Monday 10 September 2012

My favourite face mask, music and a little ramble!


My poor skin . . , it was only a couple of years ago that I started to pay it any attention at all and even then, I tended to focus purely on the moisturisers.

Then for the first time in a decade I started to breakout and I went on the defence piling one harsh anti-blemish product on after another.

Lesson learnt!

When things started to settle down (and they did but it took a while, a lot longer then I would have hoped), I vowed to start looking after my skin properly.

As well as plenty of blog posts (search skincare, skin routine), there were a few mistakes and disappointments along the way but gentle products and routine seemed to be key (though I know I should drink more water too, I WILL start tomorrow) in maintaining a clear, hydrated complexion and harbouring some glow.

I have done a few posts about my skincare routine and faves but I will quickly list here the few skincare products that I will (and do!) return to again and again.

Cleanser: The No 7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser

Toner: The Botanics Rosewater and Skin Brightening ones; The Lush Tea Tree Water

Moisturiser: La Roche-Posay Hydreane Riche; Embryolisse

I have also started to develop a weekly skincare routine. I try to use masks at least two or three times a week. I have tried and liked the Mask of Magnaminty from Lush. Likewise, the Manuka Honey one from Doctor Organic. I find both of these refresh the face and while they might not always heal a blemish. The skin does feel soothed after use and problem areas appear less red and appear a little more discreet.

However, there is only one mask that wows me and my dry skin enough to suggest that you all give it a shot and that is the Brightening Facial Moisture Boosting Mask from The Sanctuary who bill it as the 'ultimate moisture boost to revive thirsty skin for a glowing skin'.



This mask contains organic shea butter and honey and organic rosehip oil. Consequently, it is supposed to nourish the skin and protect it from ageing.

The Moisture Boosting Mask can be left on clean skin for ten minutes or as an overnight mask. I tend to go for the latter, overnight option. When I wash it away in the morning, my skin always looks better. I personally thinks it looks a little plumper and polished. Any red areas have gone while my under eye area looks so smooth and bag free. My skin also feels so soft to touch and any dry patches appear to have gone (Hydreane Riche is fab for dry patches too).

When a mask reaps such rewards, I'm obviously going to feel a little better about waking up in the morning. The lavender scent is supposed to relax the senses too. Bonus, bonus, bonus. I certainly need any extra help I can get in the mornings.

The only other skin mask that I have found to give such good results is Dragons Blood from Rodial. That one certainly gave me pepped up skin in the morning but I don't think it was quite as moisturising (my parched skin can never have enough moisture) and it was a lot more expensive.

At the moment, you can pick up a sachet of the Sanctuary mask (and I can normally get two or three uses from one sachet) for £2.03 from Boots online and I really suggest you all do if you want a little hydration, some glow or just a little skin kick.




Lately I have been doing as I believe Caroline and Anna do and use a couple of different masks one after another to give my skin the ultimate treat. I try to do this twice a week. Usually I use The Sanctuary Deep Cleanse 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask then the Moisture Boosting one. More often then not, I will also use the Botanics new Microdermabrasion Polish to gently exfoliate my skin before slapping the masks on.

Ah, the Botanics Microdermabrasion Polish. Now that's another product I currently love and can see becoming a staple in my skincare routine. We will have to talk a little more about that one soon. Talking of post teasers, I have started a list of ones I want to write and I'm determined to get on it. One thing which will feature heavily in a couple of posts is ink . . .

I hope you've all had a good few days. I've done some mooching and window (both glass and computer) shopping. I'm more then a little obsessed with these gold skinny belts from the 'Go Wild' collection in Warehouse stores and just need to choose which animal I want now. Which is your favourite?

The Jaguar


The Kissing Birds
The Lion Head
 



I'm also trying to finish, Beautiful Disaster, which I could not put down to start with but over the last few days and more then halfway through, I'm not quite as excited to pick it up again. I will though and I'm sure given a solid hour or so of reading, I will get back in to it again.



Music-wise, I'm loving 'Anything Could Happen' from Ellie Goulding and got to say loving Adam Levine (again!) in the video for 'One More Night'.



What are you loving right now? What skin treatments do you love?
 
X

14 comments:

Dani B said...

Love the lion head!!! Definitely want that!

Essjay23x said...

@giddy princess They look even better in store, I hope you get one ok. Thank you ever so much for following :))

Xaimarys said...

Wow I love those rings. lovely post! <3 I'd love it if you could check out my blog, it'd mean a lot.
Xaimarys ♡
www.ajumbled-mess.blogspot.com

Essjay23x said...

@Xiamarys Ah, do you mean the belts? They are gorgeous, aren't they and do look like rings. I'm going to be looking out for rings in a similar style now too!!! Great idea. Thanks for reading. Will try and skip across to your blog later today or tomorrow. Thanks again for the comment! :)

The CSI girls said...

I really love the kissing birds one!! so cute, think I may have to go get it myself! x

Essjay23x said...

@C.S.I Beauty Blog Oh yes, do! xx I'm sure you can justify a little treat as cute as the belt. ;)

Lela London said...

That belt is amazing with the lions! Adore.

xo,
LelaLondon.com - Stylist meets Fashion, Beauty, and Beyond!

Jenny / Rocknrollerr said...

great post girl!

xx
Jenny / Rocknrollerr.com

Essjay23x said...

@Lela
The lion one is gorgeous, there's something about the jaguar too. Just love these belts. Thanks for the comment xx

Helen at THELOVECATSINC said...

i love face masks! my favourites are ren's pore minimising detox mask and lush's catastrophe cosmetic mask. they're both great at deep cleaning and making your skin feel super smooth!

from helen at www.thelovecatsinc.com // @thelovecatsinc

ps. enter my new giveaway to win a MAC lipstick and 5 models own nail polishes!

Essjay23x said...

@Jenny Thank youuuu!!! x :))

Essjay23x said...

@helen
Ooh, another skincare geek. Glad its not just me!!! ;)
Now I remember, that I used a Ren calming mask once and I think, it was pretty good for calming blemishes. I was really impressed with some Ren magazine freebies I got recently so should explore their skincare line further.
May also get a mini Catastrophee since I like Magnaminty quite a bit. Thanks for stopping by, have a lovely day :)

weight loss said...

good post

laptop battery said...

Love the lion head,thank you for sharing.

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