New Skincare routine

New Skincare Routine

The battle with my skin has been a long and enduring one! Since I was about 13 I started getting oily and spotty skin - typical for a teenager, but now I've just turned 23 and it's been pretty much the same situation. I've tried and tested so many products to aid my battle with hormonal skin, from face masks, washes, gels, and creams...I thought I'd tried them all! But last month I got to talking with a women on a beauty counter in boots who has the same kind of skin problems as me, yet her make up looked perfect and told me of an unlikely skincare trio that's done her wonders. I had only gone to her for a foundation (I found a winner, blog post to come soon!) and I came out with a whole new regime! I have held off mentioning these products for a while, as I didn't want them to turn out rubbish like all the others I've tried. I was a little sceptical of this brand's skincare as I usually associate them with make up, but I've tried and tested them for a month or more now. Here's my verdict:

From left to right:

Soap & Glory No Clogs Allowed - Super self heating deep pore detox mask. It does exactly what it says on the tin...err tube! When rubbing the mask into your skin you can feel small beads bursting and creating a warming effect. It sounds a bit strange but it feels amazing, the heat is meant to help clear out the pores and leave skin feeling beautifully fresh and soft too! Now most masks I use haven't done wonders for me other than soft skin, but I've used this mask twice a week for over a month and it's really helped clear the horrid blackheads on my nose, I feel it's also helped keep spots away, I've hardly had any since using this range.

Soap & Glory Scrub Your Nose In It - A facial scrub with a pore refining formula of super fruit Yuzu and Micromud. This is completely the opposite to what I normally buy, this is a gentle scrub which is good for everyday use without damaging skin. This is apparently better for us oily/acne skin people as its less stress to the skin, where as I would normally buy the most rough scrub I could find like the Lush Sea Salt scrub and really work that into my face once a week. This left me dry (and extremely red!) which I thought was a good thing - being oily, but this only makes my skin try harder to produce more oils later to hydrate my skin again. So lesson learnt! A gentle daily scrub is much better for the long term as it gradually improves your skin's texture and complexion. I've seen a vast improvement with this product and I couldn't recommend it more!

Soap & Glory The Fab Pore - A micro smoothing moisture lotion, again with the super fruit Yuzu and detox boosting/pore shrinking complex. That is a lot to promise within just one moisturiser! I've struggled with creams more than other products, getting ones too rich, not hydrating enough and just generally not for the right skin type. This is perfect for day and night use, it's light yet thick enough to make me feel hydrated, I'm also not too shiny after use which is perfect for make up application! I sound like a broken record here but again I think this really works, my pores do seem a lot smaller in size or gone! My skin doesn't get oily much anymore, but it feels healthy - an almost dewy effect I've never had before! This Trio of skin care is by far the best I've use and combined has made such a difference to my skin, I'm not worried anymore about people seeing me without make up and that's something I haven't felt in a lonnng time!

Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot - Finally I thought I'd give a little mention to this Vichy spot gel, it's a fast acting anti-imperfection targeted care to minimise marks. And it does just that! On the rare occasion now that I do get a spot or can feel one coming, just put a dot of this gel onto the clean skin, the following day the spot is either gone or very much reduced! I actually think there's magic in this...surely! There is Salicylic acid in there so it could always be that!

I wanted to test these products thoroughly before claiming how good they were, but I can safely say now that they're amazing, if your like me with oily or problematic skin then I highly recommend this range! Well done Soap & Glory, killin' it on the make up and skin care front!

Please comment if you have tried any of these products too or what your holy grail skin care items are! Lets help each other win the war with our skin!

Thanks for reading :)

Did you see my last post on Wintery Nail Polish? 

Or Miss my Monthly Good Reads? 

Winter Nail Polish

Seasonal Nail Colours

Sorry for the little absence everyone, I've had abit of stress going on...but I'm back now with nails! And expect some fun posts coming up next week too!

It's that time of month where we go for the darker, more moodier shades in our clothing and our nails, and with Christmas coming an added sparkle too! So here are some of my favourites for the month:

(from left to right)

Rimmel Pro Lycra Professional Finish - in 410 Trend Spotting. I really love this colour, the range is brilliant because of the added Lycra it takes me a good week to even get any chips, so long lasting I highly recommend this range! The colour Trend Spotting is a classic wintery dark cherry colour and is a pretty much a fail safe with me!

Rimmel I <3 Lasting Finish - in 405 Loafer Love For You! I had been looking for a colour like this for a long time, somewhere between the cobalt blue trend and a primary blue. This cool tone shade looks so chic on anyone, bright, vibrant but still a wintery feel to it.

Barry M Gelly Nail Paint - in Lychee. No matter what season it is, you can never go wrong with a nude, this shade is a staple of mine - especially when I'm stuck for what colour to use! This is lightly warmer nude, very muted and compliments all, even you nail biters!

Barry M Gelly Nail Paint - in Plum. This is more recent discovery, I've never seen a shade quite like this, it was gifted to me by a friend because it is actually the same colour as my bedroom! It's such a romantic and moody colour fit for the winter, it's a cool true plum colour, almost a midnight purple. Amazing on the nails and only £3.99 too! They last brilliantly and looks so glossy and has a thick finish to it, that salon gel nails also have.

Not pictured but also loved is my top coat by Nails Inc - Kensington Caviar, it makes my nails so strong and beautifully glossy, it's a little splurge but worth it when you want a treat!

So let me know what your favourite nail polishes are or if you'd like to recommend me some...I'm abit of an addict! Please leave a comment!

Thanks for reading :)

Did you see my last post on my Alexander Wang X H&M Wish List?

Or how about my Monthly Reads?

Alexander Wang X H&M

Alexander Wang X H&M - Wish list

For a long time now I have had a lot of adoration for the amazing collections of Alexander Wang, I love his contemporary style, so chic, edgy and often monotone. What could be better! I have especially fallen in love with his hand bags, alas that will have to wait until the money comes rolling in! But as soon as I heard about Alexander Wang collaborating with H&M one of my favourite high street shops, I was thrilled! Since early this year I couldn't wait to see what pieces they would come out with! Last week they finally released a preview of the collection, again the contemporary style of Wang, but the whole range has a sports luxe style and some pieces aimed at gym/sports wear. I'm not a huge fan usually of the sports luxe style as I don't really have an athletic figure! But I think that some of the pieces from this collection are quite wearable even if your not so sure about the style as I am. Here's a few pieces I'm eyeing up:

From Left to Right:

Scuba Bag - £69.99

Short Top in White - £29.98

Short Scuba Top in Grey - £34.99

Biker Jacket in a Wool Blend - £99.99

 

From Left to Right:

Top with a Perforated Pattern in White - £79.99

Leather Backpack - £129.99

Images from H&M website

I have to say these were some gorgeous pieces, very minimalistic, quite unique and finally more affordable! I'm particularly in love with the scuba grey crop top, I can imagine it paired with a high waisted flared midi skirt I have - perfect for winter! It's a shame I can't buy it all! I seriously recommend having a look on the H&M website for a taste of the amazing Alexander Wang brand, but at a more purse friendly cost! Only two days to go, mark it in your diary people! The Alexander Wang X H&M collection is available in selected stores and online.

So does anyone else like anything from my picks? What do you think of the highly anticipated collection? Please comment below!

Thanks for reading :)

Did you see my last post on Monthly Reads: October 

Maybe my Autumn Haircare post is more your thing?

Good Reads

Monthly Reads: October

Welcome back! Firstly sorry for the little lack in posts this week! I've been down with a cold and the prospect of taking photographs for my blog did not appeal to me! Though saying that it gave me a good idea for a topic, being ill means laying in blankets and reading...with a cup of tea of course. So here I thought I would include some reading material people might like, I know I did! Some of these were new discoveries for me and I had to share....Enjoy!

This online magazine is completely new to me, shockingly it was its 5th birthday a few weeks ago, how had I not seen this gem before! This issue of Stylist shown is a few weeks old now, but it is one of my favourites because of the wonderful Lena Dunham acting as guest editor, what could be better?! This is an online magazine as I said, the articles can be viewed on the stylist website, or if you have an android or apple phone/tablet then it is free to subscribe and read it as a proper magazine. It is a weekly instalment of fashion, beauty, books, people, lifestyle and travel - and it's amazing! The content is very interesting covering a range of topics, it's intellectual without being dull, very up to date without being gossipy or shallow. Stylist magazine is a wonderful combination of topics which all women would love to read about, I highly recommend it. Plus their photography is brilliant, if your interested like me!

Shown above : John Steinbeck's East of Eden, Disegno Magazine issue 7

Firstly I will talk about an incredible novel called East of Eden, by the classic writer John Steinbeck. I don't even know where to start with this book, it is just simply amazing and completely consuming. The story is set at the beginning of the twentieth century and ends post World War 1, it goes through the life stories of the generations between two families closely intertwined, The Hamiltons and The Trasks. The whole novel is set in the Salinas Valley in California, which Steinbeck describes so beautifully and detailed for all the senses, it is also the place Steinbeck grew up in. I can't say too much about the book's plot without giving it away, a story about two families affairs I admit seemed dull even to me, but there are so many unexpected plot twists and unusual characters which makes this book an absolutely compelling read! To top it off, this novel is also said to be based on Steinbeck's family history, he is even briefly mentioned within the story. I found this out about half way through reading the book and thought hell, this man has got the most insane and interesting history, you wouldn't believe it is factual! I am someone that is usually more of a fiction fact, the more fantasy the better! But more and more I'm loving novels such as these, and East of Eden I have to say is one of the best books I have read, I couldn't recommend it more!

I got the recommendation for this book by youtuber Jenn Im of Clothes Encounters, I love her channel, her sense of style and recommendations are always spot on for me, definitely check her out if you haven't already!

This final 'good read' of mine is the Disegno Magazine, here's some pages shown above of what it's like inside. Don't worry there is actually writing and articles in this magazine, but being a photographer I was drawn to these pages! This magazine is a Biannual covering Design, Architecture and Fashion, this would undoubtedly be amazing for students doing a topic related to one of these, for it's fresh and unique finds in the creative sector. I even loved it for the incredible photography and found it an amazing source of inspiration when on my course. But after leaving University I still find this magazine extremely interesting. Disegno magazine may not be to everyone's taste, but for anyone that is interested in the creative arts or the topics the magazine specialises in, it will be a hit! It's a little pricey at £8, but for how thick it is and the quality - which seems to me as more of a book - it is worth it, plus theres only two in a year! I find Disegno reads really well, nothing too overly pretentious or technical, it's simplistic and to the point. I find this magazine is a good coffee table piece, I leave it out and I am constantly picking it up to look at and so do many others! Give it a try if Art & Design is your thing.

These books and magazines have been keeping me particularly occupied this month, especially through my 'feeling sorry for myself cold'! Please comment below or via Twitter what's been your favourite thing to read recently, have you any recommendations you'd like to share? I'm always looking for an excuse to buy more books on amazon!

As always, thanks for reading! :) 

 

 

Autumn Hair Care

Autumn Staples: Hair Care

Hello again! I'm back with my last post of Autumn Staples, this time I'm talking about hair care. I've found a set of products that are really working for me, which means less bad hair days, finally! If only hair was weatherproof, but my picks here at least keep hair looking shiny and soft as well as voluminous. With all the wind and generally damp weather it can leave hair really flat, dull and don't even get me started on fly aways! So here are my hair care heroes:

From left to right:

Regis Designline Ultimate Radiance Leave-in Conditioner - Quite a mouth full I know! But this is the best leave in conditioner I've tried! Its around the £10 mark which isn't in everyone's budget, but if you want a brilliantly conditioning treatment which smoothes hair and adds a healthy shine, then this is worth the price. I can always tell the difference in my hair if I don't use it, this treatment makes my hair tamed, soft and stops the fly aways. I got mine from my local supercuts hairdressers, but I'm sure it can be found on amazon or something similar.

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hair Spray - This is a miracle hairspray, also very unusual! As you would think a hairspray is what you use at the end of styling to set hair, whereas this one you spray onto the roots of wet hair. Then when blow dried it sets your hair in place without any stiff or crispness that hairspray sometimes does. And to top it off, it adds plenty of volume to the roots and because it is set there, it lasts all day! Perfect!

Redken Powder Grip 3 - As loved by the likes of Alexa Chung, this amazing powder adds amazing volume! Placed onto the roots and work in with fingers, this adds instant volume and texture. The powder it's self is so different from the cheaper L'oreal copy, this volumizer almost sets the style into place, which is wonderful and a little like the Bumble and bumble product - but the 'on the go' version.

L'oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil - (mine is for coloured hair) This oil can be used a few different ways, several pumps of it on to hair as a treatment before washing, a few pumps onto wet hair before drying or a pump onto dry hair after styling. I prefer to do the last two, it just makes hair unbelievably soft and so shiny. I used this back when I had wrecked bleach blonde hair and it managed to some how make it look healthy!

I've always struggled with my hair to keep it looking nice when I leave the house or just looking healthy in general, these products are a winning set to me. Even friends and family that have tried them, love them too! I recommend giving them a try, they're appropriate for all hair types too!

If you missed my last post on Autumn Skin Care, you can read in here.

Or of you missed my first post on Autumn Make Up, you can also read that here.

Let me know if you have tried any of these products and what you thought of them. Or do you have any other hair care wonders you would like to share, please comment below!

Thanks for reading! :)

Autumn Staples: Skin Care

Autumn Staples: Skin Care

Welcome back! This week I am following on from my previous post: seasonal make up staples, with Skin care. Because it's starting to get colder, (or if your from the UK...a lot colder!) it's all about keeping your skin moisturised, soft and exfoliated. These things are pretty much important all year round, but with all the windy and cold weather it really starts to take its' toll on your skin, especially your face! As I've mentioned before I have oily/combination skin and even with my skin type hydrating my skin is still important, as it can be dehydrated as well as oily! Who'd have thought it! So here are some of my favourite skin saviours:

 

From Left to Right:

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter - Even though your face is very important to look after doesn't mean we should forget about our body too! I've been a fan of soap and glory creams for a good few years now, they are just so moisturising and the skin soaks it up really well, so you aren't left feeling sticky when you just want to get dressed! I think they feel very luxurious for the price and do the job perfectly. It's also the different scents that keep me coming back, this one is more of a clean/fresh smell which is really nice post shower. I definitely recommend you giving them a sniff in store!

Malin  + Goetz Lip Moisturiser- This item sounded so odd that I had to buy it! I've seen many different kinds of lip balms and chap sticks but this looked completely different, and it is! I can only describe it as a thick clear gel, it's quite heavy and unusual feeling at first. But as I used it more I'd say it's more of a treatment for your lips than a lipbalm you use daily. I apply a small amount to my lips after using a lip scrub and let it sink in, usually at night time, when you wake your lips look and feel amazing!

Origins Drink up Intensive Mask - This item is definitely a treat for the skin and in general as it is a little on the pricey side of things. But I find you don't need to use it so often which means it lasts, and its just worth it! (At least that's what I tell myself!) I use this at night time as it suggests, apply this instead of moisturiser all over the face, a little goes a long way with me, if your dryer feel free to use more. Simply sleep on it and in the morning your skin will be incredibly soft, feel plumper and healthier.

Mario Badescu Control Cream - Now this may not be a staple for everyone, but for someone like me that has eczema or just dry/flaky skin this is a life saver! Big statement I know, This can be used pretty much anywhere on the body, but I needed this for my face which can be embarrassing when your appear to be scaly!? My eye lids and under eyes got eczema out of nowhere, Ive always had this condition on my legs and arms but you just don't want to put that horrid cream from the doctors on your face! This cream literally halved the dryness in one use, within a week it was gone! My friends have tried this on their dry skin and it worked perfectly on them too.

Lush Lip Scrub - (Popcorn flavour) Yes flavoured lip scrub does sound very odd, I wandered why it matters if it had a flavour, but according to lush you an eat it! Well not literally the whole pot, you take a small heap on a finger and rub away at your lips with it, then when your done you either wipe it away or lick it off your lips! It's made from sugar and a little salt too from what I tasted, the flavouring is added to taste nicer but to be honest I wouldn't recommend the popcorn one! The minty pot is nicer, but no matter which pot it is they all work brilliant at leaving your lips soft and smooth!

The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil - As someone with oily skin I never thought I would be one to use an oil on my face, it seems wrong! But this one is particularly special, it is part serum also, which changes how it feels completely. The texture is more of a dry oil, which sounds contradictory, but you would have to try it in store to understand. I always feel like oils just sit on the surface on my skin and I notice no real benefit in using it. Where as this Serum-in-Oil seems to sink in really quickly, it isn't overly oily feeling on the skin at all. The result in morning is brilliant and actually noticeable. I use this every other night and my skin is so much plumper and looks much healthier when properly hydrated. I'm converted!

If you missed my last post on my Autumn Make up Staples, Then you can click here to read!

It's a small group really, but they make such a difference to my skin over the colder months! Has anyone else tried these products? Or does anyone else have a favourite they would like to share? Please comment below, I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading :)

Now on Bloglovin!

Bloglovin...

I'm now on Bloglovin, I've so many posts coming up so keep an eye out! Just type in 'Lights camera lifestyle' into the site's search panel to find me! For those of you that don't have a Bloglovin account, I highly recommend it. It is a site where you can create your own profile and get involved in the bloging community, whether that be following all your favourite blogs to read on your personalised feed, or commenting/chatting with the blog's authors or fellow readers. It's a brilliant and easy way to keep up to date with all your favourite blogs and find new ones. Personally I just used to bookmark my favourite blogs, but using bloglovin has made it much easier for me and you never miss a post!
Give it a go!

Thanks for reading :)



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