Garnier : Micellar Cleansing Water

#lovetakingitoff

Around 4 weeks ago I started using the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water for sensitive skin. I actually started using this after having laser eye surgery as I wasn't allowed to get water in my eyes, which meant that using face wash was pretty difficult. I still wanted to use something to make sure that I was keeping my skin clean, even when I wasn't wearing make up. 

I picked up a bottle in my local Boots and at the time it was 1/3 off, so a bargain! 

Each bottle is 400ml and says it will do around 200 uses. After 4 weeks I'm around a 1/4 of the way through my bottle and I have been using this day and night as part of my skin routine. 

I have to admit I have been pretty impressed with this so far! It has fitted in really well with my current products and I have found that my skin has been much clearer since I started using this. In the mornings I use it after my shower and before I apply my Treatment Lotion and Soft Cream by Creme De La Mer. 

Although this bottle claims it can remove all of your make up without rinsing I still use it after my Cleansing Oil by Shu Umera to make sure my skin is 100% clean in the evenings. However, for the sake of my blog, I did try to use this once on it own to remove all of my make up. It took 3 or 4 rounds of using this to get everything off my face and it didn't fully remove my mascara. I also found it was quite difficult to get my eye liner off fully too. 

My skin feels so clean and fresh since I have been using this and I have been having less break outs. 

I would say this is a great bargain piece to add into your skin care routine. Like I said above, I wouldn't suggest it can be used to remove eye make up, especially water proof mascara. 

DLJ

Xoxo

What's your skin type?

I was reading an article in Hello! Fashion Monthly over the bank holiday weekend and it really got me thinking about my skin type.

(http://glow-medspa.com/self-diagnosis/dull-skin/)

Is is no longer enough to use Helena Rubinstein's view that you fall into oily, dry, combination or sensitive skin types. Instead there are a whole new set of categories that can now be used to describe your skin! I have to admit, this was serious new's to me! I have always been really interested in skin care and am totally shocked to see that I was using the 'old' method of skin identification.

So, if like me, you are skill working by the god old fashioned oil, dry, combination or sensitive classifications, then better carry on reading!

(http://lizzysbeautysalonsouthgate.co.uk/facials-eye-treatments/369241)

According the the article by Charlotte Jolly, the Hello! Fashion Monthly (HFM) Beauty Director, there are now SIX completely new ways to describe your skin.

The first of these being Intolerant Skin. Skin in this category might have previously been known as sensitive. Intolerant skin in skin that is 'itchy, prone to redness and sometimes accompanied by tiny red pimples and a tight, tingly sensation' (1). According to HFM a staggering 62% of woman say that have sensitive skin.

Category number two is Dull Skin. Let's face it, it doesn't take much imagination to picture dull skin! I'm sure we have all woken up with skin that lacks glow and luminosity every now and then. I know I do. However, this category doesn't just cover skin that is lacking in life, it also covers skin that is 'mature' shall we say…fine lines, creases and folds all fall under this headline.

Numerio three is Uneven skin. Again I'm sure that at some point or another, we have all fallen into this skin category. Uneven skin is normally blotchy, patchy or maybe even discolouration. HFM state that for 16% of woman, pigmentation is their top skin gripe. I know that this is defiantly something that my mum struggles with. How can you help to reduce it? By looking after your skin in the sun. Make sure to use a face cream or sun cream with UV protection.

Skin type number four is Moody Skin. Which is definitely my skin! HFM define this type of skin as ' a changeable complexion, fluctuating in tone and texture over a 28 day cycle'. I really struggle with acne on my chin / lower jaw, which apparently is a 'symptom' of this type of skin. I find it so difficult to constantly keep on top of my skin and what is best for it.

Number 5 : City Skin. This is definitely something that would not have been considered a skin type back when Helena Rubinstein invented her skin classifications. City Skin is as you might imagine, is effected by all of the dirt and impurities that come with living in a city. And according to HFM, it's not just air pollution that effects our skin, hard water can also lead to clogged pours and irritated! We just can't win!

And finally, skin type number 6....Sluggish Skin. Sluggish Skin is skin that is lacking in bonce, flaky and had bad texture, 'pores appear small, wrinkles are pronounced and skin is prone to sensitivity'. 

So, let's face it, there really isn't any perfect skin type. But at least if we know what skin type we are, we can work with it and not against it when it comes to trying to achieve perfection. As Charlotte Jolly comments in her article, it's all about pinpointing your 'micro skin type', so pin point away my lovelies!

(http://www.stylescoop.co.za/2013/03/06/secret-flawless-hollywood-perfect-skin/)

DLJ
Xoxo

(1) Hello! Fashion Magazine Skinspecial, 02.02.2015

Real Techniques Bold Metals Brush Collection : To Buy Or Not To Buy?

I have been using Real Techniques for between 1 and 2 years. My first purchase from their range was the stippling brush.

I really loved using this brush and found that my foundation looked so much better. I have tried a number of foundation brushes over the years (mainly stealing whatever my mum had in her make up collection and taking it for a whirl) and liked how my skin looked using this one. I have problems with spots, so I need to make sure that my make up coverage will hold all day, so using a make up brush rather than my hands to apply foundation has really made a big difference in that sense.

Last year I was lucky enough to win a competition that Real Techniques launched which meant I won pretty much their whole make up brush range. This, to me, was utter heaven! For some reason, I don't mind spending lots of money on make up, but don't really like spending a lot on my tools. I know that they really do make a difference to your make up application, but I don't get the same rush from buying a new brush VS buying a new eye shadow or lipstick for example.

However, this year Nic and Sam changed the ball game! They launched their Bold Metals Brush Collection and I LOVE anything that is shiny. So for the first time I had a real longing to buy some new brushes to expand my range. The only shortfall? The PRICE.

The full range consists of 7 new brushes and like all Real Techniques brushes, they are colour coded to make it easy to find the brush you are looking for when you are rushing to get ready in the morning!

There are two gold brushes:

• 100 Arched Powder Brush  (£25)
• 101 Triangle Foundation brush  (£22)

Two pink brushes:

• Tapered Brush  (£24)
• 301 Flat Contour Brush   (£22)

And three Silver brushes:

• 200 Oval Brush  (£15)
• 201 Pointed Crease  (£12)
• 202 Angled Liner  (£10)

If you do the math, for 7 new brushes that's £130. When you look at other brush ranges, such as Bobbi Brow for example, you can purchase their Basic Brush Set which includes 6 brushes for £145 from their webpage. Which makes Real Techniques 7 brushes for £130 look like a pretty good deal. 

So why can't a part with my hard earned cash for these beauties? Well mainly because of the fact that they seem to be out of stock more than they are in stock! And then I think the second reason is I just can't choose which ones I want! I know that I want the contour brush for sure! But how am I meant to choose between all of the others!? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on which ones I should buy!

DLJ

Xoxo