My Current Skin Care Routine

Hello everyone!

Welcome back to my blog. Today, as promised I bring to you the products that are in my current skin care regime.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog, and let's jump straight in!

Cleanser: Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser

I have always been a fan of Bioré face washes and cleansers, so I was really hoping to enjoy using this one also. Verdict: I really like this stuff. It cleans the face without stripping it, so essentially, after washing your face, it doesn't feel tight or uncomfortable. My face feels a lot smoother after using this wash, and looks brighter and more alive. I've recently repurchased this product, because I am almost out, and it cost TT$56 at SuperPharm.

Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser *new bottle*

 

Exfoliators: Frutique Papaya Enzyme Exfoliating Gel & Freeman Pink Grapefruit Exfoliating Scrub

Frutique Papaya Enzyme Exfoliating Gel

Frutique is a fairly new brand I've seen in SuperPharm, and I decided, why not give this a shot to see how it works. This exfoliating gel is considered to be a resurfacing gel that detaches dead skin cells and removes impurities. How it works, is you pump product onto your finger tips, massage into the face for 30-60 seconds, until you start to see your dead skin cells "appear in flakes". Those flakes for me a just big balls of gunk, that initially freaked me out! You do get used to it though, and after you rise with warm water (it has to be warm water, or else the flakes and product won't wash off properly), it's like your skin has just been revived. After using this, my skin looks brighter, my skin feels softer, and appears more even in terms of my skin tone. I really like this stuff, but if I do recall correctly, it is bit pricey between TT$75-TT$120, but to me it was worth it. Since purchasing, I actually had a week when I chose not to use this product, and my skin was not happy. I didn't realise that my skin needed something like this to truly remove dead skin and impurities.

N.B. It is recommended that you use this product twice a week, and I only use it at night!

Frutique Papay Enzyme Exfoliating Gel

Freeman Pink Grapefruit Exfoliating Scrub

This scrub is on the gentler end of exfoliating scrubs, it's not abrasive, it does not contain microbeads, and it smells heavenly.   

I probably use this once or twice a week, depending on whether I've been wearing more makeup than I normally do, but I don't use it on the same day as my Frutique Exfoliating Gel. It does the same job as the St. Ives Apricot Scrub, but with a better scent and price (roughly TT$30), and not to mention it is very gentle on the skin, I would highly recommend this for sensitive skin guys and girls out there! 

Freeman Pink Grapefruit Exfoliating Scrub

Toner: Witch Hazel

Serum: L'Oreal Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector Serum

I enjoy changing my skin care products every 3-4 months, so it is rare that I have one product that sticks around for an extended period of time. This product has been in my regime for approximately 2 years, maybe more, and I genuinely love it! It has been in past empties posts I've done, but this stuff just works for my skin and for getting rid of hyperpigmentation. It does cost TT$180, but it works!

L'Oreal Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector Serum

Day Cream: L'Oreal Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector Day Cream with SPF 30.
 I figured if I love the serum, why not give the day cream a try. So far it's been working pretty well. It isn't super greasy, or too heavy for my skin, but it is a thick consistency creamy, so you only need to use a small amount to cover the surface of the face. I don't have any major complaints, but I am not 100% sure if I absolutely love it.

L'Oreal Youth Code Day Cream

Night Cream: Garnier Ultra Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream
Now I honestly don't think miracle is the correct word to describe this. This cream is marketed as an anti-age and anti-fatigue night cream, and claims that after the first use, the first morning, 93% of users said skin felt smoother & hydrated, while 77% said their skin looked well rested.
Well, after my first use I woke up with oily skin, but it did look brighter. After continued use, I still found that my skin would look bright, but not feel hydrated, it just looked oily.
The consistency of this product is very weird, it feels like pizza dough, and even smells that way also. It hasn't broken me out so I'll use it until I finish it but I don't see it becoming a necessity...and yes I know this is targeted towards older adults, but hey it's never too early for a near 24 year old to start thinking about anti-aging products.

Garnier Ultra Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream

Optional: Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream & Bio- Oil
These two products I rotate in and out of my routine, as moisturising options after having used my Frutique Exfoliating Gel. They both absorb into the skin quickly, and leave the skin feeling hydrated. The Bio-Oil has the added benefits of evening skin tone, reducing the appearance of scars. The Bio-Oil is roughly priced around TT$99, while the Garnier price, I cannot recall.

Bio-Oil and Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel Cream

This is my current skin care routine, and it will definitely be changing towards the end of the 2015, but I do hope you enjoyed. As always, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to visit J's Mind Palace, and I hope you will stop by again very soon. I won't be doing a dedicated favourites post this month, because I haven't really bought much new products that I haven't already spoken about, but I may post something over on my Instagram (@ladyjpsych).

Thanks again for dropping by, stay happy, healthy and positive, and I shall see you next Friday!
Bye (^_^)/

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer Review

Hello everyone!

I've had a very emotional week this week, and initially wasn't planning to post today. However, I decided that since I was near the end of my Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer, that I would a short and quick review for you all.

Before I get started, I just wanted to say thank you so much for 800 views on my blog. I'm very grateful for all your support ^w^.

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer 

Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Pro Primer 002

Product Claims:

1. Smoothes
2. Resurfaces
3. Brightens
4. Mattifies
5. Protects
6. Prolongs foundation wear 

For me, the first two claims go hand in hand. This product does smooth and even out the skin's texture. I have enlarged pores on my cheeks, and although they are still noticeable when I use the primer, my skin feels super smooth, and my foundations glide on easily, and my enlarged pores are not as noticeable once the foundation is applied.

I haven't really noticed any brightening effects with this primer so the third claim, I'm just going to cross out. However, this primer does mattify the skin once applied, and depending on the climate you live it, it just might keep you matte for half the day or even all day. For me, I usually have to blot after 3 hours of initial application, but then again oily/combo skin, in the Caribbean, it's to be expected.

Finally, the claim that it protects is slightly vague. I will say that I haven't broken out while using this primer, and I've not noticed any clogged pores. If the claim protects means it protects the skin from whatever you apply on top of it (which all primers basically do by creating a barrier between your skin care products and makeup), then yes it does the job.

Product and Texture:

This product is a white, lotion type primer that dries down clear. It has a very strong fragrance, but it wanes after being applied. The scent reminds me of baby lotion, so if you can't stand heavy fragrances, I'll recommend trying another primer.

Swatches of Fix & Perfect Primer by Rimmel

Conclusion:
I got so wrapped up in using this primer since I purchased it, that it became an everyday staple. This definitely a product that I will buy again. I will however have to add a mattifer on top just to have added oil control, but even without a dedicated mattifier, I really do enjoy this primer. I still can't believe I didn't notice earlier how much I enjoyed this primer, and I'm sad that it's almost finished. If you are in the market for a good drugstore primer, although the e.l.f Mineral Face Primer is my hands down favourite, Rimmel Fix & Perfect comes it very closely in second place. 

Thank you all for visiting my blog once again, I hope you all enjoyed. Next week I am hoping to do a skin care routine post *fingers crossed*
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I shall talk to you again very soon. Stay happy, positive and healthy, until next time....
Bye guys (^_^)/

L.A Girl Cosmetics Matte Flat Finish Pigment Glosses Swatches and Review

Hello everyone! Welcome back!

I'm feeling better this week, so I decided to play with my L.A. Girl Cosmetics Matte Flat Finish Pigment Glosses that I recently purchased. If you live in Trinidad and want to get your hands on these, you can find them at Tres Belle Cosmetique, Wonderful World, or you can order them from The BeautyBox 868.

I have four shades to share with you today, two of the shades, I've done wear tests with. The shades I own are;

1. Fleur - peachy nude
2. Rebel - a mid tone purpley-mauve shade
3. Secret - deep brick red
4. Backstage - deep/vampy berry (with purple undertones)

L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss

Wear Testing
I've worn both Fleur (to work) and Rebel (visiting my grandma), and I can say that they are very lightweight, and they do tend to stay the lips for a long time. They wear beautifully throughout the day, even if you are eating and drinking, I'd say approximately 5-6 hours...I lost track of time.....but they leave a nice stain to the lips.

Taken from my Instagram: @ladyjpsych

 

 

 

Taken from my Instagram: @ladyjpsych

Application
In terms of application, the product has a flat doe type applicator that makes it easy to get the product on and remain within the lines of the lips. However, I do use a lip liner with Fleur, because on it's own it tends to wash out my complexion. These glosses take a while to set, usually about 1minutes (60 seconds) for one layer, and I would advise not smacking your lips together while the product is setting, because it causes the product to flake off.

Backstage & Secret (Lip Swatches)
Backstage is the only one of my four that requires two layers to get the true colour, although on my lips Rebel doesn't look as purple as the swatch but I still really love the colour I get in one layer.

 

 

 

 

Lip Swatch of Backstage (2 layers)

 

 Secret is going to become a staple for me, because I absolutely adore red lips.

Lip Swatch of Secret (1 layer)

In the end, these are very good products for the price (I paid $35TT on sale), and if you like liquid lipsticks, give these a try. They're inexpensive, long lasting, pigmented, matte without being overly drying the lips, and the chubby packaging is super cute.

Before I end, I just wanted to thank those of you who read my post last week. I'm not usually one to talk about feeling down, however, as I grow older, and I get closer to my dream of becoming a psychologist, it will be important for me to talk about particular topics, mostly mental health, and I se my blog as a great way to integrate that practice.

Thanks again for coming back to my blog, if you're new, then thank you for stopping by and I hope you will pay my blog another visit. Until next Friday, I hope you all stay happy, positive, and healthy!

Bye (^_^)/

J's Thoughts #1- Chit Chatting about Feeling Down

Hello everyone,

I know for the past month, I've been throwing out product reviews and I even revived my Game Corner Series, which was mega fun for me, however, it's been a while since I just wrote about myself and how I've been doing, so I figured that today I would do that.
I had planned to do a skin care blog post to talk about some new products I've introduced to my routine, but I just have no drive to make that post today.

Today for the first time in approximately a month, I have no drive or excitement to post or write or even to play a video game. I told one of my friends earlier this week that I just feel so exhausted by everything, but today is definitely the worse day of them all. I posted some swatches on my Instagram today, only to delete it an hour later, simply because I didn't feel excited about my post. I'm usually really excited to post my swatches, or pictures of my dogs and random selfies, but today, I just feel meh.

You're probably wondering why I've decided to share this on my blog?

Well the answer is simple, I know I am not the only person who falls into these slums. Also, as a person who is planning on becoming a Psychologist, it's important for me to acknowledge these moods, and negative emotions, and find means to adapt or just simply relax and let them run their course.

I've spent so much of my life hiding behind a fake smile, try not to acknowledge my feelings, that only now I've come to realize, I'm not always going to be happy or optimistic, I'm going to have days, hell even weeks where I just feel run down, sad, and unenthusiastic.

I just need to remind myself, like I am reminding you, better days are coming. Even if it doesn't feel that way, hold on little one because they are. These feelings and moods won't last forever, and you just need to take baby steps to get your groove back.

I know this isn't in the usual nature of my blog, but this is not just my space for sharing my favourite games, makeup and beauty items, but it's also a place for me to place what's on my mind, it is my Mind Palace!

I'll return to my normal postings next week, but for now, I need to rest. I know this post is a bit of a downer but everyone experience lows in their life, I'm just choosing to share my with the world.
Until I see you lovely people again next week, stay safe.
Bye guys (^-^)

July Makeup Favourites!

Hello darlings!

Welcome to my July Makeup Favourites! I'm actually really excited for this post, July was a great month for me, coming down to the end, and I can't wait to see what August has in store for me. Without keeping you in a realm of my endless blabbering, let's get started on this past month's favourites.

July Makeup Favourites

Face: 

Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless

Fit Me Matte and Poreless 310 Sun Beige

• I have been reaching for this foundation more than my L'Oreal foundations all of July. It's super creamy texture makes it very easy to blend and it has a solid medium-full coverage. Perfect shade match for me (310 Sun Beige), and it doesn't break down excessively throughout long, hot and humid days. I do have a full review on this and I will post the link to it at the end of this blog post. 

Eyes: 

Eyeshadows: NYX Trio in Golden/Rust/Walnut Bronze and Avon Single Eyeshadow in Champagne 

• All these eyeshadows are extremely pigmented, they have a soft and buttery texture and they translate beautifully on the eyes.
  
  NYX Trio:
• Walnut Bronze on my eyes and with my skin tone, tends to come off as an extremely warm reddish bronze shade. However, the lighting in this picture dulls the shade and doesn't do it much justice.
• Rust is a straight up reddish/coppery/cranberry type colour. It really differs to my eye depending on how light hits it. Absolutely love this shade, and I even have it in the original single shadow. 
• Golden...I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love gold!! Gold eyeshadows to me just scream wear me everyday, and on most days I do love to wear gold eyeshadows. Golden specifically strikes me as an antique gold. A perfect melting of yellow and bronze gold. 
  
  Avon Single Eyeshadow
• This is my go-to inner corner highlight. It is a metallic finish, although it is marketed as a shimmer eyeshadow, but nonetheless, its high shine finish brightens the inner corners of the eye making you look wide eyed and awake. 

Eyeliner & Mascara: 

Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer in Noir & Jordana Best Lash Extreme in Black

Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Noir

• I know you constantly hear about the Rimmel ScandalEyes Kohl Eyeliner, but these Exaggerate Eye Definers are awesome. They are very waterproof and smudge resistant, they are retractable pencils and they have a built-in smudger and sharpener. They are also extremely creamy, they glide onto the eye without pull or tugging the eye area. I use this to tighline, I use it on my upper lash liner and also on my waterline, if I'm feeling that look. 

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara in Black

• Holy mascara Batman! This TT$20 mascara, has me gaga! Undoubtedly, this is one of the best mascaras I have ever used. It volumizes, and defines each eyelash effortlessly. My eyelashes look longer, more voluminous and defined without looking clumpy or laden with product. I haven't had any issues with it running, flaking off or smudging throughout the day. A little warning though, the brush which is a very traditional mascara wand, has the tendency to pick up a lot of excess product, so I'd advise cleaning the brush off a bit before applying it. I've been reaching for this more than my Maybelline The Rocket and L'Oreal Voluminious Lash-Out Butterfly mascaras.

Best Lash Extreme Mascara Wand

 Lips: 

Lipliners: Avon Glimmersticks Lip Liner in Mystery Mauve and Avon Ultra Luxury Lip Liner in Neutral. 

• Recently, I've been really into lip balm and lip liner only. I've never been a huge fan of lip glosses, and I haven't been in much of a lipstick wearing mood. These two liners have been my immediate, every morning lip liners, and I even throw them into my makeup bag for light touch ups after lunch. I love the colours, but the texture of these lip liners are so amazing. They are extremely soft and pigmented. 
• I am in the process of hunting down similar colours to these because...Avon is no longer available in Trinidad and I do believe in the wider Caribbean (=_=').

'Tis the end of my July Makeup Favourites, and I hope you all enjoyed. I wanted to say thank you for the support on the return of Game Corner, I'm so happy to be reviving that series on the blog, so look out for more Game Corner posts in the coming months.
Do feel free to share some of your favourites from the month of July in the comments, I would love to hear from you all!
Until Friday, I hope you all have a productive and safe week. Stay happy, positive and healthy, and I will talk to you all very soon.
Bye guys (^_^)/

Links:
Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Review : http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/07/maybelline-fit-me-matte-and-poreless.html