Balancing ageing prevention and acne fighting skincare
Once again I go on about my problematic skin. Get used to it. Working with Eucerin has given me a boost of confidence to keep talking openly about skin concerns affecting young and older people alike.
Think double trouble – when you are a little bit older (cough cough) and still suffer from breakouts, ageing is a concern but most acne effective treatments will drain your skin from hydration, promoting a dry, irritated and dull complexion. Which is wrinkle prone. Great.
Frankly, I don’t have time for that, on top of all the aggro acne has brought me, I now have a new set of issues to deal with, and they are the entire opposite end of the spectrum.
With make up not sitting well and not lasting, if your confidence is already knocked by the problematic skin itself, not being able to conceal it a little bit can be even worse.
So what to do Dani? Well, I have, through all these years, tried many combinations. I’m not going to lie: it is trial and error, and sometimes it just stops working, but hopefully my tips will be useful.
In short, I keep acne specific products for the night, adding a shot of deeper hydration, and favour shielding, protecting and moisturising products for the day. And I rotate a lot, depending on how my skin is feeling.
Because this post ended up huge (trust me not to shut up), I am splitting in two parts. Here, I talk about the beginning of the routine – cleansers, toners, serums and day moisturisers.
Cleansers
I double cleanse most days. First either with an oil pre-cleanse – my go-to are dermalogica precleanse cleansing oil or DHC Deep Cleansing Oil or a balm – my faves are this works light time cleanse & glow or Botanicals Hydration Boost Double Action Hydrating Cleanser.
Then I use a wash – always a foaming wash. If skin is a bit more sensitive, I use a mild one like the Evolve Daily Facial Detox Wash or Best Face Forward from Formula 10.0.6.
All of the above are very gentle, offering non-stripping deep cleansing.
If skin if feeling slightly tougher and can take more acid goodness, I love the Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Cleansing foam or the Eucerin Dermopurifyer cleansing gel which are still gentle enough for my (most of the times) sensitive skin.
Toners
For the day, the Zenii Antioxidant Q10 Toner, Murad’s Essential-C Toner and dermalogica’s Multiactive Toner are ever so mild and efficient. At night, I use the Eucerin Dermopurifyer Toner.
If I am looking for something with a bit more bite, Pixi Glow Tonic and Clinique Anti-Blemish Solution Clarifying Toner are my go to (which incidentally need re-stocking!).
Serums
Usually during the day I apply the gorgeous Zenii Antioxidant Power serum and the lovely Lumène Valo Glow Boost Essence both for protection and promoting radiance. I use those mainly for day.
The Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum, from Evolve organic Beauty, and The Ordinary Niaciamide 10% + Zinc 1% solution are helpful additions when blemishes are present, and usually at night.
Day moisturisers
I am a bit promiscuous when it comes to moisturising. At the moment, I have, on rotation, for the day: this works light time skin plumper, Zenii Moisturising Sun protection, Nivea Q10plus C, Neutrogena Moisture Boost and Perricone MD Photo Plasma (which makes a great makeup base).
If the SPF on the moisturiser is not enough, I complement the routine with one of my favourite sun creams, such as Eucerin’s Sun Fluid Anti-Age.
Very important: this mini series talks about a maintenance routine. If you are suffering from (especially) moderate to severe active acne, I urge you to talk to your doctor to discuss treatment.
Once you start treatment, you will most likely stick to a prescribed skincare routine, but depending on what your main medical treatment for acne is, some products will be off the table.
In a few days, I will be talking excitingly about night hydration, oils, masks, scrubs and other skincare bits that are also part of my routine – do not miss!
P.S. Since I photographed this post, new skincare came into play, like the new Nivea City Skin range, which has gone straight into my skincare drawer… But you know what they say (do they?): the work of a beauty blogger is never done – they will soon be featuring.
In my life, I had many fragrances. I dropped fragrances I loved but reminded of heartbreaks and (maybe) excessive nights out. I impulse bought. I re-purchased. I had “signature scents”. I was faithful, then promiscuous with my perfume choices.
Good Girl, from Carolina Herrera is a delight. I mean, look at that killer stiletto bottle. Sensuous and dark.
The strong base of toasted tonka beans, cacao, vanilla and coffee (the “bad” side) settle the sweet flowery tuberose, jasmine sambac and iris heart (the “good side”), which also contains some sandalwood and the top note is almond.
Now… the strapline: “It’s so good to be bad“. I had ONE date with someone I spoke to an awful lot prior and after that date. We spoke a lot with hashtags (judge me, go on).
I got mine (50ml) from 
Easy drying and styling? In pink? Tell Mark Hill I am in!
In the box, you get a radial brush, which is pretty in orange and hot pink ombré and helps add add volume and body as it allows for even air-flow, helping reduce dry time!
I also got the lovely Mini handbag Heroes containing a mini versions of the Plumping Powder (7g), which helps give volume and texture, the Taming Anti Humidity Spray (50ml), great for keeping fly aways at bay and the Freeze Hold Hairspray (50ml), which is lightweight with strong hold.
On top of products, you get 2 sectioning clips to really style with precision.
The 
Beauty. Heaven. There is no other way to describe the haven that is Indulge Beauty at Westfield Stratford.
I was really impressed with the quality and selection of the brands present. Being a beauty blogger, obviously I knew many, but there was a lot still to discover.
I left the shop with a gorgeous Capsule box, which only lightly touches on the breadth of the beauty offering from Indulge; from well know Urban Decay, Glam Glow and Beauty Blender, to cult Skin Laundry and classic Clarins and GHD; this just a tiny sample of what you can expect from a place which seems to have it all.
The best thing? At Indulge Beauty you can get a routine tailored for you – think a shampoo from one brand, conditioner from other, mask from a third; eyeliner from brand A, mascara from B; day cream from brand X, day cream from Y… you get the idea.
Most importantly, advice is neutral, focused on your needs and you can get all in one place!
It’s been so long since I actually published a style post, but I am hoping to get back into it. What better way of getting back into it than this little gem, shot in the beautiful Spencer House over London Fashion Week?
This is a super budget outfit that turned out to be quite fun, quirky and cute, which is just the kind of style I love!
The sac, tie waist trousers, also from New Look, has a great fit for its shape and it seems to come quite large – this is a size 6, while I am usually a 10 for trousers. It costs a reasonable £19.99 and I feel it will be a staple on my spring wardrobe.
Finally, to top it off, you know I like making stuff, eh? I made this cute hair piece with a little gem encrusted whale keyring, also from New Look at £4.99 (now on sale for 2.99). I cut the keyring bit and added a little bow to the loop at the top of the happy whale’s head.
Makeup was simple: a long feline flick, a little bit of nude matte eyeshadow on the crease, and 3/4 lashes, a good measure of highlighter and a killer red – he almost electric Charlotte Tilbury Tell Laura on my lips!![Valo [Light] Glow Boost Essence](https://somanylovelythings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/lumene-valo-glow-boost-essence-review-1.jpg?w=640&h=427)
Who’s with me in no longer bearing the winter? Thought so. I had enough. London is so miserable in the winter so I cannot wait for those longer, brighter days.![Valo [Light] Glow Boost Essence](https://somanylovelythings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/lumene-valo-glow-boost-essence-review-3.jpg?w=640&h=427)
![Valo [Light] Glow Boost Essence](https://somanylovelythings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/lumene-valo-glow-boost-essence-review-2.jpg?w=640&h=427)
A good coverage is very important to me when settling for a face makeup product. At the same time, caring for my problematic skin is also a concern.
The power powder
Is it just make up?
I have a (real) thing for blacks, flirt with the purples, dab with the blues and on occasion succumb to a nude, but my lips truly belong to the reds.
Walk of Fame, part of Sleek‘s Lip VIP range, is described as a semi-matte. It has the pigmented finish but a smoother, slightly shinier finish.
The clue is really in the name when it comes to feelunique – their personalisation services really are a fabulous special touch to make that gift – or that treat to yourself – truly unique.
Egocentric reasons aside, it can transform a simpler gift into something rather special for a loved one. Engraving can be done in glass and metal, so think perfume bottles and make up compacts customised specially for you or your loved ones.
Swarovski crystal application is also a thing with the sparkly folks at feelunique: add you initials or a little star to a huge variety of products, including lipsticks!
The items that can be customised will be marked on the site. For engraving, you can just click on the + next to the word “Engraving” to add your text – you can read all on the 
So Many Lovely Things 