Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Current Skincare Favourites

Current Summer Skincare Favourites
I've always been quite lazy with skincare but lately I've tried quite a few new products that really seem to be working for me and I've really been enjoying using them so I thought I'd share! I've struggled with acne and frequent breakouts since I was about 12 years old but right now I think my skin's looking the best it has since then! I also have combination skin - I'm oily through my T-zone but also get dry patches. 

One product I've been using for a couple of years are the Kirkland Daily Facial Towelettes. I use these every single night to remove all of my makeup and they do a fantastic job! They're gentle enough to use around the eyes and they also don't break me out at all!

A more recent purchase of mine is the Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub from The Body Shop. This is a gentle exfoliant that I use on my face 3-4 times a week in the shower. I find it easier to use exfoliators like this in the shower since my whole face is wet already anyways. The tea tree line from The Body Shop is really great for acne-prone skin and this scrub has been working wonderfully for keeping any breakouts at bay.

Another product that has been helping keep my skin clear of breakouts is the Biore Blemish Fighting Astringent. I use this astringent every morning and night and it has really helped to clear up my skin! It doesn't dry my skin out and helps to clear up any breakouts and also prevent new ones from happening.

As a fair-skinned girl, sun protection is definitely something not to be overlooked. Lately I've been using this L'Oreal Ideal Moisture Day Lotion for Normal Skin with SPF 25. I use this every morning after using the Biore astringent and before applying my foundation. It's nice and hydrating without making my skin oily and also protects my face from the sun!

Two spot treatments for acne that I've been enjoying lately are the LUSH Grease Lightning and The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Gel. Both of these products are tea tree oil-based spot treatments that help clear up existing breakouts and are also really gentle on the skin. In the past some spot treatments I've used have caused really dry patches on the skin but neither of these do that! I really like how the one from The Body Shop is packaged as well - it's in a tube with a doe foot applicator - so it's really easy to apply it to spots! I just apply one of these to my breakouts at night before bed and they help reduce or clear up the blemish by morning!

Lastly, my current night cream. I have been using the Yves Rocher Sebo Vegetal Zero Blemish Gel Cream. This, again, is an acne fighting moisturizer. This cream does have a thicker consistency so I prefer to apply this at night time. I love the feel of this on my skin, the gel cream has a wonderful smooth consistency, and it smells really fresh too! 

Have you tried any of these products before? I'd love to hear your thoughts on them!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Products I've Used Up (#2)

Makeup Product Empties Products I've Used Up
I haven't done a "Products I've Used Up" post since June of last year so I think it's due time for another one! I've been saving these for a few months and thought I'd share my thoughts on them!

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation: I finished this foundation quite a while ago. It was good but I prefer the original Colorstay foundation still. 
Repurchase? I probably wouldn't repurchase this one.

Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Conditioner: This is probably my favourite conditioner. It's so moisturizing and also smells amazing! My mom and sister love this conditioner too so I think it'll always be a staple in our household! 
Repurchase? Yes!

L'Oreal Color Radiance Detangling Spray: I've gone through 2 bottles of this detangler and I really enjoy it. I have thick and tangly hair and this makes brushing through it when it's wet so, so easy. I just spray it all over my hair after I wash it and I can get a brush through it so much easier.
Repurchase? I've been looking for it but I think it's been discontinued! I would stock up on it if I ever find it again though.

TRESemme Heat Tamer Spray: I've been using this heat protectant on and off for years. I really like how fine of a mist it sprays so I can easily spray it all throughout my hair without soaking my hair.
Repurchase? Probably!

Kirkland Daily Facial Towlettes: These have been pretty much the only makeup wipes I've been using for over a year. I use one of these wipes every night and it removes all of my makeup. I really love these!
Repurchase? Always!

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes: I got these in a Simple kit I bought a while ago. I found them too unsaturated to remove all of my makeup so what I ended up using these for is removing swatches from my hands/arms whenever I swatched products for my blog photos! 
Repurchase? No

Batiste Dry Shampoo for Medium & Brunettes: I love Batiste Dry Shampoo. I like to wash my hair every other day and this helps keep my hair looking clean on the off days! I didn't find this to really have a tint to be more "brunette" than the original Batiste Dry Shampoos but it still worked well.
Repurchase? I already have!

ELF Wet Gloss Brow & Clear Mascara: This is a double-ended clear brow gel and clear mascara and I just use both sides for setting my brows! I find the formula to be the same on both sides, the only difference being slightly different shaped wands. I have quite unruly brows and this gel keeps them in place all day! And the best part? It's only $1!
Repurchase? Yes!

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation: I love this foundation. It has fantastic coverage, it has great staying power, and it has SPF 20! I feel like this is a foundation I'll continue using for years.
Repurchase? Already have!

Revlon Colorstay Foundation: This is my holy grail foundation. I'll always have a bottle of this in my makeup stash at all times. It has great coverage and amazing staying power. Lately I've enjoyed combining it with the Covergirl 3 in 1 foundation and that's been working great for me!
Repurchase? Already have!

Biore Blemish Fighting Astringent: I use this astringent every morning and night and it has really helped my skin out. I was using a Clean & Clear astringent for literally over 6 years before trying this one and I'm so glad I started using this Biore one because it has made such a difference.
Repurchase? Already have!

Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Creamy Body Wash: I bought this during the last semi-annual sale and finally got around to using it up! I really liked it! The scent was nice but not overpowering and it lathered really nicely as well.
Repurchase? Maybe!

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in White On / Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro Nail Polish in Black Satin: I didn't technically use up these polishes but they were running low and starting to get goopy. These are my black and white nail polishes of choice and use them whenever I use black and white in my nail art too! They are both really rich and opaque and apply really nicely!
Repurchase? I already have repurchased both!

Have you ever tried any of the products I mentioned above? What did you think of them?

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

New Blog Design!

I was playing around in Adobe Illustrator the other night and ended up making a little illustration of myself that I thought would be cute to incorporate into a new blog header! I really love how it came out and it was a lot of fun to make! I'd love to know what you guys think of it so let me know in the comments below!

(Also, happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians out there!!)