I'm not a morning person. Try as I do, I can't help my three snooze alarms every morning, followed by a series of grumbles and fumbling for my dressing gown (which for future reference I keep under the duvet so it's already warm when I put it on in the morning). All in all, I only have time for a basic cleanse whilst in the shower (naughty, I know) using my trusted Liz Earle Cleanser and a muslin cloth followed by a quick dollop of the Nivea Daily Essential Express Hydration Primer before I apply my makeup. I've just re-purchased this a fourth time and can't go a day without using it. It's a very smooth, thin texture so sinks it to the skin almost instantly, leaving a grease free, moisturised veil which helps my foundation last all day.
Don't get me wrong, I love makeup but there's something about the feeling of taking it off that I love just as much. I aim to remove my makeup in the early evening; this then allows my skin to breathe for a few hours before I add any products, a step I swear by. Having oily/ combination skin means I suffer with those pesky little spots and blackheads along my t-zone, but these couple hours skin "rest" has really helped nip them in the bud, with only a few appearing around my time of the month.
To remove my makeup, I use the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water and actually prefer it to the original Bioderma alternative *gasp*. I love it! It isn't as oily, so consequently isn't as good at removing stubborn waterproof mascara, but two large cotton pads down and my face is fresh and clean. I then take this resting period to catch up on TV or exercise, weather permitting.
Come 10pm, it's my time to monopolise the bathroom. I start by cleansing using the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm with my relatively new Sonic Massaging Facial Cleanser. I've loved the idea of using a silicone cleansing brush for some time but couldn't justify going straight in and buying the Foreo Luna. I'm a huge fan of buying miniatures/ samples/ cheaper alternatives so you know what's going to work for you before going out and buying a larger product full price. But anyway, I saw this one in my local TKmaxx for £12.99 and couldn't resist. Not that I have any other cleansing brush to compare this to, but it has left my skin looking polished and glowing which is all I could have asked for. I then pat my face dry and apply the Pixi Glow Tonic concentrating on my t-zone (if my cheeks are going through a drier patch) before applying the La Roche Posay Effaclar H moisturiser. I finish my daily evening routine with a dab of coconut oil on my lips and at the side of my nose. This is a new discovery and has completely cured my dry lips and has been a life saver whilst suffering with quite a nasty cold.
There are a few "swear by" products that are more weekly/ when necessary that deserve a shout out. The Origins Drink Up Intensive Over Night Mask is a beautiful product with the most incredible scent. For the days that I've been out in the wind and the rain, this is such a soothing overnight mask and a product I need to re-purchase. Another is the Origins Out of Trouble, 10 Minute mask. I received miniatures of both of these products a few weeks and I am hooked. The latter especially has lasted 3 weekly masks so far and leaves my skin feeling beautifully soft afterwards. My last holy grail product is a spot cream. As glorious as it sounds this little tube works miracles. The La Roche Posay Effaclar A.I. dries out spots overnight, leaving the unsightly red mark gone by the morning. The packaging could be better as the product starts seeping out of the applicator as soon as you take the lid of, but is a small price to pay in the long run.
It's been a while since I've properly changed up my daily routine, and something I'm quite looking forward to do when the time comes and the weather stays warmer. Farfetch launched the beauty section of their website at the beginning of 2016 and feature some of the most gorgeous beauty brands on the market. A couple of steps I know I'm missing from my daily routine are the use of a serum/ oil and an eye cream. A brand I can't hear enough about is Sunday Riley and their Luna Sleeping Night Oil in particular. Just hearing the words "reduce pore size" in the description box has me hooked and is a product I feel would add the final "dewy" factor my skin can currently lack. The other missing step is the dedicated eye cream. I'm currently at the stage in my life where I'm a bit blaze when it comes to wrinkles, believing that by the time I turn 40, dermatologists will have invented a cream that truly banishes wrinkles so i can ignore any signs of ageing now... naive? Totally. I currently use the high powered Nars Creamy Concealer to banish signs of dark circles, knowing full well there aren't any benefits to my skin, but this Eve Lom Triple Action Formula featured on the Farfetch website may be a better step to invest in, any thoughts? I haven't ventured towards either of these brands before and I'm quite excited to do so!
