Author: Carly Power Beauty Blog

Serious About Serums

Beauty

I’ve been manifesting so much recently and it is changing my life – shout out to Francesca Amber and Law of Attraction Changed my Life Podcast! I spend so much time watching stuff on my phone that actually that isn’t going to make me rich and successful. What do we get from looking at so much on our phones 24/7? Anyways, I am not here to tell you how rich and successful I am going to be (or am!). I am getting back onto blogging because those whole 3 blogs I did, I really enjoyed every minute so I have no idea why I stopped. I’m going to blame COVID because it’s the excuse of the world right now.

I want to talk about serums and if you’re serious about skincare, then you need to be serious about serums! Serums are what is going to give you results. They are a thinner, stronger concentrate of ingredients which deal with the shit your moisturiser won’t. Wrinkles? Get a serum. Pigmentation? Get a serum. Dull skin? Get a serum. 

You get the idea. Get a serum. Cleanse, tone, SERUM, moisturise. Serums don’t replace your moisturiser, understand?

Serums are expensive, but that’s because they do what they say they do. Ok I’m not saying every serum is going to give you insane results because it may take you some time to find your holy grail, but they will give you much better results than a moisturiser on it’s own. They deliver powerful ingredients deep within the skin, penetrating further than your moisturiser. 

Serums treat your concern, moisturisers treat your type. 

My top picks!

Estee Lauder Advance Night Repair 

The UK’s number 1 selling serum! Although don’t be confused by the word ‘night’, this is to be use morning AND night! The formula is patented until 2033 meaning no other company can copy it’s formula so this baby is one of a kind! It is suitable for all skin types and is oil free meaning those oily gals don’t need to fear it. It tackles all skincare concerns such as ageing, uneven skin tone, dryness, loss of firmness etc etc etc. IT DOES EVERYTHING. 

Honestly though, I have a love hate relationship with this serum. For me, it’s fragrance free and I live for a product with oozes boujee’ness. When I come to the end of a bottle, I don’t miss it. But then when I get another bottle, I love it again. We have a rocky relationship, it’s nothing personal, there’s just other serums which I prefer and LOVE. 

Price starts from £60 for a 30ml which is expensive but it tackles everything you need a serum to tackle so for me, I think it’s great value for money!

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum

OH. MY. GOD. My favourite serum in the whole god damn world. I feel emotional when this comes to the end. It smells like I am smothering my face in cold, juicy, fresh oranges which wakens the skin and makes you feel SO fresh and clean. It combines exfoliating acids to help remove dead skin cells and vitamin C which brightens the skins revealing a brighter complexion from the first use. It also contains banana powder inspired pigments which help protect the skin against pollution and assists in the brightening process. If your skin is dull, tired and needs a kick of hydration, then this needs to hit your basket right this second!

50ml is £53 which is a STEAL. 

Pixi Clarifying Serum

If you suffer from breakouts, this is the serum for you. It contains salicylic acid which tackles those little bitches that aren’t welcome on your face. 

I use this when I’m having a breakout hormonal camp out on my chin. It is generally quite rapid at clearing up the area when I apply 3/4 times over a period of 2 days. 

For £26 for 30ml, it really isn’t a bad price for a product to become your breakout hero product. Deffo one to keep with the time of the month products for sure! They do a whole range of clarifying products in the Pixi range which I haven’t tried but given this product has delivered what it promised, I would be intrigued to try the other products in the range!

Elizabeth Arden Capsules

I’m yet to find a serum as silky smooth as Elizabeth Arden. Honestly, it’s like applying liquid silk to the skin. They do a range of different capsules such as vitamin C, ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid. The only issue for me is the capsules are a little bit gimmicky and a faff. I mean just put it in a bottle and be done with the capsules.

I have tried the vitamins C, the ceramide youth activating and the hyaluronic acid capsules and LOVE them all. My skin feels fresh and brighter after the first use and I will not be without them. No7 recently brought out a similar concept but they didn’t do it for me. I felt they dragged and was like putting glue on my skin. I went straight back to the Elizabeth Arden version because for me, they’re a 10/10. 

They are around £73 for 60 capsules which if you use it twice a day, that’s only a months worth. I tend to use these in the evening and another serum in the morning just because I can’t justify a £73 monthly expenditure on one serum (especially when I like all the range!!)

Wishful Thirst Trap Juice Serum

Wishful was created by Huda Kattan who founded Huda Beauty. It’s the skincare range which has really taken off! This serum was created because Wishful released a face mask called Thirst Trap Cocoon mask which quickly hydrated skin in just 15 minutes. People went crazy for the serum that infused the mask so Huda launched a bottle of the stuff in its pure form, no mask needed!

I bought this because I just love products that hydrate my skin and for £43 for 30ml, it was worth trying! Its infused with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and hollyhock rose which really gives your skin a drink of the good stuff, leaving you with plumped, hydrated glowing skin! This is your perfect winter serum!!

No7 Protect and Perfect

So this product shot to fame in 2009 when I appeared on a BBC programme. It had been shown to effectively reduce wrinkles and leave your skin feeling and looking firmer in 2 weeks – pretty insane claims for a product as cheap as this! It contains antioxidant complex which helps protect the skin against future ageing as well as pro-retinol which supports the skin’s renewal process to reduce the appearance of ageing. 

For £25.95 (and usually on 3 for 2), this product has stats which shows it delivers and is a perfect start for a first time serum user. The product goes on the skin nicely and does soak in without leaving a sticky finish! My only downside to this product is that it is in a tube so there is no control on how much you actually use!

The Ordinary

As a brand in general, these are brilliant and one serum I will ALWAYS have with me is the hyaluronic acid 2%. It’s priced at £5.90 and is one of the highest (and deffo the cheapest) percentages of HA on the market. If you want basic skincare that just does what it needs to do, then ordinary is your gal. 

Niacinamide is great for reducing pores. Alpha Arbutin is great for pigmentation. Buffet is a cocktail of different ingredients to target ageing and caffeine solution is great for reducing dark circles. You can pick these up for a couple of ££ each and layer them to target your concerns. It is recommended you do not combine vitamin C and niacinamide just because they effectively cancel each other out and is therefore a big fat waste off your hard earned dollar!

I’m always looking out for a new serum to try just because there is a vast amount on the market! These are a few that I have tried and tested and learnt to love. I’m yet to try a Clinique serum which is surprising given how much I LOVE the brand! Maybe I’ll add that to my next shopping list… 

Let this be your sign to go and treat yourself to a serum and report back to me the results!

Good luck!

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)

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We are constantly hearing about AHA/BHAs but what on earth are they?? Well settle down and grab a bru because I’m about to tell you all about them – a bru is to ensure you have caffeine in your system so that you don’t fall asleep mid science lesson, comprende?

AHA – Alpha Hydroxy Acids

AHAs stands for a whole group of ingredients. They contain a hydroxy group (-O) and a carboxylic acid part (HO¬ =0) and these two parts are only one carbon apart (if they are two carbons apart it’s a beta-hydroxy acid – BHA).

They are water-soluable which are derived from sugary fruits or sugar cane – lemon and pinapple are often referred to when a product shouts about containing AHAs. Water-soluable means they work on the skins surface to remove dead skin cells from the top to reveal brighter skin cells below – they like it on top basically. Still with me?

Benefits

If used properly, over time AHAs will reduce sun spots and hypermigmentation. They will also help reduce acne scarring. Other benefits include tackling signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles, and helps brighten dull skin. TELL ME SOME MORE!

What ingredients are AHAs?

Glycolic Acid

The most popular of the AHA family. It is derived from sugar cane and is a powerful acid. This works by gently lifting and removing dead skin cells revealing brighter, fresher skin. It is also one of the only AHAs which can help the collagen production process in your skin which in time, slows down the anti-ageing process and helps firm up your skin. It also helps fade those annoying brown spots from the sun and othere hyperpigmentation issues. BUT it’s important, as will all AHAs, that you wear SPF (even in the winter) as your skins sensitivity to the sun is increased massively.

What Concentration of Glycolic Acid should I look for?

4-10% is safe enough for daily use – look for pH value of 3-4 (anything above 5 means the product is too acidic and therefore ineffective. It could damage your skin)

10-20% is recommended for weekly use – pH value of 3

20% is for professional use only such as dermatologists – they can go as low as pH value 2 and is only used by professionals as it can be extremely irritating.

Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is similar to glycolic in that it exfoliates the top surface of the skin. However, it is derived from lactose in milk. It is a bigger molecule which means it doesn’t penetrate the skin as well as glycolic but that does make it better for more sensitive skin types. But unlike glycolic acid, lactic acid holds amazing moisturising benefits which makes it an ideal choice for dry / sensitive skin. Concentration and pH values remain the same as glycolic – you probably want to remain within this boundary of 3-4 pH and 4-10% whilst using these products at home.

Malic Acid

Malic acid comes from apples which, as we know, contains sugar which acts as an exfoliant hence falling into the AHA family. However, malic acid is not an effective form of AHA on it’s own. It is mainly an exfoliating booster to compliment glycolic or lactic acids.

Beta Hydroxy Acids – BHAs

BHAs are, like AHAs, a collective name for a group of ingredients. The chemical structure is similar to AHAs (see geeky explanation above) and they are two carbons apart (as opposed to one carbon apart = AHAs). The difference between the two is that where AHAs are water-soluable (work on the top of the surface of the skin), BHAs are oil-soluable meaning they penetrate deeper into your pores. This helps eleminate excessive oil and unclog pores of dead skin cells.

This makes BHAs a best friend to those with acne-prone skin and oily skin! So whilst AHAs help even skin tone and exfoliate, BHAs help clear the pores and control excessive oil making them a DREAM TEAM! Little bit like the avengers of the skincare world…

Benefits

As mentioned above, BHAs help treating problem skin by penetrating deep into the pores helping fight acne/blemish prone skin and descrease excess oil.

What ingredients are BHAs?

Salicylic Acid

The most common and effective BHA to help solve all your problems derived from willow tree bark, wintergreen or sweet birch bark. It’s actually technically the only BHA safe to use in cosmetics. Blackheads, whiteheads, large pores and acne.. say goodbye! This ingredient is the one you need in your life! It gives notice to the pores to clear our their sh*t and be gone helping reduce blackheads and blemishes.

It also is an anti-inflammatory which is helpful for skin that suffers from acne and rosacea. There are other ingredients which work amazingly alongside SA to really help tackle problem skin such as benzoyl peroxide (antibacterial and anti-inflammatory), azelaic acid (not an AHA but a close relative which antibacteral ingredient naturally found in wheat, barley and rye) and mandelic acid (AHA that is dereived from bitter almond which has antibacterial propereties).

What Concentration of Salicylic Acid should I look for?

0.5-2% is safe enough for daily use.

20-30% are only available for professionals.

Avengers, assemble.

AHAs and BHAs work amazingly as a team and you will often find products containing both. However, it is important to remember that these acids are an exfoliant and therefore, use of a physical exfoliant should be avoided. I know we all like to get a good face scrub on our face every now and then but please avoid doing so when using products containing AHAs/BHAs. Your skin will hate you and become an irritating mess rather than becoming a glowing goddess !

If you chose a toner with AHA/BHA in, you should be considerate of other products in your routine that aren’t doubling up the effects which could be damaging to your skin – in more simple terms, you wouldn’t put on two night creams would you?

Product Recommendations

Here are my AHA/BHA product recommendations 😍

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. – £6.30

WARNING use this with caution!! Insane product, insane price, insane results. Can also cause insane reactions… a treatment mask which can be used once to twice a week. Tolerance to this product needs to be built up over time and I recommend setting a timer on your phone for 5 minutes at first and building it up. There was once a video on TikTok where a guy applied this to his face for ONE HOUR (!!) (recommended time, 10 mins MAX) after he dermarolled his face (a spikey facial tool which makes tiny holes in your skin). This obviously burnt his skin and he was full of regrets. Fool.

(video here, skip to 12 mins approx. Enjoy!)

It also containts tasmanian pepperberry to reduce inflammation as well as hyaluronic acid to comfort the skin.

Ole Henriksen Dark Spot Toner – £23

This toner contains super ingredient glycolic acid which is your AHA! With a lemon scent, this toner leaves your skin feeling clean and fresh! Use in the PM only and apply with a cotton pad.

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads – £16.95

These pads are AMAZING! Each pad is soaked in glycolic acid to exfoliate the skin and hyaluronic acid to hydrate! There is also a stronger version for night time which I love too. I really rate most of the Nip + Fab range, especially it’s price point. Keep an eye on their website for offers as I usually get my pads for £10 (generally a flash sale).

The Inky List BHA – £9.99

The Inky List is a bloody amazing brand and I wish people would step back from the Ordinary and give these beauties a go! 9/10 times you can actually get hold of the products which is a bonus because The Ordinary still can’t quite meet demand! This brand was created in 2018 and offers simply what The Ordinary offers with simple ingredients that get straight to the point. I prefer the Inky List products as they don’t require a science degree to know what you’re buying. They offer a simple definition on the packaging which is what The Ordinary need to consider.

Toning something other than your abs…

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The word toning sends shivers through my spine because i’m about as toned as a fluffy pillow. I’m talking about toning of the skincare kind … PHEW.

Toners/clarifying lotions/tonics are the second stage in your skincare routine which, if you’ve found your perfect cleanser, I’m guessing you’re here to find your next purchase towards gorgeous skin.

What are toners?

The term clarifying lotion, tonic and toner may be confusing but they all have the same goal! Years ago, a lotion contained alochol and a tonic did not. Whereas now, the term is irrelevant.

Toners remove any excess dirt and grime which might be left in your pores after cleansing. Do you remember the days when Clean and Clear brought out their deep cleansing lotion back in the early 2000’s? My brother bought it whilst we was on holiday in Devon and we all had a go at rubbing the soaked cotton wool pad over our faces and completely grossing out at how black the pad was. I mean two things, firstly what a weird memory and secondly, that’s probably not going to make my skincare recommendations edit. I remember the smell so distinctively of rubbing pure alcohol on my face!

But this is why I became skincare curious. I was only young at the time, but I remember wondering why washing my face clearly wasn’t cleaning my skin properly. From that point, I would try anything I could get my hands on. I tried all kinds from No7 to Clinique 3 Step Routine to get that deep clean feel.

Toners should be used as part of your routine both morning and night but there are some important points about toners that you should know.

What are the benefits?

As well as keeping your pores clear, toners used as part of your daily routine can help tighten pores and improve the overall appearance of your skin. So for all you worried about ageing, a toner will be as important as a cleanser in your routine!

So there a few different types of toners which will benefit your skin in more ways than one. But which one will be best for you?

Types of Toners

Exfoliating Toners

These types of toners contain exfoliating ingredients such as AHA/BHAs (click here to learn about this amazing ingredient!). They help gently exfoliate the skin without using physical exfoliants such as microbeads (which are so bad for the planet 🌍 !) which, over time, help renew skin cells to reveal a brighter more even complextion. If you’re new to this type of product, I recommend introducing them slowly. Try 3 times a week and build it up as your skin may increase in sensitivity.

Hydrating Toners

This kind of toner is gentle and ideal for sensitive and dry skin. Although you can use an exfoliating toner which may benefit your skin, harsh products may cause your skin to FREAK out! So having a hydrating toner on alternative days will help your skin chill. They will often contain water-attracting ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin. One thing to be observant of when looking at this type of toner (i’m looking at you sensitive skin type) is they often contain fragrance which, as you probably already know, can irritate your skin. Not here to drop a sh*t bomb on Garnier but Gariner’s Rose Water range boasts 95% natural ingredients, however it contains parfum/fragrance. Great if you’re on a budget and I have no doubt this product does it’s job, kinda. But that’s it. It doesn’t add any long term benefits or results. If it shouts hydrating and natural, dig a little deeper…

Astringent Toners

Slow the hell down!! Where stripping your skin was probably cool 20 years ago (refer to my clean and clear memory), we are totally not in for that trend anymore. That said, they do carry some benefits. Astringent toners main ingredient is alcohol which helps tighten the skin and reduce the size of your pores. However, these toners can damage your skin and cause irritation and should be used with caution. They should be avoided especially by people with dry/sensitive skin. They can strip your skin of all the good stuff which is not what we are aiming for! BUT alcohol-based toners may be benefical to oily gals. Clinique’s Clarifying lotions contain alcohol which, although they can be amazing, they are really strong. I would ensure I followed up with super moisturising products if I had to use one of these. The 1.0 Clarifying Lotion is alcohol free and my favourite of them all (one which I use regularly).

My Recommendations

I mentioned above that I use the Clinique. 1.0 Clarifying Lotion daily! But there are other toners which I would highly recommend.

Another product for your bathroom shelf you didn’t know you absolutely need.

You are welcome!

Love

Carly 💛

Cleansing TWICE? Seriously?

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Cleanse twice. 2x a day.

Yep. You read that right. It’s my top tip for customers when we’re starting to establish a new skincare routine and I do get some confused looks. You wouldn’t get in the shower with your clothes on, right?

The first cleanse to lift the dirt and grime (ew, girl!), the second cleanse to get deep down and dirty in those pores. Makes sense now doesn’t it? You don’t shampoo once do you? (okay if you do, we have to have a serious chat).

And when I say cleanse I mean wash your face. This might seem a completely ridiculous clarification but people really struggle to grasp the concept of face wash and cleanser being completely different parts of your routine. It is not.

However you look at it, cleansing/washing your face is the first step in your skincare routine. I use two different types of cleanser when doing a double cleanse. The first cleanser I use is Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (from £15.50)- a true cult classic and a MUST HAVE in your skincare routine. Suitable for all skin types, the cream-like cleanser is like a spa experience in a bottle made from natural ingredients. With a spa-like scent of rosemary, chamomile and eucalyptus, this cleanser gives your skin a deep clean feeling leaving you with a super fresh face.

It comes with a muslin cloth which I leave running in hot water whilst I smooth the cleanser all over my skin. I then wring the cloth and place in on my face for a few moments and take a couple of deep breathes; ultimate self-care going on here. I then gently buff off the cleanser with the cloth. It is the perfect partner for getting off your make up and takes the day away perfectly. One thing I would say, I much prefer to use a face flannel over the muslin cloth just because I like to give my face a little extra rub for a gentle exfoliation.

Other cleansers which are similar to Liz Earle are:

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm (£44) – absolutely DIVINE and honestly, I return to this time after time. It’s an expensive buy but it’s so luxe and smells insane, it’s worth every penny. It has coconut, almond and shea oils which leave your skin feeling super nourished (you can only begin to imagine how insane this smells). This again is like having a spa in your home!

Clinique Take off the Day Cleansing Balm (£26) – Clinique are the masters in skincare and have been around for a very long time. So it was no surprise to find them with a cleansing balm which has rave reviews. I’m going to be honest, this isn’t my favourite. I find it very greasy and I don’t feel as cleansed as I do when I’ve used Elemis and Liz Earle. I can see why people like it and although it is suitable for all skin types, I would be drawn to this if I was a drier skin.

Estee Lauder Advance Micro Cleansing Balm (£38) – Another luxe product and everything from Estee Lauder is just amazing! This cleansing balm is similar to Clinique in its milky texture when water is applied. Although I find Clinique quite greasy, describing this as if you are putting coconut oil on your face probably isn’t going to sell this to you (good job I’m not on commission here!). It certainly doesn’t feel as near greasy as Clinque. With that said, its lightweight texture that seamlessly takes off the day in an instant and I much prefer this balm over Clinique.

My second cleanse is in the form of a foaming cleanser (gel and cream cleansers are also available for dry, sensitive and combination skin-types), something that I can really foam on up and feel super clean afterwards. To cleanse, I use a cleansing tool. Honestly, you don’t have to to get effective results, but I feel my skin needs that extra push in the pores.

The Luna Foreo 2 (£149) is my desert island product. I’ve said it so many times and is an investment I can assure you! This silicone tool helps penetrate the skin deeper with 8000 pulsations per minute to remove more dirt and grime than cleansing alone. After the first use, my skin looked instantly brighter, clearer and blemishes appear less often than before! The fact it is silicone too helps ensure that no nasty bacteria is lingering deep within the bristles. The Clarasonic, a popular cleansing tool, is bristle based and although it may be a great product, the bacteria which will be deep at the root of the bristles makes me feel uneasy!

Although this is pricy, there are many dupes available which will be as effective at a fraction of the cost (I haven’t tried any as I’m in a longterm relationship with my Luna).

Here is a breakdown of cleansers for different skin types!

Cream Cleansers – Dry/Sensitive Skin Types

Cream cleansers are a great option for sensitive skin and dry skin and are a gentle alternative to foaming cleansers. They will not leave your skin feeling tight or drying and will not strip your skin. Some great cream cleansers are:

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (£9.50) – see, skincare doesn’t have to be pricey! CeraVe is taking the beauty world by storm with their incredible cleansing range developed by dermatologists. This won’t be the first nor the last time you read of CeraVe in my blogs. This cleanser has hyaluronic acid to help aid hydration and is fragrance free! Honestly, this product is never on the shelf for long enough. If you suffer from dry skin, meet your new match! A gentle yet effective formula to sweep away dirt and impurities.

Omorovicza Moor Cream Cleanser (£56) – ok sorry, we’re back up there! But this brand is insane. I absolutely LOVE it. Infused with peppermint and eucalyptus essential oil, this will take the clean feeling to the next level! But that doesn’t justify it’s hefty price tag, I hear you! What does is the fact it contains Hungarian-Moor mud from the largest thermal lake in Europe which gives you a deep pore clean. Exactly what you need from your second cleanse.

Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Creme Cleanser (£24) – Estee Lauder make the cut, again. This cleanser doubles up as a face mask to deliver a more intense hydration hit! Although not my skin type, I have tried this cleanser and it is gorgeous for so many reasons. It leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean without the tightness. It also smells super clean. It reminds me of a clean laundry smell which, lets face it, who doesn’t want to rub their face into clean laundry?! Sadly thought, that does mean it isn’t fragrance free so wouldn’t be suitable for those with sensitive skin.

Gel Cleansers – Acne Prone Skin Types

These cleansers are perfect for acne-prone skin as they tend to give a deeper clean, unclogging pores and removing excess oil. They also avoid stripping essential oils from your skin by gently but effectively cleansing your skin.

Unlike foaming and cream cleansers, gel cleansers are water-based so they don’t so much form a soapy consistency. However, this doesn’t mean they are any less effective because they don’t leave you feeling squeaky clean. Gel cleansers can help fight bacteria which causes acne.

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Gel (£19) – This cleanser, with salicylic acid which helps combat breakouts, is a perfect cleanser if you’re suffering from acne. Acne is when you are suffering with 4+ blemishes and is not the odd breakout. (The Clinique Anti-Blemish Range is a brilliant range for tackling acne and if you’ve tried every product under the sun, this could be your calling.) The cleanser helps clear blackheads and breakouts leaving you with soft, calm skin. This product can also be used on the body which is great if you suffer from back-ne!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Cleansing Gel (£18.50) – A leader in the expert skincare, La Roche-Posay is a French brand who deliver amazing skincare products every time! This cleansing gel is perfect for people with blemishes and is also a great choice for those with sensitive skin. However, it is important to note for those with sensitive skin that this product, although suitable for sensitive skin, is not fragrance free! Rest assured, the cleanser contains the soothing ingredient of the iconic La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water which ensures your skin is free from irritation.

Pixi Clarity Cleanser (£18) – Pixi do some great skincare products (and the packaging is super cute!!) so it’s nice to see that they offer several cleansers for different skin types! The Clarity Cleansing gel contains super-skin ingredients salicylic acid, glycolic acid and ascorbic acid which are all amazing for helping breakouts whilst keeping the skin hydrated.

CeraVe Smoothing Cleanser (£12) – Told you CeraVe would appear again. MY FAVOURITE cleanser. I return to this cleanser time and time again. The price is one reason but it honestly keeps my skin clear. This fragrance free formula contains salicylic acid and 3 essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) and keeps your skin feeling clean without feeling dry! If you’re having breakouts, buy it NOW! Honest, it’s been a bit of a game changer for me. I often change cleansers to find alternatives for customers (and myself) but this beauty, I’ve bought 3 times now — if you buy it again, you know its good, but if you’re on your third bottle then hun, it’s doing something special.

Foaming Cleansers – Oily/Combination Skin Types

Ahhh, what I know best. When I say I’ve tried most cleansers, I mean it! It’s not because I haven’t found my match (I have!) but I’m a sucker for a new product. There is also something about a foaming cleansers that other cleansers don’t give you – that super clean feeling! Honestly having to condense down my recommendations has been tough, but here we have it, my top 3…

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash (£18) – This foams up like a dream and honestly, this is an amazing cleanser. My husband actually bought it me for Christmas and it’s now a product I wouldn’t be without. It has a subtle spearmint scent to it (an essential oil) which I think makes your skin feel really clean. The best thing about this cleanser is that it helps the oil whilst protecting dry spots. This is why it works so well for me because whilst i’m an oil machine in places, my cheeks are dry! Your skin feels soft and clean without the tight feeling. Get this in your basket!!

Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser (£20) – This cleanser gets down and dirty! With powerful AHA’s (glycolic and lactic acid), it helps lift the dead skin cells to reveal a brighter complex whilst unlogging and purifying pores aswell as reducing excess oil. The uplifting and awaking peppermint oil and eucalyptus globulus leaf scent makes it the perfect cleanser to snap you into action in the morning!

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (£9.50) – oops, back again and i’m not sorry. This cleanser had me sold when I read it contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B which helps support the skins barrier. It makes pores appear smaller and balances oil and production. So this cleanser tackles everything us oily gals needs!

I am always looking for new cleansers, even though I’ve found my favourites! I guess you can’t have too many cleansers in your cupboard!! If you have a cleanser which you love, please leave it in the comments box as I’d love to try it too and find out what works best for you! If you’re yet to find your cleansing duo, I do hope this has helped you in your search!

With love,

Carly 💛

Skincare for Beginners

Beauty

I need to give myself more credit than I do. I get messages all the time from friends and family (and some through recommendations from friends) for skincare advice. You’re asking me? Seriously?

Maybe it’s because I’ve always wondered if anyone would ask me for advice on something and what it would feel like, now I’m like woah! It’s a nice feeling knowing you can give advice and be confident about it!

So skincare. Where to begin!

Did you know your skin isn’t down to just genetics? 🧬 How many times do you hear oh they must have good genes! Yes it makes up some of your beautiful skin, but only 25% of it. 75% is down to environmental factors which can be controlled by YOU. Look after your skin!!

Let’s talk products!

There are hundreds and thousands of products on the market which can be overwhelming. I see so many customers starting aimlessly at the skincare aisle wonder wtf they are even looking for.

Identifying your skin type is the first step to finding products that suit your skin…

Normal — lucky you! You find your skin just likes you. It needs little attention and doesn’t scream for any particular product. You’re one of a few, my friend.

Oily — you find your skin feels oily, especially in the t-zone and you suffer regular breakouts. A matte product can be your best friend and finding make up which keeps the oil at bay is a challenge in itself. BUT guess what?! You age much slower than other skin types (you hear that, normal skin type?!) yep. We << as I fall in this category << are blessed with skin that may drip with oil but we will thank when we’re wrinkle free at 60 (LOL).

Combination — you have an oily t-zone with dry cheeks, not ideal. Your pores appear more visible in the t-zone.

Dry — your skin is thirsty!!! It craves a drink. It can tend to be worse in winter when it becomes cold and windy outside. You have dry patches or experience flaking skin throughout the day. When you wash your face, your skin can feel tight, itchy or dried. Don’t worry, we can fix this!!

Sensitive — your skin suffers from redness or irritation after using new products or products with fragrance. If you suffer from rosacea, eczema or psoriasis, this is your category. Avoid a heavily fragranced product, RUN! We need all the fragrance free goods to keep your skin in tip top condition.

Now you’ve established your skin type, you will find all of a sudden, the skincare aisle aren’t overwhelming and you can target products for your skin.

BUT… what products do I even need?

Well I’ll cover each category in a blog post but to get you started, here is how my skincare routine looks… honestly it sounds like a lot of effort but those 10 minutes I look forward to every day as it’s a little bit of me time!!

1. Cleanse – TWICE! First removes the dirt the second gets deep into the pores.

2. Tone – Either a AHA/BHA lotion (which is an exfoliating stage) or a lotion like (Origins Mega Mushrooms 🍄 Soothing Lotion )

3. Eye cream — ring finger and pat upwards ⬆️

4. Serum – always ALWAYS use a serum. They penetrate quicker and deeper into the skin

5. Moisture with niacinamide topical powder (MUST have for everyone The Ordinary Niacinamide Topical Powder )- mix them together and apply all over

6. SPF — I use factor 50. Higher the better in my opinion! (What I’m currently using and loving Vichy Capital Soleil Mattifying Cream )

For nighttime, I would use a different moisturiser but still with the niacinamide powder (unless the moisturiser already contains it).

Instead of an SPF, at this stage I’ll apply an oil. Oils are always the last step in skincare. I alternate between a Retinol 1% and a 100% Organic Rose Hip Seed Oil.

My routine can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to skincare or you don’t have the budget to spend £££ on lots of products! But there are so many great products on the market that are reasonably priced allowing you to get an amazing skincare routine which is kind on the purse too!

A great skincare routine which combines my 6/7 steps into a 3 step routine is the NEW Fenty skincare range. A perfect starter set for newbies!

Love

Carly

💛

Another Beauty Blog?

Beauty, Makeup, Uncategorized

There are probably way over 1,000,000 beauty bloggers and I’m about to become the 1,000,001th one. You’re welcome.

I’m Carly. I recently landed my DREAM job at Boots. I can hear you laugh from here, because lets face it, who lands their dream job in retail? Where you have targets to meet, people to greet, standing on your feet all day and asking if you have a Boots card 459 times a day.

Well actually, that would be me. I am a Boots Beauty Specialist and I absolutely love it. I get to talk to people all day about something I am super passionate about, play with beauty all day and get a couple of freebies along the way. Now tell me this wouldn’t be your dream job?

I get to work alongside some of the worlds best brands such as Liz Earle, Clinique, Estee Lauder and Huda Beauty. We get to try the products and talk about them all day to customers who want to be in the beauty game. Whether it’s a teen looking for the most talked about Ordinary product at £4 or a 46 year old wanting to buy all the luxe beauty care with no budget, finding products to suit my customer is such a fun job to have.

And the best part isn’t getting to try all the products for me, it is when the customer returns to tell me that they loved my recommendations and they’re looking for more products or a replenish – I got your back sistaa!

So lets wind it back, how did I get into this job?

If you would have said to me 5 years ago I’ll be in the beauty game working for boots and have my own freelance make up company, I would have lauged the same way you laughed when I told you about my dream job at Boots. I worked in law for years (!!) working towards my law degree and sitting in an office 9-5 Monday to Friday. Something just niggled me that I couldn’t see myself in this career for the rest of my life. I loved the whole dressing up for the office and going to conferences, but that was it really. Having clients all over the country meant most of your communication was over the phone or email. There was little face to face interaction and I just lost the passion.

A few personal things happened in my life and I became a stay at home mum of 2 gorgeous boys. Fast forward to 2019, I began to hate my stay-at-home status. I did social media for a company but I missed having a purpose to leave the house. A purpose to turn up at work and be accounted for.

I’ve always had a passion for beauty, always looking for the next beauty product be it make-up or skincare. So my amazing husband suggested I go into make-up. We would find a course for me to do and go from there. After Christmas, that’s exactly what I did. I went on a course, watching loads of tutorials and spend £££ on building my kit. I bought my domain, set up my social media and before I knew it, I had several brides enquire with me!

But that wasn’t the solution to me leaving the house and having a purpose. So I had a look if there was any beauty jobs available in retail. It would give me the purpose, the training and the enjoyment of doing what I am passionate about everyday. Which is how I came across the Boots job. 20 minutes from my home, part time hours so I could be around for the boys.

And here I am, 3 months into my dream job! So expect lots of product reviews, tips and everything in between. If there is anything you want to know that I don’t cover, let me know!

Now, about that maskne…