I turned 40 earlier this year, sadly it was in lockdown and I still feel I haven’t celebrated it enough (with a proper bang!) but I’m hoping to make up for that over the rest of the year as we start to meet up with friends and family and maybe go away somewhere if we are ever allowed to travel abroad again! I’m getting older and enjoying it; it doesn’t frighten me and I feel like I have more confidence in my 40’s than I did in my 30’s, I feel happy and content and my kids are at such great ages I look forward to seeing them grow up into proper little people!
I’ve always been more into fashion than beauty. As I got older I realised that I was pretty late to the party in terms of actually looking after my skin and having some sort of skincare routine! I feel slightly sad that I neglected my skin for so long and am hoping that some of the damage can be undone. I understand skincare more now and why it is so important, especially as I enter middle age (!) and the wrinkles (don’t get me wrong I do love my wrinkles!), dehydrated thirsty skin, sun damage, fine lines and less plump skin are starting to show. I do believe in growing old gracefully but I can completely understand why some people have fillers, botox and other beauty treatments, each to their own - we all want to feel better about ourselves! These clinical treatments are currently not for me and scare the life out of me (the thought of a needle in my forehead makes me physically shudder)! So for now at least I’m focussing on upping my skincare routine and looking after my health (less booze more veg) and doing more exercise (pilates and reformer pilates is my saviour!). I think that if you can have a fairly balanced lifestyle then this all leads to your skin, mental health and wellbeing being stronger.
My sister has always been into beauty products, knowing all about the latest products and my personal advisor when it came to any skincare concerns or queries. She recommended and kindly gifted me for my birthday last year the Pfeffer Sal facials and I cannot rate them highly enough for delivering the most incredible personalised facial. Yes, they are expensive but it honestly felt like I had a new face after going! I’m well overdue going back and have now built this into being an important part of my beauty regime.
I guess my main beauty goal is to have fresh, plumped and healthy looking skin and this blog post shares what I have been using and LOVING to help achieve it recently. The Elemis products below have been a welcome addition to my daily routine, and I have an exclusive Elemis 25% discount code to share with EMMAP25 if you like the look of them and fancy giving them a go yourselves.
..As skin ages, it begins to lose the solid architecture of its youth — Pro-Collagen was created with this in mind. Developed with incredible, ultra-hydrating marine actives and cutting-edge science, these formulas deliver intense, skin-plumping hydration to smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles. World-renowned for having heavenly textures and surreal results, our award-winning range leaves skin looking and feeling more youthful than ever…
CLEANSE
The Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is amazing! I’m a total convert to a cleansing balm now. This makes your skin feel as soft and smooth as a babies bottom! In the evening I apply a pea size blob all over my dry face and neck, I try to use it as a chance to give my skin a little massage and attention too. It sort of melts into the skin and removes all traces of dirt, make up and cleans the face so you feel well and truly fresh faced afterwards. It also smells absolutely incredible. I wipe it off with a hot cloth or flannel (I’ve not tried them but spotted Elemis do these Luxury Facial Cloths which look good). I can see why this is a bestseller for Elemis, totally addictive, it’s like having a mini spa moment in your home, leaving my skin clean with an uplifting glow.
I also use the Pro-Collagen Energising Marine Cleanser in the mornings if I have time. It’s a really nice foaming gel cleanser and a great way to wake up my skin first thing, plus it smells amazing! It helps reduce excess oil on my skin, a good base for moisturising then doing my make up. A little goes a long way so I think this will last a long time.
MOISTURISE / SPF
I’m so happy to have discovered the perfect daydceam - Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30. It just ticks all the right boxes for me - smells amazing, feels light,absorbs easily into the skin, works well under make up and it has that all important SPF for daily sun protection. My skin always feels smooth, super hydrated, pampered and cared for after applying this. Will most definitely be buying this again. For me a good SPF is an absolute essential and I wear it everyday, either in my moisturiser or as a standalone product. With the English summer looking (fingers crossed!) like it may be a nice sunny one, this is a great product to have to hand.
In the evening I use the Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream which I smooth over my face, neck and décolleté in upward strokes. It feels super moisturising, sinks in well and doesn’t feel too heavy. I most definitely wake up feeling like my skin has had a good dose of attention and I’m sure I’ve seen an improvement in some of my fine lines, worth every penny I say!
EXTRAS
The Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask has an incredible cooling and refreshing texture when you apply it. The skin area around our eyes is so delicate and this is a nice treat (can also be used overnight as a mask) to make your eyes feel more awake. I use it most evenings and sometimes in the morning as an undereye primer. It’s also been brilliant when I’ve had a glass or two of wine the night before and feel a little dehydrated the next day, it definitely perks my face up!
The Superfood Facial Oil is a nourishing treat that gives you that healthy looking glow, I use a few drops every morning after cleansing either under my moisturiser or instead of it. I tend to drop it into my hands before applying on my face. It blends in really well and isn’t too greasy although sometimes I avoid putting it on my chin as I already get excess oil there. It works well under makeup giving a nice dewy finish and sometimes I even use a couple of drops on my hands to moisturise them as it smells and feels so good!
TREATMENTS
I try to do a face mask in the bath once a week and have been enjoying the Seoulista Beauty Correct & Calm Instant Facial mask. Just taking 20 minutes of me time works wonders and I like to light a Neom Scent to De-Stress natural candles whilst I do this asthey fill the room with a lovely relaxing scent. I also use and highly rate the LDN CBD oil just before bed; a few drops under my tongue and it helps me sleep better.
I exfoliate my face (using a chemical exfoliant) and body (using a physical exfoliant) at least once a week to remove dry skin, I’m almost out of mine and want to try the Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow scrub next as it sounds really good. More recently I have been using Tan-Luxe The Gradual tan lotion to give a bit of colour to my face and body in the Spring Summer months, it’s a really good way to give you a subtle sun kissed look without the sun damage.
I hope you enjoyed my little insight into my current skincare routine. Feel free to ask me any questions and remember....
>>>I have a 25% off Elemis discount code to share with you: EMMAP25 <<<
Shop the Elemis products here…
T&Cs: 25% offer valid for full-size products only. Add code EMMAP25 at checkout on www.elemis.com. One use only. Not valid on gift cards or vouchers, collections, supersizes, travel sizes, cleansing cloths, sale items, or the Pro-Collagen ULTRA SMART range. Subject to availability. Offer expires at 9am on 16th July 2021
This post was sponsored by Elemis but all opinions are my own