The Secret To Super Clear Skin?

In the late stages of my pregnancy I wasn't sleeping so well, I spent hours watching YouTube videos on the widest variety of topics imaginable but one I randomly stumbled upon I actually found really useful. I love Ruth at AModelRecommends.com but I'd never watched her videos before. I trust her advice when it comes to product recommendations as she's tried so many different brands and seems to really know her stuff. I will link said video at the bottom of the page, it's really insightful but as she says she has combination skin and is 30.. not everyone's skin will react the same way to the products she uses. I am not 30 but I'm not teenager and children definitely take their toll so I think what she recommended will work for me.

I have recently started using my Liz Earle cleanse and polish again after writing it off as too much hard work and not really seeing a marked improvement in my skin. I have used it for about 3 weeks and in that time the closest I've come to a breakout is a little, rash-like patch of blemish "threats" on my chin which never developed in to anything. I have always suffered with hormonal breakouts and they are usually around my chin so if this cleanser can prevent those it is absolutely a winner in my book. Of course the true test will come now that I am no longer pregnant and benefiting from all of those lovely hormones that give you glossy hair and great skin... will it continue to work so well? I am ready to persevere.

Anyway... Ruth mentioned Liz Earl as one of her favourite deep cleansers, suggesting you leave it to soak for several mites before buffing it away with a muslin cloth or Clarisonic (I wish). She attributes her clear, healthy looking skin to this daily deep cleanse and one more thing...

Overnight Exfoliants.

I'll admit I am a total skincare novice. Just as I think I have it sussed I hear something like "overnight exfoliants" and realise I am still so far from well educated in that field. There were a few bits and pieces she mentioned that I was already aware of, one of which was that if you totally strip your skin of oil it will then over-produce more to compensate.. leaving you with a much higher chance of break outs. It took me a really long time to realise how important it was to replenish the moisture in your skin even if you are oily. I am so used to my night-time moisturiser that the thought of using anything that leaves my skin feeling tight or dry is definitely out of my comfort zone but if a model recommends, what can we mere normals do but follow, right?

The main point Ruth was trying to get across in the second half of her video was about cell renewal. As we get older this slows down and leaves our skin looking dull. Since she's used exfoliants she has found it appears brighter and her other products are allowed to penetrate her skin more deeply and therefor work more effectively. The exfoliants she talked about were all Glycolic acid based. Now as i said.. I'm no expert (which is why I am linking her video) but I've seen a lot of products on the market recently trading off this ingredient so I was already semi-aware of the benefits. Lot's of bloggers have reviewed the Sanctuary's peel off mask (part of a 30 day skin renewal system) which I've been dying to try and after Ruth's video I am absolutely convinced it's what's missing from my routine.

I am probably going to start off with that as it is a mask and allows me to still wear a regular moisturiser to bed but if I see any results whatsoever I am almost certainly going to have to try Ruth's "Hero Product", Liquid Gold. She had already raved about it on her website and for those wanting her full review as well as great places to buy you can find that here.

I understand I'm not giving you any new information here, it's a lot of regurgitated recommendations really but for those of you that don't follow amodelrecommends.com I couldn't let you miss out on her fantastic advice, you really must get over there for yourselves! I also wanted to let you know this is the new skincare I will be following over the coming weeks/months (we'll see how it goes) so if you see a great improvement in my skin you'll know why. I will of course review the routine once I have first hand experience but for now.. here's what I'll be using...

As it is I use my Liz Earle and alternate my Clean and Clear moisturiser with Soap and Glory's Wish Upon A Jar so the only changes I'm making are introducing a facial brush (I don't feel the muslin cloth really leaves my skin as smooth as it could be) and the Glycolic peel. I am very interested to try the liquid gold but I'll start with the Sanctuary mask and see how I go. 

*for stockists click on the photos to be taken to the website*

Here's Ruths video as promised...

Have any of you tried Glycolic Acid on your skin?

Miss BB

My Daily Skincare

Hey There! I have recently become a little bit skincare obsessed. 

I've never been into cleanse, tone and moisturise and that lark, mainly because my skin has been acne prone and so any treatment I gave it was targeted to those needs. I've come to realise lately that I am not getting any younger and eventually (hopefully) my problem skin will improve but I may find that the lack of care I've taken   catches up with me. So... I've taken steps..

It was 3 for 2 in superdrug on L'Oreal so I figured there was no better time to try their skincare range.

There are lots to choose from but I plumped for the Triple Active.. I may move on to the Youth Code if I get on with this as I've heard very positive things.

So thats my 3 step..

But I needed an eyecream, right?

I picked this Bliss one up in Debenhams better than half price! It was reduced from £24 to £7! Bargain! 

I can't tell you if it's doing anything yet but it can't hurt!

Now I am still true to my old faithful Clean and Clear moisturiser for night time... it works wonders on blemishes while keeping your skin soft.  

And I am totally loving this new Garnier Body 7 day moisturiser.. it's totally amazing and smells devine.. again this is on offer in superdrug right now! 

So that's my current skincare regime..

I'm liking it so far but am always on the look out for new things..

what are your fave skincare buys? 

XOXO

Sudocrem Saviour?

So I hear from some very reliable beauty-blogging sources that sudocrem is the new "it" product for spot zapping. Naturally I had to pick up a tub..





I dont know WHAT has been going on lately but i have had one break out after the next.. So I'm giving this a shot and will report my findings! I might even take a mortifying before picture to show my real results :/
We'll see!

Does anyone else rate this nappy cream as a wonder face product? I feel like I'm out of the loop slightly! Let me know!

xoxo

Miss BB

Obsession Of The Day 13/10/10

My obsession today has been finding SOMETHING to draw out this spot that I have on the side of my nose. It's like a big lump now and it's been there for 2 weeks unchanged grrr!

I saw this product on Gemsmaquillage's September Favourites and just the name suggested it may be my dream solution... I looked it up and it sounds like exactly what I need...

PROBLEM : I can't find it in the UK!

I have it on good authority that kiehl's products are stocked at SpaceNK but according to their website, not this one :(

It sucks!!!!

I've been searching for homemade remedies all evening and found nothing I think would be as good so.. any suggestions? Anyone tried anything that has worked?

Or better still does anyone know where I can buy Kiehl's drawing paste?

Please oh PLEASE??!

Ugh...

I am destined to have this lump on my face forever aren't I :(

I'll keep you posted

xoxo

miss BB

Obsession Of The Day 12/10/10

Yesterday I took a chance on a new face wash..

I recently reviewed a few on my YT channel and as a result had a ton of recommendations from my fabulous subscribers!

This was one of them..

When I saw it at a NEW INTRODUCTORY PRICE in superdrug I knew I was fated to buy it.

I've used it only once and I LOVE it!

Much like the Loreal "scrublet" I bought in to the scrubby end more than anythig else..

although I did like the part that said it "fades marks"! I have a lot of scars on my face, not bad but noticeable to me from previous acne/breakouts (which by the way are not getting better with age!!!)

So I didn't hold out much hope for the product inside as I'm almost always disappointed!

Unless it's got some kind of exfoliator I can't really tell whether one wash works better than another... I want an instant cleaner feeling and this totally gives you that.

The scrubber is fantastic, a zillion times better than the Loreal scrublet... a ZILLION!!!

And the wash gets a real good lather up... I honestly have seen an improvement after 1 day!

I got my MR to use it on my back as I suffer from "backne" (eeuugghh)

and even there it seems to have made a big improvement.

I may well be a convert!

I have used it once so It's not a perfect time to start taking photos but today is better than tomorrow!

I will take photos of my face/back... (Ok I probably will need assistance taking photos of my back :p) and I will post my results after a week..

My back will be a better test because I don't really use anything to control my breakouts there so there will be no other forces at work.. where as my face I will moisturise and use other treatments.

So.. all in all, one day in I love this product and I have high hopes that in a weeks time I will be able to tell you all, hand on heart, that there is no other product that's worked so well for me!Has this new revelation worked for you??

Leave me some lovely comments if so!

xoxo

miss BB

No Rest For The WICKED

Is your "beauty sleep" ruining your SEX LIFE???

First and foremost I LOVE overnight skin treats!

Anything that works for me while I'm asleep is fabulous as far as I'm concerned.

The promise of perfect, clear, glowing skin is an attractive proposition for many of us. If someone tells me that I can slather something (maybe anything) all over my face and wake up looking fantastic I think I can safely say I'd try it. It's the dream really isn't it? We would all love to think that these little beauty routines we go through each and every night are actually making a difference... We primp and polish and scrub ourselves within an inch of our lives to look better... but at what cost?

Am I alone in thinking all these miracle overnight beauty wonders do nothing for the nightime naughties?

You go to bed covered from head to toe in expensive concoctions hoping to wake up more appealing for our partner (yes yes we do it for ourselves too... whatever!)

But it's hardly sexy is it?

We make ourselves up to go off to work looking fabulous and when you come to bed you look, well quite frankly you probably look dreadful!

Hair undone, makeup removed and in it's place some greasy/sticky cream that would almost certainly get in the way of "love making" 

He should take one look at you and think, why bother? You may aswell put up a sign saying "not tonight"

But for many of us that's a nightly ritual, so what's the solution?

Well it's a tricky one,

I would say, it's us girls that hold all the power, if you want some action then you know you're gonna get some! So on those occasions perhaps put off the regime until "after"...

This is a problem women all over the world face every day (or night as the case may be)

so girls...

whats your sexy-time secret?

xoxo

miss bb



Oil free moisturisers - REVIEW

REVIEW

I have been trialing some moisturisers for you guys recently and these are my thoughts...

They are all oil free/matte or spot fighting but all very different in their own ways..

First Up

Simple Spotless Skin : Anti Blemish Moisturiser

it's a good moisturiser... it went on a little thin and it was sort of sticky... it did sink in but it did absolutely nothing for my skin - spot-wise! I'm told by my loyal subscribers on YT that this is fabulous for those with extremely oily skin... I didn't really benefit. Of all of the ones I bought to review I persevered with this one the longest because I so wanted it to work, I used it at a time when me skin would definitely have shown visible results as I was suffering from terrible breakouts.. but this product did NOTHING!

all in all... I give it a 4/10

For the following reasons..

It does moisturise... It does have a kind of mattifying effect BUT the brand has sold this as a big spot fighting wonder product and for me it just was not at all. Simple!

Next

Clean and Clear - Oil Free - Dual Action Moisturiser

Now this is a product I can endorse..

I'll admit I have been using this for several years so maybe it's at an unfair advantage... but there's a reason I've repurchased this so many times... IT WORKS!

I can use it as a moisturiser and it generally keeps spots at bay... OR, what I find fantastic about this one is if I have a bad breakout I can put a good dollop of this stuff on while I'm watching the tele and in a couple of hours you can see a huge improvement and it doesn't dry out the affected area because ... IT'S A MOISTURISER!!! haha! It's fabulous! If I use tea tree oil ... yes it shrinks the breakout but it leaves me with flaky dry skin... this is like another world of spot fighting..

I am awarding this product 10/10

BECAUSE

I am yet to find a fault with it, some people tell me it's not moisturising enough for them but for me it's fantastic and I recommend you all go out and buy it, it's CLEARLY the best ;) x

*****

The next two in the range are more daytime oil free...

*****

NEXT UP

OE - dsf 10 - Mattifying Lotion

This is the skincare range from the Royal Effem

I was lucky enough to be sent some items to try out and since I recieved this product I have worn it under my makeup every day... and also the days I haven't worn makeup.

I have to say, I LOVE IT!
It goes on creamily, It's a lovely thick formula, not what you would expect from a matte lotion

It sinks in quite quickly... you can put your foundation or primer on withing 2/3 mins of putting it on which I think's pretty good going. It's not a bidget product and not something I would normally have shelled out for but having trialled it I think it is something I would re-purchase...

It remains to be seen as I mentioned on YT ... once this pot is empty I will let you know if I loved it enough to go buy it but I replaced my Clinique DramDif lotion for this and I have seen an improvement..

i don't know if it's the "organic elements" or what but my skin really does feel smoother!

I give this product a 7/10

I really like it.. but I think the price tag is a little steep... I know "you get what you pay for" and organic products do cost more, I think those of you that love organic would love this... but for me budget has to come in to play.. and I'm on one lol.

Lastly

Garnier Pure - Long Lasting Shine Control Moisturiser

I bought this with high hopes because I use to LOVE the nightime garnier pure gel thing (whatever it was called) It used to cost somewhere in the region of £7 but it would get rid of any breakouts and leave my skin feeling really smooth..so when I got this home I was expecting a daytime equivalent..

This wasn't quite what I wanted.. I tried this on my off days without makeup and I tried it underneath..

Don't get me wrong I'm not going to throw it out... It will get used possibly as a primer occasionally and it will live on my dressing table but I just don't feel it had any stand out qualities..

It did have that old garnier smoothing feel but it wasn't THAT matte and I know it doesn't claim to fight spots but it does say "sebum control" and it definitely didn't help my skin when I broke out... some people have reported this moisturiser has dried their skin out... I didn't have that problem I just didn't really think much of it... it was ok... and that's probably as much of a review as I'd give... who knows.. I might change my mind over time if I keep using it, sometimes when you combine products you find a miracle mix...]I just don't see anything special about this on its own.

So I'm giving it a 5/10

It moisturises... It kind of controls shine, I think I was expecting more of this product than it was actually possible, but either way I was disappointed!

So obviously I have a winner!

I've always love that clean and clear product even though I've never been a fan of much else from their range..

If you have any questions of thoughts please leave me a comment I'd love to hear from you and if there are any products you'd like me to review please feel free to leave me a request xxx

miss bb

i can't vlog with my breakout :(

I feel like such a slacker not having updated my blog in well over a week. I'm suffering a major breakout right now so vlogging is OUT OF THE QUESTION! even though i have so many videos i need to film... so blogging shall be my outlet until my skin is clear again.
I finally got a start date for my job YAY! this is good for me and my bank balance but not so hot for my subscribers... i won't have much daytime filming time :s
I'm gonna try and get some filmed in advance to kind of back me up in case I can't film for like a week but I'm gonna miss vlogging and updating my youtube all the time :(
So excited to start work though... I'm definitely gonna do a video on my transformation from everyday slacker to working girl ;)
on the ttc front it's been driving my fiance mad!! he feels like I should be pregnant already.... it's only been 3 weeks...so we're both trying to forget about it best we can...it's tough though.

It's been decided we will get married in london as soon as our divorces are both final... i have my dress i've chosen my shoes and i'm going to do some hair looks on video soon for you guys to help me choose ... i think i know what i want though... i'm going for a kind of flowy 60s vibe and for the hair an updo with side swept bangs/fringe ... but that's for a whole other blog entirely... it could happen as early as late august/early september and i can't wait... the dress I have will allow for a bump in case I have one (fingers crossed)
anywho
hoping to redesign ny blog in the next few days and by tomorrow have some new videos up...
see you later

xoxo

miss bb

DIY Spa @ Home

You know you guys... I don't always look like this ;)

It takes a lot of work and sometimes... you need to treat your skin!

firstly make sure your face is completely clean and free of make up

I use an estee lauder eye make up remover all over my face...

So now your face is clean we're ready to start...

My favourite cream cleanser is Simple purifying cleansing lotion..

I only ever use this when I am treating myself to a facial at home,

day to day I use cliniques facial cleansing bar...

Squeeze out around this amount to apply to your face..

trial and error will help you learn for yourself how much is right for you!

Now take this opportunity to massage your skin..

this alone will brighten your complexion,

try to use upward strokes rather than down,

you don't want to prematurely age your skin by dragging it downwards

the next step is EXFOLIATE it's up to you wether you want to rinse your cleanser

and use an exfoliant or like I do.. use a "scrublet" and exfoliate while you still have

the cleanser on...

once your skin is smooth...

wipe off any excess cleanser with a cotton wool pad

next step is STEAM

pour boiling water into a bowl and hold your head over it..

if you like you can place a towel over your head to capture the steam

it's like a facial sauna and opens your pores in preparation

for the next step...

Now for the FACE MASK..

I use the body shops tea tree oil mask and apply it with a brush..

While you're waiting for thatto dry you could make use of your time...

not just by pulling funny faces :P

I like to treat my feet to a pedicure..

Give them a soak first ideally... you have a bowl of hot

water handy after all,

use the pumice stone while your skin is stil damp...

pat dry then use your foot file to smooth down any rough

areas left!

the best moisturiser to use to really treat your feet

i've found is e45..

it might not smell or look very special but once it's soaked in

you will absolutely feel the difference..

beautifully smooth feet!!!

Why not give yourself a nice foot rub?

i like to really lather on the cream and leave it to soak...

And while they're soaking and my face mask is drying/

working why not chillax with a glossy rag..

lay back and relax...

Once I've washed off the mask I use a nose cleansing strip

designed to lift blackheads...

next step is TONE

i use step 2 from cliniques 3 step range

but any toner would do the job

I use a cotton wool pad

to clean my face with the toner

At this stage I like to address and problem areas,

blemishes etc...

these are my favourite blemish fighters :

garnier pure spot roll on and pure tea tree oil

I would leave those to dry as long as necassary.. usually an hour (is)

then apply moisturiser.. my favourite is my clinique dramatically different

moisturising lotion...

I then apply any eye cream or lip balm

after that you're done...

you're all pampered and by tomorrow your skin will be glowing

and feel so much smoother!!!

the more often you give yourself a facial your skin will adapt and you will gradually see your skin condition improve... If you can get it in once a week fantastic... if not try fot at least once a month your skin will thank you!!! You can change the steps a little to suit you.. the process does not have to be so long... the more you do it the quicker you'll be able to complete the process!!!

Good Luck Girls

xoxo

miss bb