Growth treatment
• Gel-shine finish
• Base coat
• Top coat
• Colour (lol?)

In-store now, RRP $14.95.

*Introductory offer at Priceline for $10. 

Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede Lipsticks

New lipsticks by Revlon comes to play! Their Colorstay range ultimately promises to be long-wearing, so I'm expecting these to be! They do claim for a comfortable and conditioned all-day wear with a soft suede finish.. :P 

I'm aware that US has launched 16-20 shades, but I'm not too sure how will be available in Australia.

Available soon, RRP $25.95

COVERGIRL Lash Blast Clump Crusher Mascara

This one has a striking green packaging! It has "a curved brush which targets lashes from root to tips and allows you to build up without the clumpiness".

I'm actually somewhat curious about this one for its claim of remaining to be "clump free" even after 30 strokes! 

Hmmm.... What do you think?

In store now, available in 4 shades, RRP $18.95.

*Introductory offer at Big W for $10.00

Okay, I know these products aren't classified as "cosmetics", but I thought you'd be interested so I thought I'd sneak this new range by Neutrogena into this post! :P The new Neutrogena Naturals range is described to be "gentle, effective and clinically-proven" with "naturally-derived ingredients".

1. Fresh Cleaning + Make Up Remover ($14.99/177mL)
2. Purifying Pore Scrub ($14.99/118mL)
3. Purifying Facial Cleanser ($14.99/177mL)
4. Face & Body Bar ($4.99)
5. Lip Balm ($4.99)

Available soon/now, prices as marked. 

Now onto some already-launched products that I wasn't aware of, but thought I'd still mention them just incase you didn't know about them too!

COVERGIRL Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers 

I found out about these from Michaela's blog. They are described to be like a hybrid of a lipgloss + lip balm... "fruity, high-shine lipglosses without the stickiness, but also includes the protection of a lip balm which conditions the lips over time". I'm not really into lipglosses, so I'm passing on these!

In store now, available in 10 yumbo flavours, $9.95.

Models Prefer All-In-One BB Cream

I actually haven't seen this around until recently so I thought it may be a new product! Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong :P Like other BB creams, this one claims to "conceal imperfections, refines the appearance of pores and helps oil control!" 

It's also free from oil, parabens, fragrances and D5.. Not sure what D5 is.

This one is cheaper than their BB cream (yes, the one in the white packaging!).. I wonder why they'd have two different BB creams unless they target different skin types.. Hm. 

In store now, in 2 shades, RRP $12.99.

Australis Glitter Top Coats
The three news shades they've launched are called: Milky Way, Space Jam and Glitter Strikes Back. I don't usually go for Australis' Nail Polishes, but these looked so pretty that I just had to!

I have swatches and reviews here.

In store now, 3 new shades, RRP $7.95.


OK onto our last brand of the day........ Maybelline!

Maybelline Shredded Colour Show Nail Polishes
Shredded eh? Don't know what that means? Basically, they're just crackle top coats... I actually think the trend is over now (oh, how crackles used to be so popular) so it is rather surprising to see Maybelline hitting these up on counters. Too little too late maybe?

Also, I heard the formula of these are super thick so I won't be looking into them.. Meh. I'm not a die-hard fan of crackle lacquers anyways.. :P The packaging sure does look nice though! Don't you think?

I haven't seen them instore yet, but you can find them from Priceline's online shop, available in 3 shades, RRP $5.95.

Maybelline Colour Show Nail Polishes
These are just regular colour nail lacquers. No special effects, nothing. They are however, described to be chip resistant..... and that's all the information I got from their page... Meep!


Haven't seen them instore yet, but you can find them from Priceline's online shop, available in 25 shades, RRP $5.95.

Maybelline Baby Lips Love Color
Oh gee! Here we go! A shout to the Baby Lips fans! I'm personally not a fan of Baby Lips, but if you are, then here's one for you... They are now available with tints! What more could you ask for really? :P

I think US residents have 5 shades in their range with a pretty coral/orange shade included. I don't think we have it here.. Meep. Why not Maybelline?

In stores now, available in 4 shades, RRP $3.95.

Maybelline Total Clean Eye Make Up Remover
From its description, it sounds much like another oil-water make-up remover.. one of those removers that you'd have to shake well before use. It is described to do good to both "waterproof and long wearing make up". "Dermatologist and allergy tested", Maybelline says. :P


In store now, not sure of RRP! Sorry! :(

Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivids Lipsticks
Yipeeeeeeeee. These have finally landed in Australia I believe! I know some beauty bloggers has already got their hands on these babies. They are your average lipsticks, but brighter and bolder, and more creamier! I've seen swatches and they look great! ^_^

In stores now, available in 8 shades, RRP $16.95.



That is all! Yeap! That is really all! I'm so sorry about the fewer products that I'm not sure of its RRP or availability! I hope you've still enjoyed the post though, and as always..

Have you tried any of the mentioned products?
Which products are you most keen on picking up?

I'm eye-ing the Maybelline Vivids Lipsticks, Revlon Suede Lipsticks and the L'Oreal BB Powder.. I'd also like to know how the Clump Crusher Mascara by COVERGIRL goes.. but I have sooo much stuff at home already so.... no Tram, no!

Oh, let me thank Tine from Beautyholics Anonymous for helping me out on the prices of the Revlon Suede Lipsticks! Thanks Tine! :P If you have any idea of the RRP or availability of some products then please leave me a comment! Thank you!

Disclaimer: I am NOT affiliated with any of the companies/brands mentioned in this post. This post is compiled purely for your reading convenience. I was not paid for this post. Items marked with (*) were provided for review consideration, but ALL opinions stated within this post belongs to myself and remains uninfluenced and unbiased.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily Face LIGHTWEIGHT Sunscreen Lotion Review

Back in the yonks, all I relied on for sun protection were my foundations, moisturisers and everything else under the sun except sunscreens.

Never understood the importance of sunscreen until last year and I'm not sure why. It's like I woke up one day and suddenly realised the importance of sunscreen!

I'm not even kidding.

But the ultimate equation is:

no SPF = sun spots + uneven and darken of acne scars and pigmentations + wrinkles + higher chance of skin cancer + bad stuff, badder stuff + etc (in the long run)

The only sunscreen I own right now is the Ultra Sheer Daily Face 'Lightweight' Sunscreen Lotion by Neutrogena which comes in a neatly packaged squeeze tube.

This sunscreen seriously has the BEST packaging! Product has never leaked, can be controlled by the size of the dispensing hole and the inside of the twist-on cap always remain clean. Like a nail polish, you'll have to shake it up before usage. There's a solid inside, so it's actually lots of fun to use in the morning to wake up the family. Jks, it's not that loud.

This product is briefly described as a 'light weight and oil-free sunscreen which moisturises for soft and smooth skin', whilst 'protecting the skin from burns and UVA/UVB rays which causes fine lines' by Neutrogena.

Yes. The lotion itself is extremely light weight and seriously feels like almost nothing on my skin. It IS recommended for normal-combination skin, so for drier skin types (like moi), you will need to make up to the hydration with a creamier moisturiser.

The sunscreen lotion applies on silky, blends very well and leave you with extremely smooth and silky skin, which almost feels as if you've applied a make-up base/primer. A little of this stuff goes a long way, so 30mL will last you a while!

Lastly, Neutrogena products are generally dermatologist tested, non-comedogenic and hypo-allergenic.. I thought I'd just chuck that in just in case you are wondering!

Overall

A light-weight sunscreen lotion which is most suitable for normal and combination to oily skin types. Applies silky, blends effortlessly, leave skin feeling primer-smooth and only requires a small amount of product for the whole face. Product is contained in a small handy shake-up squeeze tube which is not only cute and convenient, but also travel friendly for the handbags and manbags!

Do you use sunscreen lotions/sunblocks, or do you rely on SPF from other face products?

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen Lotion 30+ retails for $14.99 at your local Priceline, Big W, Woolworths, Coles, Target and other Neutrogena stockists.

Disclaimer: Product was purchased by me.