Monday 21 December 2015

December Beauty Favourites

December always seems to fly by and i've been working for most of the month so I haven't had a real chance to love a lot of products. There have still been some stand outs including a new perfume which smells amazing. 
December Beauty Favourites
December Beauty Favourites
This month has been mainly makeup favourites since that's what i've been changing up the most. I finally picked up something from the H&M beauty range. I definitely want to try more but I thought I would start with the cream eyeshadow in Sirocco. It's a lovely bronzey colour that looks great on the lids and lasts throughout. It;s been my go to easy eye look for most of the month. I picked up one of the Max Factor Creme Puff Blushes in Lovely Pink. This gives the perfect healthy sheen to the cheeks which i've been liking to brighten up my dull Winter skin. To go with these two i've been going for a red lip, mainly the Maybelline Colour Drama Lip Pencil in Light It Up which is the perfect matte, bright red. It's comfortable on and lasts really well. 
December Beauty Favourites
I repurchased my favourite Bourjois Healthy Mix Radiance Foundation this month. I love the way this looks on the skin as it has a decent coverage whilst giving a glow to the skin. It lasts well and i've been loving having it back in my rotation again. 
December Beauty Favourites
I picked up this Phil Smith Dry Cleaner on a bit of a whim when I need a new dry shampoo whilst doing the food shop. This has a really pleasant scent whilst making my roots look clean and helps to add a nice amount of volume. 
December Beauty Favourites
I treated myself to the Giorgio Armani Si perfume this month and it has been my new favourite for when i'm going out. It has such a beautiful, feminine scent that lasts well on the skin. If you're looking to treat yourself I would highly recommend this scent.  


So those are this months beauty favourites. I haven't actually bought too many new things this month as I plan on hopefully picking up some good deals in the sales which will no doubt make their way into next months favourites. What have been your favourite beauty products this month?

Tuesday 15 December 2015

Avene Cleanance Expert - Reviewed!

Although by the age of 23 my skin seems to have calmed down on the breakout front finally, however I still get the odd ones now and then. Well I received this in the mail I was excited to try a new spot treatment that isn't harsh on the skin. When I was a young teen the only spot treatment were very harsh so I really love seeing a new range which are gentle whilst being effective. 
Avene Cleanance Expert
Avene Cleanance Expert
The packaging is very simple and is a thin tube which makes it easy to dispense a small amount of product. Marketed as a moisturiser it can also be used as a targeted spot treatment. It is designed to regulate the oils in the skin to give a matte finish. It helps to unclog the pores leaving the skin smooth and blemish free. 
Avene Cleanance Expert
It helps to eliminate spots and blackheads whilst helping the reduce any redness or inflammation in the skin. Something I suffer with when I get breakouts is the redness it leaves on my skin. This is why I like a product that can help with this. 
Avene Cleanance Expert
Applied all over the skin it is light and leaves a matte feel to the skin without being drying. As a spot treatment at night I can see a noticeable difference in the reduction in size of the blemish, the redness and the pain. I've had two painful breaakouts recently and this really made a huge difference in the pain. The breakouts definitely have cleared up a lot quicker with using this. 


If you have sensitive skin that is combinationally and prone to breakouts I would definitely recommend this. I think it would also be really good for oily skin as well as teens because it isn't too harsh. 

Avene Cleanance Expert* retails for £15.00.

I've loved adding this to my skincare regime when those breakouts appear. What is your favourite spot treatment?

*PR Sample

Saturday 12 December 2015

The Winter Brights

I love bright, bold lip colours and when the festive season comes around it is always the perfect opportunity to put my favourite back into rotation. Today I have my favourite, pinks, plums and red lip colours that i've been wearing recently. 
The Winter Brights
The Winter Brights
PINKS
Bright, fuchsia pinks are a new favourite of mine and I seem to come across a new favourite every year. The new find when I went to America was the Wet N Wild Lipstick in Cherry Picking. This is so affordable and the perfect bold, blue toned pink. It's matte yet comfortable on whilst lasting so well on. A more moisturising option is MAC Girl About Town. This is a similar colour but has more of a glossy finish. It still lasts a decent amount of time but is less drying. 
The Winter Brights
PLUM
A plum lip is an easy go to for me this time of year. This year i've gone back to my old favourite in the Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick in 107. This is a favourite of a lot of people as it is the perfect plum colour. It's matte but feels very comfortable on the lips and isn't drying. 
The Winter Brights
REDS
These are true reds but more of a glossy version that feels nice on dry lips. The first one is the Revlon Lacquer Balm in Provocateur. This is a wearable red, so much so i've been wearing it to work a lot recently. It's bright and the glossy formula looks and feels really nice this time of year. The next is a new discovery in the Rimmel The One Lipstick in Best Of The Best. This is a cherry red that has a glossy finish whilst being long wearing. The formula of these lipstick is really good and I definitely want a nude colour in this formula. 
The Winter Brights
L-R Cherry Picking, Girl About Town, 107, Provocateur, Best Of The Best
All of these are bright, bold and last really well on the lips. I love matte lip colours although when it's cold and my lips are dry a glossy formula is that bit more comfortable. What are your go to bright lip options for this Winter season?

Thursday 10 December 2015

Giorgio Armani Si

I got my first pay check from my new job and decided to treat myself to something slightly extravagant. I knew I wanted a new perfume and with lots of gift sets being out for Christmas it was the perfect opportunity to get a good deal. After smelling a good amount I settled on this one and it's definitely a new favourite. 
Giorgio Armani Si
The packaging is very luxurious. I love the way it is packaged a feels worth the money. Si comes in three different version. The parfum, toilettte and intense. I went for the parfum as it is a stronger scent, therefore lasts longer and you don't need as much. 
Giorgio Armani Si
Giorgio Armani Si
Fragrance Notes
Top Notes: Sicilian Bergamot, Mandarin Oil, Liquer de Cassis
Heart Notes: Rose de Mai Absolute, Neroli Absolute, Egyptian Jasmine Absolute
Base Notes: Patchouli Oil, Blond Woods, Amber, Orcanox™, Vanille Absolute
Si is described as a elegant, sultry and intense scent. It smells very feminine without being too sweet or floral. It's more of a musky scent which really enjoy. The parfum smells strong so I only do a couple of sprays and the smell lingers for a long time. 
Giorgio Armani Si
I went for the gift set which also comes with a body lotion for the same price as buying the perfume on it's own. The body lotion has the same scent so the two could be worn together to make the scent more intense and last longer. It's strong enough to wear in the evening but not too intense that it is overpowering when worn during the day. 

Giorgio Armani Si EDP retails for £47.00 for 30ml. 

I don't often treat myself to an expensive perfume but every now and then it feels like a real treat. This is a unique and very wearable scent and definitely worth the money, especially when you can get it in a gift set. What is your favourite scent to wear? 

Monday 7 December 2015

Currently Loving | Lip Liners

I've been having a bit of a moment with lip liners the past few months. I like them underneath lipsticks to made my lip product last longer and look bolder, or alone for a long wearing matte lip. Today I thought I would share the collection I have gathered together and which are my favourites. 
Currently Loving | Lip Liners
Currently Loving | Lip Liners
Currently Loving | Lip Liners
KIKO
 I picked up two of the Smart Lip Pencils when I was last in London. The first colour I have is 702 which is a peachy pink nude shade. The other is 703 which is a deep, red toned nude. Both of these are slightly creamy but definitely matte. That can feel a little drying on their own so I tend to use these underneath another lip product. 
PRIMARK
I haven't tried much from the Primark makeup range but I love these lip liners and i've heard they're one of the stand out products. The first colour I have is 08 which is a peachy nude, this is more warm toned and not as pink as I initially thought it would be. The other shade is 03 which is a classic red colour and definitely my favourite. It's bold and looks really good when worn alone. The formula of these are are creamy, yet matte and are surprisingly comfortable to wear whilst lasting a long time without fading. 
ESSENCE
I have two types of Essence lip liners. The first is the basic Lip Liner in Wish Me A Rose. This is the perfect cool toned pink and one I reach for a lot. This one is again very comfortable whilst still giving a matte finish. The other type is the Long Lasting Lip Liner which is a lot softer and creamy so a good option if you have dry lips. The shade I have is Yummy Berry which is a lovely pink, berry colour. I love the formula of both these are definitely want to get some more shades. 
Currently Loving | Lip Liners
URBAN DECAY
Ending on the most expensive with the 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil in Mrs Mia Wallace. This was a limited edition shade but it's made me love the formula of these pencils. It's very comfortable to wear, doesn't feel drying, is easy to apply and last so well. This shade is a berry red shade which looks great alone or under lipsticks. I'm definitely a budget girl but these are worth the money for me. 
Currently Loving | Lip Liners
L-R 702, 703, 08, 03, Wish Me A Rose, Yummy Berry, Mrs Mia Wallace
So that's my lip liner collection. My favourites are Essence and Urban Decay. Both have great formulas and a good colour selection. Essence are such good value for money so you can pick up lots of different shades for not a lot of money. What are you favourite lip liners?

Friday 4 December 2015

The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Bubbling Bath - Reviewed!

I've been a big bath lover for as long as I can remember. Now i'm older I love them even more after a long day at work. I'm a big fan of the affordable bubble baths as a lot of them work really well and smell great, however sometimes you want something a little bit more luxurious. When The Body Shop had 40% off I picked up a few Christmas presents I picked up this for myself. 
The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Bubbling Bath
The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Bubbling Bath
The packaging is very sleek, simple and looks nice on the side of your bath. It's claims to give rich, plentiful and fragrant bubbles whilst leaving the soft and smooth. You only need a small amount to create lots of bubbles; you definitely need less than some of the cheaper bubble baths. The smells is very pleasant and helps to create a relaxing feeling. 
The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Bubbling Bath
I would definitely say my skin felt softer after using this which is an added bonus, especially in Winter when my skin gets drier. The fact you need a small amount means that this smaller bottle will end up giving you a good amount of baths. It's the perfect thing for a relaxing evening whilst giving you the feeling of using a bath oil without any mess or residue. 


If you are looking for a pampering treat and are a big bath lover I would definitely recommend picking this up. The price isn't too bad and is even better when you can it when The Body Shop do one of their sales. 


Have you tried this? What is your favourite relaxing bath product?

Monday 30 November 2015

First Impressions | Recent Max Factor Purchases

Whilst doing some Christmas shopping last week I spotted that a lot of brands have some great free gifts with purchases. Bourjois, L'oreal and Max Factor have all got them for when you spend over £15. I'd been meaning to pick up some Max Factor bits so it was the perfect opportunity. 
First Impressions | Recent Max Factor Purchases
First Impressions | Recent Max Factor Purchases
The first thing I picked up was the Excess Shimmer Shimmer Eyeshadow in Copper. This is a lovely pale bronze colour. Although it has glitter in it, the glitter isn't too intense and instead leaves a sheen on the lid. The shadow is very creamy so easy to blend and works well as a base or on it's own. The wear time is also really good, it lasts all day on my lids without creasing or fading. 
First Impressions | Recent Max Factor Purchases
The other product I picked up was the Creme Puff Blush in Lovely Pink. I've heard such good things about these I was definitely excited to try one. The shade Lovely Pink is a pale pink shade with a lovely shimmer running through it. On the cheeks it leaves a nice pink colour and glow to the skin. It also last well on the skin which makes me want to pick up some more shades. 
First Impressions | Recent Max Factor Purchases
First Impressions | Recent Max Factor Purchases
Onto the free gift. You get four full size products, the first being the False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara in Brown/Black. I've had this before and it's a really great mascara. You also get the Masterpiece Colour Precision Eyeshadow in Night Sky. This isn't a colour I would normally go for but I think it would make a nice base to some taupe shadows. 
First Impressions | Recent Max Factor Purchases
You get a Glossfinity Nail Varnish in Stay Cheerful which is a bright pink shade with a slight cool toned shimmer running through it. I'm currently wearing this on my nails and it looks so pretty and the formula leaves a nice glossy finish. Finally, my favourite item is the Colour Elixir Lipstick in Scarlet Ghost. This is a pinky, plum shade which is perfect for this time of year. The formula of this feels creamy and slightly sheer so feels very comfortable on the lips. 
First Impressions | Recent Max Factor Purchases
L-R Lovely Pink, Copper, Night Sky, Scarlet Ghost
So those are some recent Max Factor purchases. I love the blush and cream shadow I got on the free gift is too good to miss. The lipstick is a true stand out and is a colour I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of this festive season. You also get a £2 off voucher for one of their foundations which i'm tempted to pick up. What are some of your favourite Max Factor products?

Thursday 26 November 2015

November Empties!

I don't feel like i've managed to use up a lot of products this month however it's gotten a lot colder so i've been going through moisturiser like there's no tomorrow to help with my dry skin on both my body and face. 
November Empties!
November Empties!
HAIRCARE:
Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo - When this came out I really enjoyed it. It's a great shampoo if you have fine, flat hair that needs a bit of volume. It works well but there's other shampoos which I prefer now. Repurchase? No.
Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo - It wouldn't be an empites without some dry shampoo. Working full time and having very early starts means dry shampoo has been even more of a must recently. Repurchase? Yes. 
November Empties!
BODYCARE:
The Body Shop Satsuma Body Butter - This is one of the best smelling body products as it's fruity and lingers on the skin for a long time. The only downside is that I find this one to feel a little greasy so I only really use it on my legs and feet. Repurchase? No.
Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter - This is one of the nicest feeling body butters but i've had so much of it over the years that i'm starting to get a bit sick of the scent. Repurchase? No. 
November Empties!
SKINCARE:
Simple Kind To Skin+ Protecting Moisture Cream SPF30 - I loved this moisturiser in the Summer as it felt nice on the skin whilst having a good SPF to protect the skin. It's a great budget find which I randomly came across when I wanted to try something new. Repurchase? Yes. 
The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3 in 1 Mask - I was said to see this mask finish as I really loved using it. It's creamy, yet has oats in it which help to make the skin feel smooth. It's hydrating yet gives the skin a deep clean. It's the perfect all in one mask, especially for this time of year. Repurchase? Yes. 
November Empties!
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation - I like to dig this foundation whenever the weather gets colder and I recently went to use it and nothing would come out. It's a serum based foundation so feels so comfortable on the skin whilst giving a nice finish. It's great for drier skin types as it doesn't cling to any dry patches. Repurchase? Yes.


So those are this months empties. There's some really favourites this month which I will definitely have to go out and purchase, mainly that mask from The Body Shop. What products have you used up this month? 

Monday 23 November 2015

November Beauty Favourites

This month seems to have gone so fast, mainly because i've been working for most of it. I have been trying a few new products as well as discovering some old favourites include a great mask which has been getting rid of that congested skin feeling at the end of a long week. There's also some great lip colours for good measure. 
November Beauty Favourites
November Beauty Favourites
Starting with said mask, I repurchased the Soap & Glory The Fab Pore Mask and it as been so good to put on after a long day when my skin needs a deep clean. It's gentle yet works really well. It works especially well around the nose and t-zone to get rid of excess oil and leave the skin smooth. 
November Beauty Favourites
I've really gotten back into highlighting again recently, mainly because of this little beauty. The Collection Speedy Highlighter* is a stick highlighter that isn't too bold, blends easily and lasts well on the skin. It's a great budget find to give a nice glow. 
November Beauty Favourites
I was in need of a new mascara so I picked up the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara and I love it. It's a plastic brush that lengthens the lashes without looking clumpy yet gives a defined lash look. You can build this up to be more dramatic which is an added bonus. 
November Beauty Favourites
November Beauty Favourites
L-R Best Of The Best, Craving
On my days off i've been loving a bright lip and a new favourite is Rimmel Best Of The Best as it's the perfect cherry red colour that's creamy and feels lovely on the lips. I definitely need to get some more of these as the formula is so nice. For work i've been liking some more neutral which is why i've been loving MAC Craving which is still fairly bold but is still a berry toned nude. I don't love nude lip colours where as this shade is very wearable for me and perfect for everyday. 


So those are this months beauty favourites. As Christmas is getting closer I plan on spending less on myself so some shopping the stash is going to happen next month. What have been your beauty favourites this month?

Thursday 19 November 2015

Beauty Haul | Soap & Glory, The Body Shop, Maybelline

I did a bit of beauty shopping last week for the first time in a while; mainly because I had actually ran out of a few bits plus it's hard to stay away when Boots have their 3 for 2 offer on. So here's what I picked up and some initial thoughts on them.
Beauty Haul | Soap & Glory, The Body Shop, Maybelline
Beauty Haul | Soap & Glory, The Body Shop, Maybelline
From The Body Shop I picked up their Balance Shampoo as I was in need of some clarifying as I find I can get a lot of build up in my hair. I'm trying to use up some shampoos but i'm excited to give this a go. I also got a new foot cream as working in retail full time has left me with sore feet. I've had this African Honey and Beeswax Foot Butter before and loved it. It's one of the best creams i've used. 
Beauty Haul | Soap & Glory, The Body Shop, Maybelline
Onto the Boots bits, I got a sachet of the Sanctuary Thermal Charcoal Mask. My skin was feeling congested and this is a great mask for that as it is warm and really deeply cleans the skin. Definitely need to get the full size. An impulse purchase was the Boots Simply Sensitive Micellar Water as I hadn't seen it before and seemed like something I would enjoy. 
Beauty Haul | Soap & Glory, The Body Shop, Maybelline
I was in need of a new primer to make my foundation last all day so I picked up the Soap & Glory One Heck Of A Blot as it was new and felt nice on my hand. This feels lovely on the skin and makes a nice base of makeup but i'm yet to really notice if it helps with the wear of my foundation. 
Beauty Haul | Soap & Glory, The Body Shop, Maybelline
These new Rimmel The Only 1 Lipsticks have been catching my eye ever since they came out. I picked up the shade Best Of The Best which is a lovely bright pink toned red. These are creamy so feel comfortable on the lips yet the colour lasts really well without bleeding or fading. Big thumbs up. I needed a new mascara so I finally decided to give the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara a try and I have to say it's a new favourite. This lengthens really well and doesn't make my lashes look clumpy. 


So those are some recent beauty purchases. I try and not buy too much this time of year as Christmas is an expensive occasion that is getting very near, however I couldn't resists getting a few bits. What beauty purchases have you made recently?

Monday 16 November 2015

Collection Speedy Highlighter - Reviewed!

I love highlighters but often forget to use them in my mad rush of getting ready in the morning. A good highlight can really brighten the skin and give a healthy glow. Stick highlight are becoming more common and their easy application and subtle finish is very appealing. 
Collection Speedy Highlighter
Collection Speedy Highlighter
The stick style applicator means you can easily apply product onto the cheeks, brow bone and anywhere the light would natural hit the face. It is a subtle glow which makes for an even easier application because you can't really put too much product on.
Collection Speedy Highlighter
Collection Speedy Highlighter
The highlight is a pearl, pink toned which works really well on fair skin tones. The best thing is there are no chunks of glitter in it so it looks very natural on the skin. The colour lasts on the skin well and doesn't break down or go patchy. This is very easy to wear in the day time but you could also apply a little more for a bolder night time look. 


If you are new to highlighting or have fair skin I would highly recommend this highlight as it is easy to use and looks nice and natural on the skin whilst adding a nice glow. This is definitely a great bargain find.

Collection Speedy Highlighter* retails for £3.99.

Have you tried this? What is your favourite natural highlighter?


*PR Sample