The Skincare Edit

 I talk about skincare a lot here on the blog, I think people as a whole are uneducated about ingredients and actives in products (which is why I write my Skin Smart series). Not that I'm super duper educated about it, but it's something that I'm really passionate about and spend a lot of time researching. That being said, I also really struggle reviewing products because it's often not that one products making a huge difference in my skin. It's a combination of products that are really necessary to change your skin, so after a few requests I'm going to show you my entire current skincare routine! Keep in mind I do not use every product every day, it changes based on how my skin is acting. But here we go!

S T E P  O N E :  C L E A N S E
If you've read this blog before, you know I'm a double cleansing freak. So, I currently have several cleansers on rotation but the following four are my favourites. I forgot to include the Pixi Double Cleanse in the photos, but I've been using that on days where I'm not wearing much makeup. The solid side easily removes makeup without stripping the skin, and the creamy side feels beautiful on your skin. I've been trying out the MUN Akwi Cleanser this week and I'm really loving it so far! The texture is hard to describe, but it's sort of like a fusion of a gel an oil and a cream so it feels divine. The Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil is my go-to for heavier makeup days because it's really great at breaking everything down. I also attempt to do facial massages with this (attempt is the keyword). I always always always finish off with the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser which is the greatest cleanser there ever was. Once a week I use it with my Clarisonic for an extra deep clean and exfoliation, this seems to be really helping! I also use this in the morning as it's very gentle, or I'll switch it for the Pur~Lisse 4-in-1 Cleansing Milk.

S T E P  T W O :  T R E A T
Right, this section is going to be huge so strap yourselves in. Acids and serums are amazing, they really really really help to change your skin, especially when you're using the correct ones in conjunction. The Pixi Glow Tonic is one of the products I use every day, morning and night, without fail (okay sometimes I fail). This is a 5% glycolic acid toner that is gentle on the skin and contains aloe vera to soothe. I will never ever stop using this, I think it has really helped with my texture and dullness. For something a little stronger (I still use both together), I've been singing the praises of the Pixi Overnight Glow Serum a lot recently. This one contains 10% gylcolic acid, and while the texture is a bid strange to get used to I was literally shocked by the results. I woke up the next morning with absolutely glowing skin, I think this is another products that you see an obvious difference with very quickly.

I've also introduced a retinol product into my routine, as you guys probably know it's the Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2%. I use this mostly every night, but sometimes will switch it out for the Pixi OGS. Otherwise, I use them both together and haven't had any trouble. I use the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair next, usually every day but sometimes I forget (this is a lot of products, okay?). I honestly couldn't tell you why this works because the actives confuse even me but it WORKS. I have a big bottle that my mama thinks I haven't noticed she's stolen, so I'm working my way through this baby one at the moment. I haven't talked about them in a while, but I still absolutely love my beloved magic bottles that are the Glossier Supers. I usually use at least one of Super Pure or Bounce every night and stick to Super Glow in the morning. Bounce has easily become my favourite as it's full of hydrating goodness. Every now and again when I feel like my skin needs a rest, I'll strip it back and only use my Supers for a while, they are heaven-sent.

S T E P  T H R E E :  H Y D R A T E

Hydration is incredibly important in any skincare routine, even if you have oily skin. I have several moisturizers on rotation at the moment, and again I switch them out based on how my skin is feeling. First of all I adore the Indeed Labs Hydraluron because it allows your skin to suck up all of the hydration. I usually will apply this right before Super Bounce, but sometimes it's the very first step in my routine. I'm still loving the Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich, but am on the hunt for something lighter once the super warm summer nights hit (because I just get way to overheated with a rich cream on). I'm also loving the Murad Hydrodynamic Ultimate Moisture because it feels incredibly light but delivers deep down hydration (it has hyaluronic acid and coconut wooo). For daytime I adore the Tarte Drink of H20 because it's a gel texture that sinks in quickly and allows makeup to sit on top without sliding around. It's also incredibly refreshing to put on, and I feel like it really wakes my skin up.

E X T R A S :  M A S K S , M I S T S , E T C .

I use both the Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist and Glow Mist pretty much every day as well. The Milky Mist I use as the final step in my nightly routine, to lock everything in. I also use this on no-makeup days because it's just so freakin' refreshing. To set my makeup I use the Glow Mist as it's literal magic. It somehow prolongs the wear of my makeup while also making me look super glowy. I try to mask several times a week, because my poor skin shows when I don't treat it. I love the Glossier Mega Greens Galaxy Pack to detox, and the Pur~Lisse Blue Lotus Seed Mask* has quickly become a favourite as well. Both are exfoliating without being too harsh and leave my skin glowing. I was very lucky to be sent the SiO Decollete Serum*, which I have been using and loving. It's incredibly expensive though so probably something that I won't repurchase. I sort of agree with Brennan Kilbane in that eye creams are frivolous, but I do love rolling on the Pixi 24K Eye Elixir to soothe the skin. Last but not least, I will never be without my Glossier Balm Dot Com. I'm fairly certain I have about fifteen of these floating around my house now. It's the best do-it-all balm for lips, cuticles, or anywhere else that gets a bit dry.

Alright, if you've made it to the bottom of this post, you deserve a gold star. Thank you so much for reading, I'd love to hear about your skincare routine! Is it as insane as mine is??

x

*Some products featured in this post were sent to me for consideration. This post is not sponsored and as always, all opinions are my own.

Skin Smart 004: Acids

Every time I recommend people use acids on their skin, they look at me like I'm insane. But, I mean, not that kind of acid (come on people). Acids are anything below a 7 on the pH scale, meaning your skin (which sits at a 5.5) is slightly acidic. They're amazing little multitaskers that give really quick results and can help heal things like acne, dark spots, and fine lines. It's worth noting that acids are most beneficial to those of us in our 20s and 30s, past that fine lines become much deeper and require different types of care. There are a bunch of different acids out there that do different things, but today I'm going to focus on Hyaluronic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Lactic Acid. I've previously done a post on Salicylic Acid, Retinoids (from retinoic acid), and Hyaluronic Acids if you want to learn more!

The most effective acid out there is Glycolic Acid. This is because it is made up of teeny tiny molecules, meaning it can penetrate much deeper into the layers of your skin and work more effectively. Glycolic Acid is an AHA, and like all AHAs it dissolves the 'glue' that holds skin cells together, breaking down the top layer of dead, dull skin. This breakdown increases cell turnover which obviously reveals newer, smoother, and brighter skin. But it also releases dead skin cells blocking up pores and blackheads, so can also help with getting rid of acne! It's also been shown to boost collagen production, thickening the epidermis and leaving your skin more elastic (bye bye fine lines).

There are tons of Glycolic products on the market, but my favourites come from Pixi. First of all, the cult-classic Glow Tonic. I will never ever go a day without using this, it is amazing. It's oil and alcohol free, so good for all skin types and has an abundance of awesome ingredients. It has 5% Glycolic Acid, meaning you should have zero problems using this twice a day as your toning step. Aloe Vera soothes the skin, Witch Hazel tones, firms, and softens texture, and ginseng provides oxygen to skin cells. If the Queen Caroline Hirons' praises don't make you want to run to Target to get this, I don't know what will. I've also recently fallen in love with the Overnight Glow Serum. The first night I tried this I was sort of skeptical, but I was totally shocked when I looked in the mirror the next morning. I have never had anything show results so quickly. You guys know I love my Advanced Retinoid from the Ordinary, which was slowly getting rid of my scarring. This products has very nearly erased them in the two weeks I've been using it. The texture is pretty strange, but you get used to it and is fine once blended in. I find myself more and more addicted to Pixi products.

Lactic Acid is also an AHA, so it does similar things to the Glycolic Acid. At lower strengths, it's good for sensitive skin. So if you haven't been having much luck with a glycolic, try something with Lactic Acid. Just make sure it's a low level, something like Good Genes from Sunday Riley has a super high concentration of the acid, so it's incredibly strong. Lactic Acid helps control dark spots, fine lines, and other signs of aging by breaking down the barrier between skin cells, just like glycolic acid. I've never personally tried a lactic acid product since glycolics work so well for me. Sunday Riley's Good Genes is the most popular Lactic Acid product on the market, even though it costs an arm and a leg. It contains 40% lactic acid (no that's not a typo, I said forty) so like I said, it's incredibly strong. This is on my list to try, but it's got rave reviews for a reason, it works. If you're ballin on a budget like me, or you have more sensitive skin, the Ordinary has two Lactic Acid offerings. They have both a 5% and 10% product, which won't yield as fast result, but also won't break the bank or harm sensitive skin.

I'm sure you've heard me sing the praises of Hyaluronic Acid many a times, but I wanted to include it here to remind you that not all acids exfoliate. Hyaluronic Acid is a glycosaminoglycan (yeah, wtf) which is basically the part of your skin that keeps it looking young. It keeps skin stable and consistently renewed, but also depletes as we age (which is part of the reason babies have flawless skin, rude). Hyaluronic Acid also has a ridiculous ability to retain water, we're talking one gram holding up to six litres of water. SIX. That's a thousand times its own weight in water. Magic. HA is also great at providing anti-aging benefits, as it allows the skin to hold water it wouldn't be able to as we age. This moisture keeps skin looking smooth and hydrated, pluming up fine lines and making them disappear! Look out for products that contain both HA and Sodium Hyaluronate. SH is the salt form of Hyaluronic Acid and is more rapidly absorbed by your skin.

My beloved Super Bounce is my favourite HA product and I hope that I will never have to be without it (glossier.com/reps/amelia and you never will be either). Combined with Vitamin B5, it keeps my skin smooth and hydrated, even in harsh winter weather. And with this awful heatwave, it helps to keep me refreshed. Speaking of refreshed, I've also recently become obsessed with the Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist. I was also a bit skeptical of this one, but I absolutely adore it. It really helps to lock products in and feels absolutely amazing on your skin, I imagine I will be going through several bottles of this once proper summer hits. Black oat, provitamin A, and linoleic acid (another hydrating acid) provide moisture, and the star hyaluronic acid locks it all in. The OG Hyaluronic Acid serum is the Hydraluron from Indeed Labs. I've had this a little longer than I'd like to admit, and definitely need to pick up a new one (oops). The idea of this is that you but it on as a base under hydrating products and it'll suck the moisture right into your skin. It works. Boy oh boy. Another thing Queen CH has raved about, so you best believe us, hey? (She put it in her hall of fame after using it for three days kind of good).

Right if you've made it all the way down here, congratulations, you're a wonderful skin-loving human being. If there are any other types of acids you're curious about let me know and I'll try to get back to you quickly! Also, any other Skin Smart posts you'd like to see?

x

The Spring Makeup Edit

As sad as I am to be rid of my beloved winter weather, a bit of sunshine and a makeup refresh is just what I need right now. In a few weeks when it's 80-95 degrees all the time I'll be eating my words, but at the moment the sun is making me a little extra happy!

Despite the bloody humidity and my desire to wear no makeup at all, I’ve been loving a particular look so far. I’m scrapping the warm berry tones and bringing out the pinks. Yes, pink. Given it’s a dusty, cool-toned pink. But pink nevertheless. But before we get to that, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is the new love of my life. Cindy and the rest of you, I hate you fro making me buy it (really I love you, thank you). If you can get past the eye watering price, say hello to the most perfect skin-like medium-full coverage foundation you’ve ever worn. This is 100% a treat yo’self foundation, and I would probably recommend you be patient and wait for a Sephora sale but I couldn’t. It’s gorgeous mixed in with the Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint a la Tamira Jarrel for a light but perfected base that’ll look good all day. For an added glow I’m already loving this Glow Booster from Pixi*. It’s a rosy colour that gives a natural radiance under foundation or tapped onto the cheekbones.

Speaking of cheeks, I’ve actually been using some of the ones in my abhorrently large collection. And by that I mean that I’ve bought more blushes to my abhorrently large collection (hear my wallet crying?). Okay but the Bite Multisticks are a miracle and I can’t help myself. My most recent addition is Gelato and it is the most perfect cool pinky-mauve blush ever. EVER. It looks a bit weird on the lips to tell the truth, but it adds the most perfect flush to my cheeks. You need it, promise. I also absolutely adore the Bobbi Brown Sheer Cheek Tint, specifically in Sheer Lilac. I think these are being discontinued (tears), so haul yourself over to your closest CCS because we just got a ton in. I’ve switched to the Pixi Glow-y Powder in Santorini Sunset for a bit more of a warm golden glow, but I still love London Lustre with all my heart.

The Glossier Gen G in Like is perfect for both your lips and cheeks (see it in action here), and is also a gorgeous neutral-pink. Sheer pinks, man, who knew? More Glossier faves include the Boy Brows, which I have incidentally always loved but my appreciation has grown with this duo. Clear first, then fill in your brows, then set and tint with Brown (or your colour of choice). Fluffy brows galore, I’m seriously loving it. I can’t believe I used to be all about that sharp heavy instal-brow, kind of makes me cringe. Finally, I like to introduce a teeny tiny bit of colour to my nails this time of year. Specifically Essie’s Find Me An Oasis which is the most beautiful pale blue you have ever seen. This looks super elegant but fun on your nails and just makes you hands look nice. I think the pale colour elongates your fingers, elegance I tell you.

What things do you guys introduce into your routines this time of year?
x


*Some products featured in this post have been sent to me for consideration. This post is not sponsored and as always, all opinions are my own.

Get Ready With Me & Glossier

I have put up a video on YouTube. Slightly terrifying, slightly exciting, but I'm glad I pushed myself to do it. Please be kind as I spent 10 hours filming and editing this, eeeek! And ignore my insane bronzer, promise it didn't actually look like that!

P R O D U C T S  U S E D :

Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich

Glossier Boy Brow Clear

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation Shade 3 

Glossier Skin Tint Medium

Glossier Stretch Concealer Light

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Light

ABH Brow Wiz Medium Brown

Glossier Boy Brow Brown

BITE Beauty Multistick Cocoa

Pixi x Maryam Maquillage Glow & Bronze

Glossier Gen G Like

Glossier Quartz Haloscope

TreStiQue Mini Highlight Stick Maldives Luminescent

Bobbi Gentle Lash Curlers

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara

L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black

Glossier Gen G Cake

Pixi Glow Mist

LOUD Makeup Brushes

Lots of love

x

View the video here

The Easy Eye Edit

If I'm honest, it's pretty rare nowadays that I wear anything other than mascara on my eyes. Which is absolutely terrible considering I have around 7 million eyeshadow, but I'm lazy. Some days though I need a little pick me up, so these are the products that I use!

The Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Sticks are amazing. They're a bit pricey, but have gorgeous colour payoff, blend effortlessly, and last ALL day. I have had a lot of trouble lately with products fading ridiculously quickly (part of the reason I haven't bothered with eyeshadow), but these do not budge! I particularly love the shade Goldstone. TréStiQue recently sent me a few products, including their Mini Highlight Stick in Maldives Luminescent* which you can get in this gorgeous set from Sephora! This is a cream-gel formula, that glides effortlessly onto skin and doesn't skip on top of makeup. It sort of sets down, so it doesn't stay sticky. I've been loving this in the inner corners of my eye and a little bit blended onto my brow bone to brighten my eyes up.

A few months ago I discovered the magic of these Bobbi Brown Eyelash Curlers. They really keep my lashes curled and lifted, making my eyes look much more open. I usually mix a few mascaras to get some extreme volume, but my first layer is usually the Bobbi Brown Intensifying Long-Wear Mascara because it separates the lashes while making them look really long and voluminous. I'll usually layer on something more volumizing on top, but this provides a perfect base. If I'm really going all out, I'll add a winged liner (not very often honestly). I'm using the L'Oreal Infallible Super Slim Liner at the moment, it's not particularly amazing but it works!

Have you guys been makeup-lazy lately? I feel like there's a trend to more minimal makeup which is perfect for me!

x



*Products featured in this post were sent to me for consideration. This post is not sponsored and as always, all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more info.

Brand Focus: Pur~Lisse

A few months ago I was very luck to receive pretty much a full skincare routine from the lovely people at Pur~Lisse. I've done two previous posts here and here, but I figured I'd do a full roundup for you! I've also realized that I left my beloved BB Tint out of the photo (how??), but I will be talking about it here too!

The 4-in-1 Cleansing Milk is a gorgeous blend of soy milk, whole oat, and white tea that leaves my skin feeling cleansed, but also incredibly soft. This has become my morning cleanser of choice because it doesn't leave my skin stripped at all but gets it feeling really clean. I've never tried using it to remove my makeup, but it's so gentle I don't think it would irritate your eyes (also wouldn't recommend putting it in your eyes). I've also love the Blue Lotus Balancing Moisturizer. I often find my makeup slips and slides around on top of some moisturizers, but this leaves my skin nice and hydrated without any residue. This is also amazing at night because it just sinks in, and I don't wake up with my skin feeling gunky. It's also got my beloved Hyaluronic acid, as well as vitamin E, white tea, and French marine plants (fancy). The Blue Lotus Balancing Moisturizer with SPF 30 is perfect for during the day because it has that same texture with the added SPF!

The Blue Lotus 4-in-1 Eye Adore Serum is a beautifully light-weight under-eye serum that is anti-aging and helps with dark circles and puffiness. It is really hydrating, and the dark circles under my eyes seem to be fading. Fingers crossed this helps prevent future wrinkles! The Blue Lotus Brightening Serum is formulated with similar ingredients, but is obviously meant for your entire face. Blue Lotus extract is a powerful antioxidant which fights free-radicals, resulting in brighter, more even skin! The BB Tinted Moist Cream is a beautiful light weight, surprisingly medium coverage formula that looks so beautiful on the skin. It's also good for you with pur~lisse's Asian Herb Extracts complex, chamomile and artemisia to soothe skin, and sugar maple to retain moisture and improve skin's appearance. A lot of BB Creams I've tried have felt like I have something on my face, but this is totally non-greasy and somehow lasts alllll day. It does unfortunately  only come in three shades, but I can see them working for a variety of skin shades as they're quite neutral.

I thought I had run out of the Blue Lotus + Seaweed and Blue Lotus + White Tea sheet masks but I found these two the other day and was SO pumped. These are incredibly hydrating and leave the skin looking plump and radiant. I really love sheet masks because they're incredibly relaxing without all of the mess of a face mask. Speaking of face masks, their newest release is the Blue Lotus Seed Mud Mask + Exfoliant and it is wonderful! It has Blue Lotus Seeds, White Clay, Bamboo, Ginger, White Tea and Mushroom Extract to brighten, detoxify, tighten and soothe skin while providing gentle exfoliation. It made my skin super smooth and helped relieve redness in my cheeks. I've only used it a few times, but it's already made it's way into my heart.

Have you guys tried anything from Pur~Lisse? I'm loving them!
x


*Products mentioned in this post have been sent to me for consideration. This post is not sponsored and as always, all opinions are my own.

Four Years

Amelia Says is four years old. I suppose I've technically been blogging for six years now, but I've stuck here for F O U R YEARS. It's been so amazing to watch this little space grow into a family and I am so so grateful to all of your supporting me. This year especially I've really thrown myself back into it, all of my free time is pretty much spent trying, photographing, and writing about products and I absolutely adore it. I hope in the future I'll be able to dedicate even more time to it!

I've had several amazing opportunities to work with great brands this year, and as I'm sure you all know I became a rep for one of my favourite brands, Glossier! I've decided to thank you guys (well one of you for now), and am hosting a giveaway on my Instagram featuring my faves. Check there for details!

If you're thinking about starting a blog, do it. I promise you won't regret it, it's been one of the best experiences of my life. I've made countless friends and I consider myself very lucky to be able to be a part of this amazing community.

Thank you
x

The Cleanser Edit

I am a face cleanser freak in case you haven't noticed so far. I use sort of a ridiculous amount of them, but I'm trying to narrow it down so here are my favourite five!

The Pixi Double Cleanse is the newest addition to my collection, but it's quickly become a favourite. Probably because Caroline Hirons is the mastermind behind it and she's the queen of skincare. If you haven't seen it before, it's basically a double cleanse system in one pot. So one side is a solid cleansing oil that removes makeup and the other side is a conditioning cleansing cream. The oil side contains Vitamin E to protect and condition, Cameillia Oil which is rich in Omegas, and Evening Primrose Oil to heal and moisturize. The cream side contains Vitamin C to protect and promote collagen, a Peptide Complex to plump and reduce lines, Arginnie which improves cell renewal and elasticity (yes, please). Apparently this will be a permanent range product, and CH will be bringing out more products!

I've had sort of a love hate relationship with the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. I think it works much better for my skin in the winter when it's a bit drier. This is a gel cleanser that emulsifies into an oil. The MSM Complex aids collagen production, and Pumpkin Enzymes cleanses and also exfoliates dull skin cells.  I've talked you to death about my beloved Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, but it's my all-time favourite cleanser, and the only one I've repurchased time and time again. I've said it feels like you're washing your face with clouds, and it's so so gentle because the cleansing agent is the same that's in contact lens solution. It removes all of your makeup (minus waterproof mascara of course) and it's got ingredients like Vitamin B5 that help retain moisture and so doesn't leave your skin stripped. This has seriously helped my skin balance itself out and I don't think I'll ever be able to be without it. As always, glossier.com/reps/amelia for 20% off!

The Pur~Lisse Blue Lotus 4-in-1* is my favourite morning cleanser at the moment. It's a gorgeous blend of soy milk, whole oat, and white tea that leaves my skin feeling cleansed, but also incredibly soft. Blue Lotus is anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory and is perfect for the harsh, dry winter. Nuxe's Cleansing Gel with Rose Petals* is another that's great for sensitive skin. This is another sort of phase changing cleanser so it starts off like a gel and emulsifies into a milky cleanser. It's also great for the drier months as it doesn't leave your skin feeling stripped (sensing a theme?). 

Are you a crazy cleanser like me? What are your favourites?

x

*Some products featured in this post have been sent to me for consideration. This post is not sponsored and as always, all opinions are my own.

Tarte x Sephora Birthday Gift

Hello my loves! I picked up the Sephora Birthday gift last week, and I know a few people are struggling to decide between the two options so I thought I'd do a quick post! This year, the two options are this lil Tarte duo, or a Caudelie set featuring the Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet and Vinoperfect Serum. I didn't particularly like the sound of those, and I go through skincare minis way too quickly! You can also get a Jack Black duo with the Clean Break Oil-Free Moisturizer and Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser which is online only.

I'm absolutely obsessed with the Amazonian Clay Blush babies and have been wanting to try a Lip Paint, so this was a pretty obvious choice for me. And I love it. This may be the best Sephora gift I've gotten yet (happy dance). Inside you get the Amazonian Clay Blush in Paaaarty and Lip Paint in Birthday Suit. Paaaarty is a gorgeous pale mauvey-pink and is quite cool toned, which I love. These are by far my favourite blush formula, and if you haven't tried them you need to (immediately)! Birthday Suit is a pretty, warm medium-brownish nude (great description there). I thought it would be a bit too warm for me, but I actually really like it! The formula is different from a matte liquid lipstick in that it doesn't really dry down, and stays creamy. I personally don't like really dry lipsticks, so this is a win for me!

Which set do you guys think you'll pick up?
x

The 2017 Gratis

I'm very very lucky to work somewhere that gives us a birthday gratis as a little extra incentive to work harder. It's super fun getting to pick out your own birthday presents (lets be real, it's great). I really love reading these posts and I love all of these products so I thought I'd tell you about them!

Okay first, we got the GIANT Limited Edition bottle of the Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil so I obviously had to have it. This is basically the best cleansing oil in existence. It feels really viscous, so not like I'm rubbing grease onto my face, and removes every last scrap of makeup. It cleans without stripping, so your skin feels clean but hydrated. I haven't used this in a long time so I'm super excited to start again! I'll give you my proper thoughts in a few weeks.

I'm also sort of obsessed with the Bobbi Brown Beach Fragrance, so I bought this little set. Talk about bang for your buck! A lot of people say it only smells of sunscreen, but I think it smells like the ocean and I love it (even though I actually hate the beach). It's super clean and refreshing, but not everyone's cup of tea! Even if you don't like Beach, you NEED to try the body scrub. It's an orange peel and pumice exfoliant that smooths out your skin amazingly. Apparently it's being discontinued (whyyyyy Bobbi?) because we have tons at the CCS. The set also comes with a Body Lotion and Shower Gel, neither of which I've previously tried!

Last but not least I also got the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. My manager was like really, Amelia? How boring. But I've been using a little sample and I'm loving it! It's obviously an anti-aging serum and has its rep for being an old-lady product. But I think it's never to early to start using preventative products. It's much easier to prevent wrinkles than to get rid of them. This works by helping the skin's natural renewal process, helping reduce wrinkles, smooth skin, and prevent dark spots from occurring. I am using this is conjunction with several other anti-aging products like the Ordinary Advanced Retinoid, but I really think it's been making a difference! If you guys are interested I can do a more in-depth post.

Feeling incredibly grateful this week, and thank you everyone for all of the wonderful birthday messages!
x

Top Picks : January 2017

It feels like forever since I've done a favourites post! This month has been one of discovering lots of new products, but I've also sort of been sticking to a routine (makes no sense to me either). I was very fortunate to be a part of some amazing opportunities this month, like continuing to be a part of the Glosser rep program (glossier.com/reps/amelia for 20% off!), apparently being on the Pixi PR list (?!), and working with some other awesome brands. This is all thanks to your amazing support, so thank you so much!

In case you haven't noticed, I've been super into skincare this month. I started using the Pixi Double Cleanse a few weeks ago and I love it! I have a post up here with my first impressions and more info on the ingredients. Basically, this duo contains a gorgeous balm cleanser and a creamy cleanser for easy double-cleansing! I'm a double cleanse freak, and a Caroline Hirons freak, so this is obviously a win. It removes ALL of my makeup effortlessly and leaves my skin feeling soft, not stripped. WIN. In case I haven't talked about the Ordinary more than enough, I had to go and include it here. I just wrote this post, so I won't overwhelm you again. But, these super affordable serums are amazing and I have seen a tremendous difference in the appearance and feel of my skin, I highly highly recommend. Last but not at all least for my skincare loves is the Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich* (post here). Let me tell you. You have never experienced hydration until you've used this. The other night I switched it up and used another moisturiser I used to think was too much for me, and my skin still felt dry. Give your skin what it needs and get this, trust me.

For base this month, I was kind of flitting around like a good girl and trying to use up the exorbitant amount of foundations I own. And then I remembered this. The MAC Waterweight Foundation, which I haven't stopped using since. Because MAN does this make your skin flawless without looking or feeling like you have anything one. I could probably happily just use this foundation forever (she says as she slowly closes the drawer full of 50 other formulas). It layers beautifully, so you can get extra coverage where you need and lasts incredibly well all day. And that glow. I'm not sure how because I can't detect any shimmer but it gives your skin this radiant lit-from-within looks that I can't get enough of. Convinced? I wouldn't set this honestly because it's gorg, but for under my eyes I've been loving the Cover Fx Perfect Setting Powder* because it locks my concealer in without taking away the skin-like finish or looking powdery. It also somehow magically keeps anything from creasing all day.

If the radiance of the Waterweight isn't quite enough for you, my latest highlight love is Pixi's Glow-y Powder in London Lustre from Aspyn Ovard's collection. I also reviewed this in the first impressions post if you want more details. It's a gorgeous super pigmented and finely milled powder that gives a gorgeous shine to the face without going over the top. This colour is a beautiful icy-champagne perfect for my skin tone. I was lucky enough to be gifted the entire Pixi Pretties collection this week, so if you want reviews on any other products, let me know! Speaking of gifts, I was also sent a collection of brushes from LOUD makeup and they are so wonderful! They're 1005 vegan synthetic bristles and I'm honestly shocked at how well they apply my makeup (probably because all of my other brushes could use a good scrub). I specifically love the L4, L5, E1, E2, and E9, but they're all amazing! Finally, my beloved Glossier Boy Brow. I've recently been using this on its own instead of on top of a brow pencil/pomade and have been loving the natural fluffy brow look! They've just launched BB Clear (which I'm sure you all know by now), and it's perfect for everyday.

What have you guys been loving this month?
x



*Some products featured in this post have been sent for consideration. This post is not sponsored and as always, all opinions are my own.

The Ordinary

A few months ago, Deciem's newest line the Ordinary made its way onto my skincare radar. And then the queen of skincare (Caroline Hirons, duh) made a most about them and I needed to try them. If you're a skincare freak like me, then you know the habit can get a wee bit expensive (like you could probably bankrupt yourself honestly). But the Ordinary is changing that. Rather than stupidly inflated price tags for a marginally interesting product, and are instead incredibly affordable. Think in the range of $5-$15. Yes. The most expensive item costs fifteen dollars. And I know what you're thinking, but these products are anything but ordinary.

The first thing I picked up was the Advanced Retinoid 2% because skincare goddesses say everyone should use a retinol product and I listen. Retinoids are a little different from Retinol (confusing) in that they're incredibly effective, but generally non-irritating. All Retinols/oids/As/whatever else are derivative of Vitamin A. They initiate the skin to turn over cells rapidly, killing old cells and boosting new growth. Collagen production is also boosted, and rapid cell turnover can help fade hyperpigmentation. Because retinoids act directly on your DNA (slightly terrifying) they provide results really quickly. Under the surface, retinoids thicken the second layer of skin (the epidermis) which makes skin look firmer and prevents wrinkles. Retinoids can also create glycosaminoglycans (which sounds made up to me), which keep tissues hydrated.

I started off using this once every other day because I know retinol products can be quite harsh on your skin, but I had absolutely no problems and started using it every night. I was quite surprised by the texture, it's kind of like a milky-water that absorbs really quickly. I was expecting it to be much thicker, but it absorbs effortlessly! The first week I was kind of like eh, okay we'll see. I should have been a believer. Because I swear that second week I woke up, looked in the mirror, and actually nearly fell out of my seat. MY SKIN LOOKED SO GOOD. Super smooth, and my incredibly stubborn red scars were starting to fade. I think I'm around 20-25 days in now and the improvement in my skin has been almost a 180. You must try it (and for $10 why the hell not?).

I also decided to try the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% because I had restocked on Super Bounce and Glow, but was starting to get low on Pure. I've talked about the combo before, but Nicinamide and Zinc together work to calm irritated skin and prevent acne. I recently learned that Nicinamide also prevents melanin from reaching the surface of the skin, helping reduce hyperpigmentation. This one is more of a gel texture, and goes on a bit sticky. This is super different from the watery Super Pure that I'm used to, but I think both work just as well on my skin. This is quite a big bottle for only $5.90, so much more affordable, but I do personally prefer the texture of Super Pure!

Last but not least is another skincare miracle, the 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip-Seed Oil. I could probably write a dissertation on all of its benefits, so I'll try to keep it somewhat short (if you've made it this far into the post, bless you). It contains Vitamins E, C, and D, plus B-carotene which is a form of Vitamin A. These are all antioxidants which help fight free radicals and prevent cell damage. It's super rich in essential fatty acids like oleic, palmitic, linoleic, and gamma linolenic acid. These are polyunsaturated fats that convert to prostaglandins which help regenerate tissue and the cellular membrane. Because of Vitamin A's small molecules, it can also penetrate deeper into the skin, improving moisture levels and reducing fine lines. High cell turnover and fatty acids also repair the skin from hyper pigmentation and scarring. I haven't been using this every night this month, but probably around 3-4 times a week. On those days I wake up with my skin feeling really hydrated and smooth, and it has absolutely contributed to getting rid of my scarring. I definitely recommend using this with the Retinoid, as retinol products tend to dry out the skin.

Have you guys tried anything from the Ordinary? I already have a long wishlist!
x