January Beauty Favourites

*insert generic how quick has this month gone comment* Seriously, where did January go. I feel like I spent the first part of the month working and recovering from Christmas and the second half with a cold that just doesn't want to go. On the plus side I have still managed to pull together a few products that i've been loving this month. 

BODY CARE:
Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream £10.00 - This was part of a set I picked up in the sale. I love the sugar crush scent as it's fruity and fresh. As well as smelling really good it's a nice whipped cream that's light whilst being moisturising. 
St Tropez Gradual Tan in Light/Medium £14.50 - I had this over the Summer last year and loved it so decided to repurchase. I love the smell as it's slightly floral and doesn't develop a fake tan smell. It also give a really natural colour which is needed during Winter. 

SKINCARE:
REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial £32.00 - I got this in the Feel Unique radiant box and i've really been enjoying it. It is the quickest fix i've ever used in that you put it on and just after a minute my skin feels so smooth, clean and less congested. If you feel you don't have time to do a 20 minute mask this is one to try. 

MAKEUP:
L'oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Eva's Delicate Rose £6.99 - I was on the hunt for the perfect, everyday pink, nude colour and picked this one up. It's a bright pink that still leans on the neutral side. The formula is creamy and lasts surprisingly well on the lips, even with eating and drinking. 
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray £22.00- I wanted something to make my makeup last during long busy days so I picked this up and to my surprise it actually works really well. You spray it on after makeup and it dries quickly so you don't feel it on the skin. It makes everything last longer and keep oil at bay.  

FRAGRANCE:
YSL Black Opium EDP £64.00 - This was the perfume I got for Christmas and I can't get over how good it smells. It's sweet but still sexy and very feminine. It also lasts really well, especially when sprayed on clothing. It's more of a night time/going out scent for me as it's a pricey scent but well worth the money. 

So those are this months beauty favourites. I can feel a bit of a clear out coming so I think i'm going to be on a bit of a rediscovering old favourites during next month. What have been so of your beauty favourites this month?

New In | H&M Cream Shadow

It safe to say i'm a bit late to the party when it comes to H&M beauty. Annoying none of the stores near me have the range in stock so I have to get things online which I don't do as often. I did pick up this cream shadow the other month so I thought I would share my thoughts on it. 

First off I love the packaging. It so simple and elegant. It looks more high end than it actually is. Price range wise I say it matches Maybelline prices, so still affordable but not the very cheapest. I love the small H&M logo on the lid in gold against the white; the whole thing feels sturdy and well made. 

The cream to powder shadows come in six shades. All are fairly neutral colours, although there is a purple and orange toned shade in the mix as well. I went for Sirocco which is your classic neutral, bronzey shade. The texture is creamy and almost a little mousse like. It blends easily with fingers or a blending brush then sets to a powder. The colour comes across boldly on the lids without looking watered down or patchy. If you use a primer underneath it can be even more vivid but also looks fine worn alone. 

It wears really nice and this shade especially is the perfect, easy shade to put on and look put together really easily. It doesn't really crease or fade and also works as a good base to a smokey eye. This has definitely got me excited to try some more bits from the H&M beauty range. I think they've done a really good job with the look of the products and from what i've tried the quality is also really great. 

H&M Cream Shadows retail for £4.99.

Have you tried these? What have you tried from the H&M beauty range?

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray - Reviewed!

I feel like i'm on the constant hunt for a product or way to make my makeup last all day and stay in place. I go through phrases of being on it and then giving up. This product has always been something i've wanted to try but never got round to it. After trying a few other setting sprays over the Summer I thought it was about time I try one of the original ones. 

What I love about this is that you can get a travel size; which is what I went for, which is great chance to give it a good try without spending as much. The travel bottle is a decent size whilst being compact so fits nicely in a makeup bag. The packaging is simple white with purple detail which I really love. 

The product is designed to make your makeup last for 16 hours without fading or melting. I was definitely sceptical at first but it actually does work. Sprayed on the skin after you've applied your makeup in a cross then through the t-zone. Once it's dried it doesn't feel tight or like you have anything on the skin. 

By the end of the day my makeup still looks good and in place. I found my skin got oily a lot less and didn't look patchy. It definitely works best for those long day where you're running around and want everything to look flawless and in place. 

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray retails for £21.00 for 118ml.

I love this product and can't wait to use it in the Summer and really put it to the test. If you have oily skin this is definitely something to try but it would work well for all skin types. Have you tried any of the Urban Decay setting sprays?

New In | Skincare

Following on from my recent fragrance purchases i've also picked up a few new skincare bits. I actually got a £50 Feel Unique voucher which came in very useful when I needed some new things. I actually got a beauty box from Feel Unique which was a radiant box and worked out as such a good deal since I wanted to try everything in the box. 

REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial - £32.00.
When this came out I really wanted to try it but never got round to picking it up. When I spotted it in this box it was the main thing that made me get it. It's a full size mask which you leave on the face for just a minute and after it will make your skin feel so smooth and brighter. I love that this is such a quick fix and if you don't have 20 plus minutes to sit with a mask on I would highly recommend it. 

Caudalie Beauty Elixir - £11.50.
This is the only thing I had tried in the box and it something I really like. I especially like it in Summer as it is so refreshing. The smell is herbal and soothing which I also enjoy. I don't know if this actually benefits the skin but I have found it helps with the odd blemish. 
Glam Glow Youth Mud Mask - £40.00.
Lots of people have raved about Glam Glow and although this is only a small sample i'm looking forward to seeing if this mask lives up to the hype. The price tag is pretty big but if this is really amazing I might be tempted to try it. I'm waiting until my skin feels spotted to put this to the test.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads - £22.00.
This is something else i've wanted to try for a long time. I really enjoy First Aid Beauty products and i've heard that these pads make the skin feel soft and look brighter. I've gotten really into these types of pads as they're quick to use and keep my skin look good. You get 28 pads in the container so it's a good amount to see if they work. 

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Power Serum - £22.50.
This is another product i've been interested in trying. I love these hydrating serums that are light and great for dehydrated skin. I'm using a budget one from Superdrug which is really good but I wanted to try something different. I'm yet to try this but expect a review if it works to hydrate my skin. 

So those are my new skincare additions. I would highly recommend that radiant beauty box as it is only £35.00 and for what you get in the box it is a really good deal. I go through phases of buying makeup and skincare; at the moment i've definitely on a skincare kick. Have you made any new skincare purchases?

New In | Fragrance

I have somehow gone from rarely buying a new perfume to having three in less than a month. One was a Christmas present, one was a sales purchases and the other was just a treat to myself. I thought I might as well do a post on them since they're all pretty lovely. 

Giorgio Armani Si EDP 30ml - £47.00.
This was a treat to myself for getting through a long month of work. This feels like a grown up set to me and probably one that I wouldn't have picked out a few years ago. It's unqiue and feminine without being overpowering. I think this would suit many ages and a little bit lasts a long time. 

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

YSL Black Opium EDP 50ml - £64.00.

This was a Christmas present and has quickly become my new favourite scent. It's sweet but not in a young way, in more of a grown up musky sense. It's different to anything else i've smelt which is something i've been liking recently. It also lasts well, especially if sprayed on clothing. 

Notes:

Top Notes: Black Coffee

Heart Notes: White Florals

Base Notes: Vanilla

Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream EDT 50ml - £52.00.

This was my sales purchase which I managed to get at a bit of a bargain. I love the original Daisy fragrance and this one smell pretty different. It has a fresh, Spring like scent that develops to a nice clean smell. It's a lot fresher than the other two so might be one I get more wear out of in the warmer months. I'm a fan of all Marc Jacobs scents and definitely want to pick up his new one, Decadence soon. 

Notes:

Top Notes: Blackberry, Grapefruit, Pear

Heart Notes: Jasmine, Lychee, Blue Wisteria

Base Notes: White Woods, Musks, Coconut Water

So those are my recent additions to my fragrance collection. I've been so into trying new scents recently which is why my collection has grown so much. What are some of your favourite scents? 

2015 Reflections and Goals For 2016

We're a few days into the new year now and I thought it would be interesting to take a look back at 2015 as well as set some goals for this new year. I'm not one for new years resolutions, instead I like to have a few things in mind that I wouldn't mind achieving in the year. 

• Passing my driving test - This is definitely one of the main stand outs of 2015. Although I started to learn to drive in 2014 I actually ended up passing my test; first time, in 2015. It took me a while to actually want to learn to drive but after I finished University the time finally felt right. It was something I was nervous about and at time was something I didn't think I was going to be able to do but the fact that i've done it feels like a massive achievement. It has given me a huge confidence boost and helped prove that if I want to do something I can achieve it. 
• Travelling - This year we went to Canada and America. It was a huge trip that had four different stops along the way. Starting in Toronto then going onto Niagara Falls, getting a long train ride to New York and finishing in Washington DC. I love going to America and it was so fun to tick off some bucket lists place in one trip and get to go back to New York which is definitely one of my favourite cities. 
• Working - 2015 marked my first full year out of education which meant heading fully into the working world. I've done a few things throughout the year from freelance blogging, social media bits and finishing the year working full time in retail. It's been exciting adjusting to this but I can already see that i've changed and becoming more confident in myself and my abilities from it. 
• Independence - I think this fits in with the previous points. Both driving and working as made me feel more responsible for myself then ever before and given me more freedom. I feel I can do more on my own and have therefore felt my independent. 
• Blogging - This year I feel like i've found what i'm good at and what I enjoy in blogging. I feel i've found my voice and style, as well as doing some more lifestyle themed posts. 
• Being healthy - At the start of the year I made a goal to eat better and workout more. I feel happy to say that i've stuck to this well. I feel fitter for it and have learnt more about nutrition as well as listening to what my body needs. 

2016 Goals

• Travel more - I doubt the will ever be a year where I don't want to do more travelling. It's a big part of my life and something I get so much enjoyment out of. I have a big list of places I want to visit and I hope to be able to tick a few of those off the list this year. 
• Continue previous goals - I definitely want to look at what I achieved in 2015 and keep at those goals. Sticking to a healthy lifestyle and being happy through finding more independence are things that I will definitely be carrying on this year. 
• Do more - This is a phrase that is firmly in my mind right now. I want to apply it to everything I do and to make every minute count. I'm feeling productive and want to achieve and do as much as I can. 

So that is a brief look back at 2015 as well as some things that I plan on doing this year. I don't like to set myself huge resolutions that will only last a couple of weeks, but I do have some things to focus on which are achievable. What have been your highlights of 2015 as well as your goals for this year?

December Empties!

I'm finally getting round to writing up last months empties. Time seems to go even quicker around Christmas and New Years that I felt i've had no time to sit down and blog. I now have a big mocha and some free time so it's time to go through my beauty rubbish. 

SKINCARE
Soap & Glory Peaches & Clean Cleansing Milk - This is one of my favourite morning cleanser. It's creamy, smells lovely, wakes up the skin and leaves my skin feeling clean and soft. Repurchase? Yes. 
Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz - I'd forgotten this in my collection until recently. It's a nice toner, which when you spray onto the face feels cooling and refreshing. Whether it does anything to improve the skin i'm not sure but it is a nice product. Repurchase? Yes.
Clarins Exfoliator Brightening Toner - This was something I was sad to see end as I really love the results it gives. Used every other night it's gentle but gives a noticeable difference in the texture and brightness in the skin. It also lasts a decent amount of time as well. Repurchase? Yes. 
Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel - Another product I really love. This is a unique cleanser that starts as a gel but turns into an oil as you blend it into the skin. It removes makeup and dirt well leaving the skin clean and soft. Repurchase? Yes. 

BATH & SHOWER
Radox Heavenly Bath Soak in Coconut & Milk - As a big coconut lover I really enjoyed using this. It had a lovely calming scent to it and creating a decent amount of bubbles. The smell was relaxing and a great budget find. Repurchase? Yes. 
Space NK Laughter Shower Gel - I got this in a gift set and finally finished it. The smell was pleasant and citrus but I definitely was happy to finish it. Nothing ground breaking so I won't be picking it up again. Repurchase? No. 

MAKEUP 
Bourjois Matte Serum Primer - I really enjoyed this primer. The serum texture made it feel comfortable on the skin and made a good base for my foundation. It stopped it clinging to dry patches or settling on the skin. It didn't add that much more wear time but definitely felt nice on. Repurchase? No. 
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation - I think this might be my favourite foundation. It always looks good on, lasts well and adds a nice glow to the skin. It took me a while to repurchase it but I definitely missed having it in my collection when this bottle ran out. Repurchase? Yes. 
Maybelline Plump Up Volume Mascara - I picked this mascara up when I was in America and although I liked the look it gave it dried up pretty quickly. There's other Maybelline mascaras I prefer so I won't be getting this again. Repurchase? No. 

So those are this months beauty empties. Even with December being a busy month i'm still pleased with the amount of products I managed to use up. It's probably a good thing since I have picked up a few new skincare bits recently. Have you finished any of your favourite products recently?