A/W Skincare Edit | Extras

Last week I delved into my skincare shelf and drawer to show you my current skincare routine for the colder months but I realised I'd actually missed out a fair few products that I either use every day or bi-weekly that aren't part of the usual cleanse-tone-moisturise routine...

A/W Skincare Edit | PM Routine

Following on from yesterdays post I figured I'd share my evening skincare routine for autumn/winter...

A/W Skincare Edit | AM Routine

I haven't indulged in a skincare routine post for a little while and thought I would show what I'm loving for my morning routine at present now the weather is coming a little colder...

The Pre-Cleanse Edit

If there is one thing I love more than putting make up on, it's taking it all off at the end of the day. Over the years I've used a myriad of products for a pre-cleanse; from wet wipes (eek!) from my 'youth', to cleansing milks (I still like this REN offering on dryer skin days,) to today's top three choices with three different formulations...

The Roster | Night Moisturisers

Night time is the time to treat the skin, whilst day time is for protecting - so when it comes to evening skincare I've got a few products that I rely on for my skins varying needs...

First up is the ultra moisturising Organic Surge Overnight Sensation - whilst this is my favourite for hydrating the skin - the smell is really potent (Josh says it smells like turkish delight...) so I only use this maybe three times a week as a compromise to my loved ones that hate the smell (only Josh...) - I can put up with it however, and it doesn't irritate the skin at all. Despite the smell, it really ups the ante with its hydration. Definitely a pick for dry/dehydrated/sensitive skins in winter time. 

However, if I need a real added boost of hydration - I use the Origins Drink Up Intensive - usually over the top of whatever moisturiser I'm using that evening. It's a mask, yes, but you apply it like a moisturiser (I do, in any case,) and it gets to work during the night leaving you with plump, hydrated skin come morning.

My use-every-night moisturisers are the Balance Me Moisture Rich Face Cream and the La Roche Posay Hydreane Rich, both can be used day or night but I prefer night time use as they are quite rich. I do tend to use them during the day however when dry patches are occupying my face, and they do a fantastic job of keeping the area hydrated and ready for makeup bases. It is worth noting that the La Roche Posay has a light version, if you have oily/combination skin but still need hydration.

When I need a bit of exfoliating, I tend to stick to chemical exfoliators, normally in toner form but this Botanics All Bright Hydrating Night Cream is also a gem (review here) - it makes skin look so bright the next morning. A bargain too. 

For when skin is troubled with spots - I use the Vichy Normaderm Nuit - it's mattifying, smells like play-dough, and feels quite powdery but I don't generally use this all over the face - just the t-zone where I am most affected (when I am) by blemishes. Then I usually pop some of the Balance Me or La Roche Posay moisturiser on my cheeks (dry areas) and that's it. Skin sorted for the night.

So that's my night time routine - do you have any particular recommendations?

Peace! 

The Edit | Skincare

I'm having a little love affair with my skincare routine at the moment. I managed to pick up some pretty good bargains when Escentual were having a third off French pharmacy skincare and so I figured I'd show you my current morning and evening choices.

For morning cleansing I hit up the Avene Cold Cream Gel Cleanser - which is probably going to last me forever as you don't need much because it is so thick. This can also be used for the body so a pretty good two in one if you're going away. Second cleansing is always reserved for my Nuxe Reve De Miel Gel Cleanser - I've spoken about this before but it smells amazing (honey) and it's perfect for dry skin gals like myself.

Evening is pretty simple, I'm using the Botanics Hot Balm Cleanser at the moment and really love it. It melts away all make up pretty easily and leaves skin feeling soft and most importantly, clean. Once again, the Nuxe cleanser follows this one.

For toning in the morning I'm using the Avene Gentle Toner - perfect for the first part of hydration of the day and it doesn't leave skin feeling tight - plus it's perfectly suitable for sensitive skin.

Evening toning goes like this; the Botanics All Bright Toner - which acts as an exfoliating toner. I really love the All Bright Night Cream from the same range so I've got high hopes for this toner - I'll report back but so far so good. This gets followed by the Gentle Toner as a hydrating boost before serums.

These two serums are under £20 so are a find for me in the mind boggling world of £40+ serums. First up comes the Super Facialist by Una Brennan Neroli Firming Serum. I use this exclusively for under eye area and neck - no time like the present for preventative measures. I really dig this at the moment and especially for the smell. Amazing! I follow this with the Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum - this is superb for the price range and is worth having a look at if you're new to the serum world.

Moisturising for the morning is a blessing with the Avene Hydrance Optimale - it has SPF in (20) but the amount of moisture is insane and really packs a punch. 

For night time I crack out the La Roche-Posay Hydreane Riche. This can be used night or day, but I'm using this for night time only at the moment, come winter however this could be my day time moisturiser, easily. It really hydrates and leaves skin nice and bright come morning.

Now, if my skin is acting up and being crazy (read; being combination when my skin is usually dry/sensitive,) then the Vichy Normaderm Nuit comes it to play. This is extremely mattifying but it doesn't feel too tight when I've had breakouts. 

The bolt ons, which don't include masks but there are just three. 

The Melvita Rose Floral Water is amazing for when I have spots, I use this like a treatment and it does the job well - it reduces redness and calms the area like nobodies business.

For eyes, this is mostly used in the morning but it is the Vichy Aqualia Thermal roller ball. This is nice and cooling and keeps any dry business at bay. I still haven't found my perfect night cream for eyes so do leave recommendations!

Last but not least the Jade Facial Roller is used post cleanse to really soothe the skin and reduce redness. Perfect!

So that's it, minus bits and bobs like masks or treatments. 

What is in your current skincare rotation? I'll be taking notes!

Peace!

Moiturisers | Skincare Edit

La Roche-Posay Hydreane Riche - Avene Hydrance Optimale 

I have a love hate relationship with moisturisers. They are essential as I have dry/dehydrated skin which is prone to redness but the choice is so dizzying nowadays that it can be hard to find your perfect hydrating companion. Fun, right? 

I've been tackling my skincare problems and so far I may have found the perfect duo for my day and night routine...

For day time I've been using the Avene Hydrance Optimale Rich - which does have an SPF of 20 but the SPF isn't what I bought it for... it was the 'hydrance' bit had me at hello, you see. 

So I did my research and read the reviews (standard procedure,) - I went for the rich version because as I mentioned, my skin is dry as well as dehydrated and figured the extra ooph wouldn't hurt much. I was right to get the rich version, I think light would of been too light for me (but check it out if you have normal/dehydrated or oily/dehydrated!) because even though this is the rich version, it's still light weight, a dream to apply as it absorbs so well and once it is applied? Oh god, the hydration! It literally feels like I just plunged my face into a bucket of water. It's a good base for make-up too - although these days primer usually takes care of that task. 

For night time I have been using La Roche-Posay Hydreane Riche for Sensitive Skin. You could use this moisturiser for day time but to be honest it's actually a little too heavy for spring/summer day time wear - but this is perfect for night time use for me as it packs an equal punch to the Avene - but obviously it does it's hydrating job over night (it is listed as a night time and day time moisturiser on Escentual.) 

I would probably even have to make sure I have a little tube on standby for when I have any dry patches - because this little tube has already fixed a few of those for me! It's also worth mentioning that they also do a light version of this.

I bought both of these at Escentual - they have a third of french pharmacy brands at the moment so while there's still time go have a look!

What's your favourite moisturiser combo?

Peace!