hey hey everyone, I hope all is well! Today I want to speak about a few of my fav facewashes that are suitable for all skintypes. I’ve used a lot of face washes but these are my top 4
Garnier Deep Hydrating Cleanser £9.99
I love Garnier and their cleansers are one of the best in the budget range. Whilst this one is slightly higher than the rest of the cleansers, the massive 250ml size will last you a long time, mine lasted at least 6 months! This one is great for all skintypes and good for the maintaining the skin barrier
Tatcha Rice Wash £18
Tatcha, Tatcha, Tatcha! I really fell in love with the brand earlier this year and I haven’t looked back! In particular this rice wash is 100% worth the hype. It’s hydrating, leaves the skin soft and smooth and clean without stripping it. This cleanser really changed my stance on using ‘expensive’ cleansers, £18 is pricey but its worth it. I love the creamy texture of the cleanser too. If £18 is too high, the travel size lasts really long too. Tatcha have great gift sets at great prices and good for testing the brand before fully investing in it
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facewash £8.50
I think this was the first item I tried from Elemis that put this brand on my radar! This is great for smoothing the skin leaving it more radiant. A great and gentle way to add chemical exfoliation to your routine.
Cerave Smoothing face wash £14.50
Cerave have a lot of fans in the community so it was only right I added a facewash from them. I think this is only the one I have used from them. I’m not sure of the BHA conc in here but I dont think its too high. Still it gets the job done and leaves the skin smoother and pores/texture reduced.
Hihi everyone, I hope all is well. Today I am sharing my thoughts on the Shein soft gel press on nail tips. If you are a DIY gel x girl, stay tuned for more
Shein soft gel nail tips come in a variety of shapes and colours. I chose to get the french manicure nail tips because I’m not that great at drawing the white lines on. I also played around with lengths and shapes so I got ballerina and almond in medium lenght and square in short.
My experience I’ve been using these since the beginning of this year. It’s been heavy in my rotation. They come in the standard nail sizes so I don’t have an issue with getting a good fit. Each pack also comes with a lot of pieces so they last a long time. The application is easy, these are soft gel tips so they require uv glue and lamp.
Application method & Tools
I use the gel x method for these nail tips. I use the Beetles nail glue ( review here) , BTART solid glue and Mylee clear builder gel and top coat (review here). For nail lamps, I use the Markatt goose neck nail lamp for flash curing then the Mylee UV nail lamp for a full cure.
Nail prep( filing, cuticle prep, cleansing)
Beetles UV nail glue then cure. BTART nail glue in the inside of the tips and flash cure till all nails are completed. Then fully cure
Rhinestones/stickers/ decorations(optional)
Builder gel then cure. Top coat then cure
The whole process from start to finish is about 1.30hrs
So I absolutely love these pre made French tips because it saves me so much time and effort having to draw the white tips from scratch. Whilst I love them. It took a little bit of trial and error to get them right
When I first started using these tips, I started with the Beetles Builder gel. After a few days, the white tips started fading and even some cracking. It was horrible. And this would happen to alll most all nails. I never liked this Builder gel anyways, but for these soft gel tips you need to seal it with a Builder gel and top coat.
I then decided to experiment with other sealants so I tried the Beetles UV glue, Beetles base coat, Mylee Builder gel and Mylee base coat. All of these gave me better results than the Beetles Builder gel but I still had fading after 5 days wear with the exception of the Mylee Builder gel. That Builder gel lasted a full 7 days before some chipping however the one I had was a light pink shade so I decided to get a clear one and try again.
I purchased the Mylee clear Builder gel followed the same application method above but decided to do 2 thin coats of Builder gel, fully curing each layer before using the Mylee top coat. SUCESS!
This way gave me the best results. My nails now last till whenever I decide to take them off, usually after 10 to 13 days! No fading. No chipping. The nails themselves are also great quality, they do not split/crack after they are fully cured.
Verdict
I love these shein nail tips. I’ve got them in different nail shapes and lengths and even some colour pre made French’s too. This makes it so easy and quick to do a quick manicure especially when I am short on time. These are the dupe to the BTART nail tips but I haven’t tried those yet. The shein ones are great and I highly recommend them. They have a variety of pre made frenchs both classic and coloured and in all the shapes & lengths!
I’ve been using the gel x method since December of last year and I absolutely love this method.
Comments Off on Acid Toners for Combination skintypes
Hihi everyone, I hope all is well with you where ever you are! Last week I shared a few of my fav hydrating toners and promised to do a follow up post on acid based toners!
Acid based toners are simply toners with either a single acid e.g. glycolic acid only or a combo of acids e.g. BHA and PHA. They all aim to offer mild exfoliation depending on the acid concentration in them.
There was a point at the beginning of my skincare journey where I was obsessed with acid toners and I tried a LOT of them! I’m still a massive fan of them but these days I tend to get my exfoliation elsewhere
An easy way to intro chemical exfoliation in your routine. If you are used to physical exfoliation e.g. from scrubs, then you will know this is an extra step you do at the sink and it can be a bit long and messy. Using a acid based toner is much quicker
Choose the acid based on your skintypes/concern. Although all acids can be used for most skintypes, I found that using an acid targeted to your skin type gives much better results. For instance, I started my journey loving glycolic acid however as I learnt more of my skin type and realized I had more of a combo oily skin type, I switched to BHA which works much better for oily skins than glycolic acid. PHA is better for sensitive skin and will be less irritating for it than glycolic acid
IMPORTANT- if you are going to add acid to your routine, you MUST use sunscreen during the day and use it properly. Acids make your skin more sensitive to the sun because you are ‘removing’ the layer of dead cells.
Always start acid toner use slow, especially for new users. Start with once a week in the first week, twice in the next week and so on. You can always layer hydrating mists/toners on top of this
IMPORTANT- there is no reason to also use another acid based product in the same routine as an acid based toner. Overexfoilation will damage your skin barrier and will not lead to smoother skin!
Ok, now lets talk about my fav acid toners!
Pixi Glow Tonic– cant talk about AHA toners without the OG glow tonic. at 5% its well tolerated with most skintypes without irritation. There is a travel size version for trying before getting the full sized product.
Ren AHA Tonic– this is a combo acid toner with lactic acid(AHA) and BHA. this toner is suitable for everyday use but I don’t recommend that , a few times a week is all that’s needed.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA toner– the OG of BHA toners. I LOVEEE this toner with a passion lol. if you have oily skin you simply must try this toner. I’ve used other BHA toners but this one is a winner!
Glow Recipe Watermelon BHA PHA toner– one of the best acid based hydrating toners in my opinion. this is a combo toner with PHA for gentle exfoilation and BHA for pore reduction. highly recommended
Murad Multi acid peel– this is a strong combo acid toner. I love this but be careful with using it with other actives. I had a case of barrier impair as I have detailed here. My full review is here
The Ordinary 7% Glycolic acid toner– this list will be incomplete without TO glycolic acid toner. 7% is strong so be very sensible with this toner. It leaves the skin feeling smoother and brighter and at that price point you really cant go wrong
There’s so many acid based products on the market but I think acid toners are one of the easiest ways to introduce acids in your skincare routine. I’ve used my fair share and I absolutely love them! I hope you enjoy these recommendations!
Comments Off on Hydrating toners for Combination Skin
Hihi everyone, I hope all is well. Today we are talking toners! If you are looking for a new toner to try, I hope you find this post helpful
Toners/waters/essences are they really necessary? Afterall, if serums are most important and you have cleansed properly, do you really need this step? The answer is NO. Toners, essences etc are completely optional but its a great way to layer your skincare and build hydration for all skin types
There’s so many types of toners available but in this post I’m talking about hydrating toners only. There are no acids in here( another post). These types of toners can be paired with any ingredients and great for all skintypes and concerns. These are my fav hydrating toners I have used and love
Garnier Rose Toner This is a great budget friendly toner from Boots and did you know its an exact dupe for the Pixi Rose Tonic? Ive used both, love both and they both work the same. They are very gentle and soothing on the skin and doesn’t dry it out.
Artistry Skin Nutrition™ Hydrating Smoothing Toner this was a surprising toner for me. my SIL bought this for me to try and I really liked it. It’s packed with hydrating, soothing ingredients and even some fermented ingredients. It helps to hydrate and repair the skin and also pairs well with other actives.
CosRX Full Propolis Toner– I got this off Stylevana because I was looking to try a range of k beauty toners. This is a really popular one and I can see why its loved. Its a nice hydrating toner and its ‘thick’ enough to dispense into the palms and pat into the skin. I had no irritation with it
Fresh Antioxdiant Black Tea Essence – this baby right here is worth the pounds! She’s not cheap that’s why I also have a k-beauty dupe for you! The Kaine kombu balancing ampoule toner is very similar to the Fresh one! Its not as hydrating nor does it leave my skin as glowy BUT I really like it too. both of these toners are packed with antioxidants, hydrating and repair ingredients to help heal & nourish the skin
Next I will do a round up of my fav acid based toners! I used to LOVE these and tried a lot of them!
If you think you need a little bit more hydration in your routine, try adding a hydrating toner layer before your serum, day & night and see if that helps! I have normal to combo skin which turns more oily in the warm weather and using a hydrating toner is a good way of ensuring my skin stays hydrated through the day/night. These can also be layered on top of acid based toners( acid first) and its a great way to ease yourself into acid toners too actually
I hope this helps and catch you later in my next post!
Comments Off on AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum Review
hihi everyone, I hope all is well. Today I have a full review on the Axis Y Dark spot serum I have been using for the last 2 months
This serum is described as rich in several brighthening ingredients (like niacinamide and sea bucktorn) and will help to improve the overall complexion of the skin. As the packaging comes with a pump dispenser, the serum is easily to dose and therefore also easy to use. On top of niacinamide, you will find here plant-derived squalane. It makes skin soft and supple without greasiness or stickiness. Rice which is rich in over 100 types of antioxidants like vitamin E and ferulic acid and omega fatty acids will fight free radicals and bring anti-ageing properties. The serum contains also calendula, a wound healing plant extract containing flavanoids that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities. Finally, sea bucktorn, rich in vitamin C, omega 3, 6 and 9 and many antioxidants, calms down inflammation, boosts hydration, and is known for its soothing, protective abilities. Suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Experience
I was been using this serum from the 6/4 to the 8/6 in my nightly routine. It is a lightweight watery serum that sinks into the skin with ease. I have no irritation with it. It has a mild scent but nothing offensive, its almost herbal but doesn’t linger too longer. It doesn’t pill with other products and it pairs well with other active like acids and retinols. It doesn’t leave a sticky residue
I find this serum hydrating which was surprising to me because Niacinamide usually dries out my skin, usually at 10% conc so I can only use it for a few days at a time. I think this works well for my skin because its at 5% and paired with other hydrating and soothing ingredients. For this I like it however for the main reason why I got it, I don’t find it effective
This serum claims to be an effective dark spot correcting serum which is my main reason for purchasing. I am very prone to and suffer from hyperpigmentation. Did this serum fade any dark spots? NO. it did absolutely nothing to them! I have a patch on my cheek that remained the same through out! Did it leave my skin glowing? Somewhat, my overall complexion was healthier but I cant say its due to this serum only but a combo of this and the Ramsou 100% bifida. You can read my full review here
Verdict
If you suffer from hyperpigmentation, this is NOT the serum you would get to tackle it, if you were very serious about fading it. To be totally honest I got this because of its popularity and whilst I’m not 100% disappointed with it, I really wont recommend it for hyperpigmentation. I really like its hydrating & soothing properties, and I like its packed with antioxidants and does really well with other actives. I also like the 5% niacinamide and the fact that I can use it regularly without drying me out.
Will I repurchase this again, solely to treat pigmentation-NO. I do however have a mini travel size version that I will use on trips because of the hydration and soothing properties
I purchased mine from Stylevana but if you know their shipping takes SO LONG! I don’t recommend you get it from there. its only £3 more on Amazon and you can get it on prime so it comes literally the next day. Its really frustrating shopping on SV because even though items say shipped within 24hrs, it can actually take up to 10 days to ship then another 10-15 days to get the items! sigh. I made another order on 24th May, as of 14June its not here!
Thats all folks! I started using Suprafade this month and I really cant wait to share those results with you!
