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.

Top 5 Secret Santa Gifts

Now last month I shared with you my Christmas Gift Guides and thought that would be helpful to those looking for gift ideas. Until last week at work we drew our Secret Santa and had to start thinking of a capped £10 budget present. And with that in mind I thought I'd put together five Secret Santa gifts that will stay within the price range, be great value for money and look like you've put more effort in that you possibly have.

Soap And Glory Special Edition Soaper Heroes Gift Set £10
If you're buying for some beauty obessed this Soap and Glory would be right up their street. Containing five miniatures inlcuding a tube of Hand Food and a tub of their ever famous The Righteous Butter, this set is perfect for those who are either big fans of Soap and Glory or who have never tried it before. I know I know a lot of my colleagues would like this if I got it for them. Plus it's right on price range.

Bayliss and Harding Beauticology Carnival 5 Mini Piece Set £8.50
I know of several people who'd love to recieve this Bayliss and Harding Set as a Secret Santa gift. There are so many variations of Bayliss and Harding to choose from but this mini five piece set was the one that caught my eye. Including scents like Toffee Popcorn and Candy Apple, this set includes a shower gel, body lotion and hand cream, giving the reciever of this set a little bit of everything. Plus it's adorably packaged and who can turn down adorable packaging this time of the year. And coming in at £8.50, this gives you enough change to treat them to a mini selection pack as well.

  

Anthropologie Gold Monogram Mug £8
I recieved a travel mug last year for my Secret Santa but would happily accept one of these gorgeous inital mugs as a gift. Well built with a gorgeous gold handle and foiled inital, there is one for every letter of the alphabet, meaning you're sure to find your recipents inital. And at £8, you'll again have money left over for chocolate or some sweet treats to go with it.

Yankee Candle Spiced White Cocoa Small Jar Candle £8.99
 Who doesn't love a candle and Yankee Candle does some absolutely divine scents. And their small jar candles are just enough for a Secret Santa gift. There are so many to chose from including divine smells such as Baby Powder, Candy Cane Lane, Vanilla Buttercream and Spiced White Cocoa. These candles burn between 25-40 hours which means someone is going to get good use of this and it's not going to take you over you price range.

Hawaiian Tropic Golden Paradise Body Mist £10
And my last Secret Santa gift option is a body mist. Not as strong as a perfume but not as weak as a body spray, these mists are perfect gifts for fragrance lovers. Hawaiian Tropic do an amazing range of scents inlcuding my personal favourite Golden Paradise. It smells exactly like holidays, with notes of coconut. And for a mist it lasts quite a while on the skin however it doesn't last as long as an EDP would but what do you expect for half the price. What I like about this as a gift is that they are generous sized bottles for a brilliant price. You get 200ml of product for £10 and it'll not only last on your skin but will last in general for a long time. Definitely give these a smell if you're thinking of going down the fragrance route.

Summer Essentials: Skincare

There's been a theme to some of my posts this month, all revolving around the warmer weather we've been having and finally saying hello to Summer. Today and Wednesday's posts are no different, both are going to be taking you through the products I consider essential to survive the Summer months and the sometimes inescapable heat.The majority of the time I'd jump straight into talking you through the make up I use to make myself look somewhat presentable throughout the warmer months. However today I thought I'd start with skincare because no matter the weather my skin needs that good foundation to work make up over top of so it can look as good as possible.

When it comes to cleansing I am big fan of cleansers that require warm water and flannel to be removed. And whilst there are a whole host of brilliant cleansers out there, in the warmer months you don't want one that will feel too thick on the skin and potentially clog pores causing later irritation. The Garnier Micellar Gel Wash is one of my go to cleansers when it's hot and humid. It's gel formula is lighter than other cream based cleansers and it's micellar technology grabs onto impurities and wipes them away without weighing skin down with excess product. It can be used to remove make up as well as on bare skin and is even suitable for those with more sensitive skins.

If you don't have time to a thorough cleanse or you're having a late night, micellar water is a better option for cleansing over other options such as face wipes. Simple have recently released a new version of their original micellar water. Their Water Boost Micellar Water cleanses skin as well as the original but also has the added bonus of giving skin a burst of hydration at the same time. I don't find myself reaching for a micellar as often as I do a proper cleanser but if my skin needs a refresh or it's a particularly late night, they definitely do what I need them to do.

Something about the warmer weather makes me use facial sprays a lot more than I do during the colder months. I think it's because they're very refreshing and can be taken on the go to give skin that instant boost it sometimes needs. My personal favourite is Liz Earle's Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer. Containing Aloe Vera, Calendula and Cucumber this works to not only refresh the skin but soothe it at the same time. It sprays quite a large amount of product out but it doesn't leave skin feeling drenched or sopping wet. It's the most refreshing spritz I've tried and a few sprays of this whilst I'm at work instantaneously makes my skin feel revived even if the rest of me is sweating balls.

Another brilliant spray comes from Pixi. It's not my favourite spray but the citrus extracts that are woven throughout the formula are very reviving and renergising. It's bit more hit and miss spray wise and too much can leave skin feeling more sweaty than soothed but it's not the worst spray on the market. I enjoy mixing the two together, especially in the morning so that my skin feels refreshed and awakened, ready for the day ahead.

Serum is an integral part of my routine all year round but when it's hot outside and you know that you're skin's going to be sweating within five minutes of leaving the house, you want something lightweight, that will let your skin breathe. Loreal's Hydra Genius Liquid Moisturiser is one of the best lightweight serum/moisturiser hybrids on the market at the moment. Containing nothing more that Aloe Water and Hyaluronic Acid, this works to give skin an instant boost of hydration as well as working deeper down into skin where it stays and releases slowly over time whenever skin needs that boost. It's perfect for layering under SPF and make up and it's lightweight texture doesn't leave skin feeling clogged or weighed down.

A new product that I've been thoroughly enjoying not only because it's hydrating and lightweight but also because it can be mixed with other products to create a blend that meets all your skin's needs. The new Simple Hydrating Booster is a serum based product that can be added to other serums and moisturisers to add a boost of hydration. This has been a saviour on the days where I haven't been using the Loreal as it's so easy to add to any other product I use. It's not as effective on it's own but paired with a lightweight moisturiser or a brightening serum it works wonders. I've found myself reaching for this more in the evening to rejuvenate my skin whereas the Loreal works better for me in the morning.

You can just use serum to hydrate skin but I always find it best to lock it in with a moisturiser over top so skin benefits from the products layered below. And whilst in the Winter when skin is slightly drier, rich moisturisers are brilliant, lighter moisturisers are the way to go during Summer. My go to everyday moisturiser is the Garnier Moisture Bomb Glow Enhancer Water Cream. It contains Pomegranate Extract and Hyaluronic Acid to really hydrate skin and leave it feeling hydrated all day long. It's peach colouring adds a glow to the skin which shines through make up beautifully and gives skin a lit from within look, without making you look sweaty. And because it's a water cream, it's incredibly lightweight on the skin but still effective.

And for days when I haven't been wearing make up (most days), there has been another water cream that I've been thoroughly enjoying. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cream is a lot like the Garnier Moisture Bomb range wherein it contains Hyaluronic Acid and not a lot else and claims to slowly release hydration throughout the day. It's ever so slightly thicker than the Garnier which is perfect for those non make up days as it's a lot more nourishing and there is no worry about make up peeling or balling over top. A full review of this is coming Friday but I will say this has come in very handy with the hot, humid days we had at the beginning of the month.

The last skincare essential for me is actually an everyday essential but during the hotter months it's especially necessary for my skin. SPF for both the body and the face is a big part of my summer routine. As a kid I could spend hours laid out in the sun, loving the golden hue my skin would turn but as I've gotten older I've really come to hate the idea of sitting in the sun for many reasons. Firstly and most importantly for my health, we all know it's not healthy to sit in the sun for long periods of time but also because I'm just darn lazy and hate the idea of having to find another foundation shade to match a tan which probably won't last long. And that's where SPF comes in. For my body I'm very happy to use Superdrug's own brand Solait, it's not thick, does what it's supposed to do and doesn't break the bank. And considering I don't get a lot of my body out regularly, I don't see the point of paying big bucks for something that can sometimes be seldom used. For my face however it's a different story.

Having slightly reactive skin means that the wrong product can cause an instant reaction that could take a good week or two to soothe and clear. The Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Face SPF30 is one of the products that didn't cause that. It's lightweight, oil free, has UVA/UVB protection and is suitable for sensitive skins. It does have a slight white cast to it but it doesn't cause any flashback or is obvious on it's own or through make up. I actually quite like it as it seems to even my skin out ever so slightly and makes applying product over top easier. There are two versions of this product and I'd advise going for the one that looks more brown in tone over the yellow toned one. The yellow toned one is heavier and leaves a film like feeling on the skin which essentially leaves skin feeling absolutely gross after a full day in humidity.

And the other product I've been loving because it's quick and easy is the Garnier Moisture Bomb Ultra-Protecting SPF30 Face Mist. Containing the same ingredients as the rest of the Moisture Bomb Range (Pomegranate Extract and Hyaluronic Acid), this ultra fine aerosol mist offers hydration as well as protection from UVA/UVB as well as pollution. Sure such a fine mist doesn't seem like it would do a lot but it actually works and works well. Skin feel protected and hydrated but not drenched or clogged. It's perfect for taking on the go and using as a top up throughout the day and it's ability to be used over make up is just another tick in my box. I use this on days when I'm just nipping to the shops and feeling a bit lazy because I know I'm not losing any of the protection for my skin and am just really taking a shortcut to look after it instead.

Top 5 Tips For Summer Skin

Summer is well and truly here. And whilst it's nice to have longer days, constant sunshine and memorable times with friends, we sometime we forget that Summer can take it's toll on us and our skin. My skin especially has suffered since the temperatures rose and it's taken a lot of patience and trial and error to get it back to a place where I'm happy with it. So today I thought I'd share with you my Top 5 Tips for happy summer skin.

Hydration Is Key
Now this is something I'm terrible at, I never drink enough water, I try but it just never works. However when I do manage to guzzle down my allotted two litres a day, I see a major difference in my skin. It looks brighter, clearer and even feels more supple to the touch. Sure waters not the most delicious taste wise but it is the quickest way to hydrate both your body and skin. With the UK heating up, I have been managing to work through two lites a day and I'm so glad I have. If plain tap water isn't for you, there is an array of flavoured waters out there that will do exactly the same thing. If you struggle to drink 2 litres a day, try picking up a 2 litre bottle of water from the supermarket and seeing how much you can drink in a day. Trust me, when you see it like that, it'll make you want to finish the bottle.

SPF Is Essential
If there is one thing I'm extra pedantic about during the Summer months, it's SPF. Facial SPF is an everyday essential for me anyway and I never go a day without it which means I'm free to focus more on making sure my body is protected. Now I'm not the best at remembering to apply SPF everytime I leave the house but for those days when I know I'm going to be out and about a lot then I make sure I'm covered, head to toe. And for my body I have to say I don't buy into all the big brands that claim to last all day long or stay strong even after being exposed to water. Superdrug's Solait Body Sun Lotions are just as good as any big brand I've tried in the past and I find that for a SPF they don't leave skin feeling like their covered in a film like other brands can. However the Solait facial SPF doesn't agree with my skin (too clogging) and not many brands do high quality facial SPFs. That's where Hawaiian Tropic and Garnier step up as brands. The Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Face with SPF is lightweight, oil free and works wonderfully under make up. It's also suitable for those with sensitive skins and won't clog pores. Or if that's not your cup of tea there is the Garnier Moisture Bomb Multi-Protecting Mist with SPF 30. It's aerosol formula and lightweight feel makes it perfect for taking on the go. Plus it can be used over make up without disruption and also boost skins hydration whilst protecting it at the same time.

Facial Sprays Will Be Your Best Friend
If there is one thing I can't live without during the warmer months, it's a facial spray. They're lightweight on the skin, a quick fix and ninety-nine percent of the time don't disrupt what little make up I have on. Refreshing, toning and hydrating all in one, a facial spray is a brilliant handbag product that you can use anytime. Brands such as La Roche Posay and Liz Earle do miniatures of their facial sprays which make them more travel friendly but if you can carry around a 100ml deodorant then I'm sure you have room for a 100ml facial spray as well. I always make sure I have a facial spray on me, especially when at work. No air con and a windowless upstairs make it very humid very quickly.

Cleanse, Cleanse, Cleanse
We all know how it is in the Summer. It's hot and as much as we try we can't always avoid the less than ladylike act of sweating. And that's where properly cleansing our face comes in handy. Whether you've been wearing make up or not, thoroughly cleansing skin is a big part of not only good skin in general but good skin in the Summer. Oily skintypes fair better with lighter gel based cleansers as not to clog the skin or cause it to create more oil. Dry to normal skin types can use oil based cleansers as they can replace the hydration and nourish deeper into skin whilst simultaneously removing all signs of dirt and grime. Garnier's SkinActive Botanicals line is brilliant if you're looking for a cleanser. There's a cleanser out there for everyone in the range and you can chop and change between the ranges to create your perfect skincare routine.

Keep It Light
And my last tip is to keep everything light. Skincare and make up, it's best to keep it light in the warmer months. Not only do you look like you have a natural summer glow about you but you don't have to worry about it running and looking less than perfect a mere twenty minutes after you've applied. And it does your skin the world of good. Heavier make up will more than likely sit in any open pores the heat/humidity has created and in the long run it's going to clog them up and create blemishes which is the last thing any one wants. Lighter layers not only will leave skin feeling more like skin but will give it a natural glow and will be easier to work with if touch ups are necessary. Skincare wise I'd advise trying any of the new breed of moisturiser on the market. Brands such as Neutrogena, Loreal and Garnier all have their versions of a water cream, which isn't just a big drink for skin but also lighter and more effective as they work deeper than the skin's surface and slowly work over time. That then helps the appearance of your make up and it's not going to look powdery or dry in places and if you use a cushion foundation or BB cream type product you'll have healthy looking skin without it feeling to clogged down or blocked up. Loreal's Nude Magique Cushion Foundation and the Rosie For Autograph Sheer Finish Complexion Enhancer are light coverage that can be built up where necessary without looking or feeling like too much on the skin.

Product Empties: January

It's a new year and what's a better way to start the new year by throwing away all your trash. And you can tell how long it's been since I've done an empties as there is actually some make up in there.

I finished not one but two of the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleansers. This is one of my favourite cleansers and I go through them like I don't know what. They're very soothing on my skin whilst removing my make up. The blend of calendula, lavender and vitamin e means they also nourish my skin whilst helping to calm my redness. I'm halfway through a third bottle of this and can see myself going through many more this year.

Another cleansing product I went through is ths Clean and Clear Cleansing Lotion. This appears in most of my empties as I go through a few bottles of this a year. I've been using this for just over a decade now and it's a product I put my good skin down to. Sure it has alcohol in it but it doesn't dry my skin out and helps calm any potential breakouts or spots I may have. A little goes a long way and this is something that'll be reappearing throughout the year.

I also went through two bottles of the B Hyaluronic Acid Facial Spritz. I only started using this last year but I've already gone through a load of bottles. This is mainly just Hyaluronic Acid which will not only moisturise skin but lock any other moisturising products in for longer. This won't irritate sensitive skin and can be used over make up, a brilliant bonus during those hotter months. It's a holy grail product so it's obviously going to be used a lot this year as well.

I finally finished my bottle of Pixi Glow Tonic. This is only a small bottle but it lasted for ages. I love this for after make up as it not only soothes skin but revitalies skin and the glycolic acid helps to retexturise the skin as well. Suitable for even sensitive skin types, a little goes a long way and I'm going to enjoy using this some more this year.

A serum I used up is this one from Clearly Youthful. It contains, Lactic, Salicyclic and Hyaluronic Acid which not only helps boost cell renewal but adds moisture and helps stop the spread of blemish creating bacteria. I absolutely love this serum, it's very lightweight but powerful. It's perfect for the evening as it will cling to any sleeping mask/night cream and keep it working for longer.

An SPF I've finished up comes from Hawaiian Tropic. I will admit until last year I didn't use a facial SPF but ever since I was recommended this one I haven't looked back. Oil free, suitable for sensitive skin and lightweight, this SPF doesn't leave skin feeling like there is a film over the top. It's very moisturising on the skin and creates a brilliant base for make up. Defnitely going to be going through more bottles this year.

I went through a pack of the Garnier Oil Infused Micellar Wipes. These are amazing. I tend not to use these to take off my make up but to take off my lipstick. These wipes are that saturated in their oily formula that they break down the toughest of liquid lipsticks quickly and easily.
The Simple Brightening Eye Make Up Remover Pads are a nice way to get everything off your eyes without using a tone of remover. They're soaked just enough to work but not enough to leave the eye feeling greasy.
The Superdrug Charcoal Nose Strips may be budget friendly but they're potent. One of these on for ten minutes and you can kiss goodbye to those pesky blackheads. I threw a few packets of these away but managed to save this one.

A couple of body bits I used up are this Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub. It's very scrubby in feeling and never fails to leave my skin feeling smooth and supple. I go through quite a few of these a year so you know these will be a regular occurence in my empties posts.

I also used up a Father Christmas Bath Bomb from Lush. Not only is he a cute design but smells divine and is real delight to drop into the bath. I used this just before Christmas and the deep green colour it turned the bath water put me in such a festive mood and feel. I'll definitely be picking more up when they release them next.

I finished some make up. It just tells you how long I've been collecting this stuff for. I used up another bottle of my Maybelline Superstay Setting Spray. This locks make up in place but doesn't make it too matte or dry looking. It also helps remove any signs of cake face.
When I wasn't using the Maybelline I was using the Barry Matte Setting Spray. This was nice to use but did sometimes make my face feel dry and my make up look cakey. If I repurchased this I think I'd opt for the Dewy Finish instead.
And the Barry M Primer Water was a winner. It really added a boost to the skin and worked well with my other primers to lock make up into place. Definitely going to be seeing more of these in empties posts.

A mascara I finshed was the Maybelline Go Colossal Extreme Leather Black. It has a tapered bristle brush which gives lashes a fanned out, volumised yet somewhat natural look. I have another one on the go but am drying it out as I prefer the finish it gives when it's a bit dry in consistency.
A pair of eye lash curlers I'm throwing out are these ones from Primark. They've lost all their oomph and weren't curling my lashes as well as they did at the beginning. I've got more on hand but would happily repurchase these if the need arose.

And finally a couple of base products I've finished. Another tube of the Collection Lasting Finish Concealer. This is my Holy Grail concealer and I think I go through at least one tube a month. It's high coverage but isn't drying or cakey.
Another Collection product I've finished is their Pressed Powder in Ivory. There is still some product in there but when I swept my brush in it, the edges just shattered so it's best to throw it away then to risk dropping all of that onto my floor. It's uber lightweight and perfect for setting under the eyes.

Updated Morning Routine

When it comes to skincare there aren't many products that work for me longer than a few months. I usually end switching things up and seeing if a different combination of products work better for my skin. Lately though I've had a set few products that haven't changed in how they work with my skin and haven't had to be swapped out with something else.

When it comes to morning cleansers I only have one that I religiously go to. That is the Clean and Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion. It's been my morning cleanser for the last decade and never has it stopped giving me the same results. It's an almighty cleanser that removes all signs of last night's make up, dirt, grime and any sweat from sleep. A lot of people say it's too drying for everyday use as it contains Salicylic Acid which can dry skin out. However if you use this in conjunction with hydrating products then there will be no problems. I pop some of this onto a cotton pad and wipe it over my face, avoiding the eye area. It wakes skin up whilst it cleanses, leaving skin feeling refreshed and awake. I've lost count of how many bottles of this I've used in the last ten years.

If my skin is feeling a bit out of wack whether due to hormones or a bad reaction to a mask or treatment I then go in with a bit of this B Essence Lotion. It contains Allatonin that is brilliant at soothing any blemishes, breakouts, irritation or reactions. A little bit of this goes a long way and it locks in soothing properties whilst also locking in skin's hudration. Pop a bit of this between your hands and then pat it on the face like a man would do with aftershave. Skin will instantly feel soothed and refreshed. It also helps reduce the look and feel of any texture on the face so if you have issues with exfoliants or treatments containing Glycolic Acid then this will work just as well.

Once that's soaked into the skin I take my Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer and spritz it liberally across my face. This works in the same way as the essence lotion but has just a couple more calming properties that help reduce the appearence of any redness on my face. It's an all natural product so if you have extremely sensitive skin then this won't cause you any issues. This can be used in place of the essence lotion but I like to do both steps to make sure my skin calms down before I apply any serum or moisturiser.

For ages I believed the Garnier Moisture Bomb Day Cream wouldn't suit my skin but when every other serum wasn't working for me I gave this a go. I was lucky enough to have this gifted to me from a friend but would definitely recommend picking it up when in your local Boots next. It contains Hyaluronic Acid and Pomergranite Extract which locks moisture into place and slowly releases it throughout the day. It has a slightly runnier consistency than most serums but it just means that it absorbs quicker into the skin. You barely need to rub this into skin as it sinks right in. Definitely a favourite if you have dry to dehydrated skin.

 Then it's time for SPF and I absolutely love the Hawaiian Tropic Facial SPF. This has an SPF of 30 and has quite a few moisturising properties. This is oil free, non greasy and suitable for sensitive skin. It's got a very nice blurring effect on the skin and will give skin a perfected look once it's soaked in. One pump of this is enough to make sure everywhere on my face is covered and I don't have to worry about any sun damage on my skin. I've gone through a ton of these as it's the only SPF that hasn't broken me out.

And the last part of my routine is eye cream. I've tried so many different eye creams but none of them have worked as well as the Olay Total Effects Eye Cream. This is a very light cream that helps reduce the signs of ageing as well as smoothing and hydrating the unde rye area. It's helped reduce the look of my dark circles amazingly and really helps wake me up in the morning. I like to pat this all along the under eye area and over my eyelid to make sure they're totally covered.

That's it for my morning skincare routine. For some it may seem like a lot of products but everyday use means that it's ultra quick and easy for me in the morning. I don't see any of these products being swapped out anytime soon but if they do, you'll be able to see their replacments over on my Instagram or Snapchat.

Review: Hawaiian Tropic SPF30 Facial Sunscreen

I've always known the importance of wearing sunscreen but until recently I've never taking it seriously. That's until my colleague at work recommended me the Hawaiian Tropic SPF30 Facial Sunscreen. And to say I was grateful was an understatement.

Originally I was going to buy the Soap and Glory Facial SPF or even The Body Shop Vitamin E Facial SPF but both were nearing £20 and I didn't really want to spend that much. So I tried the Superdrug SPF30 Facial SPF and it did not work for me. It was greasy, clogged my skin and broke me out. So I quickly passed that on and mentioned it to a colleague and she recommended me this Hawaiian Tropic one.

This is a thin moisturiser feeling cream that is very lighweight and easy to work into the skin. It doesn't leave a white cast on the skin once you've rubbed it in and once it's settled into the skin it doesn't feel greasy or pore clogging. It is oil free and non greasy so it's perfect for people who have oily, combination and even sensitive skin.

I really like how this feels on my skin and how it works well under my make up as well as on it's own. I use this as a moisturiser, after my serum and it leaves my skin feeling soft, protected and it even looks slightly corrected. And by that I mean my redness looks diminished and not so obvious. I always allow it to sink in before I apply my make up and I have no problems when I start my routine.

I always believed that SPF's were drying on the skin but this one isn't and I can touch my face a good five or six hours after I've applied it and my skin still feels soft and moisturised without feeling clogged or greasy. I always make a point of double cleansing my face if I'm wearing make up or making sure I give my skin a good clean if not to make sure I get this all off because even though it doesn't clog pores I don't want to risk it when it comes to sleeping and overnight. But so far I haven't had any issues with this and I don't see any arising with future use.

If you're looking for a Facial SPF then I highly recommend giving this one a go. It's lightweight, easily absorbed and doesn't break the bank. At £5.99 a bottle this won't break the bank if you're looking for something for this years' holiday or even just to protect your skin at home and it will last a long time as a little goes a long way. Sure the more expensive ones are just as good but if you're working to a budget then give this a look.

Have any of you tried this? Or have you got another budget recommendation? Let me know in the comments.

May Favourites

It's seemed to take forever to get to the end of the month and write this post as I've been so excited to tell you about five new products I've discovered this month and instantaneously falling in love with.

My first favourite this month is a new fragrance release from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. This is her third fragrance in her collection with Marks and Spencers. It's called Summer Rose and whilst it still contains her signature Centifolia Rose scent it also has notes of Jasmine, Musk and Pear. It's light yet powerful and lingers long after it's been applied. I picked this up at the end of April and have been wearing this literally every day. I'm even reaching for it more over her two other fragrances which I adore. I did a full review which you can find here.

My next favourite is something I've been dying to get my hands on since I saw it over on the American Beauty Girls' Channels. It's the Loreal Nude Magique Cushion Foundation and never have I been faithful to a foundation like I have this one. One tap gives a light/medium coverage and two taps gives a medium to somewhat full coverage. I absolutely love this foundation. It covers my redness excellently and doesn't look cakey if I apply a little bit more after my first layer. This geniuinely gives me flawless looking skin. It looks more awake, more radiant and just flawless everytime I use it. I've been raving about this to everyone I know because this foundation is one of the best on the high street right now. I've written a full review here if you want to know more about it.

Another new release from Loreal has made it's way into this month's favourites. The Loreal Miss Hippie Mascara has been the only mascara to grace my lashes this month. It's offers mega volumised lashes that look natural and fanned out with no signs of clumps. It has a large standard bristle brush that grips the lashes and fans them out to give a stunning volumised look. It's a very wet formula that can transfer onto the eye when applying it but it's something I'm very willing to overlook when it gives such good results. A full review went up last monday if you're interested.

A new skincare product I've been loving is the Olay Instant Hydration Serum. My Clearly Youthful Serum wasn't giving me what I needed and when I saw this on offer in Boots I had to give it a go. It's unlike anything I've tried before and it's really turned my skin around. Instead of feeling dry and slightly tight my skin feels bouncy and hydrated even after a good eight hours in full make up. I'm honestly in love with these serum and how it leaves my skin feeling. It does have some sort of silicone feel to it but it's not enough to cause any problems when applying make up over the top.

And my last favourite for the month is one that I didn't know I was going to like as much as I do. This Hawaiian Tropic Face SPF has blown me away, I've never been one to use a facial SPF as they usually do nothing but clog my pores and irriatate my skin. However this lightweight moisturising SPF is brilliant. It doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or irritated and I actually use this in place of my moisturiser some days if I don't want to overload my skin with product. This is brilliant for people with sensitive skin and perfect to wear underneath make up without balling up or causing any issues. A full review of this will be on the blog soon.

So that's it for my May Favourites. What were your favourites this month? Let me know in the comments.