Top Tip Friday

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The best make up in the world can never replace good skin. To achieve good skin is a difficult task that centers around finding good skin care products that suit your skin, maintaining and protecting a good skin care routine and of course a handful of good genetics lends a helping hand too!

I have mentioned in a very early post on my blog that if I could give my teenage self advice I would it would be to establish a good skin care routine from an early age. CLICK HERE. As the saying goes prevention is better than cure!

In this post I aim to share with you one of my top tip that helps me keep my skin clear and in good condition – well most of the time (we can always prevent the dreaded hormonal break outs or just bad skin days!)

¬  USE A GOOD TONER!

I only started to use a good toner in recent years and I can whole hearty say that it has turned my skin around. If at all possible use an antibacterial toner. These toners have really excellent cleansing properties and ensure that all the nasty bacteria that cause nastier breakouts and spots. The routine I follow is cleansed (using a wash cleanser and a liquid cleanser) tone using an anti bacterial toner, serum and moisturize.

My favorite toners at the moment include

1.  Blue Green Algae Toner by Michael Todd 

This is my most favourite toner and is simply really effective. I have done posts on this product before and all the posts (click HERE)

For information on this Michael Todd toner CLICK HERE

2.  Origins – Balancing Toner

This is a refreshing toner that is gentle yet effective on the skin. It has a slight tingling effect on the skin which adds to the “clean “feeling on the skin. This toner also has exfoliating properties but does not strip the skin.

For more information on Origins CLICK HERE

3.  Clinique – Clarifying Lotion

This is toner I am currently using and so far I am finding it really good. It is said to helps clear away pollution, dulling flakes for smooth, glowing skin.

It also is said to help pores look their smallest. Skin accepts moisture better. Grows more resistant to impurities. Stays healthier – all of these fabulous properties I am really hopeful will prove to be true. So far I am finding it good, it did bring out a few impurities in the form of small break outs but I was warned about this when purchasing. This has settled down now and I am finding my skin to be clearer. Only time will tell my true impressions!

For more info CLICK HERE

In conclusion my top tip for Friday is use a good toner and if at all possible use an anti-bacterial or balancing toner!

I hope you find this skin care tip helpful.

Xoxo

La Roche-Posay  - My Experience 

 La Roche-Posay – Products I Have Tried

Always a fan of good skin care and always on the lookout for a good skin care product I was eager to try La Roche-Posay. I have read and heard so many good reviews of this range but I really believe in trying products myself before passing judgement. So here you have it, my take on a few products from La Roche-Posay

Hydraphrase Intense Legere Moisturiser

Intensive Rehydrating Care

An amazing light but seriously hydrating moisturiser which is perfect for sensitive dehydrated skin. It softens, smoothes and hydrates but leaves no greasy residue on the skin. It is so suitable for people who get clogged pores and suffer from congested skin. A light texture which is absorbed easily. The only problem I have is that it is a pump dispenser and I predict having to cut the tube in half to get at least a quarter which will be trapped!

La Roche Posay Hydraphrase Intense Serum

Concentrated Rehydrating Gel

Beautifully effective serum for dry skin. A lot of similar serums sit on the skin and leave a greasy residue as opposed to being easily absorbed. This absorbs very quickly, is light & very effective for dry dehydrated skin. I found it worked really well when used with La Roche Posay Hydraphrase Intense Legere moisturiser. 3 or 4 pumps are more than enough for the face and neck before moisturiser. I have found that some similar products ‘over load’ the skin, clog pores and leave the skin too greasy for applying foundation. This is not a problem here: apply with finger tips, allow to absorb for 10 minutes and follow with moisturiser: foundation goes on with ease and stays put! A lovely, effective serum which is perfect for dry and sensitive skin.

La Roche Posay Eau

Thermal Spring Water

I thought thermal waters and sprays were another gimmicky add-on for my skin care routine until I used this: who would pay for a water spray and what could it do??? It is perfect for dry, sensitive skin which is prone to break-outs. I use it all the time but especially before cleansing, before moisturising in the morning and last thing at night before my night treatment. It feels lovely on the skin, has a cooling effect and seems to prevent break outs which I think can be attributed to the presence of selenium. I’ll be using this again with my Hydraphrase Intense Legere Moisturiser and La Roche Posay Hydraphrase Intense Serum

Over all my experience of these products a have been good. This is a gentle bt effective skin care range. I fully intend on trying more products from the range.

Xoxo

Product I love Today - Day 5

Products I love Challenge

This week I am setting myself a little challenge! For the next seven days I am hoping to write one post a new post each day showing one product that I have found recently, I have really enjoyed using and would highly recommend. True to my blogs name I hope to show a few “Great Little Finds”!

Product I love Today - Day 5 

 Nude Skin Highlighter by Dior 

*Apologies for the quality of these photos’s my camera was not at hand so had to resort to using my phone. 

I read a few reviews of this product and watched the ever talented Tanya Burr use it a few times as she completed beautiful make up looks that my decision to purchase was a definite! It was a little difficult to find, as it turned out more people than me were in the pursuit of a extra shimmer to their skin. Finally found, tried and tested and the conclusion drawn - I it! Yet again the Doir makeup range impresses and offers us users a high quality product the is simply beautiful on the skin. 

This magical powder is a subtle combination of fine mother-of-pearl in a transparent base. you can lightly apply it to the cheekbones, forehead, bridge of the nose and the chin and watch the glow on your skin cone alive! The powder aims to attract a maximum amount of light and recreate the dewy glow. It is leaning towards the natural look ( let's face it not many of us awake naturally with dewy perfect skin) but does not leave u fake, plastic or too polished looking. 

The texture is very soft and powdery. I prefer to use a brush for application rather than the applicator provided as I find my brush gives a more even finish. It blends really well on the skin. It comes in a plastic compact complete with sponge type applicator and mirror. 

I have been wearing this product a lot since I have purchased it. I think it adds a really delicate pretty finish to my cheeks, acts a perfect highlighter for the brow bone and a touch of shimmer in chosen spots around the face and neck! 

Overall I am a fan of highlighter and this product is really good, a stable in my makeup bag for summer. This product does exactly as it promises, it adds instant illumination to the skin. 

Xoxo 

Face-mask Me Please

Facemasks – the ultimate companion for a perfect pamper night. Like all my good skin care finds I am constantly on the lookout for a good one. My skin tends to be a little changeable but I find you cannot go too far wrong if you stick to the choosing a mask that fulfils one or all of the following properties, moisturising and cleansing/detoxifying and a hint of anti-aging just for good measures. Over the last few months I have been using a few different masks and here they are! Just to clarify my skin tends to be on the normal side, it is neither dry nor oily, and I am prone to the occasional breakout and hormonal difficulties. So here you have it, my current face mask picks!

Masque Doux Aromatique aux 3 Roses by Nuxe

This is a gentle purifying and clarifying mask for all skin types. It comes in a glass jar (which I find helps to get the mask really cool by placing it in the fridge 15 minutes before use). On opening this mask the first thing that hit me was the smell, it just smells so clean! There is a hint of very gentle tea tree and lavender. It contains oils and clarifying agents to leave the skin cleansed and restore radiance. I find this mask really gentle and over all really nice to use. I apply it using a flat foundation brush as I find the consistency of the mask rather light and the brush just allows for less waste and easy application. The mask has a fresh feeling on applying it to the skin. My skin is really soft after use and in no way dry. This mask is exactly as the name applies – gentle and cleansing. Priced at £18.50 or 24.99 for 50 ml it may be deemed as expensive but I find it a good purchase and worth the money.

INFO

Tri Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask by Elemis

This mask is part of the Tri Enzyme Skin Care Range. I have completed a separate post on this range just CLICK HERE

Since completing this post I have changed my routine a little but I continue to use this gel mask by Elemis. It is an anti ageing mask that aims to resurface the skin, renew the skin leaving it less dull and full of life. I like to use this mask at least one a week. It is a gel mask and it is potent so once applied you can feel a distinct tingling sensation, a sensation which you are advised will happen so for me this just means the mask is doing its job well. This mask does not dry the skin but I find I need to follow it with a rich moisturiser after use. If I do this I find my skin to be really fresh, even toned and bright. Again this mask is expensive at £48.00 or €56.00 but it is patent as mentioned therefore it lasts a long time. I have been using mine now for what seems like months and I find that my skin has improved and is over all better so I am contributing this improvement in part to the use of this mask.

Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm by Elemis

This little gem is multi-purpose and with each use it seems to impress me even more. I really enjoy using Elemis products in general but this product is the nicest I have used. It is a rich balm containing skin nourishing properties that just loves the skin and the skin seems to love the balm. It smells really good, it works as a treatment on the skin leaving it cleansed, radiant and really soft. I think it is pretty clear that I don’t have a bad word to day about this product. The pro-collagen element of the mask aids the elasticity of the skin so that is always a big bonus. When using this mask I love to apply it while having a bath and simply lay back and relax leaving the balm to do the work and I enjoy the aroma of the oils. Priced at £35 or €42 it is skin treat, a pamper treat and an all around great product.

INFO

Kaolin Clay Detoxifying Facial Mask by Michael Todd

Michael Todd seems to be a favourite for a fair few bloggers and admittedly I am relatively new to range (I absolutely love the toners from this range so much so I have reordered my second bottle) True Organic Range of products. I bought this mask when I was on the search for a mask with had good antibacterial properties as I was seeming to have constant recurrent blemishes in certain areas of my face. As I was very impressed with the toner (separate post to follow!) I was genuinely looking forward to trying this mask. On opening the bottle I was glad to see it has a pump for application with makes it less messy and means less wasting of the product. It is brown in colour and tick in consistency. It spreads across the face really easily. It has a very “detoxifying” aroma; again a hint of tea tree is definitely present! Unlike the above mentioned masks this one has a very potent smell. I find this mask gives a rather strong tingling sensation when applied and this lasts for almost the whole 15 minutes you leave it on your skin. It also becomes very hard so if you do not like the tightening sensation of many traditional face masks then this mask may not be for you. Removal, to my surprise, was really easy with warm water and a face cloth. After use my skin was a little tight n dry but just pop on a good moisturiser and it was back to good again. I also found after use this mask seem to push out any impurities and a little exfoliation the next morning and my skin clear and free of any imperfections or blemishes. Over all this is a strong potent face mask. I would only use it maybe once every two weeks or when I have breakouts or blemishes or when my skin needs a really good cleansing. Priced at £23 or €26 it is available online from the Michael Todd website.

INFO

Drink Up Intensive Moisturising Mask by Origins

Seeing as this winter season seems to have gone on forever I really wanted a good moisturising mask to give my skin a good lift and this is exactly what this mask does. It seems to be a favourite of many and rightly so. Avocado, Apricot, Kennel and seaweed are just a few ingredients that help the skin to build up reserves of moisture in the skin to keep it hydrated and help it look radiant. You simply cleanse your skin and pop this mask on, hop into bed and while you sleep the mask is doing the work. It smells nice and is gentle on the skin making it a really good product. Priced at £14 or €20 approx it is one of the less expensive in the Origins range but well worth it in comparison to the results received. INFO

These are the masks I am using at the moment. Alternating between them means that each mask lasts an extra long time and it also means that I can treat my skin according to its need at a particular time. I hope you found my opinion on the face masks I use helpful.

What face masks do you use? Have you any suggestions? Please leave a comment telling me below.

Thanks for taking the time to read 

Xoxo 

 ¬  No 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Brush 

What a little find! 

In my pursuit of deeply cleansed skin I literally found this cleansing brush my mistake. I was just wondering through Boots facial cleansers and the likes when a really helpful member of staff asked did I see the offer of the day. The offer was in fact this little brush. Reduced from €39.99 to €20 I simply had to treat myself. There have been so many mixed opinions on many cleansing brushes so this to me was a relatively inexpensive way of trying it out. 

This brush comes with a detachable rotating brush head which can be replaced and 2 batteries for operation. Extremely simple to use with one button function and 2 speeds. Press once for gentle rotation and press twice for a stronger rotation. I found the gentler option just right for my skin.

I did treat myself to No 7 Radiance Melting Cleanser but I have not used it as yet. I am really liking Vichy 3 in 1 Cleanser at the moment. I applied my cleanser lightly over my face and let the brush take over and do some work! Work it did. The rotating motion is a really pleasant sensation and my skin actually felt like it was getting cleaner as the brush did its magic. Playing special attention to my problem areas that are prone to breakouts I used the brush for maybe 5 mins. Using a washcloth I wiped my face clean and left to day. 

I have to say my skin already looked gleaming and defiantly clean. I like the deep cleaning and the results so far on my skin. The brush is not harsh at all. It does polish the skin and leaves it well exfoliated. I definitely intend to continue using this product every second night and hope the good results continue. 

At this price it is a find I would highly recommend! 

Do u use a cleansing brush? What has been your experience I would love to hear please leave a comment? 

Have a lovely weekend 

Xoxo