UPDATED Skincare -- The Daily Essentials

So I've been modifying my skincare routine for a few months now and I've finally got to the point where I'm quite happy with it. As the title suggests, these products are the ones I reach for on a daily (or nearly daily) basis. Here we go!

The Eye Makeup Remover

I've been using this for some time now and am on my second bottle. At 250mL, it lasts a while and removes eye makeup wonderfully. It doesn't cloud or irritated my eyes either, which is brilliant! To see my original review, click here. 

The Cleansers

The Body Shop Nutriganics Softening Cleansing Gel Oil: This. Stuff. Is. Good. It starts off as a creamy gel cleanser, then thins out into an oil when water is added. It really does make my skin feel sooo soft! Now the Nutriganics line seems to have undergone a bit of a change as they no longer brand it as paraben free, silicone free, or made of 98% ingredients of natural origins (which is kind of a way of saying it's not that natural, but it used to be). I'm not entirely sure if a reformulation came with the rebranding -- all I know is that this is one of the best cleansers I've tried. 

B. Kamins Repleneshing Cleanser*: This cleanser is formulated for "mature skin experiencing occasional blemishes" and while the former doesn't quite apply, the latter definitely does. I can't say my blemishes have completely stopped appearing, but I've been getting fewer than I used to and they don't come out as big. Also, this cleanser contains resveratrol and AHAs, which keeps skin "looking young and feeling refreshed." What I love about this cleanser is that it makes my skin feel really clean without affecting the texture of my skin -- it doesn't dry me out or make my skin sensitive. 

The Toner

This stuff is pretty much like Liz Earle's Skin Tonic, only wayyy cheaper. It leaves my skin feeling hydrated, well moisturized, and refreshed. I think dry and sensitive skin types would do well with this toner. As a normal to combination skin type myself, using this toner during the day when I tend to get a little oily might be too much. So I use this at nighttime, which is when I like to have a little extra hydration for my skin anyway. Again, like the name suggests, this toner feels refreshing on the skin and it has a nice light scent that kind of reminds me of tea.

The Serums

The Body Shop Nutriganics Drops Of Youth: This serum has a gel-like consistency that spreads evenly over the face. It stays tacky at first, but definitely sinks in and once it does, it feels fairly light on the skin. Although I do need to apply moisturizer on the drier areas of my face, this alone is normally enough to keep my skin hydrated throughout the night. And when I wake up, my skin feels smooth and hydrated.

The Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Serum: Now this serum, I loooove! Compared to Drops Of Youth, this serum has a more liquid consistency and there's also no need to apply moisturizer over this at all, which I'm loving now that the nights are getting warmer. Ever since using this serum, my skin has been the softest it's ever been. I actually have a habit of patting my skin when waking up after using this serum the night before -- I just love how soft my skin feels!

 

 The Moisturizers

Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins: A while ago, I was looking for a good night cream. My criteria for moisturizers is pretty simple -- I want it to hydrate and sink in without making the surface of my skin dry again. This night cream definitely fits the bill. This cream is designed to give you a more radiant complexion and I definitely have to agree. My complexion has looked a lot brighter ever since using this moisturizer. I also really like the smell... Like all Origins products, it has a very "natural" scent that is very subtle.

B. Kamins Day Cream SPF 15*: This moisturizer is pretty basic. It feels a little heavy at first due to the SPF (smells very much like sunscreen, too); but surprisingly, it doesn't cause my skin to get oilier during the day. I like that it already has SPF, so if I forget to apply sunscreen, I know I still have some protection.

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I'm so happy with my routine right now because my skin has seriously looked and felt the best it has in a long time. I've not been getting as many blemishes and the ones that do appear (mostly caused by hormones) have been fairly small. My skin is smoother, softer, clearer, and looks healthier than it has in years and I'm loving it!

What's your current favourite skincare product?

*Product sent by PR for review consideration.

Cream Vs. Powder Makeup on FASHION Magazine's Beauty Panel

Hi, beautiful ones! I've got another Beauty Panel post for y'all and this time, we're talking cream vs. powder products.

If you'd like to know how I achieved this simple, everyday-appropriate look and to see what products I used, then check out my Beauty Panel post on FASHION Magazine here.

Hope you guys like this look!

Because Smelling Good Is An AWESOME Thing!

Hiiiii, friends!

Did you miss me? Don't answer that...

Anyway, I'm back with a new post and what better way for me to herald my own return than to do the kind of posts that I find so flippin' hard to do? YAY!

This time round, I have the two newest offerings from Fendi and Givenchy: Fan di FENDI Eau Fraiche and Givenchy Dahlia Noir L'Eau.

Top notes: Bergamot, Italian Lemon, Guatemalan Cardamom.

Middle notes: Orange Flower Absolute, Sambac Jasmine, Sencha Green Tea.

Base notes: Maté Absolute (undertones of tea, tobacco, and smoke), Cedarwood, Musk.

My first impression of Fan di FENDI Eau Fraiche is "green tea with a citrusy kick," and like the name suggests, it's a very fresh scent. That said, I could see this still being an appropriate scent for nighttime. I can totally picture myself wearing this perfume while spending casual summer nights at the beach. I've been a fan of the green tea scent ever since I tried on my mom's Elizabeth Arden Green Tea perfume in high school. But whenever I smelled it, I thought of my mom and it didn't quite feel appropriate for me to wear. Fan di FENDI Eau Fraiche is like, my generation's green tea scent -- it has the sophistication of green tea with the freshness and fun of citrus mixed in. I love it!

Oh, and loving the bottle, too! There was something about the original Fan di FENDI bottle that made it a little difficult to hold, but this one sits in my hand so much easier. 

As for lasting power, I'm definitely impressed. While I haven't tested it out on a full day, it's stuck with me over a regular work day, which is always appreciated.

Top notes: Citron, Neroli, Cedrat Essence. 

Middle notes: Rose Petal, Peony.

Base notes: Patchouli, Cedar, Musk.

Dahlia Noir... Dahlia Noir... Sounds so 1920s, no? The name alone suggests elegance, class, and luxury. The bottle looks like something that belongs on a dressing table in someone's Parisian boudoir. It's so simple, yet so beautiful.

I haven't gotten a whiff of the original Dahlia Noir, but the Dahlia Noir L'Eau is said to be a "brighter, fruitier version of the original." I would say that this fragrance definitely has a citrusy-floral scent. It's a rather interesting scent that I've never worn before, nor is it a fragrance I would normally gravitate towards. But I've found myself really enjoying this perfume.

While reading through the write up that was sent to me along with this perfume, there was one part that really struck me in particular. It spoke of a "duality, between purity and sensuality, brightness and darkness," which I understand completely after wearing this perfume. The citrus and floral notes definitely add a lightness and airiness to the scent, but the patchouli and musk notes make the scent heavy somehow. The base notes really ground Dahlia Noir L'Eau and keeps it smelling sophisticated, which is the image that the brand definitely wants to portray with these perfumes.

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If I could describe each perfume in one word, Fan di FENDI Eau Fraiche would be playful and Dahlia Noir L'Eau would be sexy. 

Both perfumes are so contrasting, but I quite enjoy them both equally. I'll be wearing these two often during the Summer, that's for sure. :)

What's your go-to Summer perfume?

*These products were provided by PR for review consideration.