More than a Primer

I don't often declare something holy grail in my kit and my personal makeup stash; especially a product I've only been using for just under a month.

Alas here I am dubbing the Smashbox Primer Water officially Holy Grail and I assure for more reasons than just "it's a great primer" which by the way it is but more on that shortly. 

Smashbox Cosmetics, if you don't know is pro makeup brand from LA; their products are fantastic and we in the UK are lucky enough to have them available to us at most large Boots stores and online. Smashbox are renowned for their primers; with a range to suit all skin types and skin issues (e.g oiliness, redness etc). So when they released the "Primer Water" I had a feeling this was going to be something special.

The Primer Water is silicone free, alcohol free and oil free and dispenses a refreshing light mist on to the face. I use it after moisturising my skin and it instantly wakes me up in the morning, providing a smooth, hydrated base for makeup application. This can also be used to set makeup; it locks in the foundation and gives extra hydration especially as I tend to have some dry patches on my face and they begin to show throughout the day as my foundation begins to settle into my skin but after using this primer those patches don't occur and my makeup doesn't budge avoiding any re-applying. I've received comments on how vibrant and glowing my skin looks on days that I have used this which is always a bonus!

I have loved using this during the warmer days that we have had in London recently; spritzing it all over my face throughout the day to refresh my face and makeup. I did fear that my oily t-zone will get worse due to the hydrating properties in this primer; yet it didn't feel congested or look oily at all during the course of the day.

Smashbox really have changed the face primer game with this, its an all in one (holiday friendly); a face primer, a setting spray and a face refresher. This is a staple in my daily makeup routine and in my professional makeup kit. I absolutely love how this makes my skin look and feel when wearing makeup. It's my foundations new best friend!

If you have never tried a primer with your makeup before or if you are looking for a new primer give this one a go.

x o x o

Disclaimer:

All products mentioned were purchased by me and I am in no way sponsored by any of the brands mentioned.

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The DIY Facial: Featuring Alpha-H Skincare

Who doesn't love a bit of pampering; relaxing on a massage bed listening to tranquil music and getting your skin free from impurities and all of that done by someone else. We all love it, but lets face it we don't always have the time (or money) to go to a salon/beautician to do it for us so why not give yourself a little "at home" pampering.

I use the Alpha-H range I had gotten a while back when I was struggling to get my skin back to some sort of normality and its always a facial regime I go back to when my skin needs that pampered feeling. I normally do this on a Sunday morning when I know I have no where to be; and tend to do it every two weeks or at least once a month. The deep cleanse and mask helps to rejuvenate and refresh my skin leaving it feeling and looking brighter and healthier.

Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser

I start by cleansing my skin with the Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser with Aloe Vera; this is a creamy cleanser which leaves my skin feeling so clean without feeling stripped great for those with combination skin.

Cleansing your skin is essential as it is preparing the skin and removing any dirt or makeup that has built up on the surface of the skin as well as underneath the skin.

Alpha-H Micro Cleanse

Even though you have cleansed it is vital to exfoliate (scrub) your skin. This helps to remove any dead skin and helps to open up the pores which prepares your skin for the mask to do its job effectively. The Alpha-H Micro Cleanse does much more than just exfoliate;  the Glycolic acid really helps to deeply cleanses the skin. What I love about this exfoliant is that its not gritty at all and although its doing so much to the skin I do not feel like my skin is dry or stripped at all after using it.

Alpha-H Balancing and Pore Refining Mask

This mask has to be my favourite step purely because it does wonders for my skin. It is a clay mask that draws out the impurities from the pores and helps to reduce blemishes.
My skin is left feeling softer and smoother and my pores look clearer. Even though it is clay based, I have never experienced any tightness or dry skin intact it feels mud hydrated and supple.
I apply the mask with a flat foundation brush simply because it allows you to apply the mask evenly over your face and neck and is less messy on the hands.

Leave the mask on for up to 10 minutes or until it is dry to touch and remove with a wash cloth and luke warm water. Don't pull at your skin, just let the damp wash cloth to dissolve the mask and rinse off.
The final step is to make sure you moisturise; I use a combination of La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo + (Review Link Below) and Alpa-H Essential Hydrating Cream. This is such an important step; your pores have been opened and it is vital to hydrate and seal the skin (with goodness of course).

And thats it! A simple, easy and effective way to pamper yourself at home. To make it more effective you can steam your face just before you apply the mask as this will help open up your pores and allow the mask to work deeper but its not necessary if you have a good exfoliator.

Of course you don't have to use Alpha-H products, you can use any brand; just make sure it is one that works well for your skin and combats and targets the problems that you have with your skin. 

Alpha-H products can be purchased from a number of suppliers; I get mine from Cult Beauty.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo + Review

Disclaimer:

All products mentioned were purchased by me and I am in no way sponsored by any of the brands mentioned.

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Cult Product: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo +

I am always striving to get my skin looking and feeling great what ever the weather! I have combination skin and am prone to a few breakouts now and then. For so long I was looking for something that would help keep those breakouts at bay and I found it.

Introducing my Cult Skincare Product:

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+]

This is a treatment product to help unclog pores and helps with imperfections and acne scars/marks. I am by no means saying this stops the spots completely but it does help calm my breakouts from occurring regularly.

This is without a doubt a cult product with many You-tubers and Bloggers singing its praises and for a good reason. 

I have re-purchased a tube of this so many times in the last year since discovering it. Even though I try so many other products to tackle the same problem I always seem to go back to this and for the price compared to the high end skincare ranges this is well worth the £15.50 and you can often get 3 for 2 at Boots across the La Roche-Posay range or from Escentual who often have reduced prices on their skincare lines.

It can be used morning or evening (or both) after cleansing your face; depending on your skin type. Personally I use it in every morning under my moisturiser after cleansing and twice a week at night on its own as an overnight treatment. Although it does say it doubles up as moisturiser; I find it is does dry out my skin if I use it excessively so I stick to alternating my night time treatment.

If I was to compare this to another product I'd say the only thing that came close to treating my breakouts in a similar way (of method) is the MD Formulations Glycare Lotion; which is now unavailable in the UK as they ceased distributing here sometime last year and is twice the price, hence I am sticking with the Effaclar Duo and saving some pennies for a lipstick (or two)!

La Roche-Posay's Skincare range is available at Boots or from Escentual. 

I've definitely noticed the difference in my skin since using this. Have you tried it? What was your experience with it let me know!

x o x o 

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