If you are one of my Instagram followers then you would have seen on my story two weeks ago my fabulous peeling eyelids and eye bags. I would like to take a moment to thank winter, the wind and me running out of all my skincare products at the same time for this. Let me tell you, dry flaky skin and makeup are not a match made in heaven, they are the complete opposite. No matter what you do the pesky dry patches will always be on show and when it is your eye area it does look quite odd.

I have a very, and I mean super, basic makeup routine that I stuck to during my time of struggle which still covered my acne scarring, let my skin breathe and didn't enhance any dryness. This routine consists of 4 products but you can alter it and add depending on your skin. Mine was just really dry so I kept it as simple as possible.

The first step is either a primer, oil or moisturiser. With my skin I went with rosehip oil to prep and really hydrate my skin. To actually cover my scarring and even out my skin tone I used the best concealer ever for dryer skin types! The BareMinerals bareSkin complete coverage serum concealer. Anything that is a serum generally works well with my dryer skin so I knew this concealer wouldn't enhance it. I spot concealed only the reddened areas of my face completely leaving out the eye area. I had to rock my natural eye bags for a few days and let them be coated with coconut oil to fix the flaking. This concealer provides amazing coverage and I will include a photo so you can all actually see what I mean.

The last two products that I used were mascara and a brow product. Mascara helped to make my eyes look awake and bigger since I couldn't actually cover any of the skin surrounding it with makeup. I only applied mascara on my top lashes (which I normally do anyway because I hate bottom mascara on me). I filled in my brows lightly and the look is complete.

Again, I know this isn't much and I probably didn't have to write a routine on it but it could help out someone else struggling with extremely dry skin. If you have dry under eyes then I also recommend this concealer because it has a hydrating formula and won't turn cakey. I hope this was helpful and thank you for reading this weeks post!

I was fortunate enough to receive a package around April/May containing skincare items from an all natural brand - Antipodes Skincare. My skin at the time was very problematic so I decided to stick to using these three products daily to really put them to the test. Keep on reading to hear my thoughts and to find out which product CHANGED my life!

The products I kindly received and put to the test were:

1. Immortal SPF 15 Face & Body Moisturiser

2. Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser

3. Skin-Brightening & Tone-Correcting Serum

Background
I have very dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin, to the point where even a "gentle" cleanser can irritate my flaky dry patches. When I first started using these products my cheeks were covered with acne due to my hormones being unbalanced however now I have no acne, just redness and scarring.

About the brand
Antipodes is an all natural skincare company from New Zealand which can be found online or in store at Priceline. All their products are dermatologically tested and approved so they are safe for sensitive skin-types and a range of their products are certified organic. Not only do they produce high quality skin care but they have also have a natural beauty range consisting of foundation and lipsticks.

Their prices are on the higher end compared to other skin care brands that can be found at Priceline however, you really are paying for quality and you will notice a difference in your skin.

Immortal SPF 15 Face & Body Moisturiser

About:
A face and body moisturiser that provides a high shield of defence by filtering UVA (Ultraviolet A) rays and blocking UVB (Ultraviolet B) sunlight.

My results:

• Contains SPF 15 which is a natural, milder and safer form of SPF - perfect for sensitive skin-types!
• Can be used on your face and body, got to love those two-in-one products
• Gives a slight white cast when immediately applied however this fades as it soaks into the skin. I found this only happened when I applied a lot of the product. Although, a way to combat the dreaded white-cast according to Antipodes very own Beauty Expert is to warm up the product between your hands prior to applying it to your face.
• It can leaves a sticky residue however this makes it a perfect base for your foundation to stick to!
• Only need to use a small amount at a time so it will last you a very long time. 
• Only downside is that I did experience some itchiness with this moisturiser, this only occurred if I applied a thick layer.
• Lightweight formula
• Squeezy tube which is a bonus in itself! This prevents you from getting bacteria into the product which would happen if it were in a pot.

Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser

About:

A gentle cleanser which clears impurities and removes makeup.

My results:

• This really is a gentle cleanser perfect to use both morning and nightly
• Does not leave a greasy film
• Removes any left over makeup, especially when paired with my Clarisonic
• Has a thick creamy texture that leaves the skin feeling smooth and hydrated
• Did not irritate my skin

Of course I had to leave the very best of the lot last. Which is, of course, the

Skin-Brightening & Tone-Correcting Serum

About: 

A water based serum which helps to correct dull, blemished or uneven skin.

My results:

Very rarely do I find a product that actually makes me notice a difference over-night. Yes I said over-night. I even got my brother to try it out to see if it was just my eyes playing tricks or this stuff was magic in a bottle! 

This serum dulls redness and brightens your skin tone like no other product I have ever tried in my life. After 7 stressful, embarrassing and upsetting years of acne you can only imagine how much redness and scarring one would have. I tried rosehip oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, honey and absolutely everything else that people have suggested and none of them worked as fast or as well as this product. Sadly I am completely out because my brother decided to use this nightly too, and he never usually applies anything to his skin! I will definitely be picking up another one because I cannot live without it and neither can my brother. When I told him it was empty he told me to go buy one because he wants it lol.

My redness has not completely gone away and neither has my scarring but I know that will take time. This product is just speeding along the process and has really helped boost my confidence. You know a product really works when your family members start commenting on how much your skin has improved and you can go out in public without makeup on!

This brings me to the end of my long over-due review. Overall I am very impressed with this brand and I would like to say a massive thank you to Tiarna for introducing me to this brand and Antipodes Skincare for allowing me to try out their products. As always opinions are always 100% honest and let me know if you have tried out any Antipodes products!

Website: www.antipodesnature.us

To purchase in Australia: Priceline

Instagram: @AntipodesSkincare 

Facebook: Antipodes Scientific Organic Beauty

There are so many masks on the market and I have tried my fair share. This week I will be sharing with you the face masks that I've actually noticed to have made a difference to my skin.

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

$7.95

purchase here

A few years ago I heard about this mask through the amazing KathleenLights. Nowadays it can be difficult for this mask to be in stock, especially on iHerb. If you can get your hands on it I highly recommend it + I have a discount code for iHerb here.

This is the only deep pore cleansing mask that actually brings all the gunk to the surface. You literally 'feel your face pulsate'. I have sensitive dry skin and it has never irritated or dried out my skin. Beware, this is a very intense mask so it does leave your face a little red afterwards for roughly 30 minutes. This mask also brings out all your acne at once, but the saying goes: it has to get worse before it can get better. I try to use this mask twice a week to detox my skin and it really helps to clear it like no other.

GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment

$98

purchase here

This is another mask that helps to clear out congested skin. It is not as intense as the previous mask mentioned however it does work wonders. Being so expensive I used this (a sample, haha) mask as a spot treatment overnight to dry out those annoying under-the-skin pimples. It helped to shrink them a lot faster than anything I've ever tried. If you have the budget for this mask then go for it, if not the one above does work better (in my opinion) at a more convenient price.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

$39

purchase here

Something for all my dry skin sufferers now!

This is the first ever hydrating mask that actually leaves my skin dry-patch free. Previously I tried the one by GlamGlow but it did nothing for me. This mask is a lot more intense and leaves my skin feeling amazing. I have featured this mask in my flawless foundation routine here. 

Basically to sum this mask up it is 2L of water for your face!

Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask

$17.13

purchase here

A year ago I was having skin treatments done on and off for two years at a skin clinic and they used this amazing pumpkin mask on my skin. Instead of continuously paying them I thought why not see if I can find something similar and then I stumbled across this little miracle worker. This mask literally looks, smells and feels the exact same as the one they used. The only difference is probably the strength of their mask compared to this one.

This mask makes your skin tingle so you may need to use a small fan to cool yourself while applying it however once it is on that goes away. The tingling is bearable though, so don't let this put you off. The results this mask gave my skin is removing dead skin cells and evening out my skin texture and appearance. Other benefits are reducing redness and scarring, helping with pores and smoothing out your skin. It has a strong pumpkin and cinnamon scent which I like and should probably add in.

That is the end of this weeks post. I will continue trying out masks and update you when I find some more good ones that actually make a difference!

Welcome to my first skincare post in August! Even though there is only one month on winter left we can't forget to properly care for our skin. The cold weather may have taken a toll on your skin leaving it dry, dehydrated and dull. This weeks post will include a bunch of tips and products I suggest to use to combat any issues you are experiencing.

The first tip (which I personally struggle to give up) is to avoid hot water. A lot of people probably turn the heat up in the showers because its cold but this can actually dry out your skin (and your hair!). Try to keep your showers at a warm water temperature to allow your skin to keep its natural oils and still hydrated. This is such a simple change that can provide you with amazing results!

Provide extra hydration to your skin - three products I recommend to achieve this is either a hydrating face mask such as the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, a facial oil such as Rosehip oil or Jojoba oil and last but not least the Boots Laboratories Optiva Nourishing Night Cream. 

I just wanted to include a short review of the Optiva range products throughout this post to give you all an idea on how they worked for me rather than just slotting in products with the different tips. The nourishing night cream is a thick, but not heavy, moisturiser which absorbs quickly into the cream without the greasy and sticky feeling. In the morning my skin did not have that tight feeling which you may be familiar with if you suffer from dry/dehydrated skin. I believe this night cream is suitable for all skin types as it is not too heavy or oily feeling.

In terms of cleansing in the winter-time opt for a creamier or hydrating cleanser rather than a foaming cleanser which can strip your skin. Three cleansers which I notice to be the most beneficial and are all 2-in-1 products include: LUSH Ultrabland Cleanser, BL Optiva Skin Balancing Cleanser and Palmer's Ultra Gentle Facial Cleansing Oil. All three cleansers are either creamy or in Palmer's case, an oil cleanser, which gently remove makeup as well as leaving your skin clean without stripping any natural oils. 

The Skin Balancing Cleanser is a thin, liquidy cream cleanser which is so gentle when you are working it onto your skin. I used this cleanser with my Clarisonic and my hands and both methods left my skin feeling soft and hydrated. This cleanser is suited to normal to combination and dry skin types.

Use SPF! Most people avoid using SPF in winter since the sun generally isn't out, however it is important to be protected all year round! My favourite ways to incorporate SPF in my winter skincare routine is to use moisturisers that have SPF within them. My two favourites that don't irritate my sensitive skin at all are Antipodes Immortal SPF 15 Face & Body Moisturiser and BL Optiva Daily Protecting Cream (suitable for oily and combination skin) or their Comforting Day Cream. 

The Boots Laboratories moisturisers also contain SPF 15. They have a lightweight formula that provides the hydration your skin needs. These moisturisers also work well under makeup!

Last but most importantly is to drink 2L of water each day. You have probably heard this tip a lot but it really does help the most. You can apply as many creams and cleansers to your skin but if you are not internally hydrated your skin will still show it! I find that keeping a water bottle with me at all times helps to encourage me to drink water. When you are hydrated it also will reduce puffy eyes, fine lines and any dullness your skin may have.

That brings me to the end of my Banish Dry Winter Skin post and if you are interested in any of the products mentioned just click the links! If you are specifically interested in the Boots Laboratories range here is more information:

The Boots Laboratories Optiva range can be purchased from Amcal or Guardian Pharmacies. Prices range from $14 - $22 (AUD) so you can combat your dry, dehydrated skin at an affordable price!

Disclaimer - this post was in collaboration with Boots Laboratories as they sent me products to trial and include in this post. Opinions are 100% truthful and my own. I only included products in this post that I actually notice to improve my dry skin and I did use the Optiva range for 3 weeks prior to writing this post up. I would just like to thank both Jade and Boots Laboratories very much for giving me this opportunity.

For the past few months I have had a lot of acne due to hormones being completely out of whack so I decided to purchase Lush's Ultrabland Cleanser. I came across a few blogposts regarding a 30 day challenge using a particular LUSH product. These posts were very positive so I thought I would put it to the test, I mean its not like my face could get any worse right now.

First things first, what does this product claim to do

Almond Oil and rosewater lift away dirt, oil and makeup with ease. Remove with a hot wash cloth for clean soft skin. Ultrabland is a multipurpose healing and moisturising balm, and it has been said that there are over 100 uses for it. Rose for reducing redness and inflammation, and beeswax for helping give the skin a protective layer. Parents can use Ultrabland for nappy rash, as well as flaky skin that can be common in young babies.

I have no idea what the 100 uses for this product could be but I have decided to use it religiously every evening when I wash my face and occasionally in the mornings when I remember and can be bothered. I have heard good things about this so my hopes are high!

Ingredients:

Dropping in for an 18th day update: Although I personally haven't noticed a reduction in my redness other people have, so I am taking this as a good sign and hopefully I start noticing too. The only thing I have noticed so far is that my skin is a lot less flaky and feels more hydrated.
This balm-type cleanser does leave my skin feeling a little greasy so I have been following up with another gentle cleanser (alternating between an Antipodes one and DermaVeen) to remove that feeling. Other than that I have nothing negative to say about this cleanser. It also does not irritate my skin at all!

I have been using this cleanser for 38 days now so here are my final thoughts on it. The major difference I noticed was that my dry patches have completely disappeared. Before starting with this cleanser I had random patches on my face and now I have none. My skin also feels a lot less dry and tight in the mornings which is amazing!

I also found it to reduce my acne, although I am on medication to clear up my skin so it could be a result to that and not the cleanser. In terms of redness it has reduced enough for me to slightly notice. I do have a lot of redness and scarring (7 years worth) so 30 days probably won't clear that up entirely. I will continue to use this up and then repurchase it to see if it does eventually clear up more of my redness. I will keep you all updated with how that goes but I highly recommend this cleansing balm. As I mentioned in my 18th day update it does leave an oily feeling residue so you will need to cleanse with something else afterwards, other than that I am in love with this product!

Welcome to another week and another post. This week I'm stripping it back to skincare. Masks are one of my favourite parts of my skincare routine as they offer so many benefits. I have been using this Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask for a few months now and want to share my thoughts with you all.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

Overview

This mask comes in two sizes, either 50ml which retails for $25 AUD or 100ml costing $39 AUD. Personally I think it makes sense to go with the 100ml since you get double the product without costing you double its price.

When visiting the MECCA site it states to:

Allow this intensely hydrating overnight mask to drink in your skin, restoring moisture, leaving it nourished and plump. Ideal for flights and late nights when your skin has been zapped of moisture.

 Plus it has a 4.7 star rating so immediately you know it must be good!

Formula & Scent

The consistency is like a thick moisturiser however it does not sit on your skin making it feel greasy or sticky at all. It sinks in almost immediately making your skin instantly feel more hydrated.

It has a strong citrus scent that continues to linger even once it has been applied to your face. Since I usually use this mask before bed I don't notice the scent however if I'm applying it during the day I can smell it.

Before purchasing this mask I read so many reviews, since my skin can be very sensitive, and one review that has always stuck with me and I agree with 100% is that this mask is like a tall glass of water for your skin.

My experience

By now you may be aware that I absolutely adore this face mask, it is honestly a Godsend for dry skin sufferers. If you find that you wake up with tight dry skin or suffer from dehydrated skin definitely try out a sample of this mask and I am sure you will fall in love!

The lovely lady at MECCA also suggested to apply this mask over my nightly moisturiser for added hydration and it works amazingly! Whenever I use this mask this way I have zero dry patches and I never wake up with tight, flakey (yuck!) skin.

I do however prefer applying this mask prior to makeup application. Personally this is how it works best for me as it plumps any fine lines and hydrates my dry patches like no moisturiser or oil could, making foundation go on a lot smoother.

The only downfall I have found is that very rarely it burns around my nose. This is where I have the most dryness and only occurs if I have been blowing my nose frequently. If you have a lot of dryness or really sensitive skin I suggest you try a sample of this mask first to make sure it will not irritate your skin.

I could go on about my love for this mask forever but this is officially the end of this weeks post. Thank you for reading and if you have dehydrated skin hopefully this product can help you out!

This mask also features in my flawless foundation routine. 

There are so many foundations on the market and it can be a little overwhelming, especially if you're a beginner, to choose between powder, liquid or creams etc. I have put together this general guide to help you understand which type works best with each skin type or finish you desire.

Powder

Most suitable for: Oily skin

Description: This can either come in a pressed or loose form. Generally powder foundations give less coverage (pressed generally have fuller coverage!) and are often used to set a liquid foundation. However opting for a powder foundation results in natural coverage which is easy to apply daily.

How to apply: Use a kabuki or powder brush to apply.

Tips & Recommendations: 

• If you are after fuller coverage use powder foundation to set your liquid foundation
• Apply any liquid products prior to using powder
• Apply in circular motions to properly buff it into your skin - preventing a powdery appearance
• Set with a makeup setting spray to remove any powdery look your skin may have

Mousse

Most suitable for: Mature skin

Description: This foundation is whipped resulting in it being a smoother option for mature skin types. Since it is a mousse formula it generally does not settle into fine lines and covers most imperfections.

How to apply: Using your CLEAN fingertips or a buffing brush.

Tips & Recommendations: 

• Start from the centre of your face and work your way outwards
• Using a damp sponge can help add moisture into the foundation

Liquid

Most suitable for: Normal, oily, combination and dry skin

Description: Probably the most popular of them all; Liquid foundations comes in a variety of coverages and finishes so no matter what your skin type is you will be able to find a match. These foundations generally come in bottles with a pump or squeezy tubes. As mentioned previously they can come in different formulas so some may be thicker others will be thinner in consistency. As a general rule of thumb those with oily skin should use foundations with more of a matte finish in contrast to a dewy finish which is better suited for those with dryer skin.

How to apply: Liquid foundations can both be applied with a brush or beauty sponge.

Tips & Recommendations: 

• Use a synthetic brush to apply so less product is absorbed
• Wet the beauty sponge to get a more flawless and even coverage. This also reduces the amount of product the sponge will soak up and waste.
• Start from the centre of your face and work your way out.
• Set your liquid foundation with a translucent or coloured powder to ensure it will not move throughout the day. If you have really dry skin you may want to skip this.
• Purchase a foundation with NO SPF if you are taking photos with flash. SPF tends to cause a white cast on your face making your face not match your body in photos.

Cushion

Most suitable for: Dull, normal or dry skin

Description: Originally popular and used is Asian countries, cushion foundations are becoming very popular in the widespread beauty world. This foundation is a liquid housed in a cushion compact which is very practical for on the go!

How to apply: With the sponge they come with.

Tips & Recommendations: 

• Press/pat onto your skin
• Wash the sponge it comes with weekly as it can be a great home to bacteria build up (yuck!)

Cream

Most suitable for: Dry, combination or oily skin

Description: Cream foundations can either come in a pot or stick form and provide medium to full coverage. Cream pots usually incorporate moisturising benefits for those with dryer skin types however stick forms are better suited for oilier skin types as they are more drying.

How to apply: With a brush or beauty sponge (image above for reference)

Tips & Recommendations: 

• Use patting motions to apply
• Less is more - if you need more coverage build it up on those areas with thin layers
• Synthetic brushes work best
• You can apply powder to set this type of foundation if needed.

Hopefully this post was helpful and you have a better understanding of the different types of foundations and which one suits you best! Thank you for reading :)

Boho Balm is a new Australian brand that I had not heard of before kindly receiving a PR package containing their product.

So, what is Boho Balm?

Boho Balm is a 100% natural balm - no parabens, synthetic fragrances or petroleum based ingredients. Made with Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Australian Beeswax and Honey, this product smells good enough to eat. 

Being 100% Australian made and owned and all natural of course I would jump on the bandwagon to try this possible skin saviour out! Once I received it I immediately checked out their website and Instagram to find out as much as I could about the product. Based off my findings I learnt that BOHO actually stands for the products that are put into this balm - B: beeswax, O: olive oil, H: honey and O: coconut oil. If you jump on over to their website here and click on FAQ you will be able to read all about why they selected those four ingredients to use in their balm.

What can it be used for?
This multipurpose balm can be used as a lip balm, cuticle cream, applied on insect bites, scratches, grazes, mild abrasions, dry skin, skin irritations, cracked heels etc.

The purposes of this balm is very similar to Lucas Paw Paw ointment which is one of my all time favourite products however this contains more natural ingredients. It is the healthy sister of it!

Positives

• Packaging - the packaging is pretty and sleek. It appears to be a two in one sort of concept as the actual balm is housed in a silver casing which is then surrounded by a clear plastic casing. On the lid is the brands logo which I find to be very appealing to the eye. The lid can also act as a mirror as the silver creates a reflection.
• Ingredients - the biggest positive of them all! Some of you may or may not be aware but for the past two months I have been using natural ingredients such as honey and coconut oil to wash my face. Honey has amazing antibacterial properties and coconut oil is very hydrating so it only makes sense to include these two ingredients into a balm.
• Australian Owned & Made - it is always nice to support local companies
• Cost - usually products that are natural cost a little more although I think the prices are very cost effective for the sizes and benefits.
  The prices are: 5ml $8.95, 15ml $14.95 and 30ml $24.95
• Scent - when they say it smells good enough to eat they aren't lying. This balm smells so so good. It has a sweet scent and you are able to smell every single ingredient that is contained within it.
• Moisturising - the four ingredients included makes moisturisation a given. I used it as a lip balm on its own as well as under lipsticks and it worked wonders. If you are a liquid lipstick lover you can apply this product thinly on your lips and it will prevent them from feeling tight and dry!
  Another purpose for this balm that intrigued me was that you could apply it on cracked heels. I don't personally have cracked heels but they are a little dry so before bed I applied this balm on those areas.
  I have also used this on small hair curler burns and grazes and it helps moisturise the areas really well preventing them to turn crusty.
• Thin consistency and not sticky
• Versatile - you can literally use this for anything and everything! It makes life so much easier when you have a cuticle cream, lip balm and so many more uses all in one compact product. I leave this beside my bed and it has become part of my nighttime routine helping me cut out other individual products.

Negatives

• The biggest downfall is that the site does not offer images of the different sizes you can purchase. I guess you can estimate roughly how much product you would receive but it is always nice to be able to see what you are buying. Hopefully this review and their Instragram feed gives you an idea of how the product looks!
• Packaging - again as I am unsure of the size I own this packaging is a little bulky for your handbag or to travel with. This only poses as a negative if I own the 5ml balm which is the smallest size they sell however from what I have read on their site and by eye I assume my pot is either 15ml or 30ml. (Maths is clearly not my strength lol)
• No international shipping - This is still a small new company so I completely understand why they do not ship internationally so this really isn't a major negative. If you live in Australia and love Lucas Paw Paw Ointment definitely try this balm out!

The bottom line...

I really like this product. It is a very similar yet 100% natural concept to the Lucas Paw Paw Ointment. I can see myself reaching for this balm every night before bed to use as a lip balm as well as daily under my beloved matte lips. Based off the ingredients I really think it would work well with combating any dry patches you may have as coconut oil is super hydrating! If you're an Australian resident check out this brand.

Social Media Links

Instragram @bohobalm

Website http://www.bohobalm.com/

P.S. It has my dog's sniff of approaval

Disclaimer: this product was sent to me however all opinions are 100% honest and based off my own experience with the product. I would like to thank Ruby Agency for giving me the opportunity to discover and try out this balm!

I'm not the type of person that sticks to one foundation routine for prolonged periods of time as I have never found products to work 100% for me every time. I have finally hit the jackpot and am really excited to share it with you all! I have dry, acne prone skin that tends to crease a lot, especially in my smile lines. Foundations would either combat one issue but accentuate another. This routine involves four crucial products that prevents every single one of my issues, that being said let's get straight into it.

The first and most important product I use is the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask ($39).

Don't be fooled by the words "overnight" because I completely ignore that and apply this mask two-to-three hours prior to wearing makeup. As I mentioned above I have dry/dehydrated skin so oil or a moisturiser usually is not enough. This mask claims to leave your skin nourished, hydrated and plump and that is exactly what it does. So many people say that skincare is the most important part to get right to result in an easier makeup application and it is so true. If you suffer from dry patches I highly recommend you try any hydrating mask prior to makeup application.

Once I have let the mask sink in I then rinse off any excess with cold water and pat dry. The reason as to why I use cold water is to tighten my pores. Think of getting a facial or giving yourself one, warm water/steam helps to open up your pores to allow your skin to properly absorb the products that will be applied so the opposite is done when applying makeup.

Foundation coverage wearing off was another issue I faced but ever since Nikkietutorials introduced Nivea Mens Post Shave Balm ($8.60) into every beauty lovers life my foundation does not budge.

I am sure you have seen endless reviews and praise on this product so I won't go too much into it however this product contains glycerine which prolongs the wear of your makeup. This "primer" provides a tacky base for your foundation to really grasp onto.

Now for the stars of the show. The actual foundation I use. I enjoy using a foundation which acts both as a foundation and concealer. I have a lot of redness to cover so I opt for full coverage. The most full coverage foundation I own is the L'Oreal Infallible 24H-matte ($20.95). When I wear this alone it gives me a powdery and somewhat cakey finish so I pair it with my Becca Backlight Priming Filter ($50) to give it more of a dewy finish.

By following these steps and incorporating all these products I am able to get a long-lasting, dewy, full-coverage foundation. I have worn this foundation routine out to parties and there is no flash back, which is a major bonus if you're going to be taking photos! Personally I do not powder as this lasts 8+ hours on my skin on its own and I do not need it.

After applying my blush, bronzer etc I use my Australis Makeup Finishing Sprtiz ($15.95) to settle the powders and maintain a dewy finish.

I know how difficult it is to work with dry patches, redness and creasing that ages you 5 years but there are always ways to work with it. Hopefully this flawless foundation routine was helpful and if you have dry skin too try this technique out!


~ ~ ~
Alternative Products: A drugstore alternative for the Becca Backlight Priming Filter for those of you whom may not want to purchase it, the Australis Mineral Face Highlighter gives the same effect at a much lower cost. I compare the two in a review here
As for a hydrating face mask, the one mentioned is the only one I have tried so far so I do not have exact alternatives. In saying this, you could check iHerb as they sell a lot of face masks at affordable prices and have good shipping rates or Chemist Warehouse.


Disclaimer: I do not complete this routine every single time I wear makeup only when I desire a flawless base. Also, everyone's skin is personal to them and this may or may not work for your skin type. All opinions are my own and based off my own experience and preferences.