Mamamia’s What’s In Her Bag series asks Aussie women to give us a look at their everyday beauty routines. Kind of like a sex diary but with beauty. So… not like a sex diary at all. We discover what women are putting on their faces, how much of their hard-earned cash goes towards beauty, and what works for their busy lives. There’s no right or wrong, just real beauty from real women. This week, a 31-year-old who is concerned about dark circles under her eyes shows us what’s in her bag.
Side note – we asked a makeup artist to show us the best way to cover dark under eye circles. Post continues after video.
Name: Mala.
Age: 31.
Occupation: Dance teacher.
Skin Type: Normal/Combination. (You can learn more about different skin types here.)
Biggest beauty concern: Controlling my dark circles and keeping my under eyes plump.
AM skincare routine.
The bulk of my morning skincare routine is all from one brand. I love the Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser for my morning cleanse. It's so creamy and leaves my skin feeling hydrated and awake. I apply a pea-sized amount in my hand and massage it all over my face before using a warm flannel to remove it. This also preps my pores for what’s next.
Then, I apply the Clarins Toning Lotion with a cotton pad. It clears my pores, especially around my nose and chin, and leaves a clean, tingling, fresh feeling.
My serum is the Clarins Double Serum. It's magic in a bottle. This locks everything in, gives me a radiant glow and helps me maintain an even complexion. I use two pumps and press the product into my face and neck. For moisturiser, I use the Clarins Multi-Active Day Cream. It's filled with antioxidants and keeps those fine lines at bay. A pea-sized amount is enough to cover my entire face.
Dark circles are my thing, they're my biggest beauty concern. For my under eyes, I love the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream, which I gently tap under and around my eyes for a hydrated, awake effect. It works well under concealer or on its own.
Last but not least, I apply my trusty La Roche Posay sunscreen. It works beautifully on top of my morning routine and takes away a bit of the shine from the previous serum. It's also a nice base for my makeup.
Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser, $40.
Clarins Toning Lotion, $42.
Clarins Double Serum, $90.
Clarins Multi-Active Day Cream, $70.
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream, $55.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra-Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF50+, $29.95.
PM skincare routine.
At night, I use The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter. I slather and massage it into my skin to remove my makeup and the day off my face. It’s gentle and soothing at the same time. I then do a second cleanse with the Glossier Jelly Cleanser, which is a beautiful and gentle cleanser that just removes any leftover makeup. Double cleansing is a must for me!
The Clarins Multi Active Night Cream is heaven at night time. It hydrates my skin while I sleep and I wake up with a youthful glow. And I can’t forget my Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, which magically stays on my lips all night.
The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter, $25.
Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, US$18 (approx. AU$27).
Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream, $75.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, $26.
Everyday makeup routine.
My everyday makeup routine is pretty simple:
- Foundation: L’Oréal True Match in Cappuccino.
- Brows: Benefit Goof Proof Eyebrow Pencil.
- Blush: Clinique Cheek Pop in Rosy Pop.
- Eyeshadow: Nars Wanted Palette.
- Mascara: Clinique High Impact Mascara.
- Setting Spray: Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist (this locks EVERYTHING in!).
L’Oréal True Match Foundation, $29.95.
Benefit Goof Proof Eyebrow Pencil, $43.
Clinique Cheek Pop in Rosy Pop, $40.
Nars Wanted Palette, sold out in Aus.
*The Nars Mini Wanted Palette is $38.
Clinique High Impact Mascara, $39.
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, $73.
Hair care products and fragrance.
Hands down, the Nak Structure Complex Protein Shampoo and Conditioner duo is the best haircare I've ever used. It's paraben-free, sulphate-free, vegan and smells like grape! The beauty of these products is that they're designed to protect against heat, restore damage and deep condition, all at the same time. It's perfect for me because I blow dry my hair every second day and need that extra hydration. I have silky and soft hair after every use.
As for fragrance, the Maison Margiela Beach Walk scent reminds me of being in Fiji surrounded by palm trees and hot sand (yep, it's that specific). It's sweet like coconut and a little muskier than the Estee Lauder Bronzed Goddess, which is my ideal scent, but a splurge item.
Nak Structure Complex Protein Shampoo and Conditioner, $39.95.
Maison Margiela Beach Walk EDT, $170.
Mala's Spendy: NuFace Fix Device, $228.
Back to my dark circles - this little device uses micro-currents to smooth, plump and reduce signs of ageing under my eyes. It can also be used on your forehead and on fine lines around the lips. I tested this before buying at Meccaland and loved it!
It only takes three minutes per eye and I use it every Saturday as part of my morning routine. I really love it, particularly because I'm uncomfortable with my under eyes. This makes me feel a little more confident and one step closer to not wearing concealer, which is the dream.
NuFace Fix Device, $228.
Mala's Savey: MCo Beauty Facial and Brow Razor, $10.
I'm Sri Lankan so my hairs are pretty dark. The MCo razor is easy to use, removes all my unwanted hair and I'm left with smooth, soft skin. I also love it because it helps remove a lot of dead skin that seems to gather on my chin. I'll use this every two to three weeks before I put makeup on a clean and dry face.
MCo Beauty Facial and Brow Razor, $10.
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