My current skincare routine

Hello everyone. Today I am back to my regular posts and to start with I am going to show you what I am currently using to take my make up off and wash my face.

This is the No7 soft and soothed gentle cleanser and toner. I love both of these products as they are really light on my face and don't leave my skin feeling greasy. My skin is quite sensitive and I tend to get red blotches when using certain products but these two do not create problems in either of these areas and leave my face feeling really clean.

The Boots essentials cucumber eye make-up remover gel is the first product I use in my cleansing routine and I find this product makes it really easy to remove my mascara. The product is for all skin types (I would usually go for something for sensitive skin) and I have loved it. I think the Boots cucumber range are still on offer (3 for 2) and I definitely recommend you try them.

The facial wash is again from this range. It does not contain any harsh ingredients which means it can be used everyday. I tend to use this every other day. I would not use this to remove make-up, but find it is a great product to use after the cleansing routine to get any last bits off and make you feel more refreshed and cleansed. 

The final part of my current routine is the Boots essentials moisturising cream. I apply this last thing at night and first thing in the morning and am so far really enjoying it. I find that the cucumber makes it really cooling and refreshing for my face and I love the scent of it.

What are you currently using? Can you recommend any products I should try?

Niki 

Nivea visage daily essentials

This is the Nivea visage daily essentials refreshing 2 in 1 cleanser and toner. With products like this, I normally buy Simple kind to skin everytime, but as this was half price at sainsburys, I thought I would give it a go. I had to get the normal to combination skin as they had none of the dry, sensitive skin ones. 

Product claims

• Cleanses and tones for a fresh skin feeling
• Removes daily impurities and make up 
• The 2 in 1 formula cleanses and tones in one single step without leaving residue 
• leaves skin feeling hydrated all day long

Results

I did find this product a bit watery and slimy to use to start with, but I guess that is due to the fact it is a cleanser AND toner, and I am used to using one and then the other. I enjoyed using this as it was a lot quicker than my usual routine, and the product does take make up off really easily and effectively, without having to drag or scrub the skin with cotton wool. I didn't feel right using it however, as I always felt these was something missing afterwards. In fact, sometimes I used the Simple toner just as I felt I needed an extra cleanse before moisturising. I don't think I would buy this again, merely for the reason, although I am in two minds about the product. If you like a quick and easy way to take off your make up before bed, then this one is really good for that.

Niki xx  

Smells so nice, you could eat it

You may have noticed a pattern emerging on my blog recently, in that I picked up a few one pound bargains and have been blogging about them constantly. This is the last one in the series, and I have some new and exciting posts coming soon ;) This is once again from pound stretcher. I never normally go in there, but when I had a quick look in for cushions/ storage ideas/ candles etc. I came out with quite a few beauty products instead. This is the Inecto pure coconut nourishing hydration cream. I use this product all over my body and I love it. It smells like coconuts, not the fake coconut smell (do you know what I mean?), and the smell stays for ages. The formula is also really cool and soothing and makes the skin really soft and look bright and healthy. 

Niki xx

100 follower giveaway!!

YAY! I have reached 100 followers and I am so happy. I can't believe that 100 people have followed and 100 people have read what I have to say. To celebrate this I thought I would do a small giveaway. This is my first ever giveaway and I am so excited to be doing it.

If you have read my blog for a while, you will know that I am a huge fan of the Simple kind to skin range. I love these products because they are so gentle on my sensitive skin and don't contain any unnecessary ingredients, perfumes or colours. They are all natural products packed with vitamins to make your skin look and feel great, as well as being really affordable. I have been using this range for quite a while and I wanted to share some of the things I like with you.

I have not yet blogged about these particular products as I thought I would leave it until the giveaway to tell you my opinion.

This is the Simple kind to skin vital vitamin day cream and night cream. I have been using these products for a while and I have noticed a big difference in my skin. What was once dry and flaky skin is now really soft and supple and doesn't need constant exfoliation and constant application of products. Just the day cream in the morning and the night cream last thing at night is all you need to keep on top of your skin and keep it looking soft and healthy.

I have such a high opinion of these products, which is why yesterday I went and repurchased these two products for one of you to try too. 

The giveaway will close in one weeks time (Wednesday 27th), giving you all a chance to enter. I wish I could buy some of these for each of you but it's just not possible so I'm sorry but there is only one winner. I am also only holding this competition in England, but my next one will definitely be international! I will contact the winner on the 28th. You must be following my blog to enter!!!

GOOD LUCK!

Niki xx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Vaseline essential moisture

Hey guys. If you've read my blog from the start, you will know that I have very dry, sensitive skin and I'm always looking for moisturisers and products to keep my skin smooth and supple. The other day I picked up the Vaseline essential moisture daily hand and body lotion.

The bottle says that this hand cream is to achieve softer, smoother skin and it is aimed at people with normal to dry skin. I picked up the 75ml bottle as I thought it would be easy to throw in my handbag and carry around to apply throughout the day. 

Product claims 

The bottle states that beneath the surface, healthy skin is up to 90% water. Unfortunately, we lose about a pint of water and vital nutrients from our skin as we go through the day. This hand and body lotion has vitamins E and A in, and claims to replenish daily hydration, as well as minerals that the skin needs to be vibrant and feel healthy everyday. 

Firstly, I love the smell. It has a really clean, fresh smell and isn't too overpowering. I worry about putting really smelly products on my skin as I am concerned they will have chemicals in that will react with my skin. I bought this a few days ago and am already seeing results. The skin on my hands feels really soft and moisturised, as oppose the the dry, flaky skin that was there the week before. As an added bonus, I have also noticed that my nails appear healthier and look more appealing!! 

I am really pleased with this product and would definitely repurchase it. Have you tried this? What hand creams do you use? 

Thank you for reading

Niki xx

Dry, sensitive skin problems

I have always had really dry, sensitive skin that is prone to dry patches and eczema. My skin always needs exfoliating and moisturising more than the average person to look ok. Recently, as the weather has been getting warmer, the skin on my face and neck has started to really dry up and become red and flaky.

I have been using the simple cleanser, toner and face wash for a while and overall it has really been improving the look of my skin so when I was shopping the other day with a friend, and saw that they do a cream for eczema and dermatitus, I had to get it and try it out.

Product claims

·                     Results in just 4 days

·                     Clinically proven

·                     Intensive relief

·                     Immediate soothing effects

·                     Long lasting care that will calm and help relieve sensitive skin

The result

OHMYGOD! The eczema rash on my neck has completely dissapeared and no longer itches. My face feels completely different and is so soft and smooth with no dry patches. As well as this, my lips aren't chapped anymore! I will definitely keep using this cream to keep my ezcema at bay and to keep my skin looking lovely. It's like magic!!

Have you ever used this product? What were your experiences?

Thanks for reading

Nikiniknak xx

March favourites!

These are a few of my favourite products that I have been using in the last month (March) 

This John Frieda frizz-ease spray gel with heat protection says it is meant to "give curls shining style with smooth, lightweight definition for up to 24 hours". 

I use this product after I have washed my hair and want to have it curly instead of straight. I have naturally very frizzy, dry hair and this helped to calm down the frizz and keep my curls looking nice instead of out of control. I received this as a gift but I would purchase it again!! 

This is a clean skin oil balancing facial scrub for every day use. This bottle only has a tiny bit left as it was a Christmas present and I have used it EVERYDAY!! I love it. I am definitely going to buy this again and again. It has made my skin so much clearer and smooth. I have been looking for a daily facial scrub for a while and this is by far the best one I have used so far. 

This is another product by simple; the kind to skin replenishing moisturiser. I love the simple range and I definitely love this moisturiser! I also use the cleanser and toner and need to repurchase them which is why they are not in this blog post. I use this moisturiser morning and night everyday and have definitely noticed a difference in my skin. 

This is a deep conditioning treatment that I try to use 1/2 a week after washing my hair. It is the VO5 emergency rescue elixir 1 minute nourishing treatment, but I actually leave it on for about 10 minutes. once again this product calms my frizzy hair after a shower and allows it to dry more sleek and smooth. 

There's not much to say about this really, but I always repurchase this as it is cheap (only costing one pound!!) and good at removing nail varnish, which comes off easily first time round. In the past, I have bought nail varnish removers which I had to reapply and reapply to get the full amount of polish off but this works instantly. 

Not very exciting but used ALL the time none the less. This is the aloe vera Vaseline. I use this on my lips everyday, as well as smoothing down eyebrows and moisturising dry skin. Superdrug and boots have now put the price of this up to about one pound thirty but Wilkinson's is selling it for 60p which is over half price. Get some now!! 

All. Time. Favourite. Foundation. EVER!! This is dream matte mousse in the shade 020 cameo. I use this everyday and it gives my face a perfect finish, covering up blemishes and red patches perfectly. This is more make up than beauty product I know, but I had to include it. I bought this recently from Asda and they were selling 2 for ten pounds so it's worth having a try. 

Thank you for reading my March favourites. If you have any questions that I have failed to answer then write them below and I will definitely reply. 

Nikiniknak xx