In My Travel Make-Up Case: Skincare Edition

I'm spending this week in Canberra, undertaking a 5 day intensive course for my uni degree. I am here for 6 days, staying with J's family (which is really nice of them!) so understandably, brought quite a few products with me.
I have split this post into skincare, and make-up, so it's not too long.

I bought this make up bag from Peter Alexander in March, and it served me well at my mum's wedding in April, so I knew it would be perfect for my week away. 

I love that it has two large compartments, and then zips up. It also has a smaller compartment that has a hook, which is handy for hanging up in the bathroom. I haven't really used the hook, but it's a nice feature.

 I separate my products, so that I have make-up in one large pouch, and skincare in the other, and so far this has worked well for me. I love that you can clearly see everything that's in there, and it's so roomy! 

I love travelling, because it gives me a chance to use up the cute mini L'occitane products I have stashed at home. I brought the green tea shower gel, and the  essential 5 oils repairing shampoo and conditioner. I have used sachets of this product before, and love them. They're really nourishing without being too heavy. I also brought the ultra rich shea body lotion. This is really thick and really moisturising, but I don't like it being in this packaging. It's can be too thick to get out of the bottle at times, which is really frustrating.  

I brought a sample size of Dermalogica's Precleanse, and had already decanted some of the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel into a cosmetic bottle from Priceline. I had also decanted some of the MAC brush cleanser, to make it more convenient for travel. 

Last minute I decide to also pack the Jasmin&Bergamote body milk from L'occitane. I haven't used this yet, but it smells really good! 

In terms of make-up remover, I brought the two sample sizes of Bioderma's h2o micellar water that I reecived in my last Her Fashion Box. I packed the Clearasil Acne Treatment Cream. I didn't pack any exfoliators, and this contains benzoyl peroxide so in the event that I get a pimple, this will quickly take care of it. I've been using Kiehl's Line-Reducing Eye-Brightening eye cream, so of course brought that along too. 

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Dermalogica Haul!

When I got the email in my inbox that BrandsExclusive were having a sale on Dermalogica, I jumped right on that. Dermalogica are one of my favourite skincare brands because their products just work.

I picked up this normal/dry skin kit. It contains a 50mL special cleansing gel, a 10mL gentle cream exfoliant, a skin hydrating masque (sample size), a 50mL multi-active toner, a 22mL skin smoothing cream and a 4mL intensive eye repair. Part of the reason I got this was because it had products I already know and love, and in a convenient travel size. I also really wanted to try the gentle cream exfoliant, so I thought this would be a good way to trial it before plunging in and buying the whole thing.



I also bought a 250mL size of the ultracalming cleanser. Although I love the special cleansing gel, this one is also recommended for my skin type so I thought I'd try it out.

And I picked up a 150mL bottle of precleanse. I love this oil cleanser for removing my make-up, and the smallest amount goes such a long way so I know this bottle will last for ages!

What are your favourite Dermalogica product?



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Best of: The Products I LOVED in 2013

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October Skincare Routine

It's been just over 6 months since my last skincare routine post. I've been using some new products lately, so thought I'd update you all on how that's going. At the moment my skin is looking better than it ever has, and there's definitely a few products that take responsibility for that.

For the most part this is a simple outline of my routine:
Morning: Wash, Pat Dry, Moisturiser, Sunscreen.
Night Time: First cleanse, eye make up removal, second cleanse, exfoliate, toner, treatment and serum

March Skincare

Skincare is one of those routines that is never really stagnant.
Here’s how I kept the skin on my face happy throughout March.

Make-Up Removal:

I’ve gone off using face wipes, tbh. I just feel like for the amount of effort I put in to scrubbing that bit of cloth across my face, they don’t remove that much make-up. So instead, I’ve been using Dermalogica’s Precleanse. I’ve talked a bit about this one here. Basically it’s an oil, you massage it into your face, then rinse off with warm water. Faster than a wipe, less damaging on your skin and it leaves your skin cleaner.
For eye make-up I use Loreal’s gentle eye make-up remover. I freaking love this stuff. One of my friends turned me onto it back in first year uni, and I’ve yet to find anything that measures up quite as much. Although that being said, I do love Bioderma’s H2O Micellar water for eye makeup removal too; it’s just difficult to access in my corner of the world.

Cleansing:

 

I do this step every night in the shower; I just feel the hot steam helps to open my pores up and allows for a deeper cleanse. I use Dermalogica’s Special Cleansing Gel (discussed here) with the Clarisonic. I’ve talked about both before, and done an in-depth review on the Clarisonic here.
The only criticism I have of the SCG is the packaging; I find it hard to control the amount that comes through the slit on the top of the bottle. Also, every night product gets stuck there and then by the next night it solidifies. I just feel there could be an easier, more economical way of dispensing product than this.

Toning



I’ve talked before about how I use Sukin’s Hydrating Mist Toner; basically just as a refreshing spritz to calm my skin after my hot shower. I’ve recently added T.N. Dickonson’s Witch Hazel toner into my routine, after a recommendation from Jess at Neko Aesthetic. I have definitely found since adding this in that my skin is clearer, with fewer breakouts.I also use the Witch Blemish Stick as a spot treatment on active breakouts.

Face Masks



I love a good face mask, and use a couple for different reasons. These were my favourites in March:

- Sukin’s Purifying Facial Masque; I did a full review of this product here. This is absolutely HG for me. It’s a red clay mask, used to clear out blackheads and blocked pores. I am yet to find a product that works as well as this one.
- Apivita face masks: I have tried out quite a few of the masks from this brand, and there is yet to be one I haven’t loved. For a super moisturising mask, I’ve been loving the Express Beauty with Cereals, and for refreshing my eyes, I’ve been loving the Express Beauty with Gingko Biloba.

Moisturiser



Rose hip oil is the only moisturiser I have used for about a year now; I apply it right before I head off to sleep and wake up in the morning with beautiful, dewey skin!


What are your skincare HG items? Do you use oils on your face?

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January Favourites!

So January's come and gone. How's 2013 treating you so far? I'm still forgetting we've hit the new year - and keep dating everything "2012". C'mon Michaela. Get with the TIMES. 

Not too many favourites this month, on account of the hot weather and my refusal to wear make up that will just slide right off in those circumstances. 

Hair Care

I feel like I'm the last person in the world to figure this out, but those sock donut bun makers are truly genius. They make your hair look so put together and polished in under 2 minutes. I've been relying on this for those mornings that I'm rushing to work, and usually style it by teasing around my crown so I don't look toooo prim and proper. 

I've also been playing around a lot with my new hot roller set, and have been using the Toni&Guy Spray Gel for Curls. I think this was about $15 in Coles, which is okay for what it does. I hate the way it comes out of the bottle though - I would prefer a fine mist, whereas it prefers to come out more concentrated. That being said, it does hold curls pretty well without weighing them down. 

Skin Care

My skin has been acting up something shocking these past couple of months. Nothing I was doing was settling it down, and not only were my pores more blocked than usual, but I was getting acne type pimples all along my chin. Gross. So I decided to try out Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Gel and my word is this amazing. It has cleared my skin up really well in the two weeks I've been using it. Total convert. 

I've been using Sukin's Hydrating Mist Toner for the better part of a year now, but I truly appreciate it in the hotter weather. It is just so refreshing and cooling. I use it once I get out of the shower and spray it all over my face and neck. If I'm at home and it's been a particularly hot day I'll give my skin a quick spray with this and I'm feeling all good again! 

Make-Up 

Not much make-up has been worn this month. Unless I'm going out to a special occasion or to work, I've tried to avoid it as much as possible. Again, the heat (In case you haven't heard me whine enough about it). I love a good neutral palette for those mornings when I don't want to think and I've been loving playing with the MUA Heaven and Earth palette. The colours in this are all really pigmented and all go really well together, so you can't really go wrong - even if you haven't had your morning coffee yet. 

For those times when I have wanted it to look like I've put a lot of effort in but I haven't I've slathered on Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush. It's a bit vampy for Summer, but whatever. I love it. 

A couple of months ago I also ordered this Inglot blush palette online. I've been loving the coral colour (second from the right) - (I think it's number 30. I matched it up to my receipt order and swatches online because the damn thing is so hard to get out of the palette now that it's in there.). It's a lot subtler than it looks in the pan and I think it's a really nice colour for Summer. 

To hear more ramblings, check out the video below - my kitten Romulus makes an appearance!



What were your January favourites this month?



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Christmas Gift Guide...for her!

Following on from my Christmas Gift Guide...for him I present to you, the Christmas Gift Guide...for her.
P.S. I love everything in this collage...so if you're looking for a pressy for me *hint hint* hehe!

Girls are so much easier to buy for than guys, but if you're still stuck for ideas, how about something like this:

Christmas Wish List by michaelaarghh featuring denim shorts

1. Candles - Almost every major candle company release special limited Christmas edition candles around this time of year and they make perfect gifts! I love these ones from Ecoya, but Glasshouse also do some great smelling ones.
2. Make-Up - If you're not sure what specifically, then a best-seller like the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette is a great idea. Most make-up counters have really helpful staff, so don't be afraid to go in and ask!
3. Skincare - I've included a photo of the Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse because I've fallen in looooove with it, haha, but some great skincare is appreciated by almost everyone!
4. Clothes - You could go with something festive, like a holiday themed shirt or jumper, or something like shorts or a classic blazer. Spikes are sooo in at the moment, and totally not goth at all (14 year old me was so ahead of the fashion, clearly).
5. Tea - T2 have some beautiful tea gift sets for tea enthusiasts of all ages.
6. Stationery - I really don't know many people who don't like nice, quality stationery. If the lady you're buying for works in an office or is going back to uni next year, think about investing in some nice stationery for them!

Anything here catch your eye? Is there a particular lady in your life who is hard to buy for?



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October Favourites!!

Does anyone else think it is absolutely ridiculous that it is already November?
With the beginning of a new month comes the post about my favourite products from the month before!
So I give you... my October favourites!

1. NARS - Deep Throat
Every single time I tried to snap a photo of this, I just couldn't do it justice. This is a beautiful pink, shimmery blush that I wore literally every day in October. A little goes a long way with this, so I can see it lasting ages. I find the shimmer isn't overpowering and the colour lasts right to the end of the day - unlike some other blushes where they fade, leaving you with glittery cheeks. I apply it with my Real Techniques stippling brush.

2. Lush - 'You Snap the Whip' Body Butter
I only bought this one recently, but I love it so much I couldn't not include it! This body butter exfoliates and cleanses your skin really well with the use of coal and charcoal, but has cocoa butter and macadamia nut oil to soften your skin as well. It's super easy to use, and it smells like lollies. NOM.

3. Dermalogica Precleanse
I got this in the September Lust Have It box, and am in love with it! Basically, using dry hands, massage it into your dry face, rinse with warm water and it turns into a milky cream and breaks down all your make-up. I use it after I've removed my eye make-up, and before cleansing (hence, precleanse!) I have loved using this and am seriously considering spending the money on buying the full-sized when I run out of the sample. 



4. Davroe Hair Wellness non-aerosol hairspray
This was another sample from the same September Lust Have It box. I wasn't sure if I'd like it when I first got it, because of its non-aerosol-ly-ness.
However, I think I actually prefer it over aerosol hairsprays. It shoots out a really fine mist, so it's easy to set your hair quickly, and it doesn't shift the hair when you apply it.

5. Stila all over shimmer in Pink Shimmer
I bought this one on a midnight-online-shopping-whim about two months ago. This is the first highlighter I've owned so I'm still working it out. But I love applying it on the brow bone when I'm in a rush in the morning, and it brightens my eyes and perks me up a bit. It is quite shimmery, so haven't yet tried it on my cheekbones. Will do so soon, and report back pronto!

6. Maybelline the Falsies Volum' Express Flared
I am of the opinion that Maybelline make the best "drugstore brand" mascaras. I am yet to buy one from them that I haven't liked (okay I lied...I despised that one in the green and pink tube. I'm sure you know which one I mean. Don't pretend you didn't own it as a 15 year old.). Anyway, I find this adds heaps of volume and length to my lashes, without clumping. I don't use waterproof mascara because I hate how hard it is to get off, and I find this one quite difficult to remove.

8. The Body Shop - Hemp Foot Protector

I bought this quite a while ago now, and cannot express enough how much I love it. 

It's a super hydrating, really thick cream for your feet. Now, I know feet gross some people out, but they carry us around everywhere we go, so they need looking after too. I slather this on before bed, and after my shower and let it really soak in. Be careful putting it on and then walking around on tiles / floorboards though - it can make your feet slippery!

What were your favourites for this month?

Have you used any of the above products before? Do feet gross you out? I personally don't mind them...

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