Welcome to our first guest blog post from Alina. She's a bit of a beauty guru and knows all about the best products out there to help keep us ladies looking fresh faced and young. Take note this isn't my new mummy routine and not necessarily right if you're on a mummy schedule or tight budget but we will try to follow up with a more wallet friendly and quicker skincare routine blog soon.... With mothers day approaching these could all make really nice gifts as well.
For years I had the same (fairly basic) skincare routine which worked fine when I was younger but I realised was really doing nothing for my skin any more. So Iast year I decided to embark on a new regime and after much testing have learnt to recognise that my skin needs different products at different times of the year, different times of the month, and when I am stressed or tired. I have found some great products which I now could not survive without (well, at the very least I would be loathe to give them up). And, I have learnt the hard way that I must never ever sleep in my makeup as it really does impact my skin for days afterwards.
My routine in the morning is to cleanse (washing off with a muslin cloth), use an acid (not as scary as it sounds I promise!), serum(s), eye cream, day moisturiser (sometimes with an oil added) and then an SPF (although I have given this up in the last few months due to the lack of sun!). In the evening I do pretty much the same save that I will often use an oil instead or in addition to a night moisturiser and twice a week I do an overnight face treatment. About once a week I do a face mask and twice a week I exfoliate. Wow, writing that down makes it sound like a complicated routine but it's not and I actually really love the feeling of nice clean, smooth and moisturised skin. And using muslin cloths has been a revelation! And of course, you don't have to do it all every single time. If you have time I thoroughly recommend taking a look at Caroline Hirons' vlog/blog www.carolinehirons.com. Her vlogs are very funny and she really knows what she is talking about - everything I have tried that she has recommended has been great. Ruth Crilly's beauty vlog/blog (rather then her blog about being a mum, which is a good read too) is also worth checking out www.amodelrecommends.com. Both cover high end as well as budget products. For all expectant or breast feeding mama's reading this and thinking of trying any of the products below, I should add that you must of course check to see if these products are suitable for use during pregnancy and feeding.
Here are some of my favourite products:
Main image at top -Pixi Glow Tonic (also available at M&S). A cult beauty product that I have been using and I can really see the difference a couple of months into using it. £18
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth (also available at Boots). This smells lovely and really wakes up my skin in the morning, highly recommended. From £15.50
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel (also available at Space NK). This melts into the skin and takes away all the grime from the day and leaves my skin feeling lovely and moisturised as well. £28
Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm (also available at Space NK). The smell of this is flowery and the double sided face cloth that comes with it is great - one side gently exfoliates and the other side is a gentle flannel. £38
Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator (also available at Boots). This exfoliator is very gentle but really does the trick and smells lovely and clean. From £15.75
Zelens PHA+ Bio Peel Resurfacing Facial Pads (also available at Space NK). Pricey but these work a treat and despite smelling quite strong it does not aggravate my skin at all. £65
Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum. I use this morning and night before my day or night serum and I am onto my second bottle - I love this stuff. I really feel it plumps and smooths my skin - particularly my awful deep scowl wrinkles which form the number 11 between my eyes! Currently sold out but should back in stock soon. £33
Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Revitalise and Glow Serum. I use this as my day serum and I love it - the smell is gorgeous and it leaves my skin looking dewy and is quickly absorbed. £47
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. My night serum - a cult product that I could not live without. You can use it during the day as well. £50 but a little goes a long way
Skin Owl Eye +. This is a lovely cooling eye gel which brightens and tightens and is great after a late night with little sleep. £36
Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti Aging Eye Balm. This is my favourite eye cream - it sinks straight in and does not irritate my sensitive eyes. £43
Alpha-H Essential Hydration cream is a lovely fresh but hydrating day cream (£35) which I also use at night unless I feel like I need something a bit heavier, in which case I will add a few drops of oil like this one from Aurelia which I either rub straight into my skin or add to a night moisturiser like this Aurelia one. The smell of the Aurelia oil and the moisturiser is amazing!
Ren Wake Wonderful Night Time Facial (also available at Space NK). I hate the smell of this product but once you get past that (and it does wear off) it is great. You put it on at night and then simply wash your face in the morning and your skin looks and feels great. And if you are short on time it could not be easier to smear this on your face just before switching the lights out at night. £32
What's your routine? Any products you would recommend or think I should try?