I'd like to start off by apologising for my ridiculously long absence from this blog. Life has been hectic to say the least over the past few weeks, with my dissertation deadline and preparations for law school taking up pretty much all of my time. The silver lining to this cloud, however, is that I have been able to test out a few new skincare additions and see how they get on with my (long-suffering with stress) skin.
On the cleanser front, I have added some variety after my Clarins Extra-Comfort Cleansing Cream finished. To take my makeup off, there is nothing like the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. It's not your typical cleanser, though. It looks like a tub of lard and smells like nothing, so it doesn't have that "wow this best thing since ready-sliced bread" factor. But once you put this on your skin and massage it in, you can see how quickly it breaks down the makeup. I tried this one evening after I'd worn a bold berry lipstick, and within seconds, the cleanser had melted off all the lipstick from my lips. I then use my trusty flannel/facecloth soaked in hot water and wrung to wipe off the product and the gunk it's managed to break down, and all is right in this world. There is no stinging, no dryness, and my skin feels supple and not uncomfortably taut. It may not have a pleasant fragrance, if at all, but I guess that's why it's so suited to my skin. I've been reluctant to try the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm, not only because of the crazy price, but also because of the essential oils that might cause me to break out. With no unnecessary extra stuff, Clinique gets it right this time on the cleansing front. (Let's all forget the horrific 3-step anti-blemish solutions.) Top marks for this cleanser.
Given that I've been holed up either in the library or in my room doing work, I've gone a fair few days without any makeup or minimal makeup. On those days, the Clinique Cleansing Balm isn't a necessity, so I purchased a cleanser that would be perfect for lighter cleansing and for a morning cleanse. The REN Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk fit the bill. Formulated for sensitive skin, this does not strip your skin and leaves it hydrated yet refreshed. I'm not a huge fan of the scent, but I'll happily tolerate it for a product that contains no parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, synthetic colours, glycols, silicones (etc. - you get the idea). I also love REN's packaging, with the product pump attached to a clear bag that's enclosed in a clear plastic casing. As it's vacuum-packed, it means that bacteria from the fingers and in the air don't contaminate the product. What's not to love?
I've already spoken about the Bioderma Hydrabio Légère moisturiser, and as the colder weather settles in London, I decided I needed something richer to keep my skin nourished. In comes the Légère's sister, the Bioderma Hydrabio Riche. This product's consistency is only slightly thicker than the Légère, but it's enough to swaddle my skin in moisturising goodness for the evenings when the heating comes back on. I still use the Légère underneath my makeup during the day, but Riche is just what I need as a good night cream.
In keeping with the moisturising theme, the Hydraluron serum by Indeed Labs has been a staple ever since I switched the heating back on (I say switched, I mean battled with the new boiler for 15 minutes over setting the timer, reading all the little symbols and instructions, and finally getting my heaters to turn on). I layer this serum underneath my moisturiser but over my La Roche-Posay Efflaclar Duo, and it makes the most of your moisturiser and of the water you've had throughout the day by locking the moisture in your skin. The result: none of those dry patches I used to wake up with. The bonus is that it encourages me to drink enough water during the day, something which I used to neglect quite a lot. The iDrated app (£0.69 for iPhone) is also great for making sure you're drinking enough water.
If you've been wowed by anything new in your skincare routine, please let me know. At the rate I'm using these products, they're not going to last me too long.
