I’d like to think I’ve gotten my skincare and makeup routine down-pat. I’m still battling lack of sleep and free time, so making sure it is minimal, fuss-free and most important of all – easy – have been a priority. I still want to look after my skin, and also feel like *me* day-to-day.
It’s been a while since I last shared which products I have on rotation, so I wanted to do a little bit of an update, as there’s a couple of newbies in the mix.
SKINCARE
Korres Foaming Clean Cleanser (also available here) | The best way I can describe this cleanser is creamy. You only need a little, as it foams up on contact with water. I find this to be really effective at removing eye-makeup, so love that I don’t need to double cleanse. My skin does feel a little tight after using so perhaps not one I’d recommend for dry skin types. This doesn’t bother me too much as I balance this out with some ultra-hydrating creams.
Antipodes Manuka Honey Skin-Brightening Eye Cream | Oh boy do I have so much love for this eye cream. When I apply this, I notice an instant brightening effect under the eyes. It has one of my favourite ingredients – Manuka honey – which is incredibly hydrating. Also a star ingredient is Kiwi (loaded with Vitamin C), known best for its brightening properties.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum (also available here) | If my skin is having a “bad” day, this is one of the hero products I reach for at night. I find acid treatments work really well for my skin type, and despite being gentle enough for my sensitive skin, this is super effective. Red spots look calmer, and overall my complexion has more of a brightness to it. I’ll use this once or twice a week.
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum | There’s a common theme with my skincare; hydrating and brightening. If you’re a relatively new mum then you’ll probably have the same concerns as I find the lack of sleep and poor quality of it really dulled my complexion. Biossance is one of my favourites for hydration, thanks to squalane, which is a core ingredient across their entire product range. Combined here with Vitamin C, it’s a veritable powerhouse. I have quite a bit of pigmentation on my face – all genetic – and have noticed this looks less pronounced and my skin just looks… healthy. I apply both morning and night to double up on the effect.
Avene Hydrance Aqua-Gel Night Cream | I literally just finished this up, but wanted to mention it as it’s been a go-to in my skincare routine for the last six months. I love a gel moisturiser during the warmer months. It’s cooling and I find the lighter texture agrees with my skin better as soon as the humidity levels begin to rise. This is ultra hydrating as the name would suggest, and is infused with Avene’s incredible Eau Thermale. I don’t skimp on product at night, but I do love to apply this for day too. I’m a lot less liberal with my application though – for day, a little goes a long way!
Antipodes Halo Skin-Brightening Facial Mud Mask | Another one of those skin saviours when I’m having a break out has been this beautiful mud mask from Antipodes. The clay dries down but doesn’t feel constrictive on the skin. Great for when you want to give your complexion a mini detox.
MAKEUP
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit (Mini) | I know I’ve already mentioned just how much love I have for this palette, but it’s worth mentioning again. I love the compact size, the fact that it’s a four-in-on face palette, and the colours make a fully cohesive look. Not to mention that it can double up as eyeshadow in a pinch. Most surprising to me? That despite having little shimmer flecks through the bronzer, it doesn’t seem to translate on my face. I just get a beautiful glow. Win-win.
Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Palette (also available here) | As much as I love playing around with eyeshadow, this is one of those solid players in my makeup stash that I love having on repeat. The colours are the perfect neutrals, they’re nicely pigmented, and blending them out is a dream. I’ve recently hit pan on the pale nude – clearly a favourite as a base shade when creating any look. The shimmers are really pretty too. A great all rounder for natural day looks, and smokey evening looks too.
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (also here in the US) | I have oily eyelids so an eyeshadow base is a must for me. I’ve tried others but this one from NARS is the best. It’s clear, easy to blend into the eyelid, and I find my shadows stay put after application. Can’t recommend it enough.
Maybelline Hypersharp Wing Eyeliner | This eyeliner needs no introduction. For me, it’s like an old friend; no matter how many eyeliners I try, I will always, always come back to it. It’s familiar, and I know it works for me. I do sometimes get the odd little bit of smudging if it’s a particularly humid day, but I generally have to keep an eye on my eye makeup anyway so this isn’t a dealbreaker for me.
Dior Pump ‘N’ Volume Mascara HD | Even when I find the “perfect” mascara, I can’t seem to help but try others. I had a sample of the Pump ‘N’ Volume HD Mascara from Dior and really enjoyed the way it made my lashes look, so splashed out on the full size. This coats your lashes in a really natural way. Not spidery, but gives them extra volume and length. I also appreciate the squeezy tube. Perfect for pulling excess product off the wand, while also using up every last drop.
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer Brighten & Correct Duo (also here in AU) | A good concealer is in every mum’s makeup bag, and the current one I have on rotation is a recent launch from Laura Mercier. This is a reimagining of their classic Secret Camouflage Concealer Palette, and I love how easy it is to use on the go; no need for brushes, the product blends out best when warmed up with your fingers. On one end is a brightening concealer, with I use under the eyes. This has little reflects in it which I think are what give it that ultra brightening effect, without looking glittery. The other end is a matte creamy correcting concealer – great for layering under the brighten end if you need extra coverage, or to pop over any redness. A little goes a long way!
Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion in Bellini (also here in AU) | Blush of choice is this beautiful powder blush, again from Laura Mercier. I have the colour Bellini, which is a rich peach-toned pink that reminds me of spring. These plushes are highly pigmented, but what I like most about them is that they don’t have a powdery finish. My skin looks like skin. Perfect. I also have this in the shade “Guava” but I find it a little too pale/sheer for my complexion.
Jo Malone Fig & Lotus Flower Cologne (also here for US) | Finally I wanted to share a fragrance that I’ve been loving lately. I tend to gravitate towards my Jo Malone fragrances both for the exquisite scents, but also because I love the ability to layer my perfumes. For our trip down to Bangalay I decided to bring along Fig & Lotus. It’s bright and fresh, with sweet floral notes. Fragrances are always so hard to describe, but for me I wanted to create a memory attached to this beautiful perfume, and what better way than to bring it along on one of the first vacations since having a baby!
