My Current Skincare Routines ♡ AM & PM ft. Kylie Skin, Caudalie, IT Cosmetics, Rawkanvas, The Ordinary, Glow Receipe + More!

I came across the Routine Megathread in Reddit's SkincareAddiction and it gives me an idea to share my own skincare routine on the blog.

 CAUDALIE GRAPE WATER (AM + PM), this is probably the best facial sprays that I have ever purchased. The mist is so fine and it makes my face feels very hydrating and refreshing. I used to (and still do...) think that facial sprays are overrated and it's not a must-have product, but ever since I tried the Grape Water, I haven't stopped buying this product. I use it both in the AM and PM, and whenever my face is feeling heated and/or itchy, the grape water immediately calm down my face and I love it.

 RAWKANVAS PURIFIED: PURIFYING CLEANSER (AM), I started seeing this brand all over my Instagram feed and I decided to give it a go. I have a lot of mix feelings about this product, it's not awful and I don't regret the purchase, but I don't love it.

First of all the packaging is very simple, which is something I like, the bottle is made of glass, it's heavy and it feels high-end. I've had a problem with the pump, where it drips down the bottle every time I push the pump and it's suppose to squeeze out the products onto your hands. I have contacted Rawkanvas and they have suggested to twist the pump a bit, which fixed the problem for a few days then it went back to being annoying again, eventually I gave up trying to fix the problem.

Secondly, the cleanser itself is so average and it definitely does not match up to its' price tag. (NZD $55 for a cleanser is consider expensive to me). It cleans like any other cleansers that you can buy from the supermarket, but it does not removes makeup.

I like the smell and I like the jelly texture. It doesn't leave my face feeling tight or dry after cleansing, which I like as well. I use this mostly in the AM and usually I would get rid of products that I don't like as much, but I decided that I am going to use this up completely and share with you an updated review on this cleanser in my next beauty empties.

 KYLIE SKIN VANILLA MILK TONER (AM), I bought this bottle in May 2019, I use it every morning before applying makeup and now nearly a year after my purchase, there is still plenty left! I love this toner, it has a milky texture that leaves my face feeling soft and clean.

 THE ORDINARY CAFFEINE SOLUTION 5% + EGCG (AM), this is definitely overrated in my opinion! I have read many reviews where people says it reduce their dark circles and puffiness, so far I have been using it for months (a tiny drop under my eyes every morning) and I don't see any results?!

 THE ORDINARY ALPHA ARBUTIN 2% + HA (AM), I have been using this for months and I used to think that it is overrated. Until recently, I have been using it every morning before makeup applications, for two months now and I start to see the results. Although I don't have any scars on my face, I sometimes have uneven skin tone and I find that after using it every day, it visibly improves the pigmentation of my skin. My face looks much clearer now and I am more confident going out without wearing any makeup.

 BLISTEX INTENSIVE REPAIR LIP BALM (AM + PM), I use this mostly before bed time and it hydrates my lips throughout the night. I also use it in the day time and whenever my lips is feeling dry. I love the refreshing mint scent and the texture is not too oily, nor too thick.

 GLOW RECEIPE PINEAPPLE-C BRIGHT SERUM (PM), I never thought I would like this product, apart from the smell, but now I absolutely love it! My face feels smoother and looks brighter after continuously using it every night before bed and I have been using it for six months now. A lot of people may not like the smell, but I love it! It reminds me of eating pineapples with soy source haha.

 IT COSMETICS CONFIDENCE IN A CREAM (PM), this is my favourite moisturiser of all time and I only use it at night time because the texture is very thick and the formula is a bit heavy. I like that it absorbs fairy quickly and it keeps my face hydrated during the night, my face feels so soft every morning.

 MARIO BADESCU GLYOLIC EYE CREAM (PM), I don't have much to say about this eye cream as it didn't feel as luxurious on my under eye area as it claims. Although I didn't get any irritation using this product, I feel like this eye cream didn't do anything at all.

 ETUDE HOUSE WONDER PORE FRESHNER AND MONSTER MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER (AM + PM), I received a sample of these to try along with the Etude House Bamboo Charcoal Cotton Pads, one of them is to be used in the AM and another to be used in the PM. I have previously tried the Monster micellar water and I thought that it's average because I am not a big fan of micellar water. I have always wanted to try the Wonder Pore Freshner and I thought that it's just okay. The charcoal cotton pads are pretty amazing though.

Glow Recipe Review ♡ Pineapple-C Bright Serum, Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask

I have always thought that Glow Recipe is overrated and I see their products as an expensive version of Korean skincare.

My experience with this brand started with their Watermelon Jelly Sheet Mask, which I think it has been discontinued. I first tried their products in September 2018 and that was when Glow Recipe is not available in New Zealand yet, which means shopping on their website has to go through YouShop, resulting in expensive shipping and overall costs. (Nowadays you can buy Glow Recipe at Mecca).

I remembered the Watermelon Jelly Sheet Mask was very expensive, it was somewhere around USD $8, but I still wanted to try it so badly because everyone in the beauty world raves about this mask and I love watermelon.

So, I had a lot of expectations, especially for such an expensive mask, but it end up being very disappointing and that is when I start to question this brand. I have tried the Watermelon Jelly Sheet Mask three times and all three times I was disappointed. I didn't like that it's so slippery that it slides down all the time, it feels drying while the mask is on and after removable, it felt like the serum just sits on your skin, like it doesn't absorb into your skin at all.

Since then I have tried a few other products from Glow Recipe and my feelings towards this brand hasn't changed. The fact that I always buy their products is because their packagings are so cute, but every time I try a new product from them and it didn't work out for me, I feel disappointed.

The only product that I have tried from Glow Recipe and really liked is the Pineapple serum.

GLOW RECIPE PINEAPPLE-C BRIGHT SERUM (NZD $84 - MECCA) is described as a lightweight serum that soothes and brighten skin. It is suitable for all skin types and all skin concerns such as dullness, uneven texture, dryness and redness.

This serum includes ingredients such as:

 Pineapple Juice, which helps to brighten, smooth and hydrate skin.

 Vitamin C, which aims to brightens and provides antioxidants.

 Chamomile, which calms and smoothes skin, creating a gentle formula for sensitive skin.

Firstly, I LOVE THE PACKAGING! The bottle is shaped like a pineapple and it's really cute. Secondly, I LOVE THE SCENT! Totally weird but it smells like pineapple dipped in soy sauce, I always eat my pineapples dipped in soy sauce, so the scent has a special place in my heart.

As for the product itself, I have used about 30% and I like that it soothes my skin, I use the pineapple serum before bed and I would wake up in the morning with hydrating skin. My skin feels so soft and after two weeks use, my skin is visibly brighter.

GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW SLEEPING MASK (NZD $38 - 30ML - MECCA) is described as a skin smoothing, radiance boosting nightly sleeping mask that gently exfoliate and refine pores. It is suitable for all skin types and targets skin concerns such as pores, dryness and oiliness.

This sleeping mask includes ingredients such as:

 Watermelon Extract, which contains anti-inflammatory properties to soothe irritation, hydrates and delivers essential vitamins.

 Hyaluronic Acid, which hydrates skin by holding up to 1,000 times its weigh in moisture.

 AHA, which is a blend of lactic acid and glycolic acid that gently exfoliates and hydrates to reveal smoother, brighter skin over time by removing dead surface skin cells.

 Peony Root, which brighten and soothes skin.

My thoughts towards this sleeping mask is quite neutral, it doesn't make my skin breakouts like a lot of people claims, but it also doesn't wow me and makes me wants to re-purchase. I find that it does hydrates my skin and makes my skin bouncy and smooth the morning after I applied. I am not a fan of the scent though, I expected sweet, juicy watermelon, but it smells quite artificial.

GLOW RECIPE AVOCADO MELT SLEEPING MASK (NZD $38 - 30ML - MECCA) is described as a firming, moisturising mask that alleviates dry flaky skin overnight. It is suitable for Dry, Sensitive and Normal skin type and it targets skin concern such as anti-aging and dryness.

This sleeping mask includes ingredients such as:

 Avocado, which restore moisture and collagen in the skin.

 Manuka Honey, which refreshes and revitalizes stressed out skin.

 PHA, which gently exfoliates during sleep for softer and smoother skin.

 Kaolin, which extracts impurities from he kin without irritating to decongest pores and absorb excess oil.

This one has a thick cream texture which doesn't feel heavy on the skin, but it does gets oily. I find that it doesn't do much for me, probably because I have oily skin and this one is suitable for dry and normal skin. I do get dry patches around my chin and my forehead sometimes, but this one didn't 'restore moisture' as much as the Watermelon Sleeping Mask.

There are four types of fruit themes from Glow Recipe and so far I have tried Watermelon, Pineapple and Avocado. I still want to try their Blueberry collection despite my negative feelings towards the brand. I want to try it all to make my final decision on the brand.

Good thing is that Glow Recipe products doesn't make my skin breakout or ruin my skin, it either does nothing to me at all or it does something, but not to my expectation. My main reason for thinking that this brand is overhyped is because they are SO EXPENSIVE, all their products are expensive and you can literally get similar or better products for way cheaper pricing. A lot of Korean skincare out there are more affordable and does a way better job. I always get the feeling that Glow Recipe is overhyped probably because they pay a lot of big influencers to rave about their products.

Beauty Empties #16 ♡ Urban Decay, Kylie Skin, Too Faced, Origins, Kiehl's, Maybelline + More

The last beauty empties I posted was nearly three months ago and since then, I have collected another basket full of empty products that I am excited to share with you.

I feel like majority of the times I buy the same products over and over, so in my empties posts, there are a lot of repeated stuff, but this time, I have tried a few new products and hopefully this post doesn't get too boring. Haha ~ 

URBAN DECAY CHERRY-SCENTED ALL NIGHTER SETTING SPRAY SMELLS SO GOOD! I love it so much that I bought a bunch of back-ups before it's all sold out. This one was limited edition that launched with the Naked Cherry collection.

URBAN DECAY MECCALAND ALL NIGHTER SETTING SPRAY was a Mecca exclusive and I can't describe the smell of this, but it smells kind of fake, like packages... I don't know, hahah.

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is my all time favourites.

GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON PINK JUICE MOISTURIZER was okay and to be honest, I think the brand and their products are overhyped. This moisturiser is described as a lightweight, brightening product that boost radiance and glow and I feel like it does the same on my skin as any other moisturiser.

KYLIE SKIN VITAMIN C SERUM is one of the new products that I tried this year and really like. I am just really surprised at how fast this bottle finished, I used it every morning and it lasted about two months. I like that it reduces my redness and that it makes my face looks fresh.

TOO FACED PEACH PERFECT FOUNDATION IS THE BEST FOUNDATION FOR OILY SKIN and I had to write that all in capital letters, so you know how serious I am about it. I have recommended this foundation to people with oily skin and they all end up loving it! I love that it feels lightweight, it wears all day, looks flawless on the skin and it smells like peaches.

FRESH SOY FACE CLEANSER didn't wow me, but it didn't do a bad job either. I bought this to try because a lot of people has recommended, but again, I feel like it does the same on me as any other cleanser.

ORIGINS ORIGINAL SKIN MATTE MOISTURIZER is another product that I highly recommended for people with oily skin. It's so amazing, it keeps my skin matte all day without loosing the glow. I use this every morning with or without makeup.

GLAMGLOW GRAVITYMUD PINK FIRMING TREATMENT only comes in the travel size and this little pot lasted me three uses and it cost $39, which I think is really expensive. The product itself is amazing though, this is a peel-off mask and it makes my skin feeling lifted after every use.

KIEHL'S MANGO LIP BALM smells good and I bought it because it says to be one of the best lip balms on the market, and I love mango.

MAYBELLINE INSTANT AGE REWIND ERASER CONCEALER was THE THING back in the days and it is still an amazing concealer, but I think the sponge tip is totally gross.

COLOURPOP NO FILTER CONCEALER is one of my favourites products of all times. It's full coverage, but it doesn't feel heavy on the skin.

HEROINE MAKE SPEEDY MASCARA REMOVER does an amazing job at removing waterproof mascaras, even those that are super tough to remove, but for some reason, every time I use this, my lashes falls off randomly, to the point where I feel like my eyes were going bald.

NARS AUDACIOUS MASCARA is probably a good mascara, but it didn't work for me and these brands are not the ones to blame. I have quite short and straight lashes that only a few selected mascaras can lift up those stubborn babies.

REVITALASH ADVANCED, I bought the six months Revitalash exactly year ago and I am throwing them away because I don't think it's safe to use anymore. Although, I have only used two months of it and I think it may have grew my lashes a little, I couldn't be bother applying every single day and I end up just forgetting it.

BENEFIT GOOF PROOF BROW PENCIL is one of my most re-purchased brow product of all time and if it wasn't so expensive, I would probably have a bunch of backups already. I was a bit disappointed with this one though, the pencil breaks too often, like I could be lining my brows and it would randomly snap.

KAT VON D TATTOO LINER is the absolute BEST eyeliner I have ever used! I have gone through so many down times this year and last year, I have cried a lot while wearing the Tattoo Liners and it really surprised me that, while all my other makeup have faded, my eyeliners stayed perfectly winged.

COLOURPOP BROW BOSS PENCIL is one of the products that I talked about in almost all of my beauty empties posts. I usually have a bunch of Brow Boss empties, but this past months I have been trying to Fenty Beauty Brow MVP instead. Brow Boss is still my favourite, I love that it gives the most natural looking brows look.

THE GOOD VITAMIN CO. GOOD BIOTIN FOR SKIN HAIR NAILS, I have talked about this in my last beauty empties and so far I have emptied three bottles already. I do still think that the vitamin helped with growing my hair, but for my nails, I am not so sure anymore, even though my nails are growing, but they're breaking at the same time. Now I am thinking, the people at the nail places helps fixed my nails, not the vitamins, ya'know?!

LANCOME ABSOLUE SUBLIME RADIANCE COMPACT FOUNDATION is sooooo old and the shade doesn't even match me anymore, so I am throwing it out.