Origins Super Spot Remover

This tiny blue bottle is nothing short of liquid dynamite. There are a countless amount of spot treatments out there that aim to target and treat that odd spot, but only succeed in drying out the surrounding skin.


But what exactly is it? And why is it a Super Spot Remover? It's a salicylic acid gel that gets rid of spots faster than anything I know, now that's a Superhero. 😃

Origins claim that this spot remover heals, fights and fades spots. I have to agree 100% - this little tiny beauty certainly works! Its star ingredient is Salicylic acid which breaks down the dead skin that’s creating the blockage, allowing oxygen back into the pore, and thus killing bacteria. On top of Salicylic acid, the "anti-spot technology" aka calming cucumber and apple extracts, that sooth the irritation as well as red algae and caffeine to reduce redness.

 I usually apply a tiny amount of this directly onto spots (including cystic spots L) that crop up and I notice that the spot either disappears entirely in a day or two. When you apply it to the spot, it does feel tingly and cooling, ooh you know its working feeling! You may think this is a measly bottle, but I have been using this constantly for around 10 months and it just never seems to go empty, because you don’t use loads, just a tiny little dab directly on the spot. The only negative aspect to this is the packaging – sometimes too much comes out of the nozzle on top and won't go back in – I DON’T WANT TO WASTE IT. But this is only a minor qualm with such a super spot remover (ha, pun intended).

Origins Super Spot Remover €19.00 and is available online at Boots and Debenhams.

Close Shave | My Shaving Routine

I don’t know about you but I have had enough of the “hipster beard”! For one thing, many don’t groom and maintain their beard correctly. But personally, you can’t beat the timeless classic … a clean shaven face.

Shaving is an important part of a man’s grooming regime and for most it’s a minefield of sensitive skin, razor burn and ingrown hairs … But fret not, I am sharing my Shaving Routine that will banishes all these snags and will leave you with the closest shave ever.

I start off my Shaving Routine by cleansing or exfoliating my face and neck. It depends on the day & my skin’s needs on which product I use. Here are my favourites:

Exfoliator: ~     Clinique for Men Face Scrub (for a thorough but gentle exfoliation) ~     Origins Never A Dull Moment (a gentle, light way to brighten your skin) ~     St Ives Blemish Fighting Face Scrub (if my skin is acting up L)

Cleanser: ~     Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser (for when my skin is behaving itself, leaves it balanced) ~     La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel (just a staple, enough said!)

Right … next I’ll apply my pre-shave oil, I’m currently really liking the King of Shaves AlphaOil. I find that applying a shave oil gives me more protection and it soften my facial hair for an easier shave, it also conditions my skin and help the razor glide for a more comfortable shave.

Next up is my shaving gel; my absolute favourite is the Nivea MenSensitive Cooling Shaving Gel. It provides a generous, soothing foam that helps cool any redness or burning that may arise from shaving.

But, my favourite part of my Shaving Routine is my razor … the Gillette Fusion ProGlide with FlexBall Technology. This razor is unequalled. You can have the best of shave oils and foams but the razor makes all the difference. It is the star of your whole grooming arsenal. The FlexBall provides the closest shave, and it doesn’t cause razor burn – you can hardly feel it against your face!

Finally to finish off my Shaving Routine, I apply a dallop of the Cliniquefor Men Post Shave Soother. An excellent after-shave soother that is jam-packed with aloe vera. I smooth this over my face and neck after shaving to take down redness, calm stinging and restore moisture. With no fragrance, oil or irritants, makes it suitable for even the most flare-prone skin.

I find that by following these steps, I get the best possible shave without any nicks or razor burn. My face is transformed into a clean shaven masterpiece and most importantly my skin is comfortable and calm.

Let me know what your shaving essentials are?

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MY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

I recently went on a short trip to London and I thought I'd share my travel toiletry bag. I was only going for 3 days so I didn't bother to check a bag in... So I had to cram as much as I could into my 1 litre Ziploc bag. Not an easy task, I actually enjoy packing, I'm weird like that! So here's what I brought with me.

I placed my non-liquids in my Clinique travel bag that I received as a gift-with-purchase. In this I put my Gilette Fusion ProGlide Power with Flexball Technology razor and my Emma Hardie micro-fibre cloth and my toothbrush.

That was the short list; here is what I had in my Ziploc bag:

• Arm & Hammer toothpaste
• Lynx Dry Compressed Black
  
• Nivea Men Sensitive Shaving Gel
• Head & Shoulders Citrus Fresh Shampoo
• Original Source Lemon & Tea Tree Shower Gel
• Sample of Clinique for Men Post Shave Healer
  
• Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm decanted into a GoTubb
  
• La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] (of course)
• Origins Super Spot Remover
  
• Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion decanted in a GoToob
  
• Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair II
  
• Indeed Labs Eyslix
  
• Sample of Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel
  
• Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm
• Travalo with Boss Orange
  

I know this is a long list, but I felt I was justified and I don't think it's too extortionate of a list, is it?! Here is my reasoning; I was concerned about the drying effect of flying on my skin. I'm not a dry skin type but dehydration can exacerbate blemish prone skin but on top of that all the bacteria and germs that are recirculated in that dreaded airplane air, uurgh. So I carried my trusted skincare products that I knew would hydrate, heal but also keep my skin clear and blemish free. Not asking a whole lot am I?

I brought the Emma Hardie cleansing balm, as this deeply cleanses my skin – removes all impurities and blackheads but also adds a bit of nourishment to my skin. I justified bringing Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair II (the largest bottle) as I knew it would hydrate and heal my skin but it would also come to my aid if I got spotty L. I had just started using the Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion, a salicylic acid toner, as I wanted something to gently exfoliate my skin but would a help with blemishes, so this was a no-brainer. Effaclar Duo [+] and Origins Super Spot Remover are my trusted blemish fighting duo and the Super Spot is made for travel. The Reve de Miel lip balm is ideal for traveling as it super nourishing but in a non-sticky or greasy way. I never actually used the Clinique DDM Gel (while away!) but it was handy to have with me anyway. Oh, the Travalo is a handy way to carry your aftershave without bringing a heavy bottle. And Boss Orange in my opinion is a good option for both day and night, that can cover all occasions. The rest was just my ordinary hair & body care.

I know this may seem like a lot for a guy to take on a 3 day trip but I feel it is better to be prepared, as anything can crop up ( & probs will, knowing my luck) with your skin while traveling. And I feel that with the stress of traveling, running here and there, that your skin needs extra TLC while on the move. So here's what I brought with me, what would you carry with you on a mini-holiday?

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