Bridal skincare routine

Typical that 9 weeks before the wedding, my skin decides it wants to change things up a bit and going on a spot fuelled rampage. For months my skin was exactly where I wanted it to be, thanks to Neelu, The Cream from the Pink Cow brand and a spot of micro needling at Biofresh Swords, I had finally gotten glowing, smooth and crystal clear skin, but oh no. Things needed to change and due to stress levels and my dodgy thyroid acting up again, I have gotten the most unmercifully oily T zone. I’m talking massive pores and a spotty chin and mouth area.

To be fair, I had gotten comfortable in my clear skin and had dropped the ball when it came to skin care. I have to admit it, I was lazy and had gone back to using makeup wipes and had on a few occasions fallen asleep in my makeup. I know, I know shameful. There really is no defending my behaviour. Recently I went for a facial and skin analyse in the Renaissance laser and skin clinic in Howth, and it has given me the kick up the backside I need to get my skin wedding ready .I am still using The Cream Face from The Pink Cow brand and I love that stuff so much I am onto my 3rd bottle. I mean that is unheard of for me. As for SPF, I haven’t found one I like enough yet to share with you guys, but when I do I will be sure to pass it on.   I thought that it is only fair to share my findings with you guys.

Waxpert wonder pads

First up to tackle the oily t zone is the Waxperts wonder pads. While these pads were originally designed to stop you getting ingrown hairs after shaving or waxing, they are also fantastic for your skin. Due to the salicylic acid content they are great for helping to get the oil production under control and unclogging pores. I was advised to wipe these pads over the oily area twice a day. I had done this before, but not regularly enough to see any sort of difference.You can buy the Waxperts wonder pads online here for €7.95

Neostrata Ultra Brightening Cleanser

Neostrata is one of those brands that has oodles of science and research behind each product that backs up every single claim it makes. It is quite honestly one of the skin care brands that I trust implicitly. I have had my problems with some of their stronger products, as my skin is very sensitive, but for the past few weeks I have got on famously with the Ultra brightening cleanser.

I use this in two ways. Firstly I use it with my clarisonic for more of a deep clean and secondly as a regular wash with removal using a face cloth. As this is a gel cleanser it doesn’t really foam on your skin, which actually makes it less messy to use. While it is said to brighten your skin, I think it is too early for me to say if these claims are true or not, but it does leave my skin feeling super clean. You can buy it here for €27.50.

Image skin care Iluma Intense Brightening exfoliating powder

This little tub of powder is creating quite a stir in the skin care world. Skin care experts have been seriously raving about this stuff. The Iluma Intense Brightening exfoliating powder is a polishing powder that is said to gently polish the skin and help improve signs of ageing while brightening the skin. It is said to be suitable for all skin type. I have extremely sensitive skin, but I haven’t had any issue at all.

To use it you pour a little powder into wet hands and rub your hands together to get a foam. You then gently massage it into the skin, avoiding the eye area and rinse off. You can also add it to your cleanser for a little more of an intense cleanse. Every few days I have put a little bit of this in with my Neostrata ultra brightening cleanser for that power cleanse. Doing this leaves your skin feeling seriously clean and bright. It is gentle enough to use twice a day, but personally I find ever second or third day suits my skin best.

 

Image skin care Iluma intense lightening serum

I’ve decided to go the whole hog on the Image Iluma range as you can see. The intense lightening serum is said to lighten dark spots and pigmentation, while at the same time giving the skin an over all brighter appearance. I’m going to be seriously glowing come the time of the wedding! This is a lightweight serum and is also oil free. Sometimes I find serum can be heavy on my skin, but my skin soaks this up happily and it isn’t left feeling heavy . With ingredients like vitamin c and grape seed oil the intense lightening serum is said to cut any inflammation and pigmentation leaving to your skin looking more even and brighter. It is saucy at €45, but I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for. You can the intense lightening serum at an Image skin care stockist.

Image Iluma Intense Brightening eye creme

My dark circles are the bain of my life. While I have found a technique to cover them up with make up which you can watch here, I would love nothing more then to reduced the dark colour as much as I can. This is another product that is relatively new to the market, but it said that you will see reduction in dark circles within a month. It is too early for me to say if it has made any difference yet, but it does feel extremely hydrating around the eye area. Not only will it help reduce dark circles, but it is said to help with fine lines and wrinkles. Only time will tell, but if the reviews are anything to go by, I have high hopes for this one. Ok so this one is expensive at €64, but if it works, I will pay that 10 times over.

Le Mieux Hyaluronic serum

While my skin is on the oily side, it is also quite dehydrated. Hyaluronic acid basically helps your skin retain up to 1000 times its weight in water, as well as making the skin soft, moisturised and plump.There is a lot more science to the benefits of hyaluronic acid that honestly goes over my head a bit, but what I do know, when I use a product with a strong concentration of hyaluronic acid, my skin feels super soft and my makeup goes on a lot better. While I am using the Le Mieux Hyaluronic serum which I got in Neelus in Arnotts, you can also use other products such as Hydraluron which you can find out more about here.

Image Skincare The Max Stem Cell Masque

The last instalment of my skin care routine is a masque, I mean everyone needs a little masque action in their life. The Max stem cell masque is said to give intense skin rejuvenation for the face, neck, décolleté and hands!! A tall order if I do say so myself. I have used this twice already and this is a little different from any masques I have used before. I am ultra nervous about putting new products on my face as I a ridiculously sensitive, and as this is a rather hard-working masque I was beyond nervous. You apply a thin layer to the skin and leave it to do its job for a few short minutes. Here’s where it gets a little different. When it is working its magic, it heats up quite a bit on the skin. I thought I was having a reaction when this was happening, but supposedly it is normal for this to happen. Thankfully when I removed the masque from my skin their was no reaction at all and instead my skin felt lovely and tight. It is said that if you use this masque 3 times a week you will see more youthful skin. I personally find 3 times a week way too much and will settle for once or twice for now.