Sunday 30 September 2012

September Beauty Favourites!

So it's favourites time again and September has been a pretty busy month for me! I Went America, I turned 20 and went back to University for my second year! I have been using so many amazing products this month so it was hard to pick which ones to include but expect to see lots of them in future posts as well.
Skincare -
  •  Eve Lom Cleanser - This was part of my birthday present from my Dad and it is definitely started my love for cleansing balms, it has made my skin feel so smooth and lovely! It is a bit on the pricey side so I don't know if I can afford to repurchase it when it runs out but it is such a lovely product, perfect for the colder months.
  • First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream - As it has gotten colder my skin has been a little dry and looked a bit dull this is an amazing cream you can use anywhere on your body and really does moisturise the skin without making it look or feel greasy. Another must have for the colder months. 
  • Erborian BB Creme Light - This has been my go to everyday base product for this month, it was perfect for when I was in America because it is light with good coverage and has an SPF25. It's one of the best BB Creams i've tried and I will be doing a full review very soon.

Cheeks -
  • Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in 'Tipsy' - This is the blush I wore the whole time I was in America and it is the perfect coral blush. I've just done a post confessing my love for this blush which you can read here.
  • NYC Bronzer in Sunny - I picked this up in America because it is pretty hard to get here, it is the only bronzer I have used this month because it is the perfect bronze colour and looks so natural with no hint of orange. Perfect if you have pale skin.
  • NARS Blush in Deep Throat - This is the other blush i've been wearing this month, it is a lovely dusky pink with a bit of shimmer that gives a lovely glow to the cheeks. It looks lovely and gives such a healthy glow. I also think it is a colour that could be worn all year round. 

Eyes -
  • Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Permant Taupe - I've had this for a while and as someone who loves taupe eyeshadows it has taken me ages to find a way to where it. I really didn't like how it looked when applied with my fingers but when I got the Real Techniques Starter Set I found the Base Shadow Brush was perfect for applying this! I love how it looks and is so easy to wear especially for Uni! I've been wearing it pretty much everyday!
  • Real Techniques Starter Set Brushes - I love Real Techniques brushes but these two have stood out to me this month. The Deluxe Crease Brush is amazing for concealer and as I said above I've been using the Base Shadow Brush for cream shadows. I would definitely recommend getting this set.
  • Wet n Wild Walking On Eggshells Trio- This is practically all I wore on my eyes in America, the shadows are so pigmented and worked together beautifully and make my eyes looking awake and defined. This trio is included in my American Beauty giveaway so if you would like to win it enter here!
  • Maybelline Define A Brow Eyebrow Pencil in Light Brown - I picked this up in America since I hadn't seen it in the UK and I have been so impressed with it! The point is so fine that you can draw on individual hairs and my brows looking perfect but still natural. I have no idea why this isn't available in the UK because it is an amazing product!
Swatches -
 Lips - 
  • Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss - I've been wearing lots of different lip products this month but this one really stood out to me. It's the formula of a lip balm so is moisturising to the lips but the colour is pigmented and leaves a lovely peachy nude which looks so nice. It's definitely my new favourite everyday lip colour.
Fragrance -
  • Bath and Body Works Carried Away Body Spray - Another product I picked up in America (there's a theme forming here!) I had heard lots about these body sprays and after smelling every one they did I picked this one. It's a lovely fresh scent that last longer that other body sprays I have used, in some ways it's more of a perfume! I love it and i've been wearing it everyday since getting it.

So that's my beauty favourites for this months, I hope you liked it. What have been your favourite products this month?

Friday 28 September 2012

Origins Out Of Trouble Mask - Reviewed!

I've gone a little face mask crazy recently, i'm even planning on doing a post on my favourite ones some time soon. Origins is a brand that i've really become interested in, they're products are full of natural ingredients which really does appeal to me. I decided to try this mask after the lady at the Origins counter said it was really good for breakouts. 
The packaging is lovely and simple which I love and says that it is a 10 minute mask to rescue problem skin. You get 100ml of product so I can see this lasting a good amount of time. 
I've mentioned before that I love using the Origins Super Spot Remover for breakouts but sometimes I think a mask is good to help sooth the skin and take the harsh pain away from blemishes which this definitely does.
The product is a thick white cream that has a very herbal scent to it, i'm not a huge fan of the scent but it smells like it is doing some good to the skin if that makes sense! I cover my whole face with the mask focusing more product on any bad areas and leave it for 10-15 minutes. It dries quickly but doesn't feel tight. It washes off easily and afterwards my skin feels smooth, refreshed and any blemishes are a lot less painful. In the morning the size of any blemishes has reduced and the redness and lessened. 

The mask and been such a saver for me when i've had breakouts and I can't recommend it enough. I honestly couldn't believe the difference in any breakouts I had after just one use.
The lady at the Origins counter also gave me some samples of other products that would be suited to be skin type too!
Origins Out Of Trouble Mask is available from Boots for £20.00

Have you tried this mask? What do you use to help with breakouts?
 

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy - Reviewed!

I feel like the Tarte blushes are some of the most talked about blushes at the moment, the fact that you can't really get them in the UK just makes me want one even more. I took advantage of visiting Sephora whilst I was in America (haul here) and picking up one of these famous blushes.
I decided to chose the shade Tipsy because I have been on the hunt for the perfect coral blush and hadn't really found one I loved. The packaging is lovely and is a different colour depending on the shade.
The claim around this blushes are that they are meant to last for 12 hours and the skin, this appealed to me because by the end of the day I do tend to find that my blush has disappeared. I can honestly say these blushes definitely do last amazingly on the skin and I can still see the colour at the end of the day.
The compact comes with a good size mirror and the actual blush has a lovely design on it. The blushes in this range are all well pigmented and swatch true to colour. 
The shade Tipsy is the perfect coral, not too orange and with a slight hint of pink. On the skin it looks so beautiful that i've been wearing pretty much everyday since I bought it. I think this would suit a lot of skin tones, from pale to dark because it is so pigmented. I use a fluffy brush like the Real Techniques Blush Brush to apply this and blends out easily. 

All in all this is the perfect blush and the perfect coral shade. I definitely will be trying to pick up some more shades in the future. 

Tarte blushes retail for $25 and for me are worth every penny. They're not available in the UK but can be found on ebay here.

Have you tried Tarte blushes?

Monday 24 September 2012

Afforable Skincare Favourites

I love expensive, luxury skincare items as much as any does but as a student I do know that sometimes you can't spend £20 on a cleanser all the time. Over the years I have found some amazing drugstore skincare products and I thought I would share some favourites. Most of these products are under £10 and from this you could have an a full skincare routine on a budget.
I've picked out two products for each category so hopefully there will be something to suit everyone and every skin type.
Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser - This is a great cheaper option for the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser, it removes all make-up and feel moisturising to the skin making it great for dry skin but also works well with my oily skin. You get lots of product so this tube will last a long time too.
Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean - I use this cleanser in the morning with my Clarisonic but it also works well on it's own. Great for oily skin as it removes the oil without drying the skin out like a lot of cheap cleanser. Definitely worth the money and you only need a two pumps so will last well.
Superdrug Tea Tree Cleanser & Toner- This is an old favourite of mine, great again for oily skin and definitely helps get rid and sooth blemishes. It is still gentle to the skin but definitely gives great results. This range also tends to be on offer a lot.
Botanics Rose Water Toning Spray - Spray toners are very popular at the moment and this is a great affordable options. It has a lovely rose scent and is refreshing to the skin. If you don't like spray toners you can also apply it to a cotton pad and it works well that way too.
Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturiser- Amazing product here! If you suffer from breakouts or oily skin you need to try this. It moisturises the skin so I think it would be good for a few different skin types and it isn't greasy at all.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar K - A more expensive option but a great morning moisturiser under make-up especially for oily skin. Lovely product to use in the warmer months because it is very light and not greasy.
St Ives Blemish Fighting Apricot Scrub - These St Ives scrubs are really great because they do different types for different skin types. I use this 1-2 times a week and it leaves my skin feeling smooth and refreshed.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Daily Scrub - I picked this up in America so not sure if it's available in the UK. It's a great gentle cream based scrub (I wouldn't use it everyday though) that again leaves the skin smooth and fresh; great for blemish prone skin.
Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks - These masks are great and I tend to get two uses out of each sachet. They have lots of different types for different skin types and all the ones i've tried have been lovely. 
Superdrug Face Masks- Superdrug recently released a whole range of their own sachet masks, again I tend to get to uses out of these and they're lovely. Again lots for different types for different skin types including some great clay masks. They tend to be on offer too.
Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2-1 Wash and Mask - Lots of people seem to love this product because it makes your skin feel so clean and fresh and really helps take the pain out of blemishes. I use it as a mask mainly and leave it on in the shower. Great affordable product that really does work and lasts ages. 

So there you have it, I really hope this was helpful who is looking for some affordable skincare products. I've included links to where you can buy each item too. A lot of these products tend to be on offer so keep an eye out for those!

What is your favourite drugstore skincare item?

Sunday 23 September 2012

GIVEAWAY! American Beauty Products! *CLOSED*

So recently I reached 200 followers on my little blog, I seriously can't believe it! To say thank you to the lovely people who have followed and commented on my posts I thought I would do a giveaway! I recently went to America on holiday and picked up a few beauty products to giveaway.
 So these are the products you could win! 
Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
EOS Lip Balm in Summer Fruit
Wet n Wild eyshadow trio in Walking On Eggshells
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart (this shade isn't available in the UK!)
Sephora Double Ended Waterproof Eyeliner in Black and Brown 
Bath & Body Works Hand Gel
I'm also throwing in some samples too!

The Rules!
This giveaway is UK only mainly because these prices aren't available in the UK. I do plan on doing an international giveaway in the future.
If under 18 you must get permission to give me your address so if you do win and can send you the price. 
The giveaway will end on 7th October at 12:01am so you have 2 weeks to enter!

To enter fill in the rafflecopter below! 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday 21 September 2012

NOTD - Essie 'Watermelon'

I haven't done a NOTD in a while because i've been pretty much wearing the same polishes. Whilst I was in America I picked up a few including this one. I've been loving Essie so much lately, they do so many shade lovely shade, many of which are on my ever growing wishlist!
 I used to wear pink nail polish all the time, I still have loads which I never wear! This is definitely the kind of pink I love these days, it is more on the red side and makes my nails look so clean and polished.
 I haven't tried many of the darker shades by Essie but this one does not disappoint. I did two coats (mostly out of habit) but you could definitely get away with one. I also dried fast which I loved because I always seem to smudge my nails if they take an age to dry!
I used a top coat just to make the colour last longer but you could probably get away without one because it has a very shinny finish. I am so in love with this shade, I think it will be perfect for Autumn but would also look good in all seasons. 

Essie polishes retail for £7.99 and are available in Boots.

What shade are you currently loving from Essie?

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Roger and Gallet Bois d'Orange Hand and Nail Cream - Reviewed!

Recently my hands have been so dry, I never had this problem and the hand creams I was using just weren't doing to job. When I won a French Jolibox a few months ago, this was in it and it couldn't have come at a better time!
 Firstly I really do love the packaging, it has a cute yellow and orange pattern on it and it definitely stands out on my bedside table. I had never heard of the brand Roger & Gallet before and after doing some research I found out they did a whole range of products in the Bois d'Orange Range as well as having other ranges.
The hand cream itself is meant to nourish this skin with its Argan Oil and Evening Primrose Oil ingredients. I would definitely agree that it does that. It also claims to be non greasy and it definitely is that too! I find this cream so moisturising and intensive but sinks in quickly and doesn't make my hands feel greasy at all.
The scent is also very pleasant, it has an orange scent to it but not in an overpowering sweet way, it is a fairly elegant scent and reminds me of something my Gran would use but doesn't smell like old ladies either! For me I love using this hand cream at night but I also love using it during the day too.

All in all I am so impressed with this hand cream. It has saved my hands and nails and will definitely not be leaving the house without it in Winter. It also has SPF 15 in it and because it isn't greasy it is great to use in Summer too. 

 Roger & Gallet Crème Sublime Bois d'Orange Hand & Nail Cream retails for £8.00.

What is your favourite hand cream?

Monday 17 September 2012

Gift Ideas | Personal Beauty Box

I don't know about you but sometimes when buying presents for people my mind just goes blank on what to get them. I love reading these types of posts around Christmas time but I think they can be helpful all year round too. Today I thought I would share with you something which I will definitely be doing for more people in the future. Basically you fill a box with products you know the person loves. For this post i'm showing you the box I put together for my Mum's birthday which is filled with beauty products. You could also include things like CD's, a Book or sweets if they're not into beauty products as much. 
The box I used was an old Joiebox that I wasn't using, I honestly didn't have a pink theme that just somehow happened! 
Like myself my Mum loves Soap & Glory products and since they are great for doing minis which give you a chance to try out lots of different products. They also tend to be on 3 for 2 in Boots a lot! I included Mist You Madley Body Spray (she already loves this), Clean On Me, Hand Maid and Flake Away. 
I then picked a few skincare products, the Lierac cream was a sample I got in a beauty box which is more suited for older skin so I think she would like it. I actually got two so i've tried it myself and it is a lovely moisturiser. Superdrug recently started doing they're own masks (they're on 4 for 3 too) I chose the Apricot Exfoliating Mask and the Superfruits Exfolating mask. I also included some tweezers because she borrowed mine and loved them, these are just the Boots Slatered Tweezers which are really cheap but are probably the best tweezers i've ever used!
My Mum doesn't tend to wear a lot of make-up so I only have a few things make-up related in this box. The is an MUA one, i've heard great things about these blushes so I think she will love it. My Mum tried my Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey a while ago and loved it however it has been out of stock in ever Boots and Superdrug and on their websites my months but I finally found one! Finally is some Carmex in Cherry, I love this lip balm and I know my Mum will too.

So that's what I included in my Mum's own beauty box. I really do love this idea because it feels more personal than just a gift set and even if they don't love everything i'm sure they will find something they like. 

Let me know if you make a beauty box for someone and what you would include because I would love to know.  :)

Sunday 16 September 2012

Sephora Haul

Hello everyone, so I went to America for 10 days recently and of course whilst I was there I had to make a trip (or a few) to Sephora. I had a few things that I knew I wanted and I feel proud of myself that I didn't come away with more things since there was lots that I had my eye on!
The first thing I got which I didn't take a close up of was a new brush head for my Clarisonic, the one I got was for Acne Prone Skin and I've used it a couple of times now and I love it! It is so gentle but still leaves my skin feeling refreshed.
One of the main things I wanted was a Tarte blush. I had heard amazing things and knew I had to treat myself. I spent about 5 minutes swatching every shade but I finally settled on Tipsy. The pan looks a little scary but it is the perfect coral shade, I will do a full post on it very soon.
The other blush I wanted was a NARS one. Again I spent ages swatching each shade until I chose was Deep Throat. It is a lovely pink shade with a slight shimmer too it, the shimmer gives such a natural healthy glow.
Sephora also have some sale bins which is where I picked up these two bits. The nail polish is by Nails Inc and is called Brutton Street, it is a lovely dusty pink perfect for Autumn. The eyeliner is by Sephora and is double ended, one end black the other brown. It is also waterproof and I love it, plus it was only $3! I may have picked up two so expect to see this in my giveaway!

So that's all I got in Sephora, as I said I was tempted to get a few other bits but I didn't want to spend all my money there (I probably could have!). 

Have you treated yourself to anything from Sephora recently? If you haven't been what product would you pick up? 

Saturday 15 September 2012

LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner - Reviewed!

When the weather is warm I love reaching for a toner which is in a spray bottle, I find them so much more refreshing than a normal toner and they really do help to make my skin feel more awake. 
 As with all Lush products the packaging is black with white writing. The toner does come in two
different sizes, 100g or 250g meaning you can easily get a smaller bottle if you're going travelling. I have the 100g bottle and it has lasted me surprisingly well because you don't need a lot of product.
The toner itself is meant for normal to oily skin and as the name says includes tea tree which is known to help with oily skin and blemishes.When using it I just spritz some on my face and let it sink in before apply my moisturiser. I've been using the product for a while and I haven't noticed that much help with oil control but it does help my skin to feel refreshed and the tea tree is really calming on blemishes and doesn't aggravate them. I've also used this with a balm cleanser when removing make-up and it worked really well.

I haven't noticed anything amazing with the products but it is very pleasant to use. If you looking for a toner that will make my skin feel fresh and clean whilst only including natural ingredients I would definitely recommend it. 

LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner retails for £3.95 for 100g or £7.25 for 250g.

Have you tried this?

Thursday 13 September 2012

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer - Reviewed!

This concealer has been tried by everyone and their mother at this point but since I had just bought my 4th (yes number 4!) tube of it I thought I would do a post on it before all the writing rubbed off!
 Now for me the packaging is the only problem with this product, I like that it comes in a lip gloss style tube which is very easy to use but the writing rubs off straight away after only a few uses. Bit annoying when you can't remember the full name and it isn't on the tube anymore.
It comes with a sponge tip applicator, I tend to put some on the back of my hand and then use a brush or my fingers to apply it. The coverage is great, it covers all the redness from active breakouts and old acne scars but still feels light on the skin. it lasts really well, I don't find it moves around on my skin throughout the day, even on my oily skin. 
I use the lightest shade which is shade 1, Fair. I do find it to be a little light even on my pale skin but shade 2 is very salmon toned for me so I do use that shade under my eyes sometimes. The colour range is pretty poor, there are only 4 shades to choose from.

This is definitely my favourite concealer and I always make sure I have a back up in stock. I'm sure many of you have already tried this but if you haven't it is definitely worth checking out!


What is your favourite concealer?
 


Tuesday 11 September 2012

Bioderma Sebium H20 - Reviewed!

So I finally caved, I got some Bioderma. This has to be one of the most raved out products and after hearing so many people talk about how much they loved it, I knew I had to try it for myself. 
 For those of you who may not know, Bioderma is a Micellaire Solution which basically means it has these small particles of oil which work to remove even the most waterproof of make-up. These particles are so small that the product itself looks just like water. 
I decided to try the verson for combination or oily (it worked out a littlle bit cheaper surprisingly) since as I would be using it to remove my face make-up it would be more suited. Now that i've been using it I would probably get the original version next time as there doesn't seem like there is much of a difference between the two. 
The liquid itself doesn't really have much of a scent, it just smells fresh. I use a large cotton pad and apply the Bioderma to it and swipe it over my face. I was amazed at how well it removed all my face make-up so quickly and even my mascara without irritating my eyes at all. I've been using this as soon as I get home to remove my make-up and then I cleanse just before bed. It makes my skin feel so fresh and clean afterwards I can't imagine not using it at this point. 

So is it worth the hype? For me, definitely Yes! It is so easy to use and it definitely motivates me to take my make-up of as soon as i'm home so my skin can breath. 

Bioderma Sebium H20 is available in French Pharmacies or on ebay. Prices do vary. I have linked the seller I bought mine from and the delivery was very fast. 

Have you tried Bioderma? 

*This is a scheduled post since i'm currently on holiday so I won't be apply to anwser questions and reply straight away but will do when I get back*

Sunday 9 September 2012

Topshop Blush in 'Head Over Heels' - Reviewed!

Today I have a post on another Topshop cream blush (I reviewed the shade Flush here). I've had my eye on the shade for a long time and finally picked it up the other day and I am so glad I did. 
 I love the packaging of Topshop's make-up, simple white case with black polka dots. Even though it is plastic the packaging feels very secure.
These cream blushes are a cream to powder finish meaning they're easy to blend but dry like a powder blush without looking chalky. 
The blush also comes with a mirror which is actually a decent size which would be useful in an emergency. The shade Head Over Heels to me is the perfect coral  shade. It isn't too orange toned and has just the right amount of pick too it. The colour looks very bright in the pan but looks very natural when swatched and blended out.
I am absolutely in love with the shade, in is the perfect Summer blush but I can see myself wearing it all year round too. I would say it is best to apply this before your powder because it is easier to blend that way. I would definitely recommend checking these out if you haven't already.


Topshop Blushes retail for £6.00

Have you tried these? If so what shades?

 *This is a scheduled post since i'm currently on holiday so I won't be apply to anwser questions and reply straight away but will do when I get back*

Friday 7 September 2012

My Travel Make-Up Bag

As some of you may know i'm going on holiday to Los Angeles and San Francisco (i'm currently there as you read this!) and I thought I would show you what make-up I am taking. I do plan on picking up a good amount of make-up whilst i'm out there so I only want to take my essentials. 
 My make-up bag is from Topshop and I can fit a good amount of products without taking up too much space. I can't find it in the lilac shade on the website but here's a link to the black version.
The foundation i'm taking is the Clinique Even Better foundation which is so light and I can mix it with my SPF and make a tinted moisturiser. I've also depoted so of my Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation for the evening. The concealers i'm taking are Benefit Erase Paste for when i'm really jet lagged, Rimmel Match Perfection for under my eyes and Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection for any redness or blemishes. I'm taking a primer because it will be hot which is the Monu Skin Perfector and finally my trusty 17 Pressed Powder.
The bronzer i'm taking is NARS Laguna which I love so much because it is so natural, i'm also taking the ELF Golden Bronzer which again looks so natural but I can also use it as eyeshadows. The blushes i'm taking are my two Topshop blushes in Head Over Heels and Flush. Finally i'm taking my favourite Natural Collection blush in Peach Melba. 
For eyes i'm taking my Benefit Creaseless Cream in Birthday Suit and my MAC Bare Study Paint Pot, both of these look great on their own or under shadows. I'm also taking the MUA Eye Primer and L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara. For eyeliners i'm taking the Sleek Eau La La Liner in Cocoa and my MAC Liner in I Get No Kick. For brows i'm taking the Rimmel Eye Brow Pencil in Hazel and some clear mascara. 
For lips i'm taking my Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains in Honey, Cherish and Darling. A Barry M Lip Gloss in Coral which I recently got but i'm already in love with it. Finally i'm taking the Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Fruiti which is a bright orange and I thought it would be perfect to wear in L.A.

So that's the make-up i'm taking, i'm also probably going to take the Stila In The Light Palette but I forgot to include it. I reviewed it here if you don't know what it looks like. I still might take a few things out but this tends to be my everyday make-up products.
 

What is your must have beauty product when travelling? 

*This post is going up when i'm away so sorry if I can't reply to comments and questions as fast as I normally would.*