Morning Skincare Routine

So I thought it was about time that I shared with you my skincare routine! I never used to pay much attention to skincare but in the last few years I've been getting into it more and my skin has improved greatly. I've decided to split it into 3 posts over the next 3 days, Morning Skincare Routine, Evening Skincare Routine and Masks and Treatments. So here's the first!


Cleanse

For the last couple of weeks I've been using the Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk and I absolutely love it (you can see my full review on it here). I use 1 pump, massage it into my face and remove it with a warm, damp flannel. It leaves my skin clean and super soft.


Tone

Yep, you guessed it, more Caudalie. This time it's their cult product, Beauty Elixir. A couple of spritzes really wakes up the complexion, making it look more radiant and giving it a boost of hydration. Plus it smells amazing, the scent of it first thing in the morning really wakes me up.


Serum

For my morning serum, I've been using the Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase (full review here). I find it works really well in the morning because it gives skin a good boost of moisture, enough to last the whole day while still leaving skin with a natural finish. I prefer to reserve richer serums and facial oils for the evenings. 


Eyes

Now I'd be lying to you if I said I use this everyday. I often forget and when I'm in a rush this is usually the step to get missed out. But with eyes being the the first area to show signs of ageing, I feel I should use it more now or I'll regret it later! It's the Clinique All About Eyes eye cream which I got in a gift with purchase. It claims to reduce circles and puffs which I'm not sure if it really does yet but it certainly moisturises the eye area. 


Moisturise and Protect

To moisturise my skin and protect it from the sun (essential if you have any kind of pigmentation or uneven skin tone) I've been using Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (full review here). It's a great 2 in 1 as it contains good protection from the sun as well as providing the skin with enough moisture. It also leaves skin with a nice finish, no white cast or greasy residue in sight. 


What products do you use in your skincare routine?

Review - Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Lotion

When it comes to Caudalie, most people automatically think Beauty Elixir or even maybe Divine Oil, but in fact Caudalie make a huge number of amazing products, I've never tried a single thing that I don't like! 

I recently bought the Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Lotion when they had their sale on. I just picked up the smallest size because my skin can sometimes be a bit sensitive and react to new products. Well it's safe to say I needn't have worried! This stuff is amazing, it's so calming and soothing on the skin and it leaves it feeling really clean and super soft. 

It comes with a pump top which I love, I wish everything came with a pump top, it would make things so much quicker and easier! I use 1 pump in the mornings and two in the evening to get all my makeup off. I simply massage it into dry skin till it's broken up all my makeup, waterproof mascara included. Then wipe it off with a warm, damp flannel. Although the instructions say to remove it with cotton pads, I find this way works best for me. It leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and plumped up, what more could you ask for in a cleanser? I then follow it with my usual toner, serum and moisturiser. 


When mine runs out I'll definitely be buying it again, it seems to be yet another Caudalie product I can't do without! It comes in 3 different sizes which is quite handy if you fancy trying it out in a small size before parting with the cash for the bigger sizes. Its comes in 100ml, 200ml and 400ml all of which you can get at feelunique. 

NOTD #8

When it comes to nail varnishes, Chanel make such amazing colours but unfortunately their formula leaves a lot to be desired. This colour is pretty special, it's called Paradoxal and it's a lovely  two tone grey-purple. I've never seen this colour by any other brand which is why I bought this one, it's my one and only Chanel Nail Varnish. I haven't worn it much lately but I remember from back when I got it the formula did chip quite quickly, something I've heard time and time again about Chanel nail varnishes. A shame really as it's such an expensive and reputable brand who you don't expect to be such a let down! I much prefer Essie Nail Varnishes, and they're half the price!

Skinted or Minted? Autumn/Winter Coats

Skinted

Black Biker 

Olive Wool and Leather

Royal Blue Long Biker

Print with Faux Fur Collar

Grey Double Breasted

Forest Green Contrast

Minted

Pastel Pink

Black Collarless

Purple Double Breasted

Black Crepe

Khaki Oversized Collar

Long Black Biker

Review - Simple Moisture Boost Hydro Mist

When it comes to facial spritzes, nothing comes even remotely close to my beloved Caudalie Beauty Elixir, but I thought I'd try and branch out in an attempt to find a cheaper alternative. I came across this one back before I went off on holiday when I wanted a small facial spray that wasn't in an aerosol and therefore aeroplane friendly. It's the Simple Kind To Skin Moisture Boost Hydro Mist. 

So how is it? Pretty good actually, especially considering the price. It feels nice and refreshing on the skin, perks it up, adds a bit of radiance and dewiness and stops makeup from looking too cakey. Another thing I like about it is that it doesn't have too strong a scent, so it's great for anytime of day. I usually carry it around in my handbag for when I need a quick spritz. 

Will I buy it again? Possibly, it's certainly no Caudalie Beauty Elixir though! That one wins hands down every time!

Have you tried any facial mists?

Review - Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase

I'm a bit of a newbee when it comes to skin serums, I haven't tried very many, but that doesn't mean I haven't come across 1 or 2 that I like!

Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase is one of them, it's perfect for mornings because it's super moisturising but doesn't leave the skin looking at all oily or greasy (thanks to the Hyaluronic Acid and Omega 3s). It just sinks straight in and doesn't look like you put anything on while still keeping your skin moisturised all day. It's a Bi-Phase serum so it separates into two layers in the bottle and you need to give it a good shake first. I then use either one or two pumps, depending on how dry my skin is feeling and massage it in before moisturiser. You can use it at night as well if you want too but I prefer to use something richer like an oil. 

Clarins describes it as 'An intensive light yet deeply comforting bi-phase serum with the power to rescue seriously dehydrated skin.', and I think I'd have to agree with them on that, in the colder months my skin starts to get very dry and sensitive and a few pesky patches of eczema aren't unheard of, this really does keep them at bay.

Mine is a mini sized version that came as a free gift with purchase, but at 41.00 for the full sized bottle, it certainly isn't cheap. If you have pretty normal or slightly dry skin, you don't really need this, but if you do suffer from dry skin and hate the super oily finish that all dry/sensitive products leave you with, then I would definitely recommend this. I would definitely buy this again, but maybe use it just when I need it rather than everyday so that it lasts a bit longer!

Have you tried any skin serums before? What are your favourites?

Project Art by Nest Fragrances Candles

There are a few things that I find really warming and cozy on  miserable autumn evenings, hot chocolate, knitted blankets, jumpers, TV and of course candles! I'm really loving these ones at the moment, they're the Project Art by Nest Fragrances candles in Pineapple Mango and Orange Kumquat. Their scents, as you can imagine,  are really fruity and burning one for a mere 20 minutes fills the entire house with their amazing scent that lingers for hours afterwards. They are also absolutely huge and contain an amazing 250 hours of burning time! These were unfortunately limited edition a while ago so they are quite difficult to get hold of, but if you can find one on Ebay, they're definitely worth snapping up. Mine were from TK Maxx so I'm always on the look out for more of them in there! I hear there's a Mint Leaves and Lime one!

What are your favourite candles?

The Many Uses of Coconut Oil

Oils may be relatively new in the beauty industry over here, but in India women have been using good old fashioned coconut oil in their beauty routines for centuries. If you have really sensitive, reactive skin coconut oil is a really great alternative to products laden with chemicals. As well as that it's a great alternative if you're on a budget as a lot of cheaper brands are full of nasties like mineral oil. 

Hair

I thought I'd start with hair as that's what most people use it for. It's great as a treatment, massage a generous amount into the scalp and through the hair section by section and leave it in as long as you can, overnight if possible. Then wash it out in the morning, you may need to shampoo twice depending on your shampoo but I can guarantee it's definitely worth it. I try to do it as often as possible, almost every time I wash it as my hair is currently in a terrible state from dying, blowdrying and straightening! I really moisturises dry hair and strengthens weak, brittle hair that's prone to breaking. 

Face 

Want to try one of those expensive oil cleansers but can't bare to part with the cash? Coconut oil is your answer, it works amazingly well and costs hardly anything. Massage a 10p sized blob into your dry, fully made up face and the oil completely breaks down all makeup and grime, including waterproof mascara! Then run a flannel under hot water, wring it out and wipe it all off. It leaves your skin feeling amazingly soft and is so much better for your skin than anything that foams. A couple of drops massaged into skin last thing at night works well as an overnight facial oil treatment. You wake up to super plumped up, soft skin in the morning.

Body

In terms of body, it's a great multi use product. Put it onto any dry skin or dry patches but just remember that a little goes a long way, you don't want to be sliding all over the place! 

I put my coconut oil into a bottle with a pump and leave it by the sink, that way it stays liquid from the warmth and it makes it really convenient to use and saves lots of time. I even sometimes add in a few drops of essential oil like lavender to scent it. 

You can get regular coconut oil here, or if you fancy a special treat you can get organic coconut oil here!

Are there any other uses that you can think of?