The Serum I Have Been Loving Recently

This is the Pixi Beauty Rose Caviar Essence. Described as an 'Encapsulated Moisture Serum'. I have been using this serum for about 3/4 weeks now and I absolutely love it. I first came across this serum after watching Melanie Murphys video 'A 30 year olds Skincare Routine'. If you haven't watched that video I would really recommend it. She has the most lovely skin and being in my late 20's she is someone who I look up to for skincare advice and tips. 

This product has the most lovely packaging. The specs of pink look like actual rose petals in the serum. It has a really lovely fresh scent, and has no added parfum. Parfum can increase the sensitivity in your skin, which for someone like myself who has had sensitive skin in the past is something I try to avoid. However, this product is infused with encapsulated flower oils, which have a lot of lovely hydrating and nourishing effects on the skin but can also be quite perfumed. When I ordered this product I was worried about the flower scents in the product but my skin loves it! There is no sensitivity at all, I would say it soothes my skin and it is one of the best serums I have tried. 

The Pixi Essence can be used AM and PM, sometimes I change up my morning serum to the Lumene Vitamin C serum. It has a jelly like consistency which is another thing I love about this product as my skin tends to really prefer gel like formula compared to creams. 

I don't have any negatives about this product, honestly my skin loves it! Thank you Melanie for recommending. 

Much love, 

Jess

Cleaning White Trainers at Home.

There is nothing better then when you get a new pair of white trainers. They look fresh and clean but unfortunately they very quickly lose the crisp white look and start to look very mucky. I regularly have to clean them so I thought I would share my step by step guide on on how I clean white trainers so they look like new. Enjoy!

Step 1: Rinse the shoes under running water and give them a wipe to get off the easy clean grime.

Step 2: Create a whitening paste. I use the Vanish Crystal White. I mixed about a tablespoon of powder and with warm water. You can also make this whitening paste with baking soda. Once you have created this paste get a tooth brush and start rubbing it into the shoes, focusing on the more stained areas. Leave for 10 minutes or longer if needed depending how bad the stains are on your white shoes. Vanish also do a spray formula which you can buy but I didn't have this.

 

Step 3: Rinse the shoes under warm running water, scrub with the tooth brush while rinsing.

Step 4: Now put them in the washing machine on the the sports shoe setting. I have put them in a pillow case and I add one washing tablet.

Step 5: Stuff the shoes with plastic bags so they don't lose their shape while they are drying. Then put the shoes on a radiator to dry or if it's a sunny day but them outside to air dry.

Done! Enjoy your new shoes.

I hope you have found this useful.

Much love

Jess 

x

The Benefits of a Vitamin C Serum

I have been really into my skincare lately, there really is nothing better than a fresh, glowy face. Good skin can just boost your confidence x1000. Most days at home are spent makeup free letting my skincare do its magic and even though I may not look as good as I do with my glam on I feel good and thats worth much more. Let's be honest makeup is useless if our skin isn't in good shape. 

It takes a while to get your routine right. I'm still changing things about mine and enjoying trying new products that work for my skin. During lockdown I have been doing a lot of research on skincare (I'm obsessed!) and what seems to reappear again and again is the benefits of Vitamin C.

I have had my eye on the Lumene Nordic-C Glow Boost Essence Serum for a while now. Lumene is an underrated skincare brand, it is a nordic brand in Finland. I have tried some of their products in the past and loved them. If you want to read more about their brand and what they are about visit www.lumene.com 
They describe the serum as:

Now that sounds like something I want! Not only does this product contain Vitamin C but also Hyaluronic Acid - the ingredient used to maintain moisture levels in your skin. As we all know Vitamin C is a really important part of your diet and essential for healthy skin. It is one of the most powerful antioxidants and a key anti-ageing skincare ingredient. 

It brightens, smooths, prevents pollution causing damage and prevents fine lines and wrinkles. There is a lot of research that supports the effect of Vitamin C and what I personally love about it, is that it's a naturally occurring ingredient. I have only been using a Vitamin C serum in my routine for a couple of weeks now and so far my skin feels smoother and brighter. They say to see the full effects of a product you need to have been using it for 8-12 weeks. I am going to continue to use this in my routine indefinitely. Anything that has proven evidence of reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is a winner, especially now that I am in my late twenties (cries).

Thanks for reading,

Your Gal Jess

xx

Why an exfoliating toner should be in your skincare routine.

I used to think toners were an unnecessary part of a skincare routine. As someone who has dry, sensitive skin, the thought of putting a perfumed liquid on my face did not seem like a great idea. It is only recently I have realised the importance of a toner, particularly an exfoliating one.

I have been using the Pixi Glow Tonic for about 5 months now and I absolutely love it. It removes any excess dirt that your cleanser misses. It works wonders at keeping my milia (milk spots) at bay, and my skin looks a lot healthier. For years I have tried different physical exfoliating products, such as the famous St Ives Apricot Scrub and the Clean & Clear Blackhead Removal Scrub. I feel like these type of products help slightly however a physical exfoliant felt too abrasive to use on my sensitive skin everyday. I worry that if you use them too often you are causing more harm than good. 

This toner contains 5% glycolic acid. Glycolic acid helps shed dead skin cells and reveal newer, brighter layers underneath by acting on the outer layer of the skin. The only thing now is that I think my skin is getting used to it and I need something stronger. I'm thinking of ordering the Inkey List Glycolic Acid Toner as my step up. 

The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Liquid Toner, £6.99.

This is a 10% glycolic acid toner which is a stronger toner compared to the Pixi Tonic. That is always the risk trying something new in your skin care routine , that it will not work as well or worse cause a reaction. This can be especially nerving when it has 'Acid' in the name. 

Thanks for reading,

Jess

xox