The Best Base – Bourjous 123 Perfect CC Cream

I never thought a make up base so light could correct so many imperfections. I am in LOVE with this CC cream and I have named it the best base because it gives natural coverage, allowing my skin to breathe while evening out my skin tone and correcting all imperfections. It really is 123 Perfect.

Bourjois is now one of my favourite high street brands for make up. I have their Healthy Mix Serum foundation which smells gorgeous and is perfect for when my skin is having a dry patch. Sometimes I even use it on top of this CC cream. Bourjois products are such high quality and for high street prices - this CC cream is £9.99(!) - you really can't go wrong.

Without make up my skin is quite red and patchy - especially in the morning after a hot shower!

After applying the CC cream with the Real Techniques buffing brush all redness is, like magic, gone. The first time I used this I honestly couldn't believe my eyes. It does a better job than some of my full coverage foundations and I love it.

Aaaaand with a full face of make up* I am all ready for the day without feeling like I've caked it on. A light base with such natural coverage, while still correcting imperfections is, in my opinion, the best kind of base for any skin type. This CC cream is my number one make up base and I won't be changing it any time soon! What's your favourite make up base?

*Products used:

Bourjois CC cream in 31 ivory, L'oreal lumi maqique concealer in 01 Light, Collection lasting perfection concealer in 01 Fair, Soap & Glory one heck of a blot powder, Bobbi Brown illuminating bronzing powder in Antigua 2, Bobbi Brown shimmer brick compact in Pink Quart, Soap & Glory brow archery in brownie points, Urban Decay Naked basics palette, Revlon just bitten kissable balm stain in 001 Honey, Maybelline the colossal volum' express mascara in smoky black.

Clear Skin – The Body Shop Tea Tree Range

I never used to like tea tree products. The ones I bought on the high street stung and stripped my skin, so for a few years I stayed well away. But I was browsing The Body Shop's website a few months ago and was drawn in by all the rave reviews on their tea tree range. I didn't buy all these products at once – but after the mask, I bought the lotion, then the body wash, and they have helped to clear up my skin a lot, I will probably buy a few more things from the range.

I bought this body wash (£6) when I started to get a few pimples on my back (cries). I had never had this problem before so it was a bit traumatic when it first happened, and I didn't even know you could get shower gel specifically targeted at acne prone skin. It is all under control now though thanks to this shower gel. I like to apply it as soon as I get in the shower, leave it on for as long as possible while I shave my legs or wash my hair, then wash it off. I use this in combination with my La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] and the skin clearing lotion and there have been no new breakouts for a good few weeks.

Isn't it nice when you buy something on a whim and it just works? A few months ago my skin was in serious need of a deep clean, and I couldn't find anything else on the high street like this. It is a fantastic product and well worth the £10 price tag.

The texture of this mask is thick and creamy. It smells like mint and tea tree (obviously) and feels cold when applied to the skin. I apply a generous amount all over my face and leave it on for 15 minutes, by which point most of the product has dried and sunk into my skin. I then wash it off, pat my face dry and apply moisturier – my skin feels super smooth. Having used this product once a week for about three months, I have noticed a great difference in the texture and clarity of my skin and I don't think I could live without this now.

The skin clearing lotion (£8) is a very mattifying product – not moisturising enough for my skin to use it on its own, so I apply my La Roche Posay Effalcar duo [+] beforehand and then put this on top.

Like the face mask, it has a refreshing minty-tea tree scent and feels cool when applied to the skin – something which I love because it makes me skin feel extra clean. It sinks into the skin quickly and leaves no funky residue, making application of make up over the top easy and fuss free.

Again, in terms of clearing up my blemishes, with the combination of this product and my La Roche Posay skincare, I haven't broken out for a good month or two now, so I will continue with this routine and hope I don't jinx it all now and break out with a zillion spots!

Have you tried The Body Shop's tea tree range? I'd recommend giving it a go if you're suffering from acne anywhere on your body. The products are fantastic quality for the price and have become staples in my skincare routine. 

Skin Saviours – La Roche-Posay Effaclar

I invested in the the La Roche-Posay Effaclar range on somewhat of a whim. I find it difficult to find honest and reliable reviews of skin care products and there are so many products to choose from it can be a bit overwhelming. A lot of beauty bloggers have flawless skin so it's disappointing when none review products for problem skin, when so many of us suffer from it. I have tried and given up on all the high street brands, and not seen a great result from using Liz Earle, so I thought I had better invest in something that might actually target affected areas.

I went for La Roche-Posay Effaclar because it was 3 for 2 on the Boots website, and I had heard so many rave reviews about the Effaclar Duo. I had also received a sample of it in the post and was impressed with how much it reduced redness on my face. Another plus – La Roche-Posay won't break the bank. At about £10-£15 per item, you get what you pay for and it lasts a while. I bought these items in January and have since only had to replace the moisturiser as it ran out after about 6 weeks use (why 40ml for the moisturiser and 200ml for the cleanser and toner?!)

First up is the purifying foaming gel for oily sensitive skin. It's soap free, alcohol free, paraben free, colourant free and has a pH of 5.5. Claims to gently purify the skin with ingredients selected to respect sensitive skin. It "eliminates impurities and excess sebum leaving the skin clear and refreshed".

The first thing I noticed when I opened this was the smell. It has a fresh, chemical-like, clean smell, but it isn't too strong. It's a gel that you lather up in your hands to turn into a nice soft foam. It is very gentle on the skin and it cleans everything away brilliantly. The only problem with this is that I have to use the toner and moisturiser straight after otherwise my skin goes super tight *shudder* My skin isn't too oily, but this cleanser really does balance out the oil and dryness in my skin, especially overnight.

 

After cleansing comes the astringent lotion micro-exfoliant This stuff claims to help unblock and reduce the appearance of pore size, due to the combination of cleansing agents and micro-exfoliant LHA (whatever that is).

This toner is absolutely fantastic. I wish I had discovered exfoliating toners sooner. They really get to work on your skin and make you feel super squeaky clean and prepped for the day or night ahead. Because this has salicylic acid in it, it works wonders on my skin. I have no idea how, or why, but salicylic acid is the one. I was desperate to try the Pixi Glow tonic but it was out of stock for so long and I could never get my hands on it. The great thing about this one though is it does exactly what it says on the tin. There's a sort of 'stopper' in the lid so when you apply it to cotton wool it doesn't go everywhere and waste a load of product. I couldn't live without this stuff now.

 

I finish with the Effaclar Duo [+] which simply says it "corrects the appearance of imperfections". On the Boots website it says this is a moisturiser but I have found that I need to use something else once this has sunk in because I need a little more hydration. But if you have really oily skin this on its own would do just fine. 

This has a lovely consistency that absorbs into the skin almost instantly, and it really does work in getting rid of spots and marks. It doesn't fade marks completely, but it definitely keeps things calm and stable, and that's good enough for me at the moment (if you know of any miracle products that really do fade marks completely, TELL ME PLEASE).

When I first started using this range my skin burned so badly. It stung and I wanted to rip my whole face off. After about five minutes it would calm down but I was really worried I was having an allergic reaction to the products. It really was awful for the first few days, but somehow, my skin stopped reacting that way as I persevered. So if you use this and you find your skin doesn't like it to start with, keep going, because that's when it will change and get better. 

I have noticed a huge improvement in my skin since using this range, and although my skin is not completely clear, these products really have saved my skin from how it was before and I will continue to use them because they work so well together.

What are you skin saviours? I would recommend the La Roche-Posay Effaclar range to anyone, even if you don't suffer from spots particularly. It's a reliable brand that offers value for money and real results – I have already repurchased the Effaclar Duo [+]

Loving: The Pre-Christmas 'Detox'

December and detox are two words that just don't go together. Ever. Except for this year, because it's OK - it's only for two weeks. I can still enjoy Christmas. And, the strangest thing of all is that I am loving it.

Why?

It has come to my attention recently just how disgusting I have been feeling, on the inside and out. My skin is terrible, truly. If you read my post about make up for problem skin then you will know I already suffer with acne and it's a pain in the bloomin' bum, I tell you. It does tend to get worse during the winter but this year more aggressively so, and it's been getting me down. I've been to see my doctor who kindly prescribed me antibiotics and cream to wear at night as it is mainly painful under the skin problems I am having, but I wanted to improve my diet to see if it makes a difference.

I have also been feeling really sluggish and bloated as of late. It may be because I haven't been exercising as much (it's winter and I have no one to go running with - can anyone really blame me?) but I have been eating a lot of junk too, and it's time to snap out of it before I over-indulge and ruin Christmas.

N.B. I am not trying to lose weight.

Source

When?

It was my sister's idea to stop eating sweets up until Christmas about a week ago, and we both agreed to start straight away, with the exception of opening our chocolate advent calendars every day. One day into it and we had both failed, miserably. A week later, I was complaining to my mum about how rubbish I felt and she suggested the 'detox' again. She encouraged me to do it as it's only for two weeks. I thought to myself, I can do it, and I genuinely think that was my problem before - not having a realistic goal to reach.

In the past I have tried to cut out junk but because I was doing it indefinitely, I found it impossible. Sometimes, to train your body to eat treats in moderation, you must eliminate it entirely from your diet for a short while and then reintroduce it. I found this difficult to do alone, but my mum is an excellent motivator and we have both succeeded for two days now, and I am so proud of us both.

The 'Detox'

I call it a detox, but really, we have only eliminated sweet, sugary foods and drinks from our diets until Christmas Eve. My mum doesn't eat very much rubbish anyway, but I love chocolate, and biscuits, and cake... I have a horribly sweet tooth, I may have a problem. Two days without any of it is a real milestone for me in itself, which is ridiculous, but it's such an achievement for me, and by the end of the two weeks, I know how happy I will be with myself for having the will power and strength to see it through.

Breakfast day 1: glass of water, green tea and porridge with raisins.

I am not cutting out fat or carbohydrates from my diet - I am not trying to lose weight. I am just eliminating the sugary treats that my body does not need, as well as drinking more water and green tea to try and clear up my skin and flush out any rubbish on the inside. 

Sticking to it

I thought it would be really difficult avoiding my favourite sweet treats but knowing I have promised my mum makes me more motivated not to give in. It's all too easy to let yourself down when it comes to exercise and healthy eating, but not when you have made a promise to someone else.

The Benefits

 

I love waking up in the morning and having a flat stomach because I haven't been eating junk. For three days now I have woken up without feeling bloated and disgusting. I love how I know that everything I am eating is good for me and I am getting all of my five a day and drinking lots of water and green tea, and I love how happy it is making me. Happiness is a feeling, a state of being that I am all too conscious about not taking for granted. It is a wonderful gift to be happy, and to feel it through self-motivation and self-control is fantastic.

Reaching a goal creates an amazing sense of achievement and self-worth, and it sounds self-indulgent, but sometimes we need that, whatever the goal is. 

Source

In no way am I suggesting this 'detox' is what everyone should be doing two weeks before Christmas, because not everyone will want to, or need to, and that's fine - I'm no expert, in fact, I don't know much about nutrition at all. This is more about reaching personal goals and the positive physical and mental effects of cutting out unnecessary foods, habits or activities in our lives. I think it will make me appreciate Christmas even more, and make all my favourite sweet treats taste even better. Is there a 'detox' you have thought about doing? I'm thinking of doing a social media detox, or a TV detox. It can be anything you find yourself over-indulging in, and it's a great way to re-evaluate the way you live your life.

Make Up For Problem Skin

 

I have never had perfect skin, and it's one of those things I long for. I honestly think that if you have good skin, you can do anything with your face. If you have a clear base, you can create stunning looks with make up - but when your is tainted with spots and scars from spots, it's not that simple and a little more effort needs to be put in.

After five or so years of trying out various high street and high end make up products, I have finally found a routine that conceals and covers up my imperfections, and makes me feel as confident and happy wearing this minimalistic look.

Some people say if you have bad skin you shouldn't wear make up at all as it only worsens the problem, but I don't think this is necessarily true. If you cleanse your face properly twice a day and take your make up off before you go to bed, use a good skin care routine and treatment for your spots, then there is no reason why you shouldn't use make up to cover up your insecurities during the day. 

The key is not to cake it on, however, as this can sometimes amplify imperfections and make them look worse. 

I warn you now, before and after shots are coming up.

My skin is usually quite dry in the winter time, but for the past six months or so it has become quite oily to combination, causing me to break out a lot more. If I were to go out looking like this - and I have done - I wouldn't feel at my best.

This is me with my basic make up on. I would be happy to bump into anyone looking like this. It's funny how make up can make a difference to how we feel on the inside.

I am not a skincare or make up expert, and I have yet to find a miracle product for my skin but what I do use helps enormously and gives me the confidence boost I need.

Skincare

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, toner, moisturiser, eye cream and Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate.

I LOVE the Liz Earle skin care - it smells amazing, feels amazing, and since I started using it, it has made my skin feel a lot smoother. It has not reduced my spots, but it has definitely improved the overall texture of my skin, as has Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. If I am having a particularly bad skin day I will put some Sudocrem on at bedtime, and by morning it has usually calmed down considerably.

Make up

Revlon Colorstay for oily/combination skin with Real Techniques buffing brush. Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit in Porcelain. Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in Fair.

Rimmel stay matte powder in Translucent with Real Techniques powder brush and Bobbi Brown eye blender brush. 

Natural Collection blush in Peach Melba with Bobbi Brown blush brush.

Max Factor Masterpiece Max mascara, No 7 Amazing Eyes pencil in Brown, Real Techniques brow brush and Caudalie lip conditioner.

Using the right tools is crucial when applying make up to problem skin. I have never had better results than when I started to use good quality make up brushes. Foundation glides on and blends better, and powder sits nicely on the skin without making any of my imperfections stand out.

Top Tips

• Less is more - start with a little and build up if necessary. 
• Clean your make up brushes once a week with baby shampoo or a soap like Dove/Simple.
• Take your make up off before bed and have a regular skin care routine.
• Drink lots of water
• Have a few days a week without make up.

Are you lucky enough to have normal, spot-free skin? What are your top tips for those who are unfortunate enough to suffer with it? And are there any miracle products out there that actually work?!