Calming the Skin!!

Recently my skin has been breaking out in areas it does not usually break out, like the forehead and above the lip. It has been going on for most of March. I am still trying to figure out what I am doing differently to cause this. It could be because I was trying and switching a good few products like cleansers, moisturisers and foundations. Or it could be my diet? Or that I don't always wash my face at night? Or hormones? Weather? Or a combination of all the above. It's hard to know for definite!

Anyway today I was dying to get home from work to clean my face, so as to let it breath and be product-free. However, in order to become product-free I needed a product to clean off my make up so I decided on Avene's Gentle Gel Cleanser as I thought it would be the most gentle. I used the facial brush very gently as I have not used it in a week or two! Oh how I love those bristles!!

  

I went about my evening then, product-free but before long my face felt tight and dry and I knew I wouldn't last in that product-free state. So I rummaged through all my moisturisers (as the one I have been using the past week or two could be the cause of my breakout) and went back to the good ol' faithful Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturiser. During the rummage, I rediscovered their Redness Solutions which I had forgotten about. 

I have not had the most consistent skincare routine lately as I have been trying and testing a cleanser here and a moisturiser there. My face does not know what it will be lathered in from one day to the next so I think it's time to be more consistent and simple and minimise the amount of product being applied. This, of course, puts an end to the shopping for a while as I am quite the skincare shopper!

I have been drinking more water than usual lately so I am going to continue to do so, alongside my more consistent skincare routine. 

 What do you do to calm your skin??

REAL TECHNIQUES Expert Face & Stippling Brushes

During my little shopping spree, I picked myself up two new brushes. I had heard so much about Real Techniques brushes and stippling brushes so I said I had to satisfy my curiosity and try them out for myself! There was a 3 for 2 offer on so I bought these with Bourjois' 123 Perfect foundation I posted about yesterday. I opted for the face and stippling brushes and tried them both out this morning. I thought I would do one half of my face with each brush to compare and contrast. 

Expert Face Brush:

I really like this. It is so different from any other foundation brushes I have in terms of shape; I am used to working with flat brushes but this is more rounded, which is good for manoeuvring around the nose and eye area. It is very easy to use and apply foundation with. The bristles are also so soft and I found that foundation does not cling to the bristles as much as with others I have.

Stippling Brush:

I found this harder to use. The bristles seemed quite prickly on my skin and I was unable to get a good finish with my liquid foundation. I had to complete my face with the Expert Face Brush. The pressing action to be used with the stippling brush did not work for me - yet! I will experiment more  with this brush tomorrow!

All in all I am very happy with my
purchases and I am looking forward to experimenting and finding more uses for them. They are also self-standing which is always handy. I was very pleased with my finished look using Bourjois' 123 Perfect foundation.

BOURJOIS 123 Perfect Foundation

Although I do not have many of their products, I always love looking at the Bourjois stand. Anyway today I decided I would buy one of their newer foundations - 123 Perfect which has 3 correcting pigments: yellow for darkness (under the eyes); mauve for dullness and green for redness. After the harsh winter, I guess I could do with lashings of all 3 pigments!! I have yet to test it but I am hoping for the flawless, close to perfect complexion it claims to create.
There were about 5 shades and I chose the second one (I think), No 52 Vanilla. I am quite pale and I like my makeup to match my neck without too much effort put into blending. I am very excited as I will be trying this out with my new Real Techniques brushes, which I will blog about tomorrow! :)

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

I actually bought this not realising it was as popular and as good as it is. I had heard of these sort of sponges recently and when I saw this one by Real Techniques at a reasonable price I thought I would give it a go. I have been using sponges for years but nothing like this.

I usually wet it or spray it with this facial spray, give it a squeeze and then apply my foundation to the desired area (usually the flat surface). The wet sponge transfers the foundation to my face far more effectively. I work it all around my face in a pressing, blotting motion, blending as I go!

This sponge, especially used when wet, is very soft and refreshing and easy to use. Definitely worth a try!!

When my whole makeup look is complete I like to spray this mist in the air and allow my face to catch all the lovely, cool droplets. So refreshing!!

Sephora Palette for Blue Eyes - a look for deep set eyes

Today I thought I would use my Sephora Palette, which I have hardly ever used. I don't know why as it's so nice and simple to use! I used the left hand side which creates a natural look however I didn't exactly follow the steps they suggested - what I like to do is contour first into the crease and then do my lid. 

I used a mixture of both the darker colours (the grey and bronze) and pressed into the outer crease of my eye. I then blended this into my crease, only going halfway as my eyes are deep set. At the outer crease I blended upward towards my brow - I find this very good at drawing attention to the outer eye rather than the inner eye. 

I then covered my brush with the lighter colour and applied to my lid, blending in with the darker colours. The dark and light colours meet half way in the centre of the lid, creating a very nice, natural look. 

I received compliments on this look and it really made my blue/green eyes stand out. This look can be created with any palette - just remember to prime your eye area so that the powder stays in place :)

AVENE Soothing Moisture Mask & AVENE Skin Recovery Cream

I used and blogged about the Skin Recovery before and loved it. Since my skin is going through a rebellious time lately I thought I would go for it again. For such a light cream, it really works magic and this calming formula is perfect for my sensitive skin. Time will tell if it improves my skin.

While browsing at the Avene stall I found their Soothing Moisture Mask and had to get it. I used it this morning and it was heavenly. A thick layer is applied to the face and neck and allowed to absorb in for 15-20 minutes. My face was left feeling so, so soft and moisturised. 

I am so delighted I started using Avene as it suits my sensitive skin so well, calming and soothing it. I love and highly recommend these two moisturisers. 

Updated make-up storage!

My make-up was spreading outward from where it was meant to be so the other day I did a little organising (badly needed!) and this happened...

Hopefully it will stay like this. I cleaned all the boxes and drawer with anti-bacterial wipes and made 4 categories: moisturiser/primer/eye-cream;  lips;  foundation/concealer and blush/bronzer. There was space around the edges for all the eye palettes. It was a reminder of how many products I have. 

February Favourites!!

Hello! I thought I would do a 'February Favourites' as I have been having a preference for a few things lately! I'll also include a few new little things I have bought. 

I have never carried a make-up bag around with me but thought it would be handy to store the products I use daily in one place as when I am getting ready in the morning they end up on the floor, table, bag, everywhere!! But now I keep the things I use on a daily basis in this cute little bag (from Penneys). It is just the right size and I love the zip - so cute!

This facial brush is one of the best things I ever bought from The Body Shop - it feels amazing, those bristles!!! Most of the time lately I use 2 pumps of this cleansing foam, then work it into my face and neck with the brush.

When I feel like a cream cleanser I opt for this. I love all the Garnier Essentials ranges.

I am nearing the last drops of this perfume which I loved, it went in no time as any time I use it I sprayed at least four or five times!! I know perfume is a personal choice but I would highly recommend this!

Sorry about this pic, the light was not behaving :) I loved this leave-in strengthening cream by Herbal Essences. Also it's a good alternative if you are in a hurry and have no time to condition your hair.

I was breaking out lately - I didn't know if it was the weather, heating or what it was - and saw this on offer in Tesco so thought I would try it. It feels pretty good and it is lighter than my new L'Occitane moisturiser, which is quite thick and heavy.

If you are looking for a good eye make-up remover, this works wonders and is very cheap. I had been using a No7 remover which was pretty useless. I love this one!

I picked up these in Penneys - I always find it hard to find the right summer footwear as I don't like straps between my toes. There were wedges too, which I would love, but they were too high. Next time I go shopping I will have to keep an eye out for wedges. I thought these were quite nice as a flat, dark, no-strap-between-toe option :)