The Skincare Tag

It's been a long while since I last did a tag post here on the blog, but being the skincare junkie that I am, I couldn't resist giving these questions the once over when I saw them over on the lovely Jess's blog
(Just Jess). I'm not going to specifically tag anyone to do the same, but if you would like to then please feel free, and be sure to leave me the link in the comments below, as I love reading about what other people include in their skincare routine.

1. Describe your skincare routine in five words.

Pamper. Masks. Exfoliating toner. AHAs.

2. What is your skin type?

I've always had perfectly normal skin, but since the year began it has become quite blemish-prone on my chin and jawline area, and my t-zone is somewhat oilier than it used to be, which has been really bothersome and quite distressing. I'm fairly sure this has been down to the contraceptive injection I had been taking on a monthly basis for the past couple of years, and have just changed back over to the pill this week - fingers crossed it might finally be the answer! (I hope that's not too much info, but that's just the way things are!)

3. What's your favourite skincare product?

I don't think there could be a more difficult question! There are just so many skincare treats that I have come to love and rely upon, but the one that has made the biggest impact on my skin in recent times has got to be the Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Brightening Toner. I use this on a nightly basis, and as well as evening out my skintone no end, it has also kicked congestion in to touch and vastly improved my problem areas.

Other favourites of mine include the Elemental Herbology Facial Glow Radiance Peel and Facial Detox Mask, and the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask - weekly treats I just couldn't be without.

4. Top blemish zappers:

Lots of fish oil supplements (I take about 4g a day) and the afore-mentioned Clarins toner. Chemical exfoliants work far better for me than any manual scrub I've ever tried, and making sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs on the inside is key to overall skin health. Again, I like the Elemental Herbology Facial Detox mask for taking down active blemishes, and sometimes leave it on over night if I've got any particularly tough customers on the go. It's the best clarifying mask I've tried.

As for treatments such as La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole any more.

In my experience, they often take a minor skincare issue and make it into something worse, and more long term. Saying that, they do work brilliantly for some people, so I think it's just a case of trial and error, and getting to know your own skin.

5. Face wipes: yay or nay?

Hell to the no, my face wipe days are well and truly behind me. It makes me shudder when I look back upon the years I spent using face wipes, and NOTHING BUT face wipes. WHAT WAS I THINKING!? Nowadays, only a proper skincare routine will do, and I wouldn't dream of going to bed with my makeup on, either.

6. Toner: yay or nay?

Most definitely - in fact, you've probably gathered that this is an absolute must for me from my previous answers. As well as an exfoliating toner, I also tend to use a nice hydrating spritz too, and my favourite is the Suti Peppermint Water Organic Facial Toner.

7. High-end skincare or high-end makeup?

High-end skincare all the way, if I had to choose. I do love a luxurious makeup purchase, but at the end of the day there are plenty of fantastic high-street/drugstore products out there that will do the job - in fact, I think such brands have really come into their own over the past couple of years and are producing some fantastic products.

When it comes to skincare though, I think it's worth investing in some really good quality products, as you only get one chance to get things right with your face. Plus, if your skin doesn't look good then what use is expensive makeup? You can plaster it over the top, but it will never look as good as it could. I  have to say though, there is a small part of me that does regret ever getting into the skincare brands that I love now, as it's taken me from spending minimal money on products to spending a lot more than I would like to!

Saying that, they do make a huge difference to my skin, and that is why I now hold them in such high esteem.

8. What's the most unusual skincare product you've ever tried?

This would have to be the Heaven Bee Venom Mask. Slightly scary plastering bee venom all over your face not knowing whether or not you are allergic! At the time I suffered from quite bad anxiety, so I was whipping it off again in seconds, but I have just rediscovered it in my skincare cupboard and am planning on giving it another go this week - watch this space!

9. You're in a French pharmacy and can only pick one item. What is it?

Another tough question. At the moment is probably the La Roche Posay Serozinc, as I am itching to give that a try. But otherwise, I'm not really a fan of their products, so I'd go for one of the many wonderful Caudalie products I've already tried.

10. Tell us your top skincare tip.

Drink lots of water, and take Omega 3 supplements (if you are struggling with blemishes then make sure to go for just the Omega 3s and not one that combines all the various different types, as breakouts can often be a result of a high Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio. So that means you might need less 6s and more 3s. Worked for me.). I'd also recommend using an exfoliating toner on a daily basis, whatever your skin type, and making sure to keep your skin nourished at all times. Don't assume that if you have blemishes, you need to let them dry out, as often the opposite is true.

Another tip is to cut back on your dairy and sugar if you are suffering from a particularly nasty breakout, as they can aggravate them further.

So that's it. I hope you enjoyed having a little delve into the things I like to use to pamper and protect my skin. I'm going to be filming an updated skincare routine video very soon, as while I used to chop and change a fair bit I am quite happy with what I'm using at the moment and am planning to stick with it, give or take a new treatment here and there - so if skincare is your thing then do keep an eye out for that.

Don't forget to link me up if you decide to do this tag - I'd love to read your posts.

xx

Summer Beauty Essentials

When it comes to summer, we all have different ideas about which products are absolute essentials, but there are some things which we can all agree on. Today I thought I'd share with you my most reached-for products over the summer months, and it wasn't easy narrowing them down!

I definitely have to have a tinted moisturiser on hand in the summer, as when the weather heats up there is nothing I like less than the feeling of a heavy foundation on my skin. My current weapon of choice is the Caudalie Teint Divin Tinted Moisturiser in Light-Medium, as it blends easily, gives a healthy, dewy finish and adds a bit of colour without looking artificial. On my cheeks, I love a bright cream blush, and my favourite of all is the Topshop Cream Blush in Flush (yep, that old chestnut). I got this a couple of months ago and have been pretty much in love with the vibrant coral pink shade ever since. You may have noticed, since I have mentioned it a fair few times before! 

Bright lips and nails are an absolute must for me in the summer time, as I'm all for using cosmetics to reflect the current season. Vibrant shades tend to perk me up and leave me feeling energised, so I've been going for Revlon Posh and Make Mine Mango on my nails, and Mac Impassioned on my lips. Saying that, I do seem to have a plethora of orange, coral and pink lip colours on hand to see me through this time of year - other favourites include Topshop Infrared, and Mac Coral Bliss, Vegas Volt and Lady Danger.

Skincare-wise, I like to keep things light, and the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask is just the ticket when it comes to weekly treatments. The manuka honey intensely moisturises the skin, and helps combat blemishes with it's antibacterial properties all in one go. The Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner will also help to keep things running smoothly, aiding the skin's natural exfoliating process by sloughing away any debris and dead skin cells. The result? Soft, smooth skin. Do make sure you use a really high SPF on your face if you are going out in the sun after using this though - the AHAs it contains can make you more susceptible to sunburn, and nobody wants that.

In terms of moisture, I often struggle to find a cream that will keep everything balanced and hydrated without being too rich or heavy, but the Ren T-Zone Balancing Day Fluid does a great job.

I like to go for fruity-scented body products and fragrances when the sun is shining, so the Nip & Fab Mango Smoothie Body Butter and Nina Ricci Eau de Toilette make the perfect finishing touches. The former smells exactly as you'd expect, while the latter has a gorgeous aroma of deliciously sweet apples, and has been a favourite of mine for some years now.

What are your Summer essentials?

xx

Review: Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask

Ever since I first heard about this face mask, I knew it would be right up my street. I had been eager to try natural and organic New Zealand skincare brand Antipodes for such a long time, but due to other skincare needs, adding to my face mask collection got bumped down the list in favour of replacing cleansers (my first foray into Antipodes was with their Grapeseed Butter Cleanser - review here), serums and other daily necessities. So, when my birthday rolled around at the beginning of the month, I already knew what was top of my list, and I finally received the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask.

Antipodes products are vegetarian approved and cruelty free, as well as containing a high level of certified organic ingredients (in order for an entire product to be certified organic it must contain 70-95% organic ingredients, so while only a selection of Antipodes products are able to bear this stamp, the others are not far off at all).

What really drew me in when it comes to the brand is the list of delicious-sounding ingredients their products boast, such as manuka honey, avocado oil and vinanza grape extract - don't they just sound good enough to eat? 

The Aura Manuka Honey Mask is no exception, with the main ingredient being, unsurprisingly, manuka honey. A traditional remedy of New Zealand Maori people, it really packs a punch, drawing moisture to the skin which in turn aids hydration, as well as having powerful anti-bacterial properties which are just what the doctor ordered when it comes to stopping blemishes in their tracks. Also packed with nutrient-rich avocado oil and ruby red pohutukawa bloom, one of nature's finest antioxidants, this multi-tasking marvel promises to cover all the bases. 

The instructions advise smoothing on a thick layer at sunset at least twice a week, although it's gentle enough to be used on a daily basis. You leave it on for fifteen minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Personally, I tend to use this 2-3 times a week, as while I do like to keep my face masks as a treat, this one is just so divine I can't seem to leave it alone, and I really look forward to taking off my makeup, cleansing and popping a layer on when I get home from work. The smell is absolutely incredible, with fragrance of vanilla pod and mandarin, and while quite thick and creamy, a light layer is all that's required to give the skin that much-needed boost. It appears transparent on the skin, and I have to say that the very first time I tried it I was absolutely amazed by its calming, relaxing properties. Antipodes do say that the scent brings peace and balance to the aura, and I couldn't agree more. There is a very slight tingle that lets me know the mask is getting to work, and I really do mean it when I say that the fifteen minutes I leave this on are fifteen minutes of pleasure. It's definitely not one of those masks that has you watching the clock until it's time to take it off, and if anything I find myself leaving it on for longer.

When I remove the mask, my skin feels silky-soft and hydrated, and this has definitely been playing a part in soothing my blemishes and keeping them a bit more under control. I tend to use it straight after the Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Mask, and together they have made a world of difference to my recently un-cooperative skin. Afterwards, my skin looks glowing and healthy, and any redness has been greatly diminished.

 What can I say? This is the most delightful addition to my skincare collection in quite some time, and has shot straight to the top of my list of most-loved face-masks. It's a pleasure to use, and a great multi-tasker. Having only used a  fraction of the tube up, I'm already thinking about re-ordering, as it's quickly become one of those go-to products I don't ever want to find myself without! I absolutely love it, and every application is a real experience for the senses as well as the skin.

The Antipodes Aura Manuka Mask is available from Feel Unique at £21.50 for 75ml.

Have you tried anything from Antipodes? If so, what were your thoughts?

Are you a fan of natural skincare brands?

xx