Wednesday 31 August 2016

August Beauty Favourites

This month I've picked up a few new products to try and i've been really loving them. I've been having some clear outs of my stash recently which has got me excited to try new things. I've really got back into skincare this month and it was hard not to just include skincare products but I think i've managed to get a good mix.
August Beauty Favourites
August Beauty Favourites
CoLab Active Dry Shampoo - £3.99 - I picked this up when it was on offer because I was curious after reading some good reviews. The scent is a really clean one and it doesn't leave any white marks in the hair. It manages to feel light but makes second day hair look a lot more clean and fresher. I much prefer this to the original CoLab dry shampoo and would recommend picking it up. 
August Beauty Favourites
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] Unifiant* - £16.50 - I started using this at the start of the month and have used it everyday since. I really find it has helped with any breakouts i've had and the added tint really evens out the skin nicely. It looks great on it's own but I also love to use it underneath my foundation since I find I use less product. 
August Beauty Favourites
Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paints - £3.99 - I haven't bought any new nail polishes for a long time since none of the shades felt like something I didn't already have. I spotted these two shades by Barry M and I thought they looked so unique. I've worn both shades this month and they just make the nails look so polished whilst still being a bit more interesting then just a nude polishes. 
August Beauty Favourites
Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Lovely Pink - £8.99 - I've been loving this blush for a long time and you can kind of tell that i'm already hitting pan on it. I love blushes that aren't too pigmented and leave a sheen to the cheeks. This is the perfect pink that gives a healthy glow look to the skin. 
Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer - £15.50 - I've had this sample for a while and decided to finally use it up. I've been using it before my mascara and it really helps to define the lashes and give them a good lift. Then I put my mascara on top and it doesn't go clumpy and just makes my lashes look so thick and long. 

So those are this months beauty favourite. It is my birthday at the start of September so i'm planning on making a few beauty purchases which will probably make their way into next months favourites. What have been some of your favourite beauty products this month?

Monday 29 August 2016

CoLab Active Dry Shampoo - Reviewed!

I remember trying the CoLab dry shampoo when it first came out and although I liked it, I didn't find that I was reaching for it that much and was still preferring my Batiste. When this new active version it really caught my attention so when it was on offer I decided to give it a try. 
CoLab Active Dry Shampoo
CoLab Active Dry Shampoo
The packaging is very bright and vibrant so stands out from the other dry shampoo's in the range. This dry shampoo is designed to protect the hair as well as giving it a refresh after working out or between washes. The scent is a pleasant lemon one which doesn't linger too much but does make the hair smell clean. 
CoLab Active Dry Shampoo
CoLab Active Dry Shampoo
When I first used this I was so impressed how there were no signs of any white marks. I think this would be especially good if you have darker hair. I spray the product on the roots, leave for a few seconds or minutes so the product can get to work. I then rub the product in and brush out. I was really surprised that even on greasy or sweaty hair this manages to soak up any excess oil and makes the hair look like you've just washed it. Some dry shampoo's you can really feel the product in your hair but this one feels really nice and makes the hair feels soft.

I didn't expect to like this dry shampoo so much and if you want one that is effective and that you can't feel in the hair I would definitely recommend giving this a go. I find it to give better results than the original range of dry shampoo's by CoLab and is one that i'll repurchase again. 

CoLab Active Dry Shampoo retails for £3.99.

Have you tried this, or any of the CoLab dry shampoo's?

Friday 26 August 2016

August Empties

This month I had a bit of a beauty clear out, especially with my skincare collection. A few of those products that I threw out or finished have made their way into this months empties as well as the other products i've managed to use up this month. 
August Empties
August Empties
SHOWER:
Original Source Lime/Strawberry & Pink Peppercorn Shower Gel - I really like the Original Source shower gels since they smell lovely and leave you feeling clean. I loved both the scents and would pick them up again. Repurchase? Yes. 
Dove Caring Bath Shea Butter Bubble Bath - I've mentioned this a few times and it is one of my favourite bubble bath. I find the scent so relaxing and the creamy texture feels so soft on the skin. It's a great affordable find that actually helps to moisturise the skin. Repurchase? Yes.
August Empties
BODYCARE:
Garnier Summer Body Moisturising Lotion in Light - I've been using this for a good few years now and it's something I tend to always have around. The smells is a pleasant, fruity scent that isn't overpowering. The cream feels nice on the skin and gives a nice amount of colour whilst still looking natural. Repurchase? Yes. 
The Body Shop Shea Body Butter - I really love all the body butter from The Body Shop but this is definitely one of my favourites. It has a lovely shea scent and feels so moisturising without being greasy. Repurchase? Yes. 
August Empties
HAIRCARE:
Vo5 Cherish My Colour Full Bodied Spray - I try not to use heat on my hair all the time but I do straighten it. I really liked this heat defence spray since it felt like it was protecting the hair without feeling heavy or sticky in the hair. Repurchase? Yes. 
August Empties
SKINCARE:
Nivea Regenerating Night Cream - I picked this up when I needed a new night cream on a bit of a whim. It was a thick cream which didn't feel heavy on the skin but still managed to be moisturising. Since you only need a small amount so this pot lasted me a long time. Repurchase? Yes.
Indeed labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly - When I was having my skincare clear out this is one of the products I decided to get rid of since it was past it's best. I used to love the original Hydraluron serum so was excited to try this. It's a nice gel based day cream but I never found it to be as hydrating as the original serum. Repurchase? No. 
Caudalie Beauty Elixir - I always tend to go back to using this in the Summer months as it is so refreshing. The scent is also very relaxing so great to have on you when you're travelling. It's not an essential product to have in your routine but it is nice to use every now and then. Repurchase? Yes. 
August Empties
TREATMENTS:
Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask - I discovered these masks in Copenhagen and have become a bit obsessed with them. I have dehydrated skin and this mask gives a nice hit of hydration without feeling greasy as well as being comfortable to wear. I love sheet mask and these are nice and affordable as well as being very effective. Repurchase? Yes. 
Sephora Pomegranate Eye Mask - This is something else I picked up on my trip to Copenhagen. I have allergies so my eyes can look very tired and dry easily. This eye mask was easy to apply, wear and really helped to wake up eyes up. It's a quick fix and I could really feel a difference when I used it. Repurchase? Yes. 
August Empties
MAKEUP:
Seventeen Stay Time 18 Hour Concealer - This has been my favourite concealer for coverage redness and blemishes for a long time. The coverage is very good, it's easy to apply and doesn't cling to any dryness. I really like how well this wears and i'm yet to find anything as good, especially for the price. Repurchase? Yes. 


So those are this months empties. I didn't include everything I cleared out since the post would have been way too long so i'll include those in next months empties. Have you used up any of your favourite products this month?


Wednesday 24 August 2016

The Edit | Mauve It Up

I've been kind of obsessed with nudey pink shades for most of the year. I definitely still am but as Autumn is getting closer i've been wanting to lean more towards a mauve toned nude. Today i've put together three of my favourites that I will be reaching for. 
The Edit | Mauve It Up
The Edit | Mauve It Up
Starting with my favourite; and the most expensive, MAC Craving. There's not that many MAC lipsticks that I would recommend over a more affordable option but this is definitely one. It's a deep pink shade that has a mauve tone to it which still manages to look somewhat nude on the lips. It's a really pretty shade that is great if you want a bolder everyday option. 
The Edit | Mauve It Up
The Edit | Mauve It Up
The next on is the most purple and definitely a shade i'll be reaching for more as it gets colder. It's Barry M Mauve It Up. The formula of this lipsticks is creamy and feels so comfortable on the lips whilst staying put. It's definitely more purple toned but still is a fairly easy shade to wear during the day. Finishing with the safest option and the most pink, Essence Natural Beauty. This again as a really comfortable formula that for such a pale shade lasts a good few ours on the lips. It's the perfect nude pink that has a slight purple/mauve tone which makes it a bit more interesting on the lips. Both these options are very affordable whilst still being a great quality lipstick. 
The Edit | Mauve It Up
L-R MAC Craving, Barry Mauve It Up, Essence Natural Beauty
This year i've really loved finding these wearable daytime lip colours that are a bit more interesting that your standard nude lip. I'm already wearing these shades but I can see myself reaching for them even more as it starts to get colder. 

Do you have any of these shades? What are some of your favourite mauve toned lip products?


Monday 22 August 2016

Barry M Gelly Nail Polishes - Revisited

I used to be a big nail polish junkie. I had so many it was getting kind of crazy so I had a big clear out and then just stopped buying any. After a while there were just not that many new shades that seemed different to what I already had. On a recent shopping trip I did spot these two shades from Barry M that seemed very unique so I thought I would share them today. 
Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Polishes
Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Polishes
Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Polishes
I remember really enjoying the Gelly Hi Shine formula from Barry M because as the name suggest they give a glossy finish to the nails and seem to last that bit longer. The first shade I picked up was Acai Smoothie. This is such a pretty pastel purple shade. It has some pink tones to it which stops it from looking too dark on the nails. 
Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Polishes
Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Polishes
L-R Acai Smoothie, Pink Lemonade
The other shade I picked up was Pink Lemonade. I mentioned recently on the blog that I had been into nude nails and this shade would definitely fit that category. It's a very pale pink which has a dusky tone to it which looks so lovely against pale skin. Both the shade apply easily and take around two coats to be opaque. 

I've worn both shades for a good few days without chipping even whilst i've been at work. Picking up these two has reminded me how good this formula is and that for the price they're such a good quality polish. If you're looking for something a bit different and unique I would definitely recommend both these shades. I've had a few people compliment me on both shades. 


Have you picked up any unique nail polish shades recently?

Friday 19 August 2016

Origins Maskimizer - Reviewed!

When Origins first released this I was so intrigued. As someone who uses makeup primers all the time I had never thought of their being a skincare version, especially to use with face masks. I'm a big face mask lover so was definitely excited to give it a go and see if it did make a difference. 
Origins Maskimizer
Origins Maskimizer
The product comes in a blue spray bottle which makes for easy application of the product. The spray is designed to be used after you cleanse the skin and before you apply your chosen face mask to prep your skin. I've been trying this was a good mix of masks and have found it works well with them all. The spray does have a light rose scent which I find very pleasant and relaxing; the scent doesn't linger either. 
Origins Maskimizer
It can feel a little damp on the skin so I tend to do about five sprays and then pat any excess into the skin. I then leave it for a few seconds before applying my face mask whilst the skin still feels slightly damp. I honestly didn't have high hopes for this doing anything but I found it actually helps the mask apply a lot smoother, especially clay based mask. With clay masks I find it stops them feeling as tight on the skin too which I like. 

As well as helping with application I find that it makes removing masks easier too. With a damp flannel a heavy clay mask removes so quickly. Afterwards my skin felt a lot smoother and clear when I used this. As I mentioned i've used this with a lot of different mask and found that improves all of them when I use this. You could probably get similar results if you really spent time prepping the skin but the best thing about this is that it is so quick and easy so perfect if you don't have a lot of time. 

Origins Maskimizer retails for £18.50. 

If you're a face mask lover I would recommend picking this up and giving it a try. It's a fun product to use which actually makes your face masks work better. Have you tried the Origins Maskimizer?


Wednesday 17 August 2016

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] Unifiant - Reviewed!

The La Roche Posay Effaclar range has been one of my favourite skincare discoveries, especially when it comes to Effaclar Duo. So much so i've tried every version and get excited when a new formula is released. (Here's my review of the original and the Duo [+]). The newest version combines the properties of the Duo [+] but has an added tint which provides coverage to the skin. 
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] Unifiant


La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] Unifiant

The packaging is very similar to the other version of Duo [+] but has a tan coloured band so you can tell the difference if you have more than one version. The product has the same claims to help with clogged pores, imperfections and marks on the skin. I would definitely say that I think even with the added tint the product still performs well to all those claims. It even has the same, clean scent which isn't overpowering. 
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] Unifiant
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] Unifiant
The texture feels more of a cream instead of a gel like consistency however I still find it applies in a similar way onto the skin. I use it after moisturising to even out the skin before applying makeup. For at home or no makeup days the coverage is nice enough on it's own if you just want to add some light coverage to the skin whilst still treating any marks or blemishes at the same time. 
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] Unifiant
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] Unifiant
The Unifiant comes in two shades; Light and Medium. I have the shades light and it definitely is a good match for a fair skintone. It blends really easily with the fingers giving an even finish. I was surprised how well this covered redness and blemishes. I find I need to use less foundation when I wear this which therefore feels better on the skin. It wears nicely and doesn't look oily so is perfect for oily, blemish prone skin. 

I love using this before makeup as I find it protects the skin and you're still helping to treat your blemish whilst still having some coverage. I've been really impressed by this product and have used it everyday since I got it since it's because I step I love to do in my routine. I think this is perfect if you have blemished skin I don't want to use anything that will irritate the skin but still want some coverage. 


Have you tried this new addition to the Effaclar Duo range?

*PR Sample


Monday 15 August 2016

Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask - Reviewed!

I picked up a bunch of these masks whilst I was in Copenhagen as I fell in love with them and they weren't yet available in the UK. About a month later and I finally spotted them on a recent trip to Boots so I thought I should but together a post all about these moisture masks. 
Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask
Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask
The masks are another addition to the Moisture Bomb range which is designed to hydrate, dehydrated skin without feeling too heavy. I loved the day cream so much I had a feeling I would love everything else in the range. The mask itself actually feels like a tissue mask soak in a serum version of the moisturiser from the same range which definitely means it feels very comfortable on dehydrated skin. 
Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask


Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask
The mask comes in two parts; the actual sheet mask and a protective film which I like since it makes it easier to get the mask out of the packaging. You leave the mask on for 15 minutes which can be uncomfortable but this mask actually fits really well. I only found the eye holes to be slightly too small but that is only a minor thing. The mask is soaked in a serum that feels really nice and cooling on the skin. When you remove the mask you can still feel some of the serum on the skin. I tend to blend that in and then leave it. The next day my skin feels so refreshed and hydrated. It really doesn't feel heavy on the skin but manages to make everything feel soft and smooth. 

If you have dehydrated skin and love moisture masks or sheet mask I think you will love this. It's comfortable to wear and really helps to give the skin a refresh and a moisture boost. For the price I think it a great product to have around for when your skin needs a pick me up. 


Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask retails for £1.49. 


Have you tried this tissue mask or any products from the moisture bomb range?

Friday 12 August 2016

The Edit | Nude Nails

It took me a while to get into nude nails since against my pale skin a lot of shades just didn't look right. I have found a couple that lean a little more pink and work a lot better for me. I've also found that a more peach coloured nude looks a lot better on me, so today I thought I would share four of my favourites. 
The Edit | Nude Nails
The Edit | Nude Nails
Essie have a great range of shades in general, especially when it comes to pale nudes. I have a few but the perfect sheer, bare nails colour is Ballet Slippers. It is so sheer that I tend to do three coats but it's the perfect polish if you just want a little bit of colour on the nails. A similar shade that is a lot more opaque is Fiji. Fiji is the perfect white with a hint of pink that again needs around three coats but is a more solid colour and makes the nails look so neat. 
The Edit | Nude Nails
The Edit | Nude Nails
L-R Ballet Slippers, Fiji, Peach Melba, Pink Lemonade
These next two may not seem as nude but I find they give a similar look to the nails. The first peachy colour is Barry M Peach Melba which is a long time favourite of mine. It is a pastel that is still opaque as it only takes around two coats. It gives the same polished look as a nude does but is more flattering on my pale skintone. The last one is a newer purchase and is Seventeen Quicker Slicker Colour in Pink Lemonade. This is a sheer peachy pink that looks so pretty on the nails. The only downside is a did find it to chip fairly easy but i'll be giving it another go soon since it's such a pretty shade. 

I haven't done a nail polish themed post in a while since it's not something that I purchase that often since I have so many shades. I do love rediscovering different shades in my collection that I may have forgotten about. I've really been loving how polished these paler shades make my nails look. Do you have any favourite nude nail polishes?

Wednesday 10 August 2016

The Summer Brights

I've been on such a nude lip kick recently I really haven't been touching my brighter lip colours recently. It is slowly starting to feel like Summer so it's made me want to dig out my brighter lips. I really like them especially in the evening or if I want a simple makeup look a bright lip can really pull the look together.
Whenever I think about wearing a bright lip MAC Girl About Town is always one I dig out. I love the formula of this as it is well pigmented whilst still having a creamy texture. I wore this on my friends birthday night out recently and the colour stuck around after food a fair few cocktails which was really impressive. The colour is also the perfect blue toned fuchsia pink. I've mentioned a few times that I really love the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams and a bright favourite is Antwerp. It's a really nice bright pink that stands out but is also comfortable to wear. I find the formula of these lasts well whilst still being a comfortable matte.
A lot of my favourites tend to be matte as I think a matte bright lip looks best on me. Another formula that is creamy and comfortable are the Revlon Matte Lip Balms. The shade Unapologetic is a very bright pink that is very fun to wear. If you find matte lips to be drying sometimes the formula of these are perfect as the creamy texture gives an easy application and feels very comfortable on the lips. I picked up a few of the Wet n Wild Megalast Lipsticks whilst I was in America as they were very affordable. The texture is slightly creamy but they really set on the lip giving the perfect long wearing, matte finish. The shade Red Velvet is a lovely mix between a pink and a red that I think is really wearable all year round. 
The Summer Brights
The Summer Brights
L-R MAC Girl About Town, NYX Antwerp, Revlon Unapologetic, Wet n Wild Red Velvet
In the Summer I love bright pink lips of various shades and when Autumn comes around I go for more plum shades. I find wearing bright lip colours really fun to do and if I find a formula that stays in places well throughout the day that is even better. Do you reach for brighter lip colours in the Summer, if so what are some of your favourites?

Monday 8 August 2016

L'oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask - Reviewed!

I'm a face mask addict so when these new clay masks by L'oreal came out I was really excited to try them. Out of the three the glow masks seemed most up my street as it is still clay based but is also designed to give a glow to the skin which is always something i'm looking for. 
L'oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask
L'oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask
L'oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask
The packaging feels a lot more expensive that your typical drugstore mask as it comes in a glass jar which I do like but I think I prefer squeezy tubes as they're more hygienic. The mask contains red algae extract which is known to brighten and the beaded texture illuminates the tone of the skin by gentle exfoliating the skin without being drying. The exfoliating particles don't feel harsh on the skin but still leaves the skin feeling smooth. 
L'oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask
L'oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask
I use the mask once a week when the skin is feeling congested and I want to exfoliate the skin at the same time. I leave the mask on for 10 minutes and then rinse off. I doesn't set as hard as some clay masks which I prefer as it doesn't feel drying. After I rinse it away my skin feels smooth and less congested. I then follow it up with a moisture mask to hydrate the skin. 
L'oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask
After I use this mask my skin feels so nice the next day. Now that i've been using it a while i've definitely found that when I use this mask my skin looks brighter and smoother. The clay in the mask really helps to clean the pores and the beads help to improve the texture of the skin. 

If you have skin that can get congested and oily I would recommend checking this mask out. I was really surprised how this mask gave similar results to some more expensive masks i've tried. After liking this mask so much i'm definitely curious to try the other clay masks in the range. 

L'oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask retails for £7.99.

Have you tried any of the new L'oreal Pure Clay masks?