1. Lancome Galateis Douceur for face and eyes – sadly i don’t think ill repurchase this cleanser after almost 5 years of use. I dont know what happened with the formula or with my skin, but every time i used the milk, my skin reacted by stinging and becoming red. Maybe i have become intolerant due too to much use?

2. Clarins Toning Lotion Alcohol Free – beautiful soft toner with amazing scent, enjoyed using it morning and evening. Might give a go next to their cleansing waters, have my eye on the mint extract one. Definitely recommend.

3. La Roche Posay Kerium Gentle Daily Shampoo – this is the boy’s shampoo, but i tend to use it from time to time too. Very gentle, suitable for sensitive scalps and daily use, its a staple in our bathroom for years.

4. Vichy Purete Thermale Cleansing Mousse – another staple for my shower, this mousse has fruit acids that will improve radiance and gently exfoliate the skin. Works beautifully with the Clarisonic too.

5. Pureology AntiFade Hair Mask – because i have so many hair treatments on the go, i only managed now to finish this off. Free from sulphates and other nasties, left my hair soft and nourished. Loved that it had a thicker texture, similar to a butter, so i didn’t waste too much product on the drain.

6. Lancome Absolue Precious Cells Eye Cream – targeted against lifestyle aging (environment, diet, stress etc), this eye cream came in handy this winter to moisturise my under eye area. Quite pricey for an eye cream, it lasted me about 4 months of daily nightly use. I would recommend it too anyone with an aging concern.

7. Lancome Genifique day cream (sample size) – im currently using up all my sample pots , i have so many and its a good way to try new products. My only complaint about the cream is that there is no SPF so extra protection is needed (foundation or separate SPF). Wont repurchase, but might give the night version a try.

8. Lancome Hypnose Precious Cells Mascara – due to my alopecia areata, im loosing my lashes along with my hair. Bummer. This mascara promises to help promote growth and nourish the lashes in just 28 days. Have noticed a minor improvement and i like the defined volume it gives so ill probably repurchase.

Although my skin is usually on the oily/combination side, during winter it seems to dehydrate and get dryer than a dried out prune. It needs just a few days of cold temperatures, wind and blasting central heating and it becomes an irritated, red mess. My scalp becomes really sensitive too, while my hair becomes flatter than pancake. Charming.

I’m compelled to change up and switch my skincare routine after each season, targeting a richer night time ritual during winter and a high sun factor focus during summer months.

Ive swapped my regular cleanser and toner for an oil based cleanser: im utterly in love with the Shu Uemura Balancing Cleansing oil, with only a few drops massaged onto dry skin you can see all daytime makeup melt off in seconds. With a Liz Earle hot muslin cloth i take all the dirt away, leaving me with a clean, supple and hydrated skin. Instead of toner, i spritz a refreshing spray of La Roche Posay Thermal Water* – rich in minerals and antioxidants (selenium), soothes my skin without stripping.

Whilst the skin is still damp, its time for a facial oil: this winter ive been going back and forth between the Clarins Lotus Oil and Decleor Ylang Ylang. Both are suitable for oily combination skin, so they will regulate the skin oil production while hydrate and nourish. I tend to massage it thoroughly with upwards movements to destress my features. I lock the moisturise with the Vichy Aqualia Balm, a very gentle and nourishing balm, rich in thermal water and with soothing and anti-redness properties. It may seem that its a lot, but i assure you that in the morning you will be having a smooth, hydrated and nourished skin.

If im extra dry or particularly irritated, i layer a generous amount of Lancome Nutrix to regenerate and nourish. The royal jelly content, makes this thick cream ideal for healing minor irritations and blemishes.

Once or twice a week i will apply a hydrating gel mask, like the Lancome Hydra Intense Gel Mask. Its like a bath for the skin! With its gel texture, rich in water it manages in just 10 minutes to lock in moisture and plump up the skin. Fine lines be gone!

Are you changing your skincare routine depending the season?

P.S. If you want to see me rambling about my routine, you can watch my video here.

*PR Sample

The last episode of my holiday series, im sure i bored you to death already but this is helping me overcome the summer blues.  So please indulge me and don’t judge to harsh .

For my skincare bits i resorted to my stash of minis and went for light, hydrating textures that moisturise and preserve my tan. The cleansing routine remained the same, ive been loyal for years to my Lancome essentials. They are gentle, light and keep my skin fresh.

Ive been pleasantly surprised by the Clarins Hydraquench mask, it added an injection of moisture after a hot lazy day. I topped it with Clarins Hydraquench Gel morning and evening.

On the opposite part, I wanst too impressed with the Decleor cleansing mousse, felt drying on the skin, didn’t foam and resented the scent. Im glad it was only a sample, i couldn’t bear using the whole lot.

For my recently ombre again hair, ive used the sun range from Kerastase shampoo and conditioner, the James Brown treatment and the Shu Uemura Camelia Hair Oil. Amazing products, kept my hair in top shape and help prevent the breakage.

My evenings were lightly perfumed with the fragranced water Blu Mediterraneo Mandorlo di Sicilia, im obsessed with the light yet distinctive scent of sweet almonds. Seemed so appropriate for hot summers abroad and got me many compliments.

As for deodorant, went for non-scented aluminum free one to let my skin detox and breath. Ive been so good for the last week and tried to detox my system with natural foods, minimum of products and plenty of antioxidants. Feel and look like a new woman!

Do you minimize your routine during summer holidays? Any healthy tips? xo

I’m the living proof that one can get a perfect golden tan using mainly SPF 50 and SPF 30. I never go lower than 30, don’t want to spend loads of money and years fixing skin damage for just a few careless moments.

The stars were by far the Nivea Protect and Bronze SPF 30 – it turned me in a bronzed Egyptian goddess in just an afternoon, as it speeds the melanin production in the skin without neglecting the high protection and the Garnier Ambre Soleil Invisible Spray SPF 30. It does exactly what it says on the bottle: non greasy, truly invisible (so no more white girl comments from the resort staff) and very waterproof. A joy to use.

The Vichy Spf 50 fluid left my skin moisturised and shine free, while the Capital Soleil 50 body looked after my shoulders when i was in the sea. With products as good as these and from all budget ranges, there are no excuses for pink lobsters on the beach.

As a hint, im always buying my sun creams in the autumn at the end of season when they are half price in the shops.

My hair was successfully protected with a shimmery dry oil from Kerastase, it kept my hair lovely and soft and prevented further drying from the chlorine and sea salt. In conjunction with the Detangler it kept every strand in place.

The Avene SPF 50 compact did wonders for my vanity – it gave me a natural flawless skin while offering maximum protection. Who says you cant have good skin on the beach? The Avene stick came in handy too – used it on my lips, moles and sensitive places.

As for pool reading ive enjoyed “Before i go to sleep” by S.J. Watson, “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins and… “Fifty Shades Of Grey” trilogy. Every single woman on the beach was reading it, suppose some delicious guilty fun book is aloud on a holiday, don’t you think?

Oh and ive become absolutely obsessed with “Fringe” (TV Show)! Highly recommend it.