Top Pore Perfecting products for oily/blemish prone skin. Large/Over active pores? This post is for you!

Hi Guys,

I know I've semi abandoned you and for that I will be forever sorry but since I last updated I've been terribly busy, getting Married, organising my honeymoon as well as my actual full time job which is going crazy at the moment I have however in what little spare time I have been watching a load of planner videos on youtube and I am now waiting for the delivery of a planner of my very own to help get myself and my life organised and back on track.

With that let's go into what should be a really helpful post about the best products I've found to help minimise pores and breakouts. Most people who have large pores or are prone to blemishes suffer from oily skin so most of these products will be recommended for or targeted to oily/combination skin. Please be aware that not every product mentioned has been photographed, as I used them up and my new hubby likes to throw things away (apologies) but I have used everything I mentioned I have used!

Cleansers

So, the first step to minimising pores and controlling breakouts will always be cleansing it's super important and there are far too many women who are skipping this step all together or even worse just using face wipes! So if you're one of those people who complain about having bad skin and then don't cleanse regularly or properly a simple solution is investing in a good cleanser that doesn't strip or dry out the skin. 
I have noticed that when I skimp on adequate cleansing (just using a Micellar water and not a foaming cleanser) I definitely notice a difference in the lustre and overall feel of my skin its looks duller and feels rough and I basically end up avoiding the mirror so as not to depress myself! So for me personally cleansing is a majorly important step.

Micellars

Now I know I said if I use a micellar water alone I don't feel like my skin has been properly cleansed but I do think adequate and proper make up removal is a very important to pore perfection and recently there has been an uptake of micellar waters being made especially for oily/blemish prone skin and my advice is to invest in a good one! My favourites are:

Bioderma- Sebium

Now everyone knows that Bioderma created the original micellar water and there's a reason why they're known throughout the blogesphere as the best. Now in the UK they're quite pricey and a little hard to track down as they're currently only sold in Selfridge's, a few independent pharmacies and various online shops. Their Sebium range is is specially formulated for oily/blemish prone skin and this is such a lovely Micellar water to use it doesn't dry out the skin and smells really nice. It's not overly perfumed but just likely fragrance'd so it doesn't smell like you're wiping science water on your face but you are Bioderma prides itself on the science behind skin not the science behind skincare. It replicates the skins natural biology it not only does what it says on the tin as a cleanser but actually (overtime) helps improve the quality of the skin.

Garnier Pure

Garnier Pure Active is the micellar water that is easy on the pocket and the face. While it doesn't have the moisturising properties of Bioderma and in a side by side comparison I could definitely tell which side of my face I had wiped with the Bioderma and which I had used the Garnier on but in a comparison with just a normal micellar it was definitely more moisturising and mattifying. The Garnier Pure Active range is all specially formulated for oily/blemish prone skin so a great range to look into and great on the pocket.

Vichy Purete Thermal  Micellar Oil

Now I know this one isn't a water, it's a cleansing oil but it is AMAZING! It's a great combination of a micellar water and a cleansing oil that just melts away make up and the oils leave the skin super moisturised. Now I know people with oily/blemish prone skin tend to shy away from oils so I'm here to tell you to go for it especially with this one which is formulated not to clog the pores and is just feels so good to use. I literally cannot stop raving about it!

Foaming Cleansers

Tea Tree and Witch Hazel with active charcoal
Now this one of the cheapest things in my arsenal against large pores and I absolutely love it. Noticeably smaller pores in minutes. Removes any excess make up you may have missed with a Micellar and cuts through any greasy skin and leaves you feeling super fresh and clean. Of course it also has the benefits of Tea tree which is naturally anti-fungal and anti-bacterial and of course soothing witch hazel it's a complete win win!

La Roche Posay Effaclar
Now EVERYBODY already knows about this stuff and if you don't you've been living under a rock it's amazing! Perfected for sensitive skin, one of my friends was experiencing hormonal breakouts due to her pregnancy and I recommended she try this and in a week she was like 'Oh my God! my skin feels amazing and that says it all!!

Bioderma Sebium Moussant
HELLO! it's Bioderma of course it's amazing! on the higher end of pricing and unlike the La Roche Posay you can't get it in a great money saving kit but it's worth the expense as Bioderma is a brand that improves the overall condition of the skin with continued use so the long term benefits are worth the initial payout.

Toners

Toners can be very drying so if you have combination skin like me it might be an idea to only use toners in the summer when the heat makes you super shiny and you really need to cut through that grease! but in the winter leave the toners at the door and go for deep moisture.

La Roche Posay Serozinc
For those of you who are new to the internet meet Serozinc perfectly mattifying for oily skin and applies evenly with it's facial mist application. Great thing to have around through the day I like to keep it on my desk at work for the afternoon spritz (I don't tend to wear make up at work so its just to refresh my face) those of us with oily skin know the feeling of wanting to wash your face in the afternoon due that sticky feeling. I just spritz this on and pat dry and I'm refreshed for the day.

La Roche Posay Effaclar toner
This product comes as part of the Effaclar 3 step kit it works in conjunction all the products in the Effaclar range to give you clear oil free skin. I find it works to clear your skin similar to Serozinc but with a cotton pad application instead of the mist spray, I like to use this at night before bed.

Visibly Clear blackhead eliminating cleansing lotion
Now I've been using this in the fight against black heads since I was about 15! It's more of an astringent toner so those with super sensitive skin say far away. Use very carefully around the eyes it can sting but it's great if you're having severe breakout this stuff will really help and also if you find a nest of blackheads this stuff works in mere days! To get rid of them.

Masks

Now anyone who knows me knows I love a face mask and I prefer clay masks to sheet masks. I love that drying stiff feeling (weird I know) but it makes me feel like it's working! So maybe I have yet to find the sheet mask for me but there will be no sheets here, sorry about it!

Super Facialist salicylic acid anti blemish 
By far one of my favourite masks available! Instant pore minimising, I love it, it drys really nicely it says leave on for 5-10 minutes I leave it on for 15-20 but that's mostly due to laziness on my part and not wanting get up and wash it off! Also it says salicylic acid right in the name so you know it has all the pore clearing, blemish defying power you need for pore less flawless skin!

Sanuctuary Spa Thermal charcoal Detox
This is my favourite winter mask due to it's warmng element. It was one of the first charcoal masks I tried before charcoal was everywhere and I still love it till this day. It's a thermal mask that starts heating as soon as you apply it. which makes me feel like it's really getting the product deep into the pores and clearing them out as we all know heat opens the pores.

Masque bar pore minimising masque

Masque Bar, if you haven't heard about them, hear about them now! They're know for their sheet masks but they do have clay masks in their range and one of those is their pore minimising mask. It does exactly what it says on the tin teeny tiny pores. Now this mask it a bit on the pricey side for a mask, it's £9.99  but you get 3 in a pack and they really work so I feel like it's worth the price!

Moisturisers

Embryolisse lait creme concentrate
Super moisturising. Great prep for the skin before applying make up. Sometimes I feel it can be a little bit heavy on the skin so I don't use it on hot days I try to use a lighter moisturiser regularly but this is my staple moisturiser if I'm going to be wearing a full face of make up.

Olay flawless skin cream
This is my everyday cream, moisturising, not to heavy and anti aging because no one wants to look old before their time (or even during their time)  Its got SPF30 so your sun protection is built right in and it's a nice, would call it medium moisturising, if that's a thing? Not too heavy that it stays on the skin but doesn't disappear as soon as you put it on.

Indeed Hydraluron Gel
Love it! I use it when I'm having a breakout and I don't want to do too much to my skin and just let it breathe. It absorbs quickly but does leave your skin feeling plump and moisturised. Not for the faint of heart with uber sensitive skin indeed labs is known for their high quantity of acids and active ingredients so their products can some times be too harsh for sensitive skin. 

Treatments

Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Day and Night Spot Wand
this is my secret weapon against spots. You know when you look in the mirror and you have flawless skin except for one spot! this is the best thing ever! The wand makes it so easy to get it exactly where you want it, I prefer the night gel to the day but when it's a particularly bad spot I'll use both!

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+]
Hello! Must I go on and on about La Roche Posay?! I think you realise by now that to me La Roche Posay can do no wrong, I love them, I love what they do for my skin, I think they're perfect. With this remember it's a treatment not a moisturiser so if you need a little extra moisture like I do sometimes I use it along side the Thermal Spa Water as recommended by the La Roche Posay skin consultants which makes it into a great moisturising balm.

Nip and Fab Glycolic fix pads

It's a great overall prep to smooth the skin as well as pre make up as it resurfaces the skin. It's like a skin peel though obviously not as harsh. it helps to deep clean the pores and is great for acne prone skin as the glycolic acid really gets into the skin too work it's magic and in the winter I change it up into the Dragon's blood fix pads (a Kylie Jenner fav!) as they really hydrate the skin.

So That's It!
Those are my top picks for pore perfection, you can mix and match until you get the perfect balance for you! Let me know what your favourite pore products are? Have I missed something that you believe should have made the list?

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xoxo

Benefit Roller Lash, Seventeen Eye Shadow and a NEW Bourjois Rouge Velvet Shade!

Hello!

I know I'm a horrible person who owes you blog posts, it's been a crazy week! I mean crazy, I might even use the words cray cray. Wedding planning, Working, getting over a cold, and all in all just being my tired lazy self so my deepest, sincerest apologies.

So I owe you a treat post! Just FYI I took over 153 photos for this post they're still transferring in from my phone to my laptop so I must want your forgiveness.

So to make up for my crappy-ness I will be doing a nice big assortment of make up review. I got a few new things this month; both new to me and the market and one of these is a new shade release and another is a new shade coming out next month (Can you spot them?)

Benefit Roller Lash

So let's start with the one everyone is talking about, the new Benefit Roller lash!
I know I usually start with packaging but this is a funny one because there have been a lot of reviews from people who didn't get on with They're Real saying how much they love this new mascara and I have to be the one to explain. 

It's the SAME mascara! I'm sorry but it is.

The amazing-ness is all in the brush, the hook and roll brush that's the secret. That's the magic of benefit roller lash.

Bristles

The teeny tiny (hard to photograph) bristles are amazing and what makes this mascara so great. I was previously in the market for a bottom lash mascara and was considering investing in the Clinique bottom lash but this has eliminated my need for one. The brush makes getting both your upper and lower lashes simply and easy giving you an amazing wide eyed look.

No make up but the mascara

On to packaging! 
Black and pink, black and pink, black and pink. 
Now the one I had to photograph is the sample pack which was adorable and small and shiny. Very sleek and premium, even for sample. The full sized packaging has a soft top shaped with a diamond pattern which is suppose to give the impression of a hair roller and also makes it really easy to grip and open which is always helpful.

So in my mini pay day splurge to myself I purchased a few new eye shadows both singulars and palettes. I bought two singulars from Seventeen. So this is one of my new shade purchases as the Gold is actually a newly released shade which excited me as I've been looking for a vibrant gold for ages!

I love seventeen's new packaging much sleeker and easier to use, unlike their old round pots with the textured powder. I bought gold and purple, because I've been looking for a really vibrant gold for months and a nice deep purple. These are going to be my wedding colours and I'm working on perfecting a great eye make up look with them that's subtle but still pulls in the colours scheme (does that make sense).

I don't have these swatched because when I was doing the photos for this blog I kind of threw them in at the last minute and forgot the swatch while I was taking the photos but the vibrancy you see in the pictures is is what you get during application. If you want it to be really bright I would recommend applying it with a slightly damp brush as it really brings out the colours.


So saving the best for last, the new shade from Bourjois' Rouge edition Velvet line. Now this shade won't be released until later one this month so keep and eye out for it! I have shade 12 Beau brun in the matte finish. I'm not going to analyse the packaging on this one as it's of course the same packaging as the current rouge edition velvets that are already on the market. 

Rouge Edition Velvet: 12 Beau brun

Now the shade is in the plum/brown shades leaning a little towards the pinks which I love because I don't like to go too bright on my lips especially for day to day wear. It looks darker in the bottle than it is when it's on, I was a little shocked when I first tried it as it was much brighter on than I thought but I adjusted and I'm loving it.

Remembered to swatch it

As it's  a matte finish it can be a little drying on your lips which helps give it the staying power. I've tried putting a balm on underneath but it made it rub off too quickly. same problem with putting a balm on top. I kind of wish I could find this colour in a lip stain it would be great because those come with balms that you can top up all you want but lip stains are slowly disappearing which kind of sucks.

So besides the drying which is a side effect of the matte and lasting effect I have no complaints about this product, and I wear it pretty much every other day to work!

Thanks for reading!!

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