Thursday 6 February 2014

Best Of Beauty: Skin Care Saviours

The very clever Samantha from All The Buzz put out a call to beauty bloggers to take part in a "Best Of Beauty Blog Challenge". One post a week for 8 weeks, each with a pre-chosen topic. The post goes live at the same time, on the same day each week and Samantha has created a twitter tag for it too:  #BOBBlogChallenge.  All with the view of creating a buzz, having fun and seeing what other bloggers are rating... a little traffic boost doesn't go unappreciated either! Big thanks to Sam for thinking up the topics, and organising it all...

So part one of Best Of Beauty Blog Challenge is Skin Care Saviours - Products we can't live without. These are mine:



Cleanser: Neostrata Ultra Brightening Cleanser (€39)
Gentle and effective, this gorgeous citrus scented cleanser is great for morning or evening use. It is a bit expensive initially but this is going to last you ages as you really do need very little. I like to use this as my second cleanse so that the good stuff really gets to work on my skin. I have had mine since


Toner: Vichy Thermal Spa Water (€10)
I use this to cool my skin after cleansing and to make my serum go further. Its full of good french thermal spa water which is supposed to hydrate and balance skin. I can't say that is solely responsible fore hydrating my skin, but I feel the difference when I don't use it. It is also a great way to cool down skin on a hot day or refresh oneself after a serious shopping session. I like that you can get mini bottles that are great for slipping into a handbag or when you travel. It is something that I buy again and again.

Serum: Vichy Idealia Life Serum (€34)
I blogged about this Serum before, but I put it away because I was using something else at the time and I wanted to finish that first before I got stuck into the Vichy Idealia Life Serum. A gorgeous opalescent serum that promises to improve your skin in just 8 days.
I brought out this serum at the beginning of January and I have loved using it every day. it glides over cleansed skin and absorbs quickly and leaves skin with a beautiful glow (thanks to the pigments). The patented ingredients work to boost skin renewal which in turn allows skin to look radiant. I know that I am not alone in loving this serum, Kat from Dolly Rouge included this in her 2013 Favourites. I need less moisturiser when I use this serum as well so this well worth the 30+squids.

Day Cream: La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Legere (€22)
A great boost of hydration without clogging pores or feeling heavy on the skin, Hydraphase Intense Legere is great for during the day. I love this stuff and have almost finished my 2nd tube. A light fluid that spreads and absorbs quickly smells clean and fresh and does what it says on the box. You can use this day or night, but I like it during the day because it isn't heavy. I alternate between this and the Vichy cream below depending on how I am feeling...


Night/Day Cream: Vichy Idealia Smoothing & Illuminating cream for combination/oily skin (€26)
It smells amazing, moisturises my oily bits without leaving me feeling like a greaseball, takes care of my dry bits and makes a pretty good base for make up if you give it a few minutes to sink into the skin. I have been trialing a few other moisturisers but I keep coming back to this one. I like how my skin feels when I use it. It lasts a good while as well because I only need a wee bit of it, it spreads nicely and combines well with the serum.


La Roche-Posay Cicaplast lips (€6.50)
I have already professed my undying love for this little beauty. Ultra rich, ultra nourishing, ultra repairing, ultra awesome. It is my Ultimate lip product. I will not be caught without this balm. I love it so much I have recommended it to all of my friends and family. It is a great repairing balm, not just for lips, but also raw noses, minor burns (the oven or the iron kind), dry cuticles, small cuts and grazes. If I could choose one thing to be stranded with it would be an unlimited supply of this lip balm.

These are the products I reach for most often. They are also the products I reach for when my skin is stressed. I will not share them.

My skin care products have stepped into the mid-range price band but I have discovered that these products seem to last much longer (some as long as 6 months) and so in the long run they end up working out a bit cheaper than some other budget brands. These are the products that are working for my combination, pigmented skin.

I don't have a lot of time in the mornings to faff with my face so I have to keep it simple and quick, I tend to spend a lot more time on my sin in the evenings. I could probably add in a face mask more frequently than every 2nd or 3rd week, but I haven't found a great mask that has grabbed me. I can't wait to hear what everybody else is using and I am hoping that a mask will stand out so that I can add this step into my routine. I have been stashing change away so that I can treat myself in February...

Check out Twitter and the  hash tag #BOBBlogChallenge and this post from Samantha for other bloggers taking part in this challenge.



21 comments:

  1. Amazing skin care picks! I don't use any of these products so it's great to get your opinion on them, loving the sound of the Thermal Spa Water :) I'm taking part in the Challenge too I can't wait to see everyone's post each week :P

    Aisling xx http://bl0ssombeauty.blogspot.ie/

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    1. The Vichy one is easier for me to get but the LRP one is also Fab! It was lovely seeing you last night!

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  2. Fantastic picks!! I've never used the Neostrata Ultra Brightening Cleanser - what would it be like for oily skin? xx

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    1. Its really good Sam, it cleans without stripping, but does remove excess oil. I have an oily t-zone and it is keeping the spots away and the grease in check.

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  3. These all sound very calming and soothing for the skin. I agree that even though some of them cost more, they are worth it in the long run!

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    1. I have had to change the way that I approach my skin care since turning 30, but the extra spend is paying off nicely, since my skin is feeling pretty good!

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  4. I love Vichy Idealia Life serum too, it's amazing :-)

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    1. Thanks B! I wore this as a moisturiser the other day and some moms at the school gate commented on my skin saying that it looked really healthy!

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    2. That's a great compliment to get! I often use it as a moisturiser too when I'm getting ready to do the school run, it really makes your skin glow :-) mine is nearly finished after using it for 4 months so might drop a few hints to my husband for Valentine's day ;-)

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  5. You have really sold me the La Roche Posay Cicaplast lips - this sounds like my perfect product and I didn't even know it existed!! Definitely going to get myself some!

    I'm taking part in the challenge too! Really enjoying everyone's posts but my bank balance won't be!!

    Catherine

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    1. Hahaha! My husband is cringing because he knows I need to add a mask to my routine... and He is going to need to pay for it!
      I can't recommend the Cicaplast lips highly enough. I have one in my bag, one next to my chair and one next to my bed. It is the perfect product

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  6. Thanks for the shoutout lovely lady! Excellent picks. I NEED that Neostrata cleanser now. €39... *sigh* even my taste in the bog standard essentials is getting more expensive!

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    1. No Problem Kat! The neostrata cleanser is gorgeous, well worth the extra spendoolies purely because it lasts soooo long. You need so little to do a really good job and it is still fabulously gentle.

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  7. Ooh the cicaplast sounds like a super cheap 8 hour cream which is handy cause I'm almost out of mine :)

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  8. Ooooh that Hydraphase moisturiser sounds lovely! It's definitely going on the list :)

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  9. Love your picks! I still have to try the Cicaplast lip balm! x

    alex @ pinkelephantbloggin.com

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  10. Oh dear - there's a few more items for the list - I'm going to have to try that Hydrapase moisturiser - sounds like it's right up my street!

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  11. Love the LRP suggestions here!! Also I need to get myself some new cleansers.. my suggestion list is the length of my arm now!! Great post lady :) xx

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  12. The cicaplast lipbalm sounds lovely, very reasonably priced too!

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  13. You have such a beautiful blog <3
    If you would like to visit mine and follow me on Bloglovin I always follow back ;)

    www.mintandbeauty.com

    Love

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