Boots Botanics Skincare Top Picks

Recently I have rediscovered one of my favourite budget skincare brands. The Botanics range from Boots has 180 products in their line and all are made by combining the latest skincare technology with all natural plant extracts. 

Collabrating with the UKs central science laboratory to assess its raw materials portfolio for beauty products, they have helped identify the impact of chemical ingredients on water and land based eco systems and have eliminated the risky ingredients- creating a pretty great eco-friendly skincare line! 

They have also worked alongside The Royal Botanic Gardens 'Kew,' to understand how best to source vital plant extracts! Now the background info is done, here are my top 3 favourite products from this line that i've been using for the past 3 months!

First up;

Purifying Face Scrub: All Bright

£3.99 (currently on offer for £1.99)

This is a really gently face scrub that contains refining walnut shell, to help buff away flaky skin while crushed apricot seeds help gently sweep away impurities. It also contains hibiscus, which is nature's brightness booster while natural AHAs help leave skin smoother and brighter. I use this at least twice a week after cleansing and I have definately noticed my skin looks much brighter and even after using this little gem! 

Hydration Burst: 3 in 1 Micellar Water

£4.99 (currently on offer for £2.49)

This is a recent addition to the Botanics skincare line, just in time for Winter! I use this every morning and have been really enjoying it, it is a gentle Micellar water for dehydrated and sensitive skin. It effectively removes makeup and impurities while the active plant extract Clary Sage, is rich in flavoniods that are well known to hydrate and soothe your skin. 

Microdermabrasion Polish: Radiant Youth

£7.99 (currently on offer for £5.33)

As someone that suffers from the occasionly bout of acne, I like to use this polish after it clears up, to help improve my skins texture and get it back too looking more refined. This intensive micro polishing treatment helps encourage cell renewal for younger looking, more radiant complexion. It helps banish dullness and refines pores. Ginkgo is the natural plant extract in this polish, it is one of natures most trusted protectors. Environmental stresses can cause free radicals that degrade collagen and elastin, which give skin its youthful structure while the Ginkgo leaves help protect from this damage helping your skin look younger for longer. I use this once a week as it is a pretty heavy duty product, definately worth checking out if you are interested in microdermabrasion!

Have you tried anything from Boots Botanics line before? 

Carly x

August Favourites

Bye August, hello September! 

Here are a few things I have been loving in August...

Paddywax 'Tobacco & Patchouli' candle

Ugh, this smells great! I've held of burning this little travel candle as I think it will be the perfect scent for cold autumnal nights- I can't wait!

Lush's 'Vanillary' perfume

If you've ever smelt Lushs Vanilla Dee-Lite body lotion, this is the perfume version. I do love a good vanilla scent when it comes to perfumes and this really packs a punch when it comes to giving you a dose of vanilla goodness!

No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in Soft Earth

This has been my go to lipstick this month, it's the perfect everyday colour. It is great for an effortless pop of colour, nothing to dramatic for wearing during the day.

Heeled boots from Boohoo.com

These boots where an absolute steal at £12! I have been wearing them a lot this month as the summer here hasn't been...well...summery at all! They go great with every outfit and are super comfortable to walk in. This will definately be a staple for the coming months!

What have you been loving this month?

Carly x

Updated Skin-Care Routine

Hi Folks! I hope you are all having a lovely Sunday! 

Today's post will be update on my current skin-care routine, I did a previous post about what I was using in February and only one product has stayed the same which is the cleanser which I use (Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish) so I thought it was about time I did an update! I am avid skin-care lover and love to try out new products, however I think I may have discovered my dream team of products that I have been using religiously the past few months.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

This has become a staple in my morning routine, it is just so quick and easy to use if you are in a rush to get up and out too work. I also like to use it before cleansing in the evening, if i'm wearing more makeup that day to ensure i'm getting rid of absolutely all the products i've slapped on! It doesn't irritate my skin or leave it feeling dry and tight,  it's true to its word of being gentle enough to use on sensitive skin. I have used the Simple micellar water before and am happy enough to swap between that and the Garnier one- I find they both do an equally good job of what they are supposed to do!

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish: Hot Cloth Cleanser

I have already spoke about this in my past skincare routine, but it has become an absolute staple for me. I religiously use this every evening, even if i've had a makeup free day. It's so relaxing and feels incredibly pampering on the skin. After having a bad bout of hormonal acne a year or two ago, this cleanser was recommended to me and helped clear it up (along side an acne cream treatment prescribed by the doctor) I have continued in using this cleanser as i've been cautious in using anything else. However, I think i'm ready to explore alternate cream cleanser. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Body Shops Vitamin E Hydrating Toner

I picked this up a few months ago when The Body Shop where having  a crazy online sale and had ran out of my Liz Earle Toner. I really enjoy using this toner and is great for dehydrated/dry skin, the consistency is different from any other toners I have used in the past, it has a slightly thicker texture which gives your skin the feeling of a moisture boost when applied. It is lightly scented and has added vitamin E which is great to help even out your skin tone and help reduce the appearance of scarring. I use this in the evening after cleansing. 

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser  (dry/sensitive skin)

I got this moisteriser a while ago and completely forgot I had it until my much loved Celestial Moisturiser from Lush ran out. They both have the exact same thick luxurious texture which I look for in moisturisers, however I think I may prefer the Liz Earle Skin Repair now I have been using it for a few weeks, it seems to hydrate my skin a lot better and sinks in a lot quicker than Lush's Celestial. It is rich in natural actives like borage oil (a rich source of essential fatty acid GLA) and natural antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin E to replace lost moisture and help protect against dryness. I highly recommend this if you are after a hydrating moisturiser!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+]

After reading some reviews online about this miracle product for troubled skin, I thought I would give it a go and I haven't been disappointed. I am now on my second tube of this stuff and it has become a holy grail product in my evening skin-care routine. I apply this after my toner and leave to sink in (for about 30 minutes) before I apply moisturiser and facial oil. This is an anti-blemish cream, specifically formulated to target the key signs of blemish-prone skin. It helps unclog pores and refines skins texture and is suitable for sensitive skin. There has definitely been a reduction in the amount of breakouts I get and my skin tone is looking more even after using this every night for a couple of months. It is a hydrating enough formula toskip moisturiser altogether after applying this. 

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil

I have done a previous post about his face treatment oil so I'll just briefly tell you why I'm currently loving this. I use 3/4 drops of this in my evening routine after my moisturiser, it does a wonderful job of giving my skin an extra boost of hydration before bed and have noticed my skin looking more healthy and refreshed in the morning. Also, the smell of this oil makes it a step I look forward to in the evening, think patchouli and all things spa! It also has added hazelnut oil which helps prevent fine lines from appearing which I suppose in my late 20's is something I should start factoring into my skin-care routine. 

Boots Botanics Radiant Youth Microdermabrasion Polish

I picked this up on a bit of a whim in Boots a few months ago and have been using it once a week ever since. I only use this once a week as i'd find it a bit too harsh to use anymore than that as it's a pretty intense method of exfoliating your face. This is a micro polishing treatment which encourages cell renewal for younger looking, more radiant complexion. After I use this I find my skin does feel a whole lot smoother and soft and leaves a subtle glow. The first time I used this it felt very abrasive on my skin but after a few more uses it does feel a lot more comfortable. I found this has helped reduce the appearance of any scarring left from previous blemishes. Also, it is on offer at the minute for £5 in Boots, may have to stock up! :)

What are your favourite skin-care products?

Carly x