Cleansers that have improved my skin

Its been a while since I posted about anything beauty related, or posted anything at all in fact. Its been a rocky road for the past few months and I haven't been feeling it so I gave my personal hobbies a break so I could concentrate on looking after myself a bit more. My skin was looking drab and lifeless with more breakouts than I have ever experienced and it was really getting me down. What you learn through your 20s is that having good skincare is a much better life decision than having the best makeup on the market. So here are my top 4 picks that I have been loving the past few months.

Chidem Vitamin Cream Cleanser / For radiance, firmness & sensitive skin

I found this in a my draw as I was having a sort out and have been addicted to it ever since. Vitamin based skincare has always been a hit with my face, it really does take to it like a duck to water. Vitamin C is especially a firm favourite with my 26 yr old skin. Its really helped with minimising my spots and imperfections, with my skin feeling freshly clean and radiant after every wash. This was actually gifted to me at a Blogger event and I'm so grateful as this is always the best way to discover new brands. Its not the cheapest in the cleansing world but at £36.50 I personally feel like it is totally worth it, plus the packaging is something you can proudly keep on your bathroom sink.

I massage 2 pumps of this into my face with a dab of water and wipe it away with a muslin cloth, first with warm water and second with cold to close those pores. The smell isn't going to wow you but it has a naturalness to it which is bearable once you get used to it. Great for sensitive skin and perfect for a wiping away all the dirt from the day without feeling dried out .

Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser / For clearing pores and dirt

I happened to pick this up when I was buying some Biore nose strips at Boots. It was on offer at the time, costing only £3.75 (originally £5.24) so I thought it was a good one to try considering it was quite cheap and stated it was great for pores. Charcoal based products are proving quite popular at the moment, especially when its in its natural form as it can transform your skin by drawing out dirt from deep down or whitening that smile. Since using this is have noticed a difference, my skin feels so much cleaner after each use and my pores have minimised in size.

I use this in the same was as all my cleansers, as this is my favourite way to clean my face. The gel consistency feels soft on the skin and I love the minty fresh feeling of this on my face once I have washed this off, although it can give quite a tight feeling after use so make sure you give it a moisturise. It states to use this everyday but I have oily/normal skin so I only use this a couple times a week to make sure this doesn't dry me out. 

La Roche-Posay purifying gel / For a excess sebum & acne prone skin

I use this cleanser on days when I need a thorough clean. You know those days where your face feels gross and you want to get every ounce of make up off and feel fresh. This foams up really well so it does just what I need. With added thermal spring water this makes a great cleanser for sensitive skin. This active water helps to soothe the skin and acts as an anti-irrirant so there should be no cause for concern on this reacting with your delicate skin. 

As I have normal cheeks I tend to concentrate this on my t-zone where I get the biggest build up of sebum on my face. I add product to my hands and add a little water, foam it up in my hands before I apply it to my face. This helps with the control of the foam so you can concentrate it on the areas you need it the most. You can either splash your face with water afterwards or use a muslin cloth to wipe it away. This retails at £11 in Boots, which is mid-range for a cleanser but you can find it on offer for around £7 most of the time so keep an eye out on the skincare deals. 

InsitU cosmetics face scrub / Made for you (personalised)

I came across this brand at a blogger event and what attracted me to it first of all was that I could get it personalised with my name and product based on my personal preferences. Now I have one of those names that is spelt differently from what you find in the shops, Im sure you can guess I got a little bit over excited at this prospect. InsitU is on the pricer side of skincare but I think its totally worth getting if you have the budget, even if its one thing. This particular one retails at £31 and I have since noticed they have improved the formula and it now comes with a natural loofa to help those pesky dry patches.

When choosing your skincare you have a few options to choose from. Picking if you want a moisturiser, cleanser etc is your first call but then you get to make it your own. Adding in your name to get written on the bottle is the first thing, you then decide what mood boost you want added to the product, you then tick what kind of skin you have before finally telling then your biggest skin concern. This then gets made and delivered to your house for you to use. 

I love to use this with my cleansers for an added boost of exfoliation. As I have sensitive skin Im always aware about being careful with exfoliators as I tend to react to them. This is an exception so I have been sticking with this for a long time. My skin feels so smooth afterwards, giving my skin a dry free complexion. 

I hope this has been helpful to some of you with your with skincare problems. Just know that one cleanser/toner doesn't fit all and mix it up and I have found using the same one day in day out doesn't always benefit you. Especially being a girl with ever changing hormones with my acne prone skin. I'm still on my way to achieving the skin of my dreams but just making sure you wash every night before you go to bed and give your face a cleanse in the morning, you will quickly notice a difference if you don't do this already.

Enjoy your week!

Ooo...your making me blush!

Evening Ladies and Gents!

So first off I just wanted to point out the change in my blog name. I haven't been happy with it for ages as I feel lots of people use the name 'loves' at the end of their nane and I wanted something unique. I also want to create more creative and DIY based posts as I am quite a creative person and as this is a hobby I want to share those passions. Helping people in life and bringing a positive attitude to their lives is also an ambition of mine so more of that is going to happen in the blog. I hope you like the name change? This is only going to apply to my actual blog and I will be known as KhrissieLoves everywhere else, as if it was my actual name as I find it easier that way.

I'm so happy to have the time to get a post up! Life has been frantic lately and the days are getting shorter, which I love as it's getting closer to Christmas but it means I can't do any 'Outfit of the Days' as its dark when I wake up and when I get home. I definitely need some Vitamin D in my life.

I have managed to squeeze some time in before I head to bed to show you these beauties. A few blushers that I am just loving right now. They are all along the same tone but I find these suit my skin nicely without making me look too washed out.

Nars Blush £22.50

First up is what I call a classic as I know a lot of beauty gurus have this in their collection. Its a NARS blusher in the shade 'Orgasm'. This is a beautiful coral toned blusher with gold flecks running throughout. A powder format that can transform your complexion from dull to dazzling. I personally think this could suit anyone and I think you all need to go buy this right away.

So Susan Blush £17.95

Next up is this So Susan mauve toned pink blush in Universal. This is another blush which would suit all skin tones as it is made to look like its your skin but with a natural flush of colour. So Susan products are great because of what they stand for and how the products are made.

This actually has Buriti fruit oil in to help your skin gain back some elasticity it may have lost, now who can complain at that. It is also cruelty and fragrance free, a big thumbs up from me. So not only is it gorgeous, it is ethical too so no feeling of guilt to how this product has got into your hands.

Last up is Kiko Glow Touch Cheeks & Lips which is not just a blush, you can use it as a lip tint too. This gives you a wonderful coral glow to the skin without it looking greasy. It is one of those products where you can start with a small amount of product and build it up until you have reached your desired look and coming in as the cheapest of the bunch, coming in at a very reasonable £5.60, you can't go wrong.

Top: Kiko / Middle: So Susan / Bottom: Nars

I hope you are all having an amazing week and I'm going to try my best to get more up posts up in the next week. Thank you to everyone who has voted for me in the blog awards so far, I'm just happy I've got this far for such a baby blog but I'm looking to improve it as time goes on. 

Love 

Khrissie x

Review: Yes to...Moisturiser

Today I want to share with you a moisturiser I have been loving lately. Since starting my blog 6 months ago I have started to really take care of my skin as my world has been opened up to such lovely products that I just need to try. For the longest time I have struggled to find the right products for my skin and I have oily/combination skin, especially on the t-zone. How is it possible to have an oily AND dry nose? Nothing has really worked in preventing the problem as of yet, but I am definitely on my way to achieving the skin I want.

I found this moisturiser while I was picking up some essentials in Boots. I was walking past the isle and spotted this brand with the weirdest ingredients in it. Tomatoes? and I'm going to put that on my face? I then noticed it was 97% natural which got the thumbs up from me. I was more intrigued than anything to see how the tomato extract could benefit my skin, so in my basket it went.

The three main ingredients in this to help with redness, inflammation and clogged pores are the tomatoes, which has fruit acids to help control the extra sebum in the skin, red tea which has great antioxidants and watermelon which helps to keep the moisture in your skin without stripping it bare and causing more dry patches, which a lot of combination products can do.

Since first use of this moisturiser I have been impressed. First off the smell of the product is amazing as its smells quite fresh but with a fruity undertone, not too overpowering either. I added a pump to my hands after cleansing and rubbed in circular motions around my face. It sinked in so quickly I couldn't believe it! After having oily skin and being used to having this film of oil over your skin in the day to having a product that sinks in and makes your skin feel like silk, I could not have been happier.

The formula has a nice smooth texture which feels light on the skin, not the lightest moisturiser I have ever tried but with how quickly my skin absorbed it, it really didn't bother me. I would say it has some qualities of a serum with its silky texture, just like one of those foundations that turn to powder on the skin but not as heavy. It leaves your skin feeling like skin should without the feeling of a product heavy face, which is exactly what I am looking for in my morning and evening routines.

I love using this is the morning although it states you can use it in the evening too, but with SPF15 in it (another thumbs up) its not recommended as this can clog your pores. Saying this I do use this in the evening sometimes as I have not experienced any problems yet.

I say YES to tomatoes! I'm currently looking into what I can get from the range next. The prices are quite reasonable for a natural product retailing at £11.99, I would certainly buy this again without hesitation as I believe spending more on skincare than makeup is important. How can makeup look good on bad skin? I would give this 4 out of 5 stars, 100% natural would nudge it up to 5!

Have you tried anything from this range lately?
Love Khrissie xx

Holiday Travel Essentials

Happy Monday everyone, although most people don't see Monday as a good thing, I'm trying to get back to my positive self. I used to be a super positive and happy person and that person has got a little lost along the way. This is my goal at the moment. 

So today I thought I would show you some of my travel essentials that I photographed by the pool on holiday. These are things I would struggle to live without and I love them all dearly, as if they were my children. ha!

The Body Shop / Vitamin E Body Butter & Face Mist

These two products are so amazing! The body butter really helps make my skin soft and helps with damaged skin. The face mist is perfect for cooling you down and giving your face a refresh. Perfect for the aeroplane too!

Soap and Glory Hand Food

Lots of people love this product and I'm so exception. It comes in a handy bag friendly size and makes you smell amazing!

Blistex Lip Balm

I love this lip balm and its lovely and moisturising and ti gives you a small tint of colour to your lips to make to feel that little bit more fabulous! I also think its 15 SPF? Good huh!?

Canarian Aloe Cream
I got this while I was on holiday as I was burning so easily. This was helping cool my burn and helping it to turn brown from pink and it really worked! I tanned for the first time this year...yeah!

Garnier Sun Cream
I was using this thinking it was protecting me but it didn't protect me at all, after 4 days I had nearly used the bottle I was applying it so much! I then realised that its main ingredient was alcohol! Which clearly isn't good for your skin. I have become a lot more skincare wise after this and know to try and find a suncream that doesn't have alcohol or aqua as its first ingredient.

Olay Sunkissed Moisteriser
I've been using this for the past few months now and I'm hooked. It smells amazing and its been very kind to my skin and keeping it looking healthy and glowing. It has SPF 15 in it so perfect for daily use and has 7 total effect in it. Its purse friendly and a clear winner in my beauty routine.

Vintage Hat
I've been trying to find one of these hats for ages now! and non I tried on really seemed to fit me properly or the shape was a bit funny. I found this in a market in London, sitting on its own on a hat stall, £10 cheaper than the ones I have seen in shops. I tried it on and it was perfect. I just love it and it now stops my head from burning and makes me look super cute! ha!

Primark Neck Pillow 
This thing is better than sliced bread..... There you go I said it! It perfect for the plane so I can actually sleep and not end up on someones shoulder. Yes that did happen.... Its also perfect to use on the sun lounger for some extra comfort. I wouldn't go on holiday without it and if I did I would have to buy one from the airport straight away.

Sunglasses
Everyone and their dog loves sunglasses but I find it really hard to find ones to fit my wide face. Damn those cheekbones :P I always want to wear those super trendy ones and have a great collection of them but I cant :( boohoo! Aviators suit almost everyone, including me! yay! So in a rush I brought a £2 pair from Primark and they done the job perfectly. Next up is saving for some Raybans!

Kindle
This little but of technology makes reading so easy. I love picking up a good book at the best of times but a hard copy is no fun in the sunshine, nor is it good for luggage allowance. This is perfect as it doesn't reflect the sun so no matter where you hold it, you can still read the words without the sunlight shining into your soul. Its easy to hold too..kindle in one hand, cocktail in the other! Perfection!


I hope you enjoyed my roundup of some of my holiday essentials.
What are your holiday essentials? I'd love to know :)

Seeya!
Khrissie x

Drugstore Festival Makeup Kit

Drugstore Festival Makeup Kit "Rio Rio' / Bag from Superdrug

Base: Body Shop BB Cream / Rimmel Stay Matte Powder / Rimmel Wake me up concealer / Eco Tools Travel Brush

Eye Shaddow & Nails: Sleek i-devine palette in Rio Rio / 17 eyes in Seagreen / Barry M in Matte Cancun & Barry M Aquarium Collection in Pacific (How gorgeous is this! So mermaid!)

Eye Shaddow: Sleek i-devine palette in Rio Rio

Lips, Cheeks & Eyebrows: L'oreal Liquid Lipstick in Rose Symphony / Sleek Eyebrow Kit in Light / Revlon Highlighting Palette (Blush & Highlight in one!) / Eco Tools Travel Set

Eyebrows: Sleek Eyebrow Kit in Light 

Eyes: Kate Moss Rocking Curves Mascara in Jet Black

Eyes: Rimmel Scandaleyes Mirco Liner in Black

Hello there you wonderful lot,

Here I have put together a Festival Kit for you based on products at the drugstore. If your a beauty lover and make up enthusiast I know you wouldn't go a day with at least a lashing of mascara. 

When your at a festival you never want to take your best things and somehow they always get lost!...Hello Nokia 3310! So I thought why not show you how you can pack your own little make up bag away for the weekend with products that you don't have to worry about and give you so many different looks in one, just by having the right palette with you. 

My favourite stand out item has to be the 'Sleek i-devine Eyeshadow Palette in Rio Rio'. It's limited edition for the summer and its perfect. I mean..just look at those colours! Festivals are the time to experiment with shadows and put away your neutrals that we are oh so attached to! This palette is a perfect transition from that and they are mineral based so they feel so soft and they blend really well, so get experimenting people! 

I've got a second post coming up with 2 looks using all these products, I had great fun with them and I'm looking out to trying more. I hope this was helpful to you and gives you some inspiration on what to take if your heading to a festival soon.

What festivals are you going to this year?

If you try out any looks based on the 'Rio Rio' palette please tweet me so I can see

all your wonderful creations / @khrissieloves

See yo' later!

Khrissie x

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