Clinique Anti-Blemish | Skincare

So I went in to Boots, as one does, in search of a new cleanser, and I was approached by one of those Clinique counter girls in their immaculate white coats. They asked me if I wanted to take a skin quiz and find out what Clinique recommends, and i thought " why not? "

It was really quick, about 2 minutes and basically asked me things like: what's your biggest concern for your skin? (acne blemishes) how often do you get blemishes? how does your skin feel in the morning/after a shower/ throughout the day? etc...

As I said, acne is one of my concerns for my skin, especially those red irritated spots and whiteheads. (I might do a post on the different types of breakouts) And so it only made sense for me to try the anti-blemish solutions. They actually have a 3 step-system but the "questionnaire" said that I don't actually need step 2, the toner/exfoliant. Anyway, enough rambling, this is what I bought on the recommendation of the "questionnaire"

This is the anti-blemish solution cleansing foam. £17.00 I have to say that I wasn't overly impressed with this. In fact, when I first started using this, I swear it made my skin more blemish-y but after about two weeks, my skin started to clear up and haven't had any major breakouts since. This is a nice foam that leaves the skin nice and clean. (this is step 1 in their 3 step system)

This is the anti-blemish solutions all over clearing treatment. £19.00

This is step 3 for this treatment and so, you're not supposed to put anything on top of this, but after using this and the other products day and night, my skin felt really dry and dehydrated. Under makeup, this takes all excess oil off my face and at night, makes sure that the skin stays clean and bacteria-free at night. This is okay, but I don't know if I'm going to purchase this again.

Clinical clearing gel £14.00

This is my top favourite from their range, even though, technically this is outside of the "3 step system" that I've not really been following anyway. The lady said that I should take some of this and put it all over my face to treat spots but also to prevent spots. This kind of stings my skin, so maybe just concentrate it on the forehead and nose and not the cheeks. I also use this in the mornings because it sits really well under makeup and does have that weird peeling texture that you get with other spot treatments. With this, I have noticed a definite difference and improvement in my skin and would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for spot treatments or prevention. 

I really want to try more Clinique products and I think their new skin-type questionnaire is genius so I suggest that you all try it. Just casually stroll into a Boots, and see what you end up buying.

Lots of Love,

Sophie

xxx

Monthly Thoughts #1

I've had a thought, many thoughts in fact, about my blog, where it's going and where I'm taking it. 

That is why I've introduced MONTHLY THOUGHTS to my blog. And these posts will happen at the start of each month, they may be a reflection of the last month, or an insight into the month to come. Either way, I feel that it's a way for me to express my thoughts and views and then, I welcome you to comment constructive criticisms, ideas or just endless friendliness which I have already received from the blogging community.

I've been blogging on and off for a while but only start blogging properly, consistently in April. It is now September, and I've learnt so much and I feel like my posts have evolved from those photo-less, black and white rambles to colourful, interesting posts that people like to read (or at least I hope)...

Another thing I wanted to address was that, when I took a short break in the summer (that consisted of about one week) I saw the amount of followers that I lost, even though i explained that I was going on holiday. I just felt that was shallow and unfair of those people because, I take pride in my blog posts and I am not going to force myself to write posts in a rush, just for the sake of publishing something. It doesn't work like that, not for me anyway, does anybody else feel this way?

Well, that's the end of this month's monthly thoughts. 

I just feel like this is a way of really connecting with people because, one cannot tell my thoughts and views through just my beauty reviews.

Love or hate this?

Lots of Love,

Sophie

xxx

Empties NO.2

Another empties post... my last one was a while ago so, here we are again, not too many but  I just like to keep you guys updated :)

PANTENE PRO-V SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
+recently loved this because doesn't harm hair
+keeps hair smooth/not frizzy
+nourishes hair and leaves it SO SOFT

LUSH IMPERIALIS MOISTURISER £12.95
+yes yes talked about it before but I've gone
though yet another tub
+just great all round moisturiser, suitable for
balancing combination/dry skin

BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX SERUM
FOUNDATION £9.99
+lightweight, great for summer
+light coverage but still evens out skin tone
+moisturising and dewy

BATISTE DRY SHAMPOO £2.99/200ml
+takes away excess shine
+great for adding volume
+makes hair easier to style
+smells AMAZING :)

Rimmel STAY MATTE POWDER £3.99
(I couldn't take a photo because all the writing had rubbed off so there was no point)
+takes away shine
+still looks natural/not cakey
+sets makeup well

Lots of Love
Sophie
xxx