My Current Skincare Routine

Morning

Soap and Glory For Daily Youth Face Wash

This has been my morning cleanser since I got it from Boots back in August. I actually wanted FACE SOAP AND CLARITY but it was HUGE that I was too worried about the weight of my baggage. I picked this one up instead simply because it's smaller. It contains peach and goji berry extracts that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, along with exfoliating beads that gently removes dead skin cells. It smells gorgeous just like Peaches and Clean, and I love the moisturising feeling it leaves on my skin after use. I absolutely love Soap and Glory.

Homeo Beau Lotion

This lotion from a Japanese skincare brand Homeo Beau contains amino acids that structure NMF -the moisturising factor you naturally have in your skin- to replenish it to increase the moisture level of the skin. It also contains fulleren, lipidure and vitamin C derivative as well. This lotion does not leave ANY oily residue on the skin, which makes it a perfect lotion in the morning for my combination skin.

Kiehl's Daily Reviving Concentrate

I was 100% against the idea of applying oil on my skin before makeup. My skin gets pretty oily during the day which melts the foundation and make me look super greasy and disgusting, which is why I used to use oil-free moisturiser. I got this oil as part of their special kit, and the shop assistant told me that some people say this oil reduces the oil production during the day. I thought that was just a sales-talk to convince me to buy the kit. But I was wrong, this oil blew my mind, literally! It DOES balance the skin meaning your face doesn't get oily nor dry during the day. It sinks into the skin within a second, which really impressed me. It's a magical oil for sure. 

Elemis Hydra-Boost Day Cream

I got it in my lookfantastic.com beauty box which is my favourite beauty box EVER. I had never tried a decent sized sample from Elemis before, but this product made me fall in love with the brand. Though this cream is for normal to dry skin, it's not too heavy for my combination skin. Maybe it's because of the weather, the air is absolutely dry that I need extra moisture. It smells lovely -I guess it's Neroli which is giving this pleasant scent. I need to absorb excess oil with tissue after applying this moisturiser as it leaves an oily feel on the skin, and doesn't sink in quickly, but overall it's a very nice cream.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet

When Elemis Hydra-Boost Day Cream is a little too heavy, I use this moisturiser from Caudalie. I got it in the same beauty box. I have used this cream before, I purchased the full size one 2 years ago and used it up within a couple of months as I used it every single day during the summer. I love the scent, and how it feels on the skin -very light yet not drying. It's not moisturising enough for dry skin for sure, but if you have oily to combination skin, you will like it I guess.

LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub

To finish up my morning skincare routine, I use LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub to remove any dead skin cells on the lips. I have very dry lips no matter what season I'm in, so lip scrub is a must-have item for me. I used to have Mint Julep Scrub from LUSH and I very much enjoyed it, I especially loved how sweet it tasted when it accidentally got into my mouth. Popcorn Scrub smells sweeter, because it smells like caramel popcorn, but as it contains sea salt it's pretty salty which I am not a big fan of....still it's a good lip scrub.

Rafra Balm Orange

The best cleansing balm I've ever tried followed by the balm from Evelom. Having a texture like honey, it melts makeup within 30 seconds completely. I love how fresh it smells, and how smooth the skin feels after use. It cleanses, moisturises and exfoliates at the same time. What more do I want? 

YSL Forever Youth Liberator Essence-in-Lotion

This lotion is very thick that I definitely need a cotton pad to apply. It's a very intense lotion that feels like a serum. Though it claims to plump the skin, I haven't noticed any difference of my skin to be honest. But I like the powdery scent and the texture, so I will keep using until it gets empty. 

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

I now understand what people have been raving about it for years! When I tried on my skin a long time ago to see what the hype is about, it felt very oily and sitting on the skin surface. It does sit on the skin much longer compared to Daily Reviving Concentrate, although it doesn't feel too oily for some reason. Containing Evening Primrose, it reconstructs the skin barrier and reduces the oil production. The lavender scent is soothing, too. I noticed my pores looked smaller the next morning, and my skin definitely is much more firming than before.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

I bought my first product from First Aid Beauty, finally! And this thick cream which contains oatmeal and shea butter makes my skin feel thicker, even. I know it sounds strange but it really does feel like my skin is plumped and got thicker. I first didn't like the feel it sits on the skin, because I don't like my pillow case sticking on my face, but I am not used to it. It's not the fastest absorbing cream in the world, but I do like it. P.S. I am not a big fan of the scent either -it's a little bit like Oronine Ointment.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye

This tiny tube -which is almost empty- lasted for ages. I liked how it reduced the appearance of my dark circles when was given the sample sachet, and decided to purchase the full size. But now I'm using it up, I don't see the effect that I felt when I used the sample. I am not going to repurchase it.

I hope you enjoyed the post!

TOFU LOVE Professional Makeup Sponge

TOFU LOVE Professional Makeup Sponge 380yen
Can you believe that Beauty Blender isn't officially available in Japan? I seriously wonder why, because Japan is one of the 'advanced countries' when it comes to beauty. I have heard countless beauty bloggers and youtubers raving about Beauty Blender for years, but I have never tried it myself. I liked Miracle Completion Sponge from Real Techniques but hearing everyone saying 'There is nothing like the original Beauty Blender', I still am dying to try it.

But what can I do, it's not available in Japan unless I order on Sephora or something. So, I picked up this sponge called Tofu Love. How cute is that? I thought it's just a heart shaped sponge, but actually it's a heart shaped sponge divided in half. Meaning one pack comes with two sponges.

The sponge is thick but not too soft when it's dry. It feels very condensed. You can use it dry or wet according to your liking, but I never use it dry because it doesn't do anything special that way. But once it's wet, it expands and becomes much softer and kind of like Konjac.

The left half is dry, and the right one is wet. It feels so soft on the skin when it's wet, and blends foundation and concealer seamlessly. I blend foundation with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush, and then pat with this sponge. It evens out the layer of foundation beautifully and makes my skin look flawless. Then I apply concealer, and blend with this sponge so that it doesn't look heavy or cakey. It does not absorb foundation and concealer too much, but definitely controls the amount that goes on the skin if that makes sense.

The only downside is the shape. I wish it was round or heart shaped so that there is no edge. The tip of the heart (is that what it's called?) is too thin that's breakable. The round part is then too thick that doesn't fit anywhere on my face. Apparently they used to have a pentagon shaped version as well but I haven't seen it anywhere recently.

If you are sensitive like me, you would think it's not a good idea to buy a white makeup sponge. But this one cleans amazingly for some reason, every time I wash it with  Magic Soap, it looks like brand-new!

I cannot compare this sponge to Beauty Blender, but I am pretty satisfied with this for now. Of course I will try to get my hands on the original Beauty Blender when I can, though.  Considering the price, I think it could be a good dupe!

Shiseido Integrate Matsu-iku Girls' Lash Otemba Curl

Shiseido Integrate Matsu-iku Girls' Lash Otemba Curl 1,296yen
As you may know already, I am very fussy when it comes to mascara. Japanese mascaras are designed for Japanese lashes -short and growing straight down that don't hold a curl. That is why you find that the most of Japanese mascaras have fibres in them to make your lashes longer. Also Japanese people love waterproof ones to avoid smudging and 'panda eyes'.

I have quite long lashes that hold a curl, which means when I use a mascara with loads of fibres in it, my lashes look too long and kind of freaky. I hate it when fibres make your lashes look wonky, too. I also don't like a waterproof mascara because it's pain in the butt to remove at night, and nothing is more annoying than looking in a mirror finding your mascara hasn't been removed after washing your face.

Integrate Matsu-iku Girls' Lash in Otemba Curl  -such an odd name, though. Matsu-iku means growing lashes and Otemba means tomboy- is everything that I don't like about a mascara. It's got fibres and the comb wand which I don't like, and it's waterproof. I thought it would be a disaster. But you know what, I am in love with this mascara.

First I thought this curvy comb wouldn't do anything to my lashes besides making them look wonky. But actually, it does the trick! It's very hard to explain but let me try...basically, when you apply the mascara on the centre of your lashes, you place the comb at the same angle as the lashes -I know it doesn't make sense, but I can't find any other way to explain this! I mean, the comb should be fitting the shape of your eye. Then, when you apply it on the outer corner of your lashes, flip the comb and use it like a spoon. Like, scooping your lashes with the comb. That way, your lashes curls upwards and they hold it hours and hours.

Despite the fact it's got tons of fibres, it's not clumpy at all. It coats each lash and separate them, for a voluminous and fuller look. I love the fact that it doesn't stick the lashes together, too. Though I wish it was a 'film mascara' that washes off with warm water, I am obsessed with this mascara because I love how it makes my lashes look.

Don't worry about a little smudge of mascara under the eye, I didn't notice I failed on applying it on my bottom lashes. Honestly, it's unnoticeable in real life! Anyway, how gorgeous my lashes look!? It looks like I'm waring false lashes. Every time I put a photo of my eye makeup wearing this mascara on Instagram, I get compliments or questions about which mascara I use.

This has been the mascara that I reach for on daily basis the most recently, because it never makes me want to start my makeup all over again which sometimes happens when I accidentally apply an old mascara that's kind of dried up and made my lashes look clumpy and smudgy and miserable. I apply makeup at 7am, and come home from work around 10-11pm on the weekdays, and still my lashes look exactly the same as they did in the morning. Incredible.

If you are a fan of separated lashes, I highly recommend this mascara along with Heroine Mascara.