As promised, here is an introduction and explanation of my current skincare routine.
Now first of all, I would first like to clarify that farrrrrr from perfect. During my last year in primary school/ when I first started high school, my forehead would get big breakouts and I was so self conscious about it that I would try to use a fringe to cover it, which only made it worse. I also picked at them and to this day I still scars around my temple area due to my naivety (moral of the story: NEVER TOUCH YOUR PIMPLES!!!)
And this is was how I first became interested in skincare. I wanted to anything I could to get rid of the horrible and sudden mess that my skin had become. I remember that the first face skincare 'line' I ever used was called Nivea Visage Young, and the reason I remember it so clearly was because if anything, it made my problems even worse. I thought at the time that it was probably just a normal reaction and that the stinging sensation meant it was 'working'. But now that I know better, it was probably because my skin was trying to tell me that it was way too sensitive to be using such a harsh product...
The photo at the top of the post shows the main products that I have been using after arriving back in Brisbane. As it is currently summer over here, and sweltering and humid most of the time since I have been back, I have switched back to products which are lighter but still moisturising as my skin and lips are forever dry.
Now first of all, I would first like to clarify that farrrrrr from perfect. During my last year in primary school/ when I first started high school, my forehead would get big breakouts and I was so self conscious about it that I would try to use a fringe to cover it, which only made it worse. I also picked at them and to this day I still scars around my temple area due to my naivety (moral of the story: NEVER TOUCH YOUR PIMPLES!!!)
And this is was how I first became interested in skincare. I wanted to anything I could to get rid of the horrible and sudden mess that my skin had become. I remember that the first face skincare 'line' I ever used was called Nivea Visage Young, and the reason I remember it so clearly was because if anything, it made my problems even worse. I thought at the time that it was probably just a normal reaction and that the stinging sensation meant it was 'working'. But now that I know better, it was probably because my skin was trying to tell me that it was way too sensitive to be using such a harsh product...
The photo at the top of the post shows the main products that I have been using after arriving back in Brisbane. As it is currently summer over here, and sweltering and humid most of the time since I have been back, I have switched back to products which are lighter but still moisturising as my skin and lips are forever dry.
1. Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil Premiun A/I - The first step when it comes to my night care routine. I chose this one because it claimed to be suitable for dry or sensitive skin and I am both so it seemed like a good fit for me. I haven't tried many cleansing oils before so I don't really have much to compare it to. But it definitely does its job. It removes everything, doesn't sting my eyes and doesn't dry out my skin.
2. Shiseido Ibuki Cleanser - I am a firm believer of double cleansing, so I always use a foam cleanser after the cleansing oil so I really feel that squeaky clean feeling. I'm currently in a bit of a 'between cleanser' situation so I'm just pretty much using up all the cleanser samples I have hoarded up till now. This one was from a trial gift kit during a promotion and its not bad, but I do feel like it's a tad drying.
3. Dr Bauer 4D Motion Beauty Care - This little gadget was purchased during my trip a Hong Kong at the start of 2014, when face brush machines were a big craze. Its like a Clarisonic I suppose, but I didn't find out about Clarisonics until I had already bought this one. I love this because I think it helps to give my face a good thorough clean, but at the same time it is quite harsh I think so limit myself to using it only 1-2 times a week.
4. Lush Mask of Magnaminty - This was recommended to me by a dear friend and it is so perfect for the summer heat! To be honest, I used to be a bit hesitant to go into Lush because I thought the smell was really overwhelming, but I was won over after trying this. I use this two times a week and I don't know if its really helping to calm down my skin, but the cool minty feeling of it alone is worth the money.
5. Hera Aquabolic Moisturising Water - In other words, toner. I've been using this for more that half a year now and I honestly love it. Very light but still moisturising, and its a nice cool feeling when I put it on. I was using something else while I was overseas since it was winter and I needed more intense hydration, but I definitely missed this while I was gone.
6. Hera Cell Essence Bio Fluid - This essence is used after toner and it's generally marketed as a sort of concentrated concoction that will help your skin be more radiant, hydrated, renewed etc. I use it because I think it does make my skin more hydrated which in turn leads it to looking more radiant.
7. Hera Aquabolic Moisturising Emulsion - Emulsion is kind of like lotion so its light and supposed to be used before cream. I got this in a set with the Moisturising Water and I love it just as much. On nights when its really hot or if I'm just feeling lazy, this will be my last step and then I'm off to dreamland.
8. Elizavecca Green Piggy Collagen Jella Pack - I'm sure you've all read my review on this and seen my raving so I need say no more. I've using it as a substitute to cream which just feels way too heavy these days.
9. Missha Misa Yehyun Bon Eye Cream - Eye cream is extremely important so never forsake it! I bought this one during my trip to Korea in the beginning of last year and I had no problems with it until now. It is definitely moisturising and I no longer get little dry areas on the inner corners of my eyes like before, however, it's becoming a bit too heavy for me in this weather. So I am currently on a quest to find one more suitable for summer, but I will definitely come back to this one when it starts getting cooler again.
10. Innisfree One Minute Lip Scrub - A recent purchase and its not fantastic, but it will do for now. I think I haven't been drinking enough water lately (very very bad), so my lips have become quite dry. To get my lips ready to absorb as much moisture from the lip mask and/or lip balm as possible, I try to get rid of all the dead skin first with this.
11. Malin+Goetz Lip Moisturiser - My ultimate favorite cannot live without it lip balm. You have not lived before you have used this. I first encountered this when I was given a sample on a Qantas flight back to Brisbane and since then, I have not used any other. It is pretty pricey ($16) BUT you will not regret it! Super long lasting, actually moisturises and it doesn't leave weird white stuff on the corners of your mouth (I don't know if you have experienced that with lip balms before, but why risk it?)
12. Innisfree Eco Science White C Sleeping Pack - Picked this up last minute while I was overseas and I am happy I did. It smells so nice and refreshing (tangerine) and my skin is so soft and glowy (not from oil haha) the next morning. I only use this on nights which aren't as hot so maybe around 1-2 a week these days.
13. Milatte Fashiony Pearl Hydrogel Eye Patch - This is more of a novelty thing I guess. My eye circles have been getting pretty bad lately and this claims to help so I'm giving it a go :P So far not much improvement, but there is 30 pairs in a pack and its fun to take selfies with haha. I use this maybe 2-3 times a week.
14. Choosy Pure Smile Lip Mask - Last but definitely not least! Before finding this, I had tried the Korean version of lip masks before but I like this one so much more because its a lot thinner which means it fits a lot better too. Really sticks to your lips and makes them very nice and hydrated. Of course when I'm using this, I skip the lip balm step. I only really need to use this once every week or two for some extra moisture.
Morning routine is step 2, 5-9 and then step 11 before doing makeup.
I also have one day a week where I try to use nothing at all and be barefaced the whole day (usually on a day where I can stay at home). This means no skincare or makeup products at all so that my skin gets a proper chance to 'breathe'.
It may seem like heaps of steps and products, but it doesn't take that long and I think that one should spend the same amount of time with skincare as they do applying makeup since its just as, if not more, important. We put a lot of stress on our skin everyday exposing it to the sun, pollution and smothering it with makeup, so we should show our appreciation by looking after it too.
Ultimately, we all want moisturised, clean and flawless looking skin, so I tend to spend quite a sum of money on good (aka more reputable) brands for skincare. I'm no fool, I know that me being able to achieve that is a pretty far fetch, but it's never a bad idea to really look after our skin. On top of that, I love hoarding makeup as much as the next girl, and I'll probably be one of the first in line to get the 'super duper foundation which will give you that airbrushed look', even if it costs an arm and a leg. But I make sure to remember that makeup is just a facade so that I can look in the mirror and think 'ayeeeee what's cookin', good lookin' (no I don't really say that to myself, but you get the drift).
At the end of the day, I'm trying to get to the root of the problem, I want it so that I can one day have a complexion that doesn't need concealer and primer and foundation and more concealer for it to look good.
2. Shiseido Ibuki Cleanser - I am a firm believer of double cleansing, so I always use a foam cleanser after the cleansing oil so I really feel that squeaky clean feeling. I'm currently in a bit of a 'between cleanser' situation so I'm just pretty much using up all the cleanser samples I have hoarded up till now. This one was from a trial gift kit during a promotion and its not bad, but I do feel like it's a tad drying.
3. Dr Bauer 4D Motion Beauty Care - This little gadget was purchased during my trip a Hong Kong at the start of 2014, when face brush machines were a big craze. Its like a Clarisonic I suppose, but I didn't find out about Clarisonics until I had already bought this one. I love this because I think it helps to give my face a good thorough clean, but at the same time it is quite harsh I think so limit myself to using it only 1-2 times a week.
4. Lush Mask of Magnaminty - This was recommended to me by a dear friend and it is so perfect for the summer heat! To be honest, I used to be a bit hesitant to go into Lush because I thought the smell was really overwhelming, but I was won over after trying this. I use this two times a week and I don't know if its really helping to calm down my skin, but the cool minty feeling of it alone is worth the money.
5. Hera Aquabolic Moisturising Water - In other words, toner. I've been using this for more that half a year now and I honestly love it. Very light but still moisturising, and its a nice cool feeling when I put it on. I was using something else while I was overseas since it was winter and I needed more intense hydration, but I definitely missed this while I was gone.
6. Hera Cell Essence Bio Fluid - This essence is used after toner and it's generally marketed as a sort of concentrated concoction that will help your skin be more radiant, hydrated, renewed etc. I use it because I think it does make my skin more hydrated which in turn leads it to looking more radiant.
7. Hera Aquabolic Moisturising Emulsion - Emulsion is kind of like lotion so its light and supposed to be used before cream. I got this in a set with the Moisturising Water and I love it just as much. On nights when its really hot or if I'm just feeling lazy, this will be my last step and then I'm off to dreamland.
8. Elizavecca Green Piggy Collagen Jella Pack - I'm sure you've all read my review on this and seen my raving so I need say no more. I've using it as a substitute to cream which just feels way too heavy these days.
9. Missha Misa Yehyun Bon Eye Cream - Eye cream is extremely important so never forsake it! I bought this one during my trip to Korea in the beginning of last year and I had no problems with it until now. It is definitely moisturising and I no longer get little dry areas on the inner corners of my eyes like before, however, it's becoming a bit too heavy for me in this weather. So I am currently on a quest to find one more suitable for summer, but I will definitely come back to this one when it starts getting cooler again.
10. Innisfree One Minute Lip Scrub - A recent purchase and its not fantastic, but it will do for now. I think I haven't been drinking enough water lately (very very bad), so my lips have become quite dry. To get my lips ready to absorb as much moisture from the lip mask and/or lip balm as possible, I try to get rid of all the dead skin first with this.
11. Malin+Goetz Lip Moisturiser - My ultimate favorite cannot live without it lip balm. You have not lived before you have used this. I first encountered this when I was given a sample on a Qantas flight back to Brisbane and since then, I have not used any other. It is pretty pricey ($16) BUT you will not regret it! Super long lasting, actually moisturises and it doesn't leave weird white stuff on the corners of your mouth (I don't know if you have experienced that with lip balms before, but why risk it?)
12. Innisfree Eco Science White C Sleeping Pack - Picked this up last minute while I was overseas and I am happy I did. It smells so nice and refreshing (tangerine) and my skin is so soft and glowy (not from oil haha) the next morning. I only use this on nights which aren't as hot so maybe around 1-2 a week these days.
13. Milatte Fashiony Pearl Hydrogel Eye Patch - This is more of a novelty thing I guess. My eye circles have been getting pretty bad lately and this claims to help so I'm giving it a go :P So far not much improvement, but there is 30 pairs in a pack and its fun to take selfies with haha. I use this maybe 2-3 times a week.
14. Choosy Pure Smile Lip Mask - Last but definitely not least! Before finding this, I had tried the Korean version of lip masks before but I like this one so much more because its a lot thinner which means it fits a lot better too. Really sticks to your lips and makes them very nice and hydrated. Of course when I'm using this, I skip the lip balm step. I only really need to use this once every week or two for some extra moisture.
Morning routine is step 2, 5-9 and then step 11 before doing makeup.
I also have one day a week where I try to use nothing at all and be barefaced the whole day (usually on a day where I can stay at home). This means no skincare or makeup products at all so that my skin gets a proper chance to 'breathe'.
It may seem like heaps of steps and products, but it doesn't take that long and I think that one should spend the same amount of time with skincare as they do applying makeup since its just as, if not more, important. We put a lot of stress on our skin everyday exposing it to the sun, pollution and smothering it with makeup, so we should show our appreciation by looking after it too.
Ultimately, we all want moisturised, clean and flawless looking skin, so I tend to spend quite a sum of money on good (aka more reputable) brands for skincare. I'm no fool, I know that me being able to achieve that is a pretty far fetch, but it's never a bad idea to really look after our skin. On top of that, I love hoarding makeup as much as the next girl, and I'll probably be one of the first in line to get the 'super duper foundation which will give you that airbrushed look', even if it costs an arm and a leg. But I make sure to remember that makeup is just a facade so that I can look in the mirror and think 'ayeeeee what's cookin', good lookin' (no I don't really say that to myself, but you get the drift).
At the end of the day, I'm trying to get to the root of the problem, I want it so that I can one day have a complexion that doesn't need concealer and primer and foundation and more concealer for it to look good.