The Miracle Worker

Sorry I have been a little negligent recently and I have no excuses. However I have been finding new gorgeous products to test and review specially for you! (Aren't you lucky?) 

I'm starting off this mini series of miracle products with a rather odd one. I came across this product when I got a free sample with a Space NK shop and at first wasn't really sure how to use it.

The product is rose water! 

A secret wonder product in my opinion. The reason that I wasn't sure how to use it is as my little bottle came with no instructions but being the diligent beauty lover I am, I did some research on how to use it. Turns out you can use it anyway you want! Rose water works as a cleanser, toner, anti-inflammatory, moisturiser... You can use it on your hands, feet, hair, face, arm, legs... You can put it into water or cook with it... Just about anything!

I started out squirting a couple drops into my shampoo and conditioner. This is meant to make your hair smooth and silky... And it did. However the reason why I am calling it a miracle product is what I noticed about 4 weeks after I started using it. I noticed my hair had grown about an inch in those 4 weeks and was completely shocked. This rose water returns your hair to a naturally healthy state and encourages hair growth! What more could you want? 

Rapunzel, Rapeunzel, let down your hair!

Rose water will definetly be on my shopping list and although pure version are a little hard to come by you can get variations at boots, feel unique, space nk etc.

Give it a try!! And please tell me if you use it in a different way that works wonders too (or maybe works terribly???)!

Skin types/Pimples

Not a long blog post today but just something that I felt needed to be addressed in the skincare industry, skin types.

You hear if all different skin types and to be honest I don't think anyone really has a clue what their particular type is. Getting spots does not necessarily mean you have oily skin and dry patches doesn't mean your whole face is dry. Remember everyone skins different and some people find it difficult it fit into a particular category or their skin type changes with the seasons (like mine).

Here is a simple guide to skin types without needing any special towels that soak up oil.

Oily skin - In some cases this means you are able to feel a thin film of moisture on your face. More common in summer and can lead to blemishes. Mainly linked to larger pores and young/teenage skin. However, you may think you have oily skin as you are breaking out but this may be from you having dry skin and your skin is over compensating for the dryness by over producing oil.

Combination - Usually associated with black heads/white heads/ pimples forming around the t-zone. Sides of nose can be particular bad with blemishes.

Normal - Lucky you! Your skin produces the perfect amount of oils and therefore tends to be linked to smaller pores, less breakouts and smoother looking skin.

Dry - Skin often feels tight and it becomes harder to show expression in your face. More common in winter. Can be produced by the air on planes, air conditioning and dehydration. If your throst is feeling dry, you skin probably is too.

Remember, getting major breakouts and getting bumps under the skin are two very different things and should be treated in different ways. If you're a girl, major breakouts may usually appear around particular times of the month... If this happens to you unfortunately there isn't much you can do other than making sure you eat healthy and drink lots of water as spots caused by hormones are quite hard to treat at a skin deep level. Other large pimples are usually a product of dirt getting into your pores, these can be prevented with a good skincare routine and good spot serums although everyone gets them once in a while so don't worry! Bumps under the skin (sometimes accompanying slight red tone to the skin) are mainly linked to hormones or oily skin. If these really bring down your confidence then checkout the doctors/dermatologist and see if they can prescribe you any help.

For spots the two best ingredients to check out at salcyclic acid and benzoyl peroxide. So check out any products with those ingredients in small doses for particularly bad/persistent blemishes.

If you buy one thing this month...

If you buy one thing this month, it's has to be 

The Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate

This little miracle from Liz Earle literally gives you flawless, regenerated and bright skin overnight. Although a little pricey (around £40 for the average size) it is worth every penny and if you are a bit wary you could try it out with the smaller £20 size which is marketed towards travel. 

The travel size comes as a roller ball which is helpful as it ensures you don't waste an excess oil. I apply it by rolling the ball around the palm of one of my hands and then rub my hands together. I then take a deep breath whilst smelling my hands and follow by rubbing it all over my face. It absorbs almost instantly and leaves your skin feeling healthy.

I use it after moisturiser and before bed. I never use it in the morning as it can leave a film which is hard to apply makeup over and the moisturising effect means that if you have oily skin then you can use this miracle concentrate instead of moisturiser.

It contains Tocopheral which is a source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is super duper good for your skin! It's a natural antioxidant (bye bye blemishes) and also produces a protective layer for you skin. Along with a basket of other miracle ingredients it contains one of my favourites of all kernel oil. I know kernel oil is an odd thing to look for in a product but it's not specifically what I was so excited to see. Kernel oil is a natural moisturising factor (NMF) which means that it keeps your upper layer of skin healthy and intact by keeping water in your skin making your skin look glowing and radiant, not to mention youthful.