3 Different Ways to Exfoliate

Hi Beauties!
Exfoliating is definitely an important part of your skin care routine, to aid in the removal of dead skin cells which reveals the gorgeous skin underneath, preventing a buildup which can make your skin look & feel dull & lifeless. This post isn't exactly about different groundbreaking ways to exfoliate but more about different formulations in the exfoliaters I am currently using. 

 I went without exfoliating over a period of time, except for a few aspirin masks here and there but all I needed to do was buy another one, but wasn't sure what.
Over the past few months I've found a few products that have been able to work in conjunction with each other, which may seem over the top but I make sure not to overdo it by letting my skin rest for a few days in between. I don't recommend it for everybody but I haven't had any bad reactions and my skin is always feeling soft & smooth.

 DMK Micro Peel, Biore Warming Anti-blackhead cream cleanser, Michael Todd Tropical Fruit Enzyme Exfoliant Scrub

DMK Micro Peel

 The DMK Micro Peel is the main exfoliant that I make sure to use weekly. This 'peel' (note- I do not have any extra peeling occur afterwards) works chemically unlike typical exfoliants which work mechanically. It has a thin, runny consistency & applies like a masque, which slightly tightens the skin so it's not going to run off the face. After 5 minutes I rinse it off with cold water & moisturize.
This is the most expensive skin care item I own at $68 but I can see it lasting a long time as I use it strictly once a week and I only need the size of a 50c coin.
-Can only get through a salon that sells DMK skin care. Learn more here

Biore Warming Anti-blackhead cream cleanser

This is actually a cleanser but it has similar properties to a scrub. I use this 2 nights a week if needed, usually when I notice a pimple starting to appear because it helps to bring it out so it can heal, or uneven texture around the forehead, nose & chin. I do actually notice a big difference with the presence of blackheads on my nose & chin & I like the warming feeling that it provides. It has a very thick & sticky texture with very small beads in it, which works pretty nicely as a very gentle, healing scrub.
-Can buy from Woolworths or anywhere that sells Biore products for around $12.

Michael Todd Tropical Fruit Enzyme Exfoliant Scrub

 This is a product that I'll also use just as an extra boost, and I make sure not to use it within 3 days of using the DMK Micro Peel. It is a creamier exfoliant that smells divine & glides really smoothly over my face without feeling too harsh & leaves it feeling smoother afterwards.
-$18 from the Michael Todd website

Comparing the different textures of each product

Remember to use products that are made for your skin type & to cleanse & moisturize as normal!
What is your favourite exfoliator?
xx

This is not a sponsored post, all products bought with my own money

First Impressions | Michael Todd True Organics for Dry Skin

When I saw Michael Todd products on Ozsale a couple of months back, I knew I had to try them after seeing many videos from my favourite beauty guru's as of late. So I was trying to go back through the videos and find the products that were most raved about, but instead of trying to work out what I wanted to try, I thought I would go with a Discovery Kit to sample each type of product that can used in a routine, and I also bought an extra item that I liked the sound of.

About the brand...
 Michael Todd is a certified vegan brand created by the founder who set out to create his own product line using as many organic ingredients as possible without unnecessary added water & unhealthy chemicals after finding out how many brands that proclaimed to be organic had included harmful parabens, sulfates etc and also had water as the main ingredient, so the products would go further but also be diluted down.
Each product of his has on the back a percentage of how organic the ingredients in each one are, ranging from 70-96% from the ones that I have so you know what you're using is kind on your skin and to the environment.

The Discovery Kits they have available are for anti-aging, acne or oily skin, dry & normal/ combination. I always thought I had dry skin without the flakiness, but now I think it's more dehydrated- normal, so I went for the dry skin discovery kit.
Skincare products that cater for dry skin are also targeted for mature skin, which I obviously do not have as of yet, so while these products may be described for preventing anti-aging, environmental damage & helping to firm skin, they will be beneficial in the long run because prevention is easier than a cure.
I have been using these products for a couple of weeks now so here are my opinions on them.

What's in my Travel Makeup Bag & Fairwell for now

The time has come for my partner & I as we are finally going on a holiday we have wanted to go on for a few years now, to the land of the U.S, where we can escape the rest of winter and return in spring! I wanted to make a post of what I was going to bring, so I could decide on the products I thought I would need the most.  but I cut out as many items as I thought I could be deprived of, because I will be able to replenish my stock. I am always an over packer but it wasn't as hard as what I thought it would be to choose these items! However I'd actually organized everything I was going to bring makeup-wise a little while back so some things have actually changed now.

Jeunesse's Luminesce Daily Moisturizing Complex & Essential Body Renewal | Review

If you're like me and in the winter season now, there's nothing more needed then a super hydrating moisturizer to combat the dry skin that winter seems to cause, whether it's your face or body.
  I was lucky enough to be asked to review a couple of products from Jeunesse, the Daily Moisturizing Complex & Essential Body Renewal from their Luminesce line, which are targeted for dry skin which makes them both perfect winter products to restore your skin.

April & May Empties/ Producs I'm chucking out

I decided that I need to put together at least 2 months worth of empties/ products I'm chucking out instead of every month because I feel like I do not go through enough in a month but if I leave it too long like I have been doing I have way too many to go through. I know I may have hoarder tendencies but it annoys me to leave them hanging around for so long when they belong in the bin.
Anyway here are the products I'm throwing out since April & May.

Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Moisturizer

Do you ever find you have never heard of a certain product or brand before and then as soon as you buy it, it pops up everywhere? This is what happened after I bought the Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Moisturizer, after finding reviews on Makeup Ally of their different moisturizers I chose one that seemed to be suitable for me.

Way Overdue-- Empties, Products I'm Getting Rid Of.

Wow it has been forever since my last empties post especially as I am meant to be on "project empty" still.... but unlike some who have empties every month, it takes me forever to use up products, even if I try to use more than usual! Especially now that I have been using other newer products that have become my favourites, it has been harder to stick to it. But now I have saved up a collection that I probably could have done a few empties ago, anyway, I'll get this big lot out of the way and try to make it more regular. I will try to keep this as short & sweet as possible!

Empties

Fave Body Products// Smooth Skin for Summer

Summer is finally here!! If you live in the southern hemisphere, that it. It started out cold & cloudy but it is getting warmer now, not that we don't have plenty of time for that. Looking forward to the beach, jetski & barbeques!
So as it comes to Summer, the clothes get smaller & bodies get tanner. If you're not naturally tanned, fake tan is a must for a healthy summer glow (not that you need to be tanned to look healthy). And for that you will want smooth,hydrated skin.
Here are my fave body products that I feel achieves that!

Going in for the peel.

I posted about the peel I was getting a while back, called the 2b Bio Peel which you can see my before/ during/ after pics here. Lately my skins' been feeling congested & I still have some scarring from my acne, but apart from that it has been ok although I still get the occasional pimple. I'm going to do another course of 4 of the same peel to refresh my skin & I wanted to share actual pics of the peel.
Warning: There are some not-so-pretty pictures coming up ahead!

Before

Taken before I left the house.

JooMoo Face Wash Review

 JooMoo is a "Revolutionary new skincare company" that is targeted for young teenagers (ages 14-24) with skin problems, namely acne, oily-ness & allergies, which was created after trying to create a solution after developing a skin allergy that seemed untreatable. They wanted to develop an effective natural face wash & discovered that the skin needs to be cleaned & restored back to it's natural environment in order to prevent & cure most skin diseases. JooMoo was launched in June 2012 in the UK.

 
The Product
Packaging: This is in a nice squeeze-y tube that makes it easy to control how much product you need. The design on the packaging itself is colourful & creative & appealing to teenagers. It claims on the front: 100% Truly Natural. Prevent spotty, sore & inflamed skin. And Exclusively for young, sensitive skin.
Product: A foaming gel that would require oil-flow in the skin as it feels like it helps take away some of the oily-ness to balance the skin. It smells strongly of cinnamon as it has a lot of cinnamon-related properties in the ingredients. It is a nice, refreshing smell that lingers on the skin afterwards, and you can even smell it through the bottle!

Ingredients:  The main ingredients are Aqua, Saccharum Officinarum (unrefined sugar) Extract, Sea Salt (good for reducing oil-flow) Honey (anti-inflammation properties), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange- Vit. C that is good for pigmentation )..... and at the end are a few different ones involving cinnamomum (cinnamon, hence the fragrance). It also has one with Cassia which is a Chinese cinnamon that is known to help flush out redness by creating a false heat. As this is all natural with no preservatives you can expect it to slightly change colour which is normal. However it does have a best before date on it but it should be fine to use after.

 My Thoughts
 I have to agree with the philosophy of JooMoo that skincare products need to restore the natural environment of the skin in order to cure the problems . My skin still gets the occasional pimple
& I have a bit of redness so I thought this product would be good for me, however as I have no oil-flow it made my skin feel tight & extremely dry, so I couldn't use it over a long enough period to test it out properly. However I will pass it on to someone that I think it would benefit. I have found this review here with different opinions & more information if you wish to check it out (N/A)
Check out their website here. The price of this face wash is aprox. AU$7.40 (bargain! for 100ml).

Sorry for all the words but thanks for reading if you did. I cannot recommend this product based on my experiences with having dry skin but if you are interested please read the other review I posted above to see if it would suit you.

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to me by the company with intention to review. This has not affected my review in any way, all thoughts & opinions are 100% my own. Information derived from what was sent to me and also some from my training for my course :D*

My Updated Skincare Routine

Its been a while since I've posted my skincare routine/ products and as you can imagine a few things have changed since then. So if anyone is interested in what I use continue on!

Please note: My skin is dry/dehydrated & I get the occasional pimple. Ever since getting a series of facial peels a few years ago pimples are a rare occasion these days. However I still have quite a bit of scarring & redness.

Move over Bio Oil...

..Because i've moved on to Rose Hip Oil. I know I know, its old news, & I'm sure many of you have heard of or even use it, but I had been using Bio Oil for quite some time, so when I ran out of my 2nd bottle I wanted to try something different. I'm loving it & just wanted to share my thoughts on it.

As you probably know, my skin is dry/dehydrated with scars. When I wash my skin it can feel tight & gross but when I apply this, it feels greasy at first but as it sinks in it feels lovely. If you have oily skin it may feel too greasy so don't go overboard.
I have been using this for about 4 weeks & can notice an improvement with the leftover scars from my peel & the texture of my skin feels nicer. You can also use it on your body if you want to. I only use it in the morning before moisturizing but you can use it day & night, especially if you have bad scarring. & you will want to apply it some time before doing your makeup so it would have sunk in.

I love the bottle of this particular brand! As you can see it has a little drop thingy on it so you can measure the amount you need which is much better than pouring way too much into your hand. I guess it depends on the type of brand you get, the bottles wont all be the same.

The bottle says to use 2-3 drops but I usually only do 1-2 because it spreads really easily. I put a drop on my fingers & then rub them together to warm it up then apply using a circling motion with my fingers & massage it over my face.

I totally recommend using Rose Hip Oil for scarring, stretch marks, rosacea & even if your skin has no particular issues, just because it feels so nice! I will continue to use it because it gives my skin the extra boost it needs.

Overall:
Product: 5/5
Packaging: 5/5
Quality 5/5

Price: Around $18(15ml)  but it depends on the size & where you purchase it from.

thank you for reading & I hope its useful for someone!

Oh I just wanted to mention a giveaway that Starryskies is holding... it closes on the 19th of December ( I left it a bit late to post this but there's still time! )

click the picture to enter :)

My Skin Revolution. Facial peel + Then & now pics

My skin has been on (what I like to call) a journey. So I have been collecting some photos for a while now, & looking back my skin has improved soo much that now I don't feel self-conscious when I go out of the house without makeup.
The 2 factors of this transformation would be going on the BCP which took a while to take effect on my skin, & getting a facial peel which has been the BAM that my skin needed. Lol =)
Before we get to the pics I want to talk a bit about this peel.

The name of this is  2B Bio Peel. You do 4 treatments (1 a week) which can only get done every 6 months (so that's 2x 4 treatments a year, hope I'm being confusing).  I wouldn't want it anymore than that because I found it quite painful, and if you had done it too often I imagine it would be too damaging for your skin. It can also be done on your neck & decolletage if needed.
My fiance's mother has been doing my facial peel, which is $150 a session (prices will probably vary), however since she has been taking before & after pictures it has been a little gift ;)
I should mention that this peel works on different things for all ages- from acne, blackheads & scarring to pigmentation, wrinkles & sun damage. It actually injects little needles in your skin that keeps it working after the stuff has been taken off.

Anyway- before they apply the compound (while it is heating up) they will cleanse & prep your skin. & when the compound is applied they very gently rub it all over the skin (avoiding the eye area which is protected by Vaseline as well as the nostrils & mouth.) It stays on your skin for a few minutes depending on how sensitive your skin is & then it is wiped off. It doesn't take long for my skin to start tingling & slightly burn in some areas. Nothing is worse than when it gets itchy, though :P The pain is bearable & goes away after it is taken off. Although your face will feel prickly for sometime after. After that a mask is applied that soothes & cools down the skin, and that stays on for about 10-15 minutes. In this time you sleep :P
Once that is all done it takes about 40 mins from prep to end. It is important to wear sunscreen if you will be in the sun for as soon as it is over until the next 3-4 days. Also in that time your skin should peel (I found this wasn't too bad, it wasn't coming off in chunks or anything) & you know that it is working.
*phew- if you read all that, pat yourself on the back*

So now I am 3 weeks into part 2 of my facial & I wanted to share this in photos =)

Warning- Pic Heavy. You may not want to look too closely if pimples skeeve you out. You can also click on any pics to enlarge them. Apologies for the different sizing of the pics!

Quick Tip: Extra Virgin Olive Oil on your skin?!?

Olive oil, or more specifically Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a great makeup remover & is also very moisturizing!
 I use every Extra Virgin Olive Oil every night as a moisturizer, for my eyes & my face.

After I wipe off my makeup with makeup wipes & use my cleanser, I pour some EVOO onto a cotton bud & apply it to my face much the same way as a toner, & in a way it is a toner because it helps to remove extra makeup that didn't quite want to budge. & Then I rub it into my skin like you would with a moisturizer.
I find that it's particularly great for removing stubborn eyeliner & waterproof mascara, & it is great for conditioning the eye lashes as well.

If you're too scared to use it like that, you can always use it only as a makeup remover for the face, and/or eyes & then use your cleanser after wards.

Also I would like to note that I have dry acne prone skin, but using this does not cause any more breakouts for me then I usually get (& I have stopped breaking out! But that's another story ;))

Before you get scared at the thought of using any oil on your skin ('coz oils must cause pimples, right?!) Have a look at this table I borrowed from http://www.zerozits.com/Articles/acnedetect.htm (scroll down to see the full table with heaps of other ingredients)

Here it says that olive oil has a COM (Comedogenicity) grade of 2 which means it can cause pimples (but its not super bad) & the IRR (Irritancy) grade of 0 which means that it doesn't irritate your skin by causing hives, redness, swelling, flaking, peeling, & itching.

Now this chart says Olive oil, which is different to EVOO, where EVOO is typically produced from the first pressing of olives, making it more pure and least acidic than olive oil, which would most likely bring down the COM grade.

Hope this was helpful, maybe wasn't that quick of a tip haha :P 

Disclaimer: I am saying what works for my skin & doesn't necessarily mean it will work for yours. However I have had a good experience with Extra Virgin Olive Oil & have wanted to share it :D

Make your own face mask/ exfoliator: The Aspirin Mask

I've been using the aspirin mask a fair few times now, as i heard that it is great for acne, scarring & it has also helped with providing extra moisture for my dry skin. It also has natural ingredients so you know what your putting onto your skin. The mask shouldn't be used no more then 2x a week because in time your body may become immune to the aspirin & it will not be as effective. 

After i have used it my skin feels much more softer & i have noticed it has helped with my blemishes. In addition to using honey with the aspirin, i also added a tiny bit of glycerin lately & my skin felt even more moisturized. You can also add a drop of lemon juice as it is good with pigmentation/ scars, but don't add it if you have very dry skin. Ok so on to the recipe ...

Skin Products I use

This post is continuing on from my skin care routine, which is here. Here is mostly all of the products I had mentioned with a short description & opinion on each one. I hope it is helpful to someone :)

Bio Oil
Now I'm sure mostly everyone has heard of this. It retails for about AU$15 for 60ml. Since this post is long enough i won't go into detail about it but they say its good for scars; stretch marks; uneven skin tone; Aging skin; & dehydrated skin, and it doesn't take long to absorb. Feels great on my skin!! I've been using it for about 10 months, 2x daily & I've noticed a small difference with my acne scarring.




Bellaboo EZ Blitz serum
  50ml for AU$16
This is a serum which i use 2x daily. I really like this, it feels nice on my skin and really is calming towards my pimples. Plus I find it is moisturizing. Bellaboo products are aimed towards teenagers and everything is chemical free. This is the only product I've tried from them so far & i would probably buy this again.







Xquisit Organics Eye Dew
This is Western Australian made so it would probably be very hard to find elsewhere, but i love this!! My eye area is very dry and this is perfect. They say its good for dry/mature/sensitive skin. This is their description on their website;Xquist Organics

"Rich in anti oxidants, just a small amount of this rich yet lightly textured eye cream, patted around the eye area, will help smooth and slow the formation of new lines. It incorporates certified organic rosehip oil to improve hydration and tone, while green tea extract reduces swelling. Cucumber cools and binds moisture to the skin, promoting natural elasticity and firmness. The slightest touch of lavender oil aids in the reduction of dark circles and improves circulation. Beneficial as an intense face treatment after sun exposure. Apply morning and night."
I have to completely agree with this. Now it isn't cheap, AU$35 for 25ml but i have used it daily for about 4 months & i still have 3/4 left.


Formula 10.0.06
For oily skin this would be perfect as it contains Aloe Vera + bamboo; the aloe vera helps to soften the skin & the bamboo extract absorbs excess oil. It is not the right one for me but because I use the bio-oil beforehand which adds moisture to my face, This does not dry out my face.

 The Body Shop Vitamin E Mist
I loove this! It gives me extra moisture after my moisturizer and is also good for setting makeup. I've noticed that it doesn't last allll day but it helps to keep a nice dewy finish, which is what I like. It is AU$23.95 for 100ml & has lasted me about 5 months so far, I've used about 3/4 of it.

Biore Warming Anti-blackhead Cream Cleanser.
To use this, you must first wash your face leaving it wet & dry your hands, & apply this to your face. I find this gives a nice heat sensation, even though it only lasts for a few seconds when it first comes into contact with your skin. I've noticed a big improvement with blackheads & I also use it to open up my pores. It is AU$10.75 for 177grams and i recommend it for those with annoying blackheads.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleanser, about AU$14 for 200g
This feels creamy & nourishing on my skin, but I don't feel like this has helped clear up my skin fully, although it has helped to clear up some existing blemishes. After this my skin feels a bit tight & dry since it contains no oil. I don't think I'll buy again, i'm still trying to find the perfect cleanser for my skin type.







Avon Solutions p.m maximum moisture.. about AU$12.99 for 50g
I don't think this gives me the extra moisture that I need for the night, maybe I don't apply enough & its not too thick. It does feel good straight after I've applied it though, but I probably wouldn't buy it again because I still want to look for other night creams out there that are more moisturizing.

Face Routine {Skin Care}

So I don't have the best of skin but I do try to take care of it. Before I got into taking care of my skin I never identified my skin type, so I was always using just whatever. Now my skin is dry but I don't know if that's from washing it twice a day (which I have stopped because I realized I didn't need to). I probably should have gone to see a derm. Anyway my skin is dry & acne prone. & just in case you're interested here is what i use!

Morning
In the morning I just splash with cold water. I apply Bio-Oil all over- this is great for dehydrated skin!! I use it for my red spots as well. Then I apply a Belloboo E Z Blitz Serum to the active pimples. Sometimes I use Clearasil pimple clearing cream to keep my skin "at its toes"[so my skin doesn't create a tolerance to one product] (lol). For day cream I'm trying to use up a moisturizer i got as a gift. It is Formula 10.0.06 Seriously Shine Free {description below} Since I have dry skin it is not ideal for me but it still keeps my skin moisturized. For eyes I use XquisitOrganics Eye Dew. Then i spray with rose water/The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist.

Night
I remove my makeup with Simple Face Wipes, & my eye makeup with Extra Virgin Olive Oil-it removes makeup really well and conditions the eye lashes, while being moisturizing for the eyes as well. I wet my face with warm water & use Biore warming anti-blackhead cream cleanser on my nose & all over to open up my pores. Then i use Neutrogena deep clean cream cleanser all over. After that i apply my bio-oil then Avon Solutions p.m maximum moisture. & lastly my night pimple cream which is currently Avon clear skin night care cream for acne-prone skin. The one i have is realllly old so i don't even know if it is still around but I'm just using it up. Or sometimes i spot treat with a mud mask & leave it on over night.

Ok that's that i hope it wasn't too boring but please read my next post for the product list since this will probably be too long.