More Lotions and Potions

A couple of weeks ago, from 2 to 4 August 2017, Priceline had its 40% off skin care sale. I eagerly wait for this sale to occur every few months so I can stock up on my essentials and try out new products. In the last sale in January this year, I bought Derma E Hydrating Cleanser, Trilogy Rosapene Night Cream, Sukin Purifying Facial Masque, Swisse Manuka Honey Detoxifying Facial Mask and Botani Boost Balancing Moisturiser. The Trilogy and Sukin were repurchases, but everything else was new. I finished the Botani (reviewed here) and have been enjoying and using regularly both the Swisse mask and Derma E cleanser. This time, I purchased Burt's Bees Sensitive Facial Cleanser, Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil, Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream, Lucas' Papaw Ointment and a travel size Avene Thermal Spring Water (not pictured). I wanted to repurchase my NUXE Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm which I use as my nightly lip treatment before bed, but apparently Priceline discontinued stocking the brand in their stores, or so I was informed by a sales assistant.

I originally purchased the Burt's Bees Sensitive Cleanser as a gift for a friend, but decided to buy one for myself after I managed to sample it and liked the texture and how it made my skin feel. I favour cream cleansers (especially for a morning cleanse, or if I haven't worn makeup all day) to foaming cleansers, and was getting a little paranoid that the foaming cleansers I've been using were drying out my face. The Burt's Bees is a nice, rich consistency, slightly on the thicker side. I usually squeeze one small blob (around the size of the above picture) into my hand and rub my palms together, then massage the product over my bare face. The instructions say to wet your face beforehand, but I always find that unnecessarily dilutes the product and makes it more watery. You do have to take a tad more time to wash everything off thoroughly, especially if you're using cold water (which I do most of the time), however the end result is skin that's soft and properly cleansed with no oily residue or stripped feeling whatsoever.

I took a punt on Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil after it was recommended by Ash. I've been loyal to my Palmer's Ultra Gentle Facial Cleansing Oil for a while now (which would have been $9 for a 192ml bottle), but I figured the Simple was the same cost per millilitre ($0.05/ml or $6 for 125ml, at 40% off), and what if it was better? Plus, the bottle is sleek and compact, making it ideal to travel with. I've only used it a couple of times so far, but I've really been liking it. It's probably too early to make any declarations of its definite superiority over the Palmer's, but so far, I love that it leaves the skin feeling super soft, it's very effective at removing stubborn eye makeup (moreso than the Palmer's, which sometimes doesn't get off all my eyeliner and mascara without intense scrubbing motions), and it doesn't irritate my eyes after I've tried to wash it all off but small amounts still adhere to my waterline. I can already see this being a perennial repurchase, especially come sale time.

I have been super curious about Egyptian Magic for the longest time, so when I saw it stocked in my local Priceline, I was genuinely surprised. I debated whether to get the small (59ml) or large (118ml) tub, but in the end, figured I might as well go for the larger size in case I really liked it. It contains six natural ingredients: olive oil, beeswax, honey, bee pollen, royal jelly and bee propolis. You're meant to take a small amount and rub it in your palms, melting it until it forms an oil. So far I've used it mainly as a night cream, though I have tried it as a hand cream. I'm not entirely convinced it's this miracle product. Firstly, it is distinctly oily in texture, so if the idea of going to bed with a greasy face isn't appealing, it might not be for you. When melted, it is more like a dry oil à la NUXE Huile Prodigieuse or Caudalie Divine Oil, as opposed to something more balmy and sticky like Vaseline. In terms of how my skin felt after I woke up, I don't think it was discernibly better than my usual conventional night cream (whether or not combined with a serum or face oil). It also feels like this waxy, oily layer is sitting on top of your skin as a protective barrier, as opposed to a cream which is absorbed and instantly soothes, hydrates and softens. Egyptian Magic does seem to be a case of marketing hype over substance, especially with their website featuring a plethora of celebrity "fans" waxing lyrical about how they swear by it and can't live without it. Somehow I'm not convinced.

Finally, I repurchased Lucas' Papaw Ointment. I grew to love this stuff. At first I thought it was barely better than Vaseline, but now I use it daily. It's a fantastic lip balm, among its many other uses, and it's great value for money being a generous 25g tube. I only just finished my previous tube and it took me years and years. It soothes skin complaints such as insect bites, it can be used as a spot moisturiser for particularly dry/flaky patches or a replacement hand/cuticle cream, and it's an instantly soothing remedy for dry and chapped lips. It's so multipurpose and a good size to pop into the purse. Plus, the trademark red packaging is distinctive and eye-catching.

Best GWP Ever?

Clinique isn't a brand that normally entices me, but I came across this gift with purchase at Bloomingdale's while I was in the US that was just too good to walk away from. I'm used to lacklustre and downright stingy GWPs in Australia, where the minimum spend is massive ($80+) and the freebies are tiny and usually nothing exciting. But this offer from Clinique might just be the best I've encountered.

With a $32 spend, you get in a roomy cosmetics bag:

• Take the Day Off Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips (50ml)
• Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+ (30ml)
• Moisture Surge Overnight Mask (30ml)
• Quickliner for Eyes Intense (0.14g)
• Limited Edition All About Shadow Palette (3g)
• High Impact Mascara (3.5ml)
• Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm (1.2ml)

I took things one step further. With a $55 spend, they chucked in two full size Chubby Sticks (you could pick from whatever they had in this large jar, which consisted mostly of Chubby Stick Baby Tints and Chubby Stick Shadow Tints). Given one of those is $17, the choice to upgrade seemed like a no brainer.

I knew I wanted the Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm ($29 USD, about $45 AUD), given Caroline Hirons's stamp of approval. This retails for $55 in Australia, so I'm already getting it cheaper even with the woeful exchange rate. I started to immediately use it while on holidays, and found it to be effective at getting rid of all of the day's makeup/sunscreen/other gunk. It didn't leave my skin feeling dry or stripped, and I didn't have to work too hard to get my eyeliner and mascara off (usually the most stubborn part of my makeup to dissolve). I'm unsure how much product I need per use as I'm certainly not stingy with the quantity, though Caroline advises "a small amount goes a long way". As it's solid rather than liquid, if you're scooping it out in one go, it can be difficult to discern how much is enough once it's all melted. I prefer the ease of my DHC Deep Cleansing Oil simply because it's liquid and comes with a pump. I don't need to physically dig the product out of a jar each time and make the effort to work it into the skin so it melts. Still, the Clinique feels and functions similarly to the DHC and is a good alternative.

To qualify for the additional Chubby Sticks, I had to buy something else, so I settled for the 125ml bottle of Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+ ($26 USD, about $41 AUD). In all honesty, I mainly bought it because it took me just to the $55 mark and not a cent beyond, and skin care is something I have a chance of using up, unlike makeup. Plus, at least a moisturiser is functional and can be used daily. Having said that, I did try the 30ml sample tube and on first impressions, wasn't a fan. It just felt a bit greasy and like the moisturiser didn't fully absorb into my skin, but rather, sat on top of it. Using it as a base underneath my foundation seemed to really degrade my makeup without offering any penetrative hydration. I'll probably give the sample tube another go, but I'm inclined to give the full bottle to my mother.

I haven't tried the High Impact Mascara yet though Pixiwoo seem to be fans, so I'm hoping it'll be a winner. The Quickliner for Eyes Intense is a bit drier and harder in texture than the ultra smooth, glide-on formulas I'm used to, but I do like the twist up mechanism (anything that saves me from sharpening) and it has good pigmentation. The dark brown colour isn't anything spectacular, but at the same time, is classic and a safe bet. I usually prefer something a bit more shimmery and complex on my lower lash line though.

For the two free Chubby Sticks, of course I had to go with my neutrals and picked the Shadow Tints in Ample Amber and Lots o' Latte. I've been eyeing the latter for a long time now, but wasn't convinced I needed it given how many similar shades I own. It also looked too cool-toned and ashy to really complement my skin tone. I do feel those concerns were justified as Lots o' Latte does appear distinctly silvery greyish taupe on my lids, but it's at a level where I can just get away with it. Any more in that direction though, and it would be the case of Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe or Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Stick in Trespassing Taupe again (both major fails). Ample Amber is a lot warmer and while I do like it, the colour and finish aren't anything exceptional. I have so many eyeshadows that give the same effect or better that Ample Amber just doesn't inspire any particular enthusiasm.

Eyeshadow sticks/crayons are a convenient and quick way to slap on some eyeshadow when short on time or when you just want the job done, hence I find myself continually drawn to them. These Clinique ones aren't my favourite though, mainly because I prefer more high impact, metallic, strongly pigmented and longer lasting eyeshadow crayons (see KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow). These Chubby Stick Eye Tints are more satin finish, relatively subdued in colour, and when blended out, can lose a lot of their pigmentation. Still, they're a welcome addition to my "I woke up later than I should and now I have less time to do my face" makeup arsenal, and I expect to get decent wear out of them.

l-r: Ample Amber, Lots o' Latte

l-r: Chubby Stick in Whole Lotta Honey, Quickliner for Eyes Intense in Intense Chocolate

The mini Chubby Stick in Whole Lotta Honey was, believe it or not, the only lip product I acquired during my US trip. I don't even regard it as a purchase, since it was part of the bonus. They actually gave people the choice between Whole Lotta Honey and the eyeliner in Intense Chocolate, or Two Ton Tomato and the eyeliner in Intense Charcoal. I chose the more neutral option, mainly because the lip colour appealed to me more. It's one of those "my lips but better" shades that can be worn with any look. It's on the sheer side and subtly glossy, which gives a natural tint and slightly plumping effect.

l-r: Ivory Bisque, Peach Pop, Black Honey, At Dusk, Morning Java, Bronze Satin

Bottom to top: Ivory Bisque, Peach Pop, Black Honey, At Dusk, Morning Java, Bronze Satin

And now ... for my ultimate love. The Limited Edition All About Shadow Palette. I honestly didn't expect anything since eyeshadows in gifts with purchase always seem like stock the company wants to get rid of, and/or inferior quality. But this palette has blown me away. Even if all the other free stuff wasn't included, I'd consider the $32 spend worth it for this product alone.

The shadows are SO pigmented, vibrant, smooth, blend well, and I love the shade selection. I mean, just look at that orangey-gold shade At Dusk. The first time I applied it to my lids, it was instant heart-eyed emoji, even if I have multiple similar shadows. Bronze Satin didn't swatch as well as it applies, but rest assured it's not a dud. The colours in the palette more or less sum up what I'm into in eyeshadow right now, which is reflected in the fact a lot of them remind me of individual shades I picked out from Makeup Geek recently (seriously, Ivory Bisque = Shimma Shimma, Peach Pop = Cosmopolitan, At Dusk = Glamorous, Bronze Satin = Homecoming). If this experience with Clinique eyeshadows is in any way indicative of the general standard of shadows from the brand, they deserve more attention.

10 Products I Would Repurchase

I've seen the title of this post in the form of a tag, with the premise being that you've lost your entire makeup collection and need to choose 10 products to first buy as you rebuild from scratch. That thought exercise didn't seem as engaging to me as showing products I'd actually repurchased, or am convinced I would repurchase once finished. Of the products selected, I have physically repurchased 7 of the 10, some of them numerous times and often with more than one backup stowed away. I've omitted a few items I've previously harped on about, mainly Maybelline Baby Lips in Relieving Menthol, Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, Avene Thermal Spring Water and Sally Hansen Radiant Hands, Nails & Cuticles Creme.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush
I adore Real Techniques brushes and can't imagine applying my makeup without them. The Buffing Brush is my absolute favourite. I use it almost every day for my base. It's just a phenomenally good brush. It doesn't soak up product, it blends foundation in effortlessly and efficiently, it's super soft and just the right density. It's held up remarkably well after nonstop use and regular washes for over a year. After it's freshly washed, it could almost pass as brand new. I don't recall it ever shedding a single hair. The thought of buying another Core Collection set as a backup (despite having both the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and Sigma F82 to potentially replace my Buffing Brush) has crossed my mind many times, but I've managed to resist for now.

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
Forgive me for rambling about this cream eyeshadow ad nauseam. Already repurchased even though I don't see myself finishing my existing pot for at least a year. It's now an established part of my default makeup when I can't be bothered to think about what to slap on my face (which is most days). I'm thrilled something that performs so well and is such a flattering, neutral shade is so readily available and affordable.

Korres Lip Butter
Now that Cosmo Cosmetics stocks the 3 pack of these for under $20, these Lip Butters (normally $18.95 each) are no longer out of my price range. They're plush, moisturising and non-sticky on the lips, and shades like Mango and Pomegranate provide a fresh, summery tint. My collection reviewed in detail here.

Bourjois Liner Feutre in Noir
It's time for me to repurchase this again as my current one has run out. I've tried a few felt tip and liquid eyeliners (including Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen, Sportsgirl To the Point Liquid Eye Liner and Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner), but Bourjois Liner Feutre is still the best. Easy and quick to use, it's fast drying and stays put the whole day with only minor fading. And while it's long lasting, I like that it's also relatively easy to remove with my normal cleanser.

NARS Sheer Glow in Fiji
Out of all my foundations, this is the one I would purchase if my makeup collection disappeared. I previously used this as my everyday foundation, but now want to reserve it for special occasions, or when I want my skin to look extra nice. I love the illuminating, perfected finish it gives, while still looking relatively natural. It's easy to apply with both a brush or fingers, and unlike Make Up For Ever HD foundation, I've never experienced it clinging to dry spots or being difficult to work with.

Josie Maran Argan Oil
I wish I'd picked up a larger bottle when I had the chance, as I'm not sure how easy it'll be to replenish my supply once I use up my 15ml travel size bottle (there's less than 40% left). I actually think I prefer this to my Antipodes Divine Face Oil, which is still good but not as effective or pure. With 2-3 drops in my regular night cream, my skin is more hydrated, plump and smooth in the mornings. I also feel that continued use has helped with oil control and minimising breakouts.

Bioderma Créaline H₂O
Best makeup remover, hands down. It's basically like water but super effective at taking everything off without disturbing or irritating the skin. I use this as sparingly as I can (mostly for eye makeup removal) because it's precious stuff. Like most things, it's incredibly overpriced in Australia and not that easy to come across. Thankfully I have a backup bottle courtesy of my dad and his Parisian travels last year.

Dove Essential Nutrients Day Cream SPF15
Repurchased countless times. It's the cream that I keep returning to because it just works for me. It's hydrating without being greasy or heavy, feels comfortable on the skin and is readily absorbed, doesn't have any kind of offensive or overpowering scent, and works well as a makeup base. It's a touch rich for a daily moisturiser, so it might be a little too much for those with really oily skin, particularly in summer.

Dove Cleanser & Toner in One
Like the Dove Essential Nutrients Day Cream, this has been repurchased too many times to count. I've been using this for years. I honestly didn't know how good it was until I tried out a few other cleansers and discovered how woefully inadequate or downright terrible they were in comparison. This foams well, is gentle and non-drying, and removes makeup effectively. Best of all, it's the only cleanser that I can rub along my lower lash line to get rid of eyeliner without stinging my eyes — and it takes it all off.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat
Forget Seche Vite. Tried it, didn't like it. It smelt disgusting, shrunk around the edges and gave off a yellow tinge which totally discoloured my nail polish. I don't know whether that was a dud bottle, but my one experience with it was so underwhelming I never bothered to give it another go. Insta-Dri, on the other hand, is a godsend for someone like me, who regularly paints their nails but is too impatient to wait for each coat to dry, and who probably does 2-3 coats more than required each time. What I've found is that is effectively creates a kind of hard, sealed top layer for my nail polish, so that even if the bottom layers aren't completely dry because I've heaped too much polish on, they're protected from dents and smearing by the Insta-Dri coat. It also just speeds up the whole drying process, and leaves a smooth, glossy finish which makes any polish look better. When Chemist Warehouse had their 50% off Sally Hansen, I purchased 3 backups. Yes. Three.

Back to Bare

Much like my makeup organisation, my skin care routine is fairly abysmal. I pretty much just cleanse and moisturise twice a day, morning and night. Every now and then I'll exfoliate and even less frequently, I'll put on a mask. I use this Dove Cleanser and Toner in One every day. I haven't tried any higher end brands but this one does the job for me. I've been using it for years and while I wouldn't recommend it for removing heavy makeup, it's sufficient for removing light, everyday makeup and leaves the skin feeling cleansed without any tightness or dryness. What I most love about it is that unlike Dove's Foaming Make Up Remover which stings like a mofo when I use it around the eye area, I can literally almost rub this into my eyes and I barely feel anything. No mean feat.

The Bioderma Créaline was something I had to get after discovering its cult status as a staple in the kit of makeup artists and amongst models. I first saw it in action in Lisa Eldridge's Makeup Removal video and was amazed that a cotton pad soaked in some of the solution could remove most of her heavy eye makeup (false eyelashes included) in one swipe. When I first tried it out, admittedly I wasn't really enthused by it. It worked fine, but I couldn't really see the fuss. Given that it's not cheap or readily available, I'd guess most people would use Créaline primarily as an eye makeup remover (as opposed to the rest of the face as well), since it makes sense to use better quality, gentler products on the most sensitive and delicate area. But in terms of effectiveness, I thought there were probably other less expensive and more accessible options that could perform just as well (for example, Neutrogena's Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover which I'd been using).

The more I used it though, the more I started to see its worth and the qualities about it that made it far superior to ordinary makeup removers. The micellar solution is basically like water that effortlessly dissolves makeup when you soak a cotton pad with it and hold it up to the eye area for a while. There's no smudging, smearing or oiliness. It's extremely gentle and non-drying, a lifesaver when the eye or the surrounding area is irritated, sore or otherwise in need of extra care. Really, I should probably be using this to remove my eye makeup everyday, period. If only it were a little more affordable and easier to get a hold of rather than having to order it online.