BlogMas #7 - Self

Remember to put yourself first this Christmas season. The shopping, cooking and everything else can wait. If you do not take care of yourself then you cannot take care of anyone else. Plan a little pampering such as a facial or a massage as a treat to ready you for the season. 

xx

The At Home Facial

Clean - apply a cleanser of your choice to your face and massage it gently in all over your face/chin/ neck for 2-6 minutes. During a massage routine, blood circulation accelerates the deposits of lactic acid and get washed out of the muscles. Give yourself a massage about five to ten minutes.  

Steam - After this time (2-3 minutes)  has lapsed fill your sink/large bowl with warm/hand hot water and soak a muslin cloth into it. Squeeze the excess water out of the muslin cloth. Cover your face with the muslin cloth and press it to your skin, when the cloth has cooled, dip the muslin cloth into the warm water again and repeat this process again. 

- if you need to do a real skin purging steam, fill the sink 1/2 way with hot hot hot water, and get a large beach towel. Cover your entire head + sink with the large beach towel and let the steam seep into your pores for a good 5 minutes at least. 

Exfoliate - After the second time fold the muslin cloth into 4 and begin to gently remove the cleanser from your face/chin/neck in circular motions. make sure to focus n the areas around your nose, hairline, just under your earlobe and your forehead/t zone. 

Chemical peel - to cleansed skin apply chemical peel as per instructions, most peels that I have tried have a 10 - 15 minute application time. (I usually apply my peels for 40mins - 1 hour, but that is what works for me and my comfort level. The first time I did this was by accident I fell asleep.) If I do a Chemical peel I will not use the muslin cloth, I will manually cleanse my face using my fingers. The exfoliating actions will come from the chemical peel. 

Mask - If you have Oily skin like myself I would suggest using a clay mask. For those of you with dry skin a hydrating mask would be better suited to your skin type. each mask comes with its own instructions, most masks have a wear time of between 8-15 minutes. leave on the mask for the suggested time on the instructions and then remove and rinse skin completely. ( I leave on my clay masks for an hour, but that is MY personal preference) The purpose of applying a clay mask is to draw out impurities to close the pores and remove any rough scaly surface on the skin and tighten the facial muscles. 

- DIY: Making your own mask is very easy. An orange and yogurt mask is especially simple. Mix 1 tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt with the juice of about one fourth of an orange. Spread the mixture evenly over your face and rinse after 5 to 10 minutes. 

- Also you could apply the egg and yoghurt mask. Apply moisturiser around the eyes and mouth. Whip one egg with plain organic yoghurt and apply to face avoiding the eye and mouth areas. Let it dry for a few minutes. Rinse off with warm water and a splash of cold water to close pores.

Toner - Apply toner to cotton pad and gently wipe all over face/chin/neck. 

Hydrate - last but by no means least apply a moisturiser and/or serum of your choice. 

****Products work better the longer they are able to stay in contact with your skin. So for treatments such as masks and peels since they are gentle anyway, I do not mind testing them on my skin for longer periods of time. Like I said this works for me.****

Special Edition Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 150ml For the Princes Trust.

      

      For the last few months, Liz Earle has been mentoring a young beauty entrepreneur called Rebecca Taylor as part of the youth charity's new campaign, "Tomorrow". Together, they've given our skin-cleansing hero a new twist to create this Cleanse & Polish Rose and Lavender Special Edition* for The Prince's Trust. From every special edition sold, £2 will go to support the vital work of The Trust.

picture compliments the sunday girl

Three reasons to love Cleanse & Polish Rose and Lavender Special Edition:

• Original benefits - This rich, concentrated cream offers the same skincare benefits as our original formulation, containing cocoa butter to soften, smooth and moisturise, and rosemary, chamomile and hops to tone and soothe.
• New twist - The addition of rose and lavender essential oils makes it the perfect choice for your evening cleanse. Gently massage onto dry skin and let the calming fragrance help you unwind at the end of the day.
• Better tomorrow - £2 from every special edition sold will go towards supporting The Prince's Trust's vital work, and we are hoping to raise £100,000 for this worthy cause.

          The Liz Earle cleanse and Polish hot cloth cleanser is one of the best facial cleansers I have ever used. I have recommended it to friends /family of both genders. Good skin does not discriminate and neither do I when it comes to recommending products if  works it works. with the addition of these two fragrant oils, the Liz Earle cleanse and polish has been given not only a new look but a new scent, right in time to for the wintery months. I don't know about you but during the cooler months I love having lotions and portions with a stronger scent. Lavender is known for its relaxing properties, and rose oil is great for curing a number of skin ailments.

          The price of the limited edition pump is £19.75 for 150ml, the hot cloth cleanser starter kit is priced at  £14.25 for 100ml. You are indeed paying for more product as well as the fancier packaging. Plus £2 from each bottle goes to charity. 

Miss Mai

Review - Botanics Hydrating Night Cream All bright

Skin Type - Oily/Sensitive with some scarring/blemishes from past acne breakouts. 

What they say:

Brightens and hydrates overnight for normal/dry skin  with brightening hibiscus. 

This rich moisturiser gets to work when skin is highly preceptive, promoting surface renewal for brighter looking skin by morning. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, proven to immediately boost moisture levels, the nourishing formula leaves skin ready to face the day.

Hibiscus is nature's brightness booster and a wonderful hue of pink. Natural AHA@s from the flower act as mild exfoliators to help leave skin smoother and brighter. 

What I say:

This cream applies smooth, and it is easy to blend. My skin feels nourished but there is no oily or excess residue. It soaks in quickly which is definitely a plus when dealing with these lotions and potions. To me the finish is velvety, or semi matte. I wanted to try this range because I have seen it in boots and I have been stalking it, but I didn't want to commit myself to purchasing it while my other night cream the Avene Cleanance K was not finished (marginal perpensity to consume and all that). I was able to purchase this on the very last day of the offer of Boots, yay me. So far it has been working all right as a night cream. My skin does look brighter but that could be due to the fact that I have been using the Elemis Papaya Enzyme peel, so who knows.

Would I re-purchase? - Yes

Would I recommend? -  yes

would I buy full priced? - Yes it costs 4.99 hardly a bank breaker. 


miss mai

xx

Review - Nivea Sun Sunblock spf 30

What they say: 

Nivea Sun  Pocket size spf 30, high protection always at hand

UVA/UVB Protection systen EU compliant

     Nivea sun pocket size provides immediate sun protection in a convenient pocket size, readily available whenever and whereever effective sun protection is needed. The ultra light and non sticky formula for face n body is easy to apply and absorbed. water resistant. 

What I say:

     This is the highest spf lotion in my skincare regimen. The lightest being the Nivea daliy essentials moisturising lotion and the second being the Avene Hydrance Optimal Rich hydratiing cream with spf 20. I am all about the spf, it should be a very present part of any skincare routine. I purchased this sunblock after watching Brit Pop princess's video on her skincare routine. Yes, it does leave that blue look on my skin after I have applied it, lol. As a sunblock I believe that it has been effective, since using this and the Avene Hydrance Optimal I have noticed that my spots have not been darkening as much as they would have in the past, also my overal complexion is a lot brighter/clearer. I use  this on the really really hot days when the sun was out and I knew definitely I would be leaving the house, maybe to go into town or walking to uni or the supermarket. It takes a while to sink in, but I expect that with a sunblock with a high spf factor such as this one. 

   It is 50ml which is a great size, it enables me to walk with it in my handbag for when I want to re apply (sunblock should be reapplied every 2-3 hours). The price point was very attractive as well, I puchased it when it was on offer for 50% off at my local supermarket. It is funny how essential products such as sunblock can be so expensive. smh 

Nivea sunblock spf 30 along with the rest of my skincare regimen. 

Would I repurchase? - Yes 

Would I recommend? - Yes for all my gals, my girls and my kiddies, sunblock is very very very important.

Would I buy full priced? - Yes I rather spend £6 today and save myself skin cancer and wrinkles tomorrow. 

cheerio my lovlies. 

Review - Nivea Daily Essentials Oil Free Moisturising Day Cream spf 8

Moisturises and regulates shine for a fresh skin feeling 

What Nivea  says:

Nivea visage daily essentials oil free moisturising day cream enriched with Natural Lemon grass and Rice extract, supports the natural balance of your skin:

• Regulates your skin:s oil balance to leave your skin shine free
• The light formulation hydrates your skin without clogging pores
• With spf8 and extra uva filters it helps to protect your skin from environmental influences and premature aging. 

What I say:

      This cream I have been using since February I purchased it since I had in spf and you guys know if you follow me on twitter (@Rebelle01) that I am very big on spf, I wear it daily. This was my first venture into the spf/suncreen moisturiser arena. As a face cream it does what it says on the packaging, it does keep my skin moisturised, and hydrated. It sinks in quite quickly,  spreads easily which I love, and there is no greasy after feel, to my skin. It lasts a really long time, which is def a plus point in my book. (yes it is STILL going strong, since I mostly wear it if I am staying inside the house these days, or if I need a moisturiser before I go out at night under my makeup)  
      The price point is very very very affordable, I paid less than £4 for this and it was 1/3 off the full price, though I am no budget fashionista, I do want to be as financially savvy as possible. As a girl with Oily skin this cream is a peach, I absolutely love it. The only downside is the spf factor, now that I have done thorough and in-depth research regarding spf, I am disappointed in regards to the amount of spf that is in this cream, it contains spf 8 where as the other two creams in this range contain spf15, so I feel we oily girls are getting jipped.

Nivea visage cream in the middle, current skincare routine.

Would I repurchase? - yes I would repurchase this cream for during the winter months dec/jan/feb

Would I recommend? - yes i would,  really like this cream, my only disappointment is the spf factor.

Would I buy full priced? - no probably not, it is always on offer somewhere.

Stay savvy my lovelies

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

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

   Recently Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser was  voted most Revolutionary Beauty Product of the Last 20 years at the CEW (UK) Awards and Best cleanser by Sunday Times Style Readers. In celebration of the 20 year accolade Liz Earle released an incredible offer, she put 20,000 ( in total they sold 25000 due to demand) Hot Cloth Cleanser starter kits on sale at the original price of £9.50. 

Box with some Liz Earle information on her new line of makeup products.

my package - tres excitement!!!

Just opening the package 

 Tada

 I love these muslin cloths they are so large, they comfortably cover the entire face so that you can get a good steam/cleanse.

     Each kit comprised of one 100ml Cleanse and Polish pump and 2 muslin cloths. The offer was available on Wednesday 23rd May 2012. I was lucky enough to purchase 1 of the kits through the customer service centre after having some initial trouble with ordering on-line.  For referring my roomate (who bought 2 kits) I was even given a  travel sized product kit as a free gift. 

xx

Review - Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel

What Elemis says -This is an ultra purifying gel cleanser, for challenged, dull or stressed skin. After use skin is left smooth and purified. This product contains Argan oil, Rice silk, Rosemary leaf and Moringa peptides. This product is 

- Deep cleansing

-Suitable for ALL skin types (yes even guys can use it)

- Possesses dual - phase technology (yup they have geeked the face wash now, lol)

-is a luxurious gel to milk formula

What I say - This facial cleanser is indeed very luxurious, after use it left my skin feeling very soft and plump. It rinsed off very well, left no film or dirt. Sometimes you just have to treat yourself, or in this case your face. One of the first things people recognize about you is your face and everyone should invest in a good skincare routine. I have used the Elemis Melting Cleansing gel as a makeup remover and though it might be an expensive makeup remover at  £19.40 per 125ml tube. It did the job, does the job and it was a job WELL done. Overall this product is fantastic both as a cleanser and a makeup remover.

Now at £19.40 the Elemis it is not recession proof and though a little bit of this goes a long way. I do believe the Avene cold cream cleanser  £8.00 per 250ml tube, does just a good a job as the Elemis Melting Cleansing gel. 

MissMai

Review - REN clean skincare F10 Smooth and Renew Mask: a review

        I have oily skin, and in recent years, I have been plagued with blemishes and residual  scarring left from pimples. In October 2011 I broke out with a bout of Cystic acne which took weeks to clear up and left my  entire left cheek very scarred. I have been  on a little kick lately trying out some chemical exfoliants  and I must say they have been working really really well.  The REN clean skincare F10 Smooth and Renew Mask  was originally intended for use by my roomate. She has sensitive skin and wasn't really a fan of the orange peel ( a signal that this mask was full of vitamin C, a key ingredient in most scar reducing lotions and potions ) smell so she passed it to me.  I decided to try this on my oily skin, this mask bless its soul is intended for use by persons who suffer from sensitive skin. None the less it is a chemical exfoliant and I decided to try it and do a review. 

Application - how to use:Apply a generous amount to clean skin. Leave for 10 minutes, Dampen enclosed cloth and gently wipe off mask. Rinse skin with warm  (not hot) water.  

The product has a viscous texture similar to honey, it spreads well and evenly for the most part. The instructions said to leave it on for 10 minutes, I left it on for 30 minutes plus the time I took to walk downstairs and put a load of clothes in the washing machine.  During the time it was on my face, it was quite pleasant, it "dried" a bit, but was till soft to the touch. Removal was quite easy as well, I dipped a muslin cloth in warm/emphasis on cool water and removed from the left cheek (since I applied it there first) my forehead (which is recovering from an allergic reaction to the new Lancome Tient Idole foundation,), the right cheek, then chin/jaw area. 

The results -  my skin felt very smooth to the touch, after I had patted my face dry and allowed the excess moisture to dry. It was not tight nor ashy. There was no crusting or flaking in the areas on my face where my allergic reaction is healing. 

Cons -The size of REN skincare sample products. If you were to get this in a sample size at a counter I would advise that you secure at least 3 of them. REN skincare samples come in 5ml sizes which is only enough for 1 application. I am a firm believer that with skincare/makeup products you need to try them at least 1 - 3 times before you can form a valid hypothesis on whether or not your skin will react. 

The price - A 50ml bottle of this retails for £20.  Yes I know I know £20 to some persons is  relatively alot of money for 1 single item. However it is 2012 and if you want to the good stuff you HAVE to suck it up and pay the money.

Pros - This stuff is great, it makes your skin super smooth and clearer (it actually does).  You do not need to be scraping your face and worrying about getting in the cracks of your nose and hairline as one would usually do with manual exfoliators. It comes with a PUMP, so that just extended the life of the product by 50%. I used 1.5 pumps when I did my treatment. So long run when you look at it you would only purchase this item ONCE a year. 

would i purchase? - yes
would i recommend? - yes
would i buy full priced? - yes