Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Winter Skin Care Routine: AM

Not too long ago, my skin care routine was uncluttered and refreshingly basic. In the mornings, I'd splash my face with cold water and then apply my favourite Dove Essential Nutrients Protective Day Cream. If I wanted extra hydration, I'd use Nivea Soft mixed with a couple of drops of a face oil. At my most diligent, I'd also apply a layer of Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30+ over my moisturiser. Goodbye to those simple days of yore. In the last month or so, my interest in skin care has escalated quickly. Now my morning skin care routine involves a ridiculous number of steps and products. I'm still undecided whether my efforts have actually resulted in any improvement, or whether I'm just taking longer to put more stuff on my face.




I start by smoothing a generous amount of Sukin Cream Cleanser all over my face, then washing it off with warm water. I decided with all the gunk I put on at night, I need something more powerful than plain water to wash it all off. This 50ml tube was free with the Sukin Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil I bought last month. I've almost used it up and I'm contemplating repurchasing because it's so affordable and cleanses effectively without stripping or drying the skin. The consistency is like a decently thick but spreadable lotion, but it's not dense or creamy like the Sanctuary Polishing Hot Cloth Cleanser which I prefer to use at night. The scent is thankfully on the light side as well. I pat my face dry with a washcloth.


I skip toner altogether (bad, I know), and go straight to the Aveeno Positively Radiant Eye Illuminator that I received in my Priceline skin care freebie bag. I have no idea what this does, but I was encouraged by a positive review from usually scathing Paula Begoun. It stung the first few times I applied it, but mainly feels minty now. I've noticed after using this day and night for over a week, my under eye area generally appears well-hydrated and not dry or uneven in texture, though I can't say it's done much in terms of illumination. The weird packaging makes it a challenge to squeeze out just the right amount. The very liquid lotion pools on one side of the brush tip applicator, which I then transfer onto my finger and apply to the eye area.


I've run out of my 567th Maybelline Baby Lips in Relieving Menthol and can't be bothered to open another tube just yet, so I'm trying to use up my Lucas' Papaw Ointment first. This is basically upgraded Vaseline, fruitier, more "natural" and generally more pleasant to use, but still petroleum-based.


Indeed Labs should write a hefty cheque to their best salesperson, Caroline Hirons, for convincing her readers Hydraluron is nothing short of a skin care necessity. When Hydraluron hit the shelves at Priceline, I couldn't hand over my money fast enough. My aim in the mornings is to maximally hydrate my face in preparation for a long day of sitting in front of a computer in a dehydrating, air-conditioned office, so incorporating Hydraluron into my routine seemed like a no-brainer. It's a hydrating serum that you apply underneath your moisturising cream that provides "below-surface hydration" and supposedly helps the skin retain as much moisture as possible during the day. I've been using this for a couple of weeks and to be honest, I don't really get it. The main thing I noticed was my skin feels quite tight and dry immediately after applying it but before I put on my normal moisturiser. I really dislike the packaging as I find the opening of the tube leaks terribly. I probably use way too much as well. I'll stick with it in anticipation of any longer term effects, but I can't say I've been immediately wowed by anything it's done for me so far.



Next, I mix 2-3 drops of a face oil (usually Josie Maran Argan Oil or Sukin Rose Hip Oil) with Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream. I've temporarily nicked this off my mother who originally received it as a freebie from Trilogy's anti-retouching campaign, though I'm eyeing Origins GinZing Energy-boosting moisturiser as my next purchase. After finishing my last tub of Dove Essential Nutrients Protective Day Cream (which now appears sadly discontinued) and being put off mineral oil (Caroline Hirons again), I wanted to go in the opposite direction and try something mostly natural. Even with that extra face oil, I don't find the Trilogy moisturising enough on its own, so after a few minutes of letting it sink in while I do my eye makeup but before I put on foundation, I add another layer of Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè, second ingredient mineral oil. Because I'm congruent like that. The Embryolisse works well as a base primer to add more dewiness to the skin and facilitate a smoother surface for foundation. Once that's on and had a couple of minutes to settle, I finish off the rest of my makeup (foundation, blush, sometimes highlighter and powder), and then I'm out the door.

28 comments:

  1. Dang girl, you are COMMITTED to your newly vamped skincare routine!! I wish I was this diligent in the mornings but alas all I do is facewash and moisturizer before applying my makeup. Glad to hear you're getting along with some of these products but a shame that some of them are not so stellar :/

    ♥Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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  2. Great post!
    I have been eyeing hydration for so long!
    But it's good to hear another review about it.
    x
    www.cocoamourr.com

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  3. I've been thinking of purchasing Hydraluron but I think I might skip it. I really should put more care into my AM skincare routine, it's nothing like this! I also want to try the Embryolisse to see what all the fuss is about. x

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  4. I'd add some SPF to all that. I don't know how is the weather like in Australia but here it's cold but the sun still is shinning.
    I'd love to try that Lucas Papaw Oitment, heard is really good!!

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  5. I am still super curious to try the rose hip oil. I just bought some organic argan oil from Whole Foods for less than $20, which is a third of the price of the Josie Maran! I can't believe it, and it's essentially the same stuff!

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  6. I would like to try the Embryolisse! it is everywhere now as a lot of people love it! and argan oil as well looks interesting to me!
    it is summer here in Germany so my skincare routine is not as 'complicated' as if it is in winter ;)

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  7. I absolutely love Hydraluron and I haven't had any problems with it leaking yet. I only ever need half a pea sized amount to cover my entire face so I think it'll last me a long time. Indeed Labs definitely needs to thank Caroline!
    xx

    Celina | The Celution

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  8. Wow what a change from your skincare beginnings haha! Curious to hear that hydraluron wasn't impressive for you since I feel like everyone and their brother that uses it loves it? I have never tried it since it isn't available here in the US that I know of. Hydration seems to be your number one priority!

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  9. I've been getting so into skincare too - probably as I don't have the greatest skin to begin with! I've been wanting hydralouron but would definitely be interested to hear how it goes for you in the long run! I also got the Trilogy moisturiser free, but am yet to try it.

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  10. I have heard so many good reviews about embryolisse, but never realised the second ingredient is mineral oil...deal breaker! I also have that aveeno eye cream...and struggled so hard to get the lid off the first time I used it! I like the way it feels under my eyes, but the packaging could use some work, ha ha!

    xx
    www.where-is-my-mind.com

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  11. I've been trialling Hydraluron too - and I didn't feel it was any good, BUT I have noticed that if I forget my night time skin care, my skin doesn't feel like a desert in the morning... so it's gotta be doing something... hopefully... lol x

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  12. YAY at your 180 degree turnaround in interest in skincare! I pulled out the rosehip oil again and it ain't bad! Breakouts the first time round were probably due to something else. I didn't know the Dove day cream was discontinued! I still have a near-full tub that I've neglected in favour of a separate moisturiser and sunscreen combination. Where's your SPF? I've commissioned my friends to bring me a backup of the Biore sunscreen from Singapore but I'm thinking of getting the La Roche-Posay Anthelios one that Tiffany from WWFM raved about.

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    Replies
    1. So sad about the Dove cream :'( Why Dove, WHYYYYYYY.

      Yeah, there's no SPF in my routine whatsoever :p I'm in an office block for literally the whole day except the time I take to buy my lunch. I'm really not militant about sunscreen except when I know I'm going to be fully exposed to it for a prolonged period of time, then I really pack it on because I hate tanning :( I think my Neutrogena expired too, sunscreen can expire right? I might buy the Anthelios...not sure. Not the tinted one though, just the normal one at Priceline right now for $26.

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  13. I'm very intrigued by Hydraluron. I'm also somewhat sceptical after reading your review. Although I was very sceptical about SK-II's Facial Treatment as to me it seemed like glorified water, BUT, I absolutely love it! Can't afford it though so I'm saving every last drop of my press sample x

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  14. I've got a similar Winter skincare post coming up too! I received that Trilogy moisturiser as well but gave it to my sister as I've only just opened up a Kiehl's and Clinique moisturiser. You take so much more care of your skin that I do though haha I barely use anything in the morning!

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  15. i must say i'm like your old self when it comes to skincare in the morning... my skin gets irritated easily so im less inclined to try new products- except for eye creams haha
    id like to take this opportunity to recommend the hada labo hyaluronic lotion toner and the rohto mentholatum lip stick balm (im guessing youre a mint fanatic? :D?) Maybe one day when im brave enough to have a skincare routine, i'll refer to the products you used here :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the recommendations! Yes, I'm a mint fanatic - need that in my lip balm! :D I've read about the Hada Labo lotion, it looks really promising! I love Rohto eye drops - they're one of my necessities in life.

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  16. Some of my fave brands! My routine is nowhere near that long - splash face with water, pat dry with towel, SPF moisturiser, then it's makeup time. Sooo not a morning person.

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  17. It looks like you have a lovely routine here. I've been intrigued by Hydraluron but I've been reading more and more reviews like yours, saying that they're not really sure it does anything amazing. I would definitely be interested in hearing your thoughts once you've used it for a little longer!

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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  18. I'm the same as Jennie above, I really want to try Hydraluron but to be honest such a small amount for such a price really does put me off and having read so many reviews where people are not raving about it makes me quite reserved.

    In regards to the Embryolisse product I wanted to try that so bad until I realised it had mineral oil in :( Is it really that bad? I have no idea I just follow what the general consensus seems to be around this at the moment, curious to see what you think of it though over time :)

    Amy xx
    -A Little Boat Sailing-

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  19. I really want to try hydraluron too :) but I decided I would try to use up a couple of the current products I have first :) I try my best to avoid mineral oil too.

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  20. I tried Hydraluron a couple of times and felt the same. Some of my blogger friends said it should be applied to a still damp face, but I'm not entirely convinced by that either. It's one of those mysterious products that works wonders for some and totally fail for others.

    Vita sent me a Lucas Paw Paw and I had no clue what it was! Thanks for featuring it.

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  21. I had the same reaction to the Aveeno Eye Illuminator - it stings! Had to give it up after a while, didn't get any better
    Love the Lucas Paw Paw Ointment though!

    www.beautibop.com

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  22. I am super interested in trying the Lait Cream, I would love to hear more about it!

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    Replies
    1. To me, it's like a slightly more refined, thinner textured version of something like Nivea Soft. It has that distinctive mineral oil feel of something that's thick, greasy, glides on, sinks in, but is more a 'coating' to the skin, even if it may feel hydrating. It's overhyped for what it is, in my opinion. I like to use it more as a primer than a regular moisturiser as I don't enjoy how it feels directly on my skin as my primary source of hydration. I think that if you're looking for a rich cream that makes foundation apply nicer, you would quite like it though.

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  23. This is very nice blog. I found a lot of helpful stuffs here in your blog. Thank you. Treating combination skin is tough. People have to use different products that are manufactured for oily and dry skin. Applying the wrong product on the unintended area can cause skin havoc and therefore, if you have combination skin, you must be very careful in choosing products and applying them. helpful ageexperts.net site

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment! I definitely agree that thinking about what type of skin you have and then selecting appropriate products and applying them in a correct manner is so important - but I guess it's very much a process of continuous trial and error. Half the time I have no idea what I'm doing but I just try out things and if my skin reacts positively, I'll keep doing it, and if it doesn't, I try to remember that and steer away :p

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