My New Skincare Routine: In Love With Clarins

Hi guys,
I've always been blessed with having pretty youthful looks (in fact, most people would say I was 'baby faced'). But since I turned 30 I have become fairly obsessed with looking after my skin as much as possible, in order to ensure the ravages of time don't strike whilst I'm being distracted by something else! So when Clarins asked if I'd like to sample some of their products, I was genuinely delighted: more fuel to the fire of my new skin care addiction? Yes please! And I have to say, now that I've tried some of their products (particularly the Water Comfort Cleanser with Peach and the famous Beauty Flash Balm) I won't be using anything else!

First up in the cleanser: this product smells incredible, which is an instant win. But it did so much more than that too. It also left my skin feeling fresh and smooth and incredibly soft. I actually look forward to cleansing my skin each morning and even the usually oblivious Mike has mentioned how soft my skin is. This softness is no doubt helped by the Beauty Flash Balm, which is the best moisturiser I have ever used (since I got it my usual Clinique Moisture Surge hasn't had a look in) It makes my skin look smoother, brighter, and it is an incredible base for wearing under make up.

I am yet to try a Clarins skincare product I don't like. The Moisture Replenishing Lip balm is also another essential (replacing my Bert's Bees) and my lips really haven't ever been so soft. I suffer with really chapped lips, so this has been a revelation. The rose oil it contains also smells incredible, and when I'm wearing it I have to stop myself from smacking my lips together!  I also have to give a special mention to the summertime specific products which smell better than any other sun protection lotions I have tried, and don't leave my skin feeling oily at all. Can you tell that I'm completely smitten?

As an extra added bonus, it seems I've picked just the right time to write this post: The Clarins 30% off beauty sale has just started! Result!

Love Tor x

Guest Post: Top Tips for Sensitive Skin

Did you know that sensitive skin is not only caused by your lifestyle and diet but the ingredients found in your skincare products too? If you suffer from sensitive skin, it can be difficult finding the best products to keep your skin healthy and flare-up free.

We’ve put together our top tips to combat skin-irritation and help you select the best beauty essentials for your skin type.

Testing

Testing a product before using it on your skin is extremely important, particularly if your skin is prone to reactions. When using a new product or brand it is advisable to carry out a patch test, this is where you apply a small amount of product onto your skin and monitor the area for 48 hours to see if it causes irritation. Testing is also essential when visiting a beauty salon, whether you’re treating yourself to a facial or changing your hair colour, asking for a patch test will help avoid any unwanted reactions.

Always read the label

If your skin has been affected by certain products and brands in the past, take a look at the ingredients label, you may notice reoccurring ingredients which could be causing the reaction. There are a number of hypoallergenic products on the market which have been specially formulated without harsh ingredients for sensitive skin types.

Make-up

Mineralcosmetics are a popular choice for those who suffer with sensitive skin, as the natural mineral combination is much gentler on the skin. Many brands specialise in mineral makeup and foundations that work in harmony with your natural skin tone, avoiding harsh chemicals and future irritation.

Cleaning and Cleansing

Thoroughly removing your makeup is important to keep your skin looking great. Always remove your makeup before sleeping but try to avoid rough scrubs and harsh makeup removers to do so. We recommend using mild make-up remover face wipes, which will gently remove your makeup, whilst cleansing and moisturising your skin.

Food and Lifestyle

Diet and lifestyle play a big part in keeping your skin radiant and healthy. Drinking lots of water and incorporating regular exercise into your routine are both proven to have a great effect of your skin. Ensuring your diet is full of fruits, vegetables and essential Vitamins such as C and E will help to keep redness and irritation at bay. 

*This is a guest post. The content has been written for the site with my approval. 

John Lewis unveils their new Oxford Street store beauty department

Hi guys,
What can you buy with £7.8 Million? Well, you could buy a new house, a yacht, half a dozen cars, a couple of football players and 78,000 lipsticks.  Or, if you're John Lewis, you could spend that amount on completely revamping your beauty hall! And if you're asking me, I would say it was money well spent!

I just got back from a guided tour of the new beauty hall at John Lewis, and I have to say I was impressed. The hall is built around a town square concept, with the bigger brands around the outside of the hall and the more tactile 'help-yourself' products in the middle. It is also (rather uniquely) zoned: so yes, if you want something from Chanel, you can head straight to their counter and find all their products there, like in an ordinary department store. But you can also go to the skin, hair, nail, or make up zone if you want a specific product, but don't know what brand you're looking for.

Other features of the new beauty hall include:

- The only Topshop make-up counter outside of a Topshop store

- Products and launches exclusive to John Lewis such as the new Clinque matt foundation, the Diptyque 34 collection, or the Floris Royal Arms Diamon Edition perfume. Only 6 bottles of this £15,000 perfume have been produced. One went to the queen, one went to charity, the rest are for sale in the Floris boutique apart from the one which is for sale in John Lewis. Exciting, but out of my budget. However they also have a £99 version available.

- Two on-floor treatment rooms, including one from Lancome. Apparently, this is the only on-floor Lancome treatment room outside of Paris.

- An interactive Chanel fragrance zone to geek out about. You place a fragrance on top of the touch-screen table, and the table will tell you all about the fragrance, including what notes are included in it.

It's not like me to get excited about a department in a department store (they usually all look pretty much the same) but I was very impressed by what John Lewis have done to their Oxford Street beauty department, and especially impressed by the thought and unusual structure that have gone into it. If you're in the area and looking to buy make-up, skin care, or fragrance, then this is the place I would recommend you go!

Love Tor xx

Pop! Pop! (up store)

Pop up stores are popping up (see what I did there?) everywhere, but this is the first time i've heard of a beauty pop up store. Skincare brand RoC are opening up a pop up store in 18 Maddox Street, Mayfair tomorrow.

.
Visitors to the boutique, open from 11am to 7pm, will get to sample the new RoC© Wrinkle Correxion range before it hits the shops in October 2009 and will also have a chance to receive a free skin analysis and personal RoC product recommendation, enjoy a 10 minute mini-facial with the new RoC ranges, participate in make-up masterclasses with Ruby Hammer at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 and receive free RoC samples!!

.

As you know I love pampering my skin and getting stuff for free, so I will definitely be popping down (I just cant stop can I!?) to check it out! What better why to prepare your skin before the weekend!?

.

I am heading to Norwich this weekend to visit the fabulous (and soon to be famous performance artist, just so you know!) Miss Becky Wigmore. I will be baking her a cake and descending on her armed with birthday gifts. And hopefully, thanks to RoC, I will be doing it with skin that glows like the sun! Pop down and check it out tomorrow, or if you don't/can't get there I will be reporting back tomorrow night!

.

Love, Tor xx