September Beauty Favourites

This month I feel like a rediscovered a bunch of old favourites without really thinking about it. I've also been getting into the Autumn vibes of dark lips and smokey eyes which is probably my favourite makeup look. 

Avene Hydrance Hydrating Serum* - £17.00 - I started testing this at the end of last month and have been using it every night since. It's a light serum that feels so nice on the skin and manages to hydrate without feeling greasy, or heavy on the skin. If your skin is sensitive or oily this would be a great serum to try.

Max Factor FaceFinity All Day Flawless Foundation - £12.99 - I had a clear out of my foundations recently and i've nearly ran out of a few of the ones I use the most so I decided to try this after hearing good things. It gives a decent amount of coverage without feeling heavy or cakey on the skin. I do find I get a little oily near the end of the day but it manages to stay in place without going patchy. Expect a full review next week on it. 
Rimmel Kate Sculpting Palette - £6.99 - I used this a lot at the start of Summer since it is so quick and easy to use. The bronzer isn't orange toned so looks very natural, the blush is a lovely coral shade and the highlighter adds a nice glow to the skin. It also wears really well during the day which makes me love it even more. 

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - £23.00 - I had honestly totally forgot about this palette until I spotted it in my drawer the other week. It's one of those palettes that looks kind of simple but you can actually create a good range of looks with it. The quality of shadows are really great too so you know they're going to stay in place all day. 
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara - £7.99 - This mascara is an old favourite of mine so I decided to give it another go again. It's a great everyday mascara that adds length and a nice definition to the lashes. I can also pair it with another mascara underneath to create a more dramatic lash look. 

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo - £5.50 - It's pretty known now that i've become a bit obsessed with these lip creams and now that it's started to feel like Autumn i've been wearing this deep pink shade a lot. It is the perfect mix between a pink and a plum shade plus the formula of these lasts so well. 

So those are this months beauty favourites. At this time of year I find as spend less on beauty products and more on jumpers (and hot beverages) but i'm sure i'll get a few bits which will make their way into next months favourites. What have been some of your favourite products this month?

The Autumn TAG 2016

I haven't done a TAG post in a long time and since Autumn is my favourite season I thought it was a good one to do. The TAG was original on MakeupSavvy and I just thought they were a great set of question and something a bit different. 

.1What signifies the start of Autumn for you? My birthday is at the beginning of September so that always makes me feel like it is Autumn along with the weather getting colder. I do love being able to dig out my big chunky scarves which always help me to feel autumnal. 
2. What is your favourite Fall scent? I don't really change up my scents for each season however I do tend to reach for stronger scents in the colder months. A favourite which i've been using a lot is Giorgio Armani Si since it has a deep, unique scent. In terms of candles anything that is apple or cinnamon scented are ones I love as well as something like Yankee Candle Fireside Treats. 
3. What is your favourite Autumn colour? I love all Autumn colours especially the reds and warm brown shades. I have been really getting into deep green colours this time though and may have already picked up a few jumpers in that shade. 
4. What is your favourite Fall drink? I don't really get into Fall specific drinks but I do love a good mocha especially during the colder months. I am also partial to a hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows. 

5. What TV show, new or old, are you looking forward to this fall? I feel like TV gets really good this time of year which I love. Currently i'm watching Atlanta which is a new comedy by Donald Glover which I highly recommend. I'm also looking forward to the new season of The Affair, How To Get Away With Murder and whatever is new on Netflix. 
6. What is your favourite Fall fashion trend? Checked shirts, chunky jumpers, boots and thick scarves are always my favourites and pretty much what I live in the minute it starts to get cold. I love this time of year since you can just put a nice scarf on and it can make an outfit look a lot more put together. 
7. What is your favourite frugal Autumn activity? I don't think there's any Autumn activities that are take part in. Unlike in America there seems to be a lot less things to do! I do love going for coffee and cake which can be fairly inexpensive. Other than that a nice long dog walk followed by a lazy afternoon and lots of hot drinks is something I love to do. 
8. What is your favourite makeup look come autumnal weather? I love created brown and red toned smokey eyes during the Autumn time paired with a berry toned blush. A palette i've been using a lot is the Zoeva Cocoa Blend palette which has some beautiful, autumnal shades. I also tend to reach for darker lips colours, anything from a red to a plum lip. Some favourites of mine are MAC Rebel and Rimmel Matte Lipstick in 107. 

So those are the questions. If you've done this tag or want to I would love to see your answers so feel free to send me a link to it. What are some of your favourite things about Autumn?

What's In My Bag | Autumn

I haven't done a what's in my bag for a long time so I thought it would be interesting to do an updated one. I went through a phase of using a big bag but since getting this new one from H&M i've been enjoying not carrying around as much with me. 

The thing that mainly drew my attention to this bag was the colour. I hadn't seen many bags in this shade of pink and since getting it i've found it is a great size as well as going well with most outfits. Most of my bags are black since it's been nice to add a pop of colour with this one. 
I did recently get a diary from Paperchase which I love. I use it all the time but don't always carry it with me. It does however fit really well in the bag so I wanted to include it in the post. 

The bag has two section which makes keeping things organised a lot easier. In one side I have this pale pink pouch (also from H&M) I have a couple of beauty bits in. I have a pressed powder in case I need to do a quick touch up and whatever lip colour i'm wearing that day. Currently I have Essence Natural Beauty and the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul in my bag as they're great everyday pink shades. In this section I also keep my headphones and phone. 

In the other section I have my keys, featuring some Scandinavian keyrings, and my purse. The purse is from Fossil and i've had it for a few years and love it so much. On the inside it is this lovely peach colour and I can fit a lot in it.  

I can't find a link to the bag online but it is current season and still available in store. What are some of your must have items in your bag on a daily basis?

September Empties

It's that time of month again where I talk about the beauty products i've managed to use up. This month definitely felt like one where I managed to finish a lot of things that i've had on the go for a while including a few mascara which i've finally decided to get rid of. 

HAIRCARE:
Herbal Essences Naked Volume Shampoo - I've mentioned this shampoo a few times and it is one of my favourites. This manages to make my hair feel clean without being drying or leaving any build up in my hair. If you have fine hair i'd definitely recommend checking this out. Repurchase? Yes. 
L'oreal Elvive Extroardinary Clay Shampoo - This is another favourite shampoo of mine for similar reason as it gets rid of any greasy feeling in the hair. It's also good if you use a lot of product or dry shampoo as it gets rid of that build up. Repurchase? Yes. 
Phil Smith Bombshell Blonde Conditioner - I picked this up on a whim when doing the food shop since i'd ran out of conditioner. I didn't find this did anything amazing or made my blonde hair look any better. The smell was also a bit too strong and floral for my liking. Repurchase? No. 

Vo5 Give Me Texture Spray - I've tried a few texturising sprays and some of them feeling sticky or too heavy in my fine hair. This one doesn't do that and I always go back to it since it gives some texture and hold to the hair without creating build up in the hair. Repurchase? Yes. 

BODY CARE:
Soap & Glory Fruitigo Body Spray - I got a set of these body sprays and i've been working my way through them. I mainly use them to freshen up during the day and the scent isn't too strong and lasts fairly well. This was my least favourite scent but it is still very pleasant. Repurchase? No. 
Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub - I really like Soap & Glory scrubs and i've tried most of them at this point. This scrub as a great texture and really leaves the skin feeling smooth. The scent is lime and sugary so was perfect to use over the Summer. Repurchase? Yes. 

SKINCARE:
Garnier Simply Essential Toner - I hadn't used this toner for a while and when I was doing a clear out I noticed I had a couple of uses left in this bottle. It's a nice, basic toner to use after cleansing as a freshen up. I don't think it has any major skincare benefits but it is still a nice product. Repurchase? No. 
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads - I've mentioned these pads a few times and they really are great. I use them in the evening and they keep my skin feeling so smooth and bump free. I finished these about a week ago and i've already noticed a difference in my skin not being as smooth. Repurchase? Yes. 

MAKEUP:
Revlon Ultimate All In One Mascara - When Revlon brought out their new range of I was curious to try one of them out. This mascara as a small brush which is great for getting those tiny lashes but you really have to build up the product. I find you can only get a natural lash look with this unless you use something over the top of it. Repurchase? No. 
Covergirl Supersizer Mascara - I picked this up when I last went to America after hearing good things about it. I really liked the brush since it applied the product nicely onto the lashes. I did find it to be a little too wet for my liking as it was hard not to put too much product on. Repurchase? No. 
Maybeline The Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara - I always get excited when Maybeline bring out a new mascara since I really like them. This one felt a just okay. It gave a nice look to the lashes but didn't hold a curl that well. I definitely prefer the original falsies which is what i'm using now. Repurchase? No. 

So those are this months beauty empties. I feel like there was a really good mix of product this month and I managed to finish a lot of product without realising. Have you used up any of your favourite products this month?

Shopping The Stash #9

I noticed when I was doing my makeup the other morning that i'd dug out a bunch of old favourites without realising so I thought I might as well do a shopping the stash post. Most of these are things i've liked for a long time as well as some i'm trying to use up or get more use out of. 

Bourjois Air Mat Foundation - My skin has been a bit all over the place after a few too many treats around my birthday so i've been trying a bunch of foundation to see which wears the best. I dug this out again since I remember liking the finish. When applied with a damp sponge this finish is mat but still looks natural and even on the skin. It wears nicely which is great if your skin is feeling a bit oily.

Laura Mercier Translucent Pressed Powder - As you can see this is something i'm trying to use up. It's one of the finest powders i've found and sets your base in place without making the skin look too matte. I'm trying to use up some of my powders before I buy a new one which is the main reason i've been using this recently. 

MAC Groundwork Paint Pot - When I have an early start at work I don't want to be spending ages doing doing my eye makeup. This is why I dug this out since blended over the lid with a fluffy lid you can create a quick, subtle smokey eye in seconds. 
Maybeline The Falsies Mascara - I actually purchased this recently but it is an old favourite of mine. This was my go to mascara for a long time since it defines the lashes without looking clumpy. You can really build this up to create a dramatic lash look, especially if you use a lash primer before. 

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - I have definitely forgot how great this little palette it and when you look at it, it doesn't seem that special. You can create a really nice combination of simple eye looks and define the eyes nicely. The quality of the shadows is very good and is definitely a must for any matte shadows lover. 

So those are the products i've dug out of my stash to give a bit more love too. I am prone to using the same products everyday, especially when doing my makeup in a rush so it's nice to shake things up a bit and rediscover some old favourites. Have you shopped your stash recently?

Origins Ginzing Scrub Cleanser - Reviewed!

Whilst I was browsing the Origins website wondering what to spend the voucher I had on I spotted this Ginzing set which included a full size of this cleanser along with two decent sized samples for the same price of the cleanser on it's own. After loving products from the Ginzing range in the past I thought it was an offer I had to take advantage of. 

As with the other products in the Ginzing range the product comes in this bright orange packaging which definitely stands out in your bathroom cabinet. I normally don't like scrub cleanser as I find them too harsh. This one however claimed to be gentle and refreshing whilst helping to unclog the pores.The Ginzing range is known for it's fresh orange scent and this product is no different. The scent is strong but very refreshing and definitely helps to wake you up in the morning. 

I've been using it every morning since I got it and I haven't found it to be too harsh on the skin. Instead the gel which has tiny particles in it feels gentle but like you're giving the skin a decent cleanse. It feels very refreshing on and rinses away easily. It leaves my skin feel smooth and clean. I haven't found it to leave a dry, tight feeling on my skin, however I do think it is best for oily, normal and combination skin. 

I'm always impressed by Origins skincare products and this is another hit for me. It really makes my skin feels refreshed in the morning as well as removing any excess oil on my skin. 

Origins Ginzing Scrub Cleansing retails for £15.00. 

Have you tried this? What is your favourite product in the Ginzing range?

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Collection

Since NYX became a lot easier to get hold of in the UK people have been going crazy for them. I still find there to be a massive crowd whenever I go to one of the stands in Boots. One of the stand outs is the Soft Matte Lip Creams and i've started collecting a few shades. I was going to hold off on doing a collection since there's still a few shades I have my eye on but I still thought it would be useful to do now. 

I really do love the packaging of these lip creams. It's so simple but you can tell which colour is which and the shade of the tube is actually a good match to the colour of the product. Each shade is also named after a city which I think is a really nice, unique idea. They also come in over 30 shades so there is so many to chose from. 

The applicator is also really great. It's a sponge tip which helps give an easy application and even with the darker shades you can get a neat edge with it. The formula is matte but the texture is creamy so it goes on easy and feel comfortable on the lips. This is why I love them so much since they feel nice on the lips but still give a nice matte finish. The wear time is also good. I get about 4 hours before I have to reapply, even longer with the darker shades. 

L-R San Paulo, Antwerp, Istanbul, Stockholm

The shades I have definitely lean on the pink side so I think I will be branching out and getting some deeper plum shades. I have my eye on Copenhagen at the moment. The first shades I got were San Paulo and Antwerp which when swatched do look similar but San Paulo is a deep plum pink where as Antwerp is a vibrant coral pink. The shade i've used the most is Istanbul as it is the perfect, wearable pink for my skintone without being too pale. The latest addition was Stockholm which is very nude but almost has a peach undertone which makes it very wearable. 

Every time I go to the stand I find another shade so I can definitely see my collection growing even more. I would highly recommend checking them out if you haven't already since they've become my new favourite lip product. 

NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams retail for £5.50 each. 

Have you tried these? What are your favourite shades?

Vichy Double Glow Peel Mask - Reviewed!

Vichy is a brand i've enjoy for a long time now and when I heard they had brought out a new range of masks I was curious to try them. The range includes a Quenching Mineral Mask, a Pore Purifying Clay Mask and the Double Glow Peel Mask. My skin has been looking a bit dull recent so the glow mask definitely seemed the most suited although I do love the sound of all of them. 

The mask comes in a jar with a mirrored lid. I really do like the packaging and you can easily see how much product you have left. The mask itself contains volcanic rock and AHA which helps to gently exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. It is designed to pick up a dull complexion whilst leaving the skin smoother and more luminous. 

The mask has a gel consistency but doesn't feel sticky on the skin. Instead it actually feels cooling when you apply it. You only need to leave in on cleansed skin for 5 minutes and the rinse off. Since the mask doesn't completely set and tend to rub the product into the skin before rinsing which helps to exfoliate the skin even more. It doesn't feel harsh at all and removes easily with a damp flannel. 

After using it my skin feels a lot smoother and looks brighter. I follow it up with a thick cream or moisture mask and the next day my skin looks healthier, feels hydrated and glowing. I don't like using harsh exfoliates since they irritate my skin and this is a great gentle and effective alternative. You can use the mask 1-2 times a week when you skin needs a boost and brighten.  

Vichy Double Glow Peel Mask* retails for £14.00.

Have you tried any of these new Vichy masks? What are some of your favourite Vichy products? 

*PR Sample

Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette - Reviewed!

It was my birthday the other week and I really couldn't decide what I wanted. I do like to ask for a nice eyeshadow palette that i've been lusting after but I was really drawing a blank on which one I wanted. Then I kept seeing posts about how great Zoeva palettes were and I spotted this one and it seemed like my kind of palette. 

The packaging is very beautiful whilst still being compact and light weight which makes it great for travelling with. It doesn't come with a mirror but this personally doesn't bother me. The palette comes with 10 shades which are a mix of matte and shimmer shades. None of them are overly glitter and all lean to a neutral bronzey theme. 

This is a definitely a palette which is neutral enough for the daytime but also has some darker shades to make some lovely smokey eye, dramatic looks. An absolute favourite shade of mine is the second in on the top row. It's this light, shimmery lilac shade which has a lovely, metallic duo-chrome look to it. It leaves a lovely sheen all over the lid. I also love the inclusion of a beautiful shimmery cranberry shade as well as a purple. The shades are very Autumnal whilst still being a little more unique than some other neutral palettes. 

As you can see from the swatches all the shades are highly pigmented; including the mattes, and blend really easily. I've found they give little fallout and look just as vibrant on the lids as when they're swatched. I had heard only good things about the quality of these shadows and I definitely have to agree. They wear so nicely on the lids with little creasing or fading throughout the day. 

If you're a lover of neutral shadows but want to try something a little different I would definitely recommend picking this one up. For the price it is also a lot cheaper than some of the high end palettes but the quality is just as good. 

Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette retails for £18.00.

Have you tried this palette? What is your favourite Zoeva palette?

Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask - Reviewed!

I've tried most Origins masks at this point but this one somehow slipped by me. When I got a decent sized sample of it I was excited to try it out since it seemed like one of those masks that does everything in one. 

The packaging is a tube which gives for an easy application and comes in a light pink colour which matches the colour of the actual product. The mask is made from rose clay which gives it the pink colour as well as having jojoba beads which helps the gently exfoliate the skin. The mask does have a rose scent but I don't find it to be overpowering, instead it is pleasant and a relaxing scent. 

The mask is designed to add radiance to the skin, improve the texture and help with blocked pores. You leave the mask on for 10 minutes and then rinse it off. I've found it is easier to remove than some of the clay masks i've tried which is a big plus to me. The exfoliating beads don't feel harsh on the skin but managed to really smooth out the texture leaving the face feeling soft. Whenever I use this mask it really helps to make the skin feel clean, refreshed and a lot smoother. 

If you find clay masks to be a little drying I would recommend this one as it feels a lot more gentle yet still effective. It definitely feels like it ticks all the boxes in a short amount of time so perfect if you don't have a lot of time to do a deep cleanse. 

Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask retails for £24.00.

Have you tried this mask? What is your favourite Origins mask?

Avene Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum - Reviewed!

I can remember for a while I was put off by serums since I thought they would be too heavy on my combination skin. Since then i've found some lighter serums which have really helped to balance my skin. When I heard about this one by Avene I was definitely interested in putting it to the test. 

The packaging is simple and white, matching the other products Avene have. The bottle itself is plastic which makes it light if you plan on travelling with it. It also comes with a pump which gives for an easy application. 

As with most Avene product this contains thermal spring water which is hydrating without feeling heavy on the skin. As you can see from the picture the serum itself is fairly liquidy which helps it to feel light on the skin. I use 1-2 pumps and apply it onto cleansed skin. It blends in really smoothly and quickly sinks into the skin.

I can't get over how light and comfortable this feels on. I use it mainly in the evening but it would work really well under makeup in the morning. The serum is designed to calm and hydrate the skin and I would definitely say it does both of those. Any areas where i've had some dryness or irritation it has helped to calm it down. 

I think this serum would suit most people but especially those with sensitive and combination skin as it is hydrating and calming without feeling heavy. I'm yet to find an Avene product I don't like and this is definitely another favourite in my routine. 

Avene Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum* retails for £17.00.

Have you tried this serum? What are some of your favourite Avene products?

*PR Sample