Gently does it:: AEOS Cleansing Oil

While the ritual of lathering up & cleansing with a foaming wash for a super-clean finish is beautiful on the body, when it comes to the delicate, sensitive skin on the face & décolletage, sometimes you need something a little gentler. I recently switched from my long-time favourite AHA-based cleanser & started (somewhat nervously at first) with a Cleansing Oil. Despite my reservations {would my combination-prone-to-breakout complexion cope with more oil?} this little routine is now a much loved part of my day.

While it seems natural to think that applying an oil directly to the skin may result in excess sebum, in fact the opposite is true. We all know that oil & water don't mix & that like attracts like, so what actually occurs with oil-based cleansing is that the product works to dissolve excess oil in the skin, gently cleansing pores & ridding impurities in the process. Considering that many cosmetics, foundations in particular, are oil-based, it's also a perfect option for removing make up.

The phenomenal product that has stolen my heart? AEOS's Cleansing Oil De-Maq. This luxuriously-scented, golden oil is created with a potent blend of organic & biodynamic Spelt, Jojoba, Grape Seed, Sesame Seed, Avocado and Rosewood oils & is a complete joy to use. Just a few drops of this exquisite product in the palm of my hand is enough to cleanse my face & neck...leaving my skin feeling deeply clean & cashmere-soft. It's a product that not only treats your skin, but that elevates cleansing from an everyday essential to a luxurious ritual.

Have you tried cleansing oils? Are you hooked?

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Brush Up!

While time often demands that we rush into the day after applying make-up in the morning, it's worth putting aside a few extra moments every couple of weeks to clean your make-up brushes & tools. The unsung heroes of a good make-up bag, brushes are all-too-often forgotten & if left, can become a hot spot for dirt & grime to thrive, leading to breakout & possible infection.

Cleaning is simple! You can either use a specially formulated product, such as MAC's Brush Cleanser or alternatively a gentle shampoo, such as baby shampoo works well. Lather up with warm water and gently work the hair of each brush from base to tip, rinsing regularly until the water runs clear. Be careful not to flood the base of the brush with water, for longevity it's best to minimise the amount of liquid that goes down into the brush shaft.

Always leave brushes to dry in natural sunlight. Resist the temptation to apply direct heat to speed up drying time as focussed heat from a hair dryer will only melt the delicate fibres & singe the hair, which ruins the brush (trust me - I've tried!) Always lay brushes flat, rather than standing them upright when drying, as this causes the water to pool at the base of the bristles, weakening the glue bonds which in turn leads to shedding.

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Tools like eye lash curlers & tweezers are best wiped over with a soft antibacterial wipe & also left to dry in sunlight. While you're at it, wipe over all compacts & make-up tubes in your bag, as they too are prone to bacteria.

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A quick, regular clean is easy to do. You'll find that not only will your kit look prettier, but your skin will love you for it too.

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Problem Solved: Mario Badescu Skincare

Having survived my teenage years and graduated to a fully-fledged member of the 20-something club, I was surprised when my usually calm skin all of a sudden erupted into temperamental breakouts recently. While I was use to its tendency to t-zone shininess & the occasional spot, this new wave of blemishes & all-out oiliness was a new experience! Just like any beauty explorer, rather then despair, it signalled the chance to discover a new skincare routine...

I had heard about the iconic New York brand of natural skincare, Mario Badescu in numerous magazines & read about it on countless blogs, where it was praised by celebrities & product-lovers alike for it's amazing skin-saving properties. Perhaps most famous of all is its legendary Drying Lotion, which seemed the perfect place to start my new regime.

A potent blend of salicylic acid, calamine & other healing ingredients, the Drying Lotion is an overnight miracle spot treatment. Do not be fooled by the pretty pastel pink colour of sediment that you apply to blemishes, this product packs a serious punch in healing spots, fast. I love the strong, medicinal smell of the lotion, which to me perfectly encapsulates it's healing properties. Apply directly to skin with a cotton tip after cleansing in the evening & you'll wake wondering if that pesky spot was actually just in your imagination.

Encouraged by the success of the Drying Lotion, I also tried the Acne Facial Cleanser and the Special Cucumber Lotion from the range. My skin loves AHAs, in particular Glycolic & Salicylic acids, which are expert exfoliators & ideal for problem skin. Knowing this, I had a feeling it would also love these products and I wasn't wrong!

The cleanser contains salicylic for deep exfoliation & oil balancing and is perfectly complemented with the Aloe Vera and Chamomile extracts, which work to soothe & calm redness. The overall result is that skin feels deeply cleansed, but not dry - perfect for healthy, balanced skin. After cleansing, a swipe of the Cucumber Lotion acts as a light refresh & provides the perfect finish before moisturising.

After just a few weeks using these products, my skin has cleared & appears not only blemish-free but also more even & healthy. With my love affair for the Mario Badescu range firmly established, I think the next logical step is a trip to the acclaimed New York spa for a facial!

{Pic: TimeOut (NewYork)}

 Are there any other Mario Badescu fans out there? Which products do you love?

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Polished

For baby-soft, smooth skin that's irresistible to touch, there is no substitute for regular exfoliation. One of my favourite ways to pep up tired, lacklustre skin is with a scrub...the beads not only work to clear away dead skin debris, but have a stimulating effect on blood flow, leaving your complexion glowing!

The important thing when exfoliating, particularly with facial exfoliants, is to ensure you're not over-treating. While the temptation is there to enjoy that amazing deep-clean feeling daily, generally speaking, once to twice a week is perfect.

For maximum benefit, exfoliate after cleansing. Apply product the size of a 20 cent piece to your palm and, using finger tips only, gently work into your skin in small circular motions. Be careful to apply only a light pressure, particularly when exfoliating delicate areas of the face. Rinse with warm (not hot) water and always moisturise to finish and protect.

I particularly love products that include AHAs (alpha hydroxi acids) in their formulation as they offer double duty; the AHAs (usually lactic acid from milk or glycolic acid from sugar cane) work to even out the skin on a cellular level, while the polishing grains perform their magic on the skins surface.

The result? Even, smooth, glowing skin.

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