Morning Skin Care Routine

Following up my Updated Evening Skin Care Routine blogpost, I want to share with you what I use in the morning these days. Now since I take so much time cleansing my face in the evening, I don't feel like I have to go as hardcore on my skin it morning. 

In the morning I just like to quickly cleanse my face with the Lavera Reinigungsschaum, which I have already talked about here. Not only does it work really well, but it is also very inexpensive at only 6 €. Then I like to use my Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner again. I swear by this stuff. I don't know what it is, but it is life changing. 
For eye cream I use the same on as in the evening. The Hübner Augenbalsam (plus). It is with hyaluronic acid and we all need a little hyaluronic acid in your lifes, don't we? I just use less than I use in the evening, since I don't want my concealer to melt off.

For moisturizer I use the Dr. Hauschka Med Mittagsblume (Ice Plant) moisturizer. Like its big brother, the Ice Plant Body Lotion, it is REALLY hydrating. If you have eczema, try this. I like to use it in the morning, because it sinks in really quickly and doesn't leave a greasy residue. 
On top of that I use the Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Ultra Sheer Daily Defense SPF 30 sunblock. I just saw that this is a moisturizer + spf, but I always just apply on top of my regular moisturizer and it isn't to heavy for me. It dries within 5 minutes to a matte finish. And its the only suncream that doesn't break me out [knock on wood!]. 

So this is it. Simple but effective. Talk to you later. Byeeeeee.

- Julia xxx

Updated Evening Skin Care Routine

I know I haven't been posting as regularly these days and that is because Uni has taken over my life, once again. So please bear with me here, I'm trying my best to balance everything and eventually everything will settle down. 

Now I have been on Roaccutane for over one and a half months now and with the change of my skin comes the change in my skin care. My skin is (still) nowhere near perfect and I still break out quite frequently and don't even get me started on the acne scars. It is certainly not the hardest part but it kinda sucks not being able to do anything, since I can't use anything harsh on my skin during the 6 month Roaccutane course. 

Being back at Uni, I have noticed that within the first week my skin went crazy and started breaking out again. Maybe it came with the stress/ nervousness (even though I am not that stressed yet). My other guesses where that I am either allergic to the washing powder or the water just isn't as clean, since I live in a bigger city and my skin is just being a diva over it. 
Be that as it may, I had to change my whole entire skin care routine adjusting to the circumstances. 

I have found a few products (mainly in my mom's little cupboard over the sink), which I would've never tried without my mom introducing me to them or at least encouraging me to use her things, which is weird since she is not into skin care at all and just buys whatever falls into her hands and I am the total opposite. 

Now in all the years I have been struggling with acne, I have never, not once, found a product that REALLY worked for my skin and where I could actually see a difference over the course of one week/month. Duh. That's why I started taking heavy (legal!) drugs. But I am so happy to say that these products I am using at the moment make all the difference. Of course I am still on Roaccutane and one could say that it's only due to that, but when I stop using these products, even for one night (!), my skin gets worse again. So without further ado: the products.

Starting of with cleansing. I like to double cleanse in the evening and believe me when I say: This makes all the difference! Before trying it out myself, I wouldn't have believed it either, though. I know everyone always says that you shouldn't go to bed with your make up still on, so I used to use whatever cleanser I had laying around and quickly took of most of my make up. Out of sheer laziness. What a mistake I can tell you now. You have to take off your make up first (properly) and then also clean your skin underneath. 

So first I use the Dermalogica Precleanse and rub it into my dry skin and over my eyes. Then I apply some luke warm water to my face, so it turns into a milky liquid, and I rub some more, gently. Using a washcloth, which I run under hot water, I take everything off. Then I use coconut oil and massage it into my skin. I really massage my face, and let me tell you, it does not feel great. I learned it from Caroline Hirons (my Queen) and again, this makes all the difference! Make sure to take your time here, it will be worth it. Using the same washcloth rinsed under hot water, I take everything off. 

Make sure you change your washcloth on a regular basis. I don't use mine more than two to three days in a row. And you don't really need the Dermalogica Precleanse, I just need to use it up, but I find substituting it for coconut oil as a precleanser works just as well.

After that I use another cleanser, yes you have heard me right, but this time not a balm cleanser but a 'regular' (?) one. Now my mom bought this and when I saw that it said 'foaming' on the bottle I had to give her a little bit of a lecture. BUT I have tried it myself and it only foams because of the dispenser. Once you work it into your skin, it doesn't foam, hallelujah! 

Another product which my skin loves is the Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner. Now I believe I have talked about this before, but somehow it just can't be the same. I formerly said that this product does nothing for my skin and was a little bit of a waste of money. Again: BUT, my mom bought herself a new one after she ran out and I used it for a few days (because why not, when it is sitting there anyway :D) and I noticed that my skin has gotten significantly better. I didn't put it down to this product, though, more so to the drugs. Then after moving back into my dorm room and not being able to use my mom's stuff, my skin got worse again, like I said. So I decided to splurge and see if my skin would get better again when using this product, and it has. I don't know why, though. Have they changed the formulation or something? Whatever it is, I love it.

The last few steps involve moisturizer. A lot of moisturiser. The Dr. Hauschka toner is a little drying but over all my skin is just super dry at the moment anyway. The best moisturizer is by far the Lush Celestial Moisturizer. It is super moisturizing and gentle and it also just contains good stuff. 

Fun Fact 

A dear friend of mine has suffered from neurodermatitis (or atopic eczema) every since she was a baby and she found out about Lush around 4 years ago. Ever since using this exact moisturizer, her neurodermatitis has improved SO much and never came back. She even uses it on her body. For years her parents and doctors have tried all kinds of creames and methods and nothing worked, until she stumbled across this Lush moisturizer. 

Rambling over.

And for my eyes, because I already have fine lines around my eyes (I AM 20 FOR GOD'S SAKE, sorry), I use the Hübner Augenbalsam with hyaluronic acid.

Ok, so this was a rather long blogpost, I am sorry. But I did have a lot to tell you about. If you found this interesting then stay tuned for a morning skin care routine sometime this week. 
Talk to you soon!

- Julia xxx

It's Not Me, It's You

There are so many hyped up products out there and quite frankly, I want to try ALL of them. Please! Thank you. But that being said, some of those products have turned out to be great disappointments. Not only for my wallet but also for my face. No matter how many times and in how many different ways I try them, they just do not work for me. I'm sorry darling, it's not me, it's you. At least this time.

 

TIGI Catwalk Your Highness Root Boost Spray - This is a volumising spray, which you are supposed to spray onto your roots when your hair is still wet and then blow dry it as usual. And it works. Especially if you blow dry your hair upside down it gives it quite a bit of volume. BUT it feels heavy, like when you have a think foundation on and all you can think about is that foundation ON YO FACE, it smells extremely strong, to the point where it gives me a headache and it makes your hair feels sticky and just gross. Am  being a diva here? I don't know. All I know is that it does not work for me.

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation - Now for some reason when i first bought it, it really worked for me. Maybe because I was in Florida that time and it was really hot and humid. Now I live in Germany and the weather is crappy and cold most of the time. So my skin is really dry and this foundation sits really awkwardly on my skin and extenuates the dry patches like no other. The features I like are that it's a full coverage foundation, concealer and primer in one. PLUS it has an SPF of 20, a nice range of shades and lasts up to 18 hours. So maybe this time it is me and not you, dear foundation, since I think you would work amazingly on normal to oily skin. I hope you can forgive me one day and that we can remain friends.

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Nude Pink - Nice colour and smells like candy, this alone should make it a winner. But it has a really thick consistency and just sits awkwardly on my lips, looking streaky and extenuation dry patches. What's up with all that awkwardness, huh?!

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate - Ok here is one I really didn't wanna put on here, believe me. I was super excited when I first got it because every one was raving about it. It's supposed to be some kind of miracle product that you apply over night and in the morning your skin should look and feel renewed and refreshed. I tried it out for almost one year, on and off, but besides not doing anything positive for my skin, it also broke me out horribly. And this is by far not the only product from Kiehl's which broke me out. In fact, I believe every product that I have tried from this company, broke me out. Especially the suncreames. 

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm - I blame this purchase on EssieButton. haha She, amongst other Youtubers, were saying so many good things about this lip balm that I just had to get my hands on it. It's supposed to be one of the best lips balms out there, tried out on people living in places in Canada where it gets really cold in the winter. So with those reviews and at 12€ not exactly being cheap, I had very high hopes for this. But the texture is really thick, it smells sickeningly of oranges and it contains mineral oil, which really put me off from using it. Something you put on and around your mouth and will, inevitably, get in your mouth, should not contain mineral oil. Because it is so thick I always applied it before going to bed, not without gagging though, and in the morning my lips feel smoother but that feeling just doesnt last very long. The only thing I like about it is that it's fairly matte looking on the lips.  

Have you tried any of these products and if so, what do you think about them? Please let me know!

- Julia xxx

Shop My Stash

I am finally back at Uni, not living with my parents anymore but on my own in a tiny little dorm room not-so-near campus and that means: having access to the whole of my make up collection ... Amongst other things, like noisy neighbours or having to do my own laundry again, but it's all good!
So after two months of living out of a small make up bag, small for me, excessive for 'normal' people, I had a little look through my make up yesterday evening and 'discovered' a few items I have totally forgotten about. How exciting! (It's the little things in life people, don't judge me!)

Here we have them all. Aren't they beautiful. And on some of them I have even hit pan, which is even more exciting (oh gosh) and motivates me to use them up, put them in an 'Empties' blogpost, or even video (?) and throw them out. Nothing more satisfying than finishing make up products, am I right?

Ok, for the products we have:

L'Oreal True Match Foundation soft ivory n1 - And even two of them! Back when I lived in the USA for a few months I was obsessed with this foundation and because we don't have it in Germany (at least no that light of a shade), I panicked and bought two. Back home again, I just wasn't interested in it anymore. Story of my life.

NYX Blush Taupe - Great contour shade for fair skinned people like me. I really don't know what else to say about it, really. It's inexpensive (at least in the US) and it works. But ever since the Lancome subtile palette, I have stopped using it, because that's just a whole nother league. That being said, I will probably repurchase it.

Make Up Factory Matte Eyeshadow 08 - It's matte. It's brown. It's a nice contour- crease shade. But ain't nobody got time for single eyeshadows, anymore. I really find myself reaching for eyeshadow palettes these days. So the single eyesahdow needs to go. Nice quality, though. 

NYX EyeshadowTrio Nude/ Taupe/ Dark Brown - Back in the day when I started getting into make up, this was my very first eyeshadow- palette- love. And you know how they say you will always remember your first love. It's true ... at least with this trio. Muhahah. (I think the lack of sleep is getting to my head already?!) But seriously, these eyeshadows are amazing. Super pigmented, no fall out, very creamy. I only have nice things to say about it. I especially love the shimmery nude shade in the summer.

Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder 125 - Now that I have really dry skin, I don't want my powder to completely mattify my face but instead just setting my make up and leaving my skin look like skin, if that makes sense. I find that this powder really does the trick. You probably won't like it if you have oily skin and are looking for something to mattify your face. In that case I would recommend the Rimmel Stay Matte powder. 

Revlon Lip Butter Strawberry Shortcake/ Sugar Frosting - Since my lips are so dry because of the Roaccutane, these are the only lipsticks I can wear these days. These shades make me feel so summery and happy that I want to wear them more often.

Sleek Blush By 3 Lace - Again, think summer. I love oranges in summer. These can be quite scary, because they are so bright and pigmented. But I really wanna make them work. We'll see how that goes.

Benefit Blush Bella Bamba - Smells ah-mazing. And it is super shimmery. It's all about the shimmer this summer. And it's more wearable and easier to pull off, in my case anyway, than the Sleek blushes.

elf Shimmering Facial Whip Lilac Petal - Going with the shimmer theme: this! Supposedly a dupe for the Nars Copacabana highlighter. I wouldn't know. Besides the usual place where one would apply highlighter, I like to apply this as an eyeshadow. Looks super glossy on the lid. Gorgeous. and the pink really brings out the green in my eyes, which is always a plus. Be warned , though, it is a metallic-y colour.

left: Sugar Frosting / right: Strawberry Shortcake

It's quite fun shopping your own stash at home every now and again. And way more justifiable and easy on the wallet. What is a product that you recently re-discovered from your make up collection? I would be interested to know!


- Julia xxx

How Much Is My Face Worth?

I JUST read a blogpost and sad as I am it really excited me, so I thought I HAVE to do the same. This is such a cool idea and I think everyone should do one of these! Basically if you wanna know how much money you have spend on your face alone, you add up the price of all the products you use on a daily basis and out comes 'How much is my face worth?'. To be honest, I am a little scarred to do this, because I already know that it will be a lot of money and I don't really know how I'll be able to justify this. But I am gonna do it anyway, because ... I'm a rebel like that ... haha

Now on some days I use more than this and on other days I use less, so the price obviously varies. But over all, this is what I use on my face on a daily basis. Let's start with the base.

Esteé Lauder Double Wear Foundation Ecru - 40€
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder Sandstorm - 5€
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer 15 - 6€
Real Techniques Stipplig Brush  - 13€
Real Techniques Buffing Brush  - 13€  

This is pretty standard in my daily routine. I apply foundation, which is always Double Wear, because it's full coverage and stays on 18+ hours, and I apply concealer to brighten my under eye area. On rare good days I can get away with only the Fit Me concealer. And to seal everything in I use a powder. My foundation I apply with the stippling brush and my powder with the buffing brush.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo On and on bronze  - 8€
Benefit High Beam (came in a kit)  - 30€
Nars Bronzer Laguna  - 36€
Sephora Eyelash Curlers  - 12€
Real Techniques Contour Brush  - 13€

The last few weeks I have really enjoyed using bronzer again. I also like to mix my foundation with a little bit of High Beam, so my complexion doesn't look dull. For a little colour on the eyelid I use a Colour Tattoo, easy. Curling my lashes is also a must. The brush I use for blush and sometimes extra contour for those puffy days.

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara  - 13€
Lancome Blush Subtile Palette Rose Flush  - 42€
Burt's Bee Lip Balm Pomegranate  - 4€
Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush  - 10€

Mascara, standard. For blush I like to use the one from the Lancome trio, it's so soft and velvety. Lip balm is a must for my dry and chapped lips. My concealer I like to blend with the deluxe crease brush.

Ok, are you ready?! The grant total is: 232, 13€. That would be 320 USD or 192 GBP. Oh my. I feel a little guilty but at the same time incredibly fortunate and grateful that I am able to afford things like that. I think sometimes we don't appreciate the things we surround us with everyday enough and it's easy to forget how lucky we are to be in such a position. So today I am going to be extra grateful for all the small things I usually take for granted. Showing gratitude. It's a good thing. 

What do you think? If this whole 'project' excited you as much as it excited me then...welcome to the loser team haha just kidding! But I would really like to see what you use on a daily basis and how much money you spend on your 'daily face'. 

- Julia xxx