Less Is More

Having struggled with pretty awful breakouts on one side of my chin for about 6 monthly from September-February, I was almost ready to give up. Almost. I couldn't understand why the majority of my face was looking radiant, but my jawline and one half of my chin was constantly plastered in spots. I assumed it was something odd happening with one of my ovaries, so I saw a doctor, changed pills, changed my diet, and took up more exercise. The clear parts of my face only continued to get clearer and more radiant, but the breakouts in that pesky little spot just kept on coming. It affected my self-confidence and mood big time. And then it clicked.

I spent a few days at home, sick from work, wearing no make-up. I looked a bit tired, but at the end of those few days I realised that I hadn't had any new spots pop up. Overall that poor broken-out area was looking much clearer. It was at that point I decided to go back to basics. I got rid of the foundation and concealer and re-introduced two products that had fallen by the wayside since the summer.

The Mádara is for days I don't want an SPF. It is matte, golden and beautiful. The VitaZing is for days I want an SPF and something more moisturising - this one is a skincare product first and foremost. If I want concealing on a couple of blemishes, I'll use a concealer just in those areas.

The result is clear, happy skin. I'm just kicking myself that I didn't realise the trigger soon. Back to basics, Kat...back to basics... If you are having the same problem, I could recommend either of the above products. Or even if you decide to go with something else, it is more the advice to take a step back from what you are putting on your face. All the vegetables in the world can't make up for skin which is suffocating.

The Five Product Face

Like most people, I go through phases with my make-up. What can I say? I'm only human. It can be a full blown cat eye and red lip one day to a simple five minute 'slaplication' before I dash out the door the next. That's what this post is dedicated to today, my five minute, five product face.

 

First up, it's my trusty Origins Vitazing SPF 15. I've honestly lost count of how many of these babies I've squeezed my way through over the past 5 years or so. It is incredible stuff. Not a foundation, but totally evens out any redness whilst also making you look like you've just come back from a spa retreat somewhere fabulous in the middle of the Indian Ocean. A true Godsend. To conceal any blemishes or slap on top of my dark circles, I always turn to my Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer. Generally I use a seperate concealer for my undereyes/blemishes, but we're talking bare essentials here, so I've widdled it down to this great all-rounder. With a whopping 10ml in the tube, it'd be a great thing to take when travelling to mix with moisturiser for a base too! Hey, what's better than a foundation and concealer in the same tube?! 

Following the, sun-kissed theme, I am addicted to Daniel Sandler's Watercolour Creme Bronzer in Fiji to crank up the colour and faux-glow. I blend this with my finger onto cheek bones, bridge of my nose and lightly on my brow bone. The red-bronze colour immitates a natural tan and if I could use one word to describe the way it makes you look, it'd be healthy. I swipe a nice dollop of Miss Sporty Just Clear Mascara through my brows to make sure they behave themselves and finish off with the No7 Extreme Length Extend Mascara. No faffing, no brushes, no worries.

 

Five Empties...

I seem to be whizzing through the products these days! Why is it so satisfying hitting the bottom of a pot/bottle/tube?!

1. Balance Me Rose Otto Body Wash - This full-sized product came in a Carmine Box earlier this year. It smells great, but not too strongly of rose. It moisturises and works great with exfoliating mits. At £12.25 for 260ml it is more on the pricey side, but with no nasty chemical preservatives and fragrances it should appeal to many. Can be purchased here.

2. Maxfaxtor 2000 Calorie Mascara - I got the black/brown shade as I wanted something less harsh than black for more 'natural' make-up days. I wasn't impressed the first couple times I used it. The formula was too wet and definitely blobbed all over my eyelids. However, once it dried a little after a week or two it turned out pretty nicely!

3. Origins VitaZing SPF 15 Moisturiser - Amazing stuff. I use this religiously to even out my skintone and add a tiny fraction of coverage. It plumps skin and leaves it truly glowing. Can be purchased here.

4. Origins Plantscription Skin Serum Sample - Really fantastic at plumping the skin and reducing/preventing wrinkles. A great anti-aging product that really rejuvenates the face and neck and can be purchased here.

5. Burt's Bees Milk & Honey Body Lotion - At first I really questioned the scent of this, but with regular use it totally grew on me and I loved the hydration it gave to my skin. At about £10 for 175ml it isn't the cheapest and for the amount that I like to slather on my body I probably wouldn't put this on the 'must buy' list. However, it is a great hydrating body lotion.

A Few Origins Goodies...

I have been an Origins girl for a good few years now. I believe their products to be of fantastic quality, they smell great and do what they say on the tin. I ordered a couple of my staples and thought I would share with you guys! I initially hopped onto their website to replenish my VitaZing moisturiser and Pinch Your Cheeks cheek tint stocks, but noticed a great deal on a little limited edition kit!

Right now you can order the limited edition Brightening Musts kit for just £26 (the cost of VitaZing alone!) The kit contains a full-sized 50ml VitaZing moisturiser, a 30ml Modern Friction gentle dermabrasion facial cleanser and a mini 5ml GinZing eye cream pot! Such a great deal! I adore Modern Friction, it smells light and fresh and citrusy and gently exfoliates the skin. GinZing I have yet to try, but I know it is a popular seller from Origins. Included was a sample of the popular Plantscription anti-aging serum. Excited to try!

 

' Pinch Your Cheeks' is my go-to cheek tint. It comes in Rasberry or Coralberry. The above photo is a swatch of coralberry. It blends out to give a gorgeous orangy-red tint to the cheeks - great on any skin tone! At £13 for only 3ml you may think it is crazy, but just to give you an idea...I have had my current one for about a year or more and use it most days! You need the tiniest amount.