1. Simplicité Instant Help Gel
This refreshing eye gel soothes, calms and reduces redness and puffiness. I haven't tried it enough to be able to report long-term results, but it definitely feels very light and refreshing on the skin, and is perfect for more humid weather. It also reduces puffiness a little bit immediately upon application.

2. Simplicité Firming Rehydration Eye Creme
The firming Rehydration Eye Creme can be used in conjunction with the Instant Help Gel, and it is a light, yet hydrating creme. It is also meant to firm the skin underneath the eye, and reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eyes as well. I have high hopes for both these eye creams, and am testing them out as I type. More to come once I've trialled them enough!

3. History of Whoo Hwanyu Eye Cream
History of Whoo is a luxury Korean skincare brand that uses absolute premium products to create a brand that most claim work incredibly effectively. I was intrigued by the hype online, and decided to purchase a small, sample sized version of their Hwanyu Eye Cream. It was only when I was almost finished using my 5ml sample that I found out that among the ingredients used to create this cream is deer antlers. I was absolutely horrified.
Overall, the cream was indeed as luxurious as it is made out to be. It has a waxy sort of texture that immediately melts into this viscous cream that glides onto the skin and sinks into the skin easily. I did see a marked improvement in the appearance of the skin underneath my eyes - the little lines were so much less obvious, and my undereye area looked hydrated and smooth. I wouldn't repurchase this though, just because it was so expensive, and more importantly because I don't agree with the ingredients used in this particular formulation.

4. Kosmea Apple of My Eye Cream
Kosmea has always been a brand that I love - their rosehip oil is something I really enjoy using in the winter time, and always keeps my skin hydrated, radiant, and supple. This eye cream comes with a little applicator-cum-dispenser that smooths the product onto your skin easily.  I think this eye cream would have worked equally beautifully had it been wintertime when I used it, but I started using it only once I landed in Malaysia, and though it kept my undereye area well hydrated, it was a little too rich for my eyes and I started developing the tiniest spots of milia around my eyes. I think this is still a very beautiful eye cream, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it if you have oily skin, and certainly not if you have oily skin and live in a warm, humid country.

5. Dermalogica UltraSmoothing Eye Serum
This is by far the lightest in texture and the most beautiful smelling eye product of this group - granted because it is an eye serum and not a cream (does that mean that you can/should follow up with an eye cream? I have no idea - if anyone knows, please leave a comment and tell me!). I've always loved Dermalogica products because they smell beautiful - I wish my room smelled like Dermalogica all the time - and always have such a calming effect on me (I only just looked back at the name and realised that this eye serum is from the UltraCalming range. How fitting!).
This serum has helped to soothe the puffiness around my eyes quite a bit since I started using it, and I am quite impressed. Puffiness is a big issue for me because the puffiness makes me look tired, and let's face it, undereye bags are not attractive. I would recommend this for anyone with puffy eyes, and if you're looking for something that reduces fine lines, perhaps use this together with the Kosmea eye cream if you have dry skin, or the Simplicité eye creme if you have more oily skin.

Do you have any eye creams to recommend? I have such a problem with lines underneath my eyes, so any recommendations are welcome!

Everyone should love a nude lip. I live in nude lips, I have a drawer brimming over with nude lipsticks, and I constantly find newer, better nude lipsticks to covet.

But over my years of trying new lipsticks and rediscovering old ones, there are a few products in my lip product arsenal that I've discovered really works for me. Here are my favourite products, listed in order of application, for your reading/viewing pleasure.

And trust me, this really works.

The first thing you need to do is prep that canvas. You need to hydrate and moisturise those lips, and make sure that you remove all lip flakes.


My go-to everyday lip care product (this is something I discovered about a month ago and have been using non-stop since) is the Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Total Lip Treatment*. I am convinced that this lip treatment was sent straight down from heaven, because it worked miracles on my dry, chapped lips (I always have dry, chapped lips). Now, I know a lot of lip care products that can restore my chapped lips, but this is the only product that also made them look plump, moist and, for lack of a better term, juicy. My lips started looking better than they ever had, and I became hooked. I usually apply this before bed as a sort of lip mask. It works a right treat, and I think everyone should own this!
Side note: You are also meant to apply this product on the skin around your lips (and I'm guessing this is why my lips looked so plump and juicy) because it actually helps to restore the skin in that area and reduce and prevent the formation of pout lines.


Then comes the 'chuck-in-your-purse' lip care product that has been my fail safe for about a year now - the Simplicité Angelica Lip Care Balm. This lip balm is light and non-greasy, and lightens the colour of the lips just a little bit - perfect when applying nude lipstick. It is moisturising and convenient to carry around, and I love the light texture that makes it so easy to apply and wear.

Now it is extremely important to remove all flakes and chaps in your lips when you apply any sort of lipstick, and there is an easy way to do this. Before you start applying any makeup to your lips, slather on a thick layer of this lip balm onto your lips. Then, move on to the rest of your face. When you finally come back to the lips, take a cotton bud and rub it onto your lips in small rolling motions - this will catch any chaps in your lips, and the lip balm will have softened these flakes enough so that they will be easy enough to remove.

Moving on to the actual makeup application, here's what I do achieve the perfect, full nude lip.


Lip liner is not essential, but is perfect when you want fuller lips, or want to correct uneven lips. It provides a nice base for your lipstick to stick to, and makes it easier to apply your lipstick because you know exactly where it needs to be applied (I don't use lip brushes and apply straight from the bullet with nude lipsticks, as they are more forgiving than darker lipsticks). My favourite nude lip liner is one from No 7 - their Perfect Lip Liner in Nude. It is the perfect colour for most lip and skin tones, and is affordable enough that you can use it everyday to colour in the entire lip without feeling guilty about it.
In the picture tutorial below, I applied the nude lip liner to only one side of my lips, to show you the difference between the lips before lip liner, and after.


Next, apply your nude lipstick. As I mentioned before, nude lipstick can be applied straight from the bullet because you don't need perfect lines. Another thing I like to do is rub the lipstick in a little at the edges, because this gives you the illusion of a fuller lip by 'erasing' the lip line and allowing the overall lip shape to 'extend' a little bit. My absolute favourite nude lipstick is the Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color in Blush Nude*. This is a gorgeous beige colour with a hint of pink, and isn't too light, so it won't wash you out. I recommend this for anyone with skin tones from the very lightest to about medium, and if you have dark skin and are a fan of light-light lips, this still won't wash you out as long as you have a lip liner well-suited to your skin tone applied underneath. Tom Ford is available on counter at David Jones both in Melbourne and Sydney.


Finally, if I really want to highlight my lips, I apply a lip gloss. My current favourite is from Candy Doll, because these sticky lip glosses are really long-lasting and hardly require any touch ups at all. The colours are moderately pigmented and add just the right amount of colour to nude lipsticks, if that was what you were looking for. I personally like layering the darker pink lip gloss on top of my beige lipstick, because then it gives you that 'milky pink' look that I adore. The only people I wouldn't recommend these to are people who live in windy areas, and who like to wear their hair down. Your hair will stick to it like it was super glue.
The amazing Candy Doll range is available at Sasa and Watsons outlets, as well as online on Tokyoniki.com.

Below, I've attached a little picture of my overall lip routine, I hope you enjoy it!


So that is more or less my full, nude lip routine! I hope you guys found a useful tip or two from reading this post, and if you have any questions at all, let me know :) Thanks for reading!

* These products are available for purchase online with worldwide shipping at www.harrods.com.

It's no secret that I suffer from acne. I've mentioned it again and again on my blog, and my YouTube channel. As I have always tried to make clear, I don't have a lot of acne, but I do have persistent spots that, no matter how hard I try, never seem to go away. I have tried very many different kinds of products to help solve this problem, and I am very happy to report that two products in particular were extremely effective in aiding my cause:


As those of you who are familiar with my blog might have already seen, I did a series of write-ups on Simplicité's products and how they were helping my skin. It has been an extremely long journey, and I have strayed from it, and come back, and repeated the entire process all over again. I have run out of product, and restocked, and have witnessed, time and time again, my pimples clearing up with the help of these two miracle products.


Simplicité Acne Antibacterial Serum
This is my absolute favourite, HG acne-buster. I have gone through three bottles of this, and everytime I run out I start to panic. Initially, Robin from Simplicité thought that I would only need a couple of bottles of this to clear my skin. However, we soon discovered that I had what Robin called an 'underlying cystic problem', which meant that I would need to take Herbal Cleansing Capsules (which you can purchase directly via Simplicité) to work on clearing out my skin from within, whilst using this serum on the surface of my skin, to keep the acne at bay in the meantime. Whenever I come back to this, my skin just starts to become incredibly clear, to the point where I no longer need to use foundation.

The serum is lightweight, and is a beige coloured liquid. It smells very strongly of tea tree, which is a scent that I personally really love. It absorbs into the skin almost immediately upon application. I find that it takes about 2-3 months for this product to take complete effect on my skin, but it starts taking effect about 2-3 weeks after the first application. The only negative thing I have to say about this serum is that it comes in a tiny bottle and only lasts about 3-4 months before I have to replace it. The bottle costs about AUD 89.80, so that's a lot to pay every 3 months!


Simplicité Rosemary Blemish Gel
I've written about the Rosemary Blemish Gel before, so some of you may already have read what I am about to write. I've tried many blemish gels in the past, some with decent results, but most were a disappointment. I wasn't expecting much from this blemish gel when I first started using it, so I didn't really notice my pimples reducing in size and healing much more quickly than usual.
It wasn't until my next 'time of the month', when I realised that my hormonal breakouts weren't lasting as long as they normally did, that I realised that the blemish gel was working incredibly well on my acne. I don't witness a specific time frame within which the blemish gel works its magic, but I do know that I don't have to wait as long for my acne to heal, and the annoying scars that I normally get (which last for months and months) only last for a few weeks now. This also works extremely well on those big, about-to-form pimples - I just have to apply this at night, and wake up the next morning to find that the pimple has reduced drastically in size.

This is a lightweight gel with only a very faint scent, and it takes a while to absorb into the skin. It is meant to be applied on top of any serums and face oils, before your moisturiser.

Simplicité products are available in Myer in Australia as well as online from www.simplicite.com.au. In Malaysia, you can purchase Simplicité skincare from www.organicoasis.com.my.

For anyone who suffers from acne, I will be posting a Trial and Error video on YouTube soon, in which I will share all products that I have tried and tested throughout my battle with acne. I will be sharing what worked and what didn't, and what I would recommend for different skin types, so please look out for that if you are interested!

Disclaimer: The products featured in this post were sent for review purposes in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

A lot of people probably already know this, but oils are fabulous. Even when you have oily skin. They are great for balancing your sebum production, and delivering hydration to your skin. They are a great anti-ageing product, and they also do wonders for you when you take them orally.

In the summer months and especially now that it's approaching winter here in Australia, I have been really enjoying a few products that I thought I'd share with you all:


1. muk spa Argan Oil Treatment (AUD 34.95 per 100mL)
This first oil is actually a treatment for your tresses, and a really good one at that! It contains argan oil, and utilises a kind of technology that helps deliver that argan oil into your hair, instead of just having it sit on top of it, meaning your hair won't be weighed down, nor will it feel greasy. This makes it the perfect product for any kind of hair, from thin, flat hair to thick, coarse hair. It works beautifully on both non-treated and treated hair. Simply pump a few drops into the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, and disperse the product all over your hair. To help disperse the oil more evenly, brush your hair through after. It has been working absolute wonders on my newly coloured hair, and I bet it will on yours, too.

2. Jojoba Company Oil (AUD 19.95 per 30mL)
Jojoba oil is special, in that the jojoba plant is the only plant that can produce wax esters similar to those found in our skin (sebum). Our skin's natural wax esters are responsible for keeping the skin hydrated, plump and most importantly, firm. Our production of these esters starts to decrease as we progress into our 20s, and that is where the Jojoba Company's oil comes in. I like it because it absorbs into my skin almost instantly, without leaving that greasy feeling behind on the skin. It has been doing a great job at hydrating my skin too, no grease but plenty of smoothness and plumpness to my skin.

3. Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost (AUD 39.95 per 20mL)
Kosmea is well known for their rose hip oil, which is high in antioxidants, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids. This means that it helps your skin cells regenerate faster, prevents premature ageing caused by exposure to the sun, and helps to reduce the appearance of burns, scars and wrinkles, among other things. This new offering from Kosmea adds the antioxidant benefits of berry oils, and is great when applied to your skin when you're fresh out of the shower (this oil works best when applied to damp skin). Honestly, I am very tempted to start slathering this onto the skin on my arms and legs as well, and I think I just might!

3. Simplicite Sage Face Oil (AUD 41.80 per 55mL)
You all know that I am a huge fan of Simplicite products, and this Sage Face Oil is one of my favourites. It is quite heavy and does feel greasy on the skin*, but I am more than willing to leave my skin feeling a little bit greasy for all the benefits that this one face oil offers. It helps to prevent the formation of blackheads and pimples because of its antibacterial qualities, and helps the sebum on your skin 'move around' so that it doesn't clog your pores. The fantastic thing about this oil is that it is also formulated to help reduce the appearance of hyper-pigmentation, so it is absolutely fabulous for acne-prone skin.

* Robin from Simplicite has come back to me about this, and has told me that your skin is not meant to feel greasy when you apply the Simplicite Sage Face Oil. To avoid feeling greasy, apply the oil on top of Simplicite's Floral Toning Spray, or mix the spray and the oil together in your palms before applying to your skin, and it shouldn't feel greasy.

Have you tried face/hair oils? Do you have any favourites that I should keep an eye out for? :)

Those of you who read my blog know that I've been struggling with acne for a while now. As I mentioned before, I don't have a lot of acne on my skin, but the spots that I do have are large, sometimes cystic, and constantly there. My sisters have a similar skin type to mine, except a little more red and sensitive. My Simplicité skincare routine has helped me tremendously at clearing my skin up and getting rid of most of my acne and blackheads, and my sisters have also discovered some products in my beauty cupboard that they love to use when they feel breakouts coming on.


1. Simplicité Exfoliating Face Treatment
This is my absolute favourite mask for treating acne. I am ashamed to say that I love it so much, I've kept it away from my sisters *hides in corner*
This mask has been an absolute life saver, helping to not only bring breakouts to the surface of the skin, but also to speed up the entire process. This mask, as with all Simplicité products, is formulated with all-natural products, and works wonderfully on sensitive skin.
Simplicité's Antibacterial Serum works a treat underneath it, and I have found that by using this once or twice a week, my acne has been curbed, and pre-existing acne seems to calm down, and then disappear and heal much more quickly.

Another thing I simply adore about this mask is how you can leave it on for hours - the longer, the better, in fact! I like that I can pamper myself with a mask and just lay in a bath, or do my nails, or watch a movie, knowing it is working its magic on my skin the entire time.

2. Mary Kay Botanical Effects Mask Type 3
My sister Sharon has been using this mask, and she cannot stop raving about it! It is safe for sensitive skin, and its clay base really draws out the oiliness and impurities in your skin and pores.
It has a lovely, thick texture, and I am glad to report to those that have sensitive noses, that it has virtually no scent whatsoever!
I'm not sure what ingredient does this, but this mask also has a very lovely cool, refreshing feel, and the skin feels extremely moisturised and smooth after use. One fabulous thing about this mask is that the skin is instantly 'lifted' after use - fantastic for those tired mid-week mornings (side note: Did you know that women look their oldest just past 3PM on Wednesdays?). It is also perfect for a morning pick-me-up because you only need to leave it on for 10 minutes, and then you can rise it off easily with a little bit of warm water and a cloth.

3. Alpha-H Liquid Gold Smoothing & Perfecting Mask (old packaging)
This mask isn't specifically formulated for acne-prone skin, but it does a fantastic job at treating it! It draws out impurities extremely well, which is why I recommend following up with the Simplicité Antibacterial Serum to avoid any breakouts. This mask does contain an active ingredient - glycolic acid - so if you're not comfortable with using active ingredients, you might want to stay away from this mask.
That being said, the glycolic acid does help to aid skin renewal, and can help to treat and speed up the healing of acne scars, as well as keep pores clean and clear.

Everyone has done the research, gone to the shops, and tried to pick out a skincare routine that best suits them. Did you also know that the method and order in which you layer your skincare also has an impact on the skincare's effectiveness?

Have you ever tried layering skincare, only to find that it ends up balling up in flakes all over your skin?
Today, I will share with you the best methods for layering your skincare, so that the products absorb easily into your skin, and actually work, instead of just sitting on top of your skin.

Set Up a Good Base
Skincare will not absorb into skin that is dirty and clogged. Always cleanse your face before applying skincare! To aid the absorption and effectiveness of products, make sure to exfoliate your skin at least once a week. A double-cleanse routine - where you cleanse the skin first with a cleansing oil, and then with a regular cleanser - really helps to keep the skin clean and ready to absorb your skincare.

Density: From Light to Heavy
The best way to layer your products is in order of density, from the lightest products to the heaviest. That means after cleanser, you follow up with your toner, then serums, then moisturiser. If you have more than one serum, that's fine! Just apply the lightest serum first, followed by the heavier ones.

Treatment Rule
The treatment rule says that treatment products always go first! After toner, the first thing you should apply is your eye treatment. Eye treatments do not absorb unless they are the very first product to hit your face, so it would be best to keep that in mind when you are creating your skincare regime. After eye treatments, apply anti-ageing or anti-acne serums first, before any other skincare.

Give it Time
When you apply a product, give it a couple of minutes to absorb into your skin before you apply your next product. Otherwise, the product just sits on top of your skin and makes it difficult for the following products to absorb. This is also how the balled up flakes form.
Tip: Lightly drumming the pads of your fingers against your skin also aids absorption of the product into your skin. Make like you're playing the piano on your face, and tap away.

Beware the Active Ingredients
Most skin specialists agree that if you are using active ingredients, it is best to stick to just one, or at most two products that contain active ingredients. Otherwise, you risk irritating your skin and making it raw and red, and prone to sun damage.

Staying Loyal Helps
Unless you're good with skincare ingredients and how they work on your skin, your best bet is to stick with a single brand as much as possible. Some ingredients and skincare textures can cancel each other out, rendering your skincare (and the moolah you spent on it!) useless. Brands tend to formulate their ingredients so that they all work well together and don't impede on one another, which is why sticking to a single brand is always recommended. I love using Simplicité products, because they are formulated to work with one another, and the brand is so customer-friendly that I can always ask them how and in what order I should layer my products, when I'm not sure.

This is not to say that mixing brands is completely wrong - if you take your skincare to a dermatologist, they can help you figure out what works best together and what would be most effective for your skin.

I hope this article has helped rid you of your skincare layering fears and concerns. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comment box below, or just email me! x