Winter Skincare Routine | Combating Spots with Magnitone Barefaced*

This winter my skin as been so so bad. I'm eating more chocolate and other unhealthy foods (I can't help it!) so I'm having loads of breakouts... mostly over my chin, which is a bit annoying. I'm pretty sure I can also put it down to letting my skincare routine lapse as of late, and also sleeping in my makeup a few nights.  When my skin's been at it's best, I put it mainly down to my skincare routine, rather than healthy eating, although both contribute. Making sure you take off all your makeup before you go to bed is key. Whilst you're sleeping, your skin is able to repair and expel any oils (sebum) through your pores. With a layer of makeup almost acting like a plug to your pores, the natural oils cannot get out, and the bacteria in your skin and in the makeup seeps in, so the pores end up clogging and trapping the bacteria, which then creates the spot. This creates a whitehead. Blackheads come about when there is an opening in the pores develop and expose the melanin in the sebum to air, which causes it to turn black. But its the whiteheads that swell up, turn red and look like ready-to-explode volcanoes. That's what I'm having to deal with. I'm trying to wear make-up for as shorter time as possible so my skin can repair and breathe.  To restore my face to its pre-christmas-pigout glory I'm back on my usual skincare routine, using a combination of various products, alternating for maximum results. These products include the Impulse Acne Treatment (a 3-step daily routine) and Bravura acid peels. No routine would be complete however with a facial cleansing brush like the Barefaced brush from Magnitone. As I have relatively sensitive skin, the normal brush that comes with the Magnitone Barefaced is quite abrasive on my face, particularly around the eye area. To get maximum use out of the brush, I trialled it with a range of different cleansers until I finally found one that not only worked with the brush, leaving it oil free after use, but also helped clear my spots! Upon first use, I was so surprised with how clean my face felt. The two variations of vibrations and pulsations the Barefaced uses in order to clean deep into pores are super effective and really feel like they're doing their job. I was a bit confused at first, as the demonstration I'd had looked a lot different than how I was attempting to use it. I always feel that if there isn't a lather with the cleanser, then its not cleaning properly. This is not the case at all, so you really don't have to scrub it in with the brush, just simply glide it over the skin. This took me a while to figure out. After a couple uses, the brush would actually make the area around my eyes feel really sore, and the lovely girls at Magnitone so kindly sent me the Sensitive Skin brushes to try out instead.  These were a vast improvement! The bristles were much longer and softer and just feel so nice on my face. The best things about the Barefaced is.. well firstly.. it's pink! But secondly, it's completely waterproof, so those mornings when you're panicking trying to get ready for work or uni, you don't have to wash and then wash and cleanse your face separately, you can do both in the shower/bath simultaneously! This also makes cleaning the cleansing brush a lot easier as you don't have to remove the brush head, you can just wash it under the tap. For this I do the same as I would for a make up brush using one of  Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps or Johnson's Baby Shampoo. You can see how Kirsty washes her brushes here. The first cleanser I tried with it was Pond's Cold Cream. This was a bit of a long shot if I'm honest. I doubted that this was the best thing to use, but I'd always had faith in my cold cream and trusted that this was the best make up remover/cleanser I owned. You can see my post on it here. This left the brush really oily and took ages for me to clean it off again. Never attempting that again. Secondly, was a bog standard face wash that I use in the shower. As good as this was building up a lather, it didn't make much difference to my skin and wasn't good at taking make up off either.  I've come to the conclusion now that even though I would normally use a cleanser to remove my make up, when using the barefaced, make up should be removed separately beforehand, so as not to dirty the brush further. I use Garnier Skin Micellar Cleansing Water to remove my make up with a cotton pad. The cleansing brush with then remove any excess it is able to wash out of my pores. I was kindly sent the Impulse Acne Treatment 3-step skincare routine some time ago, and despite using it quite regularly, I never really attributed my complexion to it's use. But honestly, after using other products, I've still come back to it and I can now say that it makes my skin feel a lot cleaner and less greasy.  Applying a walnut sized amount onto the wet Magnitone Barefaced cleansing brush, select the desired pulsing/vibrating mode and glide in circular motions across your face. Firstly over your first cheek, then the other and finally your forehead. Another great thing about the Magnitone is that it beeps when you've used it for 20 seconds. So I divide my face in thirds also and concentrate on each area for 20 seconds at a time. The device then switches itself off, ready to be rinsed.

The second step is then a toning spray which you can either spray straight on as I do, or spray on a cotton pad and wipe over the face. The third step is then an acne targeting gel which is supposed to prevent further spots from appearing whilst removing the current ones. All of Impulse's products are Benzoyl Peroxide free (which appears in most leading acne treatments), which means no redness, swelling, stinging, burning or dryness and are really popular in Canada where they are from. Another Trio you could try is the Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Set which you can read about here. After a few days back onto my routine, my skin is getting a lot better. But as it was getting pretty bad, I can see the products, and in particular, the cleansing brush bringing out all the impurities in my skin first before they go away completely. I'm at the 'it's got to get worse to get better' stage of acne treatment which always happens when you first start a new routine. I've just got to hang in there. But as this was working for me perfectly before I decided that I no longer wanted to fit into any of my clothes this Christmas, and just eat chocolate non-stop and sleep in my make up, I knew that this would be able to save me again! Combining this with an acid peel every other day using Bravura's products which will really dig deep into my pores and chuck out all the yuckies, I'll be there in no time! Have you tried the Magnitone Barefaced or the Impulse Acne Treatment? What did you think?

#BloggersXmas 2015 | Finch's Pub | Finsbury Sq.

We can't believe it's actually over! All that planning and stress, and we pulled it off! We're so glad to have had so much positive feedback from both bloggers and brands and all the worry and late nights finally seem worth it!

We initially wanted to organise one of these events so that we could connect with some new bloggers and some new brands, but also to give newbie bloggers the opportunity to grow their network and open themselves up to the opportunities that brands can offer. 

We were so lucky to have some amazing friends and bloggers helping us in setting up and making the event an overall success. Angela from Chocolate and Lipstick and Bryony, who's currently in the process of starting up her blog, were kind enough to arrive a few hours early, stay an hour afterwards and spend most of the event helping us check people in, hand out their personalised key rings by Aloha Lola Cards and give bloggers information on the day. We cannot thank them enough!

Be sure to check out Angela's blog - she's got some amazing content and giveaways!

A huge amount of bloggers stopped by, some travelling from as far as Paris for the day, and one blogger ducked out of a family member's wedding for a couple hours while she paid us a visit! We felt so privileged to have some truly amazing and dedicated bloggers in attendance and were so lucky to get to meet them and get to know them.

We stood at the entrance of Finch's Pub ready to welcome bloggers as they entered and catch them as they left to ensure they received their goody bag. Checking them off on Jasmine's iPad and giving them their own personalised caricature keyring, we showed them the event guide that Jasmine designed, which was full of information about the brands, prizes, sponsors and where to find each of the brands in the venue. We provided a little pick 'n' mix table for the bloggers including mini Heroes, Haribo, Maoam, marshmallows and Swizzler sweets. We had these in beaut sprayed ombre glass jars from Matalan!

  

 At the very front of the venue, we placed two very eye catching brands; Katherine Elizabeth Millinery and Sheena Bulsara, an incredible handmade unique jewellery start up. Both proved very popular with bloggers. We wish he had events to go to that would require such exquisite accessories!

  

Event Co-Sponsors JournoLink sat slightly further into the venue, offering bloggers the chance to sign up to their press release service.

Opposite this sat our little tree. On this, bloggers could tie a tag with their favourite thing about Christmas written on it, to be in with the chance of winning a prize (which is still a surprise. We will be announcing both the prize and the winner next week!). This soon filled up towards the end of the event and there was some really cute things written on them.

Further into the venue at the bar, bloggers could help themselves to helpings from huge platters of food and a cup of hot mulled cider that Finch's had put together for us. They had the most amazing cheesy pastry slices, sausage roll slices, potato and sweet potato wedges and a wide range of crisps.. We could have just sat there and ate all day!

In the middle section of the venue sat Makeup London Academy, T Plus Drinks, House of Dreadful, Bella Kinesis and Sweet Cheesus. Each offering their own tastings, testers, competitions and discounts. The brands were all very generous and also very eager to connect with influential bloggers, as well as those who were just starting out.

 

At the rear of Finch's, we had Chilpa, Miglio Jewellery, Nice Nails Baby, Blogosphere Magazine, Aroma Cake Boutique and Silver Ray Healing Therapies. 

We also had two more of the sponsors, Onedox and Lash Perfect with prominent stands. 

This end of the venue offered free Reiki sessions, manicures and nail art, tasters of some amazing cupcakes, jewellery samples, the chance to sign up to a money-saving website and the opportunity to buy the latest issue of Blogosphere. There was also the opportunity to win various prizes with these brands, including a year's worth of bills paid for, boxes of cupcakes, a tote bag, and some discounted lash/brow treatments.

Throughout the event, bloggers had the chance to take selfies against the sponsor board. Using selfie sticks and props, we all had heaps of fun. Even the brands got involved!

Towards the end of the event when we were replying to tweets, to our utter shock and amazement, our event hashtag was trending! It was finally at that point that our stress levels depleted and felt it was a job well done. Jasmine wishes to incorporate event management into her career, so hopefully this has been valuable experience which she can take with her, to both learn from and take inspiration from. We're both super pleased it was a success. Check out our Events page to see some posts other bloggers have written about it! 

At the end of the event, we gave out these tote bags which Jasmine designed. We thought the slogan 'I'm totes a blogger' was very fitting (especially as it was a tote bag!) and also, a super useful strong bag which can be reused now that carrier bags cost 5p. We're all for saving the environment!

Inside the bag, was some amazing samples and goodies which were kindly sent to us by some pretty cool brands. We shall write a separate post about the bags as we actually have some to give away to some lucky bloggers who didn't get the chance to attend!

For many, this was their first blogging event, and we're so glad they came! We love hearing that they were able to make friends, or that they'd overcome anxiety or fear by attending one of these events alone. We know what it's like turning up to a room full of people who you feel will judge you if your blogs not as good, or you don't have as many followers, but the blogging world really isn't like that. It's full of some pretty amazing people, who, like the newbies, just want to make friends and learn new things, share ideas and come up with great content. The Blogosphere is a community, a safe haven where we can all go to share our passions, hobbies and escape from reality, or even, share our reality! We're so lucky to be a part of it!

Lastly, we'd like to thank Stephanie from SR Photography for being our photographer for the day and taking some amazing images. She was able to really capture the event in a way that we weren't able to, needing to host the afternoon.

We'd love to make this an annual event, and if possible a few more smaller ones throughout 2016. If you'd like to sign up to be on the mailing list for an invite to these, click here.

 &  

Cluster Lashes* | Prittee Perfect Beauty | Cheshunt

You know when you're getting ready for a night out and you feel you're just missing something? For me, this one thing.. this one thing I feel naked without, is falsies.. aka fake eyelashes. I don't know why, but they really complete the 'going out' look and really make my eyes pop.

Applying falsies however is an absolute pain in the neck if you don't get it right first time or it unsticks within a few minutes. That's why I love getting my lashes done professionally. It gives me time to relax, its done a lot quicker than I can do it and most importantly, they last so much longer!

My best friend trained as a beautician a couple years ago and I must say... its super useful. As is having a hairdresser for a friend.. it's all about connections ;) Having someone who knows what they're doing and will do it for you for a mates-rates discount is amaze.

Excuse the brows in the above photo.. that was taken before she tinted them! (she does that too!)

Trading under the business name Prittee Perfect, Rebecca, who lives in Chestnut, Hertfordshire, offers a wide range of services including facials, massages, piercing, waxing, tinting, lashes and gel nails. 

So in preparation for my Engagement Party last month, I asked her to do my lashes!

I opted for clusters as they are the quickest to apply. She tinted my eyelashes too so we were pressed for time. Cluster lashes give a fuller look with less application as they have about 3 to 5 strands per cluster. These usually come in 3 sizes - Small, Medium and Large. Compared to individual lashes which come in around 13 different lengths which give a much more natural lash look. Rebecca used mostly Medium, with about 3 or 4 Large at the outer edges and a few Small towards the inner eye. This created a fanned out look, which was perfect to go with the natural eye look I opted for at my party.

She has trained with Lash Perfect and Marvel Lash individual lashes as well as cluster and strip. So if you're from Hertfordshire, definitely look her up. She's super friendly, offers great competitive prices, and will even drive to your house!

Clusters last for around a week, depending on how you treat them. Try and stay away from mascara, water and any oil based makeup removers as this will cause the glue to soften/pull the lashes out. Also try not to sleep on your face as I do, as a couple came out on the second night (I sleep on my front) but I just bought some strong cluster lash glue and stuck them back on.

Since then and before, I've tried applying cluster lashes myself, even tried on Kirsty for her wedding, but again, if you sleep on your face, they won't last long at all, and they just aren't as easy as strip lashes to apply yourself quickly. I would really recommend Rebecca, and not just because she's my bestie!

You can check out her other clients' results on her Instagram and Twitter.

She also did my nails for my engagement! 

Have you had your lashes done professionally before? What are your thoughts on cluster lashes?