The Repurchase Register

 As much as I love trying new things, there are some products that I just cannot go without. Even if I've got something else on the go at the same time, It seems these trusty long term favourites just keep getting repurchased as I think I would feel a little uneasy if they weren't around.
Starting off with a very quick mention to the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation which I feel like I have already mentioned on here 1000 times. All with good reason though as this has it all, medium but buildable coverage, staying power and that glowy from within thing happens without the need to be dewy. Best night out foundation ever.
Next is the product that changed my eyebrows... the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade. I've touched on this in a post before, but essentially it is a gel liner type affair but for your brows. No pencil/gel/powder has ever been able to transform my sparse, pathetic little hairs into a naturally full looking set of eyebrows that stay all night but after a bit of practice with this and an angled brush - I promise you will never look back.
Before writing this post, I had never really thought about this mascara as an essential but I've come to realise that I must be on my fourth tube by now. I love long, fluttery lashes but I also love thick dramatic lashes and Benefit's They're Real has the ability to achieve both. The formula is wonderfully long lasting for a non waterproof mascara, and the brush... the brush! I'm not usually a fan of plastic wands but I even find myself cleaning this one down once the product is empty and keeping it on hand as a spoolie.
I'm incredibly picky with lip balms, a slick of Vaseline just will not cut it for me and always seems to dry my lips out more. I'm on my second tub of the Nuxe Réve De Miel, which is protective, nourishing, matte + smells of sherbet lemons (huge bonus).
Lastly, Queen of all balm cleansers and one of the most talked about products ever - is the Emma Hardy Moringa Cleansing Balm. Nothing else takes off my make up quite as easily (even my beloved Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel stings my eyes a little!) or leaves my skin feeling quite as soft, calm and nourished.

Basic skincare routine

I love reading about skincare just as much as make up, so I thought I'd share my skincare routine. I have never had particularly spot phone skin, but do suffer with the odd blemish and blocked pores, and my skin is quite sensitive. I would say my main problem is redness and unevenness, and my skin looking dull and feeling dehydrated. I have a lot of extra oils, serums, lotions and potions that I use in conjunction with these products, but these are the bare bones of my daily routine.

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil +  Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel  

The first product I use is the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, which I would describe as much more of a balm cleanser than a gel. It melts into the skin, is great for doing a quick facial massage to get some blood flowing, and makes my skin look really alive and glowy. It leaves my face feeling really clean with no oily residue, and smells of roses which is an amazing bonus. I use this cleanser in the morning, and as my second cleanse at night. To remove my make up in the evening I love The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil. Its a lightweight oil, which feels moisturizing and soothing on the skin, whilst really getting in there to easily remove every trace of make up. I haven't found another product that removes my make up as well as this does, and at this price, why would I be looking?

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner

In the evening I use an exfoliating toner such as the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner. I use this after cleansing at night, and it does a great job of brightening and evening out my skin tone. I feel like it helps keep blemishes at bay, and I feel it keep my skin looking more clear and radiant. Its like a more gentle version of the Alpha H Liquid Gold (more on that in another post) and is gentle enough to use every evening. In general I prefer acid exfoliators to gritty ones as my skin is quite sensitive, and they tend to bring out the redness in my skin rather than evening things out.

Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream + Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream

As for moisturizers, I have been using the Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Face Cream and the Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream for about 6 months now, and I love them both. Antipodes is an all natural brand and these products don't make any big claims apart from to nourish and moisturize the skin, but I prefer to target my skins specific problems using serums, masks and oils, and keep my moisturizers very basic. The day cream has a strong smell of vanilla, which I know may be off putting for some people, but I love it, and I find it doesn't linger once its on the skin. It feels very thick and nourishing which is great for my dehydrated skin, but still works well under make up. The Avocado night cream has a much more subtle scent, and feels really soothing and smooth when you apply it. When I wake up in the morning I find my skin has really drunk it up, and is feeling really soft and plumped out.

As I've mentioned, there are a lot more steps involved in my skin care routine, and I will probably do a couple more posts on my favourite masks and other treatments that do most of the hard work!