My Really Simple Skincare Routine

I'll let you in on a little secret. I don't spend a lot of money on my skincare routine. I know - SMITE ME DOWN, beauty gods! Slap me on the wrist for I must be a bad blogger! I've tried my fair share of high-end products when it comes to skincare and I have to say, I really don't see a huge difference in the results they give compared to my trusty 'drugstore' faves. I'm a big believer in that, when it comes to your skin, more expensive doesn't neccessarily equal better.  There's not a shred of skincare snobbery where I'm concerned. Ohhh no - get me down the aisles of Boots and I'm a happy chappy.  As well as my belief that the price tag doesn't always reflect the quality, I also think that keeping your skincare routine as simple as you can works wonders.  I think we've all fallen victim to over complicating our regimes now and again - being a beauty obsessive, it's easier said than done to cut-out some of the steps from your routine.  I think it's all too easy to get sucked in to buying luxurious products purely because they look good on your dressing table. Well, sods to that, I say!

Skin care is such a personal thing which made me wonder whether or not this post would go down like a lead balloon - however, if you're at your wits end with your skin, are suffering with breakouts you cannot get rid of or just can't find anything to work for you, hopefully this post might inspire you somehow. I've found a bunch of products which really do work a charm - and aside from one high-end product (which actually does do what it claims) none of these products are over £15.00 - in fact, the 2 'main' products I use are less than a fiver... 

Ok, so you might have seen the header photo for this post and thought 'how the flippin'eck is that a simple skincare regime?' - but the reality is, on a daily basis, I only use these 2 products.  Nothing else.  I wash my face both morning and night with my Simple Spotless Skin Triple Action Face Wash (£3.99) and moisturise afterwards with a pump or two of Superdrug's Tea Tree Facial Moisturiser (£2.99).  That's it. Nothing snazzy. Not a bit of fancy packaging or a luxurious name to be seen.  I like these two together because they do a fab job at keeping my skin clear from blemishes - the face wash has tiny little beads in it which help to exfoliate gently and the moisturiser is a lovely consistency for every day use (although dry skin types will probably find it much too light). The tea tree definitely helps to calm my skin and I've been using both of these for years now - I couldn't be without them.

The only other face wash I will use is Arran Aromatics Lavender Tea Tree Reviving Toning Facial Wash (£12.95). I've spoken about this many times on my blog and it even made it into my 2013 favourites here. I use this when I'm feeling a bit stressed as it's such a relaxing wash to use before bedtime - I find it has really great calming benefits if my skin is looking a little worse for wear or dull. It's so cooling and calming on the skin and the scent is just heavenly.  The consistency is also really lovely  - a gel-like texture with small exfoliating beads which leaves your skin feeling smooth, soft and pampered. I must be on my 5th bottle of the stuff now.  I love it.  

Another brand I'm rather partial to when it comes to skincare is Organic Surge.  I really like their Blissful Daily Moisturiser (£8.49) for the wintertime as it's just that little bit thicker than my Tea Tree one (bare in mind I have normal-dry skin and this is fine for me, but if you have particularly dry patches, you might want to try something a little heavier).  It's really creamy and intensely moisturising but it doesn't sit on top of the skin so it's great for applying in the mornings when you need to do your makeup pretty swiftly after moisturising.  I'm also a big fan of the Organic Surge First Class Face Mask (£8.49). I must admit I'm not one for face masks as I just find them a bit of a faff and my skin often reacts badly to them - but this one is really gentle and fuss-free. It doesn't harden and it doesn't leave an obvious film on the skin - in some ways, it's just like applying a thick moisturiser.  I will pop some on 10 minutes before a shower and then wash it off in there - it's so easy.  I do this if my skin is feeling dull or 'clogged' up as it gets rid of any impurities - it seems to help clear any blemishes and leaves my skin looking a little more bright and fresh.

If you suffer with blemishes and want a really good product to clear your skin, I really recommend having a bottle of this in your bathroom cabinet.  It's expensive - but my goodness, it works.  I will always recommend this to anybody suffering with breakouts as it completely cleared mine when I went through a little spell of them last year.  It was a life saver and I doubt I'll ever find anything as good.  At £25.00 a bottle, the Harley Street Skincare Spot Busting Solution isn't cheap - but its worth every penny and I'm now on my 4th bottle of the stuff. It's great if you have quite a few blemishes in a certain area or if you have one of those stubborn under the skin spots. I won't say too much as I've reviewed it a couple of times on my blog - you can find it in my 2013 favourites post here.

And last but not least, my Origins Super Spot Remover (£15.00) is another one of my favourites.  I must admit I think I prefer my Harley Street solution however, this one is great for travelling with (i take it on holiday as it weighs next to nothing) and it's good to pop on if you have a small blemish or two.  This teeny tiny bottle has lasted me ages and it's well worth the money.

 So there we have it - my super simple skin care regime. Aside from a couple of more indulgent products, there's nothing overly luxurious or high-end - just good quality, well priced products that work a treat.  I used to over-complicate my skincare regime and ever since I've stripped it back to the basics, i've noticed so many benefits.  

What's your opinion on skin care?

Monthly Favourites | July

July has been such a lovely month for me.  As well as enjoying some scorching weather at home (the sun has most certainly got his hat on just recently, hasn't he?!), I've also been away to Crete for a week of Pina Coladas and relaxation with the fam, and tottled off to London for 6 days with my uni course to exhibit some of my work. Cor Blimey ;) What a month! As well as this I've also been to an interview for a placement and am now building up for my birthday weekend. It's fair to say I've had a lot of chances to discover new products and re-vamp my makeup routine, and I certainly have found a lot of new cosmetic favourites this month. So much so I've actually had to cut them down! I settled on a few that might tickle your fancy. Far to often I bombard you all with my lipstick favourites but I figured I've had about 4 I've been wearing constantly this month so I'd better save those for a summery post soon...  Anyway, I shall kick off with a selection of July's favourite products...

Victoria's Secret | Body Spray Fragrance in 'Sensual Blush' |

If you saw my recent holiday haul, you'll have seen this little beauty sitting amongst the things I bought. It smells amazing. It's so light and fresh and so summery - and looks really pretty sitting on my dressing table.  Just a few sprays drenches you in the fragrance and for a body spray it actually lasts pretty well. In fact, i've had people ask me what perfume I'm wearing! It also lingers in my bedroom once I've spritzed it so it's also doubled up as a handy room fragrance this month for me - it's safe to say I am addicted to it. I'm slightly gutted that when this one runs out I'm going to struggle to get another... unless I fancy booking a flight to America solely for the purpose of stocking up my fragrance stash, that is.

Urban Decay | Waterproof Eye Liner in 'Demolition' |

I won't say too much about this as I dedicated my most recent post to this little beauty (you can have a read here if you're interested). In summer, I much prefer a brown eyeliner as opposed to black.  I tend to kick the liquid out for a few weeks and settle on a more subtle, natural option for my peepers.  This one is a dream to apply, stays put all day and makes my eyes stand out without looking too smokey. 

Collection | 'Work the Colour' Eyeshadow Pencils |

I've never been intrigued by eyeshadow crayons before up until my Motherbear let me borrow one of hers on holiday.  As soon as I arrived home I swiftly popped out and bought the 3 colours I liked - including the Vintage Pink shade that I'd loved so much in Crete (thanks, Ma!) For the price they are absolutely amazing and are bang on the mark with pigmentation and application.  Once they're on, they're on - they last ages on my eyes and are so fuss-free and simple. The brown colour is perfect for a subtle smokey look for daytime whereas the lightest shade (a gorgeous yellow/white colour) is perfect for the inner corners to brighten up your eyes. LOVE.

Bourjois | Bronzing Primer |

Okay. This is product has fast become my favourite product of the whole month and I'm sure it will remain one of my favourites well into next summer. The consistency is so unbelievably blendable and smooth and it looks so natural buffed in over my foundation.  I also like to apply some underneath my foundation as it helps to smooth the skin and help your makeup stay in place, at the same time as adding a soft, bronzed glow.  It's kept my holiday tan going all month - I often lose colour on my face first so it's been handy to have in my makeup bag for a bit of a boost (it's not a good look when your face is paler than your body is it?!) I'll definitely be buying another pot as soon as this runs out - it's so versatile and I'm determined to make it work for me through autumn/winter too.

Harley Street Skin Care | Spot Less Buster Solution |

I have a full review of this product here if you want to have a nosey, but this spot treatment is now a staple in my skin care routine.  I was actually sent this to try and I've already ordered another bottle for myself.  It treats any blemishes you have really quickly, but without the horrible dry appearance that other treatments tend to leave, meaning that this one is perfect for underneath your makeup.  It can be used as either a topical treatment or used over an entire problem area, meaning that it's more versatile than other treatments I've tried.

Mark Hill | Holiday Hair Cover Up Protection Spray |

This little mini has been a suitcase essential for me this month! My hair often gets a little frazzled in the sun and I often end up battling with a load of frizz towards the end of a holiday. This little spray came in so handy for sunbathing - simply spritz over the ends of your hair and over the scalp area and it helps to protect hair from the heat of the sun.  It smells beautiful and I found it helped my hair to remain softer and frizz-free for longer.

Mac | Paint Pot in 'Rubenesque' |

I have a full review of this paint pot here, but it's been my go-to eyeshadow base this month.  I use it constantly and am totally obsessed with the peachy-gold colour it gives.  It looks beautiful both with or without a tan and looks amazing both on its own or with powder shadow over the top.

Seventeen | Wild Eyes in 'Wild Purple' |

I often get a little scared of applying any form of colour to my eyes - I'm very much a neutrals girl. However, I thought I'd give this purple shade a whirl just recently and I have to say I love it! I have green eyes and it really helps them 'pop'. I put a little in the outer corners for a subtle flash or colour and then use a liner brush to apply some under the lash line.  I'm definitely tempted to grab a few more shades!

And so there we have it - an edited version of this month's favourites! I really struggled knocking them down to 8 so I hope I didn't ramble too much! I didn't post any favourites last month so it's been even tougher choosing them this time around.  I'm currently planning a few things for my birthday at the weekend - I turn the grand old age of 23 so I'm thinking a round of bowling (got to be a little childish!) and a night on the tiles is in order!

What have you been loving this month? Anything here take your fancy?

Spot Busting Solution | Harley Street Skin Care

Harley Street Skincare | Spot.Less Buster (100ml) | £20.00* | Link

If you've ever seen the programme 'Stitch me, Lift me, Tuck me' (try saying that one fast ;)), then you might be aware of Harley Street's Skin Care range.  The lovely folks over at Baobella asked if I'd like to sample one of their skin care products, I was really excited to say the least - Harley Street has a good reputation for it's skin care and beauty/cosmetic offerings. The 'Spot.Less Buster' is one of Harley Street's products from the 'Spot Less' range targeted at problem skin prone to breakouts and acne.  Now, my skin has never been acne prone, nor is it oily - I've been quite lucky and I only ever really get the odd spot here and there but just recently, at the grand old age of 22, my skin has took a turn for the worst after being on different medications and I have been in need of a little more help than what I'm used to.  Perfect timing then to try out the Spot.Less buster!

Formulated with salicylic acid (well know for it's spot-busting properties!), the 'Spot Buster' claims to be anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and will help to reduce oil production, unblock pores and prevent new spots from appearing as well as banishing existing ones.  It not only helps to kill off any nasties that you do have, but also prevents new ones from forming and the solution is suitable for all skin types (even sensitive skin - yay!) - it even claims to be formulated with anti-ageing properties which is all very well and good (of course, I cannot vouch for this just yet).  To use, you simply cleanse as normal, then cover any affected areas with the solution.  I personally prefer to spray onto a cosmetic cotton pad and simply dab over the entire area that looks a little worse for wear.  What I love about this product, is that compared with other spot-healing products on the market - this one targets an entire area rather than just being a topical treatment for one blemish.  As much as I love my Origins Super Spot Remover (featured in a post here), I often find that when my skin is being particularly troublesome, I want something to cover a larger area in order to prevent any new ones from forming rather than simply treating the breakout.

What I love about this product, is that you can apply it in the mornings under makeup and nobody would know.  If you're a fan of Origins or other similar spot treatments, you'll know that they dry out the skin and often can appear 'crusty' under concealer (yuk) making them more appropriate for night time treatment.  Spot Buster, although drying (as with all spot treatments), doesn't make the skin appear flaky or leave any noticeable residue so it's perfect for use in the mornings before applying your make up. When applied, it feels instantly cooling and you can feel it working it's way into your skin - stinging ever so slightly before disappearing.  It doesn't leave a film and it doesn't sit on the skin like a cream.  It's very much a 'spray and go' kind of product.  I apply morning and night to the effected area and have seen visible improvements to my skin.  I've been having a complete nightmare with it for the past couple of months (amazing what a bit of medicine can do to your skin!) and it's really helped keep breakouts at bay - killing off any spots that appear quickly and reducing redness and any swelling.  I don't suffer with cystic acne spots - purely just annoying little pimples now and again so I cannot say how it would fair on acne-prone, oily skin, but judging how it's worked for me I can imagine it would work on more problematic skin.

I've been so impressed with this little bottle and I've been using it non-stop since I got it. I even love the packaging - the blue glass bottle feels weighty and expensive - this spot treatment definitely means business! I will be placing an order for another one as soon as it runs out as it's worth every penny for me and it's something I can't live without now.  It's filled the gap in the market for an all-round good treatment for spot prone skin in general - it will work as either a topical treatment or as an all over treatment to prevent any breakouts forming and it's also great underneath makeup. It feels cooling to apply and you can feel it working as soon as it's in contact with your skin, tightening slightly and killing off any redness.  The only advice I'd give you is to spray in a well ventilated room - many a time I've coughed and spluttered my way out of the bathroom of a morning!  It doesn't bother me though - it just smells like you'd expect a spot treatment with a bit of 'punch' to smell.   I really, really love this product, and I will certainly be looking into purchasing more from the range (you can have a nosey here) - I have my sights set on the Pore Minimising Mask and Spotless Skin Renewal! Overall, I'm so impressed and Harley Street Skin Care gets a big thumbs up from me (they even have a mineral makeup range...intrigued much?!). You can purchase the Spot.Less Buster from their website for £20.00 here - I'm not yet sure of anywhere else which stocks it which is a shame - but I shall be keeping my beady eyes peeled as the range deserves to be more widely known! Thankyou very much Baobella for introducing me to such a fabulous brand.

Have you ever tried anything from Harley Street Skin Care? Would this be something you'd like to try?