Fifty Shades of Clay

KIEHLS RARE EARTH DEEP PORE CLEANSING MASQUE

As I lather my face with this beautiful and creamy clay mask by Kiehl's, I realise I need to tell you all about how great it is.  I have been using this Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque twice a week for years now - Sunday night for a detox and deep clean (after a busy and hectic week/and fun weekend) and Wednesday night as a boost to keep up radiance.  Its incredible, and does what most face masks do which is to detox the skin of surface impurities, such as excess oil and dirt and minimises pores, but unlike other clay masks, it's really gentle and nourishing.  Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque contains Amazonian White Clay, Oatmeal and Aloe Vera which makes it gentle on the skin.

The container is huge, so a small amount goes a really long way.  The clay itself has no fragrance, which makes it seem more natural, and the texture is super creamy.  Once the mask has been applied to the skin, it quickly absorbs (but not too quickly) and continues to stay in the skin without flaking and crumbling.  I would recommend this product to every skin type, but in particular, for people with sensitive, combination, and oily skin - its a powerful product which is equally really kind.  After the first couple of uses, the results are really visible.  People with large pores, blackheads and those who breakout frequently will see a huge difference.  This clay mask really does refresh skin, making it look bright, more refined, clean, and radiant.

£21.50

Available from Kiehls, Selfridges, Liberty, and Space NK

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

Between December and February I looked hideous! I had a horrible allergic reaction to an eyeshadow which resulted in a disgusting case eczema around my eyes.  I know I sound a little dramatic, but it was a terrible three months.  I had to get through party season with swollen, patchy, and red eyes.  Can you imagine?  I endured Christmas, New Year and my Birthday without glittery eyes, black mascara, and my signature cat flicks!  I couldn't wear any eye makeup, or use any perfumed products on my skin.  It was awful.  Last month it got worse, so I finally went to the doctor who prescribed a cream which got rid of it over night.

Luckily, there was some light during these dark days, I discovered the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream.

There was a lot of experimentation during the swollen eyes days - no eye makeup, different eye creams, a lot of apple eating (natural antihistamine apparently) and a whole new set of sensitive skin products.  I found a free sample of the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream in my bedroom which I threw into my bag because it was small enough to carry around.  I was so shocked to discover, that after months of trying to calm down my rough, itchy and inflamed skin using hydrocortisone and other over the counter creams, Ultra Facial Cream literally melted the dry patches away with one application!  It is incredible.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a magic potion, so I did need medical treatment in the end.  Since then, I have been really particular about what I use on my skin and use Ultra Facial Cream every day.  It promises to hydrate even the most parched skin (like the one around my eyes) improvement of skin softness, smoothness, and radiance.  This is all true.

Ultra Facial Cream doesn't have a scent, it's not very expensive, and its packaging is really minimal, so I would say, as a whole, this product is completely understated.  Do not be fooled, its probably the best, and most reliable moisturiser I have ever used.  It hydrates my skin beautifully without being oily, its brilliant under makeup because it absorbs quickly, and leaves skin feeling smooth and soft.  It would be perfect if it had an SPF.

I've been researching the product too, and discovered that it has cult status.  I already know that a lot of makeup artists have it as a must have item in their kit, but with fans like Olivia Palermo, Reece Witherspoon, Kim Kardashian, and Cameron Diaz, its not surprising that its flying off the shelves - 2 million jars were sold in 2012, and globally Kiehl's sells 4 jars every minute.

Also, now that its getting warmer, Ultra Facial Lotion is lighter version of the cream and also contains UVA and UVB protection (SPF30).

Since reading this post, around 6 bottle have already been sold.  Go get yours now!

RRP - £24.00 for 50ml, £43.50 for 125ml 

Available from www.kiehls.co.uk

*Please note, I put quite a lot of this cream around my eyes to make the dry skin melt away, and reapplied it every few hours. It won't do that to your entire face on one application. Enjoy. I hope you love it as much as I do... 

  

Sleep in a bottle

Midnight Recovery Concentrate 

Blue Monday...

Have you been burning the midnight oil? Partying all weekend? Or just affected by the hour of sleep we lost last night?

Me too.  Its Monday morning and Im soooo tired! I used to be able to cope with a few hours of sleep, and thought it was pretty cool that I could function on very little.  However, since finding out that sleep deprivation leads to negative consequences on your mind (makes you more emotional, inability to concentrate, reduced memory), health (slows down metabolism) and appearance (ages skin, puffy eyes, dark circles, dull skin) I now always make sure I get my full 8 hours.... well 7.5 hours too be honest..

Taking care of your skin at night is just as important as your morning routine because skin cells recover and repair over night while you sleep.  My nighttime routine is more of a ritual - I always take my makeup off, and prefer to use an oil which penetrates into the skin easier.

I absolutely love Midnight Recovery Concentrate from Kiehl's which replenishes moisture, giving you younger looking skin by morning.  It absorbs straight into my skin and smells amazing.  Its expensive so a few drops go a long way.  I warm in my hands and then gently press onto my skin.  If you have time, massage it onto the skin to activate circulation.  Midnight Recovery Concentrate is enriched with a blend of naturally derived ingredients - Squalane, Evening Primrose, Omega-6 Fatty Acids, and Essential Oils including Lavender, which of course aids sleep.

Even though right now, all I can think about is crawling back under the duvet, at least my skin is hydrated, softer, and looks brighter.

Happy Monday!

Available from Kiehlshttp://www.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/midnight-recovery-concentrate, Selfridges, and Liberty

£36 (30ml)

Midnight Recovery eye review coming soon...