3 products to use if you want skin that's soft like a baby's bum!

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm
I have been using this for a few months now and really love it.   Previously tried Eve Lom which did a big fat zero for me, plus I dislike the fact that it contains mineral oil, which clogs the pores...  The texture of cleansing balms pleases me as I like my make-up, and I like something to fully remove it without having to use more than one product.  Oil breaks down oil, which is great for my congested skin. 
Emma Hardie is a well respected British facialist who "wants to make skincare easy, approachable and results-driven".
This product claims to cleanse, moisturise, purify, minimise pores, calm sensitive skin, revitalise dull and mature skin, and doubles as a mask!  What more could you ask for?!  The main ingredient is moringa seed extract, along with wild sea fennel and vitamin E.  Extracts of orange, neroli, jasmine and rose make the balm smell beautiful.  I have been using the Cane +Austin acne pads as I mentioned in a previous post, but I do believe that using this along side them is really helping.  My skin looks so much better. You would generally massage the balm onto the face, then remove with the excellent EH cloth, but I have been using it with a

Clarisonic.  What does this machine NOT do?!  I really didn't understand what the craze was at first, until I tried it.  It's incredible.  Made by the people who brought us the sonicare toothbrush, they are now redefining skincare.

"Benefits beyond just clean skin: Clarisonic improves the appearance of skin tone and reduces the appearance of pore size"

The machine is expensive so I would definitely suggest visiting their website http://clarisonic.co.uk/ and fully researching it first, but it's benefits include 6x more make-up removal, soft and smooth skin, cleanses so well that your products will be absorbed better, reduces oily areas, dry patches and blemishes, reduces visible pores and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  It's obviously been sent from heaven!  You can use any cleanser with the Clarisonic as long as it has a bit of slip to it, a cleansing balm is ideal.  You place a bit it the centre of the brush, hold to your face and press the button, and move it over your entire face. The head doesn't spin around, so your products doesn't spray all over the bathroom.  It has a one minute timer and adjustable speed, and it is waterproof so you can take it in the shower.  SO quick, easy and effective!

So, I now have the cleanest face you could ever imagine!  I want to purify it to the max though so thought I would give Wei's Golden Root Purifying Mask a try.  Demi Moore recently championed Wei's Gingko Leaf Repairing Face Pads in the Sunday Style Magazine.  Wei produces quality products that have traditional chinese medicine beliefs.  Golden root extract is the main ingredient and a very powerful antioxidant and thought of as a potent youth restoring herb, and pure China clay helps to absorb toxins and dirt and generally clear your pores.  It is deeply cleansing without drying out your skin like some clay masks can.  I felt a slight tingle on application, but that soon disappeared, and wasn't unpleasant.

              SKIN IS SO SOFT!

Cane + Austin Acne Pads - fads?

Since being about eleven years old I have had issues with my skin.  I have a long list of things I would like to change about myself, but my skin would be #1.  I have been on Zineryt, Duac etc all the way up to the big bad boy Roaccutane (which did make my skin totally flawless...twice...), yet I still believe I have unsightly skin.  When I refer to this, people always say something along the lines of  "oh no you have lovely skin", but that is an illusion formed by the skills of being a make-up artist and a good foundation.  The pure satisfaction I get from picking and extracting does not in any way help the appearance of my skin, this I know, but then again it doesn't stop the fact that there is something there to pick in first place!

I find myself getting very down in the dumps about this every couple of months.  So, out of pure desperation, off I go to see my GP.  I have a minor aversion to the doctors (I never feel like a problem has been solved or even listened to), yet I thought I might at least be referred to a dermatologist.  Feeling like a petulant teenager all over again, I leave, disheartened, with prescription in hand for Duac Once Daily Gel (again!).  Tried and tested before, the prescription goes straight in the bin and my doctor phobia grows tenfold.

Several people had been raving on to me about a new product on the market in the form of Cane + Austin Acne Pads.  Dubious and broke, shelling out £48 on yet another product promising clear skin was not a viable option!  Until I saw results.  I saw a girl whose skin had been in quite a bad way, and she had bought them, used them all and my god what a difference!  I invested there and then (deal with the consequences later!).  Here is a quick bit of science...

Think Cane + Austin, think glycolic acid, which works as both an exfoliant and a moisturiser.

“Glycolic Acid was the only thing that actually proved to be therapeutic, improving skin’s texture and reducing large pores. Glycolic Acid actually made a clinical difference in the skin and the well being of the clients. It is the most effective and has the least side effects.”- Dr. Austin

The Acne Treatment Pads are 5% gylcolic acid and 2% salicylic acid.  The glycolic accelerates the removal of dead skin cells that block the skin and the salicylic helps to reduce the number of white and black heads forming.  Full of antioxidants, they also have anti-aging benefits!  Visit the website http://www.caneandaustin.com/ for more testimonials, before and after pictures and clinical results and to be seduced.

You simply cleanse your face, then wipe the pad over your whole face (I do my chest also), once or twice a day (depending on skin sensitivity or severity of the acne) and that's it!  You can moisturise, but due to the glycolic acids moisturising benefits, there is no need. 

The first week I was using them I saw instant results in my skins appearance.  It appeared clearer and the texture was smoother.  I have not once felt like my skin in dry, tight or seen any redness which is absolutely a concern with any products treating acne.

In the second week however, I was starting to think that those instant effects were starting to diminish and my money would have been better spent on a big cake to drown my sorrows in.  I still had spots, why wasn't this miracle cure working?!  They were in my possession now so it seemed foolish not to continue. 

I have been using them for probably about a month now, once a day, and I genuinely think my skin has improved, texture, brightness, less spots.  I desire instant effects and where your skin is concerned, if you want something to work properly, you have to use it over time.  I can see they are working and will be re buying them.  My mum spent endless hours trawling the shelves of pharmacies, counters and skincare shops alike trying to find that one product that would cheer me up and clear up my skin.  I have tried a lot of products, many ill advised, and I would encourage any mothers out there and anyone feeling they have skin problems to try out this product!  The cost is high, but then how much would you spend on an outfit?  Anyone who has had problem skin, and dealt with it will tell you that if your skin is looking amazing, you could be wear a bin bag (maybe not...but you get the picture!) and you would still feel good!

Hanna

Film reviewing isn't normally my thing, but I went to see "Hanna" tonight and thought it was amazing!  It is visually stunning.  The scenery is instantly breathtaking, it opens with a Finnish snow scape.  Saorise Ronan, who plays Hanna, is unusual looking and quite magnetizing, ethereal.  It had such a variety of characters, it started quite serious, yet when the English family appear, it adds humour.  The teenage girl, Sophie, played by Jessica Burden(pictured below), is fantastic.  The scenes in Morocco made my feet get itchy and I have started hankering after a retro camper van.  It also has a great soundtrack by The Chemical Brothers.

Anyway, I digress.  Back to what I know about.  Hanna's hair was meant to look feral and unkempt, which I love, in fact I strive to make my hair look like that on a daily basis.  I suspect a lot of work will have gone into making her hair look so beautifully bedraggled, but I believe Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray is a product which would help one create this look.  I have used it lots in the past and it is fantastic.  I have tried the cheaper versions, some of which have been great, but they don't quite compare.  This will sound revolting, but when I am on holiday and have wet hair from the sea, I let it dry in the sun, then will sometimes not wash it because I love how it dries, matte and tousled.  This is the effect Surf Spray gives the hair when you haven't been bathing in seawater.  If you spray it into damp hair and use a hairdryer you will get some serious volume too!

"sexy, salty, sun-dried, windswept styles - whenever, wherever."

Editorial images illustrating the Surf Spray, semi dread locked look, beautiful.

Spring is Showery and Flowery

I forgot something from yesterdays post...

REN Guerande Salt Exfoliating Body Balm

I have an extreme hatred of oily body scrubs, the ones that make the water run off your body like a seal.  I have used this scrub for a while and really rate it.  Its texture is balmy, and can be used on wet or dry skin.  I use it on dry as I like a deeper exfoliation.  It leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean and moisturised.
It contains guerande sea salt, peppermint oil (which gives it a pleasant smell) and basil oil.
REN is a UK brand, focusing on "clean bio active skincare".  Clean meaning it uses non of the "bad" ingredients, such as petrochemicals, parabens, sulphates etc, all of which it helpfully lists on the packaging.  Bio active meaning that they use science and the latest discoveries in bio active formulations when developing their products.


Today I received a lovely little package in the post!  I get very excited about parcels, even when I am expecting them.  Simple things...  It was a Bliss Lemon & Sage Body Butter from the kind people at The Sunday Times Style Magazine to say thank you for voting their Style Beauty Awards.  It smells gorgeous, can't wait to try it.  It also says it is great for aching muscles, maybe it can fix my shoulders...

I discovered some amazing new flowers today, well they are new to me.  Sweet Williams, a totally on trend flower, how about that!  They look like they are from a wild meadow.

One more thing that has made me really happy today is this new discovery in the sandwich section of Waitrose, fresh pieces of coconut!  I adore coconut, in any form and this definitely satisfies a sweet tooth!  Pretty calorific, but definitely in a good way!

I am lucky enough to be able to test out lots of different beauty products, and up until now have only been sharing my thoughts and opinions with friends, family and colleagues.  I am now going to send those thoughts out into cyber space and see if anyone wants to read about them.

There are so many things I want to talk about, but will break the ice with my must-haves, essentials, things I can't go without.


Organic Surge Daily Care Face Wash

Organic Surge use plant extracts and essential oils, and leave out all the nasties such as foaming agents and synthetic perfumes.
At the end of the day it is just a gel cleanser and you can't expect miracles from it, but it smells amazing, that will be the rose geranium, and my skin is left feeling hydrated and clean, without that horrible tight feeling.
I took this away with me when I went travelling and it lasted the whole 5 months and more!




Kiehls Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter

 am normally a Palmers Shea Butter lover when it comes to body cream, I like it to be cheap, cheerful and quick absorbing.  However, I decided to treat myself to this nicely packaged, delightful smelling (Kiehls describe it as "addictive") product at Christmas and have fallen in love.  As it says on the tub, it is "whipped" giving it an enjoyable springy texture.  It feels luxurious to use, leaves me smelling good and my skin is thoroughly moisturised.  What more could you want?




The Body Shop Skin Sponge

I use this religiously and have done for years.  I like to feel scrubbed (gently) and clean when I exit the shower.  I have tried many alternatives which have failed me, they are almost always too flimsy.







Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid Enamel Renewal Toothpaste

I bought this in Canada for something silly like $2.  I hate that in the UK teeth whitening products cost so much!  Saw this and thought I would give it a whirl, and I really have seen a difference.  I will now need to start ordering my toothpaste online I fear.  The tube however, is rubbish, it's really hard to get the toothpaste out.  I am willing to overlook this minor problem though.




Diptyque Velvet Hand Lotion

This stays by my bed and gets used morning and night.  With hand creams I want non-greasy and nice smelling, but without being too perfumed.  This is it!  Quite an indulgence, but it was a gift, and the smells reminds of those who gave it to me.  I love, love, love almonds (smell, taste whatever...) and this has a blend of sweet almond oil, honey and licorice extract.  It is also pleasing to the eye, as is the whole range, which I am massively lusting after!  Diptyque are not only good for candles!


                         
                               Illamasqua Eye Brow Brush + Eye Brow Cake

I feel naked without my eyebrows!  I dye my hair darker and therefore need to darken my brows a little too.  I want more than natural (this product can give a great natural effect too), I like the thick, shaped eye brow.  It can be used with a sealing gel for super long-wearing brows, or with water, or simply used as a powder.  I do the latter.  It goes on well and it stays on well.  It comes in 6 different colours, I use Thunder (dark brown).  Peek (warm caramel) is an amazing colour for anyone with auburn hair.  I apply the powder with the Illamasqua Eye Brow Brush which is incredible.  It has such a sharp angle, which means you can achieve perfect shape and definition.  It is also synthetic (the company do not agree with using animal hair) which allows you to use it with products of any texture.  The brush is also brilliant for eyeliner or creating very angular lips.

Lucas Remedies Pawpaw Ointment

My auntie brought me a tube back from Australia a few years ago and now  I feel lost if I don't have a tube in my bag at all times!  It can basically be used for anything, burns, bruises, cracked lips, nappy rash, and bites.  This is because pawpaw is a natural antiseptic.  It is like a combination of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream and Sudocrem. 






                                    Illamasqua Nail Varnishes

Obsessed and addicted.  I have too many.  My current favourites being (left-right) JoMina, Wink, Purity & Whack.  They go on beautifully, and I find them to be very chip resistant.  The spectrum of colours on offer is a delight in itself.  If you are a nail varnish fan then you will be like a kid in a sweetshop.  There are different finishes to choose from, matte, metallic and gloss.