My Skin Journey : 6 Months On

Never did I think I'd be sharing a series of bare-faced images here on the blog, but I'm finally at a point where I feel comfortable and confident enough in my skin to do so. Call these my 'after' images (read my first post here to see the before), 6 months on in my skincare journey with Proactiv+.

The main improvements for me have been the complete reduction in blemishes. Over the summer last year I suffered from terrible breakouts – across my forehead in particular. In an area hard to conceal they left me feeling self-conscious and depressed about the skin on my face. After a couple of months of using the Proactiv+ 3-step system daily, they eventually cleared up and I'm delighted to say they've stayed that way since. Sure I'll still get the occasional hormonal break out here and there, but those stubborn forehead blemishes are now a thing of the past.

I've also seen a huge difference in the blocked pores around my t-zone (bye bye blackheads), reduction in redness and the overall hydration, suppleness, and softness of my skin has never felt so good. Here's a round-up of my must-have products from the range should you want to join the journey to better skin yourself:

1. 3-Step Stystem

These are the core essentials. The 3 step system is comprised of aSkin Smoothing Exfoliator (excellent for those stubborn blocked pores) with salicylic acid, step two is a Pore Targeting Treatment and finally aComplexion Perfecting Hydrator. These 3 are my secret weapons, super straightforward to use and, thanks to the handy size of the 30-day kits, they come with me absolutely everywhere.

2. Purifying Face Mask

I adore this product so much I did a whole review post on it here. I use it as a bi-weekly treat for the skin, it's my go-to when my face needs a little extra TLC.

3. Makeup Cleansing Wipes

These are the bomb.com. We all lead busy lives, and after a long day or, ahem, night out let's say we can't always be bothered to stand at the sink and perform our full skincare routine like we know we should (these were my saviours at festivals last year). These cleanser infused wipes are a quick and easy way to remove makeup whilst doing your skin some good too.

4. Mark Fading Pads

The Mark Fading Pads are a great renewing and resurfacing treatment for the skin. Combating pigmentation, fine lines and dark marks on the skin, they make me feel like a new woman (every 2-3 nights that I use them ;)).

5. Redness Relief Serum

This one is a newbie for me, we were kindly given a few new products to try out at the final Proactiv+ event in December and this is my fave of the bunch. My skin can become easily irritated in the winter months, plus its a few shades paler so any redness becomes pretty obvious. I keep this serum in the fridge, it's great for calming down my complexion and the cooling roller application is great for de-puffing too.  

As always, thanks for reading and thanks for following this skincare journey of mine – I hope if you're struggling with skin issues I've inspired you to give this system ago and use my discount code 'STYLE118' until the 28th of Feb. You won't regret it, promise.

This is a sponsored post created as part of an ongoing collaboration with Proactiv+ but all thoughts, words and images are my own.

Proactiv+ | The Last Supper

After 6 months, my ongoing collaboration with Proactiv came to a close back in December and was rounded off with a beautiful dinner at Spring London in Somerset House with all of the Proactiv girls.  We dined on gorgeous food whilst talking all things good skin and our improvements over the last 6 months. It was great to see how far the other girls had come with their journey to better skin and share the great progress we've made with using Proactiv+. Though we've all had different experiences using the products and have different favorite parts of the skincare regimen, there was a lovely sense of overall satisfaction with the improvements in our skin.

And as much as I've tried to be vigilant with the 3-step system twice daily, it was great to hear I wasn't the only one who occasionally missed a few steps now and then – and how much we all relied on the Proactiv+ Makeup Cleansing Wipes after a night out! It's only human to slip up on a beauty routine now and then, but so long as we use the products as regularly as possible and remember to treat ourselves to that occasional pamper and facemask (read my review here) now and then – there are still great improvements to be seen.

The lovely dermatologist Laura reassured us of this at the dinner, and I was fortunate enough to steal her for a final one on one at the table where she reminded me of all the fundamentals I needed to carry forward to maintain my improved skin. I.e; drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated to keep those forehead blemishes at bay and being selective of what hormonal contraception I use (I've now come off the pill completely and that's greatly helped). And, of course, sticking to my Proactiv+ 3 step system as often as possible (using the wipes when I don't) and remembering to do that bi-weekly face mask.

All in all, it was a fabulous evening and the perfect way to round off a wonderful collaboration. Stay tuned for my final post for a full look at my 'after' skin and results following the 6-month trial! And in the meantime, enjoy this special code Proactiv+ have given me to give you 20% off all kits and prodcuts; STYLE18.

This is a sponsored post created as part of my ongoing collaboration with Proactiv+

Proactiv+ Better Skin Journey | Part Three

Today's post is the third in my Proactiv+ series as part of my journey to better and improved skin and hits the three-month mark of using the product system daily. Following the initial breakouts I mentioned in my last update during the beginning stages of using the product, the improvements in my skin only proceed to continue. My t-zone blackheads have virtually disappeared, there's been a huge reduction in blemishes around my forehead (the ones I've been most conscious of) and this new routine has given my skin a constant hydrated appearance and all-round glow that I'm still getting used to!

For our latest meet up, I met with the Proactiv+ team and a handful of other influencers at Duck & Dry for an afternoon of pampering in London just in time for my trip to Italy. We were each spoilt with a blow-dry, manicure, skincare chat and of course a few glasses of prosecco too.

After being expertly beautified by the lovely girls at Duck & Dry, I had the chance to have another one-to-one session with the wonderful Proactiv+ dermatologist Dr Laura Savage. We discussed the progress my skin was making and noted the improvements I was seeing as well as discussing points moving forwards to combat the remaining niggling problems.

Despite a reduction, I do still suffer with occasional, stubborn papules around my forehead area. Laura advised that I drink a lot more water alongside using the products, as my skin (and body) is easily dehydrated with all the traveling I've been doing lately and that's definitely a contributing factor to these problem areas. She also reminded me not to be too sparing on the Skin Perfecting Hydrator around these areas as it's easy to not want to load more product onto blemishes. But, I learned that actually making sure these areas are properly moisturized will help relieve trapped build-up in a blemish as it softens the skin covering it!

Laura recommended continuing with my routine of the daily 3-Step-System with the Re-Texturising Toner, weekly use of the Skin Purifying Mask, and use of the Makeup Cleansing Wipes and Repairing Concealer where needed, but we've added in a couple more products from the range too. I've been using the Mark Fading Pads every 2-3 nights which help reduce fine lines and dark marks on the skin and feels like a deeper cleanse and resurfacing of the skin – it's these that I think have especially helped improve the radiance of my skin over the past month and given it that glow. I've also been loving using the Cleansing Body Bar in the shower, just to make sure the rest of me is getting as much TLC as my face too!

As you can see, I'm pretty chuffed with my skin's progress so far and can't wait to share more with you in my next Proactiv+ post.

This is a sponsored post as part of an ongoing collaboration with Proactiv+ but all thoughts, words, and images are my own.

Scrub Lovin'

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Scrub Love

www.scrublove.com

We're half way through June already – how the hell did that happen? I feel like the summer season has well and truly crept up on me this year so it's all systems go when it comes to summer beauty rituals. I've booked an appointment for a fresh set of highlights and given myself a pedi-pamper, but of course the most important part of my summer-ready regimes is maintaining a sun kissed glow and ensuring my skin is looking it's best.

Whether I'm fake tanning or soaking up the sun on my next trip abroad, exfoliation is key to keeping a flawless tan all over. Having a good old scrub will banish dead skin cells, unclogs pores and prevents uneven skin tone, leaving your skin it it's prime condition to tan. I've always been big on exfoliating, from salt scrubs to exfoliating gloves there's always been a scrubbing product or two on my bathroom shelf. Until recently, however, I hadn't tried a coffee scrub, despite hearing only good things about the benefits.

I've now been using Scrub Love's coffee scrub for a couple of weeks and my skin is feeling pretty amazing. The ground coffee strips away dead skin cells without damaging any new skin underneath and the high caffeine content stimulates circulation too. The product also targets problems such as cellulite and stretch marks – both of which are issues for me so I've been so impressed with how much smoother my skin looks and feels already.

Scrub love have an Original Lovin' and Mint Fresh coffee scrubs as well, but I'm totally obsessed with the Coconut Affair scrub right now. With a;l-natural ingredients including baobab and coconut oil, it smells quite literally good enough to eat (though I wouldn't advise it). Of course, this makes the whole experience extra-lovely, and exfoliating has become less of a chore and more of a total pamper session. It can get a tad messy so be sure to use yours in the shower or bath, the scrubs come in a resealable waterproof sachets so you can just leave them in there to be on hand whenever you need.

Thanks for reading this beauty update! I'd love to hear your thoughts on coffee scrubs below.

Valmont Facial with White Room Beauty

Facials and massages were something I was fortunate enough to become well-versed in growing up, thanks to my mum owning her own salon. When I was living in Bristol a few years back, I managed to schedule in at least one a month (obviously taking full advantage of the hefty family discount) and got far to used to having a pamper session on hand whenever I needed it. Since moving to the big smoke, I have little time for such luxuries. My schedule rapidly became so fast paced any down-time I had would be catching up on the missed hours of sleep the night before - be it from partying, blogging or writing essays and the luxury of a salon-pampers became few and far in between.

That's not to say I don't still take care of my skin. I never forgot those early lesson's from my mum, to always moisturise moisturise moisturise and never forget to wear SPF on your face. As a blogger I'm lucky enough to receive a fair few samples so have grown to love trying out new products and different types of skincare. So of course, when I was invited to try out the signature collagen facial by luxury Swiss skincare brand Valmont at White Room Beauty, I was so excited for the experience.

The White Room salon is based on a pretty street in the heart of Knightsbridge. Walking inside the place had me at hello - all white marble everything. Beautiful products lined mirrored tables and shelves and were accompanied by fresh flowers, it really was an interior dream. I was greeted upon arrival by my wonderful therapist Hannah whom looked after me throughout my appointment. After some sparkling water and a briefing on what facial I'd be having, it was time to head to the treatment room. I didn't take any pictures in here as it was dimly lit (which was so relaxing) and echoed the design from the rest of the salon - it even had it's own (all marble) bathroom for you to use.

Once on the bed, it was all about comfort - from a pillow under my knees, ensuring the air con was okay and a heated massage bed Hannah couldn't do enough to help me relax. I was having the Valmont Hydrating Facial with a Regenerating Collagen Mask and the benefits of the facial and each of it's steps were explained to me as my therapist started the treatment. There's a lot of science behind Valmont products and I learned about ingredients such as Triple DNA - an exclusive ingredient that holds up to 10 times its weight in water to optimise moisturising potential. There's also Hyluronic acid that combines high and low molecular weight acids to both fill in fine lines and penetrates deep into the epidermis to retain water within the skin and Rosa Moschata extract for essential fatty acids and super smooth products.

The treatment itself was a ritual of masks, massages, exfoliations and decongestion finishing with a collagen mask to lift and plump the skin. Hannah also did a little bit of extra extraction for me to help remove any stubborn blocked pores. A wonderful massage technique and was used called 'the butterfly', a gesture across my face and décolletage that is a Valmont treatment signature. The products also smell incredible so all senses were stimulated, scents of bergamot, rose, jasmine and musk made were almost hypnotic. Each step of the facial was so enjoyable and I felt really comfortable in the expert hands of my therapist - the whole experience was heavenly and my skin looked and felt so nourished and healthy afterwards. I took the photo above - no makeup - as soon as I got home after the treatment and you can see how clear my skin and pores are.

I was also kindly sent away with Valmont's brand new Moisturising Serumulsion that was released this month, my therapist described it as a 'popcorn-effect' product which I loved. The formula combines the richness of a cream with the lightness of a serum, and can be used alone or in addition to your face cream, which is great as I'm able to re-create a little of my wonderful treatment at home.

Many thanks to Hannah and White Room beauty for such a lovely treatment and experience - visit their website here.

Skincare Saviours for Cold Weather

If, like me, you live in the UK and are currently suffering from the sudden plummet in temperatures then this post will help you - and more specifically, your skin. I'm of course no skincare expert, but these products have been absolute saviours for my skin this winter and I thought it was about time to share them with you.

Valentines Series #1 | Date Night Makeup with Rodial

Kicking off my Valentine's series, this first instalment is my date night makeup look with Rodial. Makeup is definitely a pivotal part of a Valentines look, and finding the balance between enhancing your best features and masking them or looking a bit overdone can sometimes be a bit tricky. I think it's important to feel good but also look slightly effortless on a date, natural beauty is key! This Valentine's I've opted for a soft, glowing makeup look with the help of these beautiful new Rodial products, click below to see more.