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top irish beauty blogMay I start out by saying myself and the Dermalogica brand don’t always get along. When I trained as a beauty therapist many moons ago, I was taught that it was the be all and end all of skincare brands. Then, as a beauty blogger, I’ve been very lucky to test a lot of their products along the way. The products generally just didn’t seem to do much for my skin. I never got break outs or anything like that, but I never really spoke too much about them, because I didn’t have a lot to say. Up until the release of the their new Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm.

I actually featured the Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm in my favourites here last month.

Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balmirish beauty blog

I was sent it when it was first released and have used it every night religiously since. It comes in a standard Dermalogica tube and then you get silicone cleansing mitt with it as well. The mitt is supposed to help gently exfoliate. I can’t say it does that. But, it does make application less messy and helps work the balm into the skin.

Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm

There is already a Pre Cleanse on the market that comes in a pump and has more of a cleanser consistency. This new version is a balm to oil consistency and for me, is a much nicer way to cleanse. It works in the same way though. You apply a small amount to dry skin and massage it in with the mitt. As you work it in it turns into an oil and that’s why a little goes such a long way. You use it as your first cleanse. For me it dissolves waterproof mascara, lipstick the works and you can see it melt them away. It doesn’t irritate my eyes either. Add water to emulsify it further, then rinse it away and use your normal cleanser for your second cleanse. My skin does be squeaky clean, but not tight or overly dry.irish beauty bloggerThink of the same as washing your hair twice (like your hairstylist does). You clean once to get off the heavy grime and oil off, then go in again to make sure everything is gone.beauty blog ireland

I mentioned this in my favourites too, but having a cleanser that goes on dry skin initially, makes me so much more inclined to reach for it over eye makeup remover or micellar water. I sound so lazy I know, but it’s just the initial thoughts of having to go in and rinse your face in the evening seems so daunting. Once you have cleanser on though you have no choice 🙂beauty blogger ireland

According to Dermalogica it is “Powered by Apricot Kernel Oil and a Natural Biolipid Complex”. They say it’s best for dryer skin types with the original version more suited to oilier skin like mine. But I much prefer this version. It’s much easier to control.

Overall, I am a big fan of the Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm. Coming in at over 50 quid in most places for 90mls of product is fairly steep, but a little goes a long way with it. You can find it online here if you fancy checking it out.

xxx

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Elf Magnetic Mask

The Elf Magnetic Mask is one of the coolest products I have ever tried. Does it work? I’m not sure yet I’ve only used it twice so far. I couldn’t resist putting in a video though to show you how you use it.

This concept of the Elf Magnetic Mask isn’t new to the market necessarily. There has been a few out before it. But, this is hands down the most affordable one at the moment. Unfortunately it hasn’t made it to our shores yet.

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I was lucky enough to get one as a press sample. It is on their website here though and they do international shipping, if you fancy taking the plunge. For some reason the euro price is much more expensive. Hopefully if it does come over here, it won’t be as bad.

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I can say my skin felt really nice both times I’ve used it. And I do feel like it drew some clogged pores to the surface. I definitely had a bit of a breakout after the first time. But in a good way, if that makes sense? 🙂

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So in the video I give you a demo of the Elf Magnetic Mask. It’s so much fun to use. You apply the mask and then use the magnetized applicator to literally pull it off your skin. Sounds scary, but you can hardly feel it. There’s iron in it so that’s what makes it magnetic.

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I’ve never been happier using a face mask…look at me like!

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Within the video, I also gave a quick rundown on what I’ve been using to cleanse and then my bedtime moisturising concoction too.

I used:

  • Bioderma to take my eye makeup off. It’s in a limited edition pump bottle. If you can get your hands on it. Do! It’s on the Cloud10Beauty website here.
  • Nia Cleansing Balm. It’s on their website here.
  • Clarins Double Serum. (Review here).
  • Clarins Total V Contouring Serum.
  • Neostrata Bionic Eye Cream Plus. I found it on the Meaghers Pharmacy website here.
  • The Ordinary Retinoid 2%. More info on this here.
  • Botanics Facial Oil. It’s on the Boots website here.
  • Catrice Volumizing Lip Balm.

This is my current night time routine although I do alternate serums and I don’t always use an oil. I have oily skin, so it really just depends on whether I feel I need it or not.

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Elf Magnetic Mask

As always you can click on the video above to watch the magic happen or you can go directly to my YouTube channel here. 🙂

Let me know what you think.

Gemma

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I already spoke about my current day time routine here. It’s only fair that I throw my night time skin care routine into the mix too 🙂

night time skin care routine

I am very proud of being someone who removes their makeup every night before sleep. No matter how tired (or typsy) I might be. For me, it’s like brushing your teeth, it just has to be done! I am not really one for makeup wipes. If I am feeling really lazy, I’ll use eye makeup remover and micellar water and call it a day. But for the most part, I like to actually wash my face.

night time skin care routine

This for me, is my current night time skin care routine. I do change up products every now and then. It’s of course part of what I do. I don’t have majorly sensitive skin either so it usually doesn’t affect my skin too radically.

I do like to extra exfoliate a couple of times each week. I’ll usually use the Waxperts Wonder Pads (which I reviewed ages ago here), or the Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer Pads. These contain AHA’s so I stick to using them at night.

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If I have a breakout I use the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, which I have a review of here. It’s a bit gimmicky, but it seems to do the job. And it dries down on the skin, so you don’t get it all over your pillow which is a bonus in my book 🙂

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I wear waterproof mascara on the daily, so before I wash my face I usually remove my eye makeup with an oil based cleanser.

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I have been using the Botanics All Bright one for literally years. It does a great job at getting even gel liner off without too much rubbing. It doesn’t irritate my eyes and it’s as cheap as chips. You can buy it from Boots here.

For cleansing, at the moment. I have two in my bathroom. The Garnier Pure Active 3 in 1.

garnier pure active

This can be used as a face wash, to exfoliate or a mask. I usually use this in the shower. I can wash my face with it and then pop some on as a mask while I go about my business. It is kaolin based so it dries on the skin like a clay mask. It’s been working really well for my oily skin.

If I am just washing my face and not showering I have been using the Yonka Cleansing Gel. This feels really gentle on my skin.

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It is also like a spa in a plastic bottle, it smells bloody amazing.

For toner, it’s generally just the La Roche Posay Serozinc which I speak more about here. I always have a bottle of it in my skincare stash.

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I use the same eye cream both day and night. My go to one over the past year or so is the La Roche Posay Ultra Toleriane Ultra Eye Contour.

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I really like this stuff and it’s not super expensive either. I have a full review of it here.

Because I cannot get too heavy with moisturiser during the day because I am so oily. I usually make up for it in my night time skincare routine.

At the moment I am using (and really enjoying) the Hylamide Low Molecular HA Booster.

hylamide irelandbeauty blog ireland

It’s basically a serum that contains hyaluronic acid. It helps hydrate without weighing down the skin. It’s an extra step in my routine but my skin is reacting well from it. My skin is feeling a little plumper and more hydrated without my pores being clogged up. You can buy it directly from the Deciem website here.

After that settles in, I apply a light layer of the Image Vital C Hydrating Facial Oil.

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It just feels so nice. I pat a dropper amount into my face and neck. Although I am oily, I do have areas of dehydration so I use the serum and the oil in the evening to help with that. The Vital C is formulated for dull, tired skin but also suitable for acne prone skin that is healing. Image skincare is stocked in salons throughout the country including Millie’s here.

The final step in my night time skin care routine then is just lip balm. I usually just use some Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream.

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I have a full review of this here.

 

And then my night time skin care routine is completed and I am ready for bed 🙂

xxx

 

It’s May Favourites time….eek we’re halfway through 2016, can you believe it? I am a bit late to the favourites party this month, I wasn’t well (as I’m sure you know if you follow me on Snapchat 🙂 )

May FavouritesBut I got here in the end so here are my May Favourites in video form if you’re interested. Just click on the video at the top of the page or you can click the link here.

Here’s a list the list of my faves with any links that might be helpful.

Joico Moisture Co & Wash Full details on Irish stockists are here. The Joico Moisture Co & Wash costs €18.95.

St Moritz Pro Advanced Primer. I have a full post on this and all the other products in the collection here.

Jade facial skin roller. Here’s the link to the ebay user I used, but there’s lots of Asian sellers of the same product on eBay.

Thalgo Sun Repair Cream Mask. This costs €22 and you can get it from the Thalgo website here.

Vita Liberata Body Blur. I was gifted this by Roches Pharmacy, they have it on their website here, Cloud10beauty also sell it online here.

I have a full review and swatches of theBalm Meet Matte Hughes in Committed here, and you can pick them up online from Cloud10beauty here, if you’re interested 🙂

And there you have it, my May Favourites are complete for 2016. Any of your favourites in there?

Let me know what you’ve been loving too, I always love to hear and if you liked my video, don’t forget you can subscribe to my Youtube channel here. I’m trying to put up a video once a week, as well as keeping up with blogposts aswell on Beautynook.

Thanks for taking the time to click in and watch, I really appreciate it 🙂

Gemma

xxx

 

Pixi Glow TonicAs you can see from the amount left in the bottle I have been using the Pixi Glow Tonic for a long time now. It has reached cult status and I can understand why.

Glow Tonic is an exfoliating toner. So as well as toning your skin and prepping it for moisturiser, it will gently remove dead skin cells, which in turn will help keep your skin smoother. It contains ingredients like Witch Hazel and glycolic acid (5%) to help with exfoliating along with aloe vera to help sooth the skin so it’s not too harsh. Just be sure to use SPF if you use the Glow Tonic in your morning routine as glycolic can sensitise your skin to sunlight, we should be wearing it anyway 🙂

You use Glow Tonic as you would any other toner. Wet a cotton pad with it and apply to your skin. I use it down my neck and on my chest too. You can use it both day and night after cleansing whatever you choose or whatever works best for your skin.

I feel like the Pixi Glow Tonic does pretty much what it says it does for me. It helps keep any dry patches at bay, it helps keep my pores as clear as they can be rather than me using harsh scrubs or exfoliants in my cleansing routine. My skin doesn’t feel tight after using it, it does feel softer though.

Since picking up the La Roche Posay Serozinc, which I reviewed here I love using both this and the Pixi Glow Tonic together.

Serozinc Pixi Glow Tonic

I feel the Pixi Glow Tonic clears my skin of any impurities or as many as it can do and then the Serozinc keeps them at bay and helps keep the oil away for longer. Neither contain alcohol which is good in my book.

Overall, I really love this Pixi Glow Tonic. I was never really a toner user before, I would try one for a bit and then just get bored or found it wasn’t enhancing my skincare in any way. As someone with oily skin I find the Pixi Glow Tonic fits perfectly into my skincare routine and it actually helping rather than just being a step I am being told to do. Its targeted towards all skin types though. It has a strong scent so be wary of that if you have a sensitive nose.

I get my Pixi Glow Tonic from Mise Beauty They are based in Dundalk which is a bit of a trek for me from Dublin, but it’s instant gratification and they sell so many other cool products too, it’s always worth it 🙂

xxx