The Facial Kit/added extras part 2; skincare

Everyone has a skin off day and the basic facial should be tailored to respond to those concerns. Here are a few of the tips I have picked up to solve some of those days that are sent to try us.

Puffy Eyes
Whenever I get a cold or hay fever it seems to settle in my eyes and consequently I get puffy eyes so I have discovered a few tricks.

• Grate a cucumber wrap it in muslin and apply to closed eyes and rest for a few minutes. 
• During they hay fever season I make sure that I have eye drops on hand and I keep my eye cream in the fridge for an added cooling boost. 
• Removing your make up at night and regularly replacing mascara also reduces the risk of infection and dried mascara getting into your eyes. 

Spots

Everyone gets the occasional spots even those of us with dry skin. If I get a flare up I make sure that I generally exfoliate my skin so that my pores don't get blocked up further. But my real tip is to get a liquid tablet of ibuprofen pierce it and with a cotton bud apply the liquid onto the inflamed spot. This will help reduce the inflammation. 

Blackheads
Apparently these are a result of dirt getting trapped in large pores an oxidising- yuck! So the aim is to remove the blockage and prevent it happening in the future.

 Face strips are the most effective home method I have come across and Biore are the best of the best. Superdrug and Boots do their own version but they are not as efficient in my personal opinion. Just damp your skin apply and allow the strip to harden, it should feel as if paper mâché has dried on your face. Then swiftly remove in a single motion and marvel at the tiny black hair like blockages sticking up from the surface.

As for preventing it in the future there are a lot of products that claim to reduce pores but I think the best approach is to try and clear the gunk by steaming, cleansing and exfoliating.

Dull Skin
When your skin just looks a bit meh facial oil is your friend (a long with 8 hours sleep nightly). Massage into your face before sleep in an upward motion before letting it soak in as you sleep. If your skin is really dry you can always add a moisturising mask on top for an extra boost.

If you are still struggling fake it! I am not a fake tan advocate; there was once a flaking oompa loompa orangutan moment in the blue lagoon in Iceland when I was sixteen that should have put me off for life. Unfortunately I did not learn and there were several streaky bacon attempts in Uni which definitely did put me off. There are however different ways to fake it, radiance boosting primers like Smashbox Photo Finish Luminizing Primer or L'Oreal Paris Lumi Magique Primer worn under make up or alone are candlelight for the skin. I also use the LOreal primer as a highlighter were the light would naturally touch your face.

If you are a foundation girl look at luminizing foundations and colour correcting creams. But the best way to look instantly healthy is to use a rosy blush to bring a flush to your cheeks. The optimal word here is rosy; peach, apricot and bronzed shades will not have the healthy glow effect that energising pinks and reds do. I would also avoid powdery consistencies and opt for something that will melt into your skin such as a cream or stain. I like Body Shop Lip and Cheek Stain which I got free with a magazine and Maybelline Dream Soft Blush in Berry.

Chapped lips
In winter my lips react by drying out and cracking so that they resemble a smashed window frame. With this the old tips are the best I use one of my old tooth brush heads a slather of Vaseline and some elbow grease to buff away the dry skin leaving behind soft lips.
I then apply either lip balm or coloured balm. Currently I love Clinque Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm in Chunky Cherry and Woopin Watermelon as the are subtle enough to wear to work but make my lips feel amazing. Clinique now does an intense range which has more of a colour punch if these are too subtle for your tastes . Revlon's ColorBurst Lip Butter gives a shimmery intensely moisturised balm that leaves your lips soft. My personal favourites are Peach Parfait and Strawberry Shortcake which are better than neutral. 

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The Facial kit/ added extras part 1: skincare

As you will now know I am a little bit obsessive about skin care. I come from a long line of women with amazing skin and whilst my mothers attitude to make up has always been at best ambivalent she instilled in me a skin care regime.

Her dressing table has always been adorned with a tray set out with her daily skin care essentials, a tradition I have kept. However I seem to ave expanded upon the daily regime and I love nothing more than carrying out a weekly facial on a Sunday night to prep my skin for the week ahead. There is something satisfyingly relaxing about watching Homeland whilst a face mask permeates through your skin. 

A facial should be both a luxury and a functional part of looking after your skin; it also gives you an opportunity to check your skin for an changes which might cause a concern for instance moles that have changed or lumps that are not going away.

The facial prescription;

1: Light a scented candle.
Why you may ask? Well to be honest because there is something indulgent about scented candles and they set the mood. I love Jo Malone Wild Bluebell and Pomegranate Noir Home Candles but they are  a real indulgence. The White company also do densely scented candles my favourite being Verveine which an uplifting citrusy mix of verbena, lemon, orange, clary sage, lemongrass and ceder wood. One of my recent discoveries is the Marks and Spencer La Maison de Senteurs range which is inspired by French scents and reasonably priced at £5 for a candle with around 40hours of burning time. My favourite is La Maison De Senteurs Fleur d'Orangier candle, which is pictured above.

2: Brush or Double Cleanse

As always a facial should start with cleansing. I personally do not see the need for a different cleanser to your day to day cleanser but when I am carrying out a facial I double cleanse to be certain I have removed all dirt. If you are using a cleansing brush, double cleansing is probably unnecessary and may be more damaging to your skin but if you are using a polishing cloth or removing the product with cotton wool it held you feel extra cleansed.

A facial or cleansing brush is to my mind a added extra. Pretty much every magazine that does a feature on skincare seems to think that it is an essential part of a cleansing routine but most cleansing brushes are anything but cheap. I have come a cross a few cheaper alternatives such as the Boots No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Brush and a Soap and Glory Face massage mini mitt which can be used to give skin some gentler TLC.

3: Steaming
Using a muslin or flannel soaked in hot water, ring it out and whilst its still steaming place it over your face to steam and open your pores.

4: Face Mask
The type of mask you use should be guided by the type of skin you have. The majority of the time I will use a moisturising and plumping mask such as Temple Spa Quench or Sanctuary Spa Time Reversal Face Mask however if my skin is looking tired and dull I will use a peel off mask designed to dissolve the top layer of skin.

5: Toning
When I am indulging in a facial I like to use a proper toner rather than a mineral water facial mist such as Temple Spa Toning Essence which is for use by all skin types and can be used as a hydrating mist in its own right. Three squirts on a cotton pad is all you need for your whole face.

6: Serum
A serum is designed to give an added nutrient boost to your skin by sinking through the layers and feeding your skin. It's texture will be more watery and does not create the layer between your skin and the world that a moisturiser does. I tend to think of this as a booster shot to my skincare. I have tried a number of serums and my favourites are Temple Spa Be Strong and the more affordable Olay Anti-Wrinkle Instant Hydrating Serum.

7: Moisturiser
Moisturise your face in upward strokes going against gravity. Taking time to massage in the cream. As I often do a facial in the evening I will usually apply a thicker cream texture such as L'Occtaine's Angelica Hydrating cream or Temple Spa Repose which has the added benefit of aromatherapy to add your sleep. Eye cream should also be applied and if needed a separate neck cream. Moisturise lips with a balm such as This Works Turbo Balm.

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