Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

Wednesday, 25 January 2017

GET THE GLOW - FACE MASKS DRY/DEHYDRATED SKIN WILL LOVE


Do you battle dry skin and dehydration? Forgot what glowing Complexion looks like? Don't fret. These masks will help you achieve the glowing skin you've only dreamt off. 

Dry and dehydrated skin is prone to dullness, dry patches, grey-ish tones. It's just the way your skin is programmed and with right skincare you can certainly turn it around. 

There's a lot of factors included in your daily routine that you could probably benefit from. Firstly - water intake. Try the 3 litre a day challenge, get your friends involved. And to answer the most asked question - yes, you will pee a lot. In the process you will re-program your body and free it from toxins quicker. Your skin and health will thank you for it. The benefits will be visible quickly and after couple of weeks your dehydration lines will be less visible. 

Water itself isn't enough to make your complexion suddenly become radiant. In future posts, I plan to talk to you about Cleansing and morning and evening skincare, but today, let's talk facial masks. 

I'm a huge addict fan of face masks. If you choose right, they can give you almost instant gratification. Some results are instant, some come over time but the main thing to remember - it's not a trick, they do work! It took me a while to understand my own skin needs and it can be a trying time. The amount of times I ended up with congested pores, breakouts, more dry patches or even allergy reaction. Few years later, I know what works for my skin. It may not work for yours, it's such a personal process, but it's worth it in the end. 

AHA/BHA acid based mask

AHA are usually better for dry skin and BHA for more oily types. However if your dry skin is prone to breakouts (I know it sucks!!!) a bit of BHA won't kill you. Lately the mask I start my multiple mask routine with is Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask. I wrote about it earlier - POST - so I won't go in to too much detail but this mask has changed the way I mask! It's quite harsh and believe me you'll feel it working, but the uncomfortable feeling lasts only for couple of minutes. It's by far the best first mask I've used. I say first, as I always follow with something more soothing. PTR mask works on many levels with exfoliation being the most visible effect. It's practically instant and you'll notice it from day one. My skin becomes so smooth and I'm on the way to get rid of all the little bumps I had to endure over the years. 

Clay mask

The choice is yours and I would recommend reading up on effects various clays can have in cosmetics. I have fallen in love with L'Oreal Detox Clay Mask. I wrote about it before and I stand by my review - POST - it's a brilliant mask if you struggle with congested pores and your skin is in a serious need of detoxing. I love how clear and smooth my skin is after using this mask and I tend to use it, as with PTR mask, as a first mask. It doesn't block my pores, I feel it works great as a base mask and preps my skin for more. Use it on your own or follow with something super hydrating. 

Treatment mask

Ok, this may not be a proper term for it, but I treat my second mask as such. It's the mask I choose to follow up with after acid or clay based masks. There were many faves over the years but recently two have managed to completely overcome my routine.

Tołpa Provivo 35+ Radiance Mask promises you a younger looking, radiant skin with less lines. I find this mask works brilliantly on its own but also seems to work oh so well as a follow up to the PTR mask. It soothes my skin, it makes it plump and so soft! It's deeply hydrating and nourishing and it makes a massive difference even after the first use. In a pack you get two uses but I managed to use it 3-4 times. The price is incredible especially given instant results and also how comfortable my skin feels for days after use. I haven't talked about it before, so let's start with the ingredient list;

Aqua, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Isohexadecane, Peat Extract, Steareth-20, Propanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Stearic Acid, Baicalin, Hibiskus Abelmoschus Seed Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Acrylates/ C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylamide, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Mica, Titanium Dioxide.

First of all all Tołpa skincare comes free of allergens, silicons (yay dry skin!), parabens, PEGs and paraffin. Lack of PEGs mean the products have to be used quickly (usually 3 months from opening). Baicalin extract works to give your skin a more youthful look. Hibiscus seed extract have a strong regenerating properties and Cassia Seed extract is nature's answer to hyaluronic acid. Altogether the ingredients work to give you more youthful and glowing complexion, even my sensitive skin can't complain! 

The second mask on my never ending recommendation list for superb results is Emma Hardie 'Amazing Face' Age Support Instant Radiance Face Mask
Not on the cheap side sadly, it first the medium price range well. At £36 a pop you get a 75 ml of the product so it'll serve you well for a good 15-20 uses. I don't spare it. I use a fair amount and distribute it evenly over my face and neck. It targets dullness and glow it surely gives. It's a perfect pick me up choice if you're planning a night out or before any event. In 10 minutes, although I leave it on for much longer, it transforms the skin. It has deeply moisturising effect and almost plumps out my skin. My skin looks firm, it's super soft to touch and radiant after one use. Overtime I noticed, less dehydration lines as if the mask dealt with them on its own. It has a pleasant scent and creamy consistency which separates after a while on my face (again, I leave it on for ages). I like to remove it with a warm cloth and apply skincare afterwards. Perfect for day and night, on it's own or as a follow up mask. I can't praise it enough! 

Moisturising mask

Just your plain simple moisturising mask is my absolute fave Lush Oatifix. I don't know how many pots I went through already but it is by far my favourite lazy Saturday morning fix. It smells incredible, deeply nourishes my skin which results in awoken, radiant complexion. I don't think the effects linger but it's a perfect pick me up kinda mask. I use it at least twice a week as it has to be used within 3 weeks from opening, as most Lush masks do but it's just a joy to be used. I honestly love the scent so much I could probably use it every day if it wasn't such a pain in the backside to apply. I always waste a lot of product. Nevertheless I wouldn't change it for the world. It offers a mild exfoliation with the oats during a massage of taking it off and banana and honey offer hydration. I adore it! It's great for dry and sensitive skin, just a gem you just need to try, at least once! 

Thank You For Reading,
Love


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Beauty Bay







Monday, 12 December 2016

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU - ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE



Christmas is coming and for those of you late bloomers time is running out to buy those perfect pressies for your loved ones. My ultimate gift guide is aimed at beauty obsessed ladies & includes everything I think you'd love to find under your tree :) Without further ado, let's dig in shall we?

Every beauty addict I know is obsessed with cleansing. Double cleansing is a thing and anyone who wears makeup daily should fall in love with the process to ensure their skin stays in top condition for years to come. I think a cleansing product or accessory would make a great gift and despite popular opinion it doesn't have to be too expensive! Boots have a range of natural products from Liz Earle and the Cleanse and Polish starter set is priced at only £15.50 (POST). It includes a 100ml cleanser and two cleansing cloths, making it a perfect Christmas gift for anyone. It's suitable for all skin types, except for ultra sensitive and it'll suit most age brackets. 

If you're willing to spend a little extra on the gift Foreo has came up with the new Luna Play (with gift with purchase). The device isn't rechargeable like the Foreo Luna Mini or Foreo Luna 2, but it comes pre-charged for about 100 uses. It costs only £29.00 so a perfect way to start your journey with Foreo. It's a small electronic device used for cleansing and I only just recently got it but already see a difference in my skin. I will be most definitely purchasing the Foreo Luna 2 afterwards but it was a great way to test the device before committing to a full size price. 



Staying on a subject of skincare, I think a great mask will make for an awesome Xmas present. I love my Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask (POST) and so have my mom and couple of girlfriends who tried it. I think it will suit anyone! It costs £30.00 and has a whooping 150ml. You can also buy it as part of a set, where you can test all 5 of Peter Thomas Roth masks (50ml each) and it'll cost you only £49.95 for a set of 5!! I think PTR masks will make for an excellent gift to anyone who loves to take care of their skin and loves a bit of a luxury skincare.

Moving on to makeup, who doesn't love a good matte eyeshadow palette. Urban Decay have launched the new Naked Ultimate Basics palette (POST). This is a stunning gift as the packaging is to die for. It feature a full on matte eyeshadow palette which will make a perfect gift to anyone that dabbles in makeup. It costs £38.50 normally but it's currently available for £34.65 in House of Fraser, which is where I linked it too. 

Liquid lipsticks are so in right now and I've been loving the formula of Huda Beauty Liquid Matte. These are long staying matte lipsticks that apply like a gloss and dry to full matte finish. I love their Malibu like scent and they are also super comfortable to wear. The outer packaging is cleaver too and it'll make for a perfect pressie to a lipstick lover. They are priced at £18.00 a pop and available widely through Cult Beauty.

Makeup brushes make for a perfect present to anyone who loves makeup and maybe would love to try some more luxurious brushes. Real Techniques Bold Metals collection is simply stunning. They are available exclusively to Boots in UK but are also available in most countries. The brushes are just gorgeous with Face Brushes in gold metal finish, finishing face brushes in rose gold metal finish and eye brushes in silver metal finish. You can buy a set of all brushes now for only £50 through Boots website  (Christmas promo - until the stock lasts) or buy them separately. The bristles are super soft and the handles made to perfection in the most gorgeous finishes I've ever seen on the brush. They wash well, dry quickly and don't stain or shed. Yes, they are bit more expensive than your standard RT brushes, but in my opinion well worth the price. (Here shown Face Powder and Blush Brush)



Perfume is a safe gift option and as long as you know a person and their scent preferences they make for a perfect gift. I've been loving Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb a lot lately. It's not the cheapest scent out there, in fact it can get quite pricey, but the scent is super feminine, sweet and sexy and lingers on for hours! It's a more of a luxury scent and it'll make a perfect gift to a girl/woman who loves the sweet, heavy musky scents. The prices start from £50.00 for 30ml.

Candles make for a great present. I love candles, especially at winter. Yankee Candles are great, medium priced candles in a variety of scents. You can get holiday collection scents, like Christmas Cookie shown here, or go for generic scents. I love YC. I think they are reasonably prices, they look lovely and the scents does linger in my house for a while after the candle's blown out. You can get them in different sizes too and the prices for large start from £24.99.

Lastly I'd like to talk to you about a present that causes mixed reaction from the crowds. Talking here about store vouchers. People either love them or hate them. I personally don't mind the vouchers, as they give me an ability to choose a present for myself and who knows my tastes and obsessions better than me? You can put any amount of the voucher too, so it makes for diverse price points. I'll be getting some vouchers too to my mom this Christmas so she can shop for herself. 

What presents do you like to give and receive for Christmas? Is it beauty/lifestyle or maybe home products? I'd love to know your preferences so shout at me in the comments below:)

Thank You For Reading,
Love

Dorota X

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Monday, 5 December 2016

NOVEMBER BEAUTY EDIT FEAT. PETER THOMAS ROTH, PAI, ZOEVA, JEFFREE STAR & MORE


November was a month of skincare discoveries ands scaling down on makeup. I updated my skincare routine with few new favourites and went from full on daytime smokey to more delicate looks. It felt right to do so and I haven't felt that good about my daytime looks in what feels like forever. I'm still pretty ill, with headaches and anaemia currently winning, but by now I am used to fighting, so nothing will bring me down. Posts aren't published as often as I would like and I'm sorry about that. I can only do so much and try to still produce quality content, despite feeling less than optimal. Please bear with me my beauties. Today I am bringing you belated beauty faves of last month and I hope you'll enjoy this beauty editorial.


I've introduced a few new skincare bits into my routine and there are three gems I'd love to share with you today. If there's three items I cannot live without, they will be a cleanser, a mask and a great serum. 


New cleanser on my bathroom shelf is Pai Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser** (RPR £28.00 for 100ml). Pan Skincare represents what I love about natural skincare, the ingredients are sourced mostly organic and are put together so well, this cleanser will be suitable for the most allergy prone skin types. I have fairly sensitive skin, which is prone to redness and discomfort, this cleanser works great as a second cleanse for me. All you need is 2 pumps to refresh your skin, whilst keeping it hydrated and supple. Muslim cloth is included with purchase so you can remove your cleanser and add an exfoliating motion as well due to the fabric of the cloth. It's advised that you can also use it as makeup remover, but I didn't find it quite up to the scratch so I only ue it as a second cleanser. I use it together with my Konjac Sponge but you can also use it with Foreo Luna or any other electronic cleansing devices. Check out the full ingredients list below:

aqua, camellia sinensis seed oil*, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil*, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil*, cetearyl alcohol, vegetable glycerine*, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter* , cetearyl glucoside, rosa damascena (rose otto) oil*, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) oil*, lavandula officinalis (lavender) flower oil*, litsea cubeba fruit oil* - may chang oil, mixed tocopherols (natural vitamin e), sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium anisate, sodium levulinate, lactic acid, glyceryl stearate citrate *Certified Organic


New mask that's stolen my heart in the last few weeks is the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask** (RPR £30.00 for 150ml). It has come highly recommended by my fellow bloggers Nishi (POST) and Dagmara (POST), so I couldn't say no to trying this quite incredible mask. I honestly don't know what makes it so special, but using it once a week has transformed the texture of my skin. This is acid based mask with quite harsh exfoliation, yet it still works great on my sensitive skin. First you feel a slight burning sensation to your skin, which goes away 2-3 minutes in the treatment. You are to leave it on for up to 10 min but it's recommended to adjust the time based on your skin sensitivity. It's Triple Action Technology works great at deeply nourishing and clarifying the skin. Firstly natural pumpkin enzymes exfoliate to digest the dead surface skin cells whilst Alpha Hydroxy Acid works at peeling away dull complexion and revealing fresh and youthful you. Lastly the silver like crystals (used in salon microdermabrasion treatments) polish the skin revealing your best complexion appearance ever. The mask is gigantic and I have no idea if I'll ever be able to use it up, as you only need to apply the tiny amount to your skin. Once applied, make sure you wet your finger tips and massage the mask in for 30 seconds. This activates the crystals. Leave on for 3-7 mins depending on skin sensitivity. I recommend starting with 5 and building your tolerance with each treatment. Check out full ingredients list below:

Water/Aqua/Eau, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin), Aluminum Oxide, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Edta Edetate Discodium Dihydrate Usp, Methyl Eugenol, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate,Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol.


The Ordinary "Buffet" Multi Technology Peptide Serum (RPR £12.70 for 30ml) may be the best anti-aging serum on the market, yet it won't break the bank. Brought to us by Daciem, the company behind brands such as Hylamide or Niod. So how is it possible to offer advanced formulas at the price of two cocktails at Wetherspoons? The Ordinary creator claims to unleash its products on a beauty industry which charges us crazy amount of money for ingredients costing less than £0.50! Combine that with easy on the eye glass packaging and you find yourself shopping your arse off at The Ordinary website. The formula of 'Buffet' is packed with the active ingredients no one can pronounce and it just works. It's as simple as that. Funnily enough "Buffet' is their most expensive serum with others starting at just £4.90!!! It's a clear like thick gel that applies evenly and sinks in almost instantly, making it a great choice for both AM and PM skincare routines. I tend to use it in the morning alone and mixed with oily based serum in the evening for an extra hydration. Using it for 3 plus weeks, doesn't really give me a chance for a full review, but my skin looks good. It just does. Yes the lines are still there but something is changing. I am looking forward to using more serums from The Ordinary as you can combine them too, which is what the brand recommends doing. Please find the list of ingredients below:

Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Trehalose, Fructose, Glucose, Maltose, Urea, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

                              Check out Beauty Bay now for all your beauty needs*


Zoeva seems to be on a high again with two launches that completely overcame my makeup regime. Their Plaisir series (POST) finally updated with two new 'chocolate' palettes complete the collection started with my all time favourite Cocoa Blend. I had a hard time choosing which palette I prefer so I decided to include them both. Just because I love them both exactly the same. Blanc Fusion** (RPR £18.00)is a stunning daytime palette with neutral and warm tone shades being just so simple yet divine, it will change your fave morning eye makeup. I think it was a main reason behind my more subtle looks this month. Caramel Melange (RPR £18.00) just scream it colours with the variety of reds and red toned neutrals. This is a fantastic palette for those of you sporting blue/green and grey eyes. I love it as it brings out the best of my own eye colour and the shades are just stunning. I have a review on both palettes HERE, so check it out for swatches!


If you've been following me for a while you know I do a beauty swaps with a lovely girl from Poland, Dominika (check out her beauty Instagram HERE). This time I was able to get my hands on so many awesome products, but one has totally changed my bronzer game! I'm used to cool toned shades due to my complexion with pink tones so I am used to skipping warming bronzers. Finally there's one I can get around and it is Golden Rose Mineral Terracotta Powder in 04 (RPR £4.65 in Poland or £5.21 on Ebay). It gives the most beautiful flush of colour and I love using it on top of my cheekbones and on my forehead to add just a touch of colour to my complexion. It's not super pigmented, it has the smoothest satin finish I've ever seen plus it's so finely milled, you'lll fall in love with it instantly. I can't praise it enough! Modern classic packaging doesn't feel cheap at all and it became a staple in my day to day routine. I love using it with my new EcoTools Blending and Bronzing Brush 1305 (RPR £8.65) (POST) which is a brilliant duo fiber face brush. It's large enough to apply powder formulas in one swipe and great for bronzers, setting powders or even blush. I tried it with many, but now I stick to using it with my bronzers. Not the contour shades as it's slightly too big to be precise with it but brilliant to warm up the complexion. Super soft bristles, good quality handle and no shedding. I am surprised I haven't tried Eco Tools before!


My dry lips are always struggling come winter time, so I updated my routine with the best lip moisturiser on the market. Lanolips (RPR £10.99) isn't the cheapest lip treatment out there but honestly it is the best I've ever used. No Carmex or even Dr Lipp compare. It's thick oil gel formula makes for a superb overnight lip treatment or something to soothe your lips in between the lipstick top ups during the day. There's not much else to say, other than that it just works. Where other lip treatments work only if used non stop, Lanolips works ore thoroughly. It's the only one for me and I wouldn't change it for the world. 


I kept to nude when it comes to lipstick shades in November. Yes I wore an occasional vampy lip too, but nudes are such an easy every day look that it overcame my routine once more. I have lots of nude lipsticks but there were two that totally changed the game for me in November. Makeup Revolution Rose Gold Lipstick in Chauffeur (POST) (RPR £3.00) is the best there is when it comes to affordable satin finish lippies. I love the formula as it glides on the lips and doesn't dry them out plus the shade is just stunning. Cool tone nude light enough to be called nude for pale complexions. I highly recommend trying them out and if satin finish isn't on cards right now, MUR has released this shade in matte too (here). I didn't stray from liquid lippies either and my fave formula this autumn/winter is from one and only Jeffree Star. JS Velour Liquid Lipstick in Mannequin is a gorgeous slightly pink nude. This one's high coverage super matte finish that somehow doesn't dry out my lips. It stays on for a comfortable 4-8 hours, depending on food you eat etc. What I don't love is the scent of this particular shade, but thankfully it evaporates quickly. The shade is a true stunner and I found myself reaching for it constantly in the last few weeks. 




It wouldn't be November faves if I didn't mention Gilmore Girls Revival: A Year in the Life. I've loved Gilmore Girls and kinda grew up with Lory, so when Netflix has announced the sequel, I practically screamed with joy. On November 25th it premiered on Netflix and I actually passed on a Christmas Party to stay home and watch it - no judgement! I watched it with coffee because there's no other drink that can be enjoyed as much watching Lorelai! It made me laugh and cry, especially The Fall instalment which got me sobbing few minutes in and left me devastated. It's such a beautiful story od Mother and Daughter that I can totally relate to. If you haven't already - get yourself on to Netflix to relive Lorelai and Rory's life. Beautiful <3 Netflix subscription available HERE for only £8.99 a month.

That's it for my monthly beauty edit. I hope you found some inspiration in my picks. What did you love in November, I'm easy to be enabled so please let me know your absolute faves I shouldn't miss out on! Happy December my beauties!!!

Thank You For Reading,
Love

Dorota X

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