Showing posts with label French Skincare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label French Skincare. Show all posts

One of the worst things in the world -okay, it probably isn’t- is when you discover your favourite moisturiser or cleanser is on its last legs. Or when you’re getting ready for a night out and fighting with the pump on your primer to get the last of it out. First world problem, I know. However, there are some positives when it comes to finishing a product. I am a massive beauty junkie so for me, it's the perfect excuse to try a new skincare product out. 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish // I love this product! I purchased it on Boxing Day last year and this product has been my saviour for when I’m too lazy and cold to take off my makeup or wash my face. This product can be put on directly to a dry face, covered in makeup or not, and you wipe it off with a warm muslin cloth. I’ll definitely be buying this again and I’ll write a full review so keep your eyes open for that. I also tried the special edition version with Lavender the other month. However, it caused my skin to break out all over my forehead so I had to donate it. 

Pixi Glow Tonic // This product is raved about all the time and personally, I’m on the fence. The only time I noticed a difference is when I stopped using it for about a week and my skin was totally different. One thing I will say is that the tonic contains a micro-exfoliator which with regular use, I find myself reaching for my exfoliating scrub less and less. Read my full review here.

Avéne Rich Hydrating Creme // Someone recommended this to me in passing about four years ago and I’ve only now just picked this up. This creme is super hydrating especially after I've washed my face and it's in need of a little boost. However, my skin is oily and as this creme is quite strong and rich in hydration, I tend to use this creme at night. 

Revlon Photoready pore reducing primer // I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this primer. There’s something about it I don’t like but it’s the best I’ve come across, so I kind of like it. Having a moisturised base is key with this primer otherwise it doesn’t sit properly. Other than that, it’s a great primer and is a great barrier between my skin and makeup. Read my full review here.

La Roche-Posay Effacular Face Wash // If you’re a long term reader, you know the deal with this. I buy this product on repeat and it’s great for my oily skin. I've had a lot of breakouts recently so I decided to go back to the basics. You can read my first impressions here and an updated review here.

What products have you finished recently? 

Love, Aoife xo 

It’s been almost two years since French brand La Roche-Posay revolutionised my skincare routine and my skin has never felt or looked healthier. I wrote a review on the Effacular range last year, which you can read here. The review is one of my most popular posts so I thought I’d come back to do an update of what my year has been like since using them.

I was introduced to the brand when they kindly sent me an email asking if I’d like to have some of their products. They didn’t want anything in return but they did turn me into a convert. And more importantly, a French skincare convert. All of their products are made with special thermal water meaning they are filled with goodness. <- My interpretation. 

In my current routine, I use the Effacular face wash and Effacular corrector cream. As well as their BB cream for light coverage. The Effacular range is targeted at acne-prone oily skin. The price range is in between high street and luxury. The most expensive thing costing you £16 for a BB cream and also the corrector cream. 

Before I started using La Roche-Posay, I had a lot of chin acne that would often flare up and I’d also get these annoying pimples popping up on my forehead or my cheek. I was really self-conscious of how red the spots would be against my pale skin so I did end up wearing a lot of foundation. Don’t get me wrong, I still get spots around my chin and other parts of my face like you can see in the picture but very rarely are they clusters of massive vibrant red volcanos. They are more like little bumps that never quite form into proper spots. 


The face wash is £12 or £18 depending on the size. I bought the £18 bottle for uni and I have to say, it’s lasted me longer than a year! You only need a coin-sized amount of face wash as it foams up really well. It’s my favourite product from the range and I feel it really helps to reduce the amount of excess oil my skin produces. It leaves my skin feeling a lot more balanced and actually cleaner from within. 

This review is similar to my last one as I love all of the products. I still buy the corrector cream even though it is the most expensive part of my routine. But that and the BB cream are my little splurges. In my last review, I complained that I didn’t feel the corrector cream was hydrating enough and the instructions on the packet confused me. It still does. However, I’ve figured out how to use the cream- yay! I only use a small amount as it is expensive and apply it to the key problem areas on my face such as cheeks and chin. I also find it easier to use and it glides on when my skin is healthier and not dry.

I occasionally use the Serozinc toning spray but only when I feel my skin is feeling really oily. When I first started using these products, my face used to feel so oily but it's definitely calmed down since. Something I accredit to a mixture of these products and a better diet. I don’t really eat greasy fast food or dairy as much as I used to and that’s really improved how my skin feels and looks. The spray contains zinc, which is common in a lot of oily skin products. It’s a very cooling and refreshing spray.


I’m still amazed at the Effacular range and how well it still works. Sometimes I find products become less effective the more you use them. However, I feel my skin has found balance with these products and I still recommend them to anyone with oily skin. My skin definitely feels fresher and free of oil (without that dry feeling) after every wash. They are pricey but they’re definitely worth the coin and you can see results within a week of using them. Plus, the face wash lasts you ages so it probably works out cheaply per wash.

Please note that my skin has cleared up from a mixture of these products, other skincare products I use and a change in my diet. I have cut out as much dairy as I can and I eat dairy-free alternatives. I also wash my face twice a day and a regular routine will help make a noticeable difference. 

La Roche-Posay is available online or instore in Boots and it's often on special offer. Also, if you're a student you can get 10% off. Bargain!


Love, Aoife xo
That feeling of bliss and hope all rolled into one because you’ve finally found skincare products that ACTUALLY work on your skin! In that moment you know that the product in your hand will irrevocably change your life for the better. You’ve finally found it!

It’s no lie that I love a good skincare product especially when it makes my skin feel great, look good and removes the pesky excess oils from my skin. I have oily skin, open pores and it’s spot prone. Basically, a nightmare! I spoke to someone at a skincare event earlier last year and she gave me some advice on washing my face regularly with certain products which will hopefully help to maintain my skin’s natural sebum production. (P.S- I've learnt that when looking for skincare products to target oily skin look for Zinc PCA in the ingredients)

It was around October/ November time, I received my first blogger mail (yay!). They sent over some skincare products from La Roche-Posay which is a brand I’d never really heard of before. I wanted to wait and try their whole range so I could get a feel for the type of products they were and to give you the low down. And let me just say… WOW!



The products I had been using were nearly finished and weren't exactly doing an effective job so I had started to look at different skincare products especially from French brands because their reputations are really good. So, these products literally could not have been sent at a better time. The products I received are from the Effacular range including the Purifying Foaming Gel, Effacular Duo(+), Unclogging purifying Sebo-controlling mask, and Serozinc.

The Effacular Range is targeted at oily and Acne prone skin and I could not recommend it enough! The foaming gel wash lathers really well and worked from day 1 stripping away all the excess sebum/ oils on my face. Using it regularly has really helped in maintaining my skins natural production of oil. In other words, I no longer spend 3/4 of the day with oily skin. Yipee! The face wash is now officially a staple in my routine.

I’ve also been using the mask that’s in the range and it does what it says on the tin, my skin looks purer and less oily use after use. I use this a couple of times during the week before I start my normal routine, putting on a really light layer and leaving it for around 5 minutes. It’s perfect! It's light, smells good and gives my skin that extra boost. A cheaper alternative would be L'Oreal Pure Clay masks but since applications are meant to be thin, the Effacular will last longer and be better value for money.



The Serozinc spray, which I’ve been using for a while is one of my faves! It’s so refreshing and cooling on your skin. It feels great after you’ve just dried your face. It's incredibly lightweight so you don't have to worry about clogging up your pores!

I also received the Effacular Duo(+) which I had mixed thoughts on up until two days ago. I couldn't tell if it was a moisturiser or not because it didn't say it explicitly on the box- it's not btw. Anyway, It has a matte finish which is perfect for oily skin and it targets blemishes which has really helped in clearing my skin. I think it can also double up as a primer as well because the texture when dried is very similar. As it's a very light moisturiser, I top it up with my usual moisturiser (Simple, oil balancing moisturiser).

The products cost a little more than the usual Clean & Clear, Neutrogena etc but it will last you a long time and with the results I've seen, it's definitely worth it or at least considering. If you were to get any of the products, I'd recommend the face wash and Serozinc. It lasts such a long time- I’ve been using the face wash twice a day for almost three months now and I haven’t even used half of it!



With that all said, I can’t tell you how great it is to have finally found products that work and have made a huge impact on my life and confidence. My skin feels and looks a lot like how it used to be pre-puberty. I would definitely suggest it to anyone with oily and acne-prone skin.

I was told when you find a product that works for you grab it and keep a firm grip on it -that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Love, Aoife xx

Have you guys found any skincare products that have worked for you? Also if you’ve used The Ordinary, is it any good?

Nighttime is one of my favourite times of the day. It’s the only time we get to truly be ourselves. We wash off the mask we’ve worn all day and have a chance to unwind. It’s in those moments before I slip in between my sheets, where I can pamper myself and reflect on the day I’ve just had. It’s the only time I can be myself; I’m finally not busy. No ones pushing me towards anything and I’m not in a hurry. It’s a beautiful time.

One of the ways I like to unwind is by washing the day off my face, giving it a little pampering after the harsh conditions it faces throughout a normal day.

I have to say, I didn't realise how many products I use until you put them all together. They're usually in different places around the room.

My first step is removing any make-up and bits of dirt with Garner Micellar Cleansing Water. It’s literally the greatest thing for removing make-up and doesn’t leave your face feeling dry like Face wipes do.

After that, I’ve been using La Roche-Posay Effacular Purifying Gel wash for oily sensitive skin. The lovely people from PR sent it over and it’s honestly my favourite thing. Compared to the previous face wash I’d been using before, I definitely felt as though all the excess sebum had been removed and my face felt cleaner and refreshed. This face wash definitely goes deeper in removing excess oils than other high street brands, so you actually feel fresh-faced. For £12 it’s definitely worth it. I’ll have a post coming out on that soon!

Once I’ve washed that off, I use Witch Gentle Exfoliating Face Wash to remove the dead skin cells and build up in my pores. I love that this is gentle and boosts the skin's hydration. Exfoliating daily helps to encourage blood flow to the face and it’s what gets you that natural glow.



My favourite step in my skincare routine is moisturizing. I’m obsessed with it! After I’ve pat-dried my face, I go in first with Simple Kind to eyes soothing eye balm, lightly patting it over my eyes with my ring finger. I then use Tea Tree Essential Oil which is great for targeting spots. It’s the most effective treatment I’ve found that does actually target and reduce the size within a few hours. I use my pinky finger and apply a little dab of oil on any spots.


Once my skin has a chance to absorb that, I use a little Bio-Oil. I’ve only started using this recently and it was actually my Mum who recommended it to me. She said it would be good for the light scaring I have on my face and clearing away the blemishes. So far so good. I was a little worried that to would leave my face looking really oily but as it spreads easily you only need a little bit.

After the Bio-Oil, I go in with my moisturiser. Olay Complete lightweight day fluid. It’s perfect for oily skin and it contains extra vitamins and SPF. I love applying moisturiser on a soft, smooth and freshly washed face. It feels heavenly.

I’ve also made a little video sharing the steps down below. So check it out! 


What do you guys do to rewind in the evening?


Love, Aoife x


Dare I ask the question- have you started present shopping yet? Getting your Christmas present shopping done early is the best thing as you can be nice and relaxed by the time Christmas Day comes along. The key to a great Christmas gift is that it’s heartfelt and there was thought put into it.

Being obsessed with everything fashion, beauty and lifestyle, it made sense that I put together a wishlist of my top picks for what to get for Christmas. My edit includes a few must-haves for any fashion lover and those interested in Style, Beauty and personal appearance.

Books

Apologies for the colours, having issues with backgrounds in my uni room
How to be a Parisian- I have been obsessed with everything French lately. They just do everything better from romance to fashion to skincare. How to be a Parisian is a book written by a group of French women who write about every aspect of life. This is definitely one of those of books that anyone interested in Lifestyle would love and for those interested in French living.

Love x Style x LifeGarance Dore - This is definitely on my wishlist for Christmas. I’m going to say it’s somewhat similar to How to be a Parisian as it’s like a guide that takes you through different parts with personal stories weaved in. Nicknamed the French Grace Coddington, this book is guaranteed to set hearts racing and provide an insightful guide to the life of a fashion blogger.

Inside Vogue, Alexandra Shulman- For those who have ever wondered what being the editor at Vogue is like, this book is one for you. It’s a diary by the fabulous and former editor Alexandra Shulman taking the reader through the centenary year. She talks about the Fashion Weeks and Designers to the business of running a magazine and all the work behind the scenes. This book is not only perfect for those interested in fashion but also those interested in magazine journalism too.

The Bare Essentials, Tracy Martin- The perfect stocking filler! For anyone with a love of lingerie and the relationship we have with it, this book is perfect. It’s a short and sweet little book examining the history and how underwear has evolved through the years.

Films

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Confessions of a Shopaholic- For all my shopaholics out there, this is your film! It’s the perfect girls night in film or for when you just need a good laugh. Based on Sophie Kinsella’s novel, Confessions of a Shopaholic (you should read that too), the film featuring Isla Fisher is perfect for anyone obsessed with fashion and shopping. The laugh out loud comedy is full of clothes, shopping and more clothes! A dream, right?

Sex and The City- Friends, Fashion, Manhatten and Sex! The perfect combination. The Sex and the City series and films are a must see!

Devil Wears Prada- Nothing beats a Meryl Streep film especially when she's playing Miranda Priestly. Featuring Anne Hathaway, this film makes the list of films you have to watch at least once and know about.

If you're looking to spend a little more cash, a Jo Malone candle, like this one, is the perfect gift! It smells heavenly and is loved by everyone!

It's a short little edit but those are just a few ideas of what you can get a fashion/ beauty/ lifestyle obsessed fanatic. Some of them I even have on my own wish list!

Love, Aoife x

They say Dry Shampoo is a girl’s life savior. A magical invention that allows a girl to push back washing her hair for a few more days. Personally, I never saw the attraction. The dry shampoo’s I’ve used in the past have left my hair in an even greasier mess than before. I’ve tried the big dry shampoo brand, Batiste, and two of Phil Smith’s products- both were a big fat No.

Let me introduce you to the dry shampoo I’ve been loving lately. It’s from the French brand, Klorane and it’s their Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk. It’s absolutely amazing and definitely worth the few extra pounds.

The dry shampoo comes in two shades; plain and one that has been tinted with brown pigments, making it suitable for brown-dark hair. I've been using the tinted dry shampoo and I adore it! I no longer have to worry about white streaky marks in my hair. Yass!!!


It’s the only dry shampoo I’ve found that doesn’t make my hair a complete grease mess. Having a somewhat oily scalp, formula is important to me.

Klorane’s formula is made with a lot of natural ingredients including absorbent microspheres and silica which absorb the excess oil on the scalp. There’s also corn and rice starch which acts as a cleanser, making hair look and feel refreshed. And as what any great dry shampoo should do, it gives a great natural looking volume. Perfect for those mornings you wake up with flat hair.

I love this dry shampoo and 100% recommend it, especially if you have greasy-prone roots like me.



Love, Aoife