2012 Favourites - Part 5: Skincare and Haircare

Okay, I know this is possibly the least exciting post of the 2012 Favourites series, but I wanted to do it anyway because now that I'm getting older, I'm finding it increasingly important to have a good skincare routine. Mine isn't really complicated, especially because I'm always so late going to bed, I never have the energy to do a lenghty routine. I do have a good cleanser and make up remover, and also a good serum, night cream and eye cream, with the occasional scrub and mask thrown in, so that's fine. In the mornings I just use a face cream having washed my face in the shower with clean water. I don't have time for more, it's as simple as that.

I did a video about my skincare routine back in April and although some products I'm not using anymore (have run out or have decided to change), it gives you a good idea about which products I enjoyed using in 2012. Check it out here. 

I'll start with cleansing. I usually use Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover (old style, this has now been rreformulated) followed by Simple Kind To Skin Facial Cleansing Wipes. The two together work very well for removing make up and dirt from my skin. I haven't found a cleanser I am that chuffed about, I just can't really get excited about a cleanser, but every one I've used so far does a good enough job. I'm currently using a L'Occitane cleanser with the longest, most complicated name that I refuse to copy. I also really like Lancome Bi-Facil and will probably use it instead of the Boots one because I've heard that the new, reformulated version isn't very good.

See which other products I loved in 2012 after the jump!

Simple Spotless Skin Deep Clean Cleansing Pads

I like simple. Simple is good. No need to complicate things, right. I also like the brand Simple, I like it that they keep their products free of colour, perfume and other unnecessary ingredients. You might recall my review of their cleansing wipes. I also use their shampoo and conditioner on my children, I like the idea of them using products without parabens and the like.

I was sent these Simple Spotless Skin Deep Clean Cleansing Pads to try out after PR saw my review of the wipes. I was looking forward to trying them out as I'm always on the hunt for cleansers and scrubs to combat my blackheads and blemishes. These pads have a textured surface to gently exfoliate the skin while the active ingredients help deep clean the T zone. All this while not containing colour, perfume or other unnecessary ingredients. Sounds good, right?

I have to confess, these wipes didn't really do anything for me. I still have just as many blackheads as before and actually had a really bad breakout and two massive spots while using these pads. While I'm not saying they caused it, they certainly didn't eliminate the blemishes. I also found the textured pads a bit harsh and I'm not sure how suitable these would be for sensitive skin.

All in all these didn't work for me. I still like Simple and will continue to purchase the wipes and the haircare products, but not these pads.

A box of 60 pads costs £4.99 and available from Boots, Superdrug and other drugstores and supermarkets.

See more pictures after the jump!

Mac Volcanic Ash Exfoliator

Mac has repromoted their (in)famous Volcanic Ash Exfoliator in the Heavenly Creature collection and surprisingly it's still in stock, so I thought I'd review it quickly for those who are still debating whether to get it.

What is it? Volcanic Ash Exfoliator is a coarse black coloured sweet smelling facial scrub/exfoliator that comes in a squeezy tube. It's made mostly of sugar, but it also contains some volcanic ash that gives it it's black colour. It is quite rough, although the sugar crystals do melt when rubbed, but I think those with sensitive skin might want to try it first to see if it's gentle enough for them. For me, this is the best facial scrub I've ever tried, and I also love using it as a lip scrub. It's very effective, it leaves my skin smooth. It's more gentle than St. Ives Apricot Scrub which I also like, but that is admittedly very rough. I use Volcanic Ash Exfoliator probably once or twice a week, depending on whether I remember to do so.

It comes in a 100 ml tube and one tube lasts me about 6 months if not more. You really only need a small amount. Unfortunately it is limited edition again, so if you like it, be sure to stock up on it, you don't know when it'll next come out (if it does). It's silly for skincare to be limited edition in my opinion, but what can you do, that's Mac for you?!

A tube of Volcanic Ash Exfoliator costs £21, which I believe is quite a bit more than what it cost 2 years ago, but I can't remember exactly. This time I only bought 2 tubes because I still have probably 5 or 6 left (I managed to buy 3 in the CCO in Florida last year). Hope they will repromote is again because it is definitely my favourite scrub.

See more pictures after the jump!

Mac Heavenly Creature Mineralize Collection July 2012 Promo Pictures and Details

Finally! The Mac mineralize collection I've been waiting for is almost here and now I have the full details and promo pictures to share with you. As a massive mineralize fan, I will be buying every mineralize product from the collection. I am also considering buying a few more of the Volcanic Ash Exfoliators as I really like them, but I still have a good few back ups from two years ago, so we'll see.

I love this promo picture with the products looking like planets, don't you? Will you be getting anything from this collection?

Find out all the details about the collection and see loads more promo pictures after the jump!

My Skincare Routine Video

I decided to do a short video about my skincare routine and products I use. Check it out below!