Currently in my handbag..

These photos make it look as though I'm packing some essentials for a skiing holiday as I jet off to sub zero temperatures. Sadly, that's not the case. Instead, it would appear that Ireland never received the memo that Spring is officially here. Instead of happily shoving my winter coat far back into the deep dark depths of my wardrobe, I am instead showing you a few products that are currently keeping my skin, lips and hair very happy.

1. Dr Feelgood Buffing Lip Beads by Benefit

Fantastic for dry, chapped lips, or preferably for avoiding them. A quick google of the product sadly suggests that it's discontinued, but I know that Philosophy makes a very similar product. An old soft toothbrush does a great job too (don't knock it 'til you've tried it).

2. Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream

Ahh the ever-talked about and much-loved Eight Hour Cream by Elizabeth Arden. Thank you Ms Arden. This product will always have a place in my bag, and on my lips. 

3. Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream

My Mum gave me the travel sized version of the Clarins hand cream as a gift a while back. It has a creamy rich texture, gentle scent, and most importantly leaves your hands feeling lovely and soft. I love the small size of the travel version too (available at airports) - perfect for chucking into your handbag!

4. Kerastase Elixir Ultime

The great thing about this oil is that you can pop it onto your hair at any time, whether it's freshly washed and wet, completely dry and styled, or fallen victim to a rain shower. I like using it best when my hair has just been blow-dried to smooth out any frizziness and add a bit of shine.

5. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre

A French skincare product is making an appearance on my blog once again. This time it's Lait-Creme Concentre by Embryolisse. I was slightly hesitant about this product at first as I have acne prone skin and this moisturiser is thicker than my usual Toleriane Fluid, but I have been won over. Toleriane is still my everyday favourite, but I tend to cheat on it with Embryolisse if my skin is feeling dry, or when the weather is colder. 

Clutch: Whistles

Scarf: H&M

Gloves: H&M

Photos: my own.

Skincare

1. Make-up removal and/or quick cleanse

Bioderma's Micellar Solution

La Roche-Posay's Micellar solution

When it comes to skincare the French are currently reigning supreme. Micellar solutions have been dominating magazines, beauty blogs and shop shelves for months now, and if you've ever tried the stuff then it should come as no surprise as to why that is. 

Micellar solutions are ultra-mild, non-rinse cleansers and make-up removers. Perfume-free and with a water-like consistency, it feels as gentle as applying water to your face while at the same time still manages to remove make-up with a few quick sweeps of a cotton pad. 

The french brand 'Bioderma' produces what is probably the most famous or well-known micellar solution, and is often cited as being used by make-up artists backstage at fashion shows (Oh-la-la). However, this stuff can be fairly tricky to get your hands on if you're living outside of France. But fear not. The good news is that Bioderma is slowly starting to make it's way into the wider market (with a few pharmacies in London rumoured to be stocking it) and in the meantime there are plenty of sites selling it online. I buy mine from Amazon. Alternatively, brands such as La Roche-Posay are also producing the solution (link here).

2. Cleansing foaming gel and moisturiser

La Roche-Posay's Toleriane Fluide

La Roche-Posay's Toleriane Softening Foaming Gel

On days when I haven't been wearing any make-up, or if I simply feel like my skin needs a deeper clean, my go-to cleanser is the Toleriane foaming gel by La Roche-Posay (link here). The Toleriane line is especially designed for sensitive skin and, like the micellar solution, is perfume free and practically scentless (always an attractive trait in my book). A pea-sized amount of this gel generously lathers up when applied to wet skin - meaning that a little goes a long way. 

This is followed up by a staple on my shelf- the Toleriane fluid moisturiser by La Roche-Posay (link here). Again, coming from the Toleriane line this moisturiser is perfume-free, and the 'fluide' version of moisturiser is very lightweight, leaving the skin feeling moisturised without feeling greasy or thick (thus making a perfect choice for oily or combination skin and creating a great base for foundation).

3. Exfoliant

Dermologica's Gentle Cream Exfoliant

A few months ago I came across a review of Dermalogica's 'gentle cream exfoliant' by the wonderful Lisa Eldridge, and after learning that Lisa was a fan, and that it contains the much hyped about Lactic acid, I was curious to give it a go. 

For those of you who haven't heard of it, Lactic acid is derived from sour milk and is said to benefit the skin by eating away at removing dead skin cells to leave the skin with a brighter and smoother appearance. 

Although the idea of using Lactic acid in skincare isn't new (Cleopatra apparently used to bathe in the stuff as part of her beauty regime, fyi) it has gained huge momentum and hype in the beauty sphere in recent months.

I've been using this product for three months now and it is safe to say that I am a convert to the seemingly strange notion of Lactic acid. I apply it once-a-week after I've cleansed my skin in the evening, and leave it on to work it's magic for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Result = smoother skin without the irritation (and possible damage) I used to get from using beady-grainy-buffing exfoliants.

(Probably best to get a tester of this product before making the full purchase as some reviews suggest it may irritate highly sensitive or damaged skin.) 

4. Eye-cream

Origins' GinZing eye cream

Finally, no skincare post would be complete without mention of an eye cream. 

I'm quite fickle when it comes to eye creams and tend to chop and change when the time comes to buy a new one. Currently on my bathroom shelf is the GinZing eye cream by Origins (link here). It has an almost pearly quality to it which brightens around the eyes and definitely helps in camouflaging under-eye circles. It also absorbs nice and quickly into the skin which is always a plus. 

One of the product's main marketing points is that it helps to reduce under-eye puffiness. There is a sort of cool and 'tingly' feeling that you experience after applying this eye cream, which may be part of the 'de-puffing' effect. I'm a fan of that sensation in the morning time, but not so much at night-time. A small qualm for an otherwise good eye-cream perhaps. 

Photos all my own.