Skincare Sundays #1- Oily/Combination Skin

Hey everyone! 

So, I've decided to do a new segment on my blog which is "skincare sundays" where I focus on a specific skincare issue every week and offer my advice/recommendations etc.

Today, we're looking at battling oily/combination skin.

I'm kind of an expert (not really) when it comes to dealing with oily skin as I've had it for as long as I can remember.

Oily skin is a difficult thing to deal with as it can really knock your confidence when you look at your make-up at 4 o'clock in the afternoon and see it's slipped off your face, it can also feel really uncomfortable.

My advice
1. People say it all the time but it really does make a difference if you don't touch your face. Yes, I know it's tempting, but it really does help, it also prevents breakouts!

2. Do not think that using moisturiser will make it worse. Your skin is producing oil due to the lack of it on your face so, if anything, you should try and moisturise more. Make sure you use a light, oil-free, cream in the morning and before bed.

The night treatment gel

3. When it comes to skincare, I find that any cleansing/toning products that contain tea tree and/or witch hazel are really good for calming and mattifying your face. If your face is really oily then foam cleansers are the way to go, I was recommend this one from the Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Collection, as well as the night treament gel which prevents your skin feeling really oily and horrible when you wake up, as well combatting breakouts really well :D I also love their face wipes for travelling ^^



4. When it comes to make-up, primers and powder are your best friend. People often say that cream foundations are better for oily skin, but I never see a difference in using cream or liquid (I prefer liquid as it not as heavy). It's a good idea to carry powder with you during the day for touch-ups.

My recommmendations

1. Rimmel Stay Matte Face Powder in Translucent-  

This powder is amazing for keeping my face matte. It doesn't last amazingly long but a lot longer than anything else I've tried. Seriously, this is a cult favourite for oily lasses in the blogosphere.

2. Nivea Expression Hydration Primer for Combination/Oily skin- 

This primer is brilliant at creating a smooth base for a flawless foundation application. It's moisturising as well which is always an added bonus. Nivea also do a version for dry/normal skin. I love this primer so much, I really think this helps to make my foundation last longer and it really helps to control my oily complexion.

3. Lush Tea Tree Toner Water

This is another brilliant product, like the powder, which gives my skin a quick mattifying fix. This is lovely in the summer as well as it is so refreshing!

My Oily Skin Saviour

Every since I've used this Boots Skin Clear Oil Free Mattifying Lotion my complexion has been so much more managable, and noticably less oily. 

This is literally the liquid gold of oil control. If you have really oily skin like I did, you must buy this!! Within a week of using it before applying my makeup, I didn't need to use it anymore. What are you waiting for?? It's so cheap and so amazing! Buy it!

I hope you liked this post and that you found it useful. Be sure to come back next time ^^

Lots of love, Laura xx

A collective haul ^^ (picture heavy)

Hey everyone! Just a few items I picked up when shopping with my nan and casually strolling through boots and superdrug recently...I, like many others, have a bit of an "impulse-buying" problem. The worse thing is that I regret NOTHING :'D

Clothing

1. White skull tank top (no idea what make it is :L)- I got this adorable top for £2.99 from a charity shop, it's so awesome and will be perfect for summer. I've found it here for £19.99, so I got a pretty good price :)

2. Blue lace pattern tank  top, £10 from Primark- I LOVE this top! I think it's so cute and will be perfect for my summer holiday to Venice (with my school's art department in June ^^). It looks great on and is just so sweet and summery...I suck at description, I apologise :)

Peekaboo! Skully sees you! That was a tad bit creepy and YES he's named Skully!! Problem?

3. Black knitted cardigan, £6 from Primark- There's nothing like a simple black cardy to finish off any look. Such a bargain.

4. Blue and white/cream striped knitted cardigan, £6 from Primark- Another really cute essential piece. I got this in the sale for £3 and it's a size 18 (I'm a size 8...) but it really isn't that big on (I think it's because it's stretchy). It's just so cosy! I've been wearing it a lot with my Skully top ^^

Skincare

5. Boots Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz, £4.99 from Boots- Got this last week on offer for half price (I think). I heard about it on BeautyCrush's blog and it has such great reviews on Boots.com, it really is amazing! I've used it a few times and my skin drinks the stuff. Review coming soon!

6. Witch Naturally Clear Blemish Stick, £2.89 in Superdrug (currently a third off in Superdrug!)- I've always wanted to try this stuff. It was on offer, so, why not? ^^

Make-up

7(Far left). Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in Vintage Pink, £6.29 in Boots- Such a stunning mauve toned pink lipstick! It suits me so well but it's more of an autumn colour, I picked it up out of sheer curiosity ^^ (roll on autumn!) I'm loving Rimmel lately!

8. Collection Lasting Colour Lipstick in Vintage Rose, £2.99 in Boots- A really nice orange toned natural pink lippie. It looks coral on the swatch on the Boots website, but it's not xD So pretty ^^

L to R, Vintage Rose, Vintage Pink

Immortal Charcoal

9. Maybelline Expression Colo(u)r Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in Immortal Charcoal- I already have the permanant taupe shade and LOVE it, this is a gorgeous grey which is quite mettalic and more green toned than blue (which the packaging suggests). 

L to R- Vintage Rose, Vintage Pink, Immortal Charcoal

Haircare

10. Garnier Fructis Style Big Volume Heat Protect Spray, £3.89 in Superdrug (2 for £4 ^^)- I've never used a heat protect product (naughty, I know) but I never usually straighten/curl my hair. However, I do blow dry it when I was it in the morning and I thought this would be good for giving me a boost at the start of the day.

11. Garnier Fructis Hairspray Bamboo Flexihold Volume, £2.39 in Superdrug (2 for £4)- Just needed some more really, these products smell absolutely divine!

Random

"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald- I'm re-reading this for my AS level literature exam on friday. This has to be my all-time favourite book. I love the complexity of it, the glitz and glamour of the era it captures but, at the same time, how it conveys the darkness and corruption of the "roaring twenties". A literary masterpiece that I would highly recommend.

That was so long! I apologise xD Make sure to pop along again some time ^^

Lots of love, Laura xx

Boots and Superdrug Haul (what I bought in town today)

Hey everyone! Today I'm going to be sharing with you a few make up and skincare products I purchased in town today mostly from Boots and Superdrug, as well as a couple of things I've been given randomly recently. On with the haul then...

Skincare (YAYYYY!)

Skincare

Clearasil Ultra Overnight Wash- I've been having some "blemish" issues lately, so when I saw this wash was reduced to £3 in my local Boots I jumped at the chance.

Boots Skinclear Oil-free Mattifying Lotion, £2.99- I have REALLY oily skin so when I saw all the amazing reviews for this "miracle product" I was so excited to try it! Even more excited when I saw it was half price in Boots (£1.49!!!) which it doesn't seem to be at the moment (however, the range is currently 3 for 2). 

And finally Boots Essentials Fragrance Free facial sponge, £2- Ever since I saw the budget "essentials" for various bloggers on The Sunday Girl's blog, which mentioned using a facial buffer, I was intrigued to try one as I've never considered it before. I'll have to update you on what I think of it.

Make up ^^

I have wanted to try some products from NYC (New York Colour) for a while so I decided to try a few :)
NYC Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer, £3.49 but on offer in Superdrug for £2.49- I have seen SO MANY good and bad reviews about this product so I was so eager to get it and find out for myself! Will definitely do a review soon.
NYC Showtime Volumising Mascara, £1.99 (!?)- For £1.99 can you really go wrong? I needed some new mascara and this looked promising ^^
NYC In a New York Minute (see what they did there ;D) Quick Dry Nailpolish, £1.79 in Shade 246 Park Avenue- On the website this colour looks grey but it's really a GORGEOUS taupe colour (if you don't already know...I LOVE TAUPES!!!! :D) This was really an impulse buy...I literally picked it up and ran to the counter, I regret NOTHING.

Some more Make up (yay)

MUA Lipstick in Shade 2, £1- My fourth MUA lippie...enough said xD

W7 Lipstick in Kir Royale, I think around £3 from Amazon- I bought on a whim but really like it, the second W7 product I've tried (I really like them!) It's a gorgeous plum red/pink ^^

MUA Pressed Powder Blush in Shade 3, £1- I already have Shade 4 which I LOVE so I can't wait to try this!

Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24hr Eyestudio Gel Cream Eyeshadow in 40 Permanent Taupe, £4.99 - What can I say, I'm a sucker for taupe shades ^^

Random stuff I've been given 

Benefit Prrrowl Lipgloss & Mascara Duo- My friend got this for her birthday and didn't like it so she gave it to me (was I ever going to say no to a free, practically unused, benefit product?? :D)

A really random pot of Nivea moistururiser- Can you actually beat this stuff for hydrating dry skin?? I don't use it on my face as it's quite heavy (however, I do used the Nivea Light one on my face in the evenings), but it's really good for dry hands or elbows etc.

A little Estee Lauder bag- My step mum received this with her last order and I thought it would be good for taking my make up essentials in when I'm on the move. It's just so cute!

Look at that shimmer xD So snazzy!

That's it!! That was a very long post, I apologise, I got a bit carried away. I'll be reviewing some of these products in the very near future ^^ I hope you enjoyed it.

Lots of love, Laura xx