Winter Skin - From prep to party!

2015 has been the year of skincare obsession for me. After my skin took a turn for the worst (pretty much out of the blue) back in the spring, it has been a long and frustrating struggle to work out why it happened, and how to maintain the progress I have made so far. I last blogged about my skin back in September, so I thought I'd give you another update a few months on, and share what products I have been using.

Finally, my skin is making steady improvements rather than what seemed like one step forward and two steps back for a series of months. My forehead still isn't completely clear, and I was worried that the addition of a fringe (brushing against it every day, any grease/oil from my hair etc) might aggravate it more, but luckily it has made no difference whatsoever.

The progress I have made in the past 3 months is really down to being extremely strict with my skincare regime. No more jumping from product to product, trying one for a week or so and then giving up. I have stayed completely faithful to a daily plan using Merumaya products, along with the Ultra Facial Cream from Kiehls as my moisturiser.

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 I start off my day by double cleansing, first using the Melting Cleansing Balm, followed by the Luxury Facial Wash, then the Iconic Youth Serum. Same again in the evening with the addition of the Concentrated Spot Treatment. I also had a little sample of the Mud Marvels Mask and the Skin Brightening Exfoliating Peel. After using both I actually really prefer the peel, it gets slightly nippy after around 5 minutes but my face feels amazing afterwards. I have been using that a couple of times a week to really help what constantly feels like clogged pores in my forehead and chin. I will definitely repurchase this, as I think a lot of face masks feel like more of a 'pamper', which isn't actually doing anything for your face apart from feeling sort of nice. The peel feels like more of an actual facial! Something that is really working proactively for your skin. That's one thing I would say about all of the Merumaya bits I have tried so far, they smell and feel like the sort of products you would get at a proper facial. If that makes sense? The Concentrated Spot Serum is my absolute fave though, I pop it on before bed wherever there are some angry red spots on my face, and by the morning they have totally calmed down and reduced in size, without simply just drying them out like some products do. It definitely speeds up the process of blasting those blemishes!

Even though I had defined my skin as oily, I was making it worse by being afraid to moisturise twice a day. I knew I'd need a slightly heavier moisturiser to help over the cold winter months, so this terrified me even more! I didn't know how my skin was going to react, but luckily it was a good move. I've been using the classic Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream, which is currently partnered with the MTV Staying Alive Foundation & Tinie Tempah and supports raising money and awareness for HIV. It is absolutely perfect for this harsh weather and is extremely hydrating, so I'll continue using it into the spring and summer months next year (or until the tub is done, basically) I can't believe previously I thought a product like this would be too heavy for my skin, when in fact it's been just what it has needed.

Happy skin means that I've been much happier putting on my makeup too! I love a medium to heavy coverage at this time of year, so the Wonderwear Special Effect Foundation has been my new BFF. I LOVE it. It's a sorta hybrid between Illamasqua Skin Base and Estee Lauder Double Wear. I am also the proud owner of the new Gwen Stefani Palette from Urban Decay, so I've been having a lot of fun with that over the festive party season. IT'S JUST SO PRETTY. I feel like this is the only eyeshadow palette I need in my life right now haha. I tried to recreate the look Sara Hill did for me at her Christmas Pop Up Shop and Glitter Bar at Number 659. Her copper glitter matches my hair perfectly, but I wasn't able to make my eyes look quite as sassy or smoky as she did. But hey, practice makes perfect and all that jazz. I also think I am very much over the Illamasqua brow gel. As much as I've loved it this year, I think it's safe to say I need to tone them brows down a bit and go for a more natural look. Or even just a bit less defined. Any suggestions? I have a couple of new eyebrow bits to play with, so I'll be sure to let you know how I get on. The hair is finally in the shape and thickness I've been aiming for, so now I think they need a makeup make-under!

How is the winter weather and party season taking it's toll on your skin?