Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask

I must start this post by addressing just how much this mask looks like a pot of classic 90's hair gel. I have vivid memories of my hair being slicked back by a similar looking product for childhood ballet exams and school shows. This however, is the latest addition to Peter Thomas Roth's mask line up - the Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask. Aiming to reduce fine lines, tighten skin and add brightness and hydration this is marketed as a real multitasker. 

Despite its appearance the mask doesn't feel sticky and actually has a very nice cooling effect on the skin. That, combined with the delicate Rose scent it is a pleasure to use and to leave on for a long period of time. Designed to be used to be used either as a wash off mask or an overnight treatment, I mostly leave this on for about 10 minutes before rinsing. While its not a miracle worker and the effects are subtle, my skin feels fresh, hydrated and smooth. Being 20, I can't vouch for the anti ageing claims,  but I can see how this could have a youthening effect on the skin by adding plumpness and moisture. However, while plant stem cells might have a positive effect on the skin, they are not capable of 'regenerating' human stem cells as this mask suggests, so that marketing claim is something to overlook when considering a purchase. I've seen some reviews claiming that the Rosa Damascena Flower Oil used in this product could possibly cause irritation, but I've had no problems with this, even when leaving the mask on overnight.   

If your looking for a good all round mask that moisturises and brightens your skin or something that just feels lovely when applied and is a treat to use then I would recommend this, but if your looking for a really active mask with a strong anti ageing effect then this might not be for you. Look Fantastic has a 15% off code on site at the moment, so now might be the best time to pick one of these up!

Have you tried any of the Peter Thomas Roth masks? Let me know in the comments! 

Basic skincare routine

I love reading about skincare just as much as make up, so I thought I'd share my skincare routine. I have never had particularly spot phone skin, but do suffer with the odd blemish and blocked pores, and my skin is quite sensitive. I would say my main problem is redness and unevenness, and my skin looking dull and feeling dehydrated. I have a lot of extra oils, serums, lotions and potions that I use in conjunction with these products, but these are the bare bones of my daily routine.

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil +  Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel  

The first product I use is the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, which I would describe as much more of a balm cleanser than a gel. It melts into the skin, is great for doing a quick facial massage to get some blood flowing, and makes my skin look really alive and glowy. It leaves my face feeling really clean with no oily residue, and smells of roses which is an amazing bonus. I use this cleanser in the morning, and as my second cleanse at night. To remove my make up in the evening I love The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil. Its a lightweight oil, which feels moisturizing and soothing on the skin, whilst really getting in there to easily remove every trace of make up. I haven't found another product that removes my make up as well as this does, and at this price, why would I be looking?

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner

In the evening I use an exfoliating toner such as the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner. I use this after cleansing at night, and it does a great job of brightening and evening out my skin tone. I feel like it helps keep blemishes at bay, and I feel it keep my skin looking more clear and radiant. Its like a more gentle version of the Alpha H Liquid Gold (more on that in another post) and is gentle enough to use every evening. In general I prefer acid exfoliators to gritty ones as my skin is quite sensitive, and they tend to bring out the redness in my skin rather than evening things out.

Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream + Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream

As for moisturizers, I have been using the Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Face Cream and the Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream for about 6 months now, and I love them both. Antipodes is an all natural brand and these products don't make any big claims apart from to nourish and moisturize the skin, but I prefer to target my skins specific problems using serums, masks and oils, and keep my moisturizers very basic. The day cream has a strong smell of vanilla, which I know may be off putting for some people, but I love it, and I find it doesn't linger once its on the skin. It feels very thick and nourishing which is great for my dehydrated skin, but still works well under make up. The Avocado night cream has a much more subtle scent, and feels really soothing and smooth when you apply it. When I wake up in the morning I find my skin has really drunk it up, and is feeling really soft and plumped out.

As I've mentioned, there are a lot more steps involved in my skin care routine, and I will probably do a couple more posts on my favourite masks and other treatments that do most of the hard work!

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Riche

La Roche Posay Toleriane Riche 40ml 

All through my teenage years I've been quite lucky in the way that my skins never done anything too extreme. By extreme I mean acne, or eczema and Its never been overly sensitive to which products I use. My main problems were always unevenness and redness, and how pale and dull my skin looked without any foundation to even things out. But in the last year I've had to pay quite a lot more attention to my skincare routine, as I've started getting the odd breakout, and most recently some pretty severe dry patches on my face.

I woke up one morning with a bumpy rash covering my eyelids and the surrounding area, which through the day turned dry, sore, red and itchy. As I'm sure you can imagine, it really was very painful as the skin of your eyelids is so thin and sensitive anyway. I own a couple of products from La Roche Posay and they are definitely one of my favorite affordable skin care brands. I particularly love how focused they are on targeting problems like sensitivity, break outs etc. I picked up this up in Boots, after hearing that the Toleriane range was good for sensitive, angry skin. What can I say, its worked miracles. I slathered this on every chance I got, and within two days my painful rash was no where to be seen. The redness was compleatly deminished and I had normal, non scaly looking eyelids again. Thank god for that. The consistency of this is a thick cream, and it felt soothing and almost cooling the second I applied it. Due to the thick consistency, I wouldn't reccomend using it all over your face under make up, but for my eyelids it worked just fine. Definitely one to keep in your stash for those times when your skin just has an absolute mare! 

The Review - CLARINS RADIANCE PLUS GOLDEN GLOW BOOSTER

Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster

I picked this up on a whim in Debenhams when I had a £5 off voucher. I'd heard good things from other beauty bloggers, and as much as I love the glow that the Clarins liquid bronze gives me, I do find it hard to fit into my routine. Before your face oil? After your moisturiser? It all gets a little bit confusing, and can feel like your just sanwiching one too many products onto your skin. Thats where this comes in.. A tiny little bottle of concentrated tan, you just add up to three drops to your regular moisturiser. Sorted. You wake up with the same subtle glow that the liquid bronze gives you, and you can leave it at that if you want. The great thing about this is you can taylor it to suit you. Personally I add three drops every other night, to keep my pale skin looking a little less lifeless. Although its a tiny little thing, you use such a small anount of product that I actually think this would last a while. Beats the liquid bronze for me, and I'd definitely repurchace.