5 Reasons to Try... Facial Oils

Women have been using natural facial oils to maintain healthy skin and a youthful complexion for thousands of years. Here's why you should consider adding one to your 21st century skincare regime...

Over the years I've seen the beauty world go crazy for body oils and hair oils... yet so many are still reluctant to add oils into their daily facial skincare routine. I kind of get it - we were told from a young age that an oily face was the devil and excess oil leads to spotty skin and a shiny nose, and it just seems inherently wrong to voluntarily apply an oil to the face - but it turns out oils have many benefits for all kinds of skin types

Natural face oils were used in Ancient Eqypt to help women keep their skin protected and nourished. To this day, many facial oils are still made from similar ingredients, extracted from seeds, flowers, nuts and other plants. Modern favourites include coconut, argan, and rose, and are some of the most pure and natural skincare products available. 

Facial oils are an instant fix for plumping the skin with moisture, without - contrary to popular belief - leaving your face feeling greasy or oily. 

Here's 5 Reasons to try one...

1) Intense hydration and nourishment

Facial oils are lipophilic (ie. they're drawn to fat) and are able to pass through the fatty layer of the skin's surface much faster and more effectively than a regular moisturiser. This not only provides an instant hit of moisture to thirsty skin, but also helps your skin retain that moisture more effectively throughout the day/night.

2) Help Minimise Pores

The best thing to shift oil and grease from pretty much anything is to... yep... apply more oil. Science can't be wrong! Facial oils effectively pull grime, dirt and fats out of pores, helping to minimise their appearance.

3) Anti Inflammatory

As well as being a soothing and hydrating treatment on sore or irritated skin, the natural ingredients in facial oils - such as rose or seed oils - can actually calm the skin and help bring down redness and irritation, while re-plumping it with moisture. Great for sufferers of eczema, rosacea, and other uncomfortable skin conditions.

4) They make a great primer

Because facial oils absorb into the skin so quickly, they make the perfect base for makeup and promote a smoother complexion.

5) Younger Looking Skin

By helping the skin retain moisture, facial oils make the skin appear more youthful and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

How to use facial oils

- Apply to damp skin to really lock in moisture

- Introduce them into your routine gradually, by adding a couple of drops to your regular moisturiser

- For a more intensive treatment, massage a couple of drops into your face after toning, before applying your moisturiser

- Massage the oil into your face in circular motions, paying attention to the direction of your jawline and cheekbones - this promotes circulation and absorption and helps contour the skin.

If you're unsure about using a pure oil straight away, why not start by trying one of the many fantastic oil-based cleansers that are now available? Personal favourites of mine are The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil and Superdrug Vitamin E Dual-Phase Cleansing Oil. These grab all of the dirt, grease, and makeup from your skin before emulsifying into a milk which is then rinsed away completely, leaving skin feeling wonderfully soft and ready for toner and moisturiser. 

3 Facial Oils for your Wishlist...

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil - £30 for 30ml

Enriched with 3 precious Community Trade seed oils - Camellia Seed, Rosehip Seed, and Black Cumin Seed. High in omega 3 and 6, as well as antioxidants, and naturally rich in oleic acid. Full review on this coming soon!

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil - £9 for 30ml

Rich in linoleic (omega 6) and linolenic (omega 3) acids, alongside pro-vitamin A, the oil targets signs of photo-ageing and boosts the skin’s overall health for a radiant result.

Elemis Superfood Facial Oil - £45 for 15ml

This natural blend of highly concentrated plant-based superfoods deeply nourishes and hydrates. Anti-oxidant and omega-rich Broccoli, Flax Seed and Daikon Radish feed the skin for a healthy, radiant glow.

Do you use facial oils? If not... what's stopping you?

Summer of Skincare

This post was supposed to be a July Favourites... but when I got to picking out the products, they turned out to ALL be skincare. So now it has evolved into yet another summer skincare round-up. I posted a summer skincare post a little while ago with a few new products I'd acquired, but my skin is being so evil just lately that I seem to have switched everything up again. I've discovered even more new products and repurchased a couple of older favourites. I think I'm finally onto something here as my skin is finally starting to behave itself again! 

Amie Skincare 'Morning Light' Hydrating Moisturiser

Whenever Amie bring out a new moisturiser I just have to have it and, as this one is a hydrating day cream, I knew I had to give it a whirl. I'm a huge fan of their mattifying moisturiser as well as their Skin Shield. This one doesn't have the SPF that Skin Shield has but my skin has been so smooth and touchable (without getting greasy) when I've used it, that I can forgive it. Amie products are affordable, cruelty free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Full review coming soon!

Superdrug 5-in-1 Skin Perfecting BB Cream - Medium

If you're a long time reader of this blog you'll know that I go bonkers for BB creams during the summer months when I can't be doing with a heavy foundation that's going to melt off my face as soon as the weather heats up. This Superdrug budget version is fantastic and contains vitamin c, hyaluronic acid and caffeine with mineral pigments and SPF15. There is also an Anti-Age SPF30 version in the range. 

Indeed Labs Hydraluron

You have my permission to scold me. I've only just got around to discovering the magic of Hydraluron. What kind of a blogger am I?? Hydration is a huge issue for me, even though I have combination skin, and I need products that will quench my thirsty face without turning my t-zone into an oil slick. This product acts as a supercharger for any moisturiser you team it with, allowing the skin to retain the moisture more effectively. I NEED to get my hands on their new Moisture Jelly to go along with it because it's LOVE! This product is currently a third off at Boots.

Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner

I posted about this product and the Lime Blossom cleanser that goes along with it quite a while ago now. I can't believe I've only just got around to repurchasing it! It's been a godsend while the weather has been warmer. I've been keeping it in the fridge and spritzing my face with it and it feels soooooo good!! The lavender fragrance won't be for everyone but I particularly enjoy it at the end of the day, after removing my makeup just to freshen my skin up and prep my skin for moisturiser. It's very soothing.

Una Brennan Superfacialist Neroli Brightening Cleanser

This popped up in my last skincare post as another product that I'd forgotten I loved and I'm loving it again for very similar reasons to the Elemis toner. It's just wonderfully freshening with a floral scent and leaves my skin feeling firmed up and smooth. I mainly use this product in the morning before I've put on any makeup to wake my skin up. 

White Rabbit Skincare Lime and Coconut Cleansing Water

I received this product in my The Vegan Kind Beauty Box last month and it was instant love. This product is completely handmade using spring water, orange blossom water, coconut oil and lime essential oil. The scent is out of this world! It's milkier in texture than your usual micellar-type cleansing waters, and I'd go easy around the eyes with this one (lime oil - yikes) but it does an amazing job of removing makeup whilst cleansing the skin. The lime and orange blossom are also great antibacterial ingredients and the coconut oil helps to smooth. 

Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins

Last but not least... I loved this product to death in the new year and the latter half of Winter, but my skin seemed to get sick of it after a while so it has been sat in my stash waiting for another chance to shine. It got that chance a couple of weeks ago after I felt that the Superdrug cream I'd been using was starting to leave me a little oily. Sure enough my skin welcomed it back with open arms and they are friends once more. Read my original review here.

*****

Those were my current summer skincare crushes. I'm hoping this love affair will carry on into Autumn/Winter as the harsh elements seem to take it out of my skin every bit as much as the summer sun. I haven't felt great about my skincare routine for a little while now so it's great to finally have a winning set of products... until the next time my face gets bored and demands something else. I guess we shall see. 

What are your skincare must haves?? Is hydration an issue for you?? What products can't you live without during the summer months??

TLC's Stars of 2013: Skincare

It's that time... 

I'm a week late starting this series of posts so I'd best cut to the chase. Instead of a big, long, epic 2013 Favourites post this year I wanted to break it down into pretty little chunks for you all. I'm going to start on Skincare because I've found a few products over the last 12 months that have been real keepers and that I really haven't been able to manage without. In fact, my skincare didn't evolve much in 2013 but the product discoveries that I made last year have stuck with me.

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Purifying Micellar Solution

I am so grateful to this product for finally weaning me off the facial wipes for good! I don't use this as my main cleanser, but it's the best thing I've found for getting my makeup off so I can cleanse more thoroughly. I know you'll all be screaming BIODERMA at me at once but I find this affordable and easy to just nip into Superdrug and replace. It's been replaced a LOT over the course of the year too. I just squirt it onto a large, oval cotton pad and away it goes! 

Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic XXL Hydrating Mask* - rodial.co.uk

I've had to be sensible and sparing with this one as it's not something I'm just going to be able to run out and replace willy nilly. I cannot begin to tell you the skin scrapes this mask has got me out of. I reviewed it towards the end of summer (Here) and stated how useful it had been in reversing the effects of the sun without having to use a heavy cream on my combination skin but, little did I know, I would be just as glad of it (if not even more so) during the Winter months. As soon as the weather went cooler my skin seemed to tighten and shrivel up! I find this mask to be so soothing and comforting and I will definitely be repurchasing once I've saved up enough pennies. I'm down to my last drop!

Nip+Fab Dry Skin Fix Body Butter in Pistachio Sundae 

This is my little sweet treat after my bath. I go through phases with Body Butters. After a while I always crave a different one. This one, however, always has me going back to it. Kind of like a sugar craving. This is my third tub! It is VERY sweet in scent and won't be for everyone but sometimes only this will do. I'm a little worried actually as I've just been on their website and I can't seem to find it there so I hope they haven't discontinued it. I've been buying it from Superdrug and I believe larger Sainsbury's stores also stock Nip+Fab products. 

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm - timetospa.co.uk

This is one I've already forked out half of my student loan to repurchase, having originally received it for review and discovering I can't live without it. I will not put anything else on under my makeup now. It makes me skin feel so supple and smooth and has a kind of extra glow about it. A great base for foundation even without primer. I'm not surprised at all that it's won multiple awards. Well done Elemis for this one. Bravo! You can read my original review for this product Here. 

Amie Radiant Dawn Exfoliating Daily Wash - amieskincare.co.uk

In fact, not just this product, but Amie Skincare in general have been floating my boat throughout the last year. I recently featured their Morning Dew Mattifying Moisturiser and Spring Clean Clay Mask in a favourites post as well. There's nothing not to love about this product or this brand. It's full of gorgeous, natural ingredients, free from chemical nasties and is just a great, gentle daily exfoliator that smells amazing. 

Those were my skincare heroes of 2013. I'll be following with separate posts on haircare, makeup and other miscellaneous items that made a particular impact on me last year. 

What skincare products rocked your world in 2013??

Elemis Sp@Home Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow

I'm here!! I'm still alive!! 

I've been off on my travels once again for the last week and a half (more family commitments back in the Shire) and completely failed at scheduling posts for the week as I had intended. Shameful! I'm not posting nearly as often as I would like recently. I just seem to have been all over the place with various things and NOW, to rub salt into the wound, my DSLR has had to be taken into Nikon hospital. Poor baby. 

Anyhoo, I'm back now with today's slice of blog tart which is dedicated to a product by one of my favourite skincare brands, Elemis...

I was super lucky to actually WIN this product in an Elemis Twitter Giveaway recently (stalking really does pay off sometimes). I've always adored Elemis for facial skincare but had never really dabbled in their body products before. I've been using the same Soap & Glory Scrub for a couple of years now but I completely fell for this when it arrived in the post. I'd heard a little about it on the social media grapevine but that was as far as it went. As soon as I received it could not wait to get in there and get scrubbing! 

This scrub screams luxury to me. The packaging is a big thumbs up, as are the ingredients. Gotta love Elemis for always using gorgeous, natural ingredients with no junk thrown in. I totally trust their products on that front. The scent is out of this world as well. Floral, but also slightly sweet. As I always say with Elemis products though, if you are NOT a fan of heavily or floral scented products I really would give this a miss, but for me this scrub smells a little bit like heaven. 

It's a very pretty scrub to look at in the tub. It doesn't really show by this picture but the Frangipani flowers are a pretty, raspberry pink colour. Not that that matters in terms of performance but it is certainly pleasing on the eye. The scrub itself is quite dense, but the exfoliants are not big and harsh and melt into the skin easily. The scrub I was using before was much rougher and didn't seem to sink in (or rinse off) as easily. Of course, if you require a more thorough, rougher product then perhaps this might not cut it for you but for me this is pretty much on the money. It doesn't leave a big greasy ring around the tub either which appeals to my lazy side.

The Monoi oil leaves a lovely, silky residue on the skin. I'm not one for overly moisturising after my bath as my skin never really feels like it needs that much, so this gives me the bit of moisture that I need as well as getting rid of all the old skin cells that don't belong there anymore. The result is smooth, healthy and glowy skin.

For this product you pay £36.50 for 480g which isn't cheap when you compare it to the likes of Soap & Glory but if you've got a bit of cash to treat yourself you really won't be disappointed as it really is in whole different league. It's a lovely big tub too. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants an effective, yet gentle, exfoliation as well as a bit of a pamper.

For more info and stockists check out this product on 

elemis.com

What is your ultimate exfoliator?? Do you rate Elemis products??

My Top 3: Cleansers

Good evening beauty seekers!

Trying to keep on top of my blog after a couple of mental weeks which kept me away temporarily. This is my second post of the week and i wanted to talk about skincare. I've got a couple of skincare posts coming up very soon as I have been trying out some new products, but today I want to tell you about a couple of the cleansing products I keep going back to again and again and that I really do rate. I have a fair few cleansers in my stash but these three products (in no particular order) are definitely the ones I rely on the most, and all for different reasons. I don't always tend to use the same product every day, nor do I have the same routine for morning and night and tend to use these products to complement each other or by what I feel my skin needs most.

Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser*

This is my go to product if my combination skin is feeling particularly oily or in need of a purge. I received this as a duo with the Elemis Lavender Toner and together they really help to balance out my skin if I'm feeling particularly shiny. Usually if I use this I will use it in the morning before I put on my makeup or as a double cleanse after using my DHC Oil Cleanser (more on that to follow). You only need one or two small pumps to do a whole face (look how much I have left!!) so I find it great value for money too. I love the scent of this product and it never fails to make my skin feel fresh and completely clean as well as smooth and shine-free. 

Loreal Skin Perfection: 3in1 Purifying Micellar Solution 

I was so late to the party with micellar waters, it's not even funny. I've never even been within spitting distance of a bottle of Bioderma. In fact, I only have this due to an emergency purchase whilst away at uni after forgetting to bring a cleanser with me. I spotted this in Superdrug on offer at £2.99 and decided to see what all the fuss was about. I really like this product. It's just really quick and convenient to use and very handy when I'm having a really lazy day, short of time or haven't worn any makeup and just need  a refresh. I do a 'wax-on, wax-off' with this using a couple of large cotton pads. It does come out of the bottle VERY quickly which I find a bit wasteful and I don't find it to be the most effective against heavy eye makeup but those are my only grumbles. I find it extremely effective for what I want to use it for. This is the one I take with me when I travel as it's so convenient and quick. I also like that it is easy to and inexpensive to pick up on the go if I ever run out.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil*

I was so sceptical of this product when I got it home from a recent event, but it has completely won me over. This is the most amazing product for removing makeup and makes my skin feel so clean and soft. The softness comes from the olive oil and vitamin E extracts in the cleanser. I use this when I want to thoroughly cleanse after wearing a full face of makeup (by full face I mean like after a night out where I've really gone to town on my eyes and lips). Like the Elemis cleanser I only need one or two pumps which I rub over my face with my hands before splashing it with water to produce a milky cleanser which i can then massage into my face and wipe off with a damp cloth. I usually follow this with the Elemis Lime Blossom so that I know that everything has come off. It's well worth a try on any skin type.

So those are my current go-to cleansing products. I have other cleansers that I also like to use, although not as regularly as any of the above. Most notably the Una Brennan Neuroli Firming cleanser and also, more recently, the PerriconeMD Nutritive Cleanser which I have yet to try because I'm scared of it running out and me not being able to afford to repurchase it haha.

What are your essential cleansing products??

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm: Review

An exciting new product discovery for you today ladies! Regular readers may recall that I've been on a bit of a quest for radiant, glowy skin for Spring/Summer and when I found out that Elemis (a brand I really really rate) were launching a new Illuminating Flash Balm in May, I got a little overexcited! So excited that they offered to let me try it ahead of time and review it for you all! So, without further ado, I'll get on with it!

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm*

I love Elemis products. Not least because they use AMAZING ingredients and are free from foul nasties like Parabens, Silicones, Mineral oils and all that other shizz.... This product boasts some gorgeous skin-loving ingredients such as purple orchid and acai. 

I've never tried a Flash Balm before. I've had the Clarins one on my list for what seems like forever, but when I heard of this release I put it to the back of my mind. I love the idea of brighter, smoother, tighter skin. The product is kind of like a cross between a moisturiser and primer and can be used as either. I've been using it on top of my regular morning moisturiser (at the moment I'm using DHC Pore Milk for anyone curious) as a base for my foundation. 

The product itself is quite thick and balmy (well it is a BALM, Lisa... Duhh). It smoothes easily over the skin and, as with most Elemis products I've used, you don't need a lot to do a whole face/neck. It has a strong citrus/floral scent, which won't be to everyone's taste and if you prefer not to use scented products on your face I'd give this a miss, but I don't mind it. I prefer it to the medicated scent of the Freshskin Mattifying Moisturiser I have. It has a very slight warm tint to it and a lovely sheen, without having any huge, glittery particles in it that will explode in bright light or with flash. It just boosts your natural glow. 

Finished with Illamasqua Skinbase Foundation and MAC MSFN

I loooooove how this product makes my skin feel. It feels firmer, super smooth and more even in tone as well as disguising the few little lines I have (I'm not wearing concealer in this photo). I have combination skin and did wonder if it would accentuate those problem areas but this has proven not to be the case. My skin also feels warmer and more glowy.  It isn't overly dewy though. It is suitable for all skin types but I think I'd recommend anyone oilier than me to try a sample before purchase just to be on the safe side. I just love how my skin reflects the light after using this product. It just gives it that perfect little lift!

This product will retail for £32 for 50ml and is released in May 2013.

Are you a fan of Flash Balms?? Do you prefer a glowy finish or are you more of a matte kinda gal?? Do you rate Elemis products??

Elemis Fresh Skin Mattifying Moisturiser: Review

Back on to the subject of skincare for today my lovelies!! Specifically the matter of combination/oily skin. I had a bit of a nightmare searching for good quality moisturisers that don't make my t-zone light up like a Christmas tree. I recently reviewed the Elemis Balance and Purify Cleansing duo (Here) and, following that, I quizzed the peeps at Elemis as to what moisturiser they would recommend to work in tandem with the cleanser and toner and they recommended this...

Elemis Fresh Skin: Skin Clear Mattifying Moisturiser*

This moisturiser is specifically formulated for oily and blemish prone skin types of which, technically, I am neither. However, I need a moisturiser that will not amplify my shiny t-zone and that will make a great base for my makeup. I like that the active ingredients in this moisturiser are naturally derived and that the formula isn't too heavy. The texture of the product is actually on the thicker side, yet goes on very well and you only need a little bit to do a whole face.

The product comes in a pump top bottle. In fact, one pump tends to give too much product for me so I have to be very gentle with it to avoid wastage. The product has quite a medicated scent which isn't to my taste, but that's really the only thing I don't like so much about it. It is very quickly absorbed once applied and provides a lovely, velvety, smooth result which I can then follow up with a primer. I'm not sure if it's the most effective at refining pores but it does enhance the performance of my BeneFit PoreFessional. I love that it moisturises my dryer areas (this is due to the presence of shea butter) whilst de-shining my nose and forehead. 

The product claims to promote cell renewal, maintain a matte finish for up to 8 hours and drastically reduce redness as well as t-zone shine. I don't have much of an issue with redness but, on the odd occasion that I do, I find this product to be very soothing. My t-zone is definitely less noticeable after using this product and, at £20 for 50ml I'd say it's good value as you only need half a pump or so for each application. If you're on the oilier side I definitely recommend giving it a go! 

Elemis products are available from most major department stores and online from sites including Time To Spa, Feel Unique and QVC. 

HOWEVER, if you act FAST and get in there quickly, you can still get a sample size of this product for FREE in the March issue of Cosmopolitan (UK)

What are your favourite moisturisers for oily skin types?? What do you use to combat the shine factor?? What Elemis products do you rate??

Elemis Balance & Purify Cleansing Duo: Review

Good morning my lovelies!!

Thought i'd bring you some skincare loveliness today in the form of Elemis Balance & Purify Cleanser and Toner*. I mentioned these briefly in my Skincare routine post back in January (Here) when i had only been using them for a short while, but i wanted to wait until i'd given them a fair run before i made a full review of the products. Today, however, is their day to shine!! 

The Balance and Purify Cleansing Duo consists of their Balancing Lime Blosson Cleanser teamed with their Lavender Toner. Together they aim to balance any oily areas and even out the surface of the skin whilst soothing and protecting. I must say i was very excited when i was contacted about these products. As i said in my earlier post, i was gasping for an excuse to explore new skincare options and refine my cleansing routine but wasn't really sure where to start.

Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser (200ml)

The first thing that hit me about this cleanser is the fragrance. I absolutely bloody ADORE it! It's a very fresh scent which manages to be comforting at the same time and i think i must have spent at least 5mins sniffing it before it even got on my face. Anyhoo, we're not reviewing perfume today so i'll get on with it....

This cleanser contains a patented Tri-Enzyme formula which helps protect against any environmental damage whilst soothing, smoothing and balancing weary skin. It also has resurfacing properties but without being in any way abrasive to the skin. Its texture is on the thicker side of milky and applies effortlessly to the face and neck (i find i only need a couple of pumps to get a sufficient amount). After massaging the product into the face and neck with my fingers i usually dampen a face cloth with warm water and wipe off any excess then pat dry before following with....

Balancing Lavender Toner (200ml)

Personally i really love the scent of Lavender and this product has that in abundance but, realistically, the fragrance of this toner won't be for everyone. It is VERY grown up and may possibly be a little on the strong side for some. It doesn't linger on the skin after using the product though. The High Alpine Lavender in this product aims to maintain the skin's natural Ph balance, while effectively clarifying. In short it's GREAT for combination skins like mine and is also recommended for oilier or teenage skins. Despite it's strong scent, the product is in no way harsh and leaves my skin feeling fresh without a hint of oiliness around the t-zone.

I find 2 or 3 short squirts of this to be enough, which i then rub in a little with my fingers just to make sure it's got everywhere. It feels extremely fresh and great for use in the morning to wake me up (which is no easy task, let me tell you, so i need all the help i can get). 

My Verdict???

I'm no expert on skincare by any means. I'm not exactly sure how healthy skin is SUPPOSED to feel but i can tell you when my skin feels 'happy' as such and it seems to approve of these products. Even before i finish with my moisturiser it leaves my skin feeling so smooth and even without any tightness. This makes for a great canvas for my makeup. I prefer the cleanser to the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, which i was never sure if it was working properly or not, but this one leaves me with no doubt that my skin is clean and healthy. I actually look forward to using the products and (touch wood) i'm keeping up the routine quite religiously. I'm currently doing research on a moisturiser to complete the set so if you have any Elemis recommendations i'm all ears!

The duo retails for £21 (the toner is actually FREE so you only pay for the cleanser), which i find to be amazing value for money as each bottle is a whopping 200ml and you don't need a lot. I've been using them for almost 6wks and am only just over a quarter of the way through the cleanser. 

You can buy this, and other great value duo packs from Elemis at 

Time To Spa (Link)

Debenhams (Link)

Feel Unique (Link)

And other online stockists as well as in Elemis department store concessions and Spa retailers.

Do you rate Elemis products?? Which can't you live without?? Alternatively, what are YOUR skincare hero products??

New Year Skin-Spiration!

Good evening my lovelies!

I've been trying to get this damn post up all week and its just not happened. So much for being a more organised blogger this year! Anyhoo, despite a few teething problems, i'm here now and i wanna bang on about skincare today. I have VOWED that this year will be the year that i take my skin in hand, after previously making it take a back seat to hair and makeup. I'm not getting any younger and it's about time i found a skincare routine that works. 

Some of the products i'm currently using are ones that i have been using for a little while and some i have only just started using. I have combination skin (ie an oily t-zone but pretty much normal elsewhere) so i look for products that balance this out and moisturise where i need it. I'm going to give you the rundown on the products and a little bit about what they do and how they work for me. Skincare is a very personal thing so what works for me might not work for you but i'd like to talk a little about them anyways.

Cleanse/Tone

Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser*

These Elemis products are brand new. I got them last week and so far i've been thoroughly enjoying using them. I'm planning a full review once i've properly got to grips with them. The duo is formulated to balance and purify oilier or combination skins. This cleanser smells AMAZING and makes my skin feel so clean and fresh. It's really simple to use as well. Just massage into the face and wipe off excess with a damp cotton wool ball. I'd be interested to see if it's any good with a hot cloth as well so i may experiment with that at some point. 

Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner*

If you're not into more 'grown up', floral fragrances this product won't be for you because it's quite strongly scented but i really like it. It works so well with the cleanser and i'm already feeling the difference since using it. More on that in a future post, but my skin feels smoother, more even and i think it's starting to do something about my pores so i'll wait and see! 

These products came in a pack together. I use them morning and evening with different moisturisers (except when i'm late or feeling lazy in which case it's a makeup wipe). 

There are other twin packs available from Elemis for different skin types. This one retails for £21 (the toner is FREE). Check them out at elemis.com

Moisturise

Love Your Skin London: Intensive Hydragel Moisturiser

I use this moisturiser in the morning, after cleansing, as a base for my makeup. I like it because i only need a little bit and it isn't heavy or oily. It contains collagen and Vitamin E to hydrate and regenerate the skin. As it's water based it works a treat on me and, even though the pricetag isn't cheap (£29.99), i trust LYS to take care of me because it was founded by leading therapists who know their stuff! If you want more info, check out the site HERE

Johnsons Dreamy Skin Facial Moisturiser

This is my night treatment after all that makeup comes off. Its Moonflower scent is heavenly! As it's formulated for normal/combo skin it spreads easily and sinks in quickly and it really does make my skin feel satin smooth when i wake up. I first picked this up from the makeup lady on Bakewell market for a couple of pounds, but i've since been into Boots and repurchased it for about £3.50. I know it's not a posh, luxurious night cream, but it works for me and i'd recommend it as a night treatment for combo skins like mine. 

Exfoliate

Nip+Fab: Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads*

I took these home from a recent event held by Nip+Fab. The Glycolic Acid brightens and resurfaces the skin. I tend to use these in the mornings in between cleansing and moisturising. I love that they exfoliate without being harsh on the skin like a scrub (although i do also use a scrub). Since using them i've found that my makeup sits better on my skin and that my complexion is, generally, a little brighter. It also has Hyaluronic Acid which has moisturising properties and Blue Daisy, which has a calming effect on the skin. Nip+Fab products are really well priced and these are £12.95 for a tub of 60 pads. Available from Sainsbury's stores and nipandfab.com

So here they are altogether. I included my ever-faithful St Ives Scrub for the final roundup as i use it once a week just to deep clean my pores. The only other things i use (which i wish i didn't and i am looking into other options) are makeup remover wipes. I don't favour a particular brand, i just usually get whichever ones are on offer in Superdrug and suitable for combo skin. So if anyone has any makeup remover recommendations for me please comment them below. 

What are your skincare must haves?? Do you prefer cheap and cheerful, high end luxury, or a balance of the two?? How do you cater to your skin type??