Winter Favourites

Finding the right moisturizer is like finding the right pair of jeans, it takes a copious amount of time, and involves a lot of trial and error. However, once you have found the right style or brand for you, this item, be it jeans or a moisturizer, can be your best asset! 

1. Indeed Hydraluron Moisture Booster - I found this little gem at boots and I use it as a serum before my day cream.  It sinks into skin quickly and doesn't leave a sticky film.

2. Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil - This oil replenishes, leaving skin supple and smooth, as it reduces wrinkles and fine lines, scars and fights dehydration.  From experience, it can be used on sensitive skin, but this should be checked out my a dermatologist first! I haven't experienced any clogged pores or breakouts from this, and it has turned into a daily mini facial, with my skin feeling extra smooth the next morning.  Before applying a night cream, I use two drops of this over the entire face and let it sink for a couple of minutes. 

3. Shiseido Ibuki Protective Moisturizer SPF 15 (there is also one available without SPF)- Shiseido's new Ibuki range has turned out to be a real blessing.  As my skin is so pale, I find that Shiseido products work well to combat dullness and fatigued skin, as well as redness, which is a major concern, especially during the day. My skin does not feel tight nor shiny, and it works perfectly as a make-up base.

4. Shiseido Ibuki Refined Moisturizer Rich - Opting for the rich version as a night care enables my skin to really soak up anything it needs over night, without my skin feeling clogged.  It really has refined the appearance of my skin as well as making it more radiant.  Never once have I felt tightness or seen fatigue!

What makes the Ibuki range so appealing and special is that so far, all other moisturizers have either been too heavy or too light for my skin.  Not getting the moisture I needed from lighter versions, I turned to anti-ageing products in desperate need for something to quench thirst, mainly choosing products with hyaluronic acid.  But these always then seemed too rich, and my skin might still be too young for these heavy creams, which is why the Shiseido Ibuki range (which also includes other moisturizers) is the perfect balance between the two!

Summer Must-Haves

Summer is always a bit difficult for me, being a redhead, I have to watch out for many things, especially not getting sunburnt.  Not a very easy task, as I sunburn with 50+ SPF in the shade, but I try!  Here are a few things that I am taking with me whilst travelling:

1. La Roche Posay Anthelios Sun Lotion with SPF 50+ for Sun Allergy Prone Skin: This is a great sunscreen for sensitive skin, and only one of the two different brands that my skin will accept.  It has UVA and UVB protection, so it also helps to prevent skin ageing from any sun damage.  It contains a reduced amount of chemical filters, no perfumes and no parabens, so those with sensitive, allergy-prone skin will find it a very welcome alternative to other high street brands.  I use this protection in the first weeks of summer, as this is when my skin is most vulnerable, and as mentioned before, even can burn in the shade with high protection.    

2. Piz Buin Allergy Lotion SPF 15: Just like the sunscreen from La Roche Posay, this lotion by Piz Buin is formulated for sensitive, allergy-prone skin and contains UVA and UVB protection.  This lotion contains Calmanelle, which is said to increase the skin's tolerance.  I sometimes find it a hard time to find sunscreens made for allergy-prone skin that have a lower SPF than 50, but after a while my skin does adapt to the sun a bit and I find sunscreens with 50+ to be a bit too high.  Piz Buin offers this medium protection, which is great, especially for e.g. underarms, which adapt to the sun more readily.  

3. bareMinerals Natural Sunscreen SPF 30: This mineral sunscreen by bareMinerals is the perfect sunscreen to wear over make-up, as it comes in powder form and can be easily stored in a hand bag for travelling.  It is oil free and preservative free, and contains both UVA and UVB protection, as well as several other vitamins, aloe vera extract and antioxidants.  I find this to be a very useful tool, as face sunscreens can often be very oily, although they state not to be, and I think they are quite uncomfortable to wear underneath a foundation.  This powder solution is great, and it even has a detachable brush so that this can be cleaned regularly.  The product is not only suitable for the summer, but can just as well be used over foundation or over a tinted moisturiser throughout the year.

4. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua with SPF 15: The light texture of this foundation is great for the summer heat, and still provides a fair bit of coverage.  My skin never feels dry with this product, and it also lasts really well during the day.  It is just important to shake the product really well before using it, so that all the ingredients can combine together.

5. MAC Extra Dimension Blush 'At Dusk': This is my new favourite blush, as it is such a lovely, natural pink colour that suits very fair skin tones really well.  It is also not completely matte, so it gives a nice glow to cheekbones, making it a perfect summer blush!

6. MAC Pro Longwear Eye Shadow 'Sweet Satisfaction': My absolutely favourite eyeshadow for every day use, it lasts forever and gives a perfect depth to the eye for warm summer days, when eye shadow can be more of a hinderance than anything else.  For an evening look it can be combined with darker brown or gold shades do make a wonderfully warm smokey eye.  

AQUAporin for Thirsty Skin

     

                                   

After having tried many high-end moisturisers and being somewhat unhappy with them, I decided to try out this moisturiser by Eucerin (available at Boots in the UK) which says to be fast-absorbing and giving "long-lasting hydration, even in the deeper epidermal skin layers".  I went for the rich version of it, and so far I am very happy with the product, mainly because it is not achieving any less than the pricey products I had before and my skin feels much more comfortable than it did before, going to show that expensive does not necessarily mean better, on the contrary, especially if you have very sensitive skin, products by brands such as Eucerin, La Roche Posay and Avene are often recommended by dermatologists as generally they are fragrance free, etc. therby reducing any potential skin irritation.  This product is also advertised as a good make up base which is most definitely the case! All in all this product is a fantastic alternative to pricey high-end moisturisers, especially for very dehydrated and sensitive skin.