Hello everyone!

 

I hope you all of had a fab February, it is time for my second blog post on my monthly resolutions!

 

This month again I wanted to go with something that wasn’t too intense and easy to complete, well at least I thought it would be….

 

Anyways this month I wanted to take better care of the skin on my face.

The reason I had the resolution to just the skin on my face, is because I usually moisturize my skin every night before I sleep and morning anyways so that is usually taken good care of.

 

Three disclaimers –

• I am not in any way a dermatologist, these opinions on the products I am going to specify are my own, I also am not stating that these products will work for everyone and that you should purchase as these are what worked for me / what routine suited me best etc.

 

• This blog post is also just not for ladies, it can be for gents also as it is very important to take care of your skin.

 

• I would finally like to point out that all of my blog posts will not be beauty / body care; it is just nice to keep things different so if you do not enjoy this blog post, this fitted into my series of the monthly resolutions but there shall be more soon enough with a bit of variety in terms of subject.

 

But the aim of monthly resolutions is to empower others, no matter the topic.

 

For noooooooooooow, keep reading and I hope you enjoy!

 

To begin, I understand that it can be a key element to take care of your skin so I would have previously used face wipes to remove makeup and perhaps face wash to follow to cleanse my face. This didn’t work for me because my face will still feel un-clean and I would have these weird breakouts so I decided that a proper face routine needed to be put in place.

 

Makeup wipes are not a substitute for the old fashioned facial washing. The majority of facial wipes are sodden with chemicals that allow for easy removal of makeup, which means they can leave chemical residue on the skin and these are used incorrectly, they can smear makeup into the skin instead of removing the makeup completely.

 

Along with that, if they contain alcohol and if you have sensitive skin like me, they can be irritating and dry your face out.

 

I am going to break this post up into three steps; what did I use, my routine and how did I get on throughout the month.

 

What did I use: Firstly I used cotton pads to remove the makeup; I get mine in Pennys for between 75c – 2 euro.

 

Cleanser: NUXE Paris, Micellar Foaming Cleanser with Rose Petals.

 

“This micellar foaming cleanser with Rose Petals gently cleanses thanks to its soap-free micellar formula. Its thick and creamy foam leaves skin perfectly clean, fresh and purified.

This facial cleanser is specifically developed for sensitive skins. Its micellar foam cleanses normal to combination skins in one step.”

 

Eye makeup remover: Elizabeth Arden, All Gone Makeup Remover.

“This two-phase formulation easily and gently removes even transfer-resistant, waterproof makeup without irritation. Softens and comforts, leaving skin perfectly smooth & clean.”

 

Toner: NUXE Paris, Gentle Toning Lotion with Rose Petals.

 

“This gentle toning lotion with Rose Petals soothes refreshes and puts the finishing touch to make-up removal. The lotion does not contain alcohol, and does not dry skin.”

 

Moisturiser: NIVEA® Soft Refreshingly Soft Moisturising Cream.

 

 

“The improved formula with Jojoba Oil now contains even more moisturising care and has a refreshing effect on your skin, while Vitamin E helps protect its natural structure.”

This is my faveeeee and I purchased mine in ‘Boots‘.

 

I am aware that it looks like I am only mentioning products that are expensive but the ‘NUXE Paris’ products I got in a gift-set for Christmas, also seeming as I have sensitive skin so it was worthwhile to invest into products that were expensive to see what they were like.

 

Also, the Elizabeth Arden eye makeup remover was only a ’10ml’, just seeming as my skin is dry-normal yet sensitive I wanted to use the products I were given as gifts. (I had also heard good stuff on these.)

 

For a more affordable option I love the micellar water and eye makeup remover from’ Garnier’.

 

You can also go to pharmacies or beauticians that supply skin care ranges and ask for samples, they have plenty and it would be lighter on the pocket to test out a product first or until you save up the money to purchase.

Also there is a brilliant ‘Nivea men’ face range.

I feel whether you wear makeup or not, you should always take care of your skin even if it is just with any face-wash and water.

 

 

 

My routine:

 

I got the cotton pads and used the ‘Elizabeth Arden’ eye makeup remover and continued with the pads and the foam wash to cleanse my face, I then proceeded to wipe my face down with a face towel, I then used the pads (always a new one once the previous one got dirty) again with the toner to my face, I finished with moisturiser.

 

This routine usually took 10-15 minutes.

 

I finished of the whole routine every night with my number one Holy Grail product, ‘Sudocrem’.

I honestly cannot fault this, it comes in various tubs if you wanted to try it out and reasonably priced and I use it at least one or two times a day.

 

 

 

To use you just scoop small amount of the ‘Sudocrem antiseptic healing cream’ onto the tip of your finger, then proceed to apply a thin film on the affected area in gentle, circular motions avoiding contact with the eyes. This is great for any breakouts. After college, when I have no makeup on or before I go to sleep, I always apply this product.

 

It can be purchased in most supermarkets / pharmacies in Ireland.

 

 

How did I get on?

 

Understandably after a long day of running errands / college, work, in a rush or (my number one fall down) a night out, it can seem like such effort to do this big routine.

 

I would like to be honest in my posts and state that yes it does take a lot of effort to take off your makeup properly but honestly your skin will thank you in the long run.

 

I have always been good for taking off my makeup after a night out before I head to sleep or after a long day but recently I had just wanted to try and make an effort with myself because you should treat your skin like a blank canvas, and of course you cannot keep painting over and over on a dirty piece of paper / canvas because it just looks dirty. (And nooooobody wants that)

 

 

 

So I feel I did complete this task because now I enjoy taking off my makeup just as much as I like to apply it. It is quite therapeutic to clean I found.

 

 

 

I have to lug my products around with me when I’m sleeping over at a friends or going back to Mayo (you would be surprised how much room it takes up), for example: I always had wipes at my boyfriend’s house because the feeling of a clean face when you awake cannot be beaten.

 

I brought my little set-up with me the last day and his reaction was priceless but it felt so soft so it was worth the confused look on his face.

I don’t think anybody is perfect so you obviously don’t have a face-wash setup 101 in your handbag but I do believe we can try to be the best we can be and that is where wipes or a face towel with water comes into play.

I know the feels and a panda look the next morning with a banging head does not only look appealing, it doesn’t feel too pleasant either.

 

Other aspects come into play such as, washing your face even when you do not have makeup on, keeping consistent with your products (unless they do not work for you) and keeping your makeup brushes clean.

I also like to do a face-mask once a week on my face, just to really get a good cleanse.

Any product at all usually works, you can buy face-mask packets in pharmacies / supermarkets or create your own; I sometimes use ‘Johnson’s’ baby powder and egg white for example.

To summarize I found this resolution a struggle as yes I did remove my makeup but there were stages or long days when I didn’t remove it properly but the next day I would pick myself up and continue with the routine.

I also found my skin extremely well taken care of by the end of the month, it didn’t break out and especially when applying makeup, it looked fresh and clear so I will most definitely be keeping this up.

 

 

I feel like I can’t just have a blog post under 500 words, why Alisha why…………………….

 

 

 

I hope at least one person took a fancy to this blog post on my monthly resolutions.

 

(Still keeping up the water task and it is going well),

Stay tuned to some new content in the next week or two,

 

Stay wavy,

 

 

 

Alisha X

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credits: 

• Pennys Cotton Pads.
• Elizabeth Arden Makeup Remover.
• Nivea Soft Face Cream.
• Micellar Water.
• Samples.
• Nivea Men.
• Sudocrem.