The appearance of large pores is a common problem amongst people from all ages. It can cause the skin to look dull and lifeless. Large pores can also affect the way foundation applies and looks on the skin therefore it is no surprise that we are always on the search for products that will help minimise these pores. Often people ask how pores can be closed. Well in theory pores cannot actually be 'closed' as they are tiny hair follicles, which can tend to look enlarged when they are clogged. When dirt, impurities or oil build up on the skin, it causes the pores to get clogged. This then causes dead skin cells to gather at the base of the pore, making them look enlarged. Steps can be taken to ensure that the skin is clean from any dirt that will essentially help the pores to be minimised and give an even complexion.
Prime:
Skincare miracles don't often happen overnight therefore for the time being there are temporary fixes that can help to give a flawless base. Using a primer before applying foundation will help to 'fill' in those pores hence give the illusion of even skin. Priming the skin helps to conceal enlarged pores and provides a smooth canvas for foundation. This helps to avoid foundation sitting on the surface of the skin and drawing attention to the pores. The Porefessional Primer by Benefit is a great one for this and a drugstore dupe would be the Maybelline Pore Eraser.
Steam:
If you've ever been to a spa you'll notice that during the luxurious experience they'll often use a steamer. The heat helps to open up the pores so that the skin can be deep cleansed from within and impurities can be extracted. Making use of this cheap and effective step will also help products to penetrate into the skin better. Sometimes in the morning I wash my face with hot water then cleanse my face with my morning cleanser and rinse it off with cold water to close the pores. This also makes me feel awake and refreshed in the mornings. You don't need to go out and splash money on a facial steamer if you don't wish to. Just simple boil some water and pour it into a bowl, put your head above the bowl - using a towel on top of your head will help to make the most out of this experience. You'll notice a massive difference after steaming your face.
Exfoliate:
Exfoliating the skin helps remove dead skin cells. Removing this barrier of dead skin cells will enable the regeneration of new skin cells. If used too often however it can strip the natural oils from the face so a couple of times a week is fine. Exfoliates help to also improve the overall texture of the skin. There are gentle exfoliants available for those suffering with sensitive skin. Suffering from sensitive skin myself, I've always found it difficult to find an exfoliator that works well with my skin. Recently I've come across drugstore and high-end exfoliators that were super gentle and left my skin feeling smooth in texture. The drugstore option which I'm sure many of you may have heard raved about in the blogging community is the one by St Ives and the latter which I haven't heard about prior to using it is the Doctor's Scrub. I've also written a review on the Clarisonic which can be used as a gentle everyday exfoliant.
Tone:
In my post on how I cleared up my blemish prone skin I mentioned that I incorporated a toner into my skincare routine which I have found to make a huge difference to my skin. Clogged pores will lead to blemishes and be the cause of acne. Toners will help to remove the dirt and impurities from the skin that essentially make the pores look enlarged. After removing makeup there is often traces of makeup left on the skin. If left on the skin, it can also cause the pores to be clogged - using a toner helps remove any last traces of makeup that may have been left on the skin. Some products available on the market incorporate this step with the previous one. Examples include Clarins Exfoliating Toner and the Pixi Glow Tonic.
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Monday, 15 June 2015
Before I owned the Clarisonic I used to have my lazy days where I wouldn't remove my makeup properly before bed (bad, I know!) and my skin hated me for it. I've had my eye on the Clarisonic for ages and read a ton of reviews to be sure that it would be a worthy investment but then I was kindly gifted it, which obviously I was super happy about. The one I own is the Clarisonic Mia 2 (in pink ofcourse!) which has two speed settings, is compact making it great for travelling and fits nicely in the palm of my hands. The difference between the Mia and the Mia 2 is the speed setting and considering the price difference between the two isn't much, it's a handy feature to have for days when you need that extra oomph.
Since I first got my Clarisonic, back in January, there hasn't been a night when I haven't used it and sometimes I use it in the mornings for a little 'pick me up'. It gives a gentle exfoliation which can be used twice a day, daily. The Clarisonic has just simplified my skincare routine. It claims to cleanse the skin 6x better than manual cleansing and I noticed a dramatic difference after the first use. And once this makes a regular appearence in your skincare regime. you don't think it is doing much for your skin until you stop using it and thats when you can notice just how much of a difference it makes to facial cleansing.
It comes with a handy travel case.
Results:
I was amazed at how well this product in conjunction with the Philosophy cleanser removed my makeup, there was no makeup anywhere to be seen when I use this combo and my face feels squeaky clean. The cleanser was gentle yet effective (which I find to be rare) and the exfoliation from the Clarisonic didn't feel like it was stripping my skin. It helps to keep major breakouts at bay. Even after the first use my skin was noticeably smooth, honestly it gave me such a confidence boost & I couldn't stop touching my face. I have dry, dehydrated skin & since using the Clarisonic my moisturiser sinks in so much better now whereas before it felt like it was just sitting at the surface of the skin. This makes a difference to just how easily my foundation glides onto the skin, making it easier to blend. It has improved the texture of my skin which is something I've always had an issue with. One of the reasons why some people are hesitant to try the Clarisonic is because some people experience a 'purging' phase where their skin gets worst before it gets better. Fortunately, and unlikely for me, this wasn't the case.
Long-term investment?
The only problem I have with it is that it is also a long term investment as you need to replace the brush head every 3-4 months. It's like a tooth brush, you'll notice when it needs replacing and I didn't feel like mine was working as effectively when it needed replacing. The sales assistant kindly gave an extra brush head with my Clarisonic, which I am now using & it almost felt like the same feeling as it did when I used my Clarisonic for the very first time. I'd recommend purchasing the Clarisonic from Space NK as you get £5 off your next purchase (with their Ndulge card). Also, they have an online exclusive offer for the Replacement Brush Heads. Usually one brush head is £21 and with the online offer you get 2 for £35 and with your £5 worth of rewards that's £30 for 2. Winner in my eyes! Collect from store and save yourself the delivery cost or spend another £30 to be entitled to free deliver ;)
The Clarisonic is my favourite skincare tool and definitely one that is worth the investment. Also, I think it's great when companies provide money back guarantee as it shows that they take pride in their products and stand by it.
Since I first got my Clarisonic, back in January, there hasn't been a night when I haven't used it and sometimes I use it in the mornings for a little 'pick me up'. It gives a gentle exfoliation which can be used twice a day, daily. The Clarisonic has just simplified my skincare routine. It claims to cleanse the skin 6x better than manual cleansing and I noticed a dramatic difference after the first use. And once this makes a regular appearence in your skincare regime. you don't think it is doing much for your skin until you stop using it and thats when you can notice just how much of a difference it makes to facial cleansing.
It comes with a handy travel case.
Results:
I was amazed at how well this product in conjunction with the Philosophy cleanser removed my makeup, there was no makeup anywhere to be seen when I use this combo and my face feels squeaky clean. The cleanser was gentle yet effective (which I find to be rare) and the exfoliation from the Clarisonic didn't feel like it was stripping my skin. It helps to keep major breakouts at bay. Even after the first use my skin was noticeably smooth, honestly it gave me such a confidence boost & I couldn't stop touching my face. I have dry, dehydrated skin & since using the Clarisonic my moisturiser sinks in so much better now whereas before it felt like it was just sitting at the surface of the skin. This makes a difference to just how easily my foundation glides onto the skin, making it easier to blend. It has improved the texture of my skin which is something I've always had an issue with. One of the reasons why some people are hesitant to try the Clarisonic is because some people experience a 'purging' phase where their skin gets worst before it gets better. Fortunately, and unlikely for me, this wasn't the case.
Long-term investment?
The only problem I have with it is that it is also a long term investment as you need to replace the brush head every 3-4 months. It's like a tooth brush, you'll notice when it needs replacing and I didn't feel like mine was working as effectively when it needed replacing. The sales assistant kindly gave an extra brush head with my Clarisonic, which I am now using & it almost felt like the same feeling as it did when I used my Clarisonic for the very first time. I'd recommend purchasing the Clarisonic from Space NK as you get £5 off your next purchase (with their Ndulge card). Also, they have an online exclusive offer for the Replacement Brush Heads. Usually one brush head is £21 and with the online offer you get 2 for £35 and with your £5 worth of rewards that's £30 for 2. Winner in my eyes! Collect from store and save yourself the delivery cost or spend another £30 to be entitled to free deliver ;)
The Clarisonic is my favourite skincare tool and definitely one that is worth the investment. Also, I think it's great when companies provide money back guarantee as it shows that they take pride in their products and stand by it.
Thursday, 14 May 2015
I have always found it difficult to stick to a skincare routine partly because of the reason that I am a massive product hoarder and love trying out new products. I have also struggled to find products that have worked for my skin but I now finally have a routine in place that is working well for me and have been trying to be consistent with it. For me, my nighttime skincare is the most important and a must. Regardless of whether or not I am wearing makeup that day I make sure to cleanse my face before going to bed as throughout the day our skin is exposed to harmful elements as a result of environmental conditions. A well put together skin care routine can provide a vast number of benefits to the skin and enables your skin to breath and restore moisture whilst you get your beauty sleep. The following steps are a must in my routine for ensuring my skin is free from any dirt/makeup and to keep my skin feeling plumped and hydrated.
Makeup remover
On days when I'm wearing makeup I start off by removing it first before deep cleansing my skin. For this I use the Garnier Micellar Water. I moisten cotton pads (I have found the ones from Primark to be the most effective) with the Micellar Water and mainly concentrate this on my eyes. Mascara is often quite a struggle to remove so I use one cotton pad per eye and hold it on my eye for about 10 seconds and wipe my eye makeup away. I then go over my lash line and remove any last traces of mascara or eyeliner. Whatever is left on the cotton pad I use to remove my face makeup. This step doesn't remove all my base products but the next step in my routine will ensure that my face is squeaky clean.
The Garnier Micellar Water is a great dupe for the ever so famous Bioderma. I have tried the Bioderma and I do think it is slightly better as it is hydrating and what I found was that Bioderma removed makeup effortlessly whereas the Garnier one requires a bit more effort. Nothing major but I thought I'd point that out and although I have gone through two bottles of Bioderma, I am also now on my second bottle of the Garnier Micellar Water. Neither products irritate the skin and work well for even the most sensitive skin. I first tried the pink bottle of the Garnier Micellar Water which is targeted towards those with sensitive skin and when I went to stock up recently the pink one was sold out so I picked up the green bottle for combination and sensitive skin to see if it worked just as well. Because the latter is suitable for combination skin I find it is less hydrating. It removes eye makeup easily however I do not find it as effective in removing the base as the pink bottle but this doesn't bother me as much considering I mainly use this product for my eyes and brows. Since the Bioderma and Garnier products are comparable and the Garnier dupe does a fab job, for me the price tag does not justify making the splurge. If however you are interested in trying out the Bioderma you can purchase it here for £15 for a 500ml bottle. A 400ml Garnier Micellar Water retails for £4.99 and is available to buy here.
Cleanse
Once majority of my makeup has been removed, the next step is to deep clean my skin. I first wash my face with warm water to open up the pores, then cleanse my face and rinse with cold water to close the pores. For this I use my beloved duo, The Clarisonic and Philosophy Purity Made Simple 3-in-1 Cleanser for Face & Body (that was a mouthful). If you know me you'll know by now how much I love this combination and how excited I was when they were both in my hands. I've realised how much I have to say about these products so I will be doing a detailed review in a separate post.
Tone
Makeup remover
On days when I'm wearing makeup I start off by removing it first before deep cleansing my skin. For this I use the Garnier Micellar Water. I moisten cotton pads (I have found the ones from Primark to be the most effective) with the Micellar Water and mainly concentrate this on my eyes. Mascara is often quite a struggle to remove so I use one cotton pad per eye and hold it on my eye for about 10 seconds and wipe my eye makeup away. I then go over my lash line and remove any last traces of mascara or eyeliner. Whatever is left on the cotton pad I use to remove my face makeup. This step doesn't remove all my base products but the next step in my routine will ensure that my face is squeaky clean.
The Garnier Micellar Water is a great dupe for the ever so famous Bioderma. I have tried the Bioderma and I do think it is slightly better as it is hydrating and what I found was that Bioderma removed makeup effortlessly whereas the Garnier one requires a bit more effort. Nothing major but I thought I'd point that out and although I have gone through two bottles of Bioderma, I am also now on my second bottle of the Garnier Micellar Water. Neither products irritate the skin and work well for even the most sensitive skin. I first tried the pink bottle of the Garnier Micellar Water which is targeted towards those with sensitive skin and when I went to stock up recently the pink one was sold out so I picked up the green bottle for combination and sensitive skin to see if it worked just as well. Because the latter is suitable for combination skin I find it is less hydrating. It removes eye makeup easily however I do not find it as effective in removing the base as the pink bottle but this doesn't bother me as much considering I mainly use this product for my eyes and brows. Since the Bioderma and Garnier products are comparable and the Garnier dupe does a fab job, for me the price tag does not justify making the splurge. If however you are interested in trying out the Bioderma you can purchase it here for £15 for a 500ml bottle. A 400ml Garnier Micellar Water retails for £4.99 and is available to buy here.
Cleanse
Once majority of my makeup has been removed, the next step is to deep clean my skin. I first wash my face with warm water to open up the pores, then cleanse my face and rinse with cold water to close the pores. For this I use my beloved duo, The Clarisonic and Philosophy Purity Made Simple 3-in-1 Cleanser for Face & Body (that was a mouthful). If you know me you'll know by now how much I love this combination and how excited I was when they were both in my hands. I've realised how much I have to say about these products so I will be doing a detailed review in a separate post.
Tone
I pat my face dry after cleansing and soak a cotton pad with toner and wipe it across my face and neck. This helps to remove any traces of makeup or impurities that may have been left on the skin. It helps to refresh my skin and controls the oils hence prevents the skin from looking shiny. Also, a toner helps to balance out the PH levels of the skin. The one I use is the Body Shop Toner from their Tea Tree range which I have featured on my previous post on clearing up breakouts and reducing hyper pigmentation. Read here.
Moisturise
Now that all dirt and impurities have been removed from the skin, it is important to restore the moisture back into my skin. A night cream will nourish, regenerate and rejuvenate the skin. To moisturise my skin I use the Nivea regenerating night cream which makes my skin feel hydrated and plumped. It is the first night cream that I invested in and I really like how rich the consistency is. Moisturising well with a good moisturiser at night allows me to wake up in the morning with smooth skin that instantly makes me feel refreshed and wide awake.
The skin around the eyes are super sensitive so they too will need to shown some TLC. Using an eye cream will replenish the under eye area, reduce puffiness and fine lines. I'm not going to lie, I often neglect this step only because I forget but when I do remember I use the Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream which is lightweight and helps keep my under eye area hydrated. I want to branch out and try some that are a bit richer and will hopefully provide an intensive treatment since my eye area is quite dry. The ones currently on my list are the Origins Ginzing Eye Cream and the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment. Lastly, I use a lip balm to prevent chapped lips.
Products mentioned:
Garnier Micellar Water. Buy here
Bioderma. Buy here
Clarisonic Mia 2. Buy here. (Get £5 off your next purchase with their loyalty scheme)
Philosophy 3-in1 Cleanser. Buy here
Bodyshop Tea Tree Toner. Buy here
Nivea Night Cream. Buy here
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream. Buy here
The skin around the eyes are super sensitive so they too will need to shown some TLC. Using an eye cream will replenish the under eye area, reduce puffiness and fine lines. I'm not going to lie, I often neglect this step only because I forget but when I do remember I use the Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream which is lightweight and helps keep my under eye area hydrated. I want to branch out and try some that are a bit richer and will hopefully provide an intensive treatment since my eye area is quite dry. The ones currently on my list are the Origins Ginzing Eye Cream and the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment. Lastly, I use a lip balm to prevent chapped lips.
Products mentioned:
Garnier Micellar Water. Buy here
Bioderma. Buy here
Clarisonic Mia 2. Buy here. (Get £5 off your next purchase with their loyalty scheme)
Philosophy 3-in1 Cleanser. Buy here
Bodyshop Tea Tree Toner. Buy here
Nivea Night Cream. Buy here
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream. Buy here
Thursday, 7 May 2015
I’ve had a few other posts lined up for this week but they
can wait. This post is on how I cleared up my skin. I purchased the Alpha H Liquid Gold a while back now and my skin was
extremely sensitive at the time and it caused my face to burn and break out so
I stopped using it. Recently my skin has been less sensitive so I thought I’d
give it another try. This time it didn’t break me out as bad as the last time
but as soon as I wiped it on my face with a cotton pad almost immediately a
spot would appear. Under the skin spots would appear on the surface of the skin
which allowed it to be extracted. I thought it would clear out my skin from
within which meant that it would get worst before it gets better so I was eager
to give it a try. I used it every other night as instructed to do so and
generally it is a good product, the mornings after using it I woke up feeling
glowy but at the same time it just didn’t work for my skin. The texture of my
skin was getting worst, I had a ton of small spots all across my face, was left with
scarring and makeup wasn’t going on as easily. I was getting really frustrated
and stopped using it and had to find something to clear my skin again. My skin
is sensitive so I need to be careful with what I use. Most high end products
that I have previously used never worked that well on my skin and most of those products were highly
raved about. Often I’d use something a couple of times and would stop using it
because it either wasn’t working for me or I wasn’t seeing
immediate/substantial results. I decided to save the pennies and look for
miracles at the drugstore. All of these products listed below are under £10 so fortunately they won't be breaking your bank balance.
Tea Tree Facial Toner
My skincare routine was missing a good toner and the one from Lush didn't work that well for me. Weirdly, it broke me out a little. I was just browsing around and walked in to The Body Shop to see if I could find something to clear my skin. I was looking at their Tea Tree section as I heard the range is good for blemish prone skin and the sales assistant recommended me to try out the toner. It was also the cheapest from the range so it was perfect for trying out something new to see how well it worked for me. The toner has a cooling sensation and doesn't dry out my skin, which I love. This product really helped to keep my spots at bay. Retailing at £5, it is most definitely worth it and within everyones budget. Buy here
Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser
This cleanser really cleared out my skin. It claims to deep clean and draw out impurities and it does just that. After just one use almost all of my spots were diminished and my pores were visibly smaller. My pores were clogged and this really helped to clear my congested skin. Along with this cleanser I also bought deep cleansing nose strips, but after using this beauty I didn't feel the need to use the strips. I massage one pump into my skin which provides a really refreshing and cooling effect. It has a somewhat creamy texture which glides on smoothly across the face. This cleanser great value for money as it is only £4.99 and you get 200ml of product. Buy here
Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil
This stuff is amazing! It has a really sweet smell to it, is non-greasy and lightweight. The oil does take a while to absorb even though it claims to be 'fast absorbing' so I'd recommend only using it at night or on days that you know you won't be leaving the house to avoid looking like a grease ball. It is paraben free and contains plenty of skin benefitting ingredients such as Vitamin E, Rosehip, Sesame and Canola Oils, and of course, Cocoa Butter. I love the fact that it comes with a pump which is quite rare with oils and saves a lot of time and hassle. The day I bought this I had a special occasion the day after so I was really hoping it would do something for my skin but didn't expect a dramatic difference over night. That night I applied this oil to my face after my evening skincare routine (which will be up soon) and went to bed. Oh my god, when I woke up the next morning my skin felt so smooth, I ran to the mirror to have a look at my skin and the acne scars were reduced significantly. Before that, both my cheeks and forehead was covered in scars and that morning there was barely any scars left (a few, but nothing compared to before). A lot of the scars were old so I was assuming they would take longer to heal but no, this worked wonders for my skin. I never leave the house without a thin layer of foundation at the least even if I'm only going out for a bit down the road but that morning I felt so confident that I went out with a bare face. It's currently on sale for £6.66. Buy here
All of these skincare essentials worked incredibly well in clearing up my skin and there's no doubt that I will definitely be repurchasing as soon as they run out. They have been my skin saviours and what I love the most is how quickly I saw effective results. I like it when I see immediate results then I know that it's working, it gives me a bit of hope and that way I can be sure that the product is working and not that the skin is just improving over time. These products are all super inexpensive so it's definitely worth giving a try if you're suffering from breakouts or uneven skin and I'm sure you'll love them as much as I do.