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| Skincare routine |
Skincare has always been a passion of mine ever since I was a teenager and the sooner you start using good skincare the better. I often get asked what products I use so rather than me writing a very long list of my favourites I thought I would tell you straight up what I am using right now as I have a mix of products that are working really well and make the task of taking off my makeup a highlight instead of a dread.
These products mentioned won't work for everyone of course as we all have different skin types and concerns but for me they have been wonderful. I have mid thirty, normal/combination skin and factors such as hydration, radiance, skin clarity and protection are of main importance for me. I don't usually suffer with any major skin worries, just the odd hormonal breakout or run down skin but like I said I have always taken good care of my skin as my first beauty job was working for luxury skincare brand, La Prairie so you could say I got very spoilt at an early age. I believe in investing in good skincare as good anti-ageing ingredients are not cheap, but there are good affordable brands out there too, it's just all trial and error or a little recommendation from an honest beauty blogger ....
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| Skincare routine |
MAKE-UP REMOVER (1st Cleanse) • Bioderma Créaline H2O link!
I remove all of my eye make-up using Bioderma Créaline H2O Micellaire Water as I find this is the best one that I have ever used. It removes all traces of makeup including stubborn waterproof. I have used this since moving to Monaco about 5 years ago and it's still my no1 make-up remover. The best alternative I recently found to this one is the Garnier Miceller Water link! thats worth a try too.
Daytime; Having removed all of my make-up the night before (very important not to sleep in your make-up!) I use my Elemis Sensitive Skin Cleansing Wash in the shower to wake my skin up and make it feel fresh. I then use my Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil, massage all over my face, rinse then wipe with a clean flannel or muslin cloth.
Evening; To remove all my face make-up in the evening I either use my Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. I recently mentioned this here and told you all how much I love this. It's a balm that removes all traces of make-up and smells and feels just like a spa treatment. I know this is a tad pricey but a little goes a long way and your skin shall feel incredible. Cleansing is so important so investing in a good product is key to having great skin.
TONING • Elemis Apricot Soothing Toner link!
I do love the Caudalié Hydrating Toner but in the last 6 months I have found a new love for the Elemis Apricot Toner as like it states it does indeed soothe and refresh your skin and makes it feel alive. I like spray toners as I find they irritate less as your not using cotton pads and they are so easy to use especially if you are a bit lazy when it comes to toning. I have always used a Toner as coming from a skincare background they are such an important step to getting the best from your skin. They help with pores and to PH balance your skin so I highly recommend this one.
EXFOLIATE • La Prairie Essential Exfoliator
I have used La Prairie Essential Exfoliator for years, ever since I worked for the brand and for me it has always been a winning product. It's not scratchy or too harsh but effective enough to do the job and can even be used on the body. I have the Elemis Rose Exfoliator to use once this runs out which I know I shall love and shall let you know about that one.
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| Bioderma, Elemis Cleansing Balm, Body Shop Cleansing oil |
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| Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing balm, marine cream, oxygenating cream, apricot toner |
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| Elemis Pro Collagen Marone cream, oxygenating cream, Bioderma Eau de soon, Effacer Laroche Posay, Glamglow |
Daytime; For the past 5.5 months I have been using Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream Ultra-Rich as I explained in my blog post here and the same jar is only just starting to run out so it has lasted so well considering I was using it twice a day for sometime. Even though I am a normal/combination skin type, this formulation is not too rich but I do use just a small amount as it is very hydrating. This product is designed to support the skins collagen and offer many anti-ageing benefits as well as intense hydration. It has become a new holy grail product for me as its makes my skin look so radiant, plump and am sure that it has faded some expression lines on my forehead. I frown and squint a lot in the sunshine so for me a product that works like this one does is 100% worth the investment. Again, not the cheapest but when it works this well, its worth every penny.
Evening; More recently to compliment my daytime moisturiser I have been using Elemis Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream which is designed to increase the skins oxygen levels to assist with its regeneration process i.e. making healthier, better skin cells. I have definitely felt an improvement using this alongside my Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, especially as the winter climate usually really dehydrates my skin but it has felt totally normal. This is very rich so again I use a very small amount.
Moisturising Treatment; I incorporate La Roche Posay Effacer Duo link! into my skincare routine if or when my skin goes a little crazy and freaks out, usually at 'that time of the month' or when I am sick then I replace one of my moisturisers with this as it is designed to work on outbreaks and pores being a very light gel texture, so I find this targets the outbreak issue whilst my Elemis works on the rest. Effaclar is a very popular, cult product and its super cheap too, hence it is worth having this in your skincare collection.
SUNSCREEN • Bioderma Hydrabio Spf 30 Water link!
SUNSCREEN • Bioderma Hydrabio Spf 30 Water link!
A lot of my foundations have Spf in them but being the cautious skincare person that I am, I always like to use a separate sunscreen to make sure that I am fully protected. I mentioned this product in my November Stars which is the fabulous Bioderma Hydrabio Spf30 Sunscreen Water Spray. It is a one of a kind product and the easiest way to apply sunscreen to your face. It can be applied over and under makeup and leaves no trace on the skin at all. My advice is very simple, if you can get this product then do! Again, super cheap and shall keep the ageing and sun damage at bay.
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| Glamglow, Charlotte Tilbury Clay Mask |
I love face masks and would do one every night if I could but that's not good for your skin. I have tried a lot of masks over the years but the brand that I have been obsessed with of late is the well known one, Glamglow. I got this gorgeous set of three Glamglow masks last year and it's the most useful set ever. Glamglow have a face mask for every skin concern whether it be hydration, dullness or breakouts. I use the one that my skin needs once a week to give my skin a real pamper. I love that these masks are super fast acting and really easy to do so if you are looking for a good face mask then I recommend checking this brand out.
My latest mask discovery is the Charlotte Tilbury Clay Mask which was in my very luxurious Book of Magic Beauty Advent Calendar and after finding this hidden behind door number one, if was straight onto my face. Unlike the mud masks that dry and go hard this clay mask stays soft and movable on the skin which makes it easy to multi-task in. Charlotte claims that it makes skin feel 'baby soft' instantly and I have to say, I agree. My skin felt like a baby's bottom after only ten minutes of having this on my skin hence me now being a big fan.
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| Elemis Pro Collagen Eye Renewal, Treatment, La Prairie Luxe caviar eye cream, Decleor |
Like I have mentioned before, having worked for La Prairie for so long I used only the best when it came to eye care. Using an eye cream is so important as eyes are the first place to show signs of age and they can't hydrate themselves so adding hydration is key hence why we all should use one. I can honestly say any La Prairie eye cream is incredible if you find yourself wanting to really invest in a product that shall work if your eyes are a big concern to you. I have most recently purchased the Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Treatment (seeing as I am addicted to the brand) which came together in a set and so far, I am very impressed. It feels incredible on application and I can already see an improvement in my eye area so I think I could be onto a winning product here. Stay tuned for more updates as I try this out!
I have also been using Decleor Aroma Solutions Serum as I went to a Decleor skincare event and this was a product that intrigued me. It's a serum whose main ingredient is pure Hyaluronic acid which is one of the best, most effective anti-ageing ingredients you can get as it helps skin cells hold 1000 times their weight in water. The eye serum is designed to be used in conjunction with the eye product that are you using to boost results so you can add this into your routine very easily. Just apply this serum first. I have been using this on the expression lines around my eyes also and I swear it has made a difference. If anything I love the feeling of this serum on my eyes as it's so awakening and acts like match sticks which comes from the tightening effect that it has. I know not all people like that, but I love anything that is going to make me feel more awake. New mums or insomniacs like myself definitely need this!
I have also been using Decleor Aroma Solutions Serum as I went to a Decleor skincare event and this was a product that intrigued me. It's a serum whose main ingredient is pure Hyaluronic acid which is one of the best, most effective anti-ageing ingredients you can get as it helps skin cells hold 1000 times their weight in water. The eye serum is designed to be used in conjunction with the eye product that are you using to boost results so you can add this into your routine very easily. Just apply this serum first. I have been using this on the expression lines around my eyes also and I swear it has made a difference. If anything I love the feeling of this serum on my eyes as it's so awakening and acts like match sticks which comes from the tightening effect that it has. I know not all people like that, but I love anything that is going to make me feel more awake. New mums or insomniacs like myself definitely need this!
So there you have it, my current skincare routine! I know it's more 'luxury' based brands but for me, using good skincare and taking the very best care of my skin is very important, so I do. You only get one, so best look after it.
