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

March Favourites ^^

Hey everyone! So today I'm going to be posting my favourite beauty/skincare/general items of this past month. Enjoy :)

1. Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Treatment- £4.75

2. Lush "No Drought" Dry Shampoo- £6.50

3. Maybelline Expression Colour Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in "Permanent Taupe"- £4.99 

4. "She's so...Jetset!" Set by Benefit- I think around £23.50- It was a limited edition set by can probably be found on amazon or ebay.

5. Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub- £5.25

6. Natural Collection Lipstick in Raspberry- £1.99

7. The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Tint in Rose Pink- £10

8. NYC Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer- £3.49

9. Natural Collection Liquid Eyeliner- £1.99

10. Nivea Creme- £3.39- So great for moisturising my dry post-winter hands

11. Lush Jungle Conditioner- £2.95

The Make-Up ^^

From left to right-

• "She's so...Jetset!" Set by Benefit- I got this set for Christmas last year and I have been using it A LOT lately. The set contains a mix of products for eyes, cheeks, lips and face, which makes it a really nifty set to have. This is my first Benefit set and I hadn't used any of the products inside before- it includes a mini POREfessional, 4 eyeshadows, mini They're Real...Mascara, a pink lipgloss, and a pink/peach blush/highlight duo with a square fluffy applicator- therefore this is great for those who want to experience a variety of Benefit products. I LOVE the eyeshadows, the blush, the mascara, and the POREfessional primer- I've been using the eyeshadows everyday. They all feel so glamorous ^^.
• Maybelline Expression Colour Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in "Permanent Taupe"- Such a gorgeous taupe cream eyeshadow. This is my eyeshadow staple, a lovely nature base that I'll wear alone or as a base. If you don't know already...I LOVE TAUPES.
• Natural Collection Lipstick in "Raspberry"- This is such a lovely pink raspberry (funny that xD) lipstick. I got this last summer and wore it all the time. It's so cheap but so smooth and creamy, as well as a really flattering, bright collection. Perfect for spring/summer!
• The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Tint in "Rose Pink"- I use this mostly on my cheeks which gives a stunning pink flush of colour, so pretty! It is also lovely on the lips as a stain.
• Natural Collection Liquid Eyeliner- Another winner from the Boots Natural Collection make-up range! The colour is actually jet black (and actually stays put!) with an applicator that is really thin and easy to apply. I will definitely be re-purchasing this when it runs out. 
• NYC Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer- It's taken a while for me to fall in love with this, but I've finally got there. I've been using this as an all-over primer under foundation which gives a nice glowing (almost dewy) finish, but I also use it sometimes as a liquid highlighter. It's gorgeous used either way and so affordable! Plus it makes my make up last ages, even on my oily skin ^^

Swatches

1. Permanent Taupe cream eyeshadow 2. Raspberry Lipstick 3. Natural Collection eyeliner 4. Body Shop Lip and cheeck stain 5. NYC primer

"She's so...Jetset!" Set by Benefit

From left to right-

•  Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub- This has been a favourite of mine for ages! My lips love it and it tastes divine. Plus it lasts a very long time- definitely a great purchase :)
• Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Treatment- An absolute SAVIOUR for my terribly weak nails. They feel strong and healthy and I can really see that they are growing.
• Lush "No Drought" Dry Shampoo- You know those days when you wake up to have a shower before school/work and just feel like getting an extra 15 minutes in bed? Yeah, this is great for those days. The citrus scent leaves my hair smelling fresh, non-greasy, and doesn't leave that dreaded white tint to your hair.
•  Lush Jungle Conditioner- I got this for my birthday last year and I've only just rediscovered it. And THANK GOD. I'd forgotten how amazing it leaves my hair! They've redesigned the look of this and it's under £3! For how many washes you get out of it, it's an absolute bargain!!

I hope you liked my first EVER favourites post!

If you have done one this month please put a link for it in the comments- I love reading them ^^

Also please follow me if you want more :)

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