One, Two, Three, Sleep Skincare Routine

I feel like I've mentioned it before, and I'll very likely say it another hundred times, but I love my bed and making things as simple as possible so that I can stay in longer/get into it sooner.

Bad Skin Be Gone

Recently my lovely bloggy friend Rachel (who's no longer blogging at the moment, boo) asked me what products I love when my skin is going through a tough time. Now hey, I'm no Caroline Hirons, and I don't have perfect skin, but over the last few months I've really noticed a change in my skin, which in turn has made me feel more confident. So, I thought why not make a blog post and talk about the products I rated highly enough to recommend to one of my bestest friends, as I class you guys (if there's anyone reading this) as my friends too.

Origins Make A Differance Plus Rejuvenating Treatment - If you have oily, dehydrated skin and purchase one thing from this post then it has to be this. Make sure you pick up the treatment and not the moisturiser as they moisturiser isn't as great. I treat this as serum, putting it on after toner and before Hydraluron and moisturiser. It has a lovely cooling effect and really smooths out my skin. It works at hydrating whilst also fighting blemishes, how I don't know. But it's an amazing product!

REN Clear Calm 3 Clay Cleanser - This cleanser is sort of like a mud mask in consistency, due to the clay I guess. It works really well at exfoliating the skin (without any rough abrasive salts or sugars) whilst also deep cleansing. Whenever my skin is producing extra oil or producing extra blemishes I like to whip this guy out. It's also great if you want your makeup to last all day as it mattifies the skin (without drying it out), Super duper cleanser right here.

Origins High Potency Night A Mins - This moisturiser is great at rejuvenating the skin overnight. When I wake up in the morning my skin is left feeling hydrated, brightened and blemishes reduced. It has fruit acids in it which renew the skin whilst it's on, and the lovely thick consistency makes it feel super luxurious to apply.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask - So I actually tend to use this daily as a day moisturiser at work as it just feels so darn nice and makes my skin feel so soft. However, most normal people tend to use it a couple of nights a week overnight. When you wake up the next morning your skin is left feeling extremely hydrated, skin tone more even and just more plump. I would say no matter what your skin type this product is a fantastic.

An exfoliating toner - I've tried a couple of exfoliating toners and do find that they really do help clear up blemishes. I'm currently using the Boots Botanics Exfoliating Toner which I must say feels a bit too harsh to use everyday. However the previous exfoliating toners I've tried from Clarins and REN have both been amazing, which leads me to think I should stop being cheap and repurchase one of them. Anyway, Ms Hirrons is correct, don't miss this step.

A hydrating toner - There are two toners I love for their hydrating qualities; first up the Dr Weils for Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Relief. This is particularly good if you suffer from redness as it really does reduce it, especially blemishes. My current favourite is the Khiels Ultra Facial Toner. It has a really thick consistency that you can feel sink into your skin and boost your hydration levels.

So here are my top skincare products that I would recommend. Of course that's not my entire skincare routine, but it's the products I really love. 

Have you tried any of these? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

For the record my skin is blemish prone and dehydrated with oily patches in the centre of my face and dry skin on my cheeks. What might work for me may not work for you, and I'm not a skincare specialist.

Throwback Thursday: Ren Clear Calm Three Clay Cleanser

This isn't so much a forgotten item; however it's a repurchase so thought it warranted another rave on here.

This is my third tube of the stuff and I really like it. It's great at clearing up blemishes whilst also keeping them at bay.

It's also great at keeping oil at bay throughout the day.

Do you use this?

Laura xoxo

Review: REN Clarifying Toning Lotion

When it comes to skincare, REN is a close second to Origins, and after hearing Caroline Hirrons giving the seal of approval to this product I knew I had to try it.

I'd tried that Clarins Exfoliating toner and whilst I liked it, knew I had to give this a try before coming to a conclusion.

The smell of this lotion is not as nice as the Clarins, but it every other category, it beats it hands down.

I feel this is more gentle than the Clarins one, as well as being cheaper. I also noticed a bigger difference to my skin too after trying this one as well.

It's easy to use, doesn't sting and leaves my skin clearer and fresher. What more could you want?

What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Review: REN F10 Smooth and Renewal Mask

After finishing my tube of the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask I decided that whilst it was ok, it wasn't really doing anything that dramatic for me to warrant the £30 price tag. With a small perusal of the REN website, I decided to try out it's sister product, the F10 Smooth and Renew Mask.

This is basically a less harsh version aimed more towards sensitive skin types, and with many a rave review I thought I'd give it a go. Plus it's £10 cheaper for the same amount. 

The texture of this is similar to the Glycolactic mask, just a bit less sticky, but still gives the feeling of putting the middle of a Jaffa Cake on your face, and not as strong of an orange scent.

With this product I actually noticed a difference as soon as I washed it off, which makes me think maybe the Glycolatic one was a bit too harsh for me as it left me quite red.

I really do think that this is much better at calming my skin and leaving it looking a lot clearer and brighter and enjoy using it a lot more than the Glycolactic one. Which means I've saved myself a tenner. Win/win!

Do you like this product?

Laura xoxo

Going Crazy for REN

Whenever I'm looking for new skincare bits and pieces I'm always drawn to either Origins or REN. Hence the reason I seem to have accumulated a fair few of REN products, and today I thought I'd share with you my thoughts on them. 

Purity Cleansing Balm - This product has a really strong rose scent which fills my whole bathroom. I feel that needs to be stated first. I really enjoy using this product, it is a lovely balm cleanser, for me, Emma Hardie beats it, but if you are more money conscious this is a great second.

Clear Calm 3 Clay Cleanser - I use this as my morning cleanser and I love it. I massage it on for a few minutes and I really feel that it works well at clearing out my skin and leaving it matte and refreshed ready for the day.

Clear Calm 3 Replenishing Night Serum - This is a new acquisition in my routine, so I can't give a full review, but so far, so good. 

Resurfacing AHA Concentrate -  It took me a while to get used to this product, but I like to use it once a week, placed neat on my face to replenish my skin over night and get ready of any dead skin cells.

Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask - Need I say more? I like it, but not the price.

Micro Polish Cleanser - I find this to be a really fine manual exfoliator and when I first used it I did look rather sun burned. However, it is a nice product to use, when used sparingly.

What are your favourite REN products?

Laura xoxo

REN Skincare

I've always wanted to delve into the realm of REN Skincare, with many a blogger singing their high praises. I was reading Lucy's blog and saw that she had bought a little sample pack, so I had a little look into things, and saw that they were actually reasonably priced, so proceeded to the checkout with this in my basket.

In the set you get three items, the T-Zone Balancing Day Fluid, T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel and Invisible Pores Detox Mask.

T-Zone Balancing Day Fluid - This is pretty much a mattyfining day lotion, which is a really fine 'fluid' consistency which really tightens up the pores and leaves a gorgeous firm feeling to the face and a perfect base for make-up.

T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel - This is a really fine cleansing gel that I can really feel clean deep down. My only quibble with this product is the smell. Now I'm not too sure what Mayblossom is, and I'm too lazy to google it, but this product has a lavender-esque smell to it, which I really dislike.

Invisible Pore Detox Mask - This is the strangest (in a cool way) mask I have ever used. You put it on, wait for it to dry, then rub it off, with just your hands. It literally looks like your face has dandruff. So strange, but also so cool. I really feel like my face looks a lot tighter, but doesn't feel tighter after use.

Now when you purchase anything from the REN Skincare site, you get two trial size products. I've put my finger next to them to show just how small they are, but it is also a great way to try new products. I've managed to get three uses out of the mask, so you still get a good test.

The one I was most excited to try was the Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask, as again, this is a firm favourite with bloggers. I can honestly see why, I love how good my face looks in the morning after using this product, you can really tell the difference, I am definitely going to be purchasing the full size of this, which at £30 a pop, is saying something. When you put it on, it is like smearing the something equivalent to the middle of Jaffa Cake onto your face.

I haven't really tried the Hydra-Calm Cleansing Gel, I'm waiting for the other cleanser to run out, but I'm sure I'll like it.

Now I'm writing this Monday, and I've just currently hit purchase on £46 (I know, that is just how impressed I am, please don't tell my bank balance, or my mom!) more REN Skincare, so expect another rave soon.

Also, I should mention that on their site, not only do you get two free trial sized products, you also get 10% off of your first order. Their delivery is also not to be faulted. You get numerous email updates and can pick a date suitable for delivery. Mine is due on Wednesday, and it is after 7pm right now.

Have you tired REN Skincare?

Laura xoxo

Just in case you were wondering I've ordered the Purity Cleansing Balm on Kate's recommendation and the Micro Polish Cleanser. (I will be getting the Glycolactic Mask, but on a different order, as it feels less expensive that way. But it is another trial size!)

- I've only been using these two products a couple of days now, and I love them, go REN skincare!