Today I want to talk about a lovely skincare starter/discovery set from Elemis.
When it comes to skincare products it can be really touch and go if your skin with get on with the new product so it just makes so much sense to try out samples of a range that are bigger than tiny freebie sachets but not as large as the full size products.
When it comes to skincare products it can be really touch and go if your skin with get on with the new product so it just makes so much sense to try out samples of a range that are bigger than tiny freebie sachets but not as large as the full size products.
So I am a true lover of sample skincare sets and have actually gone on to purchase full size products after trying out mini sets and then used what has been left from the mini set as travel products.
Elemis FreshSkin Fresh Start Discovery Kit is priced at £19.90 (Feel Unique - here) and includes:
- Elemis FreshSkin Peachy Perfect Gentle Face Wash 30ml
- Elemis FreshSkin Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash 30ml
- Elemis FreshSkin Softly Softly Daily Moisturiser 15ml
- Elemis FreshSkin Dreamy Sleep Night-Time Moisturiser 15ml
- Elemis FreshSkin Deep Clean Purifying Face Mask 7ml sachets x3
- Elemis FreshSkin Peachy Perfect Gentle Face Wash 30ml
- Elemis FreshSkin Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash 30ml
- Elemis FreshSkin Softly Softly Daily Moisturiser 15ml
- Elemis FreshSkin Dreamy Sleep Night-Time Moisturiser 15ml
- Elemis FreshSkin Deep Clean Purifying Face Mask 7ml sachets x3
I have been enjoying using all the minis and have used up three of the products so thought I would do some mini review...
Elemis FreshSkin Peachy Perfect Gentle Face Wash 30ml
This is a mild SLS-free gel feeling face wash that sadly isn't peachy but almost scent free. The face wash to my surprise didn't foam at all really however did manage to cleanse my face nicely. I have used this multiple times but I am yet to see or feel any benefits, but I could imagine if someone wanted a really simple facial wash this would be a good one to go for.
This is a mild SLS-free gel feeling face wash that sadly isn't peachy but almost scent free. The face wash to my surprise didn't foam at all really however did manage to cleanse my face nicely. I have used this multiple times but I am yet to see or feel any benefits, but I could imagine if someone wanted a really simple facial wash this would be a good one to go for.
Elemis FreshSkin Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash 30ml
The exfoliating face wash again is another mild-ish product with fine exfoliating beads making it an ideal exfoliating product to use daily to keep on top of dead skin cells. I actually enjoyed this product the most along with the face mask sachets as it was just a nice product to use and my skin seemed to like how mild it was.
Elemis FreshSkin Softly Softly Daily Moisturiser 15ml
Elemis FreshSkin Dreamy Sleep Night-Time Moisturiser 15ml
Both moisturisers were light in texture and wonderfully scented, with both soaking in nicely and didn't leave the skin feeling greasy. I can see these being ideal products for summer as they are just so light but affective. As I have quite oily skin I don't use a night cream but I tried this out on just the areas of my face that get dry and it did hydrate them so my foundation application was nicer. These two products have definitely been created with teen skin in mind and I really like that.
Both moisturisers were light in texture and wonderfully scented, with both soaking in nicely and didn't leave the skin feeling greasy. I can see these being ideal products for summer as they are just so light but affective. As I have quite oily skin I don't use a night cream but I tried this out on just the areas of my face that get dry and it did hydrate them so my foundation application was nicer. These two products have definitely been created with teen skin in mind and I really like that.
Elemis Deep Clean Purifying Face Mask 7ml sachets
This was the product that really felt spa like to me. A true deep cleansing clay mask that smelt amazing and made the skin really tight once dry (not that relaxing but these kind of masks do work wonders for un-blocking pores!). Once washed off the skin is left feeling thoroughly cleansed and super clean. My only annoyance is that the face mask can only be purchased in sachets and not in a tube and also the product contains 3 sachets of this mask but also 3 sachets of a moisture quenching mask which isn't offered as a sample in this set. So unfortunately even though I really do LOVE this mask I just wouldn't purchase the 6 sachet set which retails for £15 to only use 3 of the sachets... I think to ebay I go for these!
Overall I did like the products in the set and I do like the exfoliating face wash enough to purchase it full size.
But I really think they need to offer the other Moisture Quenching Mask in with this set!
Fee xo.
Overall I did like the products in the set and I do like the exfoliating face wash enough to purchase it full size.
But I really think they need to offer the other Moisture Quenching Mask in with this set!
Fee xo.
I'm aware that my blog has turned in to a bit of a nail blog at the moment with doing my nail challenge! So I thought I would fit in a sneaky 'rave' post of a product I have been amazed by in the past week since I purchased it.
As you can see the product I am talking about is the Origins Super Spot Remover. Now first of all this teeny tiny bottle of magic, which is only 10ml is a bit of a pricey spot treatment at £12.00 (Boots - here). However if you do want a product that tackles a problem successfully then you pay a price don't you!
Product info
How to use - Cleanse skin. Apply a thin layer 1 to 3 times daily or as needed. If dryness or peeling occurs, reduce application to every other day.
Just dab on a dot and feel blemish-busting Salicylic Acid go to work while anti-spot technology helps minimise the appearance of post-blemish marks. Skin-calming Caffeine and Red Algae help reduce the appearance of redness. And to help keep skin looking spotless, super exfoliators help eliminate excess oils and pore-clogging debris.
For me this has been working a dream. But like all skincare it won't be right for everyone... though I would say it seems to work for 90% of people that have reviewed it on different review sites. I simply dot this on any blemishes in the morning and then I leave it to dry before applying makeup if I'm going to be wearing any. The gel provides an invisible coating over the spot which I feel definitely stops the spot from spreading and creating more spots. I find for me applying this morning and night works best and hasn't made my skin dry out, though I can see how it could be drying if you already had dry skin or applied too much.
The gel just shrinks the spot and reduces redness within a day I would say and by the 3rd/4th day the spot has vanished! I have also been using this on tiny spots that are more like whiteheads just under my chin and it also seems to clear those up in no time!
I have got past that stage were I get the odd nasty spot but I can imagine this being a perfect product to have to really stop it in it's tracks and prevent something that is red and horrible on your face!
But if you are like me that gets the odd blemish it is also great to just apply daily to keep them totally as bay!
It is a rare thing that I write an individual review on a product unless it's a gift set with a few products. But I felt the Ginvera Marvel Gel needed a post of it's own because its such a good product but also a product that needs some explaining I think!
What does this product even do?
What Ginvera say - Ginvera Green Tea Marvel Gel is a gentle yet
exfoliating formula that targets the cornified skin layer, dissolving
and removing the dead skin cells revealing your skin’s youthful radiance
that lasts for the whole day.
What Makeup Savvy says - This definitely is a product that dissolves and removes dead skin and therefore makes the skin look fresher and more radiant. The gel also removes blackheads and reduces oil secretion from them areas without drying the skin at all.
Where can you buy it?
You can buy the Ginvera Green Tea Whitening Marvel Gel from Janiro.co.uk (here) or from Harvey Nichols (here) also in-store for £22.00/60ml.
How it is used
This is a very interesting product that I can only explain as an exfoliating gel that is free from any grains or exfoliating beads and actually is a lot more effective than any facial scrub or exfoliating product. The smooth non-grainy gel is applied to dry skin and rubbed in, then as you can see in the image below little bits appear (much like when you over rub in moisturizer) but this is in fact dead skin cells - lovely! The gel literally dissolves all the dead skin cells and blackheads! Then you just wash all the bits away with warm water.
How it is used
This is a very interesting product that I can only explain as an exfoliating gel that is free from any grains or exfoliating beads and actually is a lot more effective than any facial scrub or exfoliating product. The smooth non-grainy gel is applied to dry skin and rubbed in, then as you can see in the image below little bits appear (much like when you over rub in moisturizer) but this is in fact dead skin cells - lovely! The gel literally dissolves all the dead skin cells and blackheads! Then you just wash all the bits away with warm water.
The Results
Even on first use, this product worked like magic! As a rubbed in the gel over my face and the little balls of dead skin appeared I could see my skin looking clearer and the blackheads becoming less visible as they were dissolved away. After the first use I decided to concentrate rubbing the gel into my t-zone area which I feel is where I need the dead skin removing from and also where blackheads tend to be. For me the gel leaves my skin so soft (I normally use a wooden facial brush and the gel performs even better than the brush), firmer and brighter skin and also with a lot less blackheads! I have actually never used a product that has removed blackheads this well.
The only down side is that if I don't use the Marvel gel for a two days or so I do see my skin going back to how it was.
As for the whitening aspect of the product, I don't really like that term but it was initially for the Asian market (so a bit of a ploy for people to buy it). But I personally think the whitening aspect is meaning that when dead skin cells are removed it makes the skin appear brighter, which it definitely does... but it definitely doesn't lighten the skin in any way shape or form!
The benefits of using Ginvera Marvel Gel over a facial scrub
Personally I would go for this product over any exfoliating product when using it before getting ready to go out, as I like to exfoliate my face so that I have a smooth base to apply makeup on to but with using any type of scrub it does make the skin red. Also this is a great option to go for if you have sensitive skin or are prone to broken veins as there is no scrubbing to the skin. But on the whole if you are looking for a product that will remove them layers of dead skin really well then this is a much better product to use over any scrub (well any scrub I have used and I must say I have tried a lot!).
Of course £22 for a 60ml product is quite steep but if you do want to shift the dead skin to reveal brighter softer looking skin. Or sort out them annoying black heads once and for all without leaving the skin red then this is a product so worth spending on!
I am very much impressed with this product.
Fee xo.
Now I rarely recommend skincare products because I am highly aware that every ones skin and environments are different. So the chances that my favourite products will work for even the people with the same skin type as me aren't that high.
However this recommendation I feel could work for anyone that is wanting to drink more water or wanting to improve the texture and clarity or their skin!
Just to point out you really don't have to worry this 100% isn't a PR samples or a sponsored post, it's just something I have discovered and have been amazed by.
So around about a month ago I got quite ill and had to go to A&E and the doctor advised me to drink lots of water to help with what I had and also to keep me hydrated. However I'm not really a lover of water and I found if I drank a pint of it quickly I'd feel sick. So I decided to find a none acidic cordial that I could use to make the water more palatable!
So around about a month ago I got quite ill and had to go to A&E and the doctor advised me to drink lots of water to help with what I had and also to keep me hydrated. However I'm not really a lover of water and I found if I drank a pint of it quickly I'd feel sick. So I decided to find a none acidic cordial that I could use to make the water more palatable!
What I went for
I'm not a lover of Cranberry juice as it's a bit too sharp on the old taste buds but I decided to give the Ocean Spray Cranberry & Raspberry for water (1 litre/£1.99) a go and I must say it's quite nice (much nicer than Robinson's Orange cordial that I use to drink)! As you can see from the back of the bottle it definitely has some benefits and from a bit of further research Cranberries are actually recommended for acne and are actually antioxidants... though it didn't say in what form cranberries are used to help acne.
Not that scientific, but...
I can't say I have any proof that adding the Cranberry cordial to water is any better than just drinking water... however I had been drinking water for around a week (and getting sick of it) before I decided to buy the Ocean Spray cordial. With drinking lots of water for a week I had noticed that my skin was looking okay for being ill and not even washing it...yes, I was that ill I didn't bother to wash my face for the first 5 days! However after another week of drinking water with the cranberry & raspberry I noticed a huge difference in my skin and I was back to wearing make-up at that point, which as we know isn't great for the skin.
Here are some pictures of what my skin looks like at the moment...
Not that scientific, but...
I can't say I have any proof that adding the Cranberry cordial to water is any better than just drinking water... however I had been drinking water for around a week (and getting sick of it) before I decided to buy the Ocean Spray cordial. With drinking lots of water for a week I had noticed that my skin was looking okay for being ill and not even washing it...yes, I was that ill I didn't bother to wash my face for the first 5 days! However after another week of drinking water with the cranberry & raspberry I noticed a huge difference in my skin and I was back to wearing make-up at that point, which as we know isn't great for the skin.
Here are some pictures of what my skin looks like at the moment...
Left image
The image on the left is me without foundation or anything on my skin at all (though I am wearing eyeliner,mascara and badly filled in eyebrows!) and this literally is the most comfortable with my skin I have ever been and I am actually really pleased with it. I have less blackheads on my nose and chin and less pigmentation around my mouth.
The difference in my skin
But the biggest difference is in the whiteheads and the texture of my skin - I did use to have two patches of whiteheads either side of my chin which I had to exfoliate every day to keep at a minimum but I still had around 8 in total either side of my chin. But now I literally have just one and that was the most stubborn one and I have actually stopped using my wooden facial brush as I just don't feel like I need it anymore.
As for the texture of my skin, it really does feel like I have wound the clock back to being 18 again, which does sound odd I know... as I am only 23 and my skin didn't feel dehydrated or rough. But my skin now feels so much smoother and just really soft and less oily especially around my nose and chin. Also the skin on my body in particular my arms has felt a lot softer and like I moisturize everyday... which I definitely don't!
Right image
The right image is under slightly odd lighting in my bathroom but I'm wearing Max Factors Second Skin and I actually took this pic at the end of the day so I had been wearing the foundation and all my make-up for around 8 hours. I have found because my skin is a lot more clear I have started to use a lot less foundation and even less concealer, which is amazing for me.
How much I drink
The 1 litre bottle suggests you can get 20 servings out of it but I drink around 4/5 normal glasses a day and also 1 pint of it quite diluted when I wake up. So I would say I get 30 glasses out of it and a full bottle lasts me around 5 days. Also if you are worried about the sugar content there is a light version.
I'm really not suggesting you all run out and buy this - but if you do already drink cordial or find drinking water hard/want to drink more water then I'd say give this a go for 2 weeks! You may just be surprised at the results like I was.
If you do decide to try this though, I would love to know if it improves your skin, so please if you try it, come back and leave me a comment or tweet!!
Spots really are the bane of my life and have been for the last 3 or 4 years!
Now I don't want to be ones of those annoying girls that drone on about having 'acne' as you can clearly see from my picture on the right that I don't. Nor would I ever state my maximum of 5 spots on a bad day could be ache! However I do constantly strive for clear spot-less skin as my skin is pretty oily and does tend to develop spots quite frequently.
So here is my summary of products I have found to be affective on the high street to prevent spots, treat them and also to hide them!
Prevention is key!
Soap & Glory The Fab Pore 15 Minute Facial Peel (50ml/£7.15)
Properly cleansing the skin in the right way for you is the main way to prevent spots. However even if you do cleanse your face properly you can still suffer from unsightly blackheads. Now Soap & Glory's The Fab Pore doesn't preform miracles but it does make a visible difference. Unlike most products for blackheads this smells lovely as is actually nice to use... think more of a non-setting face mask (facial peel is definitely not the right way to describe it). The best time to use it? Before getting ready for a night out or if you are going somewhere special! The pot will also lasts you ages.
Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing Cleanser
(200ml/£3.26)
(200ml/£3.26)
Now this stuff does really work and gives instant results, which is pretty impressive! But it also need to be used with caution as it is strong! I was actually so amazed by it's results when I first got it I used it day and night all over my face (not just were I had blackheads) and within 4 days I had dry skin on my nose and my lips felt extremely dry. So I'm now using it once every other day and I'm still seeing the benefits but without the drying effect. This definitely does work but I would say to give this a miss if you have sensitive or oily/dry combination skin.
Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser
(200ml/£2.99 normally £3.99)
Now I picked the new Superdrug Hot Cloth Cleanser as that is the one I'm using at the moment and I'm quite liking it. But really any cream cleanser that is effective in removing makeup with do. As long as you find one that totally removes all traces of makeup and you use it with a good quality muslin cloth (the one with the Superdrug cleanser is a bit rubbish) or a facial brush (the Botanics brush is amazing) then you are onto a winner. It's just all about cleansing the face amazing well at night and exfoliating it with the facial brush or muslin cloth. Using a cream cleanser every night in this way will help keep the skin clear of spots and also help prevent whiteheads.
Spots, be gone!
Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment Gel
(15ml/£4.81)
(15ml/£4.81)
This is my general everyday spot treatment that I sometimes use at night on a fading spot or even on-the-go when a lovely spot springs up from nowhere to ruin my face! It isn't the most fast acting spot treatment but I've found for that reason it isn't as drying as most and can be applied under or over make-up without peeling which is an important factor!
Garnier Pure A Intensive Night Treatment Gel
(40ml/£3.24)
(40ml/£3.24)
This really is a good value for money treatment gel as you do get 40ml of product with this. However it does recommend you use this all over the face and for some reason if you don't the results won't be as good! When it's the time of the month and my skin is getting a few spots and feeling a bit congested I apply this all over my face and sleep with the gel on. The next morning I of course wash it off as it does make the skin feel tacky and my skin all-round appears that bit brighter and my spots aren't as bad.
Neutrogena Visibly Clear Rapid Clear Treatment Gel
(15ml/£4.75)
This definitely is my favourite spot treatment... if that is even possible. This really is for when I have a huge nasty spot or when I can feel one coming under the skin. Amazingly this does actually visibly reduce spots in 8 hours, like the product states. The most effective I have tried!
The Conceal Queen
17 Photo Flawless Skin Primer
(15ml/£4.99)
The main thing to do when concealing a spot is to make sure it is flake-free as not only will all the concealer cling to it but it will also make it 10 times more obvious. Once that it done I've found using a silicone based primer on it really helps to give it a smoothed over finish. I only do this though with spots that as going, as if it is a new spot I don't want to be trapping it under layers of different products, not letting it breath or heal.
No7 Precision Eyeliner Brush
(£7.25)
I've known so many people that concealer their spots by just dabbing on a bit of concealer and then rubbing it in with their fingers, resulting in the concealer not properly concealing and also the conealer being on the skin around the spot. So if you do want to make your spots the least noticeable you should be using a small pointed brush that will apply concealer to the spot and the spot only. This brush also double up at concealing other little blemishes and red parts of the skin I find! Plus with the No7 £5 off vouchers the brush works out at £2.25.
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer
(£4.19)
(£4.19)
This is the most opaque liquid concealer I have found on the high street and it really does knock the socks off a lot of other more expensive concealers as well. It concealers redness really well and stays put nearly all day. Sadly the shade range is quite limited but if you can find a match with your own skin then you really are onto a winner.
No7 Quick Cover Blemish Stick
(3g/£8.00)
This No7 Blemish Stick has been a favourite of mine for quite some time now and I use it on oily spots or when my skin is going through quite an oily stage. The reason is that it is a cream to powder formula so it soaks up excess oil when applied. Quite a different concealer than any others on the high street. Highly recommend this to anyone that suffers from oily spot prone skin.
Last but not least!
If you can't resist squeezing a spot, which lets face it we have all done. Then placing an ice cube on the spot will not only take the redness out of it but will actually make it look less inflamed the next day!
After being inspired by Red Magazines Skincare Diaries (which I posted images of here) I thought I would do my own diary - a lot more interesting than just posting a current skincare post!
How would you describe your skin type? Confused! - Well it would be classed as combination as I seem to have abit of everything. I mainly focus on trying to balance out my oily T-zone as it causes frequent spots on my chin and blocked pores on my nose. Though I do tend to get dry patches on the sides on my face and redness around my mouth.
What results do you look for from beauty products? To basically be affective and get the job done but never to leave the skin feeling too hydrated or too dry. I like a cleanser to remove all makeup in a single use and a spot treatment to actually reduce the size and appearance of the spot! I'm also obsessed with sun protection in summer, though finding high factor products that are suitable for oily skin can be difficult and pricey!
Daily skincare routine...
I start every day by washing my face with either Naked Skin Rose Softening Face Wash (£4.49) on the Botanics Facial Brush (£5.50 Boots) or SebaMed cleansing bar (£1.99) if my skin is feeling oily. I then either apply Nivea Oil-free moisturising fluid (£4.07) on the areas that are looking dry (which is normally the sides of my face and the tip of my nose) or I use a tiny amount of Yes To Tomatoes Facial Hydrating Cream (sample size) if them areas are feeling really dry which is normally in winter.
I have also recently started to apply Origins GinZing Eye cream (£20.00) to my under eye area before applying any makeup as I've started to spot afew fine lines.
At night, cleansing is a big deal to me so I like to remove all my eye makeup with Botanics Eye Makeup Remover (£3.05) first and then I use a cream cleanser with either the Botanics Face Brush or a Liz Earle muslin cloth (£3.55). The Botanics Face Brush has really transformed my routine as it's soft enough to use daily and means I no longer need to use an exfoliating scrub that used to make my skin quite red.
I like to rotate a number of cleanser that I've found to be quite gentle on my skin - the main two I use during the week are Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish (£21.95 for 200ml) and No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser (£9.00 for 200ml). Then at the weekend after wearing slightly more makeup I use Snowberry Instant Deep Cleanser (£23.00 for 15ml) as this really cleanses the face perfectly and seems to get deep down into the pores or I quickly use the Botanics Organic Cleansing Balm (£6.63) when I'm being lazy after a long week!
If I do have any spots I apply Garnier Pure A Night Intensive Treatment Gel (£4.49) as it contains 2% Salicylic Acid which definitely helps to stop the spot in it's tracks!
Other than that I try and leave my skin to breath so I just use a cleanser and skip moisturizing and using a toner as I just don't feel my skin needs it.
At-home treatments
I do love my face masks and try to do at least two a week if I can. Yes to Tomatoes Total Treatment Facial Mask (£12.35 for 50ml) has to be my favourite as it really does help balance out my oily T-zone and gives a more matte finish to my skin that lasts around 2-3 days. Liz Earle's Deep Cleansing mask (£12.75 for a 75ml kit with sponges) on the other hand helps when I'm suffering from spots and hormonal oily skin.
I also love to spend 5 minutes once a week massaging in the Snowberry Instant Deep Cleanser with damp fingertips (so it moves around more freely) as it really does get into all the pores and helps my skin from getting congested and leaves it feeling so soft and perfectly clean.
I also love to spend 5 minutes once a week massaging in the Snowberry Instant Deep Cleanser with damp fingertips (so it moves around more freely) as it really does get into all the pores and helps my skin from getting congested and leaves it feeling so soft and perfectly clean.
Salon treatments
I'm definitely not high maintenance but I do book myself monthly eyelash and eyebrow tints as both my lashes and eyebrows are very blonde and 'mouse' like! I also sometimes have my eyebrows waxed while I'm there as I suddenly notice how over grown they look when re-tinted!
I would love to treat myself to a facial every few months but I just see it as too indulgent.
My Own Verdict...
As I sadly don't have a professional on hand to give there expert over view I will have to just give my own thoughts on my skincare routine!
I think I am finally getting to know what my skin likes and doesn't like and will stop using anything that feels too hydrating even after one use. I have also in the last year discovered the importance of thoroughly cleansing which I think has really improved my skin.
I also feel removing SLS from my routine was a really good choice due to how red my skin looked from using harsher scrubs and facial washes.
Overall I have finally stopped purchasing the wrong products for my skin and definitely feel more educated.
I do still need to invest more in good sun protection for oily skin that I can apply through-out the day especially in summer with products such as Clarin's and Peter Thomas Roth's Mineral Powder with SPF 30 for Oily Skin (£19.50).
This really isn't a tag but would love if anyone else wants to answer the same questions on there own blog!
Afew months ago I remember receiving an e-mail about the upcoming Burt's Bees Mirror Diaries and to be honest I discarded it, as it frankly all sounded a bit on the odd side.
However yesterday I was reminded of it again when I read a blog post by the beautiful Alice stating that she was the first Mirror Diary girl! Very fab indeed.
So basically she will be filming daily video diaries of her experience with the Burt's Bees Anti Blemish range on that wonderful contraption you see above... amazing hey!
I'm sure Alice won't mind me saying but she does suffer with her skin and at 27 she still is finding spots a problem (much like millions of other women around the world). Which makes her an ideal candidate to test out the anti-blemish range.
Alice is already on Day 5 of her series - but you can catch up on everything at the Mirror Diaries website.
I have already watched all of the videos and have to say she really is a natural behind the camera (or should I say behind the Bee's Mirror) and is giving such a good insight into all the different products she has been using. It does really help if you watch in HD though...so you can will be able to see if the products are working or not!
There will be other series after the Anti Blemish range that Alice is reviewing, so far they have mentioned a 24hr Body Lotion and a Radiance series and they are still looking for the reviewer...so if you think you could sit in front of the quirky Burt's Bees mirror every single day (in your own home of course) then you can apply here.
To be honest I really don't think I could...I would end up rambling on about something totally unrelated or mentioning another brand I liked!
From thinking the Mirror Diaries was a slightly stupid idea at first I am really enjoying watching and getting a proper idea of each product... more so than an individual review!
Make sure to check out Alice doin' her thang and even drop her a question or two.
Quite a bold claim hey? Before using this I would of thought so as well. I mean how can a little wooden brush costing £6.10 even be compared to a £180 Sonic skin cleansing system! It really does seem ridiculous but just hear me out and you may see what I mean.
Around three months ago now just before Christmas I was at the Dentist waiting aimlessly for my check-up. So in this time I decided to flick through all the rubbish magazines (I don't know why I never think of taking my own to read) anyway so after flicking through around 3 magazines all aimed at the over 50's, I picked up a magazine all about dentistry (I mean I couldn't read any worse really, it was that or Golfer's World) though I found a slightly interesting looking article all about, yep you guessed it - Oral health.
The whole article was about how people fail to see the point of brushing there teeth properly and only tend to spend 30 seconds on brushing there teeth instead of the recommended 2 minutes.
The interesting part came from a little interview with a dentist asking which is better a manual toothbrush or an electronic one. He basically said with all the studies done on the lack of time spent on teeth cleaning he would recommend an electronic one to most patients as it's the best thing to get the most results and cleaning done in such a sort amount of time. But he couldn't argue that if someone did a thorough job with a manual toothbrush that they would see the same results as using an electric toothbrush and therefore wouldn't need one!
So boring teeth aside - That is basically how I look at cleansing! I really do think alot of people over look thoroughly cleansing the face at night and by that I mean really removing all traces of makeup, dirt and pollution so that the skin and pores are totally clean. Of course the Clarisonic is amazing as it totally cleans the face within a minute. But that is all it does - it cleans the face for £180 and I was almost sure I could clean my face just as well with a manual version of it.
Before purchasing the Botanics Face Brush from Boots I really did think I washed my face properly but I made sure never to over do it as most scrubs would leave my face really red.
But now with my nifty little brush I can swoosh it around my face for up to 5 minutes (for a deep cleanse) if I so chose.
Ok, less rambling and more about the product now!
How to use the Botanics Face Brush
Carry on reading to see the results...
Carry on reading to see the results...
So it has been a whole 30 days since I went back to basics with my skincare and have only used soap and water since then.
If you haven't got a clue to what I'm going on about or why, my Back to Basics post should hopefully make this post more clearer.
I must admit the first week of only using SebaMed and Simple soap was hard and also quite boring. No looking at skincare products while out shopping, no treating myself to a nice face mask and no relaxing routine of removing the day's makeup with the No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser.
I was so bored and ofcourse with it only being a week into my new routine there where no visible results to spare me on.
By week two I was feeling abit more upbeat about it. However due to not using ANY moisturizer my skin was feeling abit tight - it oddly wasn't looking dry though. So I decided to buy an exfoliating sponge from No7 (you can buy them anywhere though) and I also started to use a scrublet to really work in the soap to make sure all my makeup was removed at night!
After the second week my skin started to show actual signs of improvement, which really give me the incentive to carry on!
After the second week my skin started to show actual signs of improvement, which really give me the incentive to carry on!
Anyways before I ramble on anymore...here are the much needed before and after images. The left images are the exact ones from my original Back to Basics posts and the right images are literally what I took today. I really did try to match the same lighting and didn't use flash so you can really see if there is a difference.
Feel free to click on the images to ENLARGE them - just don't inspect my enlarged pores for too long!
(without makeup)
(with makeup)
The Results ...
I really do think there is a difference (which you can maybe see in the top images) in that the almost pigmentation around my chin/mouth area has improved. Also the dumpy texture to my skin around the same area is starting to improve - which was due to whiteheads and having lots of pores around that area.
Overall I can see skin isn't looking as dull anymore and also not as pink on the sides of my face. So just all round brighter skin.
As for spots - When I started my new basic routine I counted around 4 or 5 spots on my whole face and through out the whole 30 days I haven't developed any more spots and the ones I did have, have slowly faded.
As for not using moisturizer (which I know alot of people wouldn't dream of doing or think could work) by the 3rd week my nose and chin did look abit dry so I did bend my own rules slightly and used oil free moisturizer by Nivea just on them areas.
Since then I have used it once more to clear up them same dry patches - so really the smallest amount every over the whole 30 days. Which does show that oily skin really don't need daily moisturizing.
The main thing I did notice was that my skin has become less oily especially around the sides of my nose in the morning which has made my pores look alot better. As if my skin has adjusted and started to look after itself abit more. Which is what I really wanted.
The Future...
As for carrying on using just soap and water, I have decided there really is no point in re- introducing products I use to use, as my skin is looking alot better. Which proves using less products is working.
However like I mentioned I will be using moisturizer when I feel I need it and only putting it on them specific areas and not my whole face - which is what I use to do, daily.
I'm also introducing one more product that I really do feel I need! Which is the Botanics eye makeup remover. Which I really don't think will effect my skin in anyway however will make my life alot easier, as trying to remove eyeliner and mascara with soap can be abit time consuming and soap in the eyes is never good!
Things I will be keeping up - Ofcourse only using sulfate free soap which would be something like the SebaMed soap or with very few ingredients.
Also washing my face twice daily without fail and also keeping on using the No7 exfoliating sponge as it really does keep on top of any dry skin. I do avoid using the sponge on my cheeks though as it is too harsh.
Also through out the 30 days I have been using the Neutrogena rapid spot treatment (which I guess was cheating!) to clear up the spots I already had. Which is something I will carry on using if I get any spot, as it really does work.
Overall - I really have learnt alot about my skin, however cliche that sounds. I now realize that I was most likely making my skin produce even more oil than it needed too - by using way too many products especially before going to sleep at night.
Now there is nothing better than just washing my face and it feeling clean. Rather than cleansing and then using toner and then moisturizing, by which time I had created a layer of product that would seep into my skin while I slept to create an oily mess on my skin when I woke up. Something I won't be doing again!
I've also learnt that simple is just always best...I was actually thinking back the other day to when I had clear skin and realised it was when I was in my early teens and only used soap & water. Ofcourse I didn't have all the annoying womanly hormones that I do now...but skin can react well to just keeping it clean and not over clean. Or overloading it with potions and lotions.
Ofcourse this is just my experience of only using soap & water, but I really do hope it can show that maybe we all do use too many skincare product to try and achieve good healthy skin.
The main thing I have learnt is to really study my skin to see where I have been going wrong, so if any of you are thinking of/ or wanting to improve your skin, I would highly suggest sitting in front of a mirror and just look at them areas you want to improve and work out why they maybe aren't so great and if that means less moisturizer or no more toner then so be it!
I have gone on for far too long now, however feel free to ask any questions and I will make sure to answer them!
The Results ...
I really do think there is a difference (which you can maybe see in the top images) in that the almost pigmentation around my chin/mouth area has improved. Also the dumpy texture to my skin around the same area is starting to improve - which was due to whiteheads and having lots of pores around that area.
Overall I can see skin isn't looking as dull anymore and also not as pink on the sides of my face. So just all round brighter skin.
As for spots - When I started my new basic routine I counted around 4 or 5 spots on my whole face and through out the whole 30 days I haven't developed any more spots and the ones I did have, have slowly faded.
As for not using moisturizer (which I know alot of people wouldn't dream of doing or think could work) by the 3rd week my nose and chin did look abit dry so I did bend my own rules slightly and used oil free moisturizer by Nivea just on them areas.
Since then I have used it once more to clear up them same dry patches - so really the smallest amount every over the whole 30 days. Which does show that oily skin really don't need daily moisturizing.
The main thing I did notice was that my skin has become less oily especially around the sides of my nose in the morning which has made my pores look alot better. As if my skin has adjusted and started to look after itself abit more. Which is what I really wanted.
The Future...
As for carrying on using just soap and water, I have decided there really is no point in re- introducing products I use to use, as my skin is looking alot better. Which proves using less products is working.
However like I mentioned I will be using moisturizer when I feel I need it and only putting it on them specific areas and not my whole face - which is what I use to do, daily.
I'm also introducing one more product that I really do feel I need! Which is the Botanics eye makeup remover. Which I really don't think will effect my skin in anyway however will make my life alot easier, as trying to remove eyeliner and mascara with soap can be abit time consuming and soap in the eyes is never good!
Things I will be keeping up - Ofcourse only using sulfate free soap which would be something like the SebaMed soap or with very few ingredients.
Also washing my face twice daily without fail and also keeping on using the No7 exfoliating sponge as it really does keep on top of any dry skin. I do avoid using the sponge on my cheeks though as it is too harsh.
Also through out the 30 days I have been using the Neutrogena rapid spot treatment (which I guess was cheating!) to clear up the spots I already had. Which is something I will carry on using if I get any spot, as it really does work.
Overall - I really have learnt alot about my skin, however cliche that sounds. I now realize that I was most likely making my skin produce even more oil than it needed too - by using way too many products especially before going to sleep at night.
Now there is nothing better than just washing my face and it feeling clean. Rather than cleansing and then using toner and then moisturizing, by which time I had created a layer of product that would seep into my skin while I slept to create an oily mess on my skin when I woke up. Something I won't be doing again!
I've also learnt that simple is just always best...I was actually thinking back the other day to when I had clear skin and realised it was when I was in my early teens and only used soap & water. Ofcourse I didn't have all the annoying womanly hormones that I do now...but skin can react well to just keeping it clean and not over clean. Or overloading it with potions and lotions.
Ofcourse this is just my experience of only using soap & water, but I really do hope it can show that maybe we all do use too many skincare product to try and achieve good healthy skin.
The main thing I have learnt is to really study my skin to see where I have been going wrong, so if any of you are thinking of/ or wanting to improve your skin, I would highly suggest sitting in front of a mirror and just look at them areas you want to improve and work out why they maybe aren't so great and if that means less moisturizer or no more toner then so be it!
I have gone on for far too long now, however feel free to ask any questions and I will make sure to answer them!
As a beauty blogger you would expect me to love all lotions & potions and guess what..I do! I love applying my Avene moisture mask, cleansing with No7's Hot Cloth Cleanser and trying anything that even suggests it will tighten the pores around my nose.
However you would think with everything I apply to my skin, it would atleast be even and blemish free most of the time. But that sadly isn't the case.
Over the past year my skin has gone from being oily/combination to now just being oily even on parts of my cheeks. Which means spots and blackheads oh and afew lovely whiteheads.
left without makeup right with foundation & concealer
As you can see my skin isn't in the best of condition - but this is the worst it gets really.
So I have decided to ditch all the products I use (ofcourse if this makes my skin worse I will start using various products that I feel I need)
This means no face scrub, no toner, no makeup remover, no cleanser and no moisturizer.
Just boring old soap and water!
I'm sure by now you are thinking what the hell am I doing! Especially with not using moisturizer.
As I'm sure most of you believe all skin needs moisture even oily skin and I do agree. However I don't believe that the lack of moisturizing will create more oil or on the flip side leave my skin dry. I'm hoping my skin will start to regulate itself and become abit more balanced.
I think it's important to point out that I currently use an oil-free moisturizer by Nivea that I have been using for the last year and it is a good moisturizer however over the last free months I feel I'm just moisturizing for the sake of it.
As for my soap of choice there are two (just so my skin doesn't get too bored!)
SebaMed Cleansing Bar - This is something I have been using for around 6 months (you can read my full review on it here) You may also notice that I also mentioned Pears soap in the same post. Which I will not be using and haven't done so since it radically changed it's ingredients - but you can read my rant about it here.
SebaMed really seems to balance out my skin and it's strong or even that soap like. It's also only £2.50 a bar.
Simple Pure Soap - This is something I've never tried before. However I bought this due to the lack of ingredients (it only has around 7 ingredients) and it's only 85p! Yes, I'm a cheapskate.
So my new regime with be to wash my face twice a day using either soap and if I feel I need to exfoliate I will use a muslin cloth or a scrublet thing!
Also carrying on the theme with makeup.
I have decided no more primers or translucent powder.
Just foundation applied with a damp sponge and oil control blotting papers to reduce any shine.
I do feel this is abit radical however it is only a test at the end of the day. In which I'm hoping my skin will start to improve. However if it doesn't work I doubt using less chemical and less products will cause it to become any worse.
I'm going to try this for exactly a month (maybe 3 weeks if I'm really bored)!
Then compare the image above with the final results and how my skin compares. I really hope this helps & look forward to showing you all the results!
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