My Favourite Face Masks

I love face masks. Applying a face mask feels ritualistic, and wonderfully healing and restorative - a once-a-week chance to do my skin some special good. Marketeers jump on this bandwagon because it's great for sales, because what self-loving woman wouldn't want to quench her skin's thirst? Or to "bio-repair" and rejuvenate her skin? But so long as you're able to take any and all of these claims with a big pinch of salt, face masks and any other of sort of weekly treatments can be fun and still do your skin some good. Personally, I use face masks twice a week and for me they're very much connected with self-love and taking time away from my everyday worries. I apply my face masks whilst I run a bath, or at the end of the day before I go to bed. When I pick them up I know I'm about to take a moment to pamper myself in a way that I enjoy, and all of my favourite face masks do something wonderful for my skin. 

Simple Winter Skincare

Over the last couple of months I've enjoyed the same simple and effective routine. Every morning and evening I cleanse my skin with Acorelle's Youth Protecting Cleansing Oil (£17.00), and then I follow up with either a gel/cream moisturiser in the morning or a balm/oil in the evening. I haven't really used any serums (which is unusual for me), but I've enjoyed this minimalist approach - and so has my skin.

Origins Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay Review

I've been buying Origins' face masks for years, so I was pretty excited when they introduced the new Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay (£23.00) last year. I didn't get around to trying it until Christmas (when the lure of the sales grew too strong for me to resist) but my oh my was I glad to finally try it for myself!

Origins Mask Marvels Christmas Gift Set

Big International Beauty Giveaway: Liz Earle, Ren, Origins, Benefit etc.

Beauty Products for Oily and Combination Skin

I have combination skin - dry cheeks and an oily t-zone - and I'm always looking for beauty products that help keep my skin looking healthy, whilst also keeping shine at bay. Today I'll be sharing some of the skincare and makeup products that I think are really effective, and I hope they help anyone with a similar skintype who's looking recommendations on what to try next.

Organic Surge's Ultra Light Oil Control Lotion* is a really gorgeous moisturiser that works to regulate the skin's naturally produced oils. The bottle pumps out just the right amount and although the product initially feels quite thin and fluid, once you start rubbing it into your skin it starts to emulsify and transforms into a richer, thicker consistency that my skin just drinks up. It's packed full of rose damask, geranium and sweet orange oil that make it really hydrating as well as giving it a delicate rose and geranium scent. I find that it's a really lovely product to use and I think that it would be great for anyone who's looking for a moisturiser to help balance combination skin issues as its nourishing and softening without overloading your skin. I'd also like to state how lovely the packaging is which gives the whole experience of moisturising an added luxurious feel. Overall, I think it's a great option - suitable for vegetarians, vegans and sensitive skinned folks - and even at £21.50 it still feels like great value for money.

If you have oily skin then you might be a little bit afraid of using a facial oil. However, in my experience they're really good for all skin types as they do a great job of rehydrating your skin which can really help regulate the natural oils it produces throughout the day. Kadria's Balancing Face Oil* is designed with hormonal skin imbalances in mind - for instance, the hormonal imbalances that occur in women during pregnancy or throughout their monthly mentrual cycle. My skin definitely changes before and during my "time of the month", becoming oiler and more spot-prone. I definitely think that Kadria's Balance Face Oil helps to regulate the imbalance in my oil production, keeping all my skin looking hydrated and more even. Despite being packed full of high quality oils, it has a light texture and absorbs quickly. I use one pump a night and I've gotten through around one fifth of this bottle in the course of a month. I think that this does help justify the cost of the facial oil, which at £36 a bottle feels expensive but I do think that it does a lot for my skin that other facial oils don't do and it's a particularly good choice for combination skin types - you can find it online here.

If you're looking for an instant solution to oily skin then let me recommend some products that I think are all really effective. Origins' Zero Oil is a fluid that you apply onto your oily skin with your fingers, after moisturising but before applying makeup. It sets down to an incredibly matte finish, giving you a smooth base to apply your makeup and helping keep your skin matte for longer throughout the day. I especially like to use this during the summer when I'm more oily as it is very effective. However, it doesn't work so well over the top of makeup. If you want something to use throughou the day then I'd point you in the direction of Makeup Revolution's Pro Fix Oil Control Fixing Spray* or Vichy's Dermablend Powder*. Both of them really extend the wear time of my makeup and help keep my face looking less shiny for much, much longer. The Vichy Dermablend Powder is one of the best I've ever tried but it does contain talc so I don't like to use it everday. If you want something for regular use that's also really affordable then I would recommend Makeup Revolution's Oil Control Spray as it makes a marked difference. Although I would say that it's better for those with oily rather than combination skin as it is very effective and can feel overly drying on already dry, or non-oily, skin.

Do you have any other products that you'd recommend for those with oily or combination skin?

Click here to enter my Steamcream Giveaway to win a limited edition tin of your choice

My Travel Skincare Picks

Skincare Favourites from 2014

November Beauty Empties

My Face Mask Collection: What I Reach For When

Pictured above is my entire face mask collection - I didn't realise I had so many until I came to take the photograph! I thought that I would break down my collection into rough categories, sharing when I reach for what face mask and what I think they're good for. If you're looking for a new face mask to try then I hope this breakdown helps you choose between some very stiff competition! 

When I want to exfoliate and brighten my skin...

I tend to reach for an AHA peel, and the two in my collection at the moment are Madara's Brightening AHA Peel Mask* and Elemental Herbology's Facial Glow. They're both very similar but I think that the Facial Glow is a little bit stronger, making it more effective but also harsher on the skin. However, if you are thinking of trying it out then a good idea is to check Naturisimo's sample section where I usually pick up 15ml tubes for just £2.50 (this is the cheapest way to get your hands on it). 

When I want to declog my pores...

I reach for a clay mask, my long standing favourite is Origins' Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask but I also really like Glam Glow's Youth Mud. A cheaper alternative is Super Facialist's Tea Flower Pore Purifying Mask, but I do find it quite harsh on my more dry and sensitive skin - so I only use this on my t-zone.

When I have painful under-the-skin spots...

I like to reach for something cleansing that isn't too harsh. My two picks are Aesop's Parsley Seed Mask and Antipodes' Aura Manuka Honey Mask. Both do a similar job but Antipodes' mask is slightly more gentle and moisturising. This tends to be the mask that I reach for when I have hormonal breakouts, my current tube is a repurchase and I'd choose it over the Parsley Seed Mask.

When my skin is dry and lacks radiance...

I like to use facial oils and intensive moisturising treatments. My favourite one to repurchase is Origins' Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask which is a very thick cream mask with a gorgeous fruity scent. When I want to really pamper my skin I crack out Decleor's Aroma Essence Iris Rejuvenating Treatment*. It's a really expensive product full of essential oils that I use very sparingly, but when I do reach for it I notice that it really leaves my skin looking particularly soft and supple.

Beauty Discount: Origins Face Mask Set just £23

I just spotted Origins' Mask Marvels Gift Set on offer as part of an amazing christmas discount on Boots' website. For one week only you have the chance to pick up  at the discounted price of £23 (reduced from £50). 

The set includes three Origins' face masks; Origins Out of Trouble Mask (75ml), Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask (75ml) and Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask (75ml). Considering that one full size (100ml) Origins face mask clocks in at £23 alone, this gift set offers very good value for money! 

I've reviewed the Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask before and it's made multiple appearance as I regularly repurchase it. If you have oily or blemished prone skin I'd definitely recommend it! I've also talked about the Drink Up Intensive Mask before as it is just a fabulous product for dry or dehydrated skin, perfect for this time of year! 

If you're interested in taking advantage of this offer you can find it on Boots' website for one week only  - link here.

Out with the Old (and very quickly in with the new)

Just when I think I'm about to bid a beloved beauty item farewell I remember that I've already got a back-up somewhere in my beauty stash. Thus was the case with Origins' Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask. I finally finished up the 75ml bottle that I picked up last Christmas and its promptly being replaced with a new tube that I was gifted for my birthday in July. I think I expected to finish it more quickly than I did, but I've got about three or four really gorgeous face masks in my collection now and I'm just not as reliant on Origins' Clear Improvement Mask as I used to be. That being said, I still think it is great for a deep pore detox and I reach for it at least once every fortnight. It is one of those skincare "extras" that I really like having to hand and I'm so glad I already had a replacement ready to go!

What beauty products do you regularly repurchase?

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My Current Skincare Regime

I've had the roughly the same skincare routine since my birthday in July. I'm already in the process of changing around a few products (the Formula 10.0.6 is the newest addition) but before I completely change up my routine I thought I'd give you the low down on how these products have worked for me over the last couple of months. For reference I have sensitive combination skin - oily t-zone and normal/dry cheeks.

I usually begin by removing the bulk of my make-up with Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water. I have found it to be the best affordable micellar water that I've tried, better than a couple of higher end brands, but in my opinion it is not quite as good as Bioderma's Sensibio Micellar Solution. I then follow up with a more thorough cleanse using Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, a product that I've been using on and off since last November. This is actually my third tube and I'm a really big fan of this cleanser. I find that it leaves my skin clearer, brighter and generally happier than other cleansers - I just wish it was a bit more affordable! I then (when I remember…) follow up with Pixi's Glow Tonic, an exfoliating toner that I do think helps decongest my skin but which is still more gentle on my skin than the Biotherm exfoliating toner that I was using previously. I don't know if it Glow Tonic deserves the 'hype' surrounding it, but I do like it and I would repurchase it. 

Once I've finished cleansing and toning my skin I turn my attention to rehydrating it. As I suffer from very rosy skin and frequent blemishes, I rely quite heavily on rosehip oil to fade dark marks left by spots and to help even out the tone and texture of my skin. Fushi's Organic Rosehip Oil is a more affordable option than other oils I've tried (Antipodes Divine Oil and Trilogy's Rosehip Oil) but it doesn't sink into my skin that quickly and the oil itself has a particularly strong odour which would definitely put some people off. I find that it does the job I want it to do and is so much more affordable than other options that I shouldn't really complain too much.

Once my facial oil has completely sunk into my skin I then apply a moisturiser. My go-to options for the evening have been Marlenha's Blossom Elixir* and Origins' Make a Difference Plus Mosituriser. Both offer the perfect level of hydration without overloading my skin and I've switched between the two depending on which one is to hand. In the day-time I usually opt for L'Occitane's Angelica Ultra Matte Fluid which I regularly repurchase, but recently I picked up Formula 10.0.6's Seriously Shine Free Moisturiser which feels like a good dupe of my high-end favourite. Again, the scent of this more affordable alternative doesn't live up to my high expectations, but it is nothing that would stop me reaching for it. 

Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned in today's post?

What skincare products are you currently loving? I'd love any recommendations for products that would be suitable for my combination/sensitive skin!

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International Origins Skincare Giveaway

Recently I've been on the hunt for hydrating skincare products for my dad, who suffers from very dry skin. He decided a couple of weeks ago to give his current 'beauty routine' an overhaul - including new skin and body care products. Over the last few weeks he's tried out some of the skincare I use and whilst not all of it has been to his taste he did ask me to get him duplicates of some of the products in my collection. Two items he particularly liked were from Origins, the Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask and the High Potency Night A Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream. When I purchased these two products from Origins' website they came with a couple of free trial size products. My dad decided to keep one of these freebies but he has very kindly said I could use the other two as a giveaway prize as a thank you for helping him. So, courtesy of my lovely father, I have a little Origins skincare giveaway for you today.

Prizes: Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask (30ml), Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash (30ml) and Origins Skincare Pouch (as shown in the above photo).

Rules

This is an international giveaway.

Please enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

This giveaway will run for two weeks - October 1st - 17th.

I will randomly pick a winner via Rafflecopter.

I will email the winner, who will have a week to respond.

 If they do not reply I will have to pick another winner.

I will be checking that the winner has done all the things that they say that have done on the entry form, anyone who hasn't will be disqualified and a new winner will be re-selected at random.

Lastly, I just want to say how grateful I am for all the support I receive from everyone who reads and comments on my blog, and who I talk to on twitter. All my giveaways are supposed to be a small "thank you" and to everyone who doesn't win I want you to know that I really do appreciate the time you take to read my posts and to interact with me.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

September Beauty Empties

Falling for Origins Make A Difference Plus Rejuvenating Treatment Lotion

Boom. It's here. The first (non-exfoliating) toner that has seriously wowed me.

I received Origins' Make A Difference Plus Rejuvenating Treatment Lotion (what a title, eh) as a Christmas gift - so quite a while ago now - and being at its heart a toner I didn't exactly get too exited by it. Toners are generally the only skincare step that I'm prone to forget about, there's something about rubbing more cleasing-esque product onto a cleansed face that makes me go 'meh'. However, I've been trying to be good - double toning good - and I've been following up my trusty Biotherm Purefect Skin Micro Exfoliating Purifying Toner (link to my review here) with Origins' moisturising offering and I've noticed a real difference in my skin.

Just in case you didn't know, "double toning" is when you use an exfoliating toner first and then follow up with a hydrating toner to help balance the skin and inject some added moisture. It seems like a lot of extra effort but I find that using an exfoliating toner really helps refine my pores and reduce skin congestion. And Origins' Make A Difference Plus Rejuvenating Treatment Lotion makes for an absolutely gorgeous hydrating toner. It's quite a thick liquid, but is quickly and easily absorbed by the skin, and it has the signature peppermint scent of the Make A Difference range. After my success with Origins' Make A Difference Plus Rejuvenating Treatment (you can read my review of that here) I should have expected good things, but sometimes it can be hard to expect much of something as unassuming as a toner. What I've found is that this hydrating toner is seriously gentle, nourishing and hydrating and it does more than any of there toners I've used in the past. I think that it would be great for all skin types (I have combination skin) but especially those concerned with dehydrated skin or dry patches. I'm always battling with dry cheeks that are prone to redness and incorporating this into my routine has definitely helped. At £20 for 50ml (available from Origins.co.uk) it really isn't the cheapest product, but I would still recommend it as it is the best hydrating pre-moistrusrising treatment/toner that I've come across.

Do you use a toner? Have you tried any of Origins' skincare products?

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The Beauty Repurchasables

Since I began blogging I've definitely become more fickle when it comes to repurchasing products. New beauty products are released so often that I often feel pressured to give up on 'old faithfuls' so I can keep up with the constant barrage of newly emerging lines. What this does mean though is that when I do go out of my way to repurchase a product I know it must be pretty darn good, good enough to avoid a 'the grass is greener' mindset.  Today's post features nine different beauty products that I've repurchased and I'll briefly walk you through why they've maintained a place in my routine.

Moroccanoil Treatment

This hair oil has been raved about by many people (including myself) and I find that it really does make a big difference to the look and feel of my hair. I don't use it every time I wash my hair - simply because it would be too expensive a habit for me to maintain - but I do use it at least once or twice a week. I find I'm always left with softer, smoother and more healthy looking hair. I would definitely recommend it, especially these small 25ml bottles which make for affordable gifts (whether that be from  someone else or as a little treat to yourself).

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

I bought my first tub of Lush's Bubblegum Lip Scrub early last year and I used it all the time. Sadly, my first pot has now expired and I've cracked open a second one which I picked up in their Christmas sale. I find that it's a fabulous product to use for keeping my lips smooth and soft which I feel like I especially need to do as I'm a big fan of lipsticks (which always look better on freshly exfoliated lips).

Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm

I think I probably raved about this enough last year but if you want to know all the virtues of this lip balm (and why it's worth it's pretty heft price tag) you should read the post I wrote about it here. It has convinced a friend or two of mine to pick one of these up and I couldn't help but repurchase it when mine ran out.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

I have combination skin but that doesn't mean that it doesn't sometimes need an injection of moisture, especially my cheeks which can get very dry and red. Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask is a wonderful product, you apply it like you would a moisturiser and leave it on your face overnight. I find that I always wake up with smoother skin and a more radiant complexion and I've never had any problems with it breaking me out. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone, especially those who struggle with dry patches or have overall dry or dehydrated skin.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

Another Origins' face mask but this one is fantastic at declogging congested skin. If you have blackheads then this face mask should be on your radar. I find that it really helps clear out my skin as well as helping me manage the oilier areas of my face as the day after I use it I find my skin gets a lot less oily. I love this mask and my 100ml tube lasted me about six months of weekly (sometimes as much as twice a week) use. 

Lush's Porridge Soap

Lush's Porridge Soap is one of my favourite Lush products. I absolutely adore the scent of it and I find that it imparts its fragrance into the air when it isn't in use, leaving my whole bathroom smelling rather delectable. It contains oat pinheads which offer exfoliation but the oat soap itself is very mild and gentle so it doesn't aggravate the skin. I like to use it to wash and exfoliate my hands before I moisturise them but it also is great when used in the shower as it lathers up really well.

Good Things Total Wipe Out Cleansing Wipes

I'm not usually a big fan on cleansing wipes (they don't really cleanse the skin all that well) but when it comes to speeding up the removal of make-up I absolutely love these face wipes from Good Things. They're very moist which means they aren't scratchy and don't irritate the skin and they smell glorious - they smell quite strongly of berries but the fragrance isn't at all irritating to my skin.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Clearing Lotion

I couldn't go without mentioning a couple of products from The Body Shop. I love this Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion, especially the small 15ml bottle, which is fantastic when used as a spot treatment. It is really effective without being too harsh or drying skin out too much. And the small tube is very portable so you can keep it in your hand bag to apply it whenever you feel like a spot might be emerging.

The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Night Cream

The last product I'm going to mention today is The Body Shop's Aloe Soothing Night Cream. I find it strikes the perfect balance between being intensely hydrating without being too heavy. It never breaks me out and it really does calm and soothe my drier and more sensitive areas of skin. I'd highly recommend the whole of The Body Shop's Aloe line but I especially love this Night Cream and the Serum. 

That concludes today's post! It's been a bit long but I hope it's given you an idea of some of the products that I really, really love. I like knowing the products that people repurchase over and over as it gives me a better idea of what is a passing fancy and what people's established staples are. I'd love to know what are some of your 'forever repurchased' beauty products!

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January Beauty Empties

Smooth Skin the Fancy Way

 As someone with sensitive, combination, blemish prone skin skincare can be a tricky area - especially finding manual exfoliaters that don't aggravate my skin whilst still working on declogging and smoothing my skin. Today I'm going to be giving you the low-down on four 'high end' exfoliaters that I've put to the test over the last twelve months. Here they are listed in my order of preference. 

Origins Modern Friction*

Origins Modern Friction is one of those skincare products that actually prompts a sigh of pleasure when I think about it. It has tiny micro-exfoliating beads that allow for a really thorough but gentle exfoliation. Additionally, as you rub the product into your skin the cream lathers up beautifully offering a deep cleanse. Once I've finished using Modern Friction my skin is both super smooth and clean. But be warned, keep it away from your eyes at all costs or you will end up blindly, madly cursing. Other than it's propensity to sting eyes it is a wonderful exfoliater and I'm keen to get my hands on a full size version soon.

Eve St. Agnes Revive and Renew Refining Exfoliating Polish*

Similar to Modern Friction, Eve of St. Agnes' Revive and Renew Refining Exfoliating Polish contains very, very fine exfoliating bamboo particles that offer a very thorough but completely controllable exfoliation. Depending on how hard you scrub you could get a serious to a more mild result - but even when used very gently I find that my skin is left radiant, soft and much less congested than before use. What this exfoliater lacks is a tantalizing scent and the lathering effect of Modern Friction. For that reason it takes second place. 

Elemis Fresh Skin Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash
Elemis' Fresh Skin Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash is very 'shower friendly' and I keep this in my shower in London to use whenever I take a break from University and go back to my family home. The packaging is more travel (and shower) friendly than the Eve of St. Agnes Exfoliater (which is made of glass) and I find its flip top easier to use when my hands are wet. That aside, this exfoliater features larger exfoliating beads that I find offer a less thorough and less easily controllable exfoliation. There tends to be just one result from this product and for that reason it is good for regular every-other-day use but I don't get any 'miracle' results. 

Tropic Face Smooth*

I absolutely loved the scent of this product - think Soap and Glory's Sugar Crush range. However, it does resemble a sugar scrub for the face. It offers less-sensitive skin types a very thorough exfoliation that is incredibly effective at renewing the skin and decongesting it. However, on me this could only ever be used intermittently as a treatment as it is quite a harsh product. I like the results it gives and I wish I could use it more regularly but on my skin type this is relegated to the category of 'treatment' and thus is only reached for occasionally, but I'm sure other people might have different experiences with this Tropic's Face Smooth.


What is your 'go-to' facial exfoliater? Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned?

Review: Origins High Potency Night A Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream

In early September I went to an Origins Event hosted by Company Magazine which was a great opportunity to play around with all of Origins' skincare and I also was fortunate enough to leave the event with a 30ml sample of their High Potency Night A Mins Mineral-Enriched Renewal Cream*. I hadn't ever considered trying this moisturiser before - something about the name and, if I'm totally honest, the colour of the jar had always put me off it. However, I've used this as my night cream since the end of September and it lasted me two months so now that I've finished it I thought I would give it a full review.

The cream itself is quite thick and a little goes a long way. I always would apply it sparingly and then reapply anywhere that I felt needed some extra moisture, this would normally be my cheeks. I found that although it was intensely hydrating it didn't aggravate my skin and it didn't break me out (something I'm always worried about when I try new moisturisers, especially night creams). I would apply it at night and would then wake up the next morning with really soft, plump skin and I had no issues with any eczema or dry patches the entire time I was using it (which is rare for me). I found that it deeply hydrated my skin banished any hint of dullness that I might usually struggle with. It really did perform wonderfully, as you might expect from Origins skincare. I also loved the smell of this cream, it had an incredibly subtle scent but there was a fruity edge to it that made it really refreshing to use without smelling fake or overwhelming.

All in all my experience with Origins' High Potency Night A Mins was really positive and if I had my way I would definitely repurchase this. I also think it would make a wonderful gift for a parent as the packaging is quite a unisex colour - I certainly think my Dad might enjoy using it and I think that it's a cream that could suit many different skin types at many different ages. A full size 50ml tub costs £34 and is available with free delivery from Origins' website.

Have you tried any of Origins' moisturisers? What night creams do you love?

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