Friday 23 September 2016

New facial routine

After going to Gorgeously Green 2016 and getting a few products given for the face. I've only just started using them, but my skin definitely feels better for doing so!

Without further ado, here's an introduction to the products I have been using for the past couple of weeks!

Mallow+White Soothe Cleansing Oil*
I was given a sample of this cleansing oil (I would say it's half the size of an actual bottle of the oil). I have to say this is the first cleansing oil I have ever used. This product has made me love the feel of cleaning my face properly with warm water and a flannel (which isn't to say I never cleaned my face; but it was with a wipe, not a warm flannel). I love the feel of the oil on my face, and leaving it to draw out the gunk that I know has been sinking into my skin from the 12odd hours since I last properly cleaned my face. I love the smell of cucumbers, my brain relates the smell to the feeling of being fresh and clean. This oil has opened my eyes to the world of cleansing oils and I can't wait to try more!

Pukka Organic Rosewater
This was recommended to me as a toner by Katie (over at KatieVibes). I've never used a toner before, I didn't really know what the point of them was. To be honest, I still don't know what it's doing to my face, but it does feel refreshing. We recently had a heatwave and when it was super hot I spritzed some over my arms as well as my face - it really helped to cool me down and make me feel refreshed. My only issue with it is the smell; perhaps it's just me, but the smell didn't entice me before - it has grown on me since - but the smell seems acquired to me. But like I said, maybe it's just me being a bit weird.

Evolve Beauty's Daily Renew Face Cream*
I have always used a moisturiser morning and night, but before was just using the cheap and cheerful one from the local supermarket (which was probably doing nothing for my face). I have to use a thin moisturiser, because thicker ones make the dry skin on my face more eczema-y and the oilier parts of my face even oilier. I've always been of the opinion that if I need to add extra moisturiser once the previous lot has sunk into my skin I will add more. I love the smell of this cream, it has a tropical coconut smell to it - coconut is one of my favourite smells! It feels soothing to put the cream on too. It is also the consistency that I love, thin enough to moisturise but not feel heavy. My only issue is that it's in a pot, I'm not the biggest fan of sticking my fingers into a pot (I don't want germs to fester). I have stopped using this product for the past week, as something caused my skin to erupt in spots, and I'm trying to figure out what it is. Hopefully it isn't this product, because I really like it.

Evolve Beauty's Miracle Facial Oil*
I have never really used a facial oil before; I have had one, but the smell put me off of using it - I am a sweet smell person, not a strong or heavy smell person. I was pleasantly surprised with this facial oil; it does have a more "mature" smell to it, but it's not unpleasant. The smell has grown on me. I like to use this more of an evening time, where it can really soak into my face. Instead of the face cream I have been using this both morning and evening for the past week.


Monday 12 September 2016

Gorgeously Green 2016

One of the main reasons (other than telling you all about my fave summer reads or my fave days out) for starting this blog was a document the beginnings of my natural beauty journey. Long story short - I have very bad combination skin. One day it's oily and I've broken out in spots. The next my eczema flares up, and I spend all day itching flaking skin. I am currently on steroid creams and antibiotics to try to clear it up but I'm sick to death of feeling awful to look good. I want to feel healthy inside and out.
I've started eating more healthily, when I'm back at uni I'm going to rejoin the gym (and actually go this time). I want to feel good in my own skin for once.
This weekend (the 10th to the 11th of September) I attended the 'Gorgously Green' blogging event - an event based around green beauty - with a close friend and fellow blogger Katie (from katievibes.com).
I met some lovely bloggers, all much more seasoned than I am, who were all very lovely and on the level - I had worried that I would feel out of place but I was completely wrong. 
There were four different brands speaking; Mallow + White, Evolve Beauty, Terre Verdi and Beeutiful. All four talks were informative and made me want to buy all the products! They all smelt great - I am all about things smelling good.
I love that these brands are close by to where I live, two of these are around the corner from me. Not only am I being good for my face, I'm being good the to environment. Green beauty all around!
Freebies from the event - minus a B-balm lip-balm* that my mother wanted

Once I've got some empties from the event I will post up my reviews. I am excited to try everything!