Beauty Myths No.15 - Celebs don't wash their faces/Caveman Regime

Here's the thing: if you don't want to use anything on your skin, don't. If you want to only use manuka honey on your skin, do. If you don't want to wash your face ever, that's up to you (filth).

The 'caveman' regime is the latest thing to hit the press - aided and abetted by reports of certain celebrities who swear they 'only ever use soap and water' on their skin and are 'horrified' at the thought of washing their faces in the mornings.

Firstly, let's be clear. Celebrities saying they don't wash their faces and saying they only use soap and water is not new, some have always said that.
It was utter bollocks then and it is now.

The 'average' woman (you and me) have enough pressure on them to be perfect without xyz celeb saying they don't work out (lies), they eat 'everything in sight!' (lies) and now that they don't wash their face at all? Bollocks don't you.

*literal eyebrow explosion*

Give me a motherflannel-loving break.

If it was just celebs being arses it wouldn't be that big of a deal - but there is a whole industry behind this caveman crapola. You can spend $200 of your hard-earned dollars to be shown how not to use any products on your skin.

*pauses*

TWO. HUNDRED. DOLLARS.

Yes. You PAY to be shown how NOT to use products. Jesus H is it THAT hard to understand? I did the math based on the cost of the Caveman regime and how many people they claim have tried and tested their 'protocols'. Not all the extras they sell, just the basics. $3 million dollars. 3 MILLION DOLLARS from telling people how 'not' to use product. I wish I was joking.

Yes, of course you can use too much stuff on your face. I've always said do what you have to do for you - whatever that is. But please don't think that these people have perfect skin without skincare and/or without medical intervention (or huge lips - Kylie Jenner I am looking at you). The jig is up people. Enough.

Now go wash your faces. Filth.

Beauty Myths No. 3 - Cleansing in the AM

'Do I really need to cleanse my face in the morning?' 

I've been asked this a lot recently - a lot. On the blog, on twitter, on Instagram.

In all honesty, I don't even know where to begin. 

Genuine question: Why WOULDN'T you wash your face in the morning??

'I don't have time.'

Get up earlier.

'I don't really need to, it feels fine, it has a lovely glow.'

Yes love, it's called sweat. Get thee to a sink.

'I read that so-and-so just uses a wipe to 'freshen.' 

So-and-so clearly has personal hygiene issues.

'I'm really sensitive, cleansing twice a day is too much.'

You're using the wrong cleanser.

'I'm really combination, if I cleanse in the morning my face is an oil slick by 10am.'

Stop using Fairy Liquid on your boat, wash your face gently, get the oil off that you've produced overnight and start FRESH.

Most night products are designed to resurface and regenerate the skin. If they are working - and let's hope for all our sakes they are, you need to give your skin a cleanse to remove the residue, dead skin etc.

As Monica* said: THAT'S JUST GOOD SENSE.

*token Friends Comment.

Aurelia Miracle Cleanser - Review

I recently posted about Aurelia's launch and the great promise it seemed to hold for those of us that like clear labeling and conscientious ethics.

Well so far, by and large, the products haven't disappointed. The Miracle Cleanser is the easiest to jump in and use. I know - it's a cleanser - it would be.

It contains probiotic proteins - which is their USP and what the range is built around, coconut derived cleansing agents, fatty acids, shea butter, cocoa butter, kigelia and baobab extracts, Ubuntu Mongongo oil (I have NO idea but I haven't stopped singing the Um Bongo ads since I read it) and a blend of eucalyptus, rosemary, bergamot and chamomile essential oils - which are quite strong, so whilst I love them - if you have problems with essential oils, sample first. Although it contains shea, I haven't experienced any breakouts as a result - the formulation is good.

Full inci list:

Aqua (purified water), Dicapryly carbonate (coconut-derived cleanser & emollient), Cetearyl alcohol (vegetable based thickener), Glycerin (vegetable glycerine), Cocoglycerides (emollient from coconut oil), Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), Glyceryl stearate (natural glycerides & thickener), Cetearyl glucoside (corn sugar emulsifier), Rhus verniciflua peel wax (berry wax), Theobroma cacoa (cocoa butter), Kigelia Africana fruit extract (Botanical Kigelia Africana ), Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract (Hibiscus flower), Adansonia digitata fruit extract (Botanical Baobab),Lactose (probiotic bifidoculture milk extract), Lactis proteinum – (probiotic protein), Bifida ferment lysate (probiotic culture), Schinziophyton Rautanenii kernel oil (Botanical Ubuntu Mongongo oil), Panthenol ( Pro-vitamin B5), Sodium ascorbyl phosphate (Vitamin C), Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil (Rosemary essential oil), Citrus aurantium bergamia peel oil (Bergamot essential oil), Anthemis nobilis oil (Chamomile essential oil), Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil (Eucalyptus essential oil), Xanthan gum (natural based stabilizer), Sodium stearoyl glutamate (naturally derived emulsifier), Tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E), Benzyl alcohol (preservative), Dehydroacetic acid (preservative), Citric acid (fruit derived pH regulator), Limonene, Linalool

The nearest comparison texture and scent-wise is Cleanse & Polish - but the comparisons end there. This being Aurelia it contains none of the following:

Synthetic fragrances, parabens, mineral oils, silicones, sulphates, propylene glycol, phthalates, GMO, PEGs, TEA and DEA.

This is a creamier formulation and stays that way once applied. Removes all makeup no problem (not sure about waterproof as I don't wear it) and skin feels soft and smooth afterwards. If you are uncomfortable with balm cleansers this could be just the thing you are looking for. I, predictably I know, like it as a second cleanse in the evenings and its lovely for a refreshing quick cleanse in the morning. I'm sorry but I don't trust any brand that says you don't need to cleanse in the mornings. Nonsense. And also this: filth.

It's £34.00 for 120ml compared to £34.00 for Emma Hardie's 100ml. (I'm trying to give broad comparisons about products I regularly recommend as I am always asked for more details after I post!) I would estimate you use the same amount of both cleansers - which is a 'finger scoop'.

A good, strong product from a good, strong, British brand who list their FULL INGREDIENTS on their website. 

*waves Union Jack*

£34.00 from www.aureliaskincare.com

*sample