Morning routine for blemished skin!

It's always important to start with a good face wash! 4-5 days a week I use the St. Ives apricot scrub. It is just amazing! It has helped fade my acne scars and brighten up my skin. I massage the product for 2/3 minutes and wash it off with warm water. On the other days I use Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser or Angels on Bare Skin by Lush if I've had make up on the previous day. I've been recently sporting no make up so I just wash my face with warm water and thereafter cold water. Using cold water will close all your pores. 

I then use Tea tree toner from Lush. I haven't used any other toner. Tea tree is the best thing to use with blemished skin. It has healing properties and isn't harsh like some other toners I've read about it. It's all natural and as tea tree is a healing agent it's just unlikely you'd break out.

If I have a few blemishes I use tea tree oil from the body shop and massage it in. This will help treat any blemishes heal faster. The only issue is the size of the bottle, I need to find a bigger bottle! Using the tea tree oil and tea tree toner have helped clear up blemishes and scarring massively! 

Another treatment I sometimes use is the La roche posay effaclar duo anti blemish cream. I have a love hate relationship with this, so it only comes out at certain times. When I first got this product from boots it was amazing. I had a family wedding and it helped reduce the obvious blemishes a lot, however after a while it just stopped working. I decided to put it back in my makeup storage but it came in use again for those stubborn spots! I just don't know it's one of those items that can either work or not. I'd say to give it a try as it could just save you when you really need it! I only use this cream when I've ran out of the tea tree oil or on the stubborn pimples that won't go. 

When life gives you lemons.. Make the most of it!

As much as I love lemons they are great for many things. Three things I love using lemons for besides eating them are listed below! 

1. Lemons are great for an itchy/dry scalp. Cut a lemon in half and massage it in a circular motion into your scalp, work it section by section to get right to the roots. It is kind of like an exfoliant which will get rid of the dead skin and itchiness. Leave it for a half an hour then rinse thoroughly. Doing this twice a week will help! 

2. Those dreaded red spots that appear, girls you feel me? Your answer is lemons. Dab a cotton bud into a slice of lemon and attack that monster.. (Gently). I would do this at night and leave overnight or for an hour. The redness and size of the spot will be significantly reduced in the morning! 

3. Detox. Yep, drinking lemon water will help reduce bloating and lose a few pounds. There are two options. You can either leave a slice of lemon in hot water and drink it first thing in the morning to kick start your metobalism OR cut a lemon into slices and leave it to soak in a bottle/jug of water overnight in the fridge (You can also limes, mints and cucumbers). Drink this during the day and even though you may be using the bathroom a lot I can personally say this has helped me along with exercising and eating the right things!  

Empty Smells

You may think what!? with the name of this post, but i'm sane i promise. These are my favourite perfumes and sprays which have all sadly finished but I thought i'd share them with you! I can't stand strong perfumes, i prefer light flowery and fruity scents - something subtle. Along with the four pictured below, I absolutely love Hollister body spray (the pink one) I can't remember the name as i chucked the bottle away.. that is on my to buy list for sure! 

YSL Manifesto - A bouquet of jasmine punctuated by green notes and a bold trail combining wood, vanilla and tonka beans.

Paco Rabanne Lady Million - Floral 

Victoria Secret Love Spell (My absolute fave!) - Floral scent with a blend of lush cherry blossom and juicy peach

Soap and Glory Mist You Madly - Floral with notes of bergamot and blackcurrant, magnolia, freesia, vanilla and musk.

What are your favourite perfumes and body sprays, let me know in the comments! :) xxx

Real Technique Brushes

So, I was putting my makeup brushes to dry after I had washed them (Ahh clean brushes are really satisfying) but my real techniques powder brush fell behind the radiator and it just wouldn't come out so I gave up trying and decided to splurge out on some new brushes seeing as mine are getting a bit old anyways and I did not have much of a variety. I randomly came across a website called www.allbeauty.co.uk which is absolutely AMAZING. They have loads of products high end and drugstore for a much cheaper price. I purchased three sets of brushes and saved £20! I love a good deal. I can now say that my makeup will improve now that I have the right brushes... hopefully.

I also purchased the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge from Boots, i was in two minds about buying the beauty blender so I decided to get a cheaper option and a lot of people have raved about this including my neighbour so I will definitely have a review up once I have tried and tested it. 

Real Techniques brushes were probably the first branded brushes i purchased. I used to use some cheap brushes from eBay which did work but you can tell the quality difference. I instantly fell in love. They apply makeup flawlessly. The quality of the brushes are really good, I have had mine for about two years and used the hell out of them and the bristles have not fallen out at all... and i really don't take care of my belongings - so bare that in mind! 

From left to right:

- Miracle Complexion Sponge

- Base shadow brush

- Deluxe crease brush
- Accent brush 
- Aixel-point eyeliner brush
- Brow brush

- Detailer brush

- Pointed foundation brush

- Buffing brush

- Contour brush

- Essential foundation brush
- Multi-task brush
- Domed shadow brush