September is officially in full swing. Which means it’s time for my bi-annual morning routine round up. And in a shocking turn of events, we come to this routine at a time where I’ve done a near total revamp of my routine. There will definitely be some new faces in this line up. And seeing as my skin is in the best shape it’s been after a very dramatic winter, I’m super excited to talk about what I’m currently using!
*Em’s Note* Some of the products featured were sent in PR. All applicable are marked with an asterisk (*)
STEP 1 – CLEANSE
OK, yes, I’m still using my BIODERMA SENSIBIO MICELLAR WATER – $32.00 as my morning cleanse. Listen, Mount Isa was fucking freezing this past winter. And the last thing I wanted to do at 6am in the morning was to splash ice cold water onto my face. Once this is done, I will go back to using up the myriad of gel cleansers I have stashed. But for now, Bioderma has never steered me wrong.
STEP 2 – TREATMENT PART 1
The first of two repeats from my March line up. I’m still totally in love with the GO TO SKINCARE CLARIFYING FACE HERO – $56.00. I did immediately repurchase it as soon as I ran out of the first one. I truly do credit this for assisting with my blemishes healing much quicker than normal.
STEP 3 – TONE
And welcome back to the routine, TOWER 28 SOS DAILY RESCUE FACIAL SPRAY – $46.00. It’s like you never left. All jokes aside, I was using the Balancing Face Mist from Byoma for most of winter. Which I did particularly enjoy while I had it. But the SOS Rescue Spray is a summer staple in my routine. It was always making a comeback.
STEP 4 – EYE CREAM
Speaking of Byoma, I’ve been using the BYOMA DEPUFF AND BRIGHTEN EYE GEL – $24.00 for a while now. And I see no signs of it finishing anytime soon. It’s a super lightweight, gel consistency that my under eyes drink up.
STEP 5 – TREATMENT PART 2
I actually used up most of my serums and treatments last month. So everything in this line up is brand spanking new. For my anti-aging/brightening serum, I’ve just started using the IMAGE SKINCARE VITAL C HYDRATING ANTI-AGING SERUM – $164.95*. This is very much an all in one serum that covers all of the major bases. It contains multiple forms of Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Peptides to protect the skin from environmental stressors and help bring a luminous glow to the skin.
But you know me at this point, why stop at a little extra hydration when you can have more! I’ve been adding a few drops of the CLEAR SKINCARE MOISTURE + HYDRATING SERUM – $60.00* to give a little extra boost while my skin is transitioning from the cold season to the hot season. Early days, but so far, no complaints.
STEP 6 – MOISTURISE
Back at the start of August, Mecca Max sent me a few of their popular skincare goodies to play with. And I’m finally getting around to trying some of them! I’ve just cracked open the MECCA MAX THIRST IMPRESSIONS PRIMING HYDRATING MOISTURISER – $24.00* after finishing the Clear Skincare moisturiser that featured in my most recent empties. Now, this isn’t my first time trying this moisturiser (I’ve gotten so many samples over the years). So, I can absolutely vouch for the quality. It’s thicker than I would normally use heading into summer. But it soaks into the skin like a dream. And it does give a smoothed finish to the face.
STEP 7 – SUN PROTECTION
Let’s have a conversation. Yes, I am using the ULTRA VIOLETTE QUEEN SCREEN SPF 50+ SKINSCREEN – $52.00. Yes, this is still one of my favourite facial sunscreens. Yes, Ultra Violette absolutely jumped the gun when it came to the Choice results. Yes, Ultra Violette has done the right thing in pulling Lean Screen from the market. And finally, yes, I do believe Ultra Violette when they say that their other SPF’s don’t have the same discrepancy in their results. Ipso Facto, I will still be using Queen Screen while I have it. Frankly, I do feel somewhat validated in being such a mineral SPF hater. I will say though that this is the last sunscreen left in my stash that I can talk about (I still have a little of the Gem Solar Screen left, but that is a PR one). So, I would love to hear your recommendations for your favourite chemical SPF’s.
And that’s a wrap on the morning routine! If you want to see this review in action, I’ll have a clip posted to my TikTok and Instagram going into all the details. As always, let me know what your morning skincare faves are in the comments.
Cheers and love
Emily xo