Friday 29 July 2016

July Beauty Favourites

This month has been one of rediscovering some old favourites as well as still loving the products from last month; here if you missed that. Since it has been so hot at the end of the month i've been looking for things to keep my makeup in place and in good condition. 
July Beauty Favourites
July Beauty Favourites
Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream EDP - £52.00 - I picked this up in a set during the Christmas sales and i've really been enjoying it as an everyday scent. I love Marc Jacobs perfumes and find they last well on my skin, plus the packaging is always beautiful. This has a clean, fresh scent which isn't too strong for the daytime. 
July Beauty Favourites
REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate - £30.00 - I rediscovered this when I did some shopping of my skincare stash (post) and forgot how good it is. My skin, especially my forehead has been a bit bumpy and this has really helped to smooth everything out. It's a runny gel which I apply in the evening and the fruit acids really help to improve the texture of the skin. It's not the cheapest but gives amazing results every time. 
Avene Skin Recovery Cream* - £16.50 - I've been really enjoying Avene products recently to help with my sometimes sensitive skin. This has definitely been a stand out favourite since it's a thick cream that some how manages to feel light on the skin. I use it in the evening and it leaves my skin so smooth without making it congested. 
July Beauty Favourites
Rimmel Lasting Finish Primer - £6.99 - It's been very hot at the end of the month so i've been wearing less makeup and wanting my base to stay in place. When I first got this primer I didn't think it did anything but since rediscovering it I find it actually works pretty well. It's a cream that feels light on the skin and once left to set my foundation applies nicely and helps to keep it in place. 
NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray - £7.00 - This is definitely the main product that has been keeping my base in place. I spray it on after i've finished my makeup and it doesn't leave the skin wet as well as it dries quickly. I really can't feel this on my skin and it has definitely made my makeup look better and last longer in the heat. 
July Beauty Favourites
Essence Make Me Brow Mascara - £2.50 - I picked this up mainly because I wanted to do a comparison to the Benefit Gimme Brow (post). Now that i've done the post i've actually found myself reaching for this one more than the Benefit. It feels very comfortable in this brows and gives a natural, defined look which i've really been enjoying since i've not been wearing as much makeup. 

So those are this months beauty favourites. I've really been enjoying wearing minimal makeup and focusing more on skincare. I've picked up a few new skincare bits this month, especially masks so I expect a few of them to make their way into next months favourite. What have been some of your favourite beauty products this month?

Wednesday 27 July 2016

July Empties

I went away at the end of June so didn't expect to use up that many products this month but somehow still got through a few things. There's a bit of everything this month and some favourites that I always like to have in stock. 
July Empties
July Empties
SKINCARE:
Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser - I really like the Superdrug hot cloth cleanser as they're budget friendly and do the job. This cleansing the skin well and removes any excess makeup. Afterwards the skin feels smooth and soft. I really like this Naturally Radiant range and this cleanser is definitely a stand out. Repurchase? Yes. 
Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm - I've been using this as my evening lip balm for a good few years now and have repurchased it a few times. It's a thick balm that feels matte on the lip and really moisturises the lips. I really love using this in the Winter as my lips can get so dry. Repurchase? Yes. 
Simple Revitalising Eye Roll On - I've mentioned before that I like eye gels in the morning as they don't feel heavy and help to wake up my eyes. I liked this one as it has a metal ball on the end which feels nice and cooling as well as helping with any puffiness. Repurchase? Yes. 
Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray - Facial sprays are a staple in my skincare routine in the Summer as I love how refreshing they feel. This one gives a fine spray of water that is so cooling. This is also great to use on the body and not just on the face, especially when it's hot or after a workout. Repurchase? Yes. 
July Empties
HAIRCARE:
Urban Fudge Iced Raspberry and Vanilla Hairspray - I don't use hairspray that often but I would actually look forward to using this as it smelt so good. It smells like raspberry ice cream and works really well at keeping those fine hairs in place. I liked that this didn't feel crunchy in the hair as well as brushing out easily. Repurchase? Yes. 
Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo - With there being a bit of a heatwave at the end of this month i've been loving this more than usual to keep my hair looking clean and fresh. This scent will always be my favourite and be a product I always have around. Repurchase? Yes. 
July Empties
BODYCARE:
Vaseline Spray & Go Aloe Body Moisturiser - This is something i've had in my drawer for a while and is a great Summer product. When it's hot I don't like to use a heavy moisturiser and this is a fine mist that dries quickly whilst still leaving the skin soft. This wasn't my favourite scent so if I picked this up again I think i'd get another scent. Repurchase? Yes. 
Dove Derma Spa Summer Revived Gradual Tanner - I featured this in my favourite gradual tanners post and I really love the natural tan it gives. It never looks too dark and you can build it up to give a deeper colour. The smell isn't too strong and it actually moisturisers the skin really well. Repurchase? Yes.
July Empties
Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Spray - I got some of the Soap & Glory body sprays at Christmas and i've been making my way through them. This has a lime and sugar scent which has been nice to use in the Summer. The scent lasts a few hours and is good to spray on when you need a freshen up. Repurchase? Yes. 
Nivea Happy Time Shower Cream - This was my favourite shower cream a few years ago and I decided to try it again. It has a really nice clean scent and the cream doesn't feel drying on the skin. I like to try a different shower gel each time; normally whatever is on offer, but this is one I would go back too. Repurchase? Yes. 

So those are this months beauty empties. All of which are products i've really enjoyed and would get again. Have you used up any of your favourite beauty products this month?

Monday 25 July 2016

Top 3 | Gradual Tanners

I use gradual tanners on my arms all the time to make my skin look a little less pale and have a healthy glow. Sometimes I don't bother if i'm wearing jumpers all the time but in Summer I up my game and I go between these three. I thought i'd share them since they're all easy to use and perfect if you don't want a heavy fake tan look. 
Top 3 | Gradual Tanners
Top 3 | Gradual Tanners
St Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body Lotion in Light/Medium - £14.50 - This is the most expensive but it has the best smell and works well all over the body. The smell is the best thing as it is floral and fresh whilst having the least fake tan smell. It looks very natural on and wears really well. I have repurchased this a few times when it is on offer since I love the finish it gives. 
Top 3 | Gradual Tanners
Dove Derma Spa Summer Revival in Fair to Medium £6.99 - This is very similar to the St Tropez in the finish it gives however it has more of a fake tan smell. It isn't very strong and I don't really notice it that much. It has a pleasant scent when you apply it as well as feeling very moisturising. I really like the look of this one and the fact I can quickly apply it and the next day the finish is very natural. 
Top 3 | Gradual Tanners
Garnier Summer Body Moisturising Lotion - £5.49 - This was my favourite for a long time however the scent is the strongest the next day and the colour isn't as natural as the other two. My favourite way to use this is on my legs as they're paler than my arms. When I use it on my legs it gives an instant, more tanned colour to the skin. The light shade looks more natural than the deep which can lean a little yellow. 

I have used all of these for a long time and love them all. The Dove is probably my favourite for the price and the finish it gives on the skin. The St Tropez smells lovely whilst still looking very natural. The Garnier gives the most colour but has the strongest smell. If you have fair skin but want to look a little more tanned this Summer I would definitely recommend giving any of these a try. What are your favourite gradual tanners?

Friday 22 July 2016

Wear and Compare | Benefit vs Essence Brow Mascara

Benefit have recently changed all the packaging of their brow products as well as having lots of minis as freebies in magazines in the recent months. The one product that i've been curious to try is the Gimme Brow so I was definitely excited to try it without splashing out on the full size. I had heard Essence had brought out their own version so I thought it would be fitting to do a comparison of the two. 
Wear and Compare | Benefit vs Essence Brow Mascara
Wear and Compare | Benefit vs Essence Brow Mascara
The packaging of the Essence version is very similar to the original Benefit packaging, now they've changed it the two look pretty different. Both come in three shades and have good options for blondes which I like. Essence have even brought out a new shade that is Taupe and cool toned which is a good match for the Benefit blonde shade. Since my hair isn't super blonde at the moment I got the 01 Blonde shade in the Essence which is a little warmer. 
Wear and Compare | Benefit vs Essence Brow Mascara
Wear and Compare | Benefit vs Essence Brow Mascara
The brushes are very similar. The Benefit one is a little smaller and is more tapered to the end which definitely helps with application. Both contain little fibres which are meant to give a more natural look since it is adding the appearance of more hair. The Essence version does have some fibres but a lot less than the Benefit one. Both are easy to apply. I like to get the shape I want my brows to be with a pencil then add the main colour and definition with the brow mascaras. 
Wear and Compare | Benefit vs Essence Brow Mascara
L-R Benefit, Essence








As you can see the shades I have are different but when swatched they look pretty similar in the brows. The Benefit one gives a very natural finish and you can the hairs in the brows still. It evens them out whilst adding colour and texture to the brows. I was most impressed with how it looked like I had naturally perfect brows and made them stay in place all day. It has been very hot this week and this has really helped my brows to not fade. The Essence version feels more like a tinted brow mascara and is a little wetter which makes it harder to get a completely natural look. The brows still look defined, neat and kept in place.

My favourite thing about both of these is how well they keep my brows in place all day. Both make my brows look natural whilst being quick to apply. They are very similar and if price wasn't a factor I would say the Benefit one works the best. However, the Essence one is so much cheaper and works very well I personally wouldn't purchase the Gimme Brow in the full size even though I have been really enjoying it. 

Benefit Gimme Brow retails for £18.50.
Essence Make Me Brow retails for £2.50.

I've really been impressed by some of the Essence products i've tried and this is definitely one of the best one. It is a great dupe for the Benefit and I lot more affordable. Have you tried either of these? What do you use for a natural brow look?

Wednesday 20 July 2016

Evening Skincare Routine

The other day shared my morning skincare routine so I thought i'd follow that up with posting my evening routine. In the evening I spend a lot more time on my skincare and focus on deeply cleansing and packing in the moisture. 
Evening Skincare Routine
Evening Skincare Routine
CLEANSE:
Garnier Micellar Oil-Infused Cleansing Water - £5.99 - I love the original Garnier Micelar Water and picked this one up on a bit of a whim and I really love it. The oil really helps to break down makeup without feeling greasy. This is a great first cleanse to remove the bulk of makeup before properly cleansing the skin. 
Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser - £4.99 - I always follow that up with some sort of cream or balm to deeply cleanse the face. This is an old favourite that is so budge friendly. It's a cream cleanser that removes any makeup or dirt really well whilst making the skin feel soft and clean. 
Evening Skincare Routine
EXFOLIATE:
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads - £12.99 - I love chemical exfoliates and these pads are one of my favourite because they're easy to use and very effective. I don't find them to be too harsh and I use them most nights as they also cleanse the skin whilst making the skin so smooth and soft the next day. 
Evening Skincare Routine
MOISTURISE:
Boots Simply Sensitive Hydrating Eye Cream - £1.99 - I've been using this eye cream for a couple of years now as it is a great budget option and does what it says. It's a light cream that leaves the skin soft and hydrated. 
Superdrug Simply Pure Hydrating Serum - £2.69 - A serum is something I change it a lot and rarely repurchase the same one. At the moment I am liking this one as it feels very light and fresh on the skin. It hydrates nicely so would be a good option for dehydrated skin as it isn't heavy. 
Avene Skin Recovery Cream* - £16.50 - The newest discovery to my routine is this and i've really been loving it. I like to use a hydrating cream in the evening that doesn't feel heavy and this definitely does that. It feels so nice on the skin and hydrates really well. It's perfect if your skin is sensitive or you suffer with redness as it really helps with both of those. 

So that is my evening skincare routine. I do love trying out new skincare products but I try not to introduce too many products in at once to keep my skin in check. I also use two treatments or masks a week to help to deep cleanse or exfoliate the skin even more. 

What are some standout products in your evening skincare routine?

Monday 18 July 2016

Morning Skincare Routine

It feels like such a long time since I shared my skincare routine which is odd as I haven't really changed things up that much recently. I'm still always trying a bunch of new products but I try to swap only one product at a time so I can really tell if it's working. 
Morning Skincare Routine
Morning Skincare Routine
CLEANSE:
Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean Deep Cleansing Milk - £8.00 - This is an old favourite that I go back to when my skin is feeling a bit rubbish. It's a cream cleanser that has fruit acids in which helps to leave the skin smooth and refreshed. The bottle is a good sign and I only use two pumps each time so it lasts a good few months. 
La Roche Posay Serozinc - £8.50 - In my routine in the morning I want things to wake my skin up and this definitely does that. It's a fine mist that feels very refreshing but also helps with oil control and any redness in the skin. This is a product I really enjoy using morning and night, especially in the Summer. 
Morning Skincare Routine
MOISTURISE:
Boots Cucumber Eye Gel - £1.50 - I like to use eye gels in the morning as my allergies make my eyes very dry so this helps to get rid of the tightness and wake my eyes up. I don't think this would help with fine line but I do find it refreshing and helps with any puffiness. 
Olay Complete Radiance Illuminator - £9.99 - I picked this up when I saw it reduced in Asda and i've actually really been enjoying it. It's a light cream that feels really nice and smooth on the skin. It has some illuminator in it which gives a really nice glow to the skin without looking glittery. I was surprised how much this made the skin look healthier and brighter. 
Morning Skincare Routine
SPF:
Avene Hydrating Skin Tone Perfector Light* - £16.50 - This has been my go to SPF at the moment as it has a SPF30 and feels very light on the skin. It's great if you have oily skin as it feels very light and gives a matte finish. It also has a tint to it which gives some colour to the skin which looks very natural and gives a healthy glow. 


So that's my morning skincare routine. In the morning I like to spend as little time doing my skincare and I like it to feel light on my skin. I've been using all these products for a few months and they've definitely helped keep my skin in check. 

What are some of your favourite products in your morning skincare routine?

Friday 15 July 2016

Avene Eau Thermal Sensitive Skin Kit - Reviewed!

Avene has become one of my favourite brands for when my skin is feeling irritated and I don't want to use anything too harsh. Avene now have these sets which used together create a nice skincare routine that is also a good way to try a few products from the brand at once. 
Avene Eau Thermal Sensitive Skin Kit


Avene Eau Thermal Sensitive Skin Kit
Avene Eau Thermal Sensitive Skin Kit
Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion* 2x50ml - This is a cleanser that you can apply and remove with a cotton pad or tissue without rinsing. This is not the type of cleanser I would normally reach for but I think it's a great product for when you're travelling or at a festival where you want cleanse your skin and don't have easy access to fully washing your face. It removes makeup and dirt surprisingly well and leaves the skin feel smooth and refreshed. It doesn't leave a sticky residue and feels very gentle. 
Avene Eau Thermal Sensitive Skin Kit
Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray* 50ml - Out of the set this is the only product i've tried before and one I love having around in the Summer. It's basically a fine mist of water that feels so refresh without leaving a wet feeling on the skin. This is great to have when it's hot or post workout to cool you down quickly. 
Avene Eau Thermal Sensitive Skin Kit
Avene Skin Recovery Cream* 50ml - This is the product I was most excited to try and one i've really been loving. This is a cream you can use if you're skin is feeling irritated or you can just use it as a daily moisturiser. I've been using this in the evening and I love the texture of it as it feels very smooth and light. It contains 70% of the Eau Thermal Spray Water and you can definitely feel that on the skin as it feels refreshing and very comfortable. It hydrates the skin nicely and has definitely help with any redness or irritation I had on my skin. 

I've been really impressed with the set and the products are of a decent sized and all the products work very well, especially when used as part of a routine. They also have a set for blemished skin which includes some products i've tried before which are also very good. If your skin is feeling a bit irritated I would definitely recommend picking this kit up. 



 What is your favourite Avene product?


*PR Sample

Wednesday 13 July 2016

Shopping The Stash | Skincare

I've done a few shopping the stash posts focusing on rediscovering some old makeup favourites. Whilst doing my evening skincare I thought I should do a skincare version as there are a few things that I want to use up that I haven't used in a while. 
Shopping The Stash | Skincare
Shopping The Stash | Skincare
REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate - £30.00 - I used to be obsessed with this range of skincare products by REN. I remember I stopped using this to 'save' it and ended up forgetting about it. It's a thick liquid which you apply onto cleansed skin and the next day my skin feels so smooth, brighter and soft. It's great at helping with pigmentation and improving the appearance of the skin. It's expensive but very effective. 
Botanics All Bright Radiance Concentrate Serum - £6.99 - I picked this up since it seemed very similar to the REN one. It is definitely the same type of product but not as effective. It still makes the skin feel smooth and brighter but I don't find it gives as quick of a fix as the REN. A great option if you're on a budget thought. 
Shopping The Stash | Skincare
Garnier Ambre Solaire Tinted Self Tan Cream for Face - £9.99 - I loved this last Summer so i've decided to dig it out again. I gradual tan a lot more in the Summer and this works well at giving a natural looking tan to the face. It never looks streaky or too dark so perfect if you have fair skin. I haven't found it to break me out and as you wash your face it doesn't go patchy. 
Shopping The Stash | Skincare
Bioderma Sebium Global Intensive Purifying Care - £14.00 - This is another great Summer product as it is a very light gel cream that doesn't feel heavy on the skin. It really works well in the t-zone at controlling oil throughout the day as well as being a good base underneath makeup. As an added bonus it also helps with any breakouts. 
Shopping The Stash | Skincare
Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Sheet Masks - £ - I bought these for my trip to America last year and still have a couple left. They're basically sheet masks soaked in hydraluron which is a really good hydrating serum. They're comfortable to wear and perfect for dehydrated skin as they hydrate the skin without feeling heavy. They're great to use after a long flight or if you're skin is feeling very dry after being in the sun or the cold. 

I've always been a bit obsessed with skincare and therefore have collected a lot of products. I'm definitely looking forward to adding these back into rotation and using them up. Are you a skincare junkie? Are there any products that you've rediscovered or are trying to use up?

Monday 11 July 2016

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation - Reviewed!

Not that many new foundation releases catch my eye but the recent L'oreal Cushion Foundation was definitely one and after seeing a day test on this one it definitely seemed like the type of foundation I would enjoy. It also was only £5.99 so I thought i'd put it to the test. 
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
The packaging is nice and sleek. Nothing to fancy but the squeezy tube works well and fits nicely in a makeup bag. The consistency is runnier than I expected but the fact that it isn't very thick makes for a better application. I first tried applying this with a damp makeup sponge which I found gave a nice finish but with a light coverage. My favourite way to apply it is with a buffering brush which gives a medium coverage whilst still giving a natural finish. 
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
I never tried the original Fit Me Foundation but did love the concealer. This is designed to be more of a matte foundation and suited for normal to oily skin, however I don't find it to look flat or powdery on the skin. It evens out the skin tone nicely whilst covering imperfections well without looking cakey. It feels very smooth on the skin and still gives a natural look. 
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation





 The foundation comes in six shades. I went for the shade 115 Ivory which was the second lightest shade; it works as a really good match for me during the Summer. I hope they add more shades in the future as it is not the easiest to find a good match. The wear time is really impressive. I don't find I get shiny when I wear this and that everything stays in place nicely. I did find that there was a little fading on the chin and around the nose but nothing overly noticeable. 

I've found this to be similar to the L'oreal Infalliable 24HR foundation which I really like but this one has less coverage and feels a lighter on the skin which I prefer for an everyday basis. Even though this is designed for oily skin I think it would suit most skin types as it doesn't cling to any dry patches and sits nicely on the skin. 

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation retails for £5.99. 

Have you tried this new Maybelline foundation?

Friday 8 July 2016

A New Obsession With Eye Masks

Whilst enjoying beautiful Copenhagen I may have stumbled across a Sephora. Although I was good and didn't buy any new makeup but as we were leaving the store we spotted a clearance section and my post flight, sleepy eyes spotted some eye masks reduced so I picked up four of them. 
A New Obsession With Eye Mask
A New Obsession With Eye Mask
A New Obsession With Eye Mask
I had heard about Spehora's eye mask and how good they were. The only reason these were half price is because they've changed the packaging. I love that there are different types depending on what you're wanting so since they were reduced I picked up one of each. The Pearl Mask is for perfecting and brightening. The Green Tea Mask is for relaxing and refreshing. The Ginseng Mask is for toning and revitalising and the Pomegranate Mask is for anti-fatigue and energising. I'm yet to try any of these so i'll report back in a future empties. 
A New Obsession With Eye Mask
A few days after picking up the Sephora masks I found these in an affordable beauty store. They're Revitale Collagen and Q10 Eye Gel Patches which were very cheap and you get five mask in it. I've used two of these and they're actually really good. They feel cooling and I find they do smooth things out around the eyes and got rid of any puffiness. You can actually get these on Amazon so worth trying if you're wanting to find some affordable eye masks. 


Now i'm in a bit of an obsession with eye mask and definitely want to try more. They don't some as common with our affordable skincare brands but i'm going to go on a hunt for some more to try. If you've tried any eye masks I would love to hear which ones you've tried. With it now being allergy season my eyes have been getting very dry and looking tired so eye masks are definitely helping. What are you favourite eye masks?

Wednesday 6 July 2016

Three Facial Sprays For Summer

When Summer comes around I really love facial sprays for keeping my skin cool. They can also give some added skincare benefits if you pick the right one. I've tried a decent amount over the years but these three are some trusted favourites that i've repurchased over the years and always go back too during the Summer.
Three Facial Sprays For Summer
Three Facial Sprays For Summer
La Roche Posay Serozinc - £8.50 - This is the spray that stays on my dressing table and I use it morning and night before the rest of my skincare routine. It's a fine mist that feels really nice in the morning and I find it really helps with oil control and breakouts. Out of all of these sprays this is the one i've had the best skincare results from using it.
Three Facial Sprays For Summer
Caudalie Beauty Elixir - £11.50 - This is the first facial spray I tried and it's one I go back to every now and then. It's not the cheapest and for some people they really don't like it but I find the fine mist really refreshing without drenching the face. The scent is herbal which is very calming making it perfect for travelling or on planes. In terms of skincare benefits I find that this helps with oil control and can also be used over makeup without making it break down. 
Three Facial Sprays For Summer
Avene Eau Thermale Spring Water Spray - £3.00 - This is one of those sprays that doesn't have any real skincare benefits but when it is very hot it is the most refreshing product. I sometimes keep this in the fridge so it's even more cooling. It isn't the finest is mists but it still doesn't leave the skin wet. You can use this on the whole body and it's especially good if you've been in the sun. 

If you know me well you've probably heard me complain about having a warm face when the weather gets hotter so facial sprays are a must have to keep me cool. Serozinc definitely gives the most skincare benefits. The Avene is best if you want to cool down and the Caudalie sits somewhere in the middle.

 What are some of your favourite facial sprays?