A new BB cream + giveaway.

As I mentioned briefly in a previous post, I'm not a fan of high-end BB creams. I've tried a bunch, some by Benefit, Mac, Stila amongst others, but none have stood up to their price-bracket or my loyalties to drugstore versions. I'm under no illusions that they don't all pale in comparison to Korean versions but I've yet to find the right shade to confirm or refute this. For now, I can merely state that my first was Garnier's Miracle Skin Perfector which I continue to love. Then I tried Maybelline's Dream Pure BB which has Salicylic Acid and is, therefore, great for breakout riddled skin.

The latest I've begun to use is Rimmel's BB Cream which has the highest SPF at SPF 25. This is one of it's best selling-points for me, as is the smooth formula. However, I find that it has slightly more coverage than I want when I'm reaching for a BB cream - to me, a BB cream is for a no makeup look. For those who do want that extra coverage, it's probably the best drugstore BB cream out there for that. So, here's how I apply it and what I put with it.

1. As this has higher coverage and it's Summer, I use Aloe Vera as my primer. This is an excellent natural alternative for a primer with anti-bacterial properties that are great for blemish-prone skin. Using it instead of a regular primer extends the wear of the makeup without feeling caked in product.

2. I take a relatively small amount of the cream on the back of my hand and use my fingers to apply it. The heat in my fingertips helps blend it very naturally and evenly into my skin. I start at the middle of my face and move outwards in arching movements with the natural line of my bone structure.

3. I fill in my brows with powder from Benefit's Brows A-go-go, keeping the look fairly minimal and the brows relatively small. Then I add a little of Mac's Mineralize Skinfinish Give Me Sun into the hollows of my cheeks and along my jawline for definition and finish with Maxfactor's Creme Puff Pressed Powder on top. 

4. Using the Naked 3 palette I brush a little of Strange onto my brow bone and inner eye as a highlight. Then I cover two thirds of my eyelid in Dust before working Buzz into my crease and outer corner.

5. I now curl my eyelashes with Eyeko's curler and brush a couple coats of Seventeen's Superlash to the outer edges of my upper lashes to give a natural yet feline flick to my eyes.

Et voilà!

Like the look of the Rimmel BB Cream? Well, I've three to give away! Sadly, I only have them in the shade Light but I promise to get more varied shades next time! 

So, how do you win? Comment below telling me your go-to base (BB or otherwise) and make sure you're following me on at least one of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin (or all of  'em if you're feeling super-generous). Mention in the comment which one applies to you and your handle on that site so I can track you down if you win! This giveaway is open internationally to anyone (those under 16 need to get a guardian's permission to send me their address) and will close 11th of August at 00:00 GMT + 1:00.

Good luck x

EDIT: As some peeps were having difficulty commenting here I've opened up entry via comments on facebook/twitter etc as well.

Wide-Eyed and Bargain: Healthpoint Tea Tree Facial Cleansing Wipes

I stopped using face-wipes a while back as they are just one of the worst things you can do to your skin. Even if I didn't know that, I'd have figured it out. My skin does not like. When I use them around my eyes, angry little red bumps pop up and it's not pretty.

So, at the end of the day, I just wash my face with a cleanser and go without wipes. Most days this is fine, but if I've been wearing eye makeup, I never feel like I've totally gotten rid of it. I'd been looking into makeup removers etc. but I didn't feel the need to apply anything new over all of my face as it was only the eye area that was causing problems. I also wanted to interrupt my all-organic skincare as little as possible. And while I have used organic wipes in the past (in fact, the last pack I bought before I ditched them were by Dr Organic) I had the same problems with them. No matter how many said "for sensitive skin" on them, they were never sensitive enough.

I'd walked by the Healthpoint Tea Tree Facial Cleansing Wipes countless times in my Tesco as the line for the automated checkouts usually ends up winding all the way back into the beauty aisle. Each time, the wipes caught my eye. "Tea Tree" written on anything always intrigues me as I'm blemish prone and would do anything to change that. The fact that they were a quarter the price of many of the other options also made me curious - you all know how much I love a bargain! I finally decided they were worth the gamble the other day as I was only spending €1.19 on them.

I've only used them to remove eye makeup so they're not affecting my regular routine too hugely. And I have to say, I'm impressed. They do an excellent job at removing the makeup without much effort and don't leave my eyes sore or red.

In summation, if you're looking for an inexpensive way to remove your eye makeup before cleansing, this is a great option.

They're really only an interim solution for me as I'm not mad about using anything less natural on my face but, for now, they'll do! And if you don't have those sorts of concerns, they're perfect!

Available online and in Tesco stores.

On skincare - That actually works.

Many times in the past, I've designed myself an elaborate skincare routine and declared myself ready to stick to it. Weeks would pass and I wouldn't see results and so I'd drop the routine.

I guess I never gave it time to start working, or was being overly aggressive with my poor skin, or had unrealistic expectations. My skin, I now know, is combination with dryness around the jawline and nostrils and oiliness in the t-zone. I'm also blemish prone, especially PMS related breakouts, but have never suffered from serious acne. I kind of assumed I'd stop getting spots automatically when I went to college. Sounds stupid, I know, but teen dramas feature people struggling with acne whereas college-age dramas never have an episode where someone skips out on school because no one could ever possibly see them with a spot.

Anyway....now that I know what I'm dealing with...I can go about dealing with it. I've got my concern areas and a certain philosophy. Because I know I'll never stick to anything overly elaborate and I know I don't want to stress out my skin by throwing a shit-ton more chemicals on it. So, my skincare is simplistic but effective, nearly all organic and mostly Irish (as a nice extra point in its favour).

And I've been genuinely seeing a huge difference since I adopted this routine. Not just me either, people have been telling me a lot recently that my skin looks great. As a result of how good its been, even on the days where I decide wear makeup, I use much less. It's gotten to the point that if I do wear BB cream or foundation, I basically just apply a small amount to blemishes with a concealer brush. So, yay for all that! I can see why 80% of Korean women spend much more money on skincare than makeup.

Here are my morning and night routines that have proven to give visible results - at least on me!

Morning:

1. I wash my hands with soap - don't want to be handling your skin with dirty hands, it'd defeat the purpose.

2. Cleanse. I generally use VOYA's Cleanse and Mend - about one pump applied to the face and then washed off. A few times a week (maybe twice) I'll use Yes to Carrots' C is for Clean Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser. This is really important to get rid of dead skin. However, even this organic exfoliator makes my skin bitch at me so I don't use it every day. I just switch out the VOYA for it every now and then. It's applied pretty much the same way; very, very gently massaged into the skin in small circles and then washed off.

3. I have yet to find the perfect toner. There's one from Lush I like. That would go here.

4. I use the VOYA My Little Hero serum here. Again, a single pump applied to the face. A little of VOYA products goes a long way so they really last.

5. I moisturise with the VOYA Softly Does It, focusing on the dry areas of my face and spending a little longer massaging the product in those patches. Technically, it's a body moisturiser but I use it for both. It smells amazing and is so gentle that my face can handle it.

6. I use Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel as the last step. This feels gorgeous, so soothing and lovely and I can visibly see my eye bags calm down. I'm not worried about anti-aging products yet (also think they're kind of bull crap) but eyes are pretty big and, as a result, display my troubled relationship with sleep quite obviously. I genuinely see results with this product. And, again, such a tiny amount is needed. A small downside is that it leaves a layer that peels a little a few hours later but this can be wiped away easily.

Night:

The night routine is pretty much the same except I never, ever use the exfoliating cleanser as I feel it's too harsh. At least if I use it in the morning, I'll be moisturising twice that day afterwards and my skin has time to settle down. The other addition is this Aloe Vera Gel which, again, is organic and bought in Holland and Barrett. Once again, a little goes a long way. I just take a small amount on my fingertips and apply it to any blemishes. This helps them heal and disappear much quicker and takes down swelling overnight. Spots are reduced in size, literally overnight and it takes any pain or tenderness away from blemishes. It's kind of a wonder product. 

Body:

I use the TanOrganic Tan Erase Ultimate Exfoliator mitt once or twice a week. Usually I use it if I'm going to shave my legs and exfoliating goes before that step. The combination of the mitt, shaving and moisturising is unbelievably effective - soft limbs, ahoy! 

The body moisturisers I use are the aforementioned VOYA one or TanOrganic's Oil Arganic. Both smell gorgeous and it's really down to mood as to which one wins out on any given day.

Extra:

I also have two face masks that I use on the reg. The Oriflame Hydrating Face Mask is one an old housemate who worked for the company gave me and really doesn't feel like it does much. I don't use it super-often but it smells nice (of watermelon!). The Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask, however, I'm mad about! You store it in the fridge so it feels lovely and soothing going on and it hardens pretty tight so you feel really cleansed after using it. Long-term results have yet to be seen but I do enjoy it.

So, that's all! What do you guys think? Use any of these products yourselves? Any secret tips you got handy?

Wide-Eyed and DIY: Sea Salt Hair Spray.

So, I've been a major sea salt spray (or S³) for a while now. Around three years, I think. It's hard to remember but I've had my bottle of Lee Stafford sea salt spray for a while. It's the only product I ever really use in my hair and even then, I do so sparingly. It has all sorts of alcohol and not-so-good-for-your-hair stuff in it. But it is my favourite look so I wanted to find a way to replicate the texture cheaply, easily and less harmfully so I could use it on the reg.

Research online showed lots of different recipes so I went through a whole bunch and recomposed my own recipe to my own tastes. Here's how to make your own.

You'll need:
Sea Salt
An empty spray bottle
Aloe Vera Gel
Conditioner
250ml of warm water

Optional Extras:
Essential oils for different problems you may have with your hair/for scent

1. Boil around 250ml of water. Set aside in a cup and allow to cool until warm rather than hot.

2. Pour into spray bottle.

3. Add a teaspoon of salt. Shake and allow to dissolve and settle.

4. Add a half teaspoon of conditioner and mix. I used an Argan Oil infused conditioner to be extra kind to my hair but you can equal substitute coconut oil here.

5. Add a half teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel - this can be replaced by hair gel as we're using it for hold. Aloe Vera has the benefit, however, of being natural and adding a nice scent.

6. Essential oils can be added at this point. I didn't bother as the aloe and Argan oil made it smell lovely as it was.

And there you have it! It gives a slightly more authentic beachy look to the hair but be aware that your hair will need to dry for a while after application. Unlike the store-bought stuff, this is made up of a lot more water and spray bottles like the one I used tend to disperse more of the mixture than the spray of a Lee Stafford bottle.

Let me know if anyone tries this out and what they think of it! I think this will work as a great lazy-but-lovely look for the S/S season. x