I have been trying to get myself into a good routine where I actually clean my face and look after it. Not so long ago my skincare routine was practically non-existent. As bad as this sounds (please don't smite me), I sometimes wouldn't even bother to take my makeup off. I would just fall asleep, and then in the morning apply over top...I can hear the profanities and the shocked gasps now. I know guys..I know. So, the following may seem like a lot of steps, but I have had to take action to save my face from the state it is in, so for me it is necessary. Plus, I have now come to enjoy how relaxing it is to do my skincare routine.

Firstly I will use some makeup remover wipes to take off the bulk of my makeup. Right now I am loving the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes in the Night Calming version (what a bloody name!) as they smell amazing, and take off all of my makeup quite easily! This step just aids in helping me get the cleanest skin as possible, so that when I go in with a cleanser the layer of makeup is already gone. I recently picked up the Purasonic Neo Facial Cleansing Brush Kit from my local Woolworths for $49 to see what the hype was when it came to electronic face brushes.....I am HOOKED. I can see why people pay a lot of money for these bad boys.With my Neo brush I will put some cleanser on the brush (I usually do this step in the shower, just personal preference) and gently brush it around my face for the two minute timer it is set to. The cleanser I use changes depending on what I have, but at the moment I am using the Garnier Pure Active Fruit Energy Energising Cleansing Gel.






Once I am out of the shower I will move on to the rest of my skincare which sometimes varies depending on what areas I need to target. I start off by using a toner, which is a new step in my routine, and right now I am using the Simple Kind To Skin Soothing Toner to just ensure all the grime and makeup is off my skin. Then I use a blemish treatment to help get rid of some of my pimples and blemishes that cover my face. Right now I am trailing out the Acne Blemish Treatment by Formula 10.0.6. Then I will use a serum or an oil, for added hydration as my skin is quite dry and tight, especially after cleansing! The serum I am liking at the moment is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Serum, mainly because of how amazing it smells! As my skin is quite dry, once the serum has soaked in, I will go in with a separate moisturiser on top of the serum. I have just bought the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Concentrate so I am testing it out to see if it works well with the serum. After that, I usually call it a day and leave it at that.


Sometimes there are a few other little things that I will add or replace in my skincare, depending on what mood I'm in, if i have problem areas, etc. I thought I would include a few of the products I use generally every week, but not on a daily basis. I bought these Overnight Spot Minimizing Patches to see if they were a fail or a holy grail, and my goodness...THEY WORK. I put like a dozen over my face the other night just before I went to bed, and when I woke up in the morning, the spots were significantly reduced. I also love doing face masks every few days if I have the time and energy, and I have a whole other blog post coming soon dedicated to all my masks I have, but lately there are two that I have been loving. A new favourite that i picked up based on the recommendation of fellow (amaaaazing) blogger Ebony @ The Black and White guide, are the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Masks. The best way to describe these is that they are basically the Hydro Boost Serum on crack. Legit. So much hydration from one little sheet mask! Lastly, I loveeeeeee love love the Sephora Collection Mud Mask otherwise known as Masque Boue Purifant Matifiant. I don't use this more than once a week as if I did my skin would become even drier than it is, but this is a great mask to get all the gunk and junk out of your pores!


That is pretty much it for right now! I do change things here and there, but I find these steps help to reduce my acne scarring. Slowly but surely I am seeing progress!

Last quarter I missed out on the Beauty Loop Box as I only just signed up as a member! Would you believe in this last quarter I bypassed level 1 and went straight to level 2? Trust me, normally I don't spend 600 dollars every 3 months on makeup, but it coincided with me using my tax money! I was super excited to see what came in my box, and I also picked up two new items as well, so of course I HAVE to do a post and let you guys in on what I got!



Starting off with what comes in the Beauty Loop Box for fellow Level 2 members! The Smashbox Insta-Matte Lipstick Transformer; This is such an interesting concept! Sometimes you might like wearing creamy lipsticks, sometimes you want those lips matte....if this truly works, then you can have so many variable uses for just one lip product.

 Then there is a deluxe sample size of the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara; I have heard a lot of hype over this product, so it is so good to be able to test it out first to see whether I like it, as mascara's are usually a hit and miss for me!

 The Diptyque Philosykos EDP; The Diptyque range is highly coveted so I was super excited to see a sample of one of their EDP's in here, however I have to admit, the scent isn't for me. Even my boss, who is a fellow perfume lover (hoarder, we have issues okay) does not like it.

 And lastly for the box, the Josie Maran Pure Argan Oil; I have yet to test this out, but I am already super excited!!
Secondly, I purchased two new goodies to test out after much hype! I picked up the Too Faced Cocoa Contour Palette and so far I like it! I am so happy I can use this when I have a tan, as well as my natural pale skin. I will say, on first impressions, the highlighter in this palette is not for me, but there are three other amazing powders that make up for it.

I also picked up one of the Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in the colour Distortion. I will say on first impressions, I don't think this will work as an eyeliner (could potentially just be this shade due to its iridescence) but I am excited to use this as a glitter topper to a smokey eye! I will say for $33 dollars I would like to see if any other brands out their do similar versions of these, so if you do know of any products, let me know in the comments below!

My thoughts on this quarter's box: I like receiving samples as it allows me to test out what I like and don't like before I commit to spending the extra dosh on it. I know what it is like to buy an expensive item, just to find out it doesn't work for you. Thanks to MECCA for their amazing customer service and loyalty programs...You always out-do yourselves!

x

Before anyone states "but tash, October isn't even over yet", lemme be real with you. I have horrible anxiety on a normal day, so mix in the pressure of Christmas and it is heightened by 150%, so I like to be super prepared for Christmas to lessen the anxiety. Last year I left everything to the last minute and it was so stressful. I thought I would share some Gift Ideas that are not only things I would enjoy receiving, but maybe to give you some ideas for your mum, dad, brother, boyfriend, girlfriend, bestfriend, anyone! Let me know if you want to see more Holiday inspired posts!



 Perfume and Cologne have to be one of the best gifts you will receive, or at least in my eyes that is! I think its a timeless gift, its a useful gift, and depending on what kind of perfume it is, it may be something you wouldn't necessarily go out and by for yourself.  I smelled Dior's Poison Girl this week and oooooooooh my goodness, it is amazing. It smells like Vanilla and is just so luxurious. Downside is, this perfume is expensive, but as a gift it kind of balances that cost issue out! I have not smelled the Versace cologne to the right, however that packaging is amazing! I know my partner LOVES getting cologne as a gift, as he doesn't go out and actively get them for himself. Major props to stores like Myer, who stock numerous size ranges for their perfumes and colognes, as it means you can get a smaller bottle (for obviously a cheaper price) that way the person you are buying it for can test it out for themselves, without burning a big hole in your wallet!



For all your makeup lovers out there, getting makeup/beauty products as gifts are super thoughtful. It shows that you know that person and what their passions are. If you know what kind of makeup your friend/family member likes, or even specific items then go right ahead! But if you are unsure, many places such as Sephora, Mecca Cosmetic and Mecca Maxima, Priceline and Myer sell Gift Packs which usually contain deluxe sized sample items, or special limited edition holiday collections. The samples, like in the Tarte one above, mean the person you are buying for can trial out some new goodies! And seriously, how adorable is this bath set from the Sephora Collection!? Perfect mix of novelty and practicality!

Personalised gifts are such a wonderful gift, not only to receive, but to give! It shows that you put in the time and effort to create something that they can enjoy, and sometimes depending on the gift get a good laugh out of it. This year I actually created a few things off a site here in Aus called Big W Photos, as they had a HUGE sale on personalised items, but of course it's a secret as to what I got as I know my family will probably read this! However you can find HEAPS of websites available to create different things for your friends and family, like this print above!

Candles are a simple but timeless gift to receive in my eyes, as they are not only practical but they can bring happiness into the home. I love the Glasshouse range as I believe that you get what you pay for, with it being slightly more luxurious than something you can find at the Reject Shop, and come in soooooo many scents that make choosing so difficult. Of course, you don't have to splurge $40 on a candle! Many places sell them including Dusk, Target, and even boutique websites online!



Now these gifts here are something that won't cater for everyone. Either you love them or hate them, or are just indifferent to them. Maybe you are one of those people that love collecting them, or maybe you can't justify spending 20 dollars on a figurine that serves no practical purpose. Personally, I LOVE them! So does my partner, my brother, my friends, and even my parents! There are hundreds to choose from and come in heaps of genres from Harry Potter, GOT, Disney, even various bands and movies and anime! It is a cheap gift and perfect for the person that loves little knick knacks like this. Check them out on the Zing website!

Not everyone likes giving people gift cards...I know from experience that some family members refused to do it as it wasn't thoughtful. But I believe gift cards are amazing, if given in the right way! For example: You have a makeup addicted daughter (ME....so me), maybe a Mecca or Myer voucher would help her add to her collection; you have a nerdy cute boyfriend who likes computer games, buy him a EB Games or Steam voucher; Your mum likes Bacardi, get her a Liquor store voucher so that she can buy allllll of the rum and not have to worry about her money going towards bills! It's little things like that, that make the person receiving the gift go, omg they actually understand what kind of person I am and what I enjoy! Also, if you get to Christmas Eve and go SHIT I forgot to get my boss a gift, you can get a voucher quickly and it saves the day and you won't get fired come the New Year!

The beauty of all these gifts is that you can spend as little or as much as you want. With perfume, there are sooooo many different brands and scents out there, and sometimes the ones that cost $20 are more incredible than the High End brands. You can buy your friend an eyeshadow palette worth $70, or you can buy a Lipgloss for $15. You can get a gift card for $100, or you can get one fore $25. When buying gifts, remember that you don't have to spend a lot of money. If the person you are buying for is an understandable and grateful person, they will appreciate anything you give them regardless of the pricetag. It's all about the thought that counts, afterall!