My Morning Skincare Routine

I know so many guys and girls have problems with skin. Whether it's acne, sensitive skin or redness, many people suffer from these and as a result, confidence is the first thing to go. I've suffered from sensitive skin and redness in the cheeks pretty much ALL my life, so I've never known what it's like not to have it. Although at times, I look at other women with amazingly clear skin and envy their fast makeup regimes, I have tried pretty much most brands and products that have said they will cure it. No luck. Either my skin is the most sensitive skin in the world, or their products don't actually cater for sensitive skin, I can never find anything gentle that won't sting my face. But this year, I've found all my dream products, and from here, it only gets better!
Let me introduce you to my spot busting, redness remover and super sensitive skin products! 

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit cream wash - £4.94 Boots
Garnier BB Cream - £9.99
Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser - £15.00

This was one of my first ever face wash, and to be totally honest, it wasn't the wash that drew me to it - it was the colour (I was 16 and that's really what I used to look for in those days). No days, I'm more into using products that feel like they're working. This cream wash works best when in the shower. If you smooth a layer over your face after a few minutes in the shower, you will feel this tingling your face. As I'm prone to sensitive skin, I was worried at first that this would sting my face, it doesn't at all.. It feels like it's opening and cleaning your pores.
I use this daily in the shower, and I've definitely had better skin since first using it. It has reduced my greasy T-zone to a slight shine - nothing some powder can't sort out - and it's also minimised my spots and breakouts.
I even bought this for my boyfriend because I love it so much, and he has seen a difference in his skin too - and so have I.
For best results: Use scrubbing mittens to wash it off after a few minutes in the shower.

This product was released about a month or two ago, and I first heard about it from ramz and the flock when Garnier were sending out 3 samples to the first couple thousand who signed up to try out this new cream. BB Cream, also known as blemish balm, is supposed to even out skin tone, create a smooth application for foundation, defend against UV rays with an SPF of 15 and to hydrate the skin all day. When I first used the testers, I fell in love. My foundation would look a lot more natural and it would stay put (even more so) after using it. I even gave my mum one of the samples to get her into it.
This product squeezes out into a thick lump of foundation-looking mush, but then glides onto my face into a conditioning, light paste which DOES calm my red cheeks down! Absolutely love this product, and will be repurchasing over and over.
 Only thing I will suggest is to buy the correct skin tone for you. I think there's two or three shades and I accidentally only thought there was one, so I picked up a medium instead of a light urghhh..

I'd always known I had naturally red cheeks, even when I was 1 years old. I've never known what it's like to have just one shade on your face, never. Although I really doubt I'll ever find that one product that will illiminate this skin problem, this one settles it down. I use this at night usually when I'm taking off my makeup and in the morning, my skin is pretty much one-tone but with my skin being so sensitive, this doesn't last long as any slight movement on my face, will bring my cheeks up again. Using it in the morning doesn't seem to work, unless I had an hour to spare, because it doesn't sink into my skin until an hour where I can see a difference.
It's an amazing product, and cleans my face without irritation. It's more of a cleanser for really sensitive skin than a redness solution, but oh well.. it still works!
Apply a small amount (roughly a 5 pence piece) into your hand and rub over face. Use a cottle wool pad to remove. I usually take MOST of my makeup off with another cleanser or makeup remover THEN apply this.

REVIEW: MAC Christmas Special Edition Brushes

For a while now, I've needed a good makeup brush. Not just a something that will help me apply my makeup - I already have roughly 4 foundation Brushes - but a "GOOD" makeup brush. My first ever brush purchase was from Body Shop: A Foundation brush and a Blusher brush. I didn't really know there were so many different brushes and types - but luckily chose well the first time.
I've been shopping at MAC for a few months now and love it. Although I've had to take back a foundation, everything else is great. I made the decision to splash out (I say splash out but I currently have little money in my account - so this WAS a splurge) on the Special Edition Christmas Brush Set. I was planning on buying a Blusher Brush and a Foundation Brush and the woman suggested I buy the set because the other three brushes came with the two. BARGAIN. It came to £31.30 (the brushes and a makeup bag included) in the end which I thought was a great deal - and for such gorgeous looking brushes.. WHY NOT?

Blusher Brush: 129 SE
It's a bit of a disappointment for my first ever purchase of an expensive brush and is very bristly and scratches my skin slightly rather than smoothing on my powder and blusher/bronzer. Although I've only used it once, I definitely won't be using it again.. It was of such bad quality (in my opinion) that the individual strands of hair (or whatever crap it's made from) would actually brush off onto my face, leaving me with having to pick strands off my face. It just doesn't meet to my expectations of a good Blusher Brush - Sorry MAC.
Foundation Brush:190 SE
This is by FARRRR my favourite Foundation Brush I've used to date. It's soft and thick - everything a Brush fanatic could wish for. I haven't found a down side to this brush yet - but I am looking. The only think I'm worrying about it getting round to cleaning it. I hate the first time you wash a brush and dread to think that the glue is unsticking!
Eyeshadow Brush:275 SE
I never normally wear eyeshadow, purely because it over-powers my face and it takes up even more of my time in the morning. But TODAAYY... I obviously had to try it out. This brush is made from the same hair type as the Foundation brush so it's silky smooth to touch and glides effortlessly over my eyeshadow pallet and onto my eyelid. FAB! There's not much more I can say, because I never use Eyeshadow that much.. (Maybe I should?)
Concealer Brush: 266 SE
Again, I never use Concealer, let alone Concealer Brushes, but it was one of those purchases where you think "maybe one day I'll start using concealer and I'll be forever greatful that I bought that Special Edition Brush Kit." Or.. Not.. Anyway, haven't used this yet, and doubt I will for a while. I just wanted to ramble on about not using Concealer ... (Another 'Maybe I should' moment)
Eyebrow Brush:226 SE
OK OK, this is SOO ME! I live for Eyebrows... They're my favourite feature on most faces (weird, I know) next to Eyes (saved myself).. I think they define a persons whole face and it really frustrates me when I see over-plucked eyebrows. I think we've all gone through that stage. I know I did. URGH absolute disaster = eyebrows + razor. I've learnt by mistakes.
This brush will come in SO handy as I've just received an Eyebrow kit (Benefit, if you must know) and the brush that came with it is just not flexible enough. OMG can't wait to use!!

Link to the Brushes kit here