I'm back! Did you miss me? :) I am terribly sorry for my absence but I have had writers block for weeks now and haven't had a single clue what to write about. But in this time I have bought tons of new products (literally I'm such an addict at the moment it's getting pretty hectic) so I have loads to review for you guys in the future, exciting right?

I've never really been one to use a separate day and night moisturiser, but I couldn't resist the Yes To Carrots Daily Facial Moisturiser SPF 15 when I saw it reduced to $13 rather than the usual $20, I do love a good sale! I've heard really fantastic things about this moisturiser and in terms of moisturisers/sunscreens this is about as natural as they come. One of the main concepts is that an ingredient of all of the Yes To products is a "blend of 26 dead sea minerals that help seal in vitamins and hydration". This of course doesn't mean anything and there's no research sustaining their claim, but regardless this moisturiser has a very elegant blend of ingredients that are a real treat for your skin. Zinc oxide is the ingredient that gives the SPF protection which is fantastic all year round, especially in summer. This moisturiser is best suited for normal to dry skin not prone to blemishes (emollient products can cause blemishes) and as the formula is quite thick  and moisturising it's probably too heavy for oily or oily combination skin.

In terms of texture this is definitely a creamy moisturiser and I've found it actually takes quite a while to blend in, it takes about a minute or so before it blends but once it is blended it dries quickly to a healthy matte finish without any greasiness you'd usually expect from a sunscreen, a huge plus! It has a slight sunscreen scent but I believe Yes To added fragrance to it (the last ingredient, so it has a very little to no chance of irritating the skin) to either cover up the sunscreen scent or enhance it, I'm not too sure. 

I can highly recommend the Yes To Carrots Daily Facial Moisturiser SPF 15 for anyone who's willing to splash out a little more on the drugstore front without paying a high end price, the formula is just as luxurious if not more than some Estee Lauder and Clinique moisturisers!

Skincare and cosmetic science has come such a long way, there are so many new innovations in all fields such as moisturisers, sunscreens, foundations and masks, state of the art formulas are being produced daily and to get the best for our skin these formulas need to be packaged correctly. In order for the ingredients to stay sanitary and to live up to their maximum potential they have to be packaged in a stable condition, and outdated jar packaging is not the way. 

The ingredients in the jar, no matter how state of the art they may be will break down in a jar due to lack of stability when they are exposed to light and oxygen. Some products will come with small spatulas to scoop out product, saving you the lack of hygiene from constantly dipping dirty fingers in and out, but this doesn't stop what you can't control; light or air. These ingredients are just as vulnerable to damage from pollution, sunlight, smoke and environmental attack as your own skin. Unfortunately the skincare and cosmetics industry continues to onslaught consumers with jar packaging despite it's faults, and this is because women love the appearance and the luxurious appeal of jar packaging. Think about it, a rich and glamourous lifestyle with a high class array of skincare products from Shiseido, Chanel and La Mer littered all over your vanity appeals to you doesn't it? Hence the skincare industry continues to utilise it, as a marketing strategy.

There are so many amazing products with wonderful formulas that you really shouldn't waste your time or money on products in bad packaging, I cannot recommend any product packaged in a jar apart from gel eyeliners, creme eyeshadows or pigments, or lip balms.

Now that winter's really kicking in my skin is starting to suffer, I used to have combination skin but right now it's definitely changed to dry. One of my favourite staples in winter and summer for moisturisers is a simple, clean, classic and effective product that's earned a place in my heart; Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin. 

I've gotta be honest with you all, this would have to be my all-time favourite cleanser. So I can't wait to tell you all about it! As I've said before I only ever really get moderate acne, nothing severe but it's definitely stubborn, leaves scars, and I have to be super careful what products I choose for my skin. I don't like to switch up my skincare routine too much for fear of upsetting my skin, but also I've found products that work, specifically Paula's Choice CLEAR Normalizing Cleanser.

I've been using this cleanser for just over a year now and I am besotted with it! My skin has never felt so clean and clear. I find it really hard to find a cleanser that's in a gel form (much better for oily skin), the CLEAR line is for people who struggle with acne and blemishes. It removes literally all of my makeup without leaving any residue, the gel is clear (ironic!) and silky, you only need about a 10 cent piece amount for your whole face. It foams minimally since it's not a foaming cleanser, which means no sodium lauryl sulfate! And also contains an anti-bacterial agent (Triclosan, it's used in anti-bacterial products like hand sanitisers and Dettol) which helps to kill bacteria causing your acne. When I did work experience for The Body Shop last year I had to wear absolutely no makeup until I got there and had my makeup done for me (score!) so I would cleanse with my CLEAR cleanser, tone and moisturise and when I would finally get there the artists would wipe over my face again and always remark about how clean my skin was. It gives me that perfect clean feeling without over drying my skin or leaving any oily residue. That's exactly how it makes my skin feel after I use it, CLEAR! Not only that, but it lasts for ages, I've only ever bought around 5 bottles the whole time I've used it!

I can definitely highly recommend this cleanser, available online at Paula's Choice , I highly recommend you become a member for a fee of about $5, they have discounts and sales all the time, it's insane! You can't buy Paula's Choice products at any retail outlets, but you can also find them on ebay.

Paula's Choice Normalizing Cleanser Pore Clarifying Gel is available for $36 or $25.20 at the members price, they also sell sample testers for $1.

During my little spree at The Face Shop the other day I also picked up some good products, rather than that dodgy hair mask! Sheet masks are easy, convenient and effective, they make me feel like I'm at a day spa/a ghost, my only problem is that they're too big for my face, it looks a little scary! 

The first one I bought I've used before and it's one of my favourites, the Essential Hyaluronic Acid Mask Sheet:

The Face Shop describes this mask as a "super moist mask sheet that contains concentrated Hyaluronic acids" Hyaluronic acid should be an essential ingredient in your skincare routine especially in terms of anti-aging, it's a skin tissue component that's used as a skin identical ingredient, preventing moisture loss and boosting moisture content (Source). I love using this mask at the end of a day where I've had makeup on for a really long time and my skin needs a boost, I actually bought two of these cause I love them a lot, and they're very affordable too! I think they were around $3, my next purchase, also $3 was the Essential Pearl Mask Sheet


Described as a "mask sheet that contains pearl extracts, sinks into skin smoothly and lightly", not the best english but it is Korean website so you've gotta bear with them! I've used this mask sheet before once or twice and I really like this one too, it's very brightening and my skin feels so radiant after using it, the Pearl mask, the Hyaluronic Acid mask and the Collagen mask are all part of the essential mask sheet collection.

The next three masks are roughly $4 each, bargainnnnn! And they're all from the Real Nature collection, each containing a 1000mg concentration of their chosen ingredient.
The first one I bought which is my absolute favourite is the Real Nature Mask Sheet Aloe, and I just finished using it now! It contains (you guessed it) 1000mg of soothing aloe vera, that "calms down the sensitive skin and provides moisture" it's made my skin feel so soothed, soft, supple and hydrated! I've got acne on my chin at the moment that's been dry and in pain all day, and after using this mask it's really calmed down and doesn't hurt at all, plus it's not dry! I would definitely repurchase this mask

I have combination to (when I'm lucky!) normal skin. I have to be quite calculated and careful about what products I use on my skin, what multivitamins I take (and even the dosage) and the food I eat (as we all should be), if I make one slip up my skin will break out for the next week, and it can be extremely frustrating. It's not too often that I do get pimples, but you can tell when I've had them because my skin also scars very easily. But I am usually pimple free for the majority of the time :)

I've been using the same cleanser for over a year (which I will definitely talk about in the future), and my skincare routine doesn't change too much, because it is extremely effective, thanks to Paula's Choice and Beautypedia, my holy grail of cosmetic and skincare reviews! When I do break out it's almost alwaaaays on my chin, I don't get too many pimples but I find they're very stubborn, so it's necessary for me to use a no-butts-about-it effective treatment. I'm currently using Galderma's Benzac AC 5% Benzoyl Peroxide cream, and I'm definitely pleased!

We all know very well the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide, and you can read more about it here. The strengths that Galderma carry as far as I know are 2.5% and 5%, I haven't seen 10% in Australia but I know of products in the US that carry it (Clerasil DailyClear Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream). Though it's not the most fun, vibrant, or exciting of skincare products, the packaging is very medicinal and not particularly flash, the product is extremely effective. I believe I bought it from Priceline for about $10, bargain in my opinion! Especially considering the size of the tube (50ml) and how much you actually need for a single pimple. I don't recommend using Benzac AC 5% as a treatment for whole areas of your face where acne pops up as prevention (unless acne is very abundant for you) because it is verrrrry strong, you should really only apply it once or twice a day (depending on the severity of your acne) because it can be very drying.

I absolutely do recommend Benzac AC for anyone who suffers from stubborn acne, and if your acne is quite mild then I definitely recommend the 2.5% variation, overall a great product that if used wisely can really help your skin!

I'm back! Did you miss me? :) I am terribly sorry for my absence but I have had writers block for weeks now and haven't had a single clue what to write about. But in this time I have bought tons of new products (literally I'm such an addict at the moment it's getting pretty hectic) so I have loads to review for you guys in the future, exciting right?

I've never really been one to use a separate day and night moisturiser, but I couldn't resist the Yes To Carrots Daily Facial Moisturiser SPF 15 when I saw it reduced to $13 rather than the usual $20, I do love a good sale! I've heard really fantastic things about this moisturiser and in terms of moisturisers/sunscreens this is about as natural as they come. One of the main concepts is that an ingredient of all of the Yes To products is a "blend of 26 dead sea minerals that help seal in vitamins and hydration". This of course doesn't mean anything and there's no research sustaining their claim, but regardless this moisturiser has a very elegant blend of ingredients that are a real treat for your skin. Zinc oxide is the ingredient that gives the SPF protection which is fantastic all year round, especially in summer. This moisturiser is best suited for normal to dry skin not prone to blemishes (emollient products can cause blemishes) and as the formula is quite thick  and moisturising it's probably too heavy for oily or oily combination skin.

In terms of texture this is definitely a creamy moisturiser and I've found it actually takes quite a while to blend in, it takes about a minute or so before it blends but once it is blended it dries quickly to a healthy matte finish without any greasiness you'd usually expect from a sunscreen, a huge plus! It has a slight sunscreen scent but I believe Yes To added fragrance to it (the last ingredient, so it has a very little to no chance of irritating the skin) to either cover up the sunscreen scent or enhance it, I'm not too sure. 

I can highly recommend the Yes To Carrots Daily Facial Moisturiser SPF 15 for anyone who's willing to splash out a little more on the drugstore front without paying a high end price, the formula is just as luxurious if not more than some Estee Lauder and Clinique moisturisers!

Skincare and cosmetic science has come such a long way, there are so many new innovations in all fields such as moisturisers, sunscreens, foundations and masks, state of the art formulas are being produced daily and to get the best for our skin these formulas need to be packaged correctly. In order for the ingredients to stay sanitary and to live up to their maximum potential they have to be packaged in a stable condition, and outdated jar packaging is not the way. 

The ingredients in the jar, no matter how state of the art they may be will break down in a jar due to lack of stability when they are exposed to light and oxygen. Some products will come with small spatulas to scoop out product, saving you the lack of hygiene from constantly dipping dirty fingers in and out, but this doesn't stop what you can't control; light or air. These ingredients are just as vulnerable to damage from pollution, sunlight, smoke and environmental attack as your own skin. Unfortunately the skincare and cosmetics industry continues to onslaught consumers with jar packaging despite it's faults, and this is because women love the appearance and the luxurious appeal of jar packaging. Think about it, a rich and glamourous lifestyle with a high class array of skincare products from Shiseido, Chanel and La Mer littered all over your vanity appeals to you doesn't it? Hence the skincare industry continues to utilise it, as a marketing strategy.

There are so many amazing products with wonderful formulas that you really shouldn't waste your time or money on products in bad packaging, I cannot recommend any product packaged in a jar apart from gel eyeliners, creme eyeshadows or pigments, or lip balms.

Now that winter's really kicking in my skin is starting to suffer, I used to have combination skin but right now it's definitely changed to dry. One of my favourite staples in winter and summer for moisturisers is a simple, clean, classic and effective product that's earned a place in my heart; Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin. 

I've gotta be honest with you all, this would have to be my all-time favourite cleanser. So I can't wait to tell you all about it! As I've said before I only ever really get moderate acne, nothing severe but it's definitely stubborn, leaves scars, and I have to be super careful what products I choose for my skin. I don't like to switch up my skincare routine too much for fear of upsetting my skin, but also I've found products that work, specifically Paula's Choice CLEAR Normalizing Cleanser.

I've been using this cleanser for just over a year now and I am besotted with it! My skin has never felt so clean and clear. I find it really hard to find a cleanser that's in a gel form (much better for oily skin), the CLEAR line is for people who struggle with acne and blemishes. It removes literally all of my makeup without leaving any residue, the gel is clear (ironic!) and silky, you only need about a 10 cent piece amount for your whole face. It foams minimally since it's not a foaming cleanser, which means no sodium lauryl sulfate! And also contains an anti-bacterial agent (Triclosan, it's used in anti-bacterial products like hand sanitisers and Dettol) which helps to kill bacteria causing your acne. When I did work experience for The Body Shop last year I had to wear absolutely no makeup until I got there and had my makeup done for me (score!) so I would cleanse with my CLEAR cleanser, tone and moisturise and when I would finally get there the artists would wipe over my face again and always remark about how clean my skin was. It gives me that perfect clean feeling without over drying my skin or leaving any oily residue. That's exactly how it makes my skin feel after I use it, CLEAR! Not only that, but it lasts for ages, I've only ever bought around 5 bottles the whole time I've used it!

I can definitely highly recommend this cleanser, available online at Paula's Choice , I highly recommend you become a member for a fee of about $5, they have discounts and sales all the time, it's insane! You can't buy Paula's Choice products at any retail outlets, but you can also find them on ebay.

Paula's Choice Normalizing Cleanser Pore Clarifying Gel is available for $36 or $25.20 at the members price, they also sell sample testers for $1.

During my little spree at The Face Shop the other day I also picked up some good products, rather than that dodgy hair mask! Sheet masks are easy, convenient and effective, they make me feel like I'm at a day spa/a ghost, my only problem is that they're too big for my face, it looks a little scary! 

The first one I bought I've used before and it's one of my favourites, the Essential Hyaluronic Acid Mask Sheet:

The Face Shop describes this mask as a "super moist mask sheet that contains concentrated Hyaluronic acids" Hyaluronic acid should be an essential ingredient in your skincare routine especially in terms of anti-aging, it's a skin tissue component that's used as a skin identical ingredient, preventing moisture loss and boosting moisture content (Source). I love using this mask at the end of a day where I've had makeup on for a really long time and my skin needs a boost, I actually bought two of these cause I love them a lot, and they're very affordable too! I think they were around $3, my next purchase, also $3 was the Essential Pearl Mask Sheet


Described as a "mask sheet that contains pearl extracts, sinks into skin smoothly and lightly", not the best english but it is Korean website so you've gotta bear with them! I've used this mask sheet before once or twice and I really like this one too, it's very brightening and my skin feels so radiant after using it, the Pearl mask, the Hyaluronic Acid mask and the Collagen mask are all part of the essential mask sheet collection.

The next three masks are roughly $4 each, bargainnnnn! And they're all from the Real Nature collection, each containing a 1000mg concentration of their chosen ingredient.
The first one I bought which is my absolute favourite is the Real Nature Mask Sheet Aloe, and I just finished using it now! It contains (you guessed it) 1000mg of soothing aloe vera, that "calms down the sensitive skin and provides moisture" it's made my skin feel so soothed, soft, supple and hydrated! I've got acne on my chin at the moment that's been dry and in pain all day, and after using this mask it's really calmed down and doesn't hurt at all, plus it's not dry! I would definitely repurchase this mask

I have combination to (when I'm lucky!) normal skin. I have to be quite calculated and careful about what products I use on my skin, what multivitamins I take (and even the dosage) and the food I eat (as we all should be), if I make one slip up my skin will break out for the next week, and it can be extremely frustrating. It's not too often that I do get pimples, but you can tell when I've had them because my skin also scars very easily. But I am usually pimple free for the majority of the time :)

I've been using the same cleanser for over a year (which I will definitely talk about in the future), and my skincare routine doesn't change too much, because it is extremely effective, thanks to Paula's Choice and Beautypedia, my holy grail of cosmetic and skincare reviews! When I do break out it's almost alwaaaays on my chin, I don't get too many pimples but I find they're very stubborn, so it's necessary for me to use a no-butts-about-it effective treatment. I'm currently using Galderma's Benzac AC 5% Benzoyl Peroxide cream, and I'm definitely pleased!

We all know very well the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide, and you can read more about it here. The strengths that Galderma carry as far as I know are 2.5% and 5%, I haven't seen 10% in Australia but I know of products in the US that carry it (Clerasil DailyClear Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream). Though it's not the most fun, vibrant, or exciting of skincare products, the packaging is very medicinal and not particularly flash, the product is extremely effective. I believe I bought it from Priceline for about $10, bargain in my opinion! Especially considering the size of the tube (50ml) and how much you actually need for a single pimple. I don't recommend using Benzac AC 5% as a treatment for whole areas of your face where acne pops up as prevention (unless acne is very abundant for you) because it is verrrrry strong, you should really only apply it once or twice a day (depending on the severity of your acne) because it can be very drying.

I absolutely do recommend Benzac AC for anyone who suffers from stubborn acne, and if your acne is quite mild then I definitely recommend the 2.5% variation, overall a great product that if used wisely can really help your skin!