It's been so long since I just sat here and typed to you all rather than filmed! I hope you're all doing so so well and staying safe!
We're into the colder months now and seeing as my last blog was on Blackpool ya gals feeling blue. The lack of vit-d and the lack of any natural lighting whatsoever for our photos (thank uuu selfie lights x) is extremely painful.
BUT... we don't have to look how we feel! We can fake that summer glow with some winter pals that are not just winter saviours but will remain loyal AF regardless of the season. Here below are my top five tips on how to maintain that beautiful summer glow, and avoid a glow-less winter.
1. MEDICAL GRADE GLOWY SKIN TREATMENTS
Skincare is of course the worst kept secret to glowing skin yet one we often neglect. Ngl, until this year I really didn't take my skincare routine all that seriously but since I hit the age of 27 this year (this will never feel ok to say, ew) I could probably be looking after my skin a bit better. For me as an acne sufferer, I have to be extremely careful about what I put near my skin otherwise ya gals going to be having a pimple party on her wee face- so not cute.
Before I trialled any drugstore available skincare products however, I had to treat my acne properly- Enter, Dermatica!
Now this is a company you've probably seen many ads for. Celeb or influencer endorsements- the lot! You probably - majorly - eye rolled them as well, however, after seeing the ultimate babe Steph Toms do a video on it (yes it was sponsored however she does actually seem to use it) I was now intrigued. I was trusting you here Steph, babe! So I went online, filmed out the online consultation, took the required photos of my face from various (repulsive) angles and submitted. I wanted their glow ingredients for dull skin, but also acne treatment and they understood the assignment ok, they DELIVERED. My skin has honestly changed so much. I still get the odd stubborn chin spots but they are nothing like before my Dermatica journey! And you get sooo much product, too? Like at first when I seen how small the tube was I thought no way is that lasting a whole month... it lasts me almost 2 months!! I am forever postponing my prescription as I have so much product left- she may be small, but she is fierce!
2. GLOWY SKINCARE TO ENVY
Like mentioned above, I use Dermatica for my main skincare. This is used at bedtime and paired with a moisturiser- that's it, you keep it really simple as you don't want to overcomplicate as this can actually do more harm than good for your skin. However, at night-time I use my holy grail cleanser that I swear to you will brighten your skin - and your life - up instantly! My fave serum in the mornings paves the way for the baddest B glow EVER! Makeup free has never looked so desirable I swear. These products have made me feel so confident in my makeup free skin and that is something I honestly thought was impossible to achieve. 2021 delivered, gals!
First up my cleanser. The Ole Henriksen brand is well known perhaps for their brightening eye cream however, their "Truth juice Daily Cleanser" is a pretty big deal and needs some recognition. I first tried this bad B in Boots UK as a mini. Why can we not try like, EVERYTHING as minis first?? It helps so much?? Anyway, I instantly feel in love! Removing your makeup never looked so good! It smells amazing, it feels amazing and a little bit goes such a long way. When you pat dry your skin after cleansing, you will be left with a healthy looking, clean complexion, it's a godsend! Definitely pick one up - especially the mini if you can to trial - when you're next in Boots gal you will be SHOOK.
My morning skincare routine, due to my night-time routine being so nourishing, I actually very rarely need moisturiser during the day! In fact, Dermatica themselves actually suggests you lessen how many skincare products you use daily to let the treatment get to do it's thang. I always wash my face when I wake up and pat-dry it before applying a Hyaluronic Acid serum to my face and honestly, I did not realise how surreal an addition this is to a skincare routine! I started out with Boots Ingredients version and you just simply pump some onto your hand and pat onto your face and it's instantly glowin'
Boots don't really disclose how much % of hyaluronic- acid is in their product however, I can definitely confirm the glow is REAL and long-lasting throughout the day-my acne definitely approved. Given it's benefits towards ageing though, I decided recently to opt for a known % version and a more well rated, recognised serum. Please make way for "The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5" I find it a lot stickier than the boots one tbh, perhaps more suited for night-time use but the glow is there, I just feel the boots one maybe sinks in better if using as a daytime product which I definitely am as it's so lovely on that you would feel so comfortable going about your daily with little to no makeup on. I am obsessed with this addition to my skincare routine and highly recommend adding Hyaluronic acid to yours, too!
3. "HAVE YOU BEEN ON HOLIDAY, BABE?"
Now as someone who has psoriasis and acne, it's a bit of a dramz finding a fake tan to do right by you, it can feel downright impossible, and involves a lot of trial and error and equally a sh*tload of fake tan disasters along the way! However, fear not babe. You can learn from my mistakes right here, right now.
The Isle Of Paradise range is full of tanning wonders (and straight up miracles) What first enticed me to the range was that they offer self-tanning drops and came in shades light, medium and dark giving plenty of options to control your colour. These can be used on the body as well as the face however, I find them perfect and of best use, when used for a quick before bed face tanner as it takes no time at all! Simply put some of your trusty moisturiser on your fingertips, add some of the drops (as many or as little as you want- you control the colour!) and apply to your face, ensuring you properly rub/pat it in.
Top tip: Wash your hands immediately after and I mean ASAP! So that you don't accidentally tan your hands too. Also make sure you don't put face to pillow too soon after applying to ensure the tanning drops and moisturiser is sinking into your skin and not into your pillows!
Extra solid tip: DO NOT let your boyfriend anywhere near your face (unless he's pissed you off then my all means let him snuggle in xo) however if he's behaving, definitely pre-warn him you have tanner on your face as it will transfer. Lewis' nose and forehead has taken it's fair share of second-hand tanning!
Their "Day Dew" is described as a 'gradual face tanning mist' that you apply in the 'am' daily. Personally, I have found it gives the face a lovely, healthy glow, especially when paired with the tanning drops. It advises you spray your face 3 times and then pat it in with a mitt (highly recommend using mitts specifically designed for the face) and go about your day- getting your glow on is really that simple! What I love about this tanning range is it personally doesn't my trigger acne and of course, just it's simplicity. You can add it into a pre-existing routine, rather than having to create a whole routine for it- winner!
4. Make-up free necessities
Yes you read that right. Since lockdown and the whole not having a reason to get dressed up on the daily situation, I embraced the make-up free life so much that I couldn't think of anything worse than having to get glam all the time... who am I?? But to embrace the make-up free life fully, you will for sure want to have some glow-alicious tricks up your sleeve! And you'll be really surprised to hear that my glowy saviour costs only £3 and is from none other than... Primark!
I picked this up on a whim, not expecting much at all tbh. I'd never heard of anyone use it and just liked that it's advertised as a brightening primer and at £3 babe? I'd hardly regret it. Little did I realise the glow this little guy would pack! It's such a radiant - yet - nothing on your skin, glow. I haven't worn it with foundation (yet) but absolutely live for wearing this on it's own. It's a tacky primer so will be perfect for those who use foundations that need something to stick to.
Application Tips: Apply this with 2 pumps onto your fingertips and dab onto your face where desired before blending in with your fingers for an all over glow! For a more subtle glow, 1 pump onto your fingertips and apply 1 small dot to the highpoint of your face (cheekbones, under brow, bridge of nose, temples etc) the places you would apply your highlighter too. It gives the most gorgeous glow when applied this way- put the highlighter down! A little of this product goes such a long way.
5. Mid-week Maintenance
So, you've fake tanned, you were a bronzed again Christian for a whole 2 days and where living your best life however, now your tan is fading girl, we hate to see it, it's grim and we probably all then self pity, ask ourselves why god didn't make us with naturally bronzed, glowy skin. Ugh, why?
For me, doing my tan a few nights a week seems like EFFORT- Even 1 night a week is an effort for me nowadays I absolutely detest the process, but, alas! I have found a little beauty secret that gets me out of mid week top up tanning and their co-conspirator, the sticky gradual tanners...
Besties, meet your new, well, bestie! Body foundation has always been staring us right in the face (think MAC's classic body foundation that all the celebs rated) but it just seemed so extra... until now, ladies!
Body foundation does not have to be extra nor a hassle- just pop some onto the areas that need a little smoothing and re-touch. Personally, my neck area is always the first to go to sh*t- it's brutal, nobody wants a scaly neck do they? No thanks, hun. Applying a small amount of this (Pictured is the Bella Mianta Flawless Filter Body Makeup) with a - clean - tanning mitt and my neck looks fresh- it even gives a blurring effect equivalent to the FaceTune smoother tool- Insane! Recently, my fake tan was awful looking and I had a photoshoot where I was wearing shorts and this babe absolutely saved me. It made me look re-bronzed, refreshed and glowy and my patchy tan worries just faded away for a bit. My skin looked so smooth and I felt camera ready! Definitely a must have item for all you love-hate fake tanners out there. I purchased this one off Missguided and you know what they're like- always a wee cheeky discount off somewhere! xox
I hope these tips are as good to you as they have been to me, babe! Let me know if you try any pleeeease, we're all going to be shining as bright as the star at the top of our trees just you wait x
Remember, babe...
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