Tuesday 30 June 2015

June Beauty Favourites

This month has definitely one of trying new things out as well as finding some old favourites in my stash that I had forgotten about. The weather is warmer so I've been changing up my base to help with oil control and to keep things in place longer. 
June Beauty Favourites
SKINCARE:
Superdrug Clearly Youthful Rexturising Glycolic Peel Off Mask
MASKS:
Avene Cleanance Mask (review) - The change of weather always makes my skin play up and this mask helped fix any oiliness and breakouts I had. It's a clay based mask with exfoliating particles in it. You put it on for 5 minutes and then remove it and my skin feels so clean and soft whilst not being too harsh on the skin. 
Superdrug Clearly Youthful Rexturising Glycolic Peel Off Mask (review) - This is another mask that helps with breakouts but also brightens the skin. It's a peel off mask so is totally mess free and leaves the skin so smooth. It's my go to quick fix mask if I want to see a difference in my skin quickly.
Simple Kind To Skin Protecting Moisture Cream SPF 30
Simple Kind To Skin Protecting Moisture Cream SPF 30 - The hotter weather has meant i've been trying to make a more concious effort to apply SPF, especially to my face. I love this cream as it has an SPF30, is hydrating but doesn't feel greasy or heavy on the skin and is light enough to use under makeup. A great, affordable, all in one option. 
Garnier Miracle Skin Cream SPF 20
Garnier Miracle Skin Cream SPF 20 - I picked this up this month whilst it was on offer and it's a new favourite for days where I don't want to wear makeup but want something to even out my skin. It's a white cream which as you blend it in it leaves a tint on the skin. The cream itself feels very light yet moisturising and makes you skin look brighter and healthy. 
MAKEUP:
The Body Shop All In One Instablur
The Body Shop All In One Instablur (review) - I noticed that my pores were looking a little enlarged and being more noticeable when wearing making. I dug this out and i've been applying it on my t-zone, around the nose and it really smooths the area out and my pores are a lot less noticeable when I use this. 
L'oreal Infallible 24H- Matte Foundation - I finally picked this foundation up this month and it has quickly become my favourite for long, hot days. It has a high coverage but you can definitely apply a light layer as well. For a matte foundation it doesn't feel very heavy or cakey on the skin. The best thing about this is it's so longwearing and is the only foundation that stops my skin getting oily mid day. To make it feel even lighter on the skin i've been applying it with the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge which gives a nice natural finish and helps to stop you apply too much product. 
NAILS:
Maybelline Super Stay Gel Nails in Uptown Blue
Maybelline Super Stay Gel Nails in Uptown Blue (review) - I've been really like the Maybelline Super Stay polishes this month but this shade has definitely been my stand out favourite. It's a bright blue colour that has a pastel undertone to it. This also wore really well on my nails which makes me love it even more. 

So those have been this months beauty favourites. I plan on having a bit of a beauty clear out soon so i'm hoping to rediscover some more old products that might pop up in next months favourites. What beauty products have you been loving in June?


Sunday 28 June 2015

June Health Favourites

This month has been a bit of a busy one so I feel like i've not had as much time to try out new recipes. I've still managed to eat fairly healthy and when i've treated myself or eaten out, i've made up for it by eating well the next day. I'm really starting to find a balance with everything. The same goes for working out, i've probably worked out less this month but i've walked so much and not stressed out about missing a workout like I used to. 
June Health Favourites
BREAKFAST:
As it's getting warmer i've been having oatmeal less and preferring homemade granola with greek yoghurt and fruit or a chia pudding with similar toppings. The one i've been making is this banana chia pudding which is really good and something that I make the night before and is a great quick breakfast. One of my favourite things about this time of year is that so much fruit is back in season. I've been loving strawberries for breakfast and snacking on donut peaches which taste so amazing. 
June Health Favourites
ICED COFFEE:
I'm a self confessed coffee addict. I've been trying to cut down and have done really well this year. Something I love in the Summer though is iced coffee. I learnt a bit of a hack this month in which I brew some coffee, add any sweetener I want then freeze them in an ice cube tray. When frozen I add 5-6 cubes into a glass on top up with almond milk. As the ice melts you get this really cold, super tasty, iced coffee. I went to Whole Foods whilst I was in London recently and picked up this Rebel Kitchen Mylk Coffee which was so good. They put the 4 ingredients so i'm going to try re-create it at home. 
June Health Favourites
SWEET TREATS:
Whilst in London we went to the cinema and I took my own healthy snacks. I tried the Vita Coco Lemonade Coconut Water which was really good and one to try if you're normally not a fan of coconut water. For the snack I had the ProperCorn Sweet Coconut & Vanilla Popcorn which I definitely want to try and re-create. Another London purchase was the Peanut Butter Company Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter which is pretty amazing. I've had it on banana, medjool dates and just on it's own. My favourite treat has been healthy cookie dough which I will be doing a recipe on soon as it is so good and fairly guilt free.

MEALS:
I've been still making a lot of salads for lunch and making more one pan meals in the evening which I can make in bulk and freeze a few portions. If you struggle to eat healthy I would definitely recommend doing this and it saves so much time. A go to for me is some vegetables, chopped tomatoes, spices and either beans or lentils in a pan and it tastes great and is easy to do.  

I haven't found any new cookbooks recently and have been using Pinterest a lot more to find some things to try out. If you have any cookbook recommendations I would love to hear them. What have been some of your health favourites this month?

Friday 26 June 2015

Travel | Long Weekend In London

As I type this i'm currently suffering from some serious post holiday/break depression. Last Friday my Mum and I headed down to London for a few days and had a really great time. The plan was to see Foo Fighters at Wembley but sadly the show got cancelled so instead of the train tickets and hotel go to waste we decided to still make a weekend of it. 
Travel | Long Weekend In London
FRIDAY:
So we travelled down on Friday and arrived at lunchtime. Will grab some food and chilled out at the British Library and waited until we could check into our hotel and drop our bags off. We stayed near Kings Cross and the road our hotel was on was really beautiful. All the buildings curved around the round and were black and white; very Pinterest. After we checked in we decided to do a little bit of shopping and headed down to Primark. Probably not the best of time to go but I still managed getting a few things. We also went to Tiger where I picked up some cool cards to add to the gallery wall in my room. After that we were both pretty tired so headed back to the hotel and chill out. 
Travel | Long Weekend In London
Travel | Long Weekend In London
SATURDAY:
This was our first full day and we started it off with coffee at Pret. After that we headed back down Oxford Street to do some more shopping. I actually didn't end up seeing that much I liked. We then went down Regents Street and went to Kiko. I actually got two lip liners that were in the sale that i'm already loving. We went onwards to Covent Garden and hanged around there for a little bit before picking up a meal deal and chilling in Soho Square. We then headed back to the hotel to freshen up before going to a Forensic Exhibition at the Wellcome Collection in Euston. This was ended that weekend so wanted to catch it whilst we could. It ended up being really interesting; the only downside was that it was a little busy but still worth going. By that time we were both hungry so grabbed some food, wondered round for a little before heading back. I also picked up a Ben's Cookie during the day which was the perfect treat to end the day on. 
SUNDAY:
This was our last full day and I wanted to have a wonder round Carnaby Street so that's where we headed first; after a coffee of course. It was fairly quite as most shops were only just opening which was really nice. The sun had started to come out by the time we made out way down to Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square which was an added bonus. There was also a really cool band playing in the street and they were playing funky versions of different songs like Maroon 5 Sugar which made such a good atmosphere. Whilst at Piccadilly Circus I really wanted to make a trip to Whole Foods. It was actually my first time going and I was in health food heaven. I picked up a couple bits including an awesome iced coffee from Rebel Kitchen and some Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter which I will probably end up eating straight from the jar. We decided to get another meal deal from Boots and had a late lunch in Russell Square which was so peaceful. We then ended back to the hotel for a bit before going to the cinema to see Jurassic World. We had thought about going to a show but nothing took our fancy. The film was so much fun and the end the day we had some tasty food at Pizza Express
Travel | Long Weekend In London
Travel | Long Weekend In London
Travel | Long Weekend In London
Travel | Long Weekend In London
MONDAY:
Our train was at 11 in the morning so we didn't have much time to do anything before heading home. We had a bit of a lazy morning before heading to the station, grabbing one last coffee and getting on the train. 

It was really nice to get away for a few days and just do what we wanted and still had a great time even though I didn't end up getting to see Foo Fighters. Having been to London a fair few times and done all the touristy things it's nice to not have the jam pack each day to fit everything in. What are your favourite things, or places to go on London?

Wednesday 24 June 2015

June Empties!

This month seems to have turned into a bit of a skincare heavy empties. A lot of my recent go to products came to and end which means new products can finally be put in rotation. There is also a good amount of haircare products for once; I seem to be pretty bad and finishing haircare things. 
June Empties!
Vo5 Plump It Up Dry Backcomb Spray
HAIRCARE:
Dove Oxygen Moisture Souffle Treatment - I finally finished this up. It smells so amazing and a great mask if you have fine hair as it is moisturising but doesn't weigh the hair down. Repurchase? Yes.
Vo5 Plump It Up Dry Backcomb Spray - I've had this a while; hence the old packaging and I really do like it. It's a fine spray that adds texture and volume to the hair without making it feel crunchy. Repurchase? Yes. 
Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo - It wouldn't be an empties without this dry shampoo. I use this pretty much everyday and it is going to for make my hair look less greasy and flat. Repurchase? Yes. 
Herbal Essences Bee Strong Strengthening Shampoo - I got this sample ages ago and finally used it and I was really impressed. It smells really good and left my hair feeling so soft. Repurchase? Yes, if my hair was feeling very dry.
Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter
BODYCARE:
Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter - I seem to always have tubs of this hanging around from various gift sets and I finally used up another. It is a very moisturising cream that I really like using on my legs. The smell I do get tired of after a while though. Repurchase? No, has I have some back ups still. 
Garnier InvisiCool Anti-Perspirant - This has been my go to anti antiperspirant for a while now and I really like it. It does the job and smells nice without being overpowering. Repurchase? Yes. 
Sainsbury's Nail Polish Remover - I don't really have a preference when it comes to nail polish remover. I tend to just pick something up whilst doing the food shop. This worked pretty well and removed my polishes quickly. Repurchase? Yes.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
SKINCARE:
The Body Shop Camomile Skin Cleansing Oil - I was actually surprised how long this lasted as I feel like i've been using it for a long time. It smelt really nice and was gentle on the skin. It removed makeup really well and left my skin feeling so soft afterwards. Repurchase? Yes.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - This is another product that seemed to last ages. For the price you get so much product and it works really well. It removes makeup well without irritating the skin. Repurchase? Yes.
The Body Shop Aloe Protective Serum
Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil - This has become one of my favourite oils for helping with breakouts and acne scars as it really seems to help with that and any redness. It doesn't feel greasy and you only need a small amount to cover the face. Repurchase? Yes.
The Body Shop Aloe Protective Serum - This is another favourite which I actually use with the oil. It's such a light yet hydrating serum which makes my skin feel hydrated and soft. Repurchase? Yes.

So those are this months beauty empites. A nice mix of product that I don't seem to use up that often. Next month I think I am going to try and focus using up more body products as I have far too many still in my stash. Have you used up any of your favourite products this month?

Monday 22 June 2015

Superdrug Clearly Youthful Retexturising Glycolic Peel Off Mask - Reviewed!

I picked this mask up on a bit of a whim during a shopping trip the other week. That fact that it claims to clarify and brighten whilst helping with any blemishes really appealed to me. After using it a good few times I thought I would write up a post on it. 
Superdrug Clearly Youthful Retexturising Glycolic Peel Off Mask
Superdrug Clearly Youthful Retexturising Glycolic Peel Off Mask
The packaging is fairly basic, I do like the simple white and blue as it looks a bit more pricey than it actually is. The product comes in a tube which makes for an easy application. The mask itself is a clear gel and has a clean, almost soapy scent to it. 
Superdrug Clearly Youthful Retexturising Glycolic Peel Off Mask
Superdrug Clearly Youthful Retexturising Glycolic Peel Off Mask
You apply a thin layer all over on cleansed, dry skin and leave for 10-15 minutes. After that you can peel the mask off and whip away any residue. One of the big pluses to the mask is that it is mess from and can be done quickly when you skin needs a pick me up. After using this my skin feels so smooth and clear. I was actually surprised how nice my skin felt after the first use as I wasn't expecting to see great results. It's not as strong as some glycolic masks i've used before but you can definitely see a difference in the skin after use. For the price this is one of the best affordable masks i've tried and great quick fix. 


Have you tried this mask? What product have you tried from the Clearly Youthful range?

Friday 19 June 2015

Travel Makeup Bag | Weekend In London

I'm travelling down to London this weekend and I am determined to pack as lightly as possible; especially when it comes to makeup. My skin can be fairly temperamental so I like to cover all bases and have a few options. I think i've done pretty well and i'm still tempted to take a few product out to safe on space.
Travel Makeup Bag | Weekend In London
Travel Makeup Bag | Weekend In London
PRIME:
My skin has been more on the oily side with the warmer weather so i've been reaching for the Rimmel Stay Matte Primer a lot. This knocks out any shine and keeps things in place nicely. For pores I love the The Body Shop All In One InstaBlur which I use around my nose and t-zone to give a smooth base. For eyes I recently dug out the MUA Eye Primer which keeps my eyeshadow in place nicely throughout the day. 
Travel Makeup Bag | Weekend In London
BASE:
For base I thought I would go for two options, and I may even mix the two together. For something lighter I went for the Dior Nude Bb Creme which makes my skin look so healthy and glowy. If I want more of a long wearing, higher coverage base i'm bringing the L'Oreal Infalliable 24H Matte Foundation which I recently pick up and might do a all day test whilst i'm there. For concealer I have the Seventeen Phwoarr Paint and Essence Stay Natural Concealer for under the eyes and the Seventeen Stay Time 18 Hour Concealer for any blemishes. I may not take all this, i'm still on the fence. 
Travel Makeup Bag | Weekend In London
CHEEKS:
The powder i'm taking is the Laura Mercier Translucent Pressed Setting Powder which is nearly done but a nice, finely milled powder for setting things in place. For colour i'm bring the Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Androgen which is a lovely peachy pink shade. For everything else i'm bring the Makeup Revolution Ultra Sculpt & Contour Kit which is my go to for travelling these days as it is so compact. 
Travel Makeup Bag | Weekend In London
EYES:
For shadow i'm bringing the Bourjois Smokey Quad in Upside Brown which is a great neutral palette. For another option i'm also bring the MAC Shadow Jaunty which i've been wearing a lot on it's own with the Stila Smudge Stick in Damsel which is a deep brown colour. For mascara i'm currently using the Maybelline The Colossal Go Extreme Volume which gives a nice dramatic lash look. For brows i'm bringing the Makeup Revolution Ultra Brow Arch & Shape which isn't my favourite but it's what i'm using at the moment.
Travel Makeup Bag | Weekend In London
LIPS:
This again is another area where I may make some changes. For now i'm bringing two Revlon Lip Butters in Juicy Papaya; a pale peachy colour, and Wild Watermelon which is a bright red toned pink. Speaking of red, i'm also taking the Maybelline Color Drama in Light It Up which is my favourite matte red. For a long wearing option i'm bring the Boujois Rouge Edition Velvet in Peach Club which is a bright, matte peachy colour that lasts all day. 

So that's what is in my travel makeup bag. I still might make some tweaks but I think I will end up using all of these products over the weekend. What are some staples in your travel makeup bag?

Wednesday 17 June 2015

Beauty Haul | L'Oreal, Garnier, Botanics and More.

I haven't picked up that many beauty products recently as i've been trying to use some more things up. With the weather changing I was looking for some new base product and I had actually ran out of some products. Most of these things are new to try so i'm excited to put them to the test. 
Beauty Haul | L'Oreal, Garnier, Botanics and More.
Superdrug Vitamin E 360° Spray On All Over Body Lotion
With it being warmer i've been liking lighter moisturiser. I had been using the Vaseline spray lotion and I was going to repurchase that until I spotted this instead. It's the Superdrug Vitamin E 360° Spray On All Over Body Lotion. It's a fine spray and smells really nice whilst being moisturising. I'm looking forward to using this as it's not that expensive. 
Collection 2 in 1 Top & Base Coat
I was also in the need of a new base coat. My nails have been a bit rubbish recently but still didn't want to spend a lot on a base coat. The one I went for is the Collection 2 in 1 Top & Base Coat which claims to protect the nails and colour. If this is really good expect a review post soon. 
L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer
The only makeup bits I picked up were from L'Oreal. In Boots L'Oreal was 2 for £12 on most products so I finally picked up the Infallible 24H-Matte Foundation which i've been hearing so much good things about. My skin has been oily and this is meant to keep everything in place and oil at pay. The shade range isn't great so I picked up shade 11 Vanilla. The other product I got was a repurchase of the Lumi Magique Concealer which I really love and i'm excited to use it again as it's a light weight, brightening concealer perfect for Summer. 
Botanics Refreshing Eye Roll On All Bright
I'm running out of both my eye creams at the same time. I decided to repurchase the Boots Simply Sensitive Hydrating Eye Cream because for the price it's so good. It's hydrating and doesn't irritate the eyes. For the morning I wanted something cooling so I decided to try the Botanics Refreshing Eye Roll On All Bright. This has a metal ball applicator which makes it cooling and helps with puffiness. 
Garnier Miracle Skin Cream Anti-Ageing Skin Transforming Care
The last thing I picked up i've been wanting to try for a while but haven't found it on a good offer. I ended up spotting it in Wilko's for only £5 which I thought was a great deal. It's the Garnier Miracle Skin Cream Anti-Ageing Skin Transforming Care. This has an SPF20 and is a white cream that has a tint to it as you rub it into the skin. This reminds me a lot of the Origins VitaZing SPF15 so i'm hoping it will be a bit of a dupe for it. 

So those are the beauty bits i've picked up lately. I'm managed to get some good deals so i'm excited to put these new bits to the test. What beauty products have you picked up recently?

Monday 15 June 2015

Summer Skincare Essentials

Summer is slowly getting closer and because of this i've started to give my skincare a bit of a shake up to get ready for the warmer weather. Today I thought I would share three categories which I think are essential for Summer and a few favourite products from each. 
Summer Skincare Essentials
Summer Skincare Essentials
Simple Kind To Skin Protecting Moisture Cream SPF 30
A GOOD SPF:
Wearing a decent SPF is key is Summer (and all year round) for protecting your skin. When the weather warms it a really focus on this. There's different ways you can find your SPF but the best way is a stand alone product. I find this year has been the Piz Buin Ultra Light Day Touch Face Fluid with an SPF30. This has both high UVA and UVB protection whilst being a very light, non greasy formula. This is perfect for wearing under makeup as it won't make things feel heavy on the skin. You can also find SPF in moisturisers. A great bargain is the Simple Kind To Skin Protecting Moisture Cream SPF 30. This also has UVA and UVB protection and feels really nice on the skin. It doesn't leave a greasy feel but is also hydrating on the skin. 
The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist
FACIAL SPRAYS:
Facial sprays are great at refreshing and cooling down the skin when it's very hot. A great, cheap option is the Superdrug Vitamin E Refreshing Toning Mist (review) which feels lovely on the skin and even packs some hydration. If you have oily/blemish prone skin the La Roche Posay Serozinc (review) really works whilst being a nice cooling spray. I especially love this one first thing in the morning. Another hydrating option is The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist which smells lovely and has almost a calming effect whilst giving a refreshing moisture boost to the skin. The last option is the Avene Thermal Spray Water Spray which is suitable for sensitive skin and is the most cooling of the bunch. 
Avene Cleanance Mask
The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3 in 1 Scrub Mask
THE QUICK FIX MASK:
With the warmer weather my skin can often feel a bit oily and congested. This is where a quick fix mask can come in very handy. The first one is the First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask which is a peel off mask with red clay. It's amazing at getting rid of excess oil and any congestion. It's a mess free mask as well which is an added bonus. The next one is the Avene Cleanance Mask which is a clay/cream mask with exfoliating particles in it. You leave it on for 5 minutes and afterwards the skin feels so much smoother, less oily and a lot cleaner. The finally one is a good all rounder; The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3 in 1 Scrub Mask.This is gentle but effective at leaving the skin smooth, cleansed and hydrated. 

So those are my Summer Skincare Essentials. I use a few other products but these are some stand out favourites which i'll definitely be reaching for. What are some of your must have Summer skincare products?

Saturday 13 June 2015

Maybelline Super Stay Gel Nail Varnish - Reviewed!

It feels like it's been a while since I tried some new nail polishes as I have a whole drawer full so I don't feel the need to get new ones that often. I was lucky enough to win an instagram giveaway by RamblingsOfABeautyBird of some Maybelline polishes which I was very excited about since i've heard a lot about these polishes but never tried them. 
Maybelline Super Stay Gel Nail Varnish
Maybelline Super Stay Gel Nail Varnish
The bottles are very cute a look really nice together if you have a few of them. They also line up well which means they don't take up a lot of space. I like that all the bottles look the same and it's easy to spot the different shades in your collection. They have a really nice selection of shades available and a lot of them seem to be very unique which is a nice change for an affordable brand.
The first shade I have is Uptown Blue which is definitely a shade i've heard a lot of good things about. It's a pastel blue yet has a nice brightness too it so would be a nice shade for Spring/Summer. The next shade is Mint For Life, I love anything mint coloured and this shade doesn't disappoint. It's a lovely pastel mint shade which looks really nice on the nails. The last shade I have is Hot Salsa which is a great bright red, coral shade, perfect for Summer. Uptown Blue and Hot Salsa look opaque with 2 thin coats where as Mint For Life could do with 3. The polishes leave a really glossy, gel like finish to the nails. One of my favourite things is that the polishes don't chip easily which is a big thing for me as a lot of polishes have been chipping on me recently. These are definitely some great polishes worth checking out and I will definitely be picking up a few more shades in the future. 



Have you tried any of the Maybelline polishes? If so what are your favourite shades?

Thursday 11 June 2015

Avene Cleanance Mask - Reviewed!

My skin has been playing up with the seasons changing so i've been looking in my stash for some masks to help fix things. I had totally forgotten about the mask until I did my post on my favourite french skincare brands. Since then i've been using it a few times and remembered how good it was. 
Avene Cleanance Mask
Avene Cleanance Mask
The product comes in a 50ml tube and is very compact. I actually like the fact that it's small as you could take it travelling without making mess or taking up too much room. The mask is from the Cleanance range which is designed for oily and blemish prone skin although i've never found their products from this range to be harsh so would suit a few different skin types. 
Avene Cleanance Mask
Avene Cleanance Mask
The mask itself is a cream with small exfoliating particles in it. You apply a thin layer of product over all the face; or on areas where breakouts are, and leave on the skin for 5 minutes. It's a quick mask to use and washes away easily. As you are removing it you can gently exfoliate the skin which really helps with on bumpy texture on the skin. When I use this mask straight away my skin feels a lot less oily and removes any dead skin whilst helping to calm any breakouts. Whilst my skin is bad i'll use this mask once a week and it really helps to clear things up. If you have problematic skin and want something as a quick fix which isn't drying I would definitely recommend giving this a go. I think it's a great mask to have in your stash for those times when you skin is misbehaving. 

Avene Cleanance Mask retails for £15.00. (Currently 25% off at Escentual)

Have you tried this mask? What product do you reach for when your skin is breaking out?