Cleanser Confidential

When it comes to cleansers, there is such a vast array to choose from, with different types for different skin concerns, and a plethora of varying ingredients to sift through. With the world of information available to us on the internet today, you'd think choosing the right cleanser for you would be a piece of cake, but it only takes a quick Google search to realise that it's just not the case. Bombarded from every angle with different opinions and pieces of advice, it's difficult to know who to believe, making the whole thing a bit of a minefield, but with a bit of time and effort, there are some trustworthy sources to be found, and it's possible to filter out all the marketing jargon and get to the truth. Add to that a bit of trial and error, and you're well on your way to finding a product that your skin is going to love.

Having previously been blessed with normal skin (now combo with hormonal breakouts! Yay), I've been through the mill when it comes to trying out cleansers, and have built up quite a little collection. In doing so, I've definitely learnt what works for me and what doesn't, and being an avid researcher, I've picked up some invaluable hints and tips along the way. I am by no means suggesting that I am an expert on the matter, but I thought it was about time I shared with you what I have come to take as gospel when it comes to cleansers (thank you, Caroline Hirons!), as well as taking you on a little tour of the different types in my collection and the purposes they serve. There really is something for everyone, so whatever your skin type, I hope you will see something that tickles your fancy. (If you are an oily/acne-prone skin-er who uses gel cleansers in particular then you might hear something you weren't expecting in the final section!)

The Butter/Balm Cleanser: Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser (certified organic)

If you haven't heard about the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm by now then frankly, where have you been? It's taken the beauty world by storm over the past few months, with cleansing balms becoming the ultimate must-have product for all skin types. While they might not suit everybody as a morning  cleanser, they will generally do the trick for anybody when it comes to removing makeup in the evenings - you can always follow up with a second cleanser if you are worried that it might be too rich for you, and if you have problematic or congested skin then keep an eye out for the ingredients list and go for one that doesn't contain shea or cocoa butter, which can be comedogenic (pore-clogging) for some.

The Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser looks exactly as it sounds, and is warmed between the fingers before being massaged onto the skin in small, circular motions. This has quite a pleasant herbal scent that is almost menthol, and really does melt off all your makeup in one fell swoop. Unfortunately for me, I neglected to notice that this one contains coconut oil, something I know full well that my skin won't tolerate, so inevitably it ended up breaking me out. Don't let that put you off though, as for many, coconut oil does absolute wonders for both skin and hair.

As for me, I've already got my eye on a couple of other balms worth trying out - namely the Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm,  Elemental Herbology Purify and Soothe Facial Cleansing Balm and the Ren No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm.

The Cream Cleanser: Tropic Organic Hot Bamboo Smoothing Cleanser*

Cream cleansers are great for normal to dry skin, but it's wise to keep an eye on the ingredients in them if you've got slightly oilier or more blemish-prone skin as they often contain botanics and essential oils which may not suit you best as they can be comedogenic. If you haven't been living under a rock for the past couple of years, then you probably will have heard of the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish , a product which has paved the way for a whole host of new hot cloth cleansers, and one of the best I have come across is this one, by Tropic. I find the ritual of massaging a creamy, herbal-scented cleanser into dry (not damp) skin, before removing thoroughly with a muslin cloth soaked in warm water so relaxing at bedtime, and equally as invigorating in the mornings - so much so, that hot-cloth cleansers have changed the way I think about my skincare routine entirely.

Recommended: Pai Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, Antipodes Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser (great for sensitive or problematic skin).

The Milk Cleanser: Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse*

Milks are often recommended for dry or sensitive skin, but that doesn't mean that they are off-limits to everyone else. Often, though, milks can be so light that it is difficult to ensure that every last scrap of makeup has been removed, so some might say they are a better option for your second cleanse. The Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse, however, is much thicker in consistency than traditional milk cleansers, and does a fantastic job at leaving my face feeling clean, soft and smooth. As an added bonus, it also contains apple AHAs, which are great at encouraging cell turn-over and in turn, keeping blemishes to a minimum. This little gem is my current go-to evening cleanser, and my skin really seems to get along with it well.

Recommended: Origins Make a Difference Rejuvenating Cleansing Milk.

The Clay Cleanser: Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser

Although this one gets a category of it's own, I must admit that it's the only one of it's kind I've ever stumbled across. Recommended for problem (blemish-prone) skin, this is a thick, creamy cleanser with a slightly denser consistency, and smells exactly like a clay mask. This is a great one to use as your morning cleanser (as I do) if you do suffer from blemishes, breakouts or oiliness - it won't remove makeup, but it will leave skin feeling fresh, clean and comfortable with it's purifying, anti-bacterial formula.

The Gel Cleanser: La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel

Now, I'm going to be honest from the off here: I really don't like this cleanser, and I bought it only because I found myself in an emergency situation, which involved having nothing to wash my face with and no access to anything I would usually go for! My skin really did not get on with this at all, and I definitely will not be reaching for it any time in the future.

 Traditionally, gel cleansers have been recommended for people with oily or acne-prone skin, and to this day they are still touted by many brands as being the best thing to use for this skin issue. However, the reality is that most gel cleansers on the market contain strong chemical detergents such as Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulphate to make them 'foam' (the LRP Effaclar included). What's the problem with that? Well, have you ever washed your face and afterwards felt pleased with yourself because your skin seemed to be so squeaky clean? It might seem like a desirable result, but actually it couldn't be further from it, as it means that you have stripped your skin of all it's natural oils. The result? Your skin will over-compensate by producing excess sebum, putting you right back where you started, and if you've got any visible blemishes then you may well find that the SLS chemicals only irritate them further. 

However, this is not to say that all gel cleansers are bad - brands like Ren, for example, offer some lovely light gels which are sulphate free and won't strip your skin of the essential oils it needs.

Recommended: Ren Mayblossom T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel (combination skin), Ren Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel (normal skin), Ren Hydra-Calm Cleansing Gel (sensitive skin).

I hope you've enjoyed having a little nose through my cleanser collection, and perhaps learned something new. If you are already quite clued up on the subject then do let me know your personal favourites in the comments below, as I'm always on the look out for new gems to try.

xx

Summer Blushin'

L-R: Topshop Cream Blush in Flush, Sleek blush in Life's a Peach, Mac Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Peachykeen

Topshop Cream Blush in 'Flush'

                                                    

                                                                                          Sleek Blush in 'Life's a Peach'

       Mac Sheertone Shimmer Blush in 'Peachykeen'

There's nothing like a bright pop of colour on the cheeks to brighten up the dullest dud of a 'Summer's' day, and now that the UK is actually basking in sunshine for a change, a vibrant blush fits the bill more than ever before (well, at least this year).

I am very much a corals and peaches girl, and will use any excuse to crack them out when the warmer months begin to roll round. In fact, you'll often catch me trying to sneak them out in the cooler months too, especially in terms of blushes. I just find that they are so flattering, even on a paler skin tone, and really add a bit of extra oomph when I'm looking a bit washed out or lacklustre.

Today I thought I'd share with you my three most reached-for blushes for Summer 2013, and I can honestly say that since about March time, nothing but these beauties has graced my cheeks - that's how much I love them!

First up is the Topshop Cream Blush in Flush, which I reviewed within the last couple of weeks (for that post, click here). I think we all love a good cream blush at this time of year, and this one is no exception. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this bad boy is my favourite specimen of all time, and I have been loving the pinched effect I get by dotting this onto my cheeks and then blending it lightly with my Real Techniques stippling brush. In terms of the shade, it's absolute perfection - a bright coral pink that is highly pigmented but also buildable. I have been wearing and wearing this, and particularly love teaming it with Mac's Cremesheen lipstick in Coral Bliss. Love.

Next up is the newest addition to my blush collection (it finally arrived last week), a Sleek powder formulation in the shade Life's a  Peach. This is a really gorgeous peachy-apricot, and is a slightly different hue to the others I've got squirreled away in my arsenal of cheek products. My only gripe with it is that it's a little bit backwards in coming forward when it comes to swatching, but that said, it does seem to pick up reasonably well on a nice soft Eco Tools brush and blends out to give a lovely wash of colour that's bright without being too much. 

And last but by no means least is my Mac Sheertone Shimmer blush in Peachykeen (full review and swatch here). This is definitely a darker, dirtier peach, and contains a beautifully subtle hint of shimmer that I find provides a gorgeously luminous, healthy glow. While there is a hint of glitter in he pan if you look closely, it won't translate onto the cheeks, so no risk of the glitter ball effect here. I'd say that of the three, this is the best option for day to day, as it won't clash with any other bright makeup choices on the eyes or lips. When it comes to the other two, they really do do all the talking, and become the main feature of the look.

Are there any blushes you've found yourself reaching for over and over this season?

What are your favourite formulations for Summer?

xx

Review: Topshop Cream Blush in Flush

Yes, I've been naughty again and had a sneaky try of this before getting my camera out, but just look at it. It's just such a beautiful bright coral that I challenge anyone to resist dipping into it the second they get it home.

Now I do love a good cream blush, especially when spring and summer roll round, and Topshop's offerings are no exception. The lightweight cream to powder formula is a dream to work with, blending easily into the skin to give a luminous, radiant finish. Personally, I can't see anything powdery about them at all, even after application, as they leave a dewy, just-bitten effect on the cheeks, and as an added bonus they are really buildable. So for anyone who is new to brighter blushes and just fancies dipping their toe in, then look no further - a light application of this with my Real Techniques stippling brush creates a subtle wash of colour, while a heavier hand results in a vibrant pop.

Flush itself is what I would call a true coral, which along with the light consistency makes it a match made in heaven when it comes to fresh, summery makeup looks. In terms of the photos, there is quite some variation in the way that the shade comes across, so go by the last image for the greatest accuracy, as it's pretty true to life.

The only down-side, I would say, is that I find the wear time a little lacking when compared to, say, a Mac powder blush. I do find that I have to re-apply about half way through the day, but personally I can live with with that in exchange for this stunningly beautiful colour.

Flush has fast become my most reached for blush of the season, and between this and my Mac Peachykeen there's not much more I could ask for for the next few months. Saying that, I have been eyeing up one or two of the other Topshop shades, most notably of all Head Over Heels and Morning Dew.

All shades are available from the Topshop website, for a very reasonable £6.

Have you tried any of the Topshop cream blushes? What are your favourite cheek products for spring and summer?

xx

Review: Mac Paintpot in Groundwork

Two things before we even begin to go into my thoughts on this product: 1. Yes, I was an impatient blogger and cracked this open on a weekend away, meaning I didn't get to photograph it before use - hence it now looking more than a little bit gross. 2. Adding to the grossness is a delightfully placed hair, which I can assure you is from a makeup brush. You have my apologies for both.

On my last visit to my local Mac shop, I went in with two things in mind: A new spring lipstick, and a Mac Paint Pot. Despite being an avid Mac shopper, this was one product I had yet to try, perhaps owing to my - until fairly recently - reluctance to branch out from palettes when it comes to eye colours. Generally, I'm far too greedy and indecisive to ever go for a single eye shadow or pigment, be it cream or powder, but I'd seen these little gems floating around the blogosphere for a while by then, and had noted how lovely both Groundwork and Painterly seemed to look just used on their own.

So, what exactly are these Paint Pots, for those of you who have never tried them before? They are highly-pigmented cream eye colours which set with an intense finish, and the neutral shades among them  work well as a primer/base for powder eyeshadows as well as looking pretty darn good worn alone.

I picked up the shade Groundwork, which I must admit doesn't look all that exciting in the pot. It's described by Mac as a mid-tone neutral taupe, but while it does look pretty matte before application, on the eyelids it does have a bit of a glossy, sheeny finish. The best thing about Paint Pots is that they are really long-wearing - this one doesn't budge all day, and I have to make a point of removing it especially when it comes to my evening skincare routine. It doesn't crease at all either, which is one of the reasons it does make such a fabulous eyeshadow base.

Personally, I've been wearing this solo all over the lid for a really easy, day-time neutral eye. For me, it seems a shame to cover it up with layers of eyeshadow when it looks so pretty on it's own, and since the day I bought it I think I have pretty much reached for it every single day. It's such a quick and effective step to include in my morning makeup routine, and it's handy for travel too as it's such a small and sturdy pot.

Of course, for evening looks I do take full advantage of  Groundwork's power as a base for a more dramatic look, and that works really well too.

 The only downside to the Paint Pots, I would say, is that they do tend to dry out slightly, so it's a good idea to keep the lid screwed on really tightly and, as I was advised at Mac, to store it upside-down. Saying that, mine only looks slightly drier in the pot, but it's still just as easy to apply with a fluffy eyeshadow brush.

Overall I'm really impressed with this, and am looking to get my hands on a couple more very soon. I only wish I'd discovered them sooner!

Paint Pots are available from Mac at £14.50 a pop.

Have you tried any of the Mac Paint Pots? If so, which one is your favourite?

xx