Let Me Help You! Beauty Questions Answered!

Picture found:http://imunsinkable.com/2012/06/05/who-are-you-calling-mommy/

Hello… How Can I Help 🙂

I can spend hours of the day and night just researching beauty products! I find out what product people like to use most, watch hours of youtube clips on how to use it and read reviews on the pros and cons! Although this is a lengthly process, its something I really enjoy! I love trialling new products and comparing them to others!

This is why I write this blog… So everything I research, I have written down in a safe and organised place! And of course to share and hopefully help someone in their search!

Are you someone who just does not have the time to do all this research and end up buying things you wish you hadn’t? Or just want to know the answer quickly! Well then just leave a comment below about a beauty product that you wish to try, or just a skin issue which you would like some help with and Ill do my best to ensure that I write a review for you and ask the people who are in the know!

For example “I have oily skin, what type of foundation should I use?”

“How can I get softer, stronger hair”

If I can’t get hold of the product myself, Ill make-sure to include the videos of those who have, the pros and cons of the product, alternative ones which you may prefer and much more 🙂

Don’t get me wrong Im no dermatologist, just a girl that loves to spend hours researching anything beauty! ill do my best and do the hard work so you dont have to! Ill point you in the right direction! 🙂

So just leave a comment below and ill find out for you!

Xo

Retinol Reface: My Mini Skin Miracle

Its winter… My skin is dry, red and itchy. My cheeks feel like I have crocodile scales forming and my nose feels bumpy

If you’re like me then I’m sure your sick of clogged pores and the damage that the weather conditions can have on your skin. Well you may just want to listen in… I think Ive found it… something so simple.

I happened to stumble upon a few websites that suggested the ‘perfect skin care routine’ They of course suggest hydration through drinking lots of water and a good moisturiser, cleansing and toning the skin with a good exfoliation routine. The ordinary routine that everyones heard of. Which yes… I do.. and don’t get me wrong I love my Clarins products and without them my skin is crazy!

But wait… what was this… the last slide suggested a good retinol cream to use before you go to bed? Well this was something I hadn’t heard of before… so I started to research… heres what I found.

According to the CEO of Bluemercury

• Retinol is one of the most powerful anti-agin ingredients to help re-texturize the skin
• it is derived from vitamin A and can appear in different skin care products at various strengths and forms

So how do you use it:

• You can have retin-A prescribed to you by your local dermatologist or GP. These products are sure to provide better results than the over-the-counter products.
• Over the counter products contain retinol, which is gradually converted into retinoic acid (the active ingredient in the prescription creams). So they are less potent and will take longer to work. Can take up to 12 weeks to see a noticeable difference.
• Wash your face as normal and allow 20 minutes before applying the retinol cream
• a pea sized amount all over the skin, avoiding the eye area
• make sure to introduce the product slowly to your routine. For example, once every 3 days for 1-2 weeks then once every other night then eventually every night. This will help to avoid any side effects.
• Be careful what product you mix it with – I would do your research before combining it with your normal moisturiser. (The retinol cream i bought has a built in moisturiser so I use it on its own)
• Avoid exfoliants for a while whilst introducing it to your routine. The retinol acts as an exfoliant so you don’t want to over do it.
• Be sure to use a sunscreen during the day. Retinol is sensitive to sunlight, so thats why we only use the product on our skin at night.

Side effects: Unfortunately, for most, side effects are very common as your skin will need to adjust to the product. But you have to battle through, they are whats known as ‘purging of the skin’ and don’t worry they will reduce as you continue to use the product.

• Irritation, redness and dry skin.
• Initial breakouts and purging.
• Sun sensitivity

My experience:

• I have now been using my product for 4 weeks.
• Yes I was one of lucky ones – My skin purged – for me this was just a tiny pimple each time I used it. But they were easy to cover and all I thought to myself was “one pimple now, amazing skin later”
• My skin, after the first few uses, was also quite dry and flaky in patches such as my nose. This was the exfoliation affect and removal of old skin cells.
• I found that I put on the product to close to my eyes, so the thin layer of skin had become a little sensitive and dry.
• After 4 weeks: When I use the product, I don’t have any dry or flaky patches. I have stopped my usual exfoliation routine, yet I find that my skin is soft and the bumps on my nose have reduced.

Which product do I use? Indeed laboratories ‘Retinol Reface’

• Fragrance free
• ‘Non-Irritant’
• contains retinol and hydroxypinacolone retinoate
• has a nice silk like texture and a lot goes a long way
• Usual price: £19.99
• not tested on animals

My view: I wasn’t expecting miracles and I was prepared after the research I had done to expect my skin to purge. I am really happy with my results and can’t wait to the further results I have in a few weeks time. My skin looks softer and healthier with a very welcomed subtle glow. I managed to buy mine at 50% off from boots so at only £10 I am really happy with the product I have. I wouldn’t use this as my sole moisturiser as I prefer creams which are strong emollients. I would honestly recommend this product.

Heres some websites which I gathered my information from:

• http://www.oprah.com/style/Best-New-Anti-Aging-Products-Anti-Aging-Skincare
• http://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/best-retinol-products#slide-1
• http://www.paulaschoice.com/beautypedia-skin-care-reviews/by-brand/indeed-laboratories/_/Indeed-Laboratories-Retinol-Reface

I would love to hear if any of you have tried a retinol product before and what you thought of it! Do you have any other skin tips you would like to share? Please leave comments below 🙂

Much love Xo

Clarins Daily Energizer Set

 

You will soon start to know how I love everything Clarins. Im sure you’ve seen from other posts that I often have problematic skin. Ive tried many different brands, from Clinique to Boots own brand. But Clarins is always a clear favourite. Their products are soft on the skin and honestly help to improve its appearance.. its just a bonus that they smell amazing!

This fresh foaming gel helps to remove make-up and leave it feeling hydrated, I don’t feel that when my skin dries, if I smile my face will crack like I have had with other cleansing washes.

I use the daily energiser  cream by Clarins in the morning and evening which helps my skin stay hydrated for most of the day.

I then use the Wake-Up morning booster to help remove any impurities from overnight (yes ok its true occasionally I dribble) and it helps my skin feel fresh and ready for the day.

I honestly would recommend Clarins to everyone as its never caused me any problems and its the best brand Ive tried so far… not matter what the product.

Are you in love with Clarins too? Or have you tried it and not been so impressed… do share you experiences below 🙂 Xo

Chanel Gel Exfoliant

Oh well hello there Chanel, I’m always excited to try a brand like this as its not my usual.. I’m a high street kind of gal..

But dont get too excited… I dont have too much say

If your body parts were different cities then you know that the face is ‘New York’ … bright lips, sparkling eyes, dramatic lashes or perhaps stylish and elegant.. You want and need to keep its sparkle, don’t let it get weathered down! Well I thought this maximum radiance gel would help to enhance the glow of my dry lifeless skin..

It has a gel like texture, with very small grains so its very gentle on the skin, but because of that I didn’t see much results on days where I needed it most. I have sensitive skin and this product worked well and did leave a fresh hydrated feeling afterwards. However, I found it quite difficult to wash away the beads and always find them later on!

I didnt think it was worth the money at £34 as you can get the same results from much cheaper products.

Do you know of an exfoliant that works wonders? Or are you having the same struggles as me? Xo

Lancome Gentle Softening Cleanser & Hydrating Toner

These have become part of my daily routine. I use them in the morning and evening to help remove any impurities and remaining make-up. They help leave my skin feeling fresh and hydrated, not tight and almost ‘chemical like’ which I have experienced with other cleansers. It wipes off easily with cotton pads, so great if you’re in a rush.

I have sensitive combination skin, which just turns to oily in the summer and very dry in the winter, but I have seen a real difference using these products, and my skin seems to hydrated throughout the day.

I always use a separate eye make-up remover when I wear a heavier based mascara or eye liner.

I complete my cleansing ritual with a wipe of the hydrating toner. Its enriched with plant extracts and smells lovely. Its alcohol free so perfect for my sensitive skin.

Base Prices: Cleanser £23/ Toner £22.50