babyurbeautiful

Olay Total Effects CC Cream Complexion Corrector

I'm the type of woman that would scare people half to death if I went out without makeup on, or at the very least I would get enquiring looks as if I were ill. I'm pasty, patchy and spot prone.

It's not uncommon for the doorbell to ring and I'm bare faced, or I have to urgently dash to the corner shop. Thank goodness for my Olay CC cream. It looks like foundation but has the texture of my normal Olay moisturiser – it gives a light coverage whilst keeping dry skin at bay, provides SPF protection, anti ageing and over time it evens out skin tone too. You gotta love multi-action products, I don't always have time for the full facial routine.

I also feel like I'm being frugal, (love that feeling) there's no point in 'wasting' my pricier foundation to just nip to the park with my baby for half an hour, especially when this CC cream does the job in just one pump of the bottle.

The cream rubs in easily and gives me the slight glow I need to feel okay about leaving the house – it's not a foundation substitute, but it's great if you're just nipping out, or if you're lucky enough not to have to wear make up everyday.

The only point to consider is that it's a little greasy; I've got spot prone skin so to avoid blocking my pores I tend to only use it a couple of times per week (or when the postman knocks on my door).

Available at stores nationwide, RRP 14.99 for 50ml.

These sunny days are great, aren't they? It's so nice to spend time outdoors and soak up some sunshine, and hopefully get a bit of colour into my pasty skin in the process.

But as much as I love it, my problem with sun is that over the last couple of years I've noticed some weird pigmentation in my skin that comes out when I've been exposed for an hour or two. Small patches appear with my freckles which have always frustrated me anyway and it even happens when I use protection.

So this year I'm trying to be extra good and use Lucy's factor 50 sun screen on my face. But I don't really like using it instead of my regular moisturiser, and it's just too much to use it over the top, especially if I'm then putting on foundation.

I've tried a lot of different moisturisers recently, mostly ones to combat wrinkles and aging, and it makes no sense to me that very few of them include any kind of spf protection.

Due to the discolouration on my forehead, and uneven skin tone in general, I'm currently trying Olay Regenerist Luminous Skin Tone Perfecting Moisturiser and Dark Circle Correcting Eye Swirl.



















It seems to work quite well but the first time I used it I discovered that rather than sinking into the skin it works kind of like a very fine face mask. So I couldn't use it like a normal moisturiser and put foundation on top or wear it on a hot day. And since it doesn't include spf protection I can't use it during the day even without makeup because it's not ideal for layering with sunscreen.  So, I've been using it at night, hoping that it has some lasting effect rather than being just a daily cover-up.

But none of my other moisturisers seem to have built in sun protection either, and I can't decide whether to try some new ones or just put up with having to wear double. My favoured factor 50 is Nivea Sun Kids - the type that sprays blue until it's rubbed in. It's pretty light and doesn't leave your skin looking an odd shade of purple like some others. And there's a great deal on it at Superdrug - nearly half price!

















I guess I could just use it on it's own but I'm afraid that my face will age and crumble without anti-wrinkle cream like that Nazi soldier in the Indiana Jones movie who 'chose poorly'!

RL x

While hunting in Superdrug for some Ferrero Roche (don't ask) I came across this too good to resist better than half price offer on Olay anti-aging products.

Short on cash, I only picked up the one item but I'm happy to report that I just looked on the website and the offer is still on - plus it's on loads more products than I saw in store.

I bought the Firm and Lift day cream and serum for only £4.97 (normal RRP £9.99).

It does say age 40+ on the box and I'm not quite there yet, but I figure that's equivalent to getting no sleep ever thanks to a toddler so it'll be perfect for me!

I've been using it for a few days now as a day-time moisturiser. As with all Olay products, it's a smooth light cream where you can feel the moisturising effect but without any greasiness. 

If you're going to use it under makeup though I would wait about 5 minutes until putting foundation on as it makes it slide a bit if you put it on straight away.

There is a Primer version in this range so that might be a better option for work days.

As to its anti-wrinkle properties I'm not sure but I'll keep using it and maybe come back and update the post with any results.

RL x

I used to feel so secretly smug that my baby was a good sleeper. Not for me this waking up every hour for a screaming hungry devil in angel's clothing.