A Few Isolation Beauty Favourites

Wow, hasn't it been awhile since I wrote a post on here! Almost 6 months! In all honesty, having the motivation to write lengthy blog posts has been sparse lately. Obviously, with everything going on in the world currently, my year has not gone to plan along with a lot of other people's. Unfortunately, I think a few of my goals for the year will have to be pushed back to next year. One of them being that I wanted to go part-time in my job as a veterinarian to focus on building my creative digital business. Currently, my job is stable, and I have continued to work full-time hours through all of this which, while I am very grateful for, has also taken a lot out of me. And I know I'm not alone. All of my colleagues, too, are feeling extra strained as we work hard during the pandemic and extra stresses of everyday life currently.

However, I miss sharing my favourite things with you guys and making beautiful images for you. I am a lot more frequent with doing both of these on my Instagram (@anneinthedollhouse), so if you're keen to see more I'd definitely check out my account there. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy this short and sweet round-up of a few beauty pieces I'm currently loving.

1. Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser - such an amazing cleanser that deeply cleanses but leaves the skin hydrated. Packed with heaps of antioxidants and no nasty ingredients such as synthetic fragrances or SLS!

2. Youth To The People Superfood Firm & Brighten Serum - This is my THIRD time repurchasing this product! I haven't used it for months now because it's always such a splurge but while it's pricey it sure works! It brightens any acne scarring I have lingering and just leaves the skin glowy and plump. I have been loving using this every morning again recently.

3. Aesop Ressurection Hand Balm - I have talked about this SO much on my Instagram lately! Obsessed with this to keep my hands hydrated during all the extra handwashing, plus it smells divine.

4. Summer Fridays Jetlag Mask - okay so I've liked this for a while now but recently I have rediscovered it. instead of using it as an overnight mask, I've been using it as a 10-minute mask and then rinsing it off (as it is supposed to be used per the instructions). And guess what, I actually love it so much better this way! It gives the skin a quick pick me up and can be used at any time of day this way!

5. Bare Skinfood Multivitamin Creme - another product I've already talked a heap about on Instagram. Just a super nourishing cream which has been perfect for autumn, giving me that little bit of extra hydration I need coming into the cooler months.

Tell me in the comments below, what's a current favourite beauty product you've been loving during this time of isolation? I'd love to hear!

Hope you guys enjoyed!

Speak again soon,

Little Balm Holiday Collection Review

Today I have a post sharing my thoughts about all the new products just recently released by Little Balm. If you didn't already know, I'm a huge fan of the brand that hand makes all their products in Sydney so am super excited to be finally sitting down to write this post for you guys today!

Oatmeal Cookie Sugar Scrub - If you want to get into the Christmas spirit in the shower then look no further! This scrub smells just like Christmas in a tub. The scrub contains raw sugar, oats, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, vanilla, cinnamon and vitamin E so that your skin is super soft and smells good enough to eat! This scrub truly smells like a tin of Christmas cookies and is an experience you need!

Double Shot Eye Serum - With sweet almond oil, castor oil, rosehip oil, fairtrade coffee, vitamin E and carrot seed oil this serum will have your tired under-eyes looking refreshed and awake instantly which is a lifesaver for the party season! As a bonus, while I've been using this eye serum for the past month, I've also noticed that my eyelashes are longer and stronger and I really can't think of any other reason for this except for this eye serum! And even after a solid month of use, it looks as though I've hardly touched the bottle! Such great value for money and an amazing product, it's a win-win!

Lemon Pie Lip Balm - Any of Little Balm's lip balms are great as an essential in your handbag and beauty kit but this limited-edition flavour is such a beautiful scent perfect for summer. My go-to lip balm for this warm festive season! My lips feel plump and moisturised after every application.

So there you have it, a review of Little Balm's limited edition holiday collection! I would 100% not hesitate to purchase any of these products and they also make lovely stocking fillers for those in your life who are interesed in all natural, organic, handmade beauty. If you are interested in any of these products be sure to head to Little Balm's website here or just click on the product name in this post.

Do you guys enjoy trying natural beauty brands? Let me know your favourite natural beauty brands in the comments below!

Speak again soon,

Kelly Anne xx

Must Have Products for a Glowy Summer Complexion

Hi guys, back here with a quick little post today on my 3 must have products for a glowy summer complexion! So here we go!

1. Kosas Tinted Face Oil - this amazing buildable tinted face oil is perfect for thos lazy summer days when all you want to do is lie by the beach. It can give a light to medium coverage depending on how many srops are used on the face. I find 3 for light coverage and 4+ for medium coverage personally. I love how this also has a subtle glow and just feels light and nourishing on the skin unlike a heavy foundation. Just everything you need for some coverage in the summer time!

2. Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 50+ Superscreen - This is a no brainer! I apply this after moisturiser and before my Kosas tinted face oil. It does not feel like a sunscreen at all! It's thin, pleasant smelling and moisturising. I am now finally in the habit of applying this daily under my make up! All of my make up seems to sit well over the top of it too.

3. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Serum - Not only does this product give you the most amazing bronze glow but it's also got anti-pollution properties to fight free radicals that cause ageing in our skin on a daily basis. My favourite way to apply this is mixing it in with either my moisturiser or sunscreen. Just on pump gives a beautiful glow that is visible through the tinted face oil. It's such a magical product!

With all three of these products combined I have a good skin day everyday and I am obsessed with how glowy and radiant my skin looks whilst feeling as though I have noe product on my skin at all. I highly recommend all these products for summer! They can all be found on the Australian Mecca website.

Hope you enjoyed this little post!

Speak soon,
Kelly Anne x

My Evening Relaxation Routine with Awake Skin

Finally back with a skincare post today and I'm so excited to share with you my evening routine and talk about this brand! Awake skin recently launched at the end of June this year and is Tarte's sister skincare brand. So of course when they offered to send me a few of their products to review I jumped at the chance! All of their products have quickly been incorporated into my nightly routine after a long day of work so I thought I'd talk through how I use them in my routine. Enjoy! xx

1. Awake Keep Calm & Roll On Clarity Cream - this little cream has come in handy, especially when I'm feeling a little tense after a long day. As soon as I walk through the door I apply this little gem to all my pulse points. It smells like peppermint and is perfect to rub into your temples, wrists and neck when getting home from work. I've never used a product like this before, but I have to say I think this may be the biggest surprise for me out of this collection. I was sceptical that a little cream would help me relax but truly just a few minutes after applying this cream I feel the peaceful vibes settling in, helping me to start the process of winding down after a long day. Such a great product!

2.  Awake Lip Sleeping Mask - This mask is amazing! Very comparable to the Laniege Lip Sleeping mask that I have recently run out of and was using this past year. As soon as I've had a long shower, eaten a healthy dinner and watched a little Netflix I am more than ready for bed. I apply this beautiful thick balm as I get into bed and find that it lasts until you wake up in the morning, sealing all the moisture in your lips while you sleep. I literally can't get to sleep without my lip mask now, it's become such a staple in my routine!

3. Awake Dream Mist Pillow Spray - ahh this is the kind of product that makes me wish smellagram existed! This scent is so dreamy, hands down my favourite ever sleeping mist I've dried. Not too overpowering, and has a more fresh lavender scent that lasts all night. Just as I'm about to let my head hit the pillow I spritz my pillow with gorgeous spray.

4. Vegan Pillow Case - I have used this pillowcase EVERY night since I received it! It's just as soft and functions just as well as my silk pillowcase but is a good vegan alternative. It also holds the scent of the pillow spray all night long. Such a dream to sleep with!

Safe to say I've been having some of the best sleep of my life recently thanks to these guys. If you're interested in checking out Awake skincare I highly recommend every product I've reviewed here! Click here to check out their website!

Back with a new post soon,

Kelly Anne xx

The Coffee Scrub (& Some Other Gorgeous Products) You Need for your Most Amazing Skin Yet!

Hi everyone, today I am back with a review of some more Little Balm products. Little Balm is a brand in Sydney that hand makes all-natural and sustainable beauty products to incorporate into your daily skincare routine, and as with my previous review, these other products of their's did not disappoint!

Mocha Body Scrub
Wow, what can I say? This is my favourite body scrub I've ever tried! Firstly, it smells amazing. I love coffee and this smells just like a coffee shop. Secondly, I love how fine the actual granules are. I've tried a few different coffee scrubs in the past and this one gives me the most gentle yet effective scrub. It's also super moisturising and my skin feels sooooo soft! The scrub contains organic raw sugar, virgin coconut oil, sweet almond oil, fair trade coffee, raw cacao and vitamin E. The perfect combination for amazing skin.  I've been using it twice a week coming into winter and I love how fresh and soft it's keeping my skin! This body scrub is one of my winter skin must-haves! Hopefully, I'll be doing a post on my winter skin essentials soon, and you can bet this will be included on that list!

Restore Face Mask
Ahhh this mask smells like chocolate and leaves my skin feeling smooth, clean and refined! Just like the Glow mask, mixed with a few drops of water and this mask is ready to be popped straight on to your face for a luxury home spa night. With kaolin clay, bentonite claw and raw cacao, my skin is left feeling smooth and the appearance of pores and blackheads is significantly reduced. Oh, and did I mention it smells like chocolate?

Rosie Face Toner
I love this mist for refreshing my make-up. This mist contains bulgaria rose water, alcohol free witch hazel, aloe vera extract and rose geranium oil. It smells so beautiful and adds such a lovely glow to my finished face! Unfortunately, I can't use this as a toner during my skincare routine as it seems to sting slightly when I use it on my bare skin. However, this beautiful calming mist works well for me as a mid-day refresh over make-up and allows me to enjoy a moment of peace during a busy day. I can 100% recommend this face mist for this purpose!

If you are interested in trying any of these amazing products from Little Balm, I currently have a 15% off code you can use on their website to save you some money! Just pop the code KellyAnne15 in when you checkout to save you some dollars! Click here to visit their website!

And if you'd like to see my previous review on their Unicorn Multipurpose Face Oil and Glow Face Mask be sure to click here!

That's it for today my lovelies, I hope you enjoyed this review post. Until next time,

Kelly Anne xx

Little Balm Glow Face Mask and Unicorn Oil Review

Today I have a quick review of a couple of products I've been testing from this small natural skincare brand called Little Balm. All of their products are handmade from natural ingredients in Sydney and they have the cutest packaging! I've been incorporating these two products into my routine for two weeks now so thought I'd share my thoughts.

The first product is the Glow Facial Mask. The ingredients in this mask include Kaolin clay, bentonite clay, rose clay, rose petals and rose geranium oil. Just mix it with a couple of drops of water and you have the perfect mask for combating problem areas without drying them out, leaving my skin clear and glowing. I've used this a few times now and have noticed my break out clear up fairly quickly after this. Another thing about this product that I'm obsessed with is the delicate rose scent this has. It reminds of a perfume I've smelt at Mecca but I can not put my finger on which one, either way, it's an extra bonus that makes using this product feel luxurious.

I also tried the Unicorn Multitask Oil. The ingredients include coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E, jasmine oil, lavender oil and carrot seed oil. This also has a very pretty botanical scent and the instructions on the back claim that it can be used to remove make-up, as a cleanser or as a moisturiser. Personally, my favourite way to use this product was as a moisturiser. When applied overnight I would wake up with hydrated and super-glowy skin. To be honest I didn't find it worked well for me as a make-up remover and left behind some traces of mascara. For that reason I will probably stick to my usual Bare Minerals oil-obsessed make-up remover or Clinique take the day off balm for removing make-up and cleansing. However, I love the results when used as a moisturiser and I will continue to use it in my routine this way!

I hope you guys enjoyed this little review of two of my current favourite products from Little Balm! Be sure to check out their website here and Instagram (@littlebalm) if you're interested in purchasing these products!

Speak again soon,
Kelly Anne xx

What's in my Bag for a Night Out?

Happy Sunday evening! Tonight I have a fun little post providing a checklist of essentials every girl needs for a night out. While I don't go out very often anymore, I ALWAYS find that whenever I do I forget something absolutely essential! So here's a little bag spill flatlay and a list of my favourite beauty products and accessories so that you too don't forget something super essential on a big night out!

1. A pretty clutch - like this one from The Daily Edited. I'm so obsessed with this brand and love that you get your initials embossed onto any of their products!

2. Lash curler & an amazing mascara - currently this Caution mascara from Hourglass is my favourite! Available here from Mecca Maxima.

3. Lipstick - especially for touch ups as you drink through all those cocktails over the night!

4. A portable comb or brush - no one likes their hair becoming a bird's nest. This one is from Seed Heritage.

5. Hair accessories to put hair up - VERY essential in my experience. You never know when you or your friend might need their hair swept up in an instant! I am obsessed with this scrunchie and hair clip from Scrunchies Australia. So practical, yet so cute!

6. Blush for a pretty pop of colour - like this one called Chilli Mango from Fenty Beauty. Available here from Sephora.

7. Bronzer - so you can fake beautiful sunkissed skin. My favourite at the moment is the Hourglass Ambient lighting one in Luminous Bronze Light. Available here from Mecca Maxima.

8. Glittery eyeshadow - and these ones from Stila are SO EASY to apply! This shade is called Bronzed Bell. Also available here from Mecca Maxima.

9. Some stylish earrings - a must to finish off your look.

10. And finally your phone and cards! Obviously.

Hoping you guys enjoyed this cute little post! What else would you add to your night out beauty essentials checklist?

The Two Key Products you NEED for Effortless Beach Waves

Summer in the Southern hemisphere may have drawn to a close, but that doesn't mean I'm giving up effortless beachy waves. Yesterday I FINALLY got my hair cut after almost six months (I know, I know, I'm shocking!) And my hairdresser styled my hair into some effortless beachy waves using these two products above: Kevin Murphy Hair Resort Spray and Kevin Murphy Doo Over - and my waves just looked perfect all damn day. So I knew instantly that I needed to go back and purchase these products and then write a blog post about them!

My Hair Philosophy

So in case you couldn't already tell - I am very lazy when it comes to my hair. Skincare? Sure, I'll apply a 20 layer skincare routine no questions asked! But ask me to blow dry my hair and I will straight out refuse. So I've never really put much effort into styling my hair on a daily basis. However, I feel these products make styling your hair daily effortless and provide such amazing results that I think I might just start spending the extra minute on my hair. The results look as though you've definitely spent more than a minute on your hair!

Kevin Murphy Hair Resort Spray

This is the star product - it gives your hair a bit of grittiness to help give it that beachy texture. My hairdresser used this on my hair before blow drying as it also has heat protectant in it, but it can be used on wet or dry hair. This morning I used it on my dry hair to help revive the curls from yesterday and it worked an absolute treat! I'm obsessed with this and can not recommend it enough! I'll most likely be using it daily to keep my hair looking super beachy and fresh, even in autumn.

Kevin Murphy Doo Over

This is the ultimate multi-purpose hair spray you've been looking for. Part dry shampoo and part finishing spray, it prolongs the life of curls while removing excess oiliness - perfect for lazy girls who like to wash their hair as little as possible a.k.a. me. 

Did I also forget to mention the Kevin Murphy packaging is also so sleek and gorgeous? I don't know about you, but I'm completely sold and so grateful my hairdresser opened my eyes to such amazing hair products!

I'd love to hear in the comments, do you have any lazy hair day products that instantly pep up your hair? I could really get into hair products like this!

Kelly Anne xx

Review: Why You Need the Zudoya Rose Quartz Beauty Roller

Hope you guys have been enjoying my beauty posts because I have another one here for you today! Today I am reviewing for you the Zudoya Rose Quartz Facial Roller that I have been trying out in my night time routine over the past two weeks, I hope you guys enjoy!

Link to the Zudoya Home Page here.

First Impressions
The roller comes beautifully packaged in a little luxurious white box with satin fabric on the inside. The roller itself feels quite heavy too! I do have another facial roller that I purchased myself awhile ago, but it feels nowhere near as heavy and luxurious as this roller! I'm also obsessed with rose quartz and I found this roller to be very visually appealing.

How I Use the Zudoya Rose Quartz Beauty Roller
I use the beauty roller once a day, usually in my night time routine. When using the roller, I roll gently on my face in an upwards and outwards motion to encourage lymphatic drainage and counter-act the effects of gravity on my skin. I use the large end on my cheeks, chin and forehead and the smaller end under my eyes and over the bridge of my nose. I will also occasionally use the large end to roll on my neck in an upwards motion. Another great way I've used my roller a few times is by placing it in it's special plastic bag and putting it in the fridge for an hour so that is super cooling and soothing on my skin.

How I Incorporate My Zudoya Rose Quartz Beauty Roller into My Routine
I've been incorporating the beauty roller into my nighttime routine two different ways. I've been using it either after applying my facial serum or after applying my facial oil. I love applying it after serum as I feel it helps to blend and press the serum into my skin so that my skin absorbs my serum more quickly.

The other way I've been using the roller is after applying my night time moisturiser and facial oil to give my face a nice gentle massage. I find this technique is great for the end of a long day when you need a little stress relief. By using it this way I am also able to roll on my face for longer, as the oil takes much longer to absorb than a serum and this is at the end of my night time routine (my only other step is to apply a lip balm or lip mask). Both ways I find useful, and I like to mix it up between these two routines nightly.

My Favourite Serums and Oils to Use With the Zudoya Rose Quartz Beauty Roller
Some of my favourite serums to use with the beauty roller include Glossier Super Pure, Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Serum and the Youth to The People Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin C serum. Some of my favourite oils to roll into my skin include Drunk Elephant Marula Oil, Salt and Hendrix Mermaid Oil and Herbivore Phoenix oil.

The Results
One main benefit I've found while using the Zudoya Rose Quartz Beauty Roller is that my skin appears more toned, and the puffiness, particularly under my eyes has noticeably reduced. Every morning I also notice that I have less oil residue on my skin and my skin appears to be brighter and more moisturised.

Going beyond the skin, I also find that the daily massage to my facial muscles is amazing for helping to relieve tension in my face. I instantly begin to feel relieved of stress as my face begins to be soothed and massaged by the roller. I'm so glad I've been able to add this little procedure into my nightly routine!

My Final Thoughts
If you couldn't already tell, I am completely obsessed with the Zudoya Rose Quartz Beauty Roller and love how it is both great for my skin and great for switching off and releasing tension at the end of a long busy day. I highly recommend adding this step into your daily beauty routine! And if you'd like to check out the beauty facial rollers from Zudoya, simply click here! Do you use a beauty roller? If so, I'd love to hear your experience with a beauty roller and how you incorporate into your routine in the comments below!

I hope you enjoyed this little review and speak soon,

Kelly Anne xx

A Few Current Beauty Favourites

I've finally started to get back into posting on this blog regularly and thought what better way to get back into blogging than a good old beauty favourite round-up? These types of posts are some of my favourites to read on other blogs as I find them so helpful in deciding what new beauty products I want to give a try next.

The new year has brought about a lot of reflection and ponderance on what I want this blog to be. The past year my posts have often been rushed and half-hearted. Not because I was lazy or because I didn't want to blog anymore, but because I had so much on my plate and when it came to blogging, I was often running on empty and I think the content I was putting out reflected this. But this year I want to make my blogging journey a higher priority. While yes, for me it is only a hobby, it's something that has helped me discover so much about myself and has given me such great joy that I think it is worth more of my energy and time. I want to write more in-depth posts, take better photos and develop myself creatively so that I might inspire you to do the same, or to try a new beauty product or a new style once in a while.

Not going to lie, it's still going to be a struggle to find the time and energy to put into this blog at times as I also start my journey as a new veterinarian this year. But I hope to try harder at prioritising how I do spend my free time this year.

Anyway, without further ado, here are some of my current favourite beauty products that I have been loving in the month of January. Click their titles to purchase online!

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser
Surprise surprise, there is a lot of Glossier on this list! I received a whole lot of Glossier from my sister for Christmas as she had just come back from a trip to the US. So I have been trying all of the products over the past month and I am so freaking impressed. I am just so obsessed with their products and hope they come to Australia soon. In the meantime, read about my favourites in this post so you can pick them up if you or someone you know happens to be going on a US trip! This cleanser is so gentle and nourishing for my skin and with only a subtle scent. I think this would be a good all-rounder cleanser for all skin types.

Glossier Cloud Paint in Dusk
Ah this blush is just stunning. The colour looks so natural and pretty once blended in, and it can easily be blended over powders. It also stays put all day, need I say more?

Glossier Generation G Lipstick in Jam & Cake
I love the unique formula of these lipsticks. I'm really digging the sheer matte finish for a make-up no-make-up look. The only thing I will say is that you do need to make sure your lips are well exfoliated when using this lipstick as the colour can stick to any dry skin on your lips. But the finish and colours are just so pretty that I am more than happy to go the extra mile to wear these lipsticks. And if you want to see me actually wearing these lipsticks just check out my last few Instagram posts @anneinthedollhouse.

Glossier Priming Moisturiser
This moisturiser is just such a great basic moisturiser for everyday use, and as it's title says, it primes your face nicely for make-up.

Summer Fridays Jetlag Mask
This mask has been a life saver for me over the past month. You guys have no idea. I have been using a prescription topical retinoid (Tretinoin) since boxing day, and it has been making my skin peel like crazy. However, when I feel like the peeling is getting a bit out of control, this mask saves the day. I just apply it and leave it for half an hour, and the next morning my flakiness is almost all gone. It is definitely a current staple for me while I'm on this prescription cream. (I will be making a post about my experience with prescription retinoids too after I've used it for a few months, so keep an eye out for that post in the future if you're a bit of a skincare junkie like me!)

Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Body Scrub
This gives me the softest skin ever and has the prettiest and most delicate scent. Will definitely be repurchasing this once I've used this up.

Herbivore Botanicals Phoenix Facial Oil
This oil has been another life-saving product for me while using my prescription retinoid. I've been applying a few drops of this every night, and honestly, I believe it's reduced the amount of peeling I've experienced. I was expecting to see much more peeling than I have, and I have a suspicion this oil has something to do with that. It also feels amazing to roll into my skin with a jade or rose quartz roller at the end of the day.

Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face Sunscreen SPF 50
An absolute essential in my skincare routine now, especially as I've started on prescription retinoids which make your skin more sensitive to UV light. I use this every morning and it sits perfectly under make-up. If you're looking for a good face SPF, look no further!

I hope you all enjoyed this little roundup! Tell me, are any of these products currently a staple in your routine? I'd love to know in the comments below!

Kelly Anne xx

Skincare Review: Harvest Garden Natural Skincare

Hello everyone! Today I have a short and sweet review of a few products sent to me from Harvest Garden Skincare, and straight up I can claim that all of these products are amazing. Harvest Garden are a local Australian brand that makes amazing smelling and effective skincare and bath products, so hopefully my review of these products might help you to discover a new brand and potentially some new favourtite products!

French Green Clay, Aloe & Matcha Face Masque
To make this mask, the powder needs to be mixed with some water or any other liquid you might desire. You then paint on the liquid and it drys into a hard clay mixture on your face. This mask has been a lifesaver when my skin is having a little freak-out. It claims to revitalise skin, reduce irritation and refine pores, and I completely agree with this statement. In particular, I think this mask would be great for oily skin! So if you need a mask to clear up your skin fast, I can highly recommend this natural yet effective product.

Lemongrass, Patchouli & Calendula Bath Salt Soak
This is the best smelling bath soak I have ever smelt. And that's saying a lot for me. I love a good bath soak and this product was no exception. The fragrance is so relaxing, especially after a long day running around on your feet and I cannot recommend this product enough!

Tinted Rose & Geranium Lipbalm
And finally, this pretty rose tinted lip balm has quickly become my favourite lip balm of all time. So much so that this is the second time they've sent me products and I specifically asked for it again because my last one ran out, and basically I am hooked.  It's the perfect everyday colour! It also has a super pretty rose scent and is made with shea butter, so it is super moisturising! If you're looking for a natural coloured lip balm, look no further!

If any of these products sound like a product you need in your life, you can check out Harvest Garden's products here!

That's it from me today as I need to get back into study, but I hope to post another blog post next week. I hope you are all doing well!

Speak soon,

Kelly Anne xx

Skincare Review: Ocinium Ecdysis Bio-Ferment Enzyme Cleanse

Product Featured: Ocinium Ecdysis Bio-Ferment Enzyme Cleanse

Today I have a review for you guys featuring the Ecdysis Bio-Ferment Enzyme Cleanser by Ocinium.

And guys, I am actually very excited to talk about this cleanser. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm obsessed with a good skincare product that actually works the way it claims to. They would also know I'm a bit of a geek (you have to be if you're doing vet!) and love analysing and researching the ingredients in my skincare products and this gorgeous product was no exception.

First of all, the cleanser has a mild citrus scent which I really enjoy while using it wash my face. The packaging is absolutely beautiful, I love the black glass bottle! The instructions say to use on damp skin in circular motions and rinse, but you can also leave it on the face for 5 minutes for a mini mask to soak up all the powerful ingredients.

Some of the star ingredients include:

• Aloe vera leaf juice - amazing for hydration!
• Glycerin - another great hydrating ingredient that also facilitates the absorption of serums that you might apply after the cleanser.
• Lactobacillus fruit ferment extracts - Lactobacillus bacteria assist in the fermentation process of papaya and coconut to produce fruit enzymes that work as natural chemical exfoliants to the skin, leaving your skin bright an glowing. The Lactobacillus bacteria also act as a probiotic for the skin. One recent study from 2017 has shown the Lactobacillus group of bacteria to have antimicrobial properties when applied topically to the skin, meaning these good bacteria aid in eliminating nasty pimple-causing pathogens (organisms such as bacteria and fungi that cause disease) and help to correct dysbiosis (an imbalance in the skin's natural flora). What an amazing little organism!
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) - known to help clear up any nasty blemishes. One study has also shown that Niacinamide helps to prevent scarring due to pimples.

After using this cleanser for the past month now, I can report that the combination of powerful ingredients has left my skin glowing and radiant. The number of pimples around my chin and on my cheeks has also significantly reduced. The texture of my skin is smooth and the redness from my recent blemishes has slowly faded.

If you're looking for a cleanser, or any skin care products to combat problem skin but are also natural and incoporate organic ingredients, I highly recommend checking out Ocinium's beautiful products! I have another review of their Immortelle Vitamin B3 Serum, which I also recommend. Click here for my review of this product too!

I hope this review was helpful and informative for you guys! I hope I didn't get too carried away in the science of it all for you. Let me know in the comments below, what is your current favourite cleanser? Would you like to try this cleanser from Ocinium?

Speak soon,

Kelly Anne xx

Skincare Review: Conture Skincare Kinetic Skin Toning System

Hey guys, I hope you are all having a great and relaxing start to your long weekend. Today I have a review for the Conture Skincare Kinetic Skin Toning System from Conture Skincare which is a new brand that recently launched in Sephora in the US. The idea behind the skincare system is that the gentle vacuum applied by the device helps increase blood flow to the skin, plumping the skin in the process. The product is a 'clincally tested anti-ageing system' that claims to improve radiance, fine lines and wrinkles, expression lines, improve firmness and elasticity and reduce sagging as per the packaging. You also receive a serum with the system, and the gentle vacuum is also meant to improve absorption of the serum. You could also use any other skincare serum you own.

The Skin Toning Device

The device comes with it's own charger and has three speed settings - one for your face, a gentle setting for the delicate skin under your eyes, and a setting for your neck. The vacuum is gentle and is not uncomfortable at all - it actually feels as though someone is massaging your skin, it's quite a pleasant feeling. I'm actually addicted to it! After using it my skin has a subtle flush to it and whichever serum I have applied to my skin has absorbed nicely.

The Stimulate & Tone Kinetic Treatment Serum

Now let's talk about the serum! The serum contains a bunch of active ingredients that are great for fighting problem skin such as witch hazel and retinol along with some soothing oils such as lavender, sandalwood and jasmine to help calm down the skin. The retinol in the serum is also anti-ageing which is the big claim that the kinetic skin toning system makes. And when used in combination with the toning device I find it sinks well into the skin. I haven't given this serum a fair go yet - I've only tried it a few nights - but from the active ingredients I would presume it would be very effective at reducing the signs of ageing and preventing acne.

While the skin toning system it is an extra step in my routine that I would probably skip on a night where I'm tired and just want to get straight to bed, I think it's a great product to help improve blood flow and put life back into tired skin. I definitely notice an immediate result in the absorption of my products and blood flow to my skin and for these reasons I think, if you're a skincare junkie like me, you would really enjoy the whole process! 

I hope you guys enjoyed this little review, let me know in the comments if you would like more reviews like this! I hope you all enjoy the rest of your Easter long weekend, consuming heaps of chocolate!

Kelly xx

My New Year Skincare Resolution with Ocinium Immortelle Vitamin B3 Serum

Products featured: Ocinium Immortelle Vitamin B3 Serum

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you have all had a lovely time ringing in the new year. My first post of 2018 is a lengthy skincare one, so grab a cup of tea and settle in because you're about to hear about some ground-breaking products!

I mentioned this in my Drunk Elephant skincare review last month but I'll say it again: 2017 was the year I became serious about my skin. I started doing research into ingredients that would help change my skin and made the decision to invest in some pricey products, and I definitely believe it has paid off. At the start of 2017 I was using the pill to help control my acne but did not enjoy the side effects the pill gave me. Undoubtedly as I stopped using the pill I had numerous breakouts of big cystic like acne mainly around my chin and along my jaw line. However, with a little patience, extensive research, and some good skincare investments - my skin has slowly healed. My acne scars are fading and the breakouts have become less frequent and less nasty.

So how did I do it? One of the major ingredients that has helped keep my skin clear has been Retinol. Retinols are Vitamin A compounds and there are many different forms, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. They work to prevent dead skin cells clogging pores hence preventing bacteria breeding parties, preventing pimples and acne scarring. I won't pretend to know in depth information about the different kinds - other skincare obsessed bloggers such as Caroline Hirons or Skincerely Clare would do a much better job at explaining them than me - however, I believe the two I have tried have both had a dramatic impact on my skin. One of them being the Ocinium ImmortelleVitamin B3 serum I'm going to review today!

I've been using this serum for about a month now, and since using have noticed that my breakouts are not only occurring much less frequently but also healing up much quicker! There have been a few days now that I've woken up to a pimple party on my chin, only to have them all dried out a disappearing the next day thanks to this little miracle serum that I have been applying at night. The serum also smells pleasant and citrus-y, feels luxurious to apply and doesn't dry out my skin like some serums containing retinol can, such a win!

The serum contains Retinyl palmitate which is the retinol ingredient in this serum which, as I have raved about above, has done absolute wonders for my skin! As per the title of the serum, it also contains Vitamin B3 which is niacinamide, which is also meant to be a great skin loving ingredient that helps strengthen the skin barrier. This results in a more even skin tone, reduced inflammation associated with acne and as per one study a reduction in scaring! As well as harnessing the power of these two skin-loving ingredients, the Ocinium serum also contains a lovely blend of organic essential oils such as orange sweet oil, lemon oil and lemon myrtle oil giving it the invigorating citrus scent and helping calm the skin. Just another reason to fall in love with this serum!

In short, this science-backed, intelligent little serum is packed with skin loving ingredients that have worked wonders for my skin and I can definitely recommend it if you too struggle with frequent acne outbreaks. I really only have one new year resolution in regards to my skincare and that is: to do my research on products and their ingredients. And I can tell you, this Ocinium Immortelle Vitamin B3 serum is definitely worth the splurge.

I hope you all enjoyed this chatty review and wish you all the best for the new year! Speak soon,

Kelly Anne xx

Skincare Review: Drunk Elephant

Products Pictured: Drunk Elephant products (discussed below), Bobbi Brown Eye Cream, Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil, This Works Clean Skin Rosehip Gentle Cleanser, Origins Retexturising Rose Clay Mask, Mario Badescu Drying Lotion (these are all available from Mecca), Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Facial Mist (available from Sephora).

Who else is in disbelief that we are in December already?! As the year comes to a close I often like to reflect on different aspects of my life - what I've achieved in terms of my career aspirations, fitness and health and where my beauty journey has taken me throughout the year. 2017 has been the year of skincare for me. I've become completely obsessed with buying and trying new skincare products and have learnt and experienced first hand the benefits of including powerful ingredients in your routine such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and retinol (vitamin A). One brand that has dramatically improved my skin this year is Drunk Elephant. It is quite a pricey brand so I thought I would give you guys a rundown of what I've found with each product so you guys can decide for yourselves if they are worth the splurge! Keep in mind I have slightly dry and dehydrated skin so if you're a different skin type, these may work a bit differently for you.

TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum - This serum contains glycolic acid - an AHA which is a chemical exfoliant. I use it every second night and have noticed a massive improvement in the clarity of my skin since using this product. My acne scars have slowly but surely faded and my skin now appears brighter. This will definitely continue to be a staple product in my skincare routine.

Lala Retro Whipped Cream Moisturiser - This moisturiser contains 6 different types of African oils and is super rich and nourishing. I would probably only recommend this to people with dry skin. I've even found it to be too heavy during the summer months but this was perfect for me during winter when my skin is typically drier. Once I started using this product mid-winter, all of my flakiness disappeared for the rest of winter. I was amazed, and I have now completely used this product up! I will definitely be repurchasing this moisturiser next winter to keep dry flaky skin at bay.

B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel - This is my most recent purchase from the brand. It contains pro-vitamin B5 and pineapple ceramides that help deeply hydrate the skin and smooth out wrinkles. It's such a beautiful, light-weight product that feels like a glass of water for your skin. It's super cooling and hydrating without being too heavy and I have been enjoying it this summer. I've noticed that my skin is deeply hydrated without feeling too heavy so I believe this is a good product for summer. I've tried using it alone and under moisturiser and feel that it works great both ways, giving me adequate moisture for the summer months.

Lippie Balm - This is a lovely nourishing lip balm and I have been applying it before bed. It's nice and nourishing however probably not much different to my Burt's Bees lip balms that are a lot cheaper. For this reason, I am not sure if I will repurchase this balm although I have been enjoying it.

These aren't all the products in the range, and I'm really itching to try the Vitamin C serum as it's meant to be super brightening for your skin, but hopefully, a review of these few products gives you guys an idea of the brand's products. Have you guys tried any drunk elephant skincare products? What did you think of them?

I hope this post was interesting and informative! Let me know in the comments if you guys would like to see anymore skincare reviews or a post talking about some key skincare ingredients and how they might benefit you. There will be some new outfit posts going up soon when I get a chance to fit in some outfit shots between shifts on my clinical rotations! Until then,

Kelly Anne xx

P.S. if you'd like to see more of my beauty obsessions be sure to follow me on Instagram @anneinthedollhouse. I post heaps of reviews of my favourite items there too!

My Top 10 Island Escape Essentials

Hello lovelies,
I'm so sorry I didn't share this post sooner but sometimes life just gets in the way. Summer is now coming to an end but I still want to share this post with you guys in case you're lucky enough to be jetting off to a tropical island escape while we head towards winter. (In which case I'm very jealous!) Without further ado, here are my top 10 island escape essentials:

1. Cute Bikini/One Piece
For obvious reasons! I'm in love with my Tigerlily bikini and classic style one piece from Show Pony. 

2. Wide Brim Hat & Some Stylish Sunnies
Perfect for protecting yourself from the sun while looking super cute and stylish.

3. Cute Floral Playsuits/Dresses
To relax in while you sip a few cocktails by the pool.

4. Body Scrub
I loooooooove these 2 body scrubs I've been using lately - Soap & Glory's Breakfast Smoothie Scrub and Life's a Beach Coconut Scrub. Both smell so delicious and scrubs are great for scrub off dead skin so your skin is glowing and prepped for some fake tan.

5. Gradual Tanner
Perfect for building up a tan during your holiday but without the damaging side effects of a natural tan. This Bondi Sands gradual tanner gives you the most natural looking tan you won't even be able to tell that it's fake!

6. Sun Tan Oil
I'll be honest, sometimes I just like the look and feel of a real tan, but this Reef sun tan oil has SPF15 so does give your skin the extra protection while letting your skin darken slightly. If you prefer not to damage your skin at all, they also have an SPF30 lotion.

7. A Tropical Fragrance
Such as this Juicy Couture one gets you in the mood!

8. Bronzer and Highlighter
For accentuating that glowing face!

9. Moisturizing Lip Balm and Shampoo and a Liquid Lipstick
Sometimes sand and salt water can wreck havoc on our features including our lips and hair. Make sure you take extra moisturising shampoo, conditioner and lip balm! It will be a life saver! And a liquid lipstick can't hurt for a lasting pop of colour on your lips.

10. Travel Journal & Passport
Definitely the most important item you will need! I love having my travel journal to document all the cool adventures and all the experiences I have when travelling. And this one from Kikki.K is super cute!

What are your summer essentials when escaping on an island holiday? Let me know in the comments below!

Kelly xx

My Top 10 Beauty Loves of 2015

So it's already half-way through January and I only just got round to doing sorting out my beauty loves for the past year. I'm sure you guys have read a hundred other blogs summarising their favourite beauty products from the past year but I hope you all enjoy this one nonetheless.

I only really started branching out in the beauty in the past year, so there are still heaps of products I want to try but here are my favourites so far. Some of these products I have also mentioned in other posts, such as this one and this one, so you should check those posts out if you'd like to read me hype about them more!

1. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
Such fine milled powders, perfect for setting make up and using as a highlighter for that extra glow! Particularly the middle one, incandescent lighting.

2. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Lengthens and volumizes, what more could you want? When I realised the brush was plastic I thought I wouldn't like it, but it quickly became my favourite mascara of 2015.

3. Too Faced Love Flush Blush in Love Hangover
Such pretty colour that lasts, I need to get my hands on more! To see swatches of this blush and read some more about it click here.

4. MAC Lipstick in Taupe
A dark brown nude shade. It was a colour that I wouldn't have normally gone for but when I tried it on in store I knew I needed it. It seriously changed up my beauty look in 2015 and quickly became my go to lipstick.

5. Born this Way Foundation in Nude
This is the best foundation I've tried. Such full coverage but moisturising at the same time, which is perfect for my dry skin.

6. L'oreal Lumi Base Magique Primer
This stuff is amazing! When used it makes any foundation look glowy and luminous. Such a beautiful primer and one I will definitely be repurchasing.

7. GHD V Rose Gold Hair Straightner
This is my baby I got for my 21st from Mum and Dad. I love the colour but besides that, I love how well it curls and straightens my hair while still leaving it shiny. When I style my hair with this straightener, my hair stays put for longer and looks beautiful all day. Before this straightener I'd never had a GHD, only a remmington. And I don't think I'll be going back to that anytime soon.

8. Nars Laguna Bronzer
Everybody and their dogs knows about this bronzer but it's honestly the best bronzer I've tried. Maybe even better than my chocolate solei! It gives the best natural bronzy look, I am obsessed with it.

9. Mecca Cosmetica Blending Brush
This has been my go to brush for any eyeshadow look I've done in the past year. It simply gets the job done and blends out my eyeshadow perfectly.

10. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette
I saved the best for last. This is probably my favourite beauty purchase of 2015. If you don't have this, you need it. Enough said! But if you want to read more about it, click here.

I hope the first few weeks of 2016 have treated you all well! And if you're not already, I'd love for you to follow me on Instagram @anneinthedollhouse. It would mean the world to me!

And tell me what are some of your beauty loves you've had for the past year?

Kelly xx

Pretty in Pink | Too Faced Love Flush Blush & Loreal Colour Riche Matte

 

Afternoon lovelies,

In case you hadn't noticed my blog design has been updated! I finally completed transitioning my blog from tumblr to blogger, and I am in loving my blog more than ever! So to celebrate I naturally had to pick up a few beauty products and write a blog post about them.

September Beauty Obsessions ♡ ft. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

Ahh what a week! I’m on mid-semester break at the moment but it feels like anything but a holiday. Probably because I’ve been desperately trying to catch up all my lectures I’ve foolishly skipped over the last few weeks. I also had my annual Vet Ball on the weekend which was so much fun, although my poor feet took a bashing dancing around in heels until 4 in the morning.
Today I’m sharing with you my favourite beauty products of the month, which I’m super excited to share with you guys because I think I am in love with all of these products more than any other products in my previous monthly favourite posts.

1. Hourglass Ambient Light Palette
I received this amazing palette from my sister for my 21st birthday last month, and have been using it everyday since, especially the middle colour, incandescent light. I use it as a highlighter on top of my cheek bones and while they don’t give a dramatic highlight, they do give a subtle glow making our skin appear brighter and healthier. And while the difference is subtle it is definitely noticeable. While the price is expensive, I feel the quality does not disappoint. The powder is fine and minimises appearance of pores, making it an everyday go-to for me.

2. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner in Blackest Black
I’ve used this eyeliner a few times now and I am in love with it. It drys a matte black which is hard to find in some cheaper drug store eyeliners and I love the felt tip. Although it dries out fairly quickly so be sure not to leave the lid off and give the eyeliner a good shake before use!

3. Maybelline Lash Sensational
Okay so I’m probably a little late to the game with this one, but I think this is my new favourite drug store mascara! I have loved The Colossal by Maybelline for some time now, so decided to give this one a go when I read heaps of good reviews and I love it! It makes my eyelashes super long and separates them well giving a fan effect. I would say it is different to The Colossal, maybe a little less volumising but I love how long my lashes look after using this mascara. Obsessed.

4. Coco by Chanel Eau de Toilette 
Another 21st birthday present! This spray is so different to any of the other perfumes I own. I tend to go for sweet and floral scents but Coco is perfect for night time with its spicy and sensual fragrance.

5. Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Peony
I love the colour of this lipstick, perfect for everyday and matches almost any outfit. The formula is very pigmented and long lasting too! I’ve got quite alot of use out of this product in the last month.

6. MAC Matte Lipstick in Taupe
This lipstick is probably my favourite beauty product of the month. I only bought it two weeks ago but have worn it almost everyday since (when I’m not wearing my Too Faced Liquid Lipstick). I LOVE this colour! I went to the MAC counter to try out Velvet Teddy, a colour that almost every beauty blogger talks about, but the girl at the counter suggested to me this colour and I am so glad she did! It’s similar to Velvet Teddy only darker, slightly more brown and far more striking. I had so many compliments the first day I wore this lipstick and felt as though my make up looked more mature than if I had worn my usual pink lip products.

7. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette
And last but not least this amazing eyeshadow palette! I have wanted this palette for so long, so when I received a gift voucher for Mecca Maxima for my 21st I knew exactly what I wanted. And I was not disappointed! I love all the colours on this palette! I haven’t had the chance to play around with them all on my eyelid yet, but the ones that I have I absolutely love. This palette has a good selection of matte, shimmer and glitter shadows so you could do a complete make up look with this palette, and for that reason alone I would higly recommend this palette. The colours also blend like a dream and the whole thing smells like chocolate. You can’t go wrong!
Hope you all enjoyed this post! What beauty products have you been loving this month? I’d love to hear from you guys!
And I have heaps of clothes to shoot, so look out for more posts coming soon!
Kelly xx