Tag: Skin Care Routine

  • My New & Improved Skincare Routine – Brands From Abroad

    My New & Improved Skincare Routine – Brands From Abroad

    I have been introduced to so many new skincare products recently and my entire skincare routine has been given a total revamp! It’s something that I’d been wanting to do for a while as I knew that due to my skin changing (age wise) and the seasons changing, I wasn’t getting the best results from my previous routine and so it was time to switch things up.

    I always like to try products for a couple of weeks before giving my verdict but after a couple of months I can say that these products have become firm favorites as part of my new skincare routine.

    Everyday Skin Care Routine for combination skin

    Gatineau Peeling Expert Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Cream

    First up is the Gatineau Peeling Expert Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Cream (or as I like to call it, face scrub). I wasn’t sure about this product when I first used it, as the ‘micro-beads’ felt quite soft and didn’t feel like they were really scrubbing and exfoliating the skin like some face scrubs do – This is probably where I’d previously been going wrong using rougher face scrubs – as after a couple of time of using this product, I realized that it didn’t need to feel like it was ‘scrubbing’ my skin at all. The Peeling Expert’s gentle exfoliation was all I needed to help exfoliate, smooth and brighten my skin.

    For the past two months I’ve been using the Gatineau Peeling Expert two times per week and it’s helped to keep my skin feeling smooth and looking bright without being harsh on my skin.

    Gatineau Paris Peeling Expert Review

    Astalift Brightening Serum

    The Astalift brightening serum is one of my favorites. I mentioned it in a previous post here, so I won’t go into too much detail but I’ve been using this morning and night now for the past couple of months and my complexion has never looked more even. My blemishes have been massively reduced and overall I feel this product gives my skin a fabulous radiance.

    Astalift Brightening Serum
    Caudalie Polyphenols C15 Broad Spectrum Spf 20 Anti-Wrinkle Protect Fluid

    Other than winning the award for longest title – The Caudalie Polyphenols C15 also contains SPF 20, so it’s a great for daily application to help protect the skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid which helps to plump the skin and smooth out any fine lines. It’s super light weight, smells amazing and smooths on easily to the face and neck making my skin feel super fresh in the mornings.

    It is meant to be used as moisturizer alone but on days when my skin feels dry, I like to add a creamier moisturizer on top. I love that this one protects my skin against UVA and UVB radiation though, so I currently like to use this every morning.

    Caudalie Paris Polyphenol C15 review

    Embryolisse lait-crème concentré

    Finally the embryolisse lait-crème concentré is another skincare product that I recently reviewed here on my blog. This stuff is amazing for when I need to add instant hydration to my skin. It’s great to use as an everyday moisturizer and for me it’s been the perfect combination to apply it after the Caudalie Polyphenols C15, to help prep my skin ready for makeup.

    Embryolisse Lait-creme concentre review

    I’ve been loving my new skincare routine, so much so that I’ve been enjoying plenty more makeup free days as my skin has been looking far more radiant.

    Really good skin care products

    Do you like to update your skincare routine occasionally? Which skincare products have you been loving recently?

    Samio x

    To shop any of these products click the titles highlighted in pink.

    Some of the items may have been sent to me for review purposes, however this does not affect my opinions – check out my disclaimer for further information.

  • My Skincare routine – How I Help Prevent and Cover Spots and Pimples

    My Skincare routine – How I Help Prevent and Cover Spots and Pimples

    I’ve been asked on numerous occasions about my skin care routine and due to lengthy detailing that it consists of I have to admit I’ve always been a little bit lazy when it came to writing this blog post. Anyway, it was after writing a lengthy explanation of my skin care routine to a friend of a friend that I realised I’d basically written my long over due blog post in the process. So after some slight grammatical corrections and minor edits I’d thought I’d finally share it with you all…

    The best thing I use for my skin is my face sauna. I use the No7 one. I’ve had mine for a number of years, it’s literally so old it has cracks down the side, so I should probably invest in a new one but for the time being it still works a treat… After checking online it appears that they don’t seem to do the No7 any more but here’s a similar one that I found sold at Argos: MySpa Facial Sauna.

    I usually use my face sauna once a week and steam my face. For me it feels like it helps sweat out all the bad stuff as gross as that sounds. After I’ve done a face sauna I’ll usually do a face mask. I really like the Clearasil or Neutrogena ones. Again I usually buy these from Boots/Superdrug. I personally like the ones that set hard on the skin and then you you wash off after a bit of time. For example I like Clearasil blemish + marks wash and mask mentioned in this previous post here. More recently I’ve been using The Body Shops honey and oat mask which I love. It’s not as harsh as the Clearasil one so may be better if you have sensitive skin. I do like to sometimes use the Clearasil one as after using it, it has a similar feeling to that you get after you’ve brushed your teeth but on your face. Basically it feels really fresh and clean.

    Clearasil Blemis & Marks Face Wash and Mask

    The Body Shop HONEY & OAT 3 IN 1 SCRUB MASK

    So when I’ve done my sauna followed by my face mask of choice, I like to use Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Night Gel (a bit of a reoccurring theme here, I shop a lot in Boots if you hadn’t already guessed). I feel like it works as a good antiseptic to prevent spots after steaming your face and opening the pores. If my skin is feeling particularly dry I’ll add a light moisturiser over the top after the Tea Tree but otherwise I’ll use it alone.

    Day to day I too like to use a face scrub. I like the St Ives Invigorating Apricot Facial Scrub. It’s one I regularly use and I feel it works well to gently exfoliate the skin and keep it feeling soft and looking clear.

    I also find the removal of makeup a big part of my skincare routine, especially when it comes to preventing spots. To remove makeup I find using a cleanser rather than makeup wipe helps to prevent pimples. I do occasionally use makeup wipes when I’m away from home or on the go but I feel like my skin is left feeling cleaner when I use something else. I really like the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water to remove makeup. It’s exactly like Bioderma’s Sensibio H2O – Micelle Solution (if you’ve used that) but loads cheaper. Then I like to use a light facial wash on my face before moisturising.

    Garnier Cleansing Water

    My current daytime moisturiser is No7 Essential Moisture Day Cream and my current nighttime moisturiser is Superdrug’s Natually Radiant renewing night cream. Although I don’t like to use that one all the time as it can be a little oily.

    No7 Essential Moisture Day Cream

    Naturally Radiant Renewing Night Cream

    If you’re worried about covering spots or blemishes, the foundation that I’ve found to have the best coverage is Illamasqua’s Skin Base. They sell it in Selfridges or Debenhams and they can match your tone for you. If you live abroad you can also order from Illamasqua online and I’d say to anyone wondering that this foundation is definitely worth the investment. It lasts ages and I personally like this one for nights out when I want a flawless look. I use Skin Base shade 12.

    Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation

    On a shoot the other day I also discovered Bobbi Brown’s BB cream. Obviously this isn’t one for extreme coverage as its only a bb cream but it’s good for when you feel you want less on the skin as its super light and as its a BBcream it’s good on the skin. I’ve added that one to my Christmas list.

    Samio x

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