Oily/Combination, Acne Prone Skin Care Routine - Winter Edition 2013.

The Title of this post is self explanatory, this is a post about my Oily/Combination, Acne Prone Skin Care Routine. But before I jump straight into the products, I want to tell you the background story as to why I felt I needed to get this post out there. 

For years I was always in search of a cure to my problem skin, from drug store products to high end products, nothing seemed to work. From subscribing to Pro Active, watching my diet, to prescribing to the pill - I had pretty much tried everything in hopes to get better skin and cure my dilemma. 

After spending years and a fortune testing and trialing, I am glad to finally say, I have found products and a routine that has left my skin in the best condition it has ever been since before puberty!

No matter how tired or lazy I am (even when Mr Pham and I come home late from a night out), I always make it a priority to follow this routine for the best results. 

Now you may be wondering why I only mentioned "Winter" in the title, that is because I had found that when the seasons change, so does the weather conditions, thus my skins condition. So I do have a different routine for the Warmer Seasons, to accommodate and provide the different vitamins and nutrients my skin needs. 

Now this may seem like a great deal of products, but keep in mind every product mentioned has a purpose (that it has successfully fulfilled) with my skin. 

The problems I had with my skin that I wanted to improve was:

• Acne 
• Fine Lines
• Enlarged Pores
• Black Heads
• Flaking (even with oily skin, we do get it in the Winter time)
• Scarring (From Acne & other ailments) 
• Elasticity (I wanted brighter and more youthful skin)
• Pigmentation (I had the worst case of this, one touch to my face and it would immediately turn red!)
• Balance my skin levels, to control the oil as the day progresses. 
• To sum it all up, I wanted to enjoy putting on and playing with make up rather than always finding it a task to hide all my blemishes.

I hope this post will be helpful to all of you people out there who have had or are in a similar situation as I was. Cheerio!!

Step One - Remove all make up
The Face Shop - Rice Water Cleansing Light Oil
This is the product I use to remove all my make up at the end of the day. 
I just pump a bit into my hands and lightly rub it into my dry face, I then gentle rinse it off with warm water. 

I know there is a store in Sydney City (if you live in Sydney), or this can also be purchased on eBay.

• Gentle on the skin
• Made for Oily Skin
• Removes ALL stubborn make up (water proof mascara!) with complete ease. 
• Hydrating to the skin
• Natural Ingredients

Step Two - Cleansing (Day + Night)
Tony Moly - Dr. Tony AC Control Bubble Foam Cleanser.
I use this day and night, gently massaging a few pumps into my wet face and rinsing it off with warm water. 

Has various stores in Sydney City, can also be purchased from eBay, or yesstyle.

• Gentle on my skin
• Brightens my complexion
• Doesn't dry out my skin
• Helps balance out my skins level of pH, Moisture and Oil.
• Natural Ingredients

Step Three - Toner  (Day + Night)
Tony Moly - Dr. Tony AC Control Toner
Used both day and night, after I pat dry my face, I then pump a bit onto a cotton pad and lightly wipe it over my face, lightly patting my face with my hands for full absorption.

Has various stores in Sydney City, can also be purchased from eBay, or yesstyle.

• Wipes away any left over surface dirt or oil
• Refreshing
• Gentle on the skin
• Natural Ingredients

Step Four - Serum (Night)
Tony Moly - Dr. Tony AC Control Serum
I follow up by applying 2 pumps to my finger tips and softly patting this to my face and allowing it to dry.

Has various stores in Sydney City, can also be purchased from eBay, or yesstyle.

• Dries out any blemishes that have started to grow on my skin, without drying my skin.
• Helps even out my complexion
• Gentle on the skin
• Natural Ingredients

Step Five - Rose Hip Oil (only at Night, because of the texture).
Beauty Essentials - Pure Rose Hip Oil

You can apply this to certain areas, or like myself, you can apply this to your entire face. 

There are various brands of Rose Hip Oil, this specific brand can be purchased from Australia's Priceline. 

• Repairs skin damage, scarring, acne scarring and hyper pigmentation
• Moisturizes the skin

There are a lot more benefits that Rose Hip Oil can do for your skin click HERE for further information. 



Step Six - Moisturize (Night Cream)
Aveeno - Positively Radiant, Intensive Night Cream. 

I then lightly pat this over my entire face and neck, I've found this step leaves my skin so soft and subtle when I wake up the next morning. 
Can be purchased at any major Drug Store or Pharmacy.

• Leaves my skin feeling and looking softer and youthful.
• Helps eliminate my skins dullness and brown spots. 

Step Six - Moisturize (Day Time Only)
Simple - Radiance Brightening Moisturizer w/ SPF10

I lightly pat this on my face and neck. 
Can be purchased at any major Drug Store or Pharmacy. 

• Moisturizing
• Non-Greasy
• Brightens up the skin
• Natural ingredients
• Has SPF

Step Seven - Eye Cream (Night Time)
Clinique - All About Eyes Rich

I lightly pat this around my eye area. 

• Light on the skin
• Moisturizes the eye area
• Anti Aging

Step Seven - Cooling Eye Stick (Day Time)
Tony Moly - Fresh Aqua Cooling 24 Eye Stick
I lightly swipe this under and over my eye lids and pat it lightly with my finger tips for full absorption, 

Has various stores in Sydney City, can also be purchased from eBay, or yesstyle.

• Cools the eye area to reduce the look of puffiness. 
• Help Moisturize tired eyes

Step Eight - Eye Cream for Dark Circles (Day + Night)

Tony Moly - Panda's Dream Good-bye Dark Eye Corrector.

Has various stores in Sydney City, can also be purchased from eBay, or yesstyle.

•  Whitens and Brightens the under eye area to conceal and eliminate dark under eye circles.

Step Nine - Lips (Day + Night)

Carmex Original Flavour  
Moisturizing Lip Balm. 

•  Moisturizing for the Winter Season (when your lips tend to crack and flake the most!).

Body

Body Moisturizing Cream
Aveeno - Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion

I apply liberally both day and night to my entire body. If you are just like me and get an extremely dry back during Winter, this product is perfect - no more itching when your trying to sleep at night! Especially awesome for us Asians who seem to always get dry elbows.

Foot Cream
Neutrogena Foot Cream

At night I always apply this to my feet and put on socks afterwards to lock in the moisture. 
I have no idea why, but ever since I gave birth my feet has been out of control (tmi?), I had tried a lot of different "remedies", from Vaseline (ugh), to Skin Filers. but nothing gave me the results like this cream does. 

Can be purchased from any Major Drugstores or Pharmacy.

Winter Masks

Tony Moly - Green Appletox

As I stated before, even us Oily Skinned people get dry skin in Winter. I especially get dry skin around my cheeks and nose. 
This mask helps extremely well when you need an emergency fixer (because I know how annoying it can get when you are applying foundation and see your dry skin underneath), or if you just want to pamper yourself. It gently peels off your dry and flaking skin, leaving it smooth, soothed and brilliant!

I just simply massage a 50c amount onto my cleansed and dried face for 1 -2 minutes and wash off with warm water after 30 seconds.
 
Has various stores in Sydney City, can also be purchased from eBay, or yesstyle.

Tony Moly - Red Tomatox

I tend to use this mask straight after I've done the Green Appletox Mask. 
This helps to brighten, whiten, clear and moisturize my face, leaving my skin subtle, soft and refreshed. 

I massage the product into my face and leave it on for about 10 minutes, I then splash it off with warm water and admire the difference.


Has various stores in Sydney City, can also be purchased from eBay, or yesstyle.

Etude House - Red Ginseng Mask

There are various Red Ginseng Masks out there. This is what works well for me. 
This mask I try to use around once a week - when I feel like I need to pamper myself. 
It helps restore skins strength after being damaged by stress, pollution and weather. It also leaves my skin feeling more firm and smooth.

I leave the sheet on for about 20 - 25 minutes and then pat any left over liquid on my face.

Tony Moly - Egg Pore Tightening Pack

Now if you are like me and get really self conscious about your pores or black heads, this product is perfect for you. 
It cleans out your black heads and tightens up your pores. 

I simply put a layer over my nose area and leave until the clay has dried and hardened. I then rinse it off with warm water. 

Has various stores in Sydney City, can also be purchased from eBay, or yesstyle.





That pretty much sums up my Winter Routine for my skin, I hope you all enjoyed this VERY long post, and do take into consideration some of the products I recommend for you all.

Have you got any products that have helped with your troublesome skin? Let me know! I'm always excited when it comes to Skin Care. 

xx/vanessa

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DIY: Vintage Script Nails

An easy DIY Tutorial on how you can create this Vintage Script look to your nails using items at home - Yup! That's right, learn how to do this without the hassle of nail stickers!

Inspired: I had a request from my BFF MissAA for some nail tutorials, this one in particular.
Verdict: I've tried using nail stickers and who was I kidding? It's way too fiddly and time consuming, when beauty gurus say it's convenient - it's a lie! Hahaha, so this was way better to get the vintage effect I wanted so badly when I tried the nail stickers and to be honest, it's very easy. 
It was also very entertaining to see my husbands shocked face when I asked for the Local paper, considering it's automatically thrown in the trash.

What You Will Need:

• A Newspaper Article.
• Clear Alcohol (rubbing alcohol, or if you drink you can use Vodka)
• Q-tips
• Nail Polish (I chose a light colour - nude)
• Clear Coat Nail Polish

Step One
Apply an Opaque coat of your chosen nail polish colour - allow to fully dry. 

Step Two
Using your Q-tips apply your alcohol to your nail liberally. 

Step Three
While the nail is still wet with the alcohol quickly press the newspaper article down on your nail with a lot of pressure - allowing it to transfer to your nail. 

Step Four
Carefully peel off the newspaper article, it should look something similar to the image. 
Continue with the rest of your nails. 

It should look something similar to this once your nails are complete. 

Step Five
Add a layer of clear top coat, this completes the look and protects the nail art. 

And there you have it! Your own Vintage Script Nails. When you get bored at least you have something at the tip of your fingers to read! haha. 

Hand Model?

I hope you all enjoyed this Tutorial!

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DIY: Make Up Brush Roll

An easy DIY Tutorial on how you can store all your make up brushes, a make up brush roll. Convenient for traveling and hygienic for home!

Inspired: I'm a very out of sight, out of mind person - when I don't see my stuff in front of me I completely forget I even own them. So when I was looking through Pinterest I stumbled across a picture of a similar make up brush roll made from a place mat, I was inspired. I made myself one and decided to document it for all of you make up brush hoarders (like myself), who like to have all their things laid out in front of them when getting ready, or who want something convenient to grab and go when traveling.
Verdict: It's been really convenient, when I'm finished getting ready I just roll and tuck away into my make up drawer. Convenient when it comes to cost as well, everything I used I already owned, but after making a visit to the Dollar Store, I calculated how much materials would cost to purchase and it all would cost $8.00 AU. 

Materials You Will Need:

• Bamboo Place Mat 
• Sewing Elastic
• Scissors
• Ribbon
• Matching Thread & Needle

Step One
Cutting the elastic twice the length of the bamboo place mat, I then threaded it through one side of the place mat. 
Hand sew it in place as indicated in the picture. 

Step Two
Using my brushes as guidelines I then threaded the elastic through the bamboos. 
Make sure to make it tight, but not too tight that the place mat actually gathers together - just tight enough to secure the brushes in place. 

Step Three
Once I had completed the weaving for all my brushes I then repeated Step One. I weaved it through the end and secured it in place by hand sewing it, cutting off any excess of the elastic. 

Step Four
To secure the roll I then turned the place mat over and weaved my ribbon (30cm in length) through the elastic and tied a double knot. 

Step Five 
Now to close it up, I just rolled it, wrapped the ribbon around the roll and secured it by knotting a ribbon. 

Voila! Finished and organized!

Organizing. 

I hope you all enjoyed this DIY Tutorial. 

First time visiting? Feel free to check out my other DIY Tutorials and follow by email (located on the top left corner) for news about future updates and DIY's. 

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If you do decide to do this Tutorial, I would love to check it out, just hashtag it on Instagram with #maddyandme

Make Up Favourites of 2012

In the year of 2012 I had explored and discovered a lot of different beauty products that have suited my oily skin type. I have rounded up through my make up collection and selected a few of my favourites that I recommend to you guys.

Primer, 'The Balm'. This has been a fantastic base for me. I had used this when I knew that I was going to be out for the whole day and needed a good base for my foundation. This was the only primer I had found that did not leave my face feeling greasy and actually helped my skin under all that make up.
Bought from Hong Kong, try www.sasa.com

Full Coverage Foundation, 'Revlon Colorstay' for oily/combination skin types. This foundation is a full coverage foundation, I had used this when I needed to cover breakouts or on special occasions. I found this to be fantastic, now I didn't try it for 24hrs but it did last me for the whole day (averaging 8hrs). It was great for oil control where I only had to do 1 touch up in a span of 8 hrs; whereas with other foundations I'd find myself constantly trying to pat the oil away throughout the day. It definitely caters to oily skin types who are wanting a long lasting full coverage.
Bought from Chemist Warehouse $18 AUD, Target $35 AUD

BB Cream, 'Garnier BB Cream' in combination/oily skin. Now I have a wide range of Asian BB Creams and this is nothing like them. This had a thinner consistency and didn't leave my face feeling or looking heavy. I'd more describe this as a tinted moisturizer. I used this on days where I didn't feel like putting on make up or was just going to the store. I recommend this product especially to mothers, I find now that I am a mother I am very limited in getting ready time, but with this product I just quickly apply this with my fingers and wala! Im ready to go. However, this does nothing when it comes to coverage, it will cover hyper pigmentation but hardly do anything to cover spots or blemishes.
Bought from Priceline $12 AUD

Concealers, Hands down have got to be my all time favourite concealers. I use these on a regular basis and they are so good that if I use these and just put powder there is no need for any foundation. 'Maybelline Instant Age Rewind' is what I use for any under eyes. It conceals and brightens up the eye area like no other. 'Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer' is great for covering any blemishes, highlighting or brightening up the face. I love how it feels on the skin, doesn't feel heavy and doesn't irritate my skin (which I found is very common with my skin and concealers/foundations).
Instant Age Rewind - Chemist Warehouse $8 AUD
Mineral Power - Chemist Warehouse $5 AUD

Face Powder, 'Australis Fresh & Flawless pressed powder' had been great as a finishing powder. It's definitely a dupe to Macs Mineral Finishing Powder and a quarter of the price as well.
Bought from Priceline $13 AUD

Blush, 'NARS in Orgasm' had been one of my favourite blushers, especially during summer. It's a pretty rosie colour with gold shimmer through it which gives your face such a healthy glow, great pigmentation where you don't have to use so much to get any colour (that's why I still have so much).
Bought from Mecca Cosmetica $45 AUD

Bronzer, 'Essence Sun Club Range' I had tried many different bronzers through out 2012 and this bronzer is the only bronzer I found that matched my skin and didn't leave me looking like an oompa loompa. For only $8 AUD you definitely get a lot of product with good quality. I loved using this for contouring my face or if I wanted to look a bit more tanner in the face. Bought from Princeline $8AUD

Finishing Spray, 'Australis Make Up Finishing Spritz' I without a doubt hands down recommend this to any make up lover. If I could choose just one make up product I would choose this. You spray this after you've applied your make up and it sort've 'finishes it off'. It makes the make up last longer, I found that my face would last without getting oily 100x longer than if I didn't use it and it helps cool you down throughout the day during the hot summer days we have here in Australia. It's all natural so you don't have to worry too much about irritation or blocked pores or whatever and without a doubt one of the best products ever.
Bought from Priceline $8AUD

Eyeshadow Primer, 'Australis Eyeshadow Primer'. Don't you hate it when your wearing nice eye make up and then you look in the mirror half way through the day and you see this gigantic crease through your eye lid? This product has stopped that from happening to me. I found that when I apply this before any eyeshadows it let's the eyeshadow last longer and not crease. I haven't really found many eyeprimers here in Australia apart from the Napoleon Perdis one (which is over priced and I found that Australis does the same for quarter the price!), but this one I recommend to those Aussies out there looking for a cheap eye primer thats good quality.
Bought from Priceline for $8AUD

Eyeshadow, 'Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad To The Bronze'. I don't usually wear eyeshadows but when I do I always reach for this. It's a nice bronze colour with gold specs through it. The reason why I love this product so much is the colour pay off is amazing, pigmentation is great and how versatile it actually is. You could use this as a base for eyeshadows, you could just use this all over the lid and the consistency is so good that you could do a smokey eye with this colour on it's own. By the way did I mention it's so great that you don't even need a brush to apply it, it's not fussy like other eye shadows, just use your finger to apply.
Bought from Chemist Warehouse $6AUD

Eyebrow Powder, 'Essence Eyebrow' I use the far left colour, it does a great job at filling in the eyebrows, not overwhelming and make you look like you have bushman eyebrows. Ive found that when I come home at the end of the day it's still there, now I dont know if that's because I don't touch my eyebrows at all during the day or if the product is just that good, but hey! It does the job and it does it well.
Bought from Target $4AUD

Mascara, 'Maybelline One by One Volume Express' Now if you have small, stumpy, Asian eye lashes like myself I recommend this mascara. I found that this lengthens and gives volume to my lashes. It keeps my curl and it doesn't smudge!! I had tried the Maybelline Falsies and I found that the brush was too fat that when I applied mascara I was always cleaning up around my eye area afterwards because it would go everywhere. But with this mascara the brush was so good that it lets you go to all the hard to reach eyelashes.

Eyeliner, 'Essene Superfine Eyeliner'. It's so convenient, it's a pen and you don't have to dip it into anything to get it. It doesn't smudge or run and I found that my hand has more control using this, as you can see it does good precise lines.
Bought from Priceline $5AUD

Lip Balm, 'EOS Lipbalm in Strawberry'. I've been using this every morning and night and a year later I still have so much! It's moisturizing and did good for me during winter especially. Not to mention it smells delicious!

Lip Gloss, 'NYX Girls Gloss in Ballerina Pink'. I loved using this with a nice pink cheek for a more natural girly look.
The consistency isn't sticky as you'd find with a lot of lip glosses which is good cause your hair doesn't stick to your face.
Bought from www.beautyjoint.com

Lip Butter, 'Revlon Lipbutter in Berry Smoothie' I loved this colour, it's a nice rose red. I loved how you don't need a mirror to reapply it and how moisturizing it is.
Bought from Chemist Warehouse $10 AUD

Lip Stick, 'Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate'. When it came to nude colours I loved using number 16. It's just like my lip colour... but better. It's nice and smooth on the lips and when it did get rubbed off during the day it still stained my lips a little which was good.
Bought from Chemist Warehouse $6AUD

Nail Polish, 'Essence Colour & Go'. Now when it comes to nail polishes I look for a product that doesn't chip easy, dries fast and is opaque in colour. The Essence nail polish line does all of that. I found that I kept reaching for the Essence Nail Polish in Ultimate Pink last year, and up till now I still love this colour!
Bought from Target $2.55 AUD

Nail Polish Top Coat, 'Essence Quick Dry Top Coat'. There is nothing worse than painting your nails and then waiting 30 minutes for it to dry so you could carry on your day. This top coat has been a timesaver for me. I put this on and in 5 minutes my nails are so dry I could go and wash the dishes. This also has helped my nail polish last longer and be chip free.
Bought from Target $3 AUD

Now I know there has been a lot of recommendations but I hope you've enjoyed them and I hope you like the products if you do go and try them out. :)
xoxo Vanessa