Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser Review for Combination Skin

Guilty as charged. For a good 12 months I massively neglected my skin, I wet-wiped it every single day and although I'm a massive advocate of wet wipes rather than nothing I realised the importance of even a half decent skincare routine when I noticed my skin looking really dull and lack-lustre. Don't get me wrong I think tiredness and stress contributed to some of that but having spoken to an assistant in Sephora she made me realise that the fact that my skin wouldn't keep makeup looking decent probably was nothing to do with the fact that I didn't use primer (still bought one though obviously because: mini sizes strategically placed near the till!!!).

Anyway, I raised my concerns about not wanting anything too heavy and oily or at the other end of the spectrum: a cleanser that would strip my skin of all natural oils but would suit my combination skin because I've had one too many bad experiences with cleansers that have caused problems, mainly breakouts. After trying plenty of different types I finally settled on the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser and I've been using it for a little over a month now so I thought it was the perfect time to share my thoughts.

Firstly can I just say that Kiehl's packaging is the one. I love how simplistic and no-nonsense it is. This squeezy bottle has all the ingredients and directions for use on the front which makes up the packaging design itself.

When I first tried this in the Sephora sinks I thought it was foaming which is an instant no go for me because I'm a firm believer that anything foaming strips your skin way too much but it's actually not foaming in the strictest sense, it's a gel kind of formula which is actually really soothing on the skin. It can't be used on your eyes which is a slight pain in the bum but because I really like the cleansing action of this I'm willing to overlook it. As with most cleansers you wet your face first, squeeze a small amount of product onto your fingertips and massage into your face with circular motions. I then rinse off with clean, warm water and then remove any excess product with a clean flannel.

The Kiehl's no-nonsense approach also extends to the ingredients and the lack of huge amounts of perfume etc. is clear in the scent of the cleanser - it smells soapy as opposed to overpoweringly fragranced which is reassuring. The foaming agent is a sugar derived glycoside which, without sounding like I know exactly what I'm talking about where ingredients are concerned, means that it doesn't strip the skin like regular foaming agents do so although my skin feels cleansed and makeup/dirt free after using it, it doesn't feel like it's squeaky clean (because as Caroline Hirons says: you should never aim for squeaky clean anything, whether it be skin or hair). It contains soothing emollients (things which soften the skin) such as apricot kernel oil, avocado oil and vitamin E to ensure that your skin doesn't feel starved of moisture after washing.

For me this is the perfect cleanser to use both morning and night for my normal/oily skin and (not surprisingly) I've found that it gives me the perfect base for applying makeup. Using this has given me a new found confidence to actually try other products from the Kiehl's brand so the Ultra Facial Cream is looking like a promising candidate when I've finished my current moisturiser. It also comes in two sizes on the Kiehl's website: 75ml (£9.50) which is the perfect travel size or if you want to kind of try before you buy or they also do the full size 150ml for £16.50 which doesn't break the bank too much where skincare is concerned.

Essential Daily Products

Daily essentials can sometimes be a bit overlooked when it comes to sharing the things you love and use regularly, mainly because that can of deodorant or whatever just isn't quite as pretty as the latest Naked eyeshadow palette is it? But ultimately, the basic stuff you use every day needs to be stuff that you actually like and stuff that works for you so although I don't have a huge daily routine of products, this is mainly what I use every single day...

The Body Shop Tea Tree Night Lotion £10.00 (The Body Shop)

Lancome Hydra Zen Moisturiser £41.00 (Feel Unique)

Admittedly, the Tea Tree lotion has come out in force again just recently because my skin has decided to have a bit of a tantrum and numerous spots have decided to appear on my chin. Tea Tree oil can be good for targeting particular spots to help clear them up but this gel-like lotion provides light hydration while calming your skin so you don't get the dryness that sometimes come with clearing spots up. 

The Hydra Zen is what I use in a morning before applying makeup, it provides just the right amount of moisturising without making my face look oily. It also helps to reduce any redness and soothes sensitive skin. I really struggled to find a moisturiser that was suited to my face and I discovered this through a little mini I got in a Christmas set so although this is quite pricey it's worth it for me because it works. 

Caudalie Vine Body Butter £21.00 Feel Unique

Dove Go Fresh Pear & Aloe Vera Deodorant* £2.00 Boots

Although I do use the Caudalie Body Butter on a daily basis I'm now using it rather sparingly because I'm almost out of it and I really do like how this smells. It's really thick and creamy and is perfect for putting on after a shower because it absorbs really quickly but still makes your skin feel nicely moisturised. There's no stickiness which can sometimes come with using a butter and the scent is quite light but really distinctive. 

One of the newest fragrances from Dove is Pear and Aloe Vera, I wouldn't have normally gone for a fruity kind of scent but this really surprised me with how nice it smells and it does a good job of keeping you fresh throughout the day!

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes £2.00 Boots

A very, very old favourite. I rarely ever stray from Simple face wipes simply because I know they suit my skin and they are moist enough to be really refreshing when you just need something to wake you up in a morning. I know removing makeup with face wipes is supposed to be a cardinal sin but sometimes a full on cleansing routine day and night... ain't nobody got time for that. 

The Body Shop Superfood Face Masks

The pinnacle of at home pampering, for me, has to be the face mask. It's the part of a facial that anyone can do with little or no skills; you just smooth it on and relax for 10 minutes while it works its magic. The only trouble is, that most face masks only address one or two skin complaints so I tend to always go for the ones which are most suited to what I want to target which is usually something to do with detoxing and dealing with blemishes. 

However, The Body Shop are exactly on point with their latest idea. 

Their idea of using several masks at the same time means that you don't have to use one masks as a 'blanket' treatment for your whole face.. Their new range of face masks consists of five different Superfood masks, each of them packed with natural ingredients and formulated to address different skin issues. Each of the Superfood face masks is 100% vegetarian and free of silicone, parabens, paraffins and mineral oils to ensure that what you're putting on your face is 100% natural. 

Whether it's detoxifying, hydrating, nourishing, brightening or energising, or a combination of the five, there should be something for you in the Superfood range because what you can actually do is create your own at-home facial based on your own skin complaints. 

Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

Good for: releasing impurities and toxins

Amazonian Acai Energising Radiance Mask

Good for: energising skin which is tired and stressed

British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask

Good for: revealing a dewy glow

Ethiopian Honey Deep Nourishing Mask

Good for: a dose of replenishing nourishment

Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Mask

Good for: dull skin in need of a pick-me-up

I personally struggle with an oily t-zone but dehydrated, blemished cheeks so the Hydrate and Invigorate facial is what I tried first which inclues the British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask, the Chinese Ginseng and Rice Clarifying and Polishing Mask and the Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask.

Each of the masks is used to target a different 'problem' so obviously you apply accordingly; I put the Himalayan Charcoal on my nose and forehead (t-zone), the British Rose on my cheeks and the Chinese Ginseng and Rice on my chin. So in the 15 minutes I left it all on it was addressing 3 different problems rather than using a single mask as a 'blanket' treatment.

The separate face masks are absolutely perfect for me because I usually just apply masks to my t-zone as I usually buy clay based treatments to try and sort out my oily, blemish prone skin but I love the fact that now I can treat my dehydrated cheeks at the same time.

The masks are £15 each and available now from the Body Shop website.

Blogger Beauty Box

If you haven't already heard, Blogger Beauty Box is a monthly box with contents sourced by one of our very own beauty bloggers: Vix Meldrew. She works very hard to try and get the best brands, both new and existing, to get involved with the box and it's only £10 delivered which is at least £2-3 cheaper than other beauty boxes on the market. But just because it's cheaper don't think that quality has been compromised, this month (October) the box contained 3 full sized products and 2 deluxe samples which I think is fab. 

Blogger Beauty Box, £10 (find out more details)

Puriskin Resurfacing Formula - I was quite excited when I saw this in the box because it mentions the ability to help improve the appearance of skin which has been damaged by acne, stretch marks, burns etc. I make no secret of the fact that I suffer with acne (both active and scarring) on my face and back (at almost 25 I do wish it would do one!!) and I have weight gain stretch marks so I'm looking forward to seeing what this can do.

Elizabeth Grant Supreme Essence of Torricelumn - Not gonna lie, I'm a bit confused as to what this actually is; it says to apply before moisturiser which makes me think that it's a serum. It claims to have powerful anti-ageing properties which I know should be something I should probably start thinking about but in all honesty I don't think this will be for me unfortunately. 

John Gosnell's The Original Vitamin E Cream - The design of the little tub was the first thing that drew me to it; it's got a retro feel to it, simple and no fuss. On first impressions the cream is really light, easily absorbed by the skin and has a subtle but pleasant fragrance. I'll definitely be giving this a proper test run, fingers crossed my skin agrees with it!

Xenca Perfection Lipstick - The packaging of this reminds me of Tarte lipsticks, it's kind of like strong cardboard which is quite fitting as Xenca is an organic brand. The colour 'Candy' really isn't my shade, as you can probably imagine it's a light pink which isn't something I'll ever wear which is a shame because the pigmentation and formula of the lipstick is actually quite nice. 

P&G Organic Facial Cleansing Oil - Another natural and organic product this cleansing oil is packed with peach kernal, sweet orange and lavender and smells beautiful. A little obviously goes a long way and it's easy to apply with the dropper, I reckon this will be another product I'll have a go with because I've ready reviews which say that it helped to calm their acne down!

In terms of value for money I'm very impressed with the Blogger Beauty Box and I think Vix does so well to curate so many products from a wide range of brands. Obviously not all the products in the box impressed me but isn't that what monthly boxes are all about; finding out what you do/don't like?! 

Simple Skincare Routine for Combination Skin

I think we're all a bit guilty of slapping product after product onto our face with the mentality that more equals better looking skin but just lately I've really cut back on the products I use on my face on a day to day basis and I have to say that not only am I loving not having to spend so much time, I'm also loving how my skin has been reacting to it. I've cut it right back to just two products both morning and night with two midweek face masks.

REN Clearcalm Clay Cleanser (£19.00) - This is an old favourite which I first bought around 2 years ago and I decided to get myself another bottle after I ran out of my Bee Good Cream Cleanser because I just fancied a bit of a change. This is still working just as well for me as it did when I first bought it; removing makeup and leaving my skin feeling fresh and clean whilst keeping it as clear as it's going to be. If you know REN then you'll know that they don't contain any parabens, sulphates, mineral oils or synthetic fragrances so they're generally good if you have problem skin, I also find this really calming on any redness I might have due to the clay element. I did a full REN Clearcalm Clay Cleanser review if you fancy a more in depth read into it.

Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus* (£32.00) - It's been just over a month since I started using this and I've been 100% loving it which has surprised me because if I'd have had to pick from the range of products on the Jurlique website I definitely would not have chosen this. It was actually picked for me by one of the experts at Jurlique because I mentioned that although I have an oily t-zone, I also have dehydrated cheeks which is where this product excels because it addresses both problems. The water-gel formula is brilliantly lightweight and doesn't over moisturise the areas where I don't need it but the Rosehip oil targets the dehydrated areas to leave my face with just the right amount of moisture everywhere.

Superfacialist by Una Brennan Anti Blemish Mask (£8.99) & Jurlique Purifying Mask* (£45.00) - I use each of these on a weekly rotation basis because I like how both of them make my skin feel although I do think that the Jurlique one is a little gentler on my skin and they're both very different in terms of how they apply and what they look like but as I say they both work well for me. I do think the Una Brennan one is marginally better for helping with blemishes due to the salicylic acid content but as for a deep cleanse Jurlique does a great job.

Each and every one of these products deserves a full review so I will get round to that at some point but in the meantime I just wanted to let you all know how much I'm loving my skincare cut backs. It's shown me that less can be more where skincare is concerned and that layering lotions and potions doesn't mean that your skin is going to look or feel any better. I obviously know that cleanser and moisturiser are an absolute essential to me but as anything else is a bit of a bonus really, not that i'm suggesting that I'll never pick up a toner, facial mist or a liquid exfoliant ever again though, that'd be a bit daft.

How to Use Nuxe Reve De Miel

If you follow me on Twitter you might have seen that I've been struggling a little bit with getting along with Nuxe Reve De Miel lip balm which has been raved about no end by the beauty blogging community. I bought it after reading review after review of people saying how wonderful it was and how they couldn't live without it but when I first started using it I couldn't help but wonder why they'd said it because I was pretty much on the verge of hating it. No matter how little I used it just looked weird on my lips, it made them go a funny colour and made it look like i'd somehow buffed concealer or foundation into my lips and then slapped vaseline on top. Not attractive. But obviously I'd paid the best part of a tenner for it so I wasn't going to give up that easy!

There are of course things that I like about the product; it smells amazing, just like chocolate orange and the formula is really rich so it is a nourishing lip balm but I just don't like wearing it out and about because it's too heavy and like I say I feel like it looks a bit weird. So I decided that instead of using this during the day I would have it by my bed so I could use it after my night time skincare routine and after I've brushed my teeth so that it has time to work over night and it doesn't matter what it looks or feels like on my lips. This little plan has worked really well for me and my lips feel much better and they are so much easier to apply lip products onto. 

I wouldn't personally have this as a handbag essential (I know that some do) but it'll be on my bedside table for as long as there's still some in the pot. They actually have this on offer on Escentual at the moment where they have 1/3 off all Nuxe products so if there was ever a time to try Reve de Miel then now would be it because rather than the RRP of £9.50 it's now only £6.50.

Dealing with Combination Skin

I make no secret of the fact that my skin is quite frankly a bit of a pain in the arse; I struggle quite a lot with blemishes and I have the most awkward skin type ever - it's combination with dehydrated patches which makes it really hard to deal with in terms of what products I can use. However, without putting a total jinx on the situation I am pleased to announce that I am going through quite a good time with my skin at the moment; it's looking clearer than it has for months and there doesn't seem to be any angry redness or dry flakey patches and it's not looking overly shiny in my t-zone which is pretty much unheard of for me! After having a long hard think I think I've narrowed it down to a few things that have really helped my situation and surprisingly (to me, probably not to skincare pros) it's not just down to products.

Cutting down on dairy - I'd heard on the grapevine that dairy is linked to acne and other skin problems but I never actually considered that it might be affecting my skin because I've always had dairy products and never given it a second thought. However, over the last 3 weeks I've cut down massively on my dairy intake; I was going to go dairy free but then realised that eradicating cheese and yoghurts completely from my life was too much for me to think about (even though I haven't actually had any cheese for 2 of the weeks and I haven't noticed it) so I've just stopped having regular milk and I'm slowly working my way through trying different types of milk replacement products like soya, almond and coconut milks. As I mentioned in my recent favourites post, I've been absolutely loving Alpro Chocolate milk and it really surprised me how nice it actually is. I'm going to carry on trying different dairy alternatives and see what works with me because I feel like it's really helping my skin; to think I might have been living with some kind of dairy intolerance and never realised is quite weird!

REN Clearcalm Clay Cleanser - I repurchased this after not using it for a good year or so and I've totally rekindled my love for it. It's so gentle yet it removes every bit of makeup (even when I've broke out the big guns for a night out) and I think the clay element is really calming on my skin without actually having to leave a product on my skin for any length of time. Although I can't deny I love my Bee Good cream cleanser this has also been working brilliantly for my skin and it's nice to remember that I don't just have to stick to one product that works.

Face Masks - I've been using two just lately that my skin seems to have really thanked me for: the Una Brennan Superfacialist clay mask that I mentioned the other day and also a Jurlique Purifying Mask. I use each of these at least once per week because not only do I find the whole face mask experience really relaxing I also think that they're keeping my skin calm and decongested. I also believe that the Superfacialist mask is helping with the dehydration on my cheeks because they don't seem anywhere near as bad as they were and any old blemishes have disappeared without spending a week or more just sat being all dry, flakey and ugly on my face.

Gel Lotion Moisturiser - I wouldn't dream of using a really heavy moisturiser, similarly I didn't think I'd dream of ever using a moisturiser containing oil, however I've been using Jurlique Rose Moisture Gel Lotion for a good 2 weeks now and my skin seems to be responding really well to it. Any combination/oily skinned folks out there will know how daunting it is to start using any product containing oils on already oily skin but it has really helped to even out my skin because it's treating my dehydrated cheeks whilst not being too heavy because it's still a gel lotion as opposed to a heavy cream.

Changing my pillowcase twice per week - Until about 6 months ago I never considered my pillowcase to be a breeding ground for bacteria but after realising that I kept getting spots on the same side of my face funnily enough it turned out to be the same side that I spend most time on in bed so now I make sure that I change my pillowcase at least twice per week because I don't think that even once per week is enough. One day I'll invest in a silk pillowcase but until I can bring myself to shell out £40 I'll stick to buying cheap ones and rotating them more often.

So there are the four things that I think are contributing to my surprisingly good looking skin. I feel like I've jinxed it massively now and I'm going to wake up in the morning with the mother of all breakouts, I hope not though because I'm enjoying feeling like I have skin which resembles some kind of normal - it's proving much easier to apply makeup on!

Face Mask to Calm Skin

For one reason or another (usually either because I've eaten too much sugar or it's 'that time of the month') my skin sometimes just says no. I break out in angry red spots and my face just hurts. It's during these times that I need something that is going to provide me with some kind of relief before I try and scratch my face off (I'm an absolute bugger for picking spots and I really need to stop it!). Just over a week ago I had a horrible break out on my hands; I had painful red spots on my cheeks and chin which were really getting me down - they were difficult to cover with makeup and they were actually really painful but there was no sign of anything that I should squeeze (squeezing spots when there's no 'head' gets really messy, believe me) so I knew I needed something to purge whatever it was out of my skin and calm down the redness but without drying my skin out totally.

Enter Super Facialist by Una Brennan.

When choosing face masks I always look for 2 key words; clay and salicylic acid. When some people see acid they run a mile thinking that you shouldn't be putting it on your face but salicylic is a good acid which can really help your skin out if you're suffering a breakout. Clay absorbs excess sebum (awful word), bacterial and various other toxins from your skin so it's perfect for helping to clear blemishes. The Anti Blemish Mask by Una Brennan has both of these and it's very affordable at £8.99 so I figured it'd be a good choice.

Like most face masks you apply it to a cleansed face and leave it on for 10 minutes (packaging says 5, I prefer 10). It's quite tingly for the first couple of minutes which I like because it makes me feel like it's working; from what I gather from skin gurus like The Hirons, tingling is good, burning is not so good so I was quite happy with the feeling - it didn't concern me. Even after 10 minutes the mask never dries fully on me and I'm not quite sure why but I doubt that it actually makes a difference.

After just one use my skin felt loads better; it reduced the size of the spots and hydrated my skin wonderfully. You know sometimes when you take off a face mask your face feels tight, well that doesn't happen with this, my skin just feels soft as a babies bum. I have a bit of a problem with blackheads on my nose and these have been visibly reduced with this mask which has made applying makeup much easier.

I'll definitely repurchase this because I think it's really helping my skin to calm down and stay calm; my cheeks are definitely not as red as they were before and the spots that I had a week ago are nowhere to be seen, not even a bump or any dry skin so a definite thumbs up from me. It should be pretty easy to find as well because Una Brennan products are available in most larger Boots stores and obviously Boots online (I ordered mine online and got free in store collection).

Skincare for Combination Skin Bee Good Honey & Wild Flax Moisturiser

It's no secret that I'm a massive fan of Bee Good as a brand and I've pretty much tried (and loved) most of their products so it should come as no surprise that their Honey & Wild Flax moisturiser* has quickly become one of my favourites. I've been using it for a good couple of months now and I'm just finishing the tube so I decided now was the time to tell you what I think about it...

Having combination/oily skin means that I don't always feel like I need to wear moisturiser but just recently I think the cold weather has really affected my skin in the fact that my cheeks feel quite dry so this has really helped to even out the feel of my skin making it easier to apply makeup onto; without this my foundation can look quite cakey and feels quite uncomfortable. For me it's the perfect formula which ensures that I feel nicely moisturised throughout the day without getting any excessive oil breakthrough. I also find it quite soothing when my skin has flared up due to it being 'that time of the month' because I can get some really angry spots especially in my chin area. Because it's so light it is quickly absorbed by my skin and doesn't leave any sticky feeling afterwards; it's perfect for anyone who finds that gel formulas are too little yet thick heavy creams are too much.

Bee Good as a brand don't use any SLS, parabens, mineral oil, synthetic colours or silicone in their products so there's 5 potential breakout causing nasties that you don't need to worry about with this moisturiser. It does have a fragrance to it but it's not strong it's really soft and pleasant so I never worried about that being a problem when I first started using it. 

The fact that I've cut it open to get every last drop out is testimony to how much I absolutely love this product. As a beauty blogger we all know that this won't be the last moisturiser I'll ever try but it's on the very limited list of products which I know I can always fall back on because I know they work 100% for me. I'll always make sure I've got a tube of this in my collection just as a back up because although it's not cheap at £19.50, it's definitely affordable and puts my mind at ease to know that I've always got something which agrees with my skin completely. 

Bee Good Skincare for Combination Skin

There aren't many things/brands that I rave about continuously and I like to think that I'm quite selective in what I say I 'love' on my blog because I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking that something is brilliant when it's really not. But Bee Good honestly is a brand which is too good to ignore in my opinion. 

It's obviously not the first time I've mentioned their products on my blog; I was first introduced to them when I was kindly sent a sample of Bee Good Cream Cleanser which I still love to this day and will continue to repurchase until the cows come home because it takes makeup off excellently but it's also gentle enough for my sensitive, blemish prone skin. I've also been using their daily moisturiser for the last couple of months and I've also fallen totally in love with that because it provides just the exact amount of moisture that my skin needs without making my skin look too oily and it doesn't block my pores or cause blemishes (if anything I'd probably say it calmed my skin when I started using it). Both their cream cleanser and moisturiser have a really lovely luxurious but soothing scent to them but I don't feel that they're over-scented like some skincare products can be. 

Obviously the fact that they're a British company is another reason why I love Bee Good as a brand. Also, they never test on animals, they don't hurt bees during the process of making their products, they never use synthetic colours, mineral oil, silicone, SLS/SLES or parabens AND they plough a share of their profits back into beekeeping causes and the education of young bee farmers.

Their skincare is more suited to those with normal or combination skin but they also do a range of hand care and lip care so even if their facial skincare isn't suitable for you, you could always try one of their other ranges. Every single product is under £20 so they're very purse friendly and they also have an offer on at the moment where you get a free travel sized cream cleanser when you spend £10 or more so there's another reason for you to try Bee Good! 

My skin is quite selective when it comes to what I put on it so in my eyes, for me to really rave about a brand/products as much as I have with Bee Good, it speaks volumes really. 

La Roche Posay Effaclar Anti-Blemish System for combination spot prone skin

I started using this La Roche Posay Anti-Blemish System at the end of August so I think after 4 weeks I've used it long enough to know how it's working for me. I did a post about it here but just to recap it's a 3 step kit consisting of a foaming gel cleanser, clarifying toner and a corrective serum type product. As you'll all probably know, I've been battling with acne and blemishes since I was 13 and although my skin has cleared up considerably I still get the odd 'attack' and at the time of starting to use this my skin was having a meltdown so it was the perfect time to put something like this to the test...

La Roche Posay Effaclar 3 Step Anti-Blemish System £32.50 Boots
Did it help to reduce blemishes?
I'll start by saying that I have been using this through two 'cycles' so therefore I should have technically had two menstrual breakouts on my chin within this time. However, I have actually only had one spot which was anything to shout about which is VERY good for me. The only thing it hasn't helped with is blackheads, they unfortunately remain unchanged and still continue to plague my nose. tsk.
Did it improve the appearance of your skin?
I used to have quite a bit of redness from acne scarring and I think this has improved, I could now get away with a lighter foundation if I wanted to as it doesn't take as much to give an even colour all over my face. The reduction in excess oil was also noticeable without drying my skin out which is a refreshing change because some products which claim to reduce oil will strip your skin within an inch of it's life!
What did you think of the individual products?

Foaming Gel Cleanser: I'm not a fan of foaming cleansers and I have to admit that my opinion hasn't really changed because using this meant that I had to use a separate eye makeup remover (I'm all about the quick and easy cleanse) and although my skin did feel clean when I used this I couldn't help but go back to my old favourite Bee Good Cream Cleanser for my night cleanse. However, I decided to use this just for my morning cleanse as I never need to remove eye makeup in the morning and I think it really contributes massively to the reduction of oil on my face. 

Clarifying Toner: I really, really like this. Toner was always the step I tended to skip in any skincare regime but I forced myself to remember to use this while I was trying out this kit; it's clarifying but not drying and it does do a great job of removing any residual cleanser or grime from your face. Lots of blemish fighting toners on the market are full of alcohol which can strip your face of natural oils which can then make it over produce oil (ain't nobody got time for that!!).

Effaclar Duo +: This has been the main game changer for me, I've been using it as a primer after moisturiser and I really love it. It is absorbed instantly by my skin without leaving it feeling tight, and although it doesn't fill your pores (like some primers do) it does give you a great base for your makeup to stick to.
What were your overall thoughts of the kit?
I think kits like this are all about making them work for you and I would say that if you struggle with blemishes and problem skin then you would find a way to make each of these products work in your favour. Although I don't use the cleanser morning and night as the instructions suggest you should, it works much better for me just as a morning cleanse. At £32.50 for a full skincare system I don't think you can go far wrong with this and you also can't buy the toner separately which for me is a reason to buy this kit in itself! 
If you are struggling with your skin and you're at the end of your tether thinking you've tried everything then I really do recommend La Roche Posay; it's gentle yet effective stuff and it doesn't break the bank.
Have you tried any La Roche Posay products?

Affordable Skincare in Supermarkets

Having a one-stop-shop for all your needs in life is pretty convenient, if you've ever been to Walmart in America you'll know the true meaning of 'everything under one roof' because that place is unreal. We don't have that pleasure in England just yet but our supermarkets have been stocking much more than just fruit and veg for some time now. Until recently, the range of beauty products available has been pretty limited to the 'big name brands' but as of 29th August Waitrose have started stocking one of my favourite skincare brands...

I don't need to go on about how much I love Bee Good products but the fact that they're made in Britain with ingredients from British Bees is enough to get my attention in the first place. Their Honey & Propolis 2 in 1 Cream Cleanser is a product that I've repurchased from their website because I love it so much but knowing that I can get it in an actual store makes picking up a tube just that little bit easier.  Being stocked in a supermarket is obviously great for Bee Good as a brand because I would imagine that unless you read blogs you might not know about it (I know if I hadn't been blogging I might not have ever discovered Bee Good!). And what is more convenient than being able to grab some great skincare products along with your milk and eggs?!

Origins Clear Improvement Mask Review

Origins has been a brand I’ve been wanting to try for a long time but i’ve just never made that final push to commit to anything full size. My skin is pretty sensitive and I try and stick to what I know when it comes to skincare just in case it breaks me out so to be buying full sized skincare products willy-nilly would be a bit daft because I could guarantee that at least 50% of them probably wouldn’t agree with my skin. 

Origins face masks have always intrigued me; I’ve seen lots of rave reviews about Drink Up Intensive and Clear Improvement but I’ve never made the £23 commitment to a full size tube. So when I realised that they actually do a travel sized set of Clear Improvement masks I had to get a pack!

Origins Clear Improvement Mask to Go £8.00 Origins
Origins Clear Improvement is formulated with active charcoal to help draw out the dirt clogging your pores, to reveal a brighter complexion. Inside the box there are 4 little one use pods of Clear Improvement mask which makes them perfect for popping in your travel bag or for just trying them. The fact that they’re in pods rather than sachets makes them SO much easier to apply, I really dislike how sachets are so messy… when your hands are wet and you’re trying to open them… they’re just not great! 
Anyway, how does this work? 
Well I think the important thing with any product is to go in with an open mind and not to expect miracles; that way you won't get disappointed as easily. When I first applied this I was having problems with my skin, I'd used something which had made it go a little crazy in the spot department and I had lots of blemishes around my chin and mouth area (not attractive). I've now used this twice and I do feel like it's made a difference to my skin; it hasn't performed miracles and my spots didn't just disappear as soon as I washed the mask off but it has definitely helped to calm my skin. I don't have anywhere near as much angry redness going on, the spots have dried out and I don't have any active blemishes anymore.  Overall I'd say that this is great if your skin is feeling red, angry and distressed, having said that, I still don't think I'd buy a full sized tube of it but I would definitely recommend the travel pods if you've been wanting to try it. I really want to try the Origins Out of Trouble mask but unfortunately they don't do the little travel pods in that one.

La Roche Posay Anti-Blemish Skincare System

If you're into skincare then you'll be no stranger to French Pharmacy brand 'La Roche Posay'. Now quite widely available on the UK high street, La Roche Posay are famous for their Effaclar Duo which has been a skincare favourite among bloggers for a while now but when it comes to cleansing and toning, LRP have been somewhat forgotten about until now...

 La Roche Posay Effaclar 3 Step Anti-Blemish System* £32.50

With the release of the new Effaclar Skincare Sysem, La Roche Posay are offering those with sensitive, oily and blemish prone skin an answer to their problems. Tell tale signs of problem skin include blemishes, clogged/enlarged pores, excess oil, uneven/rough skin and red/brown marks are all targeted with this new skincare system. These three steps have been selected and formulated to 'dramatically improve skin' within 4 weeks or you get your money back.
Obviously they wouldn't make a bold claim like that without researching first; a 3 month trial saw 100 female participants assess the kit both by their own evaluation and also through clinical evaluation. 88% said it provided an immediate mattifying effect, 82% said it was well tolerated by their skin and 80% said it provided an immediate hydrating effect... 
.... Of course you'll know by now that I like to put these claims to the test so for 4 weeks I will be using this as my skincare regime morning and night to see what difference it makes to my skin. I have high hopes for it as I know Effaclar Duo + does work so I'm thinking that adding an Effaclar cleanser and toner will work well. My skin has gone a bit loop-the-loop just recently (being tired and run down hasn't helped!) so this release has actually come at quite a good time.
This officially launches in stores on 3rd September but it's actually available online now on the Boots website

Biore Ultra Deep Cleansing Nose Pore Strips review

If there's one thing we all look for in a skincare product it's visible results; there's all sorts of promises and claims out there but very few products give you instant visible results as soon as you've used it. Ever since I was young I have always struggled with blackheads on my nose (to the point where my husband once pointed them out to a woman on a department store counter and asked what I could do about them... cringe!!). Not only do they look awful, blackheads can make applying makeup a bit of a challenge because without a smooth surface foundation can look cakey and patchy so naturally I've always been on the lookout for products to help reduce their appearance.   Enter Biore Ultra Deep Pore Cleansing Strips*

Biore Ultra Deep Pore Cleansing Strips £7.99
With tea tree oil, menthol and witch hazel, these pore strips are designed to lift away the dirt and grime from your nose which can cause blocked pores and ultimately spots and blackheads. They're so simple to use and unlike face masks they don't create any mess at all. 
You cleanse your face throughly and wet your nose (making sure it's properly wet as the strip won't stick to dry skin), stick the strip down making sure it doesn't have any creases and then you leave it for 10 minutes to dry and work its magic.
It dries like papier-mache and feels tight a bit like a face mask does, but you don't have to rinse it off or anything like that, you just peel it off starting at the edges (this can get a little eye watering I must admit) and all the dirt is taken with it. It's the most satisfying feeling ever, and then when you look at the strip you can see what it's pulled out (gross, but amazing). Providing it has all stuck down properly you will see that it has pulled out blackheads and left you with a smooth nose. 
I'm not saying this is a long term fix for blackheads because I genuinely don't think there's anything that will stop them from appearing on my nose but these pore strips do make them a lot more manageable. 

Eucerin 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Fluid

Usually I swear by my Bee Good Cream Cleanser for my night time cleanse and I have spent months and months thinking that a micellar water just couldn't do the job properly; I always found that I still had the remains of my eye makeup under my eyes and my skin just didn't have that clean feeling. That was until I met the Eucerin 3 in 1 micellar cleansing fluid.

Eucerin 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Fluid* £9.00 Boots    Eucerin is a brand well known for products which are great for sensitive, troubled skin so I had no qualms whatsoever about road testing it (usually I'm a bit hesitant at first with a brand I don't know because I'm so scared it'll break me out!). The 3 in 1 micellar cleansing fluid is a cleanser, toner and eye makeup remover all rolled into one; it's PH balanced so it should be suitable for all skin types and it should leave skin feeling clean and fresh without stripping it of natural oils. It contains hydroluronic acid which is known for helping the skin to retain moisture levels but it is free of fragrance & alcohol which are known culprits for causing skin problems.    After taking this for a road test both morning and night I can say that if you're looking for a product to have at hand when you don't have time for a full hot cloth cleanse then this could be for you. Although there is a separate eye makeup remover available from Eucerin I would say that this does the job really well. Not only does it cleanse off any base makeup it also dissolves eye makeup easily and you don't need to pull and tug at your eye to get it bring mascara off. Of course it does a great job during a morning cleanse because there's not the amount of dirt to get off your face but I would say it does an equally great job taking makeup off which is a big bonus! This is readily available in Boots stores now so if you're in the market for a 'lazy cleanse' product then this is worth a look. 

Morning Cleanse - Bee Good Cleansing Water

I find that I don't need to cleanse my face with a heavy hot cloth cleanser in the morning; I'm not taking off a layer of makeup and grime which has built up over the whole day, I'm simply wiping away any oil and sweat (nice!) which has graced my face during the night. As you'll know I'm a bit obsessed with the Bee Good brand at the moment so it should come as no surprise that my current morning cleanse comes in the form of their cleansing water.

Bee Good Honey & Wild Water Mint Cleansing Water £10.00* With ingredients like honey and mint, I find this so cool and refreshing; perfect for waking my face up in a morning. It leaves my skin feeling clean, ready to moisturise and apply makeup onto... as with most cleansing waters you just simply soak a cotton pad and then sweep across your face, no need to rinse afterwards. I have been using this also as a night cleanse for the past couple of days while I was waiting for a fresh supply of Bee Good Cream Cleanser but I have to admit that for me it wasn't really enough for a night cleanse. Although I think it would be fine if you didn't wear much makeup I do prefer the cream cleanser for my night routine as I tend to wear more makeup and my face can get quite oily.

5 Reasons Why You've Got Spots

If you've read my blog for a while then you'll know that I've been battling with acne for a number of years, only now does it seem to have given me a bit of a break. I still get the odd one or two but they're far more manageable than they ever have been. I have always asked myself why on earth I still have spots when I'm twenty-odd, and after much research I have come up with a few reasons as to why you might still have spots later in life... I'm no skincare expert but trust me I'm an expert at having spots.  

 if you've been reading for a while, you'll know that the above picture is very good compared to what my skin used to be.   Hormones:- this is the obvious one, if your spots are around your chin area and it's almost 'that time of the month' then you can probably attribute those to hormones. This is one of the reasons why I still get some spots.   Diet:- I noticed a massive difference in my skin when I started Slimming World; as soon as I started reducing my intake of high fat, high sugar foods my skin became far more manageable and the spots started to subside. The saying 'you are what you eat' definitely applies to me, if I suddenly eat too much sugar or fat my skin rebels and a few spots will appear. There might be certain triggers with your own skin; I've heard dairy can affect some people's skin so it is a case of experimenting and eliminating foods if you think it could be your diet.   Lifestyle:- stress and tiredness can make your skin rebel, if you feel like you're getting too stressed or you feel like you're not getting enough sleep try your best to get a day off or at least get a couple of hours to yourself where you can destress and have some me time! Also smoking & heavy drinking won't do your skin any favours; I'm not going to preach about it but if you smoke then don't be surprised if you have spots... like I said, your skin reflects the toxins which you put in your body!    Products:- Another fairly obvious one I would have thought; I make sure I'm really careful of what new products I use on my skin. If you spend time looking at different ingredients it may be possible to work out if there's a particular ingredient triggering breakouts. I generally find that thick creams clog my pores and I now make sure I avoid products which are alcohol based because they can strip the skin too much which makes it over produce oil which can also block your pores and lead to breakouts.   Pillowcases:- These are a breeding ground for bacteria and I would guess that lots of people don't change them anywhere near as much as they should do. I personally change my pillowcase every 3-4 days and I find it really helps my spot situation. If you find that you have more spots on one side of your face then your pillowcase might be the culprit! Also make sure you change your actual pillow when it needs it, as disgusting as it sounds, sweat and other things will penetrate into the pillow itself over time so it's a good idea to clean them or change them fairly regularly.

Why It's OK to use Face Wipes

Hands up if you've ever felt personally victimised as a face wipe user?

Face wipes, it would seem, are the root of all evil. Well I beg to differ. Although I'm not suggesting that you use face wipes as a regular cleansing method, I do believe there is a time and a place. I'm never without a packet of face wipes; they always have been and always will be a staple in my little collection of products. I've always liked Simple Face Wipes*, my mum used to buy them for me when I was younger and I've just always stuck to them, especially if they're on offer.

Face wipes are great for a number of situations when you don't have the time or inclination to do a full on hot cloth cleanse: on long haul flights when you don't have the facility to wash your face comfortably wipes are great for just refreshing your skin and making you feel a little more human before touching down. You can use them for wiping away any makeup mistakes or for touching up eye makeup during the day in the event of runny mascara or wandering eyeliner. I sometimes find that I want to apply a fresh full face of makeup half way through the day so I use wipes to give me a clean slate to apply a fresh base so I'm not applying makeup upon makeup.

Like I said, there's nothing better than a proper hot cloth cleanse at night to make sure you've got all the grime off your face from the day, but the notion that you shouldn't use face wipes at all is quite frankly ridiculous I think! 

Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser New Scents

Way back in March (my God that seems so long ago) I wrote about Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser which at that time only came in one fragrance. Well there's some good news for those of you who have tried it and loved it; Nivea have brought out another 2 fragrances! If you weren't keen on the traditional soapy kind of scent then maybe you'll be tempted by Pampering Honey or Nourishing Cocoa? To be honest, mention chocolate, cocoa, or any other indication of chocolate and you've pretty much got me sold so when I saw that one of the fragrances was 'Cocoa Butter' I was quite excited to see what it was like.

Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser Honey* (£3.56) & Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser Cocoa Butter* (£3.56)

My Thoughts: To be honest, out of the two it's actually the Honey one which is the sweetest smelling, I think it actually borders on fruity but without being sickly sweet. The Cocoa Butter one is a very subtle scent but I still prefer it to the traditional Nivea In-Shower Moisturiser. The formula is exactly the same; activated by water it goes on quite thin but then thickens up when it comes into contact with water. They work just as well at keeping my limbs moisturised and helps to keep a tan from going patchy quickly. If you asked me to choose between the two in terms of fragrance I think I would actually have to go for Honey, especially in summer, which really surprises me but I just can't smell the cocoa butter like I thought I'd be able to. If I compare this to Body Shop cocoa butter products this is a lot more subtle than those which may be perfect for some people because the Body Shop products can leave you with a bit of a chocolate craving...
If you see these in store then you should at least have a sniff, and if you're a bit lazy with moisturising (like me) then this is the ideal way to inject a bit of moisture into your routine without adding on too much time.