As I’ve said before, as much as I like the idea of being someone who’s into skincare and beauty, it ends up being one of those things that gets put on the back burner. Sleep takes priority over a 10 step skincare routine and my tried and tested makeup routine has been applied that many times I can do it in a matter of minutes, giving me more time to do other things.
Maybe I have the wrong priorities but they’re the right priorities for me. Will I regret not taking more time in anti-aging processes when I’m older? I guess that’s something I’m just going to have to find out. In the meantime, I feel confident in myself with the products and processes I do use, and lets face it that’s what’s really important.
So here goes, I thought I’d let you in on my secrets and share my current fave skincare and beauty products. Let me know if you love any of the same ones too!
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Derma-Soothing Hydrating Cleansing Cream & Astringent Lotion Micro-Exfoliant Anti-Blackhead Toner
First up, cleanser and toner. Now, I’m going to say straight up – I don’t tend to cleanse and tone every day. I’m sorry to say it but I can be the face wipe, splash of water, and done girl a lot of the time (Simple Micellar Water Face Wipes, I hope you’re helping my skin a little bit!) But if I’m being good, fancy more of a pamper, or just feel like my skin is in desperate need of a little more love, I reach for La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Derma-Soothing Hydrating Cleansing Cream and Astringent Lotion Micro-Exfoliant Anti-Blackhead Toner. These two combined feel so light on my skin and give it such a fresh feel, they’re the perfect pick-me-up to start the day or relax into the night.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
Now this baby, I love! I tried to do the whole individual-serum-for-individual-skin-issue thing, but I couldn’t keep it up. I think I was only using 4 or 5 serums but I just kept getting bored and ended up not using any. With Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Serum, everything is more-or-less in there (I think). I just pat some on at night (or in the morning too if I’m feeling extra boujee), and let it do its lusciously hydrating thing!
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser
Now listen up guys, if you take anything from this blog, anything at all, it HAS to be this! I suffer from annoyingly dry skin from time to time and have tried countless different moisturisers that just haven’t felt very moisturising or sting on impact, and I am not here for that. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser has been an absolute game changer for me – AND – it’s not that expensive at all! You can use as much or as little as you like, its so lightweight it feels like your face has been granted a glorious burst of water and that feeling lasts and lasts.
*Bonus points for the fact that you can use it around your eyes and it doesn’t hurt! (Yes, I’m that ridiculously unskilled at applying moisturiser). Instead, it just keeps on giving.
Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream
Another goodie on the eyes is Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream. Thicker than the Hydro Boost Water Gel, this Eye Cream feels luxurious patted under your eyes. Not only that, the formula includes a radiant-type tint that helps combat dark circles, creating the perfect base for foundation and concealers.
Now we’re on to the fun stuff! I love make-up and I do love experimenting with new looks and products but when it comes down to it, these products make up my go-to everyday, and more or less every night look (just add more eyeliner and a nice bold lip!)
Charlotte Tilbury SPF 50 Invisible UV Flawless Primer
This product is key for me. Both my mum and Grammy suffered from dark spots as they got older. They did live in Hong Kong for a while, I don’t know if that’s a factor, but my mum has always been adamant about the use of sun cream. As a teenager, I obviously didn’t believe any of this, but as I’ve gotten older and the weather gets warmer I can see my freckles begin to merge and the fear of dark spots begins. I love Charlotte Tilbury’s SPF 50 Invisible UV Flawless Primer, it isn’t heavy and sits beautifully under the make up I put on top. I even use it on its own when I fancy a make up free day but still want to be SPF protected.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in Shade 3
I haven’t been using the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation for very long. Prior to this I was using IT Cosmetics CC cream which I would definitely recommend as a lightweight all-in-one Summer situation – it even has hydration and anti-aging properties! But I was hearing so many good things about the Armani Luminous Silk and how good it made people’s skin look, I just had to give it a try. What can I say, so far I am not disappointed. I can’t feel it heavily on my skin, which is a must for me, it simply brightens my face and gives me the confidence I need.
YSL Touche Eclat in Shade 1.5 or Dior Backstage Flash Perfecter Concealer in Shade 0N
YSL’s Touche Eclat Illuminating Pen has been one of my favourites for years! Nothing has quite matched it when it comes to the brightening of my permanently dark under-eye circles, so I don’t think this bad boy will be swapped out anytime soon. I do however use the Dior Backstage Flash Perfecter Concealer when I feel in need of a little more coverage, if I’m having a breakout or for a night out, but even that can’t quite replace my love for the Touche Eclat!
Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour 01 Curvy Contour
Another newbie to my repertoire is Clinique’s Chubby Stick Sculpting Curvy Contour. I just love how this is essentially a big kids crayon. I draw lines of definition on my super pale complexion and blend, blend, blend with a Beauty Blender. I’m probably not putting the lines in the right place, and I get told I look like I’m applying tribal markings to my face, but I enjoy the process, so it’s staying!
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Shade Happy
I’m still undecided on the powder/liquid blush debate but in terms of liquid blush, this one is a beauty! Blush is probably one of my favourite make up products as it brings some much needed colour to my pale skin. For this very reason, I am always drawn to the pretty pink shades – I feel like anything darker may be too much. Enter Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Happy. Just looking at the colour in the tube makes me happy! Three dots on either cheek and a little swipe across the nose blends into my perfect rosy glow!
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Please note, I am not a beauty expert and have no idea if these products are being applied in the correct order, but it works for me so don’t judge! Once I’ve applied all of the above, I go in with a sweep of Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder. This is so soft on the skin and makes everything that nice natural matt, but is light enough to allow the glow to still shine through. It also balances out the contour and blush if I’ve gone a bit OTT, making them look soft and natural.
Charlotte Tilbury Brow Lift Brow Pencil in Medium Brown
Where even were we before we realised it was a thing to do our eyebrows? I look at pictures of me as a teen in that god-awful thin brow era and can’t believe that was the go-to. It always makes me think, in a few years time will we cringe at the outgrown bushy brow of today?… Either way, thanks to that skinny brow I now have gaps that need to be filled – *note to kids, I know you don’t think your mum is right when she tells you not to do something, but more often than not, I’d say shut up and take the advice – that’s from experience.* For me, I like the look of my eyebrows and their natural shape, so I use Charlotte Tilbury’s Brow Lift Brow Pencil in Medium Brown to make them look neat and tidy, but still very much natural.
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink
My Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink has been with me just as long as YSL’s Touche Eclat, and again, something I don’t think I’ll be departing from anytime soon. Eyeliner is definitely my desert island product, anyone who knows me knows I struggle to go anywhere without a cat eye. It’s probably all in my head but I feel like eyeliner is what makes me look like me. My skin is too pale and both my eyes and eye bags are too dark, they need to be balanced by a bold flick of liner on the lid. As for the gel pot instead of pencils or liquid, it helps me to not apply too much. I have probably the shakiest hands on the planet and pencils and liquid have far too much of a smudge possibility. As a kid I’d completely ring my entire eye with eyeliner, but as an adult I much prefer the toned down version. With Bobbi Brown’s gel, I can blend my perfect sized line.
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara in Ultra Black
Finally, but probably most importantly, the Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara in Ultra Black. I don’t think I’m alone in the feeling that no make up look is complete without mascara. I love this one in particular as it does exactly what I want it to do. With it’s classic, old-school brush (I just can’t seem to get on with brands that want to make their brush look like combs or other weird shapes – if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!) and its beautiful jet black formula, it gives my lashes a natural looking length, volume and definition, without any clumps.
Ta-da! There you have it, my go-to, near enough every day, morning routine. It seems like a longer list now I’ve wrote it all down but hey ho. Let me know if you have any further thoughts on any of the products I’ve talked about, or if you have any recommendations you think I need to try!