Current Skincare Basics

Since coming back from America, my skin has decided to throw a little tantrum (not that I can blame it) at the change in environment and climate. I've had to completely overhaul my skincare routine in an attempt to pacify my skin as it throws all sorts of problems at me - cystic acne breakouts and increased sensitivity to name just a few. The sun and simplified skincare routine in America seemed to work wonders for my skin, but perhaps the reintroduction of my whole skincare stash proved a little too much too soon and so I've been working on a new skincare routine which is a lot simpler and more compact product-wise.

With my Origins Zero Oil cleanser on its last legs, I decided to try a new cleanser from Aesop. The Fabulous Face Cleanser is actually targeted at slightly dry, sensitive skin but its olive oil base seems to work in soothing my irritated skin, leaving it feeling baby soft without a hint of dryness or tightness that some cleansers can leave. It doesn't really foam up, which I'm not used to, but it does clean away all traces of dirt and oil. I haven't been using this for terribly long yet, but I do have high hopes for this cleanser. If anything, it looks super pretty chilling in its pharmacy style glass bottle by my sink.

Toner-wise, I've reverted back to LUSH Tea Tree Water which I strayed away from over the past few months. It's packed with tea tree and this usually is a wonder for me in sorting out troubled, blemished skin so I'm hoping it doesn't let me down this time. I spray a good 8-10 sprays on a cotton pad, swipe all over my face and get on with the rest of my routine. I have been alternating this with an exfoliating toner, but that's a whole other post in itself...

I'm trying to limit the different numbers of serums and treatments that I'm using, at least until my skin is back in check, but I've been trying out HealGel Face* for a good few weeks now and it's something that I'm thoroughly enjoying. I use this both morning and evening after toning and before moisturiser. It's essentially an anti-ageing treatment, but it also claims to help with uneven skin tone which is right up my street. It's a gel-cream consistency and sinks into my skin beautifully, leaving it feeling so soft and hydrated.

In my new simplified skincare routine, I wanted a moisturiser that wasn't too heavy or rich, but equally I need something that does pack a bit of a moisture punch now that we're getting into the colder months. Origins GinZing Moisturiser does just that. Again, it's a gel-cream consistency which my oily skin just loves. It makes for the perfect base to apply my makeup as it does sink in quickly, but I'm not totally sold on the energy boosting claims. It's still early days with this one, so I'll be sure to report back...

Of course, alongside this skincare arsenal I've been trying out spot treatments like nobody's business and I'm still struggling to find something that lives up to its claims.

What do you do when your skin throws a tantrum? Do you have any go-to products? Help me!

Intellicig Electronic Cigarette

Intellicig Disposable Electronic Cigarette - £6.49*

This post is a little different to the usual beauty ramblings going on here, but it's something quite personal and I hope it will help at least a few people somewhere out there. I am a smoker. It's not something I ever intended to be, and least of all something I'm proud of. I started smoking on and off when I was around 14, and I've "quit" more times than I can count over the years. The only really successful time I managed to quite was back in January when I went cold turkey and managed to stay off the cigarettes for a good 7 months before caving again whilst in the USA over the summer. It felt amazing to go through each day not craving a cigarette, not stinking of stale tobacco smoke and having an irritating constant cough. I could kick myself for starting up again, but unless you're a smoker you won't understand just how easy it is to get hooked time and time again. I'm determined to stop smoking again for health reasons, financial reasons and well, every reason under the sun - there isn't one positive reason to smoke for me anymore.

I received a couple of electronic cigarettes from Intellicig to trial and review, which couldn't have come at a better time. This brand of electronic cigarettes are made in the UK and uses ECOpure e-liquid. Each cigarette contains around 350 puffs which is the equivalent of 35 regular cigarettes. These are disposable, so you don't need to worry about charging or refilling. I've been using these as a replacement for smoking for the past couple of weeks, and I have to say I'm impressed. I always thought this type of thing was a bit of a gimmick if I'm honest, but the action of actually picking up the 'cigarette', inhaling and then seeing the 'smoke' (vapour) afterwards is strangely satisfying. I much prefer the rich variation to the regular, as I don't really get much at all from the regular. If you're considering quitting smoking (you should!) then I'd really recommend trying this product as it's the one thing helping me from going insane or, alternatively, eating the entire kitchen right now. Smokers, I'm sure you'll understand...

Lily Lolo Shimmer Stripes

Lily Lolo Rose Glow Shimmer Stripes - £19.99*

I'm always on the hunt for products which promise to give my skin a healthy glow, especially now that summer is over and my skin is suffering from some cold weather dullness. Lily Lolo is a mineral cosmetics brand which offer a whole host of beauty products with one thing in common - natural. I've become a little bit of a convert to natural products recently, so this brand seems right up my street. All of their products are free from parabens, perfumes and dyes and what's even better is they're cruelty free! Lily Lolo's Shimmer Stripes are part of their new Classic and Metallics Collection, alongside some gorgeous eyeshadow palettes. The shade Rose Glow contains 5 stripes of various shades, all centred around providing a rosy, pink-toned glow to the cheeks - the clue is in the name!

Packaging wise, the compact looks pretty slick and contains a decent sized mirror. It feels quite heavy and luxe, so I reckon it'll be pretty sturdy for carrying around. The consistency felt a little strange to me. It wasn't soft and buttery, and I had to work my brush a little more to get a decent pay-off but that might be due to my inexperience of working with mineral products perhaps? The product also has an odd scent, but again that might just be me. It's not hugely pigmented, but with a product like this you don't really need it to be. I use this on top of my regular blusher to give an added dimension of rosy glow-y goodness. It did take me a little while to work out how to use this, I must admit! I guess you could call it a hybrid between a blusher and a highlighter, but once you've gotten your head around that, it's a little gem.

Shimmer Stripes also come in the shade Honey Glow which is a more bronze-toned palette.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - £21

I'm sure we've all heard the hype surrounding this little tube of concealing goodness, and I'm no exception. I had never intended to spend £21 on concealer, as my favourite Collection number was doing a more than fine job, but I spied this at duty free on my way home from New York last month and as I had some spare dollars left, I decided to treat myself. I picked up the shade 'Vanilla' which is ever so slightly too light for my post-America skin at the moment, but it'll be the perfect shade as my tan fades over the winter-y months. As usual, the typical NARS packaging is gorgeous. The rubbery black end does get a little mucky looking, but it's easily wiped clean. Offering high coverage with no caking and a super lightweight feel, this concealer is pretty much a winner. The consistency is perfect for the under-eye area as it isn't heavy at all, but the high coverage also makes it great for use on blemishes or, in my case, any red areas or scars. I use this alone with a little powder on lazy days and I find it gives the perfect amount of coverage for me.

So, is it worth the hype? Definitely. Am I willing to shell out £21 when this runs out? Maybe not. I'm sure there are drugstore alternatives which are just a fraction of the price, and as a skint student I am making it my mission to find one before this runs out... Challenge accepted!

MAC RiRi Woo

I need to pay homage to my perfect red lipstick. MAC Riri Woo - I have finally found you, and I shall never let you go. I purchased this on a whim back when the first Riri for MAC collection was released, and I'll admit I was sucked in by the hype and I was determined to get this lipstick before it sold out (which only took a couple of hours, I might add). I wasn't looking for love, I was merely curious about what was out there but what I found has blown me away. Riri Woo is a variation of MAC's classic Ruby Woo lipstick. It's a retro matte formula so it's not the creamiest of lipsticks and it does drag when applying. However, it's the perfect red shade and it lasts forever. I swear. I hate wearing lipsticks on nights out because I'm terribly messy when I drink, so my lipstick is usually off within an hour of sloppily drinking out of a mug and having a social cigarette or 10. But with Riri Woo, I wake up after a night out with no money, no dignity, sometimes no shoes but I always have Riri Woo left on my lips. It takes a good scrub to get this stuff off!

This is just my ultimate go-to lipstick for a night out when I want to make a bold statement with my lip colour. My search for the perfect red is over, ladies and gentlemen, this love affair is truly for keeps.