Skincare: Home and Away Part 2

On Friday I shared with you the skincare routine I follow while I'm at home. Some of you may know that I am a support worker for adults with autism, and that job sometimes involves staying overnight at work on night-shifts and sleepover shifts. In addition to that, I also travel home to Glasgow often, so having a good travel skincare routine is crucial. I thought it might be interesting to show you guys what I use on the go as well, since people seem to have enjoyed my first post!

Yes I use face-wipes. So sue me. For some reason, quite a lot of beauty bloggers have a problem with face-wipes (I don't know what or why), and they seem to look down upon using wipes. For me, these T-Zone Shine Control Cleansing Wipes are brilliant at taking all my make-up off fast, reduces shine and also have tea-tree oil so it means they help a bit with breakouts. The reason I use face-wipes is that in my line of work, you never know when something might happen, or when someone might need you, so there's not always enough time to do a full cleanse-tone-etc. routine, so these wipes come in handy for that. The link will take you to an online retailer, but if you live near a Home Bargains store, they sell these for 49p a pack. BARGAIN!!

If I have time to do a full routine, whether at work or if I'm away, I start by cleansing with DHC Deep Cleansing Oil. This was the infamous mini given away with a Glossybox and I'm still working my way through it. Self explanatory: rub into face, leave for 1 minute, then rinse. Done! This bottle is nearly finished, and as much as I like it I can't rebuy it (Damn you no-buy!). Next up, I have a travel size bottle of my favourite Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner, because it's the one product I can't travel without! After toning, I use a serum, No.7 Pore Refining Serum. I use this in my travel bag for 2 reasons: 1. My pores are craterous and 2. It's the only serum I have that's travel friendly (i.e. it's not a sachet.). It's good for reducing the size of my pores, but I should really try to use it more often to reap the benefits. Because it's currently winter, I'm using Body Shop's Vitamin E Moisture Cream for moisturising, which is doing wonders for balancing out the dry and oily parts of my skin, leaving it more evenly matched. And for spots, my trusted T-Zone Spot Zapping Stick, from Home Bargains.

There are some similar products in here and in my home routine, but my general rule for travel skincare is don't let it take up too much bag space. Which is why I take as many minis as possible. Body Shop are particularly good for offering travel sizes of their best skincare products, and whenever you can, ask at counters for sample sizes. If you don't ask, you don't get so it's always worth a shot!

That's my travel skincare routine and my tips; how do you take care of your skin when you travel? What products can you simply not travel without?

Christina xo

Skincare - Home and Away!

Since the bells rang in 2013 I have not worn a single ounce of make-up! No base, no mascara, not one single piece of make-up has graced my skin. Mainly because I've had the flu since New Year and have barely left the house, lucky me. Today, since the only thing I've been using since then is skincare, I would take you through my daily skincare routine, what I use and why. Also, since I do overnight shifts at work quite frequently, I thought I would show you what skincare I use when I travel too! So here we go...

HOME

For cleansing I like to begin with Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser. This is my first foray into using such cleansers, but I really like this, it has a very light fragrance, and it cleanses well, leaving my skin feeling refreshed and looking bright. If I'm removing make-up first however, I will use Clarins Water Purify One Step Cleanser with a cotton wool pad. This is great at removing all traces of make-up (though for mascara I tend to just use water, I don't like eye make-up removers).

Next: exfoliation. I use Body Shop's Pore Cleansing Facial Exfoliator. This a great scrub for me; I like scrubs that are quite chunky and scrubby (know what I mean?), and this fits the bill. My skin always feels extra smooth after using this.

Some people don't like to use toners, but I feel I need to in order to reduce the amount of oil and open pores on my face, so for that I use Body Shop's Seaweed Clarifying Toner. It's light, not harsh on the skin, but does the job I need it to do. And it does it well too!

My next step is to use a serum/facial oil. At the moment, I am working through some samples of Lancome Genefique. It is amazing, my skin is smoother, more radiant when I use it. If only it didn't cost £56 for the smallest bottle! Even though I've managed to stretch out a 5 day sample pack into nearly 3 weeks worth of usage, I'm still not entirely convinced that this is worth so much money. My preferred option for this step is Antipodes Avocado Oil and Rosehip Divine Facial Oil. This is very rich, and it does take some time to fully sink into the skin, but it has helped so much with my spots (when I have them) and it smells divine, as the name would suggest!

Moisturiser is my next step, and at the moment I'm using No.7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream for Oily Skin. For a moisturiser designed for oily skin, this is actually quite thick, more akin to a moisturiser for drier skin types, however it doesn't make my skin feel greasy, and it provides the right amount of moisture for my skin. At this point I also like to use an eye cream/gel. I know some people don't really see the point of these, but the one I use at the moment, Body Shop's Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel has made the skin under my eyes feel firmer and, I might be having some kind of placebo effect here, it appears to have reduced the dark circles under my eyes. For added benefit, I keep this in my fridge; this keeps it cool and means you get an extra boost of freshness when you apply it, great for a kick on those early rises!

When my skin needs a deep clean, instead of cleansing I'll start off with a face mask instead. The two I use at the moment are Eve Lom's Rescue Mask (which is lovely, but smells weird and doesn't seem to do much) and Lush's Cupcake Fresh Face Mask (which smells like chocolate, reduces shine and redness, and leaves my skin fresh and non-oily.).

Also, an extra product I use when I get spots is T-Zone Spot Zapping Stick. This is a little rollerball with tea-tree oil which you rub over your spots and this will reduce redness, swelling and keep the area cleam. This always yields results for me and I've used this for years. I usually buy this from my local Home Bargains, so if you have a store near you, have a look because it's usually much cheaper there than elsewhere.

That's my skincare routine in a nut-shell! What products do you use in your routines?

Christina xo

Hauling from home...

There seems to be a pattern forming... every time I go home to Glasgow for a weekend, I end up picking up loads of make-up and beauty items! Well, technically this time some of it was online shopping that happened to arrive while I was away, but still, I've accumulated loads more stuff in a short space of time!

First up, I had placed a Body Shop order recently. They were offering £20 off if you spent £40, plus free shipping over £30, so I stocked up on some skincare (with a few Christmas presents for others thrown in!)

 

From L-R we have: Seaweed Clarifying Toner (in both 30ml and 200ml sizes). I buy both sizes so that I can travel with one instead of lugging a bigger bottle around.
Seaweed Pore Cleansing Facial Exfoliator - I'm in need of a new facial scrub, so I thought I'd try this. It seems to have had many positive reviews, so fingers crossed!
Elderflower Cooling Eye-Gel - I'm always hunting for something to reduce the dark circles and bags underneath my eyes, so time will tell if this will work. I'm keeping it in the fridge too to see if this enhances the cooling properties!
Vitamin E Moisture Cream (15ml) - I needed a travel moisturiser, so thought I would try the much Vitamin E range.

Next up, I made an order from MUA whilst everything was on 3 for 2, so that I could pick up some gifts for my friends...and a few for myself too! (I'm so cheeky haha!)

From my online order, I picked up: Intense Kisses Lip Gloss in Stolen Kisses (a plummy deep pink/purple), Mystical Glitter Nails in Seahorse (A green/gold glitter, it's lasting very well on my nails at the moment), and the much-lauded Undressed palette is also now in my possession! Looking forward to trying it out :)

Lastly, whilst I was out with my friend Lisa, I visited Superdrug, and we all know what happens next...

Barry M had an offer where if you spent £6 you received a free nail polish, and can I resist? Can I fuck! I bought Dazzle Dust in Mushroom (The most beautiful shimmering taupe shade), Nail Paint in gold glitter and a free Nail Paint in... It doesn't appear to have a shade name, my bottle just says "Superdrug Xmas" so this might be a limited edition offer from Superdrug. However, this is a lovely turquoise shade, with gold and silver shimmer through it, a very fine glitter almost. It looks like a middle ground between Barry M's foil effect polishes and their Glitter polishes. It's gorgeous anyway!

Lastly, from MUA I bought an eyeshadow trio in Innocence, Lip Pencil in Brooding Plum (it pulls more red than plum, but still a lovely shade.) and Mega Volume Mascara in Brown/Black. Because I also spent £6 on MUA, I received a free Artiste Palette, which I gave to Lisa since I already own said palette.

So that's my haul! What have you been buying yourself lately? Are you prone to treating yourself at Christmas while you buy presents for others (like me)?!

Christina xo

November Empties!

This is my first empties post, mainly because it takes me so long to actually use anything up! This is the first month I've managed to accumulate enough empty products to warrant a post, so here we go...

MAKE-UP

Benefit's The Pore-Fessional Primer - This was a sample which came with Glamour Magazine UK. I enjoyed using it, and have already scored some more sample sachets to use. Would I actually buy it? Probably not, and my next empty will explain why...

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer - This is my holy grail of primers. Reduces oil, minimises pores and creates a flawless base for my foundation. I've already repurchased this.

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara in Brown/Black - Again, another holy grail item. This is my favourite mascara. It lengthens, defines and volumises, and I've already repurchased!

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic in Brown/Black - I wasn't overly keen on this, the brush wasn't great for separating or defining eyelashes, I only ever used it over other mascaras to try and add length. I won't be repurchasing this.

SKINCARE

Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash - This was a great little sample I received from Debenhams. I really liked this scrub, felt very cleansing and kept my skin pretty clear. Only reason why I'm not repurchasing right now is because this costs £22, and I can't really justify shelling out that much on skincare in the run-up to Christmas.

Aesop Parsley Seed Antioxidant Serum - This was a fantastic facial serum/oil, which left my skin soft, and clear. Again this is pretty pricey at £43 for 100ml, but maybe one day I will be able to afford it!

Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask - This is another "if only I could afford it" item. I loved using this face mask, it literally solved my oily skin problems for a while, but the only downside is that a full-size jar (50ml) costs £57. Though if Santa brings me Harvey Nichols vouchers, I may hop across the River Forth to Edinburgh and buy it...

Simple Clear Skin Oil-Balancing Moisturiser - I always like Simple products, they do what they say on the tin. This helped keep my skin moisturised without it becoming too oily. It didn't do it particularly well, but it helped. I have other moisturisers to use up, but I would consider repurchasing it.

Rituals Face No.1 Facial Cleanser - This is a sample I received when I visited the Rituals store in Glasgow Airport Duty Free. I didn't realise this is actually a men's face cleanser until... NOW, but it worked pretty well for a sample and it managed to get all my make-up off. I wouldn't repurchase this because it does have a bit of a manly smell to it, and personally I'd rather leave the manliness to my boyfriend :P

BODYCARE

 Soap and Glory Flake Away Scrub. Soap and Glory are my current favourites for body scrubs, and I already have another tub on the go, as well as a gift set as back-up.


Rituals Yogi Flow Shower Foam - I have loved this ever since I received my first bottle in last year's Christmas Glossybox. It has the most beautiful scent of sweetness and roses. Next time I am near a Rituals store or counter I will probably repurchase this. Once I've used up the millions of other shower gels I have too though...

So those are my empties! What have you been using this month? Any particular products that you love or loathe?

Christina xo

Feeling Lush - My Latest Buys

During my last trip home to Glasgow, I took the opportunity to visit Lush on Sauchiehall Street, since we don't have a Lush store in Fife (Fife misses out on a LOT!). I'd been hearing so many great reviews on so many lovely products so I wanted to have a nosey and see if anything caught my eye...

Which it did, this is me we're talking about after all! After using up my Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask sample, I was looking for a new face mask that could help with oil control. The sales assistant I spoke to recommended the Cupcake mask, and with the mention of chocolate I was sold!

(INGREDIENTS: Rhassoul Mud, Linseed Infusion, Glycerine, Talc, Cocoa Powder, Cocoa Butter, Fresh Mint, Sandalwood Oil, Vanilla Absolute, Spearmint Oil, Peppermint Oil, Limonene, Perfume)

I've used this once, but already I feel it works! When applying it, the mask feels lightly scrubby, like it's also exfoliating while you apply. I can feel my skin lightly tightening as I wear it, and once I wash it off? WOW! Oil-be-gone.This would not be a great mask for those with sensitive or dry skin, since it really does curb oil production on your face, but for those of us with a shine complex this is a fabulous face mask. This retails at £5.95 for 75g.

My next purchase was the Snow Fairy Shower Gel. In the run-up to Christmas everyone seems to rave about this bubblegum wonder, so I thought I would see if the hype was right.

(INGREDIENTS:  Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Propylene Glycol, Lauryl Betaine, Perfume, Lactic Acid, Synthetic Musk, Titanium Dioxide, Blue Glitter (Polyethylene terephthalate), Methyl Ionone, Benzyl Benzoate, Colour 45410, Colour 45380, Methylparaben)

This costs £6.25 for 250g. The first thing to note about this is the smell. It smells of Pear Drops, which I find lovely, but it is an extremely sweet smell, so if you're not keen on those kinds of scents then you will hate this! I like the smell, but I use this sparingly lest I should end up smelling cloying! The gel lathers up really well with my loofah, and there's even a tiny hint of glitter through the shower gel, so it's perfect for giving your body a little hint of sparkle in preparation for those Christmas nights out!

My final purchase was the product I've used the most since purchasing, the Popcorn Lip Scrub. I bought this because in winter, my lips go on the fritz, and I have to spends ages trying to restore them to some kind of presentable condition. I thought I'd give this lip scrub a go to see if it helped get rid of all the flakey dry bits that like to appear on my lips. This comes in at £5.25 for 25g.

(INGREDIENTS: Caster Sugar, Jojoba Oil, Sea Salt, Polenta, Coconut Oil, Popping Candy)

This really does taste like popcorn, it's all I can do not to just eat it!  After scrubbing my lips with a tiny fingertip of this, my lips feel a lot smoother, and in conjunction with a good lip balm my lips are so much better this year. I don't have much to say about the lip scrub, other than it does exactly what it's meant to, it works and it tastes lovely!

So that's my latest buys from Lush, have you visited a Lush store recently? What are your favourite Lush products? :)

Christina xo

Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets (Powder Free) - A Holy Grail?

Hi, my name is Christina, and I have an oily face. Not exactly an overwhelming confession, but it's true. My skin is so oily, if it's hot you could probably cook eggs off it. As a result, I'm always looking for the most effective ways to curb the crazy sebum-stream my face produces. Most of my skincare is tailored for oily skin, and I prefer matte foundations and primers. However the single biggest weapon in my arsenal is blotting sheets. I've tried 3 types so far: Boots Skin Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets (£3.56 - they were OK, tended to leave powdery residue), An Elf 3pack of different sheets that I can't find on their website (I wouldn't bother anyway, they didn't work), and Elf's Professional Shine Eraser Sheets (£1.50). I used to swear by the Professional Shine Eraser Sheets, but their only fault was that it's a bit of a pain having to order them in because you can't buy them on the high street, me being the intanst gratification type of shopper that I am. Now enter Kleenex.

Kleenex have recently brought out a range of facial products, including Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets. At £2.99 (usually on offer somewhere though) they are more pricey than Elf's offering, but they're readily available from most supermarkets and from Boots and Superdrug stores nationwide.

Also, don't these sheets look beautiful? It makes wiping oil slicks from your face look stylish! On the patterned side it has a tissue-type material, but the blotting side feels like a thin plastic-type sheet that sticks to the skin slightly to help pick up more oil. Not only do they look nice but... THEY WORK! They remove way more oil from my face than the Elf Shine Eraser's ever did. I didn't have any Elf sheets left for a comparison, but I've taken pictures of the Kleenex sheets in action to illustrate just how much they pick up:

Before:

After:

Yes, all those dark bits are the oil from my face (Gross but cool yes?). The best part about these is that previously with the Elf Shine Eraser I used to need 3-4 to get rid of all the oil from my face, whereas I usually only need 1 (sometimes 2) of the Kleenex sheets, so already they're better value for money. The Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets also won't affect your make-up, which was sometimes an issue with the Elf sheets, and they don't leave any residue.

Now, are these my holy grail blotting tissues? Given that they work, are good value for money, pretty and compact AND easy to obtain when I'm in town? I think they might be. If you have oily skin yourself I would highly recommend having these in your handbag, helping you to fight the oily war on you face :P

Do you have oily skin? Do you find using blotting tissues helps?

Christina xo