Beauty Roundup

I have extremely sensitive skin, prone to oil and breakouts. I’ve tried thousands of products on the market from medicated face wash, to Roacutane, various soaps, exfoliating washes, toners… the list goes on. This year I’ve found a great routine which is actually working for me. Apart from eating healthier: fresh home cooked food, less sugar and alcohol, a heck of a lot more fruit and veg and less processed carbs (white flour, white rice, etc), I’ve completely transformed my daily skin care routine.

Origins Clean Engery™ Gentle Cleansing Oil

Winter is the harshest time of year on my skin. The cold winds and indoor heating make my skin drier than the Sahara and I’m constantly breaking out. The thought of using an oil to actually wash my face seemed completely counter-intuitive at first. But I investigated further and it made total sense. People with sensitive combination skin like me get dry skin which produces extra oil in order to moisturize itself. This causes breakouts. Using an oil based cleanser helps keep the skin moisturized reducing extra oil production and reducing breakouts.

I tried a few oil cleansers on the market but wasn’t really satisfied with any of them until I came across The Clean Engery™ Gentle Cleansing Oil from Origins. The cleanser uses a lightweight formula with non-comedogenic (ie. a skincare product that is formulated not to cause blocked pores) olive, sunflower, sesame and safflower oils. It has Kukui nut and Macadamia to help protect natural moisture as well as Vitamin E. It is very gentle and has an uplifting, yet delicate citrus aroma. I have been using this cleansing oil for about 4 months now and am really happy with the results. I feel like my skin is cleaner, breathes easier and is a lot less parched!

£23.50 for the cleansing oil 200ml + (optional extra) £2 for the bottle pump.

Pixi Glow Tonic

I first heard about Pixi Glow Tonic earlier this year when the internet was buzzing with blogs and reviews for this stuff. I read a handful of blogs and decided I needed to try it out for myself. I’ve been using it for about 4 and half months now and I’ve seen incredible results. I cannot stress how impressed I am. The hype isn’t just hype… it’s actually genuine excitement that a great product like this is on the market.

I use the Glow tonic twice a day by putting a small amount on a cotton ball and wiping it all over my face, neck and décolletage. The tonic is an exfoliating liquid that helps tone, firm and remove dead skin cells whilst being alcohol free and contains Aloe Vera. It is extremely delicate, gentle and smells lovely. Even after washing my face I’m surprised by how much grey muck comes off. In the long term it has helped keep my skin fresh and has reduced my breakouts significantly. At £18.00 a bottle (250ml) it’s a little pricey but totally worth it for keeping your skin healthy. One bottle does last at least 4-5 months (using a little bit twice daily) but I would highly recommend visiting their Carnaby Street flagship store and stocking up!

Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion

I actually picked this amazing little product up while perusing the beauty section at Liberty. My mom pointed it out and said that she had met Mario back in the day… so I decided to give it a try. I actually love this stuff! It is made specifically for oily, troubled skin. After cleansing and toning, shake well and apply to affected areas gently using fingertips and avoid eye area. After just a few weeks of use I saw a vast improvement and it has reduced the amount of large, painful, under-the-skin blemishes that I used to get all the time.£16.50 for 20ml at Liberty

LUSH “BIG” Shampoo

I am totally hooked on this shampoo! I tried it last year as a special treat and now I can’t live without it! You would imagine that this shampoo would dry your hair out something awful with all that actual chunky sea salt in it but it’s incredibly gentle, softening and actually volumising! I have very fine hair so getting any volume into it requires massive amounts of prep, various heated tools, Velcro rollers, etc… so finding a shampoo that is both light, fresh, cleansing and also softening is nothing short of a miracle!

This shampoo doesn’t come at a cheap price but luckily you don’t need to use a lot, just a small amount and work into a lather. Sometimes when I see that the pot is getting low and I panic, I add a bit of water to extend the product’s lifespan. £12.75 for 330g

& Other Stories Cheek & Lip Tint

I’m not the biggest fan of powder blushes. I mean, they’re ok, but I’ve always found that I had to keep reapplying over and over again throughout the day. On a recent trip to my favourite shop – & Other Stories – I found a great creamy cheek tint which comes in the pink/peachy shades that work really well for my skin tone. I have quite a yellow undertone to my skin which can make me look a bit washed out and sallow, especially when I haven’t been in the sun for a while, and I find that a touch of peach really brings life back to my face. The tints have Vitamin E to keep your skin dewy and moisturised. I really like that you can go really light with cream tints or you can build up layers to get a bolder, brighter color.

I like these highlighting and coloring cream tints as they leave a natural looking flow and have a powdery finish. I usually swipe over them lightly with my face powder and am good to go!

My two favourite colours are: Guipure Apricot for an everyday glow and Lawi Persimmon for a slightly brighter pop. £12.00 for 5.5 ml