Hey there,
Today is Ben’s Graduation, (Very proud girlfriend) I’m not actually going to the ceremony, just the celebrations afterwards, (Where the food & drink is involved). I probably would of gone if there was a spare ticket going, but I’ll be completely honest, I am slightly relieved that its only him and his parents going. One because he didnt come to mine two years ago, and secondly because lets face it, they are pretty boring, I found my own graduation very boring, I’m not sure I could sit through it again, even to be the supporting girlfriend, (Take my girlfriend points from me now).
Anyway I thought since it has decided to rain, (Typical sunny Wales) I would take advantage of being on my own for the morning, sit down with a cuppa, and blog. And you may want to quickly stick the kettle on yourself before sitting down to read this to….
It has been a while since I spoke about my daily skincare routine, it does tend to change each month or so, but the main principles stay the same. You know, cleanse, tone, moisturise, plus some added extras.
So lets start with the added extras, the serums and oils… Both of which I have previously blogged about! I absolutely love Botanics Rosehip facial oil and still use it now. Any skincare with rose in, I tend to be a fan. It is so hydrating, and caring for the skin, and this beauty gives my skin an instant boost for those much needed ‘pick me up’ days. It is the perfect post night out skin rescue. I also use *Medik 8 Hydra B5 and CE Tetra serums, which were both introduced to me more recently, these three together really do make my skin feel like that spa type pampering.
My skin boosting products are just as important to me, as the principle 3 steps of my skincare routine. I could not go a morning or night without freshening up my face, with that lovely cleanse, tone, moisturise process. There is no better feeling than taking of your make up after a long day, and getting in to bed,(Am I right?). But at the same time, I love the added extras, as they make my skin feel that little more pampered, and I see them as more of an indulgent skin treat.
For a while my friend in work was raving about her Bobbi Brown oil cleanser to me, and she literally had me ready to storm down to my local counter to get one. However, due to budget commitments I was having a money vs beauty battle in my head, until I came across Loreals Skin Perfection and much cheaper version – The 15 second miracle cleansing oil, (£5-10.00). I’m not saying this is a dupe as I have never tried Bobbi Browns Oil cleanser, but for the price I paid I was willing to give this one a ago first. To be honest, I wasn’t sure of it at first, I normally want that squeaky clean feeling from my cleanser, so this was something I needed to adjust to. After a couple of weeks, I actually went out and brought The Body Shops Nutriganics Facial Wash, as I just was not getting on well with Loreals cleansing oil at all. Yes, it was taking my make up off, and was great for breaking down my more stubborn make up essentials, like mascara and my beloved brows, but there was just something about it that stopped me from ‘loving’ it. However, now I have adapted my routine, I’m starting to enjoy using it as more of a pre-cleanse. So now I use the cleansing oil to remove my make up, and follow on with my new Body Shop facial wash.
It is funny, as if you were to ask me one of my favorite skincare brands, I would say The Body Shop. But I just don’t seem to go in there a lot, I’m not sure if I forget about it or what, as I have one in my local town, and the town I work in, so there no excuses really. For the price and quality, I should really shop in there more. Anyway, when I eventually did get myself in there, encouraged by my friend talking about her Vitamin E collection, (Which I also love), I left with a Nutriganics facial wash, (£10.00). As far as I am aware, this is new to The Body Shop, (Unless it just has been that long since I went there). I was attracted to this product, mainly because it has been designed to help target those first signs of ageing, (And yes with my 24th birthday coming soon, it is not too early to take these precautions), I also liked the idea of the foam wash, and of course not forgetting the fact that 99% of the ingredients are from natural origins. My skin absolutely HATES chemical based products, its all about the natural shit for me! Obviously, The Body Shop has not disappointed, the foam works wonders for my skin, giving it an express clean, I mean it is literally that squeaky clean feel I’ve been on about. The foam really lathers up on the face as well, so you can really work it in to the skin. I’m quite excited now to see what the rest of the Nutriganics range has to offer.
I know some people have mixed feelings when it comes to toners, I used to only really use a toner after a cream cleanser, you know the ones you put on a cotton pad. As you can imagine, being a fan of that clean faced feeling, I now also add a nice toner to the skin after my facial wash. What I like about a toner, is not just the PH balancing and all the other benefits they tend to offer, but the fact I can see that my face is clean on the cotton pad, it is also great for making sure no make up is left on the face, we all know those hard to reach places, like the brows and hairline, (I don’t even know how my make up gets up there). The one I’m using at the moment is Loreals Skin Perfection Velvety Soft Toner, (£3.99), it is very gentle on the skin, it doesn’t leave a sting or a dry feeling, and is also hypo-allergenic and paraben free, (Ticks a lot of boxes).
Now we have done the face cleaning essentials, it is time to cover the moisturisers.
Just before holiday I picked up Garniers Rose day cream, (£4.00), again Garnier is one of my favorite beauty brands, so reasonably priced, (Well, they are bargains in my eyes). I’m not too sure if I have tried this day cream before, I think I probably have, just not so recently. The formula is quite lightweight, but still creamy enough to really give my skin the hydration it needs. I tend to apply the CE Tetra serum prior to my day cream.
In the evenings I use both skin boosters, the Hydra B5 and the Rosehip oil, before finishing with my Nivea Rich Regenerating Night Cream (£4.15). You might think this sounds like a lot to put on my face, or time consuming – But it isn’t at all, with the skin repairing itself more during your sleep, night time is the ideal way to really hydrate and re-nourish your skin, and that’s why I get those boosters in. I was pleasantly surprised by Niveas night cream, I have heard mixed thoughts from people in regards to the Nivea range, and this was the first night cream I had tried from them. It is really thick and rich, the formula is quite heavy, (The opposite to Garniers day cream), but that is just how I like it, and just how it should be for a night time moisturiser.
Last but not least is my Clarins Eye Contour cream, which is still going. I use this morning and night, just under the eye and over the brow bone. Being a anti-ageing fanatic, eye creams are on my must have skincare list.
So that’s the end of my current daily skincare routine, I could go in to the weekly things I do, but we would need to stick the kettle on again.
What makes up your skincare essentials? How do you clean your face?
Hope the weather by you, is nicer than it is in Wales today *Sad Face*.
Lots of love,
KBxx