Hello loves,

I'm sorry for an absence lately on the blog. I have an excellent excuse...I have finally finished my Master's Degree. It feels amazing to say that, because it has been challenging and very time consuming as I still worked full time throughout the process.

Additionally, quite soon there will be some changes on the blog. I haven't really been very happy with my blog lately, especially as my blog was hacked and I had to end up changing the name. So hopefully I will transfer this blog to a different platform and start from scratch. There will be a redirection service, but up until that point please do return back to this website and read read read.

I've also recently returned back from my holiday in Paris! I went to Disneyland Paris as well, which was both fun and frustrating. However, I've got a post coming up about that in particular within this week.

So as the title of this blog post implies...I'm talking oil. Oil is the bane of my skin existence and something that plagued my teens and twenties throughout. So many girls have combination skin with dryer patches along with areas (particularly the T-zone) that becomes oily throughout the day.

This is completely normal, however does hold an element of frustration when you want your makeup to look matt and pretty.  The beauty industry has come up with multiple products to combat this particular skin problem in the form of blotting sheets (which I find a bit cumbersome) and various other bits and bobs.

The reason oil is so readily available on the facial skin is due to the sebaceous gland producing oil throughout the day as a hydrating agent for the epidermis (or top layer of the skin). Some people create more oil than others and this can be due to various reasons but hormones tend to be the top reason. The hormones signal constantly for oil to be created, increasing the chances of the pores getting clogged with a mixture of oil and bacteria, which eventually creates spots and blackheads.

Some of the most beautiful women in the world have suffered from oily skin at one time or another, including the gorgeous Angelina Jolie and Renee Zellweger. However, something new has recently hit the market that looks pretty exciting....

Cult LA beauty brand BeautyBlender has recently introduced their newest product called the Blotterazzi, which is basically a tool to control the amount of oil on your face.

It is a sponge that you can carry in your handbag, with the iconic pink colour of the BeautyBlender, which can be used for blotting your skin throughout the day. The sponge is reusable, washable and more absorbent than blotting papers.

The shape of the Blotterazzi ensure for precise blotting, even in smaller areas of the face (like the nose). There are two sponges inside the cute compact with a handy mirror to see where to blot. It is ventilated as well to ensure that the sponges do not smell. The greatest part is your makeup won't smear anywhere as the sponge is thirsty for oil and not foundation or concealer.

The Blotterazzi is now available to buy at Selfridges and a direct link can be found here. It retails for around £16 which is not the cheapest, but if you think about how much money you save on blotting papers, well the price is marginal!

I'm adding this to my must-have list of beauty products.

What do you think? Yay or nay?

My Current Skincare Routine (Part 1)

Hello loves,

As I'm off on holiday quite soon, I've been assessing the skincare products that I may need. I don't like to overpack, because generally I don't use everything and I do not want to have to lug heavy bags around. Luckily I'm not flying this time round, which I'm happy for. Rather, we'll be driving and using the Euro Tunnel to go to France.

However, this post is to look at my current skincare routine, which I'll have to break up into a few posts. I do use quite a few different products, however this is some of my basic day and night moisturisers. I'll discuss my cleansing routine in part 2 next week.

Benefit's Triple Performing Emulsion, The Body Shop Vitamin E Facial Mist, The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion and The Body Shop Drops of Youth Serum.

On a recent shopping trip I purchased Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion on recommendation from one of the girls that worked on the counter. I was looking for a skin brightener that doubled as a good moisturiser as well. I was skeptical, I shan't lie. In the mornings I'll cleanse and tone my face to get a cleared canvas to work on and straight away I'd apply this Facial Emulsion all over my face and neck. It has a very faint fragrance, but it is not overpowering. The emulsion melts into the skin beautifully and is really moisturising. My skin had been suffering from dry patches and this emulsion with daily use just totally eradicated that problem. This had been on going for a year, and no other skincare products would sort this issue out. So I'm completely thankful for this beaut. I just can't wait to try some of the other skincare products from this range. You've done remarkably well here Benefit. I'm looking at the daily moisturiser and eye cream to buy next.

Next on my list of daily-use products is The Body Shop's Vitamin E Face Mist. I use it as a secondary toner in some ways but it really is a multi-use product. You can apply the spray to your freshly cleansed skin before you go to bed or in the mornings before you apply your moisturiser. It can be used as a make-up setting spray, which works well. Or you could just use it to freshen up your bare skin on holiday.  Again, I was a skeptic - however with prolonged use, it made a huge difference in the moisture levels of my skin. I also think that my skin enjoys the added Vitamin E levels that are offered with this mist. If you are wondering whether to add this to your skincare routine, I'd say yes go for it. You can also make your own by adding rose water to a spray bottle. The rose water has very similar properties and feels really nice and fresh on your skin. Rose water can often be found in the baking section of your local supermarket.

In the evenings I like to alternate between products. Sometimes if my skin is quite clear, I'll just use Benefit's Facial Emulsion to moisturise. At other times when I'm looking for a healing and deeper moisturising product, I opt for The Body Shop's  Drops of Youth Serum. This serum is very light on the skin, however the moisturising properties of this is amazing. It leaves the skin smooth and beautifully soft the next morning. This serum contains plant cells (which incidentally is also used in La Mer's highly sought-after - yet pricey - skin care products). These plant cells help to rebuild your skin's own damaged cells and restore the youthfulness of skin. Just a small amount of serum goes a very long way, and I've had my bottle for at least a few months. This means that even though it is a bit more expensive, it is well worth it. By just using this for a month, I noticed again that my skin was plumper and more hydrated.

My final product of choice here is The Body Shop's Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion. This is the step that I may or may not have to use during my usual skincare shenanigans. Obviously if I have a spot, I'd dab the lotion onto the area and it usually kills off any remaining bacteria to ensure the area dries out and heals as quickly as possible. This is personally a hero product for me, as it is just on the right side of gentle yet powerful. Some tea tree inspired products can be extremely strong and my skin often reacts to these types of lotions/serums etc. Luckily this beauty is just great for keeping skin clear but without reacting. Again, this is a step that I highly recommend for any type of skin. If you may suffer of the odd spots, this should quickly set you back onto the straight and narrow for skin.

I hope you enjoyed the first part of the look into my skincare routine. I should be adding a few more products to the repertoire quite soon.

My advice on skincare is do not be afraid to try different products and to step outside of your comfort zone. You may be one product away from that 'PERFECT' moisturiser.

Nip + Fab Laser in a Box Kit

Gutten morgen! (Or in plain ole English...good morning),

I've got a beauty pack to talk to you about. So recently I visited my local Tesco and noticed that they had some discounted skincare packs.  Then I spotted the Nip + Fab skin kit called the 'Laser Fix in a Box' and it was priced at an uber reasonable £5.65.  These normally retail at £15.99!  I promptly stuffed it into my basket and dashed to purchase it as soon as possible.

I love the pink and dark blue packaging and the value for money.  This would be an awesome kit to take on your travels with the small sizes.

In the kit you get from left to right: The Overnight Wrinkle Fix, Glycolic Fix Cleanser, Instant Radiance Wrinkle Fix, Glycolic Scrub Fix and a headband.

Just a closer look

Great instructions can be found on the back of the box

Unfortunately I haven't had an opportunity to try this kit out as yet, but I'll try to talk you through it quickly.

Step 1 of the kit is the Glycolic Fix Cleanser which should be used to obviously cleanse the skin. It is a foaming formula so should certainly make the face feel clean and great. It comes in a handy 120mL bottle and just requires dampening the skin whilst massaging the cleanser in and then rinsing it off.

Step 2 of the kit is the Glycolic Scrub Fix which is just your usual facial polish. It comes in a 30mL size and can be gently massaged into the face and rinsed off. It is a micro-exfoliant with 3 in 1 properties of refining, brightening and sloughing off dead skin cells with the glycolic acid. This sounds awesome!

Step 3 of the kit is the Instant Radiance Wrinkle Fix as well as the Overnight Wrinkle Fix.  Firstly both come in a 30mL size and can be applied to freshly cleansed skin of the face and neck. The Instant Radiance Wrinkle Fix is a miracle day moisturiser to boost radiance and improve skin's elasticity, whereas the Overnight Wrinkle Fix being an intense anti-ageing night gel to help hydrate, smooth and revitalise skin.

And finally you receive the Headband with 'Nip + Fab' embroidered onto a towelling-effect headband.  It is of a fairly decent quality and would be great to use whilst working on your skin care routine either day or night.

I'd say that I'm plesantly surprised by a great-value pack put together by the Nip + Fab team.  This brand has gone through many cult beauty statusses from various celebs over the past few years and I for one can't wait to try all these amazing little products. This was the first time that I've managed to get a kit by Nip + Fab. You can visit the Nip + Fab website here.

If you've tried this kit or any products from this brand, please let me know how you got on.

Skincare excitement,

Beat this cellulite!

Good morning beautiful ladies,

Yes, today I'll be talking about the dreaded ~cellulite~ which is the bane of most women's lives!  We all suffer from it to some extent, there are only very few that escape the horrible effects of cellulite.

Sometimes it can look like cottage cheese, other times just like minor lumps and bumps or dimples, but it is still unsightly and is something most people try to avoid.

Cellulite can be hereditary (which means you inherited the trait from a parent), it can come from bad circulation, hormonal factors and many more!

There are many known remedies on the market to try and target cellulite - however none has been proven in a scientific or medical capacity to actually work.

The best way would really be to reduce the amount or size of the underlying fat cells under the skin that causes the orange peel look.  This can be healthily achieved by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, drinking lots of water to reduce toxin build-ups and by massaging the affected areas to enhance blood flow to the area and improve circulation.

Here is my buffing brush:

This baby comes all the way from The Body Shop and works like a dream.  It is called the Spa Fit Body Massager and retails at £7.00.   It is only available in orange/white combination, and is ergonomically shaped to easily glide over the skin to buff away dead skin cells and to stimulate blood flow and circulation.

This massager can be used with or without body scrub, but can also be used with a regular shower gel or soap.  I'm using mine with my very old solid body scrub that I also bought from The Body Shop.  This product is unavailable unfortunately.  However I can recommend the Moroccan Black Olive & Argan Oil Scrub, which retails for £9 at the moment.

I'd love to hear your favourite buffing brushes?

Scrub-a-dub-dub,

Beat Skin Redness

Good afternoon beauties!

I feel so refreshed due to yesterday being a bank holiday.  We were celebrating spring and the new awakening.  I know that my American friends were celebrating Memorial Day.  I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend.  For those that didn't get to have a long weekend, really sorry but atleast it is tuesday already! :-)

So spring made me think about my skin.  It always reminds me that I want my skin to look as best as possible and not dry/flaky.  But one of the other problems that I've recently realised is very common on my skin is slight redness in areas...and I'd like to discuss how to get rid of this horrible red look.

It is so easy to blame the weather, but before we draw any conclusions here are a few other reasons that you might have redness in your skin...

Have you changed your routine?

It could be: sensitivity
Irritated skin can appear as an angry rash or just a little mild blotchiness, but is usually caused by an adverse reaction to certain skincare ingredients, medication or even changing your diet. It happens when the delicate acid mantle – the invisible barrier that protects skin – is disturbed. Many anti-ageing formulas contain potent ingredients which don’t suit sensitive types, so swap them for natural products that won’t upset the fragile skin barrier.
Best buys: Nuxe Comforting Cleansing Milk with Rose Petals, £13; Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover, £27.50.

Have you been out in the cold?

It could be: environmental damage
Harsh weather can cause chapped, dry skin that feels burned and sometimes very painful according to pharmacists and cosmetologists. Be it UV damage (yes, even in deepest winter) or the assault of sub-zero winds, centrally heated environments make it even harder for the skin to recover its natural balance. Protecting your skin from the elements whilst replacing lost moisture is key.
Best buys: Kiehl’s Cross-Terrain UV-Face Protector SPF 50, £21; BareMinerals Redness Remedy, £22.95.

Are you extra-red after exercise?

Not just the normal post-workout redness, flushing is intense, feels hot, and can extend to your neck and chest. Flushing helps your body release the heat generated by exercise. But it can also be linked to hormonal imbalances, in particular cortisol and adrenaline, which ramp-up blood flow when you’re stressed. Try cutting down on caffeine – which increases cortisol and adrenaline levels – and using natural products to calm and cool your skin.
Best buys: S5 Skincare Calm Serum, £44; Skyn Iceland Arctic Face Mist, £25.

Have you had acne?

It could be: post-acne inflammation
Patchy areas of pink, inflamed skin which linger, even after your blemish is gone, are what dermatologists call PIP (post-inflammatory pigmentation) and are part of the body’s natural healing process. Don’t pick at them, as every time you do, the skin produces more pigment as a by-product to defend itself. The good news is these marks will eventually fade, as long as there’s no active acne left.
Best buys: Dr Jart+ V7 VitaLaser 2.1, £32; Murad Blemish Treatment Concealer, £19.

Have you been overindulging?

It could be: rosacea
Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory condition that’s considered a type of adult-onset acne. Symptoms include frequent blushing, visible blood vessels and tiny red bumps, accompanied by a burning or tingling feeling. Nobody knows the cause, but experts think it may be down to a combination of factors such as genes, hormones and even tiny microorganisms living in the skin.
Best buys: Solgar Evening Primrose Oil, £12.50 for 30 softgels (victoriahealth.com); Darphin Intral Redness Relief Recovery Cream, £40.









These products could certainly sort out those problems and being mindful of what could cause the redness too.

Hope you have a wonderful day,

No. 7 Hot Cloth Cleanser

Good morning beauties!

I LOVE skincare products.  I'm literally so excited about this topic I could jump out of my skin and the same thing happens when I'm off to buy new skincare products.

Recently I'd run out of my favourite No. 7 day and night creams and decided to stock up, and in my local Boots store I noticed that they sold a Hot Cloth Cleanser by No. 7.

I've already tried and tested the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser, and am a huge fan!  But wanted to try something that I could get on a 3 for 2 offer!  And Boots just nailed that on the head.

What No 7 say: 

No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser has been created to provide tailored skin nutrition for healthy looking, bright and beautiful skin.
Enjoy the luxury of a spa facial in your own home. The combination of this rich indulgent cleanser and the gentle exfoliating muslin cloth removes dead skin cells and daily grime whilst stimulating circulation, leaving your skin deeply clean, soft and radiant.

How to Use

Close your eyes, using your fingertips, gently massage over dry skin in upward circular motions. Run the muslin cloth under comfortably hot water, wring out the excess and place cloth over your face to open pores and relax. Then use the cloth to lightly polish off the cleanser in circular motions. to finish, splash your face with cool water to close pores and pat dry. Follow with your favourite No7 moisturiser.
Hand wash the cloth regularly in warm soapy water and dry flat.

The No. 7 Hot Cloth Cleanser is really nicely thick and creamy with minimal scent.  It applies really nicely onto skin and definitely doesn't dry out your skin which is a bonus.  I often use this cleanser in conjunction with my Clarisonic Mia and must say that they work well together.  After I've used it with my Clarisonic Mia, I use the muslin cloth to remove any remaining dead skin and cleanser.

This cleanser comes in a really nice big bottle at 200mL along with one muslin cloth.  It is priced at £9.95 and can be bought at your local Boots store.

I use this cleanser on a daily basis and don't get break outs or dry skin from it.  It is very gentle and moisturising and takes any makeup off easily and without fuss. 

Have a fuss free day!

Flawless Skin by Summer

Hey everyone, 

Happy Friday!!

For the most part I consider my self a planner, a list-maker, a generally-organised type of chick. The exception? Whenever the seasons change.

Chalk it up to living the majority of my life in Southern Africa (where we barely even have seasons), but I'm always caught off guard when the weather flips. And now that I live in the United Kingdom I typically don't get around to buying a new coat until February or a new bathing suit until July, and at that point it's a bit of a wash.

Same with my daily skin care routine. I'll find myself using my heavy winter creams in April and wondering why my skin is breaking out. So when the first hints of summer showed its cute little face I knew it was time to start tweaking my skincare routine - a must for spring. I considered it a chance to get myself in gear for the new season too. I looked to some of the experts for both the product swaps we should all be making, as well as the in-office and at-home skin care treatments that help get rid of dry, winter skin in time for shorts weather.

Now I've got a new daily skin care regimen and heck, I may even get a jump-start on buying a new bikini this year, too.

Enroll in body bootcamp

This is not a call to hit the gym (although that certainly doesn't hurt) but rather the derm and the spa. Spring is the perfect time to prep your skin for all that bikini- and shorts-wearing you'll be doing come summer. "If you wait until June it'll be too late," says London dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Baxt.

To start, take a look in the mirror and if there are any brown spots, spider veins, or other "distractions," then make an appointment to get them zapped. Baxt also suggests microdermabrasion (for your face and body), chemical peels, or intense pulse light treatment to help get rid of dry winter skin and even skin tone.

You can also start laser hair removal now (if you're into that), so you can get through the whole series of treatments before summer, Baxt says.

And even if you can't make it to a dermatologist or esthetician, Birmingham-based esthetician Gina Marí suggests using a body scrub regularly at home for softer skin (she likes Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish, £35.45). Baxt says adding products with vitamin C will help even skin tone.

Budget Friendly Scrub:  Soap and Glory's Sugar Crush Body scrub (100ml), £8.

Re-think your retinol

If you use retinol, whether for anti-aging or acne benefits, Baxt says you can go one of two ways come spring.

If you were using retinol less often (or not at all) in the winter because it dried out your skin, you can start using it again and increase the frequency, says Baxt.

However, she says some of her patients actually use retinol less often in the spring than they do in the winter. The reason? All that lovely sunshine. "The downside of increasing retinol is you become more sun sensitive, so if you know you'll be in the sun more and you know you won't be good with the sunscreen, then you may want to skip retinol in the spring."

Get the SPF out of hibernation

You know you're supposed to wear sunscreen all year long. But let's be real, when you haven't seen more than a sliver of sun in weeks, it's easy to justify skipping the stuff.

But now that it's spring and the sun is going from guest star to main cast member, it's time to reach in the back of your medicine cabinet and grab the SPF. Two important things to remember (aside from simply using it): reapply often and hit up all of your body parts that are going to see the sun.

"Sunscreen only lasts 2 or 3 hours at best, so keep a powder sunblock in your purse or car and swish it on your face," Baxt says. "It'll look like you touched up your makeup, and you've got more sunscreen on." One to try: BareMinerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen, £21.25.

And when you're applying, don't forget these spots: your neck, chest, hands, the backs of your ears, and the back of your neck if you have your hair up.

Lighten up

Increased humidity means you can put down the heavy moisturising creams and switch to a lighter lotion, Baxt says. Just look to your complexion as a guide. If your skin still feels tight after putting on your moisturiser, try a slightly richer product; if you've got the afternoon greasies, use a lighter lotion.

Or, if you're really oily or acne prone, Marí says you can skip the moisturiser all together -- if you use a toner. "Toner, not an astringent, helps bring the pH level back to normal after washing your face," she says. "Washing your face strips your skin of it's natural moisture barrier, and it takes your body time to get that back. But toner can help you do this right away." Marí likes Dermatologica Multi-active Toner, £26.40.

Lay off your scalp

Dandruff is typically worse in winter thanks to dry heat indoors and extra-hot showers, but when the humidity starts rising in spring you can usually put down the Head & Shoulders, Baxt says. Obviously if your dandruff is severe there's no reason to stop using a medicated shampoo, but if you're dying to try a different formula Baxt says now is the time to do it.












These tips will be easy peasy and you'll be summer ready in no time!

Have a great weekend!

Stay sweet,

Garnier 5 Second Perfect Blur

Hello sexy mamma! ;-)

There are scores of products out there claiming to reduce wrinkles and turn back the hands of time. However, I've always been sceptical. So, when given the chance to try Garnier 5sec Perfect Blur (£12.99), a new primer available at Boots this spring, I couldn't resist putting it to the test.


Garnier have created a silica-based formula which helps to tighten pores, reduce shine and nourish your complexion, evening out the appearance of your skin. This smoothing primer uses an optical effect which helps diffuse the light and therefore "blur" the surface of the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as creating the perfect, long-lasting finish. I applied Perfect Blur a few minutes after my moisturiser and instantly saw the reflecting formula do its work, visibly reducing my early morning eye bags and leaving my skin feeling soft with a definite glow. It also acted as a great base for my foundation and smoothed blemishes creating a matt finish, (thank goodness with my oily T-zone!).

I must admit, this product surprised me. On reflection (pun intended!) once it had been applied I looked as if I regularly eat my five a day and had indulged in a good eight hours kip - it's a great "cheat" product! My skin appeared moisturised, ultra-smooth and blemish-free, and the effects lasted throughout the day.

True to its name, Garnier 5sec Perfect Blur takes less than five seconds to apply. It can be easily integrated into your morning skincare regime, is a perfect base for make-up and makes an immediate difference to the overall appearance of the skin. I never thought I would recommend it, but this skeptic has been convinced! Top notch!

Stay sweet and have a great thursday!

DIY: Getting rid of that spot overnight!

You guys might be wondering how is it possible to get rid of a pimple overnight with things that you usually find in your kitchen.. Well I assure you its 100% Possible and Natural.. This is an ancient Indian Recipe which was lost through centuries.. 


I found this recipe on the internet and decided that I'd give it a go.  It works very effectively on my skin.. Now I don't guarantee it will work on Everyone because everyone has different types of skin. So lets get started..

You Need:
Honey
Cinnamon Powder

Be sure that you are not allergic to Cinnamon so test it before use. It might feel a little itchy in the start but that's how it works. You will find it in any grocery stores.

Directions:

Take 1 tsp of honey and a pinch of cinnamon powder. Mix it well and apply it directly on the pimple. Leave it over night. I know its sticky and yucky but trust me ITS WORTH IT.

This is a great little remedy and I'm definitely going to be looking for more natural remedies for my spots.  Hope this works for you as well!

xoxo,
Angelique

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish - Rose and Lavender

 I believe that cleansing is the cornerstone of every skincare regime and the foundation of beautiful healthy-looking skin.  Since day one, Liz Earle have only ever had one cleanser – and for good reason.  Their iconic Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser is the ultimate in effective yet gentle cleansing power, is suitable for all ages and skin types, and has won over 80 prestigious beauty awards and accolades.  Now, for the first time, they have given their skin-cleansing hero a new twist for an exceptional cause and have created this special edition exclusively for The Prince’s Trust Tomorrow campaign.

Their award-winning formula has been updated to include rose petal and lavender essential oils.  The calming and relaxing lavender oil and the soothing properties of rose petal oil make this product ideal for night-time use, so you can continue to enjoy their original Cleanse & Polish in the mornings and use this special edition for your evening cleanse.

The Prince’s Trust Tomorrow

The Prince’s Trust is a youth charity that helps change young lives.  Giving young people practical and financial support, developing key workplace skills such as confidence and motivation, The Trust works with 13 to 30 year-olds who have faced difficulties, empowering them to fulfil their potential.

Their Tomorrow campaign has paired six Trust-supported young people with industry leaders to create a product that will be retailed to raise funds for The Prince’s Trust.

·         Liz Earle Beauty Co. Ltd will pay £2 per product sold to Prince’s Trust Trading Limited. 

Three Reasons to Love:

Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Rose and Lavender Special Edition

 1.       Original Benefits – This rich, concentrated cream offers the same skincare benefits as our original formulation, containing cocoa butter to soften, smooth and moisturise, and rosemary, chamomile and hops to tone and soothe.

  

2.       New Twist – The addition of rose and lavender essential oils makes it the perfect choice for your evening cleanse.  Gently massage onto dry skin and let the calming fragrance help you unwind at the end of the day.

3.       Better Tomorrow - £2 from every special edition sold will go towards supporting The Prince’s Trust vital work, and we are hoping to raise £100,000 for this worthy cause.

I'd really like to try this cleanser and am hoping that it will become a part of their regular range.  Just hop onto their website to have a look here.

xxoxo,

Angelique

MAN post: How to Get Great Skin She Will Notice

This is a post for all my male readers...which is funnily enough a growing readership!

There are two major factors that come into play when caring for your skin — your lifestyle and your skin care routine. (Yes, there is such a thing as a skin care routine.)

In order to get a great complexion, you might need to make a few adjustments in the sleeping and eating departments and may have to adjust the products you use on your skin. (Again.  Yes, you’re supposed to be using products.)
Here, I share the seven steps you should take in order to improve your skin. To see results in about a month, stick with this plan. Like exercise, taking care of your skin requires consistency.

 Step 1: Eat Well
Eating well is “one of the easiest, least expensive and guaranteed ways to achieve and maintain great skin. There are a few key vitamins and nutrients skin needs to look fantastic. They are:
Essential fatty acids — the body doesn’t naturally produce these, so eat things like avocado, cheese and other dairy products to load up on them. Lucky for you, these things are delicious.
Vitamins C, E, lycopene — not only do these benefit your skin, but they also have heart-healthy and even cancer-fighting benefits. Get them by eating colorful vegetables. The more colors you eat, the better.

Step 2: Minimize Stress
Easier said than done, but there are a few ways you can help minimize the effect stress is having on your body, and a bottle of Jack is not one of them.
I recommend vitamin B, which helps calm the nervous system. In addition, I suggest taking an omega fatty acid supplement like fish oil, and exercising regularly.
Together these will help prevent breakouts and keep your skin cells functioning the way they need to in order to keep your skin looking young.

Step 3: Get Enough Sleep
Again, I know this is a tall order, because you have already vowed to sleep when you're dead, but getting eight hours of sleep every night is key to keeping your skin in great shape.
When you don’t get enough sleep your skin can become dull and pale, and the lack of shut-eye “actually causes our bodies, including our skin, to generate free radicals.
Free radicals are responsible for a lot of the aging you see on your face, such as dark spots and sagging.

Step 4: Be Consistent With Your Skin Care Routine
If you want to see a noticeable difference in your skin, follow good skin care habits every day and you’ll reap the benefits. Four simple steps will keep your skin in great shape — if you do them every day.
Cleanse: Wash your face morning and night with a cleanser suited to your skin type.
Use a cream or lotion cleanser if skin is dry or normal (try Neutrogena Continuous Hydration Cream Cleanser, £3.99 ) or foaming cleanser if skin is oily or acne prone (try Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash, £3.99 ). And avoid aggressive cleansing of the skin. Although clean skin is very important, over-cleansing the skin will not reduce breakouts. In fact, it might dry out the skin, which can cause MORE breakouts.

Step 5: Exfoliate
Although this is something you do partially when you shave, you should lightly exfoliate your entire face to help boost collagen production, which will make your skin look younger.
No, it does not make you less of a man.
I'd recommend using daily peels in lieu of grainy scrubs or masks because they’re more gentle on skin.
Try Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel, £50.35. Use the peel once a day at night or before shaving in the morning to prevent irritation.



Step 6: Moisturise
After shaving, moisturise your skin to soothe it and keep it hydrated.
Look for products that contain ingredients like green tea extract (nature’s cortisone), hyaluronic acid, essential fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids). They will calm any post-shaving irritation and help fight signs of aging.
Try Juice Beauty Green Apple Antioxidant Moisturiser, £32.95.
At night, use a different moisturizer that contains peptides or retinol to kick your anti-aging program into high gear. Try L’Oreal Paris Men’s Expert Vita Lift Anti-Wrinkle & Firming Moisturizer, £8.05.
You will like the way it feels. But you don't have to tell anyone.

Step 7: Protect
Sunscreen should be applied 365 days a year, it is possible to sustain sun damage all year-round, even on cloudy days.
Apply SPF 30 after your moisturiser daily (or use a moisturiser that contains SPF like Olay Complete SPF 30 Defense, £12). If you use a sun block that also contains green tea and vitamin C (like Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Towelettes, £19.12), you’ll get additional protection from environmental toxins found in pollution.





Your other option: never leave the house. But then who will see your beautiful skin?

Share this with the man in your life, and give them the opportunity to have skin that shines and stands out from the crowd.

xoxo,
Angelique