Beauty Routines

Having spent the past week watching YouTube beauty videos, it's made me think a little about my beauty routine, such that it is.  It's very simple, I'm definitely not what you call a beauty obsessive, but I think it might be time for a few tweaks and improvements.  Currently it involves:

Facial Wash, Toner, Moisturiser, Handcream,  followed by Light Make Up.

Whilst I admire the time and artistry of younger women who like to use lots of makeup, I've never really been that into it.  In fact, as I get older, I often find less is more, as being overly made up makes me personally feel like I look older.  Young women seem to wear it well, so I will for the most part leave it to them.

In terms of my beauty routine, I'm currently using a Johnson's Facial Wash Foam, which I bought from Approved Food of all places, but I do genuinely love it as it leaves my skin feeling clean and soft and is very easy to use.

My current toner is Simple, but to be honest I'm not enjoying using it at all and much prefer my usual Distilled Witch hazel, which although quite astringent is very refreshing and I love the smell.  I can't wait to get back to using it again.

My current moisture fluid thankfully contains witch hazel, so I'm loving it at the moment.  It is a Tesco Moisturising fluid, again bought from Approved Foods. (I'm still using up a past stockpile, but am almost finished using everything up). It is a serum like fluid which leaves my skin feeling fresh and not greasy.

I've only been moisturising regularly for the past couple of years, as I didn't like the feel of creams on my skin when I was younger, but more recently I find I can tolerate quite a variety of moisturisers, where I couldn't before.  It could be the onslaught of ageing that has made me more conscious of the need to moisturise, or maybe just that the products available are much improved.  I have found though, that moisturising has made a difference to my skin and I get less blemishes and less dry skin in the winter now which is good.

My last beauty application aside from makeup, is hand cream which I apply once daily, in a morning. I'm not religious about re-applying it after every hand wash or before bed, which perhaps I should be and I might try to use it more often or leave some by the kitchen sink for use after hand washing to encourage me. Occasionally, if I go into a 'smart loo' I might add hand cream if it's there, but otherwise I rarely reapply it, despite carrying it in my handbag.

Finally, my make up routine, is also very simple.

For daily use I simply apply a tinted moisturiser or BB cream, currently Garnier, but I'm not liking their BB cream as the colour match isn't great, the feel on my skin isn't pleasing and it has no SPF. Frankly, I'm looking forward to using my beloved Nivea Tinted Moisturiser again when I've finished it.  I don't do foundations any more, as I find them a bit heavy and I feel too made up, so these lighter options suit me well. Problem is, I just can't throw away part used products (unless I have an extreme reaction) and have to use them until they are empty. (Must be my frugal tendencies).

I'm certainly not one for having lots of part used items in my bathroom.  I keep it simple with just one of everything we use and then replace them when they're almost finished. (Our bathroom is very small, so less is definitely best).  I may have the odd part-used travel option lying around, i.e. shampoo/conditioner, for use when we go away, but otherwise I like to only give houseroom to things that get used pretty regularly.

Anyway, I digress, BB Cream, Boots 17 concealer, mascara on eyebrows and on lashes on those days when I'm not at the gym (+ liquid eyeliner in brown if going out for the evening), lipstick, perfume and voila, I'm ready to go.

I am thinking of changing a few things that I do currently, as a consequence of tips I've picked up on YouTube.  The main things I'm considering are as follows:

1)  Using a brush to apply BB creams and concealers to see if it helps them blend better and get a smoother look.

2)  Investing in a lip primer to get more wear out of my lipstick applications.

3)  Finding a nail strengthener.  My nails split terribly, more so when I use varnish on them and I do like to varnish them from time to time especially if I'm going out somewhere.

4)  Purchasing a couple more colours of eyeliner, possibly green/grey and navy pencils, just to add a bit of variation, but nothing too extravagant.

5)  Finally, I do want to try out new to me brands of some products i.e. volumising mascaras, facial washes/cleansers, moisturisers, concealers and see if I can get improved results or just treat myself to better products from time to time.

Unlike in the bathroom, in my bedroom there are quite a few old and part used make up products kicking around that need a good sort through.  This week, I'm looking to clean the beauty station in my bedroom, as part of my bedroom blitz and I'm planning to get ruthless with any old makeup I've kept from years ago, but never use.  Out with the old and in with new.  I'll keep you posted with how I get on.  I can see some things finally getting thrown out once and for all.

What's your beauty routine like?  Do you like to change it up from time to time?  Where to you get inspiration for purchases?