2019 Beauty Favourites: Skincare

Welcome back to the second of my 2019 Beauty Favourites. On Monday I shared with you all my make up favourites and today I'm going to share with you all the skincare that I discovered and loved this year. Now there are some missing catergories but that's because I haven't discovered anything new that beats previous favourites and I don't want to bore you by repeating everything all over again.

Cleanser: When it comes to cleansers I am by no means loyal to just one. I'm always on the lookout for new cleansers to try, especially if they can be considered dupes or replacements for products that cost the earth or have sadly been discontinued and this year's cleanser favourite is a latecomer but definitely worth the wait. The Sanctuary Melt Away Cleansing Oil is an amazing replacement for my much beloved but now discontinued Loreal Extraordinary Oil Cleanser. It's lightweight but effective and easily breaks down the most long wearing of mascaras and base products. I honestly didn't think I was going to find a product that worked as my well as that particular Loreal Cleanser but this does and it doesn't break the bank. It's something I'd been looking at for a while but I'm so glad I took the plunge and finally brought it.

Toner: Now if you've been around here for a while, you'll know that I am a big fan of the Pixi Toners. I've featured both the Glow Tonic and the Retinol Tonic in previous Yearly Favourites but this year both have been replaced by a toner I didn't even know was a thing until late last year. The REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic. Instead of containing Glyclolic Acid, this contains Lactic Acid which is gentler on skin but just as effective. I've been using this daily for over a year now and my skin has never looked or felt better. There is literally no texure, my redness looks reduced and my skin feels softer to the touch. I'm so impressed with how this changed my skin from the first use, plus the pump style bottle has meant I haven't wasted a drop. The first bottle lasted me a good six months and I've already had my second bottle for around four months and I've still got half of it left. If Glycolic Acid doesn't agree with your skin, I highly recommend giving this a go.


Mask: This year has been the year of chemical exfolitants over physical exfolitants. I've much preferred using AHA based products to exfoliate my skin over using harsh sugar or salt based scrubs which do nothing to irritate or oversensitise my skin. And my favourite this year has been the Revolution 30% AHA + 2% BHA Peeling Solution. It's a sure dupe for the same style product from The Ordinary but works just as well and is a lot more easy to buy. This is red in colour and works to chemically exfoliate any dead skin cells or texture from your skin. It's not for the faint hearted but if you've got skin that loves a good AHA product, this is for you. I love how baby soft my face feels after using this but I only reach for it only once every fortnight so that I don't disrupt the balance in my skin or irritate it in any way.

Serum: If you've been reading my posts for about the last year you'll know that I've been raving about the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. This is a weird yet magical hybrid of a product that acts like a serum but contains the benefits of a serum, moisturiser and mask all rolled into one. This is not cheap so I've been sparing with it but it's become my go to when I've got those horrible under the skin blemishes that come to nothing but look horrendous and disrupt how everything sits on your face. A little bit of this mixed into my nightly serum or even applied alone works to reduce any redness, inflammation and the next morning any blemishes that have been hanging around have been severely diminished or disappeared completely. This is definitely going to be my skin saviour going into 2020.

Moisturiser: Moisturisers can be a fickle thing. One minute they work and the next they aren't doing anything for your skin and instead are causing your foundation to ball up in the most unattractive way. I started the year with one of these moisturisers that cost me a pretty penny and I was beyond disappointed that stopped working after a month of use. So I stuck to serums and SPF's until the Autumn brought back my dry, rough to the feel skin. And that's when Liz Earle's Superskin Moisturiser came into my life. Rich in texture but light on the skin, this moisturiser has changed how my skin looks and feels as well as working to help it retain moisture for longer. It doesn't affect any make up applied over top and it's stopped my skin from feeling the rough effects of the colder weather.

Eye Cream: Eye creams and me have been on a journey of sorts but I have finally found my holy grail eye cream and it's all thanks to last year's M&S Beauty Calender. The Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream is a rich feeling eye cream that works to hydrate and reduce the signs of dark circles but isn't that rich in texture that it disrupts anything you apply over top. A little goes a long way and ever since I started using it at the end of last year, I have noticed that my under eye area has looked the best it has since my teens. I don't know how many of these I've gone through this year but I know that I'm going to go through many more in 2020 and I highly recommend checking it out if you're in the market for a new eye cream.

Facial Oil:  And lastly I discovered a new facial oil in 2019. The Botanics Overnight Facial Oil gave me major Garnier Miracle Sleeping Cream vibes when I discovered it, just in oil form. And it works in the exact same manner. It works overnight as you sleep to hydrate skin as well as working on improving the rate of cell turnover in your skin. It's like a good night's sleep in a bottle and whilst it's thick, somewhat greasy texture means you can't put it on and go straight to bed but you can easily let it sink in as you enjoy a chapter or two of your book or a good scroll through Twitter.

25 Day’s Of Beauty: Day Five

Welcome back to Day Five of 25 Day’s Of Beauty.

In today’s box I received a 30ml tube of the REn V-Cense Revitalising Night Cream. Containing a blend of Vitamin C, Frankincense and Wheatgerm, this cream claims to help rebalance skin overnight as you sleep as well keeping it hydrated and working against the first signs of ageing.

This is another product that I’ve happily kept out to try because again it meets my expectations as a consumer. It’s a decent sized tube and actually filled the majority of the box. I’ll definitely be giving this a go but I’m not sure how well it’s going to react with my skin as it is quite heavily fragranced.

Morning Skincare Routine

When I was a teenager my mum used to bang on about how I should be looking after my skin and being a typical teenager I ignored her advice. Fast forward ten years and looking after my skin has become one of the most important parts of my day. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wash my face or slather it in moisturiser and SPF and I've never dared to go to bed in my make up. And I'm happy to say that my skin is looking the best it's ever looked and I like to think it's down to the routines I have both AM and PM that have helped my skin. So today I thought I'd share with you my morning skincare routine that not only leaves my skin looking good but also creates a great base for  make up.

The first thing I have to do when I finally drag myself out of bed is wash my face. I don't know about all of you but my face doesn't always feel the greatest when I wake up. And depending on how lazy I'm feeling that particular day depends on what I use on my face. The majority of the time I wash my face and for that I reach for the Garnier Organic Lemongrass Face Wash. It's gel texture is extremely lightweight and leaves the skin feeling squeaky clean but not stripped. My skin always feels ultra soft after I've used it and the tangy Lemongrass scent really helps to knock away the last bit of sleepiness I may have. But if I'm feeling lazy or I've woken up with a headache (which is quite often) I reach for my Clean And Clear Sensitive Cleansing Lotion instead. Now before you all come at me and tell me off for using a product ridden with alcohol, I'll say I've been using this for nearly fourteen years and it's never had any adverse reaction with my skin. I just pour it onto a cotton pad and swipe it over my face. The amount of crap it can pull off my skin still surprises me to this day and it leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed even if I'm not feeling it myself.

After I've washed my face I always go in with a toner. It wasn't always a step I included in my routine but I've been doing it since the beginning of the year and I've really noticed a difference in my skin. My favourite morning toner is the REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic. This is packed with Lactic Acid, Azelaic Acid and Willow Bark that work to even out skintone, reduce the appearence of enlarged pores and reduce the feeling and appearence of texture on the skin. I love it's pump top that distributes the right amount onto the cotton pad. And it's works wonders on my skin. My skin looks glowy, feels softer and looks even and bright which creates the perfect base for make up.

Now it's time to start adding some moisture and to start that I spritz myself generously with the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spray. It's jam packed with ingredients such as Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Camomile and Calendula. It helps to reduce any redness I may have and soothes my skin if it's feeling a little sensitive. It also makes a great setting spray over top of make up if you don't want something heavy duty. I've lost count of the amount of these I've gone through but I seriously wouldn't be without.

During the Summer months I only reach for a lightweight serum but in the Autumn/Winter I add a moisturiser over top. As we're still in Summer, I'm only going to show you my serum today. My holy grail serum comes from Loreal in the form of their Hydra Genius Aloe Water. It's so lightweight and just quenches skin's thirst. It feels like you've just splashed your face with water but that feeling lasts all day. It's perfect for layering under moisturiser, SPF and make up and will keep skin looking and feeling hydrated all day long. It's available for different skin types as well so even if you've got oily skin, you'll be able to use this on your skin.

Then it's on to SPF and this is one of the most important steps in my routine. I spent my teenage years being a SPF dodging, sun worshipping little shit and I'm honestly surprised it doesn't show in my skin more. But for the last five years I've religiously applied SPF to my face daily, even if I'm just nipping down to the shops. The one I find works best with my skin comes from Hawaiian Tropic and was recommened to me by a friend. It's oil free which means it isn't going to weigh down skin or clog pores, it's lightweight so it can be layered under make up and it's suitable for all skin types so that even those with sensitive/reactive skin types can use this. And for an SPF it's surpisingly moisturising which means on days when I''m just popping down the shops, I can pop this on and forgoe moisturiser.

And finally there is eye cream. Now if you've been a reader of the blog for a while then you'll know I've been on a bit of an eye cream journey over the last few years but now I can safely say I have not one but two eye creams that I would never be without. One is only for evening use and will certainly be featured in my August Favourites but the one I reach for every morning without fail is the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream. It's ultra hydrating, soothing, firming and reduces any puffiness I may have. And all that works to give me a brighter under eye area with less blue tones, especially in the corners where it's always darkest. A little goes a long way and ever since I've been using this every morning, both my foundation and concealer have been going on more evenly in that particular area.

Mid Year Beauty Favourites

 

How is it July already? How are we already halfway through 2019? I literally can't believe that we are now entering the second half of the year. But with half of the year having already passed, I thought it was time to share with you five beauty products that I've been obsessed with over the last six months.

Loreal can be very hit and miss as a brand but earlier in the year they released a hit that I've not been able to stop using since I brought it. Their Infallible Magic Essence Drops are singlehandedly the best budget friendly primer drops available at the moment. A little questioning in their colour but actually amazing for both the skin and any make up applied over top. Not only do they help with the longevity of your make up, they also help to moisturise, soothe and even out the appearence of skin beforehand. They are literally my go to primer when I'm prepping my skin and the size of the jar whilst decent is also travel friendly and will last an age as only a miniscule amount is required for great results.

For the longest time I've been a massive fan of the Pixi Glow Tonic. It was my go to AM acid based toner but back at the beginning of the year I finally branched out and tried another that I'd been eyeing up and I haven't looked back since. The REN Ready Steady Glow Toner has completely changed how my skin looks and feels. Gone are the days of dull, lifeless looking skin. My skin has never looked better, it's softer, brighter and apart from the generic hormonal breakouts once a month, my skin has been a lot clearer since I started using this toner. After my AM cleanse, I douse a cotton pad with this toner and swipe it around my face, the lactic acid based formula working to exfoliate and clarify my skin. I still occasionally use the Pixi Glow Tonic but this toner has taken it's top spot.

Another product I finally picked up towards the beginning of the year comes from Revolution. Their 30% AHA+2% BHA Peeling Solution isn't one for the faint hearted, it's extreme exfoliation and purifying properties really giving the skin a workout. Red in colour and left on for ten minutes maximum, this mask is a great once a week treat for the skin. I love using this before any big event that I have coming up just to give my skin a little more of a pick me up that can sometimes be lost when your skin has gotten used to a product. Unless your skin is used to products that have a high percentage of acid in them, I'd say this isn't for those with more reactive/sensitive skins as it's quite potent and can take a bit of getting used to.

I've tried many a liquid lipstick formula and I have a few I love but earlier this year Flower Beauty was finally released over here in the UK. And their liquid lipsticks quickly reached the top of my favourite lipsticks list. These liquid lipsticks are very mousse like in texture which makes them feel very lightweight on the lips. They dry down to more of a traditional powder matte finish but they're still comfortable and long wearing without leaving you with prune lips. Opaque in one swipe, these lipsticks don't require a lot of work to create a stunning lip look but where they are so lightweight, they're easy to layer without creating a cracking, balling or drying the lips out. I have two shades so far out of the collection and I've worn them more than I've worn some of my other 'favourite' liquid lipsticks this year.

And my last mid year favourite is one that's still quite new out but I've loved enough to already be halfway through my second bottle. I adored the Barry M Setting Sprays when they first released them so when I heard they were doing a more skincare based Serum Spray I was intrigued. I didn't know if they were going to be any good and out of the two they initally released, the coconut one is the better one of the two. And oh my god, this spray is amazing. Ultra fine, light feeling on the skin that leaves it feeling hydrated and ready for the next step in your skincare routine. I can't get enough of this and have a tendency to spritz this over top of my make up in place of setting spray to keep my skin hydrated. It's also quite cooling and would be even more cooling if placed in the fridge before use which makes it the perfect product to keep on hand throughout Summer. I can guarantee that I'm going to go through many more of these before the year is out. 

Monthly Favourites: January

Oh hi there, anyone remember me? I need to start this post by apologising for my absence. I had a insane week last week where I completely lost track of the days and then spent the end of the week and the weekend suffering from some sort of stomach bug. All is well now though and today I'm back (a bit later than planned) with my Monthly Favourites. I was going to try and change the format of these posts this year and only share five favourites each month but this month I have an absolute ton I want to talk about and I couldn't bring myself to cutting it down to just five.

I haven't been wearing a lot of make up this month and have been more focused on adapting and curating my skincare routine. Some things I've stopped using completely whilst others I've replaced with other products and some like my first favourite have been a welcome addition. The REN Ready Steady Glow AHA Tonic has become my new daily AM toner and has compeletely changed how my skin looks and feels. With a AHA based formula consisting highly of Lactic Acid, this works to resurface, retexturise and brighten skin. Ever since I started using this my skin has felt softer, looked smoother and looked a lot brighter and more revitalised as ever. I don't understand why it's taken me so long to try this but I know for a fact that this is going to be a highly repurchased product in the future.

I am so fussy when it comes to eye creams and I'm always on the look out for one that'll work better than the last. I'd like to say that I've found 'the one' but I'm also trying another eye serum at the moment. However for the majority of the month I've been using and loving the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream. Usually a product calling itself 'Wonder' makes me wary as they usually turn out to be disastarous but this eye cream happily lives up to it's name. My under eye area has never looked as good before and I believe it's all to do with this cream. It's lightweight, hydrating and helps to reduce the appearence of my dark circles. Again this is another product that's been added to my repurchases list.

The last beauty favourite I've got this month is something I was extremely wary of using but now can't get enough of. The Revolution 30% AHA-BHA Peeling Solution is a high AHA based mask. It looks and is advertised exactly the same as The Ordinary's 30% AHA-BHA Mask but I haven't tried that so I can't compare. What I can say is that this may seem hella intimidating but in fact is what my skin has been crying out for. Not for those with extremely sensitive/reactive skin, this intense exfoliator works to resurface, retexturise and brighten the complexion. And oh boy does it do that. After I use this my face feels as soft as a baby's butt. Like I can't stop stroking my face after I use this and it's effectiveness really shows when I apply make up afterwards. My foundation/concealer doesn't stick to any rough or dry patches. It just glides on and blends nicely into my skin. I highly recommend trying it out, I even managed to persuade Jasmin to buy a bottle.

January has been a month full of sleeping issues. There has been many a night where I've found it hard to drift off, to shut my brain off whilst other nights I wake a good two or three times and find it hard to get back to sleep. Which is where my next favourite comes in. The This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray has been a godsend to me. Lavender based, this gentle mist works to help relax and soothe senses, lulling you easily into the land of nod. I've used this so many times when I've found it hard to sleep or hard to get back to sleep that I've actually had to purchase a full size bottle so I don't run out.

And to go alongside the Deep Sleep Pillow Spray is the This Works Stress Check Breathe In. I need to buy a full size one of these I've used it so much. A lot of my trouble sleeping is because I have a tendency to overthink everything which leads to me getting worked up and anxious about something that hasn't happened or won't even happen at all. A little bit of this on my pulse points or anywhere on my skin that'll get warm and I'm instantly at ease. Sure the things I've been overthinking still niggle at the back of my head but they pushed far back enough that I can relax and eventually drift off to sleep.

Paperchase this month released singlehandly the best mug I'll ever own. Yes those are boobs of all shapes and sizes adorning my morning tea cup. I absolutely adore this mug and as soon as I saw it I knew I had to get it. I've not stopped drinking from it and it's even managed to raise a few eyebrows in the family. It's cheeky yet unoffensive and possibly the best nine quid I've ever spent.

Back in December I brought what has become my all time favourite sweatshirt of all time. This Nightmare Before Christmas sweatshirt cost me a bit more than I admittedly like to spend on sweatshirts but has been worth every penny. I brought this in a 2XL so I it's extremely oversized and cosy and I can't stop wearing it. No matter where I go, I have to wear this. It even manged to get me a compliment off a cute guy from HMV.

Another sweatshirt/jumper I've lived in this month is this super soft, super cosy pj sweatshirt from Primark. It's extremely hard to put into words just how soft this is. It's perfect for cosying up when it's cold with a cuppa in my boob mug and watching a film or reading a book (another obsession of mine). I again got this in a 2XL as I wanted it to be super oversized and it doesn't disappoint. I've even gone and brought it in blue I love it that much.

January was a good TV month for me. I started the month watching the amazing series called Killing Eve. I'd seen it advertised when it first aired but didn't really care for watching it. However I got a clip of it online and just had to watch it. I marathoned all eight episodes in three days and am eager for the next season to be released. Sandra Oh was amazing as Eve but it was Jodie Comer as Villanelle that really blew me away. The multiple layers she had as a character partnered with the physcotic manner in which she worked made me love her more than a villian should. If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend it. All eight episodes are currently available on iPlayer, trust me you won't be disappointed.

If you live in the UK and are an avid watcher of the BBC, you'll know that every January is Silent Witness month. It's singlehandly one of my favourite crime shows on TV and this series has to have some of it's best episodes to date. With a star packed cast, present and realistic storylines and a good deal of humour to lighten the tone, this show is a firm favourite in my house and anyone who watches it will understand why. Some of the stand out moments this year for me has been seeing Clarissa out in the field more, Nikki and Matt's relationship and just Jack in general. He's a total babe and these last two episodes that have aired have been very Jack heavy and I can't complain about that.

And my last favourite is one whose return I've been waiting for, for what seems like forever. STRIKE BACK IS BACK! Can you tell I'm happy about that. Only the season opener has aired so far but I'm already hooked again and dying for the next nine episodes. Alin Sumarwata, Dan Macpherson and Warren Brown are all back in their much loved roles but this time they are joined by newcomers Jamie Bamber, Yasemin Kay Allen and Varada Sethu. I can't wait to see how they interact with the three musketeers and where this season takes them. Only one episode in and we're seeing a darker, grittier side to the team that could lead to some interesting sub plots later in the season.

Marks And Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar Day Nine

Welcome back to Day Three in my 25 Days of Beauty Series where I show you what I get in my Marks and Spencers Advent Calender.

In today's box I recieved a generous sized tube of the REN V-Cense Revitalising Night Cream. It's advertised as a multi action cream that is to be applied to the face and neck each evening. It claims to smooth skin, even out uneven skin tone and reduce the appearence of fine lines whilst helping to protect from enviromental aggressors that cause premature ageing. 

I don't think I'm going to get much use out of this cream. It feels nice on the back of my hand but it's not what I look for in a night cream and I already have one that I use religiously. However I believe this could do wonders for the skin as REN skincare products are extremely effective and work well on a multitude of skin types.

Marks And Spencer Beauty Advent Calender Day Seventeen

Welcome back to Day Seventeen in my 25 Days of Beauty Series where I show you what I get in my Marks and Spencers Advent Calender. 

 In today's box I revieved a sample tube of the REN Keep Young And Beautiful Instant Firming Beauty Shot. This is a gel serum that hydrates, firms, lifts and plumps skin in an instant. It can be applied under moisturiser as part of your normal skincare routine but can also be applied over make up to give skin a quick boost without disrupting make up. 

I am really looking forward to trying this out. It sounds like an instant boost for skin that will refresh and hydrate without weighing skin down or clogging pores. I'm most likely going to use this predominently under make up but to see how it works over make up, I will give it a go. I'm sure there will be a full review of this on the blog if I like it.