Morning Skincare Routine | June/Summer 2013

As you can probably tell, this is my skincare routine. I've been waiting to do this for a while until I found some holy grail products to use but when I realised this wouldn't happen for a long time I thought I'd just do it!

So, it will be split into two posts: one (this one) featuring my morning skincare and another (up in a few days) featuring my nighttime routine and extra skin treats.

About My Skin: I have combination/dry skin that is acne prone and semi-sensitive. I have very sun sensitive skin and sensitive eyes. My t-zone is sometimes oily but mostly dry. My cheeks are oily.

 

 

The first step when I wake up is cleansing - if my skin is good I'll use my Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pore and Shine Daily Scrub because it isn't too abrasive but leaves my skin feeling clean. However, if my skin isn't so good (ie blemishes and dryness) I'll use the holy grail *bow down to* Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean that I've been using for ages and leaves my skin smooth and clear. I wash them both off with a muslin cloth.

 

 Next is toner and I use the Simple Soothing Toner that doesn't irritate my eyes or skin and removes any extra dirt.

 SPF comes third and I either use the Avon SPF 50 that has to be re-applied but isn't greasy or oily. If I'm running late I'll use my face and body sunscreen from Nivea as it doesn't break me out and is very water resistant so lasts all day.

 

Then I moisturise with my Clean and Clear Dual Action Moisturiser that keeps my skin as clear as possible and is super light. If my skin is dryer I use the No7 Normal/Dry Day Cream that leaves my skin really moisturised and hydrated.

Then my last step is eye cream - I use this cheap one from Boots as it really moisturises my eyes and leaves them soft and fresh.

So that's my skincare routine part 1 and check back or subscribe via bloglovin, google friend connect or email to be told when it's uploaded - in the meantime tell me what your skin routine is in the comments and what your holy grails are...

Thanks for reading

Lizzie x

Monthly Favourites | May 2013

...and now it's June - where did May go?

Well, it's summer now and time for it to get warmer (or not, as the weather decided).

 Starting with nail polish - a few shades tickled my fancy this month so I decided to pick them up

 Barry M Gelly High-Shine Nail Paint in Dragon Fruit

Such a pretty baby pink at such an affordable price - with a hint of spring neon this pink was a must-have when on 3 for 2 and the formula is amazing too.

Sinful Colors Cream Nail Enamel in Soul Mate

These nail polishes recently hit the eisles of boots and for only £1.99 I had to try - the cream formula's a little thick for my tastes but the colour is too good to resist!

Revlon Nail Enamel in Charismatic

Not sure if this is discontinued but it's the perfect coral with a hint of peach pearl.

Sinful Colours Glitter Nail Enamel in Pinky Glitter

After hearing 'theothersideofthirty' on youtube talk about this I had to try it. It's a coraly pink on the nails but two coats will give you full-on glitz.

Barry M Nail Paint in Acid Yellow

Did 'missglamorazzi' pick this up in England last year? I think it may be discontinued because I cannot find it in store but with a white base it screams yellow summer and is super neon!

Skincare next...

St Ives Blemish Fighting Scrub

An old and faithful friend of mine - I will never be without this as it is so abrasive and so removes all the dry patches on my skin.

Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean

Now using as a cleanser/mask double - still obsessed!

Is this being discontinued? Do I have to buy a million bottles?

Let me know!!!

Wilkinsons Lip Balm in Strawberry

Such a cheap product but is great for keeping one in the handbag, on in the blazer and one in my locker for touch ups - 3 for 99p is so cheap!

Superdxrug Naturally Radiant Renewing Night Cream

I've been testing this for a while and love it - it leaves my skin moisturised and I never get dry patches when I use this!

Nivea Sun Kids' SPF50

For face and body - it doesn't break me out but I'll only use it on my face if I'm in a rush.

Boots Simply Sensitive Hydrating Eye Cream

On realising that I needed an eye cream I bought the cheapest  one on offer and found it to be amazing - it hydrates without feeling heavy or sticky.

No7 Normal/Dry Day Cream

I need this on my skin when I have dryer days because it hydrates and leaves my skin smooth.

Avon Facial Sunscreen SPF50

I need a high SPF during summer and this is non greasy and dries fast - a perfect base for makeup.

now for the makeup...

Witch Anti-Blemish BB Cream

After breaking out this month I went back to using this and love it - it leaves my skin dewy and prevents breakouts growing.

see here for full review.

Nivea Daily Essentials Tinted Moisturiser

This leaves my skin glowing - like Rimmel Wake Me Up but with less coveage - see here for full review.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer

I hate Maybelline Dream Lumi as it creases on me like crazy but this lasts all day looking perfect - the packaging is cute too!

Pixi Lid Lash Shadow Pen in Beaming Reflection

I bought this on a whim from amazon and love it - it leaves a pretty sheen and is a great base for eyeshadow

(link to amazon seller)

Revlon Lip Gloss in Pink Crystals

Part two of my perfect pink lip of the month. It is non-sticky and a really gorgeous peachy pink.

e.l.f studio blush in candid coral

My least favourite of my elf blushes but I've been surprisingly picking it a lot this month - a peachy-coral with a hint of shimmer.

Benefit They're Real Mascara

A sample from ELLE magazine - well worth £4 but not £18 as it does tend to clump and it still in my lashes after industrial strength remover.

Seventeen Lipstick in Belle

A lovely sheer moisturising lipstick that leaves my lips a rosy pink - like a lip butter but cheaper. The mirror in the cap in useful too.

Milani Quad in Denim Blues

I know blue people shoudn't really wear blue eyeshadow but who cares? These look pretty on my blue eyes and for a pound in poundland you really can't go wrong.

a few random favourites to finish including my Primark sunnies, wallet from Monki and Butterfly perfume from M&S.

I've also loved  the cranberry lemonade from the latter and have devoured about five bottles on train journeys in the last week alone!

Thanks for reading and I'll be uploading soon - any requests please email to me or leave as a comment - I love to hear from you and will always reply!!

Superdrug Deep Cleansing Fruit Mask | Review and Face Swatch Picture

 I love face masks and mostly buy sachet masks so I can try different ones. This was from Superdrug and it was only 99p (plus buy 3 get one free!).

('scuse the crazy hair; had just returned from a busy London day)

I liked the smell - it was fruity and sweet.

I think it'll last me about 3 uses as it's a big sachet.

It didn't break me out.

However...

it didn't do anything!!!

My skin looked exactly the same and felt exactly the same!

I won't repurchase this but still want to try more from the line!

love Lizzie

ps. bathroom tour/more face mask reviews?

Collection (2000?) Ultimate Fix Compact Foundation in Ivory | Review and Swatch

Is it still Collection 2000 or is it just Collection?

I don't think I've spoken about this yet but I've been using it for a while - I had a day about two months ago where our telly stopped working and I felt really down so I went with my Mum to her later hair appointment and did some late shopping (did I tell this story already?) and so bought this (and a lot of other stuff x).

so... let's get reviewing!

The Facts

3 Shades (Ivory, Honey and Biscuit)

£4.99 from Superdrug and Boots

Cream Compact Foundation

 SPF 15

Collection Says

- Combines concealer, foundation and powder in one, making it even easier to achieve naturally beautiful skin.
- Contains SPF15 to care and shield skin from harmful UV rays.
- Magically transforms from a lightweight solid to liquid foundation, and sets as a matte powder so your skin stays moisturised and looking shine-free for longer.

http://www.collectioncosmetics.co.uk


Opinions

1.) It's extremely easy to apply with a duo-fibre brush (not a sponge!)

2.) It gives really good coverage (medium) without looking at all cakey

3.) It's reasonably priced

4.) It is long-wearing (6-8 hrs)

5.) It's matte (good or bad - up to you?)

6.) The packaging is really useful - the compact conatins space for a sponge and a large mirror.

Overall, I really like this poduct and would recommend it to most skin types, just not the extremes (super dry or super oily) as it does cling to some dry patches if they're flakey and would slide off very oily skins.


Hope you enjoyed the review! Any post requests?

PS You can follow my blog via bloglovin, email and google friend connect!

Nivea Daily Essentials Tinted Moisturising Day Cream in Natural | Review and Swatch

So... this is my first beauty post in a while. I did a bit of shopping over the weekend (oops ..x) and picked up a few bits including this. I'd been eyeing it up for a while and was waiting for it to go on 1/2 price and when it did I snapped it up.

What is good?

Well, it gives more coverage than most tinted moisturisers that I've tried (Stila, Natural Collection) and covers all my redness and hyperpigmentation. It's also enough moisture for me to just use as a day cream over my SPF even with my dryer skin. It's also very glowy and makes my skin look really healthy and dewy and amazing (even if I do say so myself). 

And what is bad?

Okay, so I say glowy and gorgeous but I think the fact of that is because it's a little too dark - this is because there is only one shade 'Natural' however it does sort of blend into your natural skintone. This shade is probably best for medium skintone though! The SPF is pretty poor at only 8 so a seperate SPF is needed for summer. 

So...

I love this product and it works amazingly on my skin - I would highly recommed it to everyone and when it's currently on offer fro £2 you cannot go wrong!

Available from Superdrug for £1.79 and from Boots for £3.66

 http://www.superdrug.com/nivea-visage-tinted-moisturising-creme-50ml/invt/462942

http://www.boots.com/en/Nivea-Daily-Essentials-Tinted-Moisturising-Day-Cream-SPF8-Natural-50ml_851838/

Psst... you can now follow this blog on Bloglovin', via Google Friend Connect and via email - be sure to click the links on the right!

 

Follow 'A Blushing Blonde' on Bloglovin!

Just to let you know that my blog is now ready to be followed via bloglovin!

Come and join the party!

 <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7594513/?claim=cnbwrzjmz45">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

 

20 Random Facts About Me!

 Here are some random facts about me.

 

1. Whenever I laugh I cry - no matter how little I laugh I'll always tear up and people have to ask if I'm okay but I'm always too qiggly to answer.

 

2. I was a Rainbow and a Brownie but never a GirlGuide.

 

3. I go to an all girls private school - it's amazing.

 

4. I love Maths - I'm a mathlete and want to do a maths degree.

 

   5. Salve! I can speak Latin - I learn at school.

6. My bedroom wallpaper has birds on it.

 

7. I have great grandparents and they are fabby!

 

8. I read blogs more than I watch YouTube.

 

9. I prefer Boots to Superdrug (agvantage card points!).

 

10. I'm a member of a Historical Society.

 

11. I've been given many random birthday presents over the years including a pot of pink play-doh and a box of chocolate fingers.

 

12. I love cats but if I was to get a pet it would be a dog - I won't though because my Mum hates animals.

 

13. My uncle on my dad's side lives in Japan.

 

14. I am an only child and the only female grandchild.

 

15. I am obsessed with cleansing and have so many cleansers.

 

16. My hair is a really weird colour - it's light blonde on the top but gets almost deep brown underneath.

 

17. I swim once a week with school and HATE it!!! My teacher is evil and we have to swim 8 lengths warm-up.

 

18. My dad has black hair but when he was younger he was light blonde.

 

19. I am well travelled - I have been to Japan, Wales, Ireland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland, Croatia, Greece and Austria.

20. I am a read-o-holic and I read 2-3 books a week - I'm currently on Wolf Hall.