Wish List I

I have somehow managed to distil my current wish list down to just five things that I wish were in my skincare collection. Of course, there is a whole lot more than this...always. Nothing makeup related at the moment - probably because there is still way too much skincare that I would like to try.

The asap Platinum Collection contains four deluxe size products and two full size products from their range. The deluxe size products are all serums: super A+ serum, super B complex, super C serum, and the radiance serum. The two full sized products are the ultimate hydration cream and the anti-ageing night cream. I am currently using the super C serum and it is absolutely amazing! My sister gave it to me as she is currently pregnant and I have pretty much used the whole bottle in the two months since she has given it to me. It has really helped to brighten and clear up my skin so it was going to be a definite repurchase for me, but then I came across the Platinum Collection and just thought, I have to try it all! This is currently $175.50 at Adore Beauty, which is a great price considering all of the products are around the $70.00 mark full size so you essentially receive three deluxe sizes for free. I am so keen to see if I enjoy the rest of the asap range as much as the super C serum.

I keep hearing bits and pieces about how awesome the Drunk Elephant range is, so I am definitely wanting to try something from them. After my success with the asap super C serum, the C-Firma Day Serum from Drunk Elephant is number one on my list but I also wouldn't say no to the TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum which is packed with skin resurfacing AHAs and BHAs. These are pricey serums, with the C-Firma Day Serum currently $116.00 at Mecca, so it will probably end up being a 'treat yourself' moment around birthday time.

Leahlani is another brand that I've heard about but have not yet had the opportunity to try. This organic Hawaiian brand is just stunning and all of their serums are on my wish list to be honest. The Champagne Serum is described as "happy hour for your skin" (love it!) and is designed to help combat redness and clear up any scarring in the skin. It is available in Australia from Eve Organics for $46.00, which is a pretty similar price to my current favourite oil serum Face Hero from Go-To Skincare.

Speaking of Go-To Skincare, I am in love with their new silk pillowcases! Because I don't already have sufficient silk pillowcases (three and counting...), I would really love to add this one to my collection. I especially love the embroidery! The Face Case is $65.00 from Go-To Skincare - not a bad price for a silk pillowcase.

The final item(s) on my list is anything (and everything) from The Ordinary. If you have not heard of this brand before, then I'm afraid you may have been living under a rock! I have been stalking this brand for quite a while and they have just released their much hyped foundation which is something I would love to try at some point soon. Apparently there were 25,000 people on the waiting list for the foundation, so I might be waiting for this one for a little while, however I am keen in the meantime to try some of their skincare. They have products including all my favourites: retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, and are super affordable ranging between $8.80 to $24.90 per product (yes, that's AUD!). I have also heard amazing things about their customer service so don't feel nervous at all about ordering from their website rather than an Australian stockist. Definitely number one on my wish list is the Advanced Retinoid 2% which I am hoping will match up to my big love Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil.

What is currently on your wish list...and what should I add to mine that you're currently loving?

Go-To Skincare Exfoliating Swipeys

Personally, I am not a fan of physical exfoliation and will always choose chemical exfoliation in the
form of an acid toner over traditional exfoliating scrubs. I feel that chemical exfoliation is a better way of exfoliating as it is easier to thoroughly spread the product over your skin to ensure even exfoliation rather than trying to push scrub particles here, there, and everywhere. I am also a huge fan of Zoë Foster-Blake's peachy cruelty-free skincare range Go-To Skincare, so when you combine the two together, myself and my skin are sure to enjoy! I have previously tried the Face Hero from the Go-To Skincare range and my skin loved it, so I was keen to see how it fared with the Exfoliating Swipeys.

These single use exfoliating face pads are soaked in an AHA solution that promises to remove dead skin cells and refine the skin's texture. The inclusion of essential oils also promises to hydrate and moisturise.

I really enjoy using single use pads like these at it makes life so much simpler as opposed to mucking around with a bottle of liquid and a fluffy cotton pad. These pads are nicely soaked in the lactic acid solution and are sufficiently moist to cover all of your face and down your neck too. I am down to the last couple of pads in my tub now and they are still as soaked as the first few started out. I did not find them to sting at all, however I have been using acid toners for quite a few years now so it takes a particularly strong one for my skin to say ouch!

The aloe vera included in the formula certainly does its job of ensuring your skin is not dried out from the lactic acid and after use, my skin is plump and bright. From pure habit, I'll follow these up a minute after use with my usual skincare routine of an hydrating toner, serum and moisturiser, however they do not leave the skin feeling tight and in need of moisture in any way. They haven't had much impact on my hormonal chin and jaw acne but have definitely kept the rest of my skin texture smooth and clear.

I like to use these mainly at night time and usually every second night, so the 50 pads will last around a third of the year for me. They also come delivered with a really cute zip-lock bag so that you can take some away with you when travelling. I don't love the actual texture of the pads - they almost feel a bit plasticky compared to the usual cotton pad and they are certainly rougher - but this isn't really noticeable until you have used most of the product on the pad and it is dried out some. The plastic peach tub packaging is great and I have never noticed it to leak.

The main ingredient in the solution is water, followed by lactic acid for exfoliation and aloe vera for hydration and soothing properties. The fourth ingredient is alcohol in the form of ethanol which could be a concern in drying out the skin and increasing sensitivity, however I consider myself to have dry skin and it has not bothered me in this formula. Making up the rest of the formula are propanediol (hydrating and can increase skin absorption of other ingredients), polysorbate 20 (surfactant and emulsifier for cleansing), dehydroacetic acid (synthetic preservative), benzyl alcohol (organic alcohol that acts as a preservative too), sodium citrate (controls pH as well as acting as an antioxidant and preservative), and potassium sorbate (another preservative). Finally, the formula does contain fragrance from mandarin and lemon extract.

I thoroughly enjoy these pads as a way of exfoliating chemically and they are so easy and quick to use! I personally have seen better improvement in my skin using a glycolic acid exfoliator but I love the idea of these as a brightening treatment for my skin.

Price: $46.00 (Go-To Skincare) [$0.92/pad]
Rate: brightening effects, packaging, ease of use, Australian-made and owned
Hate: nothing, really!
Verdict: I'd definitely repurchase as a brightening treatment for my skin but not as a skin clearing treatment.

Go-To Skincare Face Hero

I have been wanting to try the funky and fabulous Go-To Skincare range by Zoe Blake for such a while now - those exfoliating pads especially! - and have been trialling the Face Hero oil for the last couple of months. I have been using it as more of a heavy duty injection of moisture for when my skin is feeling particularly dry or dull, rather than an every day serum.

It's quite a thin, runny oil compared to some of the face oils I have previously used (even in the middle of winter!), so you have to be careful as it is likely to run out of the dropper without any prompting! This does make it easy to spread over the face however and ensures every part of your face can enjoy the goodness. It smells divine in a woodsy, herbal way with a slightly sweet undertone from the orange blossom and rose gardenia natural fragrance.

I tend to use this one at night rather than in the morning as it is a little too heavy for underneath makeup. When I wake up in the morning after applying at night, my skin is glowing and nourished with not a dry patch in sight. It does sink in quickly after applying, although you are left with the characteristic film of oiliness from applying an oil product. I also like to apply this over my lips when they are particularly dry and top with a lip balm overnight. I wake up with hydrated lips in the morning with no flakes.

Is this a face hero, as its name implies? I certainly think so. I like to have a couple of different oils and serums on the go at once, and depending on how my skin is feeling will determine which one I use each day. When my skin is dull, dry and generally needing some TLC, this beautiful golden oil is the one I reach for. If I have any dry flakes, this is an oil that will certainly clear them up overnight. It is a great option for when I am feeling like using something very natural with minimal ingredients that won't irritate my skin.

Ingredients are, of course, completely natural. Almond, jojoba, macadamia, brazil nut, evening primrose, buriti, arnica, rosehip, calendula, and kiwi fruit seed oils all feature. Making up the remainder of the ingredients list is Vitamin E in the form of tocopherol, a natural antibacterial and preservative extract from the New Zealand totara tree called totarol, rosemary seed extract, and natural fragrance.

Price: $45.00 (Go-To Skincare website) [$1.50/mL]

Rate: Ingredients, efficacy, scent, packaging, Australian made and owned

Hate: Nothing!

Verdict: Would repurchase and so keen to try out more from this awesome brand!

P.S. What do you think of my outdoorsy photos for this post? I might have made a bit of a fool of myself taking photos of skincare products outside the front of my house (conveniently situated on the corner of a very busy roundabout intersection). Eh!

Latest Buys

Since I started my full time job out of university, I have had a bit of extra cash to spend on my greatest vice - skincare. I reasoned that, seeing as I did not spend the money on the recent Priceline skincare bag, I would spend my money on things that I actually did need. "Need". Two of my recent hauls are featured here.




























The first came about because of a David Jones GWP on Clarins. I did not need much more convincing than that to go and pick up the Everlasting Foundation that I had heard great things about and also a new moisturiser that I definitely did need. The other bits were just a bonus! Clarins is one of my favourite skincare brands and their products are just beautiful. They all smell divine and look so classy standing around on my dressing table.

The second big spend came about when I noticed a post from Amy from Bottled Beauty advertising her blog sale. I was there in a flash! She had so many lovely skincare bits for below half the retail price so I could not help myself. I picked up two pieces from Antipodes and the Go-To Skincare Face Hero serum. I have been dying to try out some of the Go-To Skincare range so this was a perfect way to start.

I have so much new skincare to try out and I cannot wait to get stuck into it all! Let me know if you would like to see any particular reviews on the products featured here and I will put it on the top of my list.

Have a great weekend all!