My acne and Eczema breakout!!

When I was born I suffered with eczema really badly up, the use of steroid creams really did thin my skin so bad which resulted into super sensitive to a lot of creams which meant my skin was always needing TLC. Up to late teen age, I only suffered with eczema whenever I was severely stressed which would mainly be my exam periods also winter times would be the worst as my skin is super dry and nothing seemed to work unless I applied something every 2 hours to my skin. I was so grateful when I learnt so much about skin products and knowing how to deal with flare ups.
During my teenage years I suffered with spots as well as acne - dark purple pimples, red raw skin, painful to touch and of course, itchy skin. I had really oily skin which was annoying as my acne and eczema got worse.

Anyone else have this problem?

sore face and irritated neck building up in the first month

Now I am in my late 20's I thought it all had stopped but recently in September I started to have the odd pimple, then it turned into dark purple pimples, started spreading and before I knew it, I realised it was acne again!! It's been so long since I last suffered with it and I was suprised I had it again. I then had a massive break out of eczema on my neck, from a diameter of 1cm spread across my neck. I didn't even notice it until people were pointing it out to me at work, I didn't feel any itching or pain, which means there was absolutely no irritation. My face ended up red raw with rosacea skin - it was so painful.

5-6 weeks after

A week later it all got worse, my acne had spread from my cheek to my jaw line, painful to touch and I stopped using my Galvanic Spa as it was so painful to even have the gel over my face. The eczema started to get itchy and I was travelling to Hong Kong and Japan which was a real climate change from England, sadly my skin suffered - BIG TIME. I mentally suffered too!!

To totally clear up this I used various products as well as supplementing myself to detox the toxins that was lingering in my body. I didn't feel 'unwell' as such and did not catch anything such as the common winter flu or cold ( like I use to but for the last 2 years I have been feeling GREAT) so this is a way of my body suffering from the inside.


For the outside of my body I used:

acne life saver set  - cheaper to purchase as a set to save a huge amount of money!

Previously I tried various acne friendly products but with the amount of alcohol and acids in them, it burnt my skin and wasted my time as well as my money. I decided to try the Clear Action set from Nu Skin as I heard so many good reviews as well as good results from photos of people who used it to clear their acne.


The set included a foaming cleanser, toner, day cream and a night cream. Each set lasted me just over 3 months and within 2 days of uses I saw and felt results. The little bumpy spots dissapeared! I was so excited to continued to use the set as I LOVED how my skin felt as well as seeing that my dark purple spots were dissapearing. This was an important factor to me because it proves to me something is happening rather than waiting because when you are suffering, time is an issue. 
 
The clear action is a very gentle treatment system designed to help clear the blemishes you have now, fade the signs of past breakouts, and, most importantly, keep skin clear and vibrant for the future. Very easy to do and very effective results. I love how gentle the cleanser is when it's applied to the skin, it turns into a clear liquid when it's dried within 2 minutes.

Toner has a unique lid to prevent further bacteria feeding in your skin

The next step is followed by a toner, which has a unique lid pumping system so that no bacteria can access into the bottle.

The 3rd step is either a day cream or a
night cream, melts into the skin and looks after it whilst you sleep or work in the day.


For my eczema I used a blend of these 3 products together equal parts and stored it in a pot.

* this hand is not mine but someone else who had great results

•  Perennial - IBR-Dormin, Kukui nut oil and meadowfoam seed oil, Garcinia indica (kokum) seed butter- gives you super moisturised skin without the greasy feel on the skin, 
• Firewalker - Cordyline Terminalis & Orbignya Phalerata - works deep into the skin to repair the damaged layer of skin to stop the spreading
• Enhancer - containing aloe vera, Panthenol & Hyaluronic acid -super moisturiser to repair the broken skin and calm redness

As for the inside of my body I have always been on my Lifepak multivitamins, (I stopped taking them for a few weeks then this flare up happened along with other factors like stress) , I never again want to stop taking my multi vitamins as they are what's protecting my immune system. I was also taking R2 to deeply cleanse but I found it wasn't doing anything other than give me more energy. I decided to try Reishimax as the active ingredients help to fight the natural killer cells from the body. I felt like this was the last option for me and I was right!! It helped!! after about 2 weeks of taking this my eczema cleared up and m acne was very less visible, I was so relieved!

free from eczema!!

So to conclude this post, I went through a lot not to mention my confidence level was much lower as I have always looked after my skin but when I did stop taking my supplements - my body lacked nutrition and whilst I Was dealing with a lot of stress factors it lead to poor sleeping patterns  sleeping 4 hours max per night/day) which lead to poor diet and I needed a deep cleanse as well as new supplements to the largest organ - my skin. If you know anyone who is going through anything similar and have tried lots of alternatives but nothing has worked - please let them read this post and feel free to message me.  I would LOVE to help people realise there is another way out of this!

Thank You

XOX

Eyes

Ever woken up to puffy or tired looking eyes and having enough sleep the night before?

The skin around the eyes is very delicate as it's very thin and sensitive, your eyes can tell people how tired your body is or if you have allergies, increased salt intake, not enough sleep or crying. 

The main reason why I had this result in my eyes would probably from the meal I had the previous day...... I had a Christmas dinner from work (Thank You NHS for the free meal) and although even choosing the healthier option, lean meat and vegetables, there was still a lot of salt in that meal. This was my result due to mainly water retention, lack of sleep from the previous nights, and dealing with stress. Even after having 8-9 hours sleep! I couldn't believe for the whole entire day I had to walk around with these tired looking puffy eyes.

14-12-13 top photo
15-12-13 bottom photo

night on 14-12-13 after a face galvanic treatment

I didn't feel tired but I did do 3 x 12.5 hour shifts at the hospital and I was travelling up to Liverpool for lunch but I did ensure I had enough sleep the night before, which was 8-9 hours in total.

In those photos above I had make up on, just my tinted moisturiser, eyeshadow and mascara. I didn't want to over-do the face with too much make up on as it would make me look even more 'tired' when I didn't feel like I was.

So when I got home, I used my face galvanic machine to draw out the excess fluid and draw out the toxins from my face and also draining the facial lymph nodes.

On the right is my face make up free after a facial galvanic treatment. My eyes are less puffy and skin is now completely flawless.
Not only does the facial galvanic give you flawless skin, it also draws out excess fluid and making sure your skin is smooth which is why this is my holy grail beauty accessory!


Please note, my photos have not been altered in any way.

If you're interested in trying a galvanic treatment then feel free to contact me for more details.

XOX

Nu Skin 180 Cleanser Product Review

Your skin can show discolouration, uneven skin tone, pigmentation, spots,wrinkles,  blackheads when its suffering. We can chose to ignore it but sometimes we feel the pain from the skin and it becomes worse. Sometimes untreatable but using the right products can save you!

 I always read the back of the ingredients when it comes to skin products because I like to know what I am using on my skin and also in case I have a reaction, I would know what to avoid in future.
I spend money on products to help my skin reverse the damage so of course I am going to ensure what am using is beneficial especially if it's a product highly raved by many beauty lovers! 

Nu Skin have a range called 180º  which specifically help diminishes the appearance of lines and wrinkles, refines texture and evens skin tone for a more youthful appearance in as little as 7 days! I was very intrigued as the name caught my attention! I have read SO many good reviews on it!

For £41 there is 125ml of the product long lasting and can be used as a face wash or as a face mask, both very effective for the skin!





I use mine 1-2 times a day and it has lasted me for about 3 months now and I am not even half way through the tube therefore, it is very cost effective!










It is highly recommended by Doctors and researchers that, using 10% of Vitamin C on our skin , it would improve the skins texture and elasticity!

Nu Skin 180 Cleanser is one of the most extraordinary cleansers on the market!Active Vitamin C is a critical nutrient for skin firmness and radiance Not only is it very beneficial for the skin helping multiple levels of signs of ageing, but it can be proven to be a life saver for age spots and dark circles!
Newspaper article  asks the question of ' can Vitamin C cure wrinkles?' - yes it can help diminish those evil lines, if the product is genuine. I can prove if the products contain Vitamin C.....


press play to watch!

Ingredients:

Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Silica, Fragrance (Parfum), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

 In this product, the main active ingredients include:

• sesame and soybean oils - prevents moisture lost
• grape seed, ginkgo biloba leaf and ginseng extracts to provide antioxidant protection

Pro's:

• firms the skin
• brightens the complexion
• repairs the signs of damage from harmful UVA/UVB rays
• diminishes appearance of dark circles/age spots
• smells fresh
• supports collagen production therefore skin becomes more elasticated and plump
• leaves skin feel soft and refreshed
• suitable for any age
• Features a patented waterless formula that delivers 10% active, free-flowing vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) to the skin.

I use this in the morning and night, with just a small amount, it melts onto my skin. I ensure my face is make up free, I wet my face with luke warm, apply a pea sized amount onto my finger tips avoiding the eye area,  then massage it softly onto my face concentrating on where there are lines like around my mouth area. This can help the fine lines to be deeply cleansed and prevent deeper lines. When the product is set on my skin, I wash it off with cool water then pat my face dry.

When my face has absorbed too much sun from my holiday, I had dark spots, freckle-like marks. I applied this 180 cleanser onto the face as a mask and let it set for 5 minutes. I then washed it off and my marks has faded and my skin glowed. This is how powerful this gentle cleanser is therefore it is very beneficial for marks on the face.

Please note: lathering the cleanser onto the hands before applying it to the face WILL release the Vitamin C therefore decreasing the benefits of the cleanser so apply it quickly to the face to get maximum effect!

This is definitely my ultimate favourite cleanser for the autumn-winter season as it helps to brighten my skin and gives it that radiance it deserves! You owe it to yourself to have healthy looking radiant skin!


XOX



** I am a distributor for Nu Skin, this product was purchased with my own money and I have given my most honest opinion, I have not been contacted by the company to give this review in any way. **
Send me an email if you're interested to buy!

Tru Face® Revealing Gel Nu Skin Product Review

Gemma Shephard & Emma Forbes Salute to this product!

There are many factors around us which damage our skin and it's not difficult to understand why we must take care of our skin, just depends if you want to or not!

Not only does our skin protect our organs, but it is the biggest organ in our bodies. 

Our skin shows us how good/bad our immune system is, and when it's low we see it as well as feeling it. For instance, dehydrated body can lead to dry and flaky skin, which is never attractive (unless that's what you're into).  Also, spots around the chin area means your body is lacking fluids! Spots in general can spread so it is very important not to touch the infected area and know what you are putting on to of that area whether its water or lotions. For me, I have sensitive skin and that's due to various factors and something I was born with. It's improved over the years due to me taking good supplementation and a better controlled diet.

Did you know there are many major factors around us that damage our skin? such us:-

• pollution
• emotional/mental stress
• lack of sleep
• diet
• dehydration
• harmful UVA/UVB rays
• smoking
• infared

We may or may not see the effects on our skin straight away but in time, it will show - do you want to prevent it?

I have tried various methods to have flawless skin and it's not easy! A lot of work involved but knowing what you're using is the first important step!  Then to maintain it is the next big step but its worth it!  I have a clear understanding that only very few options worked but I still keep trying!
 Long term wise, I use my Galvanic Spa as well as my ageLOC Elements skin care .  Everybody has different skin and depending on your budget, you would have to try it before you decide if you like it or not, the results speaks for itself!

I discovered an alternative to a harmful face peel (also known as micro-dermabrasion) which is extremely effective for removing dead skin cells resulting the skin to a more plumpy and hydrated face BUT causing pain! Tru face revealing gel is formulated with gentle, patented, polyhydroxy acid (PHA) technlogy,  which gives us the youthful looking complexious without any irritation.




I demonstrated the use of this Tru Face Revealing Gel on 4 coins. This process is similar to the oxidation and damage free radicals cause to the skin. Excess free radicals in the skin, can also create a sallow, dull complexion. PHAs reverse the oxidation damage and brighten the skin without harshness or pain.

This smooth formula is applied onto the skin day & night on clean skin, upwards and outwards. You then let the formula do the hard work whilst you continue with your day/night. The results work before you know it! I was astonished by how my skin felt and looked!

 After about 30 minutes, I had an immense result from where the gel has been sitting on the coin and this is the result.......

The results on the skin is pretty amazing causing me no problems but just adds extra smiles to my day!

Ingredients:

• Polyhydroxy Acids (PHAs)
• Lactobionic Acid and Gluconolactone: these ingredients encourage the sloughing off of rough, uneven skin and stimulates the production of young, healthy cells and creates a smoother surface.

Water (Aqua), Betaine, Gluconolactone, Butylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, Lactobionic Acid, Squalane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Arginine, Methyl Gluceth-20, Fragrance (Parfum), Chlorphenesin, Methylparaben.

Seeing is believing

How this works on the skin:

• Gluconolactone—this PHA gently penetrates skin to reduce the appearance of pore size and the visible effects of photoaging. Proven to be effective in visibly improving skin texture and radiance.
• Lactobionic—a PHA clinically shown to significantly enhance skin cell turnover while improving skin brightness and texture. Works gently, without irritation. Acts as a powerful antioxidant and metal chelator that is so nurturing it is used as a preservation solution for transplant organs during transport.

It makes me wonder how much damage has my skin had to go through after all these years?! 

I love the fact this product is very suitable for those with sensitive skin like me, it works like wonders and a little goes a long way!

For 30ml of product at the price of £46.00, you would use this day & night if you wish. How much you use it entirely up to you depending on how often you want the face to be pampered. I would use this no more than twice a week along with my ageLOC Elements kit to maintain the maximum effect.

Pro's:

• suitable for sensitive skin
• small lightweight product
• little goes a long way
• easily blendable
• suitable for male and female
• suitable for any age
• alcohol free 
• no harshness and certainly pain-free lotion
• very gentle on the skin - as stated by Celebrity Stylist Gemma Shephard

I would highly recommend this to those who want a healthy glowing face without going through harmful face scrubs. It's a great gift idea for those who like luxurious products with very effect results without paying too much for!

If you would like to purchase this then send me an email so I can register an account and offer discount!
strawbeefull@gmail.com


XOX

** I am a distributor for Nu Skin, this product was purchased with my own money and I have given my most honest opinion, I have not been contacted by the company to give this review in any way. **

Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser Product Review

Tinted moisturisers are a mixture of foundation with moisturiser but, the consistency is not as thick as a foundation, it depends on which brand you are using because some can be the same or heavier. It typically provides light coverage with the aim to be more lightweight than your regular foundation.

 I don't like wearing foundation and haven't used foundation that much in my entire life. I never did believe in using foundation to cover up my flaws, I always believed in skin care more as it is the foundation to good make up for the face. Some may disagree but at the end of the day, I go to sleep without make up on and I want to make sure my skin is as good as I can get it.

Laura Mercier offers quite a wide range of colours for a lot of skin tones and is classes as a high-end brand as it is sold exclusively in known department stores such as John Lewis's, Selfridges, House of Fraser and Debenams as well as online on the website. 

Laura Mercier believes in natural colours in make up, which is why she created the flawless range which includes a  collection of colours for tinted moisturisers and foundations.

I decided to try the tinted moisturiser as it's been popular for a long time and it's always highly recommended on youtube, magazines and people who have used it. 

There are 2 choices of tinted moisturiser, one is for oily skin and other is for normal/dry skin. I bought this during spring and I know my skin tends to be oily when the weather starts getting warmer so I thought oil free option was best for me. I don't like knowing the product has oil and will be sitting on my skin for 8+ hours per day, it can cause break outs and blocked pores. 

It promises to:

• give skin a healthy ‘no-makeup’ look with a soft hint of colour that evens and enhances without hiding the skin. This oil-free lightweight formula provides ideal protection from the sun’s harmful, damaging rays with broad spectrum SPF 20 UVB/UVA sunscreen. Perfect for all skin types, especially sensitive or oily skin.

For £33.00 there is 50ml of product in a long plastic tube.

There are 15 shades available and the assistants at the counter can always help you to find your perfect shade.
For me, Porcelain is a little bit too pale and nude is a little too warm so I picked nude which is slightly more golden but once my skin absorbed some sun, the shade was perfect.
 Did you know that when you apply SPF to the face, and when you take photos with a flash, the face is lighter? This product contains SPF 20 and it made more sense for me to buy the shade that was a little darker than lighter as I take photographs all the time and I want to make sure my skin looks as natural as possible.


The screw off lid is based at the bottom of the tube, and the tube can stand on the lid which means the product can be easier to come out of when you dispense it out. However, when it comes to almost the end of finishing this tube, it doesn't stand upwards anymore so you really have to give it a good shake and roll the tube to get the product out.

I did enjoy using this tinted moisturiser at first, but then it became too thick for my face, it felt like my pores were blocked and you do need a top up during the day. Even with powder on top and mist spray to lock in the colour doesn't help. I find that when my face becomes oily, it becomes patchy therefore not reliable. Am not usually carrying my make up for top ups but I cant go out too long without realising the product strips from my face.
I work long hours (most of the time 12+ hours) and I can't rely on having a smooth flawless look with this product.

Pro's:

• 15 shades of colour
• contains SPF 20 which is difficult to find 
•  gives a natural glow
• available in pink and golden undertone shades which is very important to me as it's not often I find my perfect golden undertone shade
• contains no alcohol
•  matte finish
• buildable coverage
• no oxidation
• evens out skin tone and hides flaws
• quite a hydrating formula

Con's:

• consistency is too thick, it sticks to my make up brush and stains my clothes
• strips off my face after a couple of hours which means I need to top up the product on my face
• consistency too watery and dribbles onto my clothes
• quite expensive for a product that doesn't suit me well
•  the scent is quite strong, especially when you squeeze the product out of the tube. I had this experience since my first use and it put me off using it
• 
  

I have a sheer-medium coverage from this and it does not oxidise straight away, however, the colour does strip off after a couple of hours, especially when its warm. I am a NC30-NC35, which is a golden undertone, the nude colour shade is perfect for me. However, during cold season, it hydrates my skin well but not entirely, purely because the consistency is thick.

It hides my dark spots and redness giving me that smooth natural look. I would not recommend this for people who have large red spots as it will not cover that, this is a tinted moisturiser, not the same as a foundation.
This gives me a dewy finish, matte and natural, but it does become oily on my skin therefore I would not recommend to use this in hot weather.


I have used a stippling brush for this as well as my fingers but it becomes too messy and stains inside my nails. It stains my brush and I have to wash it every single day (which is what I should be doing anyway but am a bit lazy sometimes! aren't we all?! ) but the best technique for me would be to use a stippling brush such as the ELF popular strippling brush. 

I personally would not be purchasing this product again because it hasn't made me feel like it's my holy-grail and it's not really benefited my skin as much as I expected. As you can see from my pro's and con's, there are more con's, and sadly it hasn't been my favourite tinted moisturiser that's lasted. However, I am glad I got to try this to see what the hype was all about, sadly it just isn't for me!

XOX

Nu Skin AgeLOC Elements Product Review

Look at how luxurious this box is!!!! JUST LOOK AT IT!!! haha!

White cardboard box , neatly presents 3 items

• ageLOC® Gentle Cleanse & Tone: anti-ageing foaming cleanser and toner
• ageLOC® Radiant Day SPF 22: anti-ageing day-time facial moisturiser with SPF 22
• ageLOC® Transforming Night: anti-ageing night-time facial moisturiser

The first time I purchased this kit was early this year and I have been hooked on it since!! I am currently on my second box and I just love how it works, how great it makes my skin feel and look, and most of all, the fact that it is nearly presented with such good quality material.

Nu Skin has a range called ageLOC which works on your ageing DNA. It doesn't change your DNA or clone you, the clever thing is that the company have top scientists and they have figured out that it is our ageing DNA that makes us age, also factors around us.

ageLOC targets the ageing DNA and change the appearance of ageing such as wrinkles, dark spots, large pores, not only this but also protects our skin from the factors around us such as environment, harmful UV rays, and lack of sleep!

When I first started researching ageLOC I was very a

amazed by the photographic evidence of how flawless and wrinkle-free the users have got since using ageLOC and so I continued to research into it before purchasing. After all, this is going on my face, which is the most sensitive part of my body so I want to make sure I am using top-notch ingredients!

For £144 the kit includes a gentle toner & cleanser in one, day cream and a night cream. You can purchase these separately but it works out cheaper to buy the kit and you can benefit from the whole range at the same time for maximum effects. For me, this kit lasted me for just over 3 months! A little goes a long way!

This kit is my step 1, 2 & 3 for my skin regime. 

I love travelling with the toner & cleanser as it's so light and easy to pack with, I put the night cream into a small pot as the jar is made of heavy glass and I take the tube of day cream as it's so light!

Step 1 & 2:

Cleanse & Tone = I just love how light it is for me to travel with, the product comes out from a pump dispenser and the formula is so soft and sinks straight into my skin! I have sensitive skin therefore I am very sceptical of what I use on my face, this has been luxurious on my skin and I have seen a clear result from using this after a few weeks. (Please note: I have also been using the Galvanic Spa together to get maximum results for my flawless skin).

Firstly, I went my face with warm water to open up the pores ready for the product to work its magic. I then use 1-2 pumps day and night for my face and neck, it just sinks into the skin and makes my skin feel so refreshed and cleansed. I have never used a toner & cleanser in one before, this is definitely magic to me! It definitely purifies my skin! The active ingredients combined make such a difference to my skin. Works with skin's own natural healthy pH, helping it to preserve its natural moisture (promised by Nu Skin) .

This 2 in 1 has lives up to its promise by cleansing, purifying and carefully hydrating my skin. I have problems around my cheeks/nose area where the skin is dry but this addresses it and calms the redness down. Some systems require a separate toner step, the ageLOC does not require you to use a separate cleanser and toner due to the unique active ingredients. I love that!!

When I first started using this toner & cleanser I did have breakouts, my skin wasn't use to the active ingredients of this toner & cleanser. After about 2-3 weeks my skin cleared up, I also used my Galvanic Spa to deep cleanse my epidermis and allowing he dermis to cleanse giving me the flawless skin. 

Step 3:

Moisturise = in the day time I use the day cream which has SPF 22, however, in the hot weather I use the SPF 35 to fully protect my face from the hot sun, when it's not as sunny I use this SPF 22 day cream.

At night, I use the night cream which is so rich and moisturising, it helps my dry/combination skin look and feel luxurious and more plumpy the following morning! 

at night time I use this rich moisturising night cream click here for review. I only use a tiny amount and it sinks into my skin quickly and has a refreshing scent! I apply it in an upward and outward motion, and avoiding the eye area as it's extra sensitive. I wake up to skin that's been looked after whilst I sleep, that's what we all want! It doesn't dry my face or give me any breakouts, that's how I know this cream has done it's job right!

Effectively, this kit has been a real good deal for the way my skin has changed, I am very suprised at how flawless it remains! There has been days where I switch up to other products due to me trying to finish off the other products but I have always gone back to this kit. I have highly recommended it to everyone as I love the active ingredients :

• ageLOC® - proprietary Nu Skin® technology that targets arSuperMarkers, the ultimate sources of ageing.
• Pea extract, bamboo extract and glucosamine - a powerful anti-ageing ingredient blend that has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and increase cell turnover resulting in visually youthful skin.
• Hexapeptide-2 - reduces the activation of melanin production.
• Hyaluronic acid - a moisturising compound found naturally in the skin. Selected for its capacity to bind and hold moisture to the skin.

ageLOC® Gentle Cleanse & Tone: Water (Aqua), Glycerine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Lauryl Methyl Gluceth-10 Hydroxypropyldimonium Chloride, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Polysorbate 20, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Salicin, Schizandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Fragrance (Parfum),Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tropolone.
Paraben-free.
ageLOC® Radiant Day SPF 22:
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 5%, Octisalate 4%, Octocrylene 2%
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Methyl Gluceth-10, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Isohexadecane, Nylon-12, Hydrolysed Jojoba Esters, Jojoba Esters, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Glucosamine HCl, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Hexapeptide- 2, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Salicin, Schizandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Polysorbate 80, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tropolone.
Paraben-free.
ageLOC® Transforming Night: Water (Aqua), Glycerine, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Sorbitol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glucosamine HCl, Salicin, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Squalane, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Ceramide 3, Schizandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol.
Paraben-free.

This kit is very suitable for sensitive skin, highly recommended for those who want to get rid of wrinkles, large pores, want flawless, manageable and smooth skin.I have a lot of old scars, redness, rosacea, breakouts every now and then but hardly to be honest. This is the BEST kit I have ever used on my face and I have purchased this more than once before. It's extremely good value for money and the long term results are beyond what I imaged! Ultimate flawless skin that is so much more manageable, not as oily in my T-zone and it has definitely helped me to use less make up and show my natural skin which is matte. Personally for me, it's extremely important to have manageable skin as I model, I find it embarrassing to have bad skin therefore I maintain it well. I have been complimented a lot of times about my skin and how great it looks! My secret is a good skin care regime using the best products on the market!

Pro's:

• presentable box - great for luxurious gift idea
• light and easy to carry, great for travellers
• box and each bottle has expiry date printed
• luxurious feel to the skin
• money back guarantee policy on this kit (please ask your Nu Skin advisor for more details)
• can last you at least a month depending on how much you would use

Con's:

• comes in 1 size only
• SPF cream is only available in SPF 22
• night cream jar is heavy duty glass

Enjoy!!

XOX

AgeLOC kit

Galvanic Spa

** I am a distributor for Nu Skin, this product was purchased with my own money and I have given my most honest opinion, I have not been contacted by the company to give this review in any way. **

Chanel Precision Mousse Exfoliante Purete Product Review

Fancy using a designer brand on your skin! I think it's a wonderful idea that a successful designer has their own line of skin care and make up! I have never owned Chanel garment or accessories before but I have tried a few of their beauty products before.
I wasn't too sure if I would be addicted into buying Chanel's skin care/cosmetics due to the brand and the beautiful packaging, I haven't been hooked but I did go through a phase of wanting to badly purchase everything! haha!! I started to research about the products and decided to try one of their best products, which is this exfoliating mousse cleanser.

I like to try different brands of skin care as well as make up, to experience what they have to offer. I enjoy peoples reviews about what they have tried, there has been a lot of negative reviews about Chanel's skin care due to the price but then again, you don't actually need a lot of the product for the result. If I purchase a luxurious item I try to divide it by 3 (break down price for 3 years) or if it's skin care then break it down by 12  to give me the break down of cost per month.

I love the simple packaging, this is thick plastic abit like the type of packaging for toothpaste. I like how pristine their packaging looks, it looks amazing in my bathroom lol!

The formula is a pearlescent soft creamy-like light mousse, white-grey in colour with a heavy scent of fresh flowers. If you are someone who likes the smell of flowers then you may love this!

This is suitable for oily-combination skin.

I have never used a cleanser that foams up so much! A little bit goes a long way, I have used this on and off for the last 2 years as my skin changes throughout the year due to weather and hormones. I would say, it has lasted me for 2 solid summers!

I use about half of this amount usually

I use a face pad to wash my face as I find it easier to blend onto my skin and can avoid the excess oils from my finger tips! You can purchase these from beauty drug stores in Hong Kong or ebay.com.



I initially have sensitive skin and this tends to harm my skin in the winter time. I feel that it washes my natural oils out so I only use it in the hot season wherever I am. It helps to wash away the excess oil and always gives my face that squeaky clean feeling, it even squeaks!

I use to have that feeling every time I used the creamy cleanser, it makes my skin feel slightly tight and shiny which I don't like but it depends what you want from a cleanser. For me, I don't like irritated skin before and after using any skin products, this let me down in this respect. When we sleep, our skin dehydrates, I feel that I need to use a rich night cream to retain the hydration on my face, this cleanser makes me feel like my skin's natural oils has been washed away and it becomes flaky especially in the colder seasons.

After using it, my make up is not all removed, my skin feels tight and sometimes red, it feels refreshed and smells nice too!


I wash my face twice a day, morning and night before bed. I use the same cleanser and I change my whole regime products every season or if my skin is irritated from anything I use. I have learnt to understand which products to use and when. I hate having irritated skin, especially because my skin is sensitive and a combination of normal-dry.

Did you know that poor skin care can lead to early signs of ageing? You are more prone to fine lines, dull complexion, large open pores, wrinkles, and deep scar tissues? I can guarantee you will be screaming for help when you need to have clear skin for the next big occasion! Remember: prevention is better than cure! Treat it now rather than later!

I use this mousse cleanser as step 1 in my beauty skin care regime, then I tone, cleanse and moisturise.

Step 1 is important as it helps to wash away excess oils, deep clean the epidermis. Using a good quality cleanser can repair itself at night and that is why it works the hardest whilst you sleep!


The exfoliating beads are small and help to make the skin glow as it gets rid of dead skin cells which hang over your face, the naked eye can see this. It ensures your face is fully cleansed and gives it that fresh squeaky feel!This would really benefit those who have large open pores as it really deep cleanses inside those pores and prevents black heads.
I apply this to my soft face pad and exfoliating this in a circular motion to help get rid of dead skin cells and remove my make up and dirt from the epidermis.

check out this article on why not having clean skin before bed is bad for you? Takes just 3 minutes of your time before bed can make SUCH a difference!

For £38.00 there is 150ml / 5 fl. oz of product which doesn't sound like a lot but in actual fact you only need to use a little bit as it foams up a lot. 
Available at any Chanel counter in department stores or online.
The consistency is thick, but smooth and foamy when it becomes wet, it glides softly onto the skin and exfoliates at the same time. There isn't much exfoliating beads which is good as it isn't too harmful for the skin, especially sensitive skin.

 Ingredients benefits:

TULIP TREE EXTRACT, selected for its anti-pollution effect.

The Tulip Tree has been planted in cities worldwide in an effort to help de-pollute the air. The tree’s shiny green leaves are covered with a protective wax that traps pollutants, which are then washed away when it rains. CHANEL PRÉCISION Cleansers and Toners utilize Tulip Tree Extract to remove impurities caused by pollution and protect the integrity of skin’s natural defense barriers. This helps to prevent free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging.

BIOGLUCANE boosts the cleansing action of Tulip Tree Extract and helps balance the skin without stripping its natural barrier, heightening the depolluting power of each formula in the collection.


This is suitable for those who travel a lot , because there are a lot of dirt collected into the pores and this product would help to cleanse effectively!
 
Pro's:

• scent smells great
• clean feeling
• soft formula
• bottle stands upright which means gravity will let the product drop down
• exfoliating beads helps to deep clean in the open pores
• glamorous packaging
• definitely is 'rich-foaming' formula

Con's:

• squeaky clean sound on the face after using it
• strips away my natural oils way too much, my skin becomes irritated especially in the colder seasons
•  doesn't remove every trace of my make up, I still have to use my cleansing cream and toner afterwards
• makes my skin feel tight, needing a rich moisturiser afterwards to calm the redness
• comes in one size only

I have enjoyed using this product more in the summer time than the winter, just because my skin needs that extra TLC during colder seasons. I don't feel that my skin benefits as much as I thought it would and I wouldn't purchase it again. I would recommend it to my beauties who like soft foaming cleansers with a luxurious feel on their skin. It's a great gift idea or a treat for their skin care regime.
To me, it just hasn't lived up to it's expectations , hence why I have used it on and off for 2 years now.

XOX

Nu Skin SPF 35 Face & Body Cream Product Review

  Finding the right product for your skin is just as important as knowing how much SPF we need to cover our skin before it becomes damaged. Not many people care and not so many understand about the products they are using. I like to read and understand the ingredients of every product that goes on my skin, especially when it comes to sun protection on my face.

Now that it is summer time, I always use a higher sun factor. All year round I use at least SPF 15, summer time I have SPF 35 minimum. I try not to sit out in the sun for too long as I can burn easily and have tan marks all over my body (which can last for quite a few months), and also my dark spots can grow bigger. 

Our tissue cells can become cancerous and before you see the signs, it is too late to cure. That is what I am afraid of - knowing I cannot turn back time to un-do my mistakes therefore I use at least SPF 15 on my face/skin every single day, even in the winter time when it is dark. There are harmful UVA and UVB rays that damage our skin and they are invisible. UVA rays go deep into the dermis, and the UVB rays hit the surface of the dermis! When we use SPF , the rays reflect from it and protect the epidermis (the surface of the skin).

It certainly is very difficult to find a higher SPF 20 for the face in the market! You cannot just use your regular sun tan lotion for your face purely because your face needs more TLC as it is damaged every single day that you are living, yes, even when you cannot see the sun. The harmful UVA and UVB rays are constantly circulating around us, we don't see them but our skin feels the pain.

By using SPF 35, it means it protects your skin 35 times more than your usual time before you get burnt. For instance, it takes about 10 minutes for my skin to become burnt without SPF, so if I use SPF 35, it would make me last in the sun for 350 minutes (almost 6 hours) before I burn and complain lolz. 

I use SPF 15 on my face in the winter and cover up the rest of my body, even though I am indoors most of the time, I am protecting my skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays up to 15 times before it causes my skin any problems. Just because you cannot see the damage straight away, it doesn't mean there are no problems, later on you will see the effects, whether it is freckles, dark spots or redness to the skin.

People with light eyes or hair, who sunburn easily or do not tan have an increased risk of skin cancer and also malignant melanoma is almost twice as common in young women (up to age 34) as in young men, but more men die from it. (cancerresearch.co.uk). I have always believed that protection is better than cure, it only takes a minute to apply the sun factor on. 

When we go abroad on holiday or on a long weekend break, we apply sun lotion, so why not when you are back home? What difference does it make?

For some people, cost is always the main issue but in actual fact, it costs more for health care and the inconvenience of pain. There is a choice of long term damage VS costs, I would rather chose paying that little bit more to prevent worsening health. 

For some people, they have allergies to SPF products, that can be discussed with your dermatologist of experts of products. There are always product email address and websites to give you information about their products. 

 When it comes to lotion for my face or body, I look for these main things:

• cost
• ingredients
• benefits
• SPF
• consistency
• scent 

I discovered Nu Skin and their products this year when I found the Galvanic Spa Machine and understanding what it did to my skin. I was very suprised to see there was an SPF 35 lotion for the face as well as the body and I bought it straight away!

I was super excited to try the product on myself as I had read a few testimonials on how great the product was and the active ingredients.

Active Ingredients: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate)  (7.0%), Titanium Dioxide (4.264%), Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) (3.0%)

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate), Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone), Isononyl Isononanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hexyl Laurate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract*, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Equisetum Hiemale Leaf/Stem Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Algae Extract, Yeast Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Jojoba Esters, Cetyl Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Chlorphenesin.
*Sealastin

open lid at the bottom of the tube makes sure you get all your product out

For £19, there is 100ml/3.4fl. oz of the product in the tube. The product stays upright which means when it comes to the end of using up the cream, gravity lets the product come out of the tube downwards. I love it when products come out at the bottom of the bottom rather than the top, it's such a hassle to use up all of the products! We all fight to use up everything - don't deny it! lolz! 

The flip top cap is very easy to open and usually by now the caps snap off but I have used this over 10 times and had no problems with it!

Pro's:

• suitable for face and body - it hasn't irritated my face at all and I have very sensitive skin. 
• bottle is stood upright
• only need a little bit for the face and neck - a little goes a long way!
• water resistant and allows up to 80 minutes of uninterrupted water play before you should apply
• packaging does not melt in the sun - I have before had the tubes melt due to the heat which isn't good for the products as it can be cancerous
• does not stain clothes
• suitable for children over 6 months old so it can be used for the whole family
• does not make the skin oily even out in the sun

Con's:

• Just available in 1 size only
• the highest SPF available is just the 35 
• there is a slight refreshing scent to this product but it wears off once it is soaked into the skin

I apply this as a base after my skin care regime in the morning, then my make up over. It hasn't caused my skin to become dry or oily, which is an important factor as it can make the skin look too unhealthy and cause break outs as well as the make up to smudge. I also use my moisture mist spray over my face to set my make up.

There are active ingredients which make this product unique:

•  Mentha piperita (peppermint leaf extract) - a skin-soothing extract that helps reduce skin sensitivity and promotes a feeling of well-being.
• Green tea extracts (Tēgreen97®) - a proprietary extract of green tea catechins, which are powerful antioxidants that scavenge cell-damaging free radicals.
• SeaLastin - helps protect the skin’s support structures, promoting healthy collagen and elastin levels for skin suppleness.
• Heat shock proteins - a unique technology that enhances the skin’s ability to protect against heat and UV stress, ensuring optimum cellular health.

I use this as my 3rd step to my face regime in the morning (tone, cleanse then moisturise)

I use a small amount to cover my face then massage it gently into my neck in an upwards and outwards motion, this lets gravity make my face become more uplifted. As we grow old, we grow south!!










From the first use of this lotion, I have found that the product has been thick to start with, then it is absorbed into the skin easily and not caused it to become oily. It soaks in within 1-2 minutes and with it's unique cooling effect from the peppermint extract, it gives me the confidence that my skin is going to be protected for at least 5 hours in the sun!

Even though in the UK we don't get much sun, I ensure I use a higher SPF on a sunny day to save myself from re-applying the lotion. I try not to sit out in the sun for too long as I burn, my skin becomes red and then tan.
If I was to sunbathe properly then I would reapply every 60-80 minutes to maximise the coverage and still tan at the same time.

After about 35 circular motions of massaging the product onto my hands, it sets and looks like this in less than 30 seconds

I have experienced SPF lotions stains the clothes, especially when I am on holiday and my white clothes have streaks in and cannot wash out unless it is bleached! I am pretty sure a lot of you guys have experienced that too which is a complete waste of money on the garments! You go on holiday, go home with a tan but ruined garments!

I have not experienced any complains from my clothes so far, even when I have applied this to my arms, shoulders, neck and feet. It was such a suprise for me which made me enjoy using it even more!!

I work mainly indoors but when I am outdoors especially when I have a day of photoshooting, I always apply this to my face and body to ensure my skin is fully protected from the harmful rays. I hardly re-apply unless I am in the direct sun for longer than half hour, it's so handy to carry in my bag as the tube is not that heavy.

If you are looking for an SPF lotion which has major benefits for you and your family then check it out on www.nuskin.com , they ship world wide!

XOX

  ** I am a distributor for Nu Skin, this product was purchased with my own money and I have given my most honest opinion, I have not been contacted by the company to give this review in any way. **

Warming Masks Product Review

Warming Face Mask from Body Shop

I use to think that warming face masks were kinda weird and cool at the same time but as time went on, I decided I prefer to not use them for several reasons. One would be because it would always irritate my sensitive skin, and also the fact that the heat on the face would feel like it's doing it good, it actually isn't.

I must admit, I like the fact that it does heat up on my face, I think it's a clever idea to feel it reacting on the skin but that isn't necessarily the best thing for the skin. Once the skin is warm, pores open up, then we should use cold water to close up the pores but what happens if it's humid and you have just washed your face with cold water? The dirt still goes deep into your pores therefore finding products that can open pores and cleanse deep into those pores without any harmful tools is worth buying.

I don't believe in surgical interventions to look younger, looking good and feeling good is VERY important to me! 

I purchased this product from The Body Shop a few months ago as I enjoy using clay masks.
 I first tried a heated face mask when I was about 16, it was my moms and I wanted to know what it was so when I used it I was like 'WOW!! It really does heat up!!' haha!

For £10, there is 100ml of product, and I tend to use quite a large dollop on my face as I feel that the thin layer I apply doesn't feel like it sticks on the face as much. I have used it about 8 times and only about half the bottle has been used but depending on how much of the product you use each time, it could last you a bit longer than me.

The product comes out from the bottom of the tube and it sits upwards on a flat service which means once the lid opens, the product squirts out, hence why the lid doesn't look clean!

The product isn't hard to squeeze out of the tube unlike some I have tried in the past, and the lid flips open/close and locks in place so it is very secure and does not spill out.

The product claims:

•  to be suitable for all skin types leaving the skin clean and revitalised.
• Cleansing
• Oil-absorbing
• Weekly treatment

I have sensitive, dry/combination skin, I find that it is too harsh for my face and it irritated it for a few days. My face goes red and itchy then blotchy of dry skin. I don't have must natural oil on my skin therefore it dries out the skin and causes it to be painful.

2 layers of product

I did use this weekly, but then after a few treatments, I felt that my skin was tight and dry which irritated me and I hated it, had to apply night cream even in the day time.


The back of the product states that you can use it once or twice a week, I think once per week is enough for me but for those who have oily skin then they can use it twice a week.

It is advised to leave it on the skin for 5 minutes, for me that is way too long, 1-2 minutes is enough for me , although the skin does cool down from the 3-4th minute on the face.

I wash it off with cold water, it takes a while to wash off as the product is thick like PVA glue. My skin feels tight, dry and red, like I have been out in the sun without applying SPF cream! it's quite frightening to be honest, especially because I thought my skin would look and feel more cleansed!

after the product is washed off

This is my skin after I have washed the product off my face.
As you can see my cheeks are red and also my forehead. They remain red for a few hours as the skin is damaged from the heat of the cleanser.

What I do is I shower, then when the face is clean, I apply a thin amount with my fingers. I then apply another layer on, but its too thick and sticky, and very difficult to spread evenly without pulling the skin on my face!!! Annoying....  then pretty much straight away, I can feel my face being heated up, I leave it on for about 5-10 minutes in total. My face feels over heated up and itchy after about 10 minutes so I wash it off with cool water and my fingers, then pat it to dry. I usually find bumps on my face in certain areas, and they get itchy and burn. That's how I know this product isn't working for me and I have tried to use it a few times before! I give up......



Pro's:

• definitely has the heated sensation on the skin
• affordable price for a product that not many brands have
•  The Body Shop is available outside of UK (prices may vary)
• product comes in a squeezy tube and the lid is situated at the bottom which makes it easier for the product to come out

Con's:

• skin would feel tight after each use
• does not clear my black heads
• irritates my skin
• have to use quite a lot more than just a smear of product to my face
•  not suitable for sensitive or dry skin
• the scent is quite strong
• the product is too sticky, hard to wash off the skin
• have to apply a thick generous layer on the skin to make it even all over the face

Personally I would like to use products which maintain my skin's natural oil's and not make me itch my face, this one totally irritates it and now I have stopped using heated face products as I am worried it will ruin my skins' natural oils. 
For the price I paid, it didn't do me any favours and I would rather much spend my money on products that my skin would love.
 Everyone has different skin textures and skin types so it may work for others, and it may not. Unfortunately it didn't work for me but I am glad I tried it! I personally don't like the after effects of this product, I would recommend it for those who have oily skin but not thin skin or skin with lots of acne as it may do damage than good.
Enjoy!

XOX