You Little Beauty – Kerstin Florian Multi-Vitamin Day Crème SPF 30 (50ml)

I’ve been using this moisturiser daily since October and I have to say that it’s a lovely product.  To be honest, I’d never heard of the brand before so I was really interested to see how it performed.  I haven’t been disappointed.

Kerstin Florian (Swedish-born) founded Kerstin Florian International in 1978 and is a family-run company that is based out in California.  The skincare company promotes the philosophy of outer beauty, inner health and well-being through naturally-sourced ingredients.

Now, I was a bit wary at first as the product is called a ‘Crème’.  According to the dictionary, ‘crème’ means “a substance or product with a thick, creamy consistency”.  I really don’t like thick creams (claustrophobia), hence my obsession over the word.  However, this is a light-weight lotion in a tall tube.  I have combination skin (cheeks, chin, centre of forehead are oily while sides of my face are normal) so this light texture is perfect for me.

After I’ve cleansed, popped my serum and eye cream on, I apply one pump-dispensed blob into my hands and then onto my face.  Now, I hate the smell of cucumbers and unfortunately, this day cream contains cucumbers - ugh - but I’ve persevered and thankfully, the smell doesn’t last long and I really like how my skin looks immediately rested on application.

The crème is supposed to be hydrating – which is great as I love my dehydrating red wine.  Admittedly, I’ve been using it in conjunction with Superdrug’s Simply Pure Hydrating Serum and I’ve still not got those pesky dehydration horizontal lines on my jawline which I am prone, so I am believe that this is hydrating enough for me.

This Day Crème contains ingredients that I want in a moisturiser.  It contains Vitamin C (brightens and protects), UVA and UVB filters and antioxidants that protect against free radicals (external environmental aggressors such as pollution and the sun which can cause collagen breakdown which in turns leads to wrinkles and fine lines – who wants those?).  Oh and it has anti-inflammatory Pro-Vitamin B5 and algae which helps to soothe and protect weather-beaten skin. 

So despite it not being the heavy cream that I thought it was, it sure is packed to the brim with goodies. 

I give this product 4 out of 5 - the lost point is due to the cucumbers!

Kerstin Florian Multi-Vitamin Day Crème SPF 30

From www.kerstinflorian.co.uk - £48 for 50ml

Face Powder

Better late than never, eh?  I know I should have written about powders during my ‘make-up routine weekly blogs’ but I have a love/hate relationship with powder and don’t really use it consistently on myself hence the omission.

I know one should: it sets your make-up, provides long lasting results, gives a flawless finish, reduces shine, provides a bit of protection against the elements, helps to cover imperfections and conceal pores.  What’s not to love in order to achieve a flawless complexion?

For me, sometimes it just looks too much on my skin.  The foundations I use have enough powder in them and sometimes additional powder sits in my pores, emphasises the fine lines around my eyes and eliminates the dewy, healthy finish that I like. 

I do own one though; Catrice Colour Correcting Mattifying Power (pressed) and I do use it occasionally, after foundation and concealer, depending on which base I’ve used.  This corrects and evens out the colour of my skin (which is sallow with redness).  The powder contains pink, purple, green and beige shades (to refresh, counteract dullness and neutralise the red).  It’s very light and natural so I don’t notice it too much.  I also have a KIKO Translucent Loose Powder in my pro-kit which I use on my clients.

Loose powder is good for oily skin types as it’s finer than a pressed powder and contains less oil.  Downside is that it can settle into fine lines more than a pressed powder.  Tap off the excess and apply with a big brush to your face or with a smaller eyeshadow brush for pin pointing specific areas.  You can also press it into the skin with a cotton wool pad or one of those circular beauty puffs in order to set the make-up more efficiently (which can be good when doing a bridal makeover – we want that make-up to last the day/night).

Pressed powder is great as you can use it on the go for touch-ups (less messy than a loose one in a handbag) and good for covering up a specific area.  Again, a big brush, puff or pad to apply it.

Mineral powders come in loose and pressed form and are good for sensitive skins and don’t clog the pores.

As for colours, you can get translucent for all skin tones or you can buy specific shades, which is great for women of colour (Sleek Cosmetics are very good).

Hmm, I think I’ve talked myself into using my face powder more regularly….!