Well oiled up

Oil on my face. That is something I never thought I’d put on deliberately. Having had problematic, blemish  skin all my life, I always struggled with the oiliness of my dry skin.

Three years ago, facial oils changed my life. And my skin. For the first time, I felt radiance coming from my acne-treatment-battered skin. And oh, boy, did I get addicted!

And now, I cannot live my life without it. For those that like me ran away from facial oils, give it a go. The reasoning behind it is that if you provide oils to the skin, it won’t produce, or produce much less of it.

On top of it, oils carry a great concentration of raw nutrients, nourishing the skin and working mainly on texture and condition.

Some nights, all I put on is face oil. I give it a lovely uplifting circular massage to my face and neck, breathe in the natural aromas and off to bed I go!

The this works stress check face oil is a bliss, I’ve been loving it recently. On top of its redness relief, calming and hydrating properties, thanks to its botanical oils, vitamin C, E and omega 3, it has the most calming neroli, patchouli, lavender, vetivert and camomile fragrance. A treat for face and mind.

Caudalie has just launched a fab facial oil, the Vine[Active] Overnight Detox Oil, perfect for city skins which are exposed to pollution and free radicals.

It is 100% natural and works towards detoxifying and regenerating stressed skin. Full review coming soon!

And while on the natural subject, other pure blend oils such as Dr Jackson’s everyday oil and the Skin & Tonic London Naked Beauty oil, a bit richer, are perfect for overnight.

I feel they work their magic getting deep in the skin, healing and supporting the skin regenerating process.

I love that Dr Jackson’s everyday oil also comes in a handy roll on, perfect for travelling, and perfect to carry on the plane. Definitely one to invest on for the holiday season, for its portability and to help sun exposed skin heal!

Super light oils like the Body Shop Oils of Life facial oil, the Eucerin Facial oil and the dermalogica phyto replenish oil are perfect to add to the foundation for extra hydration and glow.

For more specific needs, the GOSH Primer Oil Essence doubles up as a night oil that preps the skin for the next day and the Indemne Gimme Clear! oil is a helping hand for blemish prone skins.

Of course, I cannot leave out the first oil I ever put on my face: balance me radiance face oil. On the “natural, richer” category, this one really changed my skin and I owe it my absolute love (ok, obsession) with facial oils.

The market is brimming with great products, for all budgets. It is a great time for facial oils. And my skin is grateful!

What about you? Have you tried facial oils? How do they feel on your skin? Or are you like me in the beginning, scared of using them?

You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

More oil: The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 10When I heard The Body Shop was bringing out a whole range based on oil blends, I was very excited.

The first product from the Oils of Life range I wrote about was one that intrigued me. After all, the Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion is a different product that added new step into the routine.

The second one I am going to talk about is more traditional. A facial oil, which is a type of product I love (I tried hard not to say I love oils, again! Failed!).

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 12The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil, however, is slightly different, it feels lighter in its consistency.

It is absorbed well by the skin, and it feels very soft after application, although I need a good 4-5 drops just for the face, whereas usually for richer oils, 3 is enough.

What it does, however, is to enable me to wear an oil during the day. It’s great to wear alone, with moisturiser or serum on top or mix to your face day cream to give it a little bit of winter skincare richness, without weighing it.

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 13Either way, it behaves very well under makeup and adds that extra moisture and protection so needed in this weather.

Currently, my skin is super mega dry, so I am pulling at all stops to replenish it. This product has proven to be very handy.

Oils have really changed the appearance of my skin. Since the introduction of them to my routine I feel the texture and radiance have improved dramatically. This product has contributed to that too.

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 11Packaging is a lovely ombré glass bottle with pipette. The oil itself is light yellow.

It’s made from 99% natural origin and contains three precious seed oils: black cumin, camellia and rosehip, ingredients are known for their repairing and revitalising properties.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil costs £28 and it is available online and in the shops nationwide.

You can also read about the product I count on for when the weather is not treating my skin very well!

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

The Body Shop Oils of Life: fuelling my obsession with oils

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 1As if I weren’t obsessed enough with oils, here comes The Body Shop and adds more fuel to the fire with the amazingly luxurious Oils of Life range.

It contains a massager and four great products: two creams, an oil and a lotion, with which I will start with, as it is a bit different from all skincare products I tried before.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion has, of course, oils, mixed with water, making it a bi-phasic solution, much like the best eye makeup removers out there.

As every item in the collection, this contain three precious seed oils: black cumin, camellia and rosehip. Lovely, no? These ingredients are known for their repairing and revitalising properties.

The Revitalising Lotion is a pre moisturising step, preparing the skin to receive the care and it should be applied after cleansing and toning.

I have to say that my skin routine has enough steps, but this ones adds something extra. Apart from making skin feel softer and helping spread the products that follow, it proved to be particularly valuable in the morning, as it is a helps to wake me up with its freshness and subtle lovely smell.

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 2Obviously, it is super light, feels like water and really gives the skin that pick me up before the nourishing routine. You just need a few drops, after shaking to mix, for the whole face and neck.

Packaging is quite simple; a plastic orange bottle with a sturdy cap, not exactly luxurious but gives you that apothecary look (but the feel as it is not glass!). I like the label is small and you can see the solution mix as you shake it.

It does make me wonder that this product would make a fab spray to be used during the day; I might put it in an atomiser to carry around, being the huge fan of face mists I am.

Doubtlessly helps boost radiance as part of the routine, but for me, its “wake me up effect” is its best feature.

The lovely Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion costs £15 for 150ml and can be bought online or at The Body Shop shops nationwide.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Review: The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser

the body shop tea tree pore minimiser review - somanylovelythingsPrimer: probably my biggest makeup discovery. It really makes a world of difference and I am always up for trying new ones – this time, I tested The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser.

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Eye make-up look challenge – black and silver

Haven’t posted an eye make-up look trial for quite sometime now; but I managed to get this one out and wanted to share how it went.

My aim was to create a dark silver smokey look, with black, as I had just bought a black silver-studded crop top! I wanted it to be dramatic so I added extra big lashes!

I started with the primer (e.l.f, not shown), and brushed the silver pigment all over the lid. I then lined my upper lash line with the gel liner, extending the flick at the end, and my lower water and lash lines with the eye kohl, also extending the flick parallel to the top one. Then, I generously applied the matte black eyeshadow and smoked it, with the pencil brush for definition, just in the corner and around the crease shape, blending just a little bit towards the centre.

I applied the supracolour cream on to the inner corner of the eye and between the upper and lower flicks, as well as to 2/3 of the way of the lower lash line. I brushed the sparkles all over the lid and the highlighter on the brow bone. Finally, I applied the lashes.

Happy with the look, definitely wearable on a night out! I would however, tone down the lashes, and wear a slightly smaller pair!

Products I used:

  • NYX loose pearl powder pigment in silver
  • H&M eyeshadow in Party Silver (sparkles)
  • MAC eyeshadow in Carbon (matte)
  • Bodyshop brilliance powder (highlighter)
  • Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama gel liner in black
  • Kryolan Supracolour in silver
  • Maybelline Volum’ Express One by One mascara
  • MAC eye kohl in Smolder
  • Duo eyelash adhesive (clear)
  • Eyelashes from eBay (given to me by my dear friend Gisele)
  • MAC brushes 219, 239, 283, 209, Maybelline eyeliner brush and Elf brush (for the Supracolour)

Difficulty level: