Hydrating Toners

After experiencing five days of extraordinary heat in London I thought it was necessary to share with you one of my summer skin essentials: the hydrating toner. All of these have multiple purposes: They can be used after cleansing to hydrate and purify the skin, to help set makeup or for a top up in the afternoon to help 'revive' the skin. 

The Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic contains naturally active, botanical ingredients including a pure source of Vitamin E. These help to revitalise and refresh the skin. I find this 30ml bottle so handy to keep in my bag, ready for those vital 3pm spraying sessions. 

As you know from previous posts, the Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist is not only a luxurious item but one that I could rave about for hours. The first time I tested this product I had never experienced so many compliments about my skin! It looked noticeably healthy: glowing and dewy, just what I like. The only annoying thing about this product is the price. I am nearly on my last few sprays and I'm not sure if a toner is worth £46 (I know, I hang my head, and purse, in shame!).  Nevertheless, it does probably have the most instant results of the trio.

La Roche Posay Serozinc, however, is the most refreshing of them all, mainly due to its spritzing power. If you're on a budget then I would put my hands up and tell you that this is the one! Whilst it is 'targeted' for oily and blemish prone skin I would advise to ignore this. I would not put my own skin under this category but it has still helped my skin. This product is especially great if you're a city girl as it kills bacteria. 

Another tip, leave these in these fridge and you will have an extra cooling experience!

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Morning Skincare Routine

I love my morning skincare routine. All of these products help me achieve a healthy, dewy glow and a perfect base for applying my makeup. 

I start off with the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. This is perfect for my skin first thing in the morning. Containing vitamins A, C and E it really helps to 'waken' up my skin. It looks instantly brighter and cleaner. Whilst it is called a gel, once you rub it between you fingers, and apply on to your skin, it turns into an oil-like consistency. This means you have such a gentle cleanse in the morning and really helps to give a glow at the end. I love this cleanser!

I then use the Omorovicza Queen of Hungry Mist. This is a lovely, hydrating toner. Whilst some people may argue that this is far too expensive for its purpose, I honestly have never used a product that has given such an instant glow. Ingredients of rose, orange blossom and sage water help to purify and tone the skin. The apple pectin really hydrates the skin leaving such an instant result. This product can also be used throughout the day when your skin needs that extra boost. 

I began using the Sarah Chapman Intense hydrating booster  last year when my skin was suffering from dryness, especially on my cheeks, and stress. This is a lovely silky, serum that adds such a nourishing layer of moisture in my skin. It really helps me to achieve a natural glow whilst also plumping the skin. 

Finally, I go in with my Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream which I wrote about in my last post. Now I understand that these products are on the luxury side of skincare. But then again, my ethos is that our skin is the most important thing we own - it needs to be looked after. Most of these products I bought when I worked at Harrods. If I had to only use one thing from this list it would probably be the Oskia cleanser. For £28 I think this is a reasonably priced, premium quality cleanser that leaves the skin feeling so smooth and nourished. 

What are your morning favourites?

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November Favourites

The majority of November has seen me hidden away in the library researching and writing essays. As a result my blog has had a bit of a neglect and my favourites this month are somewhat limited.

The skin savour of November has to be the Omorovicza Queen of Hungry Mist. As the cold weather has taken its drying tolls on my skin this has just become an everyday essential. It is a hydrating toner enriched with rather fancy (and expensive) minerals that really do help give my skin that extra moisture. Cleanse, spritz, serum, done.

The issue of "dryness" continues on with the lips. Who doesn't suffer with dry, chapped lips this time of the year?! Of course I have to reach for the number one lip balm: Nuxe Rieve de Miel. This stuff, I think, works as an exfoliator and a moisturiser. It works so quickly that using this multiple times a day has seriously solved the lip pains. A handbag hero.  

There's rarely a talk about hair on this blog. I have to admit when it comes to hair I am not a pro, but that's another story. After an embarrassing trip to the hair dressers in october I decided to take better care of my dry locks. The Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Intense Rescue Balm has seriously left me noticing results. A hard balm in the tub, rub between your fingers to create an oil, smooth through the locks, leave for 20 minutes and then wash with shampoo and conditioner. My hair has looked shiner and felt so much healthier and stronger.

After a lovely care package from home I received a special request of MAC lipstick in Plumful. Desire after watching Lily Pebbles' vlogs this has been no disappointment. As a lustre formula it leaves a subtle amount of colour and sheen. I have loved wearing this when I've gone for a natural-barely there make up look with a splash of plum on the lips. Seriously recommend this if you're a brunette like me. 

Last on the list is a return to an old favourite: the Chanel Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in 14 Mystic Eyes. The bottom right shade is my favourite kinda brown, shimmery and subtle and is such a dream to apply. I don't bother with anything complicated, just a swish of this all of the eye and job done.

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