SKINCARE SAVIOURS

My skin can get a little crazy at various times of the year. When the seasons change, during that time of the month, or even when days jump from cool to hot really quickly (which happens a lot here in Sydney) my skin gets super irritated, dry and often break out. 

My face in general (or on my normal days) is between normal to dry, but I get oily around the t-zone, so I usually go for products that are catered for combination skin. I change up my skincare routine very frequently - mainly because I'm constantly trying new things - but seem to always go back to the following products, and they never fail to come to the rescue during desperate times. What are some of your skincare 'saviour' products? Please let me know! ;)

Anitpodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask
I break out on occasion, but things usually get a lot worse during my period or when I am traveling overseas. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is great for the odd pimple here and there, but can be too drying when my skin is acting up or more sensitive than usual. Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask is an amazing product that deep cleanses and intensely hydrates, whilst gently treating blemishes and spots. It doesn't work as quickly as the MB drying lotion, but to speed up the process, I also apply a little of this stuff on my pimples overnight, in addition to using it as a mask. This product can be use on any skin type, anytime of the year, it leaves my face really soft and helps get rid of break outs without irritating my skin. 

Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask
I'm sure a lot of you have heard about this mask, it's an easy-to-use, hassle-free product that works well to deeply nourish the skin. I usually apply a generous layer, leave it on for about 10 minutes, then tissue off any excess before nodding off to sleep. No washing required! I wake up to moisturised skin, and appear more freshened up altogether. On top of this, I also like to use this on long haul flights - I know some people are brave enough to throw on a sheet mask, but I just can't bare the odd looks! I travel at least once a year to visit family in Asia, and this mask helps keep my skin hydrated, despite how drying it is cooped up on a plane. Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask is the perfect facial treatment without any fuss, great for any lazy skincare day! :P

Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream
More Antipodes love! I actually use this as my regular night cream during the cold winter months, but go back to it any time of the year when my skin is feeling dehydrated. The main ingredients of this include shea butter, avocado oil, manuka honey and macadamia nut oil - just to name a few - so if this doesn't nourish my face, I don't know what will! It applies on the thicker side and just slightly oily, but my skin sucks it all up and feels really moisturised when I wake up in the morning. It also promises to promote collagen production and regenerate healthy skin cells, though I don't notice much of a difference at the moment, so maybe in a couple of years!

CURRENT BLUSH LOVE

I started this a while back (see here) - it's my idea of a 'favourites' post, but PURELY featuring blushes. Next to lipsticks, blushes are my second most purchased makeup items, so I'll make any excuse to ramble on about them. Plus I haven't done a blush post in a while, so here goes!

Benefit Box o' Powder in Rockateur
This one was all the rave when it was first released, so I don't think it needs any introduction. I've always been a fan of Benefit Box o' blushes, they are nicely pigmented (though this varies slightly between shades) and are easily blendable on the skin. Rockateur is a beautiful shimmery rose gold, it applies a little more peachy against my skin, but lovely nonetheless. It's one of those 'it-goes-with-everything' shades that would wear well on many people.

MAC Powder Blush in Well Dressed
MAC blushes are one of my ultimate weaknesses, there are just so many shades to choose from, and to collect! Well Dressed is a subtle pink with cool undertones. It has a satin finish, and though it swatches with more shine on the arm, you can barely it once applied the cheeks. This one is slightly less pigmented than Rockateur, but I really like the soft finish which can be built up if you are after more colour. I'm not too sure how this would wear on darker skintones though, but if you are around NC20-25, this is a great everyday blush!

JANUARY EMPTIES

Haven't done one of these in a while! I don't have a whole lot of skincare/makeup empties this month - didn't keep much around after new years - but have managed to collect a few things from my hair routine stash. I generally go through them fairly quickly, but always forget to include them in a post, so this is a good chance to share some of my favourite hair styling products!

Batiste Dry Shampoo for Brunette Hair
I've been using Batiste for some time now, and it's definitely my drugstore dry shampoo of choice. I actually bought this without realising there a version for dark and deep brown hair, but am loving the coloured range altogether because it doesn't leave any obvious white marks on my almost black hair. I generally go all out with dry shampoo, and don't always brush through as much as I should (especially when I'm in a rush), so this works out really well because it blends into my hair colour.
Repurchase? Yes.

Tresemmé Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray
I absolutely love the original Tresemmé Heat Tamer Spray, so I was very interested in this when I first saw it in store. To be honest I don't find a big difference between the two - they both protect my hair from heat styling - but I've taken a liking to the scent of this Shine Spray (smells like you've been to a salon) so I'll probably make it my new staple. I can't say much about the 'shine' part, though I'm not too fussed since I don't need the excess oil or shine.
Repurchase? Yes.

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hair Spray
I've tried and tested numerous thickening hair sprays, powders and serums, and this is one of the first that works on my hair. I have very fine limp hair, so it sits quite flat on my head, especially when in between washes (I wash my hair every other day). I have been on a search for something that would give me more 'umph' for the longest time now and this spray is the winner. I only need 3-4 pumps on the roots, a little blow dry, and it keeps my hair voluminous all day long. This isn't exactly cheap though, so do use sparingly!
Repurchase? Yes.

BURBERRY PRIMROSE HILL PINK

I know, it's another lipstick post - but this one is about a year overdue. I rediscovered this product when I was going through my collection for my 'Top 5 Luxury Lipstick' post. I bought this little Burberry lipstick back in 2012 (which seems like a decade ago now), but never had the heart to ruin the gorgeous and iconic design on the bullet. Primrose Hill Pink is my very first lipstick from Burberry, so I guess that's why I was so precious about it (even though it's not a limited edition or a special release). It has since been forgotten, so I feel like I owe this lipstick some love - here goes!

Burberry Lip Cover is a lightweight formula that contains 'nourishing oils' to hydrate the lips whilst ensuring intense colour payoff. I think they have really nailed it, this lipstick is something I can wear even on my dry lip days, without worrying about it irritating or making my lips dry out even more. The colour yields an almost opaque finish with just one swatch, even on my dark pigmented lips! It also lasts surprisingly long, and leaves a nice stain even when the product has worn off.

Primrose Hill Pink swatches very bright pink on my lips - I've seen it wear more coral on others, so it may apply differently depending on your complexion. Jump below for comparisons!

MY TOP 5 LUXURY LIPSTICKS

This was difficult. As much as I love drugstore makeup (see related post here), I do tend to splurge when it comes to lipsticks. I adore high-end brands, and even though I know sometimes it really just comes down to packaging, I'm a total sucker for the allure of a 'luxury' product. I'll probably change my mind on these once the new spring/summer collection is out, but for now, here are my top 5 picks for luxury lipsticks!

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Liberté
An oldie but definitely a goodie. I don't know if you can see clear enough in the second image (at the top), but the bullet is twisted all the way - I've almost used this one up! Liberté is a beautiful soft coral that can be worn for any occasion. It applies quite sheer, so it wears a little pink on me due to my natural lip colour. Though not moisturising, the formula literally glides onto the lips and sits very comfortably without been drying. I have yet to repurchase the exact same lipstick (because I never finish anything) but Chanel Liberte might just be the one!

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 12 Corail Incandescent
I could never do a favourites lipsticks post without throwing YSL in there, I LOVE this brand, especially the lip products! YSL Rouge Volupte Shine and Chanel Rouge Coco Shine are actually very similar in texture, but I do find that YSL has better lasting power and are generally more pigmented. Corail Incandescent is a gorgeous pinky coral that is great for brightening up any complexion. I've been sporting this one for most of the Aussie summer and I still can't get enough!

Jump for the rest of my picks!

BEST OF BEAUTY 2013

It's that time again for another 'best of beauty' yearly round up! I've really enjoyed reading what everyone has been posting, I love that I'm getting a quick rundown of the favourite of the most favorited, ultimate number one, beauty products of 2013 in one single blog entry. I have a good few products to go through on my list, but I'll try to keep it short and precise!

Illamasqua Hydra Veil Primer & Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation

Hands down my favourite primer and foundation combo. Hyda Veil is a great primer all-round, but the lightness of the formula works really well with the creaminess of the Skin Base foundation, creating a smooth finish that lasts all day. Illamasqua Skin Base is medium to high coverage, but it wears surprisingly natural whilst giving a flawless finish.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

Probably my most used foundation of 2013. I think this is the perfect everyday go-to foundation, it gives my skin that much needed boost in the morning without wearing oily during the day. I can't say that this foundation hydrates my skin, but it definitely gives the illusion that my dull skin is smooth and moisturised after application. Plus it's so affordable!

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer & Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

Maybelline has won me over with their concealers this year, I've almost stopped using high-end concealers altogether! Instant Age Rewind is amazing for underneath the eyes, it wears a little thicker and creamier, so it's perfect for eliminating dark circles and smoothing out the skin. Maybelling Fit Me is thinner in consistency and coverage, but is great for anywhere on the face because it blends seamlessly and doesn't look too heavy.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

I've been really digging my drugstore products for face this year, and Rimmel Stay Matte is probably one of my favourite finds for 2013. I was actually given this after my friend who bought it swore it was the worst product ever, but luckily it wears very well on my combination/dry skin (my friend has oily skin). I only apply powder on the t-zone area which do tend to get oily very quickly, but this really sets everything in place making my foundation last a lot longer.

Benefit Hooler Bronzing Powder and Rockateur Blush

I've been wearing these two babies on an almost day-to-day basis, and they pair beautifully together. I tend to be super nitpicky when it comes to bronzers because a lot of them make me look orange, but Hoola is the perfect shade to compliment my skintone. I don't think I need to talk much about Rockateur, it's pretty much universally loved by the blogging community and I can't agree more - the shade is simply gorgeous!

Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Dixie

This shade looks a little intense in the swatch but it wears a soft pinky coral when blended out. The texture of Illamasqua Cream Blushers are top notch, they are super pigmented, very easy to blend out (whether using your fingers or a stippling brush) and give a lovely natural dewy finish. I've been eying a couple more of these to add to my collection in 2014!

Jump for the best of 2013 eye products!

TOO FACED JINGLE ALL THE WAY PALETTE + FOTD

HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FRIENDS! 

I hope everyone had a wonderful time during Christmas and New Years, I'm really grateful to have spent this break surrounded by family and friends, I'm all refreshed and ready to go for 2014. Let's leave all the unhappy things behind in 2013 and make the new year one to remember! ;)

I'm a little behind in making this post (as the title of the palette suggests :P), I was gifted this at Christmas but didn't get around to using it till recently. I must admit I was skeptical about the whole iPhone exterior, still seems a bit gimmicky, but after actually swatching the shadows and creating this look I'm completely sold on this set.

Too Faced 'Jingle all the Way' palette consists of 11 eyeshadows, 1 bronzer and 1 blush - all tightly packed to fit the size of an iPhone case! I haven't tried any Too Faced eyeshadows or own any of their palettes, and I'm pleasantly surprised by the quality of the shadows/bronzer/blush in this one compact. Everything is very nicely pigmented, especially the blush, and though the glittery shadows do have a slight gritty texture, they wear super sparkly on the eyes - I even got compliments! The different shades are sectioned a little small, so it does get messy when you dip your brush into them, but there's so much variety in the set I think it's a good compromise.

Unfortunately this palette is only available for a limited time (I do believe this was only for Christmas), it's a really cute gift and I'm looking forward to new palette releases from Too Faced in 2014!

Jump for the FOTD!