As a beauty writer people always expect you to have amazing hair, a cellulite-free body and flawless skin. When they meet me I think they're a little disappointed that I don't look like a Disney Princess!
Now, I won't Iie I have somewhat blossomed since I started in the beauty industry but the one thing that really lets my 'beauty writer' appearance down is my skin and there is one very shameful reason for this. Something that will have beauty professionals (and all you K&M readers) shrieking with horror.
I have no skincare routine.
Yep 'do as I say and not as I do'.
Read on after the jump to find out how I get on with Clinique's 3-step Skin Care System - my first ever skincare routine!
I do use scrubs, serums and the odd night cream but I never stick to anything routinely over any period of time. I have quite oily skin so I just feel greasy when I put too many products on it - I am always scrubbing so I feel fresh!
At the moment my skin is looking quite bad, I've had a lot of breakouts which have led to scars (I scar easily - sob!), my pores are huge and my complexion is uneven and dull. Thank god for makeup is all I can say.
Below is a photo of my skin makeup free! Quite mortifying but hey it's all in the name of journalism. As you can see I have a completely uneven skintone and dark patches under my eyes. (Eek - please excuse the eyebrows I am in between threading appointments!)
So with my skin at an all-time low I have finally promised to commit myself to a skincare routine and of course keep you updated with my progress. I have chosen to try Clinique's 3 Step Skincare System. Why? It's simple, they promise great skin and as part of their new campaign are offering a money back guarantee. That's the type of confidence I like! Plus, Clinique are world-renown skincare experts so I know I'm in good hands.
Clinique have designed the new-money-back-guaranteed 3-step Skincare System, that can be tailored to suit your specific skin type. So whether you have problems with spots, redness or like me, have really dull skin, they promise to improve the condition of your skin in 2 weeks.
Just visit any Clinique counter or click online to take a quick questionnaire on your skin. Your answers will be analysed to determine your skin-type and they then provide you with suitable products for your customised 3-step skin care system.
I took the test online and I am Skin Type 2. Which basically means I have your typical combination skin - very oily t-zone, large pores and dry patches.
My products arrived in the post today and as it is the 1st of July I have decided that this is a good sign! I declare today the start of my journey to great skin! Ha.
Here is my skincare system for the next month:
Step 1:Cleanse using Liquid Facial Soap Mild, £13
This cleanser promises to clean the face lifting off all dirt and oil without drying skin out. It also preps skin for the exfoliation in Step 2.
Step 2: Exfoliate using Clarifying Lotion Type 2 for Dry Combination Skin, £14
They call this the 'difference maker' as it is chosen specifically for my skin type. It is in a fluid form but has exfoliating properties to shift dead skin cells from the face.
Step 3: Moisturise with Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion for Very Dry to Dry Combination Skin, £15
Described as a 'moisture drink' this light lotion hydrates and helps the skin maintain its moistures balance.
I have the same products as the ones in the promotional picture!
First impressions?
Well the bottles are Clinique so obviously nice to look at, I feel ever so proud of them sitting pretty on my bathroom shelf.
I have started this morning and so far, so good. I was worried I wouldn't get the same fresh feeling I get after I scrub myself silly but the liquid soap felt really refreshing. A tiny amount foamed up quickly and my skin felt amazingly clean. In fact, the liquid soap left my skin feeling cleaner than ever scrub has!! Ok, my world has officially turned upside down.
I then applied the exfoliator which felt a lot like a toner - very fresh and had a cooling, tingly effect. As I pressed the cotton pad into my skin it felt like it was really cleaning it deep down which happily gave me a little scrub-hit! My skin felt really fresh -perfect in this heat!
I applied a tiny amount of the moisturiser and was a bit weary when it applied on shiny but after rubbing it in it soon mattified and I've got to say my skin feels pretty good -very soft, very smooth.
Clinique say you need to dedicate 3 minutes, presumably 1 minute for each product, twice a day. They offer a money back guarantee if you don't see any noticeable difference after 2 weeks but as my skin can be quite temperamental I plan to give it at least a month.
I am excited to try Clinique's Skincare System -it seems to have figured out the right combination of products for my skin.
I will keep you updated on my progress and hopefully my skin will look a lot better than in that photo.
Fingers crossed!
If you've tried Clinique's 3 Step Skincare System let us know how you got on! Or if like me you are thinking of trying it out for the first time, then Clinique are giving away a free Treatment Kit when you buy any two products from their Skin Care range. Just fill in your details below to take advantage of this fab offer.
