BENEFIT SKINCARE

I've been playing with skincare for about a year now, and I've been breaking out continuously for the past four months - something I absolutely hate, just like everyone else. I've tried the Simple face washes - the foaming cleanser, and the moisturising face wash and they definitely weren't doing it for me. I've always wanted to try the Benefit skincare range - I knew that their cosmetics range was amazing, I was hoping that their skincare range would be the same.

I decided to buy a set of minis - there was no way I was paying the hefty price tags of the full size range if it wasn't going to work for me. The skincare set I bought consists of six pieces, all in miniature:

• Triple Performance Facial Emulsion SPF 
• Moisture Prep Toning Lotion
• Foamingly Clean Facial Wash
• Refined Finish Facial Polish
• Total Moisture Facial Cream
• It’s Potent Eye Cream

I started using the skincare range after two weeks of no make-up as a way of trying to clear my skin. I found that after these two weeks, my skin had definitely cleared significantly however I wanted to keep it clear and begin a skincare routine that admittedly, I should have started years ago.

I begin by wetting my face, usually with a wet face cloth as I have a weird complex about getting water in my eyes.. I start with a small amount (especially as I'm limited due to having travel sizes of the products) of the Foamingly Clean Facial Wash and gently rub this into my face, avoiding my eyes. Once I've distributed the product across my face, I wet my hands and use them to create much more of a later. I love the smell of the product, and straight away after this step I automatically feel much more 'clean' and fresh. When I'm done, I rinse my face with a wet face cloth.

My next step is always the Refined Finish Facial Polish which is a gentle exfoliant with small exfoliating beads that are massaged into the skin - again I wet my hands and begin to really work this into the skin. I feel as though this really helps to clear my pores and prevent any further breakouts and de-clog my skin. Again, I rinse my face with a wet face cloth before patting dry.

I've used a toner before, and if I remember rightly it was a No7 toner that I found amongst my Mums make-up collection. I loved the feel of that on my skin so I knew that I would love the Moisture Prep Toning Lotion. I apply a small amount of this onto a cotton pad and dab onto my t-zone, cheeks and chin. I use the cotton pad to work this into the skin - it's quite sticky compared to previous toners that I have used but I feel it works amazingly.

I could stop there.. But I've been feeling adventurous..

The Triple Performance Facial Emulsion is a facial moisturiser with SPF, however I only use this on days where I leave the house with no make-up on.. I know a skincare regime is supposed to be good, however I don't really want to use too many products on my skin. I've only used this product once and it kept my skin moisturised without feeling too cakey or sticky. I have however used the Total Moisture Facial Cream and I absolutely love it! I feel that a little really does go a very long way with this product. I apply this after toner, it smells gorgeous and leaves my skin feeling silky smooth!

My final step, and something I've never used before is an eye cream. The It's Potent Eye Cream is a winner - although I'm not noticing a huge difference, I'm sure there will be a difference in the long run. The only thing I've found, to my dismay and my boyfriends amusement, is that it really stings when you get it in your eye!! I love the feeling it leaves after it's applied, it leaves my skin smooth and hydrated, and there's no wrinkles just yet ;-) what more could you want!

I'm not sure whether it's the combination of all six products, or the distinct change in skincare that I've been using, but regardless of what I'm doing differently, my skin is definitely loving it!

Have you tried the Benefit skincare range? What did you think?

A MAC-MADE IN HEAVEN

I actually have no idea how I've lived my make-up loving life for so long without using a single MAC product, but within the space a month I've purchased three - and surprise, surprise, not a single lipstick in sight.

My best friend dragged me to my nearest MAC counter so that I could get matched for a foundation. I've been using the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation for ages and decided it was time for a change. I have normal skin however I rarely get dry patches and frequently break out when I don't have my skin under control. I decided on the Studio Fix Fluid foundation which has an SPF of 15. It's a medium-heavy coverage and is extremely buildable, something that I love. I love to be able to build my coverage depending on where I'm going or how long I'm going to need my make-up on for.   I love the finish it gives, and contrary to popular belief, I love the smell of this foundation. I use a Real Techniques expert face brush to lightly buff this into the skin. I tend to use around two small pumps of this to give the best, most even and natural coverage.

More recently I decided that I wanted a concealer and powder to go alongside the foundation - so I went to a completely different counter and asked for their advice. I actually went along on a naked face day so I couldn't compare the products against the foundation on my skin, however when the assistant tried the concealer on my bare skin I was pleasantly surprised. It's amazing what a little bit of concealer can do! I chose the MAC Mineralize Concealer, it applied so well- although it's not very buildable, a light amount of this concealer gives very high coverage. I use the brush that comes with the concealer to apply a small amount under my eyes and on any areas that I want to highlight or conceal, and then use a damp beauty blender to pat this into the skin. I then set the concealer with powder.

I love to set my foundation with a powder - more often than not I'm wearing make-up for long periods of time such as days out, events or shifts at work so I like to be able to set it. My absolute favourite drugstore powder is the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder but I wanted a more high end alternative. The assistant used the Select Sheer Cover Pressed Powder, and although I was only wearing the concealer beforehand, it really made a difference. It's a light powder that really allows your skin to breathe and doesn't feel particularly heavy on the skin or make you look overly cakey. I use a Real Techniques multi-task brush to apply the powder all over my face, however if I am using the powder to set concealer I'll use a Real Techniques setting brush (Can we tell that I like Real Techniques brushes yet? ;-) )

When these three products are combined, I really feel as though I have a flawless base to work with - I absolutely love the finish of these products. I can't believe I'd gone so long without ever using a MAC product and now that I've really started to build my kit it's definitely a necessity.

What are your favourite MAC products?

BENEFIT THEY'RE REAL MASCARA

Since the launch of Benefit's They're Real mascara, I've been eager to try it but as a student, I'd never been able to justify it's £19.50 price tag. It might not be a lot of money, but realistically almost £20 for a mascara is pretty hefty! So when ASOS had 25% student discount I took this opportunity to purchase it! As an ASOS premier account holder, I didn't need to wait long as it arrived the next day, which was good as I am the most impatient person when it comes to waiting for parcels to arrive.

 The first thing I noticed was the packaging - it seemed to be a smaller, sleeker mascara than my others - making me consider whether I'd purchased a smaller version than usual - however after doing some research I'm assured that I had purchased a full size. I used it straight away - only applying to one eye at first so that I was able to see the difference. The difference was phenomenal - I have quite long, full eyelashes anyway but after a good curl and a generous coating of this mascara you can see a massive difference.

The mascara itself applied perfectly - it's a very, very intense black. I found that when applied carefully and with precision, it really does work wonders! It's very buildable, however if you try to give your lashes another coat once it's dry, it can create quite a spidery lash effect.

The mascara wand is thick, with plastic bristles, but the best thing about it is definitely the fact that the wand coats 97% of your lashes at once! I've never, ever come across a wand like it. The best thing about the wand is that there is a small set of bristles on the tip of the brush, making it perfect for those shorter, more difficult to reach lashes.

If you're thinking of branching away from the drugstore for a mascara, I'd definitely recommend the They're Real mascara for natural eyes during the day or a much more vampy night time look!

Have you tried the They're Real mascara?