Kiehl's Go-To

This serum by Kiehl's from their Ultra Facial range is a great product, not only for the colder times of the year.  I have been noticing that a lot of my friends are experiencing really dry skin because they are still using products for blemish-prone skin, as this is what they are used to, and it is easy to miss the transition, to when your skin gets better and products targeting blemishes often dry skin out a lot.  A serum is a great way to get moisture into the skin, and it is used before using a moisturiser.  This product by Kiehl's has a really nice consistency and feels like a smooth layer on the skin.  The smell is a little strange to begin with, but you get used it to!  The price, 29 Pounds for 50 ml, is quite alright for a serum, as the ingredients are very concentrated.  Other fantastic alternatives include the HydraQuench serum by Clarins, which is more expensive, 40 Pounds for 30 ml.  

If you are unsure about your skin, it is always great to get your skin analysed.  Kiehl's do a quick skin analysis at their counters or in store, as do spas offering skin treatments.  They are often free, and offer a great alternative to get your skin checked out so that you can purchase the best products.  And do not be alarmed if your skin is very oily, it can also mean that your skin is dehydrated and producing a lot of oil to compensate for this.  So get it checked out and then it is much easier to buy the right products targeted at your concerns!  

Gold and Pink Armcandy

Pink is not a really common colour in my closet, but the weather was so cold and rainy today, that I decided to go for some colour.  Matching my Topshop jumper, I am wearing a Marc by Marc Jacobs gold watch, a pink Prada dog-collar bracelet, a pink hoop my grandma got me and the Believe ring from Asos.

Rosacea Help

My mum just got diagnosed with Rosacea a couple of weeks ago, so I have been doing loads of research on this skin disease.  The disease causes redness, bumps and red blood vessels on the face.  As far as I know, it cannot be cured, and people will have to deal with it for the rest of their life.  However, there are numerous websites out there for you to find tips on how to cope with this disease and how to make your life easier.  The main thing is, that you have to understand that you need to change your skin care regime in order to fit the disease.  Many cosmetics companies make specific products for Rosacea patients.  

One of the main things we have learnt so far, is that as little products as possible are useful, and that natural products are best.  So far we have gone for products from Origins, who have their own series against Rosacea, with mushroom extracts.  My mum also bought the original La Mer moisturiser, along with a Bare Minerals foundation and their redness treatment, and so far my mum is loving all of it!

The most important thing is to go a dermatologist or doctor, as medical treatment is also often necessary.  Here are a few links to websites dealing with the disease, and also companies that offer specific treatment for Rosacea patients:

1. http://www.rosacea.org/index.php

2. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Rosacea/Pages/Introduction.aspx

3. http://www.origins.co.uk/products/3873/Skincare/Range/Dr-Weil-Mega-Mushroom/index.tmpl?cm_sp=Gnav-_-Skincare-_-Dr.WeilMega-Mushroom

4. http://www.bareminerals.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-BareEscentualsUK-Site/default/Default-Start

5. http://www.avene.co.uk/Rosacea-Products

Vanquish Launch at Tyringham hall

Two busy weeks have passed; uni has started and Aston Martin launched the Vanquish near the Millbrook testing course.  Aston Martin events are always incredible and we really enjoy ourselves and get to know great people, we are very blessed to be able to take part in these things.  Here are a few quick pics from the location etc.  The event was held at Tyringham Hall, a stunning location!  Weekends like this are always quite casual, so I got to wear in my new Prada boots that are amazingly comfortable and my new jumper from Comptoir des Cotonniers.

Liz Earle Cleanser

So I finally tried the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser after reading about its superpowers on numerous blogs around.  I used it for a good five/six months and have to say I was quite disappointed.  Perhaps I was expecting a miracle to happen and my skin to be perfect after using this product...and it was, for maybe a month, but then it went really bad! The first two months using it, the skin always needs time to adjust and renew (I think a normal cycle for skin to renew is about 20-28 days, but look it up!) so the first month or two I noticed my skin getting worse, which is quite normal as all of the impurities are flushed out of my skin.  Then my skin got better, but only for about four weeks, after that it all went downhill.  The next three months my skin was getting worse by the day, I looked like a Streuselkuchen (a German cake that has a topping like a crumble), and also a lot dryer every time I looked into the mirror.  My skin was not this bad since high school and no matter what hydrating cremes or masks I used, it was not improving.  

Liz Earle claims that their product does not dry out skin, it is made for all skin types.  Perhaps one of the things I was doing wrong was using too hot water for the muslin cloths, and water that is too hot will dry out skin, which is why only luke warm water is to be used.  All in all, I found using the cloths to be a real annoyance! I travel quite a bit, and I found myself forgetting the cloths half of the time, then I had to travel with wet towels sometimes if there was no time for them to dry overnight, so I always had to remember to bring a little bag to put them in.  There may be a trick to all this, as so many women are using it and really happy with it, but it was not really a solution for me.  Finally, when my bottle was empty, I went to Kiehl's and talked to them, and have been using one of their facial washes ever since and I am loving it so far.  A post about it will follow shorty.  Please do share your experiences with the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser or muslin cloths in general, maybe I was using it completely wrong!  

Magic Water

After a recommendation from my friend Francoise, I tried the Eau Micellaire Douceur by Lancome.  And I cannot believe that I have never tried this before, it is pure magic!  It is described as an express cleanser for make-up and express could not be a better word for it.  Make-up comes off in one swipe and there is no oily or greasy feeling afterwards, neither is skin dry or itchy.  The make-up really just seems to dissolve as soon as it comes into contact with this special water and no trace is left.  It is a no-fuss product and definitely worth the money (200 ml for 21 Pounds).  It is the best make-up remover I have ever come across!