Ren Clarimatte Clarifying Toner

It's no secret that I love a good toner. Since Caroline Hirons cleared up a few misconceptions regarding toners I've been hooked. The latest one I've been using is the Ren Clarimatte Clarifying Toner. Targeted at combination to oily skin I was instantly drawn to this product. I've only ever experienced fabulous things from Ren so I had high hopes for this product.

Ren Clarimatte Clarifying Toner

Clarimatte is an alcohol free exfoliating toner. It does a swell job of removing dead skin cells revealing clearer and much softer skin. I've been using this a lot lately as the cold winter has left my skin looking a bit dull. It doesn't leave skin feeling tight and is very comfortable to use AM/PM. This product has done a good job of balancing my skin, by that I mean it has worked well with my oily t-zone and I notice my skin doesn't get as oily throughout the day. It has also worked well on getting rid of dry patches. The price is quite reasonable at £12 as I know a lot of brands can charge a ridiculous amount for a good exfoliating toner. Overall, another ace product by Ren that I highly recommend.

What's your favourite Ren product?

Top 3 Products For Banishing Breakouts

With the change in weather comes a change in our skin. I've had a few annoying breakouts recently and raided my skincare arsenal to help banish them. I've found three products which have been the most effective.

Bravura Detoxifying Eucalyptus Toner
Last week I wrote a post about the Bravura Calendula Toner. I mentioned a very tempting offer on cleansers and toners currently on their site. I ordered this more astringent toner for days when my skin is looking more oily and spotty and just down right blegh. Targeted at more oily skin types the high content of AHA's accelerates exfoliation of skins dead cells. It contains salicylic acid for deep pore cleansing and help prevent blemishes and blocked pores. I apply this onto a cotton pad and work around my face and neck paying particular attention to any blemishes. If you're particularly worried about scaring after a breakout, an exfoliating toner is your best friend.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
This product I use as a serum under my moisteriser AM/PM. When my skin is not looking its best and is experiencing a breakout I find this lightweight serum is ideal to use. It contains glycerin to help refine skins texture while also controlling shine throughout the day. I find that when I use this it makes a considerable difference to any scaring I may be left with while helping to reduce blemishes.


Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil
I completely used up a whole bottle of this stuff, however as I debated whether to repurchase it or try something new, I ordered some 'try me' kits. Along with the kits came a generous sample of the Rosehip oil, perfect for travelling. I used this at night as part of my skincare routine, I think of a facial oil as sealing everything in. When I first felt those pesky under the skin blemishes, I knew this was the product to tackle them. After the first night I found that the pain was considerably reduced, however the redness was still there. So the next night I did the same skincare routine and woke up to find not only had the redness been reduced but the size of the blemishes had too. It also helped to control sebum so I wasn't so oily throughout the day. After a few days use my skin was clear again and I've decided I need a new bottle ASAP.

I've been including these three products into my skincare routine and found that together they make a huge difference in my skin. My skincare products usually change depending on how my skin is looking and feeling.

Do you have any products which are perfect for banishing breakouts?

Budget Buy: Bravura Purifying Calendula Toner

Purifying Calendula Toner

Bravura is a skincare company I found out about through the one and only Caroline Hirons. I got to pick her brain at a Selfridges event not too long ago.

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The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist

Fun fact, when I first started to get into skincare, (which was many moons ago) The Body Shop was the first place I went to. I knew I could trust them and they're almost like that friend who everyone has: reliable, trusting and supportive. The Vitamin E range was my first port of call. I still use some products from the vitamin E range to this day. I love the serum in oil. I repurchased the vitamin E hydrating toner the other day and instantly remembered why I loved it so.

Vitamin E Face Mist

After meeting with the lovely Caroline Hirons at the weekend and getting the chance to pick her brain, I felt like new skincare was on the cards any excuse hey. This little wonder definitely got her seal of approval. (Side note, she did say she would adopt me.) The previous times I purchased this I always opted for the squeeze bottle and would apply it with a cotton pad. I find the spritz bottle much more effective. It has a fine mist much like the Caudalie beauty elixir and you don't end up with a soaking wet face. I spritz straight from the bottle to the face, it saves on time and product getting wasted on a cotton pad. After using a good acid, which preps the skin for serums and oils, this is an effective hydrating toner to start the layering process. Even throughout the day it's a good pick me up for dull skin. The scent is pleasant and not overpowering in the slightest. Overall, I am happy to have this back in my skincare routine. Being from the Body Shop, the price is very reasonable too. They always have offers on and well, it would be rude not to take them up on it.

Are you a fan of The Body Shop?

What The Blogger Taught Me. Part 1.

I have to confess that I have probably learnt more about skincare, haircare and even healthy eating from blogs than any magazine. In this post I'm going to share a few things I have learnt from bloggers and their blogs.

Coconut Oil
Coconut is cheap and you most likely have a tub in the pantry. Now, I knew that coconut oil is great to use as a hair mask. I usually cover my hair in it and leave it over night, in the morning after washing my hair it's noticeably softer and shinier. What the bloggers have taught me is that coconut oil has many other uses. It can be used for cleansing, Caroline Hirons discusses this way better than I ever could so I'll link her post here. Coconut oil has many different uses, it works particularly well on dry cuticles.

Toner
I used to think toners were a useless step in skincare routines. I never really noticed a difference when I used them, so I just stopped. Then I heard about exfoliating and hydrating toners, suddenly it all made sense and now I never skip the 'toner' step (well, unless I'm really really tired). I've definitely noticed a difference in my skin since I started using toners such as the Pixi Glow Tonic and Caudalie beauty elixir.

Washing hair
I thought this is one thing I knew how to do. However after reading this post by Meg I knew I had to give it a go. Basically, it's an upside down hair wash. So, instead of using conditioner after shampooing, you condition first and then shampoo. Sounds strange and feels strange when your doing it. But honestly my hair has never felt softer and its quite bouncy. When you think about it it does make sense as the conditioner acts like a mini hair mask.

MINERAL OIL!
This is in capitals as before reading blogs I had no idea about mineral oil. I never heard of it in magazines. When I learnt about it I was shocked. I was shocked that it was an ingredient in most products and I was shocked how I hadn't heard about it before. Most companies use it because it is cheap, it has no skincare benefits whatsoever. The fact that it is so cheap to use but big companies think its justifiable to charge such extortionate prices for it (Eve Lom I'm looking at you) is mind blowing. Since I have stopped using products which contain mineral oil I have noticed my skin is thanking me for it. Out of all the things I have learned from blogs this is the one I'm most thankful for.

This could end up being a really long post so I'm calling this part one. What have you learned from blogs?

Toners - Often Overlooked.

I must admit, before discovering Caroline Hirons and her blog (which is a Mecca for skincare) I never really understood Toners or the point of them. Endless magazine articles and dodgy advertising campaigns claiming they open/close pores (which we now know not to be true, pores are not doors) left me bewildered. After some research I feel I now understand the point of a toner and I most definitely can't have a skincare regime without them. Here are some toners from my skincare stash.

I split my toners into exfoliating and hydrating. Firstly I use an exfoliating toner followed by a hydrating one, which ones I use depends on how my skin is looking and feeling that day.

The Pixi Glow Tonic is one of my favourite exfoliating toners, I've raved more about it here.  I am looking to try more and have my eye on one by Ren.

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic I find this one to be the most hydrating and adds moisture back into my skin. It is gentle and helps to soothe any redness I may have. After I have swept this over my face and neck it instantly feels refreshed.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir  Caudalie claim this product gives an 'instant boost of radiance to skin'. I tend to use this one in the mornings as it helps me feel more awake and refreshed as well as perking up my skin a bit. I prefer the spray nozzle as its easier to use and comes out as a fine mist. Voilà instantly radiant skin. The scent doesn't bother me much but I know some people aren't fond of it. This would be perfect if your skin is looking a bit dull and would be ideal for long haul flights to add moisture back into skin.

This Works: Fresh Skin. I picked this up in TK Maxx on a whim and I'm glad I did. Although I have to say I hate the spray with this bottle. Its not a fine mist like the Caudalie beauty exilir and doesn't distribute evenly over the face. In fact it gets all in my hair and is a pain to use. I  much prefer to use this on a cotton wool pad and then swipe over my face and neck. I'm also not a huge fan of the scent but I can get past that as this toner helps to soothe any breakouts and redness.

Do you use a toner? What are some of your favourites?

Worth The Hype? Pixi Glow Tonic

I love when there's a certain hype around a product. It makes it  more irresistible, tempting and in many cases can be a treasure hunt to find. With some items, the hunt, and the relieving feeling of finding the product is much more impressive than the actual item but not with this. The Pixi Glow Tonic (£16 for 250ml!) has certainly had its share of hype. The hunt for this bad boy was unlike any other. It took me months to get hold of this, with it only being sold from Pixi's store in London or mail order over the phone it became a personal challenge (they now stock it online). Every few days I would call and await the moment I was told it was back in stock.

The mother ship finally arrived! I was excited to try this and see if it lived up to its hype. Instantly the sleek, simple and practical packaging impressed me. The pump allows for less product to be wasted and makes it easier to use. Pixi claim that this exfoliating glow tonic helps to firm, tone and tighten the skin. It removes dead skin cells for healthier looking skin. After using this for the past few months I can happily say this has made a huge difference in my skin and is definitely worth the hype. Exfoliating toners were new to me and this did not irritate my skin in the slightest, full of all good acids this is now a skincare staple. Overall my skin definitely looks healthier, clearer and feels a lot smoother. I use this after cleansing on a cotton wool pad 4/5 times a week but is gentle enough to be used every day. The glow tonic has provided results in my skin that no harsh exfoliating scrub has ever been able to do. I think everyone should use this, its suitable for all skin types, is a very reasonable price and lasts ages. At the time of posting it is currently sold out online but keep checking www.pixibeauty.co.uk/glow-tonic. As I come to the end of my huge 250ml bottle and must repurchase as I can't be without this the search is on again.