Current Skincare Essentials

When it comes to skincare it a routine that I love and I religiously follow. I have combination skin with my t-zone being quite oily whilst the rest of my face is normal. I do suffer from hormonal acne and when I haven't washed my brushes for a while. (ew!) Since I struggle with my skin, quite a lot I try and keep my routine the same. So I, double cleanse, acid exfoliate (if I need to), toner, eye cream, serum, moisturiser and a face mask of some sort. At the moment I tend to change up my cleansers, exfoliator, toner, eye cream and serum, depending on what my skin needs. So I thought I would talk you through my essentials: micellar water, moisturiser and face mask. 

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Micellar water is one of the best products for getting all of your make up off in one easy sweep. It is just so easy and fuss free and can be done in nearly every situation that you find yourself to be in where you need to take off your makeup. The difference is that I find the Garnier one really does work and doesn't really have a scent to it which is good for my sensitive skin. It is nice and gentle and leaves my face feeling nice and fresh afterwards. 

Origins Out of Trouble Mask 

I love face masks, they are so relaxing and do wonders to your skin. It include Zinc Oxide and Sulphur for absorbing all that oil, Camphor to calm the skin and Salicylic Acid, which we all know is good for defeating spots. I leave this on for ten minutes (or more if I get carried away watching YouTube videos) and then wash off with warm water and a flannel. This leaves my skin feeling so soft and calms all the redness that I had on my skin. 

Olay 3 Point Super Age Defying Cream

This is a lovely lightweight cream, which quickly absorbs into the skin leaving it feeling nice and moisturised. Perfect for when you are in a rush in the mornings. This does not leave me feeling greasy, in fact it gives me the perfect base for me to apply my make up straight on to, no need for primer then.

La Roche Posay Toleraine Ultra 

This has been a favourite of mine for years now. And I am currently using it as my night cream, although I do use it as my day cream sometimes too. It is quite light in consistency and although this isn't the usual sort of consistency I still feel like it moisturises my skin well enough for a night time moisturiser. It also makes for a good base for make-up if you are wanting to use it during the day. It has also been proven to make your skin less sensitive, which I am always for. 

Have you tried any of these products? I would love to know your thoughts on them. Don't forget you can also find me on Instagram and Twitter.

See you soon.

Jess

Morning Skincare Routine

After many years and years of trying lots of different skincare, I have finally gotten my morning skincare routine to something I am quite happy with at the moment. As you can see it only consists of three products but I am finding that the less products I use on my skin the better at the moment. 

As well as making sure I stick to my skincare routine I also make sure that I eat healthy, exercise regularly and try and drink as much water as possible as these have all been shown to have a good effect on your skin. 

I have a different routine in the evening so if you want me to do a post on that I can. 

Step 1: Face Wash
Product: Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash

I have been using this for quite a while now, in fact this is my second bottle. It is nice and cheap and seems to help clear my spots a bit quicker. 

Step 2: Eye Cream
Product: Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment

A new addition to my skincare stash is the Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment. I saw a lot of people talking about this product and after a reaction to another eye cream I thought that this would be the best one for me to try as I can get a bit of eczema on and around my eyes. 

Step 3: Moisturiser
Product: Boots Botanics Mattifying Gel Cream 

I have been using this since January or February and at first I didn't like it. This is when I was using other products and I found that it would roll off my skin, as I was using too many silicones I think.  But now I am not using as many products it is good, to prepare my skin for makeup, as my skin can get quite oily during the day this make sure it doesn't start off oily. 

And then it is time for make-up. 

See you soon. 

Jess
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Fitness Friday #5 - April Round Up

Now I realise it has been a long time since I have done a fitness post but don't worry I haven't given up on fitness I am still working out most days following Lucy's monthly calender. 

This month she decided to do a challenge for us which was #lwrhiitin4 which was a 4 Minute Hiit workout uploaded every day at 6:30 with one rest day a week which was the same as the rest day on her monthly calendar. 

With each video she uploaded the workouts got harder and harder which is good as it means your body is working harder too. She also provides a variation on the moves if you are just starting out in fitness too, so the challenge is suitable for everyone.

If you want to start the monthly challenge Lucy has created a playlist here, so you can start whenever you want.

I wanted to share with you my favourite five workouts from this series: 

These aren't necessarily the ones I found the hardest, (because omg some of the week 4 ones are so hard) but the ones I feel I benefited from the most afterwards. Obviously as I have been following it in order I haven't done any twice yet but these would be my go to ones in the future. 

So here are my before and after photos, you probably can't tell the difference as I haven't gained or lost any weight just maintained. But my before is on the left and my after is on the right. 

I do have to say though that after completing this challenge I feel a lot better within myself. I don't feel like I have wobbly bits on me any more I feel like I have toned up a lot more all over, in particular my abs and my arms. I feel a lot more confident within myself now. 

The other positive thing is #LucysSquad there are loads of people out there now doing the challenge and its nice to see other peoples achievements as it keeps me motivated. 

Lucy is also bringing out an e-book on May 3rd to go alongside this series which will have a few extra workouts and it will have some nutritional advice in it too, which will compliment the workouts. I can't wait to see the e-book. 

Next month Lucy is starting another challenge #lucys100reps which is where Lucy will be uploading a new video every day with 100 reps in it. I can't wait to see what challenges she brings. 

Thanks to Lucy for being so dedicated to her job, I don't know many people who'd want to film and upload all those videos in one month and now she is doing another. Such dedication. 

What have you been doing to keep fit in April? 

See you soon. 

Jess

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The Papergang From Ohh Deer

So I feel like along with every other blogger I have a bit of an obsession with stationary. I mean who can say no to the idea of being organised, so when I heard about the subscription service from Oh Deer I just had to get on board with it.  

The Papergang Service has only recently just launched and I think that this is it's second box, but I am not 100% certain on that. This is very much like a beauty subscription box but for stationary instead. Each month you will get a mix of greetings cards, notebooks, desk accessories and art prints. 

Inside this months box I got a lovely selection of products! I got two greetings cards, which I cannot wait to decide who to give to.There are two prints (one big and one small), a pad of lined note paper and a wooden ruler. 

I actually love the idea of this subscription service, I think because it is the first of it's kind. And it is not too expensive either it £9.95 + shipping which if you live in the UK is £1.95. 

Also if you want 10% off an order at Ohh Deer then you can use the code: PAPERGANGSTER.

See you soon. 

Jess
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Confessions Of A Shopaholic

Now I would be one of the first to admit that I am a bit of a shopaholic, I don't think I can even go a day without buying something. I mean I'm not buying Chanel handbags everyday, but I always find myself purchasing food or something unnecessary. Then I always wonder where my money has gone. 

So I thought it would be nice to do a little post on my confessions as a shopaholic. 

Buying things to cheer yourself. 
This often happens that I will be having a bad day and the one thing I think is oh I'll just pop into Boots on my way home and buy myself some make up that I don't really need to cheer myself up. Tell me I am not the only one that does this? 

Buying things that you already own. 
Going on a little shopping spree and buying things that take your fancy. Bringing that lush top you bought and realising you have already got it. Although it is good if you've bought it in another colour to the one you have already got. 

When your wardrobe is too full. 
You know you do too much shopping when your wardrobe is literally about to burst with clothes and you have to strategically place things in to make sure that it fits in. 

Having clothes that you have never worn. 
When you go out shopping and find something that would be perfect for an occasion but that occasion has yet to arise. Might as well keep it just in case the occasion does arise. 

You have so many missed parcel slips, it is almost embarrassing. 
So your next delivery of essential for life clothes get delivered whilst you are at work or school and a little red slip gets put through your letter box. Then going to the parcel office with all your slips in toe and feeling judged by the parcel man when he brings back five Asos parcels for you. 

Please tell me I am not the only one who is a shopaholic. 

See you soon. 

Jess
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Review: Xen Tan Fresh Face Tan

So as part of another instalment of my tan reviews, I have chosen to review the Xen Tan Fresh Face Tan, mostly because when I was looking to but it I could not find much about it in the blogging world, so I thought I would give my two cents. (Is this a phrase? I am not too sure, but lets just roll with it) 

I decided to test this as I have never used a face tanner before I used to just use a body tanner on my face but then I realised it did not help my skin situation at all and since then I have just left my face bare and used foundation to match up. This is great until you want to go out without any makeup on and not feel like everyone is staring at you when your face is six shades lighter than the rest of your body. 

So before I carry on this is what Xen-Tan claim the Fresh Face Tan can do:

• Packed with anti-ageing vitamins
• Aloe Vera helps to retain moisture to soothe your skin
• Lightweight formula gives you a sheer, medium tan in just 3-4 hours
• Lightweight formulations guarantees it feels weightless and looks great with or without makeup
• Great vanilla scent
• Buildable sheer colour for customised tanning, Optimum Complex-30 means tan develops into a rich, natural shade
• Paraben free
• Suitable for all skin types 

Now that we know all about the product lets get on to the good bit - the review. 

Before I applied this I did my normal evening skincare routine and added this on the end after my moisturiser. Afterwards I washed my hands to make sure excess fake tan was not left there. 

When I woke up in the morning I did not really notice a difference. I thought oh well maybe I should try a second layer tonight. But when I came home from work and I was taking my make up off I noticed my face looked a bit more tanned than it usually did. This must mean that it take nearly whole day to develop on the skin to its full colour. It was not very dark but it did make me look a bit more tanned than my usual white self. 

The only down side of this product for me is that a couple of days after I broke out in huge under the skin spots. I know that it was this product as I had not introduced any other skin care products into my regime. This is unfortunate as I actually really like the colour it gave me. 

Have you got any face tan recommendations that won't break me out? 

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. I keep planning them but never actually write any. 

See you soon.

Jess

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What I Ate Wednesday {05.04.2016}

Breakfast (6am) 
I know it seems like I have dates and porridge with semi skimmed milk for breakfast, every week but recently I have been switching it up, it was just luck that I happened to be eating this today. Although I have mixed it up by having honey as well as cinnamon with it today. 

Morning Snack (10am) 
After I have been at work for a couple of hours I have a snack of an apple and a honey yoghurt. This isn't my favourite yoghurt but it is nice to have something healthy with my oranges. 

Lunch (12pm)
This week I didn't know what to make for my lunch, so I have been buying from my work cafe  (very dangerous as I could just eat chips everyday). But today I had chicken and noodle soup with a brown roll. You even get a sneak peak at everyone else lunches too. 

Afternoon Snack (2:30pm) 
It is usually in the afternoon when I am waiting for the time to get to home time, that I start to need an energy boost. So I had for afternoon snack, an apple and a granola bar. This is also when I got a coffee from the coffee machine at work. 

Dinner (7pm)
This is one of my favourite dinners and I used to have it at uni a lot as it is very easy to make. Whooops... I forgot to say what it actually is, its lamb noodles, made with onions, peppers and carrots and of course a good amount of soy sauce. I am aware that it look pretty grim on the plate but I still love it. 

Evening Snack (9pm)
After my workout I feel like I deserve a treat so I take a quick shower and get into my pyjamas. I must have been feeling generous tonight. I had lemon cupcake that I made at the weekend and an oat and raisin cookie. I think this is my all time favourite cookie as it is so nice and soft and it also feels a bit healthy too, well not when you pair it with a cupcake. 

And that is it! What did you eat today?

See you soon. 

Jess
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