Happy Friday Beauties! Today is a follow up from my last post where I discussed my AM skincare routine. Today we’re delving into my PM routine. I want to warn you here, I’ve recently become skincare obsessed so while it seems like I use a lot of products, my routine generally takes me 15 mins max, 30 if I’m doing a face mask. I’ll try to keep this post at a reasonable length, but we all know I can’t seem to stick to that goal.
So my first step depends on if I’ve worn makeup or not. If I have, I go in with one of the following; my Face Halo (3 for $30 AUD available at Face Halo and Priceline), Artistry Special Care Eye and Lip Makeup Remover ($37 AUD for 120mL) or Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm ($15 AUD for 15mL or $55 AUD for 125mL available at Mecca as well as a variety of other stockists). My overall favourite is the Face Halo, as it’s so affordable, eco friendly, genuinely works and requires nothing but water. However, I’m attempting to “pan” the Artistry Makeup Remover so I go in with that a few times a week. I received a deluxe sample of the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, so I’ve been using that occasionally. It works really well and doesn’t irritate my skin at all but because of the Face Halo I wouldn’t purchase it in full size at this stage.
Once that’s finished I use a cleanser. This step isn’t essential if you’ve used the Face Halo I have to say, but I’m a weirdo who doesn’t feel like my face is clean unless I’ve experienced some bubble action. So I go in with a foam cleanser. There’s two I’ve been reaching for lately, one I’m trying to pan and another I’ve fallen in love with. The first is the Artistry Hydra V Fresh Foaming Cleanser ($54 AUD for 125mL). This is a great cleanser but there are others out there with a more affordable price tag that work just as well, which is why I’m trying to use it up. The other is the Just A Dash Beauty #Green Cocktail Foam Cleanser ($34 AUD for 200mL available at Just A Dash Beauty). This one is really nice, made with natural, organic and vegan ingredients. It foams up nicely and doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry.
Thirdly is another “depending” step. I exfoliate twice a week, so if it’s a Monday or a Thursday (don’t even ask, my whole life has to be scheduled or I’d forget everything) I’ll go in with an exfoliant. My favourite is the Just A Dash Beauty #Summer Fruit Salad Face Scrub ($36 AUD for 60mL available here). This is strong enough to actually exfoliate but gentle enough not to cause irritation or sensitivity. I adore it. All the heart eye emojis.
Next I’ll go in with a toner. Lately I’ve been using one that I don’t particularly love but I also don’t hate. It’s the Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner ($10.99 AUD for 125mL available at Priceline and select chemists). It’s not that this toner doesn’t work, it does, I just don’t feel as though it does enough. I’m not entirely sure what I want out of a toner but I know it’s more than this. In all honestly, I’m just trying to use it up before it’s out of date so it doesn’t become a waste of money.
My fifth step is also a “depending” step, again the day of the week. If it’s a Tuesday or a Friday I will go in with a face or sheet mask. It’s not that I think it’s required this regularly, although some directions imply twice a week is optimal, it’s that I enjoy the aspect of having a moment to myself doing something a little bit indulgent. The ones I have been loving lately are the Skin Republic 2 Step Hyaluronic Acid + Collagen Face Mask ($6 AUD per kit available at Priceline as well as some supermarkets). These masks leave my skin feeling super hydrated, plump and generally pampered.
After toner, or a sheet mask, I give my face a spritz with the Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydra Charged Complexion Prep Priming Spray ($49 AUD for 118mL or $23 AUD for 30mL available at Mecca). I do not use this for the intended purpose of a priming spray, I mainly purchased it due to the ingredient Niacinamide which can help reduce redness. As I have a lot of it on my chest and some on my face I was hoping this would help. Unfortunately it did nothing for the redness but the spray itself is really nice and I love how it left my skin feeling. When this one runs out I’m debating whether or not I’ll purchase another or try something a little different.
The next 3 steps are the same as my AM routine. I use The Ordinary Buffet Multi Technology Peptide Serum ($24.90 AUD for 30mL available at Priceline), followed by the Just A Dash Beauty #All About Moisture Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($38 AUD for 30mL available here) then the Voeu Age Protect Anti Ageing Eye Serum ($8 AUD for 15mL available at Woolworths). I love all three of these products and would repurchase over and over again. For a more in depth opinion, check out my Current AM Skincare Routine post from Tuesday.
Next I use the Artistry Hydra V Refreshing Eye Gel Cream ($59 AUD for 15mL). While I suppose it’s not necessary to use 2 eye serums/creams, my under eyes get really dry, particularly with a high coverage concealer, so I prefer for that area to be as hydrated as humanly possible and I find using it at night allows it to really sink in and moisturise without looking and feeling heavy like it does if I do this step in my morning routine. I find this one works well enough but honestly for the price, it’s not worth it. There are so many more affordable options on the market, when I find my absolute holy grail I’ll be sure to let you know.
My last step is using the Artistry Hydra V Replenishing Moisture Cream ($68 for 50mL). This moisturiser is much heavier than the ones I use in the morning which is why I only use it at night. It doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy but it definitely takes a longer while to sink in compared to “day creams”. It’s a beautiful moisturiser and I really do love it but for the price point, it’s a no. I’ve found even using 2 layers of a day cream would give the same benefit for a much smaller cost.
If my skin is particularly dry, dull or otherwise not it’s best I like to use the Sukin Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil ($19.99 AUD for 25mL available at Priceline). A few drops is enough to cover my entire face, neck and décolletage and really does make a difference with how hydrated my skin looks immediately. It does eventually dry down and doesn’t leave a greasy residue, however I have used another oil that I prefer the finish of better, so once this runs out I probably won’t repurchase.
Lastly are more to do with my body and possibly, mind. After I’ve showered and done all of the above (or while my sheet mask is doing its thing) I like to use the Lush Sleepy Body Lotion ($16.50 for 95g available at Lush) all over my upper body. It’s said to help with relaxing your body and calming your mind. As someone who lives with anxiety and the resulting insomnia, I find it difficult to turn my mind off at night. For all I know this lotion is a pure placebo but for me, the routine and scent really do help me to unwind and while I may not fall asleep easier, I find I’m not as restless. It’s also a great moisturising lotion and I would definitely repurchase.
And finally I use the Ego QV Cream ($19.29 for 500g available at Priceline and selected chemists) over the rest of my body. It helps to keep my eczema patches and flaky skin at bay and I’m nowhere near as itchy or experiencing painfully dry skin when I get out of the shower in the morning (because it’s dropped below 24°C here, so my shower is on as hot as it can go). As I said in Tuesday’s post, this is a great moisturiser and fantastic value.
So that is my PM routine. It seems like an awful lot when I sit down to edit this and add photos, but I promise you it doesn’t take that long at all. And who doesn’t deserve 15 minutes to take care of themselves at the end of a long day?
What products do you enjoy incorporating into your nightly skincare routine? Are there any you’d suggest I try out? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time, Beauties xx