Boots Botanics Soothing Cleansing Balm.

I've been eyeing this up at work recently, I love the Botanics range and we all know I love hot cloth cleansers, which is pretty much what this is.
I love using natural, organic products. This cleanser contains shea butter which is well known for its conditioning and nourishing properties. It makes it a bit different to the average cleanser as it's a lovely balm instead of a cream or lotion. You'll notice the balm contains crystal formations due to the natural ingredients, but after massaging it into the skin it melts in so easily. Although it's a balm, it's not greasy or oily so I wasn't worried about the risk of breakouts. It really absorbs into the skin, and then the organic cotton cloth can be used to take off the balm along with any makeup and impurities.

My skin felt gorgeous after just one use. Because of the slick nature of the product, it makes it easy to massage into the skin. Giving yourself a facial massage is really recommended, to increase blood circulation and improve overall complexion.
I apply this to my face and then massage in circular motions, like they always say to, and I can really notice a difference in the overall look of my face.
I didn't actually use the cotton cloth which came with the product as I have so many muslin cloths floating around. I imagine it's similar to any other cloth.

I think this is a lovely cleanser, it feels amazing when massaging it into the skin and my skin appeared brighter and in better condition after one or two uses.
Definitely a product that everyone should own!

Have you tried this product before?

Three Recent Favourites.

Two of my favourites of today are skincare products, the other is someone a bit special (which I will get to in a minute). The picture is a bit rubbish, they just kept rolling around!
Anyway, I recently purchased this Boots Botanics Pore Perfecting Deep Clean Mousse, because I see it a lot and liked the sound of it. As you all know, I'm constantly trying to find something to minimise my pores. I've also been more about natural, organic products these days.
This mousse face wash contains willow bark and rosemary to clear away excess oil and impurities whilst also having anti-oxidant & anti-microbial properties to reduce skin bacteria without clogging pores.
I like that the product is a mousse, it's light and refreshing which makes me feel like my pores won't be clogged afterwards. After use, my skin doesn't feel stripped of natural oils either and I'm not desperately slathering on moisturiser, which I think is a plus.
It smells lovely too, really natural and creamy. The foam means that the wash creates a lot of lather, which makes it easy to gently cleanse the face.
I like the affect this has had on my skin, even after only a few uses my skin looks brighter and clearer and my pores look less clogged and may have even shrunk a little! If you're into natural, organic products you should definitely check this out.

I don't even know where to start with my next favourite, the Nivea Natural Beauty Radiance Boosting Eye Cream. I've never used an eye cream before but purchased this recently and fell in love.
I've always had dark circles under my eyes, due to many a late night. The area around my eyes is quite delicate, and dries out a lot. I always used to put Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream on but it's a bit too heavy. The skin under our eyes is really thin and delicate, so it's really important when using an eye cream to just dab it on with the lightest finger (probably the ring finger) and not rub it in too heavily.
From day one I noticed a difference to my eye area, it's faded the dark circles a fair bit and also made the area so so soft! The day after I used it (I applied it at night) I kept touching under my eyes because it felt so good.
I can see a difference in the overall appearance, the area under my eyes looks brighter and evened out. As this is the first eye cream I've tried, I'm not sure if all eye creams work this well but I'm really pleased with the results from this product.
The only downfall about the cream is that it doesn't contain an SPF which I think is really important. Although, my moisturiser is SPF 15 (which is recommended) I think that eye creams should contain an SPF as well.
Now I've tried an eye cream, I'll definitely be sticking with it although I'll most likely branch out as I get older and invest in something more expensive with anti-aging properties.

Finally, I'd like to mention someone whose blog I've been following for a while ago. I first found out about Lucy Wearing when the gorgeous Ellie Goulding mentioned her on twitter as her makeup artist/stylist for one of her videos (I think it was "Your Song") and I quickly followed.
Although she doesn't post much, due to a massively hectic schedule, her posts are exciting snippets into the life of a extremely talented MUA to the stars.
Lucy recently did a post here about Ellie's new video for her single Lights, for which she was the makeup artist. Definitely one to follow!

New Skincare Routine.

I recently added a few things/changed my skincare routine. Here are a few of my new additions.
I'm quite bad at taking off my makeup, obviously I do it every night but I do it with a face wash/scrub and not with an actual makeup remover/cleanser (cue panda eyes). I'd read about the Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover and heard it was good, so I've started using it to take off my eye makeup properly.
This remover is really good. I don't usually use oil based removers because they make my eyes feel oiled and glazed over afterwards, which I hate. I hate anything getting into my eyes or stinging them, so I'd really recommend this product as it takes off all my eye makeup whilst not being too greasy.
I have blemish-prone skin, so I don't tend to use anything with oil in it but this hasn't irritated my skin or caused any breakouts so far!
The bags (yes, bags) under my eyes can get quite dried and irritated so it's good to find something that works well for my difficult skin.



After this, I use my Organic Surge Daily Care Face Wash which I've only recently bought but I love it, it makes my skin so soft and clean. Apparently it uses the same organic ingredients as the Liz Earle products, but it smells like the Sanctuary's products. I love organic skincare, and i'm definitely going to be investing in some more products from the Organic Surge range.
I think using organic products makes all the difference, I get similar results to this when I use my Liz Earle products. My skin is brighter, clearer and softer. I have combination skin, which can get really, really dehydrated. It's important for me to make sure my skin doesn't get too dry, because it takes so much work to get it hydrated again! I have to slather it in moisturiser and 8 Hour Cream at night.
My favourite thing about this product is that it doesn't make my skin dry and tight afterwards, which is amazing.
I'd definitely recommend this product, if you're into organic skincare products. As I have combination skin (dry and oily in different parts) and it's worked really well for me, I reckon it'd be good for all skin types.

After this wash I cleanse my skin to remove any remaining dirt or makeup. I'm looking around for a new day to day cleanser, and I think I'm going to buy the Organic Surge cleanser because I love the face wash so much. I use my Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser about three times a week, and a Nivea one for the rest of the time.



I've recently started using a toner more, as it helps to refine my pores (because they're massive!) and I love Liz Earles Instant Boost Skin Tonic. Again, it's natural and really refreshing. I splash my face with cold water first, and then apply the toner using a cotton pad. I think I've really noticed a difference in the last few days, my pores look smaller and less apparent, and my overall skin complexion has improved.
Hopefully I'll keep this up and over time my skin will improve.
The toner aims to "revitalise, sooth and tone for instant radiance" which I really think it does. My skin doesn't feel tight after use either, which I've already mentioned is important for me.

Finally, I use my Clinique Moisture Surge, free with Glamour magazine. This is absolutely amazing! Did anyone else get this? I use it as a moisturiser, and it's so hydrating. It makes my skin feel so smooth too, like I have a primer on so it's an excellent base for foundation.
When I first applied it, as it's a gel I thought this is going to take hours to dry, but it was dry in seconds and I was able to apply foundation straight away.
It really hydrates my skin and makes it feel so refreshed and moisturised. It doesn't feel heavy on my skin, in fact I don't feel it at all. This is absolutely my favourite new discovery.

I think it's really important to change your skincare routine every now and again, or change/swap new products because your skin can get used to different products, which means they stop having the same effect you once loved.
Can anyone recommend me a good cleanser? Has anyone tried any of these products?