skin

I refuse to EVER stop making the effort to look presentable. Call me vein, call me proud, call me whatever you like, but I think that an impeccable apperance and good personal hygiene says a lot about us. It says that we give a crap; that we work hard; that we are willing to make an effort in life. Anyone agree? You will never see me in joggers, with no makeup on unless I am: sick, exercising or sleeping. (Ok, I’m a little vein!)

I am a complete sucker for makeup and other scrummy skincare goodies. And now I’m a mum and have thirty years on the clock, I feel a desperate need to preserve what I have. Anyone else feel this same panic? As I watch my two little boys grow up before my eyes, life is cartwheeling faster than ever. Keeping myself in skinny jeans isn’t as easy as it used to be. I actually have to work at it now. And, shock horror, tiny lines are appearing at the corners of my eyes. Ergh.

So, I take my skincare and makeup pretty seriously now. No longer do I go for the cheapest moisturiser or foundation I can find in Boots. I don’t mind paying a bit more for better products. I think our face deserves to be spoilt!

Let’s start with my skincare routine. I’m a big fan of Arbonne. Arbonne is a completely natural, vegan skincare company. No animal testing, no nasty cancer inducing extras such as Parabens. The products are quite pricey but all based on science and use lots of lovely botanicals. Their RE9 range is amazing! I have DEFINITELY noticed a difference to my skin since using their facial cleanser; night creme; and day creme. My face is a lot smoother and there are less blemishes. The cleanser smells like chocolate orange but there are no synthetic fragrances; what you can smell are the botanicals firing up. Gorgeous. I often shove my face under my husband’s nose in bed and say: ‘Smell my face! Ooooh, doesn’t it feel soft?!’.

He admits it does.

You do need to know a consultant to buy these goodies, so if you’re interested in purchasing any, leave me a comment and I’ll hook you up to my lovely Arbonne consultant.

Ok, the contents of my makeup bag…

Arbonne primer (amazing stuff! Has won awards. Hides pores and fine lines)
Arbonne foundation
Bodyshop highlighter pen (apply to forehead, down nose, over cheek bones for glow)
Arbonne bronzer
Bourjois blusher
Bourjois eyeshadows (nude and white)
Clinique eyeshadow palette (natural browns)
Arbonne eyeshadow (blue)
Maybeline dark brown kohl eye pencil
Eyebrow pencil and brush (defines and shapes eyebrows)
Bodyshop mascara
No7 transparent setting powder (keeps everything in place)
Selection of brushes

If I had to select just four items to take onto a desert island, no doubt they would be these beauties (primer, foundation, highlighter and bronzer). They give you the most lovely, flawless base. Your skin just glows! Oooh, lovely. Nothing better than healthy looking skin.