Sunday, October 12, 2014

September Favourites

A very late September Favourites. For two weeks I was overseas on holiday, so the products featured here are essentially my top picks from what I packed in my makeup bag and what I bought in Japan.


DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
I've wanted to try this cleansing oil forever but it's not stocked locally and I wasn't tempted enough to order it online. It seemed a little bit cheaper than the various Shu Uemura cleansing oils, so I bought the 200ml bottle to try for just under $30. I don't know how different it is to literally just rubbing olive oil over your face, but it's become my makeup remover of choice to take my face off at the end of the day. I was previously relying on Dove Foaming Make Up Remover which certainly gets rid of everything, but always left me with lingering paranoia that it was too stripping and ultimately detrimental to my skin. The DHC feels a lot more gentle and nourishing. It's silky smooth with a lot of slip, making it relaxing to massage into the skin. You have to concentrate on the eye area and go over it several times to get rid of waterproof mascara, but it dissolves everything eventually. My only complaint is that it does blur the vision when you get it around the eyes. It doesn't sting but just feels uncomfortable to not be able to see properly and have to rinse with water ASAP. When washed off, it leaves the skin feeling comfortably soft and properly cleansed with no oily residue.

LUSH Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser
Another product along with the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil that I'd heard a lot about but hadn't been lured into purchasing until my trip. After I'd bought it, I started to use it every day in the morning to wash my face, following with Melvita Damask Rose floral water and Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream. This routine agreed with my skin tremendously. LUSH Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser is a bit puzzling at first because it just looks like some compacted gritty stuff in a container. You're meant to dig out a small amount and then mix it with water to form a kind of paste that you rub into your skin, then wash off. Invariably, some of it will fall around the vicinity of the bathroom sink rather than adhere to your face. It seems oddly abrasive to be used on a daily basis, so I definitely didn't do any extra exfoliation (manual or chemical) when I was using this daily in Japan. I now prefer to use this once or twice a week. It will do pretty much nothing in terms of makeup removal, so it's really only a morning-only cleanser unless you don't wear makeup. It appeals to my need for novelty, is pleasingly fragrant and leaves the skin incredibly soft and pampered.

MAC 217 Blending Brush
I've ummmed and ahhhhed over this brush for the absolute longest time given its cult status. Even when I was in the States two years ago, I just couldn't bring myself to spend $24 (pre-tax) on a single eyeshadow brush. I rationalised that was basically the cost of an entire Real Techniques brush set. I certainly wasn't going to hand over $37 to buy one here in Australia. But at Narita Airport, before my flight home, I decided it was time. And honestly, it's one of those purchases where you wonder why you hadn't committed earlier. It picks up just the right amount of product and makes eyeshadow application and placement foolproof. If you're asking yourself whether you need the 217 and haven't taken the plunge, just do it.


Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) in Light
This is the one product I've been utterly impressed with during September in a way I hadn't anticipated. I threw it into my makeup bag thinking it would do, but it turned out to be exactly what I was after. It's a breeze to apply with the fingers, provides better-than-expected coverage and gives the complexion an inbuilt radiance that makes it appear instantly fresh and awake. The only negative is that it does transfer a bit and get shiny, especially in heat, but nothing that periodic blotting with a tissue can't fix. This is a great go-to base if you're after something light, fuss-free, natural-looking but with a luminous finish. It doesn't accentuate dry patches and works into the skin easily, so long as you've properly exfoliated and moisturised beforehand.

Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Stick in Bad Girl Bronze
Another product that I thought would be merely adequate, but completely outperformed my expectations. This is such a versatile, easy to use cream eyeshadow stick that's ideal for travel. I used it both to slightly smoke out my upper lid after applying a wash of Essence Pas des Copper, as well as to define my lower lash line. On the lower lash line, it honestly did not budge for the whole day and retained its metallic lustre. It's as good as my old favourite Benefit Busy Signal, except more convenient to use since I don't need a brush to apply it.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara
Why did I ever stray. All other mascaras are mere imposters, this is the real deal. With a good session of eyelash curling beforehand and diligent application, this gives me the actual appearance of flirty, voluminous, darkened eyelashes peering out from my monolids. And it's absolute magic on the lower lashes, so long as you're patient and have a steady hand.

21 comments:

  1. Love love love. The Garnier BB Cream is back! That was surprising. They sell DHC Cleansing Oil in 'limited edition Disney collaboration design' bottles for ~$25 on the Asian side of town but all I could read on the bottle was 'olive oil'. The Angels on Bare Skin sounds interesting! Might give it a go one day. I tried the green rolled cleanser, I don't remember what it was called, and didn't like it at all. Maybe this one's more agreeable.

    ReplyDelete
  2. After your haul I already have DHC on my escentual cart ready to buy! Glad you have joined the MAC 217 lover's club! Its amazing isn't it!? :-)

    TheConscienceFund

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have the same blurry vision experience with my cleansing oil (Hada Labo) which is a bit annoying, but since I jump into the shower straight after, it doesn't bother me too much. You've convinced me I really need the 217! Haha! I'm going to New Zealand in November so I'll keep an eye out for it at the airport. I've been curious about the Rimmel crayon though haven't really given it much thought, I might have to give it a swatch at least! I've been really enjoying They're Real as well :)

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

    ReplyDelete
  4. We have some common favorites here! I swear by Rimmel Bad to the Bronze and Benefit They're real mascara. They're Real is the only mascara that works for my pathetic lashes, my only con would be the fact that it is not waterproof so I always need to top it with waterproof mascara.. and the Rimmel one is just a dream, great quality, pretty color and affordable..

    the MAC 217 is €26 here, and it is long on my wish list.. Maybe it is now time for me to splurge.. xDD

    ReplyDelete
  5. The only thing that can be Better than They're Real would be Japanese and Korean mascaras. Because so far, there isn't anything like it,

    I have yet to get the 217...I never did because I had this "I won't get natural bristles brushes" thing...but now I'm currently desiring the Zoeva Rose Gold brushes which has a dupe. If I ever fell in Love, I'll ask a friend to get it from the air port for sure!

    And that cleansing oil looks so good! I recently ordered one from Korea to see how it works. I never heard of DHC, but you made me curious. And the Rimmel Stick Shadow thingy looks really nice. Sadly we don't have it. (not sure why..)

    ReplyDelete
  6. You mentioned quite a few products that I use and love as well. I also agree on everything you said about the MAC 217, I was just raving about it on my latest blog post as well :)

    sparklewithlaughter.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. They're Real is my number one mascara too! x

    Jasmine // Magpie Jasmine

    ReplyDelete
  8. I really like the cleansing oil too, even if the blurred vision is a little trippy! xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. The MAC 217 is something I need in my brush collection! It looks absolutely amazing.

    nueyork.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mac 217 is my all time eye brush favourite. I've been using mine for about 7 years and it is still perfect. I just love it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. 217 is officially on the list, thank you kindly! your morning skin routine sounds divine, I need to step up my game on that front. I think I bought that Rimmel stick when I saw you mention it, I need to try it on my lower lash line now!

    ReplyDelete
  12. completely agree with you about MAC 217 brush. I bought several 'dupes' before finally decided to take the plunge. Now I regret buying those dupes as they are not as good.
    Nail Masque

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm still umm'ing and ahh'ing about the 217, but I think I'm just going to have to take the plunge and get it to see why it's so good.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Bad to the Bronze is a fave of mine, and I'm glad to hear that the massively hyped-up They're Real actually delivers! x

    ReplyDelete
  15. If you love the 217 you really really really need the Hakuhodo J5523! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That looks heavenly! I recently picked up the Sigma E25 because I heard it's a MAC 217 dupe but on first impressions I am not sold ... should'v bought another MAC 217 :p Where do you buy your Hakuhodo brushes?

      Delete
  16. I ummed and ahhed over the 217 for ages too but then after i bought one, I caved and bought another one so that I can have a clean one for more blending. LOVE LOVE LOVE
    I really want to try the DHC cleansing oil! Might have to pick that up when I'm in Asia next

    Chloé⎪ à la foliee

    ReplyDelete
  17. This post reinforced the fact that I neeeed to buy that Rimmel Scandal Eyes eyeshadow stick :). I am already in love with the Scandal Eyes waterproof kohl eyeliner and have used it almost every day for a year now.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ohh I still need to try Lush's Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser! ^ ^

    www.thedailydollyblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I wish I could get my hands on the mascara cause I have heard so many great things about it :)
    xx

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...