Current Concealer Collection...

Concealers are one of my favourite makeup items and I like to use different ones for each concern. My main ones are covering dark circles and blemishes. Sometimes I use them as my only base and then just add a little powder, this is usually enough coverage for me when having ‘good skin days’. I’ve tried so many over the years and I am always on the hunt for something better than I’ve used before! I have made many repurchases but can’t say I have found my ‘holy grail’. Below are the ones I am currently using…

Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer - £7.99

As you can see I have nearly finished this, apologies for the messy packaging, not very photogenic! I think it’s an excellent budget concealer that does a great job at covering dark circles without creasing. Its enriched with Goji Berry to hydrate skin and contains Haloxyl which is an active formula to reduce the appearance of puffiness and shadows. The sponge applicator is gentle to the eye area and allows for flawless seamless coverage. I find it blends very easily and is a good match for my pale skin. This will be a repurchase I’m sure as its one of the best under eye concealers I’ve found and I’ve tried many!

Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher - £25.00

This was an expensive purchase which I felt very guilty for buying at the time as I would never consider paying this much for a concealer especially as there are so many good budget options available. But there was a reason for this. The makeup artist for my wedding used this in my trial and it did an amazing job at covering everything that needed covering! Dark circles, blemishes, redness around my nose etc. So obviously the very next day I purchased it! I wanted it on hand for my wedding day so that I could re-apply if needed.

I have to say that although it does what it says it does, I have experienced creasing with this, so have to use a good setting powder afterwards. I also find it doesn’t cover big blemishes, you know the really red ones, so for those reasons I probably wouldn’t repurchase. But I do like the fact it’s an all in one concealer and if you are having a ‘good skin day’ then this would be sufficient and all you need. It is also very buildable and doesn’t look cakey so big thumbs up there as well!

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Stick - £15.00

This is probably my most used concealer at the moment, I have nearly finished this one and have a backup ready! It is just excellent for covering redness and blemishes without looking cakey or ‘overdone’. I can sometimes get away with using this as my only base as it’s so good at disguising everything without looking like I’m wearing a mask!

I love that it provides high coverage whilst still feeling lightweight on the skin leaving a satin finish that is neither matte or dewy. I find this is best applied lightly (a little goes a long way) and in small areas at a time using a buffing brush. It is densely pigmented to target and conceal severe skin imperfections and whilst I am lucky enough not to have any of those I still find it a necessity in my makeup bag as it is a one stick wonder for all concerns! I prefer to use this on blemishes, scarring and redness and not for under my eyes as I prefer a softer applicator for that area. But for the price I think this is worth a shot if you haven’t tried already! I love the packaging and being able to throw this little tube in my bag for when emergencies pop up!

Collecton 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer - £4.19

The message here is simple, for the price buy it! It’s a high coverage concealer which is excellent at disguising blemishes! It can be a bit drying so wouldn’t use it on areas that are dry and I certainly wouldn’t use it under my eyes but for spots this stuff is the nuts! For oily skins this works brilliantly. It stays put all day and it’s as cheap as chips! The colour selection isn’t great as there are only 4 shades available but shade 2 ‘Cool Medium’ works for me. I like to apply with a concealer brush and use this to really get pinpointed coverage, you have to be carefully not to use too much at once as it can look cakey, so blending layers lightly is key.

What are your favourite concealers at the moment?

Thanks for reading xx

MV Organics 9 Oil Cleansing Tonic…A Multitasking Dream

MV Organics is an Australian brand that has created a beautiful all natural range of skincare with something to suit all skin types, including the most sensitive. They have piqued my interest for a while as I like their simple approach to skincare, based on the principle of using less ingredients but in higher, more active concentrations. So when I had the opportunity to try this oil I jumped at the chance, thanks to a fellow IG friend @isabellabeautyandhealth! Now onto the review….

This somewhat tiny bottle is what skincare dreams are made of. It harnesses the most beautiful scent and is a powerhouse in cleansing and making skin glow! Don’t let the size put you off, although only 65ml it does last a while and only needs to be used 2-3 times a week to reap the results. I love to use this in many ways and find it an excellent multitasker, completely justifying the £57.50 price tag in my opinion!

The organic blend of ingredients including camellia oil, avocado oil, and essential oils of lavender, bitter orange, rosewood and geranium produces a delightful scent which I find most comforting and relaxing. It really lifts my spirits at the end of a long day and gives an ‘ahhh’ moment every time!

I like to use this as a secondary cleanser so that the oils make direct contact with my skin and soak up the goodness. I massage in around 7 drops for around 1-2 minutes to stimulate the skin and I really like to take time to breathe in the scent. I then leave on my skin for a few minutes as a mini mask while I take a shower or brush my teeth. Instead of completely wiping/rinsing it off I compress a hot flannel over my face and leave it there for around 10 seconds (this is what the brand recommends to do) then repeat that process around 2-3 times. I love that you don’t have to remove this completely, meaning I don’t have to worry so much about ensuring every little bit is gone from my skin. The end result is that my skin is soft, smooth and glowing!

Another of my favourite ways to use this is as an overnight treatment when my skin is ‘playing up’. The product is actually aimed at oily and congested skin and is packed with anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant rich plant and essential oils, which I find incredibly effective and particularly good for when your skin is feeling stressed. Using around 2-3 drops really kicks skin into action and I can guarantee that by morning my skin will be looking better. Smaller spots will have reduced or even disappeared and bigger spots look and feel less angry. This stuff is seriously amazing and is excellent at balancing the skin.

Despite the high price tag I will be repurchasing this time and time again. It fits in well with my routine and isn't like anything I own. I love that it is portable and ideal for travel, meaning it can accompany me wherever I go! I honestly cannot rave about this enough!

Like with anything I would recommend carrying out a patch test if you are someone who can be sensitive to essential oils. I too have sensitive skin and have had no problems with this but I think that’s down to the high quality ingredients that this brand uses.

Ingredients:

Camellia (Camellia Oleifera) Oil*, Avocado (Persea Gratissima) Oil*, Infused Centella (Centella Asiatica Extract) Oil, Vitamin E – non GM (Tocopherol), Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) Extract*. With essential Oils of: Bitter Orange, Lavender, Geranium, Sandalwood, Rosewood and Carrot Seed. *Organically Grown

Have you tried this oil or anything from MV Organics?

Thanks for reading xx

Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream...

I’ve been using this cucumber scented moisturiser for about a month now and am so pleased (my bank balance not so much) to say I love it! I knew as soon as this was released ages ago that I wanted it but anything that contains the words ‘exfoliating’ ‘brightening’ and ‘enzyme’ is something I approach with caution as my skin can freak out quite easily as it is prone to sensitivity. But after reading lots of positive reviews I decided to take the plunge. I am glad that I did as this really is a dream cream gel texture that feels so soothing and refreshing upon application. A little goes a long way, its wonderfully hydrating and really leaves skin feeling plump and nourished without feeling too heavy or greasy on the skin. I have noticed that my skin looks brighter and healthier when using this, helping to kick dull tired skin into shape!

It contains 2 weights of Hyaluronic Acid which is one of my favourite ingredients in skincare as it helps skin retain moisture without overloading it or causing breakouts. Alongside this is Papaya Enzymes which work to gently exfoliate and resurface whilst Alpha Arbutin and ‘White Bird of Paradise extract’ supposedly brightens hyper-pigmentation and creates a more uniform, even skin tone. Just for clarification I can confirm that this is not from an actual beautiful bird but a plant! Just wanted to clear up any confusion there as I know I did a double take when I saw that listed!! Studies show that it is effective at reducing the appearance of multiple signs of ageing, leading to a more luminous, youthful complexion :)

Being someone who has dehydrated skin that is prone to oiliness I find that this formula is excellent for me, lightweight but still gives me enough moisture and continues to maintain moisture levels throughout the day without leaving me an oily mess by the end! One of my main concerns with moisturisers is finding ones that don’t exacerbate congestion as a lot of them seem to. That’s why I prefer cream-gel textures, and this falls into the category perfectly. I am left with comfortable, plump skin that is more glowy than greasy which is basically everyone’s ideal!

I don’t think you could use this on its own to improve pigmentation but it’s an excellent addition for someone who is looking to pep up their skin. I use this in the mornings and find it works well before makeup, creating a smooth canvas. My skin just looks healthier and ‘better’ after applying this.  I have also used it in the evenings occasionally after something like Sunday Riley’s Luna, these together are a wonderful powerful combination! Perfect for skins that are suffering with congestion and dullness. I have noticed this cream also mixes well with all other facial oils and serums should you wish to layer and pack in the hydration.

All in all this product is a delight to use and I can feel assured that if I am ever in a rush or want something quick that does this job I can feel confident that this alone will make my skin look better. I wouldn’t usually be up for spending £60 on a moisturiser but for this I’d say is the exception!

Ingredients:

Water, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Tamarindus Indica (Tamarind) Seed Gum, Ethyl Macadamiate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer (and) Lecithin, Isododecane, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol Crosspolymer, Lauryl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Strelitzia Nicolai (Bird of Paradise flower) Seed Aril Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) seed extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Papain and Carbome 1, 2-Hexanediol (and) Caprylyl Glycol (and) Algin, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Extract, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Leaf Extract (and) Melia Azadirachta Flower (Neem) Extract (and) Amino Esters-1 (and) Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract (and) Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract (and) Lawsonia Inermis Extract (and) Ocimum Sanctum Leaf (Holy Basil) Extract, Pearl Powder, Fragrance, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

Have you tried this cream? What other cream/gel moisturisers do you recommend?

Thanks for reading xx

How I Manage Breakouts...

Breakouts/spots are something most of us have experienced in our lifetime and those that haven’t, well you will have to convince me you are human ;) I thought I would share with you what I like to use to get my skin under control when it decides to be a pain in the arse!

Lemon Water:

I swear by this drink. The effects it has had on my skin are amazing and have found it has almost instant results in reducing inflammation and calming aggravated skin. If consistent with drinking 1 cup every morning I usually have clearer brighter skin within days and have very minimal issues going forward. It seems to speed up the healing process. Another benefit I have found is that I am not getting as bloated and my digestion has improved, it fights hunger pangs and cleanses your system.

The aim is to carry on with this and stick to it as I feel this is the 1 thing health wise that makes a difference to my overall health. Rich in vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and fibre these little yellow things are amazing! This drink will continue to be in my daily routine for sure!

To make this I always squeeze the juice of half a fresh lemon (always use fresh) in a cup before adding hot water and sometimes I add a tiny bit of good quality honey to sweeten it up. It does have to be noted that the citric acid content can damage teeth’s enamel so I always drink this after brushing my teeth and I also gargle with plain water afterwards.

Bravura Salicylic Acid 30ml - £9.59 Bravura London

This handy dropper bottle is an essential part of my skincare collection. I use this to treat any spots or breakouts that pop up and find that it heals them quicker. Salicylic acid can be found in lots of acne preventing products so I was really excited to find it in a liquid form, especially at such a good price! I have reviewed this in a previous blog post link here...http://www.blushandsage.co.uk/2016/09/brand-discovery-bravura-london.html so wont blabber on too much but…

It is a fantastic multitasking product which can be used in different ways. My favourites are mixing a few drops into a mask of your choice or adding to your serum/moisturiser. In fact, I found doing this regularly helps prevent congestion. Another way I use this is to leave as an acid mask on the skin for around 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. This is perhaps best for people who have sensitive skin or for those that don’t wish for the SA to be applied all over their face. If you haven’t tried this product then I highly recommend it!

Loreal Pure Clay Detox Mask 50ml - £7.99 from Boots

This is another product I have already reviewed before, see link here http://www.blushandsage.co.uk/2016/10/clay-masks-im-loving.html, But I have to say this has been my favourite weekly clay mask for the past few months. It is exactly what I would want in a clay mask, purifies the skin without drying it out and doesn’t cost the earth! L’Oréal have made a gem here. The smell is a little like men’s products/aftershave but it doesn’t aggravate my skin and really does help heal any existing blemishes and prevent new ones from forming. I will definitely be repurchasing this! FYI this is currently on offer at Boots for £5.99! Bargain!

Tea tree oil

This is a well-known natural treatment for spots and I personally use this when I have been very naughty and picked at my skin :/ I am pleased to confirm that picking is more or less a thing of the past and if I want to get rid of a spot I will extract it properly. But having said that I still do this from time to time and if I do I get this little bottle out!

It is an antiseptic and instantly helps calm inflammation and prevent infection. I use a cotton bud to apply directly to the spot and hold it there for as long as I can. This usually dries up the weeping (sorry TMI) and heals the spot quicker. I wouldn’t necessarily use this on a large area of the skin but for those individual spots that pop up this stuff is amazing! Highly recommend keeping this in your medicine cabinet…

Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patches - £5.67 Amazon

Now these are the dogs b*****ks! I discovered them after Ruth Crilly from A Model Recommends did a blog post on them and so I immediately rushed to Amazon to purchase a pack! They include 24 patches of all different sizes depending on the area you want to cover. You use them on clean dry skin and although it says you can use them under makeup I personally prefer to use them at night when I won’t freak anyone out!

I have been using these particularly when I can feel a spot coming, I apply them after doing my nightly routine and they adhere to the skin very well even over oils and moisturisers etc. By morning the dreaded spot has either disappeared or reduced in size and redness. It will also bring any infected spots to a head allowing for easy extraction. I love them and will continue to repurchase forever and ever. Another bonus is they stop me from picking, so I like to apply if I am at home all day to speed up the healing process. You need to try these bad boys, especially as they are an amazing price!

How do you manage breakouts and do you have any tips I need to know?

Thanks for reading xx