Cheap and glorious tricks - Nivea Men Sensitive post shave balm as primer

So a little while ago I wrote a blog about face primers and which ones work for dry skin - which you can read here. If you have dry skin it's really really important the you exfoliate and moisturise regularly and use a primer. I've been watching loads of youtube makeup reviews for people with dry skin because I'm looking to start buying makeup which is more suited for my skin texture. And you can just tell that some Youtubers quite obviously do not prime their skin properly and before applying the product, therefore they give it a bad review - saying it looks patchy, cakey or that comes off quickly. I'm not a make up artist or dermatologist but come on products are not miracles, often you have to work with them a bit to get your dream effect. 

To me right now, it's pretty obvious but in the past I've probably disowned lots of foundations, even ones that were good for dry skin because I didn't know that priming and prepping my skin was an essential part of the process. But recently I tested out the new youtube fad started by Nikkie tutorials where you use Nivea Men sensitive post shave balm as primer. And it actually works! The photo above is a still from a video I was shooting at work. I  look a bit shiny because of the lights but I wasn't in real life and by the time I got home my make up was still in place. 

• Pros - Your makeup will last all day (which I think is the number point of a good primer). Its really cheap (usually under £5) which is amazing for the amount that you get. There's allot in the bottle and you don't even have to use that much at all. It's also hydrating. 
• Cons - Not pore minimising (it's shave balm, there's not much you can expect). It also doesn't have a pump or anything so it's a bit difficult to control how much pours out. Has a bit of a "manly" scent at first.

I have to admit knowing that my make up hasn't disappeared half way through the day gives me one less thing to worry about! You can run around care free and looking 100%. 

Take Care 

Love Susuana 

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Skincare

Cruelty-free primers for dry & sensitive skin (under £15)

I've been through my fair share of face primers since I discovered they where a thing. From Maybelline baby skin (please never buy this waste of money product) to Smashbox photo finish primer (not something I wear every day and it's expensive). Also I've discovered the importance of working out what you want from a primer and also matching it to your skin type. For me it's important that my primer enables my liquid foundation to go on smoothly and does not dry out my skin. If it creates a super pore-less base that's great but I'm conscious of stuff that potentially blocks my pores. When I'm not wearing any make up but maybe going to the gym or running some errands I might just wear a primer on it's own to prevent my t-zone getting oily and keep my skin looking so fresh and so clean :) 

1. Makeup Forever Hydrating Primer - £13.00

This has to be my favourite primer. With only a small amount it makes my skin feel like it's had a drink and goes along way. It feels like moisturiser in terms of texture and you only need a couple of small squirts from the tube. I usually add it to my most problem areas which is my t-zone and my cheeks and then I don't have to worry about them for the rest of the day. The only not cool thing is that it is it's quite pricey for a small tube. However, it is a high quality product that can last a long time. Makeup forever also does a huge range of primers for different needs so go check it out. 

2. Nivea Essentials Express Hydration Primer (Dry & Sensitive Skin) - £4.99

This is my most recent purchase. I had been looking for smoking similar to the makeup forever product but cheaper. This product has a more gel like texture and it is super hydrating and leaves my skin feeling baby soft and ready for the world. This is my current go to primer and I find that I apply it like a moisturiser all over my face because a little goes a super long way. I think the price is amazing and it's also something you should be able to find in your local drugstore in the UK. Also it comes in a (normal skin) version.

3. Elf Hydrating Face Primer - £6.49

This is an affordable everyday wear primer for those on the go. It's something that I'd wear to the gym or pop in my travel bag because it works ok but isn't my favourite primer. It also smells a bit strange when you first apply it which is what I think puts me off personally. (I'm just really funny about those things). It also has vitamin A, C, E which is great. I would recommend as a product for anyone with dry to normal skin but not for oil skin because of the consistency of the product. For some reason I can't seem to find this primer on the UK e.l.f site but it is available on amazon and eBay.

Take care 

Susuana xx 

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Skincare

My Skin Care Routine

So for the past couple of months I've been trying to identify a skin care routine. Mainly because of over work, stress and mental heath reasons I've seem to had let my skin go and not been taking care of it at all. You know those "I'll take my make up off in the morning" levels of neglect. So anyway - now I make sure that I have a daily routine that makes my dry and sensitive skin, moisturised and clean. I'm also working towards getting rid of dark circles and hyper pigmentation. Below is my everyday skin care routine if I was was wearing make up.                             

Morning 

• Dodu-osun black soap - an all natural soap bar from my homeland that helps tackle dark marks 
• Sonic face cleaner - The sonic face cleaner thing is really useful. I know some you tubers advertise really expensive ones but I got mine for under £10 from eBay. It has 4 attachments and it works fine. 
• Body Shop Vitamin e Hydrating toner - This gets of any left over dirt, restores PH levels and gives me vitamin e wooooo
• Trilogy Rose hip oil - I have super dry skin so this does wonders and helps with dark marks :) 

Evening 

• Baby wipe wipe - I get the ones that are for sensitive skin and fragrance free, i try to get most of my make up with this, before the deep clean 
• The body shop camomile cleansing oil - this is THE shit, and leaves my face feeling great
• Dodu-osun black soap 
• Sonic face cleaner
• The body shop Vitamin e toner
• Rose hip oil 

So that's me! If you have any hood drugstore eye creams let me know because I am the hunt for one! 

Take care 

Susuana xx 

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Skincare