Skincare - Step 1 Cleansing

Cleansing really is without a doubt the most important step in taking care of your skin. Why? Because it's the basis for good skin. Skin that's not cleansed properly is prone to getting clogged resulting in blemishes, uneven skin tone and texture.

Once upon a time I would go to bed and leave my make up. Why? Because I was too lazy and didn't realise the impact that was having on my skin. No wonder it was rough and prone to blemishes.

I've seen the light of day and 99% of the time I cleanse my face night and day. Now I actually enjoy cleansing and how great my face feels afterwards.

The secret is to be gentle. Gentle, but thorough. I use a variety of cleansing products depending on that time of the day and the muck I'm trying to remove.

If I'm just cleansing my face that has no makeup on it, I will use one of the following products. I apply them to a dry face and gently rub them in for a good 30-60 seconds. I remove the cleanser with a warm, damp face washer. Don't forget to also cleanse your neck and your chest.

For a single cleanse I use either:

First Aid Beauty Milk Oil Conditioning Cleanser - available online from Sephora Australia, Beauty Bay or Look Fantastic $25.40-$52

Paula's Choice Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser - available online from Paula's Choice Australia $20.30 (this product will be replaced shortly with the Calm range)

I'm just about to start this one - Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser (because it's similar to the above one but contains some anti-ageing ingredients) $33

If my face is covered in makeup and sunscreen I will pull out the big guns - a three-step process.

Firstly to remove my eye makeup I will use the following on a cotton pad:

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution - available from Priceline $21-43 (always aiming to purchase when Priceline has 40% off)

Secondly I get out the balm cleanser and remove my face makeup and sunscreen. I use:

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm - available from David Jones or Myer $55

I apply it to a dry face, massage it in and remove it with a warm, damp face washer (flannel).

Thirdly it's time to now clean the skin. I repeat with the products mentioned above:

First Aid Beauty Milk Oil Conditioning Cleanser

Paula's Choice Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser

Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

By now my skin feels completely refreshed and ready for the next step in my routine.

Please note these products suit my normal to combination/oily skin. They have a very light texture and are often in a very light formula and/or a gel consistency. If you have normal skin, a cleanser in a lotion formula would be a better choice. If you have dry skin, a cream cleanser would be better for you.

Next week I will talk about Step 2 - Toning.

Until next time xx

Favourite Makeup Brands - Charlotte Tilbury

Who is Charlotte Tilbury?

Charlotte Tilbury is a London-based makeup artist. She has worked with leading fashion magazines (Vogue, Vanity Fair), top models (Kate Moss, Gisele Bündchen) and celebrities. In 2013 she developed her own range of makeup. She also has blog posts and a YouTube channel showing how to use her products.

How I discovered the brand?

I was watching a bunch of British YouTubers (Zoella, Tanya Burr, Vivianna does Makeup) fall in love with the brand and then I noticed a bunch of Australian YouTubers doing just the same. Curiosity got the better of me.

What other products is Charlotte Tilbury know for?

Her most famous product is her Magic Cream. It's a thick cream she formulated as a moisturiser/primer for her makeup artistry work. The texture allows makeup to glide onto the skin. I haven't tried it as it's best for dryer skin types. Charlotte has recently launched a fragrance and Kate Moss is the face of the advertising campaign.

How I came to purchase Charlotte Tilbury products?

There are no Charlotte Tilbury counters or retail stores in Australia. The brand does however have an Australian online presence. I researched her range extensively and purchased some products in Bergdorf Goodman (New York department store) when we were in the States last year.

What I purchased?

I paid a small fortune but decided to purchase the The Dolce Vita collection kit (just one of the available looks).

It contained The Dolce Vita eyeshadow palette, Cheek to Chic blush in Ecstasy, Full Fat Lashes mascara in Glossy Black, The Feline Flick eyeliner in Panther, Lip Cheat lip liner in Pillowtalk, K.I.S.S.I.N.G. lipstick in Penelope Pink, Lip Lustre lip gloss in Seduction. The kit came with a cute makeup bag and instructions on some of the looks that you an create from the kit.

I also purchased the cult-product Filmstar Bronze & Glow face sculpting powder and highlighter.

How is it priced in Australia?

It's pricey and what's tricky is there is no retail site where you can try things before you buy. I was lucky enough that I could see and try the products before purchasing them in New York. The texture of these products is beautiful and my favourite product is the sculpt and highlight palette. The packaging is beautiful and finished in a rose-gold case. In the US the kit is priced at $230 and it retails for $340 on the Australian website. The Bronze and Glow palette was $68 in the US and $97 on the Australian website. Ouch!!!! Seemingly a big markup on importing to Australia.

Until next time xx

Father's Day 2016

My husband's one of a kind. He's an amazing provider for our family and also a great Dad to our kids.

He's by no means a soft Dad - he has high expectations for his kids.

But that's what kids need - something to aim for, a goal or two.

The kids got up on Father's Day morning and made their Dad a big breakfast of bacon and eggs.

This year we celebrated Father's Day by having a nice dinner at our local Italian restaurant. Get ready for some food porn!

Our starters were arancini balls and an antipasto platter.

The mains we chose were gnocchi, lasagne, risotto and pork belly.

And for dessert we had zeppole, bomboloni and tiramisu.

It was a fabulous meal.

Thanks Mr P for being the amazing father that you are. You are clever, driven, passionate and loving. You have helped raised two incredible children with a great set of values, impeccable manners and loving hearts. 

Despite the hard work of parenting seemingly over for now, we as parents are left with the tricky things of helping our kids to get good at 'adulting'. Adulting is tricky even for those of us that have had years of experience.

What I loved the most was watching the kids thank their Dad for being the person that he is and remind him that they really do care.

And to my own Dad, I hope you too had a good day. You also share many of the same qualities at Mr P.

Until next time xx