Sunday 30 June 2013

June Beauty Favourites!

This month the sun finally seems to have showed it's face in England and because of this some products that i've been using seem to be more Summer themed. I've rediscovered some bits from last year as well as treated myself to two new base products which I can't stop using!
Something that I pull out every Summer is the Garnier Summer Body Gradual Tanner, this stuff is pretty awesome at making my pasty pins looking a lot more human. It has smells lovely and is so moisturising. The other body product i've been loving lately is The Body Shop Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue, I love the peppermint range of foot products from the body shop and this smells lovely and leaves my feet feeling super soft.
Only one skincare product this month, the Oskia Renaissance Mask. This is another glycolic acid based mask that smells like roses and leaves my skin feeling smooth and refreshed. It feels gentle on the skin too which I like. I only have a sample size of this but I might have to get the full size although it is annoyingly expensive.
Onto some base products, i've been loving the Witch Anti Blemish Skin Clearing Primer this month. I've had this a while but never thought much of it till I dug it out this month. The texture reminds me a lot of the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer which I love but this is a lot cheaper. It keeps my make-up in place all day and helps with oil control. For concealer i've been using the Vichy Dermablend Foundation, this has been on my wishlist for a while and it is amazing at covering blemishes and scarring. If you have acne prone skin I would definitely recommend this. To add some glow to my skin i've been using the Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector in Rose Shimmer. This can be used as a primer, mixed in with foundation or as a highlighter. It is such a great multipurpose product and really does help my skin look more glowing. 
I've been loving the Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Androgen this month. This is a coraly pink shade which can be used on the cheeks and lips. The thing I love most about this is that it lasts all day on me and is very pigmented. The other cheek product is the Bourjous Bronzing Primer, i've been loving using this as a cream contour because it gives such a lovely natural tanned look to the skin, oh and it smells divine too!
I dug out the Maybelline Kohl Express Waterproof Eyeliner in Brown Gleam for creating a quick smokey eye when in a rush. This is creamy so you can blend it all over the lid but when it's set it won't budge all day. For nails i've been wearing the Rimmel Salon Pro Polish in Summer Orange for most of the month. This is the perfect orange toned red which lasts a week on the nails without chipping! 

So that's my favourites for this month, i'm happy that i've rediscovered some products this month. I think there will be a lot more skincare favourites next month after this weeks trip to Paris though!

What have been your favourite beauty products this month?

Friday 28 June 2013

Bourjois Bronzing Primer - Reviewed!

I've probably only been wearing bronzer a lot for about two or three years, I never thought it would work for my pale skin. After 'mastering' the powder bronzers the next step of course is cream bronzers. There is not many drugstore offerings when it comes to cream bronzers but Bourjois have recently brought out a whole bunch of bronzing products for Summer including the Bronzing Primer. 
Bourjous Bronzing Primer
The packaging is simple, a plastic pot with a brown lid. The product itself is designed to be used as a primer, a 'tinted smoothing primer that evens and mattifies.' I personally found this a little too dark to use all over as a primer however as a cream bronzer it is perfect.
Bourjous Bronzing Primer
The product is a creamy mouse consistency which is surprisingly easy to work with. I use the Real Techniques Contour Brush or the Duo Fiber Contour Brush to apply it. I tend to gentle tap my brush into the product and blend it on the cheek bones and temples. The colour does seem like it could be a little orange but when blended onto the skin it gives a lovely natural bronze look. 
Bourjous Bronzing Primer Swatch
I've found for a cream product this has really good wear time on me. Even though I have oily skin I find it doesn't slip off my face even without powder on top. I would recommend thought if you use powder to apply this before it and after foundation to get the best finish. The product does have a chocolatey scent to it which I personally like.

All in all i've been really impressed with this product and have worn it everyday since getting it. It has become a firm favourite of mine and is a great Summer product. The colour is definitely buildable and it is very easy to blend onto the skin, I think this would best suit pale to medium skintones.

Bourjois Bronzing Primer retails for £9.99.

Have you tried this or any of the new bronzing products from Bourjois?

Wednesday 26 June 2013

What's In My Bag - Travel Edition

I haven't done a what's in my bag post in a while and since i'm off to London and Pairs for a week I thought I would do one. As you are reading this I will already be there! I've tried to pack light but I do like to have lots of things that I might need with me, as well as lots of different options to keep me entertained on the train. 
The bag itself is from New Look and is just a plain black bucket style bag which as a long strap which you can wear across body as well as just carrying it. 
Since we will be on the train around lunch time I'm bringing some water and some Vita Coco Coconut Water which I love and they've now made the carton resealable! For snacks I have a Bounty bar and one of the Nakd Cocoa Mint Bars which I am loving lately and would definitely recommend if you're into healthy snack bars.
Of course I have my phone with me which is the iphone 4s and i'm bringing my tablet which is a Nexus 7 which I love and is like the ipad mini but a lot cheaper! I plan on putting lots of episodes of True Blood on which is my current TV show obsession, seriously that show is so good! I might pop some films on as well. I also have my headphones to use too. 
I have my notebook from which is from the Martha Stewart collection at Staples. I have my purse too which is from New Look a few years ago and is still going very strong! 
Some random bits at the bottom of my bag are the Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets which are amazing if you skin gets oily during the day. My keys, an EOS lipbalm, some hand gel and hand cream. As well as some mints. 

Finally I have this small Laura Mercier bag which has some random beauty bits that I might need whilst i'm on the go. 
I have some gum, plasters, nail file and a mirror. I have the Revlon Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon which is a firm Summer favourite of mine. I have a travel sized sun cream, and my Travalo which currently has Marc Jacobs Daisy in it. I have the Bourjous Healthy Mix Concealer and Seventeen Pressed Powder. Finally I have the Caudalie Beauty Elixir to spritz on and refresh my skin.

So that's everything in my bag for travelling to London. I hope you found this interesting. What things to you keep in your handbag when travelling?

Monday 24 June 2013

Travel Toiletries Bag

As you are ready this I will be walking around London probably doing some serious shopping! I thought it would be good to share with you what products i've brought on my trip to London and Paris. I've tried to pack light on this trip and i've actually managed to fit all my skincare, body products and haircare is this bag. The bag is part of a set which I would definitely recommend from Superdrug and only cost around £6 for 3 different sized clear bags. 
First up morning skincare products, I'm bringing a sample of the REN Mayeblossom T Zone Control Cleansing Gel. I like this cleanser and this mini is a great travel size. I'm bringing both my Pepta Bright and Hydraluron because I can't be without these two. For moisturiser i'm bringing the La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat, this stuff is amazing for oily skin but still packs some moisture. I've depotted my Garnier Refreshing Toner into a small bottle to save space. I'm also bringing my mini size of the Origins Gin Zing eye cream which has lasted ages but is sadly running out, I will have to pick up a full size of this soon! Finally I have my homemade lip scrub in a small pot.
For evening skincare  i'm bringing a travel size of the Caudalie Makeup Remover and for cleanser I have the Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel which is love and thought would be good to bringing because it is half full. Next I have another Clarins product (i'm going to Paris after all) the Lotus Face Oil, I love this so much I didn't want to be without it! I've depotted my serum which is the REN Clearcalm3  Replenishing Serum and my moisturiser which is the Origins Make A Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Treatment into small pots to safe space. I'm bringing my Organic Surge Eye Gel which is a firm favourite of mine, and finally I have my Origins Super Spot Remover if I get a pesky blemish whilst i'm away.
Onto haircare, i've depotted my Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo, this is definitely my favourite shampoo and it's good for coloured hair too. I'm also bringing some John Frieda Sheer Blonde Everlasting Blonde samples, i'm curious to try this shampoo and conditioner so I thought whilst i'm away it would be a good time too. I'm bringing a small bottle of Macadamia Hair Oil which I love and this size is perfect for travel. I'm bringing a travel size of Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor which shockingly I've never tried so thought it would be fun to try whilst i'm away. I'm bringing a mini of L'oreal Elnett Hairspray and of course Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo because I am never without this stuff.
For shower products I just have some random shower gel minis which i've had for a while and need to use up. I'm bringing my razor of course and i'm also bringing The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub which I love and smells amazing. I'm also bringing this mini toothpaste which randomly was free with a magazine and my toothbrush which I forgot to photograph.
I've depotted the Garnier Summer Body Gradual Tanner to mainly use on my legs to get rid of the pastyness! I have a sample of the Weleda Skin Food which i've heard good things about and I thought it would be good to use on my feet after walking around all day. I'm bringing my deodrant and the Sanctuary Body Moisture Spray which is great to use in a rush after a shower. I'm also bringing a travel size of The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter which is one of my favourites and smells so good. For sun cream i'm bringing the Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration SPF 30 which is probably the nicest smelling sun cream ever.
I also think travelling is the perfect time to use of some samples, these are all skincare ones. I have the Origins A Perfect World SPF 25 which I thought I would use as a face SPF when i'm not wearing my Dr Jart BB Cream. I have the REN Micro Polish Cleanser which I love and definitely need to get the full size. I have the REN F10 Smooth and Renew Mask which is a version of the Glycolactic Mask but for sensitive skin which I thought would be good to try. Finally I have the REN Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser which I thought would be good to use of I get any breakouts. 

So that's my travel toiletries bag, I'm also bringing cotton pads and some face clothes too but forgot to include them. I've tried to pack light for this trip and I don't think I have done that bad. 

What products do you always travel with?

Saturday 22 June 2013

Travel Make-Up Bag

As you are reading this I will be on a train down to London. I'm spending the next week in London and then onto Paris, so I thought it would be only be right to share with you what make-up I am taking with me. I've tried hard to pack light for this trip and I don't think I have done too bad. 
For base products i've gone for two options and some primers. First being the Witch Anti Blemish Skin Clearing Primer which i've been loving lately. It keeps my make-up in place and helps with oil control. I'm bringing the Dr Jart Regenerating BB Cream SPF 30 which is a lovely light base with a good amount of coverage and it has a good SPF too. If I fancy foundation i'm bringing the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation which is another light base but can be built up for a bit more coverage. For an added glow i'm bringing the Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector in Rose Shimmer which adds a nice glow without being glittery. It can be used as a primer or mixed in with foundation too. Finally I have the Vichy Dermablend Foundation which I use as concealer and is amazing at covering blemishes. 
The powder i'm bringing is the Seventeen Pressed Powder which is a lovely fine powder which set my make-up without looking powdery. For bronzer i'm bringing the Bourjous Bronzing Primer which i've been loving lately for a defined, natural bronzed look. I'm bringing two cream blushes (which was very hard to narrow down!) the first one is the Stila Convertible Color in Gladiola, a lovely coral blush which can also be used on the lips. The other being the Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Androgen which again can be used on the lips and is a lovely pinky coral shade. I'm also bringing a mini of Benefit Sun Beam because I love wearing this on my eyes as well as a highlighter. 
For eyeshadow i'm bringing the MUA Undress Me Too Palette which isn't my favourite palette but it's small and compact and good to travel with because it has a lot of different shades in it. I'm bringing two MAC Paint Pots in Painterly and Groundwork to use as bases. 
For mascara i'm bringing the Mayebelline Mega Plush Volume which I like but the brush is a little big but it is buildable. For under eye concealer i'm bringing the L'oreal Lumi Magique which I love because it gives a good amount of covering whilst being light and brightening. I'm also bringing my Collection Eyebrow Pencil in Blonde and a few different eyeliners from RImmel and a lovely bronze one by Mayebelline. 
I'm bringing some of my most used eye brushes too, most are either Sigma or Real Techniques. 

Finally lip products, again this was hard to choose but i've gone for the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart which is a lovely bright pink shade. I'm bringing both of my Miners The Matte Factor Lip Creams which I love in Peach which is a lovely everyday shade and Warm Red because i'm trying to rock a red lip more often! I'm bringing two of my Revlon Lip Butters in Tutti Fruiti and Wild Watermelon, both are great Summer shades.

So that's what's in my travel make-up bag. I'm tried to pack some bits that are multipurpose to save space. What make-up products are a must have for traveling?

Thursday 20 June 2013

La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat - Reviewed!

Each Summer when it's starts to get warmer and no doubt my skin gets that bit more oily I reach for a La Roche Posay moisturiser. My usual choice is the Effaclar K but this year I thought I would try something different and a product which I have heard great things about, the Effaclar Mat. 
The packaging matches all other La Roche Posay products, it comes in a slim tube which makes it easy for traveling because it doesn't take up a lot of room. 
The product itself claims to be 'anti shine and anti enlarged pores'. From past experience I don't find creams really help with pores, I personally don't have much of a problem there. The thing that I do need help with is shine control.
My skin is combination/oily but is also dehydrated. A lot of moisturisers that are for oily skin can be too drying on me and not give the hydration I need. This one definitely doesn't do that. 
Due to it being of a gel consistency I find that it isn't too heavy on the skin. Once applied all over the face it gives a smooth, matte base perfect for applying make-up on top of. I've found since using this every morning my make-up lasts a lot longer and I don't get so oily during the day. I also find this to be just the right amount of hydration without overloading my skin. You only need a small amount of product to cover the whole face, i've been impressed at how long this is lasting.

All in all I think I may have found my new favourite day moisturiser. If you have oily skin I would definitely recommend giving this a go. I have had no skin irritations since using this, it is a lot more gentle that the Effaclar Duo but still helps with oil control. 

La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat retails for £11.00 (Currently a third off!)

Have you tried this? What is your favourite day moisturiser for the Summer?

Tuesday 18 June 2013

Dressing Table Tour

So I finally have a proper dressing table in my room! The space I wanted to fit it in was pretty small so finding one that would work but my Mum found this one in Argos and it is perfect. It is called Capella Dressing Table and I managed to get it when it was on offer.  Building it wasn't the easiest flat pack i've done but i'm very happy with how it looks so I thought I would show you what I store in/on it.
The desk did come with a mirror but I preferred it without because it would have block some of the light. The mirror is a No7 Illuminated Make-Up Mirror which I got in the sale at Christmas. It is perfect and on the other size it has a X5 magnification perfect for doing your brows! The smaller brush holder I have eye brushes in and it's is just a tooth brush holder from Sainsbury's. My face brush holder is a plant pot from Ikea, I also have an Nspa Candle, a The Body Shop room spray which smells amazing and the mint notebooks are from the Martha Stewart collection at Staples. I also keep my Caudalie Beauty Elixir on my desk to spray off after doing my make-up.
I have my Muji drawers in the corner with some random make-up bits which I either use everyday or are planning on reviewing. I also keep all my creams shadows in them because again I use this most days. On top is a Acrylic Make-Up Organiser from Amazon which has some of my favourite lipsticks in and I also have cotton buds and pads in it.
The desk also comes with a decent sized draw which is perfect for hiding away my daily products. I've used old beauty boxes to separate everything. On the far left I have things I use before bed, so lip balms, hand cream, allergy tablets and other bits. On the far right I have my hair brush and some wipes as well as my sunglasses. Behind everything I have spare cotton pads.
In the middle I have my everyday make-up an my morning and evening skincare products. I tend to swap out bits especially in the make-up box but it is handy to have my go to face on hand if i'm in a rush. 

So that's my new dressing table as I said i'm very happy with it and feel a lot more organised now. 

What kind of things do you keep on your dressing table?

Sunday 16 June 2013

Illamasqua Cream Blush in Dixie - Reviewed!

I've become a little obsessed with cream products lately, especially cream blushes. Recently Illamasqua had 50% off everything for a day so of course I had to make an order especially since I had never tried any of their products before. I went straight to the cream blushes and Dixie was soon added to the shopping cart.
First off I love the packaging, it is a little on the bulky side but I do still love it. You get 4g of product which doesn't seem a lot but the product is well pigmented so I can see this lasting a long time. 
The shade Dixie is described as a warm coral pink which I think describes it perfectly. The product gives such a natural glow to the cheeks. The product is a lot more slippy that other cream blushes i've tried however it is still easy to apply, I use the Real Techniques Stippling Brush to apply it. The thing I love about this is the lovely dewy finish in gives to the skin without feeling oily. The wear time of this isn't too bad either, I would say it lasts around 6 hours depending how much product is applied. 

All in all i'm really impressed with this and I will be definitely checking out other products from Illamasqua in the future.


Illamsqua Cream Blush in Dixie retails for £18.00.

Have you tried this blush?

Friday 14 June 2013

Body Moisturising Made Easy For Summer

Please tell me i'm not the only one who's interest and patients with faffing around with body butters goes when the weather gets warmer. Especially if you're having a shower in the morning there is nothing worse the awkward standing waiting body creams to dry so you can get dressed. With this in mind if discovered some products which make getting moisturised a lot easier and quicker.
Easy Body Moisturising
  • Nivea In Shower Body Moisturiser Skin Conditioner for Dry Skin - This product is a pretty interesting one. You apply it in the shower after washing, I apply it all over and rinse off and when you get out the shower you don't need to apply a moisturiser. This does definitely work however I still find my elbows and knees need some cream slapping on them. It does leave my skin feeling soft though and smell lovely like all Nivea products. 
  • Sanctuary Body Moisture Spray - This is a light oil spray which you spritz on the skin after a shower or bath. I spray it on and then rub in, this absorbs quickly and is more of a dry oil which means you can pop you clothes on quickly after applying. It has a lovely almost spicey spa scent to it which is lovely and the oil leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturised.
  • Garnier Intensive 7 Day Gel Cream - I love these 7 Day body creams and gels from Garnier. They make my skin feeling super moisturised yet absorb into the skin quickly. They have lots of different ones for different skin types. I tend to get the ones for dry skin. Pictured above is the gel version which absorbs even quicker than the cream version!
 So those are the products I will be reaching for this Summer when I want to give my skin a quick moisturise without any fuss. 

What are you go to Summer body products?