BEAUTY: PORE MINIMIZING ROUTINE

Left to right: CLARINS Pore Minimizing Serum, LUSH Mask of Magnaminty, GOOD THINGS Deep Clean Blackhead Exfoliator

After reviewing CLARINS Pore Minimizing Serum, a lot of you said you were always looking to try product’s to help minimise your pores – especially during the warmer summer months, when they seem to be larger. I’m lucky enough to have a pore minimising routine that I have stuck to for several months now and it’s working wonders. Even better, it consists of only three products that are all relatively quick to use and can be factored in to your daily and weekly skin routines.

The first product I use daily is the GOOD THINGS Deep Clean Blackhead Exfoliator, which was mentioned a while back in my Spring Skincare Favourites. I’m still using this product every morning and it’s hugely helped with reducing my pores. It works by preventing bacteria that causes blackheads (which also causes your pores to become larger, especially across the nose and cheeks). This product is great for all skin types – don’t be put off it’s exfoliating properties even if you have sensitive skin, it’s a gentle exfoliator so won’t aggravate the skin like many other harsh exfoliators!

The second is, of course, CLARINS Pore Minimizing Serum. I now use this product daily. I apply one pump across my t-zone (forehead, nose, cheeks and chin) using my finger tips – you don’t need to rub this product in forever to ensure it works, which makes it even quicker to add to your daily routine. I’m still loving how long lasting this product is and cannot wait to continue using it during the winter months under a fuller coverage of make up – it’s going to make a great base to make those pores smaller all year round! You can read my full review of its ingredients and effectiveness here.

Lastly, I chose to include the LUSH cosmetics Mask of Magnaminty twice a week in my pore minimising routine. I love how uplifting this mask is, plus it’s amazing consistency means it lasts for ages too (oh, and it’s self preserving so can be kept with the rest of your skincare instead of being forgotten about in the fridge). I apply the mask with a fuller application for 15 minutes once a week, using a sponge to rinse off the product for a full cleanse of my pores. I then also apply the mask using a thinner layer of the product for 10 minutes once a week, using circular motions to give my pores a deep exfoliation.

This routine has minimised my pores so well and left me with clearer skin too. Smaller pores and clearer skin – woohoo!

Do you use any of these products in your skincare routines? Or will you be picking them up to reduce your pores? Let me know in the comments. Enjoy your clearer skin and minimised pores,

Bea-uty Blog

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BEAUTY: LUSH, SUMMER HOLIDAY FAVOURITES

LUSH Cosmetics: Seanik Shampoo Bar, Brazilliant Shampoo Bar, 9 To 5 Cleansing Lotion, Honey I Washed The Kids Soap, Karma Soap and Tea Tree Water Toner Water

Although I love prepping for Summer Holidays and the excitement that comes with it, shopping for toiletries with weight restrictions of flying in mind is never something I enjoy. This year I was lucky enough to pick up the majority of my Holiday essentials from LUSH cosmetics – no surprise there!

Instead of carrying huge bottles of shampoo, that take up far too much of my suitcase weight on board, I have chosen to take 2 LUSH Shampoo Bars with me this year – Brazilliant and Seanik. These take up hardly any room in my luggage and I’m confident that they will last me 3 month Stateside this Summer (they last me almost 2 months per bar back home). Plus, the two I have chosen are perfect for keeping my locks refreshed and healthy in the sun. You can read all my reasons for loving these Shampoo Bars here.

Sticking with the aim to not take an overweight case to the airport, I have traded bottles of shower gel with two blocks LUSH Soap in Karma and Honey I washed the Kids. You can buy these two perfectly sized blocks in an affordable set. I love how I now have the choice of a moisturising and soothing cleanse of my body with Honey I Washed The Kids or an uplifting shower for those tired days with Karma. Both these soaps smell better than any shower gel I would choose to take with me on holiday – hoorah!

Although the sun often clears my skin up wonderfully, I love to take a toner with me on Holiday to ensure I start the mornings and go to bed with skin that feels fresh and not still covered in sunscreen. This year I’ve taken the LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner Water with me Stateside. The Tea Tree in this toner works wonders with the sun to keep my skin blemish free during the summer months, super important when you’re applying oily sunscreen all day!

Finally, as a Summer Holiday is a time to relax and stroll down to the beach when you’ve woken up, a quick cleanser is crucial. I’ve taken the LUSH 9 To 5 Cleansing Lotion with me this year. I choose to apply this cleanser with a cotton wool pad in the mornings before I apply my sunscreen – nothing worse than applying to sunscreen to tired skin. This product is perfect for refreshing the face during those super hot summer days.

Do you have any beauty or skincare favourites you take on holiday with you? Or will you be taking any of these LUSH products with you this year? Let me know in the comments below! Enjoy your Summer Holiday, 

Bea-uty Blog

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BEAUTY: LUSH, HAUL #1

Left to right: Tea Tree Toner Water, Breath Of Fresh Air Toner Water, Mask Of Magnaminty and American Cream Condition

I recently realised I needed to restock my go-to toner from LUSH and of course, as soon as I popped in to my local LUSH store, it happened - a LUSH haul. I feel many of you will agree that it is almost impossible to venture in to any LUSH store without picking up several things, rather than just the one essential you went in to stock up on. 

Tea Tree Toner Water and Breath Of Fresh Air Toner Water

I picked up these two toners, both in the smaller size bottles as I sometimes like to carry a toner in my bag on warmer days. I like to include two toners that have different ingredients in my skin care routine as it allows me to adapt my routine according to the change in my skin (blemish prone). The Tea Tree Toner Water by LUSH is fantastic for breakouts/oily skin. Tea Tree has many anti-bacterial benefits, great for keeping the bacteria that causes breakouts away from your skin. On top of this, Tea Tree Water by LUSH contains Juniperberry - an additional ingredient that holds antiseptic qualities, helping to keep your skin clear and clean all day. So, it's getting rid of all the nasties we don't want on our faces but what is it giving us? LUSH have cleverly balanced this toner water with Grapefruit - super high in the vitamins your face needs! If my face is relatively breakout free I choose to use Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water, an option with less of the astringent ingredients and more of the refreshing ingredients. Breath of Fresh Air by LUSH contains many ingredients to soothe your skin and reduce redness, great for those warmer months, including Aloe Vera and Rose absolute. On top of these, it also includes Seaweed absolute - great for calming the skin, leaving you refreshed and cleansed all day! I choose to apply both these toner waters by spraying them 4/5 times onto cotton wool and wiping over my face, but you can also close your eyes and spritz directly on to your face (an option that's great to have throughout the day in Spring/Summer).

American Cream Hair Conditioner

Swatch: American Cream Hair Conditioner - only a tiny amount is needed to save your hair

As I'm a complete addict of LUSH Shampoo Bars (you can find my current favourites here), I thought I'd pick up one of their conditioners too. I went for American Cream Hair Conditioner as I've previously used solid conditioners by LUSH and found them too heavy for my hair. The joy of this thick conditioner is the minimal amount you need to apply (I only apply to the ends and through the length of my hair, this avoids greasy roots during the day).  Not only does this product's scent of strawberries and cream smell incredible, LUSH use fresh strawberries full of vitamin C to keep your hair healthy. To ensure your hair stays moisturised and protected from damage, American Cream includes Honey in it's extensive list of natural ingredients. Honey helps the hair, and skin, to heal whilst locking in moisture (you can find the benefits of honey for your skin here). I love the smell and benefits of this conditioner but am still needing to use a hair serum to give my hair a boost of shine once it's dry!

Mask of Magnaminty Face and Body Mask

Swatch: A thick consistency and a scrummy scent

I'm awfully slow to jump on this bandwagon, I know. But, I thought I should give it a try - some say it works wonders but others say it's overrated! I have often been undecided on how I feel about scented face masks (it's on your face for 10/15 minutes, a strong scent can be highly irritating for that long)! However, Mask of Magnaminty by LUSH has found the perfect balance with it's light and uplifting peppermint ingredient. I choose to apply this mask on just my face but it also doubles up as a body mask, a nice option to have available if you're having a head to toe pamper. A key ingredient in this mask is Marigold Oil. Known for it's benefits of protecting and soothing the skin, Marigold Oil will leave your skin feeling clear of impurities and moisturised when you remove the mask. I choose to remove Mask of Magnaminty using a damp sponge to ensure I remove it all. 13 ingredients in a product leading to the perfect balance for your skin? Woohoo. As well as this, it's thick consistency means application is easy and even all over!

I'm glad I couldn't resist the temptation of these products! Pop in to you local LUSH store if you like the sound of any of them too, their staff are always happy to demonstrate how to use them in store for you. Have you tried any of these LUSH products? Or do you have a different favourite? Enjoy discovering your favourite, 

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BEAUTY: LUSH, TOP THREE SHAMPOO BARS

Green Shampoo Bar: Karma Komba, Blue Shampoo Bar: Seanik, Orange Shampoo Bar: Brazilliant

Shampoo bars by LUSH Cosmetics - something we all need to invest in! I have now been using these small bars of shampoo goodness for almost 3 months and I never again want to have to use liquid shampoo from a giant bottle. All 5 bars I have tried and tested (Karma Komba, Seanik, Brazilliant, Jason and the Argan Oil and Montalbano) have left my hair feeling squeaky clean, quite literally - that super fresh, super clean just-washed-my-hair-in-natural-springs feeling you get from only natural products just like these.

Karma Komba: The 'I would be happy to constantly smell my hair today' bar. This bar is the most scented of the bars I have tried and tested, so far. The blend of lemongrass, orange, lavandin, pine and patchouli create a lovely up-lifting spring/summer scent for your wonderful locks. If you're looking for perfect shine and scent from your daily shampoo - this one is for you!

Seanik: The 'I've spent all day on the beach and yes, my hair still looks this good' bar. It's blend of seaweed, sea-salt and lemon make it the perfect bar to pop in your bag during the summer months to rescue that dried out hair! The fresh scent of lemon works great with the fantastic combination of ingredients to give your hair shine and volume. Hair that's lacking life from the battering of sun, sand, sunscreen and sea-water? This bar will save the day for you!

Brazilliant: The 'Go on, ask me how my hair looks this healthy 6 weeks after a cut' bar. The blend of oranges, andiroba oil, ylang ylang oil and a bunch of other fantastic nutrients will give your hair that rescue it's crying out for when it really needs a trim. I found this bar works best for the curl in my hair, I saw a definite reduction of frizz - a miracle? Maybe. If you've been 'gifted' with curly locks and are fed up of anti frizz products weighing your hair down - purchasing this bar will feel like a weight off your shoulders (literally)!

Tip: Lather the bar in your hand before applying to you hair.

All these bars lather up much better than liquid shampoo - meaning they last a lot longer and spread much further in your hair, perfect if you're a longer lock lady! I often lather the bar up in my hand before briefly rubbing the bar directly on to my hair (you don't even have to put it directly on to your hair, I just prefer doing this to ensure a thorough cleanse).

So, not only do these beautiful bars have no negatives (in my opinion), they are so much smaller and a lot less hassle than huge shampoo bottles. Even better, with summer coming up, they are the perfect size for taking on holiday and they'll leave you enough weight in your suitcase to pack another pair of shoes AND another summer dress - hoorah! LUSH have even provided us a perfectly sized travel tin which you can purchase here.

Head down to your nearest LUSH (or find them online at www.lush.co.uk) and pick yourself a bar to try. Let me know which are your favourites in the comments - enjoy, 

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