October Empties!

I've been trying extra hard to use up product recently and it is definitely working. I've been really trying to finish skincare products which i've had for a while because I was quickly running out of space to store everything! I can now see space in my storage for the first time in a while.

Starting with skincare I finished one of my all time favourite face masks, the REN Glycolactic Radiance Reveal Mask (review), this mask makes a huge difference in adding a glow into my dull Winter skin. I've already repurchased this as this first bottle lasted me really well. I used up two cleanser, the first being the Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel (review), I loved this product, it is a gel that turns into an oil when applied to the face. It left my skin feeling clean and not dry plus it is easier to travel with than a balm cleanser. I would repurchase this. The other cleanser is the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm (review), I adore this cleansing balm but the packaging drives me mad! The lid is so hard to close and mine broke when I was half way through this tub. I've heard they've changed the packaging now so I might repurchase in the future because the product itself is great.

I finished a sample of the Origins Make A Difference Serum, this serum was very running but was great at adding some moisture into my dehydrated skin. I did enjoy this product but I don't think I will be buying the full size since it wasn't another special. I also finished a sample of the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream, again this product was okay but for the price tag of the full size I personally don't think it is worth it. A product I did love is the Triology Rosehip Oil (review), this was a great oil which has helped to even out my skintone and improve the appearance of blemish scars. I would purchase this again. The last skincare product is the REN ClearCalm3 Replenishing Night Serum, I love this serum, it is perfect for blemish prone skin as it is light and help to get rid of blemishes gently. I will be repurchasing this again in the future.

Onto some shower products, the first being The Body Shop Earth Lovers Cucumber and Mint Shower Gel, this had a lovely fresh scent to it and seemed to last ages. It was gentle on the skin too, I like to change up my shower gels a lot but I would purchase this again. The next is the Sainsbury's Sensitive Shave Gel, a bit boring but this is my favourite shave gel as it doesn't irritate my skin, it is also cheap. I've already repurchased this. 

Onto body products, i've finished two Soap & Glory body butters. The first being the Daily Smooth Body Butter, this one smelt lovely and was moisturising without being greasy. The other the Butter Up Body Smoothing Butter, this one had an almost whipped texture to it which meant it felt so nice on the skin whilst having a lovely fresh scent to it. I got this in a set of three and I don't think you can purchase them individually which is a shame because I would purchase them again. I've also finished the Palmers Cocoa Body Butter, this was very hydrated to the skin but the scent did get a bit sickly after a while so I don't think I will be repurchasing this. Finally I finished The Body Shop Peppermint Foot Cream, this had a lovely minty scent and really helped make my feet feel soft. I would consider purchasing this again.

Something that I finish all the time is the Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo, I am never without a can of this stuff as it is my all time favourite dry shampoo. I always repurchase this. The only makeup product i've finished is the Seventeen Doll'd Up Mascara, I really liked this mascara, it was great for adding lots of length and a little volume whilst be very black. I would purchase this again once i've used up a few more mascaras.

So that's this months empties, i've been really enjoying finish up products recently especially as i'm starting to see some space for maybe some new products! Have you finished any of your favourite products this month?

October Beauty Favourites!

October has been such a busy month, it has been my first full month back at University so i'm still trying to find the perfect balance it fit everything in! There has also been a clear change in the weather and my skin has definitely felt it, it has been a lot less oily so the base products i've been using has definitely changed. 

Starting with skincare, i've used a a few of my cleansers this month so I was excited to try something new. I went for The Body Shop Camomile Sumptous Cleansing Butter, this is a thick white balm which when warmed up in the fingers turns into an oil and removes all makeup and leaves the skin feeling clean and nourished. It is definitely the best most affordable balm cleanser i've found. The next product is another affordable find in the Super Facialist By Una Brennan Tea Flower Deep Clean Purifying Clay Mask. This is an amazing quick clay mask which doesn't leave the skin feeling tight, instead the skin feels deeply cleansed and it also help with any blemishes. I will have a full review on both of these products soon. Finally I have The Body Shop Vitamin E Eye Cream, i've been on the hunt for an affordable eye cream for a while and I think i've found one. This doesn't feel heavy under the eyes and really leaves the skin feeling soft. 

Another product from The Body Shop i've been loving is the African Honey & Beeswax Hand and Foot Balm (review) this has been an after bath staple in making my feet feel super soft, it doesn't feel greasy either and smells lovely. My cuticles have been so dry this month so i've rediscovered the Burts Bees Lemon Cuticle Butter and it has made such a huge difference, it also smells like lemons which is very pleasant. Finally I have the Origins Sensory Therapy Peace Of Mind, with going back to University i've felt a little more stressed so after a long day i've been applying this on my temples and pressure points to help relax me and I think it really does work and i've found i've fallen asleep a lot faster using this. 

As I mentioned at the start i've changed up the base products i've been using. A stand out has been the Erborian BB Cream Light, i've been wearing this so much because it feels so light and has the perfect light to medium coverage. It is so easy to apply when in a rush and the colour match is perfect. For a primer i've been reaching for the Bourjous Happy Light Matte Serum Primer, this mattifies the skin whilst feeling like a serum. It helps keep my makeup in place and day and seems to help with oil control too. 

 I did a post on how i've been loving Blue Nails recently and a stand out favourite has been the Rimmel Salon Pro in Rhythm & Blues, this is the perfect almost black navy colour which i've been loving both on my fingers and toes. For lips i'm very much loving my plum shades and a new addition i've been loving in the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Glam Plum Fulham, this is the perfect pinky plum shade and feels moisturising on the lips whilst giving a glossy finish. I've done a whole post on my favourite darker lipstick here. Finally i've been loving the Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes in Fuller Fudge as a quick all in one products when i've been in a rush. It is a lovely bronze colour that stays put all day. 

So those are my October Beauty Favourites, i've definitely been embracing the berry tones this month and i've been changing up my skincare in prep of these colder months which I will have to do a post on soon. What have been some of your favourite beauty products this month?

NOTD Essie Ballet Slippers

Normally this time of year I reach for my dark polishes; the plums, reds and navy colours all come out. However I had the urge to go for something on the nude side this week. One of the best brands for nude nail polishes is definitely Essie, they have so many different pale, nude shades there is definitely something for everyone. 

Ballet Slippers is a very sheer pale pink colour. Here I used three coats and as you can see it looks very natural on the nails. I would advice applying  thin coats each time because if you apply it too thick it will go streaky. To me this would be perfect for a classy event or a wedding. To make it a little less formal looking I decided to pop some glitter on the ring finger. The one I went for is a No7 Glitter Top Coat in Silver which was sadly limited edition but I think any chunky silver glitter would look great with this shade. 

As with all Essie polishes on me this wears really well; with a good top coat I get a good 7 days wear. The best things about this pale shades is that when they're a little chipped it isn't obvious! 

Essie Ballet Slippers retails for £7.99.

What is your favourite pale nude polish?

Revlon Cherries In The Snow Lipstick - Reviewed!

When it comes to the drugstore Revlon do some of my favourite lip products, i'm a big lover of the lip butters and balm stains but something I always forget that I love is their lipsticks. I especially love their Super Lustrous lipsticks as they are well pigmented, glossy and not drying on the lips. Today I have my newest addition to share with you and it's a bit of a classic. 

Cherries In The Snow is in fact one of Revlon's oldest shade and it has been around for decades. I love the packaging of these lipsticks as they look so vintage and reminds me of something I would have seen on my Gran's dressing table when I was little. 

I'm normally a plum girl when it comes to darker lipsticks in the colder months so this is definitely something different for me. The name suits it well as it is the perfect cherry pinky red shade. It is bright and bold but looks classy at the same time. The creamy formula can make it a little tricky to apply however once on it lasts very well. It almost leaves a stain on the lips and wears great throughout the day. 

Something that I love about darker lipsticks is the you can wear them bold or dab a little on with your finger to get a sheer stain. I also love applying a lip balm with a slight sheen to it underneath this to give an extra glossy finish. 

All in all this has become a firm favourite of mine, mainly due to the fact that you can wear it in so many different ways. I would definitely recommend checking out some of Revlon's lipsticks because they feel high end but without the eye watering price tag. There is also a nail polish called Cherries In The Snow which is also lovely; the two look lovely worn together.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cherries In The Snow retails for £7.49 (Currently £2 off in Boots).

What is your favourite Revlon lipstick? 

Wishlist #3

It feels like such a long time since I did a wishlist post so I thought it was about time I did one, because as always there's a good few beauty products i've found myself lusting after recently. I'm trying to be good and calm down on the spending but temptation is high at the moment! 

Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion - I've been hearing great things about this acne treatment and in general products by this brand. This one is for deep cystic blemishes which thankfully I don't get that often and the Drying Cream (the one in the tub) is for small under surface blemishes. I'm tempted to get both but I think i'm leaning towards the Drying Cream as it is more suited to my skin now. If you've try either please let me know your thoughts on them. 
This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray - Since going back to Uni i've found myself a little more stressed and falling to sleep after a long day has been harder. I've been loving the Origins Peace Of Mind lately but i've heard great things about this pillow spray i'm tempted to give it a go as well.
REN Rose Centifolia 3 in 1 Cleansing Water - I love my Bioderma a lot but when I heard one of my favourite brands REN were bringing out their own 'beauty water' I knew I would have to try it. I don't 'need' this right now but that doesn't mean i've been tempted to pop it in my basket a few times.
Origins All Is Bright Giftset - Origins always do amazing giftset and this one caught my eye straight away. It comes with a full size of the much raved about Gin Zing moisturiser, a deluxe sample of the Gin Zing eye cream which I love and recently ran out of. The Gin Zing Brightening Mascara and finally the Gin Zing Brightening Cream Eyeshadow in Sugar Peach, all for £30.00. In my eyes that is a pretty good deal, I can see this going on the Christmas list or being a treat to myself!
Clarins The Essential Eye Make Up Palette - Do I need anymore eyeshadow palettes? No, but oh my the Clarins beauty has definitely caught my eye. It comes with 10 beautiful neutral shadows and a dual ended brush, after looking at swatches online the shadow seem very pigmented and creamy, with ever shade being very wearable. I don't need it, but oh boy do I want it!

So those are some of the products i'm currently lusting after. I'm also on the hunt for a new face oil, i'm currently leaning toward the Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil but if you have any recommendations please feel free to leave them in the comments. What beauty product are you wanting at the moment?

MUA Colour Boost Eyeshadow Tint in A Girl Like Me - Reviewed!

For me MUA is a brand that is very hit and miss. Some of their products are very good and others are just plain bad. I also have a bit of a love hate relationship in how they seem to 'copy' a lot of other product. I think it's good because you can get a cheaper version of a hype higher end product but I also would prefer them to be a bit more original. Anyways, today I have a review of their version of the Clinique Chubby Sticks for Eyes; the Colour Boost Eyeshadow Tint. 

The packaging I like, it's is simple and comes in a crayon style design. I like the fact that there is a point on the crayon meaning you can be precise when applying. The product itself is a stiff waxy consistency, the fact that the product is hard means it does feel like you are tugging at the eyelid when applying. I would prefer a more creamy texture personally. Once applied onto the eye it can feel a little tacky and you can feel the product on your eyelid. 

The shade A Girl Like Me is a lovely taupey bronze shade, it reminds me a lot of MAC's Patina eyeshadow which I find the two paired together looks very nice. On it's own I find that the product does crease on me after about 4 hours, however with an eyeshadow over top it does last longer and it helps to get rid of that 'tacky' feeling. 

All in all i'm on the fence a bit with this one. I love the colour and the idea of the product, but for me the wear time and the texture of the product is not to my liking. Compared to the Clinique Chubby Sticks for Eyes you can definitely see a difference, the Clinique offering is a lot creamier and has a better wear time. I won't be picking up anymore shades of these but I will still use this purely because I like this particular shade.

MUA Colour Boost Eyeshadow Tint in A Girl Like Me retails for £3.00.

Have you tried these? What is your favourite type of eyeshadow crayon?

Brand Focus | Origins

Today I thought I would do a bit of a different type of post. I thought it would be good to start doing these Brand Focus post where I share with you all my favourite products from a certain brand. To start things off I thought I would share with you some of my favourite products from Origins, which if you've read my blog for a while you will know are one of my favourite skincare brands. 

First up I have face masks. One of my all time favourite face masks is the Out Of Trouble 10 Minute Mask for problem skin (review). This is a life saver when my skin is breaking out as it really helps sooth and get rid of even the most aggressive of blemishes. If my pores are feeling congested nothing beats the Clear Improvements charcoal mask, this mask is great for controlling oil, clearing up blemishes and cleaning out your pores. Basically it just ticks all the boxes and isn't drying to the skin like some clay masks.

Onto moisturisers, one of my holy grail products is the Make A Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Treatment, (review) this is a stand out product for dehydrated skin that is also combination to oily, it doesn't feel heavy on the skin yet packs in the moisture like no other. Another favourite of mine is the Vitazing SPF15 moisturiser,(review) this has a slight tint to it which wakes up dull looking skin whilst making the perfect base for makeup. 

The next product is pretty new to me but I had to give it a mention. It's the Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser, i've found this to be the perfect cleanser to use when my skin is breaking out as it really help clear up the skin quickly whilst helping with oil control at the same time. Speaking of blemishes, one of my all time favourite blemish treatments is the Super Spot Remover, (review) this gets rid of under the skin blemishes and those ones that are painful and just won't go amazingly. It can be a little drying but used correctly really does work very well.

The last product is something different, it's the Sensory Memory Peace Of Mind. This is a new product to me but i've been addicted to it recently. Basically it is designed to help relax you. If you have anxiety or get headaches/stressed out after a long day you need to try this. A small amount applied on your pressure points; temples, wrist, back of the neck, really does relax you. The minty scent is perfect to use just before bed to make sure you have a restful nights sleep.

So those are my favourite Origins products. I'm a big fan of the brand and I have loved almost every product I have tried by them. Feel free to share some of your favourite Origins products in the comments as well as which brand you would like me to do a brand focus on next. 

The Body Shop African Honey & Beeswax Hand and Foot Balm - Reviewed!

The Body Shop have become a firm favourite of mine when it comes to foot care product. I normally stick with the products from the Peppermint range however when they had 40% off online recently I wanted to stock up but my usual favourite was out of stock I chose to get this instead and I have to say it is pretty darn awesome. 

First off the packaging is lovely, it comes in this plastic Kilner style jar which when the product would be perfect for storing small items. The product itself feels like a thick lotion or balm and as soon as you open the jar you can smell the mild honey scent. The scent isn't overpowering at all, it is a sweet honey scent that I think most people will enjoy. 

The product can be used on hands, feet, elbows and any other dry skin areas. I mainly use this on my feet but it works just as well on other parts of the body. Once applied to this skin the product doesn't feel greasy at all but the skin feels instantly hydrated. I normally use this after my bath or shower at night and when I wake up in the morning my skin feel so smooth. My elbows can often feel dry and I applied a little of this during the day and I could feel a huge difference after applying and again no greasy feeling at all.

You don't need to use a lot of product either so I can see this jar lasting me well through the colder months. I'm so glad I decided to give this a try because it has definitely become my favourite foot cream and balm for dry skin. 

The Body Shop African Honey & Beeswax Hand and Foot Cream retails for £10.00/125ml.

What is your favourite product for dry skin?

Blue Nails

Recently i've become a little bit obsessed with blue nails. Today I thought I would share with you all my top 5 favourites which I think will look good no matter what season. 

The first one I have is my newest edition, Rimmel Salon Pro in Rhythm & Blues, this is the perfect dark navy which looks almost black. I love this shade and I find it looks great with most outfits. The next is a slightly lighter navy in the 17 Fast Finish in True Blue, as I said this is a lighter navy but still looks dark on the nails. I couldn't do a nail post with including an Essie polish this one is called Avenue Maintain which is the perfect deep pastel blue shade. Next up is a brighter option which was a favourite of mine this Summer, Topshop Awol, this is a lovely cobalt blue colour which I hear is back on trend this season. Finally I have a lovely bright navy option in the Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Blue Grape, this one is bright and glossy yet still looks dark on the nails. It is definitely one of my favourites out of the bunch. 

So those are my favourite blue nail polishes, I am definitely going through a bit of a blue obsession at the moment, i've even been rocking the blue eyeliner look. What are your favourite blue nail polishes?

Lifestyle | Healthy Snacks On The Go

I find it easy to be healthy when i'm at home but when i'm out and about it gets a lot harder to make those healthy food choices. Now that i'm back at Uni the temptation to get a chocolate bar from one of the many vending machines is high, especially if i've had a stressful lecture. Today I thought I would share with you some of the best snacks i've found perfect for having on the go. 

I'm going to start with the hardest to travel with option which is yogurt. Now i've pretty much cut out dairy from my diet but there are some good Soya based option available, I really like these Joya Peach & Apricot ones, for breakfast I have one of these with some fresh fruit and granola and it keeps me full until lunch time. The granola i've been loving is the White's Toasted Oats Wild Fruit Crunch. Another great option if you have a sweet tooth is tried fruit, this Island Fruit Mix from Sainsbury's is lovely and great if you are prone to snacking in front of the telly. 

I'm a huge fan of the Nakd bars, this are perfect for putting in your handbag if you find you are getting hungry whilst out. The Cocoa Mint one is perfect for taking away a chocolate craving and the Berry Delight is great for a sweet fix. There are lots of flavours to choose from and they're also wheat, gluten and dairy free. Perfect. 

I recent discovery is the Yo Yo Bear Fruit Roll Ups. Theses are designed for kids but i've found them perfect for getting in 1 of your 5 a day. I do take fruit with me to Uni but I sometimes find it to be a bit messy or the fruit gets bruised in my bag so these are a perfect, mess free option. There are lots of flavours to choose from and they actually taste like fruit and have no nasties added to them. I've also spotted these in coffee shops like Nero's. 

The last option is a savory one. Although i'm not a huge crisp person I find these are perfect if you are needing a salt fix. The Kelloggs Special K Cracker Crisp can be bought in individual packets which are only 86 calories and they don't have a lot of fat in them either. Pop Chips are another brand that do these 'healthy' crisps and I often see them for sale in Starbucks in individual packets, again great to get if you've forgotten to bring something with you. 

So those are my go to choices for healthy snacks on the go. My best tip is if you have something healthy in your bag you are less likely to buy an unhealthy option whilst out. Feel free to share some of your healthy snack choices in the comments. 

Haul | Boots, Origins, Clinique, MUA etc.

So i've been shopping again, in my defense these few purchase have from the past 2-3 weeks. I've been buying more clothes to get ready for the colder weather but i've still managed to pick up a few beauty products here and there. 

I've picked up a few new haircare bits recently. I keep hearing good things about Dove haircare so I picked up the conditioner for coloured hair and their new dry shampoo whilst they were on offer in Sainsbury's. I'm yet to try these but will of course report back soon. Another conditioner i've heard good things about is the L'oreal Ever Riche Conditioner for dry fine hair, I wasn't a fan of the shampoo for the range for coloured hair so i'm hoping this is better. Finally I picked up the John Frieda Volumising Spray because my hair can be very flat so i'm hoping this will help with that.

I picked up some new nail polishes recently, I've been wanting a really dark navy polish for a while and I came across the Rimmel Salon Pro polish in Rhythm and Blues and it is perfect. The other one I picked is the Maybelline Color Show polish in Wine Shimmer which is a lovely fine red glitter. 

I finally got my hands on the Revlon lipstick in Cherries In The Snow, this is a lovely cherry pink shade, super bright and surprisingly moisturising. The other Revlon thing I picked up is their ColourStay Concealer, so far i've been using this to cover any redness and it does a pretty good job. I also finally picked up one of the MUA Colour Blast Eyeshadow Tint in Girl Like Me, I love this shade but so far i'm not blown away by the formula. 

House Of Fraser recently had up to 25% off so of course I made a little order. The repurchase was the Origins Make A Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Treatment, this is my third tub of this stuff and it is definitely a holy grail product for me. The other item is the Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes in Fuller Fudge, i've been wanting to try one of these for ages and finally took the pludge. I got Fuller Fudge thinking it would be the perfect product to use if i'm in a rush in the morning and so far I love it. 

I popped into to Boots to get something for lunch the other day and I somehow ended up buying the Super Facialist By Una Brennan Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask. I've used this twice so far and so far I think it might just be the best clay mask i've tried from the drugstore. Whilst in Boots I was giving some Neutrogena samples which will be perfect for traveling. 

So those have been some of my recent beauty purchases. Have you picked up any good products recently?

Darker Lips for Autumn/Winter

One of my favourite things about this time of year is bringing out the darker lip products. I'm a big fan of dark lips and wear them all year round but especially as the weather gets colder. Today I thought I would share with you some of my favourites that I will be wearing this season. 

Topshop Lip Bullet in Joyride - (review) I'm a big fan of these crayon lip products and the Lip Bullets by Topshop don't get raved about enough because they're really great. The shade Joyride is the perfect bright cherry red and is very pigmented and creamy. It does smudge a little but also sets in place to a stain which has a great wear time.
Chanel Rouge Coco in Cambon - This was a birthday present and there is just something about Chanel lipsticks that feels so luxurious, the shade Cambon is similar to Joyride but not as bright but still lovely. It isn't drying and doesn't transfer too much.
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cherries in The Snow - I've wanted to get this shade for a while as i'm a big fan of Revlon lip product. This one is definitely bright and a lovely red toned pink. If you're not a fan of red lips I would recommend giving this one a go, the formula is lovely and creamy too. 
Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 107 - This one was a stand out favourite last year and I think it will be this year as well. It is the perfect matte plum shade which even though it is a matte formula isn't drying on the lips at all. This can be applied lightly as a stain or full on for the perfect plum lip. 
Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie - I'm a huge fan of the Revlon Lip Butters and I have a few darker shades that I love but this one is the stand out favourite. As the name suggest this is a lovely raspberry shade which has a slight shimmer too it. It gives a glossy finish that is very moisturising on the lips, the wear time is surprisingly good too. 
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush - Another berry offering, I love a good stain because it means you're not having to reapply all the time. This is definitely my favourite as is a more subtle version of the Kate Moss 107 lipstick so perfect for the day time. 
MAC Lustre Lipstick in Plumful - I'm a big fan of the Lustre finish by MAC as they're moisturising and have more of a sheer finish to them. Plumful is a lovely plum shade which feels like you're only wearing a lip balm and perfect for adding a good bit of colour to dry lips. 

So those are my stand out darker lips for this Autumn and Winter no doubt I will pick up a few more before the season is over. What are you favourite bolder lip products for this time of year?

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray - Reviewed!

I'm pretty basic when it comes to haircare, I think this is mainly due to the fact that my hair is thin and flat and I don't feel I can do that much with it. I recently tried the Toni & Guy Sea Salt Spray (review) and fell in love with the world of salt sprays so of course I had to try the infamous Bumble & Bumble offering.

I decided to get the small 50 ml size to start with to see if I got along with it. Lets just say that this little bottle and I have become very good friends. When I want to wear my hair down I a few squirts all over my hair and rub my fingers through and it adds so much more volume to my hair and gives a great messy hair look without making my hair feel crispy. 

There isn't much of a scent to this which I like, one of the best things about this is that it doesn't soak the hair like I found the Toni & Guy version does. It takes seconds to use and the best thing about this is that if by mid day my hair is looking flat again I just rub my fingers through my hair again and it holds to volume even without applying anymore product. 

Even though my hair isn't curly I still find this give great results to my flat fine hair look thicker. It also makes the layers in my hair look more obvious in a good way. This isn't the cheapest of hair product but it is definitely the best sea salt spray i've try and I can definitely see why so many people love it. 

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray retails for £9.50/50ml or £21.50/125ml.

Have you tried this? What is your favourite hair product for adding texture and volume?