KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE: CURRENT SKINCARE ROUTINE

Hello everyone! So it has been a good few months (April to be precise) since i last did any form of skincare routine post and since then, i have switched up a fair few products in my daily routine. Now that we are into the autumn/winter months our skin needs just as much TLC, as it would during the summer months if not more sometimes. As the weather is obviously colder, the coolness tends to dry out our skin a lot quicker than it would when the weather is warmer. That being said seeing as my skin type is normal/dry, i need all the help i can get when it comes to keeping my skin looking and feeling hydrated.

nivea daily essentials 3-in-1 deep cleansing exfoliating wipes

Kicking things off with how i start by removing my makeup and that is with these face wipes by Nivea, which have been favourites of mine for so long now and i don't reach for any other face wipes now as nothing compares to them for me. Even though they are exfoliating wipes they aren't harsh in the slightest on the skin, i simply like to take one of these to remove as much surface makeup as i can before going in with my cleanser.

simple water boost micellar facial gel wash

So i have been using this particular face wash for a few weeks now and i am really enjoying reaching for so far, because it honestly just ticks all of the boxes for what my skin needs at this time of year. I love how gentle, yet effective this face wash is and removes every single bit of makeup from your face, as well as leaving it feeling super soft/hydrated. I have never really reached for all that many Simple products ever, but after giving this a try i am intrigued to try more from this particular "water boost micellar" range.

t-zone charcoal & bamboo nose pore strips

I first mentioned these nose pore strips in my five october favourites from superdrug under £5 post and how effective i have found them to be, for unblocking my pores/getting rid of any blackheads on my nose. Strips like these are really great just to pop one on once a week, to remove any build up which is mainly caused from wearing makeup every single day like i pretty much do.

kiehl's rare earth deep pore cleansing masque 

This particular face mask was recommended to me by my sister, as it is really great for eliminating impurities (aka blemishes) and helps draw out any oil build up from the problem areas. I really love "clay" type face masks, as i find they work well for my skin and even though it is more of a dry texture face mask, it doesn't dry out my skin in the slightest. I will usually only use this face mask either once or twice a week.

garnier moisture bomb tissue mask

So this particular sheet mask has been a favourite of mine ever since they launched and i usually always have a handful of them in-stock, for when i might need one. The reason for that is because this particular sheet mask is amazing for that instant boost of hydration, that your skin might be lacking and you can literally go from dry skin to hydrated skin in 10-15 minutes. As this is a sheet mask as well there is no washing off needed to be done, all that you simply do is remove the sheet from your face and massage in the remanding product.

the ordinary salicylic acid 2% solution

I have tried out so many different skincare products from The Ordinary brand by Deciem, but i have honestly never tried one as effective as this particular solution is. If i have a huge/angry visitor on my face, all i will do is apply a small amount of this solution to the problem area, right before going to bed and in the morning it will have reduced the size of the blemish/problem area. I also still can't believe how affordable yet effective these products are, especially because the majority of them are under £5 each. 

manuka doctor apirefine targeted wrinkle filler

This product is one that i was using during my previous skincare routine post and still continues to be my eye cream of choice now. I love how ever since using this wrinkle filler, the lines under my eyes appear smaller, as well as keeping the under-eye super hydrated. As this particular product contains bee venom, it really helps to keep the skin feeling/looking firmer as well as hydrated. 

nuxe huile prodiguese multi-usage dry oil

Last of all we have the final step, which is "moisture" and rather than using a cream formulated moisturiser, i have been simply using this oil by NUXE and is one that i have raved about for months now. I have been obsessed with using facial oils this year, as i find them so much more hydrating/effective for my skin than a regular moisturiser would. I actually did a full first impression/review post, talking all about the multi-usage dry oil which you can catch up on here if you want to know more about the product.

Check out my affordable dupes for high end skincare products post HERE...

xo.

BEDSIDE BEAUTY: CURRENT GO-TO PRODUCTS

Hello everyone! So i don't know about you but i always like to keep a selection of beauty products on my bedside table, for two reasons. One you can use these skincare/bodycare products whilst sat or laid in bed watching your favourite tv show or movie and two because they are mainly products that are best applied right before lights-out. Some of these products are always the same and some i like to switch up from time to time, with that in mind i thought for today's post, why not share with you all my current go-to bedside beauty products.

lush cosmetics sleepy body lotion

I usually always use the Palmer's Coconut Oil Body Lotion, which i still do from time to time but for the past month or so i have been re-reaching for this Sleepy Body Lotion from Lush instead. Sleepy was originally just part of the Christmas line last year (which is when i first tried it) and obviously since then they have made it permanent. This body lotion is perfect in every single way for bedtime, as it will put you out in a light, help free any built up anxiety with the help of its lavender oil infusion.

the ordinary salicylic acid 2% solution

I have talked about a selection of products by Deciem (The Ordinary) in quite a few posts this year, as it has been a skincare brand i have been reaching for a lot. This particular product has replaced another product i was using for the same purpose, as i now prefer to just apply a small amount of something more effective to the problem area (aka a blemish). If i don't think a blemish is all that bad or it is almost healed i will sometimes reach for a little amount of ever so trusty Sudocrem.  

doctor manuka replenishing facial oil or 

the ordinary 100% organic cold-pressed moroccan argan oil

Again like i said above i sometimes switch between two different products and because i do have more normal/dry skin, i do love nothing better than to basically smother my face in facial oil before bed and then it keeps the dryness at bay. These two particular products are favourites of mine, both are some hydrating, brightening but that being said The Ordinary one is a great multi-purpose products as it can be applied to the ends of the hair also. As well as these facial oils being bedtime favourites, i am also obsessed with they way they prep your skin for makeup in the morning time, either underneath or mixed into your foundation.

the body shop coconut lip butter

Finally we have one of the products that i can never go to bed without applying and that is lip balm, i also never use any other kind now except for the Coconut Lip Butter from The Body Shop. This lip balm is just so effective, as it instantly hydrates your lips keeping them hydrated for longer and chap-free. Also if i am feeling as if my lips are that extra bit dry and in need of some TLC, i will apply a mixture of the Lip Scrub by Lush and this.

♥

CURRENT EVERYDAY MAKEUP FAVOURITES: BASE PRODUCTS #1

Hello everyone! I know that i skipped out on doing an "april beauty favourites" post this month, but seeing as i haven't done an everyday makeup routine products post in a while, i thought why not combine the two together in two parts. This past month and this month so far i have pretty much been doing the same kind of look every single day and i am just obsessed with it, kicking things off with the base products i have been loving.

maybelline superstay 24h setting spray

For the past week or so i have been trying out this setting spray from maybelline, which has been out for so long but i have never tried it before and i will use it before and after makeup. So far i am really enjoying it as well as setting sprays in general, i have also placed an order for a couple more to try out.

maybelline fit me matte + poreless foundation in the shade 220

You will not be shocked to see this foundation in my everyday makeup routine, as i pretty much always opt for this foundation because it never lets me down. I love the coverage it gives me, the way it blends and the most important thing how long it sits on the skin, always looking freshly applied all day long. Another thing you won't be shocked at is that i always add in a couple of drops of the manuka doctor replenishing facial oil before applying to my face and blending out with a damp beautyblender.

morphe brushes concealer in the shade oats

So i first mentioned this concealer in my what i use to fill in my brows post, as well as my current three go-to concealers post as i like to use it for both. I love how this is more of a yellow based undertone concealer because it gives you that bright under-eye effect that i personally love. I know this concealer has has mixed reviews but i truly really enjoy reaching for it, but i suppose like any product it is down to personal preference.

l.a girl pro conceal hd concealer in the shade toast

Whilst on the subject of concealer, just recently i have really been getting into cream contouring a lot more and i had seen quite a few people using a darker shade concealer (mainly the l.a girl one). I have been switching between a few different cream contour products that i also love, so if you would like to see a separate post on that let me know on social-media and i will get on it! 

rcma no-colour setting powder

Now that i have gone in with all the liquid/cream type products, i like to set everything in place with powder starting with setting my under-eye area and my favourite powder ever is this one from rcma, i love how it keeps everything from creasing/moving and it doesn't change the colour of any product you have underneath unlike some powders. I don't really need to set a lot of the areas on my face as i do have dry skin, but i do set my under-eye area, forehead and chin.

makeup revolution baked bronzer in the shade ready to go

Next as part of the setting process i will go ahead and set/bronze up the areas where i applied the cream contour areas. This particular bronzer has been a favourite of mine for so long and it is one i always end up reaching for again and again. This is also a great bronzer to use for a quick/simple bronze eyeshadow look.

zoeva sweet glamour blush palette

Moving onto adding a flush of colour to the cheeks, by using my new favourite blush palette that i featured in my previous review/first impressions post after lusting after it in my updated makeup wishlist post. I have been reaching for this every single day since i got it and i honestly can't get over how beautiful it is, i simply take the two blush shades mixed together for a natural pink-y flush to the cheeks.

mac cosmetics extra dimension skinfinish in the shade oh, darling!

Finally for the base products i like to go in with my favourite step, of course highlight and i am really loving gold/bronze toned highlighter at the moment. This one from mac is simply stunning and allows you to really glow from within all the way up to the gods ha! This was a limited edition product a while back, but they added it into their permanent collection which i also have in the shade doublegleam. 

♥

SKINCARE ROUTINE: SIMPLIFIED

Hello everyone! It has only been a month or so since i last shared my current skincare routine, but i thought i would give you an update as my skin decided to have a little freak breakout session for some reason. So straight away i switched up some of the products i was using and my skin cleared up within a week. The main trick for keeping my skin clear that i have learned is to keep things simple, a case of illuminating what isn't an essential item.

nivea daily essentials 3 in 1 deep cleansing exfoliating wipes

Kicking things off with the cleansing stage, which i always start off by removing as much makeup as possible with these face wipes from nivea. I have mentioned these wipes so many times (including my recent skincare routine post) as they are my absolute favourites and i don't use any other kind. Even though they are exfoliating wipes they aren't harsh on your skin in the slightest and they have two sides to them, one with the exfoliating bumps on and the other side which is just smooth.

manuka doctor apinourish hydrating facial cleanser

I think the biggest difference to my skin that changed was when i first started to use this cleanser, which i mentioned in a four skincare products i can't put down post. That being said when i was all out of this cleanser, i decided to give a couple of other cleansers a try and i think because i stopped using the manuka doctor cleanser is what caused my skin to freak out...maybe?

burt's bees facial cleansing oil with coconut and argan oils

I have been reaching for this particular sample sized cleanser from burt's bees, which i got in one of my feel unique sample service boxes and i have really been enjoying using it on those more makeup days, as it literally melts every single piece of makeup off. Also a little of these product goes a long way but once i am out with the sample, i definitely think i will be buying the full size.

the ordinary niacinamide 10% + zinc 1%

So once my skin is completely makeup free/cleansed, i will go in with the two of my current go-to treatments. First up is the blemish solution from the ordinary, which i did a full review post on here. I used to use it along side the vitamin c moisturiser but i stopped to keep things simple and not aggravate my skin too much, since i have just been using this alone i have actually noticed better results.

manuka doctor replenishing facial oil
Next up you shouldn't be shocked to see the manuka doctor facial oil in the mix, as i can't go a day without using it. I was using the same brightening formula for skincare and mixed into my foundation, but now i am using the replenishing oil at night and the brightening oil with my foundation. These oils are such a handy way to help keep my skin super hydrated, which i mentioned in my products i swear by for dry skin post last week.

manuka doctor apirefine targeted wrinkle filler

Finally we move onto the moisturising stage of my skincare routine, which at night time i will do right before going to bed rather so the treatments i applied earlier have time to sink in. I have been using this manuka doctor targeted wrinkle filler for around four months now as an eye cream and i have found it just works well for me, keeping my under-eye area hydrated and crease free.

mac cosmetics studio moisture cream

Yet another product that i have been using for months and months now, as it just works so well for me. This is such a hydrating/rich moisturiser yet it is lightweight, perfect for applying underneath your makeup as it sinks in super quick locking all the moisture in which i have mentioned on several occasions now.

bareMinerals skinlongevity vital power infusion

Last of all we have this sample from another one of my feel unique sample service posts, i have really been loving bareMinerals products recently so i was really intrigued to give this sample a try. This is more of a serum consistency product designed to diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hydrate the skin. I have been using this on and off, as the sample is quite a decent size and so far i am really enjoying how nice the product feels, i just don't know whether i would want to splash £45 on a full size of it yet?

♥

PRODUCTS I SWEAR BY FOR DRY SKIN

Hello everyone! So we all have different skin types, whether that be normal, normal to dry, oily or normal to oily skin and if you are like me mainly dry skin. Having dry skin can be such a pain at times, but with the products i use on a everyday basis it is pretty easy to keep your skin hydrated. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you, the products i swear by for keeping dry skin hydrated from face to body products.

soap and glory scrub of your life

I have used scrub of your life for years and it is the only body scrub i reach for now, i have tried so many in the past but non live up to the results of this one. I always use this to remove my fake tan/exfoliate my skin ready for a fresh application, doing this makes sure no tan clings to any dry patches you might have. 

mac cosmetics studio moisture cream

So i have been using this moisturiser since around November of last year, as it is probably one of the best moisturisers i have ever tried and i can't believe how well it works for me. It is a super rich formulated moisturiser but it doesn't sit heavy on the skin or leaves your skin looking greasy and the best part of the product is how hydrated it leaves your skin. This is one of those moisturisers perfect for using right before makeup application, as it sinks into the skin pretty fast, locking in the moisture.

the body shop coconut lip butter 

This lip butter from the body shop is one of those products that i have reached for again and again over the years, as it is amazing for that instant lip hydration fix. Having chapped lips is probably the worst forms of dry skin to have, whether it is down to cold/hot weather or even liquid lipsticks that dry your lips out but this lip butter always fixes the issue and my favourite flavour to get is obviously the coconut one. 

manuka doctor brightening facial oil

If you read my posts often then you will have probably already seen my talk about this facial oil on several occasions, in fact it is pretty much something i reach for every single day since getting it and now i am onto my second bottle. Facial oil will change your skin completely if you are a dry skin sufferer like i am and i shared my favourite little beauty hack that will change your foundation application game forever here.

lush cosmetics salted coconut hand scrub

Ever since i have been using this product i haven't suffered from dry hands at all, which also cut the amount of hand cream i used to go through right down. I always use this right before i give myself a manicure, rubbing it into my hands before rinsing away with warm water and then you are left with super soft feeling hands. 

palmer's coconut oil body lotion

Yet again another coconut scented product ironically and another product that i pretty much only reach for in terms of body lotion, as it is my favourite. I love how easy this body lotion sinks into the skin, locking in the moisture and isn't greasy feeling in the slightest. My favourite perk of the product putting the hydration factor aside, is how long the scent lasts for as a lot of body lotions scents disappears too quickly.  

♥