Pictured: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Invisible Fluid SPF50+

One of the most important steps in any face routine, that be make up or skincare, is SPF. If your not wearing SPF daily, your absolutely doing it wrong. Even if your not wearing make up or you don't follow a skincare routine, you should be wearing SPF every single day, whether you leave the house or not. I have been using the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Invisible Fluid SPF50+ for over a year now and I really like it. With this SPF being from a brand that is focused on skincare, it's not going to clog your pores, resulting in itchy prickly heat. I love that this SPF doesn't leave a cast on your face, doesn't leave your face sticky or feeling heavy and caked, making it the perfect consistency to wear under make up. Being an SPF that is 50+, it gives your face the ultimate protection possible, which will help in the long run with wrinkles and dark spots. You can get the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Invisible Fluid SPF50+ for under £15 at most beauty retailers, like Boots and FeelUnique, for 50ml. 

Pictured: Dior La Mousse Off/On Foaming Cleanser

While on a trip to London I visited the Dior store in Covent Garden and the La Mousse Off/On Foaming Cleanser had just been released. I had recently found a new love in Dior make up and was starting to test out their skincare line, so of course I scooped one up. The lady who served me told me that it cleaned her skin like nothing she had ever used before and it smelt amazing, she was looking forward to hearing how I got on as I had an appointment with her the next day. I mean, it's a face wash right? I didn't expect to literally be jaw dropped after using it for the first time. I don't know if it's because I was in London and I'd spent my day in a polluted city and on the tube, but after I used this cleanser, I swear my face looked instantly different. I remember shouting to Reece that I knew this was going to be a repurchase! The La Mousse Off/On Foaming Cleanser leaves your skin feeling almost squeaky clean and noticeably tighter, the perfect canvas for the rest of your skincare routine. The texture of this cleanser is thick, almost toothpaste like. You need only a small pea size amount on the palm of your hand and it creates a wonderful lather when you rub your hands together with a small amount of water. I would recommend creating the lather in your hands rather than applying the product straight to you face, as due to the thickness it works much better this way. Fair to say I sang La Mousse's praises the next day when I visited Dior. The bottle I bought back in March is nearly empty, so I need to order another, as this has become a total staple in my routine. The La Mousse Off/On Foaming Cleanser is available at Dior for £36, for 150ml. 

Pictured: Chanel Démaquillant Yeux Intense Gentle Bi-Phase Eye Makeup Remover

I have been through a lot of eye make up removers in my years, as I have worn liquid eyeliner for years and as of late, liquid eyeliner that is also eyelash glue. I found that a lot of products I was using were not helping to budge my liner and with liner being applied to eyes, it's not an area that you want to rub at a lot. I needed a make up remover that included oils to be able to break down the stubborn eyeliner, and any mascara I was wearing. When I was on a trip away in Edinburgh with Reece, I was browsing the Chanel counter when I saw that they sold an eye make up remover that was a two phase formula. The Démaquillant Yeux Intense Gentle Bi-Phase Eye Makeup Remover has a soothing water phase and a highly purified lipidic phase (a composition of highly purified oils) which breaks down the makeup while also soothing the skin. I was totally sold and bought it straight away. The first time I used it I was so shocked that it worked so well and so fast. I didn't have to scrub away at my eyes, it left no trace of make up on my eyes and I woke up the next morning without the dreaded panda eyes. I am now on my second bottle of this eye make up remover and I will 100% be purchasing it again. You can purchase the Démaquillant Yeux Intense Gentle Bi-Phase Eye Makeup Remover from Chanel for £25 for 100ml.

Pictured: Chanel Le Lait Anti-Pollution Cleaning Milk to Water

Using a non was off cleanser is a step that I only really do when I have been wearing make up and this is a step that I'm still not sure if I have found the right product. I have switched out this product in my routine countless times, I've tried so many different versions of cleansers but never found my one. Currently, I am using the Chanel Le Lait Anti-Pollution Cleaning Milk to Water, and I'm not sold on it really. Don't get me wrong, it does the job. It leaves my skin feeling soft and clean and does remove my make up, but I really really hate the scent. You will see throughout this post that some of my skincare items smell so good I'd love a perfume in that scent, but this is really not one of them. I can't quite describe what this cleanser smells like. In the bottle it's not pleasant, it reminds me of old ladies and stale tobacco and in use, it's the same but not as strong. When I first start using this on my skin, the scent repulsed me so much I just had to hold my breath and get through it. For a product that I'm not seeing a huge difference when I use it, it at least has to smell nice to get me to purchase a second bottle! That being said, I do like the milk to water formula, it's very light weight and doesn't leave any film on your skin and I would for sure, sway towards using this formula in the future. Chanel Le Lait Anti-Pollution Cleaning Milk to Water is £33 for 150ml.

Pictured: Dior Hydra Life Balancing Hydration 2 in 1 Sorbet Water

I wasn't using a toner for quite a while in my skincare routine, so I reintroduced it not too long a go. I feel like a lot of people leave out this step, but a toner's job is meant to refresh your skin without stripping it of its natural moisture. Toner shouldn't irritate your skin skin or cause excessive dryness. It also prepares the skin to drink up your moisturizer and any other skin treatments that you use. I have been using the Dior Hydra Life Balancing Hydration 2 in 1 Sorbet Water since early this year and I really enjoy it. The scent is to die for, it's super refreshing and honestly, a scent I'd love to see Dior make into a perfume. This toner water is packed with prebiotics, which helps to hydrate and rebalance the skin while minimizing imperfections, like large pores and shine. Ingredients include French mallow extract, which helps to boost the circulation of water from one cell to another. This bottle has lasted me a long time and I will for sure, be purchasing a second bottle, which will set you back £28.50 for 175ml.

Pictured: Revolution 2% Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is something that I introduced into my skincare routine in around 2019 and I have never looked back. Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance found in the fluids in the eyes and joints and when applied to your skin, helps dry skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and speeds up wound healing, which is brilliant for acne prone skin. It can hold 1000 times it weight in water, so really helps to retain the moisture in your skin. If you don't use Hyaluronic Acid and want to try it out, don't make the same mistake that I did when I first started using it. Hyaluronic Acid must be applied to damp skin. After toning, I use a spray bottle to provide my skin with a mist of water, then I apply all over my face, focusing on any dryer areas of skin. Using Hyaluronic Acid really preps your skin nicely for your next product. I have used the Inkey List, Revolution and The Ordinary versions of Hyaluronic Acid, but honestly just go with whatever is easier or cheaper for you. I really haven't noticed any difference between those three. I would say that I didn't like the packaging for the Inkey List version, and this product is much easier to use with a bottle that has a dropper. Hyaluronic Acid is around £5 for a 30ml bottle and should last for at least six months. 

Pictured: Dior Capture Totale Intensive Essence Lotion

An essence is definitely a skincare item that I didn't know I needed until I used it. I was a little confused as to what this product was when I got it in a skincare gift set from Dior, but when I looked into it, I wish I'd tried one before! An essence will hydrate and re-balance the skin whilst also using highly concentrated levels of active ingredients, enabling a deeper penetration into our skin barrier. It's basically a primer for your skincare! I have been using the Dior Capture Totale Intensive Essence Lotion since March and I have been really enjoying it. I put a finger tip amount on my entire face, again a little goes a long way with this product. As you can see from the picture, this is a small 50ml bottle and I'm not even half way through after using this product every day since March. As this is the first essence I have used religiously, I unfortunately can't compare to others, but I would absolutely recommend this to any skincare junkie. The scent of this essence lotion is amazing, it's very fresh and spa like. Honestly I just love Dior skin care, it really does feel luxurious. You can purchase a 150ml bottle for £55.

Pictured: The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide + Zinc 1% and 100% Niacinamide Powder

I feel like most people that are really into skincare, all have one product that they will say changed their entire skincare game, and for me, that's Niacinamide. I always thought I had huge blackheads on my nose and I hated how my make up would separate around them due to my oily skin, making me feel like they really stood out. These pores are actually sebaceous glands, which produce a natural oil called sebum. No word of a lie, Niacinamide reduced every single one of my sebaceous glands by easily 99%. To see them now, you have to be super up close to my skin, and nobody is that close to my face apart from my boyfriend, who wouldn't care and my optician, who has definitely seen worse! Niacinamide works to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion, so not only will it work on your sebaceous glands, but will also work on any acne you have. I apply Niacinamide serum daily, focusing on my nose and forehead for pores and my cheeks and chin for combatting acne. I've never been so impressed with a skincare item before and I don't think I've ever repurchased an item so many times either. I recommend Niacinamide to everybody I speak to who is getting into skincare and tell them it will change their life! Another Niacinamide product that I use is the 100% Niacinamide Powder from The Ordinary. As this has such a higher concentrate, I only use this weekly or fortnightly. I take a small spoonful of the power in the palm of my hand and mix with a drop or two of Hyaluronic Acid to create a much richer serum. It feels much slicker and works a treat for perfecting your skin before an important event or trip away. Just be careful not to over use Niacinamide as it's very easy to do so and can cause skin irritation and redness. The Niacinamide serum is around £6 for 30ml and £10 for 60ml and you can grab a 20g tub of the powder for £5.

Pictured: Dior Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy Super Potent Serum

I purchased a Capture Totale skincare bundle from Dior after I had a make up refresh at the Covent Garden store back in March while I was in London, and the lovely lady who fixed my face, prepped my skin with this entire range and I was really intrigued. I chose the Capture Total Total Age-Defying Discovery Ritual, which unfortunately, the exact version I bought isn't on the website anymore. My version included a 50ml serum, whereas the set now includes a 10ml serum, but is still a really good deal to try out this skincare range. I really like the Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy Super Potent Serum as it's never too early to start using anti-aging skincare, which is what this range is all about. This serum helps to make your Your skin feels more toned and firmer, its elasticity is significantly improved and the skin texture is refined. The scent of this serum is also amazing, carrying the same scent of the Capture Totale Intensive Essence Lotion. After every application of this serum, my skin feels so much better, it's like a miracle serum that completely changes your face! You can pick up the Dior Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy Super Potent Serum starting at £59.90 for 30ml.

Pictured: Dior Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy Super Potent Eye Serum

Eye cream was never an item that I never thought I needed, I didn't have bags or wrinkles, not much discolouration and I just thought it was a marketing way to put a smaller amount of the same moisturiser into a bottle and sell it for more as it's just for the eyes, but boy I was wrong! The skin around your eyes is the thinnest and most sensitive skin on your body and therefore, requires a different type of skincare. When you apply all the above, none of these should be applied to your eyelids or the skin immediately under your bottom lashes, because they're not formulated for such thin skin. This is why you need an eye cream in your routine. As part of the Capture Total Total Age-Defying Discovery Ritual set I bought from Dior, I was introduced to my first eye cream that the lady had used on me in Covent Garden. I started using it to see if I noticed a difference, and in a week I noticed that I the one line I had from my inner corner that ran under my eye had gone, the skin colour appeared more natural and blended to my general skin colour, removing any tones of blue green I had and overall, the skin appeared more hydrated. I really didn't realise how awful my eye area looked until I started using this product. I have been using this tiny 5ml bottle since March and I still have product left, which is insane! The applicator is lovely too, a wide massaging head that is cool to the touch every time and sweeps the product onto your skin perfectly. I will 100% be purchasing the full size eye cream when this one is nearly finished and I know it's going to last me a long time given how far this 5ml has stretched! You can purchase the Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy Super Potent Eye Serum from Dior for £59 for 20ml.

Pictured: Kylie Skin Clarifying Facial Oil

I have used many oils in my skincare routine after spending years petrified of putting any such thing on my oily skin, but I am currently using the Kylie Skin Clarifying Facial Oil. I purchased a mini set of Kylie Skin products from Harrods Beauty when I was last in Edinburgh and it contained a face wash, detox mask, moisturiser and this facial oil. I was curious after hearing so much about Kylie Skin, good and bad, that I just had to try it out myself. So far, so good! The Clarifying Facial Oil is fragrance free, and includes ingredients such as safflower oil which is known to replenish moisture and salicylic acid which is great for blemishes. Using this oil means I have been able to remove salicylic acid from my routine, meaning less layers on my face. I like this oil because it doesn't leave the skin feeling oily and greasy, it's not heavy like some other oils I have tried. It's lightweight and soaks into the skin really well. I haven't noticed any huge difference in my skin yet as I have only been using it for a short period of time, but I am curious to see if anything changes in the next few weeks. The Kylie Skin Clarifying Facial Oil retails for £26 for 20ml.

Pictured: Dior Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy Super Potent Firming and Wrinkle Correcting Cream
 Givenchy Skin Ressource Protective Moisturising Velvet Cream

Moisturiser is a product that I have been using for years, I think it's the first skincare product anybody invests in apart from some form of a face wash, and there are so many out there, it really can take an age to find the right one for you. Again, as part of my Dior Capture Total Total Age-Defying Discovery Ritual set, I received a 15ml tub of the Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy Super Potent Firming and Wrinkle Correcting Cream, and I loved it so much I've used the entire tub. I'm quite surprised that the small 15ml tub lasted me so long, because I have used it daily since March, so that just shows that a little really does go a long way. Dior states that this cream 'wraps the skin in comfort and intensely nourishes it with moisture,' and they're not wrong! The texture of this moisturiser is a rich, emulsified cream, that doesn't leave a greasy finish. Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy Super Potent Firming and Wrinkle Correcting Cream left my skin with a healthy glow, smoothed and firmer. I would definitely purchase this moisturiser again and I'm really missing it in my routine!

So after years of trying out plenty of different drug store brands, I have come to the conclusion, as I'm sure you can tell, that sometimes paying a little extra for an item really does make a difference. I see my skin as an investment, I'm going to have this face for the rest of my life and I need to take care of it now, to be able to appreciate it when I'm older. 

If you do decide to purchase any of the higher end items, I would really recommend purchasing directly from the brand themselves. I cannot speak highly enough about Dior, their customer service is unmatched and their loyalty scheme is amazing, which I will tell you all about in another post! The way that these high end brands package their items with care, have nearly always free shipping and always include a multitude of samples or free gifts, really does make it such a lovely experience, especially when you're paying that little bit extra. For example, I received deluxe perfume and make up samples and make up bags from Givenchy and the choice of multiple free samples from Chanel when I ordered directly through them. You have to experience it at least once! 

I'd love to hear what your favourite skincare items are, so make sure to leave a comment down below with what you use in your routine, or if you also love any of the products I've mentioned above!

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** Disclaimer: All views and opinions are my own. **