REVIEW || OPTREX ACTIMIST 2 IN 1 SPRAY FOR DRY AND IRRITATED EYES

How annoying can dry eyes get? As a constant glasses and contact lens wearer, I find it very difficult to keep my eyes moist and ready for the day. I have naturally quite dry eyes and as you can imagine staring at a screen all day long will hurt my eyes twice as much because of how dry they get. Another annoying thing is that I wear quite a lot of eye makeup nearly every day, so when it comes to using eye drops it's a no-go as I don't want my makeup to run down my face. So, when I was sent to try out the Optrex ActiMist for dry and irritated eyes I was super excited to try it out and see if it will work well.

Brian Tompkins who is one of the UK's top optometrists says: 

“While ‘Screen Eyes’ symptoms are often mild, having irritated or gritty eyes can be a nuisance and disruptive when you’re trying to go about your day. I find that sufferers don’t link dryness or soreness to staring at their screen or recognise that it could be exacerbating their symptoms. The first step we should take as eye health practitioners is to educate people about ‘Screen Eyes’ and help them both recognise the symptoms and manage them. There is currently a lot of confusion on this topic.”

The bottle is very handy, it's small and not an awkward shape which makes it easy to carry around - even if you want to pop it in your coat pocket or clutch bag on a night out. I was sort of expecting it to look more like a nasal spray but I'm glad it comes in a cute little bottle!

Now, the instructions advise to use it on bare eyes, but you should familiarise yourself with the instructions where you will find that it is okay to use it on top of makeup but be sure to use a good eyeshadow primer as you don't want it to run! I use it in the morning and at night before bed, and anytime my eyes feel very dry and need a moisture boost.

The smell, on the other hand, is very different from what I expected it to be. I thought it'll smell like a usual glasses cleaner or something along the lines but it actually is sort of scentless but reminds me slightly of the 1 calorie cooking oil spray hahaha! I mean, it's not a bad thing but that's what I familiarise it with.

Overall, I do enjoy using this product and feel like it does help relieve my eyes after a long day of staring at a screen and reading seminar papers. I would recommend it to makeup wearers especially, as it comes in a lot handier than regular eye drops.

*This post contains a PR sample.

Are you a glasses/contact lens wearer? Would you try this mist?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

REVIEW || SKINKISSED VITAMIN C SERUM

When I first came across the brand Skinkissed my initial thoughts were 'just another serum that claims to work wonders', but oh boy, did I surprise myself when I started using it...
This is a serum which consists of Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and Collagen as the main ingredients and claims to plump up dry and dull skin, making it more vibrant and fresh as well as reducing the appearance of wrinkles and treat acne.

As I mentioned above, the serum has acne-treating properties inside which is right up my alley as I've been battling with acne since I was 11 - you can read my story here. I didn't know what to think of it at first as I've tried many products and nothing really worked for me, but I think that this is a great addition to anyone's skincare routine as it really does make a difference in how my skin looks and feels. The packaging is quite cute and reminds me a bit of medicine as it comes in a glass bottle with a pipette for easy application where you can control how much product you use. I enjoy using this serum at night so it soaks into my skin and makes it nice and soft for the next day before I apply my makeup. The instructions say to use 3-5 drops on your fingers and gently massage into desired areas (I use it on my face and neck). You need to bear in mind that if you use more drops then it will take slightly longer for it to absorb into your skin, so the less you use the more efficient it'll turn out to be.
The consistency of this serum is quite watery however it feels a little bit sticky when it's applied but that goes away as soon as it's absorbed into the skin, but I find that the sticky feeling helps keep my makeup on for longer so it's a great substitute for primer!

When I get up in the morning I begin my day with a usual skincare routine, and I have noticed a big difference in the glow of my skin which makes my makeup look a lot better as I don't need to use as many brightening products to get a natural-looking glow. You might be asking yourself one question which is 'is it worth the high price tag?', well I think it is. I've had this product for a few weeks now and been using it every day yet I still have about 3/5 of the bottle left which means that it'll last you a while. It also has a lot of nutrients in it which your skin needs, but if you were to buy all the ingredients and use them separately it would cost a lot of money and who would want to take about 7 vitamins a day when you can very easily rub some serum into your skin? I know which one I'd rather... My verdict is that this product is my new holy grail for my dull and acne-prone skin!

*This post includes a PR sample.

What are your favourite serums? Have you ever tried this one?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

HOW I CLEARED MY ACNE IN LESS THAN 90 DAYS (AD)

*Personal post alert*

I don't even know where to start... I have been struggling with bad skin for 12 years and it's something that has bothered me since I started secondary school and met some horrible people. I wasn't too fussed about having spots and looking after my skin more until I got bullied for it - how can someone say a bad thing about something so natural? Either way, I tried a great number of different products which were either a hit or miss, but all I can say is that going to see a dermatologist was the best decision I made.

I was given yet another set of pills which were so strong that if I got pregnant while taking them, the baby would have been deformed... Is it healthy to put your body at such risk just to get off some damn spots? Either way, they did go away after a year of being on those meds but along with losing spots, I have also lost my good eyesights and now will have to wear glasses for the rest of my life.

Guess what? The spots came back, haha. At the age of 21, I still feel like a hormonal teenager who can't wait to get rid of bad skin. It might be due to my contraception method (I'm on the implant) but I can't blame all my unwellness of that, can I?

When I came across Proactiv+ I thought 'it's just another brand claiming to fight blemishes', but when I received a 90-day sample to try out for myself I was very excited to try it out for myself - got nothing left to lose, eh? I researched into the company and have seen many adverts in which Jorgie Porter shares her acne story - I knew she suffered from bad skin as I watched I'm A Celeb while she was on it. So you can imagine how much I was looking forward to trying the Proactiv+ Trio (I was also sent their face mask).

Step 1: Cleanse and Exfoliate

The Skin Smoothing Exfoliator contains blemish-fighting salicylic acid and gentle exfoliating beads to slough away dead skin cells, dirt, oil, grime and makeup. It reveals fresh, smooth skin while helping to calm irritated skin as well as being oil-free and dermatologist tested + suitable for all skin types - hooray! I apply this product twice a day - once in the morning as soon as I get up, and once at night before going to bed. This exfoliator retails at £29.99 however, you can get it at a discounted price of £23.99 if you join the membership programme. I find this product very gentle for my skin without any irritation, if you have read my recent skincare routine you will already know that I have a combination skin type which makes finding the right products very difficult, so this one is honestly amazing for those who have sensitive skin.

Step 2: Target and Treat

The Pore Targeting Treatment is probably my favourite item from the collection. It's described as a blemish-fighting 'powerhouse' of the system which contains an exclusive Smart Target technology, helping to deliver salicylic acid into the pores where blemishes begin. It kills bacteria and eliminates excess oil and debris, and works deep in the pores to break down dead skin cells, dirt and sebum. Now you know why I love this product!! I feel like this treatment works very well as it pushes out all the nastiness from the debris (middle layer of the skin) which makes spots come out on the epidermis so that your skin feels fresh and clean from underneath as well as on top. I do find that when the nasties are pushed out on the surface of my skin, it makes me break out a lot but that's when I knew the product was working as it was clearing out my skin from the inside, plus the spots would only last a few days with continuous use. This little gem also retails at £29.99, and you can get it for £23.99 like the exfoliator. You get less product in this one but I would suggest buying this one over the other ones I've tried if you're after only one product.

Step 3: Hydrate and Perfect

The third and final step of the treatment includes the Complexion Perfecting Hydrator which is specifically designed to hydrate and nourish acne-prone skin. It addresses the skin tone, texture, post-blemish marks, oil, dryness, and lack of brightness. The salicylic acid helps keep pores clean and looking smaller, as well as leaving the skin hydrated, supple, smooth, even-toned and bright.
I use this as my daily moisturiser after the Pore Targeting Treatment sinks into my skin, I find it very cooling and smoothing which makes a great base for my makeup (I wear a full face of makeup most days). This moisturiser is also £29.99 but £23.99 at a member price, which will cost less than £1 a day to clear up your skin in just 90 days if you buy all 3 products.

Skin Purifying Mask:

Like I've mentioned before, I was also kindly given the Skin Purifying Mask to try out. This mask is formulated to help clear existing blemishes and help prevent new breakouts from forming. It's very tightening on the skin which makes me feel like it's actually doing something to my skin, such as clearing out and minimising my pores and getting rid of sebum. I try to use face masks once or twice a week, so I usually switch between this one and a moisturising mask each time.

The Results:

After using the Proactiv+ 90 Day 3-Step Core System and face mask, I can honestly say that I have noticed a massive difference in how my skin looks and feels. Unfortunately, I don't have a good enough image of my skin before starting the treatment but if you've been following me for a while then you'll know how bad my skin can get (the bumps are usually visible in makeup posts). I highly recommend the trio to anyone who is suffering from bad acne and has tried many products which they weren't happy with. If you're not wanting to spend a lot of money then I suggest you try out a 30 day 3-Step Core Kit with Proactiv's membership programme which allows you to get the whole bundle for only £19.99 (special discounts apply to members and occasionally regular visitors).


*The kit was kindly sent to me by Proactiv+ however, all opinions are my own. The post may include affiliate links.

Would you try the Proactiv+ kit? Do you suffer from acne?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

REVIEW || XLASH SERUM AND MASCARA

Has anyone actually ever found a mascara that they're 100% happy with? I know that after 10 years of religiously wearing mascara (either clear, brown or black) I have become very fussy with the formula, wands, and even packaging! So when I was sent some of the Xlash products to try out I was super excited to see what all the fuss was about.

The packaging is alright, nothing fancy yet it's different to the ones I've tried before. I prefer the packaging of the serum, but having my MAC False Lashes mascara next to the other two kinds of makes them look worse - don't be fooled by the packaging though as I do not get on very well with the MAC mascara.

I love the fact that the mascara is infused with vitamin E as it's a great treatment for those with thinning lashes - I've noticed a huge difference in the thickness and quality of my lashes as this mascara doesn't pull them out when I take my makeup off. At first, I found the consistency very odd as it was crumbling off my lashes in a rubbery sort of way - if that even makes sense?? Either way, it didn't rip any lashes out which I thought was great as my usual mascaras come off with 1000 lashes every time!

I find the serum also helps with strengthening my lashes and letting them 're-charge' overnight as that's when I like to apply the product. I was expecting the applicator to be a wand but weirdly it's a liner sort of brush which makes the application a lot easier.

Here you can see the applicator which I think is fab for precise application that allows all lashes to be covered and replenish overnight. I also believe that this product will last a while even with daily usage as I've had it for a few weeks now and feel like there's an infinite supply of it!

I apologise for the quality of this photo - it took many attempts to try and get the camera to focus on the wand rather than the background but stubbornly it wasn't having any of it. As you can see, the wand is medium-sized with sparse bristles for a natural look. It's also curved for an easier application and natural curve which I love for work, especially during days like today.

Overall, I really enjoy using both products but if I had to recommend one of them then I'd say try the serum as I have honestly noticed a difference in the thickness and length of my lashes!

*The Xlash mascara and serum have been sent for me to try out and I am a part of the ambassadors' team for the company. All opinions are always honest and my own!

Have you tried or been thinking about using any of the Xlash products? If so, which one(s)?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

HOW I TAKE CARE OF MY DRY, SENSITIVE AND ACNE-PRONE SKIN

My skin has had its ups and downs recently, it gets especially bad around that time of the month. I started using new skincare products along with my old ones and I've really noticed a difference in my skin. Having combination skin consisting of an oily t-zone, dry patches, acne and being sensitive to a lot of products, makes it a lot harder to take care of.

I've been after a good exfoliating brush for a long time, and while a lot of people tend to go for the Clarisonic one I bought the Rio one for only around £13 from Asda! It was a great buy as it works really well and removes all the dirt from my skin after a long day of wearing makeup.

The Regime London Deluxe Collagen tablets have been my lifesaver during the winter months when my skin is feeling extra dry and my nails are breaking. I think it's a great supplement for those who are a bit lazy when it comes to skincare and want to look youthful with minimal effort.

One of my all-time favourite products to cleanse is the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner, as it purifies very well without leaving an oily residue on my face. I find that majority of toners don't clean well but spread dirt around - especially in the t-zone.

My recent additions to the skincare family include the Buff&Butter Tea Tree and Olive Squalane oils which are great for my skin type. I use the Tea Tree to combat spots as it dries them out and has healing properties, on the other hand, the Olive Squalane is fantastic for dry skin and leaves my face feeling like a baby if I leave it on overnight!

Ever since I bought the Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque I've been in love with it. I try to use it once to twice a week as I feel that it clears my pores so well as if I have had a facial done! If I were to recommend any face masks, it'll definitely be this one - don't be put off by the price as it is worth it and lasts a long time.

MAC's Mineralise Charged Water is great for those wanting an effective primer/setting spray but suffer from dry skin. It helped my skin look a lot dewier the past few weeks of owning it.

The biggest impulse buy was the Opatra Gentle Exfoliating Gel which I bought for £20 at the Clothes Show in Birmingham last year. I feel like it works well for getting rid of dead skin cells however, I do find it hard to believe that it isn't the product itself that is creating a shedding effect... Either way, I feel like it does something to my skin which I guess is a good thing haha!

Decleor honestly makes the most gorgeous bottles of serums. I got given this set by my mum and I must say it's great for the warmer days. The small size means it's easy to travel with and I know for a fact that I will be taking this whole set with me on my holiday to Rome.

What is your current skincare routine? Have you tried any of the products that I'm currently using?

Lots of love,

Maya xo