Products on my Bedstand

My life turned topsy-turvy on 31st October, and 8 months later here we are, in a brand new year, a year wiser, and an upgraded status to motherhood.

I keep few essentials next to my bed, random skincare and few makeup items that I can use on the go. Living out of a suitcase (I am temporarily living with my parents) means, very little space to store my stuff. I don't have the luxury to organize everything in one place and hence, this arrangement.

Sephora Collection Instant Moisturizer + Cream l $23
This moisturizer was primarily purchased for my face, post-pregnancy my face has become Sahara desert. I am not a huge fan of this product mainly for two reasons.

1. This moisturizer is too thick for my face, as my face sweats immediately after application.
2. Instant glow is definitely something I want from my moisturizer, but this product contains micro glitter that gives me a shiny glow (not the 'glow-from-within' look).

I now use this moisturizer for my extremely dry arms and legs.

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb l $38
Where was this pot of gold all this while? I discovered this product in the beginning of this year, and have been loving it since. There are two versions of the same product; one for extremely dry skin (moisturizing version), and the one I use, targeted for oily skin (aqua bomb). The product has a light blue transparent gel like consistency, is very light and gets absorbed instantly. The product doesn't leave an oily residue nor does it make my face sweat {Random aunties on the street *oh hello, Sephora Instant Moisturizer, learn from this kid no*}.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir l $18
This toning mist is something I use on days when my face looks tired. This product is listed as to reduce, pores, dullness and dryness, but I have not seen much difference post-use. The product is a sophisticated Parisian chic version of MAC Fix+. The scent is nice (mentholy) but may sting if more than one spritz is applied.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Mask l $18
I have used this just a few times. The product has a slightly gritty feel to it. I apply it to my face and after 5 minutes, once the product is dry, I scrub it in and wash off with warm water. I can see a visible freshness in my face, but I do suspect that my breakouts are caused by this product (or probably hormones at play).

Garnier Micellar Oil-Infused Cleansing Water l INR225
I didn't realize that I purchased the waterproof one, nevertheless I love this product. Micellar water is effective in removing all the makeup, even tough waterproof ones. The product has a nice oily feel to it. Smells nice and removes my makeup in a matter of minutes. There has been a lot of controversy with regards to this product (fragrance), but I have not faced any issues up until now. I have regular skin, with no major concerns, but if you have sensitive skin, make sure you test the product before purchasing.

Boroline Cream l INR32
A staple in my vanity, I apply Boroline on my zits and they vanish post a good night's sleep. The thick, white product is extremely oily on application and has a pleasant smell. The product contains Boric Acid and Zinc Oxide, which is listed to have antiseptic and antifungal properties. I did check the brand's website while writing this post, where it has been warned that one should not use this product on pimples caused by excessive sebum secretion.

Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream l $26
Another product which was part of the 500 point perk from Sephora. I cannot tell you if the product works as my dark circle has gone out of control. What I can tell you is, the product works wonders to keep my under eyes soft and hydrated. I do have a tendency to tug and pull my under eyes while cleaning the leftover Kajal; this makes the under eye area very sore and dry. Post-wash, I apply a pea sized amount and the next day, I wake up with visibly hydrated under eye.

Caudalie Instant Detox Mask l $39
I am not a big fan of the face mask. The visibly pink mask, gives my skin a temporary glow. The issue I have with this is that I need a ton of product to cover my face. At $39, probably this is not going to last me for more than 3-4 months.

Marc Jacobs Lipstick in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang l $30
The standard Sephora mini in many kits, this is a pretty, universally flattering muted pinky shade. This is the only makeup item I have on my bedstand as it's something I can easily slap on and run out of the door. I have 2 other minis of the same shade that I carry with me in my purse. The finish is semi matte that is not very drying. This lipstick, however do have a  tendency to accumulate near the lip rim, leaving a weird white cast.

The Ordinary Rose Hip Oil l INR 1146
This product is a staple for my hair. I use it on my washed hair to control the frizz. The product contains 100% pure Rosehip Seed Oil that is both cold-pressed and organic. Rosehip Seed Oil is rich in linoleic acid, linolenic acid and pro-vitamin A, all of which degrade when the oil extraction process involves heat.The oil is very light weight has a light yellow tint and reminds me of sesame oil. I have not used it even once on my face and hence cannot ascertain the performance on skin.

The Ordinary Buffet l INR 1349
Is something I purchased during pregnancy. The only thing that reminded me of the little beam within me was my irritant skin; I had the worst of skin allergies during the 8 months and 'Buffet' during my research was dubbed as pregnancy safe.

I use it once or twice a week post-cleaning. If you are a beginner to the Ordinary skincare line, I would suggest you start with Buffet as the entire range of products can be quite confusing for a naive user.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy l $12
The lip savior extraordinaire! The lipbalm is thick and clear. A little goes a long way, I apply it before hitting the bed. The only non-comforting part is hygiene. I find it slightly unhygienic to apply directly on my lips.Works better than my regular Maybelline Baby Lips.

OPI Nail Polish in Big Apple l INR 850
A very pretty, bright red shade. My finger nails are extremely short, and hence I do not apply nail polish on my finger nails. As for the toe nails, this pretty shade is sure to grab some eye balls! This is the only nail polish I carried with me when I moved back to my parent's place.

It may seem like a lot of products, but truth to be told, I don't use all these products every single day. Most days are 'lipbalm-moisturiser-kinda-days'. So, what are some of your bedstand essentials?