CREAM ON

I'm not usually one to go for glow enhancing products, as I have combo skin and things can sometimes look a bit TOO shiny. However, I do have a few cream products that I love but don't get enough use out of, so I thought I'd share them with you as I try to include them into my makeup routine more.

1. Cream Blushes

To be honest, before trying out cream blushes, I thought I'd HATE them. In my mind they were these slippery products that wouldn't last more than an hour or two on my skin. However, after making my first purchase I'm glad to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The two I love are: Topshop's Head Over Heels (£7.00), a lovely coral color that has a cream to powder finish (I know that can sound like a weird concept, but believe me if you swatch this you'll understand; and & Other Stories' True Bias Fuschia (£12.00), a gorgeous bright pink that instantly wakes up your face without having any glitter in it - although this one is definitely more of a true cream finish. Both are swatched below, both full on and blended out.

Left to Right: Watt's Up, Head Over Heels, True Bias Fuschia 

2. Cream Highlighters

I never used any kind of highlighters before this past year, let alone CREAM highlighters. However, ever since getting into them I often find that my makeup look is missing that last step without some sheen on my (non existent) cheekbones. While I was in the US I used some Sephora points on a mini sample size of Benefit's Watt's Up (£24.50) to see what all the hype is about, and I'm am so glad that i did. It blends out beautifully and gives such a glow to the face, i caught myself doing a double take at the mirror to admire the effect it gave. If you haven't tried any cream highlighters before, i'd definitely recommend checking this out, and since you only need a tiny bit at a time it's well worth the price.

I'd love to hear what are some of your favorite glow enhancing products for your skin types, and whether you think I should check anything out.

MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE

I LOVE skincare. If I went back in time and told my 13 year-old self this, she'd laugh at me. I used to dread doing a skincare routine when i was younger. I had pretty bad acne and wanted it gone, but didn't want to put in the effort of actually sticking to a routine for more than a few days. That all changed when i started using Murad products and they completely saved my skin. That, and starting to actually use makeup on a regular basis made me feel like I should actually put more effort into taking care of my skin. 

Flash forward to now and my skin has been pretty well behaved for the past year or two, mainly because i love having a routine now. I literally can not go to bed without doing all my steps, even if I'm falling asleep while doing them, they will be done. Today, however, I will be sharing my morning skincare routine. My night one is not all that different, but there are some extra steps and a few different products, so let me know if you'd like to see that too.

1. Cleanse

I like to use a gel cleanser in the morning as my skin loves gels, and I feel like it's really refreshing. I am currently using this Clean & Clear deep Action Gel Cleanser (£7.22) which I don't LOVE, but it's doing the job. I think i prefer there Morning Energy Shine Control wash though.

2. Tone

Surprise, surprise, this step features nothing other than my beloved Pixi toner. This has seriously done wonders to my skin, I can't go a day without it (probably from paranoia, but shh). I'm not going to go on about it too much as this already has a whole post dedicated to it which you can check out here.

3. Serum/Cream/Treatment

I don't think I've had anything as effective at keeping my spots at bay than La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (£15.50). It basically stops me from getting any major breakout, and helps heal the little hormonal ones that slip through. I also think it helps reduce my oily t-zone and reduce scarring, while remaining totally non-drying. It's basically a miracle working product, and if you only want to use one treatment, you should go for this.

PS. I used to use Peptabright as a step before this to help fade acne scars, but most of my old ones have gone now, and with La Roche I haven't gotten any new major scars that I need to take care of. And my skin scars easily.

4. Moisturize

My final step is of course, to moisturize. I'm currently using Lush Vanishing Cream (£18.75) and I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand it smells amazing, and sinks into my skin REALLY fast, which I love for a morning moisturizer. However, since i have combo skin i don't feel like it's enough for my dry bits, and it doesn't seem to help with preventing my oily nose from appearing a few hours into the day. I'm almost done using it up now, and will switch to trying the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, although i'm not sure if it'll be too rich to use as a daytime moisturizer. I shall see and let you know how i get on with it.

Of course, i also add SPF if i'm not going to be wearing a foundation that has one. Gotta keep the skin protected from the sun!

Let me know what your routine is like, and if you recommend any products for combo skin x

BITE BEAUTY

Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick, $24.00

I think i'm addicted to Bite. Lipstick has always been my all time favorite makeup product to purchase and use, so when i heard about this brand i was very intrigued. Bite is an all natural lip care company that makes their lipsticks with ingredients good enough to eat (literally). Their products use organic, food-grade ingredients and are packed with nourishing and restorative ingredients beeswax, Argan oil, Manuka honey, and Shea butter. Now all of this is nice and good on paper, but how do the products actually perform? Awesome, in my opinion.

From left to right: Pepper, Musk, Zivoli, Vigne, Date, Fig

I first tried them when my cousin went to the US for holiday, i asked her to pick up a shade for me to try. Safe to say I was very surprised and thankful when she came back with three. She got me the two nude shades (Musk and Pepper) and the deep red (Zivoli) from the Luminous Creme Lipstick range, and I was in love the moment I tried one on. They are creamy and extremely pigmented, while still being very comfortable to wear. I found that they last pretty well on me, a good few hours at least, and leave a light stain when the glossyness has worn off. They also have a sweet-ish smell and taste (anybody else?) which I love.

When I went to the US during my winter break i knew i had to pick up at least one more color, and their Agave lip mask which I had heard great things about. I decided to go for a pink (Vigne) as i wear that color quite a lot. I also wanted to try out one of their lip crayons, but i indulged on too many other items i let it pass for this time around. However, the Sephora isle of doom got me (you know what i'm talking about ladies) and i popped one more double ended lipstick in my basket - i mean, two in one AND mini sized? How could I say no? My mom and sister also picked up some other shades and finishes themselves, so i can always borrow theirs to try out.

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask, $26.00

Sorry for a bit of a rambly post. Let me know if you've tried out of any Bite's products and what you think of them, I'd love to hear x

TOP 3 BRUSHES

The only thing that doesn't make it into my makeup obsessed self is the need to hoard makeup brushes - THANK GOD! I think if you have one brush that's good for the task that's all you really need. I mean what will you do with 20 foundation brushes, use them as a stand for your beauty blender? So here are my top three picks from my little brush collection that i couldn't go without.

CONTOUR BRUSH

Real Techniques Dup Fiber Contour Brush (Part of Duo Fiber Collection), £13.05

I love me a light contour on a day to day basis. I have quite a round face, so I think adding in a contour really helps bring out my non existent cheek bones and help slim out my slightly crooked nose. I used to be scared of having two lines down my cheeks and for it to be WAY too obvious, but this brush makes it almost impossible to do. It doesn't pick up too much product, which I like because I can just add more if i feel like I need it, and keep building 'till I'm happy. It's also a great size to fit in the hollows of your cheeks, temples, or down the sides of your nose. No weird streaks with this lovely brush.

BLUSH BRUSH

Zoeva Luxe Sheer Cheek (Part of Rose Golden Luxury Set), €58.00

I wear blush everyday I put makeup on, without fail. I feel like my face looks too dead and flat if I don't add some color onto them cheeks. This is by far my favorite Zoeva brush too. First of all, it's rose gold..enough said. Secondly, it is SO soft and fluffy i keep wanting to just sweep it across my face for no reason. I think it picks up the perfect amount of product, and makes it so easy to blend out the color if you pick up a bit too much. The only downside is that it might stain a little because the bristles are white (mine is a teeny bit pink), but that really doesn't bother me at all. 

EYESHADOW BRUSH

Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush (Part of Starter Set), £11.74 GBP

Now this is one brush department where I probably need a few more essentials, but this brush has made me lazy about going out to get them. I use this to pack shadow onto the lid, add a color into the crease, and blend out. I find it does a great job for all three, and i don't really have any others for comparison. I like that it's fluffy and the hairs aren't too short so it's really easy to use, especially if you're just starting out with eyeshadow. I think the next one I need is the MAC 217, yes? Soon.

Let me know what some of your favorite brushes are, and if I really NEED anything :)

Happy new year!