I have to admit I put my skin through a lot. Yes I eat well and yes, I drink plenty of water, but I also drink a little too much alcohol and get nowhere near enough sleep. So while, like all good beauty junkies, I’m frequently trying new products, I decided to give my skin a break and subsequently I've been trying out this pretty stripped-back version of my skincare routine. It's actually working very well, so I guess sometimes you just need to go with the tried-and-tested and give your poor skin a break!
CLEANSER
Clarins Extra Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleanser, £25 for 100ml
I still absolutely love this cleanser, it’s so gentle yet effective – proof (if you should need it) that treating your skin gently really pays off! Trust me, harsh cleansers and scrubs really aren’t necessary and can be counter-productive. You can read my full review of this cleanser here.
I still absolutely love this cleanser, it’s so gentle yet effective – proof (if you should need it) that treating your skin gently really pays off! Trust me, harsh cleansers and scrubs really aren’t necessary and can be counter-productive. You can read my full review of this cleanser here.
REPURCHASE?
Most definitely! Really impressed with how long a bottle of this lasts though.
www.clarins.co.uk
Most definitely! Really impressed with how long a bottle of this lasts though.
www.clarins.co.uk
MAKEUP REMOVER
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, £22 for 125ml
So this balm is technically another cleanser, but it removes eye makeup so effectively that I haven’t needed anything else. This is pretty impressive because, as anyone who knows me will tell you, I can be a bit heavy handed on the old eye makeup for a night out! You only need a very small amount and it effectively dissolves every trace of makeup (although prepare to look like a panda in the process, something that greatly amuses my husband). You can then just wipe it away with tissue or a face cloth. Personally I can work it right into my eyelashes without it stinging, which is a bonus. In fact, I think this stuff is worthy of a full review so I may have to write that soon. It is a little greasy so I do like to follow it with a proper cleanse.
REPURCHASE?
Yes! It is very effective and much more environmentally friendly than the makeup removers I used to use that required at least two cotton pads every night.
www.clinique.co.uk
So this balm is technically another cleanser, but it removes eye makeup so effectively that I haven’t needed anything else. This is pretty impressive because, as anyone who knows me will tell you, I can be a bit heavy handed on the old eye makeup for a night out! You only need a very small amount and it effectively dissolves every trace of makeup (although prepare to look like a panda in the process, something that greatly amuses my husband). You can then just wipe it away with tissue or a face cloth. Personally I can work it right into my eyelashes without it stinging, which is a bonus. In fact, I think this stuff is worthy of a full review so I may have to write that soon. It is a little greasy so I do like to follow it with a proper cleanse.
REPURCHASE?
Yes! It is very effective and much more environmentally friendly than the makeup removers I used to use that required at least two cotton pads every night.
www.clinique.co.uk
EXFOLIATOR/TONER
Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner, £25 for 125ml
So this is a ‘two birds with one stone’ kind of product that acts as exfoliator and toner. I used to use Clinique’s Exfoliating Scrub, and still do if I feel my skin needs it, but on a regular basis I think it’s a bit harsh for skin as you move into your thirties and beyond. You just can’t abuse your skin like you used to and expect it to bounce back! So a chemical exfoliator does the job of removing dead skin and brightening without scrubbing it to death. You only need to use this twice a week (don’t go crazy with the chemical stuff!) but it does a great job of refreshing the skin and keeping it in top condition.
REPURCHASE?
Have done before and will again!
www.clarins.co.uk
So this is a ‘two birds with one stone’ kind of product that acts as exfoliator and toner. I used to use Clinique’s Exfoliating Scrub, and still do if I feel my skin needs it, but on a regular basis I think it’s a bit harsh for skin as you move into your thirties and beyond. You just can’t abuse your skin like you used to and expect it to bounce back! So a chemical exfoliator does the job of removing dead skin and brightening without scrubbing it to death. You only need to use this twice a week (don’t go crazy with the chemical stuff!) but it does a great job of refreshing the skin and keeping it in top condition.
REPURCHASE?
Have done before and will again!
www.clarins.co.uk
MASK
Sanctuary 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask, £10.50 for 100ml
I first discovered this mask a couple of years back when I received a sachet of it in a Sanctuary gift set that Kay gave me one Christmas. I’ve been hooked ever since! It is a grey mask that heats up when you apply it to your face (don't ask me how) then cools as you let it work its magic. Apparently the heat opens up pores allowing the charcoal and clay to draw out impurities. I try and use this once a week in the evening but failing that, I always grab it when I feel my skin is on the brink of something bad (you know what I mean ladies, you can just tell when it’s about to give you grief) or simply looking a tad dull, and I always wake up the next day with healthier, happy-looking skin.
REPURCHASE?
I’m always up for trying other face masks but I inevitably come back to this one, it really is my favourite.
www.sanctuary.com
I first discovered this mask a couple of years back when I received a sachet of it in a Sanctuary gift set that Kay gave me one Christmas. I’ve been hooked ever since! It is a grey mask that heats up when you apply it to your face (don't ask me how) then cools as you let it work its magic. Apparently the heat opens up pores allowing the charcoal and clay to draw out impurities. I try and use this once a week in the evening but failing that, I always grab it when I feel my skin is on the brink of something bad (you know what I mean ladies, you can just tell when it’s about to give you grief) or simply looking a tad dull, and I always wake up the next day with healthier, happy-looking skin.
REPURCHASE?
I’m always up for trying other face masks but I inevitably come back to this one, it really is my favourite.
www.sanctuary.com
EYE CREAM
Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten dark Circles Eye Cream, £12.99 for 15ml
I’m going to be honest with you, I’m still getting through the Super Facialist by Una Brennan eye cream that I reviewed back in May. I wasn’t kidding when I said a little goes a long way! I’m determined to use it up as it is a nice moisturising eye cream and I hate waste, but as soon as it’s done I’ll be on the lookout for something new that actually helps with the dark circles. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
REPURCHASE?
Nope, sorry Una.
www.superfacialist.co.uk
I’m going to be honest with you, I’m still getting through the Super Facialist by Una Brennan eye cream that I reviewed back in May. I wasn’t kidding when I said a little goes a long way! I’m determined to use it up as it is a nice moisturising eye cream and I hate waste, but as soon as it’s done I’ll be on the lookout for something new that actually helps with the dark circles. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
REPURCHASE?
Nope, sorry Una.
www.superfacialist.co.uk
SERUM/OIL
The Body Shop Overnight Serum In Oil, £12 for 28ml
I read a lot of rave reviews a few month’s back when this serum first burst onto the scene, so I dutifully headed to The Body Shop to see what all the fuss was about. After applying it to my hand it absorbed quickly and my skin felt silky soft, so I decided to give it a go. When I went to pay, the shop assistant said it was the most impressed that he had been with a product in ten years! I assumed this praise was genuine as I had already decided to buy it, so I knew he wasn't simply trying to make a sale. I can’t say that it has transformed by skin into that of a 21 year old, but it is a really nice overnight serum that absorbs quickly and that makes my skin feel very soft.
REPURCHASE?
Yes, unless I discover something else that excites me more.
www.thebodyshop.co.uk
I read a lot of rave reviews a few month’s back when this serum first burst onto the scene, so I dutifully headed to The Body Shop to see what all the fuss was about. After applying it to my hand it absorbed quickly and my skin felt silky soft, so I decided to give it a go. When I went to pay, the shop assistant said it was the most impressed that he had been with a product in ten years! I assumed this praise was genuine as I had already decided to buy it, so I knew he wasn't simply trying to make a sale. I can’t say that it has transformed by skin into that of a 21 year old, but it is a really nice overnight serum that absorbs quickly and that makes my skin feel very soft.
REPURCHASE?
Yes, unless I discover something else that excites me more.
www.thebodyshop.co.uk
MOISTURISER
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion, £17 for 50ml
No surprises here, I’m officially back in love with Clinique’s cult-classic moisturiser. It’s a great all-rounder that I genuinely feel my skin misses when I don’t use it. If you feel like you have been overloading your skin with high-tech products and it's starting to rebel, I thoroughly recommend giving this a try. You can read my full review here. However I do feel I should add something anti-ageing into the mix (again, I'm not getting any younger!) so if you know of a miracle night cream that will make me look like I’ve had eight hours sleep and am not suffering from yet another bad hangover then please do let me know.
REPURCHASE?
No surprises here, I’m officially back in love with Clinique’s cult-classic moisturiser. It’s a great all-rounder that I genuinely feel my skin misses when I don’t use it. If you feel like you have been overloading your skin with high-tech products and it's starting to rebel, I thoroughly recommend giving this a try. You can read my full review here. However I do feel I should add something anti-ageing into the mix (again, I'm not getting any younger!) so if you know of a miracle night cream that will make me look like I’ve had eight hours sleep and am not suffering from yet another bad hangover then please do let me know.
REPURCHASE?
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