Skincare | The Importance of Double Cleansing

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Hello guys,

I have been reading a few skincare posts over the past couple of weeks and I am shocked to see people are still taking a full face of make up with either a face wipe or micellar water on a cotton pad and then carrying on with their expensive skincare routine which in my opinion is pretty pointless. The whole point of cleansing your face is to remove the dirt from it which won’t be removed by one wipe or cotton pad, please believe me on that matter! With double cleansing AND a good skincare routine you are reducing the chances of blackheads, whiteheads, blemishes, spots etc. and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a fresh clean face at the end of the night and first thing in the morning.

I started double cleansing a couple of years ago when I read an article by the one and only Caroline Hirons who, for me, is the most influential skincare expert out there. She doesn't load you up with useless information but rather she helps you and makes it easy to follow a simple routine which will make your skin become the best it can be. I have noticed a major difference in my skin and I also thank this brilliant lady for introducing me to some of the most wonderful products I have ever tried.

When cleansing your face with a face wipe, it isn't actually cleaning anything. All it does is remove the makeup not give your skin the goodness it needs and deserves. I have put together numerous skincare posts over the past year so I won’t rabbit on with everything that I use but I will discuss my favourite cleansers and how I wash my face.

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When I wear makeup I love to remove it as soon as I get home as I love a fresh cleansed face and I also like all of my skincare products to sink in for a few hours before heading to bed. I never use any foaming products on my face as they are very drying and I feel like they just strip away the essential oils so I stick to cleansing balms or oils for my first cleanse.  You know by now that I absolutely love the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm (£36)  but I equally love the Merumaya Cleansing Balm (£14.50) too as they both remove every trace of my makeup including waterproof mascara and don't irritate my skin. I take a little product and rub it all over my face starting with my eyes as they normally have the most products. Once I have melted off my makeup, I use a fresh wash cloth and lukewarm water to remove.

I then go in with my Magnitone and another face wash to fully cleanse my skin. You can use the same cleanser as you used to remove your makeup but I prefer to use something else such as my Alpha H Balancing Cleanser (£25) or Cetaphyl Gentle Skin Cleanser (£8.99)

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If my skin is a little sensitive then I use a gentle exfoliator such as the Yes to Carrots Fragrance Free Exfoliator (£6.99) or the Clean and Clear Exfoliating Daily Wash (£2.99) which I rub into my face and then wash off with lukewarm water rather than my Magnitone.

This is all I do to actually wash my face and sometimes I am surprised to see I still have a tiny bit of dirt on my face when I apply my toner so if you are only using a face wipe or make up remover then you can be guaranteed that you are just moving the dirt about on your face which will cause breakouts and not be completely cleaning your skin.

It’s never too late to start, but if you are young and reading this then please try it and see how you get on. I guarantee after a week you will notice a difference in your face and your skin will 100% thank you. I understand some of the products above may be too expensive so here are a list of cleansers I have tried previously and loved. I do have oily skin so you may have to look out for cleansers for your skin type. Please see my skin type for beginners post by clicking here which will help you figure out your skin type.

Good Things Argan Oil Nourishing Cleansing Oil (£5.99)

Cetaphyl Gentle Skin Cleanser (£8.99)

How do you normally cleanse?

What other products would you recommend?

Have you checked out my latest post featuring 144 Eyeshadows?  I can also be found on Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram |   

Makeup Revolution | 144 Eyeshadow Collection

Hey guys,

This palette is mammoth! I mean 144 eyeshadow shades is all you need to create some unbelievable looks but if you are anything like me, then you know you still want more palettes. I have been reaching for this almost every day as the shades are so versatile and can be worn both day and night. As you probably know, Makeup Revolution have really blown up since launching in the UK in March 2014 with almost everyone I know owning at least 5 of their products. I know most beauty bloggers rave about their products too but their eyeshadows seem to be the biggest talking point.

Since launching they have created similar eyeshadow palettes to Urban Decay Naked Palettes (£38), Too Faced Chocolate Palettes (£39) and the Lorac Pro Palette (£44.99) but as soon as I saw the 144 eyeshadow collection (RRP £20) I literally jumped for joy and ordered without even thinking. This is a huge price jump from any of its competitors with a bigger variety of colour. There is almost half of a palette dedicated to all different shades of brown, a neon section, not quite 50 shades of grey but there are all kinds of greys and some beautiful purples. As well as the impressive colour selection there is also a range of mattes and shimmers within the palette so you really do have a lot to work with. I am loving this palette. All of the colours are highly pigmented but I do have to complain about the blending ability. They are ok when blending out, but I feel I have to really work at it before it looks seamless.

It has taken me quite a while to pluck up the courage and use any of these eyeshadows as I was slightly overwhelmed by the array of colours but after working with some semi neutral eye looks I have decided, I am going to venture into the more colourful shades. Please beware if you are allergic to talc or mica then you won’t be able to use these shadows as they have them listed in the ingredients list. If you want to sample them, then I would suggest buying a singular shadow to see how you get on.

Have you tried this palette yet?

Have you tried any other palettes from Makeup Revolution?

Have you checked out my latest post featuring My Selfridges Wish List?  I can also be found on Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram |   

Selfridges | Current Wish List

Hello guys,

I thought I would put together a wish list today as I have been lusting after some springtime releases that have made their way into Selfridges. As you know, Selfridges is one of my favourite stores and when I lived in London, I would save up for a while and then splurge in there with some friends. I love their sales as they don’t just take off a couple of £s, they deduct a substantial amount of money which can make all the difference. I have focused on items under £50 for this post though so they aren’t too crazy.

Estee Lauder - Pure Colour Stay on Shadow Paint in Chained (£20)

I haven’t really played about with shadow paints in the past as I have always been happy with primers and building up my shadows but as soon as I saw the colour range, I knew I wanted one.

Nars - Audacious Lipstick in Julie (£24)

I have been eyeing up Nars products for the longest time and as the audacious lipsticks haven't disappointed the millions of fans out there I had a look. As soon as I saw the shade Julie, I absolutely fell in love with it and thought it was the perfect spring time shade.

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Balm (£25)

I love Charlotte Tilbury so it’s only natural that I would want to try this new lip balm from her ever expanding skincare range. I agree, it is a little more expensive that a normal lip balm, but I think this would be wonderful.

YSL Te Blue Primer (£29.50)

As soon as Sam Chapman spoke about this on her Instagram, I knew I would need it. This is a light-infused primer that smooths out pores and helps your make-up last longer. I do love my normal Laura Mercier Oil Free Primer but I want to give this a go as it’s a gel formula which leaves your skin looking illuminated.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact in Nectar (£32.50)

Who doesn't love a shimmer brick compact? I love the highlighter this gives off as well as a beautiful blush to your cheeks. 

Bobbi Brown - Cheek Palette in Calypso (£34)

Please tell me that this doesn’t scream Springtime to you, The colours are gorgeous. 

Tom Ford Lip Colour in Spanish Pink (£37)

Who doesn’t have Tom Ford on their wish list? I’ve had this guy on my mind since he first burst onto the scene with his delectable beauty range back in 2010. I bought my beautiful friend Siobhan one of his new mini lipsticks for her 30th birthday along with a few other items and I have to say, it made me want to try out some more of his range so what better than a lipstick in the beautiful shade Spanish Pink? 

Nars - Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette (£45)

I still haven’t bothered my back side trying any of the Nars products that I was lusting after recently but rather than buy one or two eyeshadows at £21 I thought I would be better buying this palette which is going into my shopping basket on pay day (hurry up!)

Well that’s all that’s in my wish list at the moment. I thought I done quite well with this as I didn’t go mad and pick over 20 items (this is quite easy for me) rather I picked all items under £50 which hopefully some of you are lusting after too.

What is in your current wish list?

Would you like to see a drugstore wish list?

Have you checked out my latest post featuring A New Maybelline Mascara?  I can also be found on Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram |   

Maybelline New York | Lash Sensational Mascara

Hey guys,

I bought the newly released Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara (£7.99) which I picked up in a recent haul. I completely forgot I had it as I have been focusing on the utterly amazing Benefit Roller Lash Mascara (£19.50) which I received in last month’s Elle Magazine. I’m gutted that I forgot about the MLSM as I have absolutely loved it. I first wore it on a recent date night with Liam when I found it again and I was pleasantly surprised when I put on just one coat. My lashes were so long and gave a gorgeous fanned out look which looked like I had applied false lashes.

It is quite similar to the Roller Lash Mascara meaning that it gave the exact same finish but for a lower price tag. The brushes for each mascara are very similar in the sense that they are both plastic and both curve to one side which catches every lash. The Maybelline mascara brush is slightly different as it has longer bristles on one side but it does the same job as the Benefit mascara. 

I absolutely adore this mascara, the colour that is dispensed onto each lash is absolute perfection and it leaves my lashes looking so dark and beautiful. The formula and the brush create such a dramatic finish on the eye as it coats every lash and gives them the most intense length especially to the tiny little lashes at the inner corner of the eye. The formula of the mascara is that of the Maybelline Falsies Mascara in Very Black (£7.99) which has a wet consistency. I thought this would be an issue if worn over a long period of time as it may smudge and I have to say I was right to be concerned as it did smudge ever so slightly on the corner of my eyes.

I would 100% buy Maybelline Mascara over Benefits as I feel I get a better finish with it and the price tag is a little more purse friendly. The only issue would be the smudging but keeping a few cotton buds in your make up bag will clean that up straight away and leave your make up looking fresh.

Have you tried this mascara yet?

Have you tried Benefit`s new mascara yet?

What is your favourite mascara at the moment?

Have you checked out my latest post featuring Mac Prep and Prime Highlighter?  I can also be found on Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram |   

Mac Cosmetics | Prep and Prime Highlighter

Hey lovelies, 

I am a bit of a concealer fiend and I have recently been reaching for lighter shades to highlight the high points of my face as well as covering my dark circles. One that I have been using is this Mac Prep and Prime Highlighter (£18.50) which is just amazing! It comes in four shades including Radiant Rose, Bright Forecast, Peach Lustre and the shade I bought, Light Boost.  Peach Lustre is the darkest of the four but I don’t think it is dark enough for darker skin tones which is a shame. Mac could really benefit from having a fifth and sixth shade in their line which would benefit more people.

The highlighter is in a twisty pen form meaning you just twist the end of it to get the product out. Be careful though as a lot comes out with just one turn. I normally use Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (£4.19) to cover my dark circles and any blemishes before using this highlighter as I want them to be completely covered. I normally run this just under my eyes in an upside down triangle shape and blending up to my temples and over the tops of my cheekbones. I also go down the bridge of my nose, middle of my forehead between my brows (blending up and out) and the middle of my chin. This will make those areas pop once blended out. I normally use my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (£5.99) as i feel it is the best tool for the job as it gets into the nooks and crannies of my face whilst making it look flawless. The consistency is quite sheer, it looks full coverage when you first apply it, but it isn't at all. Be mindful that it's a highlighter and not a concealer so don't try to cover blemishes as it will only make them stand out, not conceal them.

I am a contour kind of a girl so whether it be out for a lunch, a day out with friends/family or a night out, I love having a fully contoured face (not too much) and I feel this highlighter adds extra oomph! The lasting power is also pretty amazing, once it’s on and set, it ain't moving. It is pretty easy to blend out too but as I said, I find my RT sponge to be the best tool for the job.

All in all, a great little product. It’s my first venture into highlighting my face and I have to say, I’m pretty smitten with it.

Do you highlight your face?

Have you tried this product?

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