Even though this blog post falls in my Upgrade U recommendations, it is technically a downgrade. I have been unemployed for nearly four months. The last time I sat on the couch for this long was when I first finished university. The difference between then and now is I didn't have any bills or many keys on my keyring. In other words, growing up hadn't punched me in my young face yet.
This time I had a phone contract and even though I moved home to live with Dad Pham and Little Sissy Pham so wasn't paying rent I still had leftover household bills from Melbourne life and moving costs and new bedroom furniture costs because in my absence my old Brisbane room had become mouldy. Enough about grossness, more about Upgrading U! Though on a related note: in university I didn't wear make-up or use skin products - you were lucky if I wore deodorant so skincare was not part of my budget then.
I came across the Smartskin budget range of skincare on my journey to living within my means. Actually, I was walking to the checkout when I happened to see a pack of the Smartskin cleansing wipes in a bargain bin for only $1! It was on sale for half price, down from a whopping $2. The ones I got were scented, which I don't particularly like but I've since switched to one without fragrance. I also changed my Nivea Q10 cream over to the Smartskin Q10 because at approximately $5 it's about a third of the cost.
As far as I can tell with my limited and lazy research (I looked on the packet then googled the company name) Smartskin is made by the McPherson's Consumer Products who also produce Lady Jayne hair accessories and Manicare nail care - two brands that I use and trust. The cream and wipes feel good on my skin so I think I'm going to stick with the brand even though I am now officially employed again. Another plus is the brand is available in Woolworths, where I have to go every few days because Dad Pham drinks about 6L of the store brand reduced fat milk every 3-4 days. There's also a Q10 Night Cream and Anti-Eye Wrinkle Cream from what I've seen on shelves.
UPDATE: I received a blog comment below from some one who had an allergic reaction to the Smartskin day cream. She has sensitive skin, so if you do too, please be careful and do a test spot to see if you're allergic before using the cream! Thanks. JP
This time I had a phone contract and even though I moved home to live with Dad Pham and Little Sissy Pham so wasn't paying rent I still had leftover household bills from Melbourne life and moving costs and new bedroom furniture costs because in my absence my old Brisbane room had become mouldy. Enough about grossness, more about Upgrading U! Though on a related note: in university I didn't wear make-up or use skin products - you were lucky if I wore deodorant so skincare was not part of my budget then.
I came across the Smartskin budget range of skincare on my journey to living within my means. Actually, I was walking to the checkout when I happened to see a pack of the Smartskin cleansing wipes in a bargain bin for only $1! It was on sale for half price, down from a whopping $2. The ones I got were scented, which I don't particularly like but I've since switched to one without fragrance. I also changed my Nivea Q10 cream over to the Smartskin Q10 because at approximately $5 it's about a third of the cost.
As far as I can tell with my limited and lazy research (I looked on the packet then googled the company name) Smartskin is made by the McPherson's Consumer Products who also produce Lady Jayne hair accessories and Manicare nail care - two brands that I use and trust. The cream and wipes feel good on my skin so I think I'm going to stick with the brand even though I am now officially employed again. Another plus is the brand is available in Woolworths, where I have to go every few days because Dad Pham drinks about 6L of the store brand reduced fat milk every 3-4 days. There's also a Q10 Night Cream and Anti-Eye Wrinkle Cream from what I've seen on shelves.
UPDATE: I received a blog comment below from some one who had an allergic reaction to the Smartskin day cream. She has sensitive skin, so if you do too, please be careful and do a test spot to see if you're allergic before using the cream! Thanks. JP