My current skin care routine incl. Korres, Superfacialist, Indeed Labs,Estee Lauder, Origins, Clinique and Nip + Fab

Hello! I hope you're all well? It's been a while, hasn't it. Safe to say that a lot has happened since my last post. First of all, it's my 22nd birthday today. It's been a lovely day, except my car has pretty much broke. But it's bittersweet because I'm going to be getting a new one. I'd been planning to get one anyway (because I've been taken on permanently at the Nottingham Post - I'm now a trainee reporter... Told you it'd been an exciting couple of weeks).

Anyway, this is without a doubt my favourite post to write - even though they don't seem to pop up that often. I used to be one of those people who tried absolutely everything PRs sent me. My skin is quite temperamental and I've suffered with spots and scarring for around nine years now, so I should've known better. Over the past three-or-so months, I've stuck to a skin care routine religiously and it's almost hard to believe how much my skin has loved me for it.  

Cleansers

Superfacialist Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil - £10.99

I've tried them all - balms, milks, gels - but I always come back to this cleansing oil. When it comes to make up removal, it's safe to say I'm an oil-person. This one by Superfacialist immediately melts away make up, leaves the skin feeling silky smooth and best of all? It smells like oranges. It's very affordable, and it's almost always on offer.

Korres Wild Rose Exfoliating Cleanser* - £18.00

I'm still on the look out for a perfect face wash and at the moment I'm mixing between these two (And the Good Things Manuka Honey Creamy Cleanser, which I think is going to make it in my skin care routine full time). The Korres Cleanser is a real treat to use and the exfoliating elements completely banishes any dry patches and leaves my skin feeling exceptionally soft. 

Nip + Fab Deep Cleansing Fix - £7.95

I'm still not sure about this one. It's definitely a treat to use and a proper bargain but I think it might be a bit too heavy for my skin. It's a thick cream that's great for removing any last scraps of make up and eliminating dry patches, but I can only use it a couple of times a week when my skin is feeling extra parched and in need of a bit of love. 

Serums and treatments

Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly* - £24.99

As I've mentioned, I have combination skin which means it's oily in places, yet dehydrated and I'm prone to dry patches. I use either this Moisture Jelly or the Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum* - £24.99 in the morning before I apply my moisturiser. I'm undecided on which one I prefer as of yet but they both leave my skin feeling hydrated throughout the day.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II - £49

I've used this for many years now, but I've never invested in a bottle - it's always been sachets. But my dad bought it me for Christmas and I'm obsessed. This is a miracle in a bottle. It does everything you'd possible want a skin care item to do, and more. It's pricey, but an absolute gem and something I'll continue to repurchase because it works wonders on scarring.

Superfacialist Vitamin C+ Dark Circles Eye Cream* - £12.99

I've been switching between this and the Origins GinZing eye cream for a while but I've finally settled on this one from Superfacialist. Despite its more affordable price tag, it's a lot better. It instantly awakens the eye area, keeps it moisturised and perfectly preps your peepers for eye make up.

Epiduo Gel - prescription only
I used to have severely blemished skin but now my hormones have settled down, it's rare that I get spots. I probably get a couple every month or so, if that. I use this gel whenever I feel a corker coming on and it immediately stops it in its tracks. I must also mention the Yasmin pill because that's helped my skin no end. 

Moisturisers 

Origins Ginzing Moisturizer - £23.00
I bought this on a whim with my first proper wage and I'm very glad I did. First of all, it smells delicious. And yes, that's the reason why I first purchased it. It's a gel consistency that instantly sinks into the skin and leaves it hydrated, balanced and soft. It's been a saviour throughout the winter as it's lightweight enough to use under foundation, yet moisturising enough to eliminate my dry patches.

Clinique Turnaround Overnight Radiance Moisturizer - £36.00
This is quite new to my collection and sadly I've fallen in love with it. I say sadly because it is being discontinued (or reformulated) but I'm sure the new version will be even better. It's a dream to use and I wake up to beautifully radiant skin. I haven't been using it long enough to comment on the affect it's having on my scarring, but I can't fault it at the moment. 

What products do you use in your skin care routine?

*PR Sample

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BRAND WEEK | Affordable skin care with Clean & Clear

Since my teenage years, spot-fighting brands have come a long way. I tried them all back in the day, and none of them actually helped my spots properly, instead they completely dried my skin out. Regardless, Clean & Clear is a brand that I've loved, especially when it comes to their face washes. Their Deep Action Cream Wash and Clear & Soothe Foaming Wash were pleasures to use; did the job but gently. I've been trying out two newbies from the brand recently...

Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing 2-in-1 Wash & Mask* - £4.49 (currently on offer for £3.29)

I absolutely love face washes that can also be used as face masks. I find them wonderful for leaving on for a couple of minutes at night whilst I proceed to brush my teeth. This one is no exception. An oil-free daily wash, this product aims to remove dirt and impurities and reduce blackheads. For the past few months I've had a nose full of blackheads and nothing has shifted them, but after two days worth of use, this face wash eliminated them, and they haven't come back since.

Clean & Clear Truly Gentle 3-in-1 Facial Wipes 25 Wipes* - £3.05 (currently on offer for £2.16)

I'm not a face wipe fan. I'm a true believer in the double cleanse, so face wipes go against everything I believe in. But I always have a packet in my collection. That's because some nights, a face wipe is what you need. And as far as face wipes go, these are some of the best ones I've tried. They're suitable for sensitive skin and and the skin is left feeling nourished and as soft as a baby's. They remove every single trace of make up - even waterproof mascara - and I've loved using them. My new favourites.

BRAND WEEK:

#1 freshskin by Elemis
#2 Clean & Clear
#3 John Frieda
#4 Rodial

Have you tried anything from this range before?
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It's a beautiful life...

Phew. Hello. It's nice to just be able to sit down and type. As you can probably tell, I've been a bit slack on the blog recently. It's not because I'm getting bored of it by any means, it's just because my third year at university is a lot more hectic than I could ever have imagined. The workload is piling up and it's rare that I get a moment to myself. But blogging to me is therapeutic and after a bad time recently, it's something that I need to do. Today, I'm writing this after catching up with BlogLovin, my emails and everything else blog related. And after this, I'll be doing university work sadly.

I'm fully aware that a lot of people who follow me know about my bad skin. It's something that I've suffered with for many years now and something that still affects my life greatly. Despite the fact that I have a wonderful skin care routine, eat well (recently anyway, I'm on a diet) and I'm in my 20's, my skin is still bad. More recently, it's taken a turn for the worse and even though many doctors over the years have told me that there's nothing they can do for me, I decided to go back.

This time, I booked an appointment with the nurse. I've read many stories about the contraceptive pill and lots of you have recommended it to me before. I went in, told the nurse I wanted the pill for my skin and after years of waiting, she brought the dermatologist into the room to see me. The dermatologist told me that they were going to "hit my skin hard" and get rid of my spots quickly. I'm now on Yasmin (the pill), Tetralysal and Epiduo.

Walking out of the doctors, I couldn't have been happier. Infact, I wanted to break down and cry. My skin has affected me for a really long time and constantly I've been told that it's something I'll have to live with. I'm now on a 6 month treatment course and I'm nervous - but excited - to start. I've been warned about the side effects and I'm having to be monitored closely. My skin will be dry but luckily I have many skin care products to help with this.

Yesterday, I took the pill for the first time. If any of you know me then you'll know that I struggle with tablets. I can't take them and I've always had to request medicine. When taking the pill, it took me three glasses of water to swallow it even though it's tiny. This morning however, I swallowed it with my first gulp which was a huge achievement for me. The Tetralysal on the other hand are huge capsules so I'm worried about taking them and waiting for my friend to get back home to help me - oops!

But yes, I wanted to write a chatty post today to let you all know my current skin situation. I will be keeping you updated if it's something that you're interested in. If you're someone like me - who suffers with bad skin - and the doctors keep turning you away, please continue to pester them. It may have taken me six years but I've finally got something out of it (although I now have to pay for prescriptions, gah)!

I hope you're all well and normal blogging will resume soon - hopefully xxx

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REVIEW: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

I'm sure everyone and their mothers have heard about this wonder product. It's been popping up over the blogosphere for a really long time now. And for a while, I wasn't interested in trying it out. I'm guessing it's because I've given into the "hype" with blemished skin products for what seems like a lifetime only to be let down. But with this product, I haven't been let down. I've been pleasantly surprised. The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo* aims to "help reduce the appearance of imperfections and purify pores. Effaclar Duo is a complete skincare solution that combines four active ingredients to act on the two major signs of skin with imperfections. Niacinamide and Piroone Olamine help reduce severe local imperfections by purifying the skin and protecting against breakouts developing. The LHA/Linoleic Acid combination unclog pores by eliminating dead cells responsible for their obstruction. These active ingredients are combined with soothing and anti-irritating La Roche-Posay thermal spring water." Phew. Very sciency. But it does it live up to the claims?

Yes it does. When I first used it, it was at night. I applied it like a serum - underneath my moisturiser - and when I woke up the next day, my skin looked smoother and clearer. At the time, I knew a few people had experienced this instant reaction but after that, the product did nothing for them so I continued using it and my skin only got better. Since using this product I've suffered with a couple of hormonal breakouts, my scarring is looking more pink and less red (AKA it's being reduced), my pores are very clear, my skin looks healthy and my make up is applying beautifully. I don't know how it's doing it, but it's doing it and I'm very thankful. It's replaced every other serum in my collection - Estee Lauder's Perfectionist, No7's Protect and Perfect - and it's a skincare product that I'll continue repurchasing for the rest of my life.

You can buy this product here and it retails for £13.00. Have you tried this product? How did you get on with it?

xxx

*PR Sample

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FAVOURITES: Skin Saviours

If you can remember my Dior rant post that I posted a few weeks ago then you'll know that my skin hasn't been having the best time recently. However, that's nothing that a few products can't solve. The following products have saved my skin these past few weeks and I knew that I'd have to share them with you just in case you suffer with an outbreak as bad as mine. I'm not saying that these will work for everyone but they did for me.

Super Facialist by Una Brennan Rose Calming Creamy Cleanser* - £7.99

This cleanser has been a godsend for me. If you're a regular reader of my blog then you will know that whenever I get a breakout, it's painful and usually, harsh spot treatments make that worse. This cleanser hydrates, calms and soothes my skin. I've been using this is in the evening after my facial oil and my skin has lapped it up. Don't be put off by the fact that it's a hydrating cleanser - it really is great for calming down redness.

SELEXIR Peace Balm* - £39.00

Spot treatments in the day are a big no-no for me. They make my skin very dry and my make up clings to the dry patches and it just looks awful. So instead of my usual spot treatment, I've been using this peace balm. This is one of those products that everyone should keep in their handbags. It's an intensive cosmetic salves that aims to soothe distressed, irritated and sensitive skin. It contains 21 highly concentrated natural ingredients that provides lasting hydration. It's great for those with light to medium eczema and as I've found out, those with blemished skin. It hydrates my spots, calms them down and provides a great base for make up.

Veil Cover Cream Demonstration Kit* - £40.64

Don't worry, I will be doing a full review on this kit as it's absolutely wonderful. This Cover Cream is as full coverage as coverage gets. It's made for make up artists aiming to cover up scarring and tattoos and when my skin broke out, it covered everything. It's lightweight, blends into the skin beautifully and stays put all day long. Keep an eye out for a full review with comparison pictures of this product.

Superfacialist by Una Brennan Rose Miracle Makeover Facial Oil* - £14.99

Like the cleanser this has been a godsend. When you have blemished skin it's essential that you remove every last trace of make up or else it will clog your pores up. This facial oil dissolves make up and leaves the skin feeling soft and soothed. Like the cleanser, don't be put off by it being an oil. It will balance your skin out and it shouldn't make your skin produce more oil.

Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Wash - £2.00

Last but not least, I picked this up on a whim. I was in desperate need of a proper, intense spot fighting product and this was on offer for £2 in Wilkinsons. I've been using this every morning since I bought it a few weeks ago and I'm pleasantly surprised. It hasn't made my skin dry and because it's a cream wash, it's a pleasure to use. It doesn't have a nasty, harsh chemical smell that many spot fighting products contain either.

What are your skin saviours?

xxx

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A rant about my skin and Dior

If you follow me on Twitter then you will probably know how bad my skin is at the moment. I struggle to lay down as it's so painful and of course, I don't want to leave my flat. My skin hasn't been this bad in about 5 years. The only product that I've recently changed in my skin care routine is my serum. And this is from the No7 Protect and Perfect serum to the Dior Capture Total Multi Perfection Concentrated Serum.

Since using this serum - which costs £140 by the way, not cheap - my skin has reacted incredibly badly. I don't have sensitive skin, I've never had sensitive skin and although I'm prone to breakouts and I have suffered with them in the past, my skin has never been this bad and this painful. It's as though this serum has completely ripped my skin apart. It's not just covered in spots, it's red, painful, itchy and quite frankly, a mess. I have emailed Dior about this product as I don't think a product from a respected company - and a product that's over £140 - should cause a person such distress.

Another note is that I've been to the doctors about my current break out. I hadn't been to the doctors for this reason in about 4 years. The reason for this is, to cut a long story short, the last time I went to see if there was anything they could do about my skin they were absolutely useless and shunned me away. I used to beg and beg for Roaccutane - now I've heard the "horror" stories surrounding this drug I'm quite glad I was never prescribed it but that doesn't mean they couldn't have tried me on something else.

I went to the doctors wearing make up because long story short, I can't step out of the house without wearing foundation. I'm not comfortable doing so. I did however show them a current picture of my skin without make up (as if they couldn't see how bad it is through make up anyway) and the response I received was... "Your condition isn't serious enough for us to do anything about it." They told me to carry on with my skin care routine and to come back in a week if it's still bad and they'll put me on something to clear it up. There have been many things I've missed out on because I haven't wanted to leave the house. I have spent many hours crying over my skin and it's definitely my number one insecurity. If someone wanting to be house bound constantly because of how much they can't stand their skin isn't serious enough than I don't know what is.

What I don't understand is how something like bad skin isn't taken seriously. Now, I don't want to offend anyone but if someone was to go to their doctors because they were obese they would be taken seriously. They would be offered many different options. I don't think this is fair. Yeah, obesity is serious and it comes with a lot of complications. But it seems that because bad skin doesn't come with health complications it's disregarded and thrown aside by health professionals. But they don't seem to understand the mental, emotional and even social risks that come along with bad skin.

I've now gone out and purchased a really strong skin care routine. A routine that I don't condone at all and one that I preach about not using. It's the "cheaper" Clean and Clear routine and I can already feel my skin hating me for it as it's going to be a dry mess! But at the moment, I'd take dry skin over this mess any day.

So yes, a bit of a negative post today. But I think blogging and social media are powerful platforms and I just want to get out there that firstly, this serum is shocking. I know I'm probably one out of millions who've had a bad reaction from it. But like I said, I don't react to products, I never have done and my breakouts have always been hormonal. And this isn't just a breakout; it's ripped my skin apart. And secondly, I want bad skin to be taken more seriously. It's not fair that countless amounts of people have had to suffer because it's not a serious "illness" yet. When in actual fact, it is very serious and many people have to put up with bullying and low self esteem issues because of it. I, for one, still haven't got my confidence back from when I suffered with spots when I was younger - I'm now 20.

Below, I'm going to insert a picture of the state my skin is currently in. I didn't want to put it onto this post straight away as I understand that some of you might not want to look at it. I personally can't look at this picture without bursting into tears and wanting to slice it off of my face.

My experience with bad skin

I've just finished watching the Dying For Clear Skin programme that was BBC Three. When I saw the documentary being advertised, I knew it was something that I had to watch. However, I didn't know how much it would affect me. So much so that I felt the need to write a blog post about "bad skin." I don't know where this post is going or how it's going to span out. It's probably just going to be a random thought blog but it's something that I need to type somewhere.

It's no secret that I've suffered with bad skin for a really long time now. I can't remember the exact day or even year when I started getting spots but I do remember how they affected me. For years I struggled leaving the house. I didn't want to go to school when I had a spot flare up as I didn't want people to see me. Throughout primary school, I had always been very confident and even in my first year of secondary school, I'd go up and talk to random people and be very outgoing and "out-there." But when I started to suffer with acne, that all changed. I started to quite frankly, hate myself and the way that I looked. It got so bad that sometimes, I'd hate getting out of bed and even facing my family. Not people I didn't know. Not my friends at school. But my own family. It affected me in many different ways and even to this day, I know it has had an impact on me that I believe will stay with me forever. While I don't get spots as often as I used to... in fact, I don't get them that often at all, I do still have really bad scarring that I was told by a Harley Street dermatologist will never go. Still to this day, I find it hard to give eye contact to not only new people that I'm meeting but people that I've known pretty much all of my life. It is something that I don't enjoy doing and it's because I believe that if I'm not looking at them, they're not looking at my bad skin. So not only have I been left with a physical scar, I've been left with a mental scar as well. When I was younger and my acne was really bad, me and mum used to go to the doctors all the time and I'd always pretty much beg them to do something but they never actually did. They'd always dismiss me because for some reason, they don't seem to think it's a real problem. Maybe that's not the same for every doctor but it was for my doctors. And it's a shame because there are so many psychological effects that acne has as well as the physical ones.

 I don't think it's something that is taken as seriously as it should be and I know a lot of people were bullied because of their skin and this is something that isn't acceptable. I really hope that this programme has opened up not only the general public's eyes but doctors eyes as well. I hope that people realise that it's not just a "phase" that will disappear once you're out of your teenage years. For a lot of people, it's something that stays with them for the rest of their life. Whilst acne isn't technically a disease, it should be treated like one.

This was my skin in April, this was my skin in June, this was my skin in July and this was my skin last week. I did try to find a picture of my skin when it was really, really bad a few years ago but I pretty much stayed away from cameras and therefore I actually couldn't find one. But as you can see, it's getting better and although I do still get the random flare up, it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be. Suffering with bad skin is awful and if you're like me, it will probably have some affect on the rest of your life but you shouldn't feel down about it. It does get better. I can promise you that.

xxx

REVIEW: HoMedics Tanda Zap Acne Spot Clearing Device

I've been wanting to write this review for a long time but I've waited and waited to see if I truly loved this device. And finally, I'm ready to tell you all about it...

"HoMedics TANDA Zap Acne Spot Clearing Device* is a quick and easy to use on-the-spot treatment which is clinically proven to clear or fade acne blemishes within 24 hours. The device works by eliminating P.acnes to start clearing blemishes with immediate effect and decrease inflammation and redness. As well as zapping those zits, HoMedics TANDA Zap also helps to prevent future breakouts. The battery powered device is portable, making it easy to use any time, anywhere and it won't burn, irritate or dry out the skin. There is also no risk of bleaching. The TANDA range is suitable for use of all skin types and tones."

This device uses blue light which is commonly used by dermatologists for acne treatments. Blue light is clinically proven to clear existing acne and prevent future outbreaks. If you're interested in how it works well, it produces oxygen singlets which attach to the P.acnes bacteria. This activates porphyrins which generate free radicals to destroy the bacteria. The device also uses gentle warming which helps to open the pores so that the P.acnes bacteria are easier to target with the blue light. It also uses sonic vibration as this stimulates microcirculation to help reduce swelling and inflammation. Well that all sounds well and good but does it actually work? I've been using this for around 3 weeks now and I can honestly say that I've seen a massive reduction in my spots. My skin has been so clear lately and I've been loving it! I did have a big breakout around my nose area but after 2 days, the device completely cleared it. This reduces redness and reduces the spot size with just one use and after around 4 uses, the spot has completely disappeared. I haven't been using any other spot treatments because I love this so much. It doesn't dry my skin out and it does the job. The only problem is that it's very time consuming. Each treatment lasts 2 minutes and if you have a few spots, it can easily take around 10 minutes to complete which is a lot considering that applying a spot cream only takes a few seconds. I personally don't mind this as being a university student, I have quite a bit of spare time but if you're someone who's in a rush then this could be a bit of a problem. But saying this, it is quite so you could easily zap your spots whilst watching your soaps at night! This is only really aimed at those who suffer with random spots. If you are someone who has a long term on-going acne problem then you'll probably benefit more from the HoMedics TANDA Clear+.

This is pretty pricey but you do get 1000 uses out of it which is very good. I use this twice a day (if I have any spots) so this should in theory last you around 500 days, if not more depending on how bad your skin is.

This is available from Boots here. It's normally £60 but at the moment it's on offer for just £40 which is a bargain!

Have you ever tried a device like this before? Will you do so?

xxx

*PR Sample

BLEMISHED SKIN: Top Tips from me and Proactiv!

I'm a big lover of Proactiv and I've mentioned their products a few times on my blog which you can see here.  Recently, I was emailed some of Proactivs top tips for blemished skin and they're really good so I thought I'd post them along with 3 of my top tips! I hope this helps you out if you have blemished skin and if you have any tips then go ahead and post them in the comments :)

Proactiv's top tips for blemished skin -

1. Even if you have oily skin, you must remember to moisturise. This is because when skin becomes dry and begins to lose its delicate balance, it will compensate by producing even more oil - moisturising will keep your skin nourished and healthy - not oily.

2. Fake it, don't bake it. Sun exposure can be bad for your blemishes as tanning stimulates both peeling and oil production simultaneously - and that is a recipe for clogged pores.

3. Don't overuse moisturiser. Apply lotions sparingly - all you need is a ten pence size amount to light cover the entire surface of the skin where needed. Too much will just clog your pores.

My top tips for blemished skin -

1. Don't panic! I can remember panicking a lot when I used to suffer badly with breakouts and that's probably the last thing you should do as stress is one of the main causes of spots. If you're a teenager the chances are that your blemishes are just hormones and within a few years, maybe even more they'll clear up on their own naturally.

2. Get into a good skin care regime. I cannot stress enough how important a decent skin care routine is. You must always cleanse twice a day to ensure that any dirt and make up is washed away which will prevent breakouts and also moisturise twice a day. These are just the basics. You can also add toners, serums, face masks, exfoliators etc.

3. Make up is your friend. I've heard so many people tell me that make up is bad for your skin and it will just break you out even more but in my experience I can tell you that it's only bad for your skin if you sleep in it. If you cleanse it away, I don't see the harm. If you're insecure, invest in a decent coverage foundation that's light on the skin and your insecurities will soon fly away!

So there are mine and Proactivs top tips for blemished skin! I hope you found them somewhat helpful and like I said earlier, if you have any tips then make sure to let me know by leaving a comment!
xxx

How I Fake (Almost) Perfect Skin with Comparison Photos

My skin is one thing that I hate and really lack confidence in however, I've now found the perfect skin care routine for me and the perfect foundation/base routine to cover up my imperfections. Don't get me wrong, it's taken me about 6 years to find this out through a lot of trial and error but in the end, it's so worth it. So after my skin care routine, I thought it'd be nice to show you how I apply my base/face products to create what I can class as flawless skin.

L-R

Real Techniques Stippling Brush - £11.99

I use all of the following products with this brush as it's so versatile and products full coverage with every single product that I use. I stipple these products onto the skin so that they're really packed on and then I buff them into the skin using a circular motion (except the concealer) to make sure that they look seamless. I absolutely love this brush and cannot recommend it enough. I'm saving up my Boots points for the face set from Real Techniques as I really want the Buffing Brush too!

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer - £4.19

This is my all time favourite concealer and it's so cheap. It's high coverage and lasts throughout the entire day. I use this on my spots, scars and also underneath my eyes and everything is covered. I use this after my MaxFactor Pan Stix has been applied.

Skin79 Super Beblesh Balm BB Cream - £16.00

This is amazing and you can see how well it covers alone here. I use this after moisturiser and primer as a sort of base to my foundation. It provides very good coverage alone but when it comes to night time and going out and I really want flawless skin, I'll just use this as a base. It's also a skincare product so it doesn't irritate the skin which is always a bonus!

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation - £26.50

I always, always try out new foundations and I'll always say 'this is my new favourite!' But I will always end up back at this one. It's full coverage and lasts throughout the day. It literally does not budge until you cleanse it away. It isn't heavy even though it's high coverage and it blends in like a dream with the stippling brush. I use this after my BB cream.

17 Shine Control Loose Powder - £5.49

I'll use this after my concealer as an all over face powder. It doesn't cake on the skin and provides a lasting shine-free finish on the skin. It just literally melts away into the skin and I cannot recommend it enough. I don't think I'll ever use another face powder!

MaxFactor Pan Stix Foundation - £6.99

I use this after my foundation but just on my scarring and the areas that need extra coverage. It can be used as an all over foundation but I do find that it can get heavy and budge if it's used like that. So I just use it sparingly and it provides incredible coverage and when powdered, doesn't move.

 As always, this is a nasty picture of my skin after it's just been moisturised. It isn't a pretty sight and I barely ever go out without make up on as I can't stand the sight of it. It has gotten better recently and it did used to be a lot worse. I found a terrible picture of my skin from 2010 on my Twitter account and I literally burst into tears - it was so bad!

And this is a picture of my skin after all of the products above have been used and applied. The change is incredible and the greatest thing about this is that it will last throughout the day. I won't ever do this during the day time though unless I'm going out all day.. During the day, I'll just wear my BB cream alone. But on nights out, I always go through this routine and it's fail safe and my skin will always look incredible in photos!

What products do you use to create flawless skin?

xxx

OXY Seaweed Range & Clearlight Review

On Thursday I received a lovely parcel which included all of these products. And they couldn't have arrived at a more appropriate time. If you read my blog often or know me, then you know that my skin has the tendency to break out. Recently, I've gotten it under control but every now and then, it will flare up like crazy and make me feel so uncomfortable with myself that I don't leave the house. And when these products arrived my skin had flared up - I'm not sure if that's lucky or not? But it was the perfect time to try this range out.

Seaweed Power Fresh Skin Wash - I don't usually expect much from drug store face washes. I much prefer using an expensive face wash/cleanser to remove my make up with but this surprised me. It's a very fresh scent and has tiny beads inside it that burst when massaged into the skin. After using this, I notice that my skin isn't so shiny or red and it definitely leaves my skin feeling baby soft. It also didn't dry my skin out which is something that most spot brands do.

Seaweed Power Clear Pore Exfoliant - OXY recommend using this once/twice a week in place of the Face Wash and that's exactly what I did. It made a nice change and deeply cleansed my pores. The exfoliating beads weren't too harsh either and I found that it did remove my make up. The only problem is you obviously can't use it around your eyes. But I do tend to use an eye make up remover for that anyway. After using this, my skin looks remotely brighter and clearer and of course, feels very soft and lovely! My pores are also a lot more refined and less noticeable. 

Seaweed Power Deep Calm Balm - I don't usually use moisturisers that are aimed at spot-prone skin because I find them too drying and typically, I have combination skin but more recently my skin has been very oily. This helps to control my oil throughout the day and also feels very refreshing. It calms down my redness and also stops my spots from feeling painful. I'm a really big fan of this moisturiser, it feels lovely on the skin and also creates the perfect base for make up.

Emergency Spot Treatment Gel - My sister used to use something along the lines of this for her yearly spot (see my sarcasm there)? And she did used to love it. She's a big OXY fan. And I can see why. I don't know what's inside this product that gives off a 'cooling sensation' but I definitely love it. It calms down the redness of spots and I generally notice a different in the size of my spot within 4-5 hours which is amazing. 

Oxy Clearlight - Now this is what I was most excited about. I've seen many of these devices in magazines before but I've never been able to try them because of the price so it's nice to know that OXY have brought out a more affordable product. This device emits no heat or harmful UV rays and it is kind to skin because it doesn't cause drying, peeling or discomfort. It contains a technology called blue light therapy that has been used for years by dermatologists in specialist clinics. The device itself is very sleek in design and easy to use. It also comes with incredible instructions that are very detailed and make using the product a lot better. Basically all you do is press a button in, place the blue light on your spot and leave it there for 3 minutes until it beeps to let you know it's finished. It doesn't hurt but if you have a few spot, the device obviously radiates a tiny bit of heat but not enough for it to be uncomfortable. 

All products have no parabens, no SLS and no alcohol in them except for the Emergency Spot Gel which does have alcohol inside it. They're also suitable for sensitive skin. Oh and another thing, Britney has been linked to using OXY which is obviously a major plus for me!

So does this range work? Well, I received these products last Thursday and I can now safely say that my skin has fully cleared up. I noticed a remarkable difference to my skin on the Friday so you can see how quickly these products work. Unfortunately, I can't say which products are most responsible for getting rid of my spots as I used them all together but as a skin care range, this is definitely one to consider. Unlike most spot-prone skin care ranges, this one doesn't dry the skin out and actually leaves skin really refreshed. It doesn't irritate the skin but instead it 'nurtures' the skin. I'm a big fan and I shall continue to use it in the hope to not only remove future breakouts but to prevent them.

I must also add that OXY have repacked their products and I love them! As you can see from the pictures they're not packaged in white tubes that look very sophisticated and expensive.

Have you tried any products from this range?

xxx
All products were sent to me free of charge for reviewing purposes. This doesn't affect my opinion whatsoever.

Helping Blemished Skin: Part Five - My Skincare Routine & Favourites (Extras)

I'm sad to say that this will be my last post in my Blemished Skin Series! I've really enjoyed writing this series as blemished skin is a subject that is 'close to my heart.' I hope that you've found it useful in one way or another and do let me know if you have! This is the second part of my Skin Care Routine & Favourites and you can view the first part of it here which includes cleansing, toning and moisturising. This part of the series includes my favourite 'extras.'

Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask* To see my full review of this product click here.

Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Peel Off Face Mask. I love peel off masks as they're great for refining the pores and this certainly does the job. It sets pretty quickly, smells fresh and loves skin looking refined and clear. It also mops up any excess oil.

Dirty Works Face Mask* This is a clay mask which is great for drawing impurities from the skin. This sets well and is very easy to remove. After use, my skin feels really soft and my pores are less noticeable. 

Proactiv Refining Mask* To see my full review of this product click here.

Liz Earle Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask* To see my full review of this product click here.

St Ives Apricot Scrub Blemish Fighting St Ives scrubs are very famous and if you're confused as to why my packaging is different to that on the website it's because they've been repackaged. I love this scrub as it's great at removing dead skin and leaving skin looking brighter and clearer. But not only that, it also removes excess oil and fights blackheads and blemishes.

Dirty Works Face Scrub* This is quite possibly my all time favourite face scrub. It's very minty which refreshes the skin and really wakes it up. It's also wonderful at refining the pores and removing dead skin gently.

Dr Nick Lowe Spot Gel* I use this during the day time as it's strong but also pretty moisturising and doesn't dry the skin out. Whereas at night time I use the Pan Oxyl 10 Acnegel. As well as the Cor soap, this is my #1 must-have for blemished skin. You can only get Pan Oxyl from behind the counters but it's only around the £4.00 mark. I've mentioned it many times on my blog but it's truly a life saver. Once again, spot size will be reduced within a few hours and normally the spots have gone by the next day. The only problem with this spot treatment is that when you first start using it, it's very drying. My skin was an absolute mess but luckily, I continued using the product and discovered it's magical properties! There are different strengths and I recommend starting off on a low one and working your way up to the perfect strength for you.

xxx

*PR Sample

Helping Blemished Skin: Part Five - My Skincare Routine & Favourites (The Basics)

Hello and welcome to the penultimate post in my 'Helping Blemished Skin' series.' I've really enjoyed writing this post and getting out my tips to you all. I know what a strain blemished skin can be on your life and I know I say this often but if I've helped just one person, I'll be very happy! I decided to do this part in two sections as my skin care routine is pretty big so instead of one big post, I'm going to do two smaller posts. I'm going to start off with 'the basics' which includes cleansers, toners and moisturisers. So enjoy!

No7 Beautiful Skin Foaming Cleanser I've only recently got this cleanser but so far, I'm really liking it. It creates a really luxurious foam on the skin and melts away make up perfectly leaving skin feeling soft and looking skin free.

Dr Nick Lowe Purifying Foaming Cleanser* Another foaming cleanser which is pretty much the same as the No7 one. I do find that this one is a bit stronger and helps get rid of spots more. It's also better on the pores and closes them after it's been used.

Good Things Stay Clear Purifying Cleanser* I keep this cleanser in my shower mainly because it smells beautiful. Whenever I go in the shower I will wash my skin after washing my hair (to remove any impurities left behind) and this one is really refreshing.

Avene Cleanance Gel* For a while I was using Avene's Cleanance range religiously and whilst I still use it, I'm a blogger and I enjoy trying out new products so sticking to one skin care range is hard. But this one is very trusty and I can always rely on it. It really helps with spots and keeps shine at bay.

Cor Silver Soap* If money was no object this would be the only cleanser that I would use. It is just wonderful. It has real silver inside it and will help out any skin problem. When it was New Year, my skin was awful and I hated going outside. But when this came in my letter box, I used it two times and my spots had been reduced significantly and had completely disappeared within 2 days. It's a completely lightsaver. It works really well at getting rid of blemishes and it foams up into a beautiful luxurious foam which is very moisturising and gentle. The only problem is, it's very expensive. Don't get me wrong, it's worth the money. I just don't have the money to keep buying it unfortunately.

 Proactiv Revitalising Toner* You can view my full review of this product here.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3 & Anti Blemish I'm a big fan of Clinique's Clarifying Lotion's and I've been through quite a lot of them even though they last a long time. The Anti-Blemish one is great as it really does help with scarring and spots but sometimes, it can be quite drying. So I normally alternate between the Anti-Blemish and 3. Although these aren't described as toners they're used at the same time a toner would be used. The only difference is, these Clarifying Lotions exfoliate the skin so they're very good for scarring.

Liz Earle Instant Skin Boost Tonic* You can view my full review of this product here. (I'd also highly, highly recommend the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish which you can see reviewed in the same review as the Skin Boost Tonic however, I couldn't include it as I don't have the bottle with me at the moment).

Avene Cleanance Lotion* This toner is very refreshing to use and when all of the Avene products are used together, spots literally don't show anymore.

Dr Nick Lowe Sebum Control Cleanser* Another very refreshing toner that helps with enlarged pores and excess oil.

No7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream & Day Cream These moisturisers are very moisturising but also help control oil. They sink into the skin lovely and smell beautiful too.

Proactiv Repairing Day Lotion* You can view my full review of this product here.

Avene Triacneal* I use this as a night moisturiser when my skin breaks out. It helps eliminates breakouts and also improve the appearance of scars. After using this for a few months I noticed a massive improvement in the way my scars looked - they're not as red and prominent anymore.

Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care If I need a bit more moisture then this is moisturiser I turn to. It's very hydrating but also light on the skin.

Good Things Miracle Mattifier Lotion* If my skin is looking very oily then I turn to this moisturiser. It controls oil throughout the day and also smells beautiful.

Dr Nick Lowe Oil Control Day Cream* Another great oil controlling moisturiser that sits lovely on the skin and provides a great base for make up.

Garnier Pure A Anti Blemish Moisturiser This used to be my 'go to' moisturiser. It's not very moisturising but great as a base for make up and it really controls breakouts.

Avene Cleanance Emulsion* This moisturiser is very strong so whenever I have an active breakout, I'll use it. It's moisturising, controls oil and sinks into the skin very well.

Proactiv Daily Oil Control* You can see how I use this product here.

These are the most of the products that I have with me a university. I don't stick to just one set skin care routine and like to change products depending on how my skin is looking and feeling. If I have an active breakout, I'll use stronger products. And sometimes, my skin can be very oily and other times very dry - it's almost as if my skin has bi-polar disease! If I could only recommend one one cleanser, one toner and one moisturiser these would be the Cor Silver Soap, the Liz Earle Instant Skin Boost Tonic and No7's Beautiful Skin Day Cream. Although these products aren't solely for blemished skin, they're very good at regulating the skin and balancing it out. But as I've mentioned previously, finding your own skin care routine can take a very long time. So be patient! I'll be posting the second part of my skin care routine very soon.

xxx


* PR Sample

Helping Blemished Skin: Part Four - Covering Up

If you have blemished skin you're going to want to cover your blemishes up. Below, I've explained the three most important products for doing this and also gave mini reviews of my favourites!

Foundation - Foundation is great for evening out your skin tone and making your skin appear flawless. If you have blemished skin you should choose a foundation that has medium/full coverage and one that is buildable and lasts all day. You also want a foundation that doesn't irritate the skin or break the skin out.
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H
I've only just recently bought this foundation but it's now my all-time favourite foundation. It's medium/full coverage that's easily buildable, blends well, lasts all day and provides hydration to the skin whilst keeping the skin shine-free.
Estee Lauder Double Wear
I've used this pretty much all my blemished skin life. It's full coverage and once it's on the skin and blended, it will not move. The only problem is that it takes a while to get used to and sometimes if applied wrong, can look cakey. But once you've gotten used to it, this foundation will become your best friend.
Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint*
This is actually a tinted moisturiser and not a foundation which may seem strange seeing as this is blemished skin series. But I do recommend this tinted moisturiser for blemished skin because it's very gentle on the skin and won't block your pores up. Wearing make up can sometimes irritate the skin and cause further breakouts but this doesn't. It may not give the best coverage but it gives a decent amount of coverage that can be built up to medium. And if you add concealer, everything will be covered!
Keromask Camouflage Cream*
The fullest coverage you can get. This 'foundation' is for people who have tattoos that they want to cover so it's ideal for people with blemished skin. I have scarring on my face and I can say that this foundation completely covers them and makes them magically disappear. It can be quite heavy and sometimes appear cakey but when used correctly and sparingly, it's a life saver.
MAC Studio Sculpt
I recently bought this on a blog sale and I've fell in love. It's a lovely foundation that's easy to blend and covers really well. I'd say it's medium coverage and definitely has to be used with a concealer. This is because it's hard to build the coverage up without it looking cakey on the skin. But one layer of this foundation is more than enough to cover spots.

Concealer - Concealer is used to add extra coverage to those nasty problem areas. I use concealer on my scars, spots and underneath my eyes. Most concealers are full coverage and ideally, people with blemished skin should be looking for one that lasts all day and doesn't highlight the problem areas.
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer
You've probably heard a lot about this concealer in the blogosphere; it's very well known and highly commended. And there's a good reason for that. It's cheap, full coverage and doesn't move once blended into the skin. I've tried a lot of concealers but this one is the best that I've used. It covers up everything - scars, spots, under eye circles. You name it, this will cover it.
No7 Quick Cover Concealer
This is a good concealer for those of you with very oily skin. It's a cream formula that dries to a powder and provides very good coverage. Although I do have it, I don't use it very often because I have combination skin and sometimes, it clings to my dry patches. But if you do have oily skin, I'd recommend it.
Sheer Cover Duo Concealer*
A very good mineral concealer that provides flawless coverage, is creamy and easy to blend. It's also from the brand Sheer Cover which is a mineral make up brand so it won't irritate the skin or block the pores and cause further breakouts.

Powder - Powder can be used to add extra coverage to the skin when needed, blot away shine and help make up last.
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
My favourite powder! I have this in the colour translucent as it adds no extra coverage. It doesn't make the skin look powedery or cakey and it blends into the skin like a dream. A light dusting of this ensures make up lasts all day and keeps shine at bay for around 6 hours. A true life saver that isn't expensive!
Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation*
This is a mineral foundation but I've put it in the powder category as for me, mineral foundation doesn't provide enough coverage. Mineral foundation is generally aimed at blemished skin and the coverage can be built up but for me, it's just not enough. This foundation is very good and I'd say it gives medium coverage once fully built up. It's easy to blend and it's great because it doesn't irritate the skin and it's even good for the skin. So good that you can actually sleep in it. But I personally use it to powder the skin after I've applied my foundation and concealer. I'll use this powder instead of the Rimmel one if I need further coverage as this provides it.

Part One - Introduction
Part Two - Getting into Routine
Part Three - Finding What Works

I hope this helps and if you have any further questions, please just ask me :)
xxx
*PR Sample

Helping Blemished Skin: Part Three - Finding What Works For You

Walking into your local Boots or Superdrug in order to find out that perfect skin care routine can be exceptionally daunting. Typically, there are hundreds of products each telling you that they are the latest 'wonder product' and if you use them, your skin will be 1000 times better and you'll never look back. Chances are, the product won't make that much of a difference to your skin or it'll leave it a complete mess. I wish I could tell you that it's easy to find your perfect routine but I've been searching for years and finally, I feel like I've found it. And I may surprise you by saying it includes a lot of products (as you could probably see in part two of this series).


Let the products 'settle.'
You're better off taking your time in choosing your skin care routine and changing one product at a time to see how your skin reacts. For me, if I change a product in my skin care routine I'll more than likely have a little breakout. But don't panic - sometimes this isn't the products fault and it's just your skin getting used to it. So wait a week or two and see what happens; chances are, this product could be your wonder product. If your skin continues to react though, throw it away!

Visit High End Counters.

You may not want to pay a lot of money for something that you know might not make a difference but it's worth taking a visit to a high end make up counter. When I first had bad skin, my mum used to take me to each different counter and see if there was anything they could do. Most of the time I'd leave with a few samples and a lot more confidence. Sometimes the women behind the counters can be intimidating but I've actually met some lovely women behind those counters who sometimes made me want to cry happy tears. It's worth a visit as there is nothing to lose and perhaps, quite a bit to gain!

image from Google

Research, research, research!

Nowadays I will never buy a product unless it has good reviews. When I first got bad skin my initial reaction was to go into Boots with my mum and buy every Clearasil product. I had no idea about skin care routines and I didn't even think that the products would make my skin worse, I just hoped for the best. Don't panic if you get bad skin, stressing about it will only make it worse. Make sure you do your research beforehand as finding your right skin care routine can end up costing a fortune. I dread the think about the amount of money both me and my mum have spent making sure my skin looks okay. So yeah, look up the product before buying and make sure it has generally positive reviews. And if it doesn't? Try and steer clear. Or try and get samples.

image from Google
What's on the inside...
Don't just think about products to put on your skin. Think about products that you consume as well. I've tried out the Works With Water Help Clear Skin sachets before and they really did work well in clearing up my skin. You can read my full review here. And the great thing about them is that you don't have to worry too much about whether or not they'll react because they won't. They'll either work for you, or they won't. For me they did work. But since my skin has gotten better I don't really see the point for them. But don't just overlook vitamins, sachets and minerals. Speak to a pharmacist (or your GP) and see what they can recommend for you.

So there are my top 4 tips in finding your perfect skin care routine. I'll just add now that it will take time but in the end, it will be worth it. I've already mentioned this but I'm finally happy with my skin care routine - I'm now 19 and I had my first breakout around the age of 12-13. But be persistent and don't get up because it will get better!
xxx

Helping Blemished Skin: Part Two - Getting Into Routine

Here is part one of my Helping Blemished Skin series. In case you've just stumbled across my blog, here is my introduction post so you can find out more about this series.

A skincare routine is essential for healthy looking skin and without one, it's very rare that your skin will be clear. There are three (sometimes two depending on your preferences) essential steps to a skin care routine with a few extra add ons depending on your skins needs. I'd just like to say now that I'm not a dermatologist and I've never been trained in skin care. What I know is from my own experiences and what I say may not necessarily work for your skin as every skin type is different. When I'm explaining some of these steps, it may seem like I'm talking to you like a child but I thought I might as well go right back to the basics! The products featured in the pictures are my favourite products and I'll be going into more detail about each one of them in the my skin care routine post.

Step 1 - Cleansing

Cleansing the skin is so important for everything, not just people with blemished skin. In the morning it refreshes your skin and removes all the dirt that has crept into your pores overnight and at night, it removes your days make up to prevent your pores from clogging up and causing breakouts. The face washes above are my favourite and when it comes down to telling you about my skin care routine, I'll go into more detail about these items. But as you can see, 2 out of the 5 items are foaming cleansers and these are said to be the best for blemished skin. I don't understand why and I believe that any form of face wash can work. The Cor soap is actually a soap and soaps aren't exactly highly recommended for the skin but this soap is a miracle worker and like a normal soap, it doesn't dry the skin out.

Step 2 - Toning

It's arguable whether or not toning is an important step in your skin care routine. I personally do tone and that's mainly because I like the feel of it. It leaves a tingling sensation on your skin and you removes any excess make up or dirt that your cleanser may have missed. Be careful when choosing a toner though as some contain a lot of alcohol that strips the skin and makes your skin a dry mess.

Step 3 - Moisturising

Possibly the most important step in every skin care routine. Moisturising provides an excellent base for make up and balances the skin out. What I've come to notice with blemished skin is that using a moisturiser aimed at blemished skin isn't necessarily that good as they tend to strip the skin of its natural moisture and once again, leave it a dry mess. If you do have blemished skin, I'd say go for a moisturiser aimed at combination skin as this will prevent your skin from shining whilst retaining its moisture. It'll also not block up the pores and therefore won't allow breakouts. Unless of course you have very oily skin then go for a mattifying moisturiser. My favourite moisturisers also includes a No7 night cream; I believe it's important to have a separate night moisturiser as your skin is completely different whilst sleeping.

Step 4 - Exfoliating

I generally exfoliate two times a week and I do this to remove the dead skin cells from my skin. It's important for people with blemished skin to exfoliate in order to unblock the pores and prevent further breakouts. Another reason I exfoliate is because I do have skin scarring which my blemishes have left.. exfoliating regularly will eventually get rid of these. They do tend to go after a few years but there's no harm in speeding up the process is there?!

Step 5 - Face Masks

I absolutely love using face masks! I use them around 2-3 times a week and depending on how my skin feels depends on the type of face mask I'll use. I either use a peel off face mask, a clay mask or a nourishing mask. A peel off ones is one that applies clear, dries and then you peel it off (the clue is in the name). After this, all the impurities have been drawn out of your skin and you're left with refined pores and clear skin. A clay mask is similar except from it's basically clay that you apply to your face, leave to set and then wash off. It helps to close the pores up and it leaves your skin feeling super soft. And finally, I'll use a nourishing mask whenever I have an active breakout and this is because my breakouts are painful most of the time and these help to nurture the breakout.

Step 6 - Speciality Products

By speciality products I mean spot treatments. These are important in your skin care routine but finding one that works for you is definitely a challenge. Spot treatments are wonderful as they're concentrated and really help to clear up active breakouts. You apply them straight to the spot once or twice a day and the spot is generally reduced within 5 hours and gone within 3 days.

What does your skin care routine consist of?

xxx