Budget options for Chemical Exfoliation

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has dabbled in using chemical exfoliants to refine and gently buff the skin. But in reality, my skin tends to get used to one product after a while and it becomes less effective. Here are my options that are incredibly effective without breaking the bank.

Yes To Grapefruit Brightening Facial Wipes - £3.99

I could pretend that I never have lazy days with my skincare, but that's just unrealistic. These textured wipes act as a 2-in-1 and take off make-up whilst those citric acids get to work blitzing away any breakouts. They are 98% natural and are actually really good at removing a full face of slap - the snap closure helps to keep them moist and you only ever need one.

Nip & Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Pads - £12.99

These pads are often on offer for around £6 and are an absolute dream to use. Packed with glycolic and hyaluronic acids, it is perfect for drier skins and daisy extract is used for brightening any dark marks and blemishes. The smell is very inoffensive and the witch hazel makes it a great choice for an exfoliating toner. Unlike the wipes, these are better value with 60 pads per tub compared to 25 wipes.

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator - £25

Okay, this doesn't really count as budget, but it is on the lower end of the spectrum regardless and it is one of the milder exfoliants available. Suitable for sensitive skin, you just need to go over your face with a cotton pad and it clears away any dead skin cells. I'd still say this is worth the high price tag as the bottle has lasted me around 6 or 7 months and are gentle enough to use daily.

Are there any similar products you enjoy using?

Candice x  


 

Sun Damage Saviours - Murad Environmental Shield

I know I've already shared my views on most of this range before, but the Environmental Shield has done wonders over the warmer months to prevent and reverse the effects of sun damage. It was only this year that I took a close look at my skin and learnt the difference between sun spots (which originate at the surface) and acne scarring which occurs on a much deeper level. These products contain a stable form of potent Vitamin C to perk up the complexion and defend against free radicals. These items come in a starter kit complete with an eye cream, which you can now get for £29.50. 

The Essential-C Cleanser is a firm favourite of mine and I always break it out during the summer as a quick morning cleanse. The orange beads contain antioxidants to perk up the complexion and is completely non-drying despite having to work the gel into a foam. It has been a godsend for my dehydrated skin and is excellent for getting rid of pollutants and city grime as a second cleanse.

Despite its anti-aging properties (have you read my thoughts on that yet?) I am finding it pretty hard to find fault with the Advanced Active Radiance Serum. I use it every morning in conjunction with the cleanser and my skin has become brighter within 3 months of use. A lot of dark spots have been cleared because of this serum! It uses AHA's to refine the skin and imparts an effective hit of Vitamin C to help correct any sun damage. I tend to use AHA's during my night-time routine, so this only gets used once daily to avoid overloading my skin. It is mighty expensive (the full price is £100) but it has been so effective that I might just cave. BeautyBay are selling it for £60 here. 

Lastly, if you do use exfoliating acids or want to protect against sun damage, a high performance SPF is a must. Especially in summer. I was originally using another Murad oil free formulated SPF15 from the Pore refiner range, but then again I didn't want to undo all the good things that happened to my face. So as spring turned to summer, I made the switch to the Essential C- Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and never looked back. It protects against UVA and UVB rays and still manages to be non-greasy and natural looking i.e. no white cast for those with darker skins. I have fallen for it, it has a rich texture and my purse is weeping as I will have to replace it shortly. It is £57 here.

I know that the range is pricey, but there is a difference between falling for hyped products and investing in your skin. These starter kits are a great entry point into the brand and if you have to get one item from the range I would suggest the serum, which as also been spotted in TK Maxx in recent months. If you have any experiences or solutions for sun damage, I would love to hear them.

Candice xx

Views on Anti-Ageing in the Beauty Industry

Just to warn you, this is a bit of a long rant but it also explains why I haven't been blogging as much lately.

Despite spending the last few months working for a well-known beauty brand, one thing has managed to rub me the wrong way - the industry's (and society's) response to ageing and perpetual youth. I'll never be able to sum it up as well as this Refinery29 article does, but I thought I'd at least share my own experiences along with the wisdom shared by Gabrielle Korn here.

"But, if older women are treated like the aging process makes them imperfect and younger women are treated like they don't know anything, what age are we supposed to be if we want the respect we deserve? Is there any "right age," or are we just forever jumping through hoops?"

As a baby-faced woman about to turn 25, this deeply resonated with me. I feel on a regular basis that my looks stop people from taking me seriously - I often had to correct colleagues that thought I was still at school. How is that flattering? It implies a lack of life experience; and is something that has constantly undermined my confidence during my working life. Before this article, I never even realised how much this paradox was limiting my growth as a person. I could play up to my youth & miss out on opportunities, or try to look older and be judged for it.

Apparently youth is preferable as most of the beauty products I use have the words 'Anti-Ageing' stamped on them to appease the masses. Even the phrase itself is a myth because it's not like a topical cream can stop time. Doing research on competitors had also exposed me to anti-ageing products with very questionable product names. The worst offender was Lulu's Time Bomb skincare range, which really surprised me as she is 65!  At best the names are hilariously bad, but the underlying message is that women must wage war with lines and wrinkles in order to preserve their beauty. Instead of, you know, accepting nature.
      

With packaging like hand grenades and names like 'Hand to Hand Combat Eye Cream', I genuinely didn't know whether to laugh or cry. My mum recently turned 60 (much to the shock of most acquaintances) and doesn't buy into any anti-ageing campaigns. Washing her face with soap, moisturising with cocoa butter and leading a healthy lifestyle has worked out better than an expensive face cream ever could. I am still a self-confessed skincare junkie but as my stash increases, thoughts have crept in about whether this is completely necessary. After all, I only have one face and I still sometimes get ID'd in bars.

In short, I feel bad supporting an industry that vilifies and shames women on a regular basis. A few brands are bucking the trend by using older women in their campaigns, but a considerable chunk of consumers still feel alienated by the unobtainable goal of staying youthful. When the time comes, I will embrace my wrinkles and my grey hair. It's not letting myself go if I accept the inevitability of time and experience.
 
Rant over. I will publish a review next to balance this negativity out, I promise :-)

NOTD: O.P.I Kermit Me To Speak

It's been a very long time since I last did a Nail of the Day post, but frankly when you're interning (or just living life really) the strong talons you once had tend to transform into pathetic flaky stumps. In between coating them with rose hip oil at night to destroying them with sellotape and frantic typing by morning, a no fuss nail colour was needed and Kermit Me to Speak from the Muppets Most Wanted Collection caught my eye.

This duochrome formula can lean pink in some lights and olive green/gold in others. I am a sucker for these shades, but this O.P.I offering is by far the most wearable. One coat is enough for a subtle sheen, but I used two for a more intense look. It applied evenly and faultlessly, so I feel less bad about not having long nails any more as the variation in colour from my little finger to the index leaves a cool, quirky effect.

For someone who used to wear Topshop nail polish in Moonshine religiously, this is a more sophisticated version and looks amazing with my skin tone. I find it hard to pull off versatile nail colours but this to me is work appropriate with a bit of play thrown in for good measure. What do you think?

Candice x

The Perfect Pair: Toners

It is fair to say that I am a complete skincare junkie, so I am having a bit of a quiet patch on the blog while I test out a few skincare bits. I rarely ever get an instant result after using something new; the gratification always comes as a bit of a surprise but with these two the difference was clear after around two weeks.

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator and Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist

Chemical exfoliators have become ever popular and the one I've been using for the last few months is the Clarins Exfoliating Toner. Containing glycolic and salicylic acid, this product is gentle enough to use around the eyes yet effective enough to slough away dead skin cells and improve the texture of your skin. It has helped enormously with fading away stubborn scars and cystic spots over time. For someone who is scared of overdoing it, this has become a permanent addition to my daily routine.

To balance the skin's pH, a liberal spritz of the Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist soon follows. It is, in my opinion, highly fragranced yet not as drying as other spray toners can be. I adore the heady rose scent and the inclusion of marshmallow and aloe helps to calm the skin. It also comes in handy when I need a pick-me-up during the day or my makeup needs a bit of a refresh with a sponge. Despite containing alcohol, this spray is hydrating and delivers a cooling effect to irritated skin.

These toners work wonderfully together, as I find my skin to be a lot smoother with this combination. I did enjoy using the Antipodes Resurrection Toner, but since I bought it my skin type has become drier and these options are a much better fit for me.

What toner combination do you use?

The Perfect Pair: Base

Revisiting my Perfect Pair series much later than planned, I had a seemingly foolproof foundation concoction ready to publish maybe 2 weeks ago. Then the weather changed. I found myself in an office situation where my make-up had to be long-wearing without looking too glowy. I used to only reach for the powder on nights out whilst layering on the liquid foundation during the day with a stippling brush. Then, I rediscovered two past loves which happen to work really well together.

YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat in BD60

When I first got my hands on this foundation, I did have a love-hate relationship with it. At the time I was between shades and this made me uncomfortably pale faced. After a year, my skin seems brighter and needs less coverage so that I can rock the perfect 'no makeup' look for a day at the office. This foundation works by blurring imperfections and is based on the same technology as the cult Touche Eclat highlighter. But I'm sure you knew that already.

The downside to this is that sometimes it can get a bit too luminous by the time 5pm rolls around. The consistency is thinner than other foundations I've tried in the past and for me, flat foundation brushes tend to give the best finish and less product is wasted.

MAC Studio Fix Powder in NC50

Ah, my trusty MAC powder of choice to the rescue! I favour these over the Mineralise Skinfinish Natural compacts mainly because of the more precise shade range and that the Studio Fix Powder is much more buildable. It doesn't leave things too matte and I've never had the misfortune of cake face when layering over the YSL foundation. Surprisingly, my base doesn't lose the glowy finish after applying this on top and I can build up the coverage for those bad skin days.

I have a few more Perfect Pair posts to come, but I'm probably more chuffed about this as the YSL foundation is something I've really gotten into, and the MAC powder has always been a favourite of mine. Don't you love it when things work out?

The Best of Murad

Do you remember this post when I bought two Murad skincare sets? Well, four months later, I present to you the gems of the haul and why they deserve a place in your skincare stash. To be fair, the opportunity hasn't been there to test out the Environmental Shield broad spectrum SPF and the foaming cleanser from the Pore Perfection kit was nothing special. I believe that the Vitalic products from the Pore Perfecting range are being rebranded as Pore Reform as I can't find them anywhere. I will keep an eye out for them as these picks have wormed their way into my skincare routine since the beginning of 2014.

Murad Essential-C Cleanser

Ok, this isn't really a surprise as I've sung the praises of this cleanser before. But for me, this has actually limited any oiliness and sun damage on my face during the hot summer months. I got this free with a magazine a few years ago and I've repurchased it every summer since. The Vitamin C is bound in a special complex so it doesn't become inactive as quickly as other vitamin C products. It helps to brighten the skin and protects it from any environmental damage.

Murad Energising Pomegranate Moisturiser (since rebranded as Pore Reform Balancing Moisturiser)

I was really not expecting to like this as it is suited for normal/combination skins, but this has worked wonders for me and it's a shame that it's so hard to find now! This oil free formulation is full of antioxidants and active ingredients to brighten and hydrate the skin. It also doubles as a broad spectrum SPF so it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Murad Advanced Active Radiance Serum

Again based on a stable complex of Vitamin C, this contains AHA's that refine and tighten the skin's surface. Although I'm quite young for skin tightening, I know that dehydrated skin is more prone to wrinkles over time. With the added benefits of aiding cell regeneration and reducing environmental damage, this serum is a great start to exploring the world of anti-ageing skincare.

Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask

My main complaint is that there were only 2 sachets available in the the set - again, I cannot see this stocked anywhere. This gel mask uses chemical exfoliants to remove dead skin cells and leave behind plump, glowing skin. I did feel a tingling sensation with this, so it may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin. I will say that this mask tends to bring any impurities to the surface, and left my face feeling polished and glowing.

Needless to say, this was great value for money as I only parted with £14! I'll keep you posted on any more skincare gems that I find.

Organix Awapuhi Ginger Shampoo Review

For anyone who has read my high praise for Ojon Damage Reverse hair products and balked at the high price, I've managed to find an alternative that is kinder to your hair and your purse strings! The Organix Awapuhi Ginger range is free of parabens and sulphates, and is currently on a 2 for £10 offer at Waitrose. Normally the shampoo retails at £6.99 for 385ml, which is better value for money than spending around £20 for 250ml of product.  

Awapuhi Ginger extract and keratin protein acts to revive and strengthen the hair, according to the blurb on the front of the packaging. Yet, other natural inclusions like cocoa seed butter, avocado oil and aloe leaf juice also help to tame the frizz and came as a welcome surprise when reading the ingredients list.  

Over the last few months, I've been using this in various combinations and it works so beautifully with the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer as a pre-wash treatment that I could skip conditioner if I'm really pushed for time. This formula is really nourishing to my thick hair with minimal tangles left behind when drying. Unlike other sulphate free shampoos I've tried, this one really foams. After 2 months, I have noticed a lot less breakage and my hair is much healthier with a noticeable shine. If you have dry, coarse hair like me this has to be on your 'to try' list.

I'm considering the idea of doing a wash day diary once a month, so you can see what products I use on a regular basis more quickly (I'd been using this shampoo since Christmas and it's only made an appearance now). In fairness, once I find something that works well it rarely changes, but I thought it would be nice to take you with me on my hair journey. Let me know what you think.

Candice x

MAC Haul

I tend to play it safe with my makeup choices most of the time - a sheeny brown shadow, a bronzey highlighter and contour combo on the cheeks complete with a nude lip. Well I've shaken things up a bit with these new additions from MAC.

 L-R: Gingerly Blush, Trax Eyeshadow and Cherry Lipliner

Gingerly is probably the most flattering blush I've ever tried, this peachy brown colour is warm enough to lift the complexion whilst looking completely natural on darker skintones. After dismissing shimmery blushes, I will be looking into more of the sheertone formulas as they are surprisingly easy to wear compared to more matte powders.

Trax is my consolation prize for not getting the Naked 3 palette. The golden shimmer in the purple/pink shadow gives it a rose-gold quality which adds complexity to those rusty brown eyeshadows I like to wear. I plan to wear this as a smoky eye with Satin Taupe on the lids and Trax in the crease to warm it up a bit.

Last but not least, Cherry lipliner is a firm favourite amongst beauty aficionados, but I do tend to be quite tentative with red lipstick -  using a pencil is probably the best way to ease myself into it. Also - true fact - one application managed to last through a greasy burger and a long shopping trip with only one touch up. This seems to be more flattering on me than Ruby Woo, so for me, this was money well spent! Now, when will I choose to bring out my inner Marilyn next?     

The Perfect Pair: Perfume

This will be the first post in a series called The Perfect Pair. No innuendo here, I just like how combining things can leave you with a better result than you anticipated, whether that's mixing different foundations together to create a different formula or simply layering on the skincare. This week, it's perfume and I do have an odd pairing that just seems to effortlessly work for transitioning from day to night.

Here we have Dahlia Noir by Givenchy and the well known Thierry Mugler fragrance Angel. For daytime, Dahlia Noir is the perfect rose scent - feminine and mysterious. The sandalwood and pink pepper notes are more apparent on me, so I like that it's not overtly sensual or overpowering.

Angel, however, is an entirely different story. The combination of rich chocolate with floral undertones is androgynous and intense. I picked up a refillable sample of the EDP at Boots and I only have to dab a few drops on the pulse points for a complex sensual scent. Love it or hate it, this is a fragrance of contradiction.

Together, this works well for nights out as Angel gives a masculine edge to the rosiness of Dahlia Noir without losing any sweetness. On me, the richer tones give way to a gentler floral vanilla scent over time. Working at a fragrance counter over Christmas made me crave so many perfumes, but layering two favourites is a good way to create your own signature scent.

Are there any tried and tested perfume combos that you like?

& Other Stories Eyebrow Pencil in Tamin Brown

As H&M's more eccentric older sister, & Other Stories should definitely be on your radar. They sell The Balm goodies as well as Dr Bronner's Castille Soap, things that aren't easy to find around these parts. But it was their eyebrow pencils that stole the show for me. Unlike most options for dark eyebrows, this near black shade Tamin Brown is cool toned and looks completely natural for a low maintenance girl like me.

    & Other Stories Eyebrow Pencil in Tamin Brown - £6 here

Would you look at that minimalist packaging! & Other Stories only have one branch in the UK, but if you're ever near Regent Street, this is definitely worth battling the crowds for a quick swatch. For just £6,  this pencil delivers more than you'd expect as the tone is perfect for those that don't suit jet black eyebrows, yet have black hair. The smooth texture allows you to build up the pigment, whilst leaving enough waxiness to tackle the odd stubborn hair that refuses to lie in place. Compared to other high street offerings, this is easily the best one I've come across - and it also comes in 3 other shades too. Grab them while you still can!

Hair Talk #2

This is a slight overview of things I have been trying recently. I bit the bullet yesterday and got my hair relaxed at the hairdressers after putting it off for 7 months. Usually, this is a big no-no, as the different textures (straight and afro) can cause the hair to break if not cared for properly. I was complemented on the condition of my hair, considering that having 4 months regrowth can be risky, let alone 7! I tend to use hair oils a lot, as shown by this post, but here are some new additions that I think have made a difference.

Ojon Rare Blend Protecting Treatment - £23 here 

After being seriously impressed by the Damage Repair range, I have been buying things direct form Ojon and this full size beauty was a gift with purchase. As my hair got more unruly, this with my Tangleteezer became a match made in heaven. It acts as a detangler and heat protector in one, with 7 rare oils acting to prevent hair breakage and damage from styling. For me, it was an excellent leave-in conditioner as it wasn't too heavy on the hair, but made styling a breeze due to the extra slip . The dual phase can be seen as a bit gimmicky in other rare blend products, but here it is executed perfectly. I still haven't decided if I'd pay full price for this, but it has made hair washing days much more bearable for me.

Philip Kingsley Elasticiser - from £15 here     

I really wasn't expecting this to do anything for my extremely coarse roots, but this is a dream to use as a pre-shampoo treatment and has displaced the Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment - a firm favourite. Left in my hair for 15 minutes this leaves my hair super shiny and much easier to manage. I have experienced less breakage in my hair during my 7 month stretch, and this is probably the reason why - immediately after washing there are fewer tangles and my hair feels a lot smoother. I am also trialling some Philip Kingsley shampoo, but the Elasticiser has now become a permanent step in my routine.    

Are there any hair essentials that you swear by? 

Coming Up Roses

Over the last few months, my skin has improved significantly to the point that persistent acne scars are fading and less foundation is necessary to hide any imperfections. The main cause is using products with rosehip oil, as it is known to help even out imperfections whilst soothing irritated skin. I've also gravitated towards the more natural offerings available, and this particular combination has done wonders for my dehydrated skin.

Melvita Milky Cleansing Oil - £20 at Feelunique

After a skin consultation at the Melvita store in Covent Garden last summer, I've been using this to combat my dehydrated skin. Now, my skin is left feeling plump and moisturised after cleansing, and it makes it so much easier to remove a full face of makeup in the evenings! I use 2 pumps and give myself a little face massage similar to this swimming motion before and after adding water. I have also noticed after using this that my skin is much brighter and I've stopped getting dry patches on my face. Ultimately, this is a real game changer for those with dry/dehydrated skin.

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil - from £14.85 at Feelunique 

A firm favourite during the winter months, this is pure rosehip seed oil which acts to improve the appearance of scars, stretchmarks and wrinkles. This is an all-rounder and has faded many stubborn acne scars over time, whilst giving the skin a little moisture boost. I like to use it as part of my evening routine in place of a heavy night cream, as it absorbs quickly into the skin and helps to clear any congested areas overnight. 

Are there any other rose products that I should try next? 

  

TK Maxx Bargains #2

Why hello there! Yes, my prolonged absence on this blog is mostly down to the painful transition of jobless graduate with little to spare for new things. Learning not to jump on every beauty bandwagon led me to treat myself on a few goodies after Xmas, some were old favourites but all of them were bargains from TK Maxx.

This wasn't exactly a necessary purchase, but considering how much something similar would usually cost, needless to say I pounced on it for £7. There was also an Environmental Shield one where I picked up my beloved Essential C-Cleanser, but I was too excited to use it and destroyed the box. Sorry Not sorry.  

There were a few O.P.I sets around, but the So So Skullicious was one of the most affordable ones afailable. I won't lie to you, the yellow shade Candlelight was promptly given to one of my friends but A-Rose from the Dead has become a firm favourite as a wearable midtone pink. Mourning Glory is a close second more suited to the winter months, but it's my first black nail polish where I actually like the formula.

I have more posts in store, but just have to find a routine. You can't help but feel that you can't start a beauty blog on a budget these days, but then again, it is more reason to be part of a blogging community when you don't have the funds to try everything out. If all else fails... TK Maxx?

Till next time,

Candice