My Favourite Foundations

Hi guys! I hope you're all having a lovely weekend. Apologies for not posting last week, honestly I just didn't have the time to write a post and I really didn't want to write a post that I'm not really into or haven't given 100% to.

I thought I'd do a post on my favourite foundations today, along with a little review of each one and my thoughts on them in general.
For a little background information on my skin; I have very oily skin, I previously suffered from severe acne and still have some very light scars. I am pretty pale with a yellow undertone to my skin, which can be a struggle when it comes to finding the right foundation shade for me (for example with the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation I am in the shade Fiji, which is a perfect match for me).

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - available here

This foundation is my holy grail! It doesn't matter how many foundations I use and love, I always end up going back to this one. It is my most used foundation. The coverage is buildable without it looking like a mask but I prefer the light coverage that this foundation is able to give. I generally don't like the feel of heavy foundations on my skin and to be honest I don't really think I need the extra coverage (especially after my acne cleared up a few years ago). I like my skin to look like skin even with makeup on. I prefer people to compliment the look of my skin rather than my makeup and this foundation definitely helps with that.
I have really oily skin and although this foundation has the word 'glow' on it, it isn't something that makes my skin look like a deep frying pan full of oil by the end of the day. It doesn't oxidise (atleast it doesn't on me). It genuinely gives you a radiant finish.
On their website description of the foundation it states that the foundation has skincare benefits. When you cleanse your face at the end of the day after having this on your face, it's like this foundation has done something to your skin to make it look more glowy (is that even a word) and even, now I had no idea that this foundation contained turmeric until I first used it, took it off and my skin looked amazing, so I thought I'd look it up and to my surprise (a good surprise) it did contain turmeric. Turmeric is known for it's antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It helps with acne, scarring and also reduces the production of sebum.
The shade range of this is incredible, especially for skin that has a olive/yellow undertone. NARS is a brand that I really love for their shade range.

EX1 Cosmetics Invisiwear Liquid Foundation - available here

I have no idea why I tried this foundation. I spotted it on the lookfantastic website and they always have some sort of discount code, so I thought I'd try it out. I've been using this for about a year and I really really like it. Like the NARS foundation this is also buildable. You only need a small amount, it's super blendable and it works wonders. It is very lightweight, you can't feel this on your skin at all, which I love!
Initially they only had 5 shades and I purchased the shade f200 which was a little dark for me and the shade f100 was a little too light so I mixed the two. More recently EX1 came out with a whole new bunch of shades, so in total there are now 13 shades.
I've seen this foundation being used on so many celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears and Adele for magazine covers, photoshoots and on the red carpet, which would make you think it probably costs an arm and a leg but it's only £12.50. Yep, you heard £12.50.
I have sensitive skin so I'm very careful when using foundations. This foundation hasn't broke me out or caused any irritation.

Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation - available here

For all you lovely ladies and guys that prefer heavy coverage this is the perfect foundation for you. The coverage of this foundation is incredible! A little definitely goes a long way. I mix this with my moisturiser as I prefer a very light finish.
It stays in place and lasts all day. Although it is a full coverage foundation it isn't a foundation that feels uncomfortable on the skin or looks unnatural.
Like the NARS foundation, the shade range is huge!

Chanel Mat Lumière Foundation

I believe this foundation is discontinued *sad face*. I used to love the look of matte foundations and this one was my favourite. I never had to set it with powder and with my oily skin, that was one less thing to carry around in my handbag. I thought I'd still mention it as I love Chanel foundations in general and they smell amazing!

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick - available here

When my acne first started clearing up I still had some very visible scars, which were very hard to cover up without my makeup looking very heavy and unnatural, which I hated. I did some research and found that a lot of people loved the Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick as it gave great coverage without looking heavy. So I thought I'd try it out and I loved it. I still use it sometimes and it looks lovely on the skin. I don't wear makeup on a daily basis but when you want something thats light on the skin and doesn't look like makeup, this is the foundation I reach for. You can apply it lightly or build it up. Bobbi Brown did update the formula of the stick foundation and I much prefer the new formula it's a lot more blendable and creamy. The old formula dried out very fast and became hard to blend, which basically meant it had to see the bottom of my bin sooner than it probably had hoped for. The new formula also has tone correcting pigments.

I use a Beauty Blender (available here) with all my foundations as it gives a light flawless base, without streaks, which I find you get with using a brush. If you haven't used a beauty blender to apply your foundation I would totally recommend it. It will change the way your makeup looks.

The Chanel and EX1 Foundations both come with pumps, this makes it easier to take the product out and it means you don't end up pouring out too much and wasting it. I believe the MAC Foundation Pump (available here) fits on both the Estée Lauder and NARS foundations and it's a total steal at £4.50 especially considering it will prevent you from pouring out too much of the product.
I have the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation and the MAC Face & Body Foundation on my list to try because I've heard and read some amazing things about them.

I really hope you guys found this post helpful!

Yogita x

My Skincare Routine - Acne, Scars + Oily Skin

Hi everyone! I hope you're all having a lovely Sunday. I've decided to do a post on my skincare routine as I get asked about how I got rid of my acne a lot. I have a feeling this will be a lengthy post, so I'd grab some snacks if I were you!

My skin is extremely sensitive and oily. I suffered from severe acne in my teenage years and I tried everything you could possibly find to treat acne but nothing worked, if anything a lot of the products I used made it worse. If you know me you’ll know that I hate going to the doctors (even when it’s not for me). My Mum had to physically drag me to the doctors (my Mum may deny these allegations lol) because at one point I was finding the acne extremely hard to deal with and painful. This is when my doctor prescribed a topical lotion for my acne. This was in the form of a roll on for your face, I don’t remember the exact name of it but if you ask your doctor, he/she will be able to help. The topical lotion played a huge part in treating my acne. After using that for a while, I started using the Dermalogica Clean Start Breakout Clearing Foam Wash, which you can purchase here and used this for years. It worked so well for so long, but I find that when you use a product for too long it kind of stops working (although I alternate between this face wash and the one I am currently using to prevent this). Below are the products I have been using for a while now and can officially say they have become a permanent fixture in my daily skincare routine (along with the Dermalogica Clean Start Wash and a few other discoveries).

Boots Botanics Mattifying Cleansing Mousse/Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash - available here

I started using this Boots Cleansing Mousse about 3 years ago. I randomly picked it up whilst shopping at Boots with my sister and haven’t stopped using it since. It hasn’t made me break out once, which is amazing. If you suffer from acne or have done in the past you’ll know how hard it is to use something new not knowing what it will do to your skin. Experimenting with products can be a little scary, but this was a risk worth taking. I take a pump of this and spread it all over my face, I then put a pump of this on my face brush and use that to exfoliate my face in small circular motions. I believe this has been discontinued but I have switched to the Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash and use it the same way I used the Cleansing Mousse. It works just as well (thank God).

L’Oreal Men Expert Black Charcoal Wash – available here

Yes I am aware that this says ‘Men Expert’ but currently there are no laws that prohibit women from using skincare products that are targeted for men lol. I can’t praise this charcoal wash enough, it is amazing! It contains charcoal which is known to have antibacterial properties and helps draw out impurities. It also helps tighten pores. I totally recommend this for anyone that has sensitive/oily skin. I use this the same way that I use the Boots Foam Wash. Occasionally I spread this all over my face and leave it on for about 5 minutes (like a mask), I do this whilst I am in the shower/bath. I feel like this gives the wash a little more time to work it's magic.

Boots Glycerin & Rosewater Toner & Moisturiser – available here

I was drawn to this product as soon as I saw Glycerin and Rosewater on the label. I have been using this toner for years and absolutely swear by it. I use this after washing my face. I pour some onto a cotton pad and swipe the pad all over my face. It moisturises and tones the skin at the same time. I also use this as a base for makeup. It contains Glycerin and Glycerin makes products stick to it and it definitely helps keep your makeup in place for longer. Just make sure you let it settle into your skin a little before applying any makeup.

Soap & Glory A Brush with Greatness – available here

This brush is so inexpensive and does the job just as well as any other face brush. I have used electric face brushes before and occasionally switch back to one every now and then, but I always end up using this one because you have more control over it in terms of movement and how much pressure you apply. One side has soft brush bristles which gently exfoliate your skin and the other side has tiny silicone bristles which give you more of a deep cleanse. 

Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream - available here

This is such an incredible product, it helps with a tonne of different things including nappy rash, surface wounds, minor burns, sunburn and acne. You will most probably have this lying around the house anyway but just make sure it isn't out of date. Whenever I feel like a spot is coming up or has already become a mountain on my face I use a small blob of this and apply it directly onto the spot and leave it on overnight. It works wonders and you'll see your breakouts heal a lot faster.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo - available here

On the directions it says to apply this product all over the face, which you can do but I prefer to target this directly onto breakouts. As soon as I see that a breakout is healing I apply this to prevent it from darkening my skin or leaving a scar. It definitely helps to correct the appearance of blemishes and refines the texture of my skin.

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads - available here (currently half price!)

This does exactly what it says on the label. The glycolic acid retextures and resurfaces the skin, the hyaluronic acid moisturises and refreshes the skin, the blue daisy soothes and calms the skin and the witch hazel tones the skin. I use these pads straight after cleansing my face and absolutely love them. I have very little scars left on my skin from when I suffered from severe acne and these pads have definitely helped lighten them and have made my skin a lot more even.

Lancome Hydra Zen Cream - available here

This smells AMAZING! It has such a lovely smooth texture, it absorbs into the skin really fast and it's suitable for sensitive skin. I first tried this cream in a sample size because, as I said before, anything can make me break out. This however, didn't make me breakout. It makes your skin look so beautiful and radiant and it moisturises (which is helpful lol). It is my favourite moisturiser. I have unfortunately run out of the cream, hence why it isn't in the picture above (sad face) but I will definitely be repurchasing.

Loreal Pure Clay Glow Mask - available here 

Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask - available here

I use face masks once a week (on weekends) like a treat for your skin. I have been loving the Loreal Pure Clay Glow Mask and the Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask. 

The Loreal mask contains a blend of 3 different clays: Koalin, Montmorillonite and Ghassoul. All of these help absorb impurities and excess sebum, they also help eliminate imperfections. You will notice your skin look a lot more brighter immediately after using this mask. I use a flat foundation brush to apply the mask and leave it on for about 20 minutes.

The Garnier Mask is perfect for the Winter time. It's the perfect pick me up for when your skin feels a little dehydrated. I have extremely oily skin but that doesn't stop me from using moisturisers or oils on my skin because a lot of moisture is better than no moisture at all. It contains pomegranate extract, hyaluronic acid, and plant serum which help rehydrate and brighten your skin. It is a sheet mask so it is a little less messy too!

I also recently used the Superdrug Black Seaweed Peel Off Face Mask (available here). This is so inexpensive and works incredibly well. I've seen a lot of people make their own peel off masks but I just don't have the time or patience, so I was more than excited when I spotted this in Superdrug. It contains seaweed and sea buckthorn which help cleanse and detoxify the skin. It's definitely an underrated gem!

Water

Drink lots of water! I can't say this enough. Water helps flush out toxins, it also helps maintain the balance of your body fluids. Your skin contains water which functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. I hardly ever drank water in my teenage years instead I drank bucket loads of fizzy drink (Dr Pepper is still a favourite, but this doctor is no good for your skin), which definitely didn't help my acne. I noticed a huge difference in my skin and overall health once I started drinking water regularly throughout the day. It is so important to drink water and eat as healthy as possible because this will affect the way your skin looks.

All these products have worked so well for me. I hardly every break out and my skin is pretty much acne free and has been for years. If you have acne scarring, then exfoliating is a great way to help with that. I found that it helped massively to lighten any scars that I had. Whatever you do never pick your spots. I can’t say this enough, this is how scarring can occur and if your hands are dirty it can make your acne worse. I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis, but whenever I do, I make sure that I follow my skincare routine regardless of how lazy I feel.

Please note that what works for me may not necessarily work for everyone. Just like clothes, what fits me may not necessarily fit you, but we all try things on! This is just what works for me and therefore I am sharing with you. I used a lot of products that were recommended by others but they didn't always work for me, which is fine. It takes a lot of time and trial and error to find things that work perfectly for you, so just be patient and always do your research!

I really hope you found this post helpful. 

Yogita x