REN Clarimatte Skincare Review

I have now been using the REN Calrimatte T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel and Clarifying Toner for about a month so thought I would do a review on how I think it's working for me. 

I have combination skin and suffer with the odd breakout. I have had quite a spotty chin throughout pregnancy. My previous skincare, Ganier Pure products, were working fine, but I felt like I needed a change. Reading up on what the REN Clarimatte product range could do for me I thought I'd give them a go (although more expensive than my usual products). REN use 100% plant and mineral ingredients, no synthetic skin un-friendly ones. This is another reason I wanted to try it.

T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel
This is the first cleanser/face wash I have used that you put onto a dry face. This was a bit alien at first, but it really feels like it's getting into your skin and cleaning it, before you rinse it off. The bottle has a pump to 'release' the gel onto your hands; this is great, one pump is enough for each wash and so far I have only used about 2cm of product. I think it will last a good 4-5 months. The product feels like a really light gel when it comes out, you then lather it a little in your hands before applying to your face. It is also really light and has a great lavender smell.

Clarifying Toner
As I am so used to using a toner I wanted to still use a range that had one, so the Clarimatte products were perfect. This toner gets rid of any left over dirt on the face/in the pores that the gel has not been able to remove. It is not oily, or greasy and just feels really refreshing when you put it on. As with the gel it has the lovely lavender smell. The toner is also meant to help with complextion. I think my complexion is a little brighter, but at this time of year I get quite a freckly face (which can make me look grubby!), this doesn't help with my complexion!

In conclusion I am not really sure if the products have done anything more for me than the Garnier products I was using before but my skin feels clean, fresh and seems to not get oily over the course of the day. My main problem when I started using this product (as you'll see from the photos), was that I already had quite a few breakouts on my chin. I have to make a confession and say that I am not the best at leaving spots alone and I therefore delay the healing of my skin. So possibly not the best time to start testing a new product! Once I finally left the spots alone they seemed to clear up quite quickly and I haven't had any new ones breakout since. However, my chin does still look a little pink, I guess very slight scarring. But, I must say, not until I compared the photos did I realise how much better my skin looks!

Below are some pictures of the before and after (WARNING -  I am totally bare-faced and hair tied back to give as best a view of how the product has worked and I have not done any touching up. Proceed with caution!!)

Before                                                                        4 Weeks Later

I have also now bought the Invisible Pores Detox Mask. I love a good face mask and my skin always seems better afterwards. I have only used this once so far but my skin did feel refreshed afterwards. I am to use this on a weekly/two weekly basis.

What skincare products do you use? Do they work?

37/38 Weeks - First Week of Maternity Leave

T-Shirt - H&M
Maternity Chinos - H&M

I am not  a 'sit down and take it easy' kind of person. If there is a job that needs doing I do the job first, then sit down and chill, otherwise I just can't relax! I have two and half weeks maternity leave until my due date, I planned for this first week to be a doing week; housework, last minute sorting and catching up with people. Then the second week will be more chilled. 

I have had a lovely week and the weather has been great too, although Thursday and Friday my hayfever didn't agree! I spent Monday doing a load of batch cooking for freezing, as recommended by apps, websites and other blogs. I did pretty well,will keep us going for a while; lasagne, chicken and green bean curry and fish pie. This was followed by a load of housework!

Tuesday I had my last osteopath appointment before the baby is due. I go every 6-8 weeks anyway (I have a femural nail and also get slight back pain) to keep me moving and ticking over. I really would recommend a visit if you suffer with back pain or aches and pains. I am also going to take the baby when it is a few weeks old for some cranial osteopathy. 

Wednesday I met up with my cousin who is 20 weeks pregnant for lunch. She lives near Bluewater so I popped there first, I needed just a couple more maternity bits of clothing. I know I don't have long to go, but my jeans are now just too tight! Luckily my fave shop, H&M, had a sale on and I got some maternity chinos for £10 (see above) and a maxi dress, not maternity, for £7. I will still be able to wear a few of the maternity bits once baby is here and other bits that are non maternity should fit too. In the evening I got my hair cut, just wanted a trim to make it a bit more manageable plus I don't like my hair once it's longer than shoulder length!

Thursday I met a work friend and her two boys. She goes back to work from maternity leave next week, so was great to have a catch up. We went to Leeds Castle and had a wander through the grounds and had a pic nic. Then took her lovely boys to the play area. It's been quite breezy here so out and about the heat wasn't too bad for me. My hayfever also stayed at bay until the evening, then made me feel crap. I literally have to sit with tissues up my nose to stop the constant blowing and wear sunglasses to stop my eyes watering. Very glamorous! 

Friday I spent the day at home, doing bits of housework and again with tissues up my nose! I've also now started listening to my natal hypnotherapy CDs daily. 

And after all of that, still no sign of baby! Here's to a more chilled week next week.

Have a good week, Amy xx