The skin care tag

Everyone who reads my blog will know that skin care is my favourite topic to cover, so big thanks goes out to the lovely Kat at Tales of a Pale Face for tagging me! You can check out her blog here and her tag post here too. 

THE TAG

Describe your skin care routine in 5 words

Cleanse, refresh, moisturise, nourish, protect

What's your skin type?

My skin type is oily/combination and prone to hormonal acne

What's your favourite skin care product?

At the moment, I'm absolutely loving La Roche-Posay's Effaclar H moisturiser. It's so soothing and hydrating, but my skin never feels clogged up by it. It just feels like silk on my skin and you don't need much per application. I really, really rate it.

Top blemish zapper

For me, the best blemish zapper is finding the best cleanser for your skin type and using it every day to get into a routine. I used to find the Freederm spot zapper quite good, but as I've got older I find all the textures quite sticky and invest more in cleansing. A cleansing brush also really helps - my skin has changed for the better after using the Philips VisaPure.

Face wipes yay or nay?

Absolutely nay. Think about a 2-in-1 product for your hair - does it ever feel moisturised and nourished? It doesn't for me, so why would I expect any different from my skin care? I'm a real believer in each component for itself, so no matter how great face wipes sound I know using thing separately gets better results.

High-end skin care or high-end make-up?

This is a difficult question, but if my skin wasn't in good condition I wouldn't see the value in buying high-end make-up, so I'd have to say high-end skin care. In the past, I've invested so much time and money in drugstore cleansers, exfoliators and moisturisers and I've always been disappointed. The more you spend, the better for your skin (in my opinion anyway).

What's the most unusual skin care product you've tried?

I think there was a product I tried from the Rodial Snake range that had a really strange texture. It was quite thin but grainy and I couldn't work out if I liked it or not! 

You're in a french pharmacy and can only pick up one item - what is it?

La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water - it's so refreshing and moisturising and since I've been using it I haven't looked back. For something that sounds like it is just water in a can, it's a skin care power tool in my eyes.

Tell us your top skin care tip

Decide on a routine and stick to it - if you chop and change your products, it's likely that you'll have to wait longer to see any results. Most products take months to make a real difference, so if you really like a product and don't think it's doing anything for your skin then give it another couple of weeks and see if you feel the same. Take a picture at the beginning and after 3 months to see if it has made a difference and you might just surprise yourself!

WHO I'M TAGGING

LiLi at Let's Get Lippy

Poppy at Lets Drive Far Away

Nyss at Miss Nyss Beauty Magpie
Megan Jane at Seek My Scribbles
Sasha at Ramblings of a Beauty Bird
Rachel at Beauty Queen UK

Hope you enjoyed the tag! xxx

TAG: Procrastinating Beauty Blogger

Fab fashion blogger Alice from Tea and Lead has nominated me to take part in the Procrastinating Beauty Blogger tag! She must know me so well :)

The rules of this tag are:
1. Copy and paste these 'rules' into your post
2. You must state this tag was created by Laura from The Beau Bow
3. You must thank the person who tagged you at the start of your post, follow them if you're feeling nice and at the end of your post state who you tag and comment on their blog to let them know you've tagged them.
4. Title this post 'The Procrastinating Beauty Blogger Tag'
5. Have fun :)

 QUESTIONS

1. Name a beauty regime that you barely do
I am ashamed to say I pay almost no attention to my eyebrows. I don't know why - I just never have! When I was a teenager, I thought it would be a good idea to shave my eyebrow, which it wasn't. I literally just tweeze every now and again when I feel like it.

2. Is washing your make-up brushes something you do regularly?
Yes it is - I am conscious of spreading bacteria around my skin so I like to wash them as often as possible. Baby shampoo works a treat and leaves the brushes soft and clean.

3. How long will you last with chipped nail polish?
Sometimes if I am really busy I will leave it on for way too long! Until the chips start getting massive and occupy an entire nail - then I need to do something about it. But at the moment I have been chopping and changing nail colours for blog posts - so they look neat most of the time!

4. How long do you put off buying/replacing a beauty or nail polish product even if you need it (i.e. new top coat or foundation etc)?
If I need it, I'll buy it straight away. I can't live without concealer and foundation, so if I've got the money I will grab my go-to products ASAP. If it's a nail polish or eyeliner, I won't be in such a rush as it's an 'extra' in my eyes. But my skin is a priority and it boosts my self-esteem to always have the right products to hand.

5. What is your worst beauty habit?
Picking spots - I just can't leave them alone! If anyone has got any great tips on leaving this habit behind, I need to hear them, so please leave me a comment below.

6. Name something non-beauty related that you put off doing all the time?
I almost always put off looking at my bank balance! I'm a bit too impulsive at times and get pangs of post-shopping guilt - but I really need to get on top of my finances and hope to do that this year somehow (after I have bought every lipstick, nail polish and skin care product EVER).

7. When going out somewhere, do you leave getting ready until the last minute?
Definitely not - I always start getting ready a good hour before going out, if not before. I like to take my time and have a nice shower before doing my hair and make-up - there's nothing worse than going out feeling like you aren't happy with the way you look. Spending time on getting ready makes me feel confident and ready to go

8. Can you commit to spending bans?
As mentioned earlier, I am awful when it comes to spending money on things and can be really impulsive. If I absolutely had to go on a spending ban, I would, and I really need to. Watch this space on that one...

9. How organised is your make-up and nail polish collection?
It's kind of organised but not in 'storage' as such - it's in the same place on my desk all the time but it is a bit like organised chaos with different colours flying about everywhere.

10. What is the longest amount of time you have gone without writing a blog post?
I think the longest I have gone is 2 days, but I mostly blog every day. I'd love to start blogging more than once a day in the future, but this isn't really possible while I have a full-time editorial job!

WHO I'M TAGGING
Sandy at Absolute Beaut
 Jessica at All Dolled Up
Charlotte at Carlotta's Beauty Spot
Kat at Tales of a Pale Face
Cat at Outside Beauty Inside Health

 Big love and thanks goes to Alice for tagging me! xxx

I've been tagged by a lovely lippy lady!

Big love goes to the wonderful LiLi at Let's Get Lippy for tagging me! I love a good beauty Q&A - what's could be better than learning about other fab bloggers' beauty secrets?!

I'm having so much fun with my beauty blog and it's nice to get to know you all better, so I hope you enjoy finding out more about little old me :) You can read LiLi's answers here.

BEAUTY BLOGGER TAG QUESTIONS

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?
Naturally wavy - I used to have ringlets when I was really little, but now I have waves. I think I do like having naturally wavy hair as I have the option to straighten it or leave it in its natural tousled state.

2. What is your natural hair colour?
Medium brown - I think! Have lost track over the years, but it's definitely brown.

3. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon?
I ALWAYS say I will go to a salon and ALWAYS end up in my local Boots or Superdrug scanning the shelves for chocolate browns. I'm currently loving Garnier's Olia hair dyes.

4. Do you wear the same style every day or do you change it?
I used to be a bit more 'out there' with my style, but now I go for simple staple items and dress them up with accessories when I need to. I see my face as my canvas to change every day, and not so fussed about the clothes I wear. But I am loving peplum tops at the moment - I just bought a lovely polka dot one from Love Label on Very's website.

5. Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon?
I used to do my nails at home all the time, but now I like to treat myself to manicures every so often after work. I love just having half an hour or so to myself and it always feels good to have clean, pretty nails - not to mention the hand massage!

6. How often do you change your nail polish?
I'd say I change my nail polish weekly, unless one I have applied has chipped straight after and I take it off and use another polish.

7. Do you polish your toes in the winter or just in the summer?
I get a bit lazy in the winter with my feet, which I probably shouldn't do! Especially this winter, or spring?!! I've lost track!

8. How long does it take for you to put on your make-up?
About 20 minutes on a daily basis, but if I am going out then 30 minutes.

9. What do you do first, face or eyes?
It really depends what eye look I choose to do. If it's eyeshadow, I will do this before my face; however, if it's just a case of liquid or pencil eyeliner, I will do this after my face.

10. Do you collect make-up or just buy what you need when you need it?
I'm a bit of a hoarder and I'm not sure I know what need means! Apart from when it comes to concealer, I always buy that and need it for my self-esteem. I'm pretty sure I've got a few too many lipsticks and nail polishes...but don't we all!

11. How often do you wear false eyelashes?
Not going to lie, I never wear false eyelashes unless it's a special event or fancy dress. I'd like to wear them more, but I don't have the steadiest hand or the time.

12. Do you do a full face of make-up every day?
Yes - although it is a natural look. I don't do lipstick and/or eyeliner every day, but I always wear foundation, concealer, powder, blusher and mascara without fail.

13. Do you wear make-up when you are home alone or with family?
At home alone, no. With family, I would if I was going out somewhere or going over to see them, as that means going outside and I am conscious of my skin.

14. Will you leave the house without make-up?
I have done before - if I am just going round the corner this is OK, but never if I am outside of the house for a long period of time. I need it to feel confident and have got into the habit of liking my face more with it on!

15. How many high-end products do you have?
Ahem...far too many! I am a total beauty snob, as many of you will know. I really like to spend a lot of £ on skin care especially, as from experience I know you get what you pay for. Same with foundation.

16. Do you plan your OOTD every night or decide when you're getting dressed?
Bit of both - if it's a normal day I will decide in the morning, but if it's an event or meeting, I will have something in mind the night before to save me stressing in the morning.

17. How often do you change your handbag?
Not very often at all. But for some reason my bags always break - so that definitely motivates me to invest in more bags! I want to be a millionaire so I can have a crazy collection of Michael Kors bags.

18. What time do you get up and go to sleep?
I get up at 7 for work after 3 snoozes, and I go to sleep between 10.30 and 12 every night. It always varies depending on how hectic my day has been.

19. How often or when do you work out?
Good question - remind me to ask my neglected gym pass in the morning!

20. Left-handed or right-handed?
Right-handed

21. How tall are you?
I'm a tiny - 5 ft 2!

22. Do you speak a foreign language?
If you count learning French at GCSE speaking a foreign language, then yes. If not, I speak Tasha, which many people consider to be a foreign language :)

23. How many pets do you have?
Nada! Used to have fish but they are no more.

24. How often are you on Blogger?
I try to post every day and check my stats often. I also reply to comments as soon as possible. I reckon I am on Blogger for most of the day on and off, but I am never on there for that long if I am not writing a post.

25. Do you read comments posted on blogs?
Depends on the post - if the blogger asks an interesting question or raises an exciting issue, I'll check out the comments. If not, I will probably leave a comment and then go.

26. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?
If I did, I would be in serious money trouble! If I want it that much, I'll remember it. But I really should start making a list so I don't miss out on a few underdogs along the way.

27. How did you come up with your blog name?
It was just a random thought before I went to sleep! That happens to me for some reason.

28. What kind of camera do you use for photographs?
Just my iPhone camera and edit on Instagram.

29. How often do you clean your house?
As often as possible, but I have been so busy lately I really need to have a good spring cleaning session!

30. What is your favourite colour?
Red. It's passionate and vibrant, and it makes an instant impression.

31. Do you swear?
It's a bit of a reflex unfortunately...but it doesn't really bother me.

32. What are you doing with the rest of your day?
Seen as it's late, I'll be snuggling up in bed trying not to get hypothermia. I would advise you all to do the same!

WHO I'M TAGGING

I would like to tag the following beauty bloggers:
1. Saskia at The New Girls
2. Nalini at The Made Up Maiden
3. Katrin at Tarte Aux Fraises
4. Joanna at Mademoiselle Lala
5. Megan at Megan Box Nails

Did you enjoy this post? xxx