No Miracle Worker

I'm a huge fan of Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector Combination to Oily Skin, so when Garnier Miracle Skin Cream launched, I was immediately curious. It retails for $19.99 for a 50ml tube in Australia, which isn't hideously steep but not dirt cheap either. Thankfully, a full tube was included in the recent Priceline skin care gift bag. (It was a real struggle waiting for stock to be replenished to be able to redeem the gift bag voucher for it, but that's another story.) I couldn't wait to slap some of the stuff on my skin and see how it performed. The first day, I tried it as a brightening/skin tone-evening primer underneath my normal makeup, but immediately started noticing issues with how it blended into the skin. Later that day, I was Googling reviews and came across MakeupAlley, where it has a whopping 2.5/5 score. Hmmm...

Most of the reviews on MakeupAlley were negative, some quite scathing. I can understand why, since I'll cut to the chase. There are major problems with Garnier Miracle Skin Cream. Major. I know with any skin care/makeup product, it ultimately comes down to individual experience, but at least from reading others' thoughts, I know I'm not alone.

Marketed as an "anti-ageing skin transformer" that "smooths, evens and illuminates skin", "reduces wrinkles, dark spots and pores" with "micro-pigments [that] automatically adjust to your skin tone" and "an anti-ageing complex with 7 actives [LHA, Pro-Retinol, Vitamin C, Vitamins B3 and B5, Peptides, Antioxidant Ginger] plus SPF15 protection", this is basically a tinted moisturiser where the tint forms upon contact with the skin. It comes out white with some fine granules in it, then blends out to this smooth, orangey tint. I guess you could call it the drugstore/affordable equivalent to Origins VitaZing SPF15 Energy-Boosting Moisturiser.

Firstly, the scent is absolutely overpowering. It's a kind of artificial, sweet, "fresh" but cloying fragrance that is entirely off-putting. But I can overlook an unwanted scent if the product performs brilliantly. If you've ever tried a tester tube in a shop and rubbed some of the cream on your hand, you might be fooled like I was into thinking this blends out well. On the face, it's a different story.

Here's a before and after shot of my bare, freshly washed and moisturised skin, then when I attempted to apply Garnier Miracle Skin Cream. I used Trilogy Balancing Face Lotion beforehand, which is a slightly sticky, quite mattifying moisturiser. The Garnier didn't work well with it to say the least. It started out okay when I applied it mainly to my cheeks and forehead, but things took a steep dive when I applied it on the nose and chin. It was picking up dryness I never knew I had. It was accumulating in areas and not blending out. It was bunching up together in patches. Undeterred, I tried squeezing a bit of the Garnier into my palms, rubbing them together, then smoothing my hands over my face. That only exacerbated the problem. I tried using a very emollient moisturiser like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Riche over the top to fix it and dissolve the patches and unevenness, but it was a lost cause. It was impossible to remedy.

A necessary close-up. Hot mess.

I'd never had a base product be that bad that the only solution was to wipe it all off and start all over again. It wasn't just that it didn't blend out properly and accumulated in patches, it was also that it made my face feel tacky and gross. I started out with fresh, bare skin that was clean, balanced and properly moisturised, and then I undid all that effort and transformed it for the worse, not better.

I ain't a quitter though, so I decided to give it another chance. After rubbing my face with a Simple Cleansing Facial Wipe and then liberally spritzing with Avene Thermal Spring Water, I thought a different moisturiser might be the solution. Clearly, the Trilogy was not cutting it, so I opted for something far more hydrating, watery and plumping. With my face still partially wet from the Avene, I used some Laneige Perfect Renew Emulsion_EX. With some trepidation, I began applying the Miracle Cream again.

This time, the results were much better. Not perfect, but a vast improvement.

I still had some issues with blending out the cream seamlessly, especially around the nose and mouth, but nothing I couldn't live with. Having said that, for the work required in terms of skin prep, ensuring the right moisturiser is used underneath, diligent application and blending with the fingers, and mindfulness not to over-blend lest disaster strike, it's all a bit too much effort for something that delivers the same results as any good, luminising, tinted moisturiser. My skin right now isn't even in bad shape in terms of texture and blemishes. I can't imagine how inappropriate and ineffectual this product would be on problematic skin.

When it works, the coverage is akin to something like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser and the finish Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector Combination to Oily Skin. It does give me a bit of colour and glow and evens out the complexion, though I wouldn't say it's entirely undetectable because of application and blending issues which makes the product visibly sit on top of the skin. The tint isn't too dark for me, though it is a bit on the orange side.

Overall, too much effort for not enough reward. Not that it matters that much to me, but I can't even comment on the promised anti-ageing/"skin-transforming" benefits since it's unlikely I'll use this consistently enough to notice a change, if any happens. Ain't no one got time for something this temperamental. Maybe if I had no comparable products, I'd continue to use this on good skin days after prepping my face with lots of moisture and finding the best moisturiser to pair it with through trial and error, but when a product is this fundamentally unreliable, it has no value to me other than for occasional experimentation. A new, everyday workhorse base this isn't.

September Favourites

A very late September Favourites. For two weeks I was overseas on holiday, so the products featured here are essentially my top picks from what I packed in my makeup bag and what I bought in Japan.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
I've wanted to try this cleansing oil forever but it's not stocked locally and I wasn't tempted enough to order it online. It seemed a little bit cheaper than the various Shu Uemura cleansing oils, so I bought the 200ml bottle to try for just under $30. I don't know how different it is to literally just rubbing olive oil over your face, but it's become my makeup remover of choice to take my face off at the end of the day. I was previously relying on Dove Foaming Make Up Remover which certainly gets rid of everything, but always left me with lingering paranoia that it was too stripping and ultimately detrimental to my skin. The DHC feels a lot more gentle and nourishing. It's silky smooth with a lot of slip, making it relaxing to massage into the skin. You have to concentrate on the eye area and go over it several times to get rid of waterproof mascara, but it dissolves everything eventually. My only complaint is that it does blur the vision when you get it around the eyes. It doesn't sting but just feels uncomfortable to not be able to see properly and have to rinse with water ASAP. When washed off, it leaves the skin feeling comfortably soft and properly cleansed with no oily residue.

LUSH Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser
Another product along with the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil that I'd heard a lot about but hadn't been lured into purchasing until my trip. After I'd bought it, I started to use it every day in the morning to wash my face, following with Melvita Damask Rose floral water and Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream. This routine agreed with my skin tremendously. LUSH Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser is a bit puzzling at first because it just looks like some compacted gritty stuff in a container. You're meant to dig out a small amount and then mix it with water to form a kind of paste that you rub into your skin, then wash off. Invariably, some of it will fall around the vicinity of the bathroom sink rather than adhere to your face. It seems oddly abrasive to be used on a daily basis, so I definitely didn't do any extra exfoliation (manual or chemical) when I was using this daily in Japan. I now prefer to use this once or twice a week. It will do pretty much nothing in terms of makeup removal, so it's really only a morning-only cleanser unless you don't wear makeup. It appeals to my need for novelty, is pleasingly fragrant and leaves the skin incredibly soft and pampered.

MAC 217 Blending Brush
I've ummmed and ahhhhed over this brush for the absolute longest time given its cult status. Even when I was in the States two years ago, I just couldn't bring myself to spend $24 (pre-tax) on a single eyeshadow brush. I rationalised that was basically the cost of an entire Real Techniques brush set. I certainly wasn't going to hand over $37 to buy one here in Australia. But at Narita Airport, before my flight home, I decided it was time. And honestly, it's one of those purchases where you wonder why you hadn't committed earlier. It picks up just the right amount of product and makes eyeshadow application and placement foolproof. If you're asking yourself whether you need the 217 and haven't taken the plunge, just do it.

Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) in Light
This is the one product I've been utterly impressed with during September in a way I hadn't anticipated. I threw it into my makeup bag thinking it would do, but it turned out to be exactly what I was after. It's a breeze to apply with the fingers, provides better-than-expected coverage and gives the complexion an inbuilt radiance that makes it appear instantly fresh and awake. The only negative is that it does transfer a bit and get shiny, especially in heat, but nothing that periodic blotting with a tissue can't fix. This is a great go-to base if you're after something light, fuss-free, natural-looking but with a luminous finish. It doesn't accentuate dry patches and works into the skin easily, so long as you've properly exfoliated and moisturised beforehand.

Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Stick in Bad Girl Bronze
Another product that I thought would be merely adequate, but completely outperformed my expectations. This is such a versatile, easy to use cream eyeshadow stick that's ideal for travel. I used it both to slightly smoke out my upper lid after applying a wash of Essence Pas des Copper, as well as to define my lower lash line. On the lower lash line, it honestly did not budge for the whole day and retained its metallic lustre. It's as good as my old favourite Benefit Busy Signal, except more convenient to use since I don't need a brush to apply it.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara
Why did I ever stray. All other mascaras are mere imposters, this is the real deal. With a good session of eyelash curling beforehand and diligent application, this gives me the actual appearance of flirty, voluminous, darkened eyelashes peering out from my monolids. And it's absolute magic on the lower lashes, so long as you're patient and have a steady hand.

Packing for the Outback

I'm headed for a short trip to Alice Springs and Uluru a few days after Christmas and a part of me is already anticipating scorching temperatures, rainfall, flies and sunburn. With my face melting in those conditions, makeup isn't exactly a top priority. Still, I figured packing a few items "just in case" wouldn't go astray. The only criteria the products needed to meet were to be able to withstand or assist in controlling heat.

Sun protection is vital so my La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Fluide Extrême SPF 50+ is the first thing I'll be packing. Not forgetting the lips, I've also included ChapStick Ultra SPF 30+. For my base, I picked Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) in Light, previously featured in my February Favourites and as one of the five products in my Go-To Low Key Makeup look. I could've opted for Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser instead, but I'm giving it a rest after taking it with me to Europe. The fluid-like Garnier is lightweight with decent coverage and a brightening finish, as well as excellent oil control. I've developed a somewhat alarming number of dark spots around my chin from pimples that have left scarring, which I've been attempting to selectively conceal where foundation hasn't provided enough coverage. Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Sand is a fairly good match for my skin tone which is especially important for camouflaging imperfections, and its creamy texture is easy to blend and doesn't cling to dry patches.

For eyes, I've decided on the absolute minimum (for me, at least). I doubt there'll be time for brushes or powder shadows or even cream shadow pots, so I've chosen Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Stick in Bad Girl Bronze for my lid and/or lower lash line, Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Shimmering Slate for defining the upper or lower lash line, and Revlon CustomEyes mascara, which is just something I'm trying to use up. The Savvy by DB pencil is nicely black, has good staying power and is much easier to wield than a felt tip, gel or liquid eyeliner. The Rimmel eyeshadow crayon may be a bit too dark for the daytime, but used sparingly and blended with the fingers, it should be a quick and fuss-free way to add some depth to the eyes.

In summer heat, Avene Thermal Spring Water is a thing of beauty. This fine mist is refreshing, soothing and cooling. It's probably counterproductive to restoring the skin's hydration to have water evaporate off your face, but I don't care. The instant, calming relief this provides is addictive. It feels like the skin taking a drink of water from a pristine source. I use it for pretty much everything: when I can't be bothered washing my bare face, as a revitalising pick-me-up for dull or tired skin, after hair removal, after makeup removal, to cool down in hot weather, to dampen the skin in preparation for face masks or Bioré nose strips. It does it all. Another staple I'm planning on bringing with me is a mini bottle of Bioderma Créaline H20 to take my makeup off and refresh and cleanse the skin, short of properly washing it as I usually do in the shower before I head to bed.

I'm bound to get shiny no matter how oily/combination skin-targeted my foundation is, which is where The Face Shop Oil Control Film comes in. This is the proper, soft, ultra thin, filmy, blue facial blotting paper. None of that segments of baking paper that other brands manufacture. Finally, I thought to pop in Korres Lip Butter in the reddish-coral Pomegranate for an easygoing slick of colour on the lips. Pomegranate can also double up as a cheek tint, not that I imagine requiring any kind of blush when it's 40°C outside.

Go-To Low-Key Makeup

I'm terrible at doing my makeup quickly. Every morning, I take at least 15 minutes. Sometimes, when I'm feeling especially sluggish or relaxed about the time, I can take up to half an hour. I don't like to be rushed. I've seen a friend do her whole face in a few minutes and it made me realise why that could never be me. She approached the act of putting on her makeup as I would doing the dishes or vacuuming the carpet — a necessary chore that yielded desirable results, but something preferably over and done with ASAP. On the days that I don't feel like doing my usual routine (normally on the weekends, holidays or on the rare weekday off), I've developed a go-to look utilising fewer products and a more minimal, easygoing approach. Can't say that it takes me any less time though.

The look is all about cream products, cutting out brushes and using the hands. Bronzy lids, softly defined eyes, peachy-pink cheeks and glowy skin. After cleansing and moisturising my face, I whip out my beloved Essence Eye Soufflé in Pas Des Copper and place a thin layer all over the eyelid. Lightly applied, the slightly peachy/coppery, light-to-medium bronze is almost what I imagine MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot would look like on me if I were very fair. This cream eyeshadow is amazing. It was dirt cheap (something like $3.50) and the best beauty bargain ever. I've had it for 15 months and it hasn't hardened in the slightest (the same cannot be said for my Maybelline Color Tattoos, as much as I adore Bad to the Bronze). The texture is still creamy, soft and so easy to blend. It has this understated metallic sheen without being exceedingly shimmery or gritty-looking and frosty. Pigmentation is excellent and it lasts all day.

Next, I line my upper lash line with the Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Shimmering Slate, extending the line a little past the corner of my eye, but not too high up. When I first discovered the Luxury Liners early last year, I bought every colour in the range, then 3 backups of Shimmering Slate. That's how thrilled I was with them. I've tried a whole bunch of eyeliner pencils to mixed success, but the Luxury Liners have proven to be solid all-rounders. I just don't use Shimmering Slate on a daily basis because I prefer felt tip eyeliners for my upper lash line, and I find black too severe for my lower lash line (my usual choice is bronze). Here however, in the interest of simplification, I run Shimmering Slate very lightly along the lower lash line (stopping three-quarters of the way in), then lessen the intensity by smudging it with my fingers.

Then comes mascara. I normally curl my lashes beforehand, but if we were to stick to 5 products, I'd cut out that step. The wand of Max Factor Masterpiece Max really gets to all your lashes, holds curl, builds volume but doesn't clump. It's one of the few mascaras I've repurchased, and will continue to in the future.

Moving onto my base, squeezing a bit of the Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) onto the back of my hand, I start from the centre of my face and work outwards. So long as the skin has been decently moisturised first, this stuff sinks in and doesn't cling to any dry patches. What I like about it is that you can go back and apply more to specific areas where you want more coverage, without messing up the original application or having it look cakey. The consistency is almost like a liquidy moisturiser than a straight up foundation. It leaves a dewy, brightened, slightly airbrushed finish while still retaining the look of your natural skin. Perfect for low-key makeup when you still want to even out the skin and appear more fresh-faced and awake, but can't be bothered with full-on foundation.

Finally, now the skin's more uniform, it's time to add a bit of colour back in. Enter Stila Convertible Colour in Gerbera, the ultimate pastel-leaning peachy-pink. I cannot say enough good things about this blush. Love the colour, love the way it seamlessly applies to the skin without any harsh edges or unevenness, love the healthy radiance it imparts. Pop some on to both cheeks, blend with the fingers, and off you go.

February Favourites

It seems like my makeup during the weekdays hasn't deviated from my normal routine for the longest time. It's only on the weekends that I'm inspired to try out something new or use a product that I haven't picked up in a while. This month, I've been favouring a more minimal (or bare-faced) approach on my "off" days. If I can't be bothered with makeup at all, I've enjoyed the sheer coverage and oil control of my first non-Asian BB cream, a natural pink lip and a multipurpose coral tint that I've finally figured out how to use.

Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover
I couldn't get back to this nail polish remover fast enough after using (and hating) the ineffective and offensive-smelling Sally Hansen Acetone-Free Fast & Gentle Polish Remover. My favourite thing about this Cutex one, apart from the fact it just works a whole lot better at removing nail polish, is that it doesn't smell like nail polish remover. Most nail polish removers I've tried have an overwhelming, sharp chemical stench that makes taking off your polish a generally unpleasant experience. Not this one. Any chemical scent is mild and it smells more like cocoa butter. It's truly unique in that respect, and I'll happily repurchase when I run out.

Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector Combination to Oily Skin in Light
I've been meaning to try this after reading Dawn's glowing review and seeing Lisa Eldridge use it in her Kylie Minogue video. This has become my go-to for when I don't feel like wearing foundation, but still want to even out my skin tone with light, natural coverage. It goes on smoothly with fingers on a freshly moisturised face. I'm impressed with the oil control — on really hot summer days, this only gets slightly dewier with time, but in a soft, luminous way that actually makes it better. My only caution is that it overflows when you first open it, so it's best to keep it upright and avoid squeezing the tube.

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection in Comfort Zone
I've been neglecting my Urban Decay Naked palettes and instead, paying much more attention to Comfort Zone. For the longest time, I was desperate to acquire this palette (along with the Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Silent Treatment), but once it was finally mine, my enthusiasm waned. It's taken me a while to come around, but my appreciation for it grows the more I use it. My favourites are the left crease colour all over the lid and the two bottom shades applied along the upper lash line and slightly blended out. The duochrome of the right "Definer" shade is a thing of beauty. Small warning: the bottom left shade has A LOT of fall out. It's also much closer to a straightforward black than the rich, shimmery bronze that it looks like in the pan, which is the only minor disappointment of this palette for me.

Clinique Chubby Stick in Woppin' Watermelon
Despite having a ridiculous number of lipsticks, I barely wear them the vast majority of the time. During the day, if I'm not wearing nothing on my lips, I usually prefer a safe and sheer option. A little something to add some colour and moisture, but nothing that screams lipstick or is too noticeable. That's when Woppin' Watermelon is the perfect choice. It's a neutral, rosy pink that still has a bit of juiciness. It's softly glossy, fairly hydrating and buildable in colour. And I just love the look of it. The packaging is A+ in my book.

Benefit Cha Cha Tint
I've always liked Cha Cha Tint, but never used it much. That changed when I found an easier way to apply it. Dabbing a bit of the tint on your hand, then dipping your finger into the product to blend onto the cheek, gives you much more control than applying the product directly to your finger, and then to your cheek. (Whatever you do, don't apply this directly to your cheek, unless you want a red dot on your face all day.) The only downside to applying it to your hand first is that it does leave a stain. I can live with that. Though I have a million coral/peachy blushes, what I love about Cha Cha Tint is that it's neither shimmery nor matte. It never looks powdery or shiny on the cheeks. It just melds into the skin completely and invisibly. Sparingly and carefully applied, it gives the face a fresh, youthful, pinky-peachy-coral pep.