Showing posts with label Favourites. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Favourites. Show all posts

Sunday, 11 January 2015

My current skin care routine incl. Korres, Superfacialist, Indeed Labs,Estee Lauder, Origins, Clinique and Nip + Fab

Hello! I hope you're all well? It's been a while, hasn't it. Safe to say that a lot has happened since my last post. First of all, it's my 22nd birthday today. It's been a lovely day, except my car has pretty much broke. But it's bittersweet because I'm going to be getting a new one. I'd been planning to get one anyway (because I've been taken on permanently at the Nottingham Post - I'm now a trainee reporter... Told you it'd been an exciting couple of weeks).

Anyway, this is without a doubt my favourite post to write - even though they don't seem to pop up that often. I used to be one of those people who tried absolutely everything PRs sent me. My skin is quite temperamental and I've suffered with spots and scarring for around nine years now, so I should've known better. Over the past three-or-so months, I've stuck to a skin care routine religiously and it's almost hard to believe how much my skin has loved me for it.  

Cleansers
I've tried them all - balms, milks, gels - but I always come back to this cleansing oil. When it comes to make up removal, it's safe to say I'm an oil-person. This one by Superfacialist immediately melts away make up, leaves the skin feeling silky smooth and best of all? It smells like oranges. It's very affordable, and it's almost always on offer.

I'm still on the look out for a perfect face wash and at the moment I'm mixing between these two (And the Good Things Manuka Honey Creamy Cleanser, which I think is going to make it in my skin care routine full time). The Korres Cleanser is a real treat to use and the exfoliating elements completely banishes any dry patches and leaves my skin feeling exceptionally soft. 

I'm still not sure about this one. It's definitely a treat to use and a proper bargain but I think it might be a bit too heavy for my skin. It's a thick cream that's great for removing any last scraps of make up and eliminating dry patches, but I can only use it a couple of times a week when my skin is feeling extra parched and in need of a bit of love. 

Serums and treatments
As I've mentioned, I have combination skin which means it's oily in places, yet dehydrated and I'm prone to dry patches. I use either this Moisture Jelly or the Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum* - £24.99 in the morning before I apply my moisturiser. I'm undecided on which one I prefer as of yet but they both leave my skin feeling hydrated throughout the day.

I've used this for many years now, but I've never invested in a bottle - it's always been sachets. But my dad bought it me for Christmas and I'm obsessed. This is a miracle in a bottle. It does everything you'd possible want a skin care item to do, and more. It's pricey, but an absolute gem and something I'll continue to repurchase because it works wonders on scarring.

I've been switching between this and the Origins GinZing eye cream for a while but I've finally settled on this one from Superfacialist. Despite its more affordable price tag, it's a lot better. It instantly awakens the eye area, keeps it moisturised and perfectly preps your peepers for eye make up.

Epiduo Gel - prescription only
I used to have severely blemished skin but now my hormones have settled down, it's rare that I get spots. I probably get a couple every month or so, if that. I use this gel whenever I feel a corker coming on and it immediately stops it in its tracks. I must also mention the Yasmin pill because that's helped my skin no end. 

Moisturisers 
Origins Ginzing Moisturizer - £23.00
I bought this on a whim with my first proper wage and I'm very glad I did. First of all, it smells delicious. And yes, that's the reason why I first purchased it. It's a gel consistency that instantly sinks into the skin and leaves it hydrated, balanced and soft. It's been a saviour throughout the winter as it's lightweight enough to use under foundation, yet moisturising enough to eliminate my dry patches.

Clinique Turnaround Overnight Radiance Moisturizer - £36.00
This is quite new to my collection and sadly I've fallen in love with it. I say sadly because it is being discontinued (or reformulated) but I'm sure the new version will be even better. It's a dream to use and I wake up to beautifully radiant skin. I haven't been using it long enough to comment on the affect it's having on my scarring, but I can't fault it at the moment. 

What products do you use in your skin care routine?
*PR Sample
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Thursday, 25 December 2014

My favourite beauty products in 2014: Bourjois, Paco Rabanne, Estee Lauder



L-R Peach Club, Nude-ist, Happy Nude Year

Hello! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas? I certainly did. I decided to pick out three of my favourite beauty products from this year. In terms of beauty, the past 12 months have been good to me. I've experimented, invested and discovered lots of brands (my favourite being KIKO). The biggest 'thing' for me has to be my skin care routine. I'm comfortable with it and it's doing me a lot of good. I'll be uploading a post on that soon. But for now, enjoy! 

No matter how many foundations I try I always end up going back to this one. It provides buildable medium to full coverage, lasts all day, balances the skin nicely and applies evenly. It's very dreamy and I doubt I'll move on to another foundation any time soon.

My sister bought me this perfume for my graduation and I'm very thankful. It's without a doubt my favourite scent but because it's pricey it's something I've never purchased myself. Now I don't think I'll be able to be without it. Paco Rabanne knows how to do fragrance - they're all delicious. 

These lipsticks have changed the game. I've always found lipsticks tricky because they tend to cling to dry patches and be high maintenance, but these ones are a dream. They're pigmented, long lasting, creamy and the most beautiful finish. I have four in my collection (I didn't photograph the red one, but you can see a swatch here) and I know I'll soon own the entire range.

What products have you loved this year?
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Saturday, 22 November 2014

Top five Christmas nail polishes


The Christmas party season is just around the corner, so it's time to don a figure-flattering dress, a smoky eye, a red lip and of course, a festive nail polish. I scoured through my collection and found five different nail polishes that I think are perfect for your talons at this time of year. A couple of them are sparkly (so a bit annoying to remove) but they're that stunning I think it can be overlooked.

From left to right:
Models Own Diamond Luxe in Carat Coral* - £5.00: a beautiful deep glossy coral
Models Own Hed Kandi! in Bora Bora* - £5.00: Packed full of golden shimmer
Models Own Disco Pants in Studio 54* - £5.00: A metallic bright pink
Rimmel London Space Dust Nail Polish in Aurora - £3.99: A glittery rose gold shade
KIKO Cosmetics Satin Nail Lacquer in 447* - £5.90: A deep burgundy colour

What's your favourite festive nail polish shade?
*PR Sample
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Saturday, 15 November 2014

Current beauty favourites - November 2014


It's been a while since I've published a favourites post. And since we're halfway through November, I thought a monthly favourites wouldn't be very apt. So instead, here's my current favourites. Now I'm working I seem to have got into a routine with my products. So these are used every single day, without fail.

After needing a new powder for a while, I decided to invest in this one by MAC. And needless to say, I'm very glad I did. It's pricey but it's most definitely worth it. It adds extra coverage to the skin without looking cakey and ensures make up lasts well throughout the day. The packaging is also nifty as it comes with a decent sized mirror and a powder puff.

Despite having a large collection of bronzer, I've never been very good when it comes to application. I decided to invest in this one from the Body Shop after reading some many incredible reviews. I bought it in the palest shade (because my skin colour resembles a ghost) and I can't sing its praises enough. It's wonderful for contouring and injecting a healthy glow into the skin.

This past month I've gone a bit blusher crazy. I've bought a lot, but this one has remained a firm favourite. It's nicely pigmented and applies onto the skin beautifully - it almost melts and blends perfectly. The colour itself is stunning and perfect for winter. It isn't extremely pink, but instead has a rose-toned glow that perks up the cheekbones nicely.

One day I just decided it was about time I invested in a decent moisturiser. I'm a skin care addict, so I've tried a lot. But this one by Origins remained prominent in my head, and for good reason too. It's hydrating yet lightweight and wakes the skin up in the morning. The best thing though? The smell. Oh it's delicious. It's like oranges. Seriously, have a whiff.

Estee Lauder's Double Wear was one of my first high-end foundation purchases. I've bought countless bottles of the stuff and despite trying lots of new foundations, I always come back to this one. I work long days so I need something that's long lasting, and this one doesn't budge. It's also medium-full coverage and applies nice and evenly. I can't fault it.

I'm addicted to honey at the moment. Everything I use - shampoo, condition, lip balm, shower gel - is honey-scented. I bought this on a whim while I was in London and I'm so glad I did. It's now used up and ready to be repurchased. It's basically a bubble belt but it's silky soft and smells delicious. I got around six baths out of it, so it makes it affordable.

Once again another product I bought while thinking, 'Jemma you have money, buy a few luxuries you've always wanted'. Woodwinked has been on my must-buy list for a very long time. Ever since I saw Tanya Burr use it a few years ago. It's a stunning golden-shade that blends coppery, meaning there's no need to pop anything in the crease. It also looks gorgeous underneath the lashline. 

I didn't buy into this when it first came out for whatever reason. But when I was sent it, it was love at first use. I have combination skin which means I get really oily in some areas, but very dry and dehydrated in others. It's a nasty balance and can be hard to counteract. This serum is extremely hydrating but doesn't add moisture meaning it's perfect for my skin type.

I received a mini sample of this when I bought the moisturiser and although I've never really been a fan of eye cream, I can't go a morning without using this. Despite getting my nine-hours sleep at night, my eyes still look tired in a morning. I pop this on and it instantly perks them it. It's a miracle worker and I'll definitely be purchasing the full size come pay-day.

My sister bought me this as a graduation present. It's a fragrance that I've wanted for around four years so when I unwrapped it, I shed a little tear. It's the most delightful fragrance you'll ever smell in your life. It's long lasting on the skin and I think I've made it my 'signature scent'. Or at least I hope. I know I won't be able to be without it now. 

What products are you loving at the minute?
*PR Sample
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Thursday, 9 October 2014

Top 10 autumn nail polish shades for under £10



With yesterday's rain, it's safe to say that autumn is well and truly here. Gone are the days of sunglasses and shorts, and out comes to brollies and breeze. With that comes the more muted fall-inspired nails polish shades. I've delved into my collection and dug out my top ten shades for the colder months - and best of all, they're all below a tenner! 

From left to right in the picture of the swatches:

What's your favourite autumn nail polish shade?
*PR Sample
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Monday, 1 September 2014

August Favourites



I woke up this morning glad to see the back of August. It hasn't been the greatest, and I was ready to face September head on. I have a few things to look forward to this month, mainly my graduation. But today I've had my MOT and my car has failed badly. Needless to say, I'm in a bad mood and I hope September disappears as quickly as August did. Anyway one good thing that came out of the past month is some beautiful products that I'm excited to share with you.

I basically bought these because they're cheap. I haven't chemically exfoliated in a while and now it's getting to winter and the sun isn't out in full force, I decided it was about time I started again. These pads smell delicious and exfoliate the skin gently but effectively. The pads are completely soaked so you don't have to worry about them drying up over time. I do thing they're soaked a bit too much though as I do have to leave my skin to dry for a few minutes.

I'm addicted to this stuff. Elemis' Frangipani Monoi range has been around for ten years and to celebrate the anniversary, the brand has released a new addition to the range. The body cream is extremely indulgent and allows you to get a spa treatment daily. The fragrance itself is warm and exotic and I hope to god they release a perfume one day. It leaves the skin feeling incredibly smooth and locks in moisture throughout the day. The scent is also very powerful and I find it lingers on my skin nicely. I've received countless amounts of compliments. 

I took this small sample on holiday with me and at the time, I thought it was the foundation that wasn't breaking down, even in the heat. But when I came home I used this with a different base and it's incredible. I think it's pricey for a primer but it's what I'm going to be using on graduation day. My foundation tends to break up throughout the day and disappear, but this hold it in place.

Another primer and I've had this a while. I use this around my nose and cheek area as I have quite enlarged pores. I tap this into my skin and it instantly fills my pores in and gives me a flawless looking complexion. It leaves the skin feeling velvety and allows make up to apply much easier. It also gives a nice matte finish to the skin so it's perfect for those with oily skin. It doesn't, however, dry my skin out. I don't find it makes make up last any longer - it's just great for concealing pores.

I do love Good Things as a brand and when I saw that this was on such a wonderful offer, I rushed to Boots to pick it up. The first time I used this cleanser I tweeted about how glowing and young my skin looked it and felt. Since then, it's continued to get better. This cleanser feels luxurious to uses and smells good enough to eat. It leaves my skin feeling very soft and and looking radiant. I definitely need to try out the rest of the range.

When I first got this brush, I had no idea what to do with it. I love my Real Techniques Expert Face Brushes too much. Recently, I've been using this to apply cream and powder blusher. It gives a light diffused look that's almost airbrushed. Since using this I've found that the overall finish to my blush and make up in general is much better. I love it. It also washes really well without any shedding.

Joan Collins Brow & Eye Definition Kit* - £25.00 (available October/November)
Before recently trying out a few things from the brand, I'd never heard of Joans Collins. I got my eyebrows threaded a couple of weeks ago (after growing them out) and this palette has made my eyebrows look even better. It comes with a black powder, a brown powder, a pink champagne highlight powder and a brow wax. As well as this, there's a decent sized mirror, mini tweezers, mini comb and mini brush all housed inside a beautiful compact. 

What products have you been loving this month?
*PR Sample
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Thursday, 31 July 2014

July Favourites


It's been a while since I've written a July Favourites post. I suppose until recently, I hadn't been loving anything in particular. This month however, I've truly fallen in love with a few products so I thought I'd share them with you. Also, can you believe it's July?! It's almost Christmas...

Dior Addict Eau Sensuelle EDT - £52 for 50ml
I received this fragrance as a gift when I left Boots. Mine is actually 100ml which is luckily huge as I've been spraying this constantly. It smells absolutely beautiful and because I'm bad at describing scents, I'd recommend giving this a whiff next time you're in Boots. But beware, you'll probably end up purchasing it. It's quite light, fresh and girly and absolutely stunning. I'm addicted.

I know, I know. Rewind to when these were first released and I couldn't express my hatred for the things enough. I tried selling it, but it just wouldn't sell so instead of throwing it away, I decided to give it another go. The problem wasn't with the formula, it was with the colour. It just didn't seem to suit me. But for some strange reason, I now think it does. It's a beautiful pink shade that's brighter than a nude, but still quite muted.

I've expressed my love for Alberto Balsam before and I think I'll continue doing so for a long time to come. They're the most affordable hair care brand out there and their products rival brands much more expensive. This conditioner is perfect for summer because it smells like coconuts, and that scent lingers in the hair throughout the day. It also helps get rid of knots and smooths the hair down.

I wanted a lighter base to wear on holiday and this is the one that I used. It provides medium coverage that feels lightweight on the skin. That was impressive enough. But what impressed me even more was its lasting power. Make up doesn't tend to last well on my skin but this was still intact ten hours after I'd been sweating in Rome all day. Not bad at all. 

Klorane Almond Milk Shampoo* - currently £4.80
I love Klorane's dry shampoo. It's without a doubt the best dry shampoo there is. So when I received this product, I couldn't wait to try it out. The shampoo uses Spanish almond milk which coats the hair fibre to add volume without weighing it down and also smooths and softens it. It's unreal how weightless my hair feels after using this shampoo. I don't have to bother with any volumising styling sprays as this does all of the work itself. It leaves my hair feeling incredibly soft too. I can see me repurchasing this for a long time.

I got a mini of this in a Benefit kit that I purchased on holiday. In all honesty, this was the product I wasn't too bothered about in the kit, but since trying it out I'm addicted. It doesn't provide a lot of colour - if any - but it does feel incredibly soft on the lips. It's almost like a balm in texture and it doesn't leave behind a horrible sticky-feeling. It looks beautiful on its own, or over a lipstick to add a hint of shine and moisture.

Weleda Citrus Refreshing Body Oil* - £13.95
It's strange thinking about how much I love oils these days. This one from Weleda is incredible and I knew it'd be a firm favourite the first time I used it. I love citrus scents, and this one proves it further. This body oil lives up to its refreshing name and leaves the skin smooth and supple with a scent that enlivens the body. It also sinks into the skin nice and quickly and leaves the skin soft for hours on ends.

I was very shocked by this product when I first used it and it's made removing eye make up a complete doddle this month. For an eye make up remover it's expensive but it dissolves make up on contact. It's really easy and quick to use and doesn't sting my eyes.

What products have you been loving throughout July?
*PR Sample
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Friday, 25 July 2014

The best bronzers


Fake Bake Beauty Bronzer, glo-minerals Bronze, Sleek Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette, KIKO Essential Bronzer, KIKO Rock Attraction Bronzer, Liz Earle Natural Glow Bronzer, KIKO Colour Splash Multi-tone Bronzer, KIKO Loud Night Bronzer









Being naturally pale - even a week in the Mediterranean didn't touch me - means that in general, I find wearing bronzer a challenge. Last year, I was a complete novice. I watched countless amounts of YouTube videos in the hope that I'd perfect the sought after "contouring technique." But I had no luck. More recently though, particularly this summer, I haven't been able to step away from the stuff. Whether it's contouring, adding a glow or dusting all over my skin, I'm constantly using the product. Here are my favourites.    

Best brand:
When it comes to choosing a bronzer, the brand I always look to first is KIKO. Half the bronzers chosen for this post are from the Italian brand and it's easy to see why. The KIKO Rock Attraction Bronzer in Loud Tan* (currently on offer for £6.00) is the bronzer that I tend to use on a day-to-day basis. Despite being a powder formula, it's creamy to the touch and exceptionally easy to blend. It's completely matte so is perfect for contouring, and it's very hard to overdo this bronzer. Next up is the KIKO Essential Bronzer in Warm Melange* (currently on offer for £11.80) which is a two-tone bronzer. The pan is absolutely huge so I use this with a big fluffy brush and dust it all over my skin. The KIKO Loud Night Bronzer in Supple Satin Honey is up there in my top three. It's perfect for my pale skin tone and can be used matte to contour, or with subtle shimmer to add a glow. And finally the KIKO Colour Splash Multi-tone Bronzer in Jovial Tan comes with three different shades that are perfect for bronzing up the complexion.

Best highlight:
As a brand, I find glo-minerals underrated. Their products are of such an exceptional quality yet they're rarely raved about on blogs. The glo-minerals Bronze in Sunkiss* (£31.50) is an absolute gem. One side contains a matte bronzer and the other a beautiful golden highlight. The two shades can be swirled together or used separately and I constantly find myself reaching for the highlight side. It's stunning and makes the complexion glow. 

Best glow:
The Fake Bake Beauty Bronzer is wonderful for adding an all over glow to the skin. It's quite dark and pigmented so I tend to use this when I've tanned my skin. A light hand a big brush works best when applying this bronzer. Sadly, I can't seem to find this online anywhere. Does anyone know what's happened to Fake Bake's make up range?

Best all-rounder:
The Sleek Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette in Medium* (£9.99) comes with everything you need to truly bronze up your skin. The contour, highlight and blush-shade work together to create the most beautiful golden goddess look. Of course, the three shades can be used separately but I find them stunning when used altogether to create a bronzed look. 

Best natural:  
As you can tell from the image above, this bronzer is exceptionally well loved. It has a hint of shimmer running through it but it's not over the top and still manages to look natural. There isn't a lot of pigment in this bronzer so it's perfect for pale skins to contour or use all over the skin.

I'm always on the look out to try out and find new bronzers. Let me know your favourites in the comments below.
*PR Sample
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Saturday, 5 July 2014

The best oils








A few years back, I would never have dreamt of going near an oil. As someone who has combination skin and an oily scalp, I have pretty much steered clear of them for the majority of my life. But then something happened, and something changed. I tried a cleansing oil and a hair oil, and from that moment on, I've never looked back. If you're someone with oily skin, or oily hair, don't dismiss oils as they're wonderful at balancing the skin.

The other oils in the Superfacialist range are wonderful too, but the reason why I love this one so much is because you get 200ml of product for £10.99. An absolute bargain, especially considering the range is constantly on offer. This cleansing oil completely removes and breaks down make up and leaves the skin feeling and looking refreshed, and smelling of oranges.

When it comes to hair oils, this is the daddy of them all. I don't know anyone who has tried this product and hated it. Moroccanoil is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and protein and helps to improve the hair's manageability, control frizz, enhance shine, increase elasticity and leave the hair looking shiny and feeling soft. I use this when my hair is wet and when my hair is dry as it doesn't weigh the hair down.

Moroccanoil isn't cheap, so I have a bottle of this on standby for when it runs out. It's just as good but not as luxurious and doesn't have the classic Moroccanoil scent. This leaves the hair shiny, nourished, silky, soft and perfected. It smooths down flyaways all without weighing the hair down. L'Oreal also have a bottle for coloured hair and a dry mist for fine hair.

This Rosehip oil is my night time moisturiser of choice. It contains a powerful blend of natural nutrients that promote skin repair and rejuvenates cells. Once I've massaged this into my skin, my skin feels hydrated but not greasy. I've definitely seen a huge improvement in my scarring and skin tone. This also makes me wake up to glowing skin which is something that Bio-Oil doesn't do - and the reason I prefer this one.

I'm definitely a bath lover, and I can't have a bath without pouring an oil or cream inside of it. I love this one because it uses organic argan oil to regenerate the skin. It smells absolutely delicious and coats the skin is anhydrating layer that leaves it revitalised, soft and glowing, with minimal effort. It does leave the bath slippery afterwards though so be careful when getting out.

Bio-Oil* - £8.99
I'm quite sad that at the moment, Bio-Oil has been replaced by the Trilogy oil. My Bio-Oil story has been huge. As a teenager, I hated it as it made me break out. But as I've grown older and my skin's changed, it has become a godsend to me. It helps fade scarring and leaves the skin nourished, but not greasy. It's also incredibly affordable and the bottle lasts for ages.

If you follow me on Twitter then you might have noticed my little love-rant about this product. I'm a bit citrus lover and one whiff of this found me drenching my body in it. It uses pure almond oil to leave the skin smooth and supple, and citrus essential oils to leave a fresh scent that enlivens the body. After using this, my skin was left feeling unbelievable soft and I couldn't stop stroking my legs. I'm an addict.

And finally, Tea Tree Oil which is an oil that everyone should have a bottle of in their collection. Tea Tree Oil is a 100% natural antiseptic essential oil that has a variety of uses. It can be used to treat spots and acne, Athlete's Foot, cuts and burns, head lice, and can be used as a vaporizer and in aromatherapy. There are many more uses and a quick Google will show you how beneficial a bottle can be.

Do you use oils? What are your favourites?
*PR Sample
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Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Drugstore summer make up saviours for oily skin

Summer and oily skin. A combination that doesn't work well together. As soon as there's a tiny hint of summer in the UK, my face ends up melting midday. In the winter, my skins leans more towards the dry/combination side of the spectrum, but as soon as a bit of sun peeks out of the clouds, my skin turns into an oil slick. It becomes a shiny mess midday and make up doesn't last throughout the day. Overtime, I've found a combination of drugstore products to help combat the shine, and keep make up in place all day long. Almost no touch ups required.

I start off with the NYX Shine Killer* - £12.50 which is without a doubt one of my favourite primers. I do believe it's silicone-based (if it isn't, it feels that way) and although not everyone gets on with these kind of primers, they're personally my favourite. It smooths over the skin and leaves in mattified and prepped for foundation. For my cheeks I love using the Bourjois Cream Blush in Healthy Glow* - £7.99. A couple of years ago, I would never have used a cream blush but this cream to powder finish is incredible. It's a beautiful, natural colour that stays put on the skin throughout the day. I then finish off the entire look with the SEVENTEEN Stay Time Pressed Powder - £4.49, a recent release that's a godsend. This pressed powder sets make up and ensures it doesn't budge throughout the day. It also takes away any shine without leaving the skin looking completely dead-matte. Dare I say it's better than Rimmel's Stay Matte?

What are your summer make up saviours?
*PR Sample
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Tuesday, 10 June 2014

What's inside my summer everyday essentials bag?





Ooh isn't the weather lovely today? I've been into town for no reason at all and I had to come back after a couple of hours because I couldn't handle the heat; I'm definitely not a sun-fan at all. But regardless, I can't complain. With the sun showing its face, I've mixed up my everyday essentials bag and in case you're wondering, the bag is an old one from Primark. I'm keeping my eyes pealed for one of the smaller London bags from Primark but I can't spot it anywhere. I have the medium sized one but it's too big for everyday use sadly. Anyway, the keyring is from Clinique and it's one of the first items I ever received as a PR sample. It came with their 3 Step System and it's now four years old. It also doubles up as a small mirror.

Pebble Grey LED Cosmetic Mirror* - £24.99 (currently on offer for £19.99)
I'm not going to go into too much detail about this mirror as I do have a full blog post (+ giveaway!) coming up very soon. But basically, I don't know how I've gone my entire life without one in my handbag. It lights up when opened using LED lights and is just perfect in everyway. It's nice and compact and fits into my everyday bag perfectly.

The hand cream pictured above is actually a teeny 10ml bottle which sadly, I can't find a link for. The full sized bottle is 50ml which is still a nice size for your handbag. I've been loving using this hand cream. Not only is the bottle beautiful looking, but the scent is gorgeous and the cream itself sinks into the hands almost instantly, leaving behind minimal residue.

This isn't my favourite Real Techniques brush but it's good for keeping in my bag with me for day-to-day touch ups as it nicely blends concealer into the skin. Like the name suggests, it's a retractable kabuki brush and the bristles get covered up by the lid, which is great for stopping bacteria. 

I always have to carry an antibacterial hand gel around with me. After all, you never quite know what situation you're going to end up getting yourself into. I LOVE these sweet ones from Cuticura as unlike most hand gels, they don't have a nasty chemical smell. Instead they smell absolutely gorgeous and don't dry the hands out.

Piz Buin In Sun Lipstick SPF 30 - £6.00 (currently on offer for £3.00)
The sun's out in the UK, hooray! For me, SPF is my must-have beauty item throughout the year. I have fair skin and I'm without a doubt scared of the sun, so I'm constantly protecting myself. This lip protection isn't that moisturising and it's quite thick and hard to use, but it does smell/taste nice and it's great knowing that my lips are protected throughout the day.

Soltan Baby Hypoallergenic Suncare Cream SPF50+ 50ml - £4.00 (currently on offer for £2.00)
Like above, I always carry SPF around with me. I apply it in the morning and keep a smaller one with my for on the go touch ups. This one is an absolute bargain and it smells nice and provides SPF50+ protection. I also love using Soltan products because they have a 5 star UVA protection rating.

I absolutely adore this lip balm. It adds a hint of colour, sheen and moisture to the lips and also protects them from the sun with an SPF of 15. It tastes delicious and there are seven different flavour/colour combinations to choose from - I need to own them all! Someone take me to the London store?

I have a love/hate relationship with this powder. On the one hand, it's wonderful at eliminating pores and my scarring, but on the other hand, it's ridiculously expensive as you only get a teeny 7g of product for your money. I carry it around in my handbag because of how compact and easy to use it is. It comes with a mini kabuki brush and you pour the powder into the lid, simple! 

Now my hair is shorter, I don't find myself using this as much. But it's still a handy product to keep in my bag (and I love it because it smells delicious). This Touch-Up Tamer looks like a mascara and applies like a mascara. You simple comb the wand through any flyaways and it instantly sticks them down without weighing your hair down or leaving behind any residue.

And of course, the god of all concealers is kept in my handbag. This is without a doubt my favourite concealer as it provides long lasting, full coverage that never looks cakey on the skin. I've gone through tubes of this stuff and it's something I'll definitely continue to repurchase.

What products do you carry around with you on a day-to-day basis?
*PR Sample
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Sunday, 25 May 2014

May Favourites









Oh my lord, can you believe it's almost June?! It seems like just yesterday I was starting my final year at university, and now I'm completely finished. How strange. But oh well, just one month now until my holiday which I'm ridiculously excited for. Beauty wise, this month has been a good 'un. I've discovered quite a few new products and with the sun finally showing its face, it's allowed me to experiment a little bit more.

I've spoken about this blush before, and I doubt that this will be the last you'll hear of it. Let's start with the packaging; it's beautiful and I'm definitely not ashamed to have it in my collection. It also has a lovely vanilla scent (that isn't transferred onto the skin) which adds a nice luxe feel to the blush. Lasting power is outstanding, pigmentation is incredible, price is affordable and the colour instantly perks up my skin.

I've been loving fake tanning my skin recently, I just feel better with a bit of a glow and it also helps to perfect my skin, meaning my make up-less face isn't so terrifying. This tanner by Xen-Tan instantly creates a healthy, natural looking glow that nourishes the skin and develops into a beautiful golden colour. I'm funny with face tanners as I have combination skin, but this one is lightweight yet creamy and easy to apply and blend. 

The swatch of this lipstick is a little bit off as I think it's lighter than the swatch appears. This lipstick feels a lot more expensive than it actually is. The packaging isn't the greatest, but it does the job. The colour is beautiful - think Barbie-pink - and looks stunning with a bit of a tan. Lasting power isn't the best, but the formula itself is incredible. It's creamy and glides onto the lips, leaving behind a gorgeous full-looking pout that's left feeling nourished. 

With the beautiful weather the UK has been blessed with for a few weeks of this month, it was almost inevitable that an SPF was going to feature in this month's favourites. I spoke about Rodial's offering the other day and I stand by everything I said. It's an SPF moisturiser that's also a skin care product. It treats and corrects the skin whilst protecting it and preventing further damage, it's absolute perfection. It's also lightweight on the skin and smells incredible. I can't find a fault!

This month, I rediscovered my all-time favourite foundation. You see, I'd started trying out other foundations so this one got neglected for a while. But now, it's back and the others don't stand a chance. Lightweight yet full on coverage, this foundation is perfect for those who love a flawless base. It's easy to blend and lasts incredibly well throughout the day. What's more, it's extremely affordable and in my opinion, the absolute best foundation out there. I've gone through tubes of the stuff and I have two more back ups.

Dr Organic Virgin Olive Oil Foot & Heel Cream* - £6.49 (currently £4.87)
I have two foot products in this month's favourites and that's because I've recently bought some new sandals. I've ditched the boots and decided to get my tootsies out, and after a dry winter, they've needed a bit of assistance. This foot cream is an absolute gem. It contains Virgin Olive Oil which is deeply moisturising and nourishing. One thing I usually hate about foot creams is how long they take to sink into the skin, but this one is almost instant. After one use, my heels and cracked areas looked immediately better.

With the amount of swatching my nails see, it's no wonder they haven't fallen off yet. I was recommended this by a customer at work who absolutely swore by it. I decided to invest after I realised my nails were starting to look extremely shabby. It promises longer, stronger and harder nails in two weeks and after two weeks, I've definitely seen an improvement. You apply one coat on the first day of the first week and then a second coat the day after. On day seven you remove the product and repeat the steps on the 2nd week.

My second foot care product in this month's favourite is this ergonomically designed heel smoother. I've tried a lot of different electrical feet shavers in my time and this one has wiped them all out. It comes with two different heads to "shave" and buff dead skin away, leaving behind beautifully soft skin. It also comes complete with six replacement buffing discs. I've been absolutely loving this product. It looks incredible on my desk and does a wonderful job at smoothing my feet.

What have been your favourite products to use this month?
*PR Sample
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Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Current Favourites




I haven't posted a favourites post in an extremely long time and considering we're pretty much halfway through May, I thought my current favourites would suffice. I've been trying out a few different products recently, investing in quite a few (my last ever student loan, it'd be rude not to) and also rediscovering some gems. Hopefully, monthly favourites is something I'll be able to keep on top of, we'll see...

Schwarzkopf got2b 2 Sexy Volumizing Hairspray - £3.00
I'd say that this is my most repurchased hairspray. It's the one that I always reach for, mainly due to its delicious smell. It does everything that the name suggests; adds volume and keeps it in place for the majority of the day. I don't really 'style' my hair as such, instead I tend to keep it straight so this holds the straight, volumised style nicely. It's also affordable - I just wish they offered a travel sized version.

Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan + BB Perfector Medium Matte - £6.99 (currently £3.49)
I work in the photo/sun shop area at Boots and when I saw that this was half price, I quickly snapped it up. Last year, I was an avid fake tanner however this year, it's taken a backseat. I tried this out for the first time the other night and was amazed. It added a lovely colour and glow, covered all the scars and marks on my legs and was easy to apply; think of it as a foundation for your body.

Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint and Pencil - £10.00
My favourite eyebrow powders have recently been running low and considering they're in the Naked Basics palette, I wanted to find an alternative to allow the other shadows in the palette to hit pan too. I picked this up after recommendations from bloggers and although I don't like the tint end, the pencil is lovely. It's more of a wax and makes filling in the brows a complete doddle.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche Skinscent - £47.00 (currently £37.60)
After sniffing this last summer, I knew I couldn't be without it this year. As well as this, my dupe was running low and is becoming increasingly harder to get a hold of. With Bergamot, Amber, Tiare Flower, Vanilla and Coconut, this fragrance is summer in a bottle. It smells like suntan lotion, but a whole lot sexier and warmer. The only issue I have with this fragrance is that it doesn't seem to last long on my skin, at least I can't smell it on myself after an hour or so.

Green People Volumising Mascara* - £14.75
I mentioned this product a few days ago in my what's in my make up bag post and it's still a mascara that I'm loving. I am a massive mascara whore, and I can't remain loyal to one but this one might be my new favourite. It does everything a mascara should do; lengthens, separates and adds a hell of a lot of volume. The brush capturers every single lash and leaves them looking fluttery. 

Nars Cosmetics Blush in Outlaw* - £22.50
Sadly, I don't think you can buy this blush any more as it was released in the Autumn 2012 collection (which I wrote - a very bad post about - here). The blush looks very intimidating in the pan but it transfers to a soft rose toned blush with a golden shimmer on the cheeks. It instantly perks up my collection and leaves me looking glowing. It's a fail safe blush.

3 pack of face razors - £1.69
Following this post from Makeup Savvy, I knew I had to try shaving my face. The razors arrived quickly and I instantly got to work, shaving my face. It sounds strange but my face now feels incredibly soft and smooth and my make up has started applying much better. So far, I haven't had any regrowth and hopefully I won't end up looking like an ogre. I'll keep you updated.

What products are you currently loving?
*PR sample
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