My Skincare Steps for Clean, Clear and Healthy Skin

I thought I would pen a post dedicated to the steps I take to keep my skin in a condition that I'm really happy with, and that I have lived by for quite some time now. I tend to switch up the products that I use quite a lot, but the general routine stays the same.

I'd just like to say before I get into it, that these steps work really well for me. They might not work as well for anyone else as everyone has different skin, different concerns and different skin behaviour. Keeping this in mind, I would recommend these steps as they have worked wonders for my skin, just remember that every one is different and personal preference/skin type plays a huge role in any skincare routine!

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1.  Double Cleanse:

Every morning and every night, I always, always double cleanse. Now this might seem unnecessary to some, but after much observation over the sink with a white flannel, it has become apparent to me that my skin can't get completely clean with one wash. I always, always have more make-up and more dirt and residue on my flannel after a second cleanse and especially if you are a make-up wearer, I feel this step is essential.  At night, I normally use a cream cleanser to get of the majority of make-up and grime from the day, and the same goes for in the morning when removing all the dirt and sweat that happens at night when you sleep. I then use a cleansing balm as a second cleanse to make sure all dirt and make-up is gone and my skin is completely clean and fresh. (I always use my cleansers dry for massaging in the product and dissolving the make-up and grime, and add a wet flannel to 'rinse'). 

This step has really, really shown a difference in my skin as I used to have quite congested skin, especially in my t-zone area. Lots of blackheads and build up in the nose and micro-bumps on my forehead. Also if I just so happen to fall asleep without removing my make-up (which is very, very rare) I always wake up in the morning with a spot - I kid you not. Which signals to me just how important it is to make sure that the skin is clean at all times, and by clean I don't mean stripped and squeaky clean by using foaming cleansers or acne face washes, no no no, I stay away from those. By using a creamy cleanser and a balm, it makes sure than my make-up has been dissolved thoroughly and broken down, while providing comfort and moisture for my skin with hydrating and nourishing ingredients that these types of cleansers have. 

My favourite cleansers that I tend to rotate and re-purchase are:

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm (review),

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleasner (review),

Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Creamy Cleanser,
Fushi Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil,
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm,

and Balance ME Pure Skin Face Wash.

2. Double Toner: 

Yep that's right, another double! I like to use two different types of toner - one that is exfolating and resurfacing called a 'chemical exfoliant', followed by a softening toner that is hydrating and plumping. I am currently using Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 as my chemical exfoliant and it is fantastic. For my softening toner I am currently using an all time favourite of mine which is the Lancome Tonique Douceur which I will again be repurchasing soon as it is nearing the end. I use the exfoliating one first to resurface my skin and help to break down any dead skin cells and create environment where spots and blemishes can't occur, the P50 in particular feels quite tingly when applied and is very concentrated, over time it has left my skin feeling smooth, supple and refined. The softening toner comes after as this helps to soften and smooth the skin ready for make-up by hydrating and calming the skin after the chemical exfoliant. This softening step is important for me as it creates a great base for moisturiser to go on top and ensures that my skin is soothed and soft ready for my make-up. I usually use both in the morning and at night, but since the weather has gotten a bit warmer in the UK, I have only been using the Lotion P50 at night as the chemical exfoliants can sensitise the skin to sun damage. I always make sure I use an SPF daily anyway, but by taking this extra precaution in the summer I am being sure that I am protecting my skin from harm. 

Other softening toners I enjoy using are:

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic (DI-VINE!!),

and Clarins Toning Lotion with Iris.

3. Treatment/Serum: 

After I have cleansed and toned, I make sure I follow with a treatment/serum to inject a little extra repair into my skin. Serums work from the bottom of the skin up, while moisturisers work from the top of the skin down. By using both I am making sure that my skin is getting maximum replenishment and repair. In the daytime, I use a pore minimising serum which is the Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimising Skin Refinisher serum and it is seriously, seriously good. This makes my skin feel silky smooth and has lots of retexturizing and hydrating benefits which help to keep my make-up looking fresh all day and my skin looking smooth in texture. I sometimes use my Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex II  (post) in the morning also, but I have mostly been using it as my night time treatment. These treatments work to target concerns that I may have with my skin, which mainly include texture, even tone and hydration. Serums and treatments should be chosen suited on your particular skincare concerns so that you get the results that you want. Of course, I always follow these with a moisturiser. Other serums I really love are:

Hydraluron Serum by Indeed Labs (review here),

and Lancome Genefique Serum.

  4. Eye Cream:

I always use an eye cream, every day, every morning and night. As the eye area is 40% thinner than the rest of the face, it is important to use eye creams as they are specifically designed for that delicate area. I find this step essential for helping me look awake and hydrated under my eyes and help to diminish fine lines and darkness. I especially make sure I have eye cream on if I am wearing make-up, particularly concealer as it tends to look dry and scaly under the eye if the area isn't properly moisturised and hydrated.

My favourites include:

Emu Oil Well Moisturising Eye Cream,
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye,
Estee Lauder Advanced Time Zone Eye Cream,

and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Infusion.

5. Lip Balm:

I always apply lip balm in the morning when I am doing my morning routine, during the day liberally and at night time too. Hydrated lips are really important, and I make sure that if I'm out in the sun, I'm using one that has an SPF in as lips can burn too and are prone to sun damage like the rest of the skin. It's important not to neglect the lips and regular application of a hydrating lip product can keep them from looking chapped and feeling dry resulting in lovely soft and smooth lips... mmmm :-)

Lip balms that I use are:

Blistex MedPlus Balm,

Blistex Intensive Moisturiser,
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream,

and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Protectant Stick SPF 15.

6. SPF:

On the daily, I tended to use my foundation as an SPF and my Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation has an SPF of 10. I am also a fan of Clinique City Block Sheer SPF 25 as it goes on really nice under make-up and doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy. However recently, I picked up No7 Anti-Dark Spot Sun Protection in SPF50 (for face), predominantly for my holiday at the end of this month, but I have been using it daily under make-up and I must say I am very impressed. I always have some kind of SPF on my face, every day. (I shall review the No7 soon).

7. Face Masks:

I always like to have a couple of face masks on the go to use once or twice a week to give my skin a little treat or a boost. My favourite face masks to use are by Lush and are always a pleasure to use. They give great results and contain natural ingredients which help the skin in different ways depending on which one you go for. I tend to always go for Brazened Honey which I have reviewed here, although I had been enjoying Ayesha a month or so ago.. Another face mask I really enjoy using is the Alba Botanica Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask which contains Papaya to eat away at dead skin and leave a smooth surface without impurities.

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So those are the steps that I take to keep my skin looking clear and healthy, and I hope/think that in the long run it will keep my skin looking tip top even when I'm 90 *fingers crossed*.

There is a quote by the famous and beautiful Coco Chanel that has always stayed with me, and that is:

"Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have to fifty"

Did you find this post helpful? 

What do you do to look after your skin?

Bedtime Beauty - Night Time Skincare Picks

So last night while I was getting ready for bed, I thought I'd post a quick snapshot to Instagram of what skincare I used after cleansing and the products I've been enjoying the most for bedtime recently.

I started off by double cleansing, as I always do. I might write about some of my skincare tips that help me keep clear, even skin as there are things I do all the time that are part of my routine which I believe work wonders. To cleanse, I used my Superfacialist by Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Calming Creamy Cleanser and my Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm afterwards. I really like these both for night time as they are really nourishing. 

Clean skin ready, I then went in with my Lancôme Tonique Doucer which is probably my favourite toner of all time. It's really softening and hydrating on the skin and is great as make-up prep too. I then follow at night time with my Biologique Recherché Lotion P50 which is quite a strong toner/pre-moisturiser prep product. It has lots of acids and chemical exfoliants in that help to really really smooth the skin and get the best from your moisturiser. This product has helped my skin so much with micro bumps between my eyebrows which were quite bad before I started using this. I've been avoiding this for daytime use since the weather has been much hotter in the UK as it can make your skin much more sensitive to the harmful rays of the sun, so I am just using this in the evenings. 

I then followed those two toners (I always tend to double tone too) with my Emu Oil Well Moisturising Eye Cream which I have reviewed here and still love. I then used Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II serum which is beautiful for night time nourishment.

Lastly as I was feeling special I doubled up on moisturiser - I used a sample of Chanel Sublimage La Creme which I am thoroughly enjoying and has a beautiful texture - it feels really nourishing and hydrating but not heavy or too rich. I also used a sachet sample of Estée Lauder Re-Nutrive Intensive Renewal Creme which is also very nourishing like the Chanel but sinks in really nicely and leaves my skin feeling plump. 

As a final finishing touch I used my lip balm of choice Nûxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm in the stick form, not the jar. I love this lip balm as it actually hydrates long term and I've not had dry lips since using this, previous to using it I used to get very dry, flaky lips - result! 

Excessive as it may seem, that was my night time skincare all done and I felt oh so good for it too. My skin has been looking particularly smooth in texture and very clear in tone and redness which has been great. 

I will do a post soon on the skincare tips that work for me and I hope that they will help others too if they decide to try any. 

What are your current favourite products for bedtime? 

My Everyday Moisturiser: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

I'm still a huge fan of my La Roche Posay  Effaclar Mat (review here) and still recommend it as a great mattifying moisturiser, but I've found something that I feel is more beneficial to my skin as far as moisture goes. Enter Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, my new favourite fuss free moisturiser for Combination/Oily and Oily skin gals like myself.

I first discovered this yellow bottle of goodness when I bought my Mum some Clinique skincare for Mothers Day a year or so back. I remember trying it out a few times and really liking how it didn't add any excess gunk to my face. It moisturised beautifully and left my skin not looking oily throughout the day - result! 

I stopped using my Mum's as I felt bad and happily fell in love with Effaclar Mat. 

The newest release from Clinique is their Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+, which I had seen around at work as the girls were promoting the new addition to the DD family. It reminded me of my brief affair with the gel alternative and led me to getting a bottle for myself, which I'm really glad I did!

DD gives me the same kind of mattifying feeling that the Effaclar Mat does, it's definitely not rich or dewy looking which is what I want. Make-up goes on beautifully over the top of it and my Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher (review soon!) works really well underneath it. Both of these together provide the perfect base for make-up and a nice shine-free base for no make-up also. 

Unlike the Effaclar, it feels like its really moisturising my skin deep down, not just providing a mattifying layer that won't make me look like a chip pan face. My face feels plump and smooth after I use it, which I love. 

Moisture in the skin is so important, and I'd rather have moisture in my skin and be slightly oiler than to not moisturise at all just so that my skin looks matte all day. Having said that, this moisturiser controls my oil really well and gives me more of a glow than an oily look throughout the day, which I'm really happy with. 

Another great thing about this product is the price point. A massive 100ml will only set you back £29.50 (most high end moisturisers are 50ml and some cost much more for only half the amount of the Clinique) and will last a lifetime. I got mine with my employee discount and managed to snag a whopping 200ml for an absolutely bargain-ous price *very happy Chlo*. (I don't know if this size is available to buy on counter but it's not on the Clinique website! It is showing up on the Debenhams website for £37.00 but is not in stock so may have been discontinued!) I use roughly the size of a 5p coin and it does my whole face and spreads partway down my neck. 

DD is 100% Fragrance Free, as all of Clinique's products are, which is great for those who's skin is irritated by fragrance.

A fantastic, fantastic product that I really recommend if you have Combination/Oily or Oily skin. 

You can pick up the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel at any Clinique counter and online here. (The 50ml tube is £17.00).

Jake on 'Male Grooming'

So I decided to ask my ever witty boyfriend some questions about male grooming, and seeming shy at first he was unsure when thinking of answers to my questions, but he soon enjoyed me quizzing him and ended up loving his new celebrity-esque role as interview-ee LOL :-)

Just a bit of fun and a chance to introduce him on my blog....he's a big sweetie and never fails to make me laugh. Enjoy! (My side-notes will be in bold italics to explain his nonsense!!) 

What do you think about male grooming?

Excessive skincare is just feminine.

What about bodily hair?

Men are meant to be hairy. 

(Pause)

Can I just say that buying hair gel over the age of 18 should be illegal.

So what do you do to your hair?

What my hair on my head?

Yeah.

I shave my head and trim my beard with a beard trimmer.

What about skincare? Do you think it's important?

Er...I use erm.. cheap Asda toner cause I like the feeling of using loads of it. And obviously moisturiser. I can't really lie about doing face masks with you.

What moisturiser?

Cetaphil. Cause I've got a spotty boat race.

What about cleanser?

Well, I enjoy getting Chloe facials. (I cleanse, tone and moisturise his skin with all my products - and he says excessive skincare is feminine!!!)

What would you buy for your skin that you don't already for money reasons?

Slap on aftershave. Like Issey Miyake (the aftershave lotion for the face that they do) or something like that. I've gone off putting loads of stuff on my skin. Like spot treatment.

Like Clearasil?

Whats that other stuff I use? That hefty stuff that makes my skin dry?

Oh yeah, Panoxyl.

Yeah.

Why do you like having facial hair?

Errr...makes me feel more manly and it hides what spots and scars I have.

Does getting spots bother you?

It used to but it really doesn't anymore. I think it only matters if you care about what people think of you. But I do feel sorry for girls with bad skin.

Do you think it's more important for a woman to look after their skin than a man?

Erm... in todays society yeah. I dunno why though. I dunno why it's ended up being like that.

How do you feel about aftershave?

I like using a lot of it. It makes me feel goooooood. And my favourite is Tom Ford erm...this one....(Holds up Tom Ford - Bois Marocain) 

Boys Moroccan.

(Pause)

You're not actually going to write that down are ya?

A few of my favourite things.....

Just wanted to share with you a few beauty bits that are my favourites! There are some very old favourites along with a few newer ones - enjoy! 

MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy

I only used it on my bottom waterline in this photo, and I've been doing that a lot lately. The colour is so rich and smokey, it's a deep copper-brown that is metallic and is such a great alternative to black or brown liner. This is my absolute favourite eyeliner ever and it has been for some time now. I'm so happy that I found this shade - I hope it never gets discontinued!

MAC Face and Body Foundation in C5 and Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Evasion

I have loved Face and Body for over a year now, it is the most fabulous product ever. It has the same ingredient in that they use in lip stains, which means it is like glue! It's waterproof and can be used all over the body - legs, arms, you name it! It would be great for a night out to give your legs that high-definition look. It has a beautiful glow to it and looks just as gorgeous when set with powder. This foundation is almost magic, just when you think it couldn't get any more amazing - when you buff it into the skin, it actually becomes more opaque and thick the more you buff, so great coverage can be obtained from it! A beautiful product that I will always, always repurchase.

As for the lipstick, it's my absolute favourite of all time. It is the most beautiful pink shade that is quite nude and quite close to the colour of my own lips, so it's definitely a 'my lips but better' kind of colour. It's lovely and sheer, really moisturising and leaves lips with a slight sheen and wash of colour. I love it because I can apply it without a mirror and always know it will look good. I highly, highly recommend!

My custom MAC Pro Palette - (Shades clockwise from top left): Satin Taupe, Naked Lunch, Espresso, Soba 

I love my MAC quad, and it comes with me whenever I'm travelling or staying away, it's always in my everyday make-up bag. Naked Lunch was the first eyeshadow I ever bought from MAC! Ahhh memories. This is a really nice neutral palette that is really versatile - the Satin Taupe is great used as a taupe liner, Espresso is great for my brows and as a crease colour, Soba can be whacked all over the lid on it's own and look fab, and Naked Lunch is really brightening and looks great on the brow bone and inner corner of the eye. 

Nude, round nails!

I am loving my current nails - rounded shape with a nude gel polish. I don't know the name of the shade (sorry!) but it's Calgel, which I have spoken about in my nail post here.

Estee Lauder Double Wear a.k.a the Mothership

Needs no introduction - me and Double Wear are in a very intense relationship right now. Review here!

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50

A great exfoliating toner with tons of tingly ingredients including Horseradish (the smell is....interesting to say the least!) and Glycolic Acid. At £49.00 a bottle, this stuff isn't cheap, but it has improved the texture of my skin so much and will be so good for my skin in the long run, in terms of lines and ageing etc.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

A staple of mine! It's always in my bag, possibly the best no-fuss lipgloss ever! Looks great over any lipstick and oh so nourishing. I wear this on it's own a lot, and it's great for spots too! A firm fave.

Bioderma Crealine H2O

 A cult beauty product in the beauty world - and rightly so. I wouldn't use anything else to remove my make-up, although sometimes an oil based product is needed if I have heavy make-up on my eyes etc. The giant 500ml bottle lasts me for ages and is 100% worth the money. I order mine off of eBay from monseiurgeorgew.

The Original Tangle Teezer and Tangle Teezer Compact Styler

I love love love my Tangle Teezers! They are perfect for my hair as it's very thick and I end up pulling out chunks with normal hairbrushes and hurting myself in the process! These are so gentle and get rid of all my tangles without being painful or difficult in the slightest! Perfect for Afro-Caribbean hair that is weak and prone to breakage. The pink one is the compact version that I keep in my handbag at all times!!

Classic Beauty Blender

My sponge companion for make-up application on a daily basis - I love this lil pink guy! Makes all make-up look flawless and airbrushed, brushes just don't do it the same for me after this! I have reviewed it here!

Just a few of my faves ;-) 

I hope you enjoyed this post!

The Beauty Blogger 'Get To Know Me' Tag!

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?

VERY curly! Frizzy infact!

2. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon?

Dye it myself with Garnier Olia - it's fab!

3. Do you wear the same style everyday, or do you change it?

I do it pretty similar everyday but sometimes I chop and change.

4. Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon?

I go every two weeks to get my nails done, but I do my toes myself :-)

5. How often do you change your nail polish?

2 weeks (I wear gel/Calgel).

6. Do you polish your toes in the winter or just the summer?

I get a bit lazy with them in the Winter and tend to just have a clear polish on them as no one ever see's them but in Summer I do try to always have them painted.

7. How long does it take for you to put on makeup?

If I'm going 'out out' then I can take up to 45 minutes, but everyday maybe 25-35 minutes. It depends on what make-up I'm doing.

8. What do you do first? Face or eyes?

Face if I'm not wearing eyeshadow, and eyes first if I'm wearing eyeshadow.

9. Do you collect makeup or just buy what you need when you need it?

Collector! A hardcore one *hides face*

10. How often do you wear false eyelashes?

Hardly ever, I can't apply them to save my life!

11. Do you do a full face of makeup everyday?

No, I'd say I average on 4 days a week wearing make-up, I love to not wear any and let my skin breath/be able to rub my eyes LOL :-)

12. Do you wear makeup when you're home alone or with family?

I don't really, no. Unless I'm bored and putting on make-up for fun or to practice which I do a lot.

13. Will you leave the house without makeup?

Yeah, I do it all the time. It doesn't bother me. I think it's pretty strange when people say 'I can't leave the house without make-up on'. I'm pretty comfortable in my own skin.

14. How many high-end products do you have?

A lot LOL :-)

15. Do you plan your OOTD every night or decide when you're getting dressed?

If I'm going out somewhere then I always plan, if it's day-to-day then I might or I might not, it depends.

16. How often do you change your handbag?

Hmm....every month maybe? I don't know.

17. What time do you wake up and go to sleep?

If I have work about half 7am, on my days off I try to get up between 8am and 10am, depends how tired I am! And I go to sleep about 12pm every night. 

18. How often or when do you workout?

Never! Haha, I want to, but I'd rather be at home with a cuppa!

19. Left handed or right handed?

Right.

20. How tall are you?

5'3" - roughly.

21. Do you speak any foreign languages?

A little French, very little.

22. How many pets do you have?

My puppy dog Chilly who is my pride and joy, I also had a black Goldfish called Francois (after NARS) but he died :-(

23. How often are you on Blogger?

Quite a lot just browsing at other blogs and writing posts too, maybe once a day? I don't know.

24. Do you read comments posted on blogs?

I do a lot actually.

25. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?

Yes, LOADS of lists!

26. How did you come up with your blog name?

My middle name is 'Mykel' and I love Coco Chanel.....so I just thought of Coco Mykel!

27. What kind of camera do you use for your photographs?

Samsung NX1000 - I love it.

28. How often do you clean your house?

N/a - my Mum does it but I do sometimes hoover around and clean the bathroom if I'm feeling nice!

29. What's your favorite color?

Purple probably :-)

30. Do you swear?

Yes LOL.

31. What are you doing with the rest of your day?

Just about to hop in the shower and wash my hair ready to go and see my friend Michaela!

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Give this Tag a go if you like! I hope you enjoyed my answers :-)

15/03/13 - Feeling Ill and Dehydrated

I posted this picture on Instagram (@cocomykel) the other day of the products I'd used in the morning to try and perk my skin up a bit. I've been a bit ill the past week and that particular morning my skin was feeling really dry and tight. After cleansing with Nude Cleansing Oil and Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm, I toned using Biologique Recherche P50 which is a product I got recently that I've been really eager to try, but not traditionally a toner. It's quite a strong liquid containing lots of exfoliating ingredients such as Glycolic Acid to purify and exfoliate the surface of your skin to reveal clearer and more smooth skin. I'm yet to write about it on the blog as I want to use it for a bit longer first, but I'm really impressed so far. I then followed it up with Hydraluron Serum which I've been using for ages and you can read about it in my review here. For moisturiser, I actually used a night cream as I was just around the house and running a few errands so I wasn't wearing any make-up. I used the Trilogy Age Proof Replenishing Night Cream which is another recent purchase after my previous night cream had run out. This stuff is so concentrated, unbelievably so, and feels so luxurious on the skin. It contains lots of lovely ingredients such as Omega 3, 6 and 9, Hyaluronic acid, Marula Oil, Evening Primrose Oil and Olive Oils. The consistency is thick but melts gorgeously into skin and feels really hydrating without being greasy. Really, really enjoying this so far. I then finished off with my favourite eye cream Emu Oil Well Moisturising Eye Cream and my go-to lip balm at the moment the Nuxe Reve De Miel lip balm in the stick form (as I have long nails and the pot version would be a nightmare!)

After all this (phew!) my skin felt comfortable and hydrated all day which makes such a difference when you're feeling rough.

What are your favourite products when you're feeling under the weather?

My Current Cleansers

          Nude Cleansing Facial Oil - £28 for 100ml (I have the sample size), Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm - £34 for 100ml, Super Facialist by Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Calming Creamy Cleanser - £7.99 for 150ml

I have been using these cleansers on rotation for quite a while now and I can safely say I love them all. I've already spoken about the Emma Hardie Moringa Balm in my review of it here, but I am really enjoying using these other two products as well. 

The Nude Cleansing Facial Oil is my favourite thing to use before bed as my first cleanse. This oil is so nourishing and great a dissolving make-up - even stubborn mascara. Packed with Omega 3, Vitamin E, Sunflower Oil, Soybean Oil and Jojoba Oil it leaves my skin feeling plumped, moisturised and soft afterwards and is great for night time rejuvenation.

The Super Facialist Rose Hydrate Calming Creamy Cleanser is a gentle and soothing cream cleanser that feels really moisturising and leaves my skin hydrated after use - not dry. It smells beautiful like roses and hasn't irritated my skin. I use this for my first cleanse in the morning and follow it up with the Emma Hardie. 

All of these cleansers keep my skin clean, balanced and nourished which is what I always look for in a cleanser. 

What cleanser do you use? Have you tried any of these?

Skincare of the evening - Mon 11th Feb

Instagram Username: cocomykel

I posted this pic on my Instagram feed the other night of the products I used on my skin before bed. Aside from the cleansers I used, which I will talk about soon, I used these to hydrate and nourish my skin overnight. These are all products that I love, and most of them I use every night.

Clockwise from left to right:

Lancome Tonique Douceur

Emu Oil Well Moisturising Eye Cream

Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm

TRI-Peptox Collagen+ Overnight Recharge

REN Omega 3 Night Repair Serum

Hydraluron Serum

Have you tried any of these products? I have already spoken about the Lancome 
toner, the eye cream, and Hydraluron in previous posts so you can use the 'search' bar

to look those products up!

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm

This post is long over-due.........and I'm going to keep it short because there is not a lot to say.

This product is amazing. Literally.

I'd heard so much about this little pot of wonder, and wanted to try it for myself for ages as the things I'd heard were good. When I saw that 1x100ml and 1x50ml were on QVC for around £27 (the balm on it's own retails for £34) I thought it was my excuse to indulge!

It's a cleansing balm designed to clean your face and remove make-up without stripping the skin and leaving it 'perfectly balanced'.

 I can hands down say I can't live without this, it's incredible. The smell, the texture, how it melts, how it removes make-up, how it turns into a balmy-oil that makes your skin feel divine, how it makes your skin feel SO clean but not dry at all. It really does tick every single box of expectations from a cleansing balm.

Another reason why this is so good is because even my boyfriend uttered out of the blue "That Emma Hardie stuff is actually really nice ain't it" *does double take*.

I'd say this would be great for all skin types, especially dry, but my combination/normal skin loves it and it doesn't make me oily, it keeps everything balanced. I urge anyone and everyone - you need this! But I warn you, this product is highly addictive. You can pick it up from feelunique for £34 or look out on QVC for when they have it on offer.


Have you tried the Emma Hardie balm?

Boots Haul: Hydraluron and Haircare

So I popped into Boots today when I was supposed to be banking in town - whoops! It never ends well for my bank balance when I enter Boots, especially now my local is stocking Hydraluron *screams*!!!

I have been squeeeeeeeezing my tube of Hydraluron to death for a while now so it was about time that I picked up a new tube. I stopped using it for a little while when I noticed it was running out, wanting to save it for when I really needed it. Truth is, I need this stuff everyday. When I started to get extremely dry skin last week due to the weather, this little bad boy was slathered on before bed and when I woke up my skin was so soft, supple and plump - really plump. I think sometimes it takes going without a product for a while to really appreciate and know for certain that it works - and this stuff WORKS! I cannot sing it's praises enough, *sings*.

Then I picked up some much needed haircare products as my hair has not been behaving itself what so ever for the last few days, it's been really dry on the ends and fluffy - ergh! The 3 for 2 promotions in Boots always suck me in so I ended up getting six items. 

I picked up the Lee Stafford Blinding Brunette Conditioner for natural or coloured brunette hair, as I dye it to keep it glossy and bright, so I thought this conditioner will help to keep it really chocolatey.

I also picked up the James Brown Rich Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner as I need some hydration in my hair, desperately!

I also picked up two Umberto Giannini products - The Glam Hair Backcomb in a Bottle and the Glam Hair Princess Purrfect Hot Styler Spray. I got these because both my heat defence spray and texturising spray are on their way out. I also got my favourite leave-in cream that I use for styling my hair - the Toni & Guy Prep Leave In Conditioner, this really makes a difference to how smooth and sleek my hair is when I'm blowdrying and straightening it. It's nice to be able to keep the hair moisturised and hydrated without having to wash the product out. 

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What are your recent beauty buys?

Weekly Skin Treatments - Alpha-H Micro Cleanse and Alba Botanica Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask

Alpha-H Micro Cleanse 50ml and Alba Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask 85g

I recently decided to add these two products to my skincare routine as weekly treatments to further better my skin. I believe that masks and exfoliants are so important to keep skin looking healthy, de-congested and smooth. These two products in particular focus on the refinement of the skins texture, something my skin has been needing at the moment.

I am prone to micro bumps and congestion in my t-zone as well as blackheads, I decided to go for a product containing Papaya as I have read lots about it's 'skin-eating' properties. It really helps by eating the dead skin cells that can build up over time.

This mask by Alba Botanica has been a really nice mask to use as its gel texture feels really cooling on the skin and is completely clear, so wearing this won't scare the postman! It says to leave it on for around 5 minutes, however I sometimes leave it on for longer if I am doing things around the house. When I remove the mask my skin feels really, really soft, and I have noticed that with continued use that my skin looks smoother and dry flakes are gone.

I loved this mask especially when I had the flu just before Christmas as my nose gets really dry and flakey when I have a cold. After using this my nose was smooth and all the flakes were gone without having to physically exfoliate it with a scrub, which would irritate my skin further. 

I love a good gritty face scrub and this Alpha-H one fits the bill perfectly. I was drawn to it due to it's 12% Glycolic acid content as I love this ingredient in skincare products. This is perfect for my skin as its so exfoliating. I use the scrub and work it around my face for around a minute, then I leave it on my skin for about 5 minutes to let the Glycolic acid get to work and exfoliate my skin chemically. You must make sure you rinse this off thoroughly as some beads can be left on the skin. After I use this my skin feels firm and smooth, and this scrub really helps to clear my skin of congestion and keep it's texture smooth and soft. 

I love both these products and I find that using them 2-3 times a week helps my skin to stay smooth and clear. What products do you use as your weekly treatments?