'Glow'bal Gathering: Wedding Post.

Part of what I am enjoying so much in the run up to the wedding is getting into new routines: juicing, gyming, weights, nail maintenance (yes, I need that -  having been a shellac addict for years these bad boys need some strength behind them.) But one I am enjoying a little more than the others is my new skin regime.

Don't get me wrong, I've never had *problem* skin. I've been blessed with my mother's skin and rarely have any blemishes but one thing I crave is that healthy skin glow. I know there are makeups that can mimic this - I've in fact invested in a few myself.  A couple of weeks ago my colleague's skin was looking so iridescent that I asked what her trick was. She sent me to MAC cosmetics where I purchased a new bronzer called 'Global Glow.' And it's brilliant. But it is a bronzer and didn't achieve the all over dewy look I was hoping for. It goes without saying I have now resigned myself to the fact that colleague has simply been gifted with an amazing complexion.

I'm not one for wearing a heavy face of makeup daily and in fact stopped using foundation a couple of years ago. I now use Estee Lauder's BB Cream which has a built in SPF of 30 and gives light coverage all day. It does need reapplying if I go out in the evening but it's perfect for my everyday needs. It recently ran out and I had to hot foot it to Selfridges for my next fix. Whilst there the lovely sales woman and I got chatting and I mentioned my quest for the perfect 'I woke up like this' skin. And that's when she changed my life.

They have just launched a new product, to sit along side the BB cream I already use, which is to be used to make sure it is completely and utterly removed. After a small demonstration I was sold.
Perfectly Clean not only has a place in my makeup kit, it now has a place in my heart. I've always thought I'd been quite good at the whole 'cleanse, tone, moisturise' thing but this has blown all that out of the water.

Also during our chat the very lovely woman at the Estee Lauder counter asked me about my nighttime moisturising regime. I am extremely proud to say I always, always, remove all make up and apply eye and face cream every evening but what she showed me next has revolutionised a routine I didn't think needed 'upping.' Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum. Because I am not a millionaire I was unable to buy everything she was showing me at once but she was extremely kind and gave me over a weeks worth of sample sachets of it. Well, it's been a week and I am converted. Come payday she'll be seeing me again. Finally my skin has that glow I've been craving and it was all down to some tweaks. I feel confident I will have the radiance in my face that I want on my wedding day and will be getting a bottle of the serum next week. You just wash your face as normal, cover your face in a light layer of the serum then moisturise on top of that as normal.

I apologise in advance for the following closer than close pictures but they are both with my normal makeup on, and free of filters. One was taken at Christmas, the other last week. I had to take a picture last week as I startled myself at the change these two new products have made.

I am definitely sold. Roll on payday so I can get that serum, and roll on Wedding Day so I can show off this glow!

The Perfect Canvas

Foundation. Quite literally the foundation of your daily makeup routine. But where to start?


My step dad actually works in the cosmetics chemical business and has always drummed it into me that if it's going directly onto your skin don't scrimp on it. The cheaper the product the cheaper the chemicals in it - hands up if you want budget chemicals applied directly to your face...Thought not.


I used to be a hardcore convert of Chanel Pro Lumiere Foundation which suited my complexion down to the ground, didn't need reapplying at any time throughout the day and gave great coverage without being a thick, heavy consistency. I loved it. For years I loved it. Then they hiked the price up. Not by £1 or £2 but by £5. And I draw the line at spending over £30 no matter how fabulous the finish.

A friend of mine then recommended Bourjois as a cheaper alternative. At around £10 a pop I thought this wouldn't shock my step dad too much and was assured by my friend (who has flawless skin) that it was good quality, had a lovely finish and was kind to the bank account. So I tried it. Bourjois Healthy Mix to be precise.
Oh how I regret this now. It has left my face ruined. My poor skin has been dried out, despite moisturising sometimes 3 times a day with Olay. It feels tight, sometimes painful and definitely over sensitive. As someone who never suffered with spots through my teens and early twenties I am not happy to be discovering little outbreaks now...and days from my 26th birthday this is not an ideal time to hone a skin affliction.


So goodbye Bourjois. (Healthy mix my foot!)

After that little escapade I decided it was time to hot foot it to Selfridges beauty floor and get some advice. My housemate has a great foundation from Estee Lauder so i thought I'd go and see what they could do for me and after trying out 3-4 different types and colours we found a perfect match. Double Wear in Fresco. 

I tried it this morning for the first time and even on its first wear I can tell the difference. I've not had to reapply, my skin feels soft and with inbuilt SPF 10 I feel looked after. It retails at £26.50 which doesn't bother me as all I ever hear ringing in my ears is my step dads warning about cheap chemicals - and Bourjois proved that to me!

I'll let you know how it plays out but so far I have a good feeling about my newest beauty buy...