Comments Off on How to Work Out Your Skin Type – The Ultimate Guide & What Products You Need
*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links, these help Ree with running costs of the blog
Knowing your skin type is absolutely key to getting the most out of your skincare routine. With so many products out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but trust me, once you know what your skin actually needs, everything gets a lot easier. So, let’s break it down!
What are the 5 main skin types?
Knowing whether your skin is oily, normal, dry, sensitive, or combination can be super helpful when it comes to choosing the right products to get the best out of your skin.
Normal – balanced, not too oily or dry
Oily – prone to shine, breakouts, larger-looking pores
Dry – feels tight, can look flaky, and needs extra hydration
Combination – mix of oily and dry, often with an oily T-zone and drier cheeks
Sensitive – easily irritated, prone to redness, and reacts to new products quickly
The key to understanding your skin type largely comes down the amount of natural oil, known as sebum, that your skin produces. How oily your skin is can change, however, and this can be influenced by age, hormones, genes, and even environmental and weather factors.
The other thing to note is that all skin types can be sensitive, despite the fact that it’s considered a skin type on its own. Sensitivity is a measure of how reactive your skin is.
The Watch and Wait / Bare-Faced Method
This little process is said to allow you to understand your skin type by seeing how your skin behaves after cleansing.
For a complete guide to all the different cleansers I love, read: Best Cleansers for All Skin Types and Budgets.
Best Cleanser for all Skins & Budgets
How to:
After cleansing, pat the skin dry and then leave your skin bare for 30 minutes without moisturisers or serums. Use nothing!
After 30 minutes, you can follow this guide:
Skin appears shiny all over – you most likely have oily skin
Skin appears flaky, rough, or tight-feeling – you likely have dry skin
Skin appears shiny only around your T-zone – you most likely have combination skin
Skin feels hydrated and doesn’t appear dry or oily anywhere – you most likely have normal skin
The blotting sheet method
If the watch and watch test doesn’t seem right for you, you can try this blotting sheet method,
How to:
Again, wash your face, pat dry and wait 30 minutes. Again, apply nothing to the skin. After the time has elapsed, press blotting sheets to your face in different places, and hold the sheets up to the light to see the oil that has transferred:
Sheet has soaked up a lot of oil – you most likely have oily skin
Sheet has soaked up little or no oil – you likely have dry skin
Sheet has soaked up only from your T-zone – you most likely have combination skin
Sheet has soaked up minimal oil from every area of your face – you most likely have normal skin.
Your Skin Type Explained
Regardless of your skin type, it is always important to ensure that your skin is hydrated and moisturised.
Best Serums for all Skins & Budgets
For some of my best product recommendation for serums and moisturisers, read:
Best Serum for all skin types and budgets
Best Moisturiser for all skin types and budgets
Best Moisturisers for All Skins & Budgets
Oily Skin Type
Oily skin is usually caused by the overproduction of sebum from sebaceous glands, as a result of a range of different factors. This will tend to make your skin feel greasy or appear shiny and also the skin can be prone to clogged pores.
The upside is that many individuals with oily skin may potentially have less wrinkles than someone with dry skin.
Dry Skin Type
Dry skin tends to produce less sebum than other skin types. Because sebum helps to lubricate the skin and prevent moisture loss, dry skin’s are prone to finding it difficult to retain moisture which means it may appear dull, flaky, scaly or simply dehydrated. It can often feel tight and have a rough texture. If the skin gets too dry, it can become irritated or itchy, as a result of the skin barrier being compromised.
Skin dryness can also be caused by external factors like using abrasive products or exposing the skin to hot water.
Combination Skin Type
Combination skin is just that – a combination of both oily and dry skin. In this circumstance, the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) tends to be oily, and the cheeks can be more dry.
Depending on the time of year, combination skin can vary in levels of oil and dryness, and changes can also been seen as a result of hormone fluctuations or stress levels.
Normal Skin Type
This skin type doesn’t really experience any extremes of oiliness or dryness, but mainly experience comfortable and hydrated skin. These skin types or less prone to breakouts, redness or sensitivity, and generally have less visibly noticeable pores.
Sensitive Skin Type
This skin type doesn’t really come down to how much sebum your skin naturally produces. Sensitive skins are more reactive than other skin types and irritation (stinging, burning, redness) can be caused by environmental factors and certain ingredients, like fragrance. We generally believed that skin becomes sensitive as a result of a compromised skin barrier.
How To Care for Your Skin Type
Understanding your skin type is essential for choosing the right skincare routine. Here are some key tips to help you care for your skin effectively.
Read:
Best Cleansers for all skin types and budgets
Best Serum for all skin types and budgets
Best Moisturiser for all skin types and budgets
Oily Skin
While excess oil can be managed, it’s important to use lightweight, oil-free products to prevent clogged pores. A gentle foaming cleanser can help remove impurities without stripping the skin. Despite having natural oils, hydration is still crucial—opt for a non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturiser to keep your skin balanced.
Dry Skin
Hydration is key for dry skin. Look for cleansers with nourishing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture. Using a rich, cream-based moisturiser immediately after cleansing helps lock in hydration and prevents dryness throughout the day.
Combination Skin
Since combination skin has both oily and dry areas, a targeted approach works best. Apply richer moisturisers to dry areas like the cheeks and use a lightweight gel-based formula on oil-prone areas like the T-zone. Blotting papers can help control excess shine throughout the day.
Normal Skin
Even if your skin isn’t overly oily or dry, maintaining hydration is still important. A balanced routine with a gentle cleanser and a moisturiser containing hydrating ingredients will help keep the skin looking and feeling its best. Opt for non-comedogenic products to minimise the risk of breakouts.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin requires extra care to avoid irritation. Using fragrance-free, gentle formulations can help reduce reactions. It’s also beneficial to identify potential triggers and make environmental adjustments to minimise exposure to irritants.
Regardless of your skin type, choosing suitable products and maintaining a consistent routine can help keep your skin healthy and radiant.
Join us on Feb. 11 for this free virtual event featuring Congresswoman Luz Rivas (D-CA 29th) and a panel of CEOs from nonprofit engineering organizations.
hey everyone, I’m back with another post! I hope everyone is doing well.
In my previous post, I spoke about my new 30 day skincare challenge with HaruHaru Wonder! They sent over a bunch of stuff for me to test out so for the next 30 days, my routines will consist mostly of their products.
Before we get into my new morning routine, a bit about my skin. I have normal to combo skin that feels a bit drier in the winter months. My main concern is hyperpigmentation and I am always on the hunt for something to treat this and to brighten my overall complexion. I also like to maintain good skin health by keeping my skin barrier intact and my skin well hydrated.
My new challenge started on the 1st of Feb and here’s my current AM routine with HaruHaru Wonder!
Cleanse with the black rice moisture 5.5 soft cleansing gel. This promises to balance the skin & leave it clean and moisturized
Tone with my fav black rice hyaluronic toner. I use the alcohol & fragrance free version.
My eye cream, vit c serum and & peptide serums are the same. I’ve been using the the DE C tango eye cream, the Sunday Riley Riley ceo glow oil and the ordinary multi peptide & HA serum
AM moisturiser is the 5% niacinamide radiance gel cream
SPF is the Moisture Airyfit Daily sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++. I’m really excited for this because you know I love a good sunscreen and I’ve tried some really nice ones from k beauty. I’m looking to see how this will compare. Of course I will be doing a sunscreen try on & demo- will it be cast free on dark skin?
So far, the products feel nice on my skin and layers very well with 0 pilling. I’m looking forward to using them more! I’m following my standard method of trying new products, start using them slowly and build to everyday use as my skin gets used to it. This helps to mitigate any purging or irritation. Ive had no issues so far!
The condition of my skin now is really good. I’m enjoying smoother skin and it has an overall healthy glow due to my previous routine. HaruHaru has some big shoes to fill!
I will talk about my new evening routine in my next post- stay tuned for that!
Comments Off on Sephora Collection Fluff & Fix Brow Wax Review
*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links, these help Ree with running costs of the blog
Priced at
Use code REALLYREESPH for 15% Off
Any time I get some Sephora Collection beauty products to test, I always get the old days excitement of trips into store on rare visits to New York. I have been testing out the Sephora Collection Fluff & Fix Brow Wax and love it, so wanted to share it with you. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Sephora Collection Fluff & Fix Brow Wax?
Sephora Collection Fluff & Fix Brow Wax
Texturising and setting eyebrow wax
Clear, lightweight formula
For thicker and more voluminous brows
Tames and lifts the brow
Provides extreme 12-hour hold for the look of freshly brushed brows
Transparent, light, and flexible for a natural finish
Non-sticky feel
Features a densifying brush
Bristles coat each hair and deposit the perfect amount of wax for a brow lamination effect
Offers
Sephora UK Discount Code
Exclusive Sephora UK discount code for 15% off
What’s the best way to use Sephora Collection Fluff & Fix Brow Wax?
Sephora suggests that you start at the head of the eyebrow and finish with the tip, brushing upwards through the hairs. You can repeat until you achieve the desired laminated look.
For extra volume, first brush the eyebrows in the opposite direction to hair growth, then brush the hairs upwards. You can keep adding more formula to the brush as you go.
Before and After Photos
My brows are kind of wild at the moment, and I haven’t had a professional (or a pair of tweezers) near them in many many months, so bear this in mind. But here’s the before:
Before
And here they are with the Sephora Collection Fluff & Fix Brow Wax applied:
After
My Review of Sephora Collection Fluff & Fix Brow Wax
Sephora Collection Fluff & Fix Brow Wax spoolie
So, just for context, I am really on and off with my brows. When I pay attention to them, I think it makes a real difference to my overall makeup look, but then I will suddenly forget to do anything about them for days. I then almost rediscover the joy of having groomed brows all over again the next time I remember to bother! It’s a backwards and forwards journey!
However, if you’re obsessed with getting those perfect, fluffy brows that look effortlessly groomed yet full of volume, then you’re probably always on the hunt for the next big brow product. And I think that the Sephora Collection Fluff & Fix Brow Wax is definitely one to consider.
Packaging & Formula
In terms of first impressions, the packaging is what you’d expect for a brow gel. It is sleek, compact, and travel-friendly, which is always good. It comes with a slim, tapered spoolie that makes application super easy. The formula itself is clear, lightweight, and non-sticky yet has grip, which is key for a natural yet structured brow look.
Application & Wear
I applied the Fluff & Fix Brow Wax to my bare brows first, brushing upwards to get that lifted, feathered effect. It is pretty weightless in feel and the brow hairs feel flexible – no crunchiness or stiffness. I found that this gel holds the shape very well. The finish is very natural looking – not too matte and it allows the natural shine of the brow hairs to show through.
Who is this for?
If you love the laminated brow look but don’t want the hassle (or expense) of a salon treatment, this is a great alternative. It works best for those with medium to full brows, as it enhances what you already have. If your brows are super sparse, you might want to pair it with a pencil or pomade for a fuller effect.
Final Thoughts
For £13.99, the Sephora Collection Fluff & Fix Brow Wax is a solid option for natural, fluffy brows with a flexible hold. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, budget-friendly way to get that effortless brow look, this one’s definitely worth a try!
If you’re still on the hunt for an affordable brow gel for a laminated effect, read: L’Oreal Paris Infallible Brow Lamination Review.
Where to buy it
The Sephora Collection Fluff & Fix Brow Wax is £13.99 for 6ml and it is available now via the link below:
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