Layla Loves - Skincare

What Layla doesn't know about beauty and make-up isn't worth knowing! Layla♥Loves is a feature where you can find information on skincare and make-up, and drool over the latest new products. If you have a skincare related question for Layla, direct your emails to layla [at] divalookbook.com.

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An item that popped up a few times in the questions I was asked, was skincare and skin types. I have compiled a list of products for different skins to give you that fresh faced glow! Even though make-up is fun, its still nice to give your face a ‘naked-day’. So lock the door and use these products and no-one will notice you aren’t wearing any makeup!

BLACKHEADS

We’ve all had them! And they can be one of the most persistant spots to get rid of! I’ve got some tried and tested products here for you to get rid of those pesky little blackheads!

Biore Facial Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
These pore strips will pull out and cleanse any blackheads or dirt from your chin or forehead in one simple sweep! And if you want to see if its really working, look at the strip and you can see the results on the strip… or you can just throw it in the bin! Biore are one of the original blackhead remover pads, and also have them specifically for noses.

Soap and Glory ‘Scrub Your Nose In It’ Face Scrub
I am always drawn to these products, not only do they look amazing, but they really do work. This scrub is designed for large pores, and can be doubled up as a face mask to use weekly. This has a zingy tea tree type smell and lasts a long time. Grab it while you can.

Mamas Special Recipe!
This is something that’s been passed down in my family as a good way to get rid of blackheads. When you read this, chances are you will think im crazy. But give me a chance! This is good if you have sensitive skin as its all natural ingredients.
- Boil up 500ml of water in a bowl. Add some basil leaves and an essential oil. I use tea tree oil to give my face a tingly feeling but it works with all oils. Cover your head in a cloth and lean over the water for approximately five minutes to open your pores.
- Make a paste out of Baking Soda and water and leave on the blackheads for five minutes. Once that has been left on scrub the mixture in and rinse off with cold water. Do this once a week and you will be blackhead free!

SPOTS

We only ever seem to get them when something important is about to happen! And as must as its difficult not to, do NOT squeeze them. This spreads the spot and you are likely to get them coming back. Another important thing is not to cake the spot in makeup – this can clog it up and lead to infection.

Toothpaste
I thought this was a myth, but I used it before and it works! But a dollop of toothpaste on your spot and leave it overnight. This dries out the spot and leaves it easier to get rid of.

Grace Your Face Spot Reducer Pads
These little pads are proven to reduce and prevent spot breakouts. They are easy to use, you apply a patch over the affected area and leave overnight. These will cleanse and help fight the breakout.

Montagne Jeunesse Blemish Mud Face Mask
Apply this mask once a week in order to prevent breakouts. With loads of natural ingredients it means that even sensitive skin can handle these masks. Invite a friend over and apply these mask and let them do their magic!

DRY SKIN

With this weather it’s hard to avoid dry skin. But here are some lotions and potions to help you combat this and give you a soft silky face.

Lush Gorgeous
Although this is pricey, it’s absolutely worth it. The moisturiser was originally made for Diana Princess of Wales. The smell of fruits is amazing and it leaves your face feeling amazingly soft and moisturised. Luckily, all of lush products have testers available and their staff are extremely knowledgeable of the products, so if you have any questions pop into your nearest store.

Bio-Oil
Although this is primarily used for stretch marks, its is amazing for giving an even skin tone. Apply lightly over your face and rub in for about five minutes. Dab with blotting paper if you need to. This should keep your face moisturised even in this harsh weather! Remember with this, less is definitely more.

Garnier Vita Restore Night Cream
This is designed for mature skin, which means its quite heavy duty. But apply thinly to a makeup free face before you go to bed and wake up feeling fab and moisturised! Start with applying the tiniest bit first and then upping the amount as you go on.. This can leave your face looking greasy if too much is applied.

OILY SKIN

Oh oily skin! Shiny faces in photographs, makeup never staying put. Well that’s all a thing of the past with these three tried and tested products.

Superdrug Clarity Shine Control Papers
Blotting papers are great for oily skin. These come in a handy little packet so you can pop them in your bag on a night out. When you are in the loo give your face a quick blot with them and that shine disappear!

Eau Thermale Avene Cleanance Anti-Shine Lotion
This is a daily use lotion. Apply it before you go to bed or before you apply your makeup and allow it to settle. It will clear up oily skin in an instant and keep it at bay!
Its also great for sensitive skin.

No 7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Toner for Oily Skin
Tone your skin without adding any oil to it. No 7 is a great brand anyway, but this toner is great. It tones your skin without it feeling oily like many toners do. Also – at the moment Boots are doing a great deal with No 7 brands, so get down to a Boots or online and get some!

SENSITIVE SKIN

Sensitive skin can be a nightmare, but with these product you need not worry. Also, for information on products you wish to use, ask someone in store. They are often able to help you.

Expert Baby Sensitive Moisturiser
A good tip for people with sensitive skin is to go for Baby products. It may seem strange, but baby lotions/oils are formulated for the most sensitive skin of all – babies! This moisturiser is heavy duty and should not irritate your skin. Give it a whirl!

Simple Soothing Skin Toner
Not only with this tone your face, but if left in the fridge it will completely sooth it of any itching. Simple are a generally great brand to use if you are new to cosmetics, they are affordable and designed for specialist skin. This was the first toner I ever bought and I still buy it now!

Pampers Sensitive Wipes
I use nappy wipes for removing make-up. It’s a lot cheaper than special make-up removers and is great on the skin. Sensitive wipes are scentless, so you wont smell like a baby's bum..

BRIGHTEN

In these winter months its hard to look bright eyed and bushy tailed. But with these three products you can. These are three of my favourite items to use when I just want to look a bit brighter!

Lush – Ocean Salt Face Scrub
Vodka based face scrub?! Get a bright face with what you had the night before with this face scrub. It smells like sun tan lotion and when you are scrubbing it in you can pretend you’re on a beach in Miami – only to be woken up by someone knocking on the bathroom door..

Garnier Nutrionionist Eye Caffiene Roll On
This enriches the eye with caffeine and tones the eye. Giving you wide awake eyes in the sweet of a pen! This is the number one eye product at the moment so try it out for less than £10!

Eyeko 3 in 1 Moisturiser/Toner/Highighter
This gives you that subtle ‘is she or isn’t she’ wearing makeup feel. Its light effortless and moisturises aswell as highlighter. Look out for other Eyeko products because they are absolutely amazing.