Moving On…Botanics All Bright Toner

Sooooo….I’m slack to say the least! I feel as if I don’t leave work right now and this week is a 6 dayer for me which sucks balls. However I have booked a little holiday for me and the man for a few weeks time so things are looking up!!!

This post is following on from the one I did a few weeks ago on my current skincare routine. I know skincare is incredibly subjective but when I ran out of the product last week I rushed (may contain traces of porkie!) out straight away to repurchase without a second thought.

Toner is a take it or leave it product for some people but I am firmly in the take it camp! My face doesn’t feel properly clean post cleansing without it and I’ve tried a few high street offerings in the past few years. Most of them I haven’t been too taken with and had even been using my own rosewater and witch hazel concoction of late until I ran out. That’s when I picked up this badboy and I haven’t looked back!




Boots’ Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner claims to “…helps visibly tighten pores and instantly brighten skin.” Personally I’m not completely sold on these claims. While my skin has been looking brighter and my pores bothering me a little less, I doubt it is down to this toner, more down to my routine as a whole. It contains AHA’s to help smooth the skin (can you tell I know eff all about these things?!) which means you should use sunscreen after use, a pain in the bum for some but I personally do anyway.

At the end of the day, it’s a toner. I’m sure it won’t make miracles happen. That being said, I have used plenty of toners that have stripped my skin and this is not one of them. It really does leave my skin feeling refreshed and ready for a good moisturisation! For the £4 odd this cost, and it is currently on special offer for less, this is a great buy.

In other news, there was a kite festival on Southsea Common last weekend. We didn’t stay too long but of the ones I saw this was a fave…
How’s that for a bodge job Spongebob! I’m guessing that’s what this is meant to be!

Until next time x

Current Loves: My Skincare Routine

Herrow ladies! How are you all feeling post-Olympics? I’m feeling a little bit lost, much how I felt when series 2 of the Danish Killing ended. It was a bit of a contrast to Beijing though as 4 years ago I was at uni and didn’t leave my house for two weeks whereas I had to work this year. Sad times!

 

One thing that is perking me up in these dark times is the current condition of my skin! A few months ago my usually normal/combination complexion was way oilier than normal and there were blemishes all over the shop, especially on my crazy oily chin. Factor night shifts in there and the disruption in sleep/eating crap that go hand in hand with working crazy hours and you have a big ol mess!

 

Since changing a few things around my skin has changed considerably and while my nose and more so my chin are oilier than the rest of my face they are much less oily than previously! I don’t have to blot until lunchtime as opposed to when I arrive at work woohoo!

Another concern is my enlarged pores. I can’t say for sure the degree to which they have been affected but they definitely bother me less than before. It is also looking more luminous and just all over healthier than before.

 

Less rambling, I’ll get to the goods!

I remove any remainder of eyelash serum with No7’s Beautiful Skin Eye Make-Up Remover. Shortly before I hop in the shower I rub nspa’s Melting Cleansing Gel (review here) all over my visage before rinsing off in the shower. Finally prior to moisturiser I squirt some Botanics Cleansing Toner on a cotton pad and rub it all over my face.

 

After toner I spread one pump of No7’s Pore Refining Serum over my chin, nose and the top of my cheeks. I fanny around for a bit while that sinks in before adding La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar K on the same areas. I then put some of No7’s Beautiful Skin Day Cream for normal/oily skin on the drier areas of my face (forehead, bottom of cheeks and neck). Finally I rub some No7 Beautiful Skin Vitality Eye Roll-On under my eyes. Hey presto! Ready for makeup!

 

In the evening after a long day at work when all I want to do is hang out with my wang out (note: I have no wang) I like to use stuff I can just chuck on without too much hassle.

Same as in the AM I remove my eye makeup with No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Make-Up Remover before rubbing Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser all over and removing with a warm damp flannel. Again I prep my skin for moisturiser with Botanics Cleansing Toner.

 

I rotate though three different night creams depending on what I feel like. On the left is Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse which I pat on my aforementioned dry areas before using HEMA Nightcream for normal/combination skin. If I want something a bit more brightening I use Nuxe Creme Etincelante (review here) or Alpha-H Balancing Moisturiser and Gentle Exfoliant.

Origins GinZing eye cream and Mavala Double-Lash are the final bits of my night time routine and I’m really liking them both at the moment.

In addition to all this I also use a face scrub and a few masks…. What a palaver! Some of this stuff I’ve used for ages and some is pretty new so reviews will come as and when I’ve formed an opinion…..

 

Have you used any of these products? Or can you recommend me an anti-aging night cream for combination skin? I’m sure to be needing one soon and I have no idea where to start!

 

Sorry this post was a bit boring! This is the first time I’ve been pleased with how my skin looks for more than like three consecutive days so I want to share it with you!