my skincare routine: finding holy grails and trying to keep it all within budget

Skincare and make up is something I got into a few years ago and since then, the obsession has exploded. I've done reading on the different ingredients and what they do to skin and also which layers should go where and how often certain exfoliators should be used, etc. It actually came in useful in my job when I had a patient come in to ask about treatments for acne - although it can be a medical condition, using the right skincare can also help! I used to have quite mild acne and it cleared up with using the right skincare products and the combined contraceptive pill without any need for antibiotics or other stronger anti-acne medications which have side effects. (I still get the odd spot here and there but nothing like before!)

Anyway, let's talk about the routines! I last blogged about my routine in May 2017 and there have been some significant changes!

Morning Routine

I start off with using cold water splashed on and then patted dry with a cotton flannel. 

1. Melano CC Vitamin C serum/Kiehl's Clearly Correction Dark Spot Solution

I start with this on any old scars which need fading. The Melano CC works a treat and I find the fading is obvious from day two! The Kiehl's one I'm still testing - it was a gift from my sister!

2. Cosrx BHA Blackhead Toner Liquid

I genuinely think this is one of the reasons my skin has cleared up dramatically. BHAs can draw out impurities and keep pores unclogged. I recommended it to my sister a few years ago for this reason and she has sworn by this same product ever since.

3. Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion

Ceramides aplenty in this lotion! Ceramides are great at locking in moisture and maintaining that moisture barrier. I had to slip in ceramides to my morning routine somehow! This is a great way - this lotion is more of a liquid and absorbs super quickly. Ideal for mornings when you are a bit behind schedule! Some people use more than one layer but for me, I find one is sufficient. 

4. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+]

I've been a loyal user of this for many years now. I didn't think it did much but when I stopped using it for a few months, I noticed an increase in breakouts. The Niacinamde helps keep my skin clear whilst brightening it up, giving that all-important healthy glow. Honestly one of my holy grails! Every time Escentual do their French Pharmacy promotion, I buy three or four until the next promotion a few months later. 

5. A moisturiser: depending on what my skin feels like that day/the weather, usually one of the following: Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Gel Cream, Cerave Facial Moisturising Lotion with SPF, Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream or Rosette Ceramide cream.

So there are quite a few products here! Let me explain how I choose. 

Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Gel Cream: for days where my skin feels dry but the weather is going to be cool.

Cerave Facial Moisturising Lotion: for days that are hotter and where there is the potential that I may end up a bit sweaty at points!

Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream: winter days where it is cold and windy.

Rosette Ceramide cream: cool temperatures or cold temperatures which aren't too windy. 

Evening Routine

1. Pixi Glow Tonic 

Another one that I've used for a few years ago. Still not sure it does anything and now that The Ordinary have come out with an alternative, I will give that a go once this bottle is done. I always start my evening routine with an AHA of some kind though.

2. Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion

I bought this on the whim whilst in Hong Kong last February. It was cold, my skin was dry and I hadn't brought enough moisturising products with me. This was priced at around £7-8 equivalent and having seen some rave reviews for it, I knew I had to try it. It's great! I'm going to try their premium version once this one is done but Hada Labo could become a company I'm very keen on!

3. Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid

Another Dr Jart+ offering! Can you tell I'm a huge fan? They are on the pricier end but I have yet to find a line with so many ceramide laden products that work well on my skin. I have tried the Holika Holika line but it didn't mix well with other layers or make-up. This one is a liquid which can be patted on and I have noticed that my skin is plumper the next day when I've used this.

4. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

More Niacinamide because you can never have enough! At £5 a bottle and with a bottle lasting me about two months, this product is totally worth it. I get a lot of 'bang for my buck' as some of the Reddit forumites say!

5. Simply Pure Hydrating Serum

This serum is extremely cheap and can be found in Superdrug. It also has three types of ceramide in (similar to the Dr Jart+ products I use) but I've found that the more ceramides I use, the better the outcome. I may see if this alone does the trick once I run out of all of my Dr Jart+ products.

6. Hyasoft Instant Moisture Boost

I got this in the M&S Beauty Advent Calendar last year and honestly, it's been a revelation. The first night I used it, I remember saying 'meh' out loud. When I woke up the next day, the glow was unreal! However, when I looked up the price (£19!), I was put off a bit. That said, this tube has lasted me a good four months or so with daily use. I'm tempted but need to finish a few other products first before I consider purchasing this one.

7. M&S Ultimate Sleep Cream

Another M&S Beauty Advent Calendar offering. I love the smell of this (though I can imagine some people disliking the strength of it) and it's quite a thick, moisturising cream which feels luxurious on the skin. Again, I wake up with the softest of skin the next morning. Tempted to re-purchase but have a few other products to finish first!


Other Products

These are products I sometimes use instead of the ones above or in addition to depending on what my skin is doing.

1. Mizon Overnight White Sleeping Mask

I use this one on the nights as a final where when it feels like my skin needs an extra bit of moisture locking in.

2. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

This peel gets used once a week as a more intensive treatment. Usually in place of whichever AHA was due to be used.

3. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

I use this once twice a week - Sunday nights and Wednesday nights in place of my AHA. Seem to have a good effect so far and I've noticed a decrease in the number of spots I'm getting.

4. Laneige Vitamin Brightening Cleansing Water

This cleansing water gets used periodically, on days where my skin seems duller than usual. I haven't noticed much difference with it but then again, I have only used it a few times!

5. Banila Co Clean It Zero

This gets used on the days where I've worn make-up. It's a great oil cleanser which melts off all of my make-up without making my skin feel tight and dry.

6. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Used before Clean It Zero to get some of the make up off in preparation for an oil cleanse.

7. Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Oil Balm

Mainly used in the winter as a last layer at night to add some extra moisture.

8. Alpha H Liquid Gold

Used twice a week (Monday nights and Thursday nights) in place of the Pixi Glow Tonic. I'd use this every night if I could (it's that good) but the last time I did that, I killed off my moisture barrier and it took a while to get it back.

9. Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream

On dark spots/areas of redness/areas that need healing fast. It works like magic, if you can see passed the fact that the key ingredient is from snail slime!

10. Avene Cleanance Expert Emulsion

I've yet to see any effect from this so I'm basically using it for the sake of using it. I won't be purchasing this product again!

So there you have it. A bit of a tour of what's on my shelf in my bathroom! I'm still trying to find cheaper alternatives which work just as well as the more expensive products I use (ahem, Dr Jart+) but until I do, I'll stick with my premium ones. They inflict a bit of a dent in my monthly salary but for that extra confidence boost of glowy skin, it's totally worth it. At least for the time being...!

beauty empties: may, june, july and august & mini reviews!

For January to April's empties, please click here.

M A Y

Murad Time Release Blemish Cleanser
A friend introduced me to this cleanser and it helped clear up my skin. It has an extremely faint fragrance, so perfect for those who don't like strong smells. One bottle also lasted me two years, even with daily use. It is on the pricier end so for that reason, I give it 8/10. Otherwise, it would be my perfect cleanser. I'm now using something much cheaper with no adverse symptoms (touch wood!).

Papa Bombee Whitening Honey Mask Pack
My sister bought me a few of these from her trip to Korea and I only just got round to using one here.  I did get instant brightening effects but this mask had a strong smell of honey. When that smell is right next to your nose for nigh on half an hour, it can get a bit sickly! I don't mind it but others might. I really like this mask. 7.5/10 as it does feel like there's something missing with it.

Ren Flash Hydro Boost (sample)
This sample was one I really wanted to dislike as Ren products are great but very pricey! It turned out that this was actually an amazing product. It left my skin feeling plump and healthy the next morning (I used it as an overnight mask). The fragrance was a bit too strong and I wasn't a big fan of it but the effects were worth it. I've opted not to purchase it as I'm sure there are products out there with the same active ingredients for a fraction of the price. 8.5/10 (points deducted for price and smell).

Estee Lauder Nutritious Vitality8 Night cream (samples (six of them!))
This was an average cream - no visible effect. I used the samples up for the sake of it really. The samples were also very stingy with not much in there! The Ren one before had enough for a week's use! 1/10 for this cream - pleasant to apply but did nothing.

& Herbal Essences shampoo and an Oral-B toothpaste!


J U N E

VDL Lumilayer Primer (sample)
I really liked this primer! I don't use highlighter but this primer gave me a glow on my cheekbones and brow areas, even after applying foundation. 8/10

Darphin Melaperfect Skin Tone Brightening Moisture (sample)
This is a sample I absolutely detested and ceased using after one trial. Super greasy, smelt weird and the texture was thick and hard to spread. 0/10

Holy Snails El Dorado (sample)
This is a vitamin C serum and I got it as part of the sampler set. Didn't notice a difference. 1/10

Murad Oil Control Mattifier Moisturiser sample
I got this as part of a set. It is quite thick and hard to spread so I always found myself using more when compared to other creams. It's ok but I won't be re-purchasing as it isn't worth the price for me. 5/10

Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum
My sister bought me this from her trip to Korea late last year and I'm not quite sure if it even made a little bit of difference. I haven't replaced it after it ran out and my skin still seems the same. However, it was the summer and my skin doesn't usually need as much moisture... We'll have to wait until the colder months to see if this is worth a re-purchase. 6/10

Vichy Normaderm Night Detox
The thing about this cream is that it goes on easily, absorbs really quickly and seems to make my skin feel less greasy in the morning. Already re-purchased! 8/10

Revlon 3D Extreme Mascara
Smudged within an hour of application! I've yet to find a drugstore mascara that doesn't smudge on my oily under-eye area... 1/10

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector
Despite its overwhelming medicinal smell, this is actually a really good moisturiser for very dry skin. My hands can get really dry with excessive hand washing on the wards and this cream has been good at preventing my skin from cracking and drying out. 7/10

Alpha H Absolute Eye Complex With Cucumber and Vitamin B5 (Sample x2)
These samples were HUGE. They lasted forever and I ended up using it all over my face instead. Annoyingly, I definitely noticed a difference with this. I would use it as part of my evening routine and the next day, my skin had more of a glow and was a bit brighter. Won't be purchasing as I have many products to get through before even contemplating adding to my collection. 8/10

Banila Co White Wedding Dream Cream (sample x2)
Nothing special... Didn't notice a difference with these samples. 1/10

Skin Food Fresh Apple Cream
Over-powering smell of apple and only enough in the sample for two applications. Therefore, hard to tell if it had any effect. 1/10

Skin Food Fresh Apple Essence
Again, an overwhelming smell of apple and not enough in the sample to tell if it had any positive or negative effect. 1/10

Origins VitaZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser with Mangosteen SPF15
Weird, thick, greasy cream that left a bizarre white sheen to my face. Not a fan unfortunately. 0/10

& (not pictured) Garnier Ultimate Blends shampoo and an Oral-B toothpaste.


J U L Y

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner (samples)
Not enough in the sample and just didn't do anything. 1/10

Cosrx Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream 
With no fragrance to this cream and the promise of ceramides, this cream was promising. And it certainly delivered. Left my skin feeling hydrated and plump without a film of grease. Very impressed - just wish it was a little bit cheaper! 8/10

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream (sample)
Again, one of those samples where there isn't enough to fully evaluate if it had a positive or a negative effect. 1/10

Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum
This is my all time favourite perfume - it is floral and feminine but without being overbearing. It also doesn't fade towards the end of the day. Already repurchased when I passed through Duty Free earlier this year! 9.5/10

Alpha H Liquid Gold
I reviewed this in this blog post. 8.5/10

& Other Stories Body Moisturisers: Mediterranean, Fig Fiction and Moroccan Tea (samples)
My favourite out of these? The Moroccan Tea one. It smelt heavenly: floral, but not overwhelmingly so, and it just smelt like a holiday. It's a perfect lightweight moisturiser for the summer but I wouldn't recommend it for drier weather. 8/10

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream (sample)
This was a really thick cream which went on easily. The sample was huge and lasted forever and eventually, seeing no results on my under-eye areas, I just slathered it all over my face. The effect? Much brighter, glowing skin! This sample had a positive effect but its price just puts me right off. 5/10

NYX Matte Finishing Spray

Considering this comes in at about £5 a bottle, it is well worth the money. This one lasted me about six months of near daily use and seems to keep my make-up from fading. Already re-purchased (though currently trailing the Urban Decay All Nighter). 7.5/10

Bumble and Bumble Surf Shampoo and Conditioner (samples)
Having yet to find a Bumble and Bumble product that impresses me, this one was the same. Left my hair feeling unclean and there wasn't enough in it for my hair (which is medium in length!). 1/10

Guerlain Le Petite Robe Noire (two samples)
A feminine perfume which lasts for about half a day. Still on the lookout for the perfume that can defeat my current holy grail of Viktor and Rolf's Flowerbomb. 5/10

Papa Honey Bombee Whitening Sheet Mask (x2)
See the review in May (scroll up)!

Holiday Candy Sheet Mask
This mask had an overwhelming smell of cotton candy and didn't seem to have much effect if I'm honest. 2/10

Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
I bought this as I'm a huge fan of snail products. On Reddit, several users claimed that it helped shrink those massive red cystic spots and it genuinely did do this for me - and overnight too! Also really good for healing open sores (like those pesky paper cuts). 9.5/10

Laneige Water Bank Sleeping Mask (sample)
I took this with me on my trip to Canada and used it as the last step of my night time routine. I really liked it - my skin felt more hydrated in the morning, it had no overwhelming fragrance and a little goes a long way. Full size purchased! 8/10

Avene Cleanance K Sample
I actually have this in the full size and decided to take this travel sized bottle with me to Canada in an effort to travel light. I don't think it does anything special to my skin but it doesn't seem to harm it either. It might be one of those products where you don't notice the difference until you stop using it so only time will tell... 5/10


A U G U S T

The Body Shop Hemp Foot Protector
They do a hand cream version of this too and if I'm honest, I can't see any difference between them. I ended up using this all over my body whenever my skin feels dry and it does a good job of adding moisture. The smell reminds me of my childhood for some reason but this won't be a cream I'll be repurchasing as it didn't seem like it did a better job than other cheaper moisturisers. 7/10

Papa Recipe Bombee Whitening Honey Mask Pack
Reviewed further up in the month of May (please scroll up!).

Boots Botanics All Bright Hydrating Day Cream SPF 15
This cream smelt lovely but it had a watery texture and a pink hue to it. Although it was watery in texture, it seemed to leave a thin film of oil on my face which wasn't particularly pleasant. 0/10

Benton Cacao Moist and Mild Cream
Reviewed here.

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm
Possibly the best pot lip balm I've ever used! Perfect for dry, chapped lips. I put this on before bed and I wake up with lips which are moisturised and no longer chapped. It has a slightly grainy, thick texture which I didn't mind. Already repurchased.  9.5/10

Vichy Normaderm Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care 24h Hydration (sample)
I'm not quite if this cream did anything for me if I'm honest! No obvious effect (positive or negative) so not something I'd want to repurchase at this moment in time. 3/10

Origins Renewal Serum (sample)
Again, a sample which didn't have enough in it for me to make a proper assessment. 1/10

& Oral B 3D White Pearl Glow Toothpaste

* * *

So that's it for another four months! Four more months of this challenge to go and it's quite nice to see how much I actually go through. The aim of this challenge is to prevent impulse purchases and hoarding and so far so good!

beauty empties for the first four months of 2017 & mini reviews

At the end of 2016, I decided to set a box aside for beauty things I finish throughout 2017. This will enable me to see just how much I go through with the intention of preventing hoarding and excessive impulse buys. Here are the first four months and some mini reviews on each finished item.

J A N U A R Y

Baby Foot 
I had high hopes for this foot mask but it disappointed me. I'd read reviews that said they had peeling feet for a good few weeks after but mine didn't even flake! Feet were no different afterwards and I soaked them for the recommended time. 0/10

The Body Shop Blueberry Body Butter
Performance-wise, I'm a huge fan of The Body Shop body butters but not the price. I usually wait until they have a sale and a 40% discount code as you can usually combine the two. They are a luxury and so I try and only use them during the cooler months where my skin is dryer. Smells lovely and keeps my skin soft and moisturised. 7/10

Tony Moly I'm Real Radiance Sheet Mask
I reviewed this mask earlier this month, please see here :)

Liole Super Gold Snail BB Cream sample
I found this was the right shade for me but it didn't seem to go on as smoothly as my Missha Perfect Cover BB cream (my current go-to base). It made my skin look dry and flaky and just wasn't impressive. Disappointing as I do love products with snail in! 1/10

Holy Snails Shark Sauce sample
Holy Snails have some well loved products on the Asian Beauty Reddit subforum and so I found myself eager to try their offerings. I bought the sample pack and gradually made my way through each product. Shark Sauce has Niacinamide in, an ingredient that brightens and evens complexion while fading scars. This product didn't do anything (negatively or positively) so for that, 2/10. There are many who say that Shark Sauce has improved their skin beyond expectations though so you may think differently.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara
Smudgeproof mascaras are a holy grail item for me and this one is perfect in that respect. The price is on the higher end though and though I did replace it (but with the volume version), I don't think there'll be another replacement after that one! 6/10

& Garnier Ultimate Blends Shampoo for Coloured Hair and a Dove Beauty Blossom Body Cream.


F E B R U A R Y

Tony Moly I'm Real Skin Soothing, Elasticity and Moisturising Sheet Masks
I reviewed these masks earlier this month, please see here :)

Emma Hardie Vit C Intense Daily Serum sample
Sometimes, when you use a sample, you don't expect much and that's the expectation I had with this one. However, by the end, I was gutted that I ended up loving the effect it had. It brightened my skin and evened out my complexion, seemingly overnight! With the main active ingredient being vitamin C though, I'm hopefully there'll be a product just as good for a fraction of the price. 8/10

Berrisom My Lip Patch
Very disappointing product. Tastes foul and no visible difference after. Fun to use and only good if you want to spend half an hour or so in silence. 0/10

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+]
This was one of those products where you don't notice much of an effect when you use it but once you stop, you then see the difference it made. Just that. I'm too scared to stop using it for that reason. 9/10

Mizon All In One Snail Repair Cream
I'm going to lay this down straight: I love snails. Snails have done wonders for my skin - from preventing break outs to decreasing redness - and this is the product that started it all. It lasted forever (ok, maybe more like eight months) and was great as part of a multi-step routine. I'm currently trying out the Black Snail version and it's not given me the same results unfortunately. 9/10 for this version.

& Arm and Hammer Enamel Pro Repair Toothpaste


M A R C H

Rilakkuma x A'pieu Sheet Mask Patches
This was a weird sheet mask - it came in patches shaped as the two bears: Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma. It was good at moisturising and had an instant brightening effect but the weird sheet mask style wasn't for me. 6/10

Fix & Tox S.Pore Unit Programming Sheet Mask
A steady sheet mask that didn't do anything special for me. 5/10

A'pieu Facial Cleansing Tissue
Good for removing make up and even the most stubborn eyeliner. 8/10!

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
This is a wonder product for my skin and I've mentioned it previously here in this post and here too! Not a bad word from me but others have reported pilling when using this serum under other layers.  9/10

Holy Snails Snowbang sample
The key product in this sample were ceramides and Snowbang did wonders for my skin. When I started using it, I did wonder why I hadn't thought of adding in this key ingredient sooner. It was the product that confirmed just how dehydrated I suspected my skin to be. Due to the price and lack of availability in the UK, I won't be repurchasing but have since found an adequate replacement. 9/10

Caudalie Reservatrol Lift Night Infusion Cream
A bit of a 'meh' product. Didn't do anything for me. 1/10

Benefit Professional sample
On the days where I don't feel like wearing a base layer, I sometimes just use a primer. Porefessional did a decent job of blurring my pores but was awful under my Missha Perfect Cover BB cream. It also didn't make my make-up last for longer but I did purchase the full size for those days where I don't feel like wearing make up. 7/10

Missha Time Revolution Borabit Ampoule
Again, one of those products that didn't make a difference. 1/10

Banila Co White Wedding Night Cream (two samples)
Another that made no impact. 2/10 (because I liked the consistency!)

& Garnier Ultimate Blends Shampoo for Coloured Hair and The Body Shop's Passionfruit Body Butter.


A P R I L - a month of samples!

Banila Co Miss Water and Mr Oil SLM Gel Cream (two samples)
No visible difference but I did like the texture and smell. 2/10

Tony Moly Cherry Blossom Whitening Cream (four samples)
Again, no impact. 1/10

Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose In It
Ended up using this as a gentle body scrub instead. It has a refreshing minty smell to it... and that's as much as my review goes. It doesn't really do anything (at least not for me). 2/10

Fix and Tox Derma Clear System Mask x 2
A middle of the road sheet mask (not dissimilar to the other Fix and Tox sheet mask mentioned in the previous month. 5/10

Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Eye Cream (three samples)
This cream seemed to brighten my skin (I used it all over my face instead of just under my eyes). I did end up liking it but I don't purchase eye creams as (in my opinion) they are overpriced for what they are. 6/10

Neutrogena Hydro Boost sample
I loved this sample! It was the last step to my evening routine and when I woke up the next morning, my skin was so much plumper and fresher. It is on my wishlist for once I finish my other sleeping packs! I hope they don't reformulate or discontinue by the time that comes around. 9/10

Tony Moly Intense Care Dual Effect Sleeping Pack sample
Meh. No difference. 1/10

Cosrx Ultimate Moisturising Honey Overnight Mask sample
Seemed to have a good effect overnight but not as good as the Neutrogena Hydro Boost. 6/10

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% and Zinc 1%
This was my second finished bottle and I know the first one is in the month of March so it looks like it doesn't last long! However, it didn't take me a month to get through this; I was using both bottles pretty much simultaneously since October so it probably takes me closer to three months to finish a bottle.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
Used as spot treatment, one bottle of this can take me months or even years in this case to finish. Because it has alcohol in it, I'm not too worried about keeping it for years. I talk more about it here. 9/10

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water for sensitive skin
Pretty good as a first step to take off make up. I follow it up with Banila Co's Clean It Zero (up next!) and then a foam cleanser. 8/10

Banila Co Clean It Zero
An excellent sherbet oil cleanser for dissolving make-up. I love the faint soapy smell and how it just melts on my skin. The tub lasted me for a good six months of near daily use and though it is on the pricier side, I'm too scared to try other oil cleansers in case they break me out. 8/10

& Jergens Daily Moisture Body Cream and Garnier Ultimate Blends Shampoo for fragile hair prone to breakage

* * *

My goal this year was to use up things before buying replacements and so far so good! I usually have one, maximum two, samples open at any time. I'm lucky that a bad reaction to something new is quite rare for me (touch wood this continues!) and using up my samples are a good way to add things to my wishlist. Saying that though, I still patch test each sample before slathering it all over my face. This gives me time to see if it really assess if it's something I want to try next or if it was a transient lust.

So far, I've noted that one bottle of shampoo and one tube of toothpaste lasts me for a month or so, sheet masks make an appearance once or twice a month and that buying back ups is something I need to stop because I just don't go through things as quickly as initially thought. I'm already excited to see what the next four months of empties will look like!

beauty review: Benton Cacao Moist and Mild Cream

Benton are a Korean beauty brand; pretty well-known for their snail and bee products. The name 'Benton' is inspired and named after The Curious Case of Benjamin Button where Benjamin Button grows younger with time; and that is the premise of the Benton brand.

Today, we have the Cacao Moist and Mild Cream. It claims to be a lightweight, natural cream whilst still providing moisture to the skin to keep it smooth. The key ingredients are Cacao extract and hyaluronic acid. Both ingredients are already well known in the beauty and skincare world for being good skin hydrators. I currently use Palmer's Cocoa Butter as my body moisturiser so was excited to try this on my face (though I did have a fear of it clogging pores...).

The cream comes in a cute pink bottle and is the size of a hand cream. The box is also a cute pale pink colour and as much as we shouldn't be seduced by the aesthetics of packaging, I can't help but feel an affinity towards this bottle design.

So, how did this cream fare?

Well, there were many positives: it is a light, white-coloured fluid and does not feel greasy. It is easy to apply (so not too runny or too thick) and there was no strong fragrance to it. I half-expected it to smell like the cocoa butter I slather over my body after a shower but nope, nothing with this one.

It claims to be suitable for all skin types and with my oily-dehydrated skin, I was skeptical. Cacao butter for greasy skin? Sounds like a recipe for disaster but I was pleasantly surprised. Benton claims the cacao extract gives the complexion a dewy glow and I can't confirm this. My current routine does a good job of making my skin appear dewy so I'm not sure how much this cream contributed to that.

It didn't clog my pores or cause a breakout and it did a good job of keeping my skin moisturised. However, it was tested during a spate of hot, summery weather - a climate which usually means I don't need much in the way of an intense moisturiser.

Overall, this is a promising moisturiser, given how it has performed so far. It has a pleasant texture with no fragrance, did not clog pores and appeared to give my skin the moisture it needed. Did it outperform my current holy grail moisturiser (Dr Jart's Ceramidin cream - only used when my skin needs some heavy-duty moisture)? I'm not sure it did and probably won't know until the colder months, though I'm sure this will definitely serve me well during the summer months.

Note: This product was provided for review. I have reviewed it as honestly as possible and as if I had purchased it myself.

korean make-up mini reviews: eyes and lips

A while back, I did a few mini reviews about some Korean face and cheek products and today, here are a few more mini reviews about some eye and lip products.

VDL x Pantone Eye Book 6.4 - No. 5

My sister returned from Korea with this palette and isn't it beautiful on the outside and the inside? The mirror is huge and the hinge is sturdy enough for it to stay open, regardless of the angle. The shadows are buildable and that's what I personally prefer. It's not the most portable of palettes though!

Heimish Dailism Eyeshadow Palette in Lovesome Brink

Another palette with buildable shadows and this one is ideal for travelling. It is lightweight, small and has a decent sized mirror. The colours are also nice and neutral; so ideal for everyday wear and also for going out too.

Tony Moly Panda's Dream Mascara

This is my Holy Grail mascara. Cheap, smudge-proof and comes off easily without any scrubbing - what's not to love? If I use curlers before applying two coats of this mascara, I get a decent curl that opens up my eyes and a full day of wear with no smudging. Perfect.

As an aside, my sister bought me this as a surprise gift (it wasn't a request from me unlike some of the other items she returned with) and it was a pleasant surprise to the both of us when we realised how well it performed. I've since re-ordered it because it really is that good!

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers

My sister returned with a pair of these from Korea again - she snagged both in Duty Free while at the airport. They come with a replacement pad each too so are pretty good value for money when bought over there. They do a pretty good job - they fit my eye shape well and I have no complaints.

Etude House Drawing Eye Brow 

Have to confess - I'm still yet to use this as I've been using Anastasia Beverley Hills' Dip Brow Promade. I'll crack it out soon though as I want to test it out before my holiday - with the test determining if it comes with me on my jaunt or if my trusty Dip Brow does. It has good reviews all over the internet though!

Holika Holika Pro Beauty Foxy Eyeliners

Usually, I stick to dark brown or black eyeliner (on the days where I can be bothered!) but I wanted to branch out a bit so I ordered a purple one from Holika Holika. The other one is in dark brown as my Estee Lauder one needed replacing. They seem to stay put during the day and have a decent amount of pigmentation. Not too bad considering how cheap they are.

RiRe Luxe Gel Eyeliner

Again, a cheap eyeliner which seems to do its job. Good if you want to try out alternative colours to the normal black or dark brown!

Tony Moly Easy Touch Gel Eyeliner

These gel eyeliners were pretty disappointing. They had poor staying power (I got four hours out of one before it disappeared completely). The formula is decent and goes on easily with the use of a slanted brush but it just didn't give me a day's wear.

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense Crayons

These crayons come in too many shades for me to count. I opted for three of them but my favourite is number 16 - Velvet Red. They have good staying power and add a bit of colour to your lips at the same time.

Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Lost Identity Lip Crayon

I love these! Creamy, good staying power and don't dry my lips out. The sketchy design on the tube is also pretty cute!

Tony Moly Bunny Lip Gloss Bar

A gift from my sister (she was such a gem) from her (you guessed it) Seoul trip. This lip gloss is good if your lips are moisturised and exfoliated. If they are even a little bit chapped, this gloss won't look good!


So there you have it - a brief run through of all my Korean make-up products in my collection. It's unlikely anything will be added to it as I'm on a mission to finish everything before buying more (so far so good). My usual goal is as natural looking a face as possible so this is more than enough to help me achieve that.

Do you have any recommendations? :)

tony moly i'm real sheet masks part II

Welcome to the second half of my Tony Moly I'm Real sheet mask reviews blog post :) You can see part I here. In this half, these are the masks that are reviewed:

- Nutrition: I'm Real Avocado Mask Sheet

- Elasticity: I'm Real Pomegranate Mask Sheet

- Radiance: I'm Real Tomato Mask Sheet

- Skin Soothing: I'm Real Tea Tree Mask Sheet

- Moisturising: I'm Real Aloe Mask Sheet

Followed by a brief overview of all of the masks. Enjoy!

Nutrition: I'm Real Avocado Mask Sheet - 10/10

This mask was left on for an hour and it was pretty much completely dry by this time. It smells super fresh and the result it left was pretty good too! My skin looked a lot brighter, there was a decrease in redness and it felt moisturising without being oily. Any scars after blemishes appeared faded too!

The claim that it makes dull skin look radiant and glowing is definitely true in this case. This was my favourite mask of the lot and one I wouldn't hesitate to re-purchase once I've finished my stash of sheet masks. I can see myself using this mask before an important event or a night out where I want to look my best.

Elasticity: I'm Real Pomegranate Mask Sheet - 7/10

In all honesty, I'm not entirely sure how one single sheet mask is meant to help with elasticity...! Either way, the things this mask did do were brighten up my complexion (my skin was glowing for the next 24-48 hours), dampen down redness and add some much needed moisture due to the weird winter weather at the time. Though not touted as a brightening mask, it was the one that made my skin glow the most!

Radiance: I'm Real Tomato Mask Sheet - 7/10

In the past, the word 'radiant' would not have been one used to describe my skin but lately, it has looked a lot more glow-y than ever before. On a duller day, I decided to try this sheet mask and it's 'radiant' effects were a little... Underwhelming. The smell was pleasant and the mask didn't irritate my skin, leaving it dewy and soft. It definitely felt moisturising but at the expense of it leaving behind a sticky residue, more so than the other masks in this range.

Skin Soothing: I'm Real Tea Tree Mask Sheet - 9/10

Just before one of my exams, I had a particularly bad breakout because I went through a week of eating poorly, sleeping badly and just neglecting my skincare routine. To try and rescue my skin, I whacked this mask on and it actually worked pretty well!

It had a slight tea tree fragrance and there was no stinging during the forty minutes I left this on for. There was a decrease in redness, my skin felt a lot softer and my existing blemishes all looked much less obvious. It was also one of the least sticky masks in the range. Comparing this one to one of my other favourites (the rice mask sheet from part I), it wasn't as good, hence the score being just shy of a perfect 10.

Moisturising: I'm Real Aloe Mask Sheet - 5/10

This one was used during the month of January when the weather was all over the place (super cold one week and then much milder the next) and it definitely lived up to its moisturising name without leaving a film of grease. However, with aloe mentioned as the main theme to it, I was hoping it would help with a breakout I had at the time. This, it did not. It didn't even decrease any of the redness from blemishes! Not impressed with this one at all.

Overall

Some things these masks all have in common are that they all fit poorly on my face. I think I have a larger than average sized face and even that, there is a little bit of misalignment where my mouth is. The sheet doesn't quite cover the sides of my cheeks though it does a bit too much of my jawline (to the point where I can fold it down and have it on the top part of my neck!). Maybe I just have a wider face than the target market!

The smell of all of these masks are pleasant enough and the only ones where I felt had a smell that matched their description were the Tea Tree one and the lemon one. The effects of the masks never seem to last longer than a day or two but that's true of most sheet masks so this isn't a negative specific to these masks; just something to be aware of! It also means that sheet masks are perfect as part of a pre-event pamper.

What I found was that most of these masks decreased redness but my reasoning for this is the cooling effect of the liquid on my skin. I don't think it is something unique to these masks so just something to bear in mind.

Although the instructions say to keep them on for 20-40 minutes, I usually kept them on for longer. Some people say this shouldn't be done as when the mask dries, it ends up taking moisture from your skin but I've yet to have that issue. However, this might not be the case with all skin types and skincare is so awfully objective that if you have any worries about sensitivity or leaching of moisture, it might be worth following the instructions for the first few times at least.

Finally, I think the illustrations on the packaging of these masks are just adorable and I love the fruit and vegetable theme to most of them. These masks weren't that expensive - for the set of eleven, I think I paid around £12 on Amazon.co.uk (including postage and packing) so they are pretty affordable if you are new to the concept of sheet masking!

my skincare loves on a budget

We all know how expensive looking after our skin can get so if at any point, a bargain can be had, I'm in. Over the last 12 months or so, I've done more research into actual ingredients rather than brands and I've found some, very affordable, products which also work. As always, with skincare, what works for one person might not work for another. All of the following products are under £20 and last forever.

Rosette Ceramide gel, Mizon All in One Snail Repair Cream, Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% with Zinc 1%

Rosette Ceramide gel
The key ingredient in this cream are the multiple ceramides. Ceramides are good for repairing moisture barriers damaged by over-exfoliation and is just as good for making skin a bit more springy. Ceramides are also common in many anti-ageing creams and we all know how much they cost!

For me, this gel is used as the last step morning and evening. In the morning, my skin is much softer and during the day, my skin is less oily too. The gel is extremely lightweight and you don't need much for your face and neck. My tub has been going since October 2016 and it is only about a third of the way down.

Mizon All in One Snail Repair Cream
Snail? On your face? Yes, that was my reaction too when I first heard about this product which is recommended time and time again by people who love Asian beauty products. Although predictable, this is a product that actually works! The snail cream has done wonders for making my pores look smaller, fading scars and just brightening up my complexion. I have no idea what the active ingredient in the snail extract actually is but for a cream that only cost me £13 (back in May 2016, including shipping), I'll take it! Not only this, one jar has lasted me ten months or so!

Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
BHAs are acids and the most well-known BHA is probably salicylic acid - a common ingredient mentioned in anti-acne skincare products. I use one pump of this every other morning and leave it for twenty minutes before applying the rest of my routine.

Salicylic acid is an anti-inflammatory which unclogs pores. I started using this in October 2016 when I got fed up of seeing copious sebaceous filaments on my nose (not to be confused with blackheads - google both and you'll see the difference :) ) and since then, my pores have shrunk in appearance and my skin just looks brighter and smoother because there are less of these sebaceous filaments.

The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% with Zinc 1% 
Finally, niacinamide. An ingredient I've deemed a 'holy grail' in my skincare routine. I first started using a product containing this in La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo [+] a few years' ago but at about £10 a tube, it didn't come cheap. About eight months' ago, I found out that one of Deciem were coming out with a new line called The Ordinary and when I saw that they were doing a Niacinamide product which costs only £5 (yes, really), I knew I had to try it. So I did. And I've not looked back. I use one drop for my whole face every night and all I can say is, I hope they never stop making this.

* * *

These are some of the products I've been using which are great value for money when you consider how amazing the results have been. No longer do I look for brand names - I now look for ingredients lists or featured extracts. Like I said earlier, however, though these products have worked wonders for me, this doesn't mean that they'll do the same for you (after all, we are all different!).

tony moly i'm real sheet masks, part I

Sheet masking is a huge trend in East Asia and my first foray into them were these Tony Moly I'm Real masks. They came in a set of 11 and were sold on Amazon and there seemed to be one for every skin need. In the first of this two part series, I'll be discussing the following masks:

- Skin Purifying: I'm Real Makgeoli Mask Sheet
- Skin Purifying: I'm Real Seaweeds Mask Sheet
- Vitality: I'm Real Broccoli Mask Sheet
- Clear Skin: I'm Real Rice Mask Sheet
- Brightening: I'm Real Lemon Mask Sheet
- Pore Care: I'm Real Red Wine Mask Sheet

Skin Purifying: I'm Real Makgeoli Mask Sheet - 7/10

I used this when going through a hormonal breakout and left it on for an hour (I know it says 20-30 minutes but I fell asleep!). It didn't worsen the breakout but left my skin very oily afterwards. On the bright side, it smelt delightful and my skin did look a little brighter after that. But the oiliness afterwards trumps all the good it did do, hence the average score.

Skin Purifying: I'm Real Seaweeds Mask Sheet - 9/10

I left this one on for 95 minutes, again during another hormonal breakout and it was actually amazing. I've come to realise that all Tony Moly I'm Real masks smell great but this one did much more than this: it didn't worsen the breakout, my skin was instantly brighter after and it left my skin nicely moisturised and not at all oily. It calmed my skin during this breakout and I could see myself buying this one again for use as an emergency sheet mask.

Vitality: I'm Real Broccoli Mask Sheet - 7/10

Pros? Well, my skin was brighter after, there was a visible decrease in redness (though I can't be sure if that was a cooling effect from the liquid within the mask itself), didn't worsen any spots I had and my skin felt hydrated after. I decided to leave this one on for as long as possible just to see how long it would take to completely dry and it took 90 minutes.

But the bad? Well, my skin felt extremely oily for the next 24 hours. I wouldn't recommend this one if you have combination/oily skin.

Clear Skin: I'm Real Rice Mask Sheet - 9/10

This one and the seaweed one are my favourites from this first part. There was a decrease in redness after use (but again, can't be sure if just a cooling effect of the liquid), my skin tone looked more even, my skin felt very moisturised and extremely soft! Also, no new blemishes after. I honestly have nothing bad to say about this one and this is another I'll most likely purchase again once I'm done with my current sheet mask supply.

Brightening: I'm Real Lemon Mask Sheet - 7/10

My skin did in fact look brighter after using this mask but I've found that to be a common effect of most sheet masks I decide to use on my face. The smell was nice and citrus in nature but the one negative? Well, it left behind a very sticky residue. And I just wasn't that impressed with this one!

Pore Care: I'm Real Red Wine Mask Sheet - 8/10

Having always said I've got huuuuuge pores (which have now decreased in appearance thanks to adequate moisture and a proper skincare routine), I thought this mask would work a little bit of magic. Shrink my pores it did not but it did make my skin feel really moisturised and my face did have a slight dewy glow. The smell had a slight sweetness but nothing red wine about it if I'm honest.

To conclude this first part, here is a brief summary:

- Tony Moly I'm Real sheet masks smell nice;
- They all seemed to brighten my skin;
- They all also seemed to be good at adding moisture to my skin - though some clearly better at this than others (based on how oily my skin was afterwards).

Part II will be coming in a few months (I'm extremely slow at writing this up - all of the reviews are briefly handwritten in a notebook!) so stay tuned if you're interested in these sheet masks :)

my skin journey and my current skincare routine

Since my late teens, I've suffered from skin problems. It was never full blown acne but there were always a few blemishes, my pores were very visible and my skin would be greasy enough to fry eggs on by midday. It affected my confidence a lot and last year, I finally managed to get things under control.

My Skin Complaints

It all started with assessing my skin problems. For most of my life, I thought my skin was oily and as a result, would use products that dried my skin out... Only for more oil to come through. It wasn't until last summer when I thought 'hang on a minute, could it just be dehydrated...?!' did I entertain the idea of a moisturiser for normal skin.

Now, my main complaints are:
- blemishes when stressed/hormonal
- hyperpigmentation after a spot disappears
- patchy redness (not sure of the cause at the moment! Don't think it's rosacea, just think my skin is more sensitive than originally thought).

The Beginning

At first, my routine consisted of water, a cleanser, benzoyl peroxide, a cream targeted at one of my complaints (blemishes in this case) and a sunscreen. I know benzoyl peroxide isn't the best thing to use on skin but it seems to work ok for me. At the moment, it is a targeted blemish treatment rather than an all-over one. With this three stage routine, my skin was oily and dull so I knew something had to change. This led to me writing down my first list of skin complaints that needed tackling.

Targeting The Complaints

For each of my complaints, I researched ingredients that would tackle them. For example, I started using acids to make my skin less dull and also help with the congestion I had at the time. Because of this, my skin's moisture barrier had to be protected so that's why ceramides were sought out and added to my routine.

My recommendation for those of you who are into researching, Reddit's Asian Beauty is a great place to start. The emphasis there is more on the ingredients list rather than the brand name or price. I've found some products which have worked amazingly for me at a lowish price point this way.

The things I ended up adding to my routine (and keeping) are acids or 'actives' as they are sometimes called, The Ordinary's Niacinamide and ceramides. Niacinamide features in two of the routine's products and ceramides are in two also.



The Sucker Punch

For me, the sucker punch was going back onto the combined contraceptive pill. A lot of the blemishes I get during the month are due to the fluctuations in hormone levels (I kept a blemish diary for a bit and figured this out!) and this has eliminated about 90% of the blemishes that used to surface. They don't help with stress breakouts or ones caused by eating poorly but the effect it has on the skin and the regulation of periods mean that the pill has been a game changer for both myself and my skin.


So this is a somewhat brief overview of my skin's journey and it still isn't perfect. However, I'm happy with the direction things are heading and my next goal is to whittle down my routine to only a few essential products. To do this, I'm eliminating steps to see if they make a difference.

Do you have a skin journey to share?

my fifteen minute make-up routine each morning!

During the winter, I usually have to get ready in the dark and for this reason, I try and keep my look as simple as possible to prevent over-egging my eyes or cheeks. Because time is also limited before I have to leave the house and because I try and sleep as much as possible, I'm trying to keep my routine as minimalistic and with as few steps as possible. I never used to bother much with make-up but over the last year or so, I've done to appreciate how much better (and healthier) I look with it on.

My first photo shows the products I used about six months ago.

From L to R: Shu Uemura eyelash curlers, Tony Moly Panda's Dream Volume Mascara, Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Promade, Pixi Clear Brow Gel, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden, Too Cool for School lip crayon, Missha BB Cream, Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics, Nars blusher, Bobbi Brown lip tint and NYX's Matte Finish Spray.

Primers are kind of an essential for my oily lids so I try and use a lid primer if at all possible. This one from Urban Decay was something that didn't work for my sister so she gave it to me. I'm more of a matte eyeshadow girl so this Urban Decay palette is perfect for me. I like an understated look during the day so the shades in this palette are perfect for that.

Being oriental, my eyelashes are straight and not the longest so eyelash curlers are a bit of an essential for me. At least, I thought it was (more on that later).

This Missha BB cream is a cult favourite among those who use BB creams and I like its light, dewy coverage that evens out skin tone. Western BB creams just don't compare.

I'm also quite pale so I need blusher to make myself look more healthy so that's one step that I knew had to be included.

To finish off my look, I always have a tube of lip balm knocking about. There's always a tinted one in my handbag, one in my coat pocket, one on my desk, one in the car, etc. You name it, I probably have one in there. My favourite of all time is the Bobbi Brown lip tint which adds just the right amount of pink to my lips without looking too overdone.

A lot has changed since and this is now my go-to look:

From top L, clockwise: Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot, The Body Shop eyeshadow, Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer, Estee Lauder Double Wear eyeliner, Hourglass Ambient Light Blush, Mamonde Creamy Lip Tint, Tony Moly Panda's Dream Volume Mascara, Anastasia Beverly Hills in Dip Brow Promade, Pur 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Make-Up.

I start off with a light mineral powder base for a light coverage. This one from Pur is surprisingly good - it is buidable but I usually only do one light sweep across the cheeks, nose and chin and I'm good to go. This is my first foray into powder and it actually offers surprisingly good coverage. Excuse the extremely bling packaging; it was on sale at Beauty Bay as it was a 10 year anniversary edition. Concealer is used from time to time for when blemishes come up or if there are imperfections to cover. I think I use it about once a week on average (if that?). 

The Mac Pro Longwear Pot in Painterly is ideal as a base for my lids and as a nude colour too. Sometimes, I add on The Body Shop's Colour Crush in Caramel Flirt which adds a little shimmer. An eyeliner adds the illusion of depth to my lashes and this, coupled with my mascara, meant I could forego the use of an eyelash curler if I was really pushed for time. This sounds weird, I know, but I can apply this eyeliner in the matter of seconds and I really like how it looks.

Finally, a light blush makes me looks more awake and healthy - this Hourglass offering in Dim Infusion offers just the right amount of colour for me - and the Mamonde Creamy Lip Tint is moisturising and finishes off a simple look nicely.

I'm still trying to taper it down further so maybe I'll blog again in a few months' time if I achieve that :) What's your daily go-to look?

keeping a skincare diary

For the first few weeks of this year, I kept a daily skincare diary where  the products used in the morning and evening were logged. I even noted down the make up products used that day too. Now, I only note down things when there is a change to my routine or if there are more imperfections than expected (redness, blemishes, more visible pores, etc). Prior to this year, Evernote was the tool of choice but being a paper fiend, it was unlikely that the log would carry on electronically.

To do this, I have been using my Mossery planner and the vertical layout works quite well. As you can see, there is enough space for my routines and also a bit at the bottom for a note or two on the state of my skin. I'll talk more about my skincare journey in another blog post soon!

By keeping this log, I can see if anything is a potential cause for a breakout or for some unexpected redness. This is especially useful for when I introduce something new into my routine or do something a bit different. However, it can also be useful to note down deviations from my usual diet to see if that could be a cause for blemishes. In the past, I've found lactose is a trigger, as are foods high in saturated fat so I tend to avoid both now.

Another advantage of doing this is that I can see how long a product lasts for before I have to repurchase it. Sometimes, I leave an item out of my routine on purpose to see if it makes enough of a difference to warrant a repurchase.

Other times, I try a product which has the same primary ingredient but is cheaper to see if the effect is the same. An example of this is ceramides - an ingredient that helps restore the skin's natural moisture barrier - where I initially tried Dr Jart's Ceramidin cream, then Cosrx's Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream and finally Rosette's Ceramide Gel. I found that the Rosette Ceramide gel worked best during my night routine as a final step because it was a bit too thick and sticky for morning use.

However, doing this is a really time consuming process and I'm trying to decide if the time spent keeping this log gives me enough of a pay off to continue doing so. At the moment, I don't think it is so it's likely that a brief note or two is made when a new product is being tested or if my skin is being particularly difficult so that I can try and identify a trigger.

Do you do something similar? If so, how does it work for you?

skincare heroes for blemishes (+ reviews!)

For many years, I've struggled with my skin. I wouldn't say it was bad enough to be described as acne but my skin was never without at least a blemish or two. Let's not even talk about those horrific big, red lumps that would crop up from time to time - always when I had something important the next day!

Now, my skin is much improved and this is due, in part, to a better diet and skincare routine. It also helped that I eventually realised my skin wasn't actually as naturally oily as I had thought it was - it was just very dehydrated! Now it is normal/combination and my complexion is so much better as a result.

Anyway, today, I want to just talk through a few of products targeted at blemishes as exam season is fast approaching and we all know that exam stress and comfort eating is the perfect recipe for a break out.

From L to R: Freederm Fast Track, Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion, La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I., Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, Murad Blemish Spot Treatment, Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel.

Freederm Fast Track
This was one of the first products I tried for spot treatment - mainly because of how easy it is to get hold of it and also how often it was on offer in Boots or Superdrug. Although it promises it the world, I found that it doesn't seem to make much of a difference. It has a translucent gel-like texture and the idea is to put a tiny amount on the head of the spot in order to reduce its size and redness. I found that a cool wet cloth would decrease redness better than this gel.
Rating: 1/5

Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion
The Buffering Lotion is aimed at those under the skin, red, cystic bumps and having tried it on both cystic spots and whiteheads, I have found that this product is one of the better ones. It is one of the pricer products I've tried but it actually does work! It works better on spots with a head in my experience. Within a few hours of application, the spot has decreased in size and redness.

Remember to shake before use and then apply a small drop to the spot in question. It dries clear (though if you apply too much, it can leave behind a slight white powdery cast) so it can be used under make up. It can sting a little (probably due to the alcohol in it!) so just be aware of that. My skin isn't that sensitive so I can get away with it. I got mine from Beauty Bay as I'm not aware of any other UK stockists! They often have discount codes floating about so it's worth waiting for one before ordering this if you want to give it a try.

This one is permanently in my handbag as I can apply it a few times during the day in an effort to bring the blemish down as quickly as possible.

Rating: 4/5

La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I. 
I've had huge success with La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo [+] so I was eager for Effaclar A.I. to do the same for any blemishes that crop up. It is a white cream which dries clear so again, would be okay to use under make up, but it takes a bit longer to work than Mario Badescu's Buffering Lotion. However, it is a lot gentler and doesn't cause any stinging on application. I probably won't repurchase this once this tube is done because I've found a more effective product to go under my make-up.

Rating: 3/5

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
Another Mario Badescu offering! I was skeptical about this when I first heard about it in 2012 but I'm glad I gave it a go back then. This is my 'holy grail' spot treatment and one that I would recommend for those difficult to deal with cystic spots. In contrast with the Buffering Lotion, this is one bottle you do not shake before use. Instead, dip a cotton bud in all the way to the pink stuff at the bottom and then apply to each blemish as needed. It dries with a pink cast and is best left overnight. I usually put it on a spot before I go to bed and when I wake up, I wash off the pink cast to see that the blemish has either gone down significantly or has pretty much almost disappeared without a trace.

Again, this could sting a little so make sure to only apply on the blemish and not on healthy skin. As before, I bought this from Beauty Bay.

Rating: 5/5

Murad Blemish Spot Treatment
Another dud product I've tried. It didn't do anything and I only resort to it when absolutely desperate (and even then, it does nothing!). Doesn't dry completely clear but could potentially still be used under make up. It is a yellow gel which is easy to apply and doesn't have a strong fragrance. The one (and probably only) benefit is that it doesn't sting.

Rating: 1/5

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel
This product is basically just an alcohol gel in a plastic bottle! It stings like mad when you apply it onto a blemish (and can even make your eyes water if you apply it to a spot that is close to your eyes). I guess the main goal of it is to dry out the blemish but there are better products out there that do this and more.

Rating: 1/5


Other products I've tried but not mentioned:
Cosrx Acne Pimple Patches - actual life savers for those spots you've popped. Apply over a popped spot and the hydrocolloid plaster sucks out all the gunk whilst helping the skin to heal quicker.
Benzoyl peroxide - can be good as a spot treatment as it dries out the blemish whilst killing bacteria. Can be drying on the skin and increases skin sensitivity to UV light so a sunscreen is a must when using this!

a few of my make-up 'holy grails'

I'm still a fair way off from finding a 'holy grail' (HG) product for each part of my make-up routine but I do have a few already. Baby steps, eh? There are only four at this moment in time but I'm have a feeling my other HGs are already in my collection - I just need to realise it. More on that later.

Shu Uemura eyelash curlers, Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Promade, Tony Moly Panda's Dream Mascara and Bobbi Brown's Extra Lip Tint.

Shu Uemura eyelash curlers
I actually asked my sister to get me one of these when she was in Seoul late last year based on the many positive reviews I read about them and their effect on Oriental eyelashes! They are amazing - I've been using a pair from Maybelline which work pretty well but these are another level. My lashes are quite straight and stubby and these add a lovely, natural looking curl to them without making them look even stubbier.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Promade
I know everyone raves about this product but it really is amazing. It lasts all day and looks natural if you use a light hand! Also, one pot can last forever. I know people have said that it can dry up but if you add a bit of mineral oil, it makes it as good as new.

Tony Moly Panda's Dream Mascara

My sister bought me this as a surprise gift from when she was in Seoul and we were both pleasantly surprised by how good it is! It isn't waterproof in the traditional sense (as it can be removed easily with any water based cleanser) but its staying powder is unreal. I have real trouble with mascaras and their ability to stay just on my lashes so when this one did not transfer at all, I was impressed. It coats the lashes and stays all day (I've worn this for 16 hours straight once and it did not smudge or flake!).

It works just as well as my Estee Lauder Double Wear mascaras I've tried in the past but is a fraction of the price and for that reason, it is my holy grail mascara. Also, just look at the adorable packaging?! It's not the most sophisticated but I can look passed that considering how well it works.

Bobbi Brown's Extra Lip Tint
I'm not a fan of lipsticks as I find them drying on my lips but this lip tint is hydrating whilst still adding the right amount of pink too. This lip tint is perpetually in my coat pocket and because the effects of it last for a good 3-4 hours, I only have to reapply it once or twice a day. Until I find something cheaper which works just as well, this'll be my HG lip product.

* * *

As mentioned earlier, I think I already own my other HGs. The ones I'm still seeking out are a base, concealer and blusher and whilst it is still too early to tell, I think the following have the potential to join the above four as my HG make-up products:

- Pur 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Make Up in Light: I prefer a light coverage and this mineral powder does just that. It is also buildable and easy to apply; perfect for me as I usually get ready in the dark during the winter which makes it hard to tell if I've over-egged my base layer or applied it unevenly! I bought this in the Beauty Bay sale towards the end of last year (for £15!) and I kind of wish I'd bought two now!

- Kevyn Aucoin's Sensual Skin Enhancer in SX05: This is one of the pricier base products out there and I mainly use this one as a concealer. A little goes a long way, however, and this pot will last me forever as I don't use concealer everyday now. It is perfect for those big red, hormonal spots and it stays in place all day too.

- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Dim Infusion: I've been looking for an apricot blush which doesn't fade and suits my skin tone for a while now and this one has been perfect so far. It is on the pricier side but it gives me cheeks a subtle flush which looks natural and healthy. It also lasts for a good 7-8 hours on my cheeks (without a primer or setting spray!) before I have to reapply it which is perfect.

When it comes to make-up, I try and go for quality over quantity and if that means shelling out a little bit more, I end up saving money in the long run because I'm not buying loads of cheaper products to try and find one that actually works. These are all products I've researched before buying and all work very, very well for me.

obsessing over korean beauty for the last twelve months!

For the last twelve months or so, I've been getting steadily into Korean beauty and just make-up in general. I want to talk more about Korean beauty as it features quite heavily in my life and it has done wonders for my skin :)

It all started when I got fed up when I realised how little my skincare routine at the time was doing for my skin. Although it had been improving (compared to a year before that), it still wasn't to my liking. I then started researching and came across the Korean ten-step routine. I don't use ten steps but I do have seven steps to it at night and four in the morning. In terms of make-up, I was also fed up with BB creams not matching my skin that well and a quick Google threw up the brand name Missha. The Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream is now a staple in my make-up stash.

During this period of research, I also learnt about the various ingredients in skincare that help with skin complexion. For example, niacinamide is fantastic for fading scars and brightening up your skin and chemical exfoliation can also do wonders for the same skin complaints. This has enabled me to spend less on skincare products as I now look for ingredients rather than for brands. I still had to be careful though and I did this by patch testing everything.

The one epiphany I had during this journey is realising that my skin wasn't actually oily, it was just very dehydrated. Once I introduced a moisturiser with ceramides in them, my skin became normal/combination and my pores also looked a lot smaller! And I credit this realisation to all of the Korean beauty research I had been doing. If I hadn't taken the dive into creams containing ceramide, I would still have shiny skin.

Some of my favourite Korean beauty products are as follows:

Skincare
Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Cosrx Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream
Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream
Mizon Good Night White Sleeping Mask

Make Up
Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream
Shu Uemura eyelash curlers
A'pieu cushion blushers
IOPE Air Cushion Compact

In November, my sister went to Seoul and she returned with a few goodies with me. I thought I'd share a few of them with you :)

VDL x Pantone Expert Color Eye Book 6.4

Just look at how beautiful the packaging is! The eyeshadows aren't the most pigmented but that's fine with me - it means I can wear shimmery shadows during the day without them being too obvious.

Rilakkuma x A'pieu Cushion Blushers

Just how adorable are these! My sister bought me four and they are very useful for when you want to put on blusher on the go. Just remember to regularly clean the cushion applicator! From top left, clockwise: a lilac blush, a pink blush, a coral blush and a brown blush.

winky lux smoke and roses eyeshadow palette

For a long time, I never saw the point in make-up but about nine months' back, I started wearing CC cream and saw how much of a difference it made. On the days I can be bothered and when I'm going out in the evening, I make much more of an effort but to different degrees. Some days, light coverage is enough and on other days, I need something heavier. Because of this new obsession of mine, I'm going to talk a bit more about make-up and beauty products I've been using in future blog posts and I hope that's ok with you all. This is a lifestyle blog and I'm just branching out a bit more and sharing the love for some products I'm really fond of.

Today: I want to share how much I love the Winky Lux Smoke and Roses Eyeshadow Palette. I actually acquired this back in September but it's seen quite a lot of use since then (though the photos were taken when I first got the palette). The box it came in is absolutely adorable and the case itself is beautiful too.

Inside, there are five shades of eyeshadow and from left to right, they are called: Powder, Bubbly, 500 Roses, Burn It Down and 4am. Here is a brief description of each:

Powder - a gold, shimmery shadow;
Bubbly - a lovely, shimmery, rose gold;
500 Roses - a lovely girly pink with a hint of purple;
Burn It Down - a copper colour with specks of shimmer and;
4am - a smoky black, not dissimilar to how a smudged kohl pencil would look.

When used with an eyeshadow primer, these shadows can last a good nine hours (trust me, I put it on at 4pm one afternoon and finally removed my make up at 2am when I got home, it was still as good as fresh!). The eyeshadow primer I like to use is just a basic NYX one but it does the job and the affordable price makes it a 'holy grail' product for me :)

I've tried to swatch each of them above from left to right but you can barely see 'powder' - it really is a fine gold colour when on the lids. They aren't the most pigmented but I like this about them! It means they are good for daywear and can be built up for evenings/nights out :)