Pre Wedding Skincare Regime

Although I've always tried to take care of my skin, the prospect of my wedding looming (2nd of August, yay!) has driven me to ninja-like preparation ahead of the big day. I've had annoying spot flare ups on my chin (you're welcome for the mental image) for a while now, which I've put down to hormones, stress and the hatred the God of healthy looking skin has for me. I tried so many things- witch hazel, Origin's Spot On and their Clay mask (both of which I blogged about here), various cleansers and promises to the aforementioned God that I'd build a shiny monument in his/her name. None of which worked. Then I found Liz Earle and since regularly using the Hot Cloth cleanse and polish with a muslin cloth every night, followed by the Instant Boost Skin tonic toner, my skin has somehow miraculously cleared up (yes, I'm aware I sound like an infomercial. You can just picture me holding the bottle and smiling a toothy grin at a camera right about now, if you like).
Actually, maybe LIZ EARLE is the God of healthy looking skin..Anyway, this is the set I've been using:

I've blogged about the Cleanser (left) before, so I won't go into that again but in the same post I had only briefly mentioned the toner (right). This smells heavenly and is alcohol free so not stingy on the skin like other toners can be. It contains organic aloe vera, calendula, rose-secented geranium, cucumber and natural vitamin E, all designed to soften, soothe and refresh. Lovely. I've also previously mentioned the moisturiser in the set (top right) and that I wasn't overly impressed.. I think I've changed my mind about that. Since I finished it I started using L'ancome's Hydra Zen Neurocalm, which although lovely in Winter, is a bit heavy for Summer and may also be too overly perfumed for my skin's liking. So I've gone back to the Liz Earle, which is light, barely scented, easily absorbed and really comforting on the skin. I got the Dry/Sensitive version so I feel like I'm still getting the necessary moisture without weighing my skin down, like the L'ancome does. This contains Borage and avocado oil, echinacea, beta-carotene and again, natural vitamin E to intensely moisturise, soothe and protect.

Twice a week I exfoliate with St Ives Gentle Apricot Scrub, left (although I've recently procured a Liz Earle exfoliator, pictured above left, in the box in the cream bottle..review to follow) and then massage in Origins Overnight mask, left, which I adore, and have also blogged about here.

I use Clarins Daily Energizing Cleansing Gel in the mornings (bottom left) and Clarins Eye Revive Beauty Flash when I think of it (worst skincare ninja ever) and I've been taking vitamin E capsules for their well known skin and hair benefits (at the advice of a beauty therapist, I've also massaged in the oil from the capsule into my skin to improve old spot scarring, which seems to be helping too). That's about it really. I've had compliments from people that my skin looks better, whether that's due to all of the aforementioned or the miraculous ways of Armani Designer Lift foundation, we'll never know.




Anyone any other tips (other than drinking more water, I've tried that but I'm useless at remembering that I have to keep drinking after the first glass)? Anyone tried Microdermabrasion actually? I was considering it before my skin cleared up but the same beauty therapist warned me off it cause my skin's so sensitive. I'd love to know if it's any good though!