DEPARTURE // THE RECAP

As I'm in the process of unpacking and tidying the mess I call my room, I thought it'd be interesting to review the numerous products I brought with me overseas (the majority of which I didn't really use enough to justify bringing). And I ought to apologise right about now, because the stuff pictured in my previous 'Departure' post isn't even half of what I actually brought... I know, I know. Um. A hoarder in every sense! In my defence, my frantic tossing of other bits and pieces into my suitcase was mainly induced by my mindset of 'just in case', rather than 'practical and necessary'... I'll be wiser for next time. Hopefully.

What I packed in carry-on luggage:

- Natio Spa with Organics Heavenly Hand Cream
- Neways Barrier Cream
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
- Nivea Daily Face Veil SPF 30
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose
- B Collection by Bloom Cream Blush for Lips and Cheeks in Barossa Valley
- Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry
- MAC Select Cover Up Concealer in NC30

What I actually used on the plane:

- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- Natio Spa with Organics Heavenly Hand Cream
- Neways Barrier Cream
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++
- Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry

Admittedly I was too distracted by the movies on the plane to be bothered about being meticulous with skincare during the nine-hour flight. My skin prep beforehand seemed sufficiently hydrating, though I did apply a layer of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++ about half way, and hand cream and lip balm frequently throughout. The Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++ absolutely exceeded my expectations and I credit it to my happy complexion upon landing. Full review coming soon.

What I used the most while overseas:

- Neways Barrier Cream
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Sunscreen
- La Roche-Posay Uvidea XL Melt-In BB Cream
- Nivea Daily Face Veil SPF 30
- Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry

What I didn't really use:

- Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry
- Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Powder
- Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Candy Apple
- Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel
- Real Techniques Buffing Brush and Stippling Brush
- ModelsPrefer Airbrush
- EcoTools Deluxe Concealer Brush
- Natio Spa with Organics Heavenly Hand Cream
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose
- B Collection by Bloom Cream Blush for Lips and Cheeks in Barossa Valley
- MAC Select Cover Up Concealer in NC30
- Garnier Clean Detox Makeup Wipes

I know. Yikes.
Granted, while overseas, I couldn't care in the slightest how I looked. SPF was my priority, along with lip balm, and I didn't bother too much with eye makeup as I was wearing sunglasses most of the time. However, I did use these products less than a handful of times, when we went out for lunch or dinner at places that required patrons to look at least socially acceptable.

What I wish I'd brought:

- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+
- Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream

Thankfully there aren't too many products in this category! I found myself wishing for Clinique's DDML+ when my face was randomly dry and irritated, and there seemed to be no cure (which is largely the reason why I ended up bringing the Clinique Moisture Surge home...), and lip butter when my lips wanted something richer after spending a little too long in the sun and wind.

What I learnt:
Pantene conditioner makes an excellent shaving cream in a pinch.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++ is fabulous and I should feel ashamed for overlooking it previously.
Make do with fingers instead of brushes where possible.

What I know for next time:
Bringing excessive amounts of stuff that won't be used makes for a painful trip and limits the haulage that can be brought back (lose-lose situation).
Generally speaking, there's no need to bring so much carry-on as I'm more likely to be watching movies or sleeping on the plane than making use of the liquids/gels/aerosols that I brought with me.


What are your travel essentials?
Are you a hoarder like me?

A FABULOUS FIND // REVIEW: LA ROCHE-POSAY BB CREAM

I came across this little gem while strolling past my mother's dresser. A little sample of La Roche-Posay's Uvidea XL Melt-In BB Cream, perched beside a little sample of their Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Sunscreen. Curiosity swiftly got the better of me - naturally, I had to try them out.

La Roche-Posay Melt-In BB Cream in 02 Natural/Medium

Before (wearing a thin layer of Neways Barrier Cream) and after (with La Roche-Posay BB Cream)

I used my fingers to apply this over clean, moisturised skin. Shade-wise, I found this to be just a tad light - it would probably be perfect for me in Spring, before I get more tanned.  However, I really appreciated that this BB cream has yellow undertones, which made it a better match for my skin (around NC25-NC30, for reference), unlike some other BB creams that I've tried in the past (Garnier, anyone?). It comes in two shades, 01 Light and 02 Medium (the shade I'm using is equivalent to Medium). You can check out swatches of both shades by Yishan of Beauty Swatch here.

According to La Roche-Posay's website, product claims for this BB cream are as follows: "unifies complexion by covering blemishes, fine lines, brown spots and hydrates skin. Helps prevent pigmentation and ageing induced by UV. Moisture replenishing. For sensitive skin. Melts into the natural skin tone for unified complexion and healthy-looking skin." 

What first struck me was it's comparatively thick consistency. I haven't used a "proper" BB cream before, so while it was not unexpected, I found it markedly different from Mecca Cosmetica's In a Good Light and Garnier's BB Cream for Sensitive Skin, which are both thinner in texture.
I would say that it has medium to full coverage - enough to cover redness and imperfections, and even out skin tone, without looking mask-like. It also has an illuminating and brightening effect, though it may not be so obvious in the photo. I found it to have a semi-matte finish once 'set', with a slight sheen, though not quite as dewy as MAC's Face and Body, for instance. Be warned that it also sets relatively quickly, so work fast!

In terms of lasting power, I found that once it 'set', it was difficult to move. For the most part this wore comfortably on my sensitive skin, though I found that my air-conditioned work environment was to blame for exacerbating dry patches. I also liked that it had SPF 50+ and a non-greasy feel. It's moisturising enough for those with dry skin, but its semi-matte finish makes it suitable for oilier-skinned gals, too.
*No concealer was used, to see how well it covered blemishes and lasted throughout the day.

8 hours later...

And this is how it looked after work, eight hours later - I must admit that I'm impressed!

According to the website, the BB cream can be purchased from Priceline and Terry White Chemists, though it was not in stock at my local Priceline (apparently because it was only a newly released product). Looks like I'll have to get myself to a Terry White Chemist, pronto!

I thought I'd also do a quick mention of the Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Sunscreen. My mum raved about it, praising its light feel and skin-perfecting qualities ("It's comfortable, light, and looks very natural..."), but I, on the other hand, found it to be quite thick and heavy in comparison to the watery consistency of Nivea's Light Feel Daily Face Veil SPF 30, which I've been using lately. I found that the Anthelios XL SPF 50+ left a white cast on my face, which I wasn't overly thrilled with.

Have you come across these products whilst browsing your local Priceline or Terry White?
What were your first impressions?