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. 


Twitter
Bloglovin

what are your essentials lovelies?

comment below and let me know.  

My travel Makeup/Skincare/Bodycare UK August Bank holiday

You already know about my disastrous experience at Notting Hill Carnival. What you do not know is, before I went to London, I had to attend my Godsons christening. Which meant I had to do a bit of cross country travelling, therefore I had to break out my travel goodies. 

Body - Garnier Minerals Clean Sensation anti antiperspirant, Nivea Pearl Beauty gentle care antiperspirant, L'occitane Plum Blossom skin moisture gel (travel size), Marks and Spencers Coconut hand and body lotion (decanted into a travel sized bottle), The Body Shop Shea Butter Shower cream (travel size), Burberry Body Eau de Parfum, Elizabeth Arden Red door Revealed Eau de Parfum. 

Face - Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural lift and Sculpt Morninga Cleansing Balm (sample size), Origins Modern Friction (sample size), Clarins Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Lotion (sample size)

Hair - Organics Olive Oil Hair Polish Finishing Mist

Makeup - MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Deep dark, MAC Blot Powder, Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara (travel size), Clinique High Impact Mascara (travel size), The Body Shop Super volume Mascara (travel size), 

Stuff - Cuticura Passion Flower and Mango antibacterial gel (decanted into my purell 60ml pump bottle), Wet Ones anti bacterial wipes, Avene Eau de thermal spray.

See you next time lovelies.

xx

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

Current Skincare Routine - Morning

My arsenal of skincare items

    Here we are my first post for the new year. It has been a while since I made a full blog post, but I like most of you, I was having a little break for the festive season. Sometimes it is good to sit back and just hit the reset button. My skincare routine has changed recently so I thought I would share with you all what I have been using. 

Cleanse

Sk:n Vitamin Rich cleanser for oily skin

This cleanser contains glycolic acid, evening primrose oil and Vitmamins A, C and E, because of the glycolic acid it produces a slight peeling/exfoliating effect. I always double cleanse my skin so that I am able to get deep down inside the pores to dry up spots and get rid of the dirt.  It is very gentle on my skin and leaves it feeling very clean, but not tight or stripped. My experience with breakouts while using this facewash is that when I have been on my game (aka properly carrying out my cleansing morning and night, double cleansing at night) the spots/ dry up in no time. Having properly cleansed skin enables the other products which I use in my daily/nightly skincare regime to work better.
There is the exfoliating face wash to this which contains a higher percentage of glycolic acid. I plan to purchase it later and incorporate it into my routine

Double cleansing method - Apply cleanser to dry face and massage it in for 2 minutes (yes count 60 seconds x2) then rinse and repeat. It might sound like a lot  of effort, but to have clear blemish free skin one must not only invest in  products but time. The longer products are able to be in contact with your skin the better they are able to work. 

Tone

Clarins Daily Energiser wake up Booster

This is a radiance booting gel with moisturising properties, I apply this with a cotton pad, wipe my face and then apply  moisturiser. 

Avene Eau de Thermal Spring Water

I did a review on this product already in a blog post here. I use this as an alternative to my toner if I do not have my toner with me or sometimes I just spray my face to freshen up. 

Moisturise

Avon Refreshing Face Gel -Cream

I use this on days when I am not leaving the abode. Since I have oily skin I have to be careful with moisturisers especially during the day. This formula is light and refreshing, also it absorbs very quickly. It contains cucumber and green tea which are known for their calming properties. 

Nivea Sunblock spf 30

Sun damage occurs every day and over time, to prevent this and premature ageing I apply this sunblock on days when I am leaving the house. I purchase the small 50ml bottle, so that I can take it around in my handbag with me for top ups. 

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

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 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