Sticking to the List ... Almost

Priceline's latest 40% off skin care sale came earlier than expected, but I sure wasn't complaining. The last one was in August, and this time around I promised myself I would STICK TO THE LIST. I knew in the moment, browsing the store with everything being almost half price, I would be tempted to shop impulsively and potentially make some regrettable decisions. Or if not regrettable, then unnecessary. For the most part, I succeeded in bringing home only what I'd planned on purchasing, with one exception (which yes, I ended up wishing I hadn't bought).

Trilogy Rosapene Night Cream
I wanted to buy this last time 'round, but it was out of stock. Luckily I managed to grab one before the shelves were emptied. Previously featured in my March 2014 Favourites, I'm looking forward to cracking the tub open when I've finished with my current night cream, Grown Alchemist Regenerating Night Cream Neuro-Peptide & Violet Leaf Extract. I really like the scent and texture of the Rosapene Night Cream and how hydrating, calming and nourishing it feels. It's fairly thick but not greasy at all (unlike the Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream), and while it's packed with "natural" ingredients that have sometimes been problematic for me, my skin seems to get along well with it.

Sukin Purifying Facial Masque
Probably the only mask I've repurchased. I'm almost done with my el cheapo Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask Orange + Bergamot, so really, I'm practically adhering to a one in, one out policy. Progress! This is an excellent, affordable mask and my favourite product from the Sukin range. It's cooling, soothing and truly effective at neutralising any angry flare ups from adverse product reactions. Though clay-based, it's not one of those masks that immobilises the face when it dries on the skin. It is a bit of a pain to wash off completely, but the results are worth it.

Iluka by Natalie Imbruglia Hydrating Toner Mist
I saw this a few days before the sale started and was intrigued, but wasn't overly keen on handing over $20 for a 60ml toner I've never tried. The ingredients list did look promising and the frosted glass bottle reminded me of the luxurious Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist. I have to say I'm not the hugest fan. Firstly, don't get this anywhere near the eyes because it stings. It still very mildly stings (a slight burning sensation) when I spray it on the rest of my face. I'm not sure why that is, but I suspect it could be the eucalyptus leaf and lime oils in it. It's one of those toners that I find more drying/tightening than calming, skin-plumping and hydrating. I'm not too bothered that I took a punt on it since it was only $12, but it's definitely not instant love.

Antipodes Anti-Ageing Minis
Yes, I bought this again, even though I also purchased it in the last skin care sale. I'll allow it, since the value proposition is just too good. Even if it didn't include 15ml of the Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream, I'd spend the $12 for the 10ml mini of the Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum alone. It's basically the same cost per millilitre as the full size 30ml bottle (which is $35.40 with 40% off). If anything, I prefer the miniature since it's easier/quicker to use up, better for travel, and keeps the contents fresher.

Avene Thermal Spring Water (300ml can)
I wasn't really planning on buying this, but I'm more than halfway through my existing can and I simply can't be without this in my life. Seriously, I use it for everything. I bought my last four 300ml bottles from Chemist Warehouse (taking advantage of their unbeatable 2 for $20 promotion they had a couple of years ago), but I haven't seen them repeat the deal since. I figured I might as well buy a backup now in case I don't come across a better offer.

Moreish Superfood for Skin Euphoria Cream Cleanser
My one impulse buy. Definitely not on the list. The ingredients appealed to me (manuka honey, coconut oil, argan oil, papaya fruit extract, grape seed extract, carrot root extract), it was cheap, the packaging was enticing. I've almost run out of my morning cleanser, Avene Gentle Gel Cleanser, and was hoping this would be a good substitute. One small problem ... it causes my skin to freak out. We're talking ugly, alarming, red splotches resembling bruising all over my face. The funniest part about all this is I looked up reviews of Moreish and particularly this cleanser before buying it, and the only thing I could find was one blog post that mentioned the product caused a negative reaction. I tend to view my skin as fairly hardy, so I dismissed their experience as the consequence of sensitive skin rather than a formulation issue. To make sure it wasn't just a one off thing, to be certain it really was the cleanser that was the culprit, I tried it THREE times. Each time, the same splotchy mess. I wanted to return it but wasn't sure if Priceline would let me. I never received an answer on Twitter, so I guess not. In any event, it was $9 so I'm not exactly weeping for my wasted money, only kicking myself for deviating from my list.

Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
I'm at the point where I'm almost certain nothing will ever rid me of my blackheads. It's an ongoing issue requiring constant intervention. These strips won't do anything long term and I've heard frequent use actually exacerbates blackheads, but they do serve their purpose. Namely, a quick fix for accumulated gunk. There's still something perversely satisfying in ripping one off and scrutinising the surface of the strip. Gross, I know, but results you can see.

Skin Care Sale Stock Up

Is it a bit tragic to look forward to a twice-a-year skin care sale? Well then, tragic I am. Back in May when I purchased the Antipodes Anti-Ageing Minis set, I mentioned I was eagerly anticipating Priceline's next 40% off skin care sale, given they now stock brands like Bioderma, NUXE, La-Roche Posay, Avène, Trilogy and Antipodes (all they need to do is include Caudalie in the mix and I'm pretty much set). On Tuesday, July 29, that day finally arrived. I actually had no clue beforehand and a friend I was meeting for lunch told me about it in the morning. I literally made a dash to the nearest Priceline within an hour of hearing the news.

Though I made it to Priceline at about 11am, I was surprised to see all three items I'd jotted down on my list to be completely gone. I wanted to buy the Trilogy Rosapene Night Cream, Sukin Purifying Facial Masque and a backup of my NUXE Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm, but everything was unavailable or sold out at the store I visited. I left empty-handed and a bit peeved.

I checked out another Priceline after work but it was exactly the same story. The sale was only for 2 days, so I contemplated making a trip to the city on Wednesday to survey other stores, but instead asked friends who were in the city to check for me. One managed to find NUXE Rêve de Miel, but had no luck with the other products. That night during the remaining few hours of the sale, I made one last visit to my local Priceline and the irrational side of my brain took over. It was thinking, "CHEAP! GOOD DISCOUNT! 40% OFF, THAT'S BASICALLY HALF PRICE, RIGHT?!" rather than "Was I planning on buying this in the first place?"

The Trilogy night cream I wanted still wasn't there, so I settled for the Balancing Face Lotion. I figured it's a generous size (100ml), making it good value for money and something that would last a long time, it's packaged conveniently and attractively in a heavyish dark frosted bottle with a pump, has quite a few overlapping ingredients with the night cream, and can be used day and night, year-round. I find it similar to Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream but lighter, more fluid in consistency and less rich, and easier to spread over the face. It absorbs well and doesn't leave the skin feeling heavy or looking shiny. It has a pleasant, relatively subdued, sweet botanical scent that's not cloying or irritating. It's probably more suited to summer use but I've been trialling it the past week during winter here in Australia and I haven't felt it lacking in the hydration department.

I picked up another Antipodes Anti-Ageing Minis set because at $12, the Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum (10ml) and Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream (15ml) were $6 a piece and I simply could not say no to that. Speaking of a price that can't be refused, I managed to nab one Grown Alchemist Regenerating Night Cream Neuro-Peptide & Violet Leaf Extract for $12. Yes, $12. Considering the cream is retailing on the Myer website currently for $84.95, I think I did well. It was already hugely slashed down to $20, but a further 40% off was entirely welcome. The consistency and colour remind me a bit of cake batter. It's one of those "natural" creams that take a while to be worked into the skin (Yes to Carrots Daily Facial Moisturiser with SPF 15 had the same issue). It leaves the skin slightly tacky to the touch but absorbs fairly well. I don't find it overwhelmingly hydrating and nourishing, nor have I noticed that my skin looks markedly better in the mornings, but we'll see with prolonged use.

Finally, an addition to my list of products for which I have a backup, namely NUXE Rêve de Miel. My existing pot is far from empty, but I use it every evening as an overnight lip treatment. Despite initially finding it odd and somewhat uncomfortable when applied, I've since embraced its thick, paste-like texture and weird exfoliating beads, especially when the result is dry, chapped, flaky lips are kept at bay.

March Favourites

March was barely distinguishable from February, with the only difference being I officially turned a year older. There was no shortage of cheesecake this month, partially sabotaging my attempt at a "lifestyle change" by eating more cleanly and trying to get in some exercise (and by exercise, I mean run on the treadmill 1-2 times a week while feeling close to puking, and random made up floor exercises in the comfort of my own room). In terms of beauty products, there was a bit of a mixed bag this month, but more items than usual. I had not one, but two favourites for foundation, nail polish and moisturiser.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Taupe (004)
I dismissed Taupe the first time I picked up one of these eyeliners (in Bronze) because it seemed so similar to Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe, which I never use. But with Priceline's most recent 40% off cosmetics sale, I was suddenly inspired to give Taupe a go. I've been reaching for it almost exclusively this past month to define my lower lash line instead of my usual bronze eyeliners. What I like most about it is that it's quite hazy and soft when it's applied, and it wears in much the same way. The lasting power is impressive, but even when it's faded by the end of the day, it doesn't look patchy like some metallic eyeliners can. The overall look is more understated and natural because the colour is matte, very neutral and not as harsh as a black.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in Soft Beige (200) + CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in Buff Beige (825)
These two mixed together (usually half and half) have been working really well for me. At first, I combined them out of necessity because the Rimmel is too dark and the CoverGirl too light. Sometimes in the morning rush and with less than ideal pump control, I get the proportions out of whack and my face doesn't match my neck, but the freedom to customise your own shade remains one of the biggest perks of having too many foundations. The creamy, thick consistency and occasional over-dewiness of the Rimmel is tamed by the CoverGirl, which has much superior coverage but a drier, more satin finish and runnier, lighter texture. Worked in with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush, this drugstore foundation duo ticks most of the boxes: good coverage, radiance-boosting, sets properly and doesn't overly transfer, excellent lasting power, oil control ... and shade match (when I get it right).

LUSH Snow Fairy Limited Edition Shower Gel
I know this is a popular product from LUSH, especially around Christmas, but despite hearing constant raves, I hadn't tried it until recently. At first, I wasn't blown away (it just smelled of banana lollies to me), but after squirting generous amounts on a shower puff and lathering it all over a couple more times, I saw the light. Yes, it's extremely sugary, but somehow not in an overwhelming, sickly way. I think it might be tamed by the musk in there, but whatever it is, the unbridled burst of edible sweetness is an absolute pleasure. It honestly feels like I'm bathing in lollies. In the past month alone, I've used up about two thirds of my tiny 100g bottle and I'm now majorly regretting not buying a larger one when I had the chance.

China Glaze Nail Lacquer in It's a Trap-eze!
I wore this over Nails Inc. Porchester Square for a whole week, which is almost unheard of when you're as fickle about nail polish as me and frequently change nail polish daily. It's a Trap-eze! is a glitter masterpiece. The overall effect is more speckled egg than bling overload, so it's perfect for any upcoming Easter-themed manicures. Still annoyed BeautyJoint shipped me a half-used bottle though.

Australis Nail Colour in K-Pop
The nail polish colour du jour seems to be Essie Splash of Grenadine (popularised by Estée), which reminded me of this gem from local brand Australis. As soon as I saw K-Pop on the stand, I knew I had to have it. It's such a unique, eye-catching colour (also very fitting with the Pantone Colour of the Year "Radiant Orchid") and the formula is close to impeccable. Here's a shot of the colour on my nails. I like that it has this injection of neon which makes it a bit fresher and more youthful than similar colours that are darker and more dusty.

Trilogy Rosapene Night Cream
I've tried a few products from Trilogy and I can't say my skin has loved everything, but this night cream is a definite winner. I have a mini 25ml jar from the Rosapene Day and Night Collection which I bought during Priceline's 40% off skin care sale around Christmas. This is essentially the evening version of their Vital Moisturising Cream, in that it's slightly thicker and more hydrating. I think the texture is an improvement (closer to Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream), it absorbs well, instantly comforts and adds moisture to the skin and smells pleasant and soothing. Dare I say I prefer it to the funky-smelling Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream (of which I have a small 15ml tube from the Anti-Ageing Minis set)?

Jurlique Arnica Cream
I was fortunate to receive this as a birthday gift and immediately incorporated it into my skin care routine as my daytime moisturiser. The smell reminds me of slightly off, sweet yoghurt and it has a thick texture that requires a tad more effort to spread onto the face, but this stuff sinks deep into the skin and provides amazing hydration and softness. I used to struggle with dry patches, especially around my nose, which would be apparent when I applied my foundation, but since using the Arnica Cream, I don't have those issues anymore. It serves as a perfect base for my foundation because it provides a smooth, richly moisturised platform, but it's not greasy or slippy on the skin. It's almost matte in texture when absorbed. It also doesn't begin to seep through your foundation, emerging as an oily mess a couple of hours later. Yes, there's a bit of shine, but it's positively restrained compared with other products, plus blotting with a tissue ensures the skin is sufficiently mattified for the remainder of the day.

Skin Rescue Routine

About a month ago, my skin inexplicably started to go crazy, culminating in some of the worst skin I've experienced in recent memory about a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure if it was a reaction to a foundation or a skin care product, or hormonal, or mainly diet/lifestyle related, but it wasn't pretty. As soon as pimples appeared to be calming down and fading, a whole new crop sprouted. My skin was spotty and angry in a way that was largely foreign to me, with scarring and bumps in various stages of development. I needed urgent skin care intervention. Along with the help of time, here are the products I used every single day to vastly improve and clear up my skin. The results were so encouraging that the same products now comprise my normal evening skin care routine.

l-r: Dove Foaming Make Up Remover, Dove Cleanser & Toner in One, Pixi Glow Tonic, La Roche-Posay Serozinc, Trilogy Very Gentle Moisturising Cream, Sukin Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil

Taking off every scrap and trace of makeup at the end of the day seemed of utmost importance, so I begin with three pumps of Dove Foaming Make Up Remover. This comes out in a cloud of white foam, but applied and worked into the skin, I imagine it's similar in consistency to a cleansing oil that's been emulsified with water. This stings if it gets in the eyes, so it's not ideal to take off eye makeup on the lower lash line, though it's fine for eyeshadow, eyeliner on the upper lash line, and mascara. While the Foaming Make Up Remover takes off mostly everything, to get rid of remnant eye makeup and ensure nothing's left, I double cleanse with Dove Cleanser & Toner in One. That's probably going slightly overboard with the cleansing, but the lather it produces is creamy and rich, and it thoroughly and effectively cleanses my skin without leaving it feeling dry or stripped.

Next, I strictly adhere to Caroline Hirons's recommendation of two toners post-cleansing: one exfoliating and one hydrating. Both products were purchased as a result of her influence (her rave about Pixi Glow Tonic, apparently a cheaper dupe of Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion, here, and rant on La Roche-Posay Serozinc not being available in the UK here). I use two pumps of Pixi Glow Tonic on a Daiso cotton pad all over my face. I like that it seems to calm and balance my skin, while gently exfoliating it and giving it a smoothness and softness. I then follow up with a liberal spritzing of La Roche-Posay Serozinc. I purchased mine from Paris during my holiday last September after succumbing to incredible hype, and originally felt a little underwhelmed. It seemed virtually indistinguishable to my beloved Avene Thermal Spring Water, except with more sodium chloride and zinc sulfate. I'm no chemistry whiz, but from experience this doesn't do much if your skin type is normal and relatively blemish-free. It's designed more to be an astringent toner for oily, problem skin. I find it helps to soothe and hydrate my skin, reduce redness and diminish the appearance of pimples with regular use.

I tried to keep it simple with moisturiser, treatments and serums. I opted for the most "natural" cream in my skin care stash, Trilogy Very Gentle Moisturising Cream. Free of supposed chemical nasties and designed for sensitive skin types, it's not something I'm absolutely in love with, but at least I know it won't break me out or result in an adverse reaction. To boost moisture and add extra nourishment to my cream, I add a few drops of Sukin Rose Hip Oil and mix the cream and rose hip oil together with my palms before smoothing it onto my face. I'm a renewed believer in rose hip oil after using it every night for a couple of weeks straight. Forget other face oils, rose hip oil does the job and does it brilliantly. I'm most impressed at how it genuinely leaves the skin appearing softer, smoother and well-rested the morning after. It seems to target discolouration and scarring and generally improves the texture of the skin. I feel that more than any other product mentioned here, it's been instrumental to bringing my skin back to a much happier state.

Almost Half Price ... Again

Following Priceline's 40% off all cosmetics sale in April, last Tuesday and Wednesday, they held 40% off all skin care. This kind of unprecedented sale rolls around rarely, so even though I just bought a load of skin care to qualify for their skin care goodie bag about a month ago, I simply had to take advantage of such a generous discount. It's almost embarrassing to enter my local Priceline these days, since I visit so frequently I'm sure the staff are judging me and my consumption habits. I hauled in two parts across consecutive days, first picking up Trilogy Age Proof Active Enzyme Cleansing Cream, Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System, La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Fluide Extrême SPF 50+ and Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, then the following afternoon, purchasing two Apivita Express Beauty Face Masks (Orange and Pomegranate) and the Sukin Cream Cleanser. I was contemplating buying a backup of Indeed Labs Hydraluron, but it was totally sold out. I was also keen to get my hands on this Trilogy pack with a bottle of their rose hip oil and a complimentary 30ml tube of their Vital Moisturising Cream (ideal size for travel, and good value considering the full size is 50ml and $39.95), but once again, sold out.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Fluide Extrême SPF 50+
A conspicuous lack of SPF was pointed out to me by several people in my Winter Skin Care Routine: AM post. Naturally, this had to be remedied immediately, especially as I've started to use Alpha-H Liquid Gold every third night or so. I'm a happy camper now that a brand like La Roche-Posay is readily stocked at Priceline, though the Australian retail prices are (surprise, surprise) not cheap. This sunscreen is normally $25.99, discounted to $15.60 at 40% off. Scrutinising the ingredients, alcohol denat is fourth on the list, which I found a little surprising. You need to shake the bottle vigorously before applying the product. It comes out quite thin and liquidy, but absorbs easily into the skin and feels completely weightless.

Sukin Cream Cleanser
I was umming and ahhing over whether to repurchase this, now that I've finished the 50ml sample I was using. My main issue was paranoia over the shea butter in this (apparently something that acne-prone skin should avoid, at least in moisturiser), and the fact that while it was pleasant to use and worked perfectly fine, I wasn't enamoured with it enough to rush out to the shops to buy it again. In the end I thought, it's $6 for 125ml. Who cares. I would really struggle to find anything more affordable, functional, and packed with natural, nourishing ingredients, including sesame seed, rose hip, jojoba seed, avocado and wheat germ oils.

Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System Specialty Cleanser
This was a totally unplanned purchase. There were about three boxes left at my Priceline, and the guy working there was telling me how it was under $20 after discount, and how he was thinking of buying one for himself. I remember reading about this "facial cleansing device" (also known as the poor man's Clarisonic) from Heather Honey ages ago, but I never expected it would eventually make its way to our shores. My curiosity won out in the end and I took home this oversized electronic toothbrush for my face.

When I opened up the battery compartment, there was this bizarre/gross greasy leakage in it, which I tried to clean up as best as I could with a tissue. Apart from that manufacturing defect, I've used it several times in the shower at night, and let me say, the novelty wears off real quick. There's two settings (one slower, one faster) and the brush head rotates (rather than vibrates) to clean and exfoliate your skin. It doesn't feel rough, scratchy or overly abrasive as the bristles are quite soft. The sensation is basically like a pressurised buzzing against your face. Because the head rotates, there can be a bit of resistance moving it around the various parts of the face. A major downside is that it's operated by batteries, meaning another ongoing cost apart from replacement brush heads. I'll wait and see how long two AA batteries last in terms of number of uses, but if it's anything less than 60, I'll be sorely disappointed.

Trilogy Age Proof Active Enzyme Cleansing Cream
I bought this mainly because of the fruit enzymes in it that reminded me of the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask. Both contain papaya and pineapple fruit extract, said to help "break down and remove the build up of older skin cells and impurities which dull [the] complexion". On my second visit to Priceline on Wednesday, I saw that Trilogy recently repackaged this cleansing cream so it's in a fatter, darker-coloured tube (they also offered a free 20ml tube of the Line Smoothing Day Cream with it), but I'd already purchased it the day before in the older packaging. The blurb on the box says it has a "silky, mousse-like texture", but it's more thin and watery which I really don't like. I was hoping it'd have a delectable fruity scent but it just smells faintly sweet and chemical. I've been using this in the shower, putting a generous amount all over my damp face, then following up with the Olay facial brush for about 1-2 minutes, then washing it all off with my hands. It's not at all drying and my skin is left feeling very smooth, soft and thoroughly cleansed.

Apivita Revitalising & Radiance Mask with Pomegranate, Apivita Revitalising Mask with Orange
I've tried a few Apivita face masks (Aloe, Cucumber, Carrot, Cereals) and found them uniformly good (with the exception of Cereals, which smelled sickly sweet and broke me out), so 40% off these pricey sachets was something I couldn't pass up. These are normally $8 for 2 x 8ml packets, which is fairly steep on a cost per millilitre basis ($50 per 100ml). Since it takes a long time to use up an entire tube of face mask, and I can get at least 2 uses per sachet, these Apivita masks are an enjoyable and convenient way of experimenting with different face mask ingredients and properties. The two I bought seem mostly to be hydrating masks designed to add some vitality, nourishment and plumpness back to the skin.

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream
I've been meaning to pick this up for the longest time, but wasn't prepared to shell out $15 for a 17g tin. I was thinking of purchasing LUSH Lemony Flutter instead (not so bad at $16.50 for 50g), but felt content with my Sally Hansen Radiant Hands, Nails & Cuticles Creme. The Burt's Bees smells deliciously lemony but has a hard and waxy texture, so it's a bit difficult to get any product on your cuticles and nails. Unlike the LUSH, it doesn't have shea butter or lanolin in it, so it's not as soft and greasy. You definitely have to warm up the product with your finger to melt it with your touch before applying it. The small tin is cute and portable and because you use so little each time, it'll last an eternity.

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.