Skincare Empties #1

We've all got them skincare products we couldn't live without don't we? Whether it's a cheap moisturiser or a full on cleansing kit, there are just some items that we buy religiously. 

Over the past month, I've been compiling a list of products which I feel have become staples for my skin in general. All the items included vary in price and can work on different types of skin.

1.Nivea In-Shower Moisturiser

To be honest, I've been using Nivea's in shower moisturiser for as long as I can remember now. I'm quite lazy when it comes to moisturising various parts of my skin which isn't my face, not going to lie, so being able to moisturise whilst in the shower saves a least 10 minutes off my normal routine. Despite having to rinse it off, you can genuinely feel the cream working into your skin - leaving it soft to touch. I would recommend that you thoroughly rinse off all the product once applied however, as I have been known to get the occasional blemish when in a rush.

2. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Cleansing Water is brilliant really isn't it? It helps you remove make up without having to complete a full cleanse, and does more when wipes just won't suffice. I personally use the Garnier Micellar Water to remove my eye make up as I feel it is more gentle on the delicate areas of my skin, yet is successful in preventing a panda look the next day whilst generally soothing my under eyes. They do need a lot of soothing, believe me.

Side note: if you aren't in a rush with your bedtime routine, I recommend the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish to remove make up. Bloggers have been raving about it for years and I promise you won't be left disappointed.

3. Neutrogena Body Wash
I've recommended the Neutrogena Body Wash before, and honestly it is still a firm favourite of mine. Since using it, any blemishes on my shoulders and back have been kept to a minimum and the product doesn't irritate the rest of my skin. With it's combination of acne fighting benefits and citrusy smell, I think I'll be repurchasing this wash for a long time to come.

4. St. Ives Facial Scrub
I've always preferred using a facial wash/scrub in the morning rather than cleansing. I suppose it just makes me feel more awake and prepares my skin for the day - aka, trying to avoid cosmetics which make me look like a streaky mess by the end of the day. The scrub is for blemish prone skin and whilst you are only meant to use it a few times a week, I find using a pea sized amount on a morning can really make a difference. Since using the wash, I have found that my spots are kept to a minimum and my skin feels really refreshed. As St. Ives do products for various types of skin, I whole heartedly recommend you try out something which could work for you.

5. La Roche-Posay Imperfection Corrector
Prior to receiving a La Roche gift set last Christmas, I hadn't actually heard of the brand. It's probably just me being rather ignorant and if they have been round for a while, then more fool me! Since using the corrector morning and night, I have noticed a big improvement with marks left on my face due to blemishes - especially on the worst area, my chin. The product doesn't get rid of acne, that's what their wash is for, but it does wonders for the overall appearance of my skin.

6. Soap & Glory Body Scrub (Sugar Crush)
Another long time favourite of mine, I always use this whilst in the shower. The exfoliant is great for leaving skin smooth and smelling like citrusy bliss. This has genuinely led me to encouraging other people to smell my legs, yep. I also find it isn't overly abrasive and will suit most skin types. This combined with Nivea's in shower moisturiser will make you feel like a dolphin, gracefully leaping in and out of the ocean. Though genuine finesse is not included, that would be up to you I'm afraid!

If you do use any of these products, don't be afraid to let me know what you think!

Victoria

P.S. - if you could check out my latest YouTube video, I'd really appreciate it! <3

Nighttime routine/products

 (The girl in the picture may not be the perfect representation of me, but it's bloody close)

Bedtime. Getting ready for bed is something I can't say I particularly enjoy, it's pretty much just something I have to do to  prevent myself waking up a bit of a mess. It does however tend to help me wind down, which does help a bit when you're an insomnia sufferer. So basically, these are the products I generally use!

Yes, I did also put my contact solution in there, why? Well I don't actually know really, but I don't particularly fancy sleeping with my contacts still on.

Firstly, I use my Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish hot cloth cleanser. I've being using this cleansing wash for a few years now, and I honestly couldn't imagine using anything different. The cream is very gentle on my skin and gets every last bit of make up off my face with ease. I will admit that I do use a flannel instead their muslin cloth as I find them far easier to clean. It's slightly on the pricier side compared to some other cleansers out there, but in my opinion it's worth every penny.

I prefer to use a different product on my eyes since the skin is thinner and more delicate and a cleansing water, with cotton pads, is a brilliant alternative in my opinion. I've only being using the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water for a few weeks now and I do have to praise this product for completely removing  my eye make up. (Trust me, as a heavy eyeliner user that can be a challenge). I feel that the formula is also quite moisturising to an extent and it's definitely very gentle on my skin.

I tend to use the Clearasil pads after I've cleansed, especially if my skin is being the equivalent of a toddler having a tantrum, being very red and angry. It feels really refreshing and gets right into my pores, so I feel like my skin can really breathe. I wouldn't recommend these pads if you have very sensitive skin however, as it can be very tingly and they are quite strong.

Origins products have definitely become a staple of mine since my last review of them. This isn't something I use everyday (I'd literally look like I'd attacked my face with a blow torch) but I generally use the Modern Friction scrub at the weekend and on no make up days. Again, the scrub helps my skin when it gets slightly out of control and angry, a.k.a red and spotty. Honestly, I'm beginning to think my face is going to anger therapy sessions at this point.

Lastly, I use the Night-A-Mins to moisturise my face. I think if you have very oily skin, this product might be slightly on the heavier side, but it honestly works wonders at keeping my skin hydrated while I sleep.

I will say that this routine does tend to fall through when I've been on a night out. Luckily, I am yet to wake up with an orange pillow, but sometimes I'm just too tired to even use wipes. I know, very naughty. I did however manage to get a good few scrubs with a wipe this morning at 3am.. are you proud of me Charlotte?

Let me know if you have any other nighttime products recommendations as I love trying out new creams/lotions etc. Thanks for reading!

Victoria ♥

BB Cream Comparison | Normal/Combination Skin

BB Creams have been on the market for a while now and are definitely nothing new.
For me, these creams are a somewhat tinted moisturiser with slightly more coverage. That being said, I was really interested in trying these products as I feel wearing foundation nearly everyday cannot be the most kind way to treat your skin.
Because of this I decided to go out on a whim and try these three products.

From left to right: Rimmel, Garnier & Maybelline

Rimmel

When looking at Rimmel's BB Creams this one stood out to me due to the statement of a matte finish. Due to my skin being oilier in my T-zone I always tend to go for foundations which have a more matte finish (excluding Rimmel's Wake Me Up foundation which I use in summer). I found this product on the slightly runnier side, but it glides on my skin extremely well and does stay put for a long period of time. The shade I used is in Very Light and would make me look slightly washed out (or dying) if used in the summer, but it is perfect for the winter months.

I doubt the product fulfills it's 9 in 1 claim but it does have slight coverage and is great if you are just popping to the shops are taking the dog to the park. 8/10 

Garnier
To be honest when purchasing this item I was not aware that Garnier did a cream from combination/oily skin, so I will do my best to review this as if my skin were not. When applying this cream I noticed that even though the tube says light, the liquid went on slightly too dark for my fair skin tone - I would suggest this is more of a medium colour.
The product would probably look best when I'm wearing fake tan.
Take note of the picture below.
When applied all over I do notice that the formula does my skin a nice glow however and would be perfect if used on holiday to somewhere warm and sunny (would probably help if there was SPF too but hey-ho). I do find this does not have the same lasting power as the other two products and my face does start to get a bit more shiny at the end of the day. (Probably would have helped if you bought the correct formula Vicky)
While this product does bring luminosity to my skin and has good coverage, I feel the lasting power isn't all that great and the shade is way off for the light claim. 6/10

Maybelline
Out of all three products this one was definitely my favourite. This BB Cream has a fabulous texture when placed on the skin and feels really smooth. It also does not dry out my cheeks even though it is specifically for oily skin. The shade of the product was also closest to my natural skin tone. Again, the coverage is good but doesn't really beat foundation and I will say it lasts a long time on my skin but does tend to go slightly oily on my T-zone. The 8 in 1 statement probably doesn't do all it suggests but the salicylic acid in the product is great if I have a break out - though I have noticed little difference of change in my spots when I use this formula.
If the cream had slightly more coverage and lasting power I would honestly consider it perfect. 9/10

I'm glad I decided to try BB Creams as for me it is a perfect replacement for foundation when I don't want to go barefaced but don't feel like wearing a lot of make up.
I would not recommend replacing these creams over foundations all together though, as on a night out I prefer full coverage and I feel a more dramatic look would a bit out of place with just some cream on my face.

If you have tried/wear any of these products as well as BB Creams in general please do let me know what you thought of them. Thanks for reading!

Victoria ♥