Pixi

Five Skincare Favourites Jan 2014

- Vicki 16 Comments

Skincare

Soap & Glory Pulp Friction – One of my favourite Scrubs, I love how smooth this leaves my skin, I use this mostly on my legs and they always feel silky smooth. I like the packaging of this as it’s easy to squeeze out in the shower, I like it more than a tub. I find it cleaner and more hygienic.

Botanics Radiant Youth Microdermabrasion Polish – This is a thick almost paste like product with very small exfoliating scrubby beads in. I use this once a week so remove dead skin and keep my skin feeling and looking bright and healthy. I bought this on a whim and have been pleasantly surprised. This 125ml tube is lasting forever.

Nuxe Gentle Exfoliating Gel* – This is one of the most gentle (as the name suggests) exfoliators I have used. I like to use this in the morning once or twice a week as it leaves my skin feeling unbelievably soft and healthy looking. After use it feels like I’ve used a moisturiser its that soft & smooth. The exfoliants are 100% botanical & are made up of Extracts of Lychee Seed, Nutshell Powder, they are quite fine but do a good job at removing dead skin. This is perfect at keeping the skin looking healthy and fresh. You have to try it.

balance Me Super Toning Body Wash – This is a real grown up shower gel and I love it. I have spoke about it before, but it leaves my skin so soft and hydrated. I normally go through shower gel so fast but this lasts me a good amount of time, I don’t feel the need to use loads of product, as a small about does the job. I do like to use this when I shave my legs as it’s hydrating.

Pixi Glow Tonic – almost all gone (cries). I have loved having this as part of my skincare routine and think it has helped keep my skin brighter and blemish free this winter. This is a great chemical exfoliator with Glycolic Acid. This product breaks down and removes the dead skin to keep your skin looking bright and radiant. It is alcohol free which means it doesn’t dry your skin out. This bottle has lasted me since May & I use almost daily. I saw they have changed the packaging, not a fan of the new bottle, I love the pump on mine as I get just enough product with 2 pumps and nothing it wasted. I’m going to clean out this bottle and reuse it.

I’m very happy that you’re able to buy the Pixi Glow Tonic online now – although it’s not in stock very often. I suggest that when its available you stock up. I know I will be.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

Combating Blemishes

- Vicki 10 Comments

I suffer from the odd blemish and like everyone I try to stop them appearing and getting too red and angry. So I have a few products which help me keep my skin clean and keep the blemishes at bay.

Skincare Routine

Skincare Routine

Pixi Glow Tonic

Pixi Glow Tonic

This is a great chemical exfoliator with Glycolic Acid, which helps keep the skin very clean and reduces the dark marks left by old blemishes. This product breaks down and removes the dead skin to keep your skin looking bright and radiant. It is alcohol free which means it doesn’t dry your skin out. I use this everyday in the morning and love it.

Origins Clear Improvement Mask

This is a charcoal mask is also great if you have oily skin. It is really good at cleaning out your pores & removing any bacteria build up. It dries quite tight on your skin but doesn’t dry it out. My skin gets a little congested around my chin and find this mask is good to help clear that up. It’s a good mask to use once a week to give your skin a deep clean and draw out all the impurities.

Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil

This is good for Oily & Blemish prone skin as the oil helps calm skin, tighten pores and locks in moisture. I find this oil very calming on my skin and it keeps my hormonal breakouts to a minimum, my blemishes tend not to be as sore. I use this oil at least 3 times a week at night and two drops are all I need. I massage the oil all over my face and find it takes about 5 minutes to absorb into my skin. Since using this my skin is more radiant and my old blemish scars are reduced. I love the scent of this too its botanical and really relaxing.

Murad Clarifying Cleanser

This helps my skin go back to basics, it gives my face a really clean feel with out drying it out. It is a gel cleanser which gives your skin a very deep clean. It removes dead skin and bacteria build up and unclogs your pores. It smells a little medicated but I still find it gentle enough on my skin. I like to use this if I’ve been wearing my makeup up for a long time. This cleanser also has  salicylic acid in and so helps to reduce blemishes. This is well worth adding to your routine if you suffer from breakouts.

Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer*

This is aimed at people whose skin is experiencing the signs of stress (I know mine is). It is also geared towards skin that’s showing signs of fatigue and that is becoming dull. This is my skin in a nutshell, I’m stressed and that makes my skin stressed and I get more breakouts.

This moisturiser works well to calm redness and improve uneven skin tone, I find using this helps keep my skin look fresh and gives it a good boost of hydration too. This contains Rosa Gallica which helps calm inflammation and also Chamomile which is very gentle and soothing.  This Skin Rescuer can be used day or night which is good and I really think its helping reduce my redness and keep my skin looking more radiant.

Bath & Body Works Island Nectar Pocket Bac

Before I put any skincare or make up on my face I always use a hand sanitiser as I hate the thought of transferring any dirt or bacteria on to my skin, which can lead to breakouts. So this is a step I never miss, it is so important to keep our hands clean. It is a simple step but one so many people forget. I find these B&BW ones smell amazing and are a little more enjoyable to use.

So these are a few of the products I use to keep my skin clean and reduce the amount of breakouts I get. Are there any products you rely on to keep your skin blemish free?

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

Grid of Makeup #2

- Vicki 5 Comments

I did a similar post a few months ago so thought it was about time I did another. After the last post I tried to reach for new products and really get the most out of my collection. Although looking at the photos now they are altogether I seem to have some firm favourites and products I wouldn’t have thought I reached for this often. But the proof is in the photo I guess.

Grid of Makeup

I tend not to wear any kind of vibrant lip during the day, I work from home and I like to do my makeup but I wear a very light coverage and tend to go quite neutral on the eye. Looking at the 12 images above I seem to reach for my Mac MSF in Natural alot, I like the finish this gives to my skin. It makes it look flawless and have nice glow. I’ve had this for about 2 years and it is lasting me well, I don’t apply too much as no one likes to have a powdery face. I do apply a few spritz of my Mac Fix + too and together they make a good combination. Where I can I like to purchase my Mac products at duty-free when I’m at the airport as every saving counts!

My Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit I have a love hate relationship with, I can only wear this when my under eye area is really hydrated as it creases like a bitch on me. I’m not sure if that’s due to my age or if i just have lots of fine lines. When this applies well it looks amazing but on the downside when it creases it looks terrible. I don’t think I will repurchase this when it run’s out. I like my Benefit Boiing a bit more and this also seems to last longer and crease less. The Boiing is also really good at hiding redness around my nose & chin too. I use the shade 02 light/medium.

My Wet N Wild Trio in Knock on Wood I seem to forget about this trio but when I do use it I fall in love with is all over again. The shadows are very pigmented and long wearing. The colours in this trio are s pretty and the brown shade is perfect in the crease or all over the lid on its own. I need to get a few more of these when I am in America as they come in so many different colour options. Do you have any recommendations?

I have been using the Pixi Illuminating Tint and Conceal base quite alot too, it gives a light coverage but it has a real glow it. It is the perfect product for those days where you just want a hint of colour and to even out your skin. I am loving Pixi products at the moment they seem to be right on the money. I have a post about this Tint & Conceal from last year, if you’s like to read it. I use the colour Light Glow which is the lightest shade.

Skincare

This second round of photos are mostly the skincare I have been reaching for – The Gliss Liquid Gloss Hair Repair Conditioner I purchased on a whim from Superdrug. I hadn’t seen any reviews so thought I’d give it a go. It is a spray leave in Conditioner that helps over treated hair. I spray this is my hair each time I wash it and it leaves my hair looking glossy and tames my frizz too. The bonus is that this leaves your hair smelling amazing too. This bottle has lasted me 6 months so far. I would recommend this 100% and will be repurchasing it as soon at it runs out.

No7 Anti Dark Spot Facial Sun Protection SPF50 – This is a repurchase for me & I buy it as we’re getting into summer with those No7 Vouchers (love them). I am heading to San Fransisco on June 3rd so this will be my facial sun screen. I like it and it is also good under my makeup. I get very oily and this doesn’t add to that or cause any extra oil. I like the high SPF as I have lots of freckles and quite fair skin on my face. I need protecting.

Garnier Summer Body is a great gradual tanner, this big bottle is from last year and is still half full. It applies really well & smells lovely, if you have exfoliated then you will get an even colour. You can build the colour up and it looks so natural I am a big fan of this as I hardly tan in the sun, my legs especially can use a bit of colour all year round and this is my go to.

Aesop Primrose Facial Cleansing Mask is my little slice of luxury. This is a calming mask and I use it when my skin is looking red and a little run down. It is soothing and cooling I just love using it. All Aesop skincare is amazing and if I won the lottery that is where I would spend my winnings. Their packaging is simple and sleek and they use all natural products. They get best skincare award from me. If you want to read my rave review of this you can do so here.

Have you used any of the products I’ve reached for? I think these posts are a nice way of seeing a glimpse of my collection and I get to see what gets love and what I neglect.

Pixi Beauty Purchases

- Vicki 14 Comments

I have been using Pixi products for about 6 years now, ever since they had a stand in the Manchester Selfridges (which is no longer there). I love their makeup but had never used any of their skincare. I knew I wanted to try the now infamous Glow Tonic and had my fingers crossed that it was in stock. The skincare god that is Caroline Hirons had a great review of it on her blog and at £16 for 250ml I was keen to give it a go.

Pixi Haul

Pixi

I have been using the Glow Tonic for 2 weeks now and I use it morning and night, 3 pumps on a cotton pad is enough to sweep all over my face after I have cleansed. It has left my face feeling really smooth and very clean. I have sensitive skin that is prone to alot of redness and this is gentle enough not to flare that up. I have to say that I am loving this so far and will be stocking up on a few backups.

The other skincare item which the lady in Pixi recommended to me was the Vitamin Liquid Serum. I explained that my skin has been looking dull over winter and that I wanted it to look more youthful and radiant for Summer, she said this Vitamin C and Aloe Vera based serum would help with all those things so who am I to argue.

Word or warning it is a very thin liquid and it took me a few goes to pump out the right amount of product, if you push the pump too hard you get way too much and end up wasting it. I use this in the morning and one pump is plenty, I rub it between my palms to warm it up and smooth it all over my face. It smells amazing, very summery and citrus it’s so nice for the morning. Feels like it wakes the skin up. I have also been using this for 2 weeks and so far my skin has reacted well to it, no breakouts or negative effects in fact dare I say my skin is looking better and I have gone a few days without wearing foundation or a base so that is great.

Between this and the Glow Tonic I have added two great products to my skincare regime and I am so happy with them. They work well together and after a couple more weeks I hope my skin is looking even better.

Pixi Eyeliner

The Pixi Lash Line Ink £12 is another product I’ve heard alot of love for, I am a girl that likes quite a thin sweep of eyeliner and with this having the smallest nib ever I knew that I would be able to achieve that. I have heard Lilly Melrose talk about this quite a few times and she always has cute eyeliner. I haven’t used this yet as I have a L’Oreal one that I want to use up first, but as soon as I use it I will let you know what I think.

Pixi Haul

As I spent £35 I got a free Nail Polish and Eyeshadow Kit. I gave the eyeshadow kit to my mum but the nail polish is a cute light beige pink with a hint of shimmer so kept that for myself. Altogether I had a very successful trip to Pixi, I love their London shop its small and friendly and I always lust after so many things. I have to be good and only buy a couple of bits, it’s so hard to be good in there.

The Pixi Glow Tonic is only available to purchase in store or if you call the London Store on 0207 287 7211 or email storemanager@pixibeauty.com

Have you tried anything from Pixi? I’d love to hear your recommendations.