Dry skin is a terrible affliction!

I always had pretty normal skin but this past Winter I have had the driest, flakiest skin ever! I was totally not prepared for this, but since I have discovered some problems which have really helped me. I still have the dry skin, and it's a constant battle to keep on top of it. I'm hoping when the better weather comes in my skin will improve. Here is what I have been using.

I use the La Roche Posay Ultra Fine Scrub once or twice a week to try and get rid of the old flakey patches! This one is nice because it's not too irritating or abrasive and it's perfect to use on sensitive skin.

I also like to use a face mask at least once a week too, and my favourite is the La Roche Posay Hydraphase. My skin literally eats this up. I put on a nice layer of this on my face and neck and leave it for as long as I can. You will notice the mask will sink it quicker on the driest parts of your face. I then take the excess off with a hot flannel and my face feels really nice and hydrated after use.

When my skin was at it's driest, my favourite moisturiser to use was the La Roche Posay Nutric Intense Riche, an incredibly thick and nourishing cream. This was really helpful at combatting dry skin, particularly across my nose and cheek areas. I have since moved on to La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Riche (I love the packaging of this one too, would be great for travel!) which I really like and I have a little mini Nuxe Creme Fraiche which I use in the day time.

I use the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse as a treatment oil every now and then. I noticed that over-use of this oil really triggered dry skin, so I try to only use it a couple of times a week. It does really help with the dry patches when I use it sparingly. Plus it smells amazing!

For make up, I think the Clarins Extra Comfort foundation and Chanel Vitalumiere (as I reviewed below) have been working the best for me. My usual every day foundation (MAC Face & Body) only aggravated my dry skin and made it look even worse than it was. The Clarins & Chanel foundations really comfort the skin and are designed for dryness. So I have been relying on them a lot to try and conceal the horrible dryness!


Are there any other products I should be looking at to try and help with dry skin? Any help would be much appreciated!

My new make up love! Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation

I was getting a little bored of the foundations I have in my collection. That is partly down to my skin being so dry lately, and none of my foundations were really working for me. I heard that Chanel foundations work quite well with dry skin, and a couple of weeks ago I was passing a Chanel counter so I thought I would check it out.

I was recommended the Vitalumiere foundation, and I got the shade 10 Limpide which I believe is the lightest shade available, however it is a little darker than I would normally wear, but I got this purposefully so as I could wear in the Summer months when I will be tanned.

This foundation is extremely lightweight, as you can see from my swatch above it was running down my hand! Surprisingly the fluid texture works really well on me. The Vitalumiere foundation actually contains moisturiser so it really is perfect for my dry skin! It has a lovely satin finish which completely brightens up my complexion and I don't feel like I am wearing a mask of make up, it looks completely natural!

It has a wonderful scent! It smells so fresh and just reminds me of Summer! I am trying not to use this foundation too much so I can save it for the Summer months and my holidays, but it is hard! I'm just so impressed by this product and have used it non stop.

It cost £36 which is quite expensive for a foundation. Honestly though, it is a seriously good product and as I've been suffering so much with dry skin lately, I have to admit that this foundation is the only one that has not emphasised it in the slightest. It works incredibly well and provides a fresh and radiant finish. I am completely in love with it!

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse - Multi Purpose Dry Oil

This product featured a few posts back when I wrote about a few items which kept me going throughout the time that I wasn't feeling well. I thought it deserved it's own post! I have been using it non-stop, and it really is a multipurpose product.

I saw it in my local chemist and being completely besotted by the Prodigieuse scent, I bought it although I wasn't really quite sure what I was going to do with it! (apart from smell it!)

But ever since then, I have been using it all the time, sometimes even multiple times a day, on my face and my hair. My skin has been so dry and flaky lately, especially across my nose and this product has been amazing at remedying that. I put a few drops of the oil into my palms, rub my hands together and smooth it onto my face. The excess left on my hands I will rub into the ends of my hair. Sometimes though if my hair is feeling really dry I will use a few drops to run through the lengths and ends of my hair.

I haven't tried this on my body yet as I only bought the smaller bottle (which has the smallest opening in the world - I need to get the larger bottle next time with the spray pump) but I am sure it would be absolutely fantastic as a body oil. I would love to try the shimmery version in summer to add a bit of glow!

As for it being classed as a "dry oil", a description which kind of contradicts itself, I couldn't have been more surprised by this. There is absolutely no oily or greasy residue left after using it. It doesn't make for a messy application and really it is just a wonder product in my opinion!

I am completely and utterly overwhelmed by this oil. I don't think I could be without it in my skincare routine, although it is kind of a luxurious product. The fact that it is multi-usage and completely versatile justifies the price, right?!

My New Office/Blogging Room!

I have been so excited about this, I couldn't wait to show it off! Recently we got our spare room decorated and I wanted it to be an area where I can store things and have a desk where I can blog from.   The bookcases, shelves, desk and chair are all from Ikea. I chose an olive green paint for the walls, with one feature wall papered. Here is the finished look!

What do you think? It's so good to have this space to organise and store everything. I have had so much fun choosing all of the new decor, and it's so great to see it all together.

Quick Six Product Face

In the mornings when I am going to work, the last thing I want to be doing is spending ages doing fancy make ups. I'd sooner have the extra time in bed! I work in an office so I don't really see anybody, and frankly I just can't be bothered in the mornings. But I still feel like I need to wear something!

Sometimes if I am running late I will bring my make up with me and apply it when I am stuck in traffic on the way to work! So I prefer to use products that I don't have to use make up brushes.

First up, I will put on a bit of foundation. Pictured is MAC Face & Body which honestly I don't really like anymore, but for work I don't like using any of my "good" foundations so I am just trying to use up this big bottle!

Then I need something for under my eyes. I started using the Urban Decay Naked concealer this week and I am still not entirely sure about it. The formula is quite good and I do like the finish of it. But there is just something a little "off" with it. I think it is because I accidentally bought a shade which is a bit too white for me.

I use my NYX Eyebrow Pencil, which is fabulous. It's dead handy for on the go as it is a twist up crayon. It works brilliantly for me!

I am using Lancome Grandiose Mascara, which I really do love. The wand is really quite precise and it just really works well for me. I do love all Lancome mascaras though. This is the one which just happens to be in my make up bag.

I use YSL Babydoll Kiss & Blush for my cheeks. It's really easy to apply with the wand and then I just tap it in with my fingers.

For my lips I am obsessed with Clarins Instant Light Lip Balms! This is the shade Rosewood which is just a really neutral colour and perfect for everyday wear. They are so soft and comfortable and just gift a subtle hint of colour. Just what I want!



What are your every day essential make up products?

Fresh Spring Make Up!

Spring is definitely well on the way and as such, I always  feel the need to change up my make up slightly. Winter is a time for heavier make up and I like to go a bit "lighter" when Spring comes along. I have some new products to play with today, and decided to show you what I am using.
Just yesterday I treated myself to a new foundation, I got Chanel Vitalumiere. I heard it is quite good for dry skin and so far today it looks great and has lasted a good few hours without emphasising any dry patches! MAC Cinderella is also making an appearance, as is the Clarins The Essentials palette which I won in the amazing Make Up Monster's blog giveaway! Thank so you much again!

Here are the products I used with shade names:

Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation - 10 Limpide

Sleek Eyebrow Kit - Light

Clarins Instant Concealer - 01

MAC Paint Pot - Painterly

Clarins The Essentials Eyeshadow Palette

Lancome Grandiose Mascara

YSL Babydoll  Kiss & Blush - 10 Nude Insolent

MAC Cinderella Iridescent Powder - Coup d'Chic

Clarins Jolie Rouge Lipstick - Coral Dahlia

I decided to go quite light on the eyes and I have ditched the eyeliner, instead I am favouring just using a dark eyeshadow and blending it up from my lash line. The Chanel foundation is lovely and so lightweight, I am really happy with it so far. Maybe I will do a full review of the foundation when I get to grips with it.
The MAC Cinderella powder I use as a highlight. It is way too sheer to use as a blush and it just adds a little luminosity to the face. It is lovely to use, perhaps not the best highlighting product out there, but it looks cute!

Hope you all have a great Sunday!

MAC Cinderella Collection has arrived! See what I got..

I am too excited about this collection! I was really looking forward to the release of this collection from MAC and when I got the email to say that it was available online last Friday, I quickly logged on and ordered myself a couple of things. I knew I really wanted the powder. The eyeshadow palette looks lovely but I already have a few of the shades, and the lipsticks look a little too light for me. I only bought the glitter on a whim! Here is a closer look…

This is the Iridescent Powder "Coup d'Chic". It is so, so beautiful. I love the stylised packaging, it looks incredibly Disney. The iridescent blue with the gold inlay definitely is very Cinderella. The product itself is extremely shimmery. I was looking for a new highlighting powder and I couldn't be happier to own this one. It didn't swatch too well to be honest, but I will do a more detailed post on these products soon.

This is the Cinderella glitter Reflects Pearl. I absolutely love the look of this! It is so sparkly, perfect for Cinderella! I have never owned a product like this before, currently I am researching on what kind of adhesive would be suitable to use this with on my eyes. I pressed it onto my eyes with a flat eyeshadow brush but I would like a little bit more intensity, and something to hold it in place all day!

Iridescent Powder Coup d'Chic as a highlight

Cinderella Reflects Pearl in inner corners 

I couldn't be more excited about this collection, being a lover of shimmery things, beautiful packaging and of course Disney! I can't wait to have a proper play around with these products - I only got them yesterday so still kind of getting to grips with them, especially the glitter. I am hoping to do a full look with them in a post soon!

Is there anything that has caught your eye from the MAC Cinderella collection?