Following on from my morning skincare routine post, here is my current evening skincare routine plus my current weekly face mask treats! I make no apologies for this being a bit long and ramble-y, I like talking about skincare!!
Firstly I remove my eye make up with a bi-phase eye make up remover and I am currently using the Nivea Double Effect Eye Make Up Remover. I do not like this eye make up remover at all-I feel it's quite harsh on the skin and isn't all that effective at removing my heavy duty mascara. I definitely wouldn't repurchase this and I also wouldn't recommend it for ladies with sensitive eyes.
I double cleanse every evening-my first cleanse is to remove my make up thoroughly and my second cleanser usually has some kind of skincare benefit to it. I am currently on my second tub of the Clinique Take The Day Off cleansing balm which is a thick balm which melts into an oil as you massage it into your dry skin. I find it really effective at removing all my make up and it is safe to use around the eyes. The ingredients are basic and I think that's why I like it! It doesn't contain shea or cocoa butter or beeswax if your skin is intolerant to those ingredients.
After I apply this to dry skin I give my face a good old massage before splashing with water and then removing with a damp flannel. I definitely recommend using a flannel because, like a lot of balm cleansers, it can leave a film or residue like feeling on the skin if not removed properly. I personally favour flannels to muslin cloths as they're cheap, less harsh and easy to wash.
This is a also great balm cleanser to try if you're new to this type of cleanser-yes it's undoubtedly not as luxurious as something like the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa cleansing balm but 1) my first cleanse is a functional cleanse-I want all my make up (or as much of it as possible) off my face and this cleanser does that terrifically and 2) the Emma Hardie is packed with essential oils
which my skin can be sensitive too-and your own skin will change over time/season as well. My first tub of Emma Hardie my skin loved-it hated the second tub and broke out.
I really really really really recommend using a flannel to remove cleanser. I read a blog post about someones skincare routine recently and the writer said she double cleansed but then toned 'because it's surprising how much make up residue is on your skin even after double cleansing'. When you tone your skin, the cotton pad you sweep over your skin should come back clean-your cleanser should remove your make up-NOT TONER! A flannel really does help to remove the cleanser AND the makeup off your face.
My current second cleanse in the evening is the Aesop Fabulous Face Cleanser. This is a runny, light gel cleanser packed with bergamot, chamomile and rosemary. This is a very light cleanser and would not therefore be suitable for removing make up. It does not foam on the skin and removes easily with water. It smells very herbal-to me it smells like tea tree but am guessing its a combination of bergamot and rosemary.
This would be a great morning cleanser because it is so light and refreshing BUT it's packaged in a pharmacy inspired glass bottle which I know 100% know if it was in my shower I would drop it and it would smash.
I do not think this would be a repurchase for me.
Next up is my double tone routine. I wrote quite a lot about why I double tone and the benefits of it in my post here if you're new to this concept.
My current exfoliating toner is the Ren Clarifying Toning Lotion. Free from harmful chemicals, this toner uses willow bark to remove impurities and unclog pores, whilst mayblossom extract reduces the production of sebum. Lemon, grape, pineapple and passion fruit extracts all contain organic acids that decongest the skin and stimulate cell renewal. Despite all this good stuff I am not loving this toner. It does the job but it seems to drag over the skin and feels quite harsh and almost stripping. I will use it up but personally I would not repurchase even though it gets many great reviews. I prefer the Michael Todd Lemon AHA toner and the Biologique Recherche P50.
I then sweep my hydrating toner over my skin and I use the same one from my morning routine-the Melvita Orange Blosson Extraordinary Water. A clear, thick but non sticky gel with orange extract, it absorbs quickly and would be really good for very oily skintones. It's not as hydrating as I would like for me and I will not repurchase.
I don't use a night cream-everything I have tried seems to be too heavy on my skin and cause breakouts. I am have been alternating nightly between an oil and a serum which seems to work well.
I have raved endlessly about the Clarins Lotus Face Treatment oil and have a full post on this beauty here. If you have oily skin then basically you need this in your life! I press 3-4 drops into my skin and then massage lightly. And the smell.....aaaaaahhhhh. SO relaxing and soothing. It helps to regulate oil on the skin-yes when first applied your skin will look extra oily but after 1 hour my skin looks almost matte.
The Chantecaille Retinol Intense is a brand new addition so I really can't comment on it yet as I have been using it just a week. Ridiculously expensive (I think it was £85 from Space NK) this is a hybrid serum/cream targeting anti aging, pigmentation and stimulating collagen production. It has a relatively low percentage of Retinol (given the name) and contains some very soothing ingredients such as Mallow, Evening Primrose Oil, Macadamia Nut oil and Jojoba Seed along with aromatherapy extracts of rose, jasmine and geranium. Have I paid over the odds? I'll be sure to let you know!
Two staples in my evening routine-an eye cream and a lip balm. Currently on my eyes I am using the Benefit It's Potent which came in an Xmas gift set from my lovely god daughters. Despite the frankly scary name it is very rich and hydrating and a little goes a long way. It contains a peptide complex-peptides are an anti aging powerhouse plus tons of hydrating ingredients like glycerin and sweet almond extract. It's not too rich that it doesn't absorb into the skin and I really quite like it.
I am also using the Eve Lom Kiss Mix balm which was a GWP from Space NK. It has a very minty tingle and is very hydrating even though the formula is relatively thin (we're not talking the heavy duty consistency of the Nuxe Reve de Miel or Dr Lipp Nipple Balm).
I use two masks per week-usually a detoxifying mask and a hydrating mask. However as you can see above I am currently using two masks labelled as 'detox'-the Malin and Goetz detox face mask and the Elemental Herbology Facial Detox. They are both SO different though. I use the Malin and Goetz mid week as it's quick and easy. You apply the gel to a dry face and within seconds it starts to foam and crackle-a bit like listening to a bowl of rice crispies when you add milk! It's incredibly gentle and doesn't tingle or sting and after 5 minutes you simply wash off (I use my flannel again). It deep cleanses the skin without using harsh detergents or drying clays. Complex amino acids and natural almond extract gently and effectively purify, clarify, balance and soothe. Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Soy Protein help to firm and address concerns for aging while instantly brightening complexion. Your skin will feel SO soft when you remove it. It can even be just tissued off for the most moisturisation benefit. It's gentle enough to be used daily and perfect for anyone with sensitive skin.
The Elemental Herbology Facial Detox is more of an old school, hardcore detoxifying clay mask. When I posted a picture of this on instagram it got a lot of love from people saying it was their fave clay mask. It contains amazonian clay, aloe vera and manuka honey to detoxify without overly stripping the skin and a combination of essential oils to help balance sebum production. For a clay it is relatively light on the skin and it's not difficult to remove-I moisten with water and get most of it off before removing the rest with a flannel. This mask seems to stop any upcoming spots in their tracks and shorten the life of anything erupting on your face. Both of these masks are around the £30 mark and I got both of mine from Space NK.
Finally my beloved lips scrub! I always use a lip scrub twice a week to slough away dry flaky skin and this one from Bliss is amazing. If you have sensitive lips and find a lot of lip scrubs to be too harsh then this one is perfect as it has a cream base and very small exfoliating kernals. The only word of caution I would exercise is to those with nut allergies as it uses ground walnut shells to exfoliate. Gentle but effective, this is a permanent fixture in my shower!
Well done if you got to the end of this epic post!! Do you use any of these in your skincare routine?
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