STARTING OFF: SKINCARE

If you haven't already seen the hype covering #bbloggers about #theSOproject, where have you been?! To cut it short, it's a weekly tag where over 100 bloggers are posting about ONE subject each week. We'll be talking about all our tips and tricks for those of you just starting with make up, skincare and so on. To find out more about #theSOproject, check out Steph's post here!

Since I did a huuuuge post all about my daily skincare routine and my added extras the other day, I don't want to bore you too much, so lets get down to real basics here.

If you're a lover of face wipes, we can't be friends. Not unless you're willing to change, that is! Yes, they're convenient and easy but they're so drying and they don't cleanse your skin one bit. Try using a balm or milk cleanser to really massage your skin and get away all the dirt and grime. If you wear quite heavy makeup, I'd recommend using a micellar water prior to the balm just to get away the bulk of it, but don't solely rely on these to remove your makeup!

I think toners are perfect for tackling problems with the skin, exfoliating and giving your skin a good boost in the morning. Try a Pore Purifying toner to give your skin a good clean, followed by a hydrating toner to throw back those essential oils.
Moisturisers are all down to personal preference - if you have dry skin, use a thicker/intensely hydrating one, oily/normal skin, use a lighter, gel like texture.

The main thing is that you listen to your skin, give it what it wants and for God's sake, it doesn't want baby wipes. If you really want to love your skin, check the ingredients of your products, and if they include alcohol, parabens and mineral oil, you should probably give it a miss.

If you have any questions, do leave a comment below and leave your Twitter so I can get back to you on it easier!

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER.

YSL CREME BLUSH REVIEW

Cream blushers have really caught on in this past year, especially over Summer. With high street brands such as Revlon and Bourjois bringing out some game players, I got to have a little play and get to grips with a different formula without splashing out for high end. Now I've got the knack of it, I thought it would only be right if I treated myself to the YSL Cream Blush (and it was in a great offer, woops).

Now, I said I'd got to grips with the formula... When I first put my Stippling Brush into this, not only did it hardly fit but it made those massive dints and picked up far too much for my liking. The YSL cream blush is more of a whipped, mousse formula and is incredibly light and airy which gives it such a smooth, effortless, non-sticky application. I switched to using my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush which I find so much easier to blend in as the product is a cream to powder formula (how many times can I say formula?!).

I have the shade 02 Powdery Rose which is a really natural, pinky flush. It doesn't last as long as I'd hope but then blushers never really seem to last that long on me, perhaps a good two, three hours? Which isn't so bad if you have the time to top up! Even when it fades, it still leaves the foundation underneath flawless and it doesn't go patchy at all. 

I definitely feel I can get over the lack of longevity considering just how gorgeous and natural this looks, plus, there's a peachy shade that has my name written all over it...

What do you think? Fancy it?! 

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER 

NARS SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION

I've always been quite happy with most foundations that I buy, I don't usually jump straight in there, I'll try them out first and make sure I'm 100%. Nars Sheer Glow however, I bought on a bit of a whim having not tried it before and guess what? I've never loved a foundation like I love this one.

It applies so, so seamlessly that even when I do the good ol' Lisa Eldridge trick - giving my skin a proper inspection in a magnified mirror - it looks so flawless and gives a satin, second-skin like finish. Like many people I was put off by the name, but don't fear! This foundation is neither sheer, nor too glowy. When applied with my buffing brush I get a decent medium coverage that very easily covers and conceals any redness and blemishes, although I do like to apply a litttttle bit of concealer just to be sure. The finish of it is just stunning - it's luminous, but not so much that you look sweaty or oily, more like you've had a decent nights sleep and been guzzling water!

I applied this around 9am, had a full day and evening out and didn't find myself needing to touch it up at all. In fact, I was extremely bad that night and was so exhausted I didn't remove my makeup. 10am the next morning I came to remove it and my skin still looked healthy and flawless.

Like everyone I do find it really annoying that there's no pump, especially for the price (£30.50) as there's always waste, but I do think I've got the hang of getting the right amount out now.
The shade I have is Mont Blanc which is a bit too light for me, but is easily warmed up with a bit of bronzer!
You hardly need any, so I can see this lasting me a while. Even then, I'd repurchase it without a second thought!

Let's see how it stands throughout winter... Have you tried this? Or is it on your wishlist?

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER 

SKINCARE ADDED EXTRAS

If you saw my Daily Skincare - Back to Basics post you'll have seen all the usual bits that I use from day to day, but I do quite like to shake it up a bit.

Sometimes I find the Lush Ultrabland cleanser can get a bit too rich for my skin, but I still like to use a creamy cleanser so I can get a good massage in there. My next port of call is the REN Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk - it's not stripping at all, but it's also not as thick and hydrating as Ultrabland, it's a good middle ground. It's brilliant for sensitive skin, and my skin really drinks up all it's goodness, leaving it fresh and cleansed.

When any dry patches get a little too much or my skin is looking particularly dull I'll whack out the REN Micro Polish Cleanser. It really buffs away at any nasties and washes away the dead cells, nice. I love the effect this has, my skin looks super radiant straight after using it. I've recently been trying out The Body Shop's Vitamin C Microdermabrasion* exfoliator which is a little more harsh than this, but it's only the early stages!

Once or twice a week depending how my skin looks, I skip the Origins toner and opt for the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Toner. Packed with AHA's this gets rid of the dead cells sitting on the skin leaving a smoother, brighter complexion. It's super gentle, doesn't hurt, tingle, burn or anything else you'd associate with an acid. I still follow this step with the Lush Toner Water though, to give my skin that boost of hydration it needs after taking away the top layer.

I have a couple of serums on the go at the moment - Biotherm's Deep Serum and YSL Forever Light Creator - but I've been loving the MyChelle G2 Instant Firming Serum*. It smells a bit funky, incredibly floral (however it's all natural, no perfume!) but it makes my moisturisers smooth on so much easier and my skin feels thoroughly hydrated and smooth. I tend to use it in the evening, but I'm going to give it a go during the day soon.

I love using oils post-serum, pre-moisturiser - skin depending and if I'm feeling a little clogged, I miss this step out. The Body Shop's Vitamin E Facial Oil* is so lovely! It's quite light weight for an oil but it really packs a punch and is essential after a cleansing/clay mask. I can definitely tell a difference when this one gets left behind as it seems to even out my skin a little more and feelings really soothing.


So these are my most used skincare products - I have far too many to put into two posts, but these have really stood out to me. What are your must have skincare products?

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER

DAILY SKINCARE ROUTINE - BACK TO BASICS

Let's start this whole shabang with a little 'disclaimer'. I'm no skincare expert and what works for me may not work for you. So now that's done with, let's get on with it.

I tend to have quite normal skin with a slightly oily T-Zone, however lately my T-zone has been on over-drive, I've found myself getting a lot more blemish prone than usual. I'm a little drier in some places and I'm generally dehydrated (heck, who isn't?).

I prefer to take the main bulk of my make up off with some Bioderma - I don't need to talk about this, you guys know the hype and for me, it lives up to it. If I'm wearing a more stubborn mascara I'll reach for the Estee Lauder Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, however Bioderma generally does it well enough. I love using balm cleansers and giving my skin a good massage but they tend to be quite on the pricey side but I adore Lush Ultrabland. I'll be honest, it smells like ass (no, not literally.) but boy does it do a good job. I really work this into my skin for a good 3/4 minutes and then leave it for a minute to sink in, then buff away with a flannel, leaving silky smooth, clean skin.

As ridiculous as this sounds, I listen to my skin and give what it wants - if it's feeling clogged and meh I'll give my pores a good clean with the Origins Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner, post cleanse. You should know by now just how much I love this, it's already on my repurchase list. I love this stuff for really making my skin feel fresher, cleaner and like it can breathe. It contains salicylic acid which also makes it perfect for when I'm getting a little more blemishy. As this can be a little more drying on my already dry bits, I follow with a few sprits of Lush's Eau Roma Water. A toner water that is literally just Lavender and Rose water and is so, so refreshing and soothing. I keep this in my fridge for an extra boost! If I'm not using the Origins Toner, this one still gets a good use.

After picking up the Origins GinZing moisturiser, I haven't been able to put it down! I've written a review here so go check it out, I'll save you the rambling here. In the evening I've been using the DHC Pore Milk*. It claims to clarify your pores and control excess sebum - I haven't noticed any of that, but this is a bloody good moisturiser. It's incredibly light weight yet super hydrating and smooths over any dryness. I find heavier moisturisers can make my skin feel too heavy and clogged, so I stick to a good dose of this over a serum and oil, but more on them next time.


Next up is my added extras skincare essentials including more cleansers, toners, serums and oils!

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER

SUMMER BEAUTY FAVOURITES

Even though the sun has been shining I still can't quite get myself to go out and about bare faced, but I've compiled a little pile of products that have seen me through the humid, sweaty weather...nice.

Though not the most long lasting product, I've been reaching over and over again for my YSL Touche Eclat foundation to give me flawless, glowy skin. If I do need it to last, a layer of Laura Mercier Radiance Primer sees me off whilst emitting a lit from within glow.
Keeping things light on the cheeks I've been applying a dusting of the Laura Mercier Bronzing Duo in Coral Bronze to the top of my cheeks to give a subtle bronzed look with a hint of coral. I'll concentrate the brush on the bronzer shade and sweep that across anywhere that naturally hits light. I couldn't be without the Bourjois Cream Blush when I want a longer lasting pop of colour.
A new product to my kit but already a firm favourite - the Mary Lou-Manizer by theBALM offers a champagne glow to the top of my cheeks. Careful though, this stuff is incredibly pigmented! I applied it way too heavy handed the first time and had to remove my entire base makeup...

For day to day, I like to keep things simple on the eyes and I've been reaching for the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Permanent Taupe over and over again. It's incredibly long wearing and really compliments my blue eyes and blonde hair with it's grey/purple tones. If I fancy jazzing it up, I've headed to my Sleek i-Divine Storm palette and have taken the gorgeous blue shade on a Real Technique Detailer Brush and pushed it along my lash line, blending and then intensifying. I love the pop of colour it gives!
A few coats of my Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara has seen my lashes lengthen and volumised all day long with no panda eyes. It's a bit of a tough one to remove though, even with my Lancome Bi-Facial Eye Makeup Remover.

Have you had any firm favourites this Summer? I'm loving adding some colour into my routine!

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER