July 2016 Favourites

My favourites are looking pretty in pink this month! I promise that it wasn't intentional! I have decided to add a monthly favourites feature to the blog. As I am sharing things which I love and recommend I thought that this would be a worthwhile addition as I don't review everything that I use on a daily basis. I wouldn't have enough time to write and use everything! So in the favourites you may see some products which I have already mentioned or you might see full reviews creeping up at a later date. This is the quick fire round of what I have been reaching for this month. 

Soap and Glory Rich & Foamous Body Wash
As far as cheap bath and body products go, I think that good old Soap and Glory are hard to beat. This body wash smells amazing. It is the same, nutty, sweet and utterly edible fragrance as my favourite ever body scrub (Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub). Very moisturising, lathers beautifully and makes me want to eat Nature Valley Oats and Honey granola bars. Yum. 

Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals

I have been using this as my first cleanse and my morning cleanse. It removes my makeup well and leaves my skin feeling very refreshed. This has a very potent rose fragrance, which I love but if you are not big on the scent of roses then it might pose a problem for you. It smells quite old fashioned in a way in which I find to be quite charming. 

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

I rediscovered this product when clearing out my beauty drawer a few weeks ago. I had a supersize which I used up completely at around Christmastime and I forgot that I had a couple of 75ml tubes lurking about. I use this as a once weekly treatment, pre-shampoo on dry hair. It gives the hair a great shine and helps to combat split ends and breakage. If it was good enough for Audrey Hepburn, then it's good enough for me. 

L'Oreal True Match Blush 120 Rose Santal

A beautiful dusty pink blusher which looks very natural on blonde, fair skin. A very slight iridescence which gives the skin a subtle glow as well as colour. Formula-wise this is a very smooth, velvety powder which applies evenly and builds up with ease. 

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Correcting Serum 

This is a lightweight, non-sticky serum which is designed to, over time, improve the skin texture, tone and pore size. While I haven't noticed a dramatic difference, I do like the instant blurring effect that this has on the skin. It leaves the skin feeling very comfortable and smooth before moisturiser. 

Dior Lip Glow 001

This is a very comforting tinted lip balm which reacts with your own lips to give a natural pink flush. It's perfect for 'no makeup, makeup' days as it gives you the polish of a colour without looking overdone. It has an SPF10 which I think is lacking in a lot of lip products so it is one that I like to use in the sun too. 

So that's it for my favourites for July 2016! What have you been loving this last month?

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner

I love a liquid exfoliator. I have collected quite a few in my skincare drawer and there are a few fail-safe ones that I know will do their job. No matter what. Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner is one of those fail-safe options. 

This is similar to Alpha-H Liquid Gold but is much more gentle on the skin. I find that I use this every 2 or 3 nights (the recommendation from Clarins is once a week) as a part of my regular maintenance routine and will use Liquid Gold when I need something stronger as a treatment.

This product leaves the skin feeling very clean and refreshed after your cleansing routine and works with tamarind and gentle fruit acids to melt away the dead skin cells contributing to a dull complexion. To apply, just soak a cotton pad in the product and sweep over the face and neck, avoiding the eye area, and then follow with your usual routine. As always, make sure that you use SPF after using any exfoliating products as your skin becomes much more sensitive. 

I find that my skin looks much brighter and clearer after using this product which is why I like to include it in my normal routine. I like to use this in the evening, it is my personal preference but I would rather use an exfoliator before bed so that my skin is not exposed to UV rays immediately afterwards. On a side note, however, if you are going to be applying makeup for an event, using this before your moisturiser will smooth the skin and have it looking in top condition. Just be sure to apply SPF - Please! 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar 3 Step Anti-Blemish System

Generally, I have good skin. The odd spot here and there and the usual cluster of blackheads across the nose. Nothing major. My skin seemed to rebel against me as I left the beauty industry. I am still clueless as to the trigger, but a few weeks ago my skin went haywire. 

At one point I had 8 spots across my chin alone and I had hard lumps where the pores across my cheeks had blocked. I initially thought that I would ride it out, my skin was obviously not happy with something and it would clear up on it's own. When I found myself picking at the blocked pores on my cheeks while watching Will & Grace (how great is that show?) I knew that I had to do something. 

French Pharmacie brands seem to have the answer to just about everything. I knew exactly what I wanted - non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and something to sooth. After a dig around online I opted to order the La Roche-Posay Effaclar 3 Step Anti-Blemish System to try and treat the issue. It ticked all of my boxes and was well recommended. 

In the box, you have your 'cleanse, tone, moisturise' regime which all work together to combat oily and blemish prone skin. Now, I purchased this knowing that is was made for oily skin. My skin is normal, I can sometimes have a little oil across my t-zone but never enough to make me reach for 'oily/combination' skincare products in the past. I took a gamble on this as it is for oily and sensitive skin. 

As the cleanser is soap-free it stops the drying effect that you often get from foaming facial wash. It works to purify the skin of excess oil. Note - excess. This does not strip skin. It also has a pH of 5.5 which is the ideal pH of skin. So while it purifies, it most certainly does not strip. The clarifying toner works similarly to the facial wash, I have had no dryness or tightness after using the cleansing system. I will note that my skin does feel very clean and fresh after using both products. 

After cleaning it is on to using the award-winner of the trio. Effaclar Duo [+] works outstandingly. The combination of ingredients used in this product work to boost the skins renewal process by speeding up natural exfoliation and also work as an anti-inflammatory meaning that any blemishes will be soothed and calmed down. It is a very smooth formula which can be used alone before makeup. I like to apply a non-comedogenic moisturiser on top just to keep my skin well hydrated and it still works perfectly.  

While I have only been using the system for 3 weeks, I have noticed a difference in my skin. The purple-tinged scars on my chin from the 8 spots are healing massively quicker than normal. I have also noticed a difference in the appearance of blackheads around my nose and the little blocked pores that I used to get on my chin. Cleansers and toners are something which I tend to use and then float to something else, but the Effaclar Duo [+] is going to be in my skincare drawer from now on. 

Alpha-H Liquid Gold

We always need products in our stash that are 'in case of emergency' products. You know the drill - it's a week before your friends wedding and your skin decides to misbehave. Perhaps you are a bit stressed and your skin is looking really dull and someone asks you to dinner tomorrow night. We all have those situations and we need a quick fix to make us look and feel better. Alpha-H Liquid Gold will sort your skin issues out. It will reduce blackheads, smooth and resurface the skin texture and will help to prevent breakouts.

With a toner-like consistency it is easy to be skeptical as to whether this would work or not. How could something so thin have such an impact on the skin when used alone? The answer - glycolic acid. There are a select few ingredients that I get excited about in skincare, glycolic acid is most certainly one of them. Working to weaken to bonds between the lipids (oils) and dead skin cells on the skins surface it helps to resurface and give better texture to the skin. In doing this it can also reduce the appearance of blackheads by working to eliminate the dead skin cells and oxidized oils resting in the pores. While there is not a product which will totally clear blackheads (I wish!) a good glycolic acid product will reduce the appearance when used properly. It really packs a punch, which is why it is my preferred way to exfoliate as I find it a lot more comfortable than a physical scrub on my face and neck.

So, what makes Alpha-H Liquid Gold different to any other glycolic acid exfoliator? Well, the other ingredients. The stand out ingredients to me are glycerin and hydrolyzed silk. Glycerin is widely known for having smoothing and hydrating properties while hydrolyzed silk does a similar job. Hydrolyzed silk has a very minimal molecular weight and so penetrates deeper into the skin to work on hydration from there. The addition of these hydrating ingredients allow for Liquid Gold to be used alone as an intense treatment. While you can layer a hydrating night cream over the top that will slow the process of the exfoliation. I was a bit concerned at first that my skin would be too dry without a cream and so the first few times I used the product I applied my normal night cream. I did see a difference the following morning but nothing like the difference when I plucked up the courage to use it alone.

To use the product you simply soak a cotton pad with Liquid Gold and then apply it to a cleansed skin  (avoid the eye area) before bed as this is a night time treatment. Allow it to soak in, you may feel your skin tighten slightly as it absorbs but after a few minutes my skin feels comfortable. You know your skin better than anyone, so if it feels too uncomfortable at first then apply a little cream. You will find what works for you. The following morning just go about your usual skincare routine. As with all exfoliating products make sure that you use appropriate SPF after use (if you don'y use them daily, that is!) as your skin is much more susceptible to damage.

This is perfect when you know that you have an event coming up and want to get your skin in top condition, or as mentioned at the top of the post when your skin misbehaves. I certainly plan on keeping a bottle of this in my skincare drawer in case of emergency and to use more frequently in the lead up to my wedding next year.

I have the Try Me 50ml size.

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm

I don't even want to think about how many lip balms I own. For some reason whenever I set foot in a chemist or place an online beauty order at least one makes it into my basket. Most I can happily use and then leave in handbags, coat pockets and sometimes they even find their way down the back of the couch and while I enjoy using them - I don't miss them. 

Upon a look around the Nuxe stand in M&S I came to find Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm and I recalled seeing it in a Lisa Eldridge video (French Pharmacie Skincare Favourites). I stuck it into my basket and thought I'd give it a go, I always tend to get along with French pharmacy brands. 

Why hadn't I used this sooner? I didn't think that there was much of a difference between lip balm products. This, however, is like no other balm I have used. It is intensely hydrating and yet doesn't have any 'slip' or sheen to it, making it perfect for use before (and on top of) lipstick. It smells totally delectable, with honey and grapefruit oils that help to repair and sooth the lips and the lip contour area. Nuxe even state that this can be used on skin sores and light burns.  

At £9.50 a tub this is a pricey high street lip balm - especially if you have a track record like me for leaving them everywhere. I can say, however, that since I purchased this back in March I have always known exactly where I have left it. Escentual currently have an offer on their French pharmacy brands, so you can pick it up for £6.33 at the moment here. (I discovered that by accident - keep and eye out for some French pharmacy brands over the coming weeks!)

UV Plus #showusyourclarins

Did you know I love SPF? No? Read this. Now that you're up to speed with my OCD on sun protection, allow me to introduce you to my best skincare friend - Clarins UV Plus SPF50.

This is designed to wear over the top of your own moisturiser and it provides a veil of protection from the suns harmful rays as well as pollution and those nasty external aggressors that cause premature and accelerated aging making it perfect for everyday use.   

What is more, this is an oil-free formula which feels like velvet on the skin and so provides an amazing makeup base. You do not feel as though you have another layer of product on, so if you are concerned about feeling caked in layers you needn't worry.

I love that this is suitable for everyday living, not for sunbathing. Other SPF50 products are heavier and are supposed to be used as an intensive method of protection for large periods of sun exposure. The heavier texture can wreak havoc with your skin which is why for daily use in places like Glasgow where the sun doesn't quite split the sky and 20 degrees is considered a heatwave, a lot of people avoid SPF. One or two bad experiences can put you off something for good. I promise you, this product is so light and so fresh on your skin you won't even notice that you have that added protection so if SPF is something you avoid, please give it a go!

Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster

Being pale and living in Glasgow go hand in hand. The fact that I am extremely cautious in the sun means that any prospect of an actual suntan is non-existent for me. I don't have any desire to be seriously bronzed or to have the coveted 'summer skin' that we are bombarded with on the television and in magazines. I've always been quite happy to plod along being pale.

When I came across what is described as a 'made-to-measure self-tan' I was initially intrigued. In the past when I dabbled in self tanning products I looked utterly ridiculous as it was so far flung from my natural colour. The 'made-to-measure' aspect made me wonder if there could be something out there which gave me a natural looking glow and made me a darker shade of pale (I'm sorry, I couldn't resist that horrendous joke). 

Allow me to introduce you to the self-tanner which I actually get along with and use. Regularly. Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster. 

How it works - 3 drops of this into your regular night cream. mix it in the palms of your hands and apply the cream as normal, working from the middle of the face, out and down the neck and décolleté.WASH YOUR HANDS! Go to sleep, wake up with a gentle, natural looking colour. 

You can add as little or as many drops as you like in order to deepen your tan if you wish. I personally use 3 drops, every second night. That keeps me from going too dark (for me!) yet still allows me to have a bit of colour. 

Clarins have also just released a version of this for the body too which I have yet to try but goes by the same concept of mixing it into your regular body moisturiser and having the control of how much or how little you add in for your desired colour. Pretty clever, isn't it?

Have you tried this yet? Or have you tried the body version? I'd love to hear what you think too! 

Caudalie

I recently picked up a few pieces from the French skincare brand Caudalie to give them a try. A quick read over the brands website shows that they are just as charming as their products look on the shelf in Space NK. Originating from a vineyard (how French could the brand get?) they use extracts from grapes and vines in their products which are patented to Caudalie, so you won't find the same techniques in any other products.

I decided to try Vinosource Moisture Recovery Cream, Beauty Elixir and Lip Conditioner and I have to say I adore all three. I have been using Vinosource as my night cream as it is intensely hydrating and when I wake up having used this my skin feels so smooth and comfortable. It really does feel like the skin has been repairing itself overnight. I think that this would also work well as an SOS night-time treatment for skin which has become very dehydrated due to the weather and central heating causing loss of moisture.
The Beauty Elixir is amazing. I have so many facial mists and makeup setting sprays which are okay but this totally blew me away. The first thing that hits you is the scent, the first smell I get is peppermint and when it starts to settle I then get hints of citrus and rosemary. It is an instant pick me up for the skin and the senses. It also perks the appearance of tired skin up and adds moisture to lack luster skin.  I know that this will definitely be a re-purchased product. Possibly forever. Finally the Lip Conditioner, this is a brilliant lip balm. It doesn't leave that white-ish tinge to the lips, you can take it over the lip line and it really smooths and protects those lips. I like to have this in my handbag while I'm out so that I can slap loads on before braving the Scottish wind (seriously, it has been freezing up here this week!). All in, I think that I may be a Caudalie convert and cannot wait to try more from their product range.

Have you tried Caudalie yet? What products do you love?

Thea Skincare*

A few weeks ago a lovely little package from Thea Skincare arrived through my letterbox, I eagerly opened it up to find three products to trial along with a lovely letter explaining the background of the company, which you can find out all about on Thea's website. In a nutshell, Thea is all about organically enriched skincare, natural ingredients found in Africa and Asia are put together to make beautiful products which are a dream to use. 

In my little package I had Super Nourish Nutrition Face Creme, Super Nourish Moisture Rich Facial Cleaner and Super Nourish Face Exfoliant.

I can honestly say that all three products are beautiful. They feel very luxurious and are gentle on the skin. The face creme was lightweight yet still felt nourishing on the skin, making the skin feel very comfortable in these colder months. It also absorbed quickly which meant that applying makeup afterwards was no issue and left a lovely radiance to the skin. The cleanser was great for keeping the skin feeling hydrated, none of that 'I NEED moisturiser on my face' feeling the second you have finished rinsing the product off. My favourite of the trio however, was the exfoliator. It had a satisfying amount of scrub to it without being overly scratchy. Like the other products it left the skin feeling comfortable yet it still did a good job and removing the dead skin from the face.

All in, I was very impressed with Thea. If you are on the market for some new skincare I would definitely check the website out and give a few products a go - you'll love them!

Gatineau Aquamemory

Every so often you find a product that just makes you smile. It does what it says it is going to do, it smells great and it just makes you happy. I'm not the only one that feels this way toward beauty products, am I? 

I have a few Gatineau products and on the whole they always deliver. This Aquamemory Moisture Replenish Mask is fab, I use this 2 or 3 times a week to give my skin a surge of moisture. It is a thick gel texture which feels cool when applied on the skin which I find really relaxing after a long day staring at a computer screen and under air-con units. Also, can I just mention the smell? It smells so clean and so refreshing it instantly picks up my mood and does my skin a great treat at the same time. Bonus!

If you are on the market for a moisturising mask then definitely give this one a look. It is a little bit pricey but by doing a bit of searching between Very and QVC you can normally get a good deal with some travel minis or with some money off which makes it a better deal. This one is a brilliant buy and has this mask as a mini!

Have you tried this mask? Which masks do you love? 

Lush Toner Water

I love Lush. I spoke about their amazing makeup range last week here but my product collection does not stop there. I have been using both the Tea Tree Water and Eau Roma Water for a couple of months and love them both. I'll reach for one or the other after cleansing my skin before applying moisturiser in the morning or evening and which one I choose is purely dependent on how my skin is, or my mood. 

The Tea Tree Water is so refreshing, this was the one which I chose to take on holiday with me as I used it to spritz my face on the flight and it was so calming and soothing at the end of a long and hot day spent at theme parks. Aside from the refreshment this product is great for the fact it is highly anti-bacterial making it great for fighting and preventing breakouts. 

As for Eau Roma Water, I reach for this when my mood needs lifted or calmed. This has such a comforting scent and helps me to relax. To be fair, this does mean that the product is doing it's job as it is described as an aromatherapy water as well as a toner water. The rose water and lavender in this water work together to combat redness, soften and hydrate the skin. This product is so gentle on the skin, unlike some other toners that sting as you apply them. You know that your skin is loving this toner.

I like to have the choice after cleansing as to whether I need Tee Tree or Eau Roma, they both work so well at what they are designed for and having the choice means that you can combat whatever your skin worries are day by day. 

Do you prefer one of these products over the other?    

The Best Highstreet Dupes

I do love a good dupe product. Who wouldn't love a product that worked just as well (sometimes even better) than a high-end product that costs a great deal more?

I have collected quite a few product dupes, some are better than others but here is my list of products that are worth skipping at the high end counter and picking up for just a few pounds instead.

I do love Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish but at £14.75 it is pretty pricey for a cleanser. I love using it but find myself being very sparing with the amount I use because I want to savor it and make it last as long as possible. Enter Superdrug Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser not only do you get 50ml more for your money, but you only part with £5.99 for it in the first place - plus, it is on offer for £2.98 right now! They are both similar in consistency in that they are both thick and creamy. Both work well at deeply cleansing the skin and leaving you feeling totally pampered. 

Total Saving - £8.76 (£11.77 right now!)

An oldie, but a goodie. This dupe appears on just about every beauty blogger's list. I adore the Urban Decay Naked Palette. I just adore Urban Decay shadows on the whole. They are packed with pigmentation, buttery soft and long lasting. They are also expensive with this palette ringing in at an eye-watering £37. MUA answered Urban Decay with their Undressed Palette which is a shade by shade dupe. Given, the MUA shadows are a little chalky and don't last just as well as the Urban Decay ones but it is £4. Yes, £4. I can totally forgive the chalkiness.

Total Saving - £33 

Benefit Coralista is one of my favourite summer-time blushers. It is beautifully coral with a hint of shimmer and looks great on my pale skin. But, it does cost £23.50. Here is where e.l.f. Studio Blush in Candid Coral makes a great alternative, this is very close in shade and looks just as brilliant on the skin. Priced at £3.95 it is a lot friendlier on those purse strings too.

Total Saving - £19.55

This is one of the instances where I genuinely prefer the cheaper product. bareMinerals Mineral Veil is something which I have used for years to bring a little extra radiance to my complexion. It is a brilliant product which works well, at £20 it is quite expensive for what is effectively just a loose powder. I have blogged about Bourjois Java Rice Powder before here. I really adore this product. it brightens the complexion a great deal more than the bareMinerals product plus it has that amazing Bourjois rose scent (I'm still gutted I wasn't quick enough to get those candles last year!).

Total Saving - £10.01

It's another Urban Decay and MUA face-off. Urban Decay Primer Potion does dominate the market when it comes to serious eye primer. Understandably so as it works exceptionally well in holding shadow in place all day and night. At £16, I can understand why people are a little reluctant to purchase it. If you are looking for a good eye primer at a fraction of the price then go and check out MUA Pro-Base Eye Primer. You only need to spend £2.50 and it works pretty well at keeping your shadow in place and neutralising the colour on those lids.

Total Saving - £13.50

I love a gel liner, they are so easy to apply and if you make a mistake so easy to correct. Illamasqua Precision Gel Liner at £18 is no exception, it is very smooth on application and is easy to correct if there are any mishaps while doing your cat-eye flick. Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner in Black is a brilliant dupe, where you get less product in the Maybelline pot, it still lasts for absolutely ages. The other thing that Maybelline has up on Illamasqua is that it comes with a precision brush which works amazingly well. Oh, and it is £7.99.

Total Saving - £10.01 

Total Accumulated Saving - £94.83

What are your favourite dupes?

Glowing Summer Skin for Pale People

You can still have a summer-time glow even if you are pale like me. You know that I love being pale, I hid under big hats, kimonos and factor 50 for near enough the full two weeks while in Florida in a bid not to get a tan (I think everyone else who was with us thought I was a nutter - what can I say?!). Since arriving back home, I have been smothering myself in sun cream before leaving the house because for some bizarre reason Glasgow seems to be getting some summer weather - I know, I'm just as shocked as you are. Now despite wanting to remain pale, I do like to have a slight summer glow. Allow me to introduce you to my glowing dream team.

I have been starting out by applying my SPF 50 all over my face and neck and waiting around 15 minutes for it to fully absorb, after this I apply a layer of Lush's Enzymion which is a new favourite of mine. This has lemon juice and papaya in it which makes it smell so summery and it really uplifts you when you open the pot and apply it. These ingredients also help to brighten the skin and leave you with a lovely matte base. After this I have been applying Jackie Oates with the Complexion Blending Brush from the EcoTools Fresh and Flawless kit to even out my skin tone. This gives a great natural finish and also contains titanium dioxide which helps to block out the sun on the skin, bonus! To finish off the glowing skin, I take the Full Powder Brush from the same EcoTools kit and run the Physicians Formula 100% Natural Origin Bronzer (I have the light shade) across my forehead, cheeks and nose. 

When all added together, these work together to give a natural, light sunkissed glow which looks great alone or can easily be a base for a full makeup look. These three products were my staples while on holiday as they were quick and made gave me a healthy glow. 

What are your 'go-to' summer glow products?

Sun Protection - What You Need To Know.

Protecting yourself from the sun is so important. I know I'm going to sound all 'mum' like during this post, but please take note. This is something which I feel so strongly about and makes me angry when I see people being so careless. Having had skin cancer in my family over the last year, this has made me worse for lecturing people on not protecting themselves properly from the sun. I'll try my hardest not to make this post a lecture, I promise! I'm pale as pale can be, and I like it that way. The sun has been out in Glasgow this past week which has resulted in me seeing countless people (including children) walking around with terrible sunburn. For some reason the second the sun makes an appearance almost everyone in Scotland loses their common sense and goes out to try and fry themselves. It makes me want to scream.

So, how do you protect yourself?
Short answer? Put flipping sun cream on. Please. Even if the sky looks overcast, the UV rays are still there.
Really though, before going out in the sun, put on a cream with an SPF. Personally, my daily moisturiser has an SPF15 which, during the Spring and Summer, I top up with an SPF50 before putting my makeup on. Yes, SPF50, in Scotland. I also cover myself in at least SPF30 before leaving the house so that I don't get caught off guard if the sun makes an appearance. It just is not worth the risk to go out without some form of protection on, if not for the lasting health issues damage to your skin can cause but for the premature ageing that sun exposure can cause. Think about it, any holiday abroad you've been on there was always that one ancient looking woman with skin that resembled leather and who had a bottle of baby oil next to her sun lounger and wouldn't get out of the sun between 8am and 6pm.

Ok, so what does an SPF do?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is the grading system used to indicate how much of the sun's UV rays will be blocked by the cream.
SPF15 blocks around 93% of the UVB rays
SPF30 blocks around 97% of the UVB rays
SPF50 blocks around 98% of the UVB rays
As you can see, there isn't as much of a gap between SPF15 and SPF50 as you might expect. I mentioned that they block UVB rays, these are the ones that are more likely to cause sunburn, UVA rays are the ones that are more likely to cause lasting damage to the skin. So make sure that your SPF protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. You can make sure that you have cream with a good level of UVA protection by paying attention to the stars on the front of the bottle. The star rating system is there to indicate how much protection from UVA rays you will receive, 0 being the lowest amount of protection and 5 being the highest.

How else can I protect myself?
Cover up, and stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm as this is the hottest part of the day. I like big floppy hats and lightweight kimonos to keep myself covered up and shaded (look out for my floppy hats and kimonos I'm taking to Florida with me in a post over the next week).
Reapply your sun cream every couple of hours. Just because it is a high SPF does not mean it will last you longer, it still needs to be reapplied throughout the day particularly if you have been in water. The same also goes for the 'once a day' creams, please don't be fooled into thinking that applying once at 9am means you will still be protected later in the day until you go indoors at 4pm, you need to be topping it up.
Once you come out of the sun, put on some after sun or at least a really hydrating moisturiser to stop your skin from drying out. Even if you have no sunburn, it will keep your skin in great condition. I like to use an after sun body butter during the summer and on holiday as they feel a little bit more luxurious and feel incredibly soothing and hydrating on the skin.

But what if I want a tan?
Fake it. Go for a spray tan or use a self-tanning lotion at home, just make sure that when you do go out into the sun to slap on plenty of SPF. As I have mentioned before, I like being pale and am quite happy staying this way so I don't go for any fake tans but if you prefer to look tanned, go for it. By all means, go out and enjoy the sun while it is out there, here in Glasgow it isn't out very often so I make the most of it too - just be careful!

What are your tips for protecting yourself from the sun?

You can get more information about protecting yourself from the sun from the NHS website and Bioderma also have some good information online too.

Vitamin E Eye Cream

How to get rid of dark circles. If I knew what products would magic them away I would be over the moon. As it happens, my dark circles are virtually impossible to get rid of. I can cover them with a decent concealer, yes. But to eliminate them completely? I wish.

I have a couple of eye creams in my beauty stash that are supposed to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and give radiance to the eye area. They are both pretty similar in that they are both from the Vitamin E ranges and they do reduce the appearance of my dark circles but they do both work in different ways.

Up first is The Body Shop Vitamin E Eye Cream (£10). I really like this product, it doesn't really do much to create a lasting effect on the dark circles but it helps to conceal them upon application. It is quite a dry texture once it sets into the skin so it makes it easy to apply concealer over the top - it almost acts as a primer for under eye concealer. Plus, when I do use this cream I use less concealer on the area because it helps to colour correct the area, meaning under my eyes don't look overly cakey. Bonus! At £10 this product is on the budget side, it doesn't bust the bank to pick it up, but the other cream is on the bottom end of the budget scale.

Let me introduce you to Superdrug Vitamin E SPF15 Radiance Eye Cream (£2.99). I have mentioned this on the blog before here. It's a fab budget buy, not only is it only £2.99 but this range is often on offer so you get more for your money most of the time! The only thing that this cream has over The Body Shop's is the SPF15. I am pale as pale can be and I like to keep it that way, so an SPF is a must for me, SPF15 is a bit lower than I really like, but it is better than nothing. The difference in this cream is that rather than having a consistency which helps to conceal, this one has a (very sight) slight shimmer to give the eye area a good boost. This product works best when your dark circles are having a good day and don't require concealer as it is slightly greasy/oily feeling on the skin making it difficult to apply concealer on top. 

Both of these creams work well but in different ways. I like to have the option in the mornings and don't really find myself using one more than the other, it really just depends on how my dark circles look when in the morning. Do you have either of these creams? What do you think?

Pore-less Skin

Smooth, silky, poreless skin is something all women want. It looks equally amazing with or without makeup and is the envy of any woman that gazes upon it. I normally hear 'it's alright for you, you have perfect skin'. I'll let you into a secret. I don't. I'm just good at hiding my blemishes, my dark circles and, you guessed it, pores.

To help prevent and regulate enlarged pores, I found that understanding exactly the cause helped me better understand and choose which products to use. So, what causes enlarged pores, I hear you cry? Your pores are there to provide room for the hair follicle to grow and to allow the sebaceous glands to produce sebum. Our skin produces sebum (oil) to help prevent it drying out and to stop our bodies from absorbing too much water. If you have naturally oily skin, chances are you have enlarged pores (although not exclusively) this is because as your pores produce oil, dirt and dead skin cells can collect in those pores, causing them to block and appear larger. I don't have particularly oily skin but judging by the more frequent spates of spots in the last few months, I can assume that my enlarged pores have come from a change in hormones causing more sebum production than I'm used to.    

I haven't always had issues with my pores, but over the last six months or so, the sides of my nose, moving onto my cheeks and my chin seem to have developed buckets (like I said, along with spates of five spots at a time) and I'm seriously unhappy about it. I've had to learn through trial and error how to best apply my foundation and powder to make sure that they don't settle in my pores. After understanding exactly what was causing the appearance of enlarged pores I set about finding products that I thought would work best.

First on my list is Soap&Glory's The Fab Pore 2-in-1 Facial Pore Purifying Mask and Peel (£10.00). I really love this product. I feel that it really helps to clear away the blockages in my pores (the lactic and salicylic acids help to prevent spots by peeling the dead skin cells to unblock pores). Microbeads also help to remove the dead skin cells and dirt from the pores and help to exfoliate the skin. The kaolin clay helps to soak up excess sebum for those of you with oily skin to help maintain smaller pores. There is also some fomes officinalis mushroom extract which aids the shrinking and tightening of pores.
All of these factors work together well to provide a satisfying result. I always feel that the look of my pores has changed after use. My skin also feels cool and smooth, making it a very relaxing treat after a long day. 

I immediately follow my Soap&Glory Mask and Peel with Soap&Glory The Fab Pore Daily Micro-Smoothing Moisture Lotion  (£12.00). This has salicylic acid, vitamin B6 and fomes officinalis mushroom  which together create a moisturing, pore-tightening astringent which helps to reduce the production of sebum from the sebaceous gland, making it ideal for those of you with oily skin. It also helps to energise the skin and boost circulation as well as providing mattification of the skin.

Since I only use the mask and peel as a treatment, I thought I needed a cleanser that I could use once a day to help maintain the work that Soap&Glory do. So, Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pore & Shine Daily Scrub (£4.49) has become my morning cleanser. It also has sebum-fighting salicylic acid and teamed with the micro-beads it helps to unblock pores, and to slow the production of sebum. The citrus scent from this also makes it very uplifting for morning use (it compliments Sugar Crush perfectly in your morning shower). If my pores look quite enlarged, I will again follow with the Soap&Glory lotion.

I also use a facial scrubber (I can't find a link, but I'm pretty sure this was from Superdrug and was around the £2 mark). I use this to massage in my night-time cleanser to help unblock my skin. If nothing else, this is pretty relaxing at the end of the night when you are taking of your makeup and removing the daily grime from your skin.

Lastly, when I am applying my makeup if I am still unhappy with the look of my pores I reach for Benefit's The Porefessional (£24.50). If you haven't heard of this product with regards to hiding pores then you probably haven't looked for very long. This product is a best-seller for a reason. You can use it under or over makeup and it helps to hide those pesky pores by smoothing over them. The formula is oil-free so it won't add to any excess oil causing those enlarged pores in the first place. I also carry a travel sized tube of this in my makeup bag for touch-ups throughout the day (Elle magazine has a travel size as it's free gift this month, great to try it out!).

What are your saviors when your pores give you trouble?

Skincare Series Part 3 - Treatment

Superdrug Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream // Superdrug Vitamin E Exfoliating Facial Scrub // e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator // Avon Clearskin Emergency Instant Spot Treatment // Superdrug Skin Rescue 50th Birthday Mask // The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask

Make Sure to Read Parts 1 and 2 of My Skincare Series!

Once a week I try to have a facial treatment night. I like to do this on a night where I am home alone, I'll stick my music on as loud as I like and run a bath and lie with a face mask on. 

I like to use a facial scrub before using a mask. The Superdrug Vitamin E Scrub is a winner with me. As you well know now, I love this range and cannot speak highly enough of the products in the line. This scrub is quite gritty which I love, I like to feel as though the scrub is actually scrubbing - you know what I mean, right? Anyway, this scrub is fab!

I always have a collection of face masks in my stash in case I feel like I need one, both The Body Shop Vitamin E Mask and Superdrug's 50th Birthday Antioxidant Mask are very relaxing and do what they say they will. Although I do also like a chocolate scented face mask from time to time too! 

I have mentioned the Superdrug Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream here and have already written about it as being one of my S.O.S. Products. This sorts out dry skin in a flash. When your skin really needs a good drink, this is what you need. Honestly, I see results the second I put it on. I love it so much!

When my lips are feeling very rough, dry and just generally feeling the effects of constant lipstick wearing I reach for the e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator. What I love the most about this is that it isn't in a little pot meaning the scrub gets stuck under your finger nails and just makes a big mess, it is in the form of a lipstick which makes using this so easy. It smells great and I need to stop myself from licking it off of my lips when I use it! Aside from this is is a really good lip scrub, it takes away all the dry and dead skin and leaves my lips feeling super soft and ready for more red lipstick!

Finally when I have an unwelcome visitor set up camp on my face I reach for the Avon Clearskin Spot Treatment. This dries spots out and takes away redness which is exactly what I want as it gets them away quickly and if I catch a spot early enough with this treatment it doesn't even fully erupt on my face. Bonus!

I hope that you have enjoyed my skincare series. I know that I have and I hope to do more series posts in the future!

Skincare Series Part 2 - Nighttime

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser // Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water // Garnier Express 2 in 1 Eye Makeup Remover // Superdrug Vitamin E Moisturising Night Cream // Gatineau Aquamemory Moisture Replenish Concentrate // Gatineau Aquamemory Moisture Replenish Eye Roll-on

You Can Read Part 1 of My Skincare Series Here

As much as I love applying my makeup, I think that I enjoy taking it all off again at the end of the day more. I find it oddly relaxing and therapeutic. Tell me I'm not alone here? 

I start my soaking a cotton wool pad in Garnier Express 2 in 1 Eye Makeup Remover. This guy removes everything, even the Tattoo Me Liquid Eyeliner I spoke about here. You don't need to tug and pull at the delicate skin around your eyes to get your makeup off either, just place a cotton wool pad with plenty of product on it and I like to leave it there for maybe about 30 seconds. Doing this loosens the makeup and makes sweeping it away much easier and it acts as a cooling compress on your eyes which I always welcome at the end of the day. 

After this I turn to the Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser, I take my time massaging this into my face and neck and then I like to leave it on for a couple of minutes before buffing it off with the muslin face cloth which comes with the cleanser. It takes off all of my remaining makeup and it smells delicious. Once I have finished with this I sweep over a bit of Garnier Micellar Water just incase there is anything left to come off (more often than not there is nothing, but I like to be sure!). 

At night I like to use the Gatineau Aquamemory products that I mentioned in my daytime skincare post yesterday. The Moisture Concentrate works wonders over night for making my skin feel hydrated when I wake up first thing in the morning. I use the Eye Roll-on at the end of the day for the soothing aspect, it is brilliant for sore, tired eyes. 

Now that I am all Aquamemoried up, I turn to my beloved Superdrug Vitamin E range to use the night cream from this family. It is very hydrating and feels (and smells) very comforting at the end of a long day.

After climbing into bed I slather on whichever hand cream is sitting on my bedside table and then that's me set for the night. What are your favourite nighttime products? Make sure to come back tomorrow for the third and final part of my skincare series!

Skincare Series Part 1 - Daytime

Gatineau Aquamemory Moisture Replenish Concentrate // Gatineau Aquamemory Moisture Replenish Eye Roll-on // Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water // Elizabeth Arden Advanced Lip-Fix Cream // Superdrug Vitamin E Radiance Cream // Superdrug Naturally Radiant 2 in 1 Moisturiser and Serum 

Looking flawless starts with good skin, we all know that. Over the next three days I'll share with you my skincare routine and today is my daytime skincare routine. 

I'm lazy in the morning and just use a quick swipe of cotton wool soaked in Garnier Micellar Water over my face. It freshens me up and removes any grime which may have found itself on my face since the night before. I like to take as little time as possible in the mornings and for all a bit of face wash in the shower doesn't take long, I prefer to use this before my serum and moisturiser since it saves about 20 seconds (I did say, I'm lazy first thing in the morning!).  

As far as serums go, depending on my skins needs I'll either use the Superdrug Naturally Radiant 2 in 1 Moisturiser and Serum or the Gatineau Moisture Replenish Concentrate (check out the £3.49 dupe for this here). If my skin is particularly dehydrated I'll opt for Gatineau as it is amazing for re hydrating skin and it feels divine on application, it really leaves your skin feeling so soft and supple. If my skin is looking good in terms of hydration I'll use the Superdrug Naturally Radiant 2 in 1 Moisturiser and Serum which gives my skin a nice boost and does give a bit of radiance. 

Whether I use Gatineau or Superdrug  for my serum I always use the Superdrug Vitamin E Radiance Cream over the top (I've spoken about this before here). It is very light on the skin and is very hydrating, not to mention it has an SPF 15, which for this time of year is fine. I always, always, always go out with some form of SPF on. I don't think it is worth the risk and I'd rather be pale and interesting than burnt to a cinder (which with my skin would happen!). As we come into the summer months I always use an SPF 50 on the top.

I use the Gatineau Aquamemory Eye Roll-on which is very cooling and soothes puffy eyes first thing in the morning. It is good for hydrating the skin around the eye but the main reason I like it is because it tones down the puffiness and is instantly cooling. Lastly I pop on some Elizabeth Arden Advanced Lip-Fix over and around my lips to keep them soft and it also works well to prime the lips before applying lipstick.

After all of that I go about my morning, grabbing something to eat, catching up on the news and whats going on in the world of Facebook and Twitter for 20 minutes to let my concoction sink into my skin and then I go and apply my makeup.

I hope to see you tomorrow for part 2 of the series!
Are there any of your favourites in my daytime routine? If not what are your 'go-to' products?

Skincare with Superdrug

I have mentioned some of these products before. But boy, are they worth mentioning again. Superdrug really have hit the nail on the head with the Naturally Radiant and Vitamin E skincare ranges. 

I first dipped my toe in the water with the Superdrug skincare ranges with the Vitamin E Radiance Moisture Cream. Now, for £2.99 I wasn't expecting great things but after a couple of uses I was completely converted. Super-hydrating and really light on the skin it also gives my skin a bit of a glow. I buy this in bulk when it goes on offer (as if it isn't enough of a bargain at £2.99 anyway!). I always have several in my stash so that I will never run out! 

I mentioned the Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream in my post yesterday as one of my S.O.S. products. Again, this is £2.99 and works absolute wonders on dry and dehydrated skin. I slather in on when my skin is needing a pick-me-up and within an hour it is looking better already. I never want to be without this baby.

I have also picked up both the Vitamin E Night Cream and the Vitamin E Eye Cream (both £2.99) and have been welcome additions to my routine as they hydrate and give my skin a lovely glow.

I have also ventured into the Naturally Radiant range. I got the Naturally Radiant 2 in 1 Moisturiser and Serum recently to give it a bash and I have fallen in love with it. Not only does it smell divine but it is a great multi-tasking product when you are pushed for time in the morning. It works brilliantly and does give my skin a boost of radiance. It is currently half price at £2.98 - remember that is a serum and moisturiser!

Finally, the Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser is amazing for getting the everyday grime off of your face and feels very luxurious when you are using it. I use it at night time and it leaves my face feeling super clean and very glow-y. This is also currently on offer for £2.98. 

I definitely recommend the Superdrug skincare ranges, they are purse-friendly and feel very luxurious and like they are seriously working for your skin. 

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think?