The Skincare I'm Loving Recently

Anyone else been using this lockdown situation to really just take the time to look after ourselves more? Self-care is so important and is definitely something I have learned more of throughout this self-isolation.

Over the last month or so my skin has really changed for the better - which is surprising considering the number of homemade scones and cakes I've been gobbling away. 

Perhaps the lack of makeup really does make a difference!

I thought I'd share what current skincare products I am religiously using at the moment that has really helped my skin during this lockdown.

Pixi Rose Tonic Toner

Rose waters have been a lifesaver for my skin recently, one thing I seem to get is constant lingering redness after a spot has been and gone. This toner just really helps minimise redness and calm my skin down without aggravating it. I like to use this every other morning once I've cleansed my skin as it's quite refreshing and helps wake my skin up!

Origins Out of Trouble Face Mask

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you will know how much I love Origins skincare, especially as a teenager, it really helped with my breakouts. The Out of Trouble Mask is definitely one of my favourite face masks for when my skin breaks out. This contains both, Glycerin and Salicylic Acid, both of which are amazing for restoring skin balance and reducing redness/swelling from spots. I like to use this when I have any angry spots that just need to calm the freak down and it helps do that.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% & Zinc 1%

I love this stuff! It is so inexpensive, £5.00 - my bus fare costs more than that! I have gone through so many bottles of this stuff over the years and it has remained in my skincare routine throughout. I find this really good for reducing breakouts, redness, and scarring so I like to apply this all over my skin as an overnight treatment. My skin looks a lot less irritated the next day and much smoother. I highly recommend this, it has completely changed the appearance of my skin over the years.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Anytime you Google gentle skin exfoliators this never fails to pop up, for years I put off buying this because of how extortionate it is. However, the beloved ASOS had this on offer in a set so I decided to finally give it a go and my goodness it is worth the bestseller label. This is so gentle on the skin that you could use it every day if you wanted to, I like to use this twice a week. It helps brighten my skin and balances out any uneven skin tone, whilst keeping my skin smooth. It is honestly an amazing product and a little goes a long way!

Ole Henriksen Walnut Scrub

I have also been enjoying the Ole Henriksen exfoliating scrub, I probably only use this once a week, but when I do use it my skin feels super soft and looks like I've drunk 2 litres of water - so good! I am always hesitant with bead scrubs just encase my skin has a bad reaction, but with this it never does. It's so refreshing and gentle on my skin I love how it makes my skin look and feel.

What skincare products are you loving during lockdown??

51 Things To Declutter

Decluttering your house is such a good way to not only give your mind clarity and balance but, also a great way to use your time wisely during the current situation we are all facing.

Tidy house, tidy mind, right?

Here is a list of 51 things worth tossing out now!

1. Out of date makeup
There is usually a little tub on the back of products with a '12m' sign.

2. Out of date skin products

3. Products only used once or dried up
Bye St Moritz Mousse

4. Makeup that isn't your shade
I said goodbye to so many Barbie pink lipsticks that don't suit me!

5. Old, dirty muslin cloths

6. Perfume bottles that have a drop left

7. Nail polish that has gone a funny colour

8. Clothes that have stains or holes in them
Soooo many pairs of socks and tights

9. Clothes that have been worn once and never again in more than 6 months

10. Clothes that don't fit anymore
More excuse to buy new ones right?

11. Clothes that make you go: what the f**k??
Yeah, I am talking about you T-shirt with a smiley pizza face

12. Bras that have wiring sticking out

13. Bras that have passed their sell by date
I'm talking ones that have lost their colour, shape etc.

14. Old bedding

15. Towels with holes in them

16. Books you've never read before

17. Books you won't read again
Bye my teenage favourite Twilight Saga books

18. Old magazines

19. Old letters, appointments

20. Letters with important details on that you can find elsewhere

21. Old Christmas, birthday cards

22. Old receipts

23. Out of date food
You'd think I was preparing for an apocalypse with the number of tinned soups I had

24. Out of date tea or coffee

25. Cracked, chipped mugs

26. Dead house plants

27. Notebooks that have been used once and replaced

28. Pens that don't work

29. Notebooks that have/will never get used
So many marble notebooks

30. Earrings without a partner

31. Jewellery that has lost its colour

32. Watches that don't work anymore

33. Chargers for old phones

34. Old phones
I managed to sell my old Samsung Galaxy online and made a bit of money from it!

35. DVDs that haven't been watched

36. DVDs you can watch on Netflix

37. Games that never get touched

38. Boxes from electronics

39. Excess coat hangers

40. Wrapping paper scraps

41. Candles that have burnt out

42. Worn out hair bobbles
I am still working on this one.

43. Social media that you never use

44. Unsubscribe to emails you don't ever read

45. Spam/junk folder
So many emails offering me Viagra...

46. Blurred photos

47. Reward/store cards you never use
A library card? Really, Katie?

48. Old apps from your phone, you never open

49. Delete old contacts or texts

50. People who make you feel unhappy, anxious or doubtful

51. Negativity

What things on this list are you going to declutter??

My Top Beauty Amazon Finds

At one point, Amazon was the website you’d go on to order the latest Kindle books, affordable phone cases, or dozens of Yankee Candles for half their price tag. Never would I imagine it would be one of the places I rummage through to find the best beauty bargains.

I am a long time fan of Amazon (especially Prime, oh thank goodness for Prime) and have been since 2011, where I would purchase second hand copies of the classic, Wuthering Heights and The Bell Jar for school.

Have you ever thought to browse Amazon for beauty products? Because of their beauty selection, I have discovered new products that I swear by and religiously repurchase for a less price.

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Here are a few of my favourite beauty finds from Amazon that I would recommend:

Etude House Beauty Face Blur (link)

I originally saw this product recommended under the Korean skincare section, it is highly rated for giving you that 'blurred' makeup finish whilst minimizing your pores, which I am here for. I was a bit apprehensive at first, with this being a more of a creamy texture and a brand I am unfamiliar with, but I’d go as far as to say this is one of the best, inexpensive primers I have ever tried. Whenever I use this primer, my makeup will last much longer without the need of touching up. I also find it doesn't break my skin out or bank account, which is why I have repurchased this and kept it in my makeup routine.

Tony Moly Egg Pore Blackhead Steam Balm

Sticking with the Korean skincare, Tony Moly is one of my favourite skincare brands to buy on Amazon. This product is a self-heating, blackhead removal treatment, designed to mimic the cleansing action of steam. This unique mask is perfect for giving your skin that extra moisture as well as help surface any pesky blackheads. I love using this mask; it almost feels like you are in a spa having a facial with the self-heating effect as it's so relaxing.

Moroccan Oil (link)

When Moroccan Oil was first hyped about on social media it was so hard to get a hold of, however, luckily Amazon was on the ball. I have loved/used this hair oil for years, I think it's fair to say, as I have mentioned numerous times about it on my blog. I always reach for this hair oil in the summer, especially if I want to achieve healthy-looking beach waves. This oil helps keep my hair in good condition, which I think you need especially in the summer. It also gives my hair a gorgeous shine which looks amazing with beach waves on a sunny holiday. Definitely my favourite oil for keeping my hair in amazing condition and something I'd recommend to anyone with damaged hair.

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream (link)

This cream is amazing and can be used for everything: chapped lips, dry knees, elbows, hands and even brows. I pop this on just before bed all over my lips and let the 8-hour magic happen. I also like carrying this in my bag with me to use before the gym to keep my lips hydrated throughout. I highly recommend this multi-use product and I am yet to come across a better balm for dry lips.

Ren Clearcalm Replenishing Gel (link)

This stuff is great if you suffer with blemishes or imperfections. I use this quite regularly as a moisturiser, before I apply my makeup if I know I'm going to be on my feet all day. This really helps with calming down the appearance of blemishes, as well as reducing the redness. I have purchased numerous bottles of this stuff since I first bought it off Amazon and can honestly say it has worked wonders on my skin.

Rose Quartz Face Roller (link)

Face rollers are amazing for helping with reducing puffiness, increasing blood flow and flushing out bad toxins in your skin. I purchased mine off Amazon for a much less of a price and although I can't compare it to an expensive one, it does exactly what it said it does. I keep mine in the fridge and use it whenever my skin is in need of some extra TLC. I can honestly say these are amazing and something I will continue to use to keep my skin in the best condition as possible.

What is your No1 beauty find off Amazon??

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A Skincare Detox

New Year, rubbish skin?

I think I speak for most when I say January is a lethargic month that just needs to hurry up and end. So, you've already broken your New Year resolutions, the Christmas decorations are tucked back in the attic, the days are short and dark, oh, and all the good Quality Streets are gone. 

Could this month get any worse? Oh, yeah, your skin is taking a hit from all those shortbread biscuits you’ve had over the Christmas – well, at least mine has.

As much as I hate, that Christmas is over, my skin has been in need of some extra-TLC. So I have decided to ditch the chocolate and use this month to give my skin a bit of a detox that it very much craves.

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Here are my top tips on giving your face a skincare detox:

Facial Steaming - once a week

I can't put into words how much I love steaming my face, it's such a simple but fundamental step to include in your routine that really benefits your skin. It cleanses your pores, eliminates toxins, it allows your skin to be more receptive to other treatments, it enhances circulation and many other amazing benefits. I have been using this technique every Sunday evening and can definitely see a difference in my skin, especially when it comes to applying products afterwards, my skin is much more receptive towards products and the overall appearance of my skin has improved so much. Plus using a steamer is great for relaxing and winding down, especially if you are feeling stressed!

Double Cleansing - Daily

For some time, double cleansing just seemed like an unnecessary, time-consuming step to my skincare routine that I didn't really need. It's only within the past year I have incorporated this into my daily routine that I can see what everybody is talking about. On a day-to-day basis, I go in with the Dermalogica Pre Cleansing Oil to remove the bulk of my makeup, followed with either Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser if my skin is having a good day or Dermalogica Clay Cleanser if my skin is in dire need of something more targeted towards my spots/redness. I tend to only double cleanse if I have been wearing makeup all day, otherwise I will just use one cleanser. But using two, has definitely helped with keeping my skin in good condition and reduced gaining pesky spots after wearing makeup all day.

Face Masks - Twice a week

I personally love a good face mask, I actually sometimes will use a mask just after I have steamed my skin as part of a good pamper evening. I tend to use face masks targeted towards my skin type (oily, spot-prone), so any face masks with salicylic acid or have a clay-like texture, I am here for. A personal favourite at the moment, is the Blue Clay mask by Herbivore, this is a spot treatment mask formulated to help reduce existing spots while detoxifying the skin. I try to use a face mask twice a week to help treat any pesky breakouts or redness my skin tends to get, which definitely has helped with my complexion.

Face Sprays - Every evening

I don't know if this is a subconscious thing, but, spraying my face with a facial spray after a shower really helps my skin's overall appearance. I recently invested in a beauty fridge (more on that in another post!), so I keep all my face sprays in there and once I've jumped out of the shower or bath, I like to spray either the Herbivore Rose Hibiscus or Mario Badescu Spray with aloe cucumber and green tea. Both of which have reduced inflammatory ingredients in, which is why I like to use them to help calm down any redness and keep my skin feeling hydrated.

Facial Jade Roller - Every other day

Face rollers are great for helping with under eye circles, puffiness on the skin, wrinkles and helping absorb products more easily into the skin. The internet has described these little beauty tools as 'food for the skin'. I keep my roller in the fridge for extra de-puffiness, but these are great for your skin and have so many benefits to them. I like to use mine just when I'm watching Netflix or something for 10 minutes as it requires minimal effort and really helps with any puffiness my face has. Plus, I am not getting any younger, so if something as simple as this is going to help with wrinkles - I am totally on board!

What is your ultimate detox tip for your skin??

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What I've Watched On Netflix Recently

If you've been reading my blog for a while now you most likely will know of my crazy addiction to writing about beauty, travel, food and obliging how-to-guides. If we put all of that on hiatus, another much-loved hobby I enjoy getting into a deep discussion about is documentaries, true-crime, serial killers and the occasional thriller - I promise I am normal, I just like twisted, sinister things to watch. 

Please say I'm not alone??

Anyway's I am going off topic, as usual, I decided this year to start talking more about what I have been watching/reading recently on my little blog as it is something I enjoy talking about I'd say, 60% of the time. It means I now no longer have to bore my friends and poor boyfriend with my fascinations and long conversations.

So to kick this off I decided to share What I've Watched On Netflix Recently because there has been a fair few series I have binged over the New Year and I decided to rate them out of 10.

01.  YOU

What would you do for love? Bookstore manager Joe meets graduate student and aspiring writer Beck at his bookstore and falls in love at first sight. Joe becomes obsessed with her and stops at nothing in getting rid of the obstacles that keep her from loving him.

Long story short I loved this series, I think I binged watched it within a few days and could not stop recommending it to friends. It's very twisted and creepy, but also incredibly entertaining, a lot of 'on the edge your seat' moments. They have confirmed a series 2 as well!

9/10 (would have been 10 if Beck invested in curtains)

02.  FYRE - The Greatest Party That Never Happened

Behind the scenes documentary on the infamous unravelling of the Fyre Music Festival, created by millionaire Billy McFarland. Fyre was promoted as a luxury music festival on a private island in the Bahamas featuring supermodels, A-List artists and posh amenities...or so they thought.

I went through so many emotions when I watched this documentary, at first I didn't think I would enjoy it, but when the story unravelled I was hooked. It's a well researched and descriptive documentary that's interesting to see how so many smart people can get pulled into an egomaniac situation.

8/10

03.  Black Mirror Bandersnatch

A young programmer begins to question reality as he adapts a sprawling fantasy novel into a video game soon face a mind-mangling challenge. You control what happens next.

I loved the concept of being able to control how the plot unravels for the protagonist, but for me, it didn't work. I like to 'Netflix & Chill' so to speak, not Netflix & constantly press choices to decide the characters' fate. It felt more like a story-telling game than a Netflix episode and it did become irritating having to rewatch certain clips if your choices weren't correct.

6/10 (Loved the concept, but wasn't for me)

04. Abducted in Plain Sight

On October 17, 1974, 12-year-old Jan Broberg was kidnapped by her next-door neighbour and parents' best friend. This is a documentary about the true story of the Brobergs and what happens to their 12-year-old daughter.

I love documentaries that stick in your mind for a long time and Abducted in Plain Sight definitely does just that. This was so unlike any other cases I have watched before and it was incredibly twisted and irritating as hell. If you haven't heard about this I suggest you look it up before you do so as it's disturbing to watch.

8/10 (Uncomfortable to watch at times, but explained really well)

05. Conversations with A Killer: The Ted Bundy's Tapes

A four-part series documentary of one of the notorious serial killers; Ted Bundy. Convicted of killing over 30 women before being caught in 1978. Audio and archival footage of Bundy whilst on death row to provide the unique perspective of hearing the killer analyse his own life and motives

I personally loved this docu-series and the way it was put together, being able to get into the mindset of Bundy and watch how he manipulated so many people and delayed his death sentence. I found him fascinating to watch and it opened my eyes to how a killer could even be your charming, handsome neighbour. I mean, I hope it's not but you catch my drift...

10/10

Have you watched any of the above??