Skincare Routine: Serums

I love serums, and now my skins on the dry side (who am I kidding, my face has turned into the Sahara!) I always use one before my moisturiser for an extra dose of moisture.

In the morning I use REN’s Radiance Perfecting Serum which has Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and fruit acids to brighten and fade dark spots. This sinks in pretty quickly and has a lovely light formula, my skin feels really soft after using this. I also use the REN Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask and the combination of these have really helped to fade my acne scars.

At night I either use the Radiance Perfecting Serum again or if my skin or I will use one of my other serums. The Elemis Super Boost Moisturising Serum* (review) is great for dehydration, and really perks up my skin by the morning. At the minute though my skin is so dry that I have been using REN’s Omega 3 Night Repair Serum, which is in truth more of an oil than a serum. It has Rosehip and Wheat Germ Oils, and it has quite a herbal scent, which may be so strong for some. My skin looks really plumped in the morning and it really sorts out any dry patches.

Once a month when my skin gets a bit spotty, I apply REN’s Clearcalm 3 Replenishing Night Serum just to my chin, jawline and T – Zone and it soothes any annoying spots.

What are your favourite Serums? Any I should try?

Disclaimer – Elemis product provided by PR, REN products purchased by myself.

Clarisonic Update: 2 Months

I have been using my Clarisonic Plus for just over 2 months now, so it’s definitely about time for another update! I am still using it every day and most days I use it morning and night (unless I’m feeling too lazy or have forgotten to charge it!). My skin has become a much less oily the past month, and I would even go as far to say its more normal, than classic oily/acne prone skin. As a result I am now using a slightly heavier moisturiser and I use a oil as well at night.

Unlike a lot of people I didn’t go through a ‘purging’ stage, I do still get some breakouts, but they are only ever hormonal (during that one week of the month!) and they clear up so much quicker than before.

I still use the sensitive brush head, and I still use it on the highest speed setting. I’ve got a few cleansers on rotation at the minute, but my favourite I have found so far is the First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser, it’s perfect with the Clarisonic and I just cant fault it. I am trying to use up the Origins Checks and Balances Face Wash as it’s just too drying, my skin always feels tight after I use it, and I will not be repurchasing.

I couldn’t be happier with my Clarisonic, and for me it was definitely money well spent, my skin is definitely less oily, and much more ‘normal’. No skin shot this time as I forgot to take one!

Do you have a Clarisonic? Let me know how you are getting on with it!

Wishlist

1. L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil Once again I have fallen for the hype! I do love Shower Oils, and this one sounds really amazing, I love sweet almond smells as well so this sounds like it would be right up my street!

2. Stila In the Light Palette  This palette looks so gorgeous, I swatched it in Boots, and it looks a lot more wearable than my Naked palette. I wish I could justify buying this, but once I use up some MAC shades I’m not keen on I might treat myself!

3. Neals Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm Need this. I’m currently using the Neals Yard Rose Moisturiser (which I have sneakily pinched from Nik) and my skin is really loving it. I have been having a few patches of dry/dehydrated skin and this sounds like it would be amazing to use at night.

4. Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray I was tempted to buy this last year, but as usual I got distracted by something shiny. I love the Moisture Surge Moisturiser, and as my skins getting a bit dryer I am dying to try this out. But I have to use up my bottle of Fix+ first!

5. REN ClearCalm3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser I have a sample of this, and I really love it. I find it really calming and soothing  on the skin, especially if I’m suffering from a breakout or some irritated skin. I will be buying this but I need to use up some other cleansers before I can justify it.

Japonesque Safari

These brushes look positively purrrr-fect. Okay maybe that was a little cheesy but I love the look of these new brushes from Japonesque. The Brush Set includes a Powder Brush, Shadow Brush and Crease Brush, they come with a micro-fibre case so they’re perfect for keeping in your handbag.

Also in the collection is the Bronzer Brush, which looks to pretty to use, but would make a great multi use kabuki. All the brushes in the Safari Collection are made from synthetic fibres, which is great. I find most of my synthetic brushes last a lot better than any of the animal hair brushes I have tried.

The collection will be available at Boots with the Brush Set costing £28 and the Bronzer Brush costing £19.50

Will you be splurging on this gorgeous collection?

Nars Pro Prime Multi Protect Primer SPF 30/PA +++

I bought this on a whim back in April when I ran out of facial sunscreen, and also wanted something to make my make up last a bit longer.

Nars Pro Prime Multi Protect Primer with SPF 30 is a part of Nars’ permanent Pro Prime Line, is colourless on the skin (the sunscreen is chemical, so there’s nothing that will leave a white cast) and has an ultra lightweight texture that I would liken to an oil free moisturiser. It doesn’t feel full of silicone (although it is an ingredient) and I wouldn’t recommend it for somebody who just wans a primer to fill in pores (for that Benefit Porefessional is perfect) What it does do is make make-up application easier, look smoother and last longer.

I don’t find it mattifies my skin, but at the same time it doesn’t feel greasy or heavy, and my skin doesn’t get as oily through the day. This works well with any foundation I have applied over it, and it definitely gives a bit more longevity to foundations that like to disappear (Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, I’m looking at you!)

I really can’t fault this product, and when it runs out am I am most likely going to repurchase, although I am tempted by the Laura Mercier Oil Free Primer! Blogger problems!

Nars Pro Prime Multi Protect Primer SPF 30 costs £24 and is available from here

Skincare Routine: Make Up Removers and Toners

I’ve been meaning to do a skincare routine post for ages, but I’m worried if I did it all in one post in might be a bit too long! So today I’m talking make up removers and toners!

I always use a make up remover as soon as I get in from work, to get both my eye make-up and the majority of my foundation off. If I’m wearing quite a lot of make up I use the Bioderma Sebium H2O (I use this seller) on a few cotton pads, I find this really cooling on the eyes, and the best way I’ve found to use it is to hold it against my eye for as long as possible, so I don’t have to rub my eyes at all. I also use another cotton pad just to get the majority of my face make up off. A new addition to my collection is the No7 Cleansing Water, it’s great to see British High Street Brands catching on to the cleansing water trend, and I picked this up for £4 (£9 without a voucher). I really like this product but it isn’t as effective as Bioderma, and I struggle to remove all of my eye make up with it. It’s great as a refresher in the morning, but I wouldn’t rely on it to get all of my make up on it. I do LOVE the packaging though, having a pump is so useful, saves spilling it everywhere/overloading the cotton pad with product and I will probably decant my Bioderma into this bottle when it runs out, and I would repurchase it.

I don’t use face wipes to remove make up generally, but if I have no other choice, the only ones I have found that don’t irritate my skin are the Sainsbury’s Skin Therapy Sensitive Cleansing Wipes (link) which are fragrance free, and the wipes are moist enough that they don’t drag.

I currently have two toners in rotation, I use a few spritzes of the Caudalie Beauty Elixir (link) in the morning, which makes my skin feel refreshed and I normally pat it onto any blemishes, as I find it really calms them down. At night I prefer something a little more moisturising (also the Caudalie Beauty Elixir is ridiculously expensive!) so I use the Avene Gentle Toner which is really gentle and soothing on the skin.

What are your favourite make-up removers and toners?

Dealing with Acne: Cleansers

Cleansing is the most important step in my skincare routine, and it should be the most important step in your as well! You should cleanse every night (no matter how late you get in from the pub) and every morning. Face wipes don’t count, they’re fine in emergencies, but other than that steer clear.

If you have acne the temptation is to immediately go for something oil free, that will just strip your skin of all it’s natural oils, and inflame your skin. I got stuck in this cycle a few years ago and my skin just got worse.

When my acne was at it’s worst, and during the hormonal flare ups I still get, I avoid anything that foams (I always avoid SLS anyway) and anything that is at all drying.

The first step in proper cleansing is to get all your make-up off. I get my eye make-up and the majority of my face make-up off with Bioderma, but if you prefer you can use a balm or cream Cleanser to remove most of your make up, my favourites are Liz Earle’s Cleanse and Polish and REN’s NO.1 Purity Cleansing Balm. I use either of those on dry skin to remove every last bit of make up, they are both fine to use around the eyes, I remove with a hot muslin cloth or a flannel.

I always double cleanse, and when my skin is behaving really badly I will use RENs ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser or Metique’s Hygienic Skin Wash, either with my Clarisonic, or if my skin is feeling very sensitive without. The REN is a clay based cleanser that is great for dealing with a lot of excess oil without stripping the skin, and I love using it when my skin is feeling oily but I don’t have time to use a face mask. Metique’s Hygienic Skin Wash is a lovely non-foaming face wash that contains 5% Tea Tree Oil, a great natural anti-septic and natural Vitamin E so it won’t dry out your skin.

If you have acne prone skin cleansing properly is so important, don’t sleep in your make-up and don’t use face wipes. If you cleanse properly, anything else you use will work a lot better, and be way more effective.

What are your favourite cleansers? Are you guilty of relying on face wipes?

May Favourites

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation £10.99
Caudalie Beauty Elixir £32.00
The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter £12.50
REN Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask £30.00
First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser £13.00
Revlon Lip Butter Berry Smoothie £7.99
Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF15 £31.00
Dior Amber Diamond Highlighter £32.00
MAC Eyeshadows £10.00
NARS Pro Prime Multi Protect Primer SPF 30 £24.00

I’ve got quite a few favourites this month, I’ve been quite boring this month and have used a lot of the same products all month, I’ve been trying to save myself some time getting ready and go for a lighter look. I’ve changed my skincare quite a lot recently, I’m still using mainly natural products aimed at sensitive skin, but less less aimed at oily and acne prone skin. My skin has cleared up a lot recently and I feel like it needs a bit more moisture.

Like most bloggers I have been loving the Caudalie Beauty Elixir I keep the travel size in my bag and the full size on my dresser, I love the smell, and find it really refreshing on my skin. I’ve been hunting for the perfect cleanser to use with my Clarisonic, and the First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser is pretty close, I got this sample in a Glossybox, and didn’t like it at first, but when paired with the Clarisonic it works amazingly well, the texture is perfect it isn’t so thick that it is hard to use, or so thin that it just disappears into the brush, I will be buying the full size! I’ve reviewed the REN Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask here, so I won’t go on about it again!

The The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter has been my moisturiser of choice this month, and I’d happily smell it all day, it smells amazing. Just go to the Body Shop sniff a tub and you’ll understand my obsession!

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation is still my base of choice, it just works and lasts so well for me that I just don’t feel the need to use anything else. If you can find a colour match I would really recommend this. I use NARS Pro Prime Multi Protect Primer SPF 30 as my primer and SPF, it has a light formula, perfect if you don’t enjoy silicone heavy products. Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF15 is a new favourite of mine, it sets my foundation without being too heavy and gives a nice soft glow. I’ve been keeping eyes and lips simple using Revlon Lip Butter Berry Smoothie almost daily, and MAC’s Shroom and Wedge for a daytime eye look. I then use Dior Amber Diamond Highlighter to highlight my cheekbones.

What products have you been loving lately?

Deal Alert: REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask for £1.24

Just a quick post to let you know about this fantastic deal from REN! If you spend £50 on anything from the website this weekend you can get a  Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask for £1.24 (which is the 1950’s equivalent of the current price).

I love RENs products and would happily recommend all of the products I have tried my favourites being the Purity No1 Cleansing Balm, the Radiance Perfection Serum (which compliments the mask perfectly) and the MayBlossom T-Zone Balancing Day Fluid.

All of REN’s products carry the badge,pictured above, and I have experienced no irritation from any of the products I have tried.

You can find this offer here.

Carmex

Carmex are a brand I think most people have tried, and since I was about 12 I have always had some sort of Carmex lying around! I was sent a few of the products to try, and have really enjoyed using them the past month.

I’ve had the ‘Classic Carmex’ Jar on my dressing table and normally pop some on while I’m doing the rest of my make up to prep them for lipstick.The scent is slightly menthol, but a bit sweeter, it isn’t too overpowering but if you prefer unscented products you may not like this. The jar is compact and has recently been redesigned so it now uses less plastic but holds the same amount of product. I prefer not to keep this in my bag as I don’t like using products in jars while I’m out, just for the sake of hygiene.

I hadn’t tried the Moisture Plus before but it is my favourite product from the line, it feels gorgeous on the lips, has just enough of a tint, and it contains SPF 15. I’ve been keeping this in my handbag, as tend to prefer to touch up through the day with a tinted balm than a lipstick. I’ll definitely be repurchasing this when I run out, it’s a lot easier to wear and apply than the Revlon Lip Butters and is a bit more moisturising.  These are definitely a product that deserves a lot more attention, they are a great summer staple.

The only product I’m not very keen on is the Cherry Carmex, I find the scent a little too much, and it isn’t quite as moisturising as the other products I have tried.

Carmex products are widely available on the high street and prices start at £2.69

Disclosure: PR Samples