Hi my name is Nahrain John. I’m KarryOn’s News Editor and can be somewhat challenged (*coughs* lazy) when it comes to beauty, cleansing and anti-aging anything.
If you’ve met me in person, you may have noticed that I tend to keep things quite simple. My hair is rarely ever straightened (or brushed – too honest?), I’m almost always in black clothing, wearing the same ankle boots and walking around with very little makeup.
So you can imagine, if I’m that average in public, then I’m even-more-so behind the scenes.
My daily beauty routine (aside from showering and brushing my teeth – they count right?) involves rubbing in a little moisturiser and… well no that’s it.
So when Azamara Club Cruises recently sent me samples of Elemis beauty products available onboard Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, I had two choices:
The first, do what I usually do and give the products to our in-office Beauty Queen aka my Editorial Content Director, Julia;
Or I could put the ‘best in British skincare’ to the test and see if it could really help clear my skin and make me look younger.
Here’s what happened over seven days:
Day 1
I decided I didn’t have it in me to trial all four products, so I settled on using the ‘Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm’ (because as you can see in the pic, I was struggling with pimples on this particular day) and the ‘Pro-Collagen Marine Cream’.
I started by wetting my face a little and then using two fingers to scoop out some of the cleansing balm, which felt A LOT like lip balm.
It was incredibly strange rubbing it into my skin, especially because it wasn’t foaming. Not sure if I did it right, so I decided to wash it off instantly.
Surprisingly, my face already felt a little smoother.
Day 2.
Followed the same routine as yesterday, only this time I left the balm on my face for a little longer. I read the instructions (properly) and I was actually meant to leave it on for 10 minutes. So I did. Face is definitely feeling smoother but pimples are still very much present (can you see that one annoying one? Grrrrr p#ss off!).
Day 3.
I am not going to apologise for taking and posting a photo of myself wearing a towel over my head. I had a ridiculously crazy day not to mention, was on two flights, which always messes with my appearance.
Followed through with the routine, left the balm on for 10 minutes (almost fell asleep with it on :/), but aren’t betting on it working today or tomorrow.
Side note: has my nose always been this big? Ew.
Day 4.
Blessed be the beauty gods! My skin doesn’t look as dry and pimply as it usually does after a flight and I’m giving all credit to that balm and cream (oh and look, I even felt inspired enough to straighten my hair today).
Day 5.
My selfie comes to you from inside the car – almost forgot to take it.
Pimples have definitely settled and, don’t know if this can be attributed to the products or sleep, but the bags under my eyes are even starting to disappear.
Day 6.
Oh look the bags are back :/ but the pimples aren’t! People at work have started to notice my clearer skin, and one of my colleagues even said I have a glow.
Day 7.
My seven day beauty commitment is over (I can’t believe I actually remembered to use them every day) and I’ve not only seen a reduction in pimples, but I’m feeling so much more confident (which I think is pretty evident in this picture).
Not sure whether the anti-ageing elements worked (a week probably isn’t long enough for that), but there’s definitely something to using quality products.
Might have to quickly stop by the spa on Azamara Journey when she arrives in Sydney in February next year.