Editors' Essentials

Sometimes it's hard to look immaculate all the time, even when you love beauty products/ cosmetics as much as I do. These are the hero products which keep me looking fabulous and fresh all day long. 

 

7am - Zara White edt 30ml I spritz  this on in the morning and as a lil pick me up throughout the day. At one point I would only purchase 100ml sized fragrances, but now I hardly ever. 30ml is the perfect sized fragrance for me. Small enough to carry around in my hand bag/travel with and enough product for me to figure out if it warrants repurchase. 



10am - Jergens Ultra Healing Hand cream keeps the skin on my hands moisturized and supple. I love hand creams, larger ones like these (5oml and up) I keep on my desk at work/in my hand bag. In the evenings when I go out for a meal or drinks, I will slip one of my L'Occitane Shea Butter (30ml) hand creams into my clutch. 

12pm - MAC Lip Gelee reapplied to  my lips after the 2 cups of tea I have had. I love lip products, this one in particular because it moisturizes  gives a hint of colour and I also get a bang for my buck product wise.  

2pm- MAC Blot powder after the glow sets in, this blot powder helps to soak up the excess sebum which sets in on my oily skin after a while. This product is great after hours as well, it keeps me looking together if I have any errands to run after work. 

5pm - Avene Thermal water misted all over my face & neck, cools me down for the walk home after work. 


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what are your essentials lovelies?

comment below and let me know.  

The Current Skincare Edit

Makeup Remover - Bioderma Crealine Micellar Solution 

Eye Makeup Remover - Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover

Cleanser morning - Neutrogena 2 in 1 Wash and Mask  

Cleanser evening - Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm

Exfoliating toner - PIXI Glow Tonic 

Hydrating toner - Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz 

Serum - Avene Soothing Hydrating serum 

Day moisturiser - Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer

Sunscreen - Nivea Sun spf 30 pocket size for face and body

Night Moisturiser - Botanics Hydrating Night Cream All Bright

Ideally I wanted the Ren Clarifying Clay Cleanser to use as my morning cleanser. However  I got tired of waiting to purchase it after waiting so long for the Emma Hardie (took nearly a month to come back into stock) and the PIXI glow Tonic (this was another palarva) I just went with what was the closet thing which was readily available. So far the Neutrogena  2 in 1 Wash/Wask has been working fine. I use it as a morning cleanser to refresh my face + neck. If I did not wear makeup during the day I will use it as my night time cleanser as well. 

So far my little regimen has been going well, def since using the cleansing balm my skin has been a lot more plump and not as dry. I have been removing the cleansing balm in lines, "working with the grain of the skin in line with the facial muscles" similar to those of a facial for removing the cleansing balm from my skin in the evenings. In terms of draining the built up fluid I cannot see if that has worked to combat that or not. I can say that using the line method (opposed to rubbing circles) has def helped my chin area. There isn't as many  oily deposits around my chin area.  My skin likes the chemical exfoliation from the PIXI Glow Tonic, In terms of texture my skin is a lot smoother. In the future I would like to purchase the liquid gold and compare how the effects measure up. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0bNOeFKayk (Emma Hardie demonstration)

These are just some thoughts off the top of my head.

 I will do in depth reviews of the products soon,

 beginning with the Emma Hardie Cleansing balm, 

since I have been using that over a month . 

b- beautiful my lovelies.

Facial Sunscreen - Avene Sun Care Very High Protection Sun Emulsion SPF50+ 50ml

Sunscreen Cheat Sheet

1. If you are exposed to the sun for more than 15 minutes a day, even if the weather is cloudy or over cast you need to apply sunscreen.

2. Always look for a suncare product that displays the UVA symbol in a circle or clearly states that it’s a Broad Spectrum formula. This will give your delicate skin protection from both UVA and UVB rays (ones that age and ones that burn) reducing your skin cancer risk and also preventing lasting, ageing sun damage.

3. No!!!!!! you cannot rely on the Spf in your foundation. Ideally for your entire face, neck and de-collate  you should be using a teaspoon amount every time you apply.

**if you are suffering with hyperpigmentation, you should be applying a higher factor spf every single day.**

                                                                  

Hypersensitive, light, and very fair skin needs some extra help in the sun. Avène Eau

Thermale Emulsion SPF 50+ provides just that, and makes sure skin is well protected when exposed to the sun.

The very high protection provided by this silky emulsion covers a very broad spectrum, and utilises an exclusive grouping of active ingredients. The name of this coalescence is Sunsitive®, a product of the Pierre Fabre Research facility. Skin is protected against UVB and also short and long UVA rays.

The matte formulation includes vitamin E based pre-trocopheryl, a potent antioxidant that shields the skin from damaging free radicals. As with all Avène products, the emulsion is rich in skin loving Thermal Spring Water with its soothing and calming capabilities. 

Available at Escenutal.com & Boots . RRP £16.00

Unil the next time my lovelies

xx

The Skincare Edit - The Budget Friendly Version

The idea for this post struck me today when I was at work. One of the ladies and I were speaking about the summer sales and items we could purchase now to use as gifts for birthdays/Christmas.

 It came to me that with all the hype about the Emma Hardie Cleansing balm, the P50 exfoliating toner and the PIXI glow tonic. Where are the options for those who want to try these products but just do not have the money to buy the cult products. 

I recently posted my Skincare edit (which is subject to change so there will be updates soon), so I am writing this the Budget friendly version of my skincare edit. This would have been my skincare edit a year ago when I was a student, strapped for pennies.

Makeup Remover - L'Oréal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution 

Cleansing Oil  - L'oreal Cleansing oil (please remember this does have in mineral oil)

Cleanser morning - Neutrogena 2 in 1 cleanser & Mask 

Cleanser evening - Botanics 97% Organic Hot Cloth cleansing Balm 

Exfoliating toner - La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion 

Hydrating toner - Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz 

Serum - Avene Soothing Hydrating serum 

Sunscreen - Bioderma Photoderm Spot Cream SPF50+ 30ml, 

or Avene very high protection mineral suncreen spf50+ for very intolerant skin 

My current skincare edit is £125 in total. The budget version above total costs equal £85, at the moment a lot of these products are on reduced price offers, so the total would be even less. I recommend when purchasing skincare you buy one item at a time. eg when your cleanser finishes, then purchase a new one,  not before. Do the same in turn with each skincare item. Unless your skin is in a bad way, I would never suggest purchasing an entirely new skincare regime at once.  I love a bargain and the frugal person in me would never let that happen. I will stick to purchasing one at a time as items finish.  I hope that you guys find this post useful. 


Comment below and let me know if you have used any of the products above in the past. 

Happy Wednesday,

my lovelies.

xx

The Current Skincare Edit

Internal Skincare: 2 x Flaxseed oil tablets (1000mg), 1.5l water daily

Makeup Removers: Boots Botanics Makeup Remover, Bioderma Micellare Solution

Cleanser: Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm

Exfoliating /Clarifying Toner: PIXI Glow Tonic

Moisturizing Toner: Clarins Enegizing Toner

Serum: Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum

Moisturizers: Botanics Hydrating Night Cream, Origins GinZing Moisturizer

SPF: Nivea spf30 

       In that order *Mama Dee voice*

Happy Saturday my lovelies .

xx

Spring Beauty Clean Project 10 Pan 2013 - Update

Spring Beauty Clean Project 10 Pan 2013-Update. 

As of May 31st 2013 Project 10 pan spring 2013 is over. (yayyy) I used up a few things quite quickly, others are taking a longer time. The two main culprits lingering are the Sk:n Vitamin rich gentle facial cleaner & the Avene Cold Cream gel. Botanics night cream, Clean & Clear face lotion and the remnants of my Clarins Energizing toner also remain. 

As for my wishlist - I managed to get my hands on the Pixi Glow Tonic. So I am one very happy Beauty blogger at the moment. Look for a skincare edit coming your way soon.

Be good my lovelies 

xx

Review - Avene Hydrance Optimale spf 20

        Now that I have told you about my cleanser, toner  and night time treatment that I am currently using, it is time to introduce those products work for me during the day. The #1 anti-age-ing skin product is SPF, sunblock, suncream whatever you want to call it. If you want to be looking at svelte and youthful in your latter years it is important to not only invest in a good skincare regime (which I am currently trying to do) but to also invest in some sunblock. 
     The harsh rays from the sun burn not only the top layer of skin but the under laying layer as well --------> this is what causes ageing. Not any old suncreeam will do, the one you choose to put ony our face and body must be a BROAD SPECTRUM sunscreen, meaning that it contains not only UVA but UVB protection as well. 

What Avene says:

Gentle, creamy moisturiser that restores skin;s hydration and helps protect it against environmental and UV aggressors. 

What I say:

     When you read the packaging it says for sensitive skin, however my skin is also oily, so at first I was apprehensive about trying it on. I later got over my trepidation and applied some of the cream, the formula was very light, easy to spread and it sank into my skin quickly. Another thing that I do love about this hydrating cream, is that even with its fairly high spf number, it does not leave my face with a greyish tinge, or a white circle where my hairline meets my face. I use this on days when the weather is overcast and then on days that are bright and sunny I wear Nivea Sun spf. 
      A little goes a long way with this product,  which I have tried and tested for myself. The cream comes in a little handy 40ml tube , so it has been very easy for me to pop this into my bag to apply on the go, or to re-apply as and when it is needed. Please note that between the time i acquired this product and presentday the level of spf has increased from 20  -----> spf 25.

Would I recommend? - yes

Would I repurchse? - yes (though this was given to me as a gift)

would I buy full priced? - Yes it is def worth it, skin protection in a light easy to use formula.

Miss Mai

Summer 2012 Handbag Essentials

     Summer is here though you wouldn't be able to tell from the massive game of hide and seek the sun is playing with the British Weather. (Yes British weather is notorious for being crap, but hey) I have decided to share with you my bag and the items that I am carrying around at the moment.  

Zara Plaited Shopper  in Blue.

Now onto the items that I am carrying around with me, lol lol.

M&S Citrus Hand wipes

Avene Hydrance Optimale spf 20 face cream

Nivea sunblock spf 30

Travel sized listerime 

Avene Eau de Thermal face water

Kleenex tissues

Sanex travel sized deodorant

Lens cleanser spray

 Miss mai

Review - Avene Cleanance Soap Free Cleanser

What Avene says:

Ultra mild cleansign gel for blemish prone skin. Helps to purify the skin and regulate oil secretion. 

- deep cleansing actions purifies the skin without stripping

- PH 7.2 respects the skin;s natural balance, minimising the trigger of excess sebum production (aka when you strip the skin , it dries out then you get that tight tight feeling, and you skin products oil to moisturise itself)

- Pleasant fragrance tolerated by sensitive skin

- soap free

- Avene Thermal spring water to soothe and soften skin. 

- Hyper allergenic and non comedogenic.

How to use: 

Apply AM/PM to a moistened face, lather, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. follow with Cleanance Anti shine regulating lotion, Cleanance-Ac, or Cleanance K Oil control lotion. 

What I say:

     This cleanser is a good cleanser, note I said cleanser. It does not strip my skin or leaves it feeling tight when I am finished cleansing my face. My skin looks clean, feels clean, and is clean. This product cannot be used as a makeup remover, nor does it have any other uses. It is a very very very thick formula, though I follow the Rene Rouleau method of applying cleansers to a dry face, I had to moisten my face with this product. When I first started to use the soap free gel cleanser, I had a really hard time spreading it around my face, when I applied it dry. It has the same kind of top as the Mattifying lotion however it is easy to control the amount of product that comes out since the formula is so thick. After roughly 4 months of constant use I still have just over 1/2 a bottle left, it is definitely value for money  a little bit goes a longggggggggggggggggg way. As a cleanser I have enjoyed using this product, it controls the oils on my face, leaves my skin nice and plump, it cleans my skin well.

     The method I devised to use this product goes like this ---> wet hands under tap, shakes of excess water off hands, pats face with hands, applies pea sized amount of cleanser to hands, rubs hands together then apply cleanser to face massaging in for 2 minutes, then remove cleanser with muslin cloth. (then I repeat this entire process).

Would I reccomend? - Yes for someone who has oily skin, which is sensitive to allergic reactions/cystic acne. I would especially recommend for my teenagers, with acne prone skin.

Would I repurchase? - Yes (however after this bottle is finished I will be trying some products  for hyper -pigmentation to treat my spots/scarring)

Would I buy full priced? - Yes 

Miss Mai

Review - Avene Cleanance Anti shine Purifying lotion for Oily/Sensitive skin

Yes I said Oily and Sensitive in the same sentence. I love Avene products, I have been using them for a while since being introduced to the Avene cold creme gel, which I still use to remove my makeup.  

Avene Says;

Astringent toner purifies and tightens pores without stinging or irritating sensation. Mattifying powders help absorb excess sebum and leave skin shine free. 

How to use:

Shake well to before use (to activate the Bi Phase formula) apply AM/PM to face after thoroughly cleansing using the Avene Cleanance Soap Free Gel Cleanser.

What I say:

This lotion (toner) the product itself is a joy to use. I apply it to my face using a cotton pad after cleansing. I doesn't sting my skin or leave my face dry afterwards. What I have experienced is a faint cooling sensation. In terms of mattifying my skin it does that amazingly well. The bottle annoyed me at first since there was no way to control the amount of product coming out. however I soon got fed up and started to decant the toner into a spray bottle, which has made it last way longer. I have roughly 50ml of product left, so all in all this product has lasted roughly 4 months so far. I genuinely enjoy using this product as part of my skincare routine, I have even used it after my REN chemical peels with much success. Avene Cleanance Anti shine Purifying Lotion retails for £8 per 200ml bottle. 

Would I recommend? - Yes I would for oily skin which is sensitive to allergic reactions/cyctic acne.

Would I repurchase? - Yes 

Would I buy full priced? - Yes 

Products I have used up

The title says it all products I have used up over the last few weeks/months. 

• Jergens Naturals cocoa butter lotion x 2 - reviewed already
• Sanex Zero % sensitive skin shower gel - absolutely hated
• Dove silk glow body wash 
• Hairveda almond glaze - reviewed already
• holland and Barrett Flaxseed oil tablets 
• Darcy's botanicals Pumpkin seed conditioner - reviewed already
• Elasta QP Mango and Olive butter x 2 (my saviour for the under precessed hair) 
• Sanex deodorant 
• Avene cleanance mattifying toner  - Review coming soon (product decanted into spray bottle)
• Sure anti white marks deodorant
• Qhemet biologics Amla and Olive oil heavy cream - reviewed already
• Oil of Olay face wipes - reviewed already
• Garnier Simply essentials face wipes - reviewed already
• Body Shop White musk sheer mist - reviewed already 

These are the products that were already in the rubbish bin but I could not be bothered to dig through the rubbish and pick them out. 

• ORS Olive oil moisturising hair lotion - absolutely love/ holy grail/reviewed already
• Sanex excel anti perspirant deodorant
• Aphogee keratin and green tea spray - reviewed already
• Elasta QP Intense Fortifying treatment 
• Ojon damage reverse Shampoo - entire range reviewed already
• Aquafresh toothpaste 
• Garnier face wipes with Rose extract and Vitamin E - reviewed already

Miss Mai

xx

My Current Skincare Routine

   I believe that skincare is a very important part of everyday life, whether you consider yourself a high, low or no maintenance person. However everyone's skin is different and because of this some products may not work for others as well as they work for me. The trick is to keep experimenting until you find a combination that is right for you. As you know I suffer from Cystic Acne but I am also a  bit of a picker / squeezer ----> truth moment and my skin scars toooooo easily. Over the years I have tried a few different products, Vitamin E, Tea Tree and Seaweed ranges from the Body Shop, the Garnier Active natural range, St Ives facial scrub (took me 2 years to finish, was so not a fan), Origins cleansing pads. Yea a whole bunch of stuff.

Avene Cleanance Gel - for oily, sensitive skin, this is a light soap free gel, which cleanses my skin very well but doesn't make my skin very dry or stripped. Its a bit thick which means, I have to dampen my hands slighty in order to help spread it around my face. I use this twice daily. 

Avene Cleanance Mattifying facial toner - This is a toner made from Avene thermal spring water, it contains denatured alcohol, it is not stripping or harsh. It contains salicylic Acid which settles at the bottom of the bottle. When I am about to apply this, I shake the bottle vigorously as instructed to mix the powder and then I pour it onto a cotton pad, then I wipe it across my face. I also use this twice daily.

Nivea Daily Essentials Facial moisturiser spf 8 - If you are following me on twitter (@Rebelle01) You would have seen me tweeting about the need to moisturise and protect your skin. This is a light moisturiser which absorbs very quickly, it does not give a mattifying finish, but you are not left  looking like a grease-ball either.  I use this moisturiser if I will be staying at home with no chance of going outside in the sun, or if I want to give my night cream a break.

Nivea sunblock spf 30/ Avene Rich hydrating creme spf 20 - Sunblock this right here is the ace in the hole. Sunblock is the number 1 anti-aging product in your skincare routine. Not only does it help to block out harmful rays from the sun, but did you know that using sunblock helps to prevent spots from getting darker. When you have a pimple and you go out into the sun, the melanin rushes to create a cover for that exposed flesh ----------> leading to dark spots and hyper pigmentation. By using sunblock as part of my skincare routine I have been preventing this from happening. I use this most days that I am leaving the house. 

Avene Cleanance K exfoliating hydrating creme - gel - a light lotion containing glycolic acid, which helps to generate skin cell renewal by ex-foliating the dead skin cells away. This product is not an overnight miracle cream but overtime I have seen improvements with use. 

Method 

I always double cleanse my face and I remove my cleanser using a muslin cloth at night.  

Miss Mai

xx

My 11 most reached for Beauty products.........

    This is a tag that has been around in the online beauty community for a while with beauty bloggers and vloggers. I find that with beauty being such a huge area we are constantly trying to find ways to set ourselves apart, however there is nothing wrong with conforming at times. Beauty tags in my opinion are a great way to find out what products, persons with similar interest are using. Other bloggers may be using a product you are using but in multiple ways, where as you may be only using it one way. These tags are a quick and easy way to share information. 

My 11 most reached for Beauty products

Victoria Jackson face palette (£20 with 3 other products) - 16 eye shadows, 6 lipsticks, a translucent powder, a bronzer and a blush.  -------> do not buy

L'oreal Made for Me Naturals, Brow and Eye Duo, Dark Skin Tones (£7) - 2 eye shadows and a brow powder.

Mascara - at the moment I am using the Soap and Glory Thick and Fast mascara (£10)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural  Deep Dark  (£18.50)one of my girl friends aka the pageant junkie put me onto this a few years ago and I have loved it ever since. It gives me life!!!!! 

Estee Lauder  Bronzing brush  (£23) - a kabuki brush (but you know everybody is trying to be fancy)  when I bought this brush I though damn this is expensive, but its been 3 years and it works just as amazing now as it did the first day I bought it. 

Avene Rich hydrating creme spf 20 (£10.50) - this is what I am currently using as sunblock/spf protection. (trying to be as well preserved as possible for as long as possible, lol. 

L'Occitane Shea Butter hand cream (£7.50) - This hand cream is rich, but absorbs into skin very very easy. There is none of that greasy feeling after application. I absolutely love it. I am going to admit I have 3 of these as backups, no I am not shamed. They are always giving these away in magazines and I cop the freebies. Ain't NO shame in this L'Occitane game. 

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil 004 Black Brown (£2.99) - if you do not have one of these -----> you need to get your life. 

Black eyeliner - at the moment I am using Maybelline Khol express water proof eyeliner glam black (4£4.99) - a blatant copy of the Urban decay 24/7 eyeliner, it does the job.

Coloured Eyeliner - I do not discriminate, in ratation i have from Urban decay -> Lucky, Lust, Electric, and Covet, H & M eyepens -> Bronze, Dark Grey, Maybelline Khol Express waterproof Eyeliner pencils -> Metallic Blue, Metallic Green, Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definers -> Pink impact, Aqua sparkle, MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil -> Navy Stain, Barry M Khol pencil -> 19, Rimmel Special Eyes Precision Eye liner pencil -> Azure Shimmer. 

Lip Balm - At the moment I am using Blistex lip massage, Nivea Pure and Natural milk and honey, Blistex Daily lip conditioner.

miss mai

xx

Comment below and let me know what products you reach for most often (even if its your grandmas face cream, wink wink)

Review - Avene Thermal Water Spray

     What Avene says:

According to legend the curative powers of Avene Thermal Spring water were discovered more than 250 years ago by chance. (as these things always happen) Due to a terrible skin complaint a horse belonging to the Marquis de Rocozels was turned loose to wander the slopes of the black mountains in the Southwest of France. The horse found a thermal spring near the small village of Avene. After drinking from the Spring and rolling around in its waters the horses coat became shiny again and soon it was completely cured. 

As the tale of  this marvellous cure spread, local doctors advised patients to treat their skin problems with water from the spring, now named - the spring of Sainte Odile. The Marquis de Rocozels recognizing his springs potential built Avene's first baths in 1743. (yep the French have been hip to the skincare game a long time)  In 1826 scientific leaders in dermatology such as Professor Jean-Louis Alibert endorsed taking baths in the spring waters of Avene. 

Later. the Marquis' baths were acquired by Victor Descays, who established a hydro therapy centre That combined not only treatment but accommodation for the patients. By 1860 the descendants of Victor Descays  were welcoming more than 500 patients a year to visit the springs. 

The waters fame spread far beyond Avene to physicians across France and as far as  America, where the water was exported to treat burn victims after the great Chicago fire of 1871. The spring was declared to be of public interest in 1874 by the President of the Republic of France and officially approved as a dermatological Hydrotherapy centre.

The soothing effects of the Avene Thermal water has been tested on over 500 people with sensitive skin. Its unique and constant composition gives it a soothing effect and anti irritating properties have been proven by numerous scientific studies. 

(source Avene)

MAC Fix + An aqua spritz of vitamins and minerals, infused with a calm the skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber and topped off with a fresh natural energizing scent of Sugi. adds radiance, finishes make-up. Spray it on, skin drinks it up. 

(source MAC)

     What I say:

Cult favourite MAC Fix + has a dupe. The Avene Eau Thermal Thermal spring water. The Avene Spring water comes in 3 sizes the small (handbag) sized 50ml £3.15, compared to the MAC fix + travel size 30ml which costs £7. MAC only recently introduced the travel size fix +.  The second size up of the Avene Thermal water comes in a 150ml sized can, which is the same amount as the regular Sized MAC Fix +, the Avene Water is £6.50 and the MAC Fix + costs £12.50 for the same amount of product. The largest Size of the Avene Thermal Water comes in a 300ml can and costs £10.50, now many personal might say 300ml --------> that is huge. However if you are a budding makeup artist, makeup enthusiast, makeup lover, skincare junkie  the large bottle of Avene Thermal water is cost effective and useful in the long run. 

The Avene Thermal Water is a very versatile and useful product, especially for those who have sensitive, hypersensitive, allergic, and irritated skin. It can be used for diaper rash, various irritations, razor burns(we love products that are guy friendly), after hair removal, to set makeup, sooth sunburns, facial redness, after exercise, during the hot summer months and during travel (to refresh the skin and keep it moisturised). Thermal water is a lifestyle product unlike the Fix + which has a select and limited use, the Thermal water has you covered on all fronts, and also your baby and/or husband. It is a heavy hitter not only is it an all round product, it comes in various sizes and it is also recession proof. 

Check out the Avene Thermal water here Eau Thermal Avene Thermal Water Spray

Miss Mai

xx