My evening routine

After a long day and before snuggling down to relax I get changed and get my skin ready for the night. It does take a few minutes, but it's a routine that I like and that for me really marks the end of the day - I'm done, I'm home and now it's down time. When I'm really tired it's tempting to want to ignore the whole evening routine, and just to go to bed with make up on (and don't try and deny it - we've all done that!), but with the help of a cleansing solution it'll take less than a minute to cleanse and moisturize to keep those wrinkles at bay! Cleansing solutions are definitely a great option, but for me they don't completely replace a separate cleanser and toner, which is what I prefer to use most evenings.

I start with soaking some cotton pads in Gatineau Floracil Gentle Cleansing Lotion for Eyes which is a super gentle non-oily cleansing lotion that is incredibly effective in removing all eye makeup, including waterproof products, and then I leave them for a few seconds on the eyelids. There's no need for pulling or rubbing, and the lotion also soothes the eye area while it cleanses. It is a pricey product, but considering that you only need very little, it lasts a long time and since it looks after that delicate eye area as well, I like to look at it as an investment - to prevent further cost in 15 years time, if you know what I mean.

I'll follow that with my Clarins Daily Energizer Cleansing Gel. It's a light and gentle foaming gel that cleanses the skin, removing any make up but without drying out my skin. I have used this product for about a year and for me it's perfect to use in the shower, it really brightens the skin and I love its fresh and zesty orange fragrance. It's definitely my favourite Clarins cleanser and it's great value for money (£12).

When I've rinsed off the cleansing gel with some warm water I use Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile. I really like to use a toner to get rid of every bit of cleanser or any stubborn makeup, and because it makes the skin feel that extra clean and fresh. This lotion is again a very gentle and alcohol free product and with the Camomile, well known for it's anti inflammatory qualities, this helps to soften and soothe any irritation. By the way, if you are interested in any of these products, and you are based in the UK - hurry up and go to Clarins on line store since they have some fantastic summer offers on at the moment, with great goodie bags for purchases over £60 (offer expires 18/8)!

So that's the preparation done and now the last bit - moisturisers. If I'm using an oil or a serum, I'll apply that at this point before I get to the eye cream. At the moment I have the Estée Lauder Resilience Lift Firming/Sculpting Eye Creme which I've talked about in detail in another post. I like to use products that feel as if they are actually doing something, and for the eye area in particular I like creamy textures that moisturise and nourish without any clogging - this eye cream does all of those things. The skin feels so smooth and refreshed and the eye area looks bright and radiant. When I wrote the other post on this eye cream I estimated that I would get a good 3-4 months use out of it, and more than one month down the line I have barely made a dent in the cream. That's how little you need, and my new estimate is that it'll probably still be on my bathroom shelf 6 months from now!

Last but not least is the Decléor Aromessence Angélique Night Balm. Night time is perfect for oils and serums that have a thicker consistency that will leave your skin a bit shiny and oily, but since you're asleep anyway - who cares when it does wonders for your skin? The Angélique balm is suitable for dry skin types in particular and consists of essential oils and 100% natural, preservative-free ingredients. Before you apply it you should rub a little balm between your palms or fingertips to heat it up, to make it easier for it to melt into your skin. As you heat up the balm you'll sense the amazing aromatic essential oils which I find really relaxing. The balm is supposed to soothe dry skin, reduce fine lines and stimulate "the nutritive exhange process" - I guess that means that we'll all wake up looking GORGEOUS! All jokes aside, I use this night balm all year around, but especially in the wintertime as an intense treatment to rebalance and smooth my skin, and I know that in the morning I'll have soft and supple skin.

To finish off I'll spray some on some nice perfume before making a cup of tea or a very naughty hot chocolate. That and reading a few clicks on the kindle will send me off to the land of nod, and a good nights sleep. Zzzzzleep well!