Hydrating Skincare: From Winter to Spring

The weather may be getting warmer, and the evenings longer and lighter, but that doesn't always mean you can slack off on the skincare front. In fact, a sudden change in the climate, and weather that can't make up its mind can wreak havoc on the skin, making it more important than ever to ensure that it's taken care of.

When it comes to hydration, I have a few trusty favourites that I know I can reach for whatever the time of year, and they will always get things sorted in no time. A common mistake a lot of people make is to think that if they haven't got any dry or flaky patches, then their skin is not dehydrated, but actually, this is a long way from the truth in many cases. Personally, I don't tend to suffer from the former, but I'd definitely put a tick in the latter box from time to time. Usual triggers for me are leaving makeup on for too long or skipping on exfoliation (I tend to use AHA toners rather than manual scrubs), but often, an unstable climate is to blame.

The Elemental Herbology Cell Food Serum* is a favourite of mine when I feel that my skin could do with a boost. Containing a powerhouse of proteins, vitamins and minerals, a couple of drops of this applied after my toner and before my moisturiser in the mornings make all the difference when it comes to radiance and vitality. On its own, it doesn't pack enough of a moisturising punch though, so I follow up with my go-to morning and evening moisturiser, Origins Make a Difference Rejuvenating Treatment Plus. With a deliciously orangey fragrance, this is a gel-cream, so although it's incredibly hydrating, it won't feel heavy or greasy on the skin like some products can. It sinks in like a dream, leaving my skin soft and plump, and I know it's a product I can always rely on to keep things in check.

The Balance Me Radiance Oil* is an extra little night time treat, and if my skin is feeling particularly out of sorts then I often mix a couple of drops of this in with my night cream. With a divine herbal scent, it sinks in fairly well - but I'd always recommend pinning your fringe back if you don't want to have to wash it in the morning. The Radiance Oil really does do what it says on the tin, and my complexion looks brighter and healthier after a couple of uses.

I really do find that hydration makes the biggest difference to the appearance of my skin as a whole, as when it's in need of a little extra moisture I look tired and drawn by comparison. It doesn't take much to get things back on track, and it's always worth the extra effort.

What are your go-to products when it comes to giving your skin a moisture boost?

Have you added any new products to your skincare arsenal of late?

xx

Balance Me Radiance Oil review
Elemental Herbology Cell Food Serum Review

The Weekly Selection

Helena Rubinstein Color Clone Foundation  //  Topshop Glow Highlighter in Polish  //  Nature's Extracts Indulgent Fig & Orange Oil Moisturising Body Butter

Life has been going a million miles an hour at the moment, but one thing is for certain: This beautiful sunshine we're having is well worth slowing down for! Yesterday, after work, we went and sat outside one of our favourite places on the harbour for a nice cold cider, and being able to actually do something with my evening and enjoy the daylight made me feel so much more alive. Afterwards, we met up with some friends for tapas and a cheeky cocktail or two - not my usual Monday evening, but I have to say, it was a more than welcome start to the week.

I hope you've been able to enjoy the lovely weather, wherever you are.

Anyway, onto the purpose of today's post, which is to share some of my most reached- for products of late. I'm aware that I usually tend to do this towards the end of the week, but hey, who makes the rules? Last week was so hectic that I didn't have the chance, so here we are, on a Tuesday instead. I don't mind if you don't.

After running out of my previous foundation, I stumbled upon Helena Rubinstein's Colour Clone (shade Vanilla), which had been sitting patiently on my beauty shelf since late last year. I picked this one up on my way back from Amsterdam, but it was one of those things where, once you get home, it just doesn't seem to be the right shade. Now that winter is over, however, and I've got a bit more colour in my cheeks, I have fallen head over heels in love with it. Color Clone gives the most unbelievably natural-looking coverage, almost to the point that it looks as though I'm not wearing foundation - only with beautifully flawless skin. It does an amazing job of evening things out, with special colour-cloning pigments which clone the skin's colour structure, and has an incredibly light, barely-there feel on the skin.

There's very little not to love about this, and I am definitely going to be hunting down some of Helena's other creations as soon as I have the chance.

Next up, it's the beautiful Topshop Glow Highlighter in the shade Polish. A light, pearly cream, this looks perfect smoothed onto cheekbones over a pretty cream blush for a natural-looking highlight without the glitter. For a more glamorous look, it can easily be layered up - and if I'm going out, I apply some down my nose, under my brows and across my Cupid's bow for an extra glow.

I can't imagine that I'm alone in my love for fruity scents once the warmer months roll round, and the M&S Nature's Extracts Indulgent Fig & Orange Oil Moisturising Body Butter (whew-can you say that in one breath!?) is just divine. Light, juicy, with a hint of 'green' this one sells really natural and is not at all overpowering or sickly. Smoothing this on after my shower is an absolute pleasure, and it leaves my skin silky soft.

All three of these are bound to remain favourites well into the summer months, although no doubt there will be a few more beauty treats joining them before long.

Which products have you been reaching for this week?

Have you discovered any new or exciting brands?

Enjoy the rest of your week.

XX

The Weekly Selection

Unusually for me, I haven't been buying much in the way of beauty products lately - actually, make that, at all. I suppose you could say I've been on something of a spending ban, although I haven't officially been calling it that, or telling anybody that I'm doing it. It's been more a case of just keeping my purse closed because there have been so many other expenses to cover, and there are even more just around the corner, and I have to say that I'm really rather impressed with myself for not giving in. In fact, it hasn't even been as difficult as I would have imagined, as there hasn't really been all that much that I've wanted that badly of late.

So, as I haven't been splashing the cash, I've been making the most of my current collection, and these are the products that I've been enjoying over the past week.

Now, I say I haven't bought anything, but there are two exceptions in this post, those being the Tresemme Keratin Smooth shampoo and conditioner. I don't really think these count, as they are a necessity and are very reasonably priced. I've been wanting to try the Keratin Smooth range for a while now, but it has only just arrived where I am, so when I saw these two in the supermarket last week I snapped them up and have been using them ever since. So far, so good - but I have to say, it takes a lot to impress me where haircare is concerned, and with these two I haven't seen anything that makes me want to shout about them from the rooftops. They are a nice day to day duo and do the job for which they were designed, but while my hair does seem to be that bit less frizzy, I can't be sure it's not just down to the little DIY trim I gave myself last week. They do leave my hair soft and manageable though, and for the price I can't complain.

Once again, I've been loving my Topshop Cream Blush in the shade Flush for a bright pop of coral that's perfect for the warmer summer weather. Where lips are concerned, I have resurrected an old favourite, the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey, which is such an easy every-day product to reach for. While I do love a bright lip in the summer, lately I've been finding that I can't always be bothered with the maintenance they involve, and despite being a lipstick girl at heart I've been favouring lighter products which will let my lips breathe a bit more. Honey is such a flattering shade and I think it would suit pretty much anyone. It's subtle yet pretty, and is so easy to reapply on the go without having to worry about doing so to perfection. It keeps my lips nice and hydrated too, which is always a bonus in the heat.

Skincare-wise, I've been relying on the Elemental Herbology Facial Glow Radiance Peel to exfoliate my skin and keep it looking its best on a weekly basis. The sunshine can leave it feeling that bit more dehydrated than usual, and with extra sebum production being a bit of a risk this helps to get rid of any pore-blocking debris as well as leaving skin smooth and glowing.

I've also been slathering the Nip & Fab Mango Smoothie Dry Skin Fix Body Butter on lately, as whenever it's sunny I like nothing more than to douse myself in fruity fragrances that epitomise the long summer days. It's pretty moisturising, though I wouldn't say it's as amazing in that department as some seem to find it. It does smell exactly like a real mango smoothie though, and it only costs £2.95 -  can't argue with that.

Which products have you been loving the most this week?

xx