Beauty Empties January 2018 + Project Pan Challenge

Beauty Empties January 2018 + Project Pan Challenge

Soap and Glory Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, January 30, 2018

January 2018 marks the start of my 12-month Project Pan challenge. This is a group collab on YouTube, wherein six beauty YouTubers have set themselves individual targets for finishing up products in their stash. These targets vary; in my case, I've chosen the rather ambitious figure of 118 beauty products to be used up in 2018! Of these eight NEED to be makeup products; the rest can be skincare.
The other vloggers participating in the collab are Ashley DeVino, Kirstie of Behind the Scenes, Krista Burtner, Kathleen of Rented Fashion, and Tina Maughan - do check out their channels!
In January, I've managed to use up 14 products, which means I only have 114 products to go in 11 months. Unfortunately, none of these is makeup, but hopefully I can get some cosmetics used up over the next few months.

Scroll down for the beauty products I used up in January 2018, and for my thoughts on each.

affiliate

Best Beauty Products of 2017: Skincare Favourites

Best Beauty Products of 2017: Skincare Favourites

Vitamin C Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, December 19, 2017

I spent the major part of the last weekend ruminating over my wardrobe - as everyone, from my Mum and Gran to my friends, keeps telling me, it is boh-ring, old-maidish, and predominantly black. So I went out hunting for new outfits and came home with two - both black.
Mum came to see for herself, and lost it. She has now taken matters into her own hands. Apparently, for her Christmas present for me, she's taking me shopping in the last week of the year (I forsee getting half my hair pulled out in the mad crowds), and will CHOOSE my outfits. I also forsee some rather colourful rows.
She is right, though. From the time I started dressing myself, I've been choosing outfits that actually make me seem older, not younger. My favourite kind is the classic-length shift dress, and I own a few dozen of these in BLACK alone. I can see why she wants to take drastic action, although there is no way I can explain why I gravitate towards the same kind of clothes so much.
Before the chaos due to erupt during the wardrobe-revamping process, let's get this year's Best of Beauty series out of the way. I've started with skincare; stay tuned for makeup posts!

Scroll down for the first in my Best Beauty Products of 2017 series - this one is all about my skincare favourites!

affiliate

Beauty Products Used Up in November 2017

Beauty Products Used Up in November 2017

Zelens Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, November 28, 2017

How are you coming on with your Holiday shopping? Mine is all done, and I even did my wrapping over the weekend, which is the part I hate the most. Now to get out the tree and decorations.
Thanks to a bad anaphylactic reaction which landed me in hospital in late October, I haven't used up too many products in November - just very essential skincare; no retinols, far milder Vitamin C than the 30% I'm used to, no facial oil... you get the picture.

Scroll down for more on my November 2017 beauty empties.

affiliate

Beauty Products Used Up in October 2017

Beauty Products Used Up in October 2017

Videos Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, October 31, 2017

I've had a nightmarish last few days - while already nursing a foot injury, I woke one fine morning to an acute allergic reaction to the point of severe anaphylaxis. Apart from bad urticaria and joint inflammation, I couldn't move my neck/head at all, and landed in the ER. They pumped me with 'roids and antihistamines, and the former have broken me out, but as my doctors said, it was a question of priorities. I'll have to navigate my skin through bad acne all over again (long-term readers will remember I battled it for the major part of 2016, and am currently undergoing scar revision). Boo!
And, we don't even know exactly what caused the anaphylaxis - they'll do an allergy test after three weeks of no meds and no hives. They suspected a peanut allergy, but it turns out it wasn't one after all. Good. I adore chilli-and-lime peanuts.
Enough whining. Let me show you the beauty products I used up in October 2017, and what I thought about each one.

affiliate

Beauty Empties For August 2017

Beauty Empties For August 2017

Vitamin C Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, August 29, 2017

I only managed to use up a handful of products in August 2017. It has been a distracting month all around. I hope September is more stable.
Among my empties for August 2017 is one of the best facial oils ever, and the best rosehip oil I've tried (out of three different brands). Not much by way of makeup in here, save for the one mini-sized item. You'll see it all below.

Scroll down for the beauty products I used up in August 2017, and my mini-reviews in each.

affiliate

Beauty Products Emptied in January 2017 + Link Up

Beauty Products Emptied in January 2017 + Link Up

Yardley Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Several products among the January 2017 beauty empties have me torn up on whether to repurchase or not. On the one hand, they are brilliant, and they work. On the other hand, I do have quite a few equally brilliant replacements in my cupboard at the moment. Read on to find out which products.

Here are the beauty products I used up in January 2017, and my quick impressions of each.

affiliate

Beauty Expert Indulgence Collection Is A Fabulous Deal

Beauty Expert Indulgence Collection Is A Fabulous Deal

Skin care Cosmetopia Digest   Thursday, December 15, 2016

Following on the heels of the Rose Edition, shown here, and the Radiance Collection, shown here, Beauty Expert has come up with another fabulous gift set - the Indulgence Collection. They ship worldwide.
The Indulgence Collection is worth a whopping £181 and costs £50. There is a range of pampering makeup, skincare, hair care, and bath and body products. The collection is now available on pre-order, though shipping will commence on December 19.

Scroll down for the details of the Beauty Expert Indulgence Collection.

affiliate

Beauty Products Emptied in October 2016 + Link-up

Beauty Products Emptied in October 2016 + Link-up

Yardley Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, October 31, 2016

In October, my skincare routine has been more regular and diligent than it was in September. I have been going through a multi-step routine for the face every morning and evening, including double cleansing on most evenings, and have moisturised all over twice daily. I've used AHA/BHA acids and Vitamin C almost every day. See here for my 10-step skincare routine.

Scroll down for the beauty products I used up in October 2016, and my quick thoughts on each.

Holiday 2016 Gift Idea: Beauty Expert Rose Edition Collection

Holiday 2016 Gift Idea: Beauty Expert Rose Edition Collection

Skin care Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, October 07, 2016

If, like me, rosehip oil, rose extract and rose water are staple ingredients in your skincare routine, then there is great news that will save you a nice bit of money.
Online retailer Beauty Expert has a special Rose Edition collection put together for just £50, inclusive of worldwide shipping costs - everything is full-sized, and the individual cost of the products actually comes to a whopping £134. That's a saving of £84. Not bad, eh? 

Scroll down for more details about the Beauty Expert Rose Edition Collection.

affiliate

September 2016 Beauty Empties + Link-up

September 2016 Beauty Empties + Link-up

Vitamin C Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, September 26, 2016

In September, I haven't managed to use up as many products as I usually do - a bout of viral 'flu, followed by a stint of severe motion-sickness meant that I ended up skipping my skincare routine for a few days. And I have a medium-sized pimple on the middle of my cheek to show for it. 

Scroll down for the beauty products used up in September 2016 and my quick impressions of each.

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Skin Cleanser Review

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Skin Cleanser Review

Skin care Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, August 12, 2016

Last year, I stopped using bi-phase makeup removers and foaming cleansers after I found they were too harsh on my skin, making my breakouts worse. I first shifted to thick balm cleansers, such as Emma Hardie and Eve Lom, but both proved too much for my will-breakout-if-you-look-in-my-general-direction skin. That was when I discovered Aurelia Probiotic Miracle Cleanser.
Aurelia Probiotic is a 100% cruelty-free, botanical British skincare brand. They have some lovely oils and creams, but this cleanser is their cult product.

Scroll down for the review of Aurelia Probiotic Miracle Skin Cleanser.

affiliate

Belli Skincare Face Wash, Eye Cream, Hydrator: For Glowing Skin

Belli Skincare Face Wash, Eye Cream, Hydrator: For Glowing Skin

Treatment Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, August 02, 2016

A couple of years ago, "glowing" skin meant oily in my book, and I was doing all I could to make my skin as dry as a desert. Harsh treatments; little hydration. A huge protest later, my skin got its message across - the glow comes from within as fresh skin is revealed, is a sign of health as dead cells are cleared away, and can be achieved with active ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids, which increase the rate of cell turnover and replacement.
The world of skincare acids can be daunting. One of the gentler AHAs out there is lactic acid, which occurs naturally in our bodies. American brand Belli Skincare incorporate lactic acid in their products.

Scroll down for review of Belli Skincare Facial Wash, Eye Cream and Healthy Glow Hydrator - a harm-free, pregnancy-safe range for glowing skin.

pr sample

10-Step Skincare Routine: FAQs And Doubts

10-Step Skincare Routine: FAQs And Doubts

Treatment Cosmetopia Digest   Thursday, July 14, 2016

Yesterday, I published a guide to the 10-step skincare routine (click here to read it). Posts on each of the steps listed will follow later. I'm going to address common doubts and frequently asked questions about the 10-step skincare regimen today.

10-Step Skincare Routine Guide, Tutorial: Why, What, How To

10-Step Skincare Routine Guide, Tutorial: Why, What, How To

Tutorials Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Ten points before we go any further:

1. This is not about a typical Korean skincare routine. I use a mixture of mainstream and Korean brands. 
2. Nor is it a strict 10-step skincare routine. You will find suggestions with just four products. Or even 12 steps.
3. This regimen is only at night. I have a life. My morning routine is a condensed 4-5 step version and includes SPF. That is for another post. 
4. Do not wake up tomorrow and decide to pile on 10 products at one go. Step by step. Introduce one product into your routine at a time. Build up to it gradually. I began with no/three steps.
5. There is no panacea out there. Some things work for some people. So include whatever suits you in your *-step routine.
6. Your mileage may will vary. Read that again. And again. Customise the routine according to your skin type. Skip/combine/split up/add steps.
7. You can use spot treatment, hyaluronic acid, a rinse-off mask, a sleeping pack, and a sheet mask on the same day you use Vitamin C. You can add every step you can think of and do a 20-step routine. Entirely up to your skin. 
8. My skin type is acne-prone, and very oily (the kind where countries think of replacing their oil export deals with my face).
9. An FAQ post will be posted tomorrow. Detailed posts on each step are also in the works.
10. Verbose post ahead. 

Scroll down for the Ultimate 10-Step Skincare Routine Guide and Tutorial.  

affiliate links

LookFantastic Beauty Box June 2016

LookFantastic Beauty Box June 2016

Unboxing Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, June 17, 2016

June's LookFantastic Beauty Box is themed #LFJetSetter, with products that will see you through a vacay. As usual, the box comes with this month's Elle UK magazine.
LookFantastic is a UK-based, skincare-centric monthly beauty subscription that ships worldwide. The white, yellow and gold design on this month's box features silhouettes of key tourist spots from around the world, including the Colosseum, the London Eye, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Statue of Liberty, Big Ben, and so on.

Scroll down for the contents of the June 2016 LookFantastic Beauty Box.

Six Caudalie Must-Haves For Your Daily Routine

Six Caudalie Must-Haves For Your Daily Routine

Treatment Cosmetopia Digest   Thursday, June 09, 2016

French beauty brand Caudalie was founded by Mathilde Thomas in 1995 - in a vineyard, no less.
Gentle, clean and free from parabens, phenoxyethanol, sulphates, phthalates, mineral oil, artificial colouring and animal-derived raw materials, Caudalie's main ingredient is grape extract - from Bordeaux, Champage and Burgundy in France. Wine country. Think lots of resveratrol.
Caudalie donates a percentage of annual sales to non-profit organisations that work for the environment. The company also works with the WWF to save the rainforests.
Despite being a clean brand with plenty of antioxidant goodies for your skin, Caudalie has quite a few budget options. The difficulty in doing this post was picking out which products to choose.

Here are the six Caudalie must-have products you need in your routine, from cleansing till moisturising.

affiliate links

Best Wash Cloths For Cleansing Your Face

Best Wash Cloths For Cleansing Your Face

Tools Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, June 07, 2016

Do you use flannel or muslin cloths to wash your face and remove makeup? I do now. Until December, I used the same towel to dry my hands and face, and admit to having used even turbie twists for drying my face at a pinch. Which, according to my derm when I consulted her over a horrible breakout, is as bad as using the same pillowcase for weeks on end. Lesson learnt, I now have separate wash cloths for the face, and change the cloth after every cleanse.
Using wash cloths for cleansing your face is not only a luxurious, pampering step in your routine, but it also improves circulation, provides gentle exfoliation and leaves your face squeaky-clean and 100% makeup-free without resorting to harsh cleansers or specialised makeup removers. Ideal facial cloths are flannel, though I use muslin if I am using an exfoliating or resurfacing cleanser or following with a peel. Here are the best face cleansing cloths out there, in descending order.

Scroll down for a list of the best flannel wash cloths for cleansing your face.

Beauty Routine Round-Up And Favourites: May 2016

Beauty Routine Round-Up And Favourites: May 2016

Treatment Cosmetopia Digest   Wednesday, June 01, 2016

After spending the first quarter of 2016 recovering from a bad staph infection, I now have a full-fledged skincare routine in place, complete with gentle cleansing, acid, hydrating mist, serum, facial oil and moisturiser at night. While the core remains the same, I rotate a couple of products every few days. Over the last month, I have been documenting my nightly routine every few days on my Instagram, and here is what I have been using.

Scroll down for a round-up of my beauty routine in May 2016.

LookFantastic Beauty Box May 2016

LookFantastic Beauty Box May 2016

Wet Brush Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, May 23, 2016

LookFantastic's May 2016 edition is themed #LFHelloBeautiful. Last month, they released spoilers that this box would contain body and hair products - the April box was supposed to be au naturel face care but contained mostly bath and body products. The product magazine says this month's products will give you a flawless and radiant complexion. A copy of this month's issue of Elle UK is included with the exclusively-designed green box.

Scroll down to take a look at the contents of the May 2016 LookFantastic Beauty Box.

Beauty Products Emptied In April 2016

Beauty Products Emptied In April 2016

Zymogen Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, May 02, 2016

M y new skincare routine includes drinking three litres of water a day - more if I am working out. I work out at least three times a week, even though my derm isn't a huge fan of sweat on my face right now. Also, six hours' sleep. I know, I know; we will get to eight eventually. Baby steps.
Product-wise, I go through non-foaming cleansing, acid toning/pads, hydrating mists, treatment, facial oil and a final coat of moisturiser - in that order - two times a day. Until January 2016, my routine involved a harsh cleanser, some kind of serum OR moisturiser - if I could be bothered - and oodles of benzoyl peroxide. Two - three at the most - glasses of water a day. What sleep? *Hangs head in shame*.

Scroll down to see the beauty products I emptied in April 2016 and for my quick thoughts on each.