Caudalie Polyphenol C15 review

If like me you love a bargain then this is the post for you. This is one of the best deals I have seen for a while. I have mentioned in a previous post that I love Latest in Beauty’s Boxes.  I like knowing what I am getting in advance and so they are ideal for people like me who are far too fussy about products to spend £10 on what is essentially a lucky dip.  The first one I ordered contained 3 decent sized samples of Caudalie's Polyphenol range for £9.95 inc P&P, the contents are worth around £30!

Here's what I got for my money.

Look how cute the mini pipette bottle is, that is going to go in my collection of "things to repurpose for travelling" which inevitably get forgotten when I actually travel.

Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Anti-wrinkle Defence Serum 10ml 

Full price for 30mls is £35 so works out at £11ish.

Caroline Hirons rates this, which is always a plus for me, as everything she reviews I agree with (except using flannels not muslins).  I really like this serum, I am alternating it with Soap and Glory's Make Yourself Youthful Rejuvenating Serum and it is great.  The glass bottle with pipette is a really nice touch and give it a sciencey feel along with making it feel like a quality product.  The texture is nice and silky, yet it sinks in almost immediately.  It is packed full of antioxidants such as polyphenols and stabilised vitamin C which are supposed to zap all the nasty free radicals created by suns and pollution damage. I will have to wait a couple of years to see whether this truly works, but it does seem to plump fine lines, which I guess is the hyaluronic acid at work. Overall a really nice product which I will repurchase when I have enough money to spend on nonessential skincare items.

Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Anti-wrinkle Eye and Lip Cream 5ml 

Full price for 15 mls is £26 so works out at £8ish.

This is the real star of the box.  It can be worn under makeup and feels lovely on, not tacky or overly slippy.  It contains Matrixyl 3000 which is one of those ingredients you usually only get in top-end anti-wrinkle creams. This, along with Retinol, is one of the few proven ingredients that can reduce signs of ageing. I apply this both morning and night and it really smooths the lips ready for lip products.  I am definitely getting this again, it seems to be lasting really well, as you only need the tiniest amount.  For £26 for 15ml this seems pretty good value for the quality of the ingrediants.

Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Broad Spectrum SPF20 Anti-Wrinkle Protect Fluid 15ml  

Full price for 40ml is £29 so works out at £11ish

I like the idea of this, as it supposedly protects skin while smoothing and hydrating. I have a sneaky feeling that, like most SPF's, it breaks me out.  I am pretty gutted about this as I thought this was perfect to wear when going out for a run (trudge around the park) as it is light yet protects me from the sun.  I will however try again in couple of weeks time when it is a different time of the month (ahem!) Currently not re-purchasing due to bumpy skin.

I am really happy with this box and will definitely repurchase the Eye and Lip Cream, and probably the Serum.  I have even considered just buying another box as it works out cheaper than buying them full price!  I have been using them for 2 weeks now and have not got even vaguely close to using them up.

Has anyone else had any luck with this range.  It's aimed at those who are 30+ and I can see myself trying more and more from their lovely looking arsenal of anti-ageing products. I always avoided them in the past as they seemed like one of those organic/ineffective companies but I will eat my words.  I like Caudalie.  Now I just need to learn how to say it, good job I'm a blogger not a Youtuber.

FAB First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads Review

I have been using these for about 2 weeks now so I feel it is time for a review.

I first read about them on Caroline Hirons blog.  What attracted me to them was the promise of a gentle exfoliation and brighter skin. I regularly have congested skin and as I get older, my skin has also dulled.  I use Aspirin masks and my Clarisonic to help with exfoliation, but I wanted something more regular, so I took the plunge with these.

They weren't cheap at £16, but then neither were they crazily expensive. You get 60 pads which I use once a day, so I should get 2 months use out of them (look at me and my super-advanced maths!)

They are labelled as fragrance free but they have a very definate smell, that whilst not unpleasant, it is not entirely delectable either.  The packaging is pretty unimaginative, but does the job.  Each pad is soaked in the exfoliating liquid and has a smooth and a more textured side.  I use the more textured side in my cheeks, chin and forehead and keep the more delicate side for my eyes and lips.  I find that they are very generously soaked, but in an ideal world I would just buy the lotion and use my own cotton pad.

I have noticed a real change using these. When I first started I had just returned from holiday and my skin was slightly thickened due to the sun and I had a tan.  I wanted something to soften my skin and help bring down my tan to a shade that was somewhat closer to my usual foundation and concealer shades.  These did both these things really well.  I think my skin looks much fresher after using and I will definitely add these to my long term skin care routine.  They also don't sting or make your skin feel stripped.  The inclusion of glycerin and hyaluronic acid makes them beautifully moisturising on my oily skin. The active ingredients are lactic and glycolic acid along with a variety of fruit acids which work to dissolve any dead skin cells of debris on your skin.

Would I buy them again?  Without a doubt.

Soap and Glory Make Yourself Youthful - Rejuvenating Serum Review

I have been craving this beauty ever since Sarah over at Seriously Shallow recommended it on her blog.  The main reason I love this so much is the packaging, could it be any prettier, it makes me happy every time I use it.

I picked this up at Boots for just £10 (the usual 1/3rd off Soap and Glory products offer.)  This is amazing value as you get 50 mls of it and it has a pump, so no nasty germies lurking around ready to create spots on your face.

The smell of this is lovely and fresh, it is a pink grapefruit style scent.  The texture is great, it is very silky yet not loaded with silicones, so it is thin enough to glide on without leaving any visible sign of it.  It feels very light on your skin and not at all greasy like some serums, so you can layer it with a SPF or night cream.

According to the literature it is jam packed with penta-peptides, which are the darlings of the beauty world right now.  This little beauty has as many as some of the best formulated, designer serums at a fraction of the price.  Plus, look at that packaging.

It also claims to -

• smooth surface imperfections, reduce depth of fine lines
• brighten, tone and tighten
• refine pores, recalibrate uneven skin tone

I LOVE this stuff, I will update this post in a month or tw when I can tell you how well it worked over the long term, but in the week since I bought it, I feel like my skin has already improved.

Buy it here for just £10.67, plus the Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Cleanser is just £5.33 and the Ultimelt hot cloth cleanser is just £6.67.

Absolute bargain.

L'Oreal Revitalift Magic Blur Review

Who doesn't want to look like they have been photoshopped in real life? I was on the lookout for a new primer after my pores had started to become more noticeable and so when I saw this advertised I figured it was worth a try.  

I had a bit of time to kill in Cork whilst away on a mini-break and so I hit Boots. Luckily they had a tester out, so I could see what the texture was like before buying.  I tried this on the back of one hand and Benefit's The Porefessional on the back of the other.  They are remarkably similar products, but L'Oreals is MUCH cheaper.   I also tried the Baby Skin version from Maybelline which was just a basic silicone primer. I tried to take a photo, to show you, but my camera doesn't photo skin very well, and I just ended up with 2 photos of my horrid hands.

L'Oreal claims that this blurs fine lines and pores while providing a matte texture and it does exactly that.  It reminds me of the Clinique Pore Minimiser but easier to apply and with no tint.  

I have only been using this for a few days so I can't say whether long term use might result in breakouts but I can tell you it works.  If like me you are getting the first signs of ageing and would like your skin to look more flawless and less shiny then I reckon you will like this.  I also feel it helps control oil which is a big plus for me.

I wear it on top of my La Roche Posay Antihelios XL tinted sunscreen and then apply Revlon Colorstay on top.  This results in a matte-yet-fresh finish, which is as close to real skin like as I can get, while still getting good coverage for my uneven skin tone.

The Revitalift Magic Blur is currently on offer at boots with a 1/3rd off so it cost just £8.66 for 30ml.  As a comparison Benefit's The Porefessional is £24.50 for 22ml. 

There is another version of this which is a daytime moisturiser that claims it has retinol in, which as I'm sure you know I love.  However it is Retinyl Palminate which is a lower potency version of retinol and so I doubt it is much more than a marketing gimmick.

L'Oreal Revitalift Magic Blur - 4 stars (I have left a star off for the pants packaging, I would have preferred a pump.)

Best Facial Sunscreen for Oily Skin

As I have mentioned before (ad naseum) I have oily skin.  It is a royal pain in the ass to buy sunscreen for as you can imagine, as most sunscreen are formulated with moisturising ingredients in them to counteract the drying effect of the sun.  Now there is one thing my skin doesn't need and it is more moisture.  I have been using Cellex C Suncare for the last couple of years and it's not bad, it does however cost a bomb and is still a little more greasy than I would like.

Until I found this little beauty I always sported a natural sheen every summer when sunscreen season came round, or more likely I just skipped it and hoped the pitiful SPF in my foundation would suffice.

Then one day I was browsing my favourite ever skincare range in a old fashioned pharmacy near me and saw this offered as samples.  I took one expecting it to be the usual old slick, shiny cream, I fully intended to keep it in my handbag as a backup for the kids. I was ridiculously surprised to find it was exactly what I had been looking for.

I guess if I had bothered to read the package rather than just going "ooooh free stuff" then I would have noticed that is said "melt-in" but even if I had, I probably would have thought it sounded waxy rather than the lovely texture that it actually is.

Now like all sunscreens it isn't perfect as it leaves a slight (and I mean slight) white tint to your skin after application, but nothing that can't be solved with a quick slick of foundation and a touch extra bronzer.

The best thing about it is that it is SPF 50 so no need to keep reapplying during the day, unless your swimming etc... Anyway enough of my waffle, check it out here La Roche-Posay Antihelios XL

I hope you all have a lovely weekend, and the sun shines so we can all get to use some sunscreen for once!

Edit:  I bought the full size version of this at the weekend as it is on offer at Boots at the moment with a third off so just £10!  I went for the tinted variation and it leaves no white cast what so ever, it is a bit tacky upon application, but this is gone within seconds. If you have very pale skin I would stick with the original formula though as the tint in the cream leaves a nice glow that may look weird on very pale skin.

Giveaway! La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Set

Giveaway Time!

Hurrah, time to get something for nothing!

I thought hard about what to offer, and figured it had to be Effaclar Duo, as I LOVE this, it has made such a difference to my skin that I have blogged about it several times.  This is one of those times that the beauty bloggers are right. So here's your chance to try it if you don't usually, or stock up if you do.

I decided that it was a bit of a pants giveaway on it's own so I have added bottle of the matching Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel- which is great stuff as it's foaming yet has a PH of 5.5 which (if you read Mrs Hirons blog is a rare thing) and some of their Thermal Spring Water which is great for setting make up and rehydrating your skin in dry environments.

So all the usual ways of entering below, the giveaway runs for 1 month so feel free to keep tweeting to up your entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PH Levels of Skincare Products and Why it Matters

I have been immersing myself in Caroline Hirons amazing blog recently and was introduced to the concept of our skin having an acid mantle.  Now although that sounds (to me at least) like the hard crusty mantle of the Earth, I have been reassured it is not, and is infact an outer (invisible) layer on our skin that keeps everything in balance.  This mantle is usually at under PH 5 hence the name Acid Mantle. Common Knowledge puts the PH at 5.5 but this is a figure based on readings taken after people have showered and used cosmetic products. (see this article for more info)

Why Does it Matter What PH your Skin Care Products Are?

If you alter the PH balance of your outer skin then you can encourage acne to grow as it likes an alkaline environment in which to thrive.  It can also encourage other bacteria to grow and create skin infections, there are studies linking your skin's acid mantle to a whole host of skin issues such as Psoriasis, dermatitis etc..

What Can You do to Protect your Acid Mantle.

The number one rule is don't use soap, or anything foaming.  This applies equally to the skin on your body too.  I was a lover of all things foaming for my oily skin, as it feels as though you have removed every last trace of oil which is a good feeling after a day of shining like a light house, but I have been informed that this will leave me prone to acne and other nasties.  I don't still believe in the hypothesis that moisturising oily skin helps regulate oil production.  Every time I try it, it just gives me more oily skin (even if I stick at it for a month, same goes for my hair)

Also washing with water more than necessary can be harmful as tap water regularly has a PH of 7.5 - 8 (I bet mines about 8.5 based on the amount of limescale on my shower screen - runs off to check...ok only 8 but still!) One shower a day is plenty.

So armed with this new knowledge I decided to do some GCSE Chemistry and ordered myself a pack of PH strips so I could see what PH all the products currently residing in my bathroom are.

Here are the not very surprising results.

Well you learn something new everyday.  Note to self - give foaming face washes to husband or use to clean the bathroom with.

Why I Love Retinol & Indeed Labs Retinol Reface Review

I'm sure I have mentioned it before but I love a good retinol cream.  I love how much difference it can make to sun-damaged skin.  What I love most though is that there is actual, real tangible scientific evidence that it works.  Most skin creams on the market are a jumbled up mess of misinformation and blatant lies. Retinol however works, like really works. It's a fact!

There are 2 types of what is commonly called Retinol.  True Retinol is actually called Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin (marketing as Retin A) and is an extremely potent acne and anti wrinkle treatment. It is  prescription only as it's so strong that it can cause extreme peeling and redness if applied without following carefully prescribed plans.

The retinol that we can buy over the counter is a derivative which converts to retinoid acid when in contact with enzymes in your skin.  These derivatives can also cause severe irritation and don't suit everyone, you usually have to build up your use of them so that you don't look like you have just gotten badly sunburnt. These commercial versions come in many forms such as; Retinol Palmitate, Retinol Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Linoleate and Hydroxypinacolone Retinol.

Reasons to Love Retinol

• Increased collagen production - which makes skin more plump and tight
• Decreased Pore Size - makes skin look more flawless and stops as many nasties creeping into your pores and clogging them
• Reduced Wrinkles - not just the appearance of wrinkles, the actual wrinkles themselves.
• Prevents Future damage by upping the levels of protective substances in your skin
• Improved Skin Tone - evened out dark patches
• Decreased Oil Production - Yeah! for me, but if you have dry skin you will need a good moisturiser.

Words of Caution

You must wear a sunscreen when using retinol otherwise it negates all the good effects. I always apply it at night so it doesn't get any access to UV.  You must also keep it in it's original packaging as the ingredients degrade if exposed to light or air, so no small pots for travel.  Retinol is also not suitable for those with Rosacea or Eczema.

How Does it Work?

As we age or get sun damage, or skin cells stop functioning correctly which creates wrinkles or acne. Retinol works by "telling" your cells to behave in the correct way. Retinols aren't chemical exfoliators even though they may cause peeling, they change the entire way the skin functions. It usually takes about 12 weeks to see any noticeable differences in your skin.

Indeed Labs Retinol Reface Review

My usual potion of choice is ROC Retinol Correxion, but I dislike the price, it usually comes in about the £25 mark.  However the Indeed Labs version is currently on offer at Boots and costs just £13.33.  This is actually annoying for me as I bought mine a few weeks ago and it cost £20.

My first impression is that I really like the packing, it is a pump on a tube so it's nice and compact.  It is really important that any retinol cream is shielded and air cannot get too it or it looses it's potency, so no clear bottles or jars.  The pump dispenses what I consider to be the right amount in each press.

The Retinol Reface claims to have 3 sorts of Retinol, yet only lists 2 and then another "retinol like" ingredient. Looking through the ingredients I can find these two - Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate and good old Retinol.  These derivative versions convert to Retinoic Acid on the skin and then they can start work.

The texture is creamy, as it is silicone based (which I know will not suit everyone.) It is fragrance free, so no unnecessary ingredients added and does not feel too thick on.  The cream sinks in quickly and leaves a matte finish, though I wear this at night so this is not essential

So far I am presently surprised as to the results, I will have to wait about 20 years to really know if it's working, but it keeps my fine lines at bay for now and hasn't caused any breakouts.

I have tried all the following creams and my favourites are the first two.

• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti Wrinkle - great but only available in US, can be bought on eBay though
• ROC Retinol Correxion Night Cream - great but expensive
• ROC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Night Cream - too mild
• Boots No7 Protect and Perfect Serum - too mild

Does anyone else use retinol creams, and have an suggestions for well priced ones?

Skincare Routine for Mid 30's

I have been delaying writing this until I was in a position to actually say whether the products I was using were keepers or not, and eventually my skin has levelled out and I can get on with the waffling.

To start with I had better describe my skin. I have oily skin with no dry patches, I use very light moisturisers and not every day.  Having oily skin is a bit of a mixed blessing as it is a pain to deal with now, but I am assured it will be a good thing in the long term, still waiting to see evidence of this though. 

Another point worth mentioning is that I only play higher prices for products if it has been shown (with very little doubt) that the products in question really work.  For some parts of my routine I use cheap products, as they are on my skin for a minute max and so do not have time to work much magic! However other parts I will happily pay extra for, if that is the only way I can get the benefit of that particular skincare element. 

Evening

I usually bathe/shower after dinner as this give me extra time in the morning and gives my skin plenty of no-makeup time.  I use face washes as I like to make sure all the oil is gone and only a wash I feel can do this completely.  I try to use relatively mild ones to stop irritation and my current go-to is the Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash.  This promises to brighten your complexion into the bargain, although I'm not sure how in the small window of time that it is on my face.  I really like this and regularly use it with my Clarisonic Mia to give a thorough cleanse.  It isn't amazing at eye makeup removal as it can sting a bit, but my skin is so clean after using this that I feel this is worth the pay off.  This removes make up really well without leaving my skin too squeky.

Once I have cleansed I wipe off any remaining eye makeup with a micellar water (see previous post) to remove the last traces of eye makeup.  Then it's onto every beauty bloggers favourite - La Roche Posay - Effaclar Duo.  I can honestly say this has changed my skin immeasurably.  Before I would break out each month and now there is not one jot of difference in my skin all month long.  I can't say it has gotten rid of my annoying mildly clogged pores but it stops them developed into full blown spots, which will do for me. I apply this in a thin layer all over my face.

I then usually apply ROC Retinol Correxion Night Cream for Sensitive Skin on any areas that are starting to show fine lines, this needs to be done at night as Retinol can actually damage instead of repair skin if used during the day due to UV.  I tried this sensitive version as an alternative to their standard formula (it was a quarter of the price) and I don't much like it.  It hasn't the same potency (this is because it is supposed to be less irritating to sensitive skin) but because if this it doesn't really do much.  I will be going back to my old favourite once this is used up.  I particularly like retinol creams to help repair my skin after a holiday in the sun, they improve the texture ten fold.

Thats me done for the night.  This usually takes me under 3 minutes.

Morning

In the morning I wash my face again with the same facial wash to remove any sebum produced overnight and to freshen my skin up, then I exfoliate with Soap and Glory's Scrub Your Nose In It.  I love this stuff, it has just the right amount of "grit" in it to physically remove any dead skin cells.  I like to use a physical exfoliator in the morning to make my skin look fresh it also helps remove any debris produced from the chemical exfoliant I applied last night ( Efaclar duo has BHA's in it that clear out pores, but obviously this then has no where to go.)I find exfoliating my skin now helps my foundation to apply smoothly.

Once clean I apply hyaluronic acid. I use a pretty generic version with a pipette applicator, I think this stuff is much of a muchness and more money doesn't seem to alter the efficacy.  Mine is called Balance Hyaluronic 554 Youth Serum and it was just £5.  I use it to help lock in moisture during the day under my foundation so my skin doesn't get that dusty look.  Next I apply a day cream with SPF.  I am currently using and loving Olay's Essential Complete Care with Multi Radiance.  It has A SPF of 15 plus vitamin E, B and also Niacinamide.  I got this for just over £5 on offer in Superdug.  It feels light, smells lovely and fresh and absorbs very quickly (under 3 mins) to leave a matte finish.

Thats me done.  Again about 3 minutes.

One Off Treatment

If I do get a spot, or the beginnings of what may be one, I use some seriously strong stuff I bought on amazon. It is called Panoxyl and is the most drying thing I have ever put on my skin.  It is designed to be used by acne sufferers and contains 10% Benzoyl Peroxide (which is A LOT) but can be used as an occasional treatment too.  This stuff makes light work of any spots and seriously reduces their lifespan by at least half. I believe it has been discontinued in the UK but there appears to be a very similar alternative called Quinoderm that contains the same active ingredient at a similar price.  One small note, this needs to be used just on the spot as it is too dry for the rest of your skin.

Heres an list of all the products without the waffle

Evening

• Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash
• Clarisonic Mia
• Bioderma Crealine Sensibio Micellar Water
• La Roche Posay - Effaclar Duo.
• ROC Retinol Correxion Night Cream for Sensitive Skin

Morning

• Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash - again
• Soap and Glory's Scrub Your Nose In It
• Balance Hyaluronic 554 Youth Serum
• Olay's Essential Complete Care with Multi Radiance
• Panoxyl - now changed

Hopefully this is of use to some other thirty somethings dealing with the first signs of the advancing years.

For more of my inane over-obsessive beauty ramblings, feel free to subscribe with bloglovin on the top right.

Is The Clarisonic Worth The Money?

I have waited nearly 6 months to write this review so I could write an honest opinion. I really wanted this to be great. I had read so many glowing reviews by fellow bloggers and it seems like my skincare prayers could be answered.  At £120, it was definitely one of the, if not the most expensive beauty products I have ever bought.  So I thought that miracles may just be winging their way to me along with my latest toy.  I have combination skin, with small bumps under my forehead and I get blackheads around my nose and chin.  Many of the reviews I read noted how their skin cleared up after using this, so I hoped it would be just the thing for my confused skin.

My first impressions were very good, it is well built and easy to use.  The first time I used it with the cleanser that came with it, it really did remove my make up better, the brush was very grubby looking.  My skin was left feeling very soft and beautifully clean.  I carried on using the Clarisonic (with its sensitive head that it came with) daily and I got a few extra spots to begin with, this though, I was expecting, as if it was cleaning my skin more thoroughly, then surely the underlying impurities would need to come out.

However after one month of using this, I could not say my skin was any different.  It was cleaner but it had no fewer blemishes. I have carried on using this but more as a tool to cleanse and exfoliate, I don't think it cleans any better than using an aspirin mask every other day. The aspirin mask works out at 30p for 16 tablets so 4p a go (if using 2 tablets), therefore 60p a month. If I used this for 2 years it would cost me £5 a month.   I also feel the Aspirin mask has the added benefit of cleaning out the pores below the dermis, and it also smooths and brightens the skin.  At 8 times the price I do not feel this is good value for money.  It is however much quicker.  The Clarisonic only takes 1 minute compared to 10 or so for the Aspirin mask.

I was also advised that the heads would need changing every 3 months and that they cost about £25, this is not the case, if you give them a wash with a facial wash then mine is still in great condition, see picture below after 6 months

Would I buy it again?
No I would not, I am considering selling it in fact.  I would recommend it as a good exfoliator though if it were only £30 or so.

Do I still use it?
Yes, but more as an exfoliator and skin brightener.

Is my skin any better?
Perhaps 10% better...maybe?

I hate having to write bad reviews but I wanted to give a balanced opinion on such an expensive product.

Xo

6 Tips to fight the first signs of ageing in your thirties

I know it comes to us all, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant when it happens to us. There are a few initial signs of decline that I have started to notice since I turned 33.  My skin seems less flush, my cheeks less full and fine lines are appearing on my forehead and around my eyes.  My lips are loosing their colour and my hands look like old lady hands.
I can't say with any degree of honesty that I have been the most vigilant in protecting myself from the sun, I love a tan in summer, or even better in the dead of winter after a holiday someone hot. This is what I have figured out so far for myself. I have read a few anti ageing books (I'm looking at you "The Anti Ageing Beauty Bible") but they are aimed at the more mature market and also seem obsessed with recommending £50 serums when I'm sure £20 ones would be just as good.

1. Wear Lipstick
In my teens and twenties I rarely bothered with lip colour, it was lost on me and so I just used gloss. I have noticed that as I age the middle of my lips seem to be fading, I look weirdly ill without lip colour and so have resorted to using a lip stain first thing every day, see my post here on long lasting make up.  I have also started experimenting with every old ladies favourite, lipstick.  I own a couple now, none quite perfect but getting closer, I need something that is a more corally version of my natural lip colour and this is currently alluding me!

2. Wear Blusher
Again this was a waste of time in my teens (and didn't go with my carefully honed grunge look either) however now I am lost without it.  I have recently discovered Benefit Coralista which I adore, but any blusher is better than none.  The only time I go without is when I will be drinking as my cheeks always flush when I drink wine, so i avoid blush on these occasions to avoid looking like I have just finished a Marathon.

3. Use Retinol
This is the easiest product to use on mid thirties skin as it is both anti ageing and good at reducing spots (unfortunately still needed) it can be quite drying, even on my oily skin so is best used under a moisturiser.

4. Apply face powder on the T Zone only
I normally use powder to set a look and reduce shine, but I have had to become more light handed. What small amount of radiance my skin now garners, needs to be visible so I skip powder on anywhere that doesn't really need it, it can also accentuate fine lines so a thin coat is all that is needed on your forehead

5. Exfoliation and Facial Massage
I use the Clarisonic most days to exfoliate which reveals the less tired looking skin underneath.  Then I also massage in all the potions and lotions so that my blood moves around my skin more and gives me more of a glow. I find these two things the best at keeping me looking youthful.

6. Wear Hand Cream
This is a must, it is also very hard to remember,  I like The Sanctuary Hand Cream as it is very rich and it smells gorgeous, but I use whatever is closest to hand. I have hand cream all over my house/handbag/car and still only manage 2 or 3 times on a good day, which is vastly inadequate when you was your hands as often as I do ( I have a 2 year old).

This is just what is working for me, has anyone else got any tips to keep young and beautiful?

xo