Lash lash, baby, lash lash, Current Mascaras!

I've been quite good in the past 12 months about changing mascaras every few months.  I am prone to eye problems so try to be vigilant about stuff like that.
I also randomly sanitise my eye products with ethanol.
But I digress,
Current favourite mascaras!

I've been playing around with a newer one, a stashed one, and a random purchase that was my reward for surviving a particularly tough week at work.
All of them have little rubber bristles - I did not realise that at all until I took photos.  But I have mentioned before that its my favourite brush type.

First up - Essence Plump no Clump (I think it's now discontinued?)
This is a nice natural looking mascara (by my standards).  A light coating that says "hey I have lashes and they are pretty" without being too dramatic.  And sometimes thats what you want from a mascara.  Just a little icing on the cake. The brush is a monster and I think I would use it more if it had a smaller brush.  The product is a really nice consistency and the brush doesn't get too much on it, so only minimal wipeoff needed.

Maybelline Lash Sensational
My new fav!  I was late to bandwagon for this nabbed one during the last Priceline 40% sale.  I have fallen in love.  So much in love that I've already bought a replacement from Chemist Warehouse.  Oh this just works so well.  I think it works better than last years favourite from Essence.  And you know it will be in a sale sooner rather than later so no fear of having to buy it full price.  With my allergy eyes, I don't want to pay heaps for something.  It is a wet formulation, but not a runny wet like Rimmel.  This has a heavier gel like consistency and builds nicely, but you do need to take off a lot of product when you take the brush out.  The little tiny combs on one side a great for getting mascara on the base of the lashes.

Revlon - (The one with the midget brush) Ultimate All-In-One
Ok.  I did not expect the brush to be SO DAMN TINY.  But it works.  I think I'll like it more as the formula dries a bit.  Same performance as the Essence one above, so in terms of saving money, I would repurchase the Essence mascara over this one (if it was still around).  It is a bit fiddly with the midget brush to get the lashes, more time and effort compared to the Lash Sensational.  So I'm a little "meh" on this one. I have much fear of stabbing my eyeball with this midget brush.

What's in your current mascara rotation?

Update - Face Wipe Haul

Some of you may remember this post.  Where I went nuts and bought 6 different types of makeup remover wipes to try.

So far I've tried out :

Byphasse Micellar Water
Not bad - does a really good job of removing eye makeup!  Heaving mascara and eyeliner combo were removed fairly easily.  My face did feel warm afterwards and a bit "soapy" compared to using micellar water and cotton rounds, so I need to either rinse my face or use the cloth just before I shower.  So its not actually suitable for the job I wanted it to do - which was be able to be used which at work or out if I need to clean off my makeup.  The cloth itself is soft and pliable, actually feels like a piece of fabric but is not itchy.

Smartskin
Erm, not overly fond of these.  The formula irriated my skin and the cloth was not gentle as well. These have been relegated to be used as hand wipes to use them up  Definitely not going near these again.

I'm currently up to the Simple Age Regenerating wipes, which have been the best so far.  They dont leave a residue on my face at all and the cloth is quite gentle, so when going over my eyes, it doesn't rub and irritate.

So thus far, some "Mehs", a "No Way" and good progress on another!

Do you have any other recommendations for me to try out?  What ones have I missed that should try?

Stalking the Bae again! ChiChi Viva La Diva lipsticks

I tend to go through makeup phases - obsessed with eyeshadows and playing with new combos. Finding the perfect My Lips But Better lippie (I think I have 3  5 now...).  Stalking brands I like on Instagram (ChiChi and Australis in particular).  Foundations - my sensitive skin yearns for a light cover, thus the 15 or so foundations/bb creams I have.

You get the gist?

Myer had a 40% off ChiChi this weekend.  Oh My, that beat the Target 30% off ChiChi.  I really like the ChiChi lippies (cos the tubes are sexy and the lippies smell of turkish delight, oh and they last ages on me).

I already had a vivid purple - from my purple lipstick obsession November/December 2014.
Super Duper Dope.

So bright.  So sassy.

Through various purchases in 2015 I had collected a few (many) more.

I now have this :

Must be true luv...

I knew this time around I was not after a pink or a purple.  So ended up with:

Hollywood Wannabee, Urban Chic, Flirt

That went well.  Only one deep fuchsia.

Top to bottom : Hollywood Wannabee, Flirt, Urban Chic

Of these, my favourite it Flirt, its the brighter version of My Lips But Better.

I was only plannig on getting two - Flirt and Urban Chic, and then my eyes spotted Hollywood Wannabee.  I checked my photo I had taken of my ChiChi collection and discerned that I did not have this tone.  It is brighter then in the photo but not Barbie bright.

I really like the finish of these and they last nearly a full work day - including morning tea, lunch, coffees and waters.  I only reapplied at the end of lunch break.  Some of the deeper shades - reds, burgundy and dark purple - they stain my lips so I didn't really need to reapply, unless I want the full bold colour again.

The matte shades are not a finish like the Australis Velourlips - where its a dryyyyyy matte.  These still have movement which is why they aren't as long lasting as the Velourlips.  Much more comfortable however.

This is the one brand of lipstick that I seriously collect.
Whats your favourite makeup item to treat yourself with?

Routine Update - Part 1, Morning Routine

1 year Blogiversary. Yay, go team!

A year ago my skin was in shambles.  Today I'm on Imuran and actually had a Dermatologist appointment yesterday. Let me know if you want to know more about Imuran - I do mention it a fair bit.  The Imuran is for eczema treatment.

Way back in November of 2015 I did a long post on what my AM/PM routine is for skin care.  At that stage I was still early in the days of my treatment with Imuran and on a low dosage, combined with Prednisolone.  I've been on Imuran now for nearly 6mths and am at a higher dose.
Imuran has helped immensely with the improvement of my skin and thus my routine has changed - I dont need the 10 or 11 or 12 steps I used to do. My routine has become shorter and lighter.

(I feel the need to explain that I am on medication to help with my skin so you don't think my improvements have been due to JUST skincare.#imuranlifestyle)

So Part One - Morning Routine!

I don't spend a long time on my morning routine.  Pretty much I grab my basket of goodies, my cup of coffee and watch the morning news for about 20mins, this gives the product time to sink in and be rady for the sunscreen layer later on.  Some things are AB, some are Western. I tend to follow the AB routine of layering products but have been switching item in and out.

1. Wipe down with micellar water.  Currently finishing off a Garnier micellar water.  I have lined up next the Simple miceller water (it has niacinamide in, main reason why I bought it).  I avoid a heavy cleanse in the morning because of my dry skin, I find that the micellar waters to a good job for my skin type.

2. Toner - I am using the Rosette Ceramides Lotion as my new toner, as I have just used up the Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner - rosewater, chamomile and aloe.  But I will buy more of the Sukin Toner in the next Priceline sale - this is very refreshing on hot days.  During Feb I kept it in my work bag as a spray for during the day at work.  The Ceramide lotion is ok so far.

3. Serum - I've started using POND'S Collagen Serum (from this post).  The texture is slick and a little goes a long way - 3 drops is actually enough.  I have moved the Mizon to night only to give the POND'S a whirl.  I mentioned in my old routine that I was also using the DermaVeen Serum.  That was utter crap.  Irritated my skin and did not help at all.  So I'm using it on my legs to finish it off.  I also have been using extra Hydraluron Indeed Labs if I get a bit flakey.

4. Eye Cream - I have finished my QV Eye cream and am now using POND'S dual eyecream (can't remember where I picked this up - I was rummaging through my skincare stash for a new eyecream and found it.  So started using it.  Nice stuff).  I have the L'Oreal Revitalift eyecream lined up next.

5. Light moisturiser - either the SkinFood Lettuce and Cucumber Emulsion or the Mizon Collagen Emulsion.  The Lettuce and Cucumber is still going strong.  The bottle seems to never end!

6. Heavy moisturiser - Nivea Visage Pure and Natural Moisturising Day Creme (haul in this post).  I like this a lot.  Its quite rich and soothing. OR  EgoSilic15 cream - this is a barrier cream with dimethicone in.  Specifically for eczema use.  I use this everywhere as well as my face

7. Suncreen - Hamilton Face (from this post, it has become my favourite sunscreen)

I usually get up to stage 6 then get dressed, and then apply suncreen before my makeup.

I have found from having a large "wardrobe" of skincare items I can change it up as my skin needs change.  If I'm really dry I will put more steps in, as the weather changes I can put different items in.  I've learnt over the past year that it is important to adapt your routine to your lifestyle and the weather.  I used to have just one moisturiser and micellar water, thats all I used.  There are days when all I do is use micellar water, serum and a moisturiser.  But there are days when I do 11 steps - I do these now somewhat more as a "spa day" type of treat.

But I am determined to finish of that SkinFood Emulsion!

Do you have a skincare "wardrobe"?  How do you change your routine?

Wipe it off, wipe it off!

This is one of the stranger hauls I have done.

I suddenly had an urge to go and buy makeup remover wipes.  No idea why.

I used to use these frequently, my favourite was the Priceline Beauty Essentials Make-Up remover Wipes for Sensitive Skin and still have some stashed away, but once I was introduced to Micellar Water I lost interest in the wipes.  But these days I find that I come home from work and my skin feels really heavy and icky, and the micellar water is not enough to get rid of the "greasy-dirt" (oh how appealing) sensation.

Thus the face wipes.  They have a bit more heft than the micellar water so I wont need to rub away as much.  My plan is to use the micellar water in the morning as I have been doing - excellent for getting rid of the stuff that accumulates overnight and not too drying.  Then in the afternoon when I get home from work, use a wipe and finish up with a single cotton round (instead of 3 cotton rounds, I wear much makeup...) of micellar water.

I bought some micellar wipes to have in my handbag for days when I need to refresh/redo my makeup at work - such as long days with Parent Teacher Interviews and Info Evenings.

Not surpisingly these are all aimed at dry and/or sensitive skin. Some are from Woolworths (Safeway), some are from Chemist Warehouse.  This haul was driven by the sales/specials at both - if you wait, it'll be on sale at some point.


From Woolworths (Safeway)

Simple Regeneration Age Resisting Cleansing Wipes (25)

Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Wipes (25)

Smartskin 25 Moisturising Facial Cleansing Wipes (25)

Woolworths Select Daily Balance Gentle Facial Wipes (25)

Chemist Warehouse
Nivea Pure and Natural Facial Cleansing Wipes (25)

Byphasse Micellar Make-up Remover Wipes (25)

So over the next few months or so I'll have a battle of the Make-up Remover Wipes and fill you in along the way!
What things have you randomly hauled for a specific item?

Any suggestions for other Makeup Remover wipes for dry and sensitive skin?

The Sunscreen Edition UPDATE!!

So way back in October in 2015 I did a post on my Suncreen Haul.  I had intended using each for a week and then updating, but thought it would be better to go the whole spring and summer before updating so I could tell you my opinion based on longer, daily use.

It will be short and sweet because there was a clear winner.

If you recall, I was comparing the Nivea Sun Light Daily Face Veil SPF 30, Olay Complete Defence Moisturisiing Lotion SPF 30+ and Hamilton Sunscreen SPF 50+ Everyday Face Cream.

The winner, that I have used ALL summer, is the Hamilton Sunscreen SPF 50+ Everyday Face Cream,  I will definitely repurchase once I've used it all up.  This did not irritate at all.  It sinks into the skin really quickly and because its tinted there is no white cast.  I did not get burnt (sun or chemically) while wearing this at all.  Its gold!  I have only found it at Chemist Warehouse.

The worst - Nivea Sun Light Daily Face Veil SPF 30.  I used it for a week.  I could not use it anymore.  It irritated my skin and was not a nice sunscreen to apply.  I'm using it up by using on my arms/legs.  It is going nowhere near my face.

Meh - Olay Complete Defence Moisturisiing Lotion SPF 30+.  It did not offend me, but it did not wow me like the Hamiltons.  I will try to use this up before I repurchase the Hamiltons.

What is your favourite Suncreen?

Sheet Mask : BeautyMate Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Moisturizing Mask

I do love me some Hyaluronic acid.

This is a mask from a Sasa haul I did last year - around June/July.  As part of my effort to use up more masks of my stash (cough: 120ish : no idea how that actually happened : cough) I'm alternating so I do two new masks for everyone old mask (so my last old mask was the 3W Clinic Collagen - which I still really like).  Also using a new mask on a Saturday night allows me time on Sunday to recover.  Normally I would have done this on Friday night but I was far to exhausted to do so (Conference that required 2 hours of Public Transport BOTH ways).

Back to the mask.

Heaps of ingredients.

Key ingredients
White Horehound - marrubium vulgare - one of the higher botanical ingredients.  This helps with skin repair and inflammation.
Hyaluronic acid - draws water into the skin.
Aloe - moisture and skin repair
Ginkgo bilbo - contains antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal compounds that help reduce redness and inflammation.  It has also been shown to help with skin firmness (wrinkles, sagging etc)
Arbutin - skin brightener - through a series of chemical processes helps to reduce melanin production in the skin.

This mask comes with a plastic backing and the fibre itself is very thin, but easy to take apart and apply.  As I still cant smell much so I have no idea if this has a fragrance.  Which makes sheet-masking a different experience if you're not being assulted by fragrance.  The mask is cut smaller than most of the other masks I have tried.  The eyeholes are a little too close together.  The mouth is a slit, and I thought it would be uncomfortable but it seems to make the mask fit better due to more tension around that area, also there are no slits around the edges for fit.  However I found it didn't move around and held onto the skin firmly despite its thinness.

3W Collagen on top, BeautyMate Hyaluronic bottom.  3W is one of the larger masks I have used.

This is supposed to hydrate and brighten your skin (as given by the ingredients like arbutin and white horehound).  Face looked brighter after I took it off and still looked really clear and bright the next day.  There was no visible irritation and no stinging during wear, there was a bit of tingling at the start.  I had this mask on for 20mins but easily could have left it for longer.

I dont know which ingredient was the star for me - seeing how far down the Hyaluronic acid is, I dont know if I would call it a straight up "hyaluronic acid" mask.  Definitely moisturising and brightening.

I've very glad I got this in a 5 pack, as I will definitely use up the rest of them.  maybe even repurchase if the results are consistent after I use the other four.  This for me, would be a good mask to use the night before an event or such.

Do you prefer the reviews when I go and do research on the ingredients, or a short and sweet "hey this made my skin bouncy/this made my skin burst into flames'?