Lately I’ve been beavering away in the background on my project that is: MAKE-UP FREE CONFIDENCE. It’s an ongoing thing, has been for the last one and a half years, but you know I really think I’m getting somewhere now. The aim of the ‘project’ (and I use that word in the loosest sense) is to be able to step outside my front door sans slap without feeling like I’m about to scare small children or their mothers. It’s an enjoyable project, necessitating hours of online research (beauty blogs) and the odd splurge (expensive face products) and has made me quite ashamed of the years I spent washing my face with Boot’s Cucumber Face Wash and applying cheap Nivea cream. My skin, whilst not completely transformed yet, is definitely thanking me for the investments I’ve made.
I am currently using an arsenal of products that I’m exceedingly happy with. I’m sure this will change as new products emerge (I would love some decent recommendations for a different toner, at the moment I’m using Lush’s Tea Tree water) but for now, it’s all good. Here’s whats going down on my face… (snigger)
Bioderma is a French laboratory which produces products that are apparently never far away from make-up artists worldwide. I’ve been using their Crealine H20 Micelle solution as my ‘first cleanse’ of the day to take my make-up off and it really feels so gentle. Just like water. This isn’t available in the UK yet, though word on the street is that it’ll be in Boots soon, so eBay’s your best bet for value. I bought from this seller.
I first learned about Emma Hardie’s Cleansing Balm when a pot of it appeared in the bathroom I was sharing with Hattie on the Mother’s Meeting retreat last year. I did some Googling and BAM! Apparently I’d missed 2012’s hottest facewashing trend. This product is just marvellous… it’s so gentle and effective and smells just divine. It ain’t cheap at £34.00 but a little goes a long away. I’m on my second pot and will keep re-purchasing.
Hydraluron is a miracle cream. It sits underneath your moisturiser and acts as a booster for your moisturiser, increasing its effectiveness. It has worked wonders on my forehead lines! Boots have a 3 for 2 offer on this at the moment.
The brand-new Nuxe Nuxellence Jeaunesse Youth and Radiance Fluid* is brilliant. I’ve started using this in place of my usual moisturiser and it noticeably lifts, tightens and brightens my skin. You can use it on its own or with your usual products if your skin is a little dry : I occasionally need a bit more moisture on my nose and forehead but come summer (eventually…) I won’t need to use anything else.
If you haven’t heard of Liquid Gold, where have you been?! This product apparently has the highest percentage of Glycolic Acid (a powerful re-surfacing and firming ingredient. Re-surfacing kind of makes my face sound like a road) in anything available over-the-counter. It’s a chemical exfoliant, and you use it a couple of times a week to keep your complexion fresh. It tingles and I love it.
If you buy one night cream EVER please make it this Decléor Aromessence Night Balm*. It feels like the most luxurious thing I’ve ever put on my skin and literally melts. It’s gorgeous and I noticed a difference in my skin the first time I used it. Love at first use. Decléor also do a great lip balm* in this range which again is amazing and has not left my handbag since it arrived.
This Neal’s Yard Baby Balm obviously does not belong to me but it’s brilliant. I use it on all dry patches of skin: my hands, my feet, my knees, even my lips. It sits on my bedside table and goes on last thing at night. It’s also pretty good for Hux’s dry patches, too!
I normally don’t like oils so I’ve been surprised at how much I like this Mandara Spa honeymilk beauty oil*. You can use it in the bath or on your skin but my favourite thing to do it to slap it on the dry ends of my hair before I go to sleep. I’m also a big fan of their bubble baths, they’re reasonably priced and smell delicious! You can pick up Mandara Spa products at Sainsbury’s.
*= PR Sample
So there are my current face favourites. When I miss a day of them I definitely notice a difference so staying diligent is a must, no matter how knackered I am.
Now about those toner recommendations… anyone?
Ermm eye cream recomendations please?! I am very much over having creased sleep deprived eye sockets!
Kids..
I have been using this one – http://www.gorgeousshop.co.uk/shop/gatineau-1790/shop-by-range-1797/aquamemory-dehydrated-skin-1799/gatineau-aquamemory-moisture-replenish-eye-roll-on-15ml-9085.html – which I like so far, HOWEVER I’m so bloody tired all the time I keep forgetting to put it on! Will report back when it’s seen a couple of weeks of constant use…
My goodness. I have so much to learn. I’m still on a soap-and-water regime. But I am noticing dry crepey eyelids so am in definite need of eye cream help before I start buying any of this!
And I should be using a night cream too ?
I started using a night cream about 2 years ago and I really notice a difference. I used to often wear a facial fake tan to even out my skin tone (had lots of red patches) but the introduction of a skincare regime has meant I don’t need to do that anymore! Plus it’s a lovely routine to get into before bed and really relaxes me for the night.
My absolute favourite product is Elemis Balancing Toner – you have to be a fan of lavender as it is packed full of it but it just helps my oily/stressed skin become calm and glowing. Again, not exactly cheap but you can get good deals on Amazon. It has a spritzer nozzle so handy for limiting how much you use and apparently can also be used as a refreshing face spray
NB. This is NOT a sponsored post, but does sure sound like it!
I will definitely look into this – thanks! Lucky I looove lavender! x
I SO need to invest in my skin again. I’m using an appallingly cheapo cleanser and moisteriser at the moment with no toner at all. My skin is dry, oily, dull and flaky. The early mornings don’t help and neither does the tea I drink on non-fast (5:2 Fast Diet) days. You’ve inspired me to invest and spend some cash on it!
I hope it helps! It’s been a bit of a psychological thing for me too: taking the time out to wash and moisturise my face feels so lovely and indulgent. I’m the same that I need to start limiting my tea intake, though I’m now drinking at one cup of chamomile tea a day instead. x
Skincare has always been high on my agenda (thanks to my mum) and it was only as I hit 23 (quarter life crisis?) that I really, really started to look after my skin. You post reads like my wish list, essentially, but I have so much stuff already that I’m trying to use it up before I buy anything else :(
For me, Elemis Pro-Radiance Cleanser works like a dream, followed by Effeclar Duo, Origins GinZing eye cream and I’m using Kiehl’s midnight concentrate on an evening which I cannot recommend enough! In regards to toner, Boots No 7 soft and gentle toner is quite nice if you don’t like that tightening feeling. There’s also a lovely refreshing toner by Botanics which I spray onto cotton wool and apply after cleansing when my skin is feeling especially dull and tired.
Kiehl’s! I love them so much: what they stand for, their lovely products. I am only ever buying Kiehl’s products for Will (he doesn’t think face washes are necessary and was quite confused when I bought him a toner).
Will definitely try that No7 Toner xx
Alice, where’s your daily spf cream!?
I used to use the Rosewater Toner from Lush but swapped to this Boots Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toner a while ago and it’s just as good- I like Rosewater toners as they seem to help tighten pores.
http://www.boots.com/en/Botanics-100-Organic-Rosewater-Toning-Spritz-150ml_1262007/
I also really like the Boots Botanics 100% Organic facial oil (it’s also on offer for half price quite a bit, same with the toner)
http://www.boots.com/en/Botanics-100-Organic-Facial-Oil-25ml_1262011/
I used Liquid Gold for a while and started to get, what I think are pigmentation patches, which I’m convinced was from using Liquid Gold. I might give it another go though…
Anyway, for my exfoliator, I now use Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant, which you use as a ‘mask’ once or twice a week. I love it and I think it helps with fine lines around the eyes.
My twin sister and I post reviews and beauty related posts over at http://3ate4-makeup.blogspot.co.uk/
x
Don’t worry, my SPF is in my foundation (it’s 30!). I sometimes find my face gets a bit white and chalky if I include a moisturiser-based SPF.
Ahh, I’ve heard so much about Rosewater toners so will be definitely be trying this one. Love facial oils, too (I have one from Cowshed), must remember to use it more often.
How often were you using Liquid Gold? I’ve been limiting myself to 1-2 a week, must not do it any more often.
I’ve been recommended that Dermalogica exfoliant a couple of times so will definitely check it out. Thanks for your blog address x
Phew! haha I know what you mean, I’ve yet to find an SPF face cream that I like.
I was using Liquid Gold each alternate night like it suggests but maybe that was a bit too much for my skin. Might give 1-2 times a week a try! x
Fab picks. I would recommend Garnier toner (for sensitive skin) and their eye make up remover is also so gentle and works on the toughest of mascara (I do love my mascara). I use this then apply Eve Lom Cleanser which Vogue stated was probably the best cleanser in the world, ever (or something) steaming my face with their cloth before removing all residue of make up/dirt etc. It’s basically a facial at every cleanse and is incredible followed by Creme de la Mer moisturizer then or sometimes if I’m lazy, have run out of latter, just eczema cream as I love a well moisturized face! I should use eye cream but don’t really bother and I love Aveeno products for body moisturising!
I do sometimes go out make up free, more because I’m brave rather than anything else
I do however cheat by using benefit concealer that is much creamier than the MAC ones and a bit more ‘covering bags and veins’ than sodding touche eclat which instead highlights my bags
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