Evening Skincare Routine

Following up from my Morning skincare post (here) it is now time to share my current evening skin care routine. Whilst I love applying my makeup I will always say that my favourite time of the day is taking it all off before bed. Just like my morning skin routine, the evening has developed into a rather obsessive procedure. 

Firstly, it's step one of cleansing. If you are a regular reader then you will know that this has been The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil for a while.  This is a firm favourite in my skincare cupboard. When they say silky, they really do mean silky. It is such a soothing, gentle oil that quickly removes makeup. I don't think I would ever pay more for a cleansing oil as this does the job perfectly. Sometimes if I have waterproof eye makeup on then I will also go in with the Camomile Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover which, again, has a big thumbs up from me. It doesn't irritate my eyes, or leave them feeling oily, it just quickly does them job. 

I then cleanse my skin. PLEASE, note the difference between the oil cleanser to take off my make up and the cleanser to cleanse my skin. For this second step I use Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish - a trusty cleanser that I have been using for over six years now. I love its creamy texture; it never irritates my skin; and is really soothing after a long stressful day.

Now, this is then when the routine gets exciting. About three times a week, or every other day (if its a bad skin week) I go in with an AHA toner. As you will have read from a previous post, this is my preferred form of exfoliation. I find that it provides better results and is less irritating than an exfoliating scrub with beads. After a few seconds I then spray over a hydrating toner. My favourite one for the evening is the La Roche Posay Serozinc. It soothes my skin and ALWAYS solves my bad skin days. 

The rest is then simple. I moisturise, with the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream,  and then apply an oil over the top. In the past I have loved using the Origins Night-a-Mins moisturiser. I really do miss that from my current routine, as it is so rich and moisturising. However, applying the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Oil over the top has made me notice some encouraging results. I seem to have had this in my skincare stash for a while, but only ever used it occasionally. After a routine of application I have noticed in the morning that my skin looks plumper and my complexion much more even. Perhaps I shouldn't have dismissed it so much.

What are you holy-gail evening products?

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The Moisturiser

After quite a few months of using the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream I thought it was time to give you some feedback. First things first, lets start with the basics: simple, lightweight packaging makes this great for travelling. It's fragrance free so there is nothing too sickly or sweet to endure. 

When it comes to texture it is very light. It is therefore very easy to absorb into the skin but still extremely moisturising. I've so far found this very easy and simple for balancing out my complexion and leaving my skin feeling comfortable. By that I mean my face doesn't feel heavily caked in moisturiser and I can straightaway move on to applying my makeup for the day. 

Now, at the moment I have been using this day and night. Weirdly I have LOVED it for the daytime, but not so much at night. When it comes to evening skincare I do like a thick, rich texture.  Something like the Origins Night-A-Mins for example, which feels like it will do wonders overnight! However, as a daytime moisturiser that has been great, especially in the warmer months when I want something lightweight.  Then again, this is not claiming to do the specifics of a night cream. It is a simple all-rounder. 

The only negative about the cream is the lack of SPF. I assume that Kiehl's choose this so that it can be applied morning and night. Moreover, Kiehl's do other SPF specific products which can be applied after the cream. Nevertheless, if you are looking for something simple that's going to do the job of moisturising your skin then I would definitely recommend this product. 

Have any moisturisers to recommend? Please leave a comment. 

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Toners

One thing I have't talked about in a while  is skincare. But this post on acid toners has been waiting a while to pop up. When we see the word acid we perhaps get a little scared, of course why would we want to put acid on our face?! However, the % of acid in these toners is relatively low and therefore safe enough to cause some impressive results on our skin.

The whole process of acid based toners was introduced to my by the goddess of skincare Caroline Hirons. She believes that toner should be the second step in our routine; it should balance the ph levels of your skin after cleansing, exfoliate, hydrate and, most important, help for the next steps of your routine (serum and moisturise) to penetrate more thoroughly.

Now before I learnt this information my every other day routine would be a gritty exfoliator. What I then learnt from Hirons is that this can help to spread infection if we have a spot and does not restore the ph level on our skin. Acid toners are applied on a cotton wool pad and then just smooth them over my face and neck. 

Since introducing this step I can honestly say that I've seen improvements in my skin like no other. My skin now doesn't experience crazy blemishes, it feels smoother and almost more radiant. The two toners I switch between are the Clarins Gentle Exfoliater Brightening toner and the Pixi Glow Tonic. Now I feel almost embarrassed to admit that I can't really detect anything different between these two products apart from the smell. If I was 'suffering' a period of bad skin however, I would perhaps be more inclined to use the Clarins one as, from experience, this has always helped to clear my skin. I tend to put these toners in my nightie routine, as suggested by Hirons, and I only use them about 3 times a week. 

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An Overnight Hero

Receiving a Space NK £5 incentive usually results in a lot of planning in my books. I can't waste a voucher and so I take time in researching what will be the best investment. For me, this means high-end skin care. After reading a lot of praise (seriously, nearly on every blog) about the Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial I decided this would be the one.

This isn't like any oil I have tried before. It has a much thicker consistency unlike something like the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Oil. This texture helps to massage it deep into the skin and the product comes with an instruction booklet of how to do your own facial.

This product produces instant results. My skin feels plumper, brighter and it soothes any redness on my skin. Also, the smell is just heavenly! It has that clean, spa scent about it, you know what I mean? These effects continue on to the morning where my skin really feels like its had an overnight miracle. At the moment I'm using this product about everyone other week, when my skin is looking a tad dull and blemish dotted. But I would seriously rate this product up at the top in my skincare. 

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Intensely Moisturising

After a good month of using the Sarah Chapman Intense Hydrating Booster its fair to say I am more than ready to share my opinion. I'm not going to be dramatic or anything as I'm suuuure it wont come as a surprise when I say I have fallen in love with this little skin serum wonder. Not being dramatic, I promise. 

I have been using this every morning as my pre-moisturiser step. In the past I have tended to have some charming dry patches on my cheeks and thought investing in this may help to solve an embarrassing nuisance.   Adding two drops of the serum from a rather snazzy pipet I gently massage this all over my skin. The moisturing results of this have been so good that sometimes I've completely forgotten to put a moisturiser on and, haven't even noticed! I always notice that my BB cream/foundation blends better afterwards too. 

Whilst it's a rather pricey number (please remember I got this on discount) it seriously lives up to its value. I would thoroughly recommend this for dry skin gals or those who are looking for a boots of intense moisturisation for the up and coming winter months. 

Next on my wish list is the Sarah Chapman Overnight Serum...guess I better start saving my pennies!!

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Night Time Moisturising

I think that part of my favourite time of the day is getting ready for bed. Verging on a little sad and boring I'm sure, but there really is nothing I love more than getting my 'night-time-skin-routine-ooooon'!  

So when I recently ran out of my Origins Night-a-mins there was nearly a breakdown in my bathroom.

After feeling rather spendy in the month of July (you can check that damage out here) I had to find a plan B to make myself not repurchase the rather pricey Origins tub of evening magic.  Seriously, it does wonders.

I've heard quiet a bit about the Super Facialist by Una Brennan range so I decided to choose the Rose Hydrate Peaceful Skin Night cream, mainly because it claimed to nourish, rejuvenate and protect. 

So far I've been quiet impressed. I definitely noticed a glow after application and it it provides a thorough moisturisation. It's quiet a thin texture which makes it very soothing and easy to apply and absorb into the skin. In the morning my skin still feels moisturised. The only thing is I seriously miss the smell of the Origins...Yes I know, I'm weird. I'm not a huge fan of the rose scent but I do suppose that is is 'calming'. For the price I'd definitely say this is worth it. However, I think Night-a-mins is my main love.

What are your favourite moisturisers? 

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New Year, New Skin!

We may welcome in the New Year with celebration but without a doubt it can be a time of blues. We feel fat, unhealthy, spotty....You know what I'm talking about. But it's a great opportunity for CHANGE. If you are like me then every January will be time for Pre-Spring organising; sorting out my wardrobe, makeup and health. Basically getting 'clean', however weird that may sound...!
So with the popularity of my origins post I decided to share my top skin tips for 2013. Recommending products that will help you say welcome along a clean, healthy, pore-free, radiant face!

Skin Routine

So...
My first tip is make sure you scrub that dirt off. The most common problem with unclear skin is that people don't know how to clean! Im sorry but just using soap and water really isn't going to do the trick! Now if you haven't heard about the hype of Liz Earle Cleanse and polish, my number 1, then where have you been?! This product really cleanses your skin. With the use of hot water and the action from the Muslin Cloth (which comes with the cleanser) it really works to unclog your pores and get rid of the dirt!

After a good cleanse you then need to use a toner. I like to use Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner. This helps to balance your skin's phd level. You don't really need to know the science behind this, but it basically helps to reduce the size of your pores and ensure your skin has been removed of daily impurities.

Then you want to MOISTURISE. This is such an important thing. You may not bother, but you really will have to suffer later in life. Everyday our face has to suffer from impurities within the air. It faces factors such as pollution/cold weather/poor diet/stress which remove moisture from the skin. Moisturising twice a day helps to repair and protect. It boost collagen levels, protects from spf and basically just makes your skin feel lovely ok?! Please just moisturise guys!!

A weekly step which we probably most forget is exfoliation. This will help to get rid of the build up of dead skin cells and overall helps your skin to feel fresh and renewed. I like to use this one from Clarins.
This step is also similar to using a mask. When your skin is feeling dry, tight or you're suffering from a black head break out then just relax and put on a mask! One such as this Origins one will help to revive a bright complexion and hydrate the skin.

My last tip is a solver after nights out: a face full of makeup that we simply cant be bothered to take off. I know the feeling! My ultimate product for this is no other than Witch Hazel foaming cleanser (just £3.99 I might add) or Clarins' Milk cleanser. In just one quick flash they quickly remove everything...and I mean everything! So there really is no excuse to go to bed with a full face of makeup that will just clog your skin up and lead to blocked pores and spots!

All of these steps/products really can't be recommended enough and I promise will help towards clearer skin.
HOWEVER....
If you really do want to have extra-beautiful skin then you need to remember...
1. You are what you eat. Im sorry to be blunt. But what you put in will reflect on your face. If you like to eat chocolate and sweets then the amount of saturates and refined sugar WILL eventually lead to horrible skin. Sorry, but its the truth girls!
2. Water, water, water.
Water helps to flush out toxins of the body, resulting in a brighter complexions and hydrated skin.
3.Green/herbal tea.
Studies have proven that it helps hydration levels thus resulting in a gloooowing complexion.
4. Don't use makeup wipes to clean your skin. Want to know why? Then read here

I hope you find that useful. If you have any 'holy grail' products that help you achieve clear skin, then I would be delighted if you leave me a comment!

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