Chanel Perfection Lumiere

Product Review

 

I've tried to be really good recently and only buy products that i know i really need and use on a regular basis. But, along came Valentines, and i felt like i deserved a little treat! I decided I'd have a little splurge and try a Different Chanel foundation for my winter 'pale days'. The truth is, days when i can't be bothered to tan.

So when i got to the Chanel counter i did my normal speech about needing something with a high coverage for acne and combination skin and the Chanel rep recommended Perfection Lumiere . I had already seen a few positive reviews on this particular foundation it so i asked if she could apply it all over (as you can never really tell how well it goes onto your skin otherwise). She advised me on applying with a brush to get better coverage. I have heard mixed reviews on using brushes, and for me personally i have gone off using them. Because i have certain areas that need more attention when applying, i find by using my fingertips i can apply it more evenly and i have more control over how much i use. I also find it gives it a more natural finish when applied skin to skin, but that could just be my personal preference because of my skin type. When i have used brushes in the past I've found that my skin gets worse and worse as it spreads bacteria back and forth every use unless you have time to thoroughly clean them everyday. 

The foundation smelt so fresh as she brushed it on and blended it from the middle outwards. The texture was very luxurious and creamy but still so light on the skin. Usually i need to use concealer on my chin area on top of my foundation but this was such high coverage i didn't need anything extra. The finish looked dewy (which is almost impossible to find with high coverage foundation) and at the same time it also felt like i had dusted over the top with a setting powder. The colour was possibly the best match I've ever had as i usually go for something to match my tan and not my natural skin tone. The foundation Lasted a good 6-8 hours which is good for me! The rep also gave me some under eye gel samples to try and persuaded me to get the blusher she had applied afterwards. Lets face it i don't need much persuading! The eye gel felt amazingly refreshing under my eyes, and soaked in so quickly. The little tubes that she gave me have lasted ages and although i don't really suffer with bags under my eyes, they do feel slightly tighter and less puffy in the mornings.

The next day i applied the same look with my fingers and was really happy with the results.  So if your looking for something with a flawless and dewy finish this is definitely the foundation for you. I wouldn't perhaps recommend this to someone without blemishes or uneven skin as it it would be far too heavy for you. The selling point for me wouldn't just be the lasting coverage, but the buildable layers. Throughout the day you can apply thicker layers on precise areas to ideally control your complexion’s perfection.

Perfection Lumiere retails in at £36.00

The Products;

 

PERFECTION LUMIÈRE

Long-wear Flawless Fluid Makeup

12 Beige Rose

 

 

Joues Contraste

Powder Blush

64 Pink Explosion

 

 

The 'Pink Explosion 'blusher comes in a cute little velvet pouch.

Hydra Beauty

Radiance Eye Gel

The Look

For this I also used:

Lancome Hypnose Mascara

Eyeko Liquid Eyeliner

Clinique Eyeshadow- Super Shimmer 35

Illamasqua Eyebrow Cake- Motto

Nars Lipgloss - Paris Follies

Dior Lip Glow

 



Liebster Award Nomination

So excited to share with you all that i have been nominated by Amy Graham for the Liebster Award eek!

The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. Isn't that sweet? Blogging is about building a community and it's a great way to connect with other bloggers and help spread the word about newer bloggers/blogs.

It was lovely to find out a little bit more about Amy, and now it's my turn! As I've been nominated i now have to state 11 facts about myself and then answer 11 questions. Here goes!

11 Facts about me;

1. I'm very shy until i get to know someone.
2. I am 5"11, so very tall!
3. I have a huge addiction with anything related to beauty and skincare.
4. I work with babies as young as 3 months.
5. I'm looking into doing some nannying abroad soon.
6. I'm planning to move to New Zealand in the near future.
7. I love taking photos (Which my friends hate on nights out).
8. I'm good at making cocktails.
9. I've fallen in love with the film About Time.
10. My nickname is Bambi as i constantly fall over and i cant ever seem to walk in a straight line!
11. I never get hangovers!

What is your favourite animal?

This is an easy one for me! As you can tell from my previous blog 'The King of Beauty' which features my gorgeous cat George, cats have got to be my favourite animal hands down. It might be boring but its the truth! :) They are so loyal and give the best cuddles...they even help you sort out your makeup ha!

 What is your favourite make-up brand?

Hardest question ever!! I swap and change so much it's hard to pick just one. For me, at the moment, my favourite brand is Nars. I love the colouring of their products, the Luxurious feel, and the fact you can use the majority of their makeup from day to night (which is hard to find!).

What is your favourite brand for skincare?

This is also quite a difficult one for me. as I've suffered with acne for the past nine years, I'm constantly trying new products as my skin changes so often. I tend to go through phases using products such as Clinique, Clarins, Lancome, Vichy and Dior and i like to mix up what i use depending on my skin that day. But I'd have to say overall my favourite is Clarins. For A beauty addict with sensitive skin, Clarins is the most soothing and reliable brand I've used to date.

What shade of lipstick do you usually go for?

I tend to go for nude, peachy or baby pink shades as they suit my pale skin tone. occasionally I'll wear red but that is very occasionally!

What is your favourite meal?

I'm not a fussy eater in the slightest, but cook me anything Italian and I'm all yours! ha.

What is your dream job?

Any Job that involves Travel and Beauty. Two of my favourite things in life!

Why did you start blogging?

Ive wanted to start a blog for a very long time based on Acne and beauty, but never quite had the confidence to. Then recently i was persuaded to do so by a friend and just went for it, so happy i listened to her!

Why did you choose to blog about your chosen subject?

When you've suffered with acne for a long period of time, you get to know what works and what doesn't work for you. If I'd had someone to guide me through what products to use when i first had it, i think it would of saved me a huge amount of money. So if i can achieve that with someone else it would make me massively happy!

What is your favourite thing in your room?

I recently gave my room a little makeover and changed quite a few bits and pieces. I have a huge amount of love for my bed, but i think this is probably quite normal and most people probably do! So, i would have to say that my favourite item has got to be my handmade wardrobe handles. They are pastel pink ceramic roses, and they are so beautiful. They go with the Floral theme to my room so well, and I'vee had some lovely comments on them!

What is your favourite flower?

Either Cream Roses or pastel coloured Hydrangeas.

Would your rather get dressed up or be in your slouchies and have a pamper eve?

Depends what the occasion is and who the company was. During the summer months there's nothing i love more then getting dressed up and having drinks out with the girls or a nice meal, but come the winter i love a cosy night in with a film on in the background, open a bottle of wine and have girly chat whilst in our pj's with a face mask on! :)

Here are my 5 nominations;

Some lovely girls with beautiful blogs!

Polly Williams

Laura Beth

This London Life

Lipstick Loveheart Beauty

Emily Louise Golding

Here are your 11 questions Girls, get typing!

1. What is your blog about?
2. What do you want to achieve from your blog?
3. Name your most used beauty product.
4. What do you most admire about yourself?
5. What part of the world would you most like to travel to?
6. What is your all time favourite skincare brand?
7. What is your favourite TV series?
8. Do you have any annoying habbits?
9. Do you have a motto that you live your life by? What is it?
10. What advice would you give to a new blogger?
11. What’s your favourite blog post you’ve written so far?

Thanks for reading,

Alys

x

February Favourites

Beauty Bloggers We're almost half way through February already! So, before it's over i want to share with you a quick run down of my favourite products that i've reviewed in the last few weeks. Enjoy!

Bioderma Sensibio H2O 100ml

My first item is a french skin product that has been all over the Internet recently. I may be a little bit late in discovering Bioderma, but I've completely fallen head over heels in love with it! Bioderma is aimed at people with very sensitive skin, for me it for filled this role one hundred percent. It gently removes all traces of makeup and leaves my skin feeling soothed soft and hydrated. Its not often i can find a product that my skin doesn't reject immediately. During the first application, i appeared to have zero itchiness, redness or irritation and my skin didn't feel sore in the slightest. The liquid has such a light consistency it doesn't feel like a normal cleanser. For the majority of people, i would recommend to use this as an alternative to face wipes, which I personally don’t think are very good for your skin. I do sometimes use a cream afterwards if I want to double cleanse, then follow with a toner, but with this product it's not essential to your routine. I brought a smaller 100ml  bottle to start with as i have so many cleansers, toners and makeup removers that I've brought over time and they haven't been suitable for me. So I'm grateful that you can buy this as a smaller size to try first, also would be great as a travel size option. Although, its safe to say i will be purchasing the larger 500ml bottle as soon as possible!

Aveda Dry Remedy

Daily Moisturising Oil

This a new product for Aveda, and not something I've seen them do before. Dry Remedy is a very very light moisturising oil. A saviour for all those split ends and to give your hair a little bit of love when it starts to get a bit dry and frazzled. Ive been using this on my hair everyday for the past two weeks and can't get over the change already. You can use it on dry or freshly washed hair i sometimes apply to both if it really needs it.

Aveda has only recently come into my life in the past 12 months. A friend of mine introduced me to a hair salon called 'The Angel' which is in the heart of Ludlow(Shropshire). I had heard of the brand Aveda before but not ever tried any of their products. The first time i had my hair cut coloured and blow dried i was completely astonished at the difference it made, i felt like a new woman! Of course i give a huge amount of credit to my amazing and very lovely Aussie stylist Amanda, and i am so grateful to her for introducing me to the brand. Over the last 12 months I've made my way through quite a few of their products ranging from shampoo, conditioner, hair protectors, and a range of serums, and to my surprise loved every single one of them. This has got to be the best so far though. As my hair is naturally quite dry and frizzy i usually need oil or serum to smooth it down. After using Moroccan oil for so long when i changed to this i realised that Moroccan oil wasn't actually treating my hair. It seemed soften temporarily but after every wash it would revert to its frizzy dry self. The dry remedy isn't as over scented and is reconstructing to the strands of your hair. I  would describe it as more of a long term treatment. Aveda is very gentle on your hair and i don't think my hair has ever been in such good condition as it is at the moment. Its thick, shiny and looks naturally healthy. The only downside is the hefty price tag to go with them. I see it as more of an investment though as I'm really trying to look after my hair!

Here is the link for my very talented hair dresser.

http://angelhairstudio.com/contact.html

La Roche-Posay

Effaclar duo

Corrective unclogging care

Anti-imperfections

Lastly this is a product I am currently trialling and reviewing but i just wanted to share with you all what I've brought this month. This is a new Acne based product by La Roche-Posey. Recently, I've read so many good reviews on this product and when you have suffered with problem skin for as long as i have, you'll give anything a go! I have quite a lot of redness and unevenness to my skin which is caused by scaring from previous acne combined with new blemishes. The main aspect of this corrective cream is to Unclog pores and Fight against marks so i was hoping that it would start to fade my scars and make my skin look slightly more even. I started using this product about a week and a half ago and have noticed a few small differences so far. My skin feels slightly flatter, it hasn't made any spots disappear but they seem less angry. My scaring is still very prominent but over all my skin feels smooth and hydrated. I'm not convinced that this has anything to do with this product yet though! The cream itself has a smooth light texture and soaks in very quickly. Once applied on to your skin you can moisturise over the top and then apply makeup. I'll keep using this morning and night and re post in a few weeks with the results.

Essie

'Lilacism, Ballet Slippers and Instant Hot'

 

I've always been a huge fan of Essie nail polish, but for some reason recently i cant stop buying their new pastel coloured collections.  I'm unsure if its my taste changing or if its the sad fact that I'm just growing up, but I've had a change of heart when it comes to nails. Nowadays i only seem to wear light pinks nudes or pastel shades. My favourite so far has got to be 'ballet slippers' . You have to apply several coats, but it has such a natural glossy look and I've been given so many lovely compliments whilst wearing it, i just cant get enough! I brought some whilst i was in America recently as they are so much cheaper, but these i brought from a website i discovered called: Nail Polish Direct. They were very cheap compared to the normal UK prices in store, the delivery was free and i received them within two days. on the website they have pretty much every Essie collection there is. And  to top it off, if your a member of Facebook, you can receive £1 off of your order! Definitely worth a look for all you Essie addicts.

Bumble and Bumble

Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner

This is a product i have wanted to try for a while but, as I've previously stated I'm a very loyal customer to the brand Aveda and I've been reluctant to try anything else! So whilst talking to some other blogger's online and reading their reviews on it, i decided I'd give it a go! When i received the bottles i couldn't believe that they were 250ml in size, they are so little so i decided i would be very sparing when using them! I already have fairly thick hair but this collection had the best reviews, and anyway what girl doesn't want thicker hair! It does say on the back of the bottle that you only need to use a little. So, when i applied the shampoo and it didn't foam up like a normal shampoo i was really worried i hadn't used enough and that it wouldn't of thoroughly washed it through. I carried on regardless hoping that it had. After conditioning i combed out my hair and applied some oil to tame the frizz! I used my large barrel hg styling brush to blow dry and about half way through i could tell slightly that it felt like the strands were thicker. My hair dried well and it had washed through fine, phew! After the first time of using it, it didn't necessarily look 'thicker' but the strands appeared stronger and more structured. It felt extremely glossy and the colour looked radiant. I felt like i had just stepped out of the salon! Since using it i have noticed my hair feeling stronger right from the roots and it doesn't seem break off as easily as it would before. For me, i would love to try some of they're other products before buying this again as i don't feel it had a massively life changing effect on me but , I would definitely recommend this if your hair is very this and and limp. The products are definitely worth the hefty price tag that comes with it!

Thank you for reading

Alys

x

Clean Room Clean Mind

...As my Mum tells me often.

Thanks to my lovely Dad, i now have a shelf, double the size of my old one to hold and display all of my products on. Whilst i was sorting through my rediculous collection, i decided to give my bedroom a little makeover. Having such a small room i am constantly trying to find different ways to organise and store everything. This is the end result, let me know what you think!

I've organised all of my products into groups ranging from eyes, brows and lips to tools,moisturiser and hair. In total i used 15 old glossy box's to arrange them in, and then any over spill or larger items I've placed in order of use next to the correctly labelled box. I Don't think I've ever been this structured and disciplined, i wonder how long it will last!

The Large Stopwatch and ribbon (above my mirror) i got from an Accessorize window display a few years ago, still not quite sure what to do with the stopwatch as it so big but i love it so much i cant seem to depart with it! The wicker basket is from a group of three i brought from a Laura Ashley warehouse in Newtown. I use the largest for washing, the middle for hair appliances and the smallest as a bin! They are so useful in a small room, especially as they have lids, you can easily hide away anything messy.

Ive been looking out for some new lights to go around my bed post for a while now. Just before Christmas i was down in Kent visiting family and my auntie kindly gave me this set. they are made to look like glass with a gold layer on one side of the shapes (hearts, diamonds and stars). They give such a pretty effect at nighttime and its so nice to not have to have my main light on all the time!

Anyone that's visited my room will know i have a slight obsession with hearts! I'm not sure what it is about them, i just seem to love them haha. This one in particular i was given to by a friend so i love it even more and the quote written on it is so cute!

My mum recently brought me this new bed collection from Ikea. I love it so much. the material feels silky and theres nothing quite like getting into a freshly made bed! The duvet set comes with four pillow cases, and the spread has little flowers over the middle part. It looks so beautiful on and it goes with the rest of my room. I feel so old getting excited over bed linen! If your reading, Thanks Mum!

I absolutely adore these two paintings, they are my favourite flowers and look gorgeous just sat on either side of my window. I've wanted to put them up for a while but wasn't quite sure where to place them! So delighted that they are now part of my room.

This Beautiful Lamp i inherited, I'm not quite sure where it was from when it was first brought but i know that its had a few different lamp shades. I'm in love with the glass and metal stand. The lampshade gives it a classic feel and i know its boring but i love cream! The mix between vintage and modern materials are possibly my favourite mix/design to buy.

Thank you for reading,

Alys

x

The King of Beauty

Today i decided to sort out all of my makeup, tools and products that have been cluttering up my shelves, exploding from underneath and around my bed...and anywhere else i can squeeze them! Halfway through i came back into my room to discover my cat George just chilling in the middle of it all :) so cute!

 

Alys

x

My Weekend Routine

This is the last thing i ever thought i would be doing, but here goes! I've never quite gone completely naked (without makeup) in front of strangers or anyone for that matter! For people that know me well, will know that this is a huge deal for me!

 

As you can see my chin area is my worst affected part of my face. I suffer with acne mainly around my jawline and chin area. I have a really bad habit (my dermatologist constantly reminds me of) in which i touch my skin when I'm anxious or worrying about something. For me this is probably one of the main reasons my skin hasn't ever really properly cleared up!

During the week while I'm at work i don't tend to wear full coverage makeup, as i feel i need to let my skin breathe. So i usually just apply a small amount of tinted moisturiser. But, By the weekend when I'm out and about i like to use this routine for  my face and lips. 

So first of all in the shower i wash my skin with the Clinique redness solutions, which starts to calm and soothe the affected areas by the time I'm out the shower and dressed. Then, when its started to look less inflamed i apply La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (I will be doing a post on this very soon so keep your eyes peeled). I let this soak into my skin for a few minutes and then i apply a small amount of Benefit Pore Fessional to the worst areas. This Makes my overall skin tone a little more even for when i apply the foundation. Afterwards I use the tips of my fingers to apply about a pea sized amount of Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser.  Then Again i go over the worst affected areas with my Lancome Long Lasting Softening Concealer. I use this as its not too drying but has a good full coverage. I tap on the concealer with my fingers as it gives a more natural finish. Lastly, on the foundation front, i spray a small amount of Dior Air Flash Spray Foundation onto my Flat edged foundation Brush, and dab onto my skin all over. First i concentrate on my chin and jawline, then all over to merge the colours and make the whole look a little more even. This Foundation is a new find of mine  that i fell in love with as it gives such a flawless finish.

In the daytime i like my lips to look subtle and moisturised. So for this look i apply some of my Clinique chubby stick which gives a very natural colour tint then i go over the top of this with the Dior Lip Glow for the moisture and Shine. I realise this isn't my whole makeup look, but i wanted to show you a before and after of my worst affected areas. Please let me know what you think and let me know what you use on your skin:).

 

Thanks for reading,

Alys

x

A Guide to Luscious Lips

One of my main addictions in life has got to be lip balms. I have a constant need for moisturised luscious lips, and as i cant use anything scented on my skin normally, i try to find something heavenly smelling to make up for it! so here are just a few I've been trying recently.

Crème de Rose

'The must have care for damaged lips. The lip balm allies the expertise of Dior research in nutrition to the delicate smoothness of rose petals. All its nourishing power comes from the rare and precious Damask Rose essential oil extract together with an anti-ageing complex and Shea butter. Lips are instantly soothed, moisturised, beautifully plumped and soft. Totally addictive!' http://www.dior.com/beauty/en_gb/fragrance-and-beauty/make-up-and-cosmetics-by-christian-dior-lipstick-m/lips/lip-balm/pr-lipbalm-Y0026470-smoothing-plumping-lip-balm.html

I purchased this a few months ago when it first came out as a little treat for myself. I was extremely excited to try it as I'd read lots of good reviews on it. The balm comes in a cute little Dior box and the packaging itself is unique and looks luxurious. When first opened you can already smell the balm, it has almost a Turkish delight essence. the balm itself is solid so seems to last a long time. I've had it about 4 months now and i am only about half way through, considering i reapply throughout the day ALOT I'm surprised its not empty yet! So if your looking for something special and luxurious i would definitely recommend this. it has now gone down considerably in price so is worth the buy!








Eos


Recently on a trip to New York, my cousin and i came across these cute little sphere shaped lip balms. we'd both seen them advertised everywhere over instagram but not yet been able to try one. We brought one in nearly every colour in order to try them all and loved the look of them! The balm itself is a very light moisturising balm, so wouldn't be very beneficial to very dry lips. it has a very waxy texture which may not appeal to the majority of people. They all individually smell lovely, but have no real long term effect on your lips. You have to apply quite alot of the balm to create a desired effect. The only other con would be the shape of the packaging. originally i like the uniqueness of it, but its not very practical. I usually keep an emergency lip balm in my pocket but this is almost impossible to keep discreetly. overall i wouldn't recommend this to people looking for a long term solution for dry chapped lips. I wanted to love Eos so badly but unfortunately, the product did not work for me.






Nivea Lip Butter

This has got to be my favourite product I've found so far. At first glance it has a hard waxy look about it, but once applied its almost completely opposite. The texture is luxurious and creamy and everything you need in these dark winter months. In just under a day i could see a huge improvement. The vanilla and macadamia flavour smells divine i almost want to eat it every time i apply it. I found the balm lasts quite a while as you don't need to use alot. The only thing that lets it down is its packaging. I think it cheapens the product and don't show it off to its full extent. overall, i would recommend to anyone! It is extremely moisturising and although its very thick and creamy, its a long term solution to cure those dry peeling lips.




Dior Addict Lip Glow

'A made-to-measure lip balm that beautifies and durably enhances the lips’ natural colour. A customised colour result : thanks to its Colour Reviver technology, Dior Addict Lip Glow reacts directly with the unique chemistry of each woman’s lips before releasing its colour ingredient. Lips seem revived from within, amazingly fresh, full and radiant. In addition, its formula enriched with wild mango and luffa cylindrica continuously protects and moisturises. A universal balm for all lips.'
http://www.dior.com/beauty/en_gb/fragrance-and-beauty/make-up-and-cosmetics-by-christian-dior-lipstick-m/lips/lip-balm/pr-lipbalm-Y0027010-colour-awakening-lip-balm.html


Whilst having my makeup done by a Dior rep recently, she recommended i tried this on top of a lipstick. I absolutely loved it! It kept my lips moisturised for a long period of time and kept the colour looking natural and subtle. even without lipstick underneath it gives your lips a soft pink boost, giving anyone a  natural colour an upgrade. Although i don't believe it has any long term effects and it's not going to solve any chapped lips problems, its a short term solution if your wanting to wear lipstick and have very dry lips.

Body Shop Shea Butter Balm

I brought this recently as an emergency substitute when i ran out whilst out shopping. The product itself smells amazing, which is what had drawn me to begin with. When i first applied the balm i really liked the look on my lips, its shiny smooth and almost as good as a gloss. However, after a few applications my lips started to feel sore and they got even more chapped the more i used it. The butter melted quickly and turned into a liquid making it very greasy. This product is ok on the odd occasion when you need a fix but i wouldn't recommend this as a product you can re apply again and again throughout the day. Its a shame because the body butter pots are completely different!


Lastly;

Yu-Be Moisturising Skin Cream



This multi-functional concentrated yellow cream is a cult product from Japan containing natural ingredients such as glycerine and a variety of vitamins especially formulated to target dry skin. It is perfect for use on knees, elbows, feet, and face etc.  I found that you can also apply to chapped lips during the winter, the results were instant and better than using a lip balm. The cream, itself, is non greasy, sinks into the skin and smells slightly medicated. This moisturiser is gentle, soothing, and ideal for sensitive skin types or even someone that suffers with eczema. I also tend to use this on my hands and feet after i've painted my nails as its great for your cuticles. A little goes a long way and you notice an improvement in the texture of the skin almost instantly. A definite staple for the bathroom cabinet! 


Thankyou for reading girls,

Alys
x

Lets Talk Skincare

Before I begin, I thought I should point out that our skin not only differs from person to person, but also goes through plenty of phases throughout our lives. Just like how our mood changes during different times of the day, our skin and its needs also differ. After talking to many skin specialists, this was the one bit of advice i always keep in mind. Over time, I have learnt how to deal with my skin better because I realised I needed to approach skincare in a more a holistic manner. It’s really all about a balance of treatments, the right products, and general well being. Throughout the years of having acne, as I've changed, my skin has altered too which is why i change my skin routines and the products that i use so frequently.

Recently on a girls weekend away, a friend of mine was astounded at my skincare collection and array of foundations. i explained that my skin had changed so much in the past year that I've had to alternate what i use on a daily basis. for example; one day it might be very dry equally the next it could be so sensitive that i cant apply anything! This is a rather difficult topic for me to approach because I mix my products around so often. Each year, I go from having horrendous skin (in my opinion) to pretty clear skin, this can alternate every other week and i continue using different products at different stages throughout. Keeping this in mind...I've put together a list of my top products that i cant live without on a weekly basis and at the same time go through a basic routine.

Firstly:

FACE WASH OR MAKEUP REMOVER

I tend to use a gentle face wash instead of makeup remover as i find wipes too harsh on my skin and usually too painful to use. So instead i opt for 'Dermol' antimicrobial emollient (a cream usually used for eczema or dermatitis), which i was prescribed by my doctor a very long time ago and is still to date the only wash that doesn't cause my skin any extra problems.

 

CLEANSING WASHES

usually after washing my skin i then wash it again with a gentle cleanser. The three products that i would recommend and alternate regularly depending on my skin condition would be;

1) Clinique soothing cleanser

Over the years I've made my way through pretty much every one of clinique anti-blemish solution products and this has to be one of my favourites. when i have a breakout my skin gets very red and itchy and this is my savour! Its not excessively expensive to buy and really cools down my skin, making me look a little more human!

2) Clinique cleansing foam

 

This is very similar to the first product but i tend to use this if my skin is having a 'normal' day, in my case, isn't too dry, too oily or too sensitive. It makes your skin feel lovely after and i always feel radiant. You can also buy this in soap form, which lasts so much longer but over the years I've realised i prefer to buy the bottle version as when dealing with acne-prone skin, you want to be as hygienic as possible so using a pump saves you contaminating the product for your next use.

Lastly

3) Dior Gentle Foaming Cleanser

Its not very often i can use products or would even recommend them with fragrances in but this is one beauty must have! Dior have excelled in making something very unique for sensitive skin. it may be a lot pricier then the other two but if your looking for something a bit more luxurious then definitley give this a go! I use this if my skin is having a sensitive day and i cant apply makeup. it smells incredible and leaves your skin feeling soft, clean and wakes me up for the day!

CLEANSERS

My top three cleansers;

1)  Lancome Cleansing Fluid

This is a very lightweight cleanser, which is great if your skin is very dry or sensitive, I've used this for a long time now and am still able to use and reuse even when my skin changes.

2) Clarins Extra Comfort Anti-pollution Cleansing Cream

My mum actually introduced me to this one! she came across this after receiving a Clarins gift pack and made me try it, it contains Shea butter which is very moisturising and calming to red and angry skin. They also make mini's which are perfect when your travelling (especially when you already have so many products).

3) Dior Gentle cleansing Milk

This can be used along side the foaming cleanser above.

TONING

Top Three toners;

1) Lancome Softening Hydrating Toner

This toner smells lovely and feels very fresh once applied onto your skin. It does an amazing job of hydrating your complexion.

2) Dior Purifying Toning Lotion

This is a great toner for combination or oily acne prone skin, although I'd like to see this in a spray bottle most cotton pads tends to absorbs the product. It is incredibly gentle and soothing to angry skin. its quite pricey but worth it, if your going to go down the Dior route and buy the whole collection together.

3)Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner

I came across this product whilst scanning the Internet for a new toner one day. I'd heard about Dr. Hauschka before, from a friend and decided to give the small tester sets a go. I found it really relieved my skin without being too heavy, and so when i need that extra moisture this is what i use. its often very hard to find the right balance when using oils and this is one I'd definitely recommend!

Its known best to be a specially formulated toner for very oily and acne conditioned skin. with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps soothe, calm and harmonise the skin. It also helps regulate oil production in the skin so great for acne prone skin.

MOISTURISE

For me this is the focus of all my routines. People often think moisturising is a no-no for acne but for me its the most important thing. you need to keep your skin hydrated at all times, especially if you've been prescribed medication as usually it can be extremely drying! Ive tried and tested so many different moisturisers and use a different one from day to day. For my morning routine i usually end with;

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel

I've loved this for a long time as its not too heavy for the day, to wear under makeup, its not greasy and keeps your skin hydrated all day.

And at night i usually rely on;

Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm

Some people find this far too heavy but for me its what i need over night. Lancome also do this in a lotion for which is great for the day, but for me this is my savour!

One last thing I'd like to add to my products i couldn't live with out would be;

Clarins Gentle Peeling Smooth Away Cream

This is one of my all time favourite products...maybe its because i searched high and low for something on this level! last year i'd been longing for a gentle exfoliator, but having such sensitive skin its so hard to find one that's gentle enough but does a good job at peeling away all the dead skin cells and giving you new fresh skin. Its a must have if you in desperate need of exfoliating but don't want anything too heavy.

I realise this is a really long blog but i have so many favourite products that i swap and change and hopefully this might encourage you to try something new or find something you've been looking for!

Thank you for reading and i hope this helps.

Alys

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