Keeping it simple - Nivea Daily Essentials review for dry and sensitive skin!

Review of the Nivea Daily Essentials range... Products I've tried :) 

So after years of battling acne, I finally found that the way to keep those nasty problem areas at bay is to KEEP. IT. SIMPLE!  There are so many harsh 'acne' products out there, and while the prescribed ones really do help severe breakouts, general daily skincare should always be gentle (in my opinion). 

I've been trying three Nivea products lately: 

Sensitive 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Water

Double effect eye make-up remover

Rich moisturising day cream - spf15 

Before going in with my cleansers (usually origins or superdrug naturally radiant hot cloth cleanser) I like to take all the grime off the surface with the Micellar cleansing water, it feels lovely and refreshing on the skin. It's not very good for eye make up like it suggests, but we have a separate product for that anyway! 

After the cleansing water I would go in with the double effect eye make up remover. It's one of the ones with a layer of oil which you need to shake before use! I was finding that the Micellar water wasn't enough on it's own to remove my waterproof mascara and I had run out f eye make up remover. This one is really good, takes the mascara away with minimal rubbing which is great around the sensitive eye area....

The winner from the three products I have is the mosituriser hands down. It's sooooo moisturising and lovely to apply to the skin! It's spf15 which is great for daily use, but I find that I enjoy using it so much that I apply it at night because I'm out of my night cream. It's silky smooth to apply and not greasy! It's for dry and sensitive skin and I would definitely say that it gets rid of any dry patches and there's no sensitivity issues - it also smells lovely with almond oil :) 

That's it for my Daily Essentials review! Really loving these products at the moment - and they're a little cheaper in Boots I think so grab them while you can! 

Have you tried the daily essentials range?

*NEW* Superdrug Naturally Radiant skincare range mini review!

Check out my YouTube Channel :) lucyhelen89

This range is extremely new to the market, launching at the beginning of October 2012 and I just happened to stumble across it as I was searching for a new 'winter' moisturiser as the weather is getting harsher and my skin is getting drier. Since buying three items from the range; Hot cloth cleanser (with muslin cloth), day cream SPF15 & renewing night cream, I haven't actually seen much written about it in terms of reviews etc.... apart from a little hype around the Brightening radiance balm (which I didn't purchase this time). This range is all half price until 4th December in Superdrug stores (and online) so it's definitely worth a try while they're at this great price! Everything is around £2.99 (was £5.99)

Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser 150ml with muslin cloth.
"Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser is formulated with a unique energising complex and infused with Kiwi Fruit and Mulberry extracts to help revive skin’s radiance and even out skin tone.Enriched with nourishing Cocoa Butter, this rich and creamy formulation melts into the skin and cleanses away make-up and impurities, whilst also providing gentle exfoliation, leaving skin feeling renewed, soft and ultra clean."

I was really excited to see this in the range, as I have heard a lot of great reviews on other hot cloth cleansers (most of which being out of my price range, for example the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish). 

First thing you'll notice is the smell of the product, as it has a few quite potent ingredients including Kiwi and Mulberry, the smell is very strong but one that I like, it reminds me of something from my childhood but I can't quite figure out what! To use, I apply the product all over a dry face (not a wet one as it suggests, as I think that the cream sinks in more and helps to moisturise better) I then wet the muslin cloth in hot-ish water and work in circular motions to remove the cleanser from the face. 

This product feels incredible when you're using it, it really feels like it's cleansing the pores and nourishing the skin, it really feels like a treat to use! Because it's so gentle, I can use it every day (sometimes twice!). I really agree with it's claim that it evens out skin tone! I suffer with large acne scars and they are quite pigmented (I never go out without foundation nowadays) but I have really noticed a difference in my skintone since using the product, I am now looking at my skin in the mirror and I'm not as horrified as usual, so it must be working!! Really really impressed with this, and the size of the bottle means it's value for money, even when it goes back up to £5.99! Worth a try definitely if you have sensitive skin or uneven skintone!

Naturally Radiant Brightening day cream 75ml SPF15 Normal/combi 
"Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Day Cream SPF15 is formulated with a unique energising complex and infused with Kiwi Fruit and Mulberry extracts to help revive skin’s radiance and even out skin tone.
Enriched with nourishing Sugar Beet extract, this lightweight formulation provides all day moisturisation, helping to smooth and soften skin’s texture, whilst also protecting against UV rays to keep skin looking youthful."

Seeing as I was buying the cleanser and night cream (below) I thought it would be worthwhile getting the basic range so I went for the day cream as well! I usually stay away from moisturisers with SPF in because I can find them greasy,  but this version was for Normal/combination, so while it's going to moisturise and protect from UV rays, it's not going to be greasy for anyone with oily skin (there is also a normal/dry version which I guess would be a thicker consistency for people with extremely dry skin. This one is great too!

 I love the smell again, and it goes on a treat after the hot cloth cleanser and the face just feels so clean and moisturised it's really a nice feeling. This also makes a great base for makeup (I don't really bother with primers as I don't like the feeling of putting too much product on my face, so I generally just use moisturisers - although I have been trying a sample of Clarins beauty balm which is essentially a primer.... I can do a review if anyone would like). Overall a really nice day cream so far, I'm looking forward to it working with the cleanser to even out my skintone even more! :)

Naturally Radiant renewing night cream 75ml
"Superdrug Naturally Radiant Renewing Night Cream is formulated with a unique energising complex and infused with Kiwi Fruit and Mulberry extracts to help revive skin’s radiance and even out skin tone.
Enriched with nourishing Sugar Beet extract and skin renewing Fruit Acids, this intensive formulation delivers rich and long-lasting moisturisation, whilst helping to refine skin’s texture as you sleep, leaving skin feeling smoother and looking more youthful."

Night creams can really be hit and miss when it comes to my skin.... if they're quite thick they usually give me breakouts during the night etc, which is always annoying to wake up to! This one however, goes on like a dream, feels thick enough but also doesn't leave the skin sticky or greasy. I have woken up every morning since starting with it feeling nourished and fresh. My skin almost has a dewy finish to it (without make up might I add!) which is brilliant!

Overall:

I am really glad I stumbled upon this range! The differences in my skin that I've noticed after just a week using it have been incredible! I feel really comfortable in my own skin at the moment, and I really do think it's down to the 'brightening' and tone correcting qualities in this range! Head over to SUPERDRUG and try it for yourself! I'm hoping that the products will continue to work for my skin, and I'll do an updated review in a few weeks! :)

Thanks for reading, any questions just leave a comment below <3 lucy xo

Boots and Superdrug haul! Some old favourites and some new things I've been wanting to try out!

Check out my YouTube Channel :) lucyhelen89

I've been a bit quiet in the blogging world over the summer, this is down to working quite a bit and also trying to restrain myself from buying any more products before I've used up the ones I've got (an impossible task let me tell you...) I've got quite a big haul here and the reason is that it's getting colder here in the UK and I'm finding that my 'summer' products, especially skincare products, just aren't nourishing my skin! So I thought I'd go ahead and try some new products in preparation for winter :)

Superdrug Naturally Radiant skincare range
Hot cloth cleansers are raved about in the blogging world, in particular the Liz Earle brand. With that one being out of my price range, I came across this Superdrug one and at only £2.99 it was a must have! Recently I've been slacking when it comes to removing my make up, which is a bad idea as I have problem skin as it is...... so this gentle approach I'm really looking forward to trying! I went and bought the night and day creams from the range too, so I'll do an update if anyone would be interested just leave a comment below :)

Essie Rock Solid base coat
my nails have been a nightmare recently, peeling and breaking... so I took advantage of the 3 for 2 offer in  boots and got myself the Essie base coat and the collection 2000 essentials which I always go back to. The Lasting perfection powder in Fair, and the lasting perfection concealer in 2 Fair. 

Laidbare pore mask
OHDEUXFOIS recommended this face mask as a great way to minimise pores and generally make your skin really really soft! She reviewed it and first of all commented on the smell... I completely agree, it's an amazing smell! The notes that come through the strongest are liquorice and its really a treat to use. I'll do an in depth review on this if you're wondering how I'm getting on with it, I've only used it once so far so can't really offer any real views in terms of the effects!

Dove products (their stuff always smells SO good!) & toothpaste!
I always seem to go back to this deoderant, smells insane and does the job! perfect! The dove leave in treatment for hair is a risky product for me.... I have fine hair, but due to dying, it's been quite brittle at the ends and generally looks a bit of a haystack so I'm looking forward to using this at night and hopefully (fingers crossed) it won't leave my hair greasy for days... I've stayed away from all the hair oils out at the moment because of the grease factor, but I thought I'd give this a try seeing as it was only £1.99!
Toothpaste is a slight obsession at the moment, my teeth are quite white anyway, but I want them to have that wow factor, so I've been intrigued by the colgate 1 week whitening one :) I'll let you know how I get on!

Quite a big haul for me.... although I did pick up some bargains along the way! I really think that the Superdrug range is a good deal, as I can end up spending a fortune on skincare (Philosophy etc) so it's nice to try cheaper alternatives! And from the reviews I've seen, the hot cloth cleanser is very comparable to the Liz Earle cleanse and polish!

Thanks for reading, I appreciate your comments and will reply to them asap :)
~Lucy~

L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream SPF 12 *Review*

So I've been trying out this product for over a week now... so I thought it was due for a review :)

I've tried one other BB cream... and that's the Garnier BB cream (light) and I have to say I really don't like that one... it feels far too greasy and it seems to slide off my face as the day goes on... overall not a good product for me personally (although I know a lot of people love it). 

So, the L'Oreal Nude Magique....... It's quite a weird texture, it's a white cream (quite runny so be careful) with little 'grains' in it which are called 'smart pigment capsules'. It is marketed as a Bare Skin Beautifier, and I think it does just that!! Here's what it looks like as a white cream, and then partially rubbed in (I find it does take some rubbing in to get it totally smooth).



I know a lot of people have had the problem of the Light shade being too dark, and I do think it is too dark for a 'light' product as you can see on my hand.... however, on my face, I like a bit of colour as I'm quite pale, as long as it's rubbed in properly and you make sure that there aren't any horrible lines near the neck then it's absolutely fine! I usually use concealer over the top and then a lighter shade in a powder to set it and it's a really nice finish. 

Sometimes if I want a heavier look, I will use this BB cream as a primer.... it says that it has a 'flawless and dewy looking' finish, but on my skin I find it to be much more matte, which is great to use under other make up (in particular my Clinique Tinted Moisturiser). This does create a heavier look, but I find that the L'Oreal Nude Magique creates an excellent base!

 

Again... this probably looks quite dark to you guys, and I agree, but I love the actual product so much that the shade of it doesn't really create a problem, as it can be blended out and it's not 'so' orange that it's unusable! A light powder should correct it. I have used the Nude Magique alone with only a bit of concealer, powder and blush, and my friend was surprised that I only had that on, as it looked really flawless!

So far it's a great BB cream to try. I have combination skin (dry/oily in places and prone to breakouts) and this really leaves me with even skin, to either create a natural summer look, or as a base for other foundations/products. Because I find this to be quite matte, I would recommend using a good exfoliator every morning (a daily one such as Neutrogena Grapefruit daily scrub or Philosophy Microdelivery).

I've not seen too many reviews on this product, and most of them were in French when I did find them! So I hope this has been helpful to you guys! Any comments just leave them below, thanks for reading!

Lucy xx

Sudocrem.... miracle product?!

Just a quick update on a great product I've been trying recently!

Both of my flat mates have been using the product, and recommended it as a spot fighter and all around face cream!

I was using this a couple of weeks ago, when my face had flared up really bad, and I have to say it works really well! I can put this on at night (it's a very thick product so I would recommend only using at night!) and my spots look and feel reduced in size.

It works to block out nasty stuff getting to your pores in the night, but also dries the skin and any oily areas where spots occur! It's a good idea to use a good exfoliator and moisturiser the morning after using Sudocrem, as it does dry out the skin quite a bit!

I stopped using this product while I was away in America, and my spots returned. Since getting back and using it again, it's reduced some of my larger spots over night, which is brilliant! It's quite cheap and lasts a while! It comes in a tube or a pot, and I prefer the pot for ease of application & hygiene!

Thanks for reading! :)

Skincare routine for dry combination skin!

I guess every girl attempts to achieve healthy looking skin which allows make up to glide on effortlessly! It's also a plus point if the make up stays put throughout the day, especially when working under bright lights and for long hours... this is a must! Well this weekend I've been trying a different skincare routine, having come to the end of my Clinique Cleanser and Toner, I've been trying random things that I have lying around my room..... and nothing has quite compared to this weekend's finds! (I tried the face wash courtesy of my Mum and Sister... hehe!)

I have tried this Garnier range in the past and hadn't been too impressed with it, but this time round, teamed with some other products it seems to be working well!

This cleanser is soap free, which means there won't be any soapy residue left on the skin, which can lead to clogged pores and spots! It's really refreshing, and can be used morning and night. It really makes my skin feel soft, I am SO impressed!! 

I follow with these wipes from Garnier. I opted for the 'soft essentials' as I felt like I shouldn't strip my skin of too much moisture, as that would be done with the gel cleanser! These wipes are great for removing any excess make up!

It's a little tough to get eye make up off with them though, they aren't wet enough! No problem though as I just use some Simple eye make up remover to get rid of any stubborn mascara!

To finish off the routine, this moisturiser is a great Oil Free one! It's a little pricey at around £25-£30 per tub, but it really is great for dry combination skin which can be prone to oily areas/spots! :) 


A good finger tip's worth should do the whole face, it glides on and goes really far I find! Just dab it on each cheek, the nose, forehead and chin and then blend. It's heavenly to apply! Moisturising enough to replenish during the night, and light enough to sit nicely on the skin as a primer before make up!


My true test of make up is when I go to work, and this weekend I've been at work with no problems. Usually my face is an oily mess by about half way through my shift, but I have felt comfortable with my skin all weekend! This regime seems to be helping my skin to calm down and just generally look and feel better!

It's only been a few days, but I'm hoping that this routine will keep giving me these results! :)

Thanks for reading and please feel free to comment below! Lucy xxx



** update: I went in Sainsbury's today and their Garnier range was on special offer!! The face wash usually £3.50 was £1.70 :D and the same with the face wipes!

Maybelline dream satin liquid *review*

'Air whipped foundation, air-brush finish'

I love this foundation! If you've read some of my other foundation posts then you'll know that I go for a medium/full coverage most of the time as I have blemishes and scarring from previous acne. I've had this foundation before and it's great! I tend to use a more 'matte' foundation for work, as I want my skin to stay shine free for most of the day, so I use Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse or 24hr Superstay. This one however, is great for general use like going out with friends in the day time and stuff like that. I feel it gives a natural look, doesn't look cakey and gives my skin coverage and really makes my skin have an overall 'fresh' look. 


This product retails at around £8 and I feel that this product is worth it!

Features of this product: 


I have this one in Ivory 010 and feel it's a pretty good match for my skin, it doesn't look orangey which most foundations look on me (even the lightest ones!) I have the 24h Superstay in 021 Nude and this definitely looks orangey unless I blend it really well! 
- good packaging, like the pump which makes it easy to dispense right amount
- good consistency, not too thick, glides on and easy to blend
- like the colour match of Ivory... I usually stay away from the very lightest shades, but this has worked well! 


Here's a picture of all the foundations I'm currently in the midst of trying.... I'm overall impressed with all of my Maybelline foundations for different reasons. I reckon I have one for every occasion! The Rimmel one is far too thick and greasy... so I might get rid of that one. Max Factor second skin I'm finding to be too thin at the moment, it's not enough coverage and tends to feel like it's sliding off my face an hour or so in to wearing it, so I don't find myself reaching for this one much. Dream Matte Mousse.... kind of a love hate thing going on with this one at the moment. I love the finish it gives to my skin, but it definitely grabs on to any patches of dry skin I might have, and any blemishes that I'm trying to 'dry up'. Still love it though..... and then one I've not really tried enough to make a fair comment on is the Pure Mineral Foundation by Maybelline in 04 Vanilla Rose. I've used this foundation once, and the result I thought was pretty good. It definitely made my skin look flawless, but it takes quite a long time to apply (I guess I'd get used to it and speed up the process...) I definitely need to try this one a bit more and I'll write a review on that :)
From left:
Maybelline 24h Superstay in 021 Nude
Max Factor Second Skin in 070 Natural
Maybelline Pure Mineral in 04 Vanilla Rose
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in 021 Nude
Rimmel Lasting Finish 25h in 100 Ivory


That's it for now.... I have a little stash of foundations, so I really do have a few to pick and choose from. I usually wear a few different ones each week, depending on the state of my skin and where I'm going that day.


Hope this has been somewhat useful to you.... and if you've got any comments I'd love to hear from you 
Lucyx

Custom Clinique 3-Step

For Combination skin (Dry & Oily)

So if you've read some of my other posts, you'll have seen that I've tried various Clinique 3-step systems, including the Anti-blemish range and skin type 1. I've tried sticking with these regimes, but haven't noticed significant differences whilst using them... so I've decided to ditch their suggested ones and create my own, swap products around and that sort of thing :)

This came about when I tried my friend's Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel out of curiosity. I have used the lotion in the past, but have found it too greasy, despite having dry skin. I have noticed that I'm a bit oilier than I used to be, so thought I'd give the gel a try. This stuff feels amazing on the skin. Super hydrating but also non greasy. Great base for make up, makes the skin so soft and supple :)

I still need to be careful what I'm using on my skin, as I am acne prone and have quite sensitive skin. So I decided to go with the Mild Facial Wash. To satisfy my dry areas, I have chosen Clarifying Lotion '2' For Dry Combination skin.

So far so good with this regime.... I've been using it for a couple of days now, and my skin is feeling really soft and supple. Make up goes on better and I think some of the spots on my chin are clearing up (will have to do an update on this!) all I know is that this regime isn't making it worse! Which is great as products often irritate my skin and cause me to break out!

Wishlist: Clinique Exfoliating Scrub

Heard a lot of good reviews on this scrub, and apparently it's effective enough to get rid of dead skin, but also the beads are gentle enough not to irritate the skin too much, which happens if the grains are too rough!

Thanks for reading and I'd like to hear about your skin regime!

What works well for you?
Lucy x

Garnier bb cream review 13.10.2011

I've been using this for a few weeks now and I've got a pretty good idea of what it's like, and if it's any good. Even though I really want full coverage most of the time, I don't like plastering my face with heavy make up, so I reached for this to offer my skin a bit of a break from all the clogging that comes with some foundations. I have done a review of Clinique Moisture Surge tinted moisturiser previously, and I have to say I've not used it much at all, it's far too greasy for me, even though it claims to be oil free! You can have a read of this review <<here>>

What does Garnier BB Cream claim to do?
(taken from www.boots.com)

Garnier bb cream in 'light'

"It’s your latest beauty secret….. An all in one, super dooper, anytime, anywhere skincare solution for perfected skin.

Use it on its own, use it as a primer, when you get up, after the gym, a post-work touch up, pre-date beautifier… the list is endless.

Discover the 2 little letters that are driving beauty editors into a frenzy.…..B.B. has arrived!

Feel the sensation of the light texture that instantly melts into your skin

The formula with mineral pigments gives an instantly ‘perfect’ skin. The result? Sheer coverage; imperfections look blurred, lines softened. Your skin looks luminous, smoother and more even. See the B.B. difference

24hr hydration. Skin feels more supple, smoother, softer. Feel the B.B. difference

UV protection: SPF15 to help protect the skin.

Go B.B! In just one step, even, cover, hydrate, illuminate and help protect your skin."

Initial thoughts....

After using other tinted moisturisers, I was expecting this to be quite thin and easy to blend. However, this it much thicker and I found that I had to use more product than expected, which is a little disappointing as it's quite expensive for a 30ml tube (I got mine for £7.99 at Superdrug) The normal retail is £9.99 I think, and I've seen it more recently for £7 in Asda, so if you want to try it, it's worth looking around first for the best price!

Anyway.... as it's thicker, I do find that it's a much better coverage than I expected, at first I was trying to use it under foundation, but this results in a GREASE-FEST! Definitely not recommended. I have really quite bad skin, and bare skin for me means acne, redness, general paleness and just looking unwell really....(haha!) This stuff really is good enough to use on its own, with a touch of concealer and some powder to set it. ..

I showed my flatmate the result (prior to concealer and powder) and she said it definitely gives a glowing effect, which is great! I'm really loving this BB cream for everyday use, nipping to the shop, going shopping etc, but I still use heavier foundations for going to work and nights out etc, as I don't want a finish as natural as this. I really do think that this cream enhances the skin you already have, it just makes your skin appear better, basically just toning down any imperfections or redness. It's really great, and I can see this being great in the summer months when you're staying away from heavy foundation!

Oh I forgot to mention, I have this cream in 'Light' and it goes on a bit orangey (and scary looking!), but just blend it in and it looks really natural :)

Garnier bb cream in 'light'

Overall thoughts on Garnier BB Cream 

- really like it!

- a bit pricey but as it works for me, I can look past the price for something that works! 

If you've used this or are thinking of trying it and have anything to say about it then please feel free to leave a comment :) Lucy x

Recent buys!

So I’ve been wanting to try a few more M.A.C products, after trying a few eyeshadows, blushers and lipglosses & liking them (in particular ‘conjour up’ mineralize blush!). I was in the market for a new concealer so I went for Studio Finish Concealer in nc15. I was matched for MAC foundations as an nc20/25 so decided to go for a lighter concealer, as I tend to use them under the eyes as well as on blemishes to brighten the eye area up! This concealer is SPF35 which is great for protecting the delicate eye area, and also blemishes which can be irritated by sun exposure. This concealer feels heavy enough to cover imperfections, but not too heavy as I’m worried about clogging pores and leading to more acne etc…. but we’ll see how this goes and I’ll post an update :)

Also on my little haul, I got my hands on a Clinique Moisture Surge 3 Piece set which is a travel exclusive and I bought it from an airport. You can get this for around £30 at an airport (usually tax free) and it’s such a bargain! I’ve been looking online, and unless you can find a really good deal on eBay or something similar, then you’re going to be paying over £30 for this set. I think this is a really good deal seeing as the Moisture Surge extended thirst relief cream 50ml is usually around £25-£30 alone. In the set you get the cream, which is a 75ml tub (bigger than the one I’ve already got) a refreshing eye gel (not tried this yet) and a hydrating face spray! I LOVEEEEE Moisture Surge and really recommend it as a primer for the skin before make up. Creates a sort of layer on the skin which allows make up to go on like a dream! :) I’ll be trying the face spray and eye gel in the next few days and I’ll make sure to update on my verdict!

That’s all from my little skincare spree, please feel free to ask me anything about these products, and if you’ve used any of these before (especially the concealer) then please let me know what you think! :D

Lucyyy xx

Foundation Review

I judge foundations by a couple of things.....

- staying power
- coverage
-hydration
-colour match

These are the main things I go for in a foundation as I am combination skin, prone to acne. I need the full coverage for this, but also have to be careful about clogging pores. I did a review a while back on Rimmel 25 hour foundation. I loved this foundation at the time, but now it's getting warmer, I'm finding that it gets far too greasy throughout the day. 


Products I've been using recently:

                                                  Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in CAMEO.


As long as I prep my skin the night and morning before using this foundation, then it is a great one for acne/oily skin which I've been experiencing recently. By prepping I mean exfoliate, use a night moisturiser and another good moisturiser before applying in the morning. You can definitely build this foundation up for a full coverage, just make sure that you blend it in to the skin well otherwise it can appear flaky and patchy. This is another reason why a good moisturiser (or primer) before application is a good idea, so that you can blend easily! You can set this foundation with any powder, but I have been using the Dream Matte Powder from Maybelline and it's really good at setting the foundation, and you can stay shine free for hours! I just take the Dream Matte Powder with me during the day to touch up on any oily parts (such as the T-zone). I'm really loving this at the moment as I said, I've been experiencing oily skin (I think it's due to working in an air conditioned environment with no natural air). 

Maybelline Superstay 24H Foundation in 021 NUDE


I have used this foundation before, liked it, but I think I had the wrong shade, as I found it too pale for my skin (even though I am fair!) I like to have a warming colour, not orangey or obvious, just not porcelain white! I've gone back to this foundation as I remembered how it stayed put even through a day of work (approx 8 hours). The texture is quite thick, very creamy, and it blends well. I find that if I don't use very much though, it is hard to blend, so I make sure I have enough on the skin to blend out evenly (one to one and a half pumps should do the whole face). I really love this foundation, it's super thick, so it covers most of my bumps, blemishes and scars, but it's not at all oily so it doesn't clog my pores and make things worse! I find that if I use it with the dream matte powder and Collection 2000 concealer, this can give a really airbrushed look!


I've found this really helpful swatch of the 24h foundation on Google. It's from sasquatchswatch.blogspot.com and could really help you decide which colour you should go for! 

Max Factor Second Skin Foundation in 070 Natural


I've been looking for something similar to the Clinique Moisture Surge tinted moisturiser as it's getting hotter. A heavy foundation can clog the skin during the summer for me so I wanted something lighter. If you read my review of the Clinique Tinted Moisturiser then you will know that I found it to be okay, but as you might think from a tinted moisturiser, it didn't give me the coverage that I need. It's great if you use a really good concealer and lots of powder, but it's still on the sheer side for me.


I decided to try this Max Factor foundation as it looked promising in giving me the light foundation, with a good coverage. I've used it today 1/8/2011 and it stood my test of work. Surprisingly it didn't make my skin as oily as it has been recently, which was what I expected. The coverage is good, I put one layer on, and then applied some more to my problem areas. It gave quite a dewy finish, which is nice but I prefer a matte look for work (to stop the oil really...) but perhaps this dewy finish would be good for a summers day away from work! :) I used Rimmel Stay Matte concealer in 040 Soft beige, and this concealer is great after this foundation, as it's mattifying, and as the max factor foundation isn't too heavy, it's needed to cover those blemishes. I will keep trying this foundation for a week or two more, and let you know how I'm getting on :)


If there are any foundations you think I should try, for combination dry/oily skin, then please feel free to let me know by commenting below or tweeting me @xbeautybee 


Thanks! Lucy 

Simplified skincare regime....

In my previous posts, I have talked about my problem skin, being combination/dry and liking Clinique's Anti Blemish Solutions. I recently re purchased this kit, even the moisturiser (which I usually replace with the Dramatically Different Lotion) and I really regret buying the set this time.....


Recently my face has become quite oily, perhaps due to the change in weather, as it's getting warmer here in the UK. I have to say, I am absolutely loving the Clearing Moisturiser (Anti Blemish) but the rest of the 3-Step I have had to remove from the regime. I honestly now believe that the more gentle the better, and the Clinique products do tend to be quite harsh. They are spot fighting, but for sensitive/dry skin, they can be too aggravating!

Trying something new....


I have been trying the 'Simple' range, as I wanted to see if using gentle products, with no perfumes, would actually help my skin. What I've been trying:

'Kind to eyes' eye make up remover

- gentle enough to use on the eye area with absolutely no discomfort at all!!
- really does remove all make up, and quickly!
- available in travel size, perfect for travelling or trying the product!

'Kind to skin' soothing facial toner


- gentle but refreshing, perfect after a hot shower before applying make up
- 'Simple Soothing Skin Toner removes the last traces of make-up and cleanser and helps to clarify and refresh your skin.'

Cetaphil Cleanser £4, Asda

Another VITAL part of my new regime is my cleanser. I have been trying Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, as I have seen so many positive reviews about this product! It is soooooo gentle, feels great and I can literally say that it has improved my skin. If I go a few days without using it for any reason, I can feel my blemishes coming back!


This product is great, and really cheap, I found it in Asda for £4! It seems to have lasted me about 2 months now, and it's got loads left! I think it comes in different types, for example oily skin, and dry skin. I've got the dry skin one for my combination/dry skin :)


Recommend to a friend?
Yes! 

Thanks for reading, any comments welcome! If you think I should try a product that's been good for you also feel free to let me know :D always open to suggestions!


Lucy x

Vital Vitamin Night Cream....Simple!

My search for a nourishing night cream has begun.......

Vital Vitamin Night Cream

I have started using Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in place of my liquid foundations, as I have changed jobs recently and have found that the liquid ones tend to just melt off under the harsh lights of the shop floor, leaving my skin looking greasy, and I have spots by the end of the day. (I'll be reviewing the Dream Matte Mousse foundation & powder in another post, so keep checking back!)




My search basically started when I started to use the mousse foundation, as I have found that it is essential to keep my face moisturised all day (& night) long to prevent this foundation from going flaky or patchy. Regular exfoliating (I have been using Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream, about two or three times a week) and twice daily moisturising should be enough to keep your skin ready for this quite drying foundation. I have started to look in to night creams, not only to help my skin at present, but also to perhaps delay any signs of ageing in the future (I'm only 21, but it's better to start sooner than later!). As we all know, moisturising is an essential part of any daily skincare routine, and shouldn't be missed! I feel that investing in some night creams to try out will help my skin in the long run with hydration and general condition of my skin. An added bonus to this Night Cream is that it is affordable with the general retail price being less than £5! (Boots, Superdrug, Bodycare......) See below for my thoughts on this product!


What Simple claim: 


"When your skin's happy and fresh faced, you feel healthier and happier too!

Our Vital Vitamin Night Cream is a perfect blend of active ingredients and multi-vitamin goodness to restore and replenish skin throughout the night. Perfect for even sensitive skin,

VITAL VITAMINS
Pro-Vitamin B5 actively restores, softens and smoothes
Vitamin E moisturises to improve skin condition
Vitamin F renews and regenerates

SKIN LOVING NUTRIENTS
Glycerin hydrates and nourishes
Allantoin softens and protects
Bisabolol soothes and calms

NO PERFUME, NO COLOUR
No unnecessary or harsh chemicals so it won't upset your skin

Dermatologically tested and approved"


My thoughts....


I'm really impressed with this product. I have bought it so that my skin could have added hydration during the night, ready for the day ahead. I love that there are 3 vital vitamins in such a relatively low end product (retails at <£5) and I really do feel the difference in the morning. It feels velvety smooth applying it after gentle cleansing with Cetaphil cleanser. I have FINALLY found a moisturiser that is good for my skin, nourishing and moisturising without breaking me out. I can say that my skin has never been better :)


Recommend to a friend?
Yes!

Rimmel Lasting finish 25 hour foundation review

Rimmel Lasting finish 25 hour foundation review

I have acne prone, dry combination skin which can get oily throughout the day. My skin is mostly dry though, especially on the t-zone area. I love trying new foundations but have to be careful that they don't dry out my skin! There's nothing worse than your make up going flaky!

Because of my problem skin, I like to have medium to full coverage! This foundation is great stuff! 

I got the rimmel lasting finish in Ivory and its great because I can build it up without looking orange or mask-like! I use a good moisturiser before applying any   make up to prevent flaky skin, and foundation just tends to look better if I've got hydrated skin.

This foundation really does give good coverage, not so good that I don't have to use concealer under the eyes and on blemishes (some reviews I read claimed that the foundation alone was good enough...) but it just depends what kind of coverage you're after! I set my foundation with Rimmel's stay matte powder (careful to avoid too much around the nose area as it can be drying). Another powder I like is Rimmel clear complexion.

Another thing about this foundation is that even though it is long lasting, and can be built up to a full coverage, I feel that it gives my skin a glow, rather than a totally matte look, which can make the skin look dull even before you've applied your matte powder! This foundation is super long lasting, like it suggests '25 hours' and although I've not tried it for 25 hours, it certainly stays on all day pretty much perfect! Good stuff! :)

Short reviews on other foundations I'm in the midst of trying!

Maybelline 24 hour

I use this foundation when I need my make up to last. For example when I'm at work, I'm usually running round and up and down stairs, so I need it to resist sweat etc. I have to make sure I'm super moisturised beforehand as this foundation is quite drying (but it lasts and has good coverage!)

Revlon photo ready 

This foundation doesn't have as good coverage as I'd like! Also I find it's got an orangey tinge to it. I'm not sure wether I've bought the wrong colour for my skin, but there's something just not satisfying about it. Plus, it's quite expensive at £13 so in my eyes it's not worth it.

Max Factor lasting performance

I'm liking Max Factor products at the minute! I actually bought a blusher, eyeshadow and nail varnish and got a free make up bag with some trial sized products in. Eyeliner, mascara (love it!), lasting performance foundation. The foundation is only a trial size but it's lasting quite well as I only wear it on nights out as it is very much full coverage and perhaps more than I'd like during the day! It's great for the night as it covers everything and there's little need for extra concealer! I set this make up with 17 (Boots) powder and I end up with a healthy colour on my face, no need for bronzer! I'll definitely be buying this foundation when my tester size runs out! 

I hope this review has been helpful and has given you some insight in to some of the 'full coverage' foundations out there! They're really the only foundations I go for, as I need the coverage due to acne scars and current blemishes! Feel free to leave a comment or ask me any questions regarding foundations, skin types etc :) Lucy x

Clinique review

How good is Clinique? Do their products actually work?

I have been using Clinique on and off for about three years now, and I have to say their products really do work for me. The trick is, to be persistent with your Clinique products, and give them at least a few weeks (perhaps 2) to start working properly! The main thing you should notice straight away using Clinique products is the really clean feeling your skin will have, even from the first time you use them!

I have acne prone skin. In terms of Clinique products, I have combination-dry skin which needs acne fighting products, whilst giving me the moisture I need! This can be problematic with other products, as they either give me too much oil for the moisture, leading to acne.... or strip my skin of all the oils to fight the acne, leading to drier skin! Luckily Clinique seem to have found that balance so that I can have the best of both worlds! :)


I have to admit, I get nervous going to any cosmetics counter, as I just know the sales assistants are going to pressure me, and in the end I'll end up buying nothing or the entire shop. This frustrates me! I took a trip to Boots in Manchester, and my aim was to get some Clarifying Lotion and some Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion. Success! I came out with these two products, regardless of the sales assistant's attempt to try and get me to buy the Anti-Blemish moisturiser & Moisture surge!


I'm not doubting that the moisture surge is good, but on my student budget I'm just not prepared to fork out! She was suggesting these because I told her my skin concerns were dryness but also acne. She suggested using the clearing moisturiser, and then moisture surge on top if my skin is feeling a bit dry. I honestly don't believe you can't mix and match thr 3-step systems. Find something that works for you, and for me that is Anti blemish cleanser/clarifying lotion & dramatically different moisturising lotion (not the anti blemish one). I really find it annoying when you're telling the sales assistants what works for you, and they're just arguing that this isn't how you use their products! They seem very 'by the book'!


My perfect 3-step system is as follows:

Anti-Blemish solutions cleansing foam £13.00 125ml 

Anti-Blemish solutions clarifying lotion £16.50 200ml

Dramatically Different moisturizing lotion (around £15/tube)

I don't see the need to buy an additional moisturiser, the dramatically different moisturising lotion is great! I make sure that I buy the lotion, rather than the gel, as it's better for dry skin.

Clinique products can be pricey, but if you want to invest in some great skincare, which should make your skin feel and look amazing (with continued use) then I would really suggest trying Clinique! Sometimes if I'm away, or I run out of my clinique products, I can really feel my skin getting drier, especially around the nose area, and this makes make up look terrible (& therefore I feel terrible throughout the day!) It is definitely something I've bought, stopped using, tried to find a cheaper alternative, but always gone back to! The price is nothing considering I've battled with my skin since the age of 12, if this expensive stuff works, then why not! :)

Feel free to let me know of your experiences with Clinique! Have you had a bad experience? A good one you'd like to share? Please leave comments below, or tweet me! :) @thebeautylink

Lucy x