Sleep in a Bottle

Well I wish I'd used this the night before my wedding! I remember finally crawling into bed at 2am and then laying awake with excitement and nerves. I could have done with some 'sleep in a bottle' to help compensate :)




Guerlain's Midnight Secret is a 'late night recovery treatment' designed for nights that are too short and should be applied to a cleansed face before going to bed.  Its special formula (named Hydronoctine) contains ingredients that increase the level of oxygen in the skin to help it recuperate rapidly.  The result is that your face looks refreshed and bright in the morning.
I tried it for the first time last week and was very impressed.  I didn't expect the results to be visible but my skin did look smooth and bright in the morning.
It is an expensive product but worth it for your big day!  Take care not to over use it though.  It's powerful stuff and not recommended for use more than three times a week!
Available from Debenhams Beauty

 

balance Me - Radiance Face Mask

Well I'm seriously loving this triple action face mask that polishes, hydrates and smoothes. 

To use it, smooth over a cleansed face in circular massage movements.  Leave for up to five minutes and then remove with warm water.

It contains kaolin clay to deeply cleanse, ground walnut shells to exfoliate, and a fruit acid complex to brighten the skin.

I love the smell and texture of this product.  The microscopic walnut shell did a great job of exfoliating and my skin looked brighter and smoother after leaving the mask on for five minutes. 

By combining an exfoliator and mask into one product it's also a great time saver for busy brides who want to achieve bright, polished skin from home.  Highly recommend you give it a try!

Love,

 

balance Me - Moisture-Rich Face Cream

Well they weren't lying when they called this day cream 'moisture rich!'  It does exactly what it says on the label...

"Treat your skin to our concentrated, deeply hydrating moisturiser that is bursting with skin smoothing ingredients including anti-oxidant rich Artic cloudberry, rose otto, camellia and kukui nut oils to protect your precious skin from daily wear and tear."

This face cream glides on and you don't need much of it to really re-hydrate your skin.  It cleared up some dry patches I had with just a couple of applications. 
You can use it as both a day and night cream but if using in the mornings I would recommend waiting about 15 minutes before applying make-up to allow the skin time to absorb the cream and all its goodness.

I would recommend this to brides to help keep your skin looking fresh and bright all day.  It also helps keep your make-up in place.

Love,

 

Biore Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips - They're Back!

Do you remember Biore's iconic Pore Strips?!  Well, they're back!

Bioré®Pore Strips are back with a great new look , 2 different types will help banish blackheads and diminish the appearance of pores. They are clinically proven to instantly remove pore-clogging dirt, oil and blackheads. Effectively deep cleans pores by instantly locking onto and removing deep down dirt, oil and blackheads from the problem nose area.

For further information on Biore's Deep Cleansing Pore Strips visit http://www.biore.co.uk/deep-cleansing-product-family/pore-strips#ultra

Love,

balance Me - Wedding Day Essentials

I received this fabulous little package in the post so over the next few weeks I will be trying and reviewing products from the balance Me Wedding Day Essentials Range...

Look out for my reviews of:

• Radiance Face Mask
• Congested Skin Serum
• Moisture Rich Face Cream

To view the full range you can visit www.balanceme.co.uk :)

Love,

Lather, Rinse, Repeat...

Just a quick one to remind you lovely ladies to wash your make-up brushes regularly.  Make-up and dirt will build up on them over time and keeping them clean will help prevent blemishes.  I try to wash mine out once every couple of weeks. 

To wask your brushes, wet the bristles in warm water and pour a small amount of mild shampoo into the palm of your hand.  Move the brush in circular motions in the shampoo to build up a lather and then rinse.  Repeat, and then leave to air dry.

It's best to use baby shampoo to clean your make-up brushes as it won't contain an harsh chemicals that could damage them.  Also don't rub your brushes dry, just lay them flat on a towel in free flowing air.

Neutrogena - Pink Grapefruit

Recently I've been using Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Face Wash and Daily Scrub.

I use the face wash morning and night and use the scrub about twice a week, although the scrub is designed for daily use so you could use every day if you wanted.

I really like these products as they leave my skin feeling very clean and the natural pink grapefruit extract is very uplifting and helps wake me up in the mornings! The Visibly Clear range is designed for spot prone skin so the products are packed with vitamin C and spot fighting ingredients like salicylic acid to help remove dead skin cells and unblock pores. They deep cleanse and remove oil without over drying the skin.

These products cost around £4-£5 each in the UK but they are long lasting so I think this is good value. A little bit does go a long way.

In the UK, you can buy them from Boots or in the US you can buy from Neutrogena.com

SPF Day Creams

So the days are getting shorter and nights are getting cooler, but that's no excuse not to protect your skin from sun damage. Whether it's hot and sunny, or cool and cloudy, the sun's UVA and UVB rays are still damaging your skin. The sun can cause eye damage, skin cancers, and premature aging, and when it comes to each of these prevention is always better than cure.

Try to use a day cream and/or foundation with an SPF. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and will protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays. An SPF 15 sunscreen screens 93 percent of the sun’s UVB rays; SPF 30 protects against 97 percent; and SPF 50, 98 percent.  I would recommend an SPF of at least 15.

Here are some days creams you can use that contain SPF 15 or more...

• Johnson's Daily Essentials 24hour Day Cream with SPF 15, for Normal Skin (50ml)
• L’Oreal Derma Genesis Day Cream with SPF 15 - 50ml
• L'Oréal Revitalift Restore +10 Multi-Active Daily Moisturiser SPF20 50ml
• Garnier Vital Restore Day Cream SPF 15 50ml
• Clinique Repairwear Lift SPF 15 Firming Day Cream Very Dry to Dry 50ml
• Nivea Visage Q10Plus Anti-Wrinkle Light Day Cream with SPF 15 50ml

To find out more, you can visit the Skin Cancer Foundation website.

Love from,

xBBx

Protect Your Skin

I've just got back home from the hospital where I had a suspicious looking mole removed.

This is why you should take care of your skin...

If you are sunbathing, please please please use sun lotion with a high SPF (at least 15.)  Day to day, you should choose a day cream with an SPF.  I'll be blogging about some day creams soon...

Love from,

xBBx

Skin Cancer... Do you know your A B C Ds?

A few weeks ago I noticed a mole on my leg was changing in both size and colour. I saw my GP and she referred me to a dermatologist.

I had my first consultation on Wednesday and it went well.  The dermatologist didn't think the mole was a melanoma (cancerous) but she has decided to remove it to be on the safe side.  Her two main reasons for this were:

1. I've had the mole since childhood and it has suddenly now begun to change. 
2. My mum has had two basal cell carcinomas removed from her back.

If you are fair and freckly (like me and my mum) then you are more at risk of skin cancer so please make sure you keep an eye on your skin and look out for changes. You don't have to be a sun worshipper to be at risk.

Use the ABCD rule to help you distinguish between a normal mole and a melanoma

Asymmetrical - melanomas have two very different halves and are an irregular shape.

Border - unlike a normal mole, melanomas have a notched or ragged border.

Colours - melanomas will be a mix of two or more colours.

Diameter - unlike most moles, melanomas are larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter.

Here you can see my mole has a mix of two colours (dark in the middle and a light 'halo' around it) and it has also increased in size...

So if you want to look like a bronzed goddess on your wedding day, please opt for a spray tan or self-tan moisturiser.  Don't hit the sunbeds, it's just not worth it!

For more information on melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, you can visit the NHS website.

Love from,

xBBx

Champney's Skin Refining Micro Derm Face Polish

As you know probably know, I'm a big fan of exfoliating and it's benefits...

• Brightens the skin
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Sloughs off the dead skin cells
• Unclogs pores.
• Helps to prevent break-outs.

For the past couple of weeks I've been using Champney's Skin Refining Micro Derm Face Polish twice weekly.

It promises to provide 'Intense exfoliation for smoother, radiant, younger looking skin instantly.'

To use it, massage a small amount onto damp skin in circular motions.

It has a thick consistency and feels quite waxy. It's also a bit of a challenge to wash off! The liquid rinses away easily but the exfoliating beads seem to cling to my face, working their way further into my hair line with every splash of water!

That said, my skin is left feeling soft although not any smoother.  I haven't noticed any improvement in skin brightness or congestion.  It's done nothing to unclog my pores or reduce the lines on my forehead!

Doubt I would buy this one again. It's a very small tube and doesn't seem to be lasting well.  I wouldn't say its great value for your money. 

Keep exfoliating ladies, just not with this! : )

xBBx

Dermalogica Conceal and Heal

Along with picking your spots, caking then in foundation and concealer is often one of the worst things you can do.  If your foundation or concealer isn't noncomedogenic, then it will clog your pores, make it harder for your skin to breathe, and probably result in more spots.

Luckily Dermalogica have come to the rescue with a great little product that I've been using for the past few weeks...  A spot treatment that also acts as a concealer! 

The Dermalogica Concealing Spot treatment contains Sulphur and Zinc Oxide to target and clear the breakout, Salicylic Acid to help minimise spots, and a natural tint to conceal them.

To use it, I shake the bottle really well and squeeze a small drop of product onto my hand.  I then use my finger to dab the treatment onto my spots (over my moisturiser) and allow it to dry. 

You can build up layers of the treatment for greater coverage to avoid having to put thick foundation or concealer on your spots.

I do put makeup on over the product if I'm going out, but am able to keep it much lighter that without the treatment.

The RRP of this little gem is about £30 but you can get it online for around £20 if you shop around.  It will cost you £22.20 from the Daily Grooming website.

xBBx

Clear Skin Overnight... well, maybe in a few nights!

For the past week I have been using Dermologica Overnight Clearing Gel to tackle a breakout.  The results have been very good! The size and redness of my spots is reduced very quickly and my skin is less oily.

To use, I spread a thin layer over my breakout areas (usually my chin!) after cleansing each evening. I then apply my usual night cream to the rest of my face.  If needed, you could apply the gel to the whole face however I prefer to focus only on the problem areas.

The Clearing Gel contains Salicylic Acid to remove pore-clogging skin cells, while Niacinamide and Biotin soothe and control sebaceous gland activity.  There's a host of other ingredients in the gel too but I'm not too concerned with the science of it to be honest.  It has cleared my skin so I'm more than happy!

It's an expensive product (a 50ml bottle costs around £35) but a little does seems to go a long way so don't be put off by the price tag.  If you have adult acne or problem skin then give this a go!

xBBx

Get Buffin'

I'm a big fan of Elemis products as they are long-lasting and get fantastic results.  Their Skin Buff Exfoliator is no exception.

Exfoliating is an important part of your skin care regime.  It removes dead skins cells that can lead to blemishes and cause your skin to look dull.  I would recommend exfoliating twice a week to keep your skin bright and healthy.

I love Skin Buff because it has extremely fine exfoliation granules to really deep cleanse your skin.  To use it, I splash my face with warm water, apply a small amount of Skin Buff and massage in circular motions.  Then I rinse it off with warm water.  As with all Elemis products, a little goes a very long way!

My skin always feels so soft and smooth afterwards thanks to the nourishing Chamomile and Shea Butter in the product.
If exfoliating isn't already part of your routine then try to incorporate it in the months leading up to your wedding. Your complexion will become brighter and it will help you avoid breakouts near the big day!

xBBx

The 7 Day Challenge

This week I am trying out Garnier's new Intensive 7 Days Nourishing Lotion, specifically designed for dry, rough skin.

Garnier claims that this cocoa butter and L-Bifidus enriched lotion will leave your skin feeling hydrated for up to 7 days... sounds like a challenge to me! 

This could be a saviour for busy brides-to-be so I really do hope it works! 

You don't want to let your beauty regime slip in the weeks leading up to your wedding, but will probably find yourself increasingly short of time.  It would be great to have a moisturiser you could rely on to keep your skin soft and smooth even if you do miss a day or two of application.

I applied the moisturiser for the first time this morning so let's see how long the hydration lasts... Watch this space!...


Day One - The lotion is light and easily absorbed into the skin.  A little seems to go a long way and I really like it's subtle fragrance.  My skin is left feeling very soft and moisturised, but how long will it last?

02/03/11 Update:
Day Two - Skin still feels soft and smooth.  No signs of dryness yet!

03/03/11 Update:
Day Three - I've managed to resist the urge to moisturise for yet another day.  Still no sign of cracked heels of elbows but skin isn't feeling as smooth.  I've got my moisturiser on standby for tomorrow!

04/03/11 Update:
Day Four - It all came to an end this morning.  My skin felt tight and dry and moisturiser simply had to be applied!  Still, not a bad result for Garnier.  One application of Intensive 7 Days Nourishing Lotion lasted a full 3 days before my skin showed signs of dryness which is quite impressive.  I still believe in moisturising daily but at least now if I do miss a day or two my skin won't suffer too much for it!