I know I know, it’s been a while. But I’m back and I hope you beautiful humans across the globe are doing well especially during these very strange times we see ourselves in with self-isolation.
It’s been a bittersweet scenario for myself as I’ve just not too long ago moved to Margaret River and living the Van Life (I’ll get into this in detail in another post, save it for another day!) so big changes have been happening. Using this situation for the better, I see it as a chance to be doing things that will better my life, mental well being, and finally some precious time I’ve always been wanting to self reflect and doing that inner work!!
It’s a magical moment if you choose to see it in a lighter perspective. I’ve been concentrating on self-love as my way of grounding myself so my skincare routine game has been absolutely top-notch ready for the Winter season in full swing. Below I’ll be sharing with you what products I’ve been using to nurture my skin.
ESK Skincare
I have been using ESK Skincare from the start of 2020 till now having brought their travel-sized gems along with me on the ride to moving to Western Australia. My skin has been doing SO well, even through my moon phase where I tend to see pimples brewing up, my skin has been resilient and never been so crystal clear!!
Almost finishing my travel sized mini’s I’ve upgraded to the full-size version which will last me a good while. What I love about ESK is they are Australian made, cruelty-free, and evidence-based meaning research and results-driven. For people that have no clue what to use on their skin, ESK does a great job in putting together a full regime to suit your skin type. They also have a test you can do if you aren’t sure what your skin conditions are so that they can suggest and recommend you products. It makes my life easier having that full routine already set up for me from AM to PM.
I’m using The Acne Kit package which includes:
- C-Serum Lite (2-)
- B Calm (2B)
- Zinc Shade (3)
- Hydroxy Cleanser (1)
- Smooth Serum (4)
- Ultimate A+
ESK has included some powerhouse ingredients that have proven their results to complement each layer in your routine. Each bottle providing its own powers from anti-aging to cleansing and moisturizing, to sun-protection and more.
Mindful Collective
I legitimately needed to take a double-take on the ingredient list to see if fragrance was on there (even though I knew it wasn’t in there cause Mindful Collective is all-natural) but it just smelt so insanely unbelievably good!!!
With my current living situation, I’m living in my van and using the kitchen/showers in my housemates flat so I float around either between doing my skincare routine in the van or in the house. I have my Mindful Collective Skincare in my van when I’m having nights in which I find tend to be days when I want extra alone time. What I love about the philosophy about this brand is that they create skincare for mental wellness.
Mindful Collective is all-natural, luxury plant-based range created in Western Australia! I’m using the Organique Pink Clay Masque, Aue Naturale Cleanser, and the Agave Nectar Probiotic Creme.
The pink clay masque is such a treat and kid-friendly! I use it with little olive when we have slumber parties, she loves mixing the mask with water and painting our faces with it!! The masque detoxifies my skin and removes impurities that tend to clog up the pores so a mask always does the trick for a deep cleanse.
I love the hydrating combo of the Aue Naturale Cleanser and the Agave Nectar Probiotic Creme. especially the colder weather coming up around fast. I know my skin changes when it’s heading into the winter season as my skin yearns for more moisturization. This lightweight two-step lightweight layering actively protects and hydrates like a pro with agave nectar – silky smooth and never sticky!!
While practicing my mindful routine with these gems, I like to think of my inner spirit, focusing in on what’s in our control and what’s not, and choosing the way we respond to things (always from love).
“We’ve all been there. a dark & stormy day here, an anxious + in-your-head day there.
sometimes, it’s the little things that give us strength.”
Miss Frankie Nail Polish
The saying good things come in little packages is true, I’m a living example – haha! But honestly, Miss Frankie is a great role model for this saying. This polish brand based in the bustling city of Melbourne created super cute non-toxic nail polishes of quality and pigmented in various colors.
I’ve never been the biggest fan of painting my nails because of the subconscious thought in the back of my mind that polishes have bad ingredients in them that will stop my nails from breathing and living their best life but NO. There are options out there people! Miss Frankie is a healthy alternative to polishes so you can flourish those pretties without being concerned if you’re putting nasties on your body.
I’ve been giving myself some extra love and applying flawless, even coverage, chip-resistant, long-lasting, and fast-drying Miss Frankie on my nails after a hot shower ~ fave.
Antipodes
A brand that should be on your skincare radar is for sure Antipodes. This New Zealand based organic beauty brand has been constantly surprising me with their range, coming in like a hot storm with new releases that use organically sourced natural-based ingredients and providing optimal skin performance proven by science. Usually, you’ll see them using lots of yummy superfruits such as nutrient-rich avocado oil or anti-blemish manuka honey in their products! Current new favorites are their Baptise Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel, Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Creme, and their Moisture Boost Lipstick.
Wot Not
Being a big sunscreen-fanatic, it’s only natural that I’m even more so now moving to Western Australia being close to home (the ocean), and being conscious of what I’m putting onto my skin can into the world. To summarize why sunscreen seriously the most important product you should have into your skincare routine… it helps protect your skin from UVA/B rays (meaning fewer wrinkles for you in the future + overall skin damage)! There are unfortunately harmful sunscreens out there in the market that use nasty ingredients that will cause your skin to flare up and harm the coral reefs in the ocean. I hate the thought of putting something on my skin that would do harm onto nature. With that being said, I have been religiously using my sunscreen, yep even in the winter’s here in WA, and been loving Wot Not’s 30 SPF Natural Body Sunscreen and 30 SPFAnti-Aging Facial Sunscreens. Formulated with zinc yet spreads on smoothly without feeling overly thick which is a misconception of what people usually have of zinc-based sunscreens!
Burt’s Bee
From Canada to Australia I have used this brand in the winter from different ends of the world! Burt’s Bees offers earth-friendly, natural skincare products originally from Maine (US) which is only a few hours drive from my home town! Protect your skin this winter with Burt’s Bee which I’ll be highlighting some of my recommendations from their line I’ve been using.
Starting in the sunrise, using their Daily Moisturizing Cream that is Fragrance Free and Hypoallergergenic is an amazing choice for those with sensitive or reactive skin. I have some friends that have had problems with some strong skincare products making their skin red, break out, or flare up so choosing a product that suitable for your skin is crucial. This moisturizer gives your skin optimal moisture to start your day. Followed with sunset, using the Night Cream which works as a team with the Am cream. This cream applies on silky smooth and leaves your skin feeling subtle and soft right before bed. If you’re feeling some extra love during the week, have a pamper time with one of their masks depending on what your skin needs at the time. I used the Exfoliating Clay Mask this week after a bath and it was EXACTLY what I needed.
Also, love note: No parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS and no animal testing!
A’kin
New brand alert! I’m trialing some goodies from a new Aus based natural beauty brand called A’kin – crafting together both skincare & haircare products that are Australian, includes 0 nasties, Vegan, and Cruelty-free. Ticking all the boxes.
Their natural spray-on deodorant is made for a lazy sloth like me. If you’re like me, the kinda on-the-go type of gal that is always on my toes on workdays, so it’s nice to have this A’kins spray-on deodorant on hand for whatever the adventure awaits or when I’m rushing to get my sweat on. So far I’ve used the Miracle Shine Conditioning Hair Mask once and my dry, colored, damaged, salty hair hasn’t been happier. My hair is constantly being exposed to the sun and saltwater (practically every day) so it’s nice to be giving my lioness locks some love, enriched with avocado oil and Australian jojoba oil to nourish from roots to tips~
Each time you consider buying something, ask yourself – Do I really need this? If the answer is yes – Is there a better alternative that I can purchase? ??
So take some time off social media and show your skin a little self-love. Whenever I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed with the intense emotions surfacing during these strange towns, my time applying my routine never fails to fix that!!
