My Skin Story #2 Sarah from Adorebubbles

Click here to head over to Sarah's blog and learn more about her!
Next week's featured blogger Kat is  from Beauty Embraced

Click here to check out Sarah's skin crush Joolie18's Youtube channel.

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My Skin Story #1 Me!

Hi ladies,

I'd like to introduce you to my new blog series - My Skin Story.

I've been working with a number of great bloggers to bring you this series dedicated to skincare!

Next week's featured blogger is Sarah from Adoreabubbles!

If you enjoyed this post or would like to take part just leave a comment and I'll be in touch!

August & September Empties.

You may or may not have noticed that in August I didn't do an empties post.
I had hardly any products to show you but over the month of September they have accumulated greatly!

I've decided to use up a lot of my products that were half full or less because I'm terrible for switching up my products before they're finished.

So first up is body products!

Tesco Soft & Smooth Hand & Body lotion - I only use this on my hands and have for years. I find that it's the only hand lotion that works for me no matter what else I try!

Nair hair removal cream - This is just the original formula and I really didn't think much of it. I prefer the newer options and probably wont re-purchase this unless I can't get any thing else.

Impulse Magical Glamour shower gel - I really love this scent! I got about 4 gift sets with this in at Christmas and only now am I finishing them all up! I didn't find this shower gel particularly moisturising , but as a shower gel - it did it's job!

The Pink Cow A Very Quiet Body Scrub - I love love love this scrub and it smells ridiculously amazing! It's got a really gentle coconut fragrance and works fantastically  However it leaves a horrible residue in the bottom of the bath (but what body scrubs don't?).

Ayuuri Body wash in Sandalwood - I loved this shower gel (and so did my boyfriend). The scent is very uni sex and a little goes a long way! I received this in a Glossy box and know that you can get it in Tesco.

Sure Long Lasting perfection deodorant - pretty boring really, just an armpit spray. It's nothing revolutionary but it's not awful either.

Nivea Invisible protection deodorant - really not a great product, i mean it didn't stain my clothes but it was so moist, and that's not what I want from a roll on!

Hair care products.

Dove Intensive repair mask - This is a product I was trying to use up and only got one use from it (I'd already used the majority of it). I wouldn't label it as an 'intensive care' product but it was ok. There are much better products for a similar price.

Charles Worthington mineral hair rescue - you know I love this product ... I don't need to go into too much detail .. but it's amazing, I highly recommend it!

Lee Stafford Treatment for hair that never grows past a certain length - I picked 3 of these up when boots were having a 3 for £12 offer (I basically got these for half price!). They are good as a mask but I'm not really noticing a difference in growth (but that's a whole different blog post).

Uniq one all in one hair treatment - This is a sample product I got form a beauty box and I really like it. I've used it as a leave in conditioner as well as an all over mask - just a shame the sample was so small!

Wilkinson heat protection spray - For just a pound this product does it's job just as well as more expensive alternatives.

Charles Worthington moisture seal conditioner - I loved this conditioner, but I am a conditioner whore, I'm always trying new brands! I would 100% re purchase this product!

Fragrance

Karl Largerfield Sun Moon & Stars -I wore this all the time from about when I was about 12-15 and it always brings back great memories! I got one squirt from it last week as it was practically empty!

Ghost - Another fragrance I wore as a teenager and loved!

Marks and Spenser Butterfly EDP - This was a gift for Chistmas and I wore it all over the new year period and again have such good memories associated with this scent (is any one else like this?). It's such a light and girly scent and the perfect size to carry in my bag!

Skin Care

Tesco Cucumber Cleansing wipes - my usual wipes. They get the job done and are only 99p!

Tesco Sensitive cleansing wipes - I picked these up because there were no cucumber wipes in the shop and I was in desperate need! I didn't like them as much as the cucumber ones.

L'Oreal Dermo expertise eye make up remover - My favorite make up remover - I get through this stuff so quickly!

Taaj Make up remover - (this has a fancy french name but it's make up remover!) I loved this product and its on par with my L'Oreal make up remover. I received it in a Jolie box but have yet to find a UK retailer!

Mac makeup brush cleanser - Not really skin care but I thought I'd chuck it in this part anyway. It's a good brush cleaner but I probably won't buy it again as it's a bit pricey for what it is.

L'Ooccitane D'angelique hydrating Creme - A fantastic product! I loved using this. The only down side was the smell. It has a very herbal scent which I don't like but  it made my skin feel amazing!

Nail products.

Elagant Touch nail polish remover -This polish remover was excellent but I felt like it really damaged my nails!

NYC top coat, Grand central station - My Favorite drug store top coat! It dries fast and gives a great finish!

Do you use any of these products?

What are your opinions on them?

How To Get The Most From Your Face Mask!

So just before I applied my face mask yesterday I was wondering, 'are there any major DO'S and DON'T S that I'm missing out on?'

So I did my research and I'm happy to share with you some information I already knew and some new things I've learnt when it comes to getting the most out of your face masks!

TEST - It's important to test the reaction your skin will have to your chosen face mask.

Even the gentlest (and some natural) ingredients could give your skin a bad reaction giving you the complete opposite to the effect you desire. 

READ - Make sure you read the instructions on the pack of your face mask.                   

Not all Face Masks work the same way. One may tell you to apply your mask to a wet face, another to a dry face. Make sure you follow these specific instructions to get the best results.

PREPARE - It is vital that you prepare your skin properly.                         

• Ensure that you:                                                                                                                 Remove all make up. Make sure there is none left on your face.
• Double Cleanse. Cleansing twice ensures you have a clean canvas to work with.       
• Exfoliate. If you don't remove all of the dead skin cells the mask will not be able to work on fresh skin.                                                                                                             
• Open your pores. Use some hot water to open up your pores to ensure a deep clean.

APPLICATION - An even coverage or your face mask is essential to achieve consecutive results.                                                                                                                           It is also best to apply your mask in an upwards motion and towards the centre of your face.

TIMING - Most commonly face masks should be left on for 15-20 minutes. 

If your face mask contains active ingredients they will soak into the skin within 15 minutes so it is ineffective to leave it on for any longer.

REMOVAL - Once you have had your face mask on for long enough remove it with lukewarm water.

Ensure to pat your face dry with a soft towel. Do not rub your skin.

AFTER - Once you have removed your face mask give your skin a few minutes to breath.

Then apply moisturiser and any spot treatments.

So that's the most effective way to apply and remove your face mask, now for a few tips and tricks!

Oily skin? Use a mask with clay in. The natural properties of clay cleanse the skin of black heads and excess oil.

Moisturise! -To get a bit more from your face mask saturate cotton wool pads in lukewarm water. Tear your cotton wool pad into pieces and place over the face mask. Avoid eyes and mouth. Leave the water to soak into your skin.

Large pores? Use a 'clarifying' face mask and apply it in an upwards motive and into the centre of your face.

Often! Most face masks suggest applying one at least twice a week. This is not a ploy to make you spend money! The more often you treat your skin the better it will look. However applying everyday could leave your skin feeling dry and looking dull. I would suggest every other day as a maximum.

Drink! - Having a glass of water whilst wearing your face mask will help to send oxygen to the skin's surface, improving results.

Massage! - Massage the mask onto your face to wake your skin up and bring the blood to the surface.

Using food? - If you can't afford a face mask then just head to the fridge and grab some natural yoghurt and honey. Mix them up in equal parts, you'll be amazed with the results. (I would not recommend doing this more than 3 times a week).

Relax! - Relaxing when you apply a face mask helps to calm you and your skin. Laying down is the best way to be!

And for your eyes? The obvious choices for some eye care is cucumber slices or used tea bags! If you don't fancy that, grab your self a gel eye mask which you can pop in the fridge. Be sure to clean it when you're done.

So have you learnt anything from this post? 

I know I have!

Be sure to share any of your tips and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Happy Pampering x

Lets talk about : Summer Skin Protection

When the sun is out I get lazy!

I don't know about you but I just want to laze about in the sun sipping on a cocktail!

My mum is hot on sunscreen, but honestly I forget. 

I love to looked tanned but I just can't get over how much damage and pre-mature ageing the sun causes!

You would not believe how many harmful rays penetrate the earth's O-Zone layer.

Ok that's the only time I will use the words 'earth's O-zone layer' on my blog I promise!

But seriously ... If only we knew.

Recently I've been alot better when it comes to SPF on my face.

After applying my moisturiser and before my make up I use a facial sunscreen.

It's important that I use not only a 'face sunscreen' but a matt one as I can not stand the way normal sunscreen soaks into the skin on my face.

Anyway the skin on our face is different to that on our legs so why should we use the same products for both?

The sunscreen I use on a daily basis is SPF 30 and can be picked up in Tesco for £5.

However when I went skiing in January I knew that this would not be strong enough so I picked up Lifesystems mountain sunscreen SPF 50

I use this when abroad or on days when the sun is out in all its glory.

I am also a huge hater of sunburnt lips!

The two products I current use are:

Boots Soltan Moisturising Sun Care Stick SPF 30 - this is great as it can be used all over the face.

Lipscreen - I picked this up in Savers for £1 and love it as the lid turns purple when there are harmful UVB and UVA rays being emitted so you know when you need to apply it!

I also like to use make up products with SPF in.

Collection 2000 Ultimate Fix Foundation Concealer and Powder SPF 15 - out of the three products this gives the most white glare in pictures but is great for quick touch ups.

Stila Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30 - I'm not a huge fan of Tinted Moisturisers but it's a great way to wear colour and SPF with not white glare in photographs.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation SPF 15 - this is my favourite foundation to wear in the sun as it still gives you coverage as well as protection. I've never had a problem with a white glare from this foundation in the sun!

What products do you use to help protect against the sun?

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