My Skincare Routine

Hi lovelies! Today I have a skincare routine post to share with you. Since the colder months my skincare has been amped up and my skin is looking pretty good these days (minus the occasional hormonal blemish here and there). My skincare is pretty basic. I don't go too crazy with different products and methods to apply them but my general routine is as follows.

Every morning, in the shower I will use the Goodness Every Week Face Scrub (RRP $12.95) (which I find gentle enough for daily use). It's a really nice chia seed oil based scrub that gently exfoliates dead skin cells. Once I'm out of the shower I will put on a small amount of the Goodness Chia Seed Oil Every Morning Moisturiser (RRP $16.95), particularly around my chin area (which is my driest area on my face) and then once that has fully dried, I will use 2-3 drops of the Goodness Chia Seed Facial Oil (RRP $19.95) all over my face for extra hydration. This combination of the moisturiser (which is the first moisturiser I've used where I could definitely get away with just using it alone and feel hydrated, plus it smells like watermelon) and the Chia Seed Oil (instant hydration and glowy skin = win!) has dramatically reduced my chin redness and greatly helped the overall look in my skin's texture and appearance. Goodness is available from Chemist Warehouse, Priceline and selected Woolworths.

In the evening I use the Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Facial Cleansing Oil (RRP $19.95, online here), especially if I've worn makeup that day for super soft, clean skin. Once I have rinsed it off and pat my face dry, I repeat my morning routine of the facial moisturiser and facial oil combination. Once or twice a week, after I have cleansed my face, I will apply a face mask. I've been absolutely loving these two face masks together as I can put the Deep Pore Clearing Mud Mask by Red Earth (RRP $35.00, online here) all over my face, and I will use the Melt-Away Mask by Thalgo for Dry/Very Dry Skin (RRP $61.00, online here) just on my chin and around my nose and it perfectly cleans and hydrates parts of my face that need it most. They both effectively deep clean and hydrate perfectly and do exactly what good specifically targeted face masks should do! My skin is giving me a great big kiss!

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2015

Hi everyone! Mother's day is just over a week away now so I thought I would share some of my favourite products for my mum this year! You can't go wrong with beauty products for Mother's day so let's take a look at the products!

Sanctuary Spa - White Lily & Damask Rose Body Scrub (RRP $14.99) and Green Lemon & Orange Blossom Body Wash (RRP $14.99. My love for Sanctuary spa is quite obvious, reviewing many of their products and loving every single product so much, every time. So it's no surprise that I would choose to include this brand as one of the top brands I recommend as a gift for my mum! Firstly I have to tell you how utterly and irresistibly amazing the White Lily & Damask Rose Body Scrub smells - I literally want the scent made into a perfume as it's just SO divine! Aside from the beautiful scent, it performs really well too. The scrub is very gentle but effectively smooths and softens skin. I personally love using it on my decolletage. I feel so feminine after using it! The Green Lemon & Orange Blossom Body Wash is also another favourite, having a really beautiful citrus scent that's not too overpowering. It leaves your skin feeling super hydrated and moisturised. Sanctuary Spa is available from Priceline stores nationally and online at www.sanctuaryspaaustralia.com.au

Molton Brown - Blossoming Honeysuckle & White Tea Bath & Shower Gel (RRP $39.00) and Gingerlilly Hand Cream (RRP $15.00). Molton Brown is a brand that's still quite new to me - only ever trying a candle previously but have been so impressed with the brand and it's beautiful packaging. It oozes luxury and I know my mum will love these two items. The bath gel smells insanely good and makes lots of bubbles (very important)! It has a really relaxing aroma and keeps the skin super soft. The handcream helps to restore your skin's moisture and keeps your skin soft and replenished too. These two products are a perfect combo on a dreary, rainy day! Molton Brown is available from Myer and David Jones nationally.

One product that I am an advocate for, is oil. I love oil as a step in my skincare regime because it keeps my skin moisturised and nourished like no other product. I love to use it to cleanse my skin, to moisturise my skin, and on my hair and body. I've been using facial oils for over 7 years now and I'm very confident that when i'm older, my skin will be looking just as good as my mum's (finger's crossed anyway). She has such amazing skin, hardly any fine lines or dark spots. My mum has raised me and showed me the importance of moisturising and wearing sunscreen and it's a trait I'm so thankful for. 

Physicians Formula - Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil (RRP $25.95, available at selected Priceline stores nationally), is a beautiful, light-weight oil. It's viscosity is a little bit drier to rosehip oil so I use a few more drops than usual, but since using this my skin has been glowing. I highly recommend Argan Oil as it can be used not only on your face, but also on your hair and body.

And lastly, if you want to go all out, spoil her with a beautiful ghd V Gold Max Kit which includes a ghd paddle brush, iconic ghd style heat protect spray and two sectioning clips for RRP of $269 (the usual price of the styler alone)! This pack is the ultimate Mother's day gift - making it easy for your Mum to have a good hair day, everyday! I trialled this product on my mum's very thick, curly to the root hair and was very impressed with the results (review up in the next week or so!).

Good luck with any last minute Mother's day shopping, I hope I gave some good ideas!

Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide!

Christmas Gift Guide 

Hey guys!! With Christmas literally around the corner it's that time of year when people are beginning to stress and shoppers get angry! It's all a part of Christmas time but today's post is a few examples of Christmas gifts to help make your shopping decision easier!

Stocking Fillers:

Lindor Gala Celebrations Gift Box (RRP $39.95 exclusive to Woolworths) – Do I even need a reason why these are perfect for Christmas? Lindt perfectly epitomises Christmas everyday with their gorgeous wrapping and perfect balls of chocolate. (Available from Myer, David Jones, Kmart and Target).

Philosophy – The Cookie Exchange gift set (RRP $45.00 available exclusively from David Jones). This super cute gift set by Philosophy comes complete with shampoo, bubble bath, body lotion and a lip gloss, plus a really cute cookie tin! They smell sooo delicious! This is a perfect stocking filler or last minute gift idea for any secret Santa’s or to finish off the perfect gift.

Nail Polish Addict:

For the nail polish lover in your circle of friends/family – you can’t go wrong with the newest silver and white gold top coat by OPI called Pure. It transforms any manicure to sophistication and the packaging is a real collector’s item. (RRP $39.95 available from David Jones and Myer.

OPI – The Top Ten Mini Gift Set (RRP $39.95, Available from Myer and David Jones). This set of mini OPI’s is a perfect gift to trial the best colours from OPI and doubles up as a great travelling kit! A must have for any nail polish lover.

Adventurous Girl:

The Scunci Hair Chalk tool is a great way to express yourself and to add some colour to your day! It is a really easy process – you just apply it through wet or dry hair (depending how vibrant you want it to be) like a straightener and voila! Shows up really well on all hair colours and washes out easily! (RRP $17.95, available from Big W and Priceline).

 Hard To Buy For (Male):

Justice Professional has released a gift pack for men that include the Cool Mint Shampoo & Conditioner and Firm Gel. Most men tend to be hard to buy for – but for the man who has everything, a great smelling shampoo and conditioner that cleanses and helps invigorate your scalp to promote healthy hair growth is always a bonus! The firm hair gel is a great product that really keeps hair in place all day long without the crunchy feeling. (RRP $35.90, available from Just Cuts salons nationally) 

 

The latest socks from Topman come in so many designs that I had to feature my two favourite here. Socks, especially cool patterned socks, are a very safe gift for a hard man to buy for. (The RRP is $6.00 and is available at Topshop stores in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland).

Hard To Buy For (Female): 

Justice Crew for Her Pack (Includes the Moisturising Shampoo, Treatment Conditioner and Smooth & Groom styler product (RRP $39.95 available at all Just Cut Salons). This pack is perfect for dry or damaged hair, or even natural hair that needs some TLC. The smooth & groom smells delicious and helps give you a groomed, pulled together look with minimal effort! It does not dry crunchy or flake off which is a bonus! 

One of my absolute favourite body scrubs is by Sanctuary Spa – the Hot Sugar Scrub that I’ve reviewed here. If you have a friend in desperate need of pampering then this product is the product for her! It smells delicious and leaves skin SO soft! (RRP $19.99 available from Priceline).

Luxurious Woman:

Laura Mercier Body & Bath – Crème Brulee Soufflé Body Crème (RRP $65.00 available from David Jones) this body crème has an amazing sweet scent that leaves your skin feeling so soft and hydrated. I love that it’s in a jar which gives it a more rustic look and means you won’t waste any!

 

Make Up Addict:

If you’ve ever needed an excuse to buy yourself YSL, or perhaps you know someone with an obsession with make-up, then the absolute perfect gift of all time will be the YSL – Glossy Stain in Rouge Laque (#9). It is such a beautiful product that gives you the glossiest lips ever and has a staying power like no other lip product on the market. This will definitely not disappoint! (RRP $50.00 from David Jones and Myer)

 

What's your number 1 item on your wishlist this year?? I hope you get it!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! Hope you have a wonderful day filled with lots of love, laughter and great food!