Whilst I was back in Bournemouth a few weeks back, my Mum asked about this here corner of the internet. We had a conversation during a mini homeware shopping trip about my blog, the posts I've been doing recently and the products we've been using. A brief discussion led us to the realisation she'd been using her MAC Cleanse Off Oil all wrong (pumping it onto a cotton pad and swiping it over her face, then wondering why it was breaking her out!), she suggested that she, and many other non-beauty obsessives would find a post talking about the order you should apply things would be really helpful. So lets talk skincare.
In the mornings, I've gotten pretty lax with my skincare. I keep things simple, a quick cleanse usually takes place, I like the Vichy Purete Thermale Cream Cleanser for morning cleanses. I like to pop a little of this on a cotton pad, and swipe it over my face to remove any traces of dirt or oil. I follow this up with a hydrating toner that I can spray directly onto my face for ease, right now I'm loving the Caudalie Beauty Elixir, which dramatically brightens my skin. After that it's a case of slapping moisturiser and eye cream on. I've been loving the Origins Ginzing Duo recently, they're hydrating but with a gel formula that doesn't make my skin greasy or oily throughout the day. After that, I just apply my primer of choice, and start with my makeup.
In the evenings things get a little more complicated. I like to start things off with a makeup remover. Oil based makeup removers are great for getting off waterproof eye makeup, but for my standard everyday makeup, I put my trust in the Bioderma Sensibo H20, my favourite micellar water on the market. Micellar waters generally feel just like water on the skin, but remove makeup fantastically, I like to squirt a little of this onto a Kleenex Facial cloth to take off the bulk of my makeup. After that, I like to use a creamy cleanser to remove any remaining makeup, and cleanse the skin. My favourite is the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, I take a pump of this in my hands, massage it into dry skin, and then remove with a wet flannel or muslin cloth. If I've been wearing a lot of makeup, or I've been out in the city all day, I like to do it twice, just to make sure my skin is as clean as possible. This is my favourite step, it's always so nice to feel my skin totally clean at the end of a long day!
In the evening I like to use two toners, one to exfoliate and then one to hydrate my skin. For exfoliating, I like Pixi's Glow Tonic, two pumps on a cotton pad swiped over my skin is enough to get rid of any dead skin cells, and keep my skin looking fresh. After this, I spray the Lush Tea Tree Toner directly onto my skin, this hydrates my skin, but the tea tree also acts as an antiseptic, calming any redness in my skin or incoming outbreaks.
Before moisturising, I like to use any oils or serums that I feel like my skin needs. If my skin is feeling congested, I like to use my La Roche Posay Effeclar Duo, just a pea sized amount on my skin, which helps keep my skin clear. If I'm struggling with the pores in my T-zone, I pull out the Bioderma Sebium Pore Refiner, which helps unclog pores and minimise their appearance. And if my skin feels dry, I reach for the Trilogy Rosehip Oil, which hydrates, reduces the appearance of scars, and helps spots heal faster.
For moisturiser, I've been using the Origins Oil-Free Night-A-Mins, similar in texture to the Origins Ginzing moisturiser, with the same orange scent, it offers my skin intense overnight hydration. I then use my ring finger to tap the Lancome Genifique Yeux Eye Cream onto my under-eye area, in the hope I won't wake up with massive under eye circles.
Do you do things differently with your skincare?
