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?

When Cuddling your Teddy Bear and Smooshing your Cat just doesn't cut it (Comfort Hauling)

This is my biggest haul from RRS thus far.  I had been compiling a list and because of a short-term promotion at work for a month I could afford "All The Things" (within reason).

Why am I calling it a comfort haul?  Well when I clicked the "buy" button it was on a day where I'd been dealing with some epic health issues, which have since compounded, thus the lack of posts.

This represents the state of my brain for the past 10 days 

My allergies and immune system have basically done a riot and I've been off work for a full week with painkillers, antibiotics, allergy medications and topical medications.  But that was not the reason for the Comfort Haul, it simply compounded the issues and the stress and the panic I was feeling.

So this haul has actually been sitting in the dining room for a week because I could not function to even look at it.  Well, it made me upset to look at it.

Now I have pulled it together somewhat and am throwing this post out for you, because there are reasons for these purchases for my skin type when my immune system behaves and I am very much looking forward to being able to use these products once my course of medications from the dermatologist (finally have now been to one) finishes.

So with the RRS new shop sale on several ranges I liked AND free shipping on Mizon, lets haul!

Samples of Cera Cera cream, Shea Butter Steam Cream and Aloe Cleansing cream

Mizon part 1.... Aloe has been something I wanted to incorporate more into my routine and I had samples of the Mizon WaterVolume cream that I really liked and the Sleeping Mask had positive reviews from other who have a similar skin type to myself.

Mizon 2... More AIO Snail cream, the Night Repair sounded like it would be good to help repair my skin, the Collagen series because I had liked another Collagen cream this I had bought previously and wanted to expand on the range.

Mizon, uh, 3.... Snail Ampoule (kisses!) and the Placenta Cream, because why not.

BB cushions - now the Garfield was because GARFIELD and I needed childhood warm fuzzies, the Etude House is a green colour corrector and the Missha was a nice price (~$7-8 AUS).  Right now they would all be too sheer for my face (think sunburn red), so will have to wait for a proper use. 

Red Ginseng x 3 - I've been curious about this ingredient, Aloe x 9 because I LOVE THIS MASK and  Mung Bean x 3 - again ingredient curiosity.

2 boxes of my favourite snail masks because they were on special!

This is the most coherent I've been for the past 10 days, so hopefully I can get some more past reviews neatened up and posted for you!  I had one that I need to re-write because my own attitude and opinion towards the topic changed, but that's the way the cookie crumbles.

When have you Comfort Hauled?  And did you get to enjoy the haul?

Snails?! Snails ^_^ Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule

One of the items I picked up in my first RRS haul was the Mizon Snail Ampoule sample pack.  At first I used it only at night - I test every thing at night so if things go nasty I can re-wash and treat then sleep through the worst of the flare up.  This was the first AB product I fully introduced to my routine.

Full sized bottle (30ml)

Hello darling

Liquid Gold Magic Snail Stuff

I'd tried a snail mask I'd picked up earlier and was VERY impressed by the results I got from the mask and so decided to dip my toe in the sea of snail products.

I've been able to use this on my skin when it's in various stages of irritation.  It helped immensely clear up the most recent reaction.

Ingredients:

Things that do stuff.  SNAILS!!  Also sodium hyaluronate is very high as well as glycerin and pantenol (humectants doing their things).  Copper peptide is interesting because it is shown to help with healing in the skin and is anti-inflammatory.

I used this after my toner which my skin was still damp and was able to use a small amount to cover my face, between 1-2 drops (2 drop is a fullish dropper like below) and pat this onto my skin.  It is a bit "gloopy" and heavier than my Indeed Labs Hyaluron serum, but my skin drinks it all up.  I apply this also before I apply a sheet mask, which seems to help amplify the moisture absorption.

I now have 3 bottles of this precious ampoule and am using it both AM and PM.  It is definitely a game changer for me in terms of improving my skin in terms of "bounce", smoothness, and recovery from flareups. I have noticed that a skin flare up now recovers in a matter of days instead of two weeks.  In my eyes that is simply amazing.  

 I purchased it through RRS for around $14 AUS for a 30ml bottle.  After I had decided to buy the full size, RRS was out of stock for a bit and I was sad.  So when it was back in stock I bought up.  From purchase to receiving the delivery is usually 2 to 2.5 weeks (including weekends), which I am quite happy about.  This is also in the "Free Shipping" category at the moment with RRS which is why I bought multiples - its all about making the most out of your shipping "space" as well.
I have not found an Australian product that does the same for skin at such a price.  Even my Hyaluron serum is normally $30.  And don't forget the Dr LeWinns Diamond serum that is $70 (which does NOT SPARKLE, I was very disappointed when I tested it in Priceline.  No Sparkle.  Oh, didn't really do much either)  So to get something that is budget friendly and works a treat makes me very happy.

Mizon has a range of snail items that I am slowly acquiring.  I have noticed that some brands have "bee and snail" together which are very popular on the AB reddit forum, however I am allergic to bees and would probably need my epi-pen if I tried any of those.

So unless I find something better, I will be sticking (heh) with my Snail Ampoule.  If my skin is happy, then I'm happy.

What has been you skincare game-changer?

Sheet Mask Review : Skin Food Hydro Fitting Snail Mask Sheet

It's the time of year for a teacher in Australia where there are mid-year exams and report writing happening AT THE SAME TIME.

Life just stalls for the month of June and then we have July holidays to recover.  I hauled hard and sensibly in May because I knew grown-up decision making would not happen with shopping in June.

Anyway, since jumping on the AB Train I have well and truly fallen in love with wearing sheet-masks (look there might just be an uber-order of masks coming from Sasa).  And snails.  

Snails get on mah face!

So today I'm reviewing a mask I got in an order a month or so ago (mixed order for myself and my brother whose skin a opposite to mine - that was a challenge).

Box of Happiness (snail angels singing)

Oh hi me in the shiny reflection

Comes with 5 in total.  I am rationing these delights of my life.

Ingredients 

Water, glycerin, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, alcohol, snail secretion filtrate, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, hydroxyethylcellulose, xanthan gum, cellulose gum, disodium EDTA, methylparaben, phenoxyethanol, parfum

(I am too brain dead to analyse the above apart from SNAILS - and no plant allergens wooooo).

There is around 15mls of excess essence! I decanted it into a handy-dandy Daiso bottle and have been using since my Mizon Snail Ampoule samples ran out and I am waiting for my new bottles to arrive from RRS (lets just say my AM and PM routines are now longer, better, happier).

I always apply a hyaluronic serum before a mask (cleanse, tone, serum, mask) because I am trying to shove as much moisture into my skin as possible.

This type fitted very nicely (so far the best fit of the sheet masks I've been using) and the hydration was amazing.  I always have a tingle at the beginning of a mask - due to very sensitive skin - but my skin was glowy and bouncy after this.  I kept poking it and going "bouncy".  Bouncy skin was very rare before the AB routine.  

Heh - "bouncy".

If you like snails and you have skin prone to dryness and redness I would definitely recommend this.  I will buy more of these once I work through a portion of my mask stash. 

I will be posting some hauls soon when my RRS order and Sasa order comes in!  And I will posting about my updated routine later on in the month.

Let me know what your favourite sheet mask is in the comments!

Hype Train: Asian Skin Care Haul

All aboard!

In my quest for skincare help during the beginning of this year, I stumbled across the Skincare Addiction Reddit Forum. Which then in turn lead me on the path to Asian Beauty Reddit Forum. Both of these forums have helped incredibly with improving my skincare routine.  Overall I have noticed that the SCA forum is more oily/acne based advice, whereas the Asian Beauty seems to have a greater variety of skin types and good advice for them.

However there is a *dark side*, they enabled the shopping!  I am still hunting down products that will stablise my skin.  I still love my Nivea Cream, but my dryness was getting worse.

So I eventually put in an order at RoseRoseShop, which is based in Korea and bought samples.  Do you know how excited I was to be able to buy samples?!
Just be aware that they charge shipping based on weight - so work out if it's more cost-efficient overall and keep an eye on products that have free shipping (I used that to my advantage in my second haul from there which-i-may-have-just-ordered-days-after-getting-this....).  I know here in Australia there is a considerable mark-up on products.  One item I bought from RoseRoseShop was ~AUS$8 (including the shipping cost share), if I bought that from a physical shop in Melbourne I would easily be looking at AUS$24 to AUS$30.  So this was very cost-efficient.  Its also difficult to source face masks, unless you regularly go to the CBD.
The Face Shop masks can retail for ~AUS$4 instore.  I could buy a pack of 3 masks for AUS$4 (again adding in the shipping cost share) via RRS, so this is a much more viable option.

I am trying to boost the amount moisture in my skin, when my skin is hydrated and smooth I look in my early 20's, but when its dry or recovering from allergies I can look late 30's (for reference I am 31, and I've been mistaken for a student in a class, not the teacher).

So here are some shots of my haul.  I've only *just* started trialling them because of a nasty allergic reaction which really ruined my skin.  Did not want to apply anything new until I was in the safe zone.

- [MIZON] Original Skin Energy Hyaluronic Acid 100 Samples 
- [MIZON] Multi Function Formula Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule Samples - started trialling on this
- [ETUDE HOUSE] Moistfull Super Collagen Ampoule Essence Samples 
- [MISSHA] Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence Samples
- [It's Skin] Pure Moisture Gel Samples
- [TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL] Pumpkin Sleeping Pack Samples (damn cute, damn damn cute samples)
- [THE FACE SHOP] Rice & Ceramide Moisture Emulsion - 150ml
- [LANEIGE] New Basic Trial Sample Kit - Normal To Dry Skin (the lids aren't all the same blue >_<)

I will be putting up a review on the Snail Repair Ampoule as soon as I finish all the samples.  I get 2-3 uses from one sachet as I only apply it in the evenings.

Mask part of the haul

-[3W CLINIC] Fresh Mask Sheet - Collagen
-[THE FACE SHOP] Real Nature Mask Sheets - Aloe
-[THE FACE SHOP] Real Nature Mask Sheets - Rice (I've tried this one already, so this was a repurchase)
-[MISSHA] 3D Bamboo Sheet Mask

So there we finally have my first Asian Skincare Haul,
Now my immune system needs to play fair...

What are you loving from your most recent hauls?