Tag: beauty bloggers

Vitamin C Serums

I love Vitamin C! The star ingredient is everywhere and does almost everything. It brightens, protects, tackles uneven skintone etc etc

Ideally you want your vitamin c product to be between 8 to 20% for effectiveness. Anything higher will risk irritation although effective but anything lower will produce unimpressive results if any

Pure Vitamin C, Ascorbic acid is what you want however it is very unstable and there are many derivatives of vitamin c available that are more stable and equally as effective

Note- it is important to reduce exposure to light and air with Vitamin C as it can make it oxidise quicker. When your vitamin C goes darker or turns brown- it is a sign of oxidation- it is no longer effective and should be thrown out! For this reason, I do not like to store Vitamin C serums for too long and I never buy backups for this reason.

This is a really basic overview of Vitamin C, for more information visit Paula’s Choice, The Ordinary

Now for the fun part, PRODUCTS

I’ve tried many vitamin c serums, these are my all-time favourites. I tend to use mine in the AM for extra protection in addition to sunscreen. I will frequently update this list as I try new Vitamin C serums:

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright

Timeless Vitamin C

The Inkey List Vitamin C (this is high content 30% Vitamin C so I do not recommend for sensitive skin or beginners. I always mixed mine with Q10 serum also from the brand)

Indeed Labs Vitamin C24

Beauty Pie Double Vitamin C & E capsules

Beauty Pie Superdose C

Peter Thomas Roth Potent C

Medik8 Super C30

The Ordinary MAP- currently out of stock L

Roc Revive & Glow Capsules

Hyperpigmentation Products

Hyperpigmentation is the bane of my existence! My skin is SO prone to it too, the tiniest spot will leave a dark spot that will take weeks or months to fade. It is the reason why I am always shouting about sunscreen lol because it’s one of the ways to protect and prevent it from getting worst.

I’ve tried a TON of products for hyperpigmentation and I have learnt whilst it’s important to fade the dark spots, it’s more important to prevent them from happening (triggers that are in my control) and skin barrier health is also important.

I do want to start getting clinic treatments soon but for now, I’m happy with treating it at home

A word- hyperpigmentation is difficult to treat so please do not get frustrated if it seems nothing is working. Almost everything is a trigger: heat, sun, acne, inflammation etc, so be patient!

Key to hyperpigmentation is sunscreen! Finding your triggers and prevention (this is above my pay grade lol please go to a professional) but I can share products/ingredients I have used that have helped mine

I have a separate list for sunscreens- view this here

This will be a growing list so keep checking for more

Paula’s Choice Treatment serum

The Body Shop Brightening Drops

Roc Revive & Glow Capsules

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective

Medki8 Crystal Retinal 10 (I found 20 to be more effective but this is on professional advice only & in clinic. You also have to build tolerance to it! Please don’t start on retinal 10 if you have never used retinol before)

Good Molecules Discoloration serum

Good Molecules Daily brightening serum

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin

Nivea Luminous 630 Anti Dark Spot Serum

Morning routine with Nivea Luminous 630 Anti Dark Spot Collection

Hi everyone,

Today’s post will be my current morning routine with the new Nivea Luminous 630 products. Check out my previous post for introduction to the new collection.

This has been my routine for the last week and half, and the products were super easy to add to my existing routine.

My AM routine is super quick and easy to do. After cleansing with – Roc Skincare Vitamin c cleanser (gifted ), I go in with the Nivea Luminous 630 Anti Dark circle Eye cream,  I then pat gently pat on my serums in: Inkey List Q10, Ole Henriksen Banana Bright and the Nivea Luminous 630 Anti Dark Spot Serum, I have listed these in order of application. The Nivea serum has a powdery smell and feels great on the skin. It doesn’t pill (my full review will come after 4 weeks of use)

Next is the most important part- sunscreen! I work from home however I sit close to a window so I make sure to apply (and reapply) sunscreen daily. I switch between the Nivea Luminous 630 Anti Dark Spot SPF50 OR Supergoop SPF50. The Nivea SPF has a matte finish, at the moment my skin needs more moisture hence why I reach for the Supergoop sunscreen which I absolutely adore.

That’s it! After this I just go about my day until it’s time to take it all off (current evening routine coming soon)

My quick and easy routine feature the brand new Nivea Luminous 630 Anti Spot collection. My full review on the collection will be after 4 weeks when I have had enough time to test it

See you soon.

Some Affiliate links used

RoC MULTI CORREXION® Revive + Glow Night Serum Capsules Review

Hello everyone, I hope all is well. 

Today’s post will be a full review on the RoC serum capsules I received in January. The MULTI CORREXION® Revive + Glow Night Serum Capsules has 20% pure vitamin C and promises to reduce dark spots in 4 weeks! It also promises to reduce discoloration & lines and resurface the skin overnight.

Experience

I used this at the serum step in my PM routine. It took a little over 4 weeks because I took some breaks. I started to use this with a BHA serum however by day 5 this combo left me with some texture so I took a 2 day break. I then switched to a mandelic acid serum and I didn’t experience and issues with that. My PM routine was as follows:

B Creamy Foam cleanser> Tears of my enemies HA mist (gifted > The Ordinary mandelic acid serum > Revive+Glow capsules> Lancome Genifique serum > Cervave moisturing cream or Clinique Moisture Surge Auto Hydrator

This routine worked really well and the products paired well together. The serum has a silicone base so has that texture and feel to it (similar to a primer), surprisingly this didn’t cause any pilling with other products. It did sting the 1st few days of using it however for a high vitamin c that is not surprising. The stinging stopped after day 3 or 4. (If you are new to Vitamin C, I would recommend starting slow, 1x a week, then 3x a week till your skin can build tolerance)

2 weeks into my test, I got a new spot on new cheek which you can see in my picture, the 2nd dark spot next to the original one. This wasn’t caused by the serum, that spot that been festering under the skin for a while and decided to show up then! I tend to get spots in the same area and no matter what I do, I always get hyperpigmentation afterwards 😦

Verdict

Here are side by side pics. I think the serum did really help with reducing some of the dark spots I have on my cheeks. I am also really impressed with it reducing the new dark spot in a little over 2 weeks. Overall, my skin looks radiant and feels smooth.

I did enjoy using the MULTI CORREXION® Revive + Glow Night Serum Capsules. It did reduce my discoloration and improve overall skin radiance. I will recommend this. These will also be great for travelling!

I was gifted this product but my opinions and reviews are my own. Always remember to use SPF in the AM.

RoC MULTI CORREXION® Revive + Glow Night Serum Capsules are £35.99 on Lookfantastic (currently on sale!)

Hello Sunday The Everyday One Face Moisturiser SPF 30 review

Hello everyone, I hope all is well. I’m talking about yet another sunscreen, the Hello Sunday The Everyday One Face Moisturiser Spf30. This brand is new to me, I never heard of them but it was on sale and I was happy to give it a try

Hello Sunday The Everyday One Face Moisturiser Spf30 is a lightweight lotion that promises broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection to prevent sun damage and ageing to the skin. Its hydrating and fragrance free. It also offers blue light and pollution protection

Experience

The brand recommends 5 pumps for your face and neck however I found that, that many pumps pills on me. I find 3 pumps sufficient and no piling. It is a very lightweight lotion and disappears into my skin with ease.  I love the finish of the SPF as well and of course its 100% invisible on the skin

See me try it on in my demo below

Hello Sunday SPF Try on

Verdict- it’s a good broad-spectrum SPF that is quite affordable-under £20. The brand actually has a few different types of SPF so I will be happy to try another product from them

Hello Sunday The Everyday One Face Moisturiser Spf30 is £16.00 on BeautyBay*

*affiliate link

Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Peeling Gel Review

Hello everyone, I hope all is well! It’s been a while since I updated my blog because I have been focusing more on creating video content for Instagram. I don’t want to abandon my blog as I still love to blog about stuff so I promise to update it more regularly this year!

Today’s post is a review and demo on a product I really love, the Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Peeling Gel. This is a gentle exfoliant that promises fresher and smoother skin.

Experience

I’ve many used many little tubes of this over the past years. By the way, this isn’t the full size, I have been collecting mine in PTR gift sets for a while (they do the best gift sets) and these deluxe travel sizes last a while too.

This is an exfoliating product designed to be used on a clean dry face. I use a generous amount and massage in circular motions all over my face and neck. It’s satisfying to watch it transform into tiny white balls as it lifts dead skin off the face.

The result is smoother and softer skin! Check out my demo below

PTR FirmX Peeling Gel Demo

In summary- this is a good product for those that can’t quite stand acids and don’t want to use scrubs. It’s a good half way point. It’s pricey so either collect in gift sets to determine if you want to invest or there are good k beauty dupes for peeling gels.

Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Peeling gel is £40 on LookFantastic*

Catch you later!

*affiliate link

L’Oreal Hydra Genius Aloe Water Moisturiser Review

I like to use gel/lotion textured moisturisers in the spring and summer when my skins becomes oilier. I decided to try the L’Oreal Hydra Genius Aloe Water Moisturiser this year as it was one of the more affordable drugstore and popular drugstore option. I have the one for normal to combo skin but it is also available for normal to dry & sensitive skin types.

L’Oreal Hydra Genius Aloe Water Moisturiser promises

Instantly Refreshes:
Immediately absorbed, the water-like texture rehydrates and reinvigorates the skin.

Instantly Locks in Moisture:
The formula penetrates deeply for a healthy-looking glow

72hr Recharge
It releases continuous hydration and drenches the skin with moisture for up to 72 hours.

Experience

I have been using this moisturizer in my routine (AM & PM) since March. This is probably the lightest moisturiser I have used. It has a pleasant fresh scent, feels slightly cooling on the skin and sinks into the skin beautifully and easily. There’s no oily residue or stickiness. I have experienced no irritation with this.

This moisturiser layers quite well with other serums I haven’t experienced any pilling. It leaves the skin hydrated with no heavy feeling. I really like the packaging too

Verdict

I absolutely love this moisturiser and will happily buy it again next year. For extremely oily skin that needs a lightweight non greasy moisturiser this would be excellent! I have actually carried on using it into fall and it still works well.  I’m almost out of it!

L’Oreal Hydra Genius Aloe Water Moisturiser is currently on sale for £6.66 (RRP-£9.99) in Boots

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C Serum Review

For the last 2 years, I have always used a Vitamin C serum in the mornings. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to brighten the skin as well as boost sunscreen protection. I have used a lot of vitamin c serums and the latest one is the Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C Serum.

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C Serum promises to brighten, diminish the look of dark spots and visibly firm skin. In addition to Vitamin C, it also has Tri-Peptide, Licorice Root Extract and Glycerin

Experience

I’ve been using this serum every morning from August this year and I’ve just run out. The serum has an orange soda scent and feels very light on the skin. I’ve experienced no irritation from it. It pairs well with other products with no piling: I use this under a 2nd serum (currently using Inkey List Niacinamide), moisturiser and then SPF.

The serum uses 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid which is a vitamin c derivative. This form is more stable in water and oil and less irritating than pure Vitamin C but it still has brightening and protection benefits. Whilst I haven’t noticed a huge reduction in hyperpigmentation from the serum, my skin overall looks radiant. The serum also adds some hydration to the skin. My skin looks plump and healthy.

Verdict

I bought this on a whim because it was on sale and I had just run out of my serum. it’s a nice enough serum and I would recommend and repurchase it. I’m doing a ‘tour’ of Vitamin C serums so I won’t repurchase for now.

It’s a gentle enough vitamin c to try and the additional beneficial ingredients means you are getting a well-rounded serum.  

Bliss Bright Idea Serum is £13.33 in Boots

Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin

Face SPF

La Roche Posay Shaka Fluid

A superb SPF.  Invisible on the skin with  semi matte finish. Works well under makeup

La Roche Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF 50

A thicker SPF cream but 100% invisible on the skin. This one is a dewier finishand I can use it with or without moisturiser underneath.  This one pills sometimes depending on how much I use and what I use underneath so I’m still trying to find the perfect combo

Body SPF

Nivea Protect & Refresh SPF50

A lightweight spray that leaves 0 cast and no piling. I love this particular one because it has a cooling effect on the skin and a subtle sunscreen scent

SPF Top Up

For SPF top ups or on the go, there’s only 2 I’ve come across.

Kate Sommervile Uncomplicated SPF50 mist is amazing!

Amazing lemongrass scent and virtually invisible on the skin

For a cheaper alternative try the Fresh Mist from La Roche Posay

Finally for those that want an SPF and moisturiser combo I have 2 amazing options

Fenty Hydravizor SPF30 is super light and moisturising with a dewy finish that isnt too shiny. Your Good Skin SPF30 is a great drugstore alternative I have been using for years and highly recommended 👌🏾

Monthly Empties- January Empties

Hey guys, I’m back with another empties challenge! I’m glad a lot of you loved my Ultimate empties challenge last year which I totally smashed btw! The target was 250 but I got 341 empties. This year I challenged myself even more, 400 empties! I saw a HUGE reduction in my collection and managed to use up a LOT of old products.  However, over the Christmas period, I received skincare/makeup gifts plus my 2 beauty advent calendars came to replenish the collection again. I was actually very good and didn’t buy a lot of new products, only my Beauty PIE items I needed for the BP challenge and a few sheet masks.

Amway empties is back and here’s what I finished in January

                                                            Skincare

Cleansers/toners– Beauty Pie Japan Fusion Pure transforming cleanser, oh what a beauty this is! Find my review here. Simple Soothing Facial toner– another good product, it’s gentle and soothing, my full review is here. 2x Primark Micellar wipes. Nip Fab Extreme pads– these are 5% AHA with a blend of BHA & lactic acid. I have 2 more of these and I will bring you a full review. B Soft Multi-Acid Retexturing Pads- I didn’t like the scent of these and I thought they did not make a difference. I have one more tub and I will do a review. B. Refreshed Essence Lotion– is this the best essence in the drugstore? Read my full review here.

Serums/Creams– Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 30. It’s a gel formula and it’s 100% clear on dark skin! I recommend and will repurchase (PS my invisible SPF for darkskin edit is COMING). Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-aging cell power crème– it’s a long name but it was nice to use. TO Salicylic acid 2%– you know how I feel about this. Read my full review here.

Face masks– a few sheet masks- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrogel Recovery Mask– the Hydro Boost range from the brand is very popular and raved about. The mask is formulated with hyaluronic acid which is known for its ability to hold water to hydrate the skin. The mask promises intense hydration for noticeably supple skin. It’s a very good sheet mask! It comes in two parts but I find it on the smaller side in terms of size. The cut-out areas has flaps so it was nice to be able to fold the eye area down as an ‘eye patch’ and cover the lips too. I did find the mask cooling and very hydrating! It left my skin hydrated and glowing. The hydrogel mask was easy to wear and stayed on for the duration of time I needed it to be on without moving. The chin area came undone but it wasn’t sliding all over the place. I used the leftover serum in the sachet over my neck and face and it felt hydrating on. A great buy and highly recommended, demo below

111 Skin Rose Gold Brightening sheet mask– for a ‘high end’ mask this was very basic. I got this in my advent calendar and I do not think its worth the full size. Sephora Algae Face mask– love as always. 2x skin academy snake eye patches. Oh K! Gold Dust Under Eye Mask– another advent calendar find. This was not soaked in serum compared to other eye patches. It didn’t really deliver on hydration or under eye brightening which are some of the claims of the eye mask. On the other hand, the Sephora Cucumber eye mask was a pleasure to use. Cooling and refreshing, it hydrated my eye area! Glamglow Youth Mud– I rave about this all the time on Instagram. It is the perfect pre and post party/holiday/date night mask. Smoothes, tightens and clears. Pixi Rose Flash Balm– I have spoken about this mask in my Pixi brand review- coming soon.  This works in transit camera close up mask, moisturiser and primer– firstly I do not like multi-use products and always use it for 1 use. I used this as a mask. I have nothing much to say another than I don’t think it made a difference when I used it.

                                                                     Bodycare

Naissance Grapeseed oil– a favourite oil for my body butter mix. It’s hydrating and very light- repurchased! Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Bodycream– used as a hand cream. Great scent and good with moisturising. Mitchum 48hr Roll on– probably the best roll on ever. Carmex Strawberry SPF 15 lipbalm– sun protection and moisturising? Check, check. Vaseline Pink Bubbly lip balm– because who wants dry lips? Skin fix Hand Repair Cream– very moisturising and long lasting but can feel heavy on the skin. I liked this however I didn’t think the tube was full because I run out of this quick! Another advent calendar find. L’Occitane Dry Skin Hand cream– yes and yes. got in my advent calendar

                                                                    Makeup

BodyShop Mandarin Energising face mist– they said it was makeup friendly so I used this as a makeup mist to melt powder into the skin and for a dewy glow. I had to layer a few times but the glow was minimal. I didn’t think it was very hydrating either. I won’t repurchase but I do have 2 more in different scents which I will use as a skincare mist. Benefit they’re real primer– it’s not really finished but it’s started to get crumbly and clumpy so I have to throw it out. Its an amazing lash primer. It lengthens and separates and good for bottom lashes. I love it! find the demo here. Revlon Ultimate All in One– one of my fav drugstore mascara. Again it’s not really finished but its drying and clumpy so has to be thrown out. I have had it for 2-4 years! ( don’t judge me) it came in a glossy box and I will definitely purchase.

Haircare– 1 sachet of Crème of Nature Argan Buttermilk hair milk– great scent and moisturises my hair

Other– 1 Primark cotton rounds pack

Total- 32/400

Check out all the reviews I have linked!

Catch you later