The Beauty Test: Seaweed Range (day 9-23)

I should start by saying, I've had no internet for the last week hence why posts have been a little, or a lot, scarce in the last week or so. It's been so frustrating because I've been dying to update you all on my beauty test as well as show you a few things I've bought in the last couple of weeks. Here is a catch up though from day 9 to day 23 so all that other stuff will have to wait for a later date.

Catch up with previous posts:

The Beauty Test: Seaweed Range (day 1)

The Beauty Test: Seaweed Range (day 2-4)

The Beauty Test: Seaweed Range (day 5-8)

This is the second to last post of the beauty test where I am reviewing how The Body Shop's Seaweed Skincare range is working for my skin. In the last 23 days I have been surprised at how much I've enjoyed doing my skin everyday but also how many positive changes I have noticed in it. My skin is now...

Clearer

I've never suffered too badly when it comes to breakouts and acne and somehow managed to make my way through adolescence with only the occasional nasty spot. Saying this, although in the last few years my skin has been clear-ish, it's usually been tainted by a few blemishes. Since starting this beauty test 23 days ago, my skin is the clearest I have seen it in a long time. The little blemish of spots on my chin has vanished and my skin is noticeably clearer (yay).

Softer

Before starting this test, I would have always described my skin as combination skin, meaning some areas are dry, some oily and some normal, but this skincare range has definitely eliminated the dry areas I used to have under my eyes and across patches of my face. My skin is visibly and physically softer.

Less oily but still not perfect

I started this test because I wanted my skin to become less oily and it has definitely helped. I do find that my t-zone is prone to go a little shiny after a long day out in the sun but I have big pores so this is going to happen. I definitely feel that my t-zone is improving and I'm hoping that adding in the occasional exfoliating session, my skin will become even less oily.

More healthy

I've always been quite lucky with my skin but I can see such a change in it over the last three weeks. It has a nice healthy glow now and feels and looks so much more refreshed. What do you think?

I'm not sure you can see such a difference in the picture above except for the fact that the sun has brought all my freckles out! I will also add that throughout all the pictures I have posted for this test, I have absolutely no make up on my face (apart from a little lip balm).

Let me know your thoughts and if you've had a positive or negative experience with these skincare products?

Disclaimer: It's important to mention that I am not being paid (or asked) to do this post by any company or third party. It is an independent project and all opinions expressed and photos taken, belong to me. 

so I threw a vintage (birthday) tea party...

Hailes Hearts Instagram.

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The Beauty Test: Seaweed Range (day 5-8)

I have now been doing this skincare routine for a week and have definitely noticed some changes (mostly positive) in my skin in the last four days so I thought, instead of a big heavy paragraph, I'd update you by writing a brief list below of how everything is going as well as a picture. It is also worth mentioning that my next post in this series will be next Thursday as I want a chance to post different content between now and then! So anyway, back to my skin update...

• Over the last few days I have noticed a couple of small blemishes on my face but I think that's normal when starting a new skincare routine.
• My chin is definitely less oily now and the small breakout I had before has cleared up.
• My forehead and nose are less oily then when I started this but I'd like to see a bigger change over the next week or so. I may also buy the exfoliator from the same range to see if that helps (it's important to mention that it has been very hot here which doesn't help in terms of having a shinyer face than usual!).
• My skin is smoother and looks more fresh and healthy...yay! 
• I'm also considering buying a different moisturiser (see here) to use during the daytime in the summer as it has an SPF which I can use instead of putting oily sun cream on my face. 

How do you keep your face protected from the sun during the Summer?

You can catch up on my skincare journey by reading the last two post listed below...

The Beauty Test: Seaweed Skincare (day 1)

The Beauty Test: Seaweed Skincare (day 2-4)

Disclaimer: All photos in this post are unedited and have been taken on the monochrome setting of my DSLR. All opinions expressed in this post are mine and there is no third party involved.

The Beauty Test: Seaweed Skincare (day 2-4)

So in case you didn't read my post last Thursday, here is a brief catch up...or alternatively you can click here to read the first post.

I have decided to test out a new skincare regime by The Body Shop, the Seaweed range, that is for combination skin. It is supposed to reduce excess oil, moisturise dry patches and overall, give a more clear and matte finish. I am using the seaweed cleansing facial wash, the seaweed toner and then there is also a day cream and a night cream in the range that acts as the moisturiser. As well as this, I also bought the tea tree blotting tissues. Before I started this test, my problem areas were as follows:

Results from day 2-4

Since starting this skincare regime on Thursday, I have definitely noticed a difference in my skin. I feel as though it has started to clear up the small breakout I had on my chin. Whereas before it was a little red and bumpy to touch, it is now clearer and softer. As well as this my chin, forehead and nose are definitely less oily (although my nose could be less so I'm hoping I quickly start to see a drastic change). I've been using my blotting tissues daily and find they help reassure me when I am out and about. They fit nicely into my little make up bag that travels around with me in my handbag and are easy and discreet to use. My skin has a nice glow to it and there is definitely more of matte finish. Another positive I have found is that I don't feel as though the products (especially the moisturiser) linger on my skin. It seems to quickly absorb and feels clean, fresh and soft afterwards. In the past I have used the Vitamin E range from The Body Shop but I found the cream very heavy and it made my face perspire more as it was coated in a thick product that my skin refused to absorb. My mum tells me it's better for drier skin, like hers (sorry mum!) as she  found it absorbed quickly on her and had a very different experience. This furthers the point that choosing the right skincare range is vital to it achieving what you want from it. In terms of negatives, I am yet to have any. The process can be time consuming and takes a lot of dedication but I have actually been enjoying doing it everyday. I have found very little reason to complain but I'm aware that it is still very early days and that a little further down the line, I am likely to find something I dislike.

Here is the latest picture of my face (excuse its bareness). Can you see much of a difference from the first post?

I'll next be posting about my skincare routine in four days time, so make sure you come back on Thursday and follow my beauty test!

Let me know any of your thoughts regarding this post or anything I have said in it. If you have any tips to share when it comes to skincare then please comment below. 

Thanks for reading!

Click here to view the first post in this series of posts, The Beauty Test.