Skincare Heroes

It's taken me years to get my skincare routine right. I always end up with products drying my skin out or making it excessively oily, but I've finally found a routine that works for me.

You'll notice most of it is from Lush with a couple of other brands mixed in. I'm a big fan of Lush anyway and use an awful lot of their products but I'd never tried their skincare. I visited my local Lush store in Norwich and asked for some advice. Anyone that's ever shopped in Lush will know that they really know their shit. The lady was with me for a good 40 minutes and talked me through all of the different products they had that would suit my skin type. I got to try them all to see which I liked best and her knowledge of the ingredients and how they'd work for my skin was incredible.

I left with a huge bag and a significant dent in my monthly pay check but it was so worth it. I've been using these products for about a year now and my skin has never felt better.

My skin is combination and can be quite sensitive so if you're the same these products could be perfect for you. I'd definitely recommend popping in to your local store when you get a free afternoon, you won't regret it.

(if you do shop in Lush remember to keep your empty pots as they recycle them, and once you have 5 you get a free fresh face mask)

Cleansers

The main cleanser that I use every morning is Angels on Bare Skin.

This is a brilliant product for anyone that suffers with sensitive skin and is looking for a gentle cleanser that also exfoliates.

It's made from Lavender Oil, Ground almonds, Rose absolute and Chamomile blue oil so it smells lovely.

It is quite messy to use but it's worth putting up with. You only need a little bit on your hand with some warm water and work it in to a paste. I tend to use it in the mornings to wake me up but it's equally as effective if used in the evening for taking your make up off.

A 100g Tub is £9. You don't need too much so it lasts me ages, but if you love it you can also buy a 250g pot for £22.50

The next cleanser I tend to use once a week as it's a bit harsher on the skin. Dark Angels is a charcoal scrub and it gives a really deep cleanse and exfoliation. I love it because I can really feel it working, but I wouldn't recommend it if you've got super sensitive skin. (I am no expert, so if you're unsure talk to someone at Lush)

It's made out of Rhassoul Mud, Organic Avocado Oil, Powdered charcoal and Rosewood Oil.

If i'm having a particularly oily skin day, I'll use this as it's really good at mattifying the skin.

It is again a little messy to use. The same thing is required with this one, make it into a paste with warm water and apply. It's very Black so prepare for your sink to look a little scary. (Also avoid your eyebrows as it's a nightmare to get out!)

This one is the same price as AOBS at £9 for 100g or £22.50 for 250g.

I've only just ordered the Sleepy cleansing balm but so far I like it. I'm using it in the evenings after washing my face when I really can't be bothered to do much more!

It smells very similar to the sleepy products which are my absolute favourites! It's really easy to use (it is a naked balm so i'd recommend getting a pot for it and keeping it away from heat) you just wipe it over your face and your done.

It's made from Shea Butter, Cocoa Oil, Lavender Oil and oats- dreamy!

This 15g bar is £5, but again you really don't need much

TONERS

The toner that I use religiously every day is Eau roma water.

It's a rose and lavender water toner so it smells amazing, and I love that it's a spray because it is a sure fire way to wake me up in the mornings!

A 100g bottle is £6 and a 250g bottle is £12

Another toner that I'm using is one my friend Pippa bought me for my birthday. i'd heard loads about it but never tried it: Pixi Glow tonic.

It's a cult classic and one that you'll hear about on lots of beauty blogs. I tend to only use it once a week, on a day i'm not going to go out in the sun as it does contain 5% glycolic acid. I don't find it too harsh on my skin though, as the aloe veera in it is quite soothing.

This does give me a really good invigorating clean and always leaves my skin looking nice and 'glowy'.

A 250ml bottle is £18 or if you're not going to use loads of it, a smaller bottle is £10 for 100 ml

Moisturisers

If you're only going to do one step in a skincare routine make sure it's a moisturiser with a good SPF.

My favourite is the early defence range from Boots. It has SPF of 15, a 5 star UVA rating and it's hypoallergenic.

I absolutely love this range and i've been using it for about 3 years. It may seem silly to start using what is basically an anti aging cream before I've hit 30, but I personally think good skin is worth the investment!

It's a really nice light formula and make up goes on really easily over the top.

I also use the night cream from the same range every evening before bed. The cream itself feels really thick, but once it's on it's lovely and it sinks in really quickly.

It's £20 for a 50ml pot, but it does last ages and boots very often have 3 for 2 offers.

When I'm in a rush and running late I use lush's vanishing cream.

This is very light and does what it says on the tin, 'vanishes' as quickly as you've put it on making it great if you don't have time to wait before doing your makeup.

It's really soothing on account of the lavender oil and lavender water (have you guessed I like lavender yet)and is also made with witch hazel and Fair trade shea butter.

45g is £21

I've also included Lush's enchanted eye cream. I don't use it a lot, mainly when I've had a bad nights sleep, but when I do use it I really like it.

It's made from (you've guessed it) Lavender Oil, Almond Oil, Glycerin and Jajoba Oil and just gives me eyes a little lift when I'm feeling tired.

A 45g pot is £16

Face Masks

The king off all facemasks ever created has to be Mask of Magnaminty. I LOVE it. I'm getting low so I'm going to have to do an order soon because I can't live without it.

It smells Incredible, I really don't think you can beat peppermint, especially in the morning.

It's a lovely blend of peppermint, honey, Kaolin and aduke beans and it leaves my skin feeling extra soft.

I also find it really great for spots so I use it for breakouts but it can also be used as a body mask too which is handy.

They've started doing it as a self preserving formula now too which means no more leaving it in the fridge!

This little beauty comes in 3 sizes, £9 for 125g, £16 for 315g and £27 for 300g

'Don't look at me' is a fresh face mask that I got free when i took back my 5 reusable pots to my local branch.

It's bright blue so I look like a smurf whenever I use it which is fun.

The main thing I love about this mask is it's really brightening (I think that's the lemon juice) and the ground rice makes it really exfoliating. I also find this doesn't dry my skin out like other face masks I've tried.

The main ingredients in this mask are Lemon Juice, Murumuru Butter (I'd never heard of it either) Grapefruit Oil and Organic Silken Tofu.

This one does need to be kept in the fridge so make sure you remember to put it back!

This is £9 for 75g

Body Lotion