Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Review: Travel Essentials - Skincare etc.



As you are probably aware, I spend most of my life on trains. I have compiled a post on my current skincare and hair favourites that I take with me. I have other items such as cleansers etc. at my boyfriends so I haven't listed the basics but more the essentials.
I've mentioned some of these products in various posts and also my YouTube videos.

I threw in the KMS Hair Play Moulding Paste as it's become my go to hair product! My hair is naturally very soft and limp, and I usually use three or four products trying to give it texture and volume, but this has become an instant winner for me. I apply a small amount to damp hair before blow-drying, my hair is instantly so much thicker and it's looking a lot longer. Definitely a product to invest in if you're looking for bigger, thicker hair.
I also take with me this small bottle of Ojon Hair Serum which I got in a previous Glossybox. It's a lightweight oil which I consider to be up there with Moroccanoil and I apply this a couple of times a week to my hair instead of conditioner (I find conditioner weighs down my hair and is quite unnecessary).

A lot of the products here are "essentials" as I never know what my skin will get up to when I'm away. My trusty Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair is an absolute must, it's a godsend for all skin types and I couldn't live without it.
This also applies for the Caudalie Beauty Elixir which I have been a fan of for some time now, it's great for brightening and soothing skin and really helps to give skin a boost and take away redness. I find myself getting this out quite a lot as Virgin trains only have one temperature - somewhere in the thousands. Just a couple of spritzes and I'm feeling so much more refreshed.
I take Oliatums Natural Repair face cream with me as sometimes my skin can end up getting quite dehydrated. You have to be prepared for all weather conditions in Scotland, and I find that having this on hand to pop on at night has really saved my skin.

Clarins Lotus Oil is one of my current favourites, I have a few small samples boxes of these which I bought from eBay so I leave one at Jordans. This is a gorgeous, lightweight oil for normal/combination skin types which adds so much to my skin. I like to mix this with my moisturiser after applying Estee Lauder ANR if my skin is looking and feeling a bit dull.
I absolutely recommend this, Facial Oil is such a great product for all skin types and most people don't realise how much it can help skin.

Other products such as Carmex Lip Balm and Garnier Caffeine Eye Roll On I take as I always use them and they're great for hungover days in bed. I carry hand cream, like L'Occitanes Shea Butter version, on me at all times as my hands always feel so dry.
Lastly, I'm prepared for all eventualities with this excellent Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel for when spots arise overnight. I've been using this for quite a few months now and it's a great product to clear spots quickly without drying out skin.

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

Review: REN Skincare Favourites.



As you may have gathered from this post and this post, I (...am addicted to skincare) like to buy "treatment" products like my exfoliator and mask from the same brand and use them together. I don't usually buy from the same ranges within the brand, mainly because I like to brighten and help my combination/slightly oily/large pores skin type in one go. 

I bought the Micro Polish Cleanser from REN and couldn't help but get the Detox Mask as well. These are products I've had on my wishlist for some time (especially the mask) and I've been using them weekly since. 
The Micro Polish Cleanser is a brightening product, it has gentle yet thorough exfoliating amber beads within a foaming cleanser to slough off dead skin cells. I love an exfoliator, and this does wonders for my skin. It's such a nice formula, I love that it polishes and creates a lather at the same time, and my skin is instantly glowing and fresh. It also aims to help pore size, which is what really sold me on the product so hopefully I'll see some good results over time. 

I love a clay mask, and recently my skin has been looking a bit more oily than usual. It's probably because it's warming up a bit, and my skin tends to switch to a slightly more combination/oily skin type in Summer. This mask draws out impurities whilst also helping with the excess sebum and removing dead skin cells. Pretty much everything I want after I've just polished my skin with the Micro Polish!
After using the Micro Polish Cleanser, I apply the mask to clean, damp skin and then leave until dry. 
So far this seems to be improving my skin, it looks brighten and pores look less clogged and my skin feels so soft after use. 

I think I've really chosen well with these products, they seem to work really well together - the Micro Polish brightening and the Mask clearing - and I'm already contemplating another REN purchase as it's quickly becoming one of my favourite skincare brands. 

What are your REN recommendations?

NB: You can see my full evening skincare routine video here. 

Sunday, 6 May 2012

Sunday Update #4.



I haven't done a update type post for a while but I like to blog on Sundays as it's my favourite blog reading day. I'm in sunny (lol) Glasgow at the moment so haven't really been on Twitter etc. to see what's been happening but here are a few updates from me.

I have quite a few items left in my blog shop, and I'll be adding more when I can. If you have seen anything on my blog that you'd like to buy, please do get in touch as I haven't had a chance to add everything I'm selling to the shop but it's likely I'll be willing to sell.

For those of you who don't know, I've been uploading videos to my YouTube channel recently. There will be more on the way, so let me know if you have any requests!
I've bought a few new things recently so I'll no doubt be filming a haul video soon - I can't wait to blog about my new pieces from the MAC Hello Sailor collection. Has anyone else picked anything up?

I hope everyone is having an awesome Bank Holiday weekend! We're about to head out for cocktails and dinner and then I'm heading back to London tomorrow. Love.