Skincare That Works

Finding out what skincare Is right for you is pretty much a trial and error process. It has honestly taken me years to build a skincare routine that works for me. I'm still on the hunt for products that will banish spots for good, but there are a few staples in my collection that help my skin whatever problem it is facing at the time.

Cleansers // If I had to pick one formulation of cleanser, it would have to be cream. They are so gentle on your skin and really great for removing makeup - a pretty fail safe product for me and anybody who owns a face. My all time favourite is the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, and although it is slightly pricey to use all the time - I like to make sure I've always got some in my collection for when my skin is feeling a little sensitive or dry. One of my current go-to cleansers is the Good Things Skin Manuka Honey Creamy Cleanser. OMG words cannot describe how much I love this cleanser! And even though it is well under £5, I would happily pay a lot more for it!

Toners // A lot of people don't seen the point in toners, but they are one of the most important steps for me. Caroline Hirons *the skincare GOD* emphasises the importance of an 'acid toner' instead of a stereotypical toner. Personally, I like to mix and match depending on the condition of my skin. When  I don't have many spots and have billions of the scars they've left behind, I like to opt for an acid toner like the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, or the Pixi Glow Tonic. The First Aid Beauty pads are a very mild form of acid and are suitable for use both morning and evening. Personally I like to use them in the evening as my skin can sometimes be left a little red afterwards, and when in a rush on a morning I don't want to be waiting around for the redness to go down before doing my makeup. If I am wanting to use an acid in the morning (or evening as it's so gentle it can be used for both), I opt for the Pixi Glow Tonic which is so good I have a backup ready and I still have half a bottle left! When my skin is in need of some soothing I like to use the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic, as it is brilliant for soothing those troublesome under the skin spots!

Scrubs // Now I don't tend to use scrubs that much anymore, as using acid toners on a twice daily basis tends to exfoliate my skin enough. But for those occasions where my skin is a little dryer or dehydrated than usual, I like to have a couple in for when I need them. My usual go-to scrub for the last two or three years has been the Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose In It Facial Scrub, as I just haven't found anything else that compares to it. It contains both AHAs and BHAs, so exfoliates skin on multiple different levels. It really helps sort my skin out as it is quite a fine scrub so you don't need to apply any pressure to get rid of dry patches. It also doubles up as a mask which is great when you are experiencing a breakout because the acids in it help calm down your skin, and aid absorption of your other skincare products. 

Masks // I like to treat my skin to a face mask at least once a week. I aim to use a face mask twice a week, and sometimes throw an overnight face mask into the mix mid-week for good measure. I can really see a difference in my skin when I forget to use one, so I schedule a mask into my week by placing it on my to do list. My favourite type of masks are clay masks as they are great for drawing out impurities and calming down any blemishes. At the moment my go-to face masks are the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Face Mask and the Good Things Skin Manuka Honey Face Mask. They are both quite similar, although the Good Things mask has white clay in it so cleansers on a more deeper level. 

Serums and Oils // These are a fairly recent additions into my skincare routine, as I too was under the myth that oils would make my skin oiler, and serums were pointless. But the opposite is infact true, oils balance the skin and prevent the production of excess oils leaving your skin looking 'normal'. Serums are targeted at reducing specific skin complaints, and are more effective than anything else. Oils, don't really do much for blemishes, but they help calm the skin which in turn helps to reduce the size of blemishes. One of my current favourite oils is the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, as it feels so luxurious to apply before hopping into bed. The Estee Lauder serums are also lovely. 

Moisturisers // Obviously you need a moisturiser to protect your skin, keep it hydrated, and form a barrier against the elements. I have quite a few different moisturisers that I pick and choose depending on how my skin is looking on that particular day. If my skin looks a tad oily, I like to opt for a lighter moisturiser such as the Simple Kind To Skin Light Moisturiser, whereas if my skin is looking dry and dehydrated I pick out a thicker, richer moisturiser such as the Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser for Normal/Combination Skin. In the evening I occasionally switch out my moisturiser for an overnight face mask such as the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Face Mask or the Origins Calm To The Senses Overnight Face Mask.

SPF // This is less of an essential during the winter months, but extrememly important to be using all year round. The face is exposed to the sun's rays constantly, and it is very hard to provide it with shade. The days of slathering your face in traditional suncreams are over, and new lightweight facial SPFs are popping up everywhere. I use the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF 50+, but I've heard that the Benefit Dream Screen is also good.

PRODUCTS MENTIONED

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish // First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads // Pixi Glow Tonic // Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic // Good Things Skin Manuka Honey Creamy Cleanser // Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose In It Facial Scrub // Simple Kind To Skin Light Moisturiser // Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser for Normal/Combination Skin // Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Face Mask // Origins Calm To The Senses Overnight Face Mask // Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Face Mask // Good Things Skin Manuka Honey Face Mask // Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate // La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF 50+

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January Favourites

How has January been and gone already? It only seems two minutes since we were popping open the bucks fizz at the start of the new year. But with the new year comes new beauty products, so there have been a few new bits I have been enjoying using - mainly skincare, but there has been a few other things (including a book) that I have loved throughout January!

First up is a skincare product that I have used at least once a week throughout January. I'd never tried an overnight face mask before, but I'd heard incredible things about it so picked it up halfway through December. The Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Face Mask, has become somewhat of a staple in my skincare routine, and even though my skin isn't dry - I am prone to dehydrated looking skin that refuses to absorb anything to help sort itself out. Whilst I have been using this on the regular I have noticed that my skin is a lot smoother and hydrated, so I think that it is worth checking out if you suffer with dry skin or if the winter weather is wreaking havoc on your face. One thing I don't like about it is the smell - it has that sort of fake fruit smell that I find quite sickly with regular usage, but I can look past it for the brilliant results! Another skincare item that has been working wonders on my skin is the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. This face oil feels so nourishing on the skin and it feels as though your are treating your skin to pamper evening without having to go through the effort of washing something off later on. I really want to get the daytime version to apply alongside it in the morning, but we'll have to see what my student budget will allow for in February. 

Last Sunday, my post talked about 'The Life Changing Magic of Tidying' book by Marie Kondo and how it had well and truly changed my life. Of course I had to include it in my favourites post for this month as it has well and truly been a favourite. Although I technically finished it at the start of the month, throughout the first week I was excited to pick it up and read another section, and the effects of reading it have lasted since picking it up at the end of December. It has changed my outlook on living and has made me kept my bedroom clean and tidy for an entire month!! That is absolutely unheard of for me and the only explanation must be this book! At the beginning of January a follow up book called 'Sparks Joy' was released by Marie, and I'm enjoying that just as much! 

For lips we'll start with  new NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams that have swept the UK like a storm over the last month or so. In my last post I mentioned that NYX has become more readily available in the UK and you can now buy it in Boots and on Feel Unique amongst a few other places. I picked up the shades Antwerp and Prague, and have been wearing them both quite regularly throughout January - but my favourite has to be the shade Prague as it's a gorgeous berry pink shade that is perfect for winter. They'd be ideal for those of you who like the idea of a matte finish but don't want anything to feel too dry on the lips, as they appear matte but feel incredibly creamy on the lips. There are tonnes of different shades available, and I absolutely love how they are all named after capital cities! I have also been enjoying wearing the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Love Liberty, and even though I mainly bought it to wear on Christmas Day, I have transitioned it though into the start of 2016. I adore the shade and will most definitely be wearing it regularly throughout the year! 

What have you been enjoying this month?
Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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My Hydrating Winter Skincare Routine

Ok. I'm sensing a pattern here. All I seem to blog about recently is lipstick and skincare products. I'm sorry. I'll try harder. I promise. Maybe. But seriously, I have found some incredible products that have been keeping my skin nice and hydrated recently! I made a similar post exactly a year ago (plz don't go back and read it, my old posts are so embarrassing!), and with winter fast approaching, many people battle with the elements, central heating, and various other things! As it starts to get colder (why is it so cold?!), it is extremely important to adjust your skincare routine so that your skin is properly looked after. Winter calls for extra layers of moisture and protection so I've rounded up everything that fits the bill and have been slapping it on my face until I can't take any more! 

I know what you all want me to talk about first, so I will... The new Magnitone The Full Monty Skincare Brush* has been incredible for my skin this winter! It has left my skin so smooth, and I honestly think that it has been the most beneficial to my skin out of everything mentioned in this post. I've been using it once a day (in the evening) to remove all the grime and makeup from my face and I have noticed a visible difference in my skin's texture. It hasn't really done anything to calm down my spots, but my skin looks a lot more 'clean' - if that makes sense? It gently exfoliates and tones whilst removing dirt and impurities and serums and moisturisers soak in so much easier! The other day it ran out of charge for the first time so I had to manually cleanse my face, and I was shocked at how much difference it actually made! 

Alongside my Magnitone, I have been using the Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm* to remove the bulk of my makeup. I've never tried anything from Merumaya before, but this cleanser is fab at taking my makeup of quickly! I don't use this with my Magnitone out of personal preference, and I just massage it in and use one of the Liz Earle muslin cloths to wipe everything away. The cleanser is very rich and silky, perfect for those with drier skin or those just wanting something that can get makeup off easily. It cleanses the skin very well, and doesn't leave a greasy/waxy residue like some cleansing balms can. You apply it dry skin, add a splash of water and it turns into more of an oil. After I've used it to take all my makeup off (sometimes I use it twice if I have heavier makeup on), I follow up with the Good Things Manuka Honey Creamy Cleanser. I've recently mentioned that it is 'saving my skin' and it still is! I have a bit of a breakout at the moment, but I've had a lot of sleepless nights and deadlines have been stressing me out so I can understand why. I've been using this both morning and night and it is incredibly soothing and calming on blemishes. The manuka honey acts as an antibacterial and is perfect for reducing the size of nasty blemishes. I wouldn't really describe it as 'creamy', as it is more of a rich lotion formula and I think this is perfect for winter. It contains mostly natural ingredients and I think this would be perfect for most skin types - however the brand do advise against those with bee/wasp sting allergies to stay well clear of this particular range of products! 

After I've finished cleansing, I move onto the toning stage of my routine. I've fairly recently got my hands on the Pixi Glow Tonic after it being so hard to get hold of and this stuff is literally like gold dust! It leaves your face so glowy and isn't too harsh at all! It is classed as an acid toner as it contains a mild concentration (5%) of glycolic acid. It is so gentle that it can be used twice a day and usually I do, but sometimes if my skin looks a bit aggravated I switch it up for the Liz Earle Skin Boost Tonic as it is more soothing. After toning I follow up with a serum and I'm not usually one for serums, but the Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum* has performed miracles on any dry patches! They have recently relaunched and reformulated their products and they are specifically formulated for those with sensitive and dry skin conditions such as Eczema and Psoriasis. And even though I have neither, I have found the serum incredibly hydrating in the cooler weather! 

After the serum I usually go in with something like tea tree oil or Sudocrem and apply it directly to blemishes to reduce any swelling and calm them slightly by morning. I don't always apply something and I mainly only use it on spots that look a bit more red and angry. I then follow up with the Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser for normal/combination skin. Although a little more on the expensive side of things, it really agrees with my skin, and acts as a perfect base for makeup! Plus the tub lasts forever as well! It is such a lightweight formula and absorbs into the skin straight away, leaving your skin feeling nourished, hydrated and thoroughly pampered. 

Talking about pampering! A couple of times a week I use a face mask as a real treat for my skin, and the only one I've really been using recently is the Good Things Manuka Honey Radiance Face Mask. Ok it doesn't really do much in terms of hydrating but it certainly doesn't dry out your skin, and boy does it leave your skin radiant! Plus for only £7.99 you can't really go wrong!

And that's it! Sorry this post has been so long - major brownie points to those that read through to the end! 

What one skincare product could you not live without?

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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The Magnitone Full Monty Skincare Brush (RRP £130), the Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm (RRP £15.50), and the Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum (RRP £11.99) were each kindly sent to me by Magnitone, Merumaya and Salcura Skin Therapy for the purpose of a review. All thoughts are my own and you can read my full disclaimer policy here. 

Skincare Sunday: Battling Blemishes

Blemishes. The majority of us have them, and if you don't then well I officially hate you (not really, but can I have your skin please?). My skin is notoriously bad 110% of the time and after about 6 years of suffering, I am only just finding products that work for my skin and are helping to make so my skin is only bad about 90% of the time. Often when I read about hyped up products on blogs, I often wonder if beauty bloggers are raving about them because they actually love them. Or purely because products were sent to them by PR companies and brands.

Like I said, it has taken me an extremely long time to find products that make a visible difference to my skin. One of the biggest helpers in my fight against spots and blemishes has to be the Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 Deep Purifying Cleanser. It is a gentle milk cleanser and I like to use it on a morning instead of my beloved Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. It is great for removing any remnants of makeup although I don't tend to use it on an evening if I have been wearing makeup as I prefer to use my Garnier Micellar Water followed by the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. The Soap and Glory cleanser seems to really help clear up my skin when it's suffering. 

When my skin is suffering, I follow up with a soothing toner - preferably with gentle natural ingredients. The Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic hydrates and balances my complexion perfectly. It adds just enough moisture to keep my skin look healthy and fresh, whilst soothing and calming those troublesome spots. One of the main ingredients is glycerin, which is brilliant for those with dryer/dehydrated skin as it adds moisture lost from harsh spot-fighting products. 

One of my latest rediscoveries are the First Aid Beauty (FAB) Facial Radiance Pads. Last summer I put my absolute faith in the SKINCARE GOD that is Caroline Hirons, and spent quite a little bit more than I would have liked on the toning pads. When I first got them, I couldn't really see any visible differences - but after rediscovering them, they have done a whole host of good to my skin. They contain various acids which help stimulate new skin cell renewal, banishing those horrible marks and scars left behind after a blemish has long since healed. 

Another rediscovery I have made recently is Sudocrem! I haven't used Sudocrem as a way of battling blemishes since I was about 14. I seem to remember it working really well, but wasn't a fan of buying it as it wasn't branded as a spot treatment and I felt awkward going out to buy 'nappy cream'. But with the launch of the new Sudocrem Skin Care Cream*, I now deem it socially exceptable to go out and buy some. It is a product aimed at every single skin type you can imagine. Whether you have combination, oily, dry, sensitive skin or everything in-between - it works wonders on blemishes! I like to apply it directly to my blemishes or as an overnight face mask. It can also be used as a moisturiser, but I ended up looking paler than I already am if thats possible, so decided this didn't work for me. The Sudocrem Skin Care Cream is incredible for soothing blemishes and when used overnight, you wake up with the softest and glowiest (is that even a word?) looking skin! Plus at only £2.11 per tube, IT IS AN ABSOLUTE BARGAIN. 

Have you got any skincare saviours that you want to share?

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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The Sudocrem Skincare Cream was kindly gifted to me by Sudocrem for the purpose of a review. If you have any queries or questions you can read my disclaimer or email me on the email on my contact page. 

Lush Cosmetics Haul

'A French Kiss'

'Ultra Violet Bubble Bar' - Soon to be discontinued :(

'The Comforter'

We all love a bit of Lush. And I am rather impartial to a bath filled with pampering goodies and all my friends and family know how much I love Lush. So having had my birthday fairly recently, I was given a large collection! Before this I was running pretty low, only having about half of a 'The Comforter' bubble bar. 

Mmmelting Marshmallow Moment - £3.95 

Along with the 'Floating Island' this is described as a 'Bath Melt' and is one of my Lush staples. Whilst it's not one of the most exciting bath products, it softens and revitalises your skin so is perfect for a weekend pamper session! It contains almond oil which is supposed to leave your skin and hair looking smooth and hydrated. It smells absolutely beautiful and the smell lingers in your bathroom for a truly relaxing experience.

Floating Island - £4.35

Although this doesn't look as impressive as some of the other products available at Lush, it is one of my favourites. I've lost count how many times I have repurchased this! It is very aptly named as it is literally a 'floating island' and slowly melts away on the surface of the water. It doesn't create any bubbles or anything and isn't as exciting as some of the bath bombs, but it does release oils into your bath water leaving your skin super soft!

A French Kiss - £4.25

This is one that I have never tried before, my mum bought it for me for my birthday and I am so excited to try it! I'm not usually one for lavender scented things, it generally reminds me of an air fresher my dad used to buy. But I must say that this looks extremely impressive with the stick of dried lavender poking out the top. According to the Lush website it has recently been reformulated and is jam packed full of lavender goodness. I am yet to try it out, but have heard that it leaves your water a beautiful lavender (ha get it?) colour with mounds of white bubbles.

Ultra Violet Bubble Bar - £4.75

This was a first for me, and when in the shop the woman behind the counter said that it was being discontinued soon. So if you are wanting to try it, you better head to Lush ASAP! It smells absolutely beautiful and turns your bath water a deep shade of purple, which is soooo soothing. I had half in my bath today as a little Friday (or should I say FriYAY) treat and I smell incredible! 

The Comforter - £4.75

Can you tell this one is my favourite from how many I have? I love the bubble bars as you can break them up and use them multiple times making them more economical than other Lush bath products! This one is my all time favourite, I've been using this for years and hopefully for many more to come! It turns the water a beautiful shade of bright pink and creates thousands of bubbles for you to relax in. If they ever discontinue this I will cry. A lot.

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

PS: Did you know that 'Charlotte Sophia Roberts' is now on Facebook? You can follow the page to keep up to date with all my blogposts and adventures! 

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Where To Splurge, Where To Save

One of the most well argued debates in the makeup industry is the "is high end better?" debate. Now I have briefly touched on this subject before (in my 10 things I've learnt from beauty bloggers post) and mentioned that many high end brands also own drugstore/highstreet brands and therefore the products are made using similar formulations. 
But, I'm sure there are still people out there that want to have just a little touch of luxury in the lives. Soooooo, if this seems to describe you, keep on reading to hear my thoughts on which products you could splash out on and which you should save your pennies for something else. 

The general rule I tend to follow is 'how often will I use the product?'. Things like foundation usually get used up the fastest meaning that you have to repurchase it more frequently. Now I don't know about you, but I'd rather repurchase something that costs £6.99 rather than something that costs £36.99. So I try and avoid buying expensive foundations, concealers and powders now matter how amazing they sound. They could cure colds and I'd probably like to save my hard earned money for something else (waves goodbye to NARS Sheerglow and Dior Airflash foundations). 

Products I use less of or less frequently like lipstick, highlighter, blush and bronzer are the products I see the potential for spending more on. You often use less of these types of products so for the money you spend on them, the more you will get out of them. Money well spent!

Another rule I try to follow is 'will I still want to wear this in six months time?'. Theres no point splashing out on something when it's just a short lived trend. I want products that are classic and versatile. Many products have a good use-by date on them so will last you a long time if its something you really like and not something thats going to be sat in the back of a drawer gathering dust. 

What are your thoughts on this? Do you prefer to spend or save?

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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Liz Earle Skincare Haul

A while ago, my skin had a major freakout. Going crazy, spots appearing left right and centre. I was even getting them on my nose which never ever ever happens. Ever. The only thing that seemed to help was the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic which was an absolute saviour! I started running low and that meant that a little order was on the cards. They have some great offers on at the moment, so its worth checking out the website!

Whilst repurchasing the Instant Boost Skin Tonic, I decided to repurchase the famous Cleanse and Polish which I have had in the past and loved completely! Once I saw I had a few things piling up in my shopping basket, I decided to get one of the monthly offers/bundles which contained pretty much everything I wanted to buy. 

The bundle included the large tube of Cleanse and Polish, the full size Instant Boost Skin Tonic, the Eyebright Eye Lotion, the Skin Repair Moisturiser and the Superskin Concentrate facial oil rollerball. With my order, Liz Earle also threw in the travel size Instant Boost Skin Tonic, travel size Cleanse and Polish and a sample of the Superskin Concentrate. I got such a lot for the money I spent. I got over £100 worth of products for just over £50!

I am a big lover of all things Liz Earle, so if you lovely readers have any product recommendations for me give me a shoutout!

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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