Skin Secrets

Confessions... of my Skin Secrets

I have decided to let you in on my skin care routine.

Rule 1

Face wipes are the DEVIL. Seriously, step away from the wipes.
They are normally drying and they don't remove all of your makeup. The wipes can leave a sticky residue on your face causing a barrier and preventing moisturisers from penetrating the skin. The towelette can be too rough a texture and you can drag, even scratch the skin. Wipes are definitely too harsh for your delicate eye area. Most wipes are not designed to remove waterproof products and the up and down, round and round friction can be irritating and could even cause premature ageing. If you have to, keep some wipes in your bag as a quick freshen up... But frankly I won't use them. 

For me my face is everything. I'm not 6ft tall with legs like the M1. My hair is far from long and luscious, and my abs are snuggled away underneath a nice warm layer of fat. So my face is me. It's what I show the world every day. It's how people recognise me. It's how I show my personality not just with makeup but with my exaggerated facial expressions. If my skin is looking good, I feel good and I'm more confident. 

      Back to the rules... 

Rule 2

What goes on must come off!
Slap addicts take it off. Remove your makeup at the end of the day. Please! I watched a video recently of the glamorous Charlotte Tilbury saying that at the end of the day she locks herself in her bathroom. Removes all of her makeup with several lotions and potions applied afterwards, only to reapply a foundation, mascara, eyeliner and blush. She says that no man has seen her without her face on not even whilst giving birth.  Whilst I applaud her for being a 24/7 glamour goddess I have to say I think the sexiest thing is confidence in your own skin. It's a long process for some but learning to love yourself is so important. There is no shame in your bare face, embrace it. The benefits of clean skin out weigh that awkward feeling when you first show your naked face. 

Rule 3 

Get your face out of the sun it's not the 70's there is no excuse. The sun and sun beds are damaging they really are not good for you. Yes they cause premature ageing but more worryingly cancer. I know that glow makes you feel good but skin cancer certainly isn't pretty. Always use an  SPF. I use Avene light hydrating moisturiser SPF 20 and my foundation is also SPF 10. I can't express the importance of sun protection. If your skin is changing colour that's damage. Yes sunlight is good for you I'm not saying go and live in a cave or avoid it like the Cullen's from Twilight. But, be wise about your exposure.

Rule 4 

Wash with water. I know there are lots of makeup removers and cleansers out there that you apply to your skin with cotton wool. But ladies, we wouldn't wash our bodies with wet wipes for weeks on end would we? No, that's gross. So make sure you wash your face. To remove makeup I use a facial oil. I use a foundation that doesn't budge and oil is the best at getting it off.

My routine 

Every morning and evening I wash my face with Avene Cleanence Expert gel wash. I avoid any foaming face washes. Foaming washes disrupt the skins acid mantle ( the protective barrier) making it more alkaline. If the skin is left in an alkaline PH is becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Bacteria = spots. So please if you’re suffering with spots avoid the foaming washes. If I am cleaning my face of an evening before I cleanse with the Avene I use a facial oil to remove makeup. I find facial oils are really fantastic and removing long wear foundations and waterproof products.

I then move on to Tone ...  

Tone/exfoliate

I use a gentle toner once or twice a day with acids that help to exfoliate the skin. You can exfoliate in two ways. One is with acids ( don't be scared look for glycolic and salicylic ) and the other is with abrasives like scrubs. I use the toner with acid in once a day and once a week I use an abrasive. The acid helps to reduce sebum and build up of dead skin sells. This prevents the dreaded black heads and white heads. It also puts your skin at a productive PH level and helps it to regenerate. The abrasive exfoliator which I use once a week removes any flaky skin on the surface. Find something that works for your skin. Exfoliation is good for all skin types, you just need to find what works for you.

Serum

I use a hydrating serum from Avene. As much as I find my skin is oily it is also dehydrated. Definitely not helped by the copious amounts of tea that I drink. There are a million serums all offering varying results. If you're looking for a fantastic night time serum the one I would recommend is Estée Lauder night repair. This serum is liquid heaven for your face. It turns any moisturiser in to a treatment as it helps it to penetrate deeper in to the skin. It is pricey, so don't purchase on a whim. Remember you can try the products in store and ask for a sample. I justify it as I spend that on a dress for a night out so really I should be prepared to spend it on my face that I wear every day.

Moisturise

You must moisturise twice a day.
It doesn't need to be thick and greasy unless you want it like that. But moisturise in the morning after you have cleansed your skin and in the evening. If you want to pack a punch at night and use restoring/anti ageing etc then go for it. I use a light hydrating moisturiser that dries matte and has an SPF 20. It is great for using underneath makeup. Clean moisturised skin is essential for getting a flawless makeup application.

Eye cream

I didn't really think about it till I turned 25. What with everyone constantly looking down at there phones. I think our eyes are creasing faster than ever. We all live busy lives and we're all staring at computers and televisions 24/7. We're not sleeping and were stressed.
People say your eyes are the windows to your soul. I bet they are the first thing to tell on you when you try to deny those drinks last night. Be gentle with your application use your ring finger to apply the product and be careful not to drag the skin. You can start anti ageing in your 20's or 30's and it's been proven to prevent lines and wrinkles from appearing later on. I apply an eye cream morning and night. In the mornings I ensure its thoroughly settled into my skin before I apply mascara otherwise it can cause it to smudge. 

Skin care is not one size fits all.

First of all determine your skin type. Second of all look at your sun exposure, your sleeping habits and your diet and then look to find a good regime for yourself. Remember that it can take several weeks before you notice changes. There are plenty of wonderful products that do not cost an arm and a leg. Shop around for discounts and offers in store and online. There are regimes out there for every budget.  Not having time is not an excuse. Be patient and persevere, your best skin is yet to shine. 

Fall for these...

Nail colours for fall...

If you're in the UK you will understand why I'm thinking about Autumn in August. The weather has been terrible! I had to get my winter coat out the other day. 

As the weather changes so does my wardrobe and with that matching or clashing mani pedi's are on order. 

I love Barry M nail polishes especially the Gelly Hi-Shine. They are currently on offer in Superdrug, buy one get the second half price. They have really great colour pay off and are chip resistant. 

For the Autumn I'm feeling dark blues, greens, burnt oranges, greys, berries and coppery metallics. 

I love experimenting with nail colours. Its the easiest way to change up your look.  

Here are a few I've fallen for this season...

Forest green under £4

Dark blue under £4

Chai under £4

Beachy under £7

British racing green £12

Paprika under £4

Intense Plum under £5

Confessions ... Of Tooth Whitening

Confessions…

Tooth Whitening 

If it’s out there I have tried it.

I've always had an obsession with “good” teeth.  Maybe its from when I was a baby and my first gift as a new born was a peppermint coloured tooth brush – my dad, bless him, thought babies had teeth! I can honestly say I didn't and got them at the normal age.

Now everyone's perception of good teeth is different. If you ask your dentist it’s all about healthy teeth and gums, not needing any restorative treatment. If you ask an Orthodontist is more to do with how they are positioned and how they bite together.

My Nan might say "a set that don’t fall out when you talk" – (meaning her dentures)

For me it’s several things the health, the alignment and the all important shade.

Tooth whitening has been around for ages.The first time I had my teeth whitened was for my 18^th birthday in 2008. I went to a salon and had quite an invasive treatment. I was left with sensitivity, burnt gums and disappointing results.

However, things have moved on a lot since then. There are lots of products on the market claiming to whiten your teeth: Toothpastes, mouthwash, gels, pens, paper strips, electric tooth brushes. You name it, its claiming to provide results.

I’m not saying that all the products you can buy in the shops don’t work. Quite the contrary, if you brush your teeth 2-3 times a day and use an electric teeth brush you may see some lifting of surface stains. Having regular hygienist appointments will also help to remove stubborn stains and calculus from your teeth. 

Diet plays a big part as well as genetics.Some people have naturally darker teeth. Also if you have darker skin the colour of your teeth can appear whiter than in comparison to someone with lighter skin. If you eat and drink heavily staining foods such as red wine, teas, soy sauce, curry on a regular basis your teeth are more likely to darken quicker than someone who doesn't. Smoking is another stain devil that can really darken your smile.

My advice to anyone wanting whiter teeth is to up your oral hygiene routine, quit smoking and reduce staining foods from your diet. If you want further whitening results I suggest you go to a dentist.

In the UK there are strict rules as to the strength of bleaching agents – they are much lower than the US.

Whitening teeth can cause sensitivity and you must remember that tooth bleach will only lighten enamel. It won’t lighten fillings, veneers or crowns.

Having a consultation with your dentist will let you know if it’s suitable for you. They can also provide you with your current shade and possibly give you an indication as to how white your teeth will become with the system they use.

The cost of whitening varies from practice to practice. On average from what I have seen is the cost is from £200-£500.

The dentist may whiten your teeth in his surgery, he may make some trays for you to take home that you use every day to whiten your teeth. Alternatively he may provide you with a combination of both. Tooth whitening if completed by a professional can be a lovely way to enhance your smile and your confidence. It doesn’t last a life time so top ups may be needed in the future.

There is a limitation to how white your teeth will go.  A lot of celebrities have very unnaturally bright smiles. The truth is it’s probably not natural. Many celebrities have crowns or veneers on their teeth made out of porcelain and choose a very white shade.

It’s all down to preference but I know I’d rather have a little more natural look than Simon Cowel. I don’t want to blind my friends when I smile at them – Speaking of friends, does anyone remember poor Ross’s experience?

Remember if you’re doing anything invasive go to a professional. Keep your teeth clean and keep smiling!