My Current Skincare Essentials
I just thought I'd do a quick post on the products my skin is loving at the moment. I have split this into three categories: Lips, Face & Eyes and Hands & Body. You may notice a facial cleanser is missing but I haven't really decided on one I really like yet, so if I do find one soon I shall update you all at a later date. Let's begin!
(^^ as you may be able to see above, 'Hand Food' had to be balanced on the top of a Yankee Candle jar because there was a shine on the front of it that made it really difficult to read the name!)
LIPS:
LUSH Cosmetics 'Mint Julips' Lib Scrub
I think this stuff is absolutely amazing. It has some very basic ingredients so it is not at all harsh or chemical-y on the lips. You just apply it with your finger, rub it all over your lips and (according to the container) lick it off! This particular one tastes like mint chocolate chip, but there are other flavours you can get including Popcorn, Bubblegum (which I also own) and a Limited Edition Santa Clause one at Christmas time! I love this product and find it very effective. I have had this little pot for over a year and I still have most of it left - a couple of these would last you a lifetime!
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream
As regard lip balms/treatments I have two current favourites, however this one takes first place I have to say. This has a really thick texture and is extremely moisturing, I usually put in on before bed in a thick layer and wake up with amazingly soft lips, or I'll put a small bit on at the start of doing my make up so by the time I get to the lip colour application it will just glide on smoothly because of this magical product. This can be used all over the body on any areas of dry skin, but so far I have only used it on my lips and once on a dry patch on my nose which it cleared up amazingly. I would really recommend this product if you have dry lips and hate how lipstick sits in the chapped areas. A real game changer!
EOS Lip Balm
This probably seems like more of a trivial, fun product and I'm sure a lot of people think (as I did) that they just looked cool and wouldn't be very good. However, I find this a really lovely lip balm, it feels really light on the lips and smells really good. If my lips are feeling particularly dry I will apply this under whatever lipstick I am wearing and it applies so much nicer. It is also a lot less thick than the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream for wearing during the day if that kind of thing bothers you. It comes in tonnes of different flavours and in the most adorable packaging!
FACE & EYES:
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion
This moisturiser basically does what it says on the bottle. It feels like a really luxurious product and I apply it right before I apply my make up and I find that my foundation and concealor apply so much more smoothly when I have applied this first. I use it every single day and most nights (when I remember) and I really love it. I've been using it for quite a while now and I got this new bottle from Santa for Christmas as it is quite expensive for my budget and I wouldn't have been able to get it myself! If you wanted to try it out I'm pretty sure if you asked for a little tester pot at a Clinique counter they would give one to you.
Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask
This is a charcoal mask which I apply to the 'congested/problem' areas of my face, wherever I am most likely to break out. You apply this mask in a relatively thick layer on the areas of your face which need assistance, leave it on for 5 minutes and relax (I usually leave it on longer, nothing bad happens), and allow it to heat and cool naturally on your face within that time before gently washing it off. I used to absolutely hate face masks that heated up but this has changed my outlook entirely. Sanctuary do another mask specifically for moisturising which I may have to invest in, as they recommend using the different masks on different areas of your face; the charcoal mask for congested areas and the moisturising mask for dryer areas. These also come in small sachets if you wanted to test them out before investing in the bigger bottle. I have used the sachets and have found you can get about three uses out of one sachet.
The Body Shop Vitamin E eye cream
I will admit it, as do a lot of people, I have seriously puffy eyes in the morning. Like, I occasionally look like I got punched in both eyes - not pleasant. It really began to annoy me because even after applying make up, the puffiness was still really obvious and it looked like I was still tired for at least half the day until it calmed down. I had heard many beauty bloggers raving about this product and had refrained from purchasing it due to the slightly ridiculous price tag for such a tiny tube (€13.75) HOWEVER, I got a One-For-All card for Christmas and decided I would use that to treat myself to this product. I haven't been using it for very long but so far I really like it. I put it on after my moisturiser, sometimes before I go to bed as well as when I wake up in the morning. I find it really cooling and soothing under my eyes and have noticed a real difference in the puffiness on days that I don't wear it. I am going to continue using it and will do a full review on it when I have been using it for longer.
HANDS & BODY:
Soap & Glory 'Hand Food'
This little bottle (tube?) is literally my saviour for the cold months of the year (so all of them bar two in Ireland, and now England). It is extremely nourishing and moisturising, making your hands feel soft, getting rid of dry patches and with the added bonus of smelling UH-MAZ-ING. The amazing smell is down to the main ingredients of shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow... GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT! It comes in a bigger size bottle with a pump too (which I also own) but I love this 50ml one as it is great for travelling - the perfect hand bag/hand luggage size. You need to try this, it may change your life. Or, at least your hands' lives.
Soap & Glory The Daily Smooth Ultra Rich Body Lotion
This one is pretty self explanatory but I may just have a little praise-rant about it anyway. I love every single one of the Soap & Glory body products and find them so moisturising and effective, and this little number is no different. A super moisturising thick lotion that absorbs quickly and leaves your skin smelling amazing. Again, like the hand cream, it has ingredients that make it sound good enough to eat, including mango peel extract, rose hip seed oil, shea butter, blackcurrant, vanilla and other more floral notes. I apply this as often as I remember to, but I always have to apply it before applying fake tan as it takes away the dull look of your skin and makes the tan apply much more evenly without showing scaly lizard legs through it (ladies, I know you know what I mean).
What are the skincare essentials you cannot live without at the moment? Is there anything you think I should try out for myself? Please feel free to let me know in the comments, or if you don't have a blogspot account you can tweet me: @Siof !
Thank you so much for reading,
Siofra
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