The skincare tag

I've been tagged. This post is exposing some of my skincare routine, tips, tricks and general advice. I was tagged by my friend from Let's Get Lippy.

The tag

Describe your skin care routine in five words?
Minimal. Easy. Experimental. Refreshing. Nourishing.

What’s your skin type?
My skin type is normal/combination. I only break out when something irritates my skin or before or after PMS.

What’s your favourite skin care product?
I was given mini bottles of Dermalogica cleanser and daily microfoliant in a goody bag a long time ago but as I didn’t know much about the brand I didn’t use them. I had run out of the face wash I had normally used so I started using both products together. I quickly realised what all the hype was about. Dermalogica is gentle on the skin, light and feels clean, fresh and not tight.

Top blemish zapper?
I use a little tea tree oil stick to banish my blemish if it puffs up, otherwise I just leave it until it disappears. I think the more you fuss over it, the worse it gets.

Face wipes yay or nay?
Yeah, I use Johnson’s Dreamy 3in1 Facial Night Wipes to remove my daily make up, cleanse and tone. Previously I used the Refreshing Facial ones that come in the pink packet and I felt like it didn’t do the job. With the night time wipes I noticed a difference so I’ve stuck with those, I also love the Aromasoothe with Moonflower fragrance it’s calming and perfect for bedtime. For the nights when I wear heavier make up I use Superdrug Vitamin E Eye Make Up Remover, this is a cream based lotion that you can squeeze out on to a cotton pad and really tackle the make up on and around your eye. 

High-end skin care or high-end make-up?
I would have to go with high-end make up because I haven’t really tried that much high-end skincare. I tend to buy high-end make up as a treat or if I have been recommended a specific product that would suit me. The majority of my skincare products are bought from the high street, I’m happy to try out new items and I’m really interested in product and brand recommendations through word-of-mouth or through reading beauty blogs.

What’s the most unusual skin care product you’ve tried? 
LOL. I tried this organic facial spray that you used to refresh your skin, it smelt like vinegar and water (yuck) but to be honest this thing was probably better for your health than some of the items on the market. Despite that I just know it wasn’t for me.

You’re in a French pharmacy and can only pick up one item – what is it?
One of my friends gave me a manicure once and she put this almond oil on my hands to nourish my cuticles. It was different from the almond oil I’ve bought in the UK, it felt lighter and seemed like it could be used regularly. She had bought it in France as that’s where she’s from so if I had to buy anything it’d be that.

Top skin care tips

• Drink water 
• Change your bed sheets regularly 
• Less is more. A pea-size amount is enough and you won’t run out too quickly 
• Try out new products and give them a good go before discarding them 
• NEVER sleep in your make up 

Who I'm tagging

Shanaz and Kamaria - La Belle Aventure
Melissa - The Avenue Online
Bree - All About Bree
Ayesha - Miss Tinks Beauty
Sophia - Sophia Bella

Bianca x

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Blistex Lip Brilliance review

Lip balm is one of my handbag essentials, I feel lost if I haven’t got one on the go with me. During the winter I used the Blistex Relief Cream and was impressed so I thought I'd give the balm a go. Inside the goodie bag from the Gorkana Beauty event I got a Blistex Lip Brilliance* chapstick. Over the past two weeks I’ve been using the balm to keep my lips soft. Here are my thoughts...

Blistex Lip Brilliance aims to condition dry lips using replenishing qualities including vitamin E, grape seed oil and silk extracts. It also features SPF 15 to protect against sun damage and hyaluronic filling spheres that penetrate the skin to fill in wrinkles and plump the lips.

I wore Lip Brilliance on its own, without anything else underneath. It can be used instead of a lipstick or with to boost your pout if you like. I used it for two weeks applying when my lips felt dry or before leaving the house. I found myself becoming addicted to putting it on because it smells and tastes like the red sweet, you know the one that is always the favourite one in a packet. I think the smell makes this balm attractive that’s probably why I couldn’t put it down.

Upon application the lip balm glides across the lips smoothly and feels light rather than heavy. I thought I’d have felt the glittery pieces in the stick as a part of the texture but I didn’t, which I liked. When I applied the balm indoors and outdoors, it kept my lips moist for a long time and didn’t dry up straight away - that was a good sign - I only reapplied when the pink tint faded.

What does it look like?

My GIF shows a before and after. In the after picture you'll notice the balm is deep pink on my lips, it is a tinted balm with a rosy tone and has a shimmering effect in the light.

Blistex Lip Brilliance (£2.49, Superdrug) is a great alternative to the plain balms on the market. If you want a balm for conditioning your lips and making them stand out at the same time, this is ideal for you.

Have you tried Blistex Lip Brilliance yet? Tell me your thoughts?

Bianca x

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*Disclaimer: Any items marked with an asterix (*) are sent to me for reviewing purposes, but this does not influence my overall opinion. All of the companies/brands/products on my blog are those that I recommend and would buy/use in the future unless stated otherwise.

Coconut oil hair shine from The Body Shop

My Mum and I had previously used coconut oil for hair, but I gave up on using after a while because constantly having to melt in down before using it was a lengthy process.

I've used almond and argan oil in my hair too and they were great for hair stands but I needed something to treat my scalp.

I've heard good things about using coconut oil on dry scalp so after washing, drying and styling I applied small amounts onto my finger and then rubbed the oil into spots across my head.

 

Coconut oil hair shine is £5.50 at The Body Shop, I got 20% with my loyalty card.

Once you've swirled the oil around and onto your finger it transforms from a wax-like texture to a soft oily substance. Compared to other coconut oils I've used, this is easier to control as it is hydrogenated. Most are really hard at room temperature and need to be melted but this is perfect for immediate use. It hasn't completely prevented dry and flaky scalp but it has helped to clear some trouble areas. I'd say it's good for smoothening hair and adding shine.

What it says on the tin: This solid oil turns into a balm in your fingertips. It smoothes hair and adds shine.
- Conditions
- Smoothes
- Adds shine
- Washes out easily

PROS:

It can be applied to the hair before you wash it as a treatment or to smoothen rough and dry edges after styling.

A small amount goes a long way. I thought the tin was too small but there more than enough inside to at least a year.

If I am going natural and curly it tames curls and defines.

It penetrates the hair shaft to treat dry and flaky scalp.

CONS:

In hot weather it could melt and turn gooey.

It's not completely pure coconut oil. If you are trying to reap the benefits pure oils this isn't the one, it also contains parbens which some people try to avoid.

Be careful how much you apply because it can make you hair look greasy.

Have you tried coconut oil for your hair? What do you recommend for dry scalp?

Bianca x

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My top beauty products to relieve dry skin

Since the bitterly cold weather set in I noticed how flaky and dry the skin on my face was getting. So I decided to bump up my facial skincare regime because I’m really low maintenance when it comes to beauty. Until now it consumed of facial cleansing wipes and the occasional splash of water morning and night.

The products I’m using on my face to prevent, protect and restore hydrated skin are pictured below.
I decided to go back to tried and trusted products I had used before and tried some new items too.

Blistex Relief Cream

A good friend of mine recommended this cream to me as an effective formula that will help to correct chapped lips. The cold weather has really made my lips crack so I thought I’d give this a go. It seems like something you would use for medicinal purpose and to be fair it does say it treat cold sores, so yeah it’s not your typical lip balm. However it really does the trick, after a couple days of applying the cream it smoothed the dry and sore areas and acted like a primer underneath the usual application of lip balm or butter.

St Ives Apricot Scrub for Sensitive Skin

I use St Ives as my exfoliator because I love the fruity apricot smell and the formula’s creamy texture. I know this scrub isn’t for everyone but it has worked well for me before. I had previously used the Invigorating Scrub but since I noticed my skin had become sensitive I opted for that version. There is also type for renewing and firm which is called Timeless Skin and blemish fighting called Naturally Clear.

According to St Ives this extra mild formula for dry or sensitive skin, “instantly smoothes skin and is gentle enough to use every day.”

It’s also Oil-free - Non-irritating • dermatologist-tested • 100% natural exfoliants • 100% natural extracts • Formulated without parabens and phthalates.

The exfoliating beads are made up of crushed walnuts and corn kernel meal and when gently rubbed across the skin they don’t feel too abrasive. I spent a couple minutes massaging the cream into the skin, washed it off with warm and patted my face dry. The thing I like about this scrub is that it leaves the skin feeling refreshed and soft rather than tight. The directions say to use every day but I think use is best twice or three times a week morning or night.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream SPF 15 Moisturiser

When I am not planning on wearing any make up for the day I apply the EA Eight Hour Cream Daily Moisturiser.

According to Elizabeth Arden, ‘This daily hydrating lotion leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and moisturized for up to 8 hours. Protects skin from the effects of extreme weather and climate changes while SPF 15 shields skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Suitable for all skin types.’

It leaves my skin feeling hydrated and soft without being too greasy, I think it’s a great moisturiser for dry sensitive skin as it relieves the tight feeling. The tube I’m using is a part of the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream starter kit so it’s only 15ml. When it runs out I’d definitely buy the full size.

The Body Shop All-in-One BB Cream

For days when I do apply makeup I’ve been using The Body Shop’s All-in-One Colour Adapting Tinted BB Cream. It was a real struggle for me to find a BB cream that matched my skin tone, when I got my hands on this it was a pleasant surprise. The colour adapting beads really work, there are only three different shades - I’m using 03 for darker skin tones. I’ve used it for three months and I’m so happy with the results.

The Body Shop says this, “All-In-One BB cream transforms from a white cream to suit your skin tone. Pigment-filled capsules burst when applied to the skin, releasing the colour inside. Just blend for a perfect match and an even, undetectable finish. It’s make-up and skincare in one.”

I found that this worked wonders for dry skin as the mositurising qualities create a dewy and glowing complexion. I applied small amounts of cream around my face and blended in with a foundation brush. The formula is light and gives the right amount of coverage, I don’t use any foundation over it but I do apply concealer under my eyes underneath because it’s not totally flawless. If you have sensitive skin and don’t want to wear foundation this is your product.

What beauty products do you use to combat dry skin during winter?

Bianca x

DIY shellac nail removal

Shellac nails are a great alternative to acrylics and leave your nails in a better condition after removal. My shellac nails lasted for four weeks and around about that time I decided it was time to take them off.

The recommended way to remove shellac involves soaking a cotton pad in nail varnish remover, wrapping the nail in the pad with aluminium on top for a few minutes and then wiping until clear. However this didn't work for me so I would suggest this method.

Step 1 - Wash your hands and prepare your supplies

I bought a 100% acetone nail remover, a pack of dual ended birchwood sticks and used a bowl to dip my fingers in.

Step 2 - Soak nails

Pour some of the acetone into a bowl and place your finger tips in for 8-10 minutes. The shellac should peel off in the water.

Step 3 - Remove remaining gel

After 10 minutes most of the shellac will have peeled off but won't be completely gone. So to clear the nail use the birchwood sticks to scrape the residue off using the acetone to help.

Step 4 - Wash hands

Once the entire residue is clear your nails will probably sticky so wash your hands to smoothen.

Bianca x

Topshop nail shades

My ever-expanding nail colour collection could get bigger. Topshop's nail shades have caught my eye.

The fashion store's nail line is one I haven't tried before but according to reviews the polishes are of good quality and produce great results.

The three hues I'm feeling from the left are: Peaches and cream, Domestic Goddess and Windy City.

Peach tones are one of ss12 beauty trends this pale apricot colour could pair well with other pastel shades.

Mauve is classic, chic and a step away from the signature red nail worn out by a lot of us including me.

Dusty blue is an experimental shade for me but I can see it working well for summer.

Now I need to work out which one to buy first.

Bianca x

Nail art pen

My first attempt at the WAH x Models Own nail art pen was all about getting to grips with both of the functions. On side of the pen is a brush for thick strokes and the other a nib that is for creating fine lines and spots.

I decided to go with some tiny spots across the top half of my nail. With some practice and a steadier hand it should be easy to create intricate designs.

The supplies - Wah x Models Own Nail Art Pen, Rimmel Top and Base Coat and Rimmel Double Decker Red.

Bianca x