Skin Care Routine

To me, beautiful skin equals to self-confidence. I do not feel great, if my skin has imperfections. Sometimes make up does a good job at covering blemishes or other spots, but it won't look good in any way if you do not take care of your skin. 

Always remove your make up before going to bed and use skin care products suitable for your skin type, are two pieces of advice that I can to give to you for a good start.

Today, I thought I'll share with you my skin care routine, products that I use everyday and quite like. My skin is normal (cheeks and chin) to dry (forehead and around my nose). I get spots here and there, from time to time, but these aren't a result of a reaction to a product or anything like that(I don't have sensitive skin). They usually appear, before or after 'that' period of month.

Also, I have tell you that the products I going to mention in this post, might work for me, but they might not work for you. The reviews are based on my experience, so it is just my opinion.

This is the bundle of stuff I have in my bathroom...

I'll start with the Olay Refreshing Toner for Normal/Dry/Combination skin. The thing with me and toners is quite odd, because I do not see any results. But I guess they aren't meant to do anything 'big' in particular. On the packaging it says: Simply clean,refreshed, beautiful skin. I use it just like water, to freshen up my skin during the day or before I apply my moisturiser. The Olay one is quite good, it has a clean smell to it and I didn't have any problems with it.

I use Botanics Soothing Eye Make up Remover for removing my eye make up, as you can imagine. It is one of those that you have to shake because it has two layers. I love it for removing my make up efficiently, but I hate the fact that it is so oily. The first time I used it, I just hated it because of that. But you get used to that. But I wouldn't repurchase it, because I like more watery formulas.

The Body Shop Cucumber Cleansing Milk is really good for those suffering from dry skin. Because it is a cleansing milk, it's kind of a two in one product, it cleanses your face and moisturises it at the same time.

I use Johnson's Face Wipes when I'm out of cotton pads or I'm just too lazy to do a loooong cleansing process in the evening. You've probably seen them in one of my monthly favourites posts, so this automatically means that I enjoy using them a lot.

I got the Neal's Yard Daily Moisture Cream as a sample of the Marie Claire magazine. I was quite excited to try this as I've heard so many good things about this brand. I used the product for more than a month now and I like it, but my skin requires a richer cream for the dry parts. It is more of a lotion than a cream, it is quite thin in consistency. It's going to be great for normal skin (as it says on the packaging) but wouldn't recommend spending money on it if you have dry skin.

You've also seen the Nivea Daily Essentials Night Cream in my monthly favourites earlier this year and I still love it as I did before. I would repurchase this over and over again. It works great for my skin and it is cheap. What do I need more?

The Botanics Eye Cream is another favourite product of mine. I have to mention it is a very long-lasting product. I had this cream since November and it is not even half gone. I use it every single day. I do not use it to fight my wrinkles or anything like that, just to lightly moisturise my eye area as I think it is important not to neglect this process even if you are quite young.

I definitely wouldn't repurchase The Body Shop Carrot Moisture Cream ever again. Yes, it does the job of moisturising my face, but it is just an unpleasant product to me. I don't like the packaging, colour, consistency or smell of it. Basically, anything about it. I'm just using it up, to get rid of it faster.

I use the Soap&Glory Bright Here Bright Now energy balm before I apply my foundation. I've featured this product in my March favourites, I think. It is basically a cream that has reflective particles in it, that help your complexion look brighter and healthier. You can apply it before your foundation (as I do) or mix it together with your foundation. I just love the results that it gives to my skin.

These two products I use when I have skin problems. Sudocrem is a thick white cream that helps with dryness, I use it on my forehead at night. But it also helps fight blemishes, burns and other skin related issues. Something that I've noticed is that if you use it too often it kind of stops working, but maybe it's just me.

Clean&Clear Spot Treatment has the same features of fighting skin problems, but it is a clear gel. Used it couple of times, but can't say I saw fantastic results. It is ok, but wouldn't really recommend buying it.

From the product left inside the bottle, you could probably understand that I love this product. The Nivea Daily Essentials Cleansing Cream Wash is a must-have for dry skin. It works great at removing the traces that are left of my make up and it just makes my skin really soft. I would definitely repurchase this again in the future.

And the last product I'm going to mention is your basic Vaseline tin. I have it in the Aloe Vera scent and I think this one is my favourite of all the smells they produce. It isn't my favourite lip balm, but it is great for applying before a lipstick. It is quite oily, so if you don't like this kind of consistency, do not buy it.

So, these are all the products I use to keep my skin young and fresh :) As I finish some of the products, I'll probably do an updated post on the new products to tell you what I think about them. Also, if you have any recommendations for dry skin I'd be more than happy to receive them.

Thanks for stopping by,

Focus on the Quiet

xx

February Favourites

Yes, it is that time of the month again! I won't ramble a lot and get right into the business. I'm too happy it's spring outside and I want to let go off winter as fast as I can!

                                                                 My February Favourites:

    1)Johnson's daily essentials facial cleansing wipes. There is not a lot to say about facial wipes: either they work (meaning they remove your make up leaving no traces) or they don't. These particular ones did the job for me this month. I even removed my mascara with them and no irritation was caused. These are fragrance free which is always good, for the sensitive skinned ones out there.

2) Rimmel Mattifying Topcoat. I've waited quite a long time to get this matte topcoat but I'm glad I finally did. It is just something fun to play with and a new perspective upon painting your nails if you're already sick of that regular glossy finish. No, it doesn't last as long as 10 days, like it says on the packaging and one coat of it is quite enough to matte your nails.

3) VO5 Tousled Style Spray. I was never interested in hair care, however this hair product appealed to me from the moment I read a review about it some months ago. It has almost the same properties as a mousse but it is not sticky at all. It feels like water and defines your curls, giving your hair more texture and volume. If you are a fan of beachy waves look, this product is definitely for you.

4)Revlon Colorstay Foundation (Normal/Dry Skin). During those several weeks of bad skin, I was in need of a higher coverage foundation. Did my research and from all the drugstore foundations available on the market, Revlon Colorstay promised a long lasting and medium to high coverage formula. So, cheeeck and cheeeck! And also it comes in two different formulas depending on your skin type: normal to oily or normal to dry. Can just express my love for Revlon, like now? I love the foundation so much I didn't stop wearing it from the day I got it! Great coverage,don't even need a concealer anymore. Staying power-came off when I need it to come off. I would definitely repurchase it! The only issue is that it doesn't have a pump but that's manageable.

5) Nivea Night Cream. You know my love for Nivea, right? I present to you another beautiful, but affordable product from their range-the Rich Regenerating Night Cream. It has such great consistency and I would recommend it to more drier skin types because it can stay a bit greasy on the skin. The packaging looks expensive with that dark blue glass jar that feels quite heavy. If you didn't know Nivea is a drugstore brand you'd think the cream costs around £25, when it actually is around £4. Nivea never stops impressing me with their products!

Thanks for stopping by,

Focus on the Quiet xx

Gym Make up

With spring coming in like 7 days now(Wow, that's fast!), everybody is getting prepared for the warm weather to show some toned skin.

Running in the mornings, working out in gyms after uni or work, whatever you do, you want to look flawless even then. I know, I do :) And of course because of all the sweat, heat and other nasty stuff throughout the process of working out you can not wear a full face makeup because eww and because it isn't good for your skin and you definitely wouldn't look beautiful with your mascara coming down your cheeks. Just imagine how embarrassing is that!

The perfect thing to do is not wear make up at all, but for those who can't even bare the thought of this, I came up with a solution. I'm going to share with you 2 products that will just enhance your natural beauty without coming off and streaking.

I've selected the products from high-end and drugstore products range.

So here we go,let's start with  High-end products:

Okay, yes there are 3 products in the picture but I've put two lip products just to give you more choices.

Mac Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15 is just perfect for gym. When applying it almost comes to a matte finish, it sinks into the skin really fast. It evens out your skin tone however provides a really light coverage, but that's what tinted moisturizers do. It comes in 6 or 7 shades and I got it in the shade Medium. It retails for £20 at Mac counters, however I got it in Duty Free for about £16.

Benetint by Benefit is a holy grail product for me, because it is so versatile and multitasking. You can use it on your lips and cheeks for a rosy-red tint. Because it is a tint it sinks into your skin without transferring and it is quite long wearing too. Mine is a mini, travel version but when I'm done(I don't know when's that going to be,it lasts for ages) I'll save for the full size product. It retails for £24.50(for the full size) which is a lot, but for me it is totally worth it, because I use it all the time.

Mac Lip Tinted Conditioner SPF 15 is another favourite of mine. A buttery lip balm which also gives a little bit of colour. It comes in 3 shades and retails for £11.

And now on to my Drugstore choices:

Nivea Daily Essentials Tinted Moisturising Day Cream. Nivea has always been one of my favourite skin care drugstore brands and this product has been a proof of that,too. It is a great product and it does what it says on the tube, it is really creamy and soft,evens out the skin tone, but the only downside is that it comes just in one shade- Natural. It will suit medium skin tones, but do not buy it if you are really fair. I would advise testing the colour on your hand before buying the product. It retails for £3.66 in Boots.

Blistex Tint & Shine Lip Balm is a tinted lip balm with a little bit of mint going on. It is not the most moisturizing balm I've ever tried but it is good and has a type of 'my lips but better' colour to it. Retails for about £2.40.

And finally Max Factor Lipfinity Lasting Lip Tint which looks like a marker pen and is really fun to use on your lips. I have mine in the colour 03 Pink Princess, but they have other 8 colours in the range. It is easy to handle and apply because of its design. It retails for £7.99 in Boots.

That is all for my selected gym products. I've shown you tinted moisturizers which are perfect for evening out your skin tone without looking cakey and heavy and 2 choices of lip poducts: a tinted lip balm for colour and moisture and a lip tint for colour only. 

Because all these products are really light, I think they are more than suitable for working out.

Focus on the Quiet,

         xx

December Favourites 2011 and Happy New Year to all my readers!

I can't believe it now ,as I'm writing this post, that it is the end of another year. It's been an exciting 2011 for me as a first year university student and a beauty blogger, as well.
Firstly, I'd like to thank all of you in supporting this new hobby of mine and in saying kind words to me which motivate me to do it more often and do it better.
Secondly, I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year! Let this year be better than the past one with its new beginnings and joys! May all you kindest wishes come true!

 And now as it's the end of another month, let's get on to my December favourites:

1) Garnier Simply Essentials wipes. Lately, I've been quite lazy applying an eye makeup remover and then a face makeup remover and I found it is much more easier to use cleansing wipes. These particular ones work really well for me and I don't find any traces of mascara or eyeliner in the morning. Even my mum tried them and said they were good :)

2) Sudocrem. It is a skin care cream which helps you fight with some typical skin problems like spots, break outs and dry skin. As I am a person with dry skin, I was intrigued by the description and some reviews I've read earlier. I noticed the difference in my skin within a week and I do not have those dry patches on my forehead and around my nose anymore. I use it every night on my spots and dry areas after I cleansed my face and after I put my night cream.

3)Nivea Daily Essentials Gentle Cleansing Face Wash. Having dry skin I tend to buy more creamier face washes as I believe they work better for me. And this Nivea one really does and I didn't even expect it to work so well. All the cleansers I've used in the past somehow tightened my face after I've used them, but this one doesn't. I'm really pleased that I've finally found a good face wash. I would definitely repurchase it.

4) Barry M nail varnish in Red Glitter For a long time was I looking for this particular nail colour.It was always sold out. And finally I found it standing alone on that Barry M shelf. It is a pain to remove from the nails but it's the issue with every other glitter nail polish. It is so Christmassy I want to eat it!

5) Topshop Cream Blush in Neon Rose. When you read or hear the name of the shade you get quite scared of the word 'Neon'. But don't be! It looks really natural on the cheeks if blended well. Also the packaging is so girly and nice. 

  

November Favourites

This November, I've discovered quite a lot of great products that I would love to share with you. Every single day I try to use different products and change my make up a bit, however this pile of products outshined others.

Let's start with a skin care product, which is Botanics eye cream. This month was the first time I started using an eye cream. I decided to get a cream just for moisturising the eye area and not one with an 'anti-wrinkle' effect, as I think it's just too early for me. I have to say that I enjoyed the effects, not that I became a beauty in 4 weeks time but you can really see a difference in the way the eye area looks and feels. I also love the fact that it is organic, has different oils in it which help moisturise better. Retails for about £6 in Boots.

Next, are these two lip balms that saved my lips from this horrible weather. I've always loved Nivea's products and this new lip balm is just perfect: moisturising, a rosy tint and a good smell. The Carmex lip balm is one you have to get used to. It has a tingly effect when you apply it on your lips because of the mint, I guess. But it just works wonders, so I really recommend it. I'm almost out of it.

Not an exciting product this one,just a clear brow gel that helps my rebel brows stay in place.

 Two lipsticks of the same brand, but with different textures and colours. Blackberry is a creme finish lipstick which is perfect for winter, being a dark red-brown colour almost burgundy. Purrfect!
Strawberry Suede is not so wintery, however I love my brights even in winter because all of the lights and festive things. I can not describe the colour exactly, but I'd love to think it is a coral red.

A thick good-smelling hand cream is a must-have for this season!

Have been looking for a colour like this for the longest time and it was secretly hidden in Topshop and I'm so glad I found it, finally. Topshop eyeliner in Saddle is a light brown with a metallic effect to it. The colour represented on the packaging is exactly what it looks like applied.