November Favourites

I have been in such a routine with my beauty products recently that I haven’t been trying too many new products or changing much up. However with Winter making an appearance lately I have been changing a couple of products in my skincare routine that I have been enjoying. So here is what I’ve been loving this month…

Starting briefly with makeup which surprisingly is in the minority this time around! I only have two makeup picks, although really one… If you follow me on Instagram then you may have seen my recent Too Faced purchase. I had some Debenhams points to use up and I had wanted to get my hands on the Too Faced Sweethearts bronzer for far too long so felt like the perfect opportunity! Shaped like a heart, Too Faced standard pretty packaging, it has two halves of a lighter and darker bronze-y shade in a shimmery baked formula. It reminds me slightly of the Hourglass bronzers but a fraction of the price and a much lighter shade. The shimmer is also not too over the top and just the right amount. It has great pigmentation and creates such a lovely sculpting effect on the skin which I love.

To apply my Too Faced Bronzer,  I have been enjoying using my new Eco Tools Blending and Bronzing brush. I picked this up from Love Me Beauty as part of their subscription service. This is actually the first time I’ve tried Eco Tools brushes but I am already loving this brush. It works perfectly with the bronzer in that it is the perfect size and works great when applying.

Moving on to skin-body care products, my skin has felt so dehydrated lately that I’ve been looking to nourish and hydrate my skin so I have changed up a couple of products in my routine. Now and again, I’ve been opting for the Emma Hardie Cleansing balm as my second cleanse as it is super nourishing on the skin. It is such a great option for Winter skin and now I am desperate to get my hands on more cleansing balms! Another skincare product I’ve changed up is my moisturiser, again there has been times when my skin has been craving more hydration and the Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser is the perfect product for dehydrated skin. I mentioned this on my repurchase list post, it is such a great moisturiser and I definitely need to pick up the full size!

Lastly, I have been loving the Snow Fairy body conditioner from Lush which I mentioned in my post here. I am such a fan of the original Snow Fairy scent that I knew I would love this. It is much more subtle but has such a gorgeous luxurious texture that is just perfect for this time of year!

Have you tried any of these products?

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A Lush Christmas Haul

When it gets to this time of year it is basically obligatory to have a little Lush haul, right!? With the arrival of the Halloween and Christmas collection, I am just all over Lush and need pretty much everything! I’ve already used up my Halloween treats but I did have to return to make a few Christmas collection purchases! At this time of year when the weather is miserable outside all I want is to be inside and all cosy and what better than a few Lush goodies!

If you’ve been around this blog at this time of year before then you may know my love for Lush Snow Fairy. Funnily enough I stocked up so much from last year that my supply has lasted the entire year and I am still using them up! So I definitely didn’t need to pick up another bottle however with the addition of the Body Conditioner to the range, I just had to add a little Snow Fairy to my basket. Like the shower gel, this is a wash off product but a more moisturising version packed with cocoa butter, mango butter and avocado butter. The scent is also much softer and subtler than the shower gel so definitely worth a try if the shower gel is too much for you. It is such a beautiful product, a dreamy scent and texture! I may have to stock up on this one this year…

One of my favourite things to pick up from Lush is a bubble bar. As they can be broken up and used over several baths, they work out much better value for money compared to bath bombs. I picked up two from the Christmas collection this year. The first is the Ruby Red Slippers bubble bar which is obviously inspired by the Wizard of Oz. It had a beautiful floral rosy scent and is just adorable! The last item is such a must have, the Snowie Bubble Bar which plays homage to the late legend David Bowie. I mean come on how could you not want this! As well as being uber cute and a nice little nod to Bowie, it also has an lovely uplifting and refreshing scent from the addition of grapefruit oil. Definitely the (dare I say it) starman of the collection!

Have you purchased anything from the collection?

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How To Wear A Matte Lip

Matte lips are truly having their moment just now. I can totally understand why though as I love a good long lasting matte lip. Knowing that my lipstick will stay in place and look nice is a big deal so I do have a thing for matte lips which always does the trick. Although we are all pretty much aware that going matte has its issues. Many matte lip products can be drying or uncomfortable due to cracked or dry lips so it is vital that lips are well prepped before hand. I thought I would share a few pointers to keeping your lips looking in tip top shape whilst rocking a matte finish.

EXFOLIATE 

Thinking on similar grounds to your skin, if you have dry flaky skin then exfoliation is your best friend. Similarly, as you would with your skin, you apply to your lips. Ensuring your lips are smooth and rid of any dry patches, using a lip scrub can help create a good base. There are plenty of lip scrubs available now, heck you could even make your own, DIY style! Although I will always love the Lush Lip Scrubs, effectively gets the job done and tastes nice too! Another good method for ensuring your lips are super smooth is to brush them with a toothbrush, sounds gruesome but it really works at peeling away dead skin.

PREP

Again like you would with skin after exfoliating is add a boost of moisture. It is important to ensure you retain levels of moisture in your lips so they are well hydrated especially under matte lipsticks. Investing in a good lip balm is key and a product everyone needs in their stash. For under lipstick, I am currently loving the new Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfecting Base, the perfect base for lipstick which makes my lips feel super soft and comfortable under drying lip products.

LINE

As well as matte lips, lip liner is really having a thing too at the moment. I am definitely cool with that though as adding in that extra step can do all the difference. For long lasting colour, filling in your lips using a liner can help pro-long the wear of your lipstick and also prevent the colour fading unevenly. Having a lined base underneath means when your lipstick starts to fade, your lips can still retain colour from the liner stain. My favourite lip liners are the Mac ones as they are super creamy and apply easily.

APPLY AND SET

Once you’ve given your lips the perfect prep, it’s finally time to apply your favourite matte lippy! Then to give your lips a final boost of longevity, by placing a tissue over your lips you can dust translucent powder over to set your lipstick in place.

What is your tips for wearing matte lips?

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Skincare Empties

It’s been a while since I last did an Empties post although over the last month I have reached the end of several skincare products and thought it was about time for another ‘things I will be putting in the bin’ post. Of course it was just my luck during the month of January when I was trying to stick to a budget that a lot of my main skincare products decided to come to an end, typical eh! Anyway I thought I would do a little round up of some of the products that have reached their end or near enough. After using up a whole product it is definitely a good indicator of whether or not it lived up to its expectations or not.

FIRST AID BEAUTY FACIAL RADIANCE PADS 

I had heard so much about these exfoliating pads and was ever so excited to see them included in a beauty box I picked up. I like using acid toners for exfoliating rather than harsh scrubs and essentially this is such an ideal and convenient product. Pre-soaked cotton pads that you can simply wipe over your face to exfoliate and brighten. I completely love the idea of these, they feel pretty gentle on my skin and they leave my skin feeling smooth. The pot came with 28 pads which lasted a good length of time so it does work out as good value.

Would I repurchase? I do really want to try the Pixi Glow Tonic first but I would definitely come back to these.

SIMPLE LIGHT MOISTURISER

It feels pretty satisfying reaching the end of this bottle as it has lasted me so long! The bottle is a huge 125ml and only needing a small amount each time, it is definitely a long lasting option. Being a ‘light’ moisturiser, it isn’t too rich or thick, instead as it suggests it is pretty lightweight. No pun intended but this is a pretty simple moisturiser. It is fairly basic, it is decent enough, has a light layer of SPF included but it is nothing wow.

Would I repurchase? No, I think it is time to try something new.

THE BODY SHOP TEA TREE BLEMISH GEL

I am a huge fan of many products from The Body Shop however I don’t find the Tea Tree range all that great. In fact, I have never really been one for tea tree products. I remember in my early teens using those horrible tea tree facial scrubs that all did nothing. Sadly, this is another product takes me back for those reasons. I suffer from quite a lot of blemishes and picked this up in a bid to try and make a slight difference. The bottom line here is that it really didn’t do anything for me at all. I’ve kept using this with the hopes it would do something but sadly not.

Would I repurchase? Nope, I think my tea tree days are over.

CLARINS ONE-STEP FACIAL CLEANSER

I am definitely not a morning person so having a convenient and easy morning routine is a must. I don’t have time for an excessive skincare routine so something easy for a quick but effective cleanse is a must. I picked up this cleanser last year and it has became my morning go-to. I used the orange extract version suitable for all skin types. With the zingy orange-y scent, it feels freshening and awakening on the skin perfect for those early mornings. It also makes my skin appear more radiant and is so quick and easy to use! It is one that I am currently still obsessed with so this is going no where!

Would I repurchase? Already have, although this time I picked up the mint one for combination skin to see if there is much difference!

LUSH CRANBERRY FRESH FACE MASK

I love a good face mask especially those ones from Lush so I was looking forward to trying a newbie as part of the Christmas collection. Cranberry essentially has a full on cranberry scent as you would expect. The mask is thick but applies smoothly on the skin. It feels refreshing and smoothing on the skin and is a nice one for the end of a long week.

Would I repurchase? Sadly not as it was limited edition!

LIZ EARLE CLEANSE AND POLISH

A beauty cult favourite that I truly adore. This cream cleanser became a staple part of my routine last year and really paved the way for me with skincare. It is a gentle cream cleanser that you apply over dry skin and then wash off with a hot muslin cloth. It is a good entry level cleanser and also works out at great value for money especially with the length of time it lasts! It left my skin feeling smooth and cleansed.

Would I repurchase? Not at the moment as I am trying something new but I would go back to this!

Have you tried any of these products?

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When You Need A Little TLC…

Whilst some people may reserve their Friday nights for an evening out I am usually the one stuck at home trialling a new face mask. After a long week and the start to the weekend there is nothing better than giving yourself a little pamper. We all need a little ‘me time’ in our lives and what’s better than slathering yourself in body cream and giving your nails a fresh coat of polish!? Here are some of the things I like to do when I have a little extra time to myself…

One of the best ways to help yourself relax is to run a nice hot bath. I am usually a shower kinda gal but when the cold weather settles in I cannot wait to feel all cosy and warm in a nice bath. Obviously one of the best things about taking baths is also the amount of exciting bath products you can try out. Lush is probably my favourite place to go for bath stuff as everything just smells super dreamy. I am currently obsessed with their Comforter Bubble Bar which has been making the rounds each time I have been taking a bath lately. The blackcurrant scent will never get old. Ahhh how I could do with a bath right now!

One thing I think many of us neglect is body-care. We can easily look after our face but its pretty easy to forget about the rest of your skin. When I have a little more time its the perfect opportunity to ensure my skin is got all the moisture it needs. Things like body butters or lotions are perfect for keeping your skin hydrated and also smell amazing. I am currently really enjoying using The Body Shop Body Sorbet from their Virgin Mojito range. The zingy lime scent is super refreshing on the skin and dries pretty quickly too!

What is a little self pamper without a good face mask!? Piling a thick layer on your skin is incredibly relaxing but also gives your skin the benefits it deserves. I tend to mix what face mask I use depending on what my skin is needing although right now I am all over the Lush Cranberry Festive Face Mask which is part of their Christmas collection. Being a fresh face mask (kept in the fridge) it is super hydrating on the skin and feels so soothing. The cranberry scent is also quite nice and feels really comfortable on the skin despite having a thick consistency. It helps calm my skin down and after removing it my skin is left feeling incredibly soft.

In any free time I have I always like to ensure that my nails are looking slick and polished (literally!). I don’t know if it’s just me but having undone or chipped nails just makes me feel like I am unready and messy. There is nothing better in my eyes than having a clean coat of nail polish. I also really love having my nails looking all nice especially at this time of year. My favourites at the minute include Essie Cocktail Bling, Sand Tropez and Bahama Mama, a perfect mix for Fall.

Lastly, keeping on top of my skincare routine is obviously really important too. After slathering on all my face stuff I like to ensure my lips are well scrubbed and prepped. I am currently loving the Nuxe Reve De Miel lip balm which has a slight honey-ish scent to it and feels super hydrating and smoothing on my lips. What’s left? Then burn your favourite candle and tuck into a good magazine.

What do you do when you need a little TLC?

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When You’re Feeling Under The Weather…

Whilst Autumn is the time to be excited about pumpkin spiced lattes and changing up your wardrobe, it is also the time when your health and wellbeing takes a slump. I know from own experience particularly at this time that it’s easy to catch the many bugs flying around as the chilly days settle in. This week has been a little off, I have been feeling a bit under the weather and basically can’t leave the house without my trusty pack of tissues and a hot drink. I am sure I am not the only one falling down this trap and I thought I would share some tips on how to help yourself when you are feeling a little under the weather…

As I mentioned briefly I have been relying a lot on hot drinks. If you are suffering from the cold then drinking fluids particularly hot can help clear out your system. Peppermint is really good for helping with sore throats and therefore I have been working my way through a box of peppermint tea to help decongest the body. I am not a big tea/coffee person but it does help you relax a little more and there is nothing better than a warm drink when feeling poorly. Speaking of warmness, soup is also great when you aren’t feeling on top form. I know from experience that when I am unwell I don’t have much appetite so soup is such an easy thing to digest so is perfect and warming for the body.

I think one thing we all do when we don’t feel too good is to run a bath or have a warm shower. I for one prefer baths as I find them relaxing and with the addition of bath oils or bubble bars etc it really helps you unwind. The steam from a bath/shower is also really good for clearing your nasal passages.

Looking after your skin is also very important. The skin can get quite dry especially in the colder season so its important to ensure your skin is nourished and has the hydration it needs. I am obsessed with the Body Shop Aqua Boost Sorbet, a lightweight but incredibly refreshing and cooling moisturiser. Great for cooling down the skin but also giving it the moisture it craves. Your lips are also likely to get dry so it’s also important to have a good lip balm that offers nourishment. I have been loving the Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm which is great at repairing cracked and sore lips. Also if you are needing to run errands or go to work/school/uni you want to leave the house looking the best you can but also feeling good. I tend to strip down my makeup routine and go for something lightweight and minimal. Something quite like my minimal makeup look.

How do you cope when you are feeling under the weather?

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Empties #2

Since I’ve built up quite a few empty products over the month, it’s time for another Empties post. With these products in their last days I thought I would review what I thought about them and whether I will be making a repurchase.

One Direction Our Moment – First on the list is a shower gel. How exciting! I am going to try and refrain from mentioning my love for One Direction too much here and focus purely on their wonderfully scented shower gel. This came alongside their perfume ‘Our Moment’ and the scent is incredibly similar. The scent is very fruity and floral and isn’t too bad in terms of longevity on the skin. Would I repurchase? No not really, I don’t really go out my way to purchase shower gel and this one would probably be quite a hassle to find and continuously buy, it is lovely though 🙂

Lush Mask of Magnaminty – Next up is a peppermint mask from Lush. I heard quite a lot about this mask and thought it would be a good addition to help clear my skin. The peppermint scent is dreamy and feels so fresh on the skin. It does leave your skin feeling super soft and fresh. In terms of blemishes, I don’t think its a miracle worker but what is!? Would I repurchase? Probably, I do love a bit of peppermint and it does make my skin feel hydrated and clean.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-oil – You may be familiar with me talking about this Body Shop oil before. I absolutely love face oils, they are such a great way to add a layer of hydration and help with any dry skin especially around Winter time. This one lasted me quite a while so it really is great value and really does help recharge my skin as well as making my skin more radiant. Would I repurchase? Hell yes!

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser – I am without a doubt a true primer gal, I really can’t go a day without putting a layer of primer on before anything else. In a constant hunt for the perfect primer I thought I would try this one from Maybelline which many suggested as being a dupe for the much loved Benefit Porefessional. Sadly, I have to disagree on that one. The aim of ‘erasing’ pores sadly just doesn’t do it for me and the primer feels very heavy and greasy on my skin contradicting with the lightweight feel it says it is supposed to give. Would I repurchase? No.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – It is the incredibly hyped up product from a brand I never ever made eye contact with (until the hype sucked me up!). For many this is holy grail status, for me it isn’t anywhere near that I’m afraid. I tried but I really couldn’t get on with this. With my skin suffering from blemishes and redness, i really need something to help camouflage this, sadly this concealer just didn’t offer me the coverage I needed. It also stuck to my dry patches and the lasting power wasn’t quite good enough for me either. Would I repurchase? No.

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation – Again this is another popular beauty item that I’m sure many of you are a fan of. For me yet again sadly it never lived up to the hype. At first I liked this and then when I began to continuously use it, I got put off. Firstly, I think I must have picked the wrong shade as it was a little too light for my skin. The main problems for me however was that it didn’t last long at all which is something I look for in foundation and it clung to dry areas of my skin. Would I repurchase? No.

Are you a fan of any of these products?

 

 

 

 

December Favourites

Happy New Years Eve everyone! I can’t quite believe that we have reached the final day in 2014. Did that year go super fast or was it just me? Anyway to bring this year to a close I am going to share my favourites from the month.

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette – It was going to make my favourites some time lets be honest, no surprise here. I am a huge fan of the original naked palette but as winter and Christmas began to settle in I found myself in reach of more rose and purple toned shades and this palette just had the perfect selection I was after. Such beautiful shades and amazing pigmentation, I did a full review here with swatches.

Lush Snow Fairy – Little warning, this will probably be in every future December Favourites post. What is Christmas without Snow Fairy? Nothing. This shower gel itself just makes me feel all festive and wintery and has a to die for girly scent of candy-floss and pear drops. Its just lush … (see what I did there!)

Revlon Black Cherry Lipstick – This has probably been my favourite lipstick from the whole of Autumn/Winter. I heard so many rave reviews regarding this product and had to pick it up. I was a little weary about it at first thinking it would be too dark however paired with my Benefit tinted balm its the perfect dark berry shade for this season. Also, the formula for this lipstick is incredible, smooth and glossy.. I need more Revlon lipsticks!

Lush Santa Lip Scrub – I’ve always been a fan of the Lush lip scrub, they really are fab products and make my lips feel super. I picked up the special festive edition this year and oh my it beats my bubblegum lip scrub by a mile! This cherry cola flavoured scrub makes my lips oh so soft and it tastes amazing!

The Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Burst Sorbet – Now thats an incredible name… for an even better product! I put my hands up and admit I have became a bit of a Body Shop addict this year and this product is one of my favourites from them. Its such a hydrating and cooling moisturiser which makes my skin feel so incredibly smooth and soft. Its dreamy, just buy it!

What is your favourite products this month?

I would like to wish all my lovely followers a very Happy New Year and I hope 2015 is a fab year for you all. Thank you ❤

 

Empties

Hello everyone 🙂 I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and were cherished with lots of lovely gifts! Anyway I had some used up products lying around recently and I thought why not do an empties post. So thats exactly what I am doing, here are some of the products I have used up in the last while.

Clean & Clear Dual Moisturiser – I bought this a while back and I was most drawn in by the dual action idea. It states that this product not only moisturises but also helps to prevent blemishes and spots and being prone to spotty skin this is exactly why I bought it. In terms of moisturising its nothing special its just a basic moisturiser but in terms of preventing blemishes I felt like this product did nothing to help my blemished and spotty skin. Would I repurchase? No

Lush Cupcake Face Mask – In another attempt to heal my red and blemished skin I picked up the highly raved about Cupcake face mask from Lush. This product is stored in the fridge so its very cooling and hydrating on the skin, it also has a dreamy chocolate and minty scent sadly its inedible though! While I never noticed an incredible difference, this face mask did leave my skin feeling nourished and more hydrated. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would like to test this out again.

Rimmel Scandal-eyes Retro Glam Mascara – I remember getting quite excited about this mascara when it first came out and I quickly went to purchase it (yes, I have had this for that long!) Before I had been a great fan of the Scandal eyes mascara range by Rimmel, they do fantastic mascaras on a budget. This mascara is probably one of their best, it is very volumising and lifts my lashes for great impact.  Would I repurchase? Well for the time being I like to try different products so no but never say never.

Rimmel Stay Matte Primer – I have made up quite the collection of primers in the last while and this has to be my least favourite. This just did nothing for me. It never helped my makeup last any longer and it never minimised the look of pores. This primer might work on others but for me it wasn’t any good. Would I repurchase? No

So are you a fan of any of these products?